New Toulouse

If you thought you heard the patter of tiny feet around the city on Saturday, you weren’t imagining it. The Tiny Social Aid and Pleasure Club played host to the 8th Tiny Dance in aid of Relay For Life.

Twenty-five people crowded into the little club near the cemetery for two hours of dancing to the Totally Legitimate tunes of Manfred “Mani” Hancroft. A favorite Tiny slogan is “Tinies haz big funz,” and we certainly did. The joint was fairly jumping.

There was a slight moment of discomfort when Patrolman Bacon stopped by, and for a moment everyone thought it was a raid. Happily this upstanding member of New Toulouse’s finest was persuaded, in the time-honored manner (I can always set it against tax), to stay and enjoy the fun.

As reported elsewhere, we raised a staggering L$12,450 on the day, and I am delighted to report that a late donation raised that total to L$13,450.

See more pictures on page 7 by Tattler society photographer Pieni Cakefox.

---

Francesca Alva’s favorite song is “Raccoon Around the Christmas Tree.” Pieni Cakefox is a well-known patron of the arts and is not safe around cake. Quiet Wonder moonlights as Big Belle Peppa with the Oh God What Is That marching band.

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.

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.

WHAT: Surrealist Ball (and potential chicken dinner)

WHEN: Saturday, August 22, 1:00 PM

WHERE: Spiegel Hall and Dimension Q

WHO: Krewe of Bast plus DJ Ghosty Kips plus you

WHY: Endways tingling, resuscitating demurely

HOW: Music treats understanding to dinner, a hat

SUGGESTED ATTIRE: Weighty irreverence

Last Sunday, there was a very nice turnout when New Toulouse residents, visitors, and friends gathered as Miss ChuChu Laverne unveiled her most recent art piece, “Grape Reflections,” a work in pastels. The event was hosted by Mr. Blake Palmer at Palmer’s Place in New Toulouse. Miss Laverne’s intended, Mr. Zechariah Balthazar, was also on hand to show his pride and support.

After the poignant story of how the work was inspired by Miss Laverne’s mother and dedicated to her, it was unveiled, to the delight and appreciation of the well-dressed attendees. Comments, murmurings, and questions were offered, and Miss Laverne moved through the crowd to address them.

Then the festivities began as people toasted Miss Laverne with champagne, then helped themselves to a lovely banquet table filled with goodies for the palate, and Mr. Palmer mixed some of his best libations. There was also dancing to ragtime piano and other modern music.

The exquisite “Grape Reflections” is on permanent display at Enchanté, #7 Shotgun Row, where Miss Laverne invites the public to come by.

---

Imon Nightfire is a New Toulouse resident, art lover, proprietor of the Thirteen Royale Social Club, and fledgling tattler.

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.

Good people of New Toulouse,

I would like to invite you to join me this weekend to celebrate the founding of New Toulouse seven years ago.

Festivities will begin at 12:45 PM on Saturday, March 7, with a speech and ceremony outside my home, and at 1:00 we will have a street party by the firehouse with a live concert by Untolerable Bohemian.

Please join me on March 7 to celebrate seven years of our fair parish!

—Henri

Miss Fern Barker invites the public to attend a garden party this Saturday, February 21, celebrating the grand opening of the New Toulouse Artist Residency at #23 Rue du Rossignol, New Toulouse. The festivities begin at 2:00 PM and will include an art auction in addition to music, refreshments, fireworks, and a ribbon-cutting ceremony; artists wishing to offer their work at auction should contact Miss Barker at NT-137. Drawings and paintings of the Moulin Rouge dancer Jane Avril done by Henri de Toulouse-Lautrec will also be on exhibit.