At this weekend's Mardi Gras festival in Port Arthur, Texas, expect to hear a lot of good Cajun accordion — a sound that may bring back memories of the old Rodair Club, a legendary Cajun dance club, where many of the musicians got their start.

For some of us, Mardi Gras means bright lights, beads and blacking out. For the rest of us, Mardi Gras means avoiding downtown and getting some good rest. But can't we come to a compromise, y'all? Can't we have our King Cake and eat it too?

Head east from the Texas Gulf Coast and eventually you'll end up in New Orleans and over the next days the city is a destination where a lot of folks want to be. Why? Why Mardi Gras, of course!

For close to three decades, the Mardi Gras Mask Market, which runs today through Lundi Gras at the historic mart, has been an essential shopping experience for those who costume extravagantly on Fat Tuesday. It's also a great party, organizers say.

Head east from the Texas Gulf Coast and eventually you'll end up in New Orleans and over the next days the city is a destination where a lot of folks want to be. Why? Why Mardi Gras, of course!