Send Love To The Second Line In New Orleans

Unfortunately the pandemic has hit New Orleans extremely hard and lot of the people impacted are of color. Another project of the Krewe of Red Beans, a nonprofit organization, is called Feed The Second Line. 

The second line refers to the folks who are the culture bearers, the people who make up the Black Mardi Gras experience like the Social Aid and Pleasure Clubs, Mardi Gras Indians, Baby Doll groups, musicians and other artists throughout New Orleans.

The elders receive rides to get their vaccines through younger musicians for hire.  Also donations go to local restaurants to order meals which allow those businesses to stay open. Then the meals are delivered to the elders in the communities where it's most needed.

To support our culture bearers during this difficult time visit:  https://www.feedthesecondline.org  Please donate what you can.

Photo credit: NY Times, City of New Orleans, courtesy of Crista Rock. Member of the Young Men Olympians Benevolent Association, a Social Aid and Pleasure Club.

Thanks for stopping by. Leave comments on what you'd like to see here. 

Sondra Carpenter

The Mardi Gras Girl

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
TheMardiGrasGirl.com

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

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
TheMardiGrasGirl.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
TheMardiGrasGirl.com

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 Open House At The Backstreet Cultural Museum And See The Skull And Bone Gangs

The ongoing tradition on the morning of Mardi Gras Day is the Open House at the Backstreet Cultural Museum in the Treme section of New Orleans, right outside of the French Quarter.

This is where you can get a look up close and personal of the Mardi Gras tribes in their new suits, carefully handcrafted over the last year. 

Also the Open House starts off at 8AM with "Breakfast With The Bone Gang" celebrating one of the many New Orleans traditions, they date back to the 1800's. The Skull and Bone Gangs, dressed in costumes resembling skeletons, go around very early in the neighborhood on Mardi Gras Day and tell children to live right or the spirits may come and get them soon. They remind us all to live for the moment and enjoy each day we are blessed with. 

Click here to check out my previous post about the Backstreet Cultural Museum.

Thanks for reading, Happy Mardi Gras!

Photo credit: LA Reno Photography - www.larenophotography.com

Sondra Carpenter
The Mardi Gras Girl

Support The Red Flame Hunters Children Mardi Gras Indian Tribe For 2013

The Mardi Gras Indians have been a part of New Orleans Mardi Gras traditions for hundreds of years. You can view my previous post by clicking here to read more about their history. This post is to help generate publicity for The Red Flame Hunters Children Mardi Gras Indian Tribe. They are asking for support to help with creating their Mardi Gras Indian suits for 2013. Funds will be used for materials such as beads, feathers, sequins and fabric. The group is made up entirely of children who are making their suits by hand after school and continuing the tradition through the next generation.

The Red Flame Hunters want to be ready to mask with the other Mardi Gras Indian tribes in the parades on February 12, 2013. 

 You can click here to view their Kickstarter page for more information as well as to make a pledge. The minimum pledge is only $1.00, they are looking to raise at least $3,500 by January 12, 2013.

Click here to view a video of the Red Flame Hunters performing!

Thanks for visiting, feel free to share this post!

Sondra Carpenter
The Mardi Gras Girl

The Backstreet Cultural Museum In New Orleans

There are so many cultural treasures in New Orleans and one of my favorites is the Backstreet Cultural Museum in the Faubourg Treme. Faubourg is French for district or neighborhood outside of the city limits. The Backstreet Cultural Museum offers an extensive selection of Mardi Gras Indian suits as well as costumes worn by some of the original New Orleans brass bands and social aid and pleasure club members throughout the years.

Photographs, videos, collections and exhibits provide an inside look into the African American culture in New Orleans.

During my travels to New Orleans for Mardi Gras that year I was told about the museum by some hotel staff, so I decided to check it out. While I was there I was able to take pictures of some of the displays. Also I had the pleasure to be able to speak to the founder of the museum, Sylvestor Francis, who opened it's doors in 1999. Several years ago he was a member of the Gentlemen of Leisure Social Aid And Pleasure Club.

He originally started gathering collectibles from the Mardi Gras Indians, brass bands and social clubs. Because of his love of the African American Mardi Gras culture in Treme, he gave pictures to anyone who participated in parades that he photographed. He was rewarded for his generosity when people who he gave photographs to started giving him costumes, suits and keepsakes.

The picture below is of Sylvestor Francis in the museum.

He took time to discuss the museum displays and their history. Also he had me watch a documentary called "All In A Mardi Gras Day" which I purchased a copy of. It's a great reference for anyone interested in the African American Mardi Gras culture in New Orleans. It covers the Mardi Gras Indians, Zulu Krewe, Skull and Bone Gang and lots more.

Click here to view The Backstreet Cultural Museum website. You'll find information on exhibitions, community programs and hours of operation.

Hope you enjoyed this post as much as I did sharing it. Feel free to leave comments below.

Sondra Carpenter
The Mardi Gras Girl

The Mardi Gras Indians, First African American Mardi Gras Krewe

You won't see them with the rest of the krewes and walking clubs during the Mardi Gras celebrations.That's because they don't hang out around Canal Street near the French Quarter or Uptown near St. Charles Avenue where all the other krewes parade. I admit, because I didn't know the schedule until late last year, I still haven't seen them perform myself. You may be able to see them at the Jazz and Heritage Festivals if you don't catch them on Mardi Gras Day, St. Joseph's Day or a Super Sunday. I'm referring to the Mardi Gras Indians, the oldest African American Mardi Gras Krewe.

The Mardi Gras Indians mask in the historically African American neighborhood of Treme in New Orleans and make stops at different local restaurants and taverns in the community. Since African Americans were not included in the earlier Mardi Gras parades, they created their own celebrations within their neighborhoods.

You can contact the Backstreet Cultural Museum in Treme for information on the schedule, which is where I found out a lot about the history. This amazing African American cultural tradition goes back to the early 1800's with the Creole Wild West shows. Native Americans were credited with assisting African Americans during slavery and this was a way to pay homage.

The costumes, called suits, are made of not only feathers but also intricate bead work. They take about a year to make and weigh at least 100 pounds. They also don't wear the same one twice. The downtown suits are made more of feathers indicative of Native American tribes and the uptown costumes are more reminiscent of West African beading traditions.

The amazing picture displayed on this post is of the Cheyenne Gang. Photo credit goes to Perry Braniff, Sr.


*** Click here also for more information on the Mardi Gras Indians.

Thanks for visiting. There is so much more to the Mardi Gras Indian culture than what's covered on this post. If you'd like me to add more about information about this topic on the blog please let me know by posting your comments below.


Sondra Carpenter
The Mardi Gras Girl

Support This Film Project Featuring New Orleans Marching Bands: The Whole Gritty City

The New Orleans  marching bands have been a part of not only the city's multi-faceted music history, but African American culture as well. The tradition of the brass bands go back well into the 1800's and have been the backdrop for practically everything New Orleans from parties to Mardi Gras parades to funerals. The brass bands have also been an integral part of college and high school campus life.

Within the New Orleans community the high school brass bands carry on the tradition in the midst of inner city violence and distress in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina's disruption. The creators of the independent documentary The Whole Gritty City is currently seeking funding for their film. The production shows the mentors of these students supporting these children by passing down a musical legacy. The importance of the tradition is not only in keeping the music of the brass bands alive through the next generation but also the children's character and spirits strong amidst the dramas they face.

 

CLICK HERE TO VIEW THE TRAILER!

  

Thanks for visiting. Please click here to help fund this project. Minimum pledge is only $1. They are almost halfway through to the $50,000 needed. All pledges must be received by October 10, 2012.


Sondra Carpenter
The Mardi Gras Girl

History Of The Zulu Social Aid And Pleasure Club

In the early 1900's a group of African American laborers created a Social or Benevolent Aid Society which eventually came to be called the Zulus. These organizations were set up for African American residents of New Orleans where they could pay dues in order to be able to arrange for funeral costs. These societies were known to offer them the earliest forms of insurance.

The Krewe of Zulu was originally created as a mockery of Rex, the King of Carnival, since African Americans were not included in these parades. The Zulu's first King, William Story, wore ragged clothes and a crown made out of a lard can while carrying a banana stalk scepter. He was accompanied by a quartet, and in 1915 they created their first parade floats.

The most famous King of the Krewe of Zulu was Louis Armstong in 1949, who participated in their first celebrity march.

Still the most popular of all the throws given out during Mardi Gras is the Zulu Coconut, also called the "Golden Nugget". The krewe started handing them out to the crowds around 1910, then in their natural furry state. Some years later they were scraped off and painted.

During the 1960's the krewe lost popularity since during the Civil Rights era the act of the Zulus parading in blackface and grass skirts was seen as demeaning to the African American community.  Many organizations protested against the krewe and their members began to dwindle.

The loyalty of the Zulu members has kept the organization alive. They have grown back in large numbers and are heavily involved in donating their time as well as funds to local schools and charities.

The Zulu Social Aid & Pleasure Club is the second oldest African American krewe and the oldest in the main Carnival Parade. The Krewe of Zulu consists of African American men from all walks of life and professions, from laborers to politicians and is known for it's many community contributions.

Click here to visit this site for more on the history of the Krewe of Zulu.

You can post any questions or comments below. Thanks for visiting!

Sondra Carpenter
The Mardi Gras Girl



Glen David Andrews Continues The Amazing Music Tradition In New Orleans

This is not really a post about Mardi Gras, but in another sense it is. If you know anything at all about New Orleans, you know the music is a big part of the Mardi Gras celebration as well as any of the festivals in the area.

 A few years back, before Hurricane Katrina, I was hanging out in Jackson Square in New Orleans. Jackson Square is located in the famous French Quarter, surrounded by ornate historic buildings. It has long been a haven for artists of every type, particularly musicians and painters.

On this particular day I was fortunate enough to hear the incredible artist Glen Davis Andrews, native of New Orleans who grew up in the Treme section of New Orleans. Treme is known to be one of the oldest as well as one of the most important historic neighborhoods in the country for African American culture.

I purchased an original CD from him during his performance in Jackson Square years ago and it's a special addition to my music collection. Check out some of his more recent releases below as well.


 

What struck me immediately about Glen David Andrews' performance was it's uniqueness, but also the similarity to the great Louis Armstrong in his trombone playing as well as vocals. His background includes membership in the New Birth Brass Band and Olympia Brass Band. Glen's rendition of "The Saints Go Marching In" was soulful and energetic. You can tell he not only loves the music, but also the traditions of New Orleans.

Check out the video from one of his performances at the Louisiana Music Factory.

Hope you enjoyed this post. Feel free to leave comments.


Sondra Carpenter
The Mardi Gras Girl