 |
Happy Mirth Day
Carnival delights and details
Greetings,
spirited subjects! As we embark upon the second week of all
the magnificence, extravagance and decadence that is Carnival
2004, I, Rex DukeTM, your master of Mardi Gras merriment,
am privileged to again convey to you all the luster, liveliness
and lampoonery we can anticipate from upcoming parades. The
slew of processions that proudly paraded last week only whetted
Rex's appetite for the even more grand affairs to come. So
that you will miss nary a bead nor a doubloon, here are the
essential elements of the latter Carnival parades in all their
posh possibilities. Onward, costumed cognoscenti, as we hie
toward the zenith of Fat Tuesday!
TUESDAY, FEB. 17
6 p.m.
Ancient Druids
Location: Uptown
Theme: Secret
Floats: 15
Arch Druid: Secret
Queen: None
Throws: Three types of doubloons, Druids cups, light-up Druids
beads, bobble-head figures, giant acorns
The Krewe of Ancient Druids will once again bring its own
brand of political satire with more than 250 riders in the
classic Druid garb, accompanied by dancing flambeaux. This
old-school Carnival parade will also feature 10 marching bands,
25 flag carriers and numerous horse groups.
6:45 p.m.
Morpheus
Location: Uptown
Theme: "Royal Dreams"
Floats: 15
King: Antoni Willcox
Queen: Karin Toribio
Throws: Morpheus medallion beads, stuffed crescent moons engraved
with Morpheus, twist beads, aluminum doubloons, special 2004
captain's doubloons
This year's theme centers around classical notions of grandeur
such as Caesar's dreams of conquest and Montezuma's dreams
of revenge. With double the membership of last year, the Krewe
of Morpheus aims to please, featuring only classic single-deck,
old-style floats and a dozen local bands such as George Washington
Carver High School. The Marine Corps Band will lead the parade.
WEDNESDAY, FEB. 18
6 p.m.
Saturn
Location: Uptown
Theme: Secret
Floats: 18
King: Gregory A. Thurhner
Queen: Julie Dale Haydel Throws: Frisbees, two kinds of cups
featuring Saturn and 21st anniversary crests, Saturn light-up
beads, Saturn "Fat Lady" beads, planet beads, nine kinds of
doubloons, cup holders, mini bobble-head dolls
Saturn plans to make up for last year's unfortunate rain-out
with a big, bold parade. Special units include a New Orleans
Police Chief float for grand marshal Eddie Compass, and one
honoring South Louisiana military members who served or are
serving in Iraq. That float, which includes a replica of George
W. Bush, will carry soldiers' family members, all unmasked
(Saturn plans to videotape the parade and send it to the soldiers
overseas.) There's also the signature "Fat Lady" float and
a new king's float, both hand-built with papier mache. The
parade includes 16 marching bands, flambeaux and "Walking
Heads."
6:45 p.m.
 Muses
Location: Uptown
Theme: Secret
Floats: 25
King: None
Queen: None
Throws: Teddy-bear beads, high-heeled shoe beads, beaded can
holders, frisbees, can huggies, light-up shoe beads, light-up
hair dryers, kiss-shaped magnetic blinking strobe earrings
and rings, Muses shoe soap, Muses toothbrushes, Muses beauty
packs, mesh purses, feathered shoe key rings, shoe bracelets,
shoe squeaky toys
This year, the 660-woman-strong Krewe of Muses will honor
Thalia, the muse of comedy (represented in the parade by local
actress/comedienne Becky Allen) and introduce two new floats.
The "Shoe Float" will feature a 20-foot-long high-heeled pump
covered in fiber-optic lighting and carrying surprise special
guests. The "Bathtub Float" will feature Muses enjoying a
bubble bath.
7
p.m.
Thor
Location: Metairie
Theme: "Lifestyles of the Rich" Floats: 20 King: Dan Civello
Queen: Melanie Trager Throws: King and queen 30th-anniversary
doubloons, Captain doubloons with 30th-anniversary crest,
beads
This year marks the Krewe of Thor's 30th anniversary and they're
out to show it with 544 riders and seven marching bands, including
West Jefferson High School. The parade features a new captain's
float and a new king and queen's float commemorating the event.
Look for such other new floats as "Owning a Horse in the Kentucky
Derby" and "Champagne Flight to Europe," featuring a giant
champagne bottle in front and an airplane in back. Other float
highlights include "Owning a NASCAR" and "Going to the Bullfights
in Spain."
THURSDAY, FEB. 19
5:45 p.m.
Knights of Babylon
Location: Uptown
Theme: Secret
Floats: 20
King Sargon LX: Secret
Queen: Secret
Throws: Cups, footballs, jester beads, 3-D fiber-optic medallion
lighted beads, silver aluminum doubloons
This Uptown favorite will feature 210 members and a fleet
of old-line, traditional floats. St. Augustine High School's
marching band will lead with the Marine Band in tow. Look
for such signature floats as "The Hanging Gardens of Babylon,"
"The Creole Cottage," "The Streetcar," "The Tower of Babel"
and "Jester's Jazz." The rest of the floats will be unveiled
that night and follow a secret theme based on literary or
musical classics.
6:30
p.m.
Chaos
Location: Uptown
Theme: Secret
Floats: 15
King: Secret
Queen: None
Throws: Cups, medallions, beads, doubloons
The Krewe of Chaos again intends to dazzle onlookers with
a satirically themed parade featuring 200 riders, 20 horse-mounted
lieutenants and flambeaux. The floats are built from 125-year-old
wooden-wheel cotton wagons with 11 bands in between.
7 p.m.
Excalibur
Location: Metairie Theme: "A Knight's Tale" Floats: 19
King Arthur: Pendelton "Penny" Larsen
Queen Guenevere: Debbie Ann Robert
Throws: Stuffed vinyl swords, plastic light-up swords, baseball
hats, coloring books, cups, frisbees, stuffed animals
The Krewe of Excalibur adds a new neon motorcycle troupe to
its 10-band, six-dance-team lineup. The parade will feature
knights on horseback with real chain mail and maids in plumed
collars. Look for ornate floats such as "Dink," representing
King Arthur pulling the sword Excalibur from the stone. All
children riding in the parade will wear medieval costumes
such as knight and prince garb.
FRIDAY, FEB. 20
6 p.m.
Hermes
Location: Uptown
Theme: "Pandora: The All Gifted One"
Floats: 27
King: Secret
Queen: Christine Baudier
Throws: Long white pearl beads, medallion beads, cups with
parade theme, flying discs and plush dolls with Hermes crest
Hermes honors that great boxer Pandora by telling her tale
with such floats as "Aphrodite Blesses Pandora With Beauty,"
"Hermes Endows Pandora With Curiosity" and "Hera Grants Pandora
Cunning and Guile." Marching between the floats will be 25
bands from as far away as Illinois. Watch for the King's float,
the first new one in 50 years, crafted by Royal Artists and
hearkening back to the style of the mid-1920s. It features
two 15-foot-long, 6-foot-high Venetian-winged lions.
6:30 p.m.
Le Krewe D'Etat
Location: Uptown
Theme: Secret
Floats: 21
Dictator: Secret
Queen: None
Throws: Gargoyle medallion beads, gargoyle stuffed animals
(two sizes), blinking-eye skeleton-head beads, cups, doubloons
of purple, green and gold
The Duke has always appreciated Le Krewe d'Etat's mischievous
ways, and hence will respect its privacy and let you find
out the parade's theme Friday like everyone else. But two
things are certain: Le Krewe's theme will no doubt capture
the spirit of topical humor (last year's: "Tales Told By Idiots"),
and no one is safe from its razor-sharp wit. The parade will
feature 16 marching bands, including old favorite St. Augustine,
as well as the U.S. Marine Corps marching band.
7 p.m.
Aquila
Location: Metairie
Theme: "Broadway/Show Stoppers"
Number of Floats: 18
King: James C. Oncale
Queen: Brenda K. Chetta
Throws: Doubloons, cups, lighted beads, medallion beads, cozies,
stuffed vinyl eagle crest, vinyl footballs
This 280-member krewe will roll for its 28th year sporting
its traditionally custom-made outfits tailored by the krewe
members themselves -- no outsourcing here! Aquila will pay
tribute to scads of Broadway show tunes, with floats honoring
The King and I, Chicago, The Best Little
Whorehouse in Texas, The Unsinkable Molly Brown,
Cats, Beauty and the Beast, and more. Maids
and dukes will ride with their enormous, detailed, three-dimensional
collars as well as their traditional head pieces. Joining
in the celebration with be as many as 14 marching bands from
New Orleans and the surrounding area.
7:45 p.m.
Knights of Jason
Location: Metairie
Theme: "Walkin' Through New Orleans"
Floats: 13
King: Jules Crovetto Jr.
Queen: Juli Jelenko
Throws: King and queen medallion beads, light-up beads, cups,
yard dogs, and the krewe mascot KOJI (for "Knights of Jason
Inc."), a plush, 20-inch dragon
The Duke well remembers when this krewe rolled in Harahan
back in the day and welcomes the return (this time in Metairie)
of the Knights of Jason after a 30-year hiatus, thanks to
the Kirkwood family. Melody Kirkwood rode with her father
Bert Cook as a child and together with husband Turner Kirkwood
Jr. and son Turner Kirkwood III will ride again with Cook
on Friday. (All are officers.) This 200-member krewe will
honor New Orleans streets, with pirates riding on "Pirate's
Alley," the Superdome profiled on "Poydras Street," and good
old Mr. Bingle represented on "Canal Street." (We'll let you
see for yourself what's on "Bourbon Street.") The grand marshal
is Jesuit grad and former Major Leaguer Will Clark.
SATURDAY, FEB. 21
11:30 a.m.
I ris
Location: Uptown
Theme: "A Touch of Class"
Floats: 28
King: John Hutton "Chappie" Chapman
Queen: Star Renee Chapman
Throws: Mini bobble-head dolls, footballs, cups, Iris theme
beads, champagne flutes, magnetic animals, stuffed animals,
3-D medallion beads, Iris stuffed bears
Grand marshals John Oswald and Chip Kelmell are among the
handful of men allowed to parade with the more than 900 women
of Iris, formed in 1917 and now the oldest and largest ladies'
organization of Carnival. All costumes are specially tailored
to individual floats that reflect the krewe's classy theme,
including "The Grand Prix" "The Zoo to Do" and the "Nutcracker
Ballet." Most of the 20 bands hail from out of state.
N.O.M.T.O.C.
Location: West Bank
Theme: "N.O.M.T.O.C.'s Book of Fairy Tales"
Floats: 18
King: Roy L. McCorkle
Queen: LaToya Renee Harvey
Throws: Signature "Jug Man" dolls, footballs, earrings, keychains,
bottle openers, ceramic banks
Orleans Parish District Attorney Eddie Jordan, the 2004 grand
marshal, will ride the captain's float for "New Orleans' Most
Talked Of Club." The 35th annual parade includes eight bands,
10 horse posses, and 15 dance groups. Theme floats include
"The Ginger Bread Man," Old King Cole," "Puss 'n Boots," and
"Heidi."
1 p.m.
Tucks
Location: Uptown
Theme: "New Orleans Politics: A Mardi Gras Fairy Tale"
Floats: 29
King: Rudy Ormond
Queen: Lelia S. Peyronnin
Throws: Panties, bras, toy toilets, stuffed dolls, lighted
and non-lighted medallion beads, wooden and metal doubloons,
footballs, flying discs, bean bags, megaphones
The only parade led by a float with an open-air toilet seat,
the Tucks procession has grown to 101 units since Loyola University
business student Robert Reichert, then 18, started the krewe
in 1969. Marching bands, motorcycle clubs, and horse posses
fill out the parade's ranks. This year's theme pokes fun at
City Hall with such title floats as "Funky Tucks Runs for
Mayor" and "Nagin's Reagan."
4:30 p.m.
 Endymion
Location: Mid-City
Theme: "Saturday Night at the Movies, The Sequel"
Floats: 28
King: David Lee Goodson
Queen: Megan Elise Giardina
Throws: Medallion beads with streetcar, light-up beads, three-tone
beads, inflatable doll and squeaky toy characters, footballs,
flying discs
Endymion commemorates its return to its modified Mid-City
route with special medallion beads and a Samedi (Saturday)
Gras celebration starting at noon at Orleans Avenue and Olympia
Street. Country-western singer Leann Rimes, the featured performer
and grand marshal, leads the 2,150-member krewe and 130 unit-parade,
founded in 1966. Float titles reflect the overall theme and
include "The Matrix Trilogy," "Moulin Rouge," "Lord of the
Rings" and "Spiderman."
6 p.m.
Isis
Location: Metairie
Theme: "Sweet Stuff"
Floats: 20
King: Dr. Lance Webb
Queen: Carolyn Hadsall
Throws: Stuffed animals, beads, candy
This all-female krewe named after the Egyptian goddess celebrates
its 32nd year with 250 members. Local high school marching
bands and dance teams will accompany floats decorated in a
sugar-sweet theme. Some of the succulent floats scheduled
to appear are "Cotton Candy," "Teddy Grahams," "Peppermint
Sticks," "Licorice Whips" and "Lucky Charms."
SUNDAY, FEB. 22
11 a.m.
Okeanos
Location: Uptown
Theme: "Heroes and Villains"
Floats: 17
King: John Lee Jr.
Queen: Stephanie Meyers
Throws: Purple, green and gold Okeanos medallions, beads,
cups
The Krewe of Okeanos celebrates its 55th year with a first
-- 2004's parade will be the first time it will roll with
women members. Okeanos' theme features heroes and villains
from film and literature, as well as some cheeky references
to heroes and villains of the everyday variety. The 250-member
krewe will ride on floats honoring such heroes as "Wonder
Woman," "Popeye," "Superman" and "Firemen." If villains are
more your speed, there's always "Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde"
or "Jesse James."
11:30 a.m.
Thoth
Location: Uptown
Theme: "Animators and Illustrators"
Floats: 39
King: Paul Trapani
Queen: Ashley Doyle
Throws: Mini bobble-head Thoth dolls, feather boas, squeeze
bottles, cups, five types of medallion beads with Thoth's
Egyptian insignia
This popular Uptown parade will feature the history of comics
dating back to 1918, with New Orleans Police Chief Eddie Compass
riding as a featured celebrity. Local marching bands, dance
troupes, and musicians will strut alongside floats titled
"Look Up in the Sky" (Superman), "Here He Comes to Save the
Day" (Mighty Mouse), and other floats depicting such characters
as Felix the Cat and SpongeBob SquarePants.
Noon
Mystic Knights of Adonis
Location: Gretna
Theme: "Adonis' Childhood Memories"
Floats: 16
King: Al Dugas Jr.
Queen: Gayle Ponthier
Throws: Adonis logo beads, Adonis cups, plush animals, toys
This krewe is celebrating its sixth birthday with a kid-friendly
theme and fun floats representing nursery rhymes from Mother
Goose, including "Lots of Jacks" (as in, Jack and the Beanstalk,
Jack and Jill ... you get the picture); "Fuzzy Friends," and
"Pie A La Mode." Clarence "Frogman" Henry rides as grand marshal
accompanied by marching bands, horse groups and motorcycle
clubs.
2
p.m.
Mid-City
Location: Uptown
Theme: "The Things We Do For Love"
Floats: 19
King: Stephen E. Farkas
Queen: Natalie Newton
Throws: Logo medallion beads, 3-D beads, logo potato chips,
cups, beanie toys including the heart-shaped "Mid-City Man,"
flying discs
This staple krewe of 71 years will again roll Uptown instead
of in the neighborhood for which it's named, due to ongoing
construction in Mid-City. But the parade promises all New
Orleans residents a worthy trip with a fun spin on an old
theme. The 200-member krewe will feature floats depicting
themes of "Dear John," "Love Cruise," "I Ching, You Chang,"
"Showered With Gifts," "Make A Wish," "I Went to A Fortune
Teller" and "Whodoo Voodoo."
5:15 p.m.
Bacchus
Location: Uptown
Theme: "Bacchus' Magical Mystical Tour"
Floats: 29
King: Elijah Wood
Queen: None
Throws: Plush animals of purple, green and gold with Bacchus
sash, Bacchus medallion beads, individual float theme beads,
light-up beads with clusters of grapes and bottles of Bacchus
wine
The Bacchus krewe attempts to outdo itself in its 36th year
with 30 bands (one for each float) and a Mardi Gras first:
all 1,250 members will wear lighted costumes, with officers
in lighted capes. Alongside the beloved faces of Bacchagator
and Bacchasaurus, Lord of the Rings star Elijah Wood
reigns as celebrity king. Floats are depicted with a classic
theme, one befittingly entitled "Hobbits of the Shire." Other
floats are "Gnomes of the Forests," "Call of the Siren" and
"Medusa." There could be more celebrity sightings, as a number
of Wood's co-stars from the LOTR trilogy have been
invited to ride along with the king.
5:30 p.m.
Napoleon
Location: Metairie
Theme: "Legends and Lore"
Floats: 23
King: Kurt Joseph
Queen: Tanya Phillips
Throws: Footballs, medallions, beads, cups
Napoleon's 300 krewe members will bring parade-goers into
a realm of fantasy and urban myths, riding on floats depicting
fantastic creatures such as "Vampires," "Ghosts," and "Genies
of the Lamp." Five jazz bands, six ladies' groups, and 11
marching units from local high schools will help carry the
24-year-old krewe down the Metairie route.
MONDAY,
FEB. 23
5:15 p.m.
Proteus
Location: Uptown
Theme: Secret
Floats: 20
King: Secret
Queen: Secret
Throws: Handmade, hand-strung glass beads in the style of
traditional original Mardi Gras beads
The title float will have a new, detailed depiction of the
first tableau of Proteus, based on a mythological 25-foot
fish that the first Proteus king rode in 1882. In a nod to
the krewe's long and storied history, riders will throw retro
Mardi Gras beads that are akin to the baubles tossed in early
Proteus parades.
5:45 p.m.
Orpheus
Location: Uptown
Theme: "Serenade of the Seasons"
Floats: 27
King: None
Queen: None
Throws: Signature beads, light-up Orpheus medallion beads,
cups, doubloons
Orpheus' musical theme reflects its namesake and honors many
of its special guests. The krewe's 1,200 members will roll
with local marching groups, dance teams, and this year's celebrity
monarchs: country star Brad Paisley and local rockers Better
Than Ezra (who will perform with krewe founder Harry Connick
Jr. at the Orpheus ball). Also look for actor Dominic Monaghan,
who played the hobbit Merry in Lord of the Rings. A
first for a Mardi Gras parade is a guest from the world of
fashion-- designer Nicole Miller will appear as a celebrity
rider.
6:30 p.m.
Zeus
Location: Metairie
Theme: "Animation in the Cinema"
Floats: 25
King: Louis Carl Gaudet
Queen: Kristin Mary Oddo
Throws: Bobble-head Zeus dolls, lighted beads, logo beads,
flying discs, cups, gold, silver and pink doubloons
For its 47th year of parading, the tradition-bound Zeus, which
has captains appointed for life and queens selected at birth,
this year pays homage to another grand legacy: animated films,
especially Disney movies. Floats will represent such classics
as Superman, Fantasia and Who Framed Roger
Rabbit? The family-friendly krewe also boasts 12 marching
bands imported from other states, ROTC units and dance teams
from such local schools as Mt. Carmel, Ursuline Academy and
St. Mary's Dominican.
TUESDAY, FEB. 24
8:30 a.m.
Zulu
Location: Uptown
Theme: "Zulu and All the Characters We Know"
Floats: 50
King: Gerard Johnson
Queen: Lisa Crinel
Throws: Zulu coconuts, beads representing the Zulu Providence
Prince, clappers, shakers, handkerchiefs, pimp hats, umbrellas,
spears, tambourines, footballs, cups, big medallion beads,
bikini panties
While Zulu's cherished coconuts would make anyone's Mardi
Gras day, there was also heated competition for Zulu bikini
panties last year; those return in 2004 by popular demand.
Adding to this revered krewe's revelry are floats embodying
such characters as Winnie the Pooh and The Cat in the Hat.
The Budweiser Clydesdale horses are featured, along with seven
other horse units, 21 marching bands, the Original Pinstripe
and Coolbone brass bands, eight dance troupes and six drill
teams.
10 a.m.
Argus
Location: Metairie
Theme: "Sinatra and His Music"
Floats: 28
King: Scott Sewell
Queen: Shana Ann Stumpf
Throws: Blue Dog doubloons, long krewe emblem beads, Frank
Sinatra cups, moon pies, peanuts, stuffed toys
With 500 members consisting of men, women and children, Argus
this year puts its considerable manpower behind a tribute
to Ol' Blue Eyes, with floats representing Frank Sinatra's
timeless songs. As is tradition, famed artist George Rodrigue
and Sheriff Harry Lee will occupy their own floats. Members
of the Louisiana State University national champion football
team will be honored, along with grand marshals Sammy Kershaw
and Roy Morgan. Twenty marching bands provide music along
with acts such as the crowd-pleasing Benny Grunch & the Bunch.
Rex
Location: Uptown
Theme: "The Winged World"
Floats: 27
King: Secret
Queen: Secret
Throws: Rex pearl beads, tri-color beads, doubloons, stuffed
jester doll, emblem cups
Rex's theme of "The Winged World" will bring, behind the King
of Carnival's float, a dazzling procession of winged creatures
from mythology. Floats will depict "Gryphon," "Quetzalcoatl,"
"Sea Sirens," "Halcyone" and "The Phoenix." The marching band
of Louisiana State University, the Golden Band from Tigerland,
will lead the parade, with nearly 20 other bands following
in Rex's 123rd procession. The popular stuffed jester doll
returns for the second year and is sure to be a much-demanded
throw.
11 a.m.
Choctaw
Location: Gretna
Theme: "Choctaw Salutes Southern Indians"
Floats: 16
Chief: Scott M. Holt
Princess: Shannon Marie Holt
Throws: Logo beads, logo frisbees, spears, logo bags
Still going strong in its 69th year, Choctaw will pay homage
to local Native American tribes with floats honoring "Opelousa
Indians," "Caddo Indians," "Tunica Indians" and more. The
krewe's 200 members will be accompanied by such marching units
as the George Washington Carver band.
Noon
Grela
Location: Gretna
Theme: "Choose Your Fantasy"
Floats: 26
King: Kim Fernandez
Queen: Tiffany Fernandez
Throws: Collector's-edition "Spot Dogs" (dalmatians with Grela
logo), krewe cups, king and queen cups
Grela promises to wow the West Bank with a 150-unit parade
that will include stilt walkers, dune buggy and motorcycle
crews, "Walking Heads," horse groups, and floats invoking
such fantasies as "Rags to Riches," "Triple Crown Winner,"
"Fantasia" and "Winston Cup Winner." The B-97 morning crew
from WEZB-FM serve as grand marshals, and members of the VooDoo
Dolls dance team will ride on the captain's float. Twelve
bands -- some from as far away as Chicago and New York --
will keep Grela rolling along.
Other Stories This Week in Features:
Cover Story
The Majors
Feature
7 Days of Soul: Jazz Fest 2004
Blake Pontchartrain™
New Orleans Know-It-All
Shoptalk
Now That's Italian!
|
|
