Friday, February 20, 2009

Laissez les Bon Temps Roulez


I always get that "do you know what it means to miss New Orleans" feeling right around this time of year because I do. Down in New Orleans the parties and parades are happening now, and you'd be hard pressed not find a King Cake or gumbo hanging around wherever you go. The parades are created by clubs or "Krewes" with mythological names like Muses, Bacchus, Zulu and Rex, and this weekend they'll be rolling most of the day and into the evening. Fantastic floats tower overhead- sometimes double deckers - with costumed people flinging beads, doubloons, toys and cups into the melee. (Despite the prevailing fantasy that girls lift their shirts for beads- which I'm sure does happen near Bourbon Street - in real life the crowds are primarily families -parents with little ones on their shoulders, hands outstretched, and the atmosphere is not tawdry but magical. )
Now I'm getting misty so I will quit here, but if you know what it means or if you want to know- head over to the Surf Club this Sunday afternoon for our local answer to Mardi Gras angst- Little Red and The Renegades Mardi Gras Zydeco Dance Party. The fun starts at 3, and cover is just five bucks. What a deal for a great band and les bon temps.



No comments:

Post a Comment