|
|
 |
|||
|
IN THIS ISSUE:
2005 Mardi Gras Review & More! Meet Robert Vaughn, "Surprise" Engineer What Lurks Below - News from Oz The 4th Annual The Bootlog Fan Profile - An Ezralite Couple BTE is the Winning Bet at the Seminole Hard Rock Another Ezralite Halloween Meet Stattica / GCB Lights Up With Cigarette
News & Links TTOY Hall of Fame Cowbell Hall of Fame BTE Impressions
Volume 2
|
MY TRIP TO MARDI GRAS
I have a friend that lives in New Orleans who told me "I’m so excited it’s Christmas, because that means Mardi Gras is just right around the corner." As I was planning a Mardi Gras trip of my own, all of a sudden Christmas held some new excitement for me too. Well our 3rd Mardi Gras trip has bitten the dust, and wow what a trip it was .My husband Merle and I rolled into town from Northern California on the Friday afternoon. An hour later we were hitting the New Orleans streets to head Uptown. This year Mardi Gras was all about Ezra at Tipitina’s. Because of the parades (I think there were 2 that night), we needed to be, uptown early. Anyway, we get to Tips and within what seemed like seconds 2 crazy girls with pink and green hair and yet another with a funny hat, are all running towards us. Oh, my God, it’s Pamela, Dina and Evelyn my long lost Ezralite friends and they’re all geared up and ready to party. At that moment I knew it would be a great night. When you walk into Tip’s, there is a feeling you get about all the music legends have played here over the decades. It’s a little overwhelming. The Fillmore in San Francisco is the same way, especially if you had gone before they remodeled. The show at Tips, totally rocked the house. Kevin in eye liner always rocks!
Saturday we went to Iris and Tuck parades, 2 of our particular favorites. We watched them on Canal Street, but there is really something to be said for watching parades Uptown. It’s a much better vibe. That night we went to the Endymion Extravaganza, at the Superdome. This was our 2nd public ball as last year we went to the Orpheus ball. The Endymion ball is much bigger and a little more hardcore. The public balls are a cross between a formal prom, a tailgate party, and a concert. And let’s not forget that the largest parade comes right down the middle of the crowd. It’s insane! It’s definitely an experience and you have to pace your self. The parade lasted 3 or more hours and then the music starts. I’m not sure when because I only lasted until after the parade. Even the Red Bull and Ketelone did not keep me up, but I am pleased to say that I did walk out of the Superdome on my own. Some people were taken out on stretchers.
|
Sunday was the Bacchus parade and we headed Uptown where they are held. Also, we witnessed the big "issue." The King of then parade, actor Sean Astin, had to take a royal pee before he got on the float. Krewe members were yelling "make him pee in a bucket like we do!" The likely choice for him was Tipitina’s. Then the crowd started yelling "but there’s $3.00 cover, but he can use the bathroom till 7:30!" I got my picture taken with Elijah Wood, who was last years King. He had so much fun he had to come back for another year. Lord of the Rings fans were mad at Sean because he wasn’t signing anything. I suggested that "maybe he is busy, being King and all," and then they started to say "Elijah signed everything last year. " There you go, more controversy. On the Lundi Gras (Monday), it was all about Cowboy Mouth at the Howlin Wolf. This year the weather was somewhat on our side and it was basically a big block party on South Peters. If you have never seen Cowboy Mouth, they are the kind of band that’s always fun! After the show, I called Pamela and she told me that BTE were on their float but that the parade was delayed .So Merle and I again raced Uptown and ran another 5 blocks or so until we reached float #24. I must say that my husband is such a trooper. He puts up with so much. I had on a homemade BTE shirt which I put on in the cab. All of a sudden I heard a very familiar voice say "Ah yeah, you get over here! " It was Kevin Griffin. He liked my shirt and he handed me some BTE beads! Then I acted like a total dork and told them I was from California. I think they must know that by know as I’ve probably told them a dozen times or more. And by that time I was looking like a drowned rat because it had started to rain. Hey, but I had my BTE moment!
Fat Tuesday is all about costumes and the French Quarter. If you come,
wear a costume. It’s a tradition and it’s important. According to Arthur
Hardy (a Mardi Gras authority), sadly each year there are less and less
costumes. First we went the Bourbon Street Awards, a great big costume
contest. This event is not to be missed. The gay community puts on a
fabulous show. After the awards we had paid to be at a private balcony
party with an open bar, all day food, balcony access and CLEAN
BATHROOMS!!! It started at 11:30 in the morning and ended at 11:30 at
night. It was a blast. We had ordered beads off the Internet and we
threw beads for 10 hours. You should have seen my stomach the next day.
It was black and blue from leaning over the balcony throwing beads. At
the stroke of midnight, another Mardi Gras had come and gone. By the
way, there’s something all the folks on the balcony told each other --
"what happens on the balcony, stays on the balcony!" Enough said? |
||
