Zulu's Witch Doctor rides on his signature float down St. Charles Ave. on Mardi Gras. (Sabree Hill, UptownMessenger.com)
The Rex title float "Lore of the Ancient Americas" travels down St. Charles Ave. Mardi Gras Day. (Sabree Hill, UptownMessenger.com)
On a beautiful Fat Tuesday, enthusiastic crowds met the Krewes of Zulu and Rex along their Uptown routes to close out the Carnival season. Continue reading »
Spectators admire the Krewe of Proteus title float, "Mythologica Aquatica," on Napoleon Avenue. (Robert Morris, UptownMessenger.com)
A member of the Ducks of Dixieland shares a dance to the music of the Bone Tone Brass Band with a parade-goer on St. Charles Avenue near the beginning of the Krewe of Tucks parade. (Robert Morris, UptownMessenger.com)
Dressed in an extravagant winged costume, singer Cyndi Lauper throws beads from her float in the Krewe of Orpheus parade. (Robert Morris, UptownMessenger.com)
Each of the Lundi Gras parades this year did what they do best: The Krewe of Tucks served up raunchy, high-concept satire; the Krewe of Proteus evoked the grandeur of aquatic mythologies; and the Krewe of Orpheus produced its immensely popular spectacle of light and music. Continue reading »
Actor Will Farrell, the King of Bacchus, throws out cow bells to the crowd on Napoleon Ave. (Sabree Hill, UptownMessenger.com)
Thoth riders throw beads from the St. Charles Avenue float. (Sabree Hill, UptownMessenger.com)
Rachel Cannatta smiles moments after getting a giant blue monkey from a rider on a Thoth float. (Sabree Hill, UptownMessenger.com)
After Saturday’s cancellations, Uptown parade-goers were treated to a total of six parades Sunday — five in the morning, and the superkrewe Bacchus in the evening — with dense crowds along the entirety of each route. Continue reading »
A member of the Krewe of Chewbacchus, dressed as a spaceship, waits for the start of the parade near the Big Top on Clio as rain pours down. (Robert Morris, UptownMessenger.com)
Despite a steady, soaking rain Saturday night, the storm troopers and starfighters of the Krewe of Chewbacchus soldiered through the Lower Garden District, greeting spectators with far more than just a mere “Nanoo Nanoo.” Continue reading »
Actor Will Ferrell, who will reign as Bacchus XLIV in his first Mardi Gras parade on Sunday, received his crown at Children’s Hospital on Friday and then visited with patients and families there, according to our partners at WWL-TV.
Craig Giesecke
When I was a kid, one of my favorite records was by The Three Stooges, called “I Caught A Cold For Christmas.” I played that little yellow piece of vinyl until the needle nearly wore through, even though the Stooges were huffing into their later years. I’ve been reminded of that this past week, though I could have been singing “I Caught The Crud For Carnival.” TBK and I have been battling an upper respiratory thing that forced us to miss the Wednesday night parades and, unless there is a sudden healing as I write this, Muses et al. I am sure you at least know several who have had it. Continue reading »
With torrential downpours forecast, neither the Krewe of Iris nor Tucks will roll Saturday, police decided Friday, rescheduling several parades to send a total of nine parades along the Uptown route on Sunday and Monday. Continue reading »
The Krewe of Hermes' "Birth of Dionysus" float parts the crowd at Napoleon and Magazine. (Robert Morris, UptownMessenger.com)
"Skeleton Crewe" leads Le Krewe d'Etat down Magazine St Friday night. (Sabree Hill, UptownMessenger.com)
Krewe of Morpheus paraders pass out throws on Magazine St. (Sabree Hill, UptownMessenger.com)
The Krewe of Hermes, Le Krewe d’Etat and the Krewe of Morpheus took Persian poetry, song-based satire and Louisiana’s best features for their themes as they rolled on the Uptown route Friday. Continue reading »
Note well, the gentleman next to the author on Mardi Gras day 2011 is wearing a backpack.
I could have titled this article “Things I learned from backpacking”. You see, being prepared for an all-day downtown adventure on Mardi Gras day isn’t that much different than exploring the back country. While you won’t be attacked by a mountain lion on Frenchman Street, you still run the risk of dehydration, shoddy bathroom situations, and becoming stranded from your group. Just consider me your urban-hiking trail guide. Continue reading »
Two people along the St. Charles parade route near Erato Street were shot in the leg by a teen gunman who was quickly arrested Thursday night, police said.
The victims were in the Wendy’s parking lot around 8 p.m. as the Krewe of Chaos rolled past when the shots rang out, according to reporting by Tania Dall of our partners at WWL-TV. The teen suspect was quickly apprehended by police and the gun was recovered, police said.
The shooting scene was about a dozen blocks down St. Charles from the site where two bystanders were shot along the route in 2009.
A member of the Krewe of Muses tosses beads to a spectator on Magazine Street. (Sabree Hill, UptownMessenger.com)
The Uptown parade route saw its thickest crowds of the Carnival season so far on Thursday night when the Knights of Babylon, the Knights of Chaos and the Krewe of Muses delivered their highly anticipated shows. Continue reading »
Allan Katz and Danae Columbus
The contest for the Republican Presidential nomination has resembled a relay race as a series of GOP contenders has each had his or her turn trying to overtake and upset front-runner Mitt Romney. Continue reading »
After 6 years and 3 months since Hurricane Katrina, Cleanerama, at 3637-39 South Carrollton Avenue, New Orleans, has now, finally, re-opened as of December 1, 2011, about two (2) months ago.
This location, two (2) buildings down from the Five Happiness Restaurant and right next to Xavier University (and hopefully, the future Costco), is the main plant where all the dry cleaning, laundry and alteration work “actually” gets done.
Now under new ownership, Parcels and Post offers fast, knowledgeable and reliable service for all your packing, shipping and mailbox needs. Parcels and Post has special king-cake boxes at affordable rates, so send your friends and family a slice of Mardi Gras from your local Uptown post office. When you mention the Uptown Messenger, you’ll receive a 10% discount on shipping costs (and not just for King Cakes)
Parcels and Post is located at 5721 Magazine St between Jefferson and Nashville. Open Mon – Fri 9am-6pm and Saturday 9am-2pm, Parcels and Post has lots of parking in the back, making it easy to get your shipping done and on with your day. For more information call 504-891-8402 or visit parcelsandpost.com
Heavy rainfall doesn't stop Uptown from watching The Ancient Krewe of Druids parade on Magazine Street Wednesday night. (Sabree Hill, UptownMessenger.com)
With the Bywater Bacherlor float, the Mystic Krewe of Nyx makes it's way through rain during it's inaugural year parade on Magazine St. Wednesday night. The Mystic Krewe of Nyx is an all-woman krewe.
Despite intermittent rain, enthusiastic crowds lined the Uptown parade route Wednesday evening to greet the Mystic Krewes of Druids and Nyx. Continue reading »
Herbal remedies at Common Ground Free Clinic.
Most of us have common sense know-how when it comes to keeping ourselves in one piece: Get adequate rest, drink plenty of water, wear sunscreen and/ or a hat, keep an eye on your intake of sugar, fried foods, alcohol, cigarette smoke and so on. During Carnival season, though, our common sense often takes a backseat to the endless stream of parties, parades and the quest for perfect glittery false eyelashes (or maybe that’s just me).
Over the years of observing the annual cases of post-Mardi Gras colds here at Common Ground Health Clinic, the team of herbalists and health educators have put together some tips for keeping yourself well during the frenzied pace of Carnival, as well as taking care of that cold if you do end up afflicted.
The author (center) in his PJ's era, circa 1993.
Jean-Paul Villere
At age 19, I often wore a homemade Charlie Brown t-shirt to work, backwards ball cap, ratty shorts, and close-toed shoes, no socks. And while the vernacular was not circulating at the time, I was effectively a barista. I didn’t know it then, but thus began a 12-year run in retail coffee that left indelible impressions on me, forged friendships over decades, and provided me a compass guiding me to where I am today. Last week, I read a piece that I felt could’ve been drafted by myself, lamenting the identity a public can have with you in this role. The Barista’s Curse could not be more real. Customers from so long ago bumping into you in the grocery, gas station, or post office. You were their daily dealer of caffeine; why wouldn’t they remember you? The curse remains double-edged however, because while familiarity may breed contempt, it may also plant the seed of positives unknown. So let’s explore the barista’s blessing; here are but a few of mine: Continue reading »
With Carnival in full swing, be prepared for all the parades with the NOLA Til Ya Die official Mardi Gras Survival Pack. Packed with everything you need for just $14.99, the Survival Pack is perfect family-friendly gear. Order before 3pm and receive free same-day local shipping – you’ll have it in time for when the first float rolls! Keep reading for more details of what’s inside.
"WE DID IT!" Rebirth Brass Band announced Sunday night on their Facebook page, http://www.facebook.com/rebirthbrassband
Jerry Carmouche (opcso.org)
Damion Brown (NOPD)
Three teenagers accused in what police describe as a citywide robbery spree with two stops in the Irish Channel last summer received prison sentences last week of 15 or 20 years apiece after pleading guilty to multiple charges, court records show. Continue reading »