Le Carnaval Hits Washington, DC

Le Carnaval, the French Caribbean Masquerade party, blends authentic Caribbean cuisine, delicious rum cocktails, French wines, and Caribbean desserts.

Enjoy the traditional costume parade, Steelpan (steel drums) and Soca calypso music performances, and try your luck and balance in the limbo competition…how low can you go?

Some of the highlights of the traditional Caribbean Carnival buffet include:

• Calypso Rice with shrimp and vegetables
• Pelau – slow-cooked rice in coconut milk with peas and chicken 
• Geera Pork – pork tenderloin marinated in geera (similar to cumin)  with shadon beni (similar to cilantro) and Caribbean peppers.
• Savannah Bake and Salt-Fish – a fried bread sandwich with salted cod
• Pholourie with tamarind sauce - a light pastry with saffron and various spices.

You can even purchase a headpiece ($55-$65) to go along with your costume at the Embassy’s site.

French Caribbean Masquerade Party
La Maison Française at the Embassy of France
4101 Reservoir Road, NW
Washington, DC 20007 (map it)
202-944-6091

Date and Time -  Saturday, February 7, 2009 – 8:00 p.m. to Midnight.

Tickets -  $80 per person and can be purchased online.

Attire – Festive or Caribbean Carnival style.

Nearest Metro Subway Station – Farragut West – Blue and Orange lines, then a 15-minute Metrobus (D6) ride.  I’d recommend taking a taxi.  

Parking – Limited free first-come, first-serve parking is available in the Embassy’s underground parking garage.  Free street parking is also available in the area. 

Images – Flickr – masqueraded woman, drums

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