Hello, I'm Lips and I'm a MardiGrasAholic!

I told everyone that I moved here to play music, but the Truth of the Matter is that I had to reduce my commute from Houston for the Mardi Gras Festivities, hence in 1996 I left in the LipsMobile to be near my Favorite Time of Year...

Mardi Gras 1983 was my first visit here and it took me 13 years to make the move, but I vowed to make the move!  Now we live two blocks from the Uptown Parade Route and I vow to take in as many parades as I can!

Of course, there is plenty of other festive items to partake in during this Springtime Pagan Festival (tied into the Catholic Church as many good festivals are...) much of it includes food and alcohol, but also the visting with friends after the hibernation of Winter is tantamount to the Fun.  Oh, and there will be costumes!

If you have not Mardi Gras-ed in the City That's Care-Free, you haven't lived!!!!  My gratitude is never-ending to the Gipsons who turned me on to their Fair Ville, 1983, and did little to keep from imposing on their gracious hospitality all those years!!! 

Mardi Gras 2015 



The Societe de St. Ann--one of my Faves!

Mardi Gras 2014 

This Lucky Couple won a date in 37-degree, rainy weather!

RED BEANS & RICE PARADE, Lundi Gras:

Thoth Sunday: 

Tulip Trees on Chestnut Street

Krewe du Jieux Coveted Bagel

Krewe du Vieux' interesting assortment of hand-outs, including this bug pin:

From The Bar Flies in Krewe du Vieux

The New Orleans Black Mardi Gras Traditions Extravaganza, 2/19/14

Xavier University's McCaffery Auditorium, 3rd Floor Life Center Building

Moderator Dr. Michael White explained that Mardi Gras is not unique to New Orleans; it originated in Europe and the first Mardi Gras in the New World was celebrated in Mobile in 1703 (before New Orleans was even born) and the first parade was also in Mobile.  Balls were held in the late 1700s in New Orleans as it is the height of the social season.  The first documented, organized parade in New Orleans was by the Mystick Krewe of Comus in 1837. 

The first black organization was formed in 1894, The Original Illinois Club.  Since the Black segment of the population was denied participation in the white traditions, they formed their own practises, mostly in their own neighborhoods:

The Zulu Social Aid & Pleasure Club historian, Clarence Becknell stated that Zulu was born out of marching groups, including The Tramps in 1901.  Segregation kept them off of the St. Charles Avenue celebrations, so backstreet clubs formed.  In 1909, several members saw a play, “Never Was and Never Will Be a King Like Me,” and adopted the blackface and grass skirts.  There was nothing behind it except they could not afford the highly decorated, elaborate masks worn by whites.   No-one ever came and asked them about the blackface--independent writers just started writing about that aspect, in criticism. 

In 1916, the Zulu Social Aid & Pleasure Club incorporated.  The Social Aid part of the club was this first form of insurance for blacks at 10-cents/week.  The Gertrude Gettis Funeral Home gave them a place to meet so that is their first stop on Mardi Gras morning.  In 1933 the Ladies Auxiliary was formed--wives of the members from which the Queen is chosen.  Tradition is they bring sandwiches to the Zulu Ball; this is another tradition they uphold, paying the Convention Center not to use their catering.

There was never discrimination among their ranks and the first white person to join Zulu was Charles Foti in 1978.   There are 600+ members in Zulu, with 140 on the waiting list. 

Yellow Pocohantas Mardi Gras Indians, Darryl Montana's father’s great-uncle, B.K., was the offspring of a Native American Indian and a slave, and in 1869, he masked to pay tribute to those who offered him help--the masking has been in his family ever since.  His father, Allison “Tootie” Montana was the Chief before him.  He had to explain his dedication to his wife, Sabrina, before he married her so she would know what was in her future.  She has supported him.  Gina, his Queen, was in the audience, and he acknowledged her as well. 

At age six, he first remembers seeing his folks sewing; living in the Desire Housing Project: they would come and take the suits to 1313 St. Anthony St. & then on Mardi Gras morning, they caught the bus to grandma’s house.  His Dad was a construction worker the pellets in the house were smashed by a neighbor and in 1965 Darryl was accused of shooting him.    

Darryl worked washing cars and with the money he saved and at age 10 bought his supplies.  He has been using his extra money toward creating a new suit every year since (age 59 this year).  Never thought he’d spend his life this way.  Teaches summer camp at Xavier U. and that money has helped him every year to create his suit which he spends about 5,000 hours to fashion one suit.  The costs of materials have risen sharply and he shared his dream of producing or middle-manning their own goods as well as a souvenir shop to make money. 

His father explained to him that to be a Chief you have to: 1) dress every year; and 2) be the prettiest.  D. is a stickler for details, serious about it with no shortcuts.  The only Mardi Gras he did not mask turned out to be a 32-degree day of storms, which was good as at 3am they were still working on his suit--the weather saved him.  

It’s not easy, he said, he makes sacrifices, but “I’m the Big Chief, I feel the weight of the world on my shoulders, I live it, I breathe it.”

The Baby Dolls book written by Dr. Kim Vass, Professor of Women's Studies, Xavier University:  multiple stories of the origin: Black Storyville District, 1912, with Zulu in Louis Armstrong’s neighborhood, paraded in costume.  Beatrice Hill of the uptown vs. the downtown gang, trying to outdo each other.  Meet at 3 am “after work.”  Women didn’t mask after the Civil War so it was about breaking boundaries: these women didn’t rely on their men, they weren’t shrinking violets, they carried whips & ice picks, wore short skirts & garters, were sexy in public, smoked cigars, had their own $$, and were independent & ready.  Paraded in the streets.  Carnival time is about role-reversal and abundance--they gave out $ they carried in their garters.  Men dressed in satin as Baby Dolls, too.  Today, they carry pacifiers and baby bottles instead of whips so it has evolved.  These traditions empower beyond the mainstream: “I matter, I value myself.”  Her book morphed as originally the Baby Dolls were going to be just a part of the book, but threre was so much info that it became solely about them.  "Uncle" Lionel Batiste’s mom had her own group & they ended up picking her brain about it.  Black Power era had made it not so respectable so these maskers were dying out--they were considered old-fashioned, and the building of the I-10 obliterated the Claiborne Avenue parading tradition.  Antoinette K-Doe helped with the resurgence of the Baby Dolls: less risqué now but women still on display:  “I am beautiful.”

Cinnamon Black, member of the Million Dollar Baby Dolls, started in 1924, long-time tradition, but is different today.  At 12 years old, in Calliope Projects--she liked Indians and old music.  Her family did it: she liked the red satin, the attitude, the $ & the dance.  But she was made to be a rag doll as her 1^st mask, not risqué ‘cause of her folks.  Then Campbell & Miss Loyce (Trombone Shorty’s mom)--helped bring the Baby Dolls back.  Ms. Batiste gave her info.  Connected with the Dirty Dozen Brass Band.  "Uncle" Lionel was their tailor.  For musical instruments, they used pots, pans, spoons, washboards, and bells for music.  The Goldiggers were vying vs. The K-Does: The 6^th Ward vs. 7^th Ward.  7^th Ward wanted to wipe out traditions, and start anew.  Baby Doll ladies post-Katrina are from everywhere in town.  Margie Perez from Musician’s Village, FQ designer--business people.  By the way, it's "Carnival," not Mardi Gras (which is European).

Baby Doll Cinnamon Black

Royce Osborn, Skull & Bones Gang.  They had him rise from the dead and enter in his Skull & Bones Gang costume.  Royce produced the DVD, "All on a Mardi Gras Day" which has a good rotation on our local PBS channel--he owns it, but as Michael White said (who also owns it), still has to watch it every time it comes on.  Mr. Al Morris, who is featured prominently in that segment of the DVD, brought him in to the Gang and showed him the traditions.  Big Chief "Tootie" Montana was a skeleton before he masked Indian & made Royce his first skull.  The origins are unclear, but Haitian Voodoo came with the revolution in Haiti which doubled the size of our City at that time.  Lao, getday, spirit, symbol of Death; Baron Samedi (Saturday good-time guy smoking cigar & drinking rum).  Also found in W. African, Cuban, Trinidad, and Mexican traditions.  Before the sun comes up, they go out and wake the town on Mardi Gras day: representing our ancestors and those who came before, they are a reminder that Death is always present, so enjoy life while we’re still here.  He found it beautiful.  If you see The Skeletons, the Indians, and The Baby Dolls aren't far behind.  Parents would invite them into their home--to scare their kids straight!  He explained that M.G. 2006 was important--the carrying on of these traditions helped us: we knew our City was going to make it.  Culture has to be vibrant & spontaneous! 

Clarence Becknell, Al "Carnival Time" Johnson, Royce Osborn & Big Chief Darryl Montana

Al “Carnival Time” Johnson, brought the house down and brought the people off their chairs with the Xavier music students backing him up on his 1960 classic, "It's Carnival Time." 

To Be Continued Brass Band second-lined into the room, joined by Royce in his Skeleton costume, Cinnamon, and Dr. White on his clarinet:

TBC Brass Band's 2nd Line with Al, Cinnamon & Dr. Michael White (sorry about the blur, the joint was jumpin')

Mardi Gras 2013

The Day, February 12:

My Fave Pirate in Pirate's Alley about 7:45 a.m.

a solicitation in front of St. Louis Cathedral

When did you last have a Blatz beer?

 by Bud Rip's 

by Mimi's in the Marigny

Societe de St. Anne Parade passing

Backstreet Cultural Museum:

Jon Cleary & Costumed Character

Sunpie with the Skull & Bones Gang--you should hear him chant 

Sunpie

Crowd at the Backstreet (began to sprinkle)

Got great shots of the Rex post-Parade:

Le Boeuf Gras

Fangs Float about to devour the Gap store in the Riverwalk

Civil War-era wagon wheels

 Snow

Rexes post-parade from floats to buses 

Cafe du Monde, seated next to some J.-Freaks...

Our 10th M.G. (I love my cape)

Orpheus Parade, Lundi Gras, February 11, 2013:

tried to get a good shot of their chariots

Mo' Flambeaux

The Superstition Float:

Superstition Float up-close me-OW!

 Dias de las Muertas

Perfect Place for Lundi Gras Night Festivities, The Avenue Pub:

Looking in mirror in bathroom; and more artwork therein:

The Avenue Pub Ladies Room

Bacchus Sunday, February 10, 2013:

 Hostess Kim & fellow flapper

Host Paul getting ready with another confetti-cannonful

They are friends with the Saints whistle-head (far right)

Endymion Saturday, February 9, 2013:

Tux Saturday, still February 9, 2013:

The Dragons always lead the Tux Parade, followed by:

The Ducks of Dixieland 

New "Riding" Club, Les Laissez Boys:

Yours Truly full of M.G. Cheer

Organ Grinders -- Sexah Monkeys

Dames des Perlage:

Ahh, the King riding in all his Royal Splendor atop the Toilet Float

Muses Parade, Thursday, February 7, 2013:

Took this pic for my friend Caralina, used to be cow-carazy

Druid Parade-Goers, Wednesday, February 6, 2013:

Me & M.

Cleopatra Parade:

Authoress on Other Side of Camera

Phunny Phorty Phellas Parade

King's Day, January 6, 2013:

Count-Down and Toasting Mardi Gras 2013

boarding the streetcar for their ride 

Famous Photog George Long boarding streetcar, adios-ing--happy photog Dennis, foreground

PPP taking to the streets!!  HAPPY CARNIVAL 2013!!!

  MARDI GRAS 2012 Version

The Day:

Crashed a party at an acquaintance's on Chartres Street. Fine & Fancy

And with Kiddles, too!

And in the Marigny:

 A respite at the Alpine's courtyard.

Prior to the Big Day: 

A Night Parade on St. Charles Avenue:  Lieutenants on horseback--

And the King:

The Krewe of Cork marched in the rain:

Margarita Bergen & her little dog, too

MARDI GRAS 2011:

Gorillina & Pirate--at Johnny B's--:

Some other revellers in the Courtyard:

Alley Oop, [forgot her name] neighbor Dan & that's me

Johnny Bee himself--yikes!

Gorillina Tom McDermott at Johnny Bee's piano

Pirate M. ridin' the streets:

YIKES! Yours Truly Up Close & Personal 

Miscellaneous Antics

Jeff sashayin' the streets--Sassy!:

Famous photog George Long took this while waiting for St. Ann Parade:

He said it was the first picture he took that day & it set the mood--he took some incredible pix that day--I was honored to be among them--made it to his website!

MARDI GRAS 2010 Version:

Famous Photog and all-around great guy, Jeff Jaisun took this of me in 2010. I'd forgotten I ran into him that day:

Here's me & me guy, same day--

Johnny Bee and

Look!  Just like on T.V!  Tom McDermott really does wear a horse head on M.G. Day.  This at the home of the aforementioned & Wonderful Johnny BEEEE!

PAST MARDI GRASES:The Gang @ Johnny Bee's--that's me crouched down[Someone tell me the date]After this picture was taken, saw this down the street:Mardi Gras Indian on Mardi Gras Day!Me runnin the streets w/the St. Ann ParadeM. bought me that flower bra at the House of LoungeMet some Skele Pirates

My Beloved, the Pirate--getting some grog at the "R" Bar

Outside of the Ursulines Nun's Church: 

 My brother as a cannibal bbq-er:

That's Ruthie & her guy w/The Bro'

 AND FROM THE ARCHIVES:

 Cleo-Lips-Stra and her Consort, Carolina!!

 c.1997 
Me & The LipsMobile--both dolled up for The Day--c. 2000

The Tricou(coo) House--M.G. c.2000 

Carolina & Kid Redd!!!

 Me & T-Bone, Tricou-coo House

 Diablo rippin' some pyrotechs:

 (post-parade, pre-Kerry Irish Pub gig with Tim Ward)