ORONO – The University of Maine’s Franco-American Centre and York Dining Commons will celebrate Mardi Gras with a dinner and music 4:30-7 p.m. Tuesday, Feb. 12, at York Dining Commons.

Students and members of the community are invited to enjoy traditional Franco-American foods, as well as music by pianist Joel Morneault. Reservations for the event are due Feb. 1.

Lisa Desjardins Michaud, the Franco-American Centre’s coordinator of communications, said the event helps to preserve an important Franco-American tradition.

“The Mardi Gras dinner at York Commons helps to create the awareness that Mardi Gras is celebrated here in Maine. It creates a French tradition awareness here on campus and in the community. It’s important to keep the traditions alive because our children are unaware of them and they may be lost otherwise,” Michaud said.

Mardi Gras means “Fat Tuesday” and is a day of feasting and celebration before Ash Wednesday and the season of Lent, the traditional Catholic period of abstinence and fasting. Mardi Gras is celebrated 47 days before Easter.

The menu is chicken stew, dumplings, salmon pie, tourtiere, roast beef, baked beans, sweet potato casserole, ployes and cretons.

Morneault, a native of Madawaska, is noted both for his piano virtuosity and sense of humor. He worked as a band and choral director for 31 years in schools in Bucksport, Falmouth, Fort Kent and Edmundston, New Brunswick. He studied at Boston Conservatory of Music.

Morneault is currently retired, but continues to serve as a church organist and substitute pianist. He played last week for the 25th anniversary celebration of Phillips-Strickland House.

Seating times will be from 4:30-5:45 p.m. or 5:45-7 p.m. The cost for the meal and entertainment is $9.56 for adults, $4.55 for students.

Ticket sales are limited and reservations must be made by Friday, Feb. 1. Call Susan Little at 581-4959 for reservations.