Our traditions of freedom and creativity run deep. On Fat Tuesday, Mardi Gras Indian tribes gather in intricately designed suits they work all year to form. The Wild Magnolias and Dr. John describe the spy boys, flag boys and massive chiefs meeting "Early One Morning." the placement changes, however it is often terribly, very early. If you miss the Mardi Gras Indians, you'll be able to catch a number of them later within the day when the Mardi Gras Indian Orchestra plays the Hi-Ho Lounge.
Out-of towners will relish the Rex and Zulu parades by renting stands along the route, and at intervals the bounds of the French Quarter there are bands of revelers on foot. The Krewe of St. Anne marches from the Marigny down Royal Street. It disbands by afternoon, however there is still a magic to the day that may be best sustained by avoiding Bourbon Street.
Approaching the tip of Mardi Gras Day, Frenchman Street at dusk is where walking and bicycle krewes gather when daily of parading. the group slowly assembles as if expecting one thing to happen, and what eventually happens could be a drum circle (if by drum one means that something on or close to Frenchman Street that may be played sort of a bongo).
When the beads begin piling up, ARC of larger New Orleans accepts used beads, and adults with disabilities kind and recycle them as a fund-raiser. several parade floats are recycled from year to year thus there are some steps toward sustainability during a town that may buried in beads by Ash Wednesday.
Moving to New Orleans fifteen years ago I fell in love with a vacation, then a town, then a life-style, then an area. this may be the primary time within the last five years that we're celebrating carnival at home. The costumes are still in storage, however Mardi Gras is simply outside the front door.
"This is that the thrill of my life." Louis Armstrong, Zulu King, 1949.