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University Daily Karisan, February 24, 1982
A tired Carnival-goer rests under a paper wall decoration during Saturday night's celebration
Festivals offer chance for pre-Lenten fling
Plastic grapes augmented her colfurce, so Barbara Harris thought her identity was obvious.
"I'm Carmen Miranda—who else wears fruit in her hair?" asked Harris, the administrative assistant of the department of English, Saturday night.
But it was a weekend for shedding identities and for close encounters of the cultural kind. It was the weekend for the KU German Club's Faschingsball and the Brazil-Portugal Club's Carnaval.
DESPITE THEIR different names, both celebrations mirror pre-Lenten carnivals in Brazil and Germany. And, as more than 600 persons found out this weekend, both were good reasons to party most of the night—and the next day—awav
Faschingsball led the weekend festivities on Friday night. The smaller of the two celebrations, Faschingsball attracted approximately 70 people, said William Keel, assistant professor of German and German Club adviser.
But size was not a prerequisite for a good time—at least not for Nancy Elliot, Kansas City, Ks., senior.
"Why am I here?" she asked. "Because it was fun last year, because I'm a German student, because it's here."
As Elliot spoke, about 20 people danced the polka and waltzed to original German Karneval music in the Kansas Union's Big Eight Room. Almost all of the Faschingsball-goers were costumed, representing everything from clowns to characters from the Wizard of Oz.
"IN CLOGNE (Germany), Karneval is a state of mind where you accept the idea of having a different perspective on everything," Keel said. "You know, 'Let's not take life so seriously; let's enjoy ourselves.'"
bur Karneval in Germany is also a time for political statements, according to Sabine Schnitker, Munster, Germany, graduate student.
"People will dress up to make a comment about the government, and its policies," she said.
Friday night, however, KU's version of Karneval was closer to Keel's statement about enjoying life.
"The Union tells us we went through two kegs of beer, eight packages of pretzels and two cases of soda," Keel said. "Basically, we didn't make any money. We just made enough to pay our Union bills."
After attracting about 660 people to the Lawrence Opera House Saturday night, the Brazilian Carnaval made about $2,000, according to Mauro Nobre, president of the Brazil-Portugal Club. The event cost $1,635 to produce, Nobre said, which leaves the club a profit.
"PROFIT WILL be used just like it was last year," Nobre said. "We'll use it to get the Carnaval started for next year."
Money seemed to be the last thing on anyone's mind Saturday night. By 9 p.m., the main floor of the Opera House was crowded with costumed men and women, exuberantly dancing to samba music. Confetti and streamers rained from the Opera House's private club area above.
In costumes, metallic gold and silver trim, as well as sequins and glitter, were the order of the evening. If there were any rules for successful costumes, they were, "be creative," and "the barer the better."
Although an overwhelming majority wore costumes, some people wore their street clothes.
"Why do I need a costume? You don't need a costume to have fun." Bernardo Webel, Maracay, Venezuela, freshman, said. "I just wanted to be comfortable."
Indeed, the constant movement on the dance floor lasted until 3:30 a.m. and generated a tropical-like heat that caused some to leave the general milieu and dance on the tables.
Carnaval in Brazil is supposed to be the one last fling before Lent, but not everyone observes the religious part of the season.
“Well, I’ll tell you what,” said Niboe. “I love Carnaval, but I’m very pagan. I don’t give up anything for Lent.”
No Carnival celebration would be complete without confetti, streamers and bright decorations.
Fritz Keel looks on as an Fassingham participants join in a polka. Fritz is the son of assistant professor William Keel, one of the organizers of the Fassingham ball.
Story by Kathy Kase
Winners of the Faschingsball costume contest watch as other contestants parade by.
Photos by John Hankammer
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