Carnevale and  Mardi Gras are two different things.

Carnevale is a Venetian masquerade that started in the 11th century.  In 2012,  Long Beach Carnevale organizer Joseph Mascheratti brought the festivities to Southern California.

Long Beach Carnevale,  a free celebration outside the Long Beach Aquarium, is scheduled to start at 11:00 tomorrow morning, Saturday, March 7th.    There will be live music all day, free hair and masks by beauty experts at noon and a dance party at 6:00 that evening--and you're invited!

Just a few weeks after 2014 Carnevale (when the weather was less than cooperative), Joseph talked about Carnevale, his experiences bringing it to Long Beach and what attendees can expect for Long Beach Carnevale 2015.