Mardi Gras Krewe Who? And Behind The Mask

January 17, 2017

It’s 41 days to Mardi Gras.

The musical selection I want to share with you is Professor Longhair singing: “Go To The Mardi Gras“ Click on the link for background music as we continue our journey to Mardi Gras. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0wAMr3V5lN4

Parades began in New Orleans on Friday, January 6th with Phunny Phorty Phellows and Société Des Champs Elysée.

The number of parades will increase in February on the weekends. From Wednesday, February 22nd, through Fat Tuesday, February 28th, there will be several parades each day, with the greatest number of Krewes rolling on Mardi Gras.

So who puts on these parades? Groups called Krewes.

A Krewe is an organization of people. Depending on the Krewe, membership ranges from only by exclusive invitation or limited to previous members and their relatives or may be open to anyone able to pay the membership fee.

Some Krewes memberships require you to help build and decorate parade floats and make your own costume. Some of the more affluent Krewes hire all of this work out.

Membership isn’t free. Fees range from thousands of dollars per year to a very minimal amount for small organizations.

Parading Krewe members provide their own Throws, which are trinkets thrown from a float to the spectators lining the parade route. Some krewes host other events like dances or parties for members.

Here’s a link (with photos) with more information about Krewes : https://www.thrillist.com/entertainment/new-orleans/a-brief-guide-to-notable-mardi-gras-krewes-thrillist-new-orleans

Legend has it that Krewe comes from the old English word Crew. Origin: http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/crew?s=t

1425–75; late Middle English crewe augmentation, hence reinforcements, body of soldiers

A Krewe (crew) is a group of people involved in a particular kind of work, which involves Partying and Parading. Each krewe has a theme.

For example: Rex is the oldest parading krewe, dating back to 1872 and their colors are purple, green and gold. There’s Zulu, named for the fiercest of African tribes and their “throws” are coconuts. Pegasus’ slogan is, “Neither rain, nor cold, nor strike, nor hurricane’s might.” Their “show must go on” attitude is evident in their history.

The photo is compliments of photographer Paul Mannix. He’s got some other really cool photos of all things Louisiana. http://www.flickr.com/photos/paulmannix/with/1530642040/#photo_1530642040

I want to introduce you to my book BEHIND THE MASK — Mardi Gras, Mystery, and Love…