BY JOHN SNYDER
OF PASCACK PRESS
TOWNSHIP OF WASHINGTON, N.J.—What’s better than great books, hot music, sweet treats, and fun with friends of all ages? Not too much, and those were the ingredients for a lovely afternoon Saturday, Feb. 23, at the township library’s Third Annual pre-Mardi Gras Party.
According to Allyssa Battaglia, who is young adult librarian and adult reference librarian and coordinates adult and senior programs, the party was a smash, with 18 more people attending than signed up.
“Word got out! We’ve been having these great bands come, and we offer king cake and have good music and good food. When you have all that, people are going to join you,” Battaglia told Pascack Press after the event.
She added, “It’s cool to be a librarian because you get to research things and bring the community awesome events.”
The party swirled around Dr. Dubious & the Agnostics, known for classic traditional hot jazz to swing. Since 1998, Doctor Dubious has performed in the New Orleans and Chicago styles in the tri-state area.
The six-piece Dixieland Jazz Band’s music swings with horns in sync and, when requested, a driving rhythm section.
Guests also enjoyed sweet and colorful Mardi Gras king cake, refreshments, beads, and a photo booth with props.
Asked how she reconciles a library—which one tends to think of as a quiet, studious place—with Carnival celebration, Battaglia said “We really want to make it [the library] a community center. It’s wonderful and heartwarming that music brings people together. Books, music, and friends makes for a wonderful afternoon.”
Mardi Gras, French for Fat Tuesday, falls on March 5. The name refers to events of the Carnival celebration, which begins on or after the Christian feasts of the Epiphany (Three Kings Day) and culminates on the day before Ash Wednesday, known as Shrove Tuesday.
It reflects the practice of the last night of eating rich, fatty foods before the ritual fasting of the Lenten season.
For those not in the know, Mardi Gras is about music, parades, picnics, floats, and excitement. Revelers wear costumes or at least dress in purple, green, and gold, and adorn themselves with long beads caught from the floats of previous parades.
Battaglia said the closest she’s come to an authentic New Orleans Mardi Gras was the version hosted at Universal Studios in Orlando, which she visited in college and loved.
She was encouraged to kick off the tradition by Library Director Laura Rifkin—now out on maternity leave—who has been to Mardi Gras several times.
“It just seemed like so much fun. Just the atmosphere, where everybody’s listening to music and having fun. It seemed good to recreate,” Battaglia said.
The library’s party drew families with little kids, and that’s part of the point, Battaglia said.
“We like to have a lot of fun here and that’s why our patrons are coming out more,” she explained.
Doctor Dubious, of New York City, has performed in the New Orleans and Chicago styles in the tri-state area since 1998. This six-piece Dixieland Jazz Band’s music swings with horns in sync and a driving rhythm section, when added by request.
The band includes Tom Duncan, on clarinet, sax, and vocals; Bart Bartholomew, cornetist, composer, and music professor; Karen Bartholomew, jazz vocalist, educator, composer, and keyboardist; Dick Dreiwitz, trombonist; Barbara Dreiwitz, tubaist; and Monroe Quinn, drummer and banjoist/guitarist.
Upcoming events
At the Township of Washington Public Library, A Crafty Night Out is set for Tuesday, March 12 at 6:30 p.m. Gusts can decorate old wine glasses with paint, twine, flowers, and more. At the end of the night, these will become tea light holders.
And on Saturday, March 16 at 2 p.m. the library is hosting its annual St. Patrick’s Day Party. The Ridgewood Irish Dancers will be here to perform, as will a band playing classic Irish music. Irish Soda Bread and tea will be served as well, making this a wonderful afternoon of entertainment and snacks.
Call or stop by the library to register for both events. The library is at 144 Woodfield Road. For more information, refer to the library calendar in Pascack Press, visit twpofwashingtonpl.org, or call the library at (201) 664-4586.