New Toulouse

The Samedi Gras Parade Association is proud to parade under the rule of this year’s Queen, Miss Maggie Hawksby!

The oldest and most traditional of the New Toulouse parades, the floats of the Samedi Gras Parade wind their way through the streets of New Toulouse this Saturday, the 6th of February. Carter Denja, our emcee and DJ, will start the show at Laveau Square (heard throughout the city streets) at 11:30 AM, and the parade itself kicks off at noon.

The Samedi Gras Parade has been a part of the New Toulouse Carnival season since the founding of New Toulouse. Wild costumes, bawdy shenanigans, and general misrule are the rule as the citizens of New Toulouse cut loose before the somber Lenten season.

Avoid that uncomfortable feeling of kneeling in the confessional with nothing to confess! Join your neighbors and friends in Laveau Square this Saturday, and try to come up with something that will make them blush!

Henri Godenot is the mayor of New Toulouse and the Capitan of Capitans of this year’s Samedi Gras parade.

The Secret and Royal Order of the Sleepless is proud to present the Queen of Carnival, Miss Maggie Hawksby!

According to the Elaborate, Ancient, and Arcane practices (well, Elaborate and Ancient, because Arcane voted for someone else), Miss Hawksby is elected the all-powerful Queen of Carnival.

According to the special powers associated with Carnival Royalty, Miss Maggie can grant pardons to criminals, make wishes come true, control the weather, and fly.

Please join us in honoring Miss Maggie.

Vive La Maggie!

—The Sleepless Knight

The Sleepless Knight is.

It is commanded that the residents of New Toulouse adhere to the following decree:

… that all who visit the capital city and its bayou shall be greeted with the utmost hospitality, as all who visit are potential future residents;

… that creativity and imagination shall never cease and the muse of these originalities shall be applied as investment to the capital city;

… that the liveliness and festive spirit shall continue throughout the year.

I bestow on the capital city and its residents fair winds, serene skies, and joyous days ahead.

Farewell,

King Blake

Krewe Bayou will present the first parade of the joyous Carnival season this Saturday, January 31, starting at 1:00 PM SLT. The procession will begin at the French Market and proceed through the streets of New Toulouse, accompanied by the uncanny music of the Oh Lord What Is That marching band.

All are invited to gather, from far and near, to join in—dancing umbrellas and “squid sticks” are available at the French Market freebie stall—or just make merry, cheer on the krewe, and call for beads and other parade throws.

This reporter was unable to discover a theme for this year’s parade, but the image on the poster may offer some clue:

Information on local krewes and parades, general Carnival info, and seasonal freebies are available at “Mardi Gras Central” in the mayor’s multipurpose room at the New Toulouse Land Office. Not every current krewe is represented as yet, but the staff assured me that more will be added as information comes in.

Gigi Lapin lives in New Toulouse Bayou with her pet crawfish, Jimbo.

This old bird has seen many a Carnival season begin in this town. Barely have people recovered from Christmas when Twelfth Night, the beginning of Carnival, arrives. For some, it is when krewes of the city formally announce their plans for parties and dances. For some, it is when people meet to start said Mardi Gras krewes. And for others, it is simply an excuse to break out the Mardi Gras costumes and begin a long, hard season of feasting and festing, which of course culminates in that fat old Tuesday before Lent, also known as Mardi Gras.

This Twelfth Night, there is a special twist, and the culprit seems to be Dr. Avalon, along with a new partner in crime, Blake Palmer. Apparently that esteemed businessman has decided that his new castle, Gloryville Manor, will be the home for a Twelfth Night party, hosted by Dr. Avalon, she of the sea of liquor. Now, this old bird has survived many a party, but frankly, putting together two of the more “talented” people will either be like a chariot to Seventh Heaven or a highway to Perdition! DJ K3W, of air race fame and infamy, will be playing music ranging from electro-swing to zydeco. This old bird has survived a few Twelfth Nights, but she will be poking her big beak into this one, especially as dignitaries from throughout the Steamlands will attend. Let’s hope that Mondragon admiral Waydelich does not do too much damage, though the fact he requested the zydeco makes this bird molt a bit.

Twelfth Night Party
Monday, January 5
6:00 PM “till Blake is exhausted”
Gloryville Manor
Costumes encouraged

Avis Picayune is a tough old bird that has survived many a Carnival.

Shortly after the Samedi Gras parade came to an end, Mardi Gras Queen Soto made a royal proclamation:

“Hey, are we doing anything on Tuesday?”

Her loyal subjects quickly made sure the answer was yes. Following a royal decree that, after all the effort put into the parade, throwing a party should involve very little work, the community decorated the riverboat Mama Cree for the occasion. With a stream of New Orleans music, twinkly lights, a bar, dancing, gambling, and games, the venue was open for all comers to relax and have a good time. The crowd came in waves throughout the night, including locals, friends, and visitors from other places. Entertainment included a stunning fireworks display, as well as the hypnotic fire-twirling talents of the queen herself.

This reporter cannot vouch for the accuracy of events later in the night, because after the party went on for two hours more than was planned and the liquor started flowing, I could have sworn I saw the fire chief doing an impersonation of a lobster and Queen Soto dancing with a pink flamingo. At any rate, the boat did not go down in flames, and none of the tourists went over the side, so from the mayor’s point of view the party was surely a success.

The revelry continued late into the night, ensuring that New Toulouse will start Lent off proper—with an epic hangover. Happy Mardi Gras, everyone!

(More photos can be seen on Flickr.)

Jane Moreaux would like to apologize for anything embarrassing she might have done during that couple of hours after the booze kicked in. She would also like to thank Mirri, Niki, Henri, Karima, Pazzo, Armand, and Soto for their contributions to a fun and low-stress event.

On Lundi Gras (the Monday before Mardi Gras), Miss Maggie Hawksby led a voodoo procession around the waterways of New Toulouse, asking the spirits to bless the waters and the community. Convening at House of the Spirits, the procession went to Morts Joyeux, the Ursulines Walk, and the ferry docks on the Bayou side. Many of the participants wore white garments, but as it grew, the event attracted residents in street clothes and Mardi Gras attire.

Traditionally, the blessing includes throwing a gold cross into the waters and releasing doves. The prayer ended, “Bestow special blessings on our community, for harmony, peace, and love. May this Mardi Gras be a season of celebration and happiness, and may the sense of joy and fellowship continue throughout the coming year. Grant us your blessings. ¡Ashé !”

Afterward, the procession boarded the new ferry, went around the bayou, and ended up at the mayor’s houseboat in the heart of the bayou, where a special blessing was asked. Conveniently, Eloquent Elysium is next door, and all of that blessing makes a person thirsty.

Additional photographs may be viewed here:
• Jane’s Flickr set
• Pazzo’s Flickr set

Jane Moreaux is good at reporting events that other people plan.

The talented Miss Natascha Randt has done it again, capturing sights from yesterday’s parade.

New Toulouse Samedi Gras,
An Island of Joy Between Nights of Despair

I heard the drums outside before I could pry my eyes open. I listened for a minute, trying to figure out where I was. Were they Namib? Zulu? Haida?

Zulu, I was sure they were Zulu. As the fog between my ears began to clear, I realized I was on a featherbed, not grass. And the room was hot. Not dry hot like South Africa, but the hot, wet, smelly heat of New Toulouse, and those drums were not tribal, they were Mardi Gras. Or Samedi Gras, the day of the big parade.

Photographic evidence that mechanical men can dance, at least during Carnival

Moving carefully so as not to have to explain myself to the pretty redhead next to me, I found my clothes in the dark and slipped them on. Going through her purse, I found two twenties—score! If I add those to the two twenties in my wallet left over from last night, I’ll have … two twenties. Damn, she stole these from me! I checked her voter registration card, to make sure I didn’t know her, or her husband, and nope, never met her before. Whew. Time to meet the sun and get this story written.

* Click here for more of Jack’s report, and parade photos! *

The Ancient Order of Carricre will parade through the city on Samedi Gras (Fat Saturday), March 1. The parade, made up of the floats of several different krewes, begins at 12:00 noon SLT.

Miz Carter Denja will act as parade emcee and DJ for the post-parade party in Laveau Square. Afterward, Kari’s Bar & Dance will host a concert by popular musician RoseDrop Rust starting at 2:00 PM.

A spokesman for the AOC declined to disclose the identity of this year’s king or queen.

Jack Mondieu, Ace Reporter, is a figment of your imagination.