Mardi Gras and the season of Carnival have a long and fun, if not altogether respectable, history. Carnival gets its name from the Italian, carnevale, meaning “put away the meat”, because it began as a season to get rid of all the meat in the house before fasting throughout Lent. And Mardi Gras is just that – a Tuesday full of meat! Naturally, since Carnival and Mardi Gras were followed immediately by fasting and penance, it only made sense for people to live it up, get a little – or a lot – decadent and commit enough sin to make 40 days of penance worthwhile. Along with the partying, there were pageants, parades and balls – many of them involving people dressing up, wearing masks and getting up to no good anonymously.

It’s this tradition that spread from Italy throughout the rest of Europe and Latin America, arriving in New Orleans when it was still Spanish and later a French colony. In New Orleans, the European tradition developed and mixed with traditions from Africa, giving us the Mardi Gras that we usually think of today.

Groups called krewes – almost 90 of them throughout New Orleans, some of them stretching back over 150 years, each put together its own themed parade, competing to have the best floats, most outrageous costumes and most entertaining parade in the period from Jan. 6 to Mardi Gras itself. Krewe-members toss different sorts of favors to parade viewers: everything from coconuts to the beads that have become synonymous with Mardi Gras celebrations everywhere, and that people are willing to bare almost all to get.

With the combination of the chance to dress up and get a little decadent, on just the other side of seedy, it’s no wonder that Mardi Gras celebrations have become a popular way to let loose in midwinter in the GLBT community. While there won’t be krewes putting on parades through the heart of Hillcrest or North Park, there are ample opportunities in the next week to get some beads, dress up and taste a little of New Orleans in San Diego.

For those looking to start their Mardi Gras Festivities as soon as possible and get a head start on their bead collecting, several bars have already begun celebrating.

It’s named for the main street in the French Quarter, so of course Bourbon Street is full of New Orleans spirit during one of its biggest times of the year, with its weeklong celebration starting Wednesday, Feb. 2, with bead tosses every night at 10:00 p.m., nightly CD giveaways, Women’s Decadence on Friday, Feb. 4, at 7:00 p.m. and a Lights Out Party the same night at 9:00, a King and Queen of Mardi Gras competition on Saturday with $500 in prizes and hourly bead tosses starting at 8:00 on Mardi Gras itself.

For dancefloor decadence, Bacchus House is having Six Days of Mardi Gras with nightly bead tosses, a Most Decadent Hottie contest on the Feb. 3, a Decadence Dance on Feb. 4 and a Masquerade Ball on Feb. 5 with $100 for the best mask.

If what you’re looking for is decadence with the hint of leather, the San Diego Eagle is having its Five Days of Mardi Gras, with a Leather and Feathers costume contest on Friday, Feb. 4, a leather costume contest on

Saturday, a special night for leatherwomen on Monday and a Dungeon Mardi Gras party on Tuesday.

On the weekend leading up to Mardi Gras, The Flame is having a Mardi Gras party for the boys on Friday with the Absolut Boys and another Mardi Gras party for the girls on Saturday with the Absolut Girls. Bead tosses, giveaways and drink specials both nights.

Club Montage is having its Mardi Gras party, Saturday, Feb. 5, until 4:00 a.m. with DJ Felicia Villani.

Besides its Underwear Contest with $150 in prizes, Numbers will be giving away beads and other prizes including a prize for the most beads collected on Tuesday, Feb. 8. The Brass Rail is also having its Mardi Gras extravaganza with dancing, bead tosses and drink specials all night.

For those looking to literally taste New Orleans, Martinis Above Fourth will be featuring a Cajun menu on Fat Tuesday itself, together with a mask contest and beads.

Pecs is also having its Cajun Creole Feast on Tuesday, beginning at 6:00 p.m.

For those looking to mix their decadence with charity – and earn a tax-deduction – there will once again be a Hillcrest Mardi Gras on Tuesday from 6:00 to11:00 p.m. on University between First and Fourth. The celebration includes live entertainment on two stages, guest performers, go-go boys from All Worlds Video, a beer garden, food and a full bar. Tickets for this event are $15 or $50 for VIP tickets including a private reception. Proceeds go to the GSDBA Charitable Foundation and Hillcrest Association.

No matter your taste or how decadent Mardi Gras makes you feel, or whether you have any intention of fasting afterwards, there’s something going on to help you celebrate.