Happy Fat Tuesday!!!!!!!!!!!!! Ms. Sarah did you go see Tony Soprano ride the float on Sunday? Um, he was on the ??? Krewe float. LOL I don't know much about the why's and wherefore's but I know it's one hell of a party! Janet have you experienced Mardi Gras? Lent is coming up. Anyone giving anything up?
Yes, I saw James Gandolfini! He was the King of Bacchus on Sunday night. The parade rolls down St. Charles Avenue, and one of my oldest friends has family there, with ladders set up on the Avenue in front of a little corner grocery. The view was excellent!
I also saw Harry Connick, Jr. He is the founder of Orpheus, a Krewe that parades on Monday night. (Also known as Lunde Gras) The King of that Krewe this year was the Coach of the Saints', Sean Peyton. Harry Connick, Jr. threw me beads, which hit me in the teeth, letting you know my mouth was WIDE open screaming..."Throw me something, Mister".
When the float carrying Sean Peyton rolled by, the crowd went absolutely CRAZY! It was amazing, and all along St. Charles Avenue were signs saying: "Thank You Coach". New Orleans loves Sean Peyton! Is it any wonder?
At 11, I saw Dr. John at the House of Blues...a very special Lunde Gras celebration. He was full of himself, and had a lot to say to the people of New Orleans...I hope they listened.
Tuesday EARLY AM, I walked a solid 7 miles with a Mardi Gras Indian Queen and Renegade, from the Black Eagle Tribe...that was an amazing thing! Locals give MUCH respect to these Indian tribes, it was an honor and one of the most thrilling things to do on Fat Tuesday morning. After noon, I had made my way by foot into the Central Business District just in time to catch a little of "Zulu", another Social Aid and Pleasure Club Krewe...caught some beads and then made my way into the French Quarter and Dauphine Street for the Bourbon Street Awards...drag queens in all their regalia. There were not so many there, which made me a little sad, but the ones that showed up were really beautiful...17th French Royalty to Joan Crawford's and Marilyn Monroe's....not to mention the occassional wild one, like "Chanda Lier" who walked with a full crystal chandelier floating above her head!
Soon after, down to Royal Street to watch all the French Quarter walking Krewes parade past...the costumes and color were amazing! It was truly a beautiful sight...and the spirit of the French Quarter is alive and well.
Late afternoon, a look into the Faubourg Marigney...little neighborhood right next to the French Quarter on the other side of Esplanade Avenue where the drumming starts in the early afternoon and lasts all night....again, unbelievable costumes, rhythms, horn blowing, cowbells...you name it...if it makes a sound, someone is banging on it...very, very, funky! (This neighborhood is full of artists and poets and musicians, so you can just imagine!)
Dancing in the street was just what I needed to shed this sad skin I have been wearing.
Thanks for the well wishes! You MUST come to Mardi Gras sometime.
