Mardi Gras vs Masquerade Ball. The difference matters.

In honor of Mardi Gras 2010, Oriana (of 43rd street Masquerade) speaks about the difference between "Mardi Gras" parties and "masquerade" parties:

She would like to remind readers and party-makers that while a Mardi Gras theme party may be a masquerade party, not all masquerade parties are Mardi Gras parties. Both Mardi Gras and masquerades often call for elaborate masks and finery, but the Mardi Gras party has a more specific focus; Mardi Gras conjures up images of jesters, beads, Bourbon Street, New Orleans, green and gold and purple, and drunken revelry.

On the other hand, "masquerade," while technically defined as any party where masks are worn, often calls up images of a masquerade ball - finely dressed ladies and gentlemen dancing and adorned in Victorian style, chandeliers, ornate decorations, and high formality.

Oriana suggests that shoppers and party-makers have a good idea of whether they want their parties to have a "Mardi Gras" feel or a "masquerade ball" sort of vibe. She then suggests that shoppers use the most appropriate terminology that will help them in their search for masks and party supplies.

Is your masked theme party a Mardi Gras bash or a masquerade ball?

Or is it somewhere in between? Even if the masquerade party to are planning doesn't fit into the categories of a ball or a Mardi Gras bash, you can use these examples as ends of a spectrum to describe the party to are creating. It will help you shop, and it will help your sales associates to serve you better.

This note is from Oriana's page on Masquerade's website:
http://masqueradecostumesnyc.com/oriana.html