Mardi Gras is part of Carnival in Europe, which officially begins the day before Ash Wednesday. Mardi stands for Tuesday, hence the reason it starts on the Tuesday before Ash Wednesday. In the US the largest celebration of Mardi Gras is held in New Orleans, LA. Even in times of trouble for the city the celebration has gone on. It is part of the heart of the city. The festival was brought over by the French when New Orleans was first settled, in order for these families to keep their traditions.

Since the very first festival in New Orleans it has grown each year. Now there are millions who travel to the city to experience the quintessential Mardi Gras. For those who cannot afford the trip or find the crowds to intimidating there are probably local celebrations you can attend. Florida, Georgia, and New York all have celebrations in some of their bigger cities. While you will miss the New Orleans floats and packed crowds you can still enjoy yourself.

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The long wait will soon be over, as January comes to a close. For anyone excited about Burton’s Alice in Wonderland the wait will be over in a little over four weeks. Alice in Wonderland is scheduled to hit theatres on March 5, 2010. The premise for this movie is still based on Lewis Carroll’s book, but with a bit of a twist.

This time Alice is now 19 years old, and will be returning to the magical world, she spent time in before. Only this time the Red Queen is angrier than ever. Certainly there does not seem to be good reason for this hatred, until the truth is learned about Alice’s real identity.

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Talk regarding the 4th instalment of Spiderman 4 has many questioning if the movie will actually come to fruition. The last three Spiderman movies have included Sam Raimi as director and Toby Maguire as Spiderman. Yet, an announcement was made that neither director nor actor would be returning to the 4th instalment. Instead Mark Webb will be the director. We are still confused as to who the new lead actor will be, as announcements are clouded in uncertainty.

Spider Man 4 was set to release in 2011, with production starting in 2010. However, the movie is not going to debut until 2012. This was a bit of a shock for Spidey fans who already dusted off their costumes in anticipation of the movie.

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Are you one of the many people who saw James Cameron’s the sci-fi epic is so hum-drum and boring, officially licensed Avatar costumes are coming soon! A video circulating on YouTube (that has since been made “private”) was circulating, showing the costumes in their actual packaging. Given the success of Avatar (and the fact that sequels to the film have been planned), it’s a lock that these will be out in full-force by the time Halloween rolls around. When screen shots and the actual product has been released, CostumZee will be sure to have photos and info as to where you can buy them!

For now, Avatar fans will have to be content with concocting their own homegrown costumes. It’s not nearly as hard as it sounds. If you’ve been dying to figure out how to craft your own Na’vi look on your own without having to head to Pandora for a makeover, check out our step-by-step tutorial on how to make your own Na’vi Neytiri costume. While we used Neytiri as the basis for the costume and makeup, you can easily modify it to come up with your own favorite character — male or female — from the film.

Who would have thought that a reality show could make for such an abundance of great costume ideas?! Jersey Shore, the show that offended some Italian-Americans and a good chunk of New Jersey residents with its club-hopping and fist-pumping antics, has become a breakaway hit and has been renewed for a second season by its network, MTV, with the entire cast returning for another summer at the shore.

While it’s doubtful that MTV will come out with officially licensed Jersey Shore costumes (hey, stranger things have happened… Look at how long Ronnie and Sammi Sweetheart have lasted as a couple!), you can still dress up as your favorite characters from the show. Guys can skip the gym time and check out how to make a Mike “The Situation” costume with our simple tutorials. And ladies, you know you’ve been dying to know how you, too, can transform your blah, limp hair with a poof as perfect as Snooki’s if you check out our simple DIY how to make a Snooki costume. (Yes, there is a step-by-step walk-through on how to get your hair that high with teasing and getting that ultimate guidette eye makeup!

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If you picked up a Sarah Palin mask sometime during 2008, it looks like you made a wise investment. And if you’ve gotten a pair of Even though she was a bust as a Vice Presidential candidate in the 2008 elections, television news network FOX picked up “Sarah Baracuda” as an on-air political analyst and commentator. After stepping down as the Governor of Alaska, everyone assumed Palin had just “Gone Rogue,” with her book and subsequent signing tour. Apparently, she had other plans in the works. Looks like Tina Fey will get more mileage out of her lookalike status…and a few more guest spots on Saturday Night Live.

Her multi-year tenure should be in full-swing in the very near future, giving you ample time to dust off your best conservative business suit and sexy librarian glasses or pick up a pair for a pundit party to ease the winter boredom. For some more ideas, check out our DIY hints on how to put together a great Sarah Palin costume or get some pointers to get FOX’s newest addition’s mannerisms down pat with a “Being Sarah Palin” tutorial.

With a new year comes new and different heroes and heroines for children to dress up as for their next costume party. We’ve got a few tips for you regarding how to get your children’s or your costume party off to the right start.

You will first need a theme, which is where we will come in. What themes are out there for the new year, which may not have been before? What costumes are your children most likely going to want? Their age is going to be a factor. Just as the costume party for adults will be based on your favorite things. Here are some of the top costume party themes:

• Masquerade • Tinker Bell • Mickey Mouse • Thomas the Train • Little Einsteins • Robin Hood • Star Trek • Decades Party

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A Philadelphia tradition, New Year’s Day has seen the Mummers strut their stuff down Broad Street and show off their costumes and musical routines for the 110th year in a row. There was some controversy as to whether or not would perform in the city that most of the Mummers call home. The city of Philadelphia claimed that they were broke and could not support the cleanup required after the annual Mummers Parade and it looked as if the city’s venerable tradition would not happen. The Mummers, with the support of additional donors, instead ponied up $150,000 to the city to help pay for cleanup, police, and other expenses possibly incurred by the city in order to do so.

Fortunately, the Mummers didn’t miss a step or a sequin this year and made their march with all of the feathers and finery that they usually sport. Some of the themes on tap this year were Star Wars re-enactments with nearly every major character and Storm Troopers and Imperial Guards galore. Flying Pigs were another fanciful costume for the Comics division. Meanwhile, the String Division played their banjos and other instruments on their stroll sporting colorful animal costumes festooned with sequins and glitz worthy of Liberace.

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Hollywood has recreated Sherlock Holmes in an amazingly good and funny film, called simply, Sherlock Holmes. This 19th century tale takes us back to the times of gas lamps and the gloomy streets of London with a British winter slowly making its approach.

The film starred Robert Downey Jr., Rachel McAdams, Jude Law, and Mark Strong. These are four actors came together to offer the brilliant deductions of Sherlock Holmes in a mysterious, yet unearthly plot. How could Lord Blackwood survive a hanging? How will Sherlock Holmes solve this caper? All of these questions were whirling around in my mind as I watched this blockbuster movie during holiday week.

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A few years ago Hoodwinked an animated film was released. The film was based on red riding hood, her grandmother and the big bad wolf. Red had to fight against an evil plot in order to get her grandmother back safe. The popularity of this film has now sparked a sequel called Hoodwinked Too Hood versus Evil. The director is Mike Disa who also helped Cory Edwards write the screen play.

The release date is just confirmed as 2010, with no month or date yet provided for the USA; however, it will most likely be out towards the end of January or beginning of February. We have some new characters, which means new costumes for us. Red will be appearing with Hayden Panettiere supplying the voice. Originally Red was voiced by Anne Hathaway. Bill Murray will be Mr. Alligator, with Amy Poehler as Gretel, and Bill Hader as Hansel. Joan Cusack is also lending her voice as the Witch.

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