Mardi Gras came early this year, but not a moment too soon for New Toulouse, already riding high on the crest of a wave. A new mayor, a new ferry, a new spirit of optimism—what better way to celebrate than a parade? And if Taloosters weren’t exactly in the mood for forty days of penance, Carnival was a great way to usher in the spring.
The ferry company had laid on extra boats to cope with the influx of folk from Bayou and all over the grid. Thankfully there was no sign in the city of the zombie activity that has plagued Bayou of late; any concerns that some of the living dead might sneak onto the ferries had been laid to rest by the stringent measures put in place by the company to avoid such a situation. A company representative declined to comment when asked if it was true that some Taloosters were unable to prove that they were alive to the captain’s satisfaction.
Mayor Henri Godenot welcomed visitors, saying, “We hope you have a wonderful time at our most important holiday, and the chapel will be open at midnight for your confessional convenience!” He subsequently invited Miss Maggie Hawksby of the Place du Voudon to say a blessing. This concluded with, “And you, Oshun, and Erzulie Dantor and Erzulie Freda, give special blessings on the community, for harmony, peace, and love. May this Mardi Gras be a season of celebration and happiness, and may the sense of joy and community continue throughout the coming year. Grant us your bendiciones, loas, santos, y orishas mios!”
Unfortunately the weather let us down, and when a warm front met a cold behind, the result was a lag system that hunkered down over the city for most of the afternoon. But nothing can dampen a Talooster’s spirit for long, and soon various impromptu parties sprang up where we were joined by out-of-towners who were determined to see the parade if it took all day. As Miss Mint so rightly said, “We’re enjoying ourselves. That’s all that matters.”
At last the lag lifted enough for the parade to begin. Sadly not all of the floats were able to take part: absent were Miss Shashi Moonwing’s Critters float and Arik Metzger’s Circus float with its tentacled creatures. The original parade order went by the board as Holocluck Henly, captain of the Bleu Krewe of Maison Bleu, rolled his cheerful Jazzy the Cat float around Laveau Square to the strains of La Chanson de Mardi Gras and to cheers from the people who had waited so long for the festivities to begin. Dancing on the float were Miss Mint and Miss Poesie Button.
After the parish police department arrested some visitors who attempted to disrupt the proceedings, the mayor’s Krewe de Zombies got under way, the mayor almost unrecognizable in his costume. Accompanying him were a bevy of beauties: Miss Karima Hoisan, who has made a welcome return to New Toulouse, Miss Soto Hax, and Miss Gardenia Malheur in a stunning showgirl costume.
Next was Krewe des Flambeaux, like Krewe de Zombies in its fourth year. The float’s creator, Jake Wikifoo, was sadly unable to be with us, and Pazzo Pestana took over the captain’s role, saying, “His [Jake’s] legacy of artistic creativity will be evident in the Flambeaux float and the many banners he produced.” Krewe members Miss Maggie Hawksby, Miss Kestrel Sorrowsong, Miss Ninah Highsmith, and Miss Francesca Alva whirled and twirled, while Tony Highsmith assisted with the driving.
Following hard on the heels of Flambeaux was the Krewe of Bast, another of the original New Toulouse krewes. Celebrating Chinese New Year as well as Mardi Gras, their display took the form of a scarlet lion operated by Jimmeh Obolensky, another wanderer returned to his hometown, and krewe captain Miss Nikita Weymann, whose long-awaited return to New Toulouse has been celebrated by all. They were accompanied by cheongsam-clad dancers Miss Nnara Fenstalker (also back in New Toulouse after a lengthy absence), Miss Zenobia Pearl, and Miss Kristine Jinx-Kristan. Regular readers of this paper will recall that it was Miss Kristine who alerted authorities to the unauthorized presence of the Urchin Franchyzes stall. It may be the Year of the Snake, but for Miss Niki and New Toulouse, it is most certainly the Year of the Cat.
Last but not least came the Krewe of the Articulate with their Theatre of Vampires float. Described by one bystander as “scary,” it was captained by Armand, who would probably revel in that comment. The participants were Miss Mirri Rosca, Daniel Molloy, Riccardo, Maharet, and Marius de Romanus. They were joined by enthusiastic out-of-towners, among them Miss Windyy Lane and Miss Jennylynn Capalini, who had both arrived well before noon and stayed to the finish, saying they were having so much fun.
When all the floats had taken a few turns around the city, it was party time in Laveau Square. Miss Carter Denja, former Algiers resident and long-time New Toulouse favourite, provided the music, having stepped in at the last moment to MC. She told this reporter that New Toulouse was the only real home she’d ever had in Second Life. Mayor Godenot congratulated Captain Pazzo Pestana and announced, “Congrats, Pazzo! Capitan de Capitans! You get the Persistence Award!” Miss Niki was elected Mardi Gras Queen by popular acclaim.
A wonderful time was had by all, and here’s to many more fun times in New Toulouse.
Francesca Alva is a resident of New Toulouse and the proprietor of the Green-Eyed Fairy.