UTSA University Center hosts second annual Rowdy Gras Feb. 17

UTSA and San Antonio Express-News gentrification town hall

By Jana Schwartz
Associate Director of University Center Communications and Programming

(Feb. 13, 2015) -- The University Center (UC) will host its second annual Rowdy Gras, a UTSA-themed take on annual Mardi Gras (Fat Tuesday) or Carnival celebrations, from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Tuesday, Feb. 17 on the UTSA Main Campus UC Lawn. The event is open to the UTSA community.

Rowdy Gras will feature a variety of free events and items that reflect the spirit of Mardi Gras, including Cajun/Creole food, live jazz music performances by UTSA students, t-shirt giveaways, face-painting, beads and masks. A parade will take place at 10:30 a.m. on the UC Paseo.

Rowdy Gras is designed to introduce students to the rich customs and culture surrounding worldwide Mardi Gras celebrations. Mardi Gras began as the yearly celebration of Fat Tuesday, the last day before the Lenten season, when Catholics would have their last opportunity to enjoy the things they would be giving up for the following 40 days.

Over the years, the annual holiday has become a tradition enjoyed by people of all faiths and cultures. In New Orleans, which hosts one of the most famous Mardi Gras celebrations, festivities begin weeks prior to Fat Tuesday and include parades, balls, carnivals and street parties.

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To learn more about Rowdy Gras, contact Jana Schwartz at 210-458-5099 or jana.schwartz@utsa.edu.

To learn more about University Center programming, visit www.utsa.edu/uctr/programs/index.html or /www.facebook.com/UTSAUniversityCenter.

Watch a video about the 2015 Rowdy Gras celebrations, produced by UTSA students, at http://youtu.be/CmCaGjkK-zK.

Connect online with UTSA on Twitter, Facebook, YouTube and Instagram.

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