New Toulouse

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.

Everyone knows kraken don’t exist, but New Toulouse was full of grateful citizens waving kraken-shaped balloons on Saturday during the annual Founder’s Day celebration.

Six years after Carricre Wind rezzed the first prim of what would become Lafitte’s Old Primsmith Bar, Taloosters gathered under Mayor Henri Godenot’s balcony. After a speech honoring Mama Cree and her successor, Gabrielle “Miz Gabi” Riel, His Honor leapt from the balcony into a tiny bucket of water to cheers from the impressed crowd.

Then it was off to Lafitte’s, where Mayor Godenot paid the meter—a Founder’s Day tradition. (The bar, whose original structure has been replaced with a mesh build, was the first building in New Toulouse. )

The revelry continued with a picnic in the square. Miss Francesca Alva’s cheery decorations included a portrait of Mama Cree, and the festive atmosphere was rounded out by a fantastic set by DJ Cadence Carolina.

Residents told stories about the community’s early days and strange roads that lead to New Toulouse; e.g., “I came here to buy a machete and ended up owning a bar and dance club.”

More Founder’s Day photos can be found here: New Toulouse Founder’s Day on Flickr

Jane Moreaux is eternally grateful to the founders of our fair city and doesn’t believe in kraken, but can’t explain this.