New Toulouse

Tattler editer Nikita Wayman has dissapeared with out a trace. The usually ever-prezent Miss Wayman was last seen by this reporter, who rezides next door to her in the bayou, on Sunday afternoon when she stopped by with a gift of a delishous alligater pear from the market. Parish police were called but have offerred no comment on their investigation. Persons with any information as to her where abouts are urged to contact the Tattler, esspecially since the alligater pear has long sence been consumed.

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

Founder’s Week started off Saturday, March 2, with a reception celebrating the opening of the Art in the Park festival in the town square. Our own advice columnist, Maurice Nixon, hosted the party. The artwork of many talented artists was on display: that of T. S. Carson (as curated by Lazarus Morane), Maggie Hawksby, Adele Kling, Kristine Jinx-Kristan, Gigi Lapin, Maurice Nixon, Bryn Oh, and Melusina Parkin.

On the afternoon of March 9, citizens assembled at the house of Mayor Godenot to hear him speak from his balcony. “We come together to honor the tireless efforts and artistic vision of our Founders, Miss Carricre Wind and Miss Gabrielle Riel,” he said, to much applause. “Miss Wind, in the midst of Endless Destruction, conceived and built a city in a swamp. Her vision gave us New Toulouse, a dry place to live, to play, and to grow in the community of of our neighbors. Miss Riel conceived and built us a village in a bayou. She gave us our lovely New Toulouse Bayou, where we live and hunt and boat and play. Let us thank our founders for their vision and effort and enjoy these places they have given us!”

Following his speech, the mayor climbed up a ladder and leaped from a great height into the yard, landing in a bucket of water, which traditionally means a year of good luck for the city. The crowd was greatly enthused, and most made their way down the street to Lafitte’s for the Ceremonial Paying of the Founder’s Meter.

Then it was time for a street party in front of the firehouse, with entertainment by singer and pianist Kyle Bronsdon. Miss Mirri Rosca kindly decorated the area and set out refreshments for people to enjoy.

Overall, Founder’s Week was deemed a success, and the good people of New Toulouse look forward to another fine year.

Nikita Weymann lives in New Toulouse Bayou. She is disconcerted to be referring to herself in the third person right now.

This week we celebrate the fifth anniversary of the city of New Toulouse, founded on March 8, 2008, by Carricre Wind, affectionately known as Mama Cree.

Kicking off the week is the opening of Art in the Park, a weeklong exhibit by Taloosters and friends. Join Maurice Nixon today at 1:00 PM for a champagne reception in Laveau Square. Currently on display are works by T. S. Carson (as curated by Lazarus Morane), Maggie Hawksby, Adele Kling, Kristine Jinx-Kristan, Gigi Lapin, Maurice Nixon, and Bryn Oh. More artwork will be added as the week progresses.

Shotgun Row Blues Cafe and the Green-eyed Fairy will offer Founder’s Week amusements, and the week wraps up on Saturday, March 9, with a ceremony by Mayor Godenot followed by a street party and live concert by singer and pianist Kyle Bronsdon.

Mama Cree once said,

New Toulouse, despite all appearances, is not New Orleans. It may seem like New Orleans at times, but it’s not. Instead it is a glorious approximation of a south Louisiana city set around 1918 in our past.

It’s all the pain, the beauty, the lust, community and loneliness all rolled up, in a pretty package.

It’s everything from the history and the imagination. There are gators, zombies, hoodoo mambas and houguns, gentlemen, belles, sluts and hobos. In Taloos, skin color is an option, ’cause we get all sorts. There’s a deep history, but it isn’t ours.

It’s theirs.

They earned it.

If you’re reading this right now, you are probably a Talooster. Whether you live in the city or the bayou or elsewhere, whether you have been here from the start or you’ve just arrived recently, you are what makes this place so vibrant. All of us together make up this strange and wonderful thing called New Toulouse, and that right there is cause enough for celebration.

Nikita Weymann may be a grumpy swamp hermit, but that doesn’t mean she doesn’t love you.