House Of Dance And Feathers In New Orleans

Another cultural treasure that highlights the Mardi Gras traditions and Black cultural history in New Orleans is a museum called House Of Dance And Feathers.

Ronald Lewis, who is the director and curator, offers an inside look at the groups who bring Mardi Gras and the parades in the community to life. You'll see the beadwork gallery for the Mardi Gras Indians and costumes worn by the Social Aid and Pleasure Clubs and groups like the Skull and Bone Gang as well as Baby Dolls.

The image gallery on the site shows off the amazing beauty of the feathered suits worn by the Mardi Gras Indian tribes. He also provides an insight into the detailed work that goes into making a new one each year.

Being the president of Big Nine Social Aid and Pleasure Club as well former King of Krewe de Vieux  and former Council Chief of the Choctaw Hunters (which is a Mardi Gras Indian tribe he founded) Ronald W. Lewis brings an intimate knowledge of the local culture he wants to share with the world.

A survivor of Hurricane Katrina he and his wife reside in the Lower Ninth Ward. Contact them in advance for an appointment to visit since the museum is set up in the Lewis' backyard of their home.

For more information and to arrange viewing times check out their website: http://houseofdanceandfeathers.org

Feel free to leave comments below. Thanks for stopping by!


Sondra Carpenter
The Mardi Gras Girl
MardiGrasGirl.com

Photo Credit
House Of Dance And Feathers
http://houseofdanceandfeathers.org

Mardi Gras Day 2018 Falls On February 13

Next year Mardi Gras Day will be  February 13, 2018. 

Don't wait until the last minute to travel to New Orleans, most of the parades and other festivities will be held at least 2 weeks before Fat Tuesday.

Remember Mardi Gras day is the final day of the Carnival Season. After that comes Ash Wednesday which is the beginning of Lent. So if you get there too late you'll miss out!

Feel free to post any questions or related comments below. Thanks for visiting, stop by again soon!

Sondra Carpenter

The Mardi Gras Girl

MardiGrasGirl.com

Happy Mardi Gras Day 2017!

Hey, the big day has arrived. Today is Mardi Gras Day! This is the last day of the Carnival Season and celebrations. There's still time for you to enjoy the festivities if you're in the area. Lots of music clubs in the French Quarter, on Frenchmen Street and throughout the city will be partying until midnight tonight. After that it's Ash Wednesday and you'll have to wait until next year to do it again! 

Here's some Mardi Gras music from Professor Longhair to help you get into the mood. Enjoy! Happy Mardi Gras, yeaaaah!!!

Sondra Carpenter

The Mardi Gras Girl

MardiGrasGirl.com

Kermit Ruffins And Rebirth Brass Band Performing Song Mardi Gras Day

One of the things about Mardi Gras celebrations that I love is the music. The songs, the horns, especially along with the brass bands, just get me caught up in a party flow no matter where I am.

Kermit Ruffins, native New Orleans trumpet player and vocalist, teamed up with the renowned Rebirth Brass Band on their rendition of "Mardi Gras Day". You can play the video below to listen.









Feel free to post comments below and let me know what you'd like to see here. Thanks for stopping by.

*** Hey if you're ready to head to New Orleans visit DiscountHotelTravelDeals.com now to get discounted hotel rooms for less than other online travel sites. You'll get rates sent direct to your smartphone or email.


Sondra Carpenter
The Mardi Gras Girl
MardiGrasGirl.com

The Mardi Gras Krewe Of Krewe Du Vieux

The Krewe du Vieux, one of New Orleans more controversial Mardi Gras krewes, will be parading Saturday, February 11, 2017. The name of their krewe is formally Krewe du Vieux Carr�, and Vieux Carr� is French for the French Quarter, a very popular neighborhood in New Orleans. 

They marched for the first time in 1987 and have been a local favorite with their satirical and amusing adult parade themes. "Where The Vile Things Are" and �Habitat for Insanity� are just a couple of examples. Also they continue to parade in the traditional fashion with mule drawn carriages in addition to other parade floats.

Krewe du Vieux was the first krewe to march during Mardi Gras after Hurricane Katrina in 2006. They gained national attention for facing adversity with humor. 


If you want to catch up with them visit this site which lays out their parade route:
http://www.mardigrasneworleans.com/schedule/parade-info/krewe-du-vieux.html

Feel free to post comments below. Thanks for visiting!

Photo credit: www.bestofneworleans.com / gambit


Sondra Carpenter
The Mardi Gras Girl
MardiGrasGirl.com

New Orleans Hotel Discounts Delivered To Your Phone

There are lots of wonderful hotels available in New Orleans, many of them near the Mardi Gras parade routes and other tourist sites. 

You'll want to look for the best deals on your hotel stay whether it's Mardi Gras season, if you're visiting for many of the other celebrations or just want to hang out. 

Make sure to visit DiscountHotelTravelDeals.com to get 10-30% off your accommodations delivered directly to your phone or email address. 



You'll be able to immediately see what discounted options are available on several quality hotels for the dates you wish and book right away.

Thanks for stopping by!


Sondra Carpenter
The Mardi Gras Girl
MardiGrasGirl.com

Mardi Gras Music From The Band Of Saint Augustine High School The Marching 100

One of the many special components of the Mardi Gras parades are the marching bands. They consist primarily of local area high schools and the most famous is from the St. Augustine  High School in New Orleans. They are known as "The Marching 100" to their fans and are considered one of the best high school marching bands in the United States.

They have played in the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade, the Super Bowl, also during a celebration for Pope John Paul II. 

Check out the video below to see them in action!








They'll be performing with several krewes this Mardi Gras, you can view their schedule here:
http://www.mardigras.com/news/2016/01/st_aug_marching_100_mardi_gras.html

Photo credit: Sabree Hill, UptownMessenger.com

Fee free to post comments below. Thanks for visiting!


Sondra Carpenter
The Mardi Gras Girl
MardiGrasGirl.com

The Mardi Gras Walking Clubs

The walking clubs consist of people that gather together to enjoy the Mardi Gras experience. These Mardi Gras krewes may walk holding banners, some participants wearing costumes and others play music. 

They offer a personalized version of the celebration, each with their own traditions.

A few that parade during Mardi Gras are:


* The The North Side Skull and Bone Gang

This group starts out in the Treme, the oldest Black neighborhood in the country, in the wee hours of the morning. 
Click here to read my previous post about this krewe.

* The Society of Saint Anne or St. Anne Revelers
They are known for their beautiful colorful costumes and for their ritual of carrying the ashes through the parade of Society members that have passed away to the Mississippi River.

* KOE (formerly Krewe of Elvis)
This walking club is interesting in that it is made up of members from around the country as well as worldwide and anyone can join. Members dress in costume according to that year's theme. Usually Mardi Gras organizations consist of New Orleans area locals only. 

Pictured are revelers from Saint Anne. Photo credit: AP Photo/Gerald Herbert

For updated schedules on the walking clubs for 2017 you'll want to check out this page: http://www.mardigrasparadeschedule.com/Mardi-Gras-Marching-Clubs/

You can post comments below. Thanks for visiting!


Sondra Carpenter
The Mardi Gras Girl
MardiGrasGirl.com

Carnival Season And Mardi Gras Festivities Begin January 6

Mardi Gras Day is February 28 this year, but that's not when you want to start getting involved in the festivities. The actual Carnival Season begins each year on January 6, which is also Three King's Day or Feast of the Epiphany.

The Mardi Gras krewe of The Phunny Phorty Phellows will be riding the streetcar tonight to start off the season. 

They'll be in the Uptown section of the city and heading down St. Charles Avenue on a streetcar starting at 7PM. This krewe has a tradition of satire and fun as opposed to the regal presentation presented by the Krewe of Rex. Check out their website for more details at: http://www.phunnyphortyphellows.com


Parades from several krewes and clubs will be running every day through to Mardi Gras.

Photo credit: Kathleen Flynn, NOLA.com / The Times-Picayune

You can post questions or comments below. Thank for visiting!


Sondra Carpenter
The Mardi Gras Girl
MardiGrasGirl.com

Mardi Gras Parade Schedules For 2017

The parades have for Mardi Gras in New Orleans will be starting soon. Once they start on January 6 they will be running everyday through Mardi Gras Day, which is February 28 this year.

Check out this site to keep updated on the parade schedule. 

Visit: http://www.neworleansonline.com/neworleans/mardigras/parades.html

Have fun!

Sondra Carpenter

The Mardi Gras Girl

MardiGrasGirl.com

2017 Theme Announced For Mardi Gras Krewe Of Zulu

Part of the fun for every Mardi Gras season is to hear the announcements and details of the new theme for the Mardi Gras krewes. Although Mardi Gras is an enjoyable celebration, one krewe has a more serious theme
that they'll be focused on this year.

The Krewe Of Zulu has declared their theme for 2017 to be "Stop The Violence". All of the krewe's throws and parade floats will reflect this theme. The president of the organization, Naaman Stewart, stated he wanted to take a stand and express concerns about violent crime. Although Mardi Gras is an entertaining event, we're all also hoping this new message is reaching its audience in a more profound way.

Click here for my previous post to read more about the African American Mardi Gras Krewe Of Zulu.

Photo credit: mardigrasneworleans.com


Feel free to post comments below. Thanks for visiting!


Sondra Carpenter
The Mardi Gras Girl
MardiGrasGirl.com

The Mardi Gras Krewe Of Rex

One of the biggest and oldest Mardi Gras krewes is Rex, which has also held the most parades.

The krewe began in 1872 in response to having a way of entertaining guests and getting support to get businesses and prominent individuals to invest in New Orleans after the Civil War. 
Also Grand Duke Alexis Romanoff from Russia was due to visit New Orleans for Mardi Gras that year, so everyone wanted to make a good impression.



Despite its prominence the Krewe Of Rex is not considered a Super Krewe since they still don't use a lot technological advances in their parades like fiber optic lights. Their  parades are run the way they originally have been for generations with colorfully costumed members and decorative floats. The Rex parade is managed by the organization The School Of design.

The tradition continues on today to prepare for the arrival of Rex, The King Of Carnival to
arrive into the city by boat on the Monday before Mardi Gras Day, which is also called Lundi Gras.

Rex is Latin for "King" and Rex reigns during the Mardi Gras season as the King Of Carnival.

Photo Credit: Sabree Hill - UptownMessenger.com


Please feel to post questions or comments below. Thanks for stopping by!


Sondra Carpenter
The Mardi Gras Girl
MardiGrasGirl.com

Mardi Gras 2017 Will Be February 28

Hey it's almost that time again folks. Mardi Gras Day will fall on Tuesday, February 28 for 2017.

Make sure you try to take in the parades and festivities the two weeks prior to Fat Tuesday, that's the highlight of the Carnival Season.

Also Mardi Gras Day is the last day for celebrating. Everyone's either passed out, asleep or in church the next day since that's Ash Wednesday!



Feel free to post comments below and let me know what you've like to see covered here. Thanks for visiting.


Sondra Carpenter
The Mardi Gras Girl

Celebrate Lundi Gras Or Fat Monday The Day Before Mardi Gras

If the culmination of parades and celebrations wasn't enough on Mardi Gras Day, you'll also
have fun if you're in new Orleans the day before, which is Lundi Gras, or Fat Monday, as it's also called. For 2017 it will fall on February 27.

The tradition revolves around Rex, the King Of Carnival arriving in the city by boat. Lots
of river themed events take place as well. The Social Aid and Pleasure Club Zulu will be hosting their Zulu Lundi Gras Festival. It runs all day and is free to the public. Woldenberg Park near the river is the location and is scheduled to start at 10AM. 


Another annual celebration is held at Riverwalk Marketplace. They host Lundi Gras at Spanish Plaza with Rex coming in at 6PM. They'll also have fireworks on the Mississippi Rivera and entertainers.

Lundi Gras is the day before Mardi Gras, so make sure to check out the festivities. Remember Mardi Gras Day is the last day of the Carnival season. 

Photo credit: Nola.com

Feel free to post comments below. Thanks for stopping by.


Sondra Carpenter
The Mardi Gras Girl

Mardi Gras Everyday At Blaine Kern's Mardi Gras World

Ever want to see where a lot of the action begins for the amazing Mardi Gras parades? It starts with the parade floats! Since 1984 Blaine Kern's Mardi Gras World has offered tours of their warehouse where you can even watch some of the artists working.

Blaine Kern Studios has actually been creating the imaginative floats and props for New Orleans Mardi Gras parades since 1947. They also make them for Philadelphia's Thanksgiving Day Parade, Universal Studios in Florida, Toho Park in Japan as well as amusement parks and casinos worldwide.

The space is part museum and part art studio. Many of the the floats are stored here from the New Orleans celebrations and may be re-used and updated. Costumes and figures are also available to view. You're offered and up close and personal look at how they make all the magic happen.

Blaine Kern's Mardi Gras World is located at 1380 Port of New Orleans Pl., New Orleans, LA 70114, you can visit their website at: http://www.mardigrasworld.com

Feel free to post comments below. Thanks for visiting.


Sondra Carpenter
The Mardi Gras Girl

Happy Mardi Gras Day 2016!

Hey, Happy Mardi Gras 2016! Check out the live stream for the Mardi Gras parades and floats for the big day. This is it, starting with the Krewe of Zulu, who's celebrating 100 years of incorporation with new floats,  through the Krewe of Crescent City in New Orleans. 

New Orleans Local News, Weather, Sports, Investigations

Check it out, have fun!

Sondra Carpenter
The Mardi Gras Girl

Your First Mardi Gras Celebration? Then Make Sure You Read This

Taking precautions always makes sense whenever you plan to attend a parade or other public street fair and Mardi Gras is no exception.

People from all over the world converge on the city of New Orleans throughout the Carnival season, but the last few days counting down to Fat Tuesday are particularly crowded. 

If this is your first time taking part in the Big Easy's massive party or even if you're a Mardi Gras veteran, here are a few things to keep in mind. These 5 tips will help you enjoy the festivities even more:


1. Get an early start
Plan to arrive at parade routes near the beginning of where the krewes will be starting out. When I say early, I mean at least 3 hours. Crowds will swell up quickly and you want to make sure you'll be able to see the floats and be close enough to catch the throws.

2. Dress the part
When I say pay attention to what you're wearing I don't mean just your costume. Check the weather prior to leaving since it can vary this time of year. Plan on layering your clothing; it can be warm, cold, rainy or sunny. 

3. Have a game plan for meals
While you're on the parade route it'll be difficult to get food since restaurants will be incredibly crowded. You may be able to find vendors that have snacks, but don't count on it. Pack your own lunch and try to keep your bag as light as possible, it will be a very long day. Besides you'll need room for the beads and throws you're going to catch!

4. Forget about driving
Don't be concerned about trying to drive anywhere during the Mardi gras weekend. The entire 
French Quarter is closed off for vehicle traffic unless you're driving a float or your car is in the parade with a krewe. Cabs will be difficult to find as well so plan a walking path from your hotel to the parade route.


5. French Quarter is NOT for kids during Mardi Gras
Stay on the parade route areas in Mid-City, Uptown, Central Business District and other areas of the city if you're coming to enjoy Mardi Gras with children. The out of control, risque behavior that gets all the media attention happens in the French Quarter, particularly on Bourbon Street. There are no parades in that area and that's the main reason you came! Most of the Mardi Gras celebrations are family friendly, so no worries if you keep to where the floats travel. 


Hope this helps, if you have any questions or want to add tips from your own Mardi Gras experiences feel free to comment below. Thanks for reading.

*** Want more travel tips? Click here for my post on catching beads and click here for the one on solo travel during Mardi Gras. And most of all, have fun! Yeaaah!


Sondra Carpenter
The Mardi Gras Girl

2016 Is The 20th Anniversary Of The Krewe Of Oshun

The Mardi Gras parades are rolling! Today, Friday, January 29 the Krewe Of Oshun will parade in the Uptown section of New Orleans starting at 6:00PM. This year also marks the krewe's 20th annivarsary!

This year's theme is called It's a Sea of Beauty. It's all about everything beneath the sea. Floats will reflect the ocean including sea horses, oysters and more. Throws will include peacock themed krewe bracelets and fans as well as beads. Also the New Orleans Marching Baby Dolls will be featured in the parade.

This krewe is run by African American women; it's named after the Yoruba goddess of beauty and love with their symbol being the peacock. Oshun also represents fountains and wealth to people throughout the African diaspora particularly Brazil, Cuba and Haiti.

The organization was founded in 1996, providing community service and entertainment throughout the year.

Click here to check out their schedule.
Photo credit: Sabree Hill - UptownMessenger.com

Thanks for reading, feel free to comment below.


Sondra Carpenter
The Mardi Gras Girl

Mardi Gras Parades For 2016

The party is ON folks! Just because Mardi Gras Day falls on February 9, 2016 this year doesn't mean you have to wait until next month to start enjoying the festivities.

Krewes have been rolling their colorful floats and throwing trinkets not only around the French Quarter, but they'll also be appearing Uptown, near the Garden District as well as Marigny and Mid City. Some will also parade outside of the city in areas like Metairie. 

For a full schedule of all of the parades including maps and krewes' estimated start time, click here.

Feel free to post comments below, thanks for stopping by!


Sondra Carpenter
The Mardi Gras Girl

Celebrate The King Cake Festival On January 31

Well, you've probably figured out by now that residents of New Orleans will come up with almost any reason at all to start a celebration.

If you missed it last year, you'll have another chance to participate in the second annual King Cake Festival this month, January 31. Revel in many the versions of this traditional Mardi Gras baked treat. 

This is a family friendly event so you can bring the children, they even have a kid's zone. If you get a wristband for $10 it includes beverages, prizes and more. It's actually a benefit for babies and children at Oschner Hospital.

The festival is free and runs from 11AM to 5PM and will be held on LaSalle Street in Champion Square. You can also get unlimited snacks and open bar for $60 as a VIP Club Member. OF COURSE there will be live music, after all this is New Orleans!

If you don't know anything about the King Cake click here to check out my previous post.

Thanks for visiting!

Sondra Carpenter
The Mardi Gras Girl
Sondra Carpenter
The Mardi Gras Girl