By Geraldine Wyckoff

The Tambourine & Fan Super Sunday parade rolls with more than the splendor of Mardi Gras Indians and street beats of brass bands. It's a procession with a purpose as the community organization encourages friendly salutations with its theme, "Good Morning, Good Evening." Tambourine & Fan's Jerome Smith says of the greetings, "It's the essential spirit of New Orleans and gives the city a kind of grace." At a pre-parade ceremony, the organization will emphasize the theme as well as hold its annual "Drumbeat of Dignity," when it remembers departed victims of violence. "It represents the sorrow and healing," says Smith. "It's a spiritual blanket of comfort." While the parade begins at Orleans Avenue and Bayou St. John at 1 p.m., arrive early to watch the Mardi Gras Indians gather on the grassy shores of the bayou. Spectators can walk among the feathers and get a close look at the beauty of the Indians' beaded and jeweled suits. Mardi Gras Indians from throughout the city are invited to parade along with some of the city's hottest brass bands including ReBirth, New Birth, Hot 8 and Lil' Stooges. Also in the lively mix are children's dance troupes and the young boys of the Bucket Men second-line group. After leaving the bayou, the parade heads out Orleans Avenue to North Claiborne Avenue, proceeding to Hunter's Field at Claiborne and St. Bernard avenues. The party continues there with a variety of musical performances on the big stage.

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