ONE MONTH OUT
Posted: January 22, 2012

* History was made last night at the annual Endymion Coronation Ball when the 2012 queen, Erica d'Aquin (granddaughter of the Captain), selected-by blind draw-the club’s first African American king, George B Lafargue Jr.

* Will fireworks fly at this week's Jefferson Parish Council meeting? Several captains are upset with new regulations that will affect their parades, and they may show up to say so.

* If New Orleans is awarded the 2013 Pro Bowl, Carnival parades, already pushed back a week by the Super Bowl in New Orleans, should not be affected.

* Correction: The Claude parade in Slidell is set for next Sunday, January 29, not today, as listed in the Mardi Gras Guide

* One of the most enjoyable of my Mardi Gras endeavors is helping promote each parade by interviewing its captain for WDSU-TV. The two-minute segments will appear on-line and will air on TV near the parade date. So far we have filmed 32 captains in their dens or headquarters, and have a dozen scheduled for this week. Stay tuned.

MARDI GRAS NEWS
Posted: January 12, 2012

A recent ECONOMIC IMPACT STUDY conducted by Tulane University concluded that the City of New Orleans gets an 8-to-1 return on every dollar spent on services provided for Mardi Gras.

ANNA MARIE SOTO, the captain of the Krewe of Rhea, died on New Year’s Eve of heart failure. She will be missed.

The CHILDREN'S HOSPITAL GUILD'S MARDI GRAS MAMBO BINGO is scheduled for Tuesday, February 14 at the Pontchartrain Center in Kenner. The annual event is the Guild's foremost fundraiser and continues to grow each year. Call Nicole Marinello at 504-896-9373.

The KREWE OF MUSES is using eBay (http://r.ebay.com/HNtGSS) to auction a ride in its 2012 parade with the proceeds benefiting cancer survivor organization, 2012 C4YW Conference. Prizes includes the ride plus costume, mask, a small package of throws, entry to the riding-members-only pre-party and the post-parade party featuring Joan Jett and the Blackhearts. Bidding ends on Sunday, January 15th at 6 p.m. Contact Jeanne at info@kreweofmuses.org or (504) 269-1422 with any questions.

IT’S CARNIVAL TIME!
Posted: January 05, 2012

Friday, January 6
The Carnival season commences on Twelfth Night, Friday January 6. THE MAYOR OF NEW ORLEANS holds a press conference and king cake cutting ceremony at Gallier Hall at 11am. That evening the PHUNNY PHORTY PHELLOWS’ streetcar ride starts from the Willow Street car barn and rolls along Carrollton and St. Charles Avenues, boarding at 6:30 P.M. and riding at 7:00 P.M. www.phunnyphortyphellows.com. That same evening at 6:00 P.M., the JOAN OF ARC parade celebrates the 600th birthday of its namesake saint with an equestrian procession in the French Quarter beginning at the Bienville statue at Conti and Decatur and ending at the saint’s gilded statue at Decatur and St. Phillip, www.joanofarcparade.com.

Saturday, January 7
IRIS and HERMES are the two Messenger gods and they begin a fun new tradition way to kick off the season with a run to "Get the Message out" that Mardi Gras is about to begin! Did you know, not only is Iris the goddess of the Rainbow but she is also the Messenger of the gods? So come on out Saturday and join the two Messengers, Iris and Hermes, for a fun run around Audubon Park to kick off the Mardi Gras season. Bring the family! Registration forms will be available the morning of the run, but unfortunately organizers can't guarantee that there will still be t-shirts to purchase. Sign In will begin at 8:30. The Lil' Messengers Run will begin at 9:15 and the Messenger Run/Walk will begin at 9:30. Children's activities will commence after the Lil' Messengers Run. King cakes and refreshments will be served. MessengerRun@gmail.com

Cancelled
Unfortunately, due to funding problems, the KREWE OF BRID has decided not march through Lakeview in 2012.

Celebrity News
THE KREWE OF CAESAR has landed characters from Sesame Street as guest riders in their parade set for Saturday, February 11 in Metairie.

KREWE OF ORPHEUS KICKS OFF CARNIVAL AND CHEERS ON SAINTS AT SECOND ANNUAL 13TH NIGHT PARTY

PARTY BENEFITS THE GEORGE RODRIGUE FOUNDATION OF THE ARTS

New Orleans, Louisiana (January 3, 2012) - New Orleans newest Mardi Gras tradition, the Krewe of Orpheus’ 13th Night Party, will usher in the Carnival season at 7pm at Generations Hall on Saturday night, January 7, 2012.

A special performance by the 610 Stompers, music by Gashouse Gorillaz and a live auction of George Rodrigue’s LSU themed Blue Dog print, Number One Tiger Fan, signed by the artist and Coach Les Miles will highlight the event, which is open to the public.

The event will also feature an open bar, delicious specialties from local restaurants, including a raw bar hosted by Acme Oyster House, and the game will be showcased on a giant screen as well as multiple screens throughout the venue so that no one will miss any of the football action. Doors will open at 6:30pm, and bar opens at 7pm. The party will roll until midnight.

Advance tickets may be purchased online for $100 per couple or $55 per person at www.kreweoforpheus.com/13thnight or $65 per person at the door the night of the event.