FAMILY GRAS
Posted: January 16, 2013

Family Gras 2013, scheduled for February 1 and 2 in Metairie, will feature performances by Frankie Vallie and the Four Seasons, Creedence Clearwater Revisited, Soul Asylum, and Blues Traveler.

28 DAYS AND COUNTING
Posted: January 15, 2013

Fat Tuesday is four weeks from today and things are starting to heat up.

* Details of the 2013 Rex parade were unveiled today at the Rex media luncheon held at Antoine’s restaurant in the French Quarter. (www.rexorganization.com/)

* This Friday night at 8 PM at the Presbytere, the Louisiana State Museum presents a new show, "They Call Me Baby Doll." The exhibit will be preceded by a book signing by Dr. Kim Vaz and a panel discussion about the African American Baby Doll tradition led by Dr. Karen Leathem. (lsm.crt.state.la.us)

* Four parades roll this weekend; the first two are adult-rated, starting Saturday at 6:30 PM with the 28th annual Krewe du Vieux (www.kreweduvieux.org) with Queen Bethany Bultman, followed at 7:15 PM by the fourth "episode" of Krewe Delusion (www.krewedelusion.org. It must be noted that the reason these pre-season parades are allowed to march through the French Quarter and can feature sexual themes is that, by definition, they are not Mardi Gras parades, which fall under strict guidelines in regard to themes, float sizes, routes, etc. Also, Mardi Gras parades in New Orleans must roll within twelve days before Fat Tuesday (an exception made for 2013 because of Super Bowl.)

* On Sunday, two very family-friendly parades hit the streets-the 30th annual Little Rascals (www.kreweoflittlerascals.org) in Metairie at noon and the 52nd annual Slidellians at 1PM in Slidell.

* The Krewe of Muses has set up an online auction through eBay featuring a riding spot in the 2013 parade, with the proceeds benefiting the St. Bernard Project (SBP). The proceeds will be designated to SBP's veterans training and recruitment program to assist female veterans. The St. Bernard Project (SBP) is a leader in affordable post disaster rebuilding and job creation for veterans. (www.stbernardproject.org)

* According to NOLA.com, the Metairie-based krewes of Zeus and Hera will present a Lundi Fest featuring bands, "face painters, stilt walkers and vendors selling food and crafts on Veterans just east of Severn Avenue." The website also announced that the clubs will sponsor a giveaway of a Harley Davidson motorcycle. "It will be given to the person who acquires a special lanyard, among the hundreds that will be thrown from floats during the parades…" (www.thekreweofzeus.com, www.kreweofhera.com)

* For the past 28 years, it has been my pleasure to appear with Errol and Peggy Laborde on the local PBS program, "Steppin’ Out." This year's special Carnival edition will air on WYES Channel 12 at:

• Thu - 1/24 @ 7 PM


• Sun - 1/27 @ Noon & 11 PM


• Tue - 2/05 @ 11:30 PM


• Sun - 2/10 @ noon


• Tue - 2/12 @ 11AM

MARDI GRAS NEWS
Posted: January 13, 2013

Daniel Curole was selected King Endymion 47 at the krewe's Coronation Ball held Saturday night.

As is the Endymion custom, Curole was selected by random draw by the Queen, Victoria Michelle Hanzo.

More than 5,000 members and guests attended the Endymion Coronation Ball at the Morial Convention Center Saturday, January 12, 2013