University of California Los Angeles - Bruin Life / Southern Campus Yearbook (Los Angeles, CA)

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26 Mardi Gras

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Vice-Presidential Candidate Lloyd Bentsen, top left, spoke in Ackerman Grand Ballroom as part of a forum on national service. Martin Mull was one of the many celebrities that performed in Royce Hall, top right, for the taping of the variety show, Vote ' 88. The show, Vote ' 88, bottom , was aired on televi- sion in October and encouraged Americans to cast their votes in the November election. Photos by Stewart Kume and Andrew Lin. agree upon all week. The big event of the week, Thursday ' s Bush-Dukakis debate at Pauley Pavilion, brought a more serious atmosphere to campus. Hundreds of workers transformed Pauley into a giant television studio, and hordes of journalists arrived to cover the second and final presidential debate. On Thursday afternoon, security guards shut down the area around Pauley and angry students protested the lack of stu- dent tickets. Although the debate was of- ficially declared a draw, it raised political awareness on campus and provided UCLA with an abundance of national exposure. The political deluge continued on Friday when Reverend Jesse Jackson delivered a stirring speech to an estimated 4500 stu- dents packed into Westwood Plaza at noon. The ex-presidential candidate urged young America to keep hope alive and pledge their support to Democratic nominee, Michael Dukakis. Jackson ' s speech was an inspirational finale to the week that UCLA served as the political epicenter of the CJnited States. -Rick Marquardt Campaign 25

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Fireworks lit the sky over Mardi Gras each night, opposite, as the field flooded with ex- citement. The Intermural Field, top, became the stage for Mardi Gras, but the transformation was not complete until the thousands of uisitors ar- rived. A young girl en- joys the catwalk, mid- dle, one of the many rides in Kiddieland. Alpha Chi Omega and Sigma Phi Epsilon made their booth into a sit- down theater, bottom, in which they performed a series of short musical acts. Photos by Todd Cheney, courtesy of Mardi Gras. s spring quarter approached, the ex- citement escalated. Groups formed, bands were hired, clowns were discovered, booth facades were painted and t-shirts designed. Soon the 1M field was closed off and construction began. Mardi Gras 1989 was underway... Long before the weekend of Mardi Gras (May 19th-21st), 160 committee members had begun planning. This event raised money for GniCamp, a summer camp for underpriviledged Los Angeles youths. GniCamp ' s theme, All Kids Deserve A Chance, was supported by the 4,000 stu- dent volunteers who devoted their time and energy to make Mardi Gras a success. Executive Director Chris Bess added, I see Mardi Gras as more than just providing money for GniCamp. It gives students from diverse backgrounds the chance to work together. Following the success of the previous year, Preview Might was held the eve before Mardi Gras weekend. On this night, the gates were open only to faculty, students, and staff. The next evening, the gates were open to all. More than 80,000 persons attended Mardi Gras throughout the weekend to enjoy the food, rides, games, fireworks, and fun. For the past 48 years, Mardi Gras has been successful in delighting people while also providing GniCamp with two-thirds of its annual operating budget. When Chris was asked why he worked on Mardi Gras, he simply stated, It ' s fun, a great experience, and 1 wanted to be in a position to have an impact for such a worthwhile cause. ' -Kathy Carlton Mardi Gras 27