New Toulouse

On February 3 the Krewe des Zombies threw a Float Decorating Party at Kari’s Bar and Dance. Miss Karima’s club was decorated to the hilt, with green, gold, and purple covering every bit of the stage, and covering some bits of the reveling audience. Retired Zombies floats from past years decorated the club entrance and the waterfront warehouse doors.

Mamaa Saiz warmed up the crowd at six o’clock, playing standards and favorites, and within a few minutes everyone was dancing. After a great performance, Mamaa Saiz put away his guitar, donned his dancing shoes, and joined the crowd.

The Hogman was in fine form, bantering with the reveling crowd, teasing and joking, greeting old friends, and changing up his playlist to deliver a fun, festive show. Quitting time came around, but the Hogman didn’t slow down, he just kept playing long after quitting time, and the audience loved it. The Hogman played a half hour longer than expected, enjoying the warmth of New Toulouse and the enthusiasm of the crowd at Kari’s.

The party ended at 8:30; the tired but happy crowd went home. Not a single bit of float decorating had been performed.

The Zombies krewe had so much fun not decorating their float that they plan to not decorate their float again this Saturday, February 18, at 12:30 PM. Miss Kari will entertain the club with zydeco recordings until the live performer, Mr. Winston Ackland, begins at 1:00 PM.

When Floyd Barrileaux is not writing art and music columns, he can be found moving cargo at the docks.

New Toulouse has entered its ninth year in existence, and as is the custom, the mayor today gave a speech honoring the founders. In attendance this year was New Toulouse founder Miss Carricre Wind (also known as “Mama Cree”), whom Mayor Godenot asked to say a few words.

“Enri mentioned that there is a founder here with us today, and that is really really true,” said Miss Wind. “In fact, there is more than one! When Taloo was built, the grid was full of cities where everything was perfect and rigid … and stuck up! That was terrible, though, so we build a place where everyone can be whatever they are—cannons on roofs, flying cars, whatever—be as dirty or clean as you need or want to! So it’s always been that everyone here helps found the place, by adding to what was there and growing the weirdness more and more every year! Keep it up, you glorious people!”

Amid cheers, Mayor Godenot performed the ritual Founder’s Day “Leap of Faith” and landed squarely in the bucket, traditionally ensuring the city good luck for the year ahead. A performance by Mr. Zachh Cale, pianist and singer, near the No. 23 Firehouse was the highlight of the street party that followed, with lovely stage decoration and refreshments provided by Miz Kristine Jinx-Kristan.

Photo credit: Liza Veliz

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

• Krewe Bayou Flavor Parade
• Saturday, January 30, 1:00 PM
• Starting point: Bayou Street and Shotgun Row

Featuring the Oh Lord What Is That marching band. This year’s theme is food, and all are invited to dress up in food-related costumes and join the parade. “Everyone’s in Krewe Bayou!”

• Zombies’ Surprise Ball
• Saturday, January 30, 2:00 PM
• Kari’s Bar and Dance, #1 Bayou Street

Hosted by the Ancient and Secret and Arcane Krewe des Zombies. Expect zydeco tunes on the phonograph, followed by a live performance by guitarist and vocalist Hogman.

• Dans la Mer
• Sunday, January 31, 1:00 PM
• Spiegel Hall ballroom (third floor)

The Krewe of Bast presents an undersea-themed masquerade ball featuring the piano stylings of New Toulouse’s own Zachh Cale. Revelers are encouraged to attend in “fishy fancy dress.”

Carter Denja returns to Fifolet this Saturday, September 12, with a delectable selection of food-themed music for your enjoyment.

With her vast collection of international recordings, attending one of her shows is like taking a trip around the world. She is plenty familiar with local music as well, having acted as master of ceremonies for many a New Toulouse parade during Carnival time.

“Feast Your Ears” will also feature a food trivia game, freshly concocted by Nikita Weymann, with prizes provided by Look What the Cat Dragged In.

Just a few steps southeast of the Bayou rail depot, the venue is bohemian in nature, and the show will take place out of doors. While wearing ballroom finery will raise no eyebrows, you may wish to turn out in something more comfortable.

The party begins at 1:00 PM.

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

“Armed with his trusty arsenal of guitars, Dr. Zip will assault your headmeat with some folking great tunes and songs. Protective gear recommended. Radium products for sale at the merch table.”

That is what we have in store for us, according to whoever poured my coffee at Fifolet today. I can’t be more specific about my source, since the server was wearing, among other things, a mask involving tentacles that will no doubt haunt my dreams. Whoever she was, she had access to the coffee.

Mr. Zippedy Zabelin, aka “Dr. Zip,” has been heard before in New Toulouse, when he demonstrated a strange instrument called a theremin, which one listener at the Artist Residency function described as sounding like “tiny whales.” My tentacled Hebe neither mentioned this instrument nor any whalesong, so presumably a more familiar experience involving guitar plucking and human vocalizations will take place this weekend.

Better wear protective gear, though, just in case.

Zippedy Zabelin
Saturday, May 9
1:00 PM
Fifolet

Jack Mondieu is a figment of his own imagination.

A bohemian hangout in New Toulouse Bayou will celebrate its grand opening this Saturday with—appropriately enough—a Bohemian concert.

Named for the eerie floating swamp light that is said to lead to hidden treasure, Fifolet Invites the general public to attend a free open-air performance by SL musical treasure Bohemian. Accompanying himself on Spanish guitar, Bohemian interprets old favorites and sings original songs about his view on life, his social experiences, and his interactions with the inner self.

The concert begins at 1:00 PM this Saturday, April 11. Fifolet, steps from the train depot at Bayou #2, is open now and welcomes guests at any time of the day or night.

Jack Mondieu once followed a fifolet, but it turned out to be someone smoking a cigarette on the other side of the coulee; there was no treasure, only a seamstress bill for the ripped trousers.

Apparently Doctor Avalon has a friend named Lynn Mimistrobell, who seems to know a thing or two about Jelly Roll Morton’s music. Miss Lynn led a “jazz salon” on Sunday evening, where she discussed Jelly Roll’s life and his work, and then she just played his music and let it speak for itself. The Toulouse Caboose was jumping, and lots of people came from faraway places like New Babbage, Europa, Cala Mondrago, and Winterfell. There was dancing, drinking, and tomfoolery. I wonder what that crazy doctor will pull out of her medical bag next!

Photo credit: Doctor Avalon and Nikita Weymann. Pictured left: Lynn Mimistrobell.

Avis Picayune is an old bird, but she can still hear good music.

The Founder’s Day celebration took place on Saturday, March 7.

“Not a week goes by without some new person saying what a beautiful region we live in. Not a week goes by without hearing someone who lives here muse happily about the comfort and refuge they find here,” said Mayor Godenot. “It is my sincere pleasure to walk in the paths laid down by those wonderful women, Mama Cree and Miz Gabi. Join me in honoring our founders, and thank them by enjoying the beautiful places they have given us.”

The mayor’s “Leap of Faith” landed him squarely in the the bucket, traditionally ensuring another year of excellent luck for New Toulouse.

Following the ceremonial paying of the Lafitte’s rent meter, celebrants gathered on Bourbon for a street party.

Partygoers enjoyed the performance of visiting musician Mr. Bohemian, whose original songs in at least three different languages were an especially big hit.

Photo credit: Kristine Jinx-Kristan and Nikita Weymann.

A. Flyonthewall just wants to blend in.