Mardi Gras on the Other Side of Town (Photos)

Most of you have seen photos of the "super krews" that parade uptown and the madness on Bourbon St. but I would like to show you what goes on in another neighborhood. This area is called "The Marigny". It is situated just outside of the French Quarter on the down river side as we say here. This area is populated with some of the most colorful residents in our city.

The parades uptown consist of the "krews' which are like private clubs that spend a lot of money to build mega floats and have big, but exclusive parties. The people who go to see these parades are a mix of tourist and local family types that are purely spectators. They crowd the sidewalk and scream like crazy people trying to get the attention of the float riders so they will throw them cheap plastic beads. A strange ritual.

The morning of "Fat Tuesday" I was due to photograph a behind-the-scenes look at a tribe of Mardi Gras Indians who were working on their suits. Maybe I will do another thread about them later. After the shoot I was walking back to the French Quarter and this is what I saw, all these photos were taken before 9:00 am.

Groups of friends get together and declare themselves a "krewe", they are mocking the super krews uptown. They dress up then slowly migrate to an area we call Frenchmen st.

They give themselves names like "The Krewe of Kosmic Debris"


"The Krewe of Overnight Marignade"


and "The Krewe of No Krewe"


They move toward Frenchman St from every direction. Some of the costumes are crazy. ATSers will like this one.


Some others.




Lots of great hats.



Eventually everyone ends up on Frenchmen St. and before you know it the Soul Train shows up. It's basically a
DJ booth on wheels.


Then the dancing starts.



You end up with a scene like this, remember this is all before 9:00 am. On the left side you can see someone rigged up a "mechanical bull". (I left this one sort of big so you can see it better)


Sure some people were a little out of control, like this guy on the pole but the guy in the wheel chair talked him down.


In the end no one got shot, no fights, nothing broken, no one got hurt. We do this every year and you never hear about it much because there is never any drama. Of course this guy was there so we all minded our manners.

I love a great party. And that sure looks like one. Some interesting colourful characters there. The guy in the red looks scary lol. Thanks for that

reply to post by tanda7

First: Star and Flag!
Next.... You should have put a reference to UFO's or Bigfoot in the title so more people could see this.

When I finally get to go to New Orleans for Mardi Gras, I will definitely hit that side of town. I am a morning person and that looked like a fun morning.

reply to post by tanda7

Dang DP.

Originally posted by TheDoctor46
I love a great party. And that sure looks like one. Some interesting colourful characters there. The guy in the red looks scary lol. Thanks for that

I thought the dude in the gold lame' pants and the blue cape next to him was scary.

reply to post by butcherguy
Did you notice the big girl wearing her kitchen? Food and all, you can't see her completely because she is behind her man but you could cook a meal for six with that costume.

I was waiting, I knew yawl were gonna do this thread eventually, close up and personal. S&F !!!!


I saw this show a few days ago and was waiting for a chance to use it. It's about the haves and the have nots changing roles: slave becomes master and vise versa. Keep the masses happy. Make fun of Roayalty and the rich. Don't we do that here at ATS anyway!!!

Carnival in New Orleans: Burt Wolf Travels & Traditions


If I find the full video I will change it or make another post. Enjoy.


Edit to add: Great pics btw.....How was the clean up, I bet it was a mess......

Originally posted by tanda7
reply to post by butcherguy

 

Did you notice the big girl wearing her kitchen? Food and all, you can't see her completely because she is behind her man but you could cook a meal for six with that costume.

I went back to look and saw the kitchen gadgets dangling from her midsection.
I do love that food they make down there. I have not eaten boudin for a long time. I need to order some in.

reply to post by tanda7


Hey cool! And please tell us more about the Indians as well, so fascinating. When I joined ATS my username was almost IndianRed.

reply to post by butcherguy


I like the guy in the gold, With his matching gold can of beer. A well thought out costume indeed lol

reply to post by DaphneApollo

Thanks for that vid D-A, I love Burt Wolf's documentaries.

How was the clean up, I bet it was a mess

Yeah, It was definitely a huge mess. The biggest mess is along St. Charles ave. where the big parades roll. There is some kind of taboo about picking up beads off the ground (you have to actually catch them if you want to keep them) of course some people will pick them up, mainly children. But by the time the parade is over, there are literally tons of beads on the ground along with other assorted trash.
The city prides itself on how quickly they can clean it up though. Usually within 24 hour after Mardi Gras the streets are clean. We've had years of practice.
I can't imagine the tons of garbage that gets processed because of this one, week long party.

Awesome thread & pics!

Batman likes blue Gatoraide, my favorite flavor!

Originally posted by heyitsok
reply to post by tanda7

 

Hey cool! And please tell us more about the Indians as well, so fascinating. When I joined ATS my username was almost IndianRed.

Thanks, I met some guys who work at my favorite restaurant and after 3 years I learned that they were members of a Mardi Gras Indian tribe. It's a relatively small group, only 6 of them. I asked if I could come over to photograph what they were working on and they agreed.

These are fairly young guys who work for very low wages and they put hundreds, if not thousands of dollars into constructing these amazing suits. They work on them for months.

While most of their peers are on the corner, up to no-good, these guys sit at home and sew. I feel very privileged to get this insider look. I'm thinking about doing a thread but I need to figure out who owns the photographs after I post them. These may have some commercial value.
Here's some samples.

This young man is the "Big Chief" of this small tribe.

The suits are so big they moved them into an abandoned building next to their home so they could spread it all out.

When I joined ATS my username was almost IndianRed.

What made you change your mind? I wonder how many people would even get that reference.
For those of you who don't know, Indian Red is a traditional Mardi Gras Indian song.

reply to post by tanda7


Oh man, thank you thank you thank you so much! I feel priveledged to see those photos. The whole thing is so wonderful. And I love that song so much, I literally can't help myself from singing along. I had wanted the username IndianRed, but changed my mind because it is like... It isn't *my* song to be tagging onto myself, you know. I may love it, but it isn't *my* culture to take something from. Just, respect for the Indians, you know? They put so much time and effort and money into it, and it means so much to them. I do love it though. Going to watch the video and sing that song again now. And thank you again!

ETA: Oh also, I did save those photos to my computer to look at again, is that ok? Also, are the Indians in the video the group you know from the restaurant?

reply to post by heyitsok

ETA: Oh also, I did save those photos to my computer to look at again, is that ok? Also, are the Indians in the video the group you know from the restaurant?

Absolutely that is ok. I'm very happy that you like them.
No the video is not of my friends but my friends are doing a big gathering on St. Josephs day here and I will be taking more photos because I need to document the finished product. (you know they only use the suits for one year then make a new one for the next year). Even if I do not do a thread, I will private message you a link to a online album so you can check them out.

reply to post by tanda7


Wow, that would be great! Thank you so much. Wish I could be there to see it in person. But I know I'm going to love those photos.

reply to post by tanda7


I love travel documentaries Rick Steves is my all time favorite too. He only does Europe. I've learned so much through these shows.

I have never been to a Mardi Gras yet. The last time I was there was on government business and aquiring a Peer reviewed Science Paper from the Library at The Univery of New Orleans, (I'm a library geek) anyway that was over 15 years ago and I just missed Mardi Gras. They were just beginning to bring out the floats as upon leaving to come home, darn, missed another one, maybe one day, it looks very lively and colorful.

I'd imagine just getting a hotel room on top floor and standing on the balcony is your best bet to viewing this Carnival with drink and food from there and 'Let the good times roll' as they say, would be the best bet.

I'm sure they didn't mind cleaning up the city, they get those Tourism dollars after all from all over the world through restaurants, clubs, casinos and attractions. One day I will go.