Happy Mardi Gras Day 2024!

Happy Mardi Gras Day 2024! Once again the biggest parades with the Krewe of Zulu as well as the Krewe of Rex are rolling the the streets of Uptown New Orleans. Catch them now folks this is the last day of Carnival Season!

Check out the footage of the parades, click here!

Thanks for visiting stay tuned for Mardi Gras and New Orleans culture, music and much more.

Sondra Carpenter

The Mardi Gras Girl

 

Happy Mardi Gras Day 2023!

Hey Folks! It's that time again! It's Mardi Gras Day! This is the LAST day of the Carnival Season, so if you haven't already get your party on today!

Check out the video that gives you a taste of the Mardi Gras parade experience. Featuring the krewes of Zulu, Femme Fatale, Oshun and more. 

Click to watch it now!

Enjoy! Feel free to leave comments below.

Sondra Carpenter

The Mardi Gras Girl

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

Celebrate Lundi Gras Or Fat Monday The Day Before Mardi Gras

If the culmination of parades and celebrations wasn't enough on Mardi Gras Day, you'll also
have fun if you're in new Orleans the day before, which is Lundi Gras, or Fat Monday, as it's also called. For 2017 it will fall on February 27.

The tradition revolves around Rex, the King Of Carnival arriving in the city by boat. Lots
of river themed events take place as well. The Social Aid and Pleasure Club Zulu will be hosting their Zulu Lundi Gras Festival. It runs all day and is free to the public. Woldenberg Park near the river is the location and is scheduled to start at 10AM. 


Another annual celebration is held at Riverwalk Marketplace. They host Lundi Gras at Spanish Plaza with Rex coming in at 6PM. They'll also have fireworks on the Mississippi Rivera and entertainers.

Lundi Gras is the day before Mardi Gras, so make sure to check out the festivities. Remember Mardi Gras Day is the last day of the Carnival season. 

Photo credit: Nola.com

Feel free to post comments below. Thanks for stopping by.


Sondra Carpenter
The Mardi Gras Girl

Happy Mardi Gras Day 2016!

Hey, Happy Mardi Gras 2016! Check out the live stream for the Mardi Gras parades and floats for the big day. This is it, starting with the Krewe of Zulu, who's celebrating 100 years of incorporation with new floats,  through the Krewe of Crescent City in New Orleans. 

New Orleans Local News, Weather, Sports, Investigations

Check it out, have fun!

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