Marti Gras, New Orleans, USA
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Marti Gras, New Orleans Culture and History
New Orleans Marti Gras Dates New Orleans Marti Gras is not just one date but culminates after a series of parades, Masked Balls and events ending on the Main event date of Fat Tuesday - February 24th, 2009. Carnival officially begins in New Orleans on the Feast of Epiphany, or Twelfth Night - Jan. 6 - and continues until the midnight of Fat Tuesday, the day before Ash Wednesday. The date for Ash Wednesday, of course, changes from year to year depending on the date of Easter. The Carnival season builds slowly, from the drunken streetcar-jacking parade of the Phunny Phorty Phellows on Jan. 6 until Mardi Gras Day. The intervening weeks are filled with balls, banquets and other social activities. "Mardi Gras" (which is French for Fat Tuesday) technically applies only to the day before Ash Wednesday. But "Mardi Gras" is also commonly used to refer to the whole Carnival season, especially the final frenzied two weeks when the most parades occur. A condescending traditionalist may make a big deal over the technicality, but locals normally refer to the entire long party as "Mardi Gras” – See The link to the web site with all the activities in our Masked Balls Section |
New Orleans MARTI GRAS HISTORY
The French in New Orleans were having private masked balls and parties in 1718. When the Spanish
government took over, parties and street dancing were banned. It wasn't until 1827, when Americans
were in power, that the right to party in mask was restored --During the 1850's, the city's elite and their
elegant Mardi Gras parties were quite a contrast to the wild partying and near-rioting in the streets. It
was soon clear that all celebrations were in danger of facing another ban.
In 1857, a group of men formed a secret society called the Mystic Krewe of Comus. They knew that
Mardi Gras could be preserved with planning,organization, and management of the celebrations.
Comus planned the first parade around a theme and used flambeauxs to light the procession. The
Krewe of Rex formed in 1872 -- principally to entertain the visiting Grand Duke Alexis Romanoff of
Russia.
Since America didn't have royalty to properly welcome the Grand Duke, the men in Rex created a King
"for the day" so the Grand Duke could be royally received. They secretly anointed one of their own (a
certain Mr. Halliday) to be the King of Carnival. Mockery is a hilarious characteristic of Mardi Gras! (To
this day, many parades keep their King's identity a secret until parade day.) It soon became known that
the Grand Duke's reported mistress lover, Lydia Thompson (an American actress and star), was
appearing in New Orleans during the Duke's visit. We don't know if having a mistress at that time was to
be kept quiet, but the parade band didn't care, and its official theme then became "If Ever I Cease to
Love You." Mardi Gras has always been risqué at times!
New Orleanians have since formed a lot of secret societies that have served many charitable and
social functions. They often help unite the city with their parade's political themes. In 1877, after a brief
interruption from the Civil War and the unrest that followed, the Krewe of Momus held a parade with the
theme "Hades, a Dream of Momus" to ridicule President Grant and his Administration. Mardi Gras can
even poke fun at itself. The blacks of New Orleans mocked the snobbishness and exclusivity of Rex
with their own parade. In 1909, William Storey wore an old tin can for a crown instead of the more
elaborate crown Rex used. William was crowned "King Zulu" that year, and was proceeded by
"Provident Prince" and the "Big Shot of Africa." Donning black face and white eyes is another irresistible
pun of the Zulu Social Aid & Pleasure Club. Zulu's parade would meander from barroom to the barroom
in junky cars and wagons instead of floats. If you wanted to catch the start of the parade, you had to find
the bar that was extending hospitality to King Zulu. This Krewe didn't establish a parade route until
recently. Today, Zulu, with its beautiful modern floats, is one of the more popular parades of the season!
They are known for their unique, hand-decorated coconut throws. Only a fortunate few are lucky enough
to get those!
Most Mardi Gras Krewes developed from private social clubs that have restrictive membership policies.
Since all of these parade organizations are completely funded by its members, we call it the "Greatest
Free Show on Earth"!
MARDI GRAS BALLS
While most people think of parades when they think of Mardi Gras, other traditions continue. The King
and Queen work all year for the big spectacular ball. Their identity is a closely guarded secret -- and part
of the mystique -- until the night of the Ball.
Most of the balls are a formal and private affair for the Krewe. Debutantes are introduced at the Ball
Tableau as a formal introduction to society. The climbing of the social ladder starts for the children
serving as pages to the court. Women dress in ball gowns and hope to be issued a "call-out" card. If
fortunate enough to receive one, she is seated in a selected area and waits her turn to be "called out"
for a dance by the Krewe member that sent the card. A night of dining and dancing with a prince in
formal attire - what a dream!
Attendance at the older, more aristocratic Balls is by invitation only. (No one really feels left out if they
don't receive an invitation, though. Lots of folks aren't invited, including some governors who wanted to
attend.) Originally, ball invitations were die-cut and printed in Paris -- and they continue to be quite
colorful and valuable works of art. These invitations are also collector's items, often framed for their
beauty, and are an interesting conversation piece.
Some large parades produce an indoor extravaganza the night of their parade. This is a wonderful way
to experience Mardi Gras! Everyone dresses formally, enjoys the parade, entertainment, and food all
night long!
THROWS
The throwing of trinkets to the crowds was started in the early 1870s by the Twelfth Night Revelers, and
is a time-honored expectation for young and old alike.
In 1884 (over 100 years ago!), Rex started using medallions instead of trinkets. These medallions are
represented by today's doubloons. These doubloons are aluminum and anodized in many different
colors. They depict the parade theme on one side and the Krewe's emblem on the other. They have
become collector's items.
In the Bacchus parade, the King's float throws doubloons with the image of the Celebrity King on one
side of the doubloon. If you're lucky enough to catch one, hold onto it! Other Throws include beads
resembing jewels royalty would wear, cups, candy, and stuffed animals
The French in New Orleans were having private masked balls and parties in 1718. When the Spanish
government took over, parties and street dancing were banned. It wasn't until 1827, when Americans
were in power, that the right to party in mask was restored --During the 1850's, the city's elite and their
elegant Mardi Gras parties were quite a contrast to the wild partying and near-rioting in the streets. It
was soon clear that all celebrations were in danger of facing another ban.
In 1857, a group of men formed a secret society called the Mystic Krewe of Comus. They knew that
Mardi Gras could be preserved with planning,organization, and management of the celebrations.
Comus planned the first parade around a theme and used flambeauxs to light the procession. The
Krewe of Rex formed in 1872 -- principally to entertain the visiting Grand Duke Alexis Romanoff of
Russia.
Since America didn't have royalty to properly welcome the Grand Duke, the men in Rex created a King
"for the day" so the Grand Duke could be royally received. They secretly anointed one of their own (a
certain Mr. Halliday) to be the King of Carnival. Mockery is a hilarious characteristic of Mardi Gras! (To
this day, many parades keep their King's identity a secret until parade day.) It soon became known that
the Grand Duke's reported mistress lover, Lydia Thompson (an American actress and star), was
appearing in New Orleans during the Duke's visit. We don't know if having a mistress at that time was to
be kept quiet, but the parade band didn't care, and its official theme then became "If Ever I Cease to
Love You." Mardi Gras has always been risqué at times!
New Orleanians have since formed a lot of secret societies that have served many charitable and
social functions. They often help unite the city with their parade's political themes. In 1877, after a brief
interruption from the Civil War and the unrest that followed, the Krewe of Momus held a parade with the
theme "Hades, a Dream of Momus" to ridicule President Grant and his Administration. Mardi Gras can
even poke fun at itself. The blacks of New Orleans mocked the snobbishness and exclusivity of Rex
with their own parade. In 1909, William Storey wore an old tin can for a crown instead of the more
elaborate crown Rex used. William was crowned "King Zulu" that year, and was proceeded by
"Provident Prince" and the "Big Shot of Africa." Donning black face and white eyes is another irresistible
pun of the Zulu Social Aid & Pleasure Club. Zulu's parade would meander from barroom to the barroom
in junky cars and wagons instead of floats. If you wanted to catch the start of the parade, you had to find
the bar that was extending hospitality to King Zulu. This Krewe didn't establish a parade route until
recently. Today, Zulu, with its beautiful modern floats, is one of the more popular parades of the season!
They are known for their unique, hand-decorated coconut throws. Only a fortunate few are lucky enough
to get those!
Most Mardi Gras Krewes developed from private social clubs that have restrictive membership policies.
Since all of these parade organizations are completely funded by its members, we call it the "Greatest
Free Show on Earth"!
MARDI GRAS BALLS
While most people think of parades when they think of Mardi Gras, other traditions continue. The King
and Queen work all year for the big spectacular ball. Their identity is a closely guarded secret -- and part
of the mystique -- until the night of the Ball.
Most of the balls are a formal and private affair for the Krewe. Debutantes are introduced at the Ball
Tableau as a formal introduction to society. The climbing of the social ladder starts for the children
serving as pages to the court. Women dress in ball gowns and hope to be issued a "call-out" card. If
fortunate enough to receive one, she is seated in a selected area and waits her turn to be "called out"
for a dance by the Krewe member that sent the card. A night of dining and dancing with a prince in
formal attire - what a dream!
Attendance at the older, more aristocratic Balls is by invitation only. (No one really feels left out if they
don't receive an invitation, though. Lots of folks aren't invited, including some governors who wanted to
attend.) Originally, ball invitations were die-cut and printed in Paris -- and they continue to be quite
colorful and valuable works of art. These invitations are also collector's items, often framed for their
beauty, and are an interesting conversation piece.
Some large parades produce an indoor extravaganza the night of their parade. This is a wonderful way
to experience Mardi Gras! Everyone dresses formally, enjoys the parade, entertainment, and food all
night long!
THROWS
The throwing of trinkets to the crowds was started in the early 1870s by the Twelfth Night Revelers, and
is a time-honored expectation for young and old alike.
In 1884 (over 100 years ago!), Rex started using medallions instead of trinkets. These medallions are
represented by today's doubloons. These doubloons are aluminum and anodized in many different
colors. They depict the parade theme on one side and the Krewe's emblem on the other. They have
become collector's items.
In the Bacchus parade, the King's float throws doubloons with the image of the Celebrity King on one
side of the doubloon. If you're lucky enough to catch one, hold onto it! Other Throws include beads
resembing jewels royalty would wear, cups, candy, and stuffed animals
| Marti Gras New Orleans, LA - Learn More about the Marti Gras, Hotels, Dates and Tickets Visit the Masked Balls Page of our site. |
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