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It’s that time of year in New Orleans: CARNIVAL TIME! And with carnival (yes, I call the season “Carnival,” and the final day of the season only “Mardi Gras.” My Maw Maw taught me right, after all. But I digress…) … Continue reading
Photo credit: Traveling Mermaid/Charlotte Ash
With regard to the Eris parade incident, rumors have been flying today and few verifiable facts have surfaced. As usual, the NOLA.com account of this incident is drawing a variety of opinions and reactions: New Orleans police and marching group clash Sunday night in Marigny
This incident reflects the general conundrum I’ve been considering during the past week: On one hand, the City of New Orleans’ Administration and the New Orleans Police Department do appear to be selectively enforcing laws; on the other, it’s a fact that many of our city’s citizens cherry-pick which laws they’ll choose to obey.
Does the lack of a parade permit warrant the use of pepper spray, stun guns, or batons? My response is an unequivocal “No.”
But I’d also like to ask, could this incident have been avoided? Maybe.
I do not doubt that many of the participants in the Eris parade spend a great deal of time creating beautiful and fantastical costumes, planning for the event, and composing original music to perform during the parade’s night of marching. That being said, why is it unreasonable to ask that someone in the organization crosses the T’s and dots the I’s by securing a parade permit and the required NOPD escort?
I learned today that the cost for a parade is $875 to meet the minimum requirements (a $275 flat fee for the parade permit and $600 for the required minimum of four NOPD officers to provide an escort and control traffic for the parade participants). It’s my guess that $10 per person marching/participating would more than cover these fees, or that the money could possibly be raised through a one-night benefit event at a local bar or club.
Accounts of the alleged violence perpetrated by the NOPD are being shared at lightning speed, however, I’ve yet to see any investigative effort with regard to reports of so-called parade participants dancing on parked cars, kicking over mailboxes, tagging and scratching cars, or throwing bricks and bottles (nor are these alleged acts mentioned in the NOLA.com story).
It has also been reported that six law enforcement officers were injured; is there more information available regarding the circumstances from which these injuries resulted? Has anyone seen or documented the reported damage to the two police cars? Has it been confirmed that all of the law enforcement officers involved were, in fact, NOPD officers? Where are the photos and videos documenting the reported incidents? Without these facts, the story is far from complete.
All things considered, I would like to learn more about what occurred before everything went sideways.
The Krewe of Eris was formed in 2005; its brief history also includes other clashes with law enforcement. I have to wonder, is this part of the Krewe’s modus operandi? (Simply put: Why is it okay to accuse the NOPD of repeatedly offending, while it seems that this recently-created krewe is somehow above reproach?) Why didn’t the parade disband on Sunday night when the crowd was told to disperse or when it reportedly faced a barricade?
It’s ironic. While researching the parade permit details earlier today, I had the pleasure of watching the Red Beans and Rice Lundi Gras parade cavort down my street, filling the block where I live with joy, color, and music (an organization that’s only in its third year of marching). I’d estimate that there were about 200 participants (with newcomers joining in as the parade flowed by); they were led by an unmarked, lighted police car and had three motorcycle/scooter cops controlling traffic (who facilitated the parade crossing N. Rampart Street at an intersection without a traffic signal). The presence of the NOPD officers did not inhibit the parade or its participants in the slightest.
With that in mind, I ask this final question: If the Krewe of Eris had obtained a permit and secured the required police escort, would the alleged threats to public safety and incidents of property damage have been as likely to occur? This one act of compliance could have been sufficient to deter those who may have been determined to be destructive instead of celebrating creativity. It is unfortunate the event’s founders did not act to protect its participants in this manner.
All those questions aside, I don’t see the artists and musicians as being the troublemakers in this incident; I am disheartened that they were caught up in the fray. If it is determined that the NOPD (or any law enforcement agency) used excessive force or engaged in unwarranted action, then I expect those officers to be identified and prosecuted aggressively to the full extent of the law. None should be exempt from being held accountable (regardless of occupation or avocation).
Mardi Gras – the biggest free show on earth – is truely a remarkable event. In New Orleans the season starts on Twelfth Night, aka Kings Day (January 6th) and runs through Fat Tuesday, Mardi Gras day.
This year we are experiencing the longest Mardi Gras season in our lifetimes. I can’t complain, because that means a longer period to eat King Cake!
Come midnight this coming Tuesday there are going to be some people who feel as if they’ve partied since January 6th. The out of towners who come here to lose their identities for a weekend . And the young kids, like my 22 year old daughter, who want to be in the heart of it all, breathing it all in and hoping the drinks and parades don’t end early.
I used to be like that. I used to get up early and leave the house in Slidell by 6 a.m., come rain or shine to make sure we secured a spot on St. Charles Avenue. We sipped our spiked coffee, our coolers were full of beer and sandwiches, snacks and drinks for the kids. We were prepared for a day of fun. Mardi Gras music evokes such good memories of those days.
I’m happy to have made all of those memories. I have seen Mardi Gras from balconies on Bourbon Street, I’ve been in the crowds on Bourbon Street.
I’ve done Mardi Gras in Metairie and from the stands of Gallier Hall. I love the traditions of the Krewes of Zulu and Rex . The chance of seeing marching Bands like St. Aug’s Marching 100 and Southern University will always excite me.
I even withstood and entire truck parade……once.
I’ve been to the Krewe of Dreux but haven’t made it to the Krewe du Vieux .
I’ve never “shown my tits”. That’s for drunken tourists.
Now I am at the point in my life where I can let Mardi Gras go on without me. Not unike NOLA blogger Cliff. I can leave the parades and balls to the Carnival enthusiasts and celebrate the season in my own way. At home with a King Cake, Abita Beer, Zapps Chips and Popeyes chicken. No worries about traffic and DWI’s, trying to find a place to pee on Mardi Gras Day.
I wouldn’t ever move away from here, because Mardi Gras is only a small piece of the beauty and culture there is available in this tiny speck in the world.
I was recently asked my opinion about the “Police shutdown of Mardi Gras Costume sale ‘a real drag’” story posted to NOLA.com by several people who know that I work with the New Orleans Police Department as a volunteer community liaison. (This role was essentially conferred as the result of participating in and completing the NOPD Citizens Police Academy.) The story struck a nerve with the community-at-large; it warranted follow-up.
I emailed Captain Hosli, Commander of the NOPD 8th District, the jurisdiction where the infraction occurred, simply asking and commenting, “Were there complaints about the location and/or the event? The community perception is less than favorable.” I promptly received the following response:
I’m hearing lots about it as well. It was not done by officers assigned to the 8th District. The officers were assigned to City Hall in the Finance Department.
A press release is going to be sent out.
Captain Edwin Hosli
Commander
NOPD Eighth District
I was relieved to learn that the NOPD 8th District wasn’t responsible for this nonsense. However, the shutdown of this one event struck me as being oddly and astonishingly arbitrary.
I was surprised to receive a second reply from Captain Hosli later that evening, a forwarded response from NOPD Superintendent Chief Serpas regarding “the incident on Frenchman Street”:
Thank you for your email. There is more information available for your consideration. The following statement was issued today by the appropriate authorities: “We have heard from residents across New Orleans for the City to get serious about fairly enforcing laws when it comes to proper permitting and tax and fee collection. As part of standard enforcement sweeps during Mardi Gras, field agents with the City of New Orleans Bureau of Revenue issued a subpoena for the owner of the Blue Nile to appear at City Hall this week to be advised on how to obtain the proper permits and licenses so that the sale can happen in a lawful manner. The sale was asked to be moved inside the bar premises at time. However, at no time is vending permitted on City sidewalks. As we increase field agents in the Bureau of Revenue, we will continue to communicate with residents and business owners about the types of permits needed for these types of events.”
NOPD officers assigned to the Revenue Department issued one Summons, which included violations outlined for not having a manager on premise and for operating outside of their permit for the business location.
There’s a lot about this situation that doesn’t make sense to or sit well with me in general.
The story posted to NOLA.com isn’t objective journalism, nor is it an op/ed piece; in my opinion, it’s biased and sensationalized (while this might not bother other readers, it annoys me). I prefer my news straight up, without garnish.
Be that as it may: If the City of New Orleans is going after chump change like a one-day costume sale, what’s next — issuing citations to those who hold yard sales that happen to spill over onto a public sidewalk? Will they pull the plug on the French Market’s 28th annual “Mask Market” event next?
Rumor has it that New Orleans is expecting a larger-than-average crowd for this year’s “greatest free show on Earth.” Why does the city’s Administration assign police officers to the Bureau of Revenue during Mardi Gras,when potential threats to public safety could reasonably be expected to be the top priority for all on-duty law enforcement officers?
If this reassignment is deemed to be truly necessary, then why not go after property owners who are committing chronic and repeated violations that are shorting the city’s coffers of as much as tens of thousands of dollars in tax revenue each month during Festival Season, instead of being concerned about the permit status of a one-day-only costume sale event? (Hint: An NOPD officer has noted that there’s no process in place for even issuing citations to the big money law-breakers, so these violations remain unaddressed.)
The shutdown strikes me as going after the low-hanging fruit instead of tackling the big problems head-on with every available officer.
Chief Serpas made the time to appear on the news on the morning of Tuesday, 3/1/11. Speaking about the shutdown of the costume sale, he stated that citizens can’t pick and choose which laws they wish to have enforced, and that venues where alcohol is served are well aware that if the location is open for business, then it is required that a manager be present.
Chief Serpas also alluded to quality of life issues and community complaints; none of which were mentioned by Captain Hosli when I’d asked about complaints in my email inquiry.
As a resident of the NOPD 8th District, I don’t see an event that added a little more Mardi Gras mirth into the mix as being a priority of particular concern. Instead, I’d ask Chief Serpas to refocus on the quality of life issues and citizen concerns that occur year-round and have remained unaddressed for several years’ time.
What I’ve learned by asking a question about this incident is that, when it comes to distinguishing between priorities dictated by the city’s Administration (in my opinion the true force behind this enforcement effort) and the actions of the NOPD, public opinion matters more than fact.
We call for change and improvement on the part of our city’s law enforcement, yet the only acceptable response to the shutdown story seems to be, “It’s the NOPD. Again.” This time, however, it wasn’t — it was the City of New Orleans Bureau of Revenue taking officers off of regular patrolling duty to issue citations.
This knee-jerk reaction doesn’t sit well with me, either. Pay attention, people.
You know when your mamma told ya “the older you get, the faster the time flies”? It’s true. Oh, it’s sooooooo true. Mardi Gras has come and gone and now, and from the comments I see on the social sites, everyone is either sick or tired which tells me is everyone partied their butts off and I daresay they would all swear it was worth it.
I was sick for the two weeks leading up to Fat Tuesday so I missed watching grown adults fighting for plastic beads at the parades (Yeah, that’s bitterness talking.) but I did make it on Fat Tuesday. I went to my BFF”s place in Bywater where we went to a couple of house parties then met up with other friends and walked with the Krewe of St. Anne to the quarter. Part of the fun was that everyone wanted to take my friend’s picture because of his very unique costume (See it here.) and he got lots of hugs, high fives and yells of “Jew Dat!” We stopped at Cafe Rose Nicaud along the way for some hot coffee and muffins to warm up. (Stronger beverages came later.) What a cute little place it is! I highly recommend their carrot-ginger muffins and have had a severe craving for more ever since so it’s on the agenda for my next visit out that way.
I saw The Bourbon Street Awards for the first time – well, in between hordes of people, that is – most with some kind of wild head gear on which is reeeeeeely bad for short people behind them. All the costumes were fantastic but I think K&B man was my favorite – you can kinda, sorta see him here.
There were so many, many wonderful costumes to be seen making Mardi Gras a shutterbug’s paradise. Here are a few shots I took of some of the beautiful, colorful and creative costumes I saw on women Tuesday. We did ourselves proud, girls.
This little woman rocks!
Flambeaux
Photos by New Orleans Lady
Flambeaux originated a century and a half ago to light the floats in night parades. Indeed, the first Flambeaux carriers were slaves and free men of color, that held lights which lit the way for the floats and night parades before there were electric streetlamps able to gather light in such focus that it would enable crowds on the routes to adequately see the style and fancy, of the parades. / From History of the Flambeaux
Overheard at work today…
“We sure did win the trifecta this past weekend. New Orleans elected a new mayor without having to go to a run off, the Saints won the Super Bowl, and we’re in the thick of Mardi Gras. Its a fabulous time to be a New Orleanian right now!”
Indeed…
It’s Carnival time and King Cake is probably the third most popular topic in New Orleans behind The Superbowl and the parade schedule. Everyone has a favorite King Cake, be it traditional or filled, baby or babyless (blasphemy!), with little icing or deeply slathered. Well, ya know, the best is from Gambino’s, Haydels’, Antoines’, Frances’, Rouses, the old McKenzie’s (now available at Tastee Donuts locations locally) and, of course, Randazzo’s…..to name a few.
Chances are that not every New Orleanian has actually tasted King Cake from every bakery in the city which means there is cinnamon-laced deliciousness yet to be discovered. But guess what? You can taste cakes from all over the city on one night in one place, thanks to NOLA Eats.com.
So if you’re in the quarter (or even if you’re not) be sure to stop by and take advantage of having so many of New Orleans’ fine King Cakes just waiting to pass between your lips with a healthy swig of whatever your preferred libation may be.
What: NOLA EATS’ Second Annual King Cake Party
When: Saturday, February 6, 7:00-9:00 PM
Where: Craig Tracy – Painted Alive Gallery, 827 Royal Street
Also be sure to visit YatCuisine for the results and story behind a Randazzo King Cake blind taste test Tweet-up held at BSI Comics. Sticky, yummy fun!
This is the second article in a series about lady groups in Nola doing good things for good people while having an excellent time doing so.
Click on poster or scroll all the way down for information
I interviewed Cynthia Garza, a founder f the CTLS who was gracious enough to take the time to answer some questions during a very busy time of year for the group. There is a LOT of information in this article, including an explanation of the infamous dance-off that goes down between the CTLS and Pussyfooters and a tribute to Miss Antoinette K Doe so read on!
We made huge fluffy yarn tassels for our marching boots, put on some cheap tiaras, and carried batons, which only a few of us knew how to twirl. I had the most dance experience (and I was drum major of my high school marching band way back when so I also had experience with the whistle) so I choreographed two routines for us. We recruited some friends to put together a drum line, and they followed us all night around the Marigny and the French Quarter. There were 8 of us that night. After a few hours of marching and drinking, our Camel Toe cheer was born and our group name solidified, “Hey! Ho! We got Camel Toe!” It was a crazy night. We had hundreds of folks following us up and down Frenchmen and Decatur.
Months later, Casey (our head boss lady) got a call from Muses asking how much we would charge to perform in Muses, and her response was, “Uh,sure, uh, can I get your number and call you back?” We were ecstatic.
What are your colors?
Our colors are hot pink, black and silver, although the original gold lamé was a bigger hit apparently. Our first year marching in Muses was 2004, and we wore jumpsuits in our new colors. Later, on Mardi Gras day, a group of transvestites came up to us during Saint Anne and said, “Girls, you made a big mistake with these costumes. The gold lamé was SO much better. And what were you THINKING choosing black as an accent color for a night parade?” Those bitches totally shamed us, and they were so right. So the next year, we upped the pink and got rid of the a lot of the black.
What have your themes been and what is it this year?
2010 – Urban Carnival (inspired by Ebony Bones, Lady Gaga, and a general carnivalesque aesthetic)
2009 – Camel Toe Cabaret (Bob Fosse)
2008 – Dream Toes (Dreamgirls, Motown)
2007 – Bollywood
2006 – Retro Swim (the year after Katrina – we did an out of water synchronized swim routine in hot pink Esther Williams swimsuits and flowery swim caps)
2005 – 1940s Gangster/Bonnie and Clyde
2004 – Debut year in Muses – no real theme exce
Who all is a CTLS and what are the membership requirements?
Our ages range from women in their mid-twenties to late thirties. Most of us are around 35 or 36. Occupations represented by our members are: professor, burlesque dancer, community activist, jewelry designer, hairdresser, grad student, doctor, lawyer, teacher, interior designer, aerialist, horticulturist, bartender, actor, and arts educator. A lot of us are also moms.
We live in Midcity, Broadmoor, the Bywater, St. Roch, the Marigny, the Riverbend, the 12th Ward, the 7th Ward, the Irish Channel, the LGD, Lakeview, and Central City.
As far as how someone can become a Toe, because we are grassroots in our approach to creating our performances (meaning that we encourage input and creativity from ALL members), we aren’t a very big group (compared to other marching groups in the city). We also look for women who are committed to the carnivalesque, to creativity, and to a certain lifestyle that prioritizes social action through performance. So our new members have integrated themselves into the group organically – mostly through friends – and not through a formal audition process or anything. We fear that if the group gets too big, it will change this dynamic. In the future, though, we would definitely like to add new members and, at that point, it will be about a person’s willingness to give her all in a performance and throughout the months of preparations. Also, we’ve had women interested in membership, and when they realize that they’d have to be at rehearsal EVERY Sunday, volunteering on one of the committees, attending sewing circles, etc., they kinda renege on their interest. It’s a lot of work.
We have five boss ladies that represent the different committees that make up our organization: choreography/dance, costumes, fundraising/PR, accounting, and general organization, and this group meets at the end of summer to start planning. Then we have a general meeting in October at Ernie K. Does’ Mother in Law Lounge to vote on a new costume and theme every year. The dance committee then choreographs two new routines for the theme and in the appropriate dance style, and we organize a workshop in that style to start to get the girls into character and moving in the right way. The costume committee organizes sewing and crafting circles to make the costumes.
In what situations did you march/dance/make appearances then and do now?
Our main event is Muses so we start preparing for that usually at the end of August. We don’t do any other performances (except for our fundraiser) during Carnival Season. Outside of that, we’ve performed for the New Orleans Bingo Show, Liquidrone, DJ Soul Sister, the Dirty Coast Fashion Show, Voodoo Fest, the New Orleans Ballet Association Ball, and the Muses fundraiser.
It appears that you have a separate, smaller group of gals who dance for events. Is this the case?
Of our 40 members who parade in Muses, we have about 15-20 who have some past performance experience. So we have a group of rotating dancers that do stage numbers outside the parade. This is also an outlet for the choreographies I have constantly running through my head. They’re a little more intricate than the parade routines, and they’re meant for the stage (as opposed to the street). Two years ago, we did a skanky goth cheerleading routine to the song “Pussy” by Miami rapper Jackie-O and made huge signs that spelled PUSSY. Last year, we performed a militant Bollywood routine to MIA’s “Boyz”. It was 1/3 Bollywood, 1/3 Public enemy, and 1/3 Afro Cuban fierceness. I know that sounds crazy. I can’t explain how I combine all these aesthetics. They just blend together in my head
This year, we have a marvelously stupid funny routine planned, but you’ll have to go to the fundraiser to see it. I’ll just say this. We think that Marie Antoinette was kinda ghetto fabulous, and if she were alive today, she might wear grills and gold chains.
What is your fundraiser like?
We used to have our fundraiser at Ernie K. Doe’s Mother-in-Law Lounge, but we outgrew it. So for the past three years, we’ve had it at One Eyed Jack’s. Every year, the proceeds are used to pay for our brass band in Muses, and the rest goes to Roots of Music.
We have a variety of acts, but we begin the night with a performance from the Roots of Music Marching Crusaders. They’re middle school aged, but they’re playing at a high school level. Derrick Tabb is doing amazing work. We were all standing in awe, some of us in tears, last year when they performed. Then we rotate acts like Fleur de Tease Burlesque (Trixie Minx, the creative director, is also a Camel Toe), an aerialist group, and a brass band and/or another type of band (this year it’s the Happy Talk Band). We also invite other groups to make an appearance. For three years, it’s been Miss Antoinette and the Baby Dolls, but since she passed away, there’ll be a memorial for her with an appearance from the Dolls.
There’s also a live auction. We have a member of CTLS whose father was an auctioneer, and she’s pretty skilled at it. Other items are raffled through pre-sold raffle tickets. There’s usually an MC. Last year it was Chris Lane, and this year it’ll be Ronnie Numbers from the Bingo Show. And then the main event is the Camel Toe stage performance.
I just joined The Pussyfooters last year and was told that there is a dance off between the CTLS and The Pussyfooters- I was scared to death at the prospect of performing in such a thing, but it never happened last year. What’s up with that?
This only happened once, and I don’t know the truth about where it got started. On my end, I got a call from Casey, our boss lady, saying that one of her yoga students, who is a Pussyfooter, said that they were going to challenge us to a dance-off on the neutral ground before the parade. Some girls loved the idea and started talking smack. I almost had an asthma attack. So last year, I called Amber Rosean (a Pussyfoter), and this is how the conversation went down:
Me – Hi, Amber. My name is Cynthia. I’m the choreographer of the Camel Toes. I went to the Blush Ball last week and harassed one of your dancers into give me your number.
Amber – Uh, ok.
Me – So are we doing the dance-off again this year? It’s perfectly fine with me if we don’t.
Amber – Honestly, some girls thought it was not a good idea, and we’re thinking of not doing it.
Me – How did that thing start anyway?
Amber – No idea.
And that was that. Larisa (last year’s Pussyfooter dance leader) and I agreed later to call it a “dance party” and try again, and I kinda think it’s good to get our nerves out before the parade for a “safe” group. So in that sense, I wouldn’t mind doing it again. But, in the end, both groups were way too drunk to pull it together before the parade in 2009 so I think both Larisa and I conveniently forgot about it. It was hilariously funny the year we did it, though, because the drunk ass Bearded Oysters were egging both groups on. I remember after the Pussyfooters danced, and our brass band was preparing to play, the Oysters were screaming, “Are you gonna take that SHIT, Camel Toes?!” From a performative standpoint, the whole thing was like a drunken messy Big Easy version of us playing out our childhood West Side Story fantasies. Come to think of it, I might lobby to bring the “dance party” back.
Cynthia has Something to Say About Miss Antoinette
Our Camel Toe queen in 2009 and 2010 was Antoinette K Doe. She died days after parading in Muses (on Mardi Gras day) and was buried in the ball gown she wore the night of Muses. Before she dies, I had been talking to her about organizing a female marching group party. Just for fun or as a fundraiser for a chosen organization. She wanted to have it at K Doe’s, but I told her we’d need a space for hundreds. She wanted to bring together the Baby Dolls with all the new groups. I know we’re all busy, but I can’t NOT make Antoinette’s vision come to fruition. When carnival season’s over, I want to pow wow with the Pussyfooters, the Sisters of Salome, Fleur de Tease, and the Bearded Oysters.
Other Camel Toe Chants
My shorts are high and my lips are long, listen while I sing my Camel Toe Song.
Ca-mel Toe…Cam..Camel…Toe…
I got a lip to the left and a lip to the right, my Camel Toe is super tight!
*Raffle Packages this year (can be pre-bought at the door)
Raffle tickets are $5 for one or $20 for 5. The auction packages are even more amazing!! There’s an Art Lovers package and a “Be a Tourist in Your Own Town” Package (with a two-night stay in the Roosevelt Hotel, dinner at Mila, and ballet tickets).
REMEMBER:
Sixth Annual Camel Toe Lady Steppers Toe-Down Fundraiser
$12 advance tickets, $15 at the door
Where:
One Eyed Jacks
615 Toulouse
When:
Friday, January 22 at 9pm
St. Joan of Arc statue, Decatur Street
Today is a special day ~ it’s the Epiphany, St. Joan of Arc’s 598th birthday and the first official day that New Orleanians can safely eat King Cake with approval. (Go for it, Amanda!) Tonight will mark the first of the parades of Carnival season in New Orleans including the 2nd annual St. Joan of Arc parade which begins on Conti and ends at the St. Joan statue on Decatur.
This year the parade will be lead by a local young woman, the winner of The Krewe de Jeanne d’Arc’s contest for French-speaking students. The young woman’s identity is unknown and will be revealed at parade-time. At the end of the parade revelers will celebrate St. Joan’s birth with a party at the foot of her statue.
