Troy

The Cajuns and Creoles blessed the world with Mardi Gras, a last fabulous blast of food, fun, beads and booze before Lent's austerity descends.

But the Polish have gifted the world with another great party: Dyngus Day, the Monday after Easter to celebrate Lent's end with delicious dishes, dancing, adorable animals to pet and a chance for would-be matchmakers to introduce their single friends to their true loves. Singles who don't have a friend skilled at matchmaking can introduce themselves to an intriguing stranger in two traditional ways on Dingus Day.

"Men and women sprinkle water from a glass onto a person they're attracted to, which is why Dyngus Day is sometimes nicknamed Wet Monday," said Adam Siemiginowski, owner of the Hill at Muza Beer Garden. He's hosting a Dyngus party Monday at his Troy restaurant. "And this sounds a little weird, but the other way is to gently tap the person you're interested in with a pussy willow tree branch."hil

Dyngus Day also allows romance-seekers simply to say "Hi" and shake hands.

Adam describes his beer garden at 379 Congress St. as adjacent to his father's Muza Restaurant at 1300 15th St. Both celebrated Dyngus Day last year with the crowd flowing between them.

Adam's parents, Jan and Alicja Siemiginowski, immigrated from Poland about 40 years ago and own Muza with daughter Agata. Jan Siemiginowski hosts a Dyngus celebration in his restaurant to complement his son's.

Another child-friendly event at the Albany Polish Community Center kicks off with a free children's brunch noon to 1 p.m. There will be an Easter egg hunt, games and refreshments. Jan Siemiginowski is bringing in baby bunnies and chicks for children to "oooh" and "aaahhh." And there will be pony rides.

"Everyone is welcome to come celebrate Dyngus Day with us, wherever you were born, wherever your grandparents or great-grandparents were born, we love everyone," said Jan Siemiginowski, with enthusiasm impossible to resist. "Parents can bring their children. Next year, I'll have a petting zoo with lambs."

The celebration at The Hill at Muza and Muza begins at noon with DJ Podeswa spinning polka hits from noon to 5 p.m. Live music will be provided in the indoor/outdoor beer garden by Eddie Forman Orchestra from Hadley, Mass., from 5 until 9 p.m.

An a la carte menu will feature handmade pierogi, kielbasa rolls, stuffed cabbage, euro burgers, pulled-pork mizeria (traditional cucumber salad) and tacos.

Muza is also dropping the price of its wide array of Eastern European and American beers by $1. After sampling all those beers, patrons can get a $10 Lyft voucher from The Hill at Muza so the ride home can be a safe end to the party.