News and information from the New Orleans area
Mardi Gras parade
Military Mom Leads Campaign to Send Carnival to the Troops
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Iraq Mardi Gras
Now in its fourth year, Operation Overseas Mardi Gras plans to send 1,500+ boxes filled with Carnival supplies to the troops in Afghanistan & Iraq. If you are interested in sending your own box, email mardigras at soldiersangels dot org for the address. Cherry Blackwell of Destrehan is running the program this year, covering for Tawny Tallo, who is in Basic Training.
HOW TO GET INVOLVED:
1. Go to the Post Office and get the 12″×12″ flat rate box that says APO and FPO. It is free.
2. Pick up Customs Declaration and Dispatch Note (2976-A). List everything in your box on the form in detail.
3. Fill the box with Mardi Gras themed items (no pork products, liquids or obscenity); throws (not jumbled together);costumes, LA inspired food products, costumes, Mardi Gras decorations, and cards made by kids.
4. Place a nice note in the box with your return address on it.
5. Write Soldiers’ Angels Operation Overseas Mardi Gras on the side of the box.
6. E-mail us at MardiGras at soldiersangels dot org and you will be given the address to mail the items.
7. Head to the post office with customs form filled out and box of Mardi Gras cheer. Cost $12.50 to
mail and you must be present to mail it.
Slidell City Council Proposes Alcohol-Free Zone for Parade Routes
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The Slidell City Council at its meeting tonight will propose creating a permanent alcohol and smoking free zone for Carnival parades.
Slidell City Council 2010-2014
If council members later vote to approve the legislation, the zone’s boundaries would be Gause Boulevard, 8th Street, Louisiana Avenue and 9th Street, in front of Bethany Lutheran Church. Anyone caught drinking or smoking there, except for authorized parade participants passing through, would be cited for a misdemeanor.
Councilmen Buddy Lloyd and Landon Cusimano, who respectively proposed and seconded the ordinance, said on Monday that the measure was designed to provide families a haven from rowdy behavior that breaks out along the city’s parade routes at times.
The council is set to vote on whether to adopt the legislation on Feb. 22.
If it passes, the only Carnival parades this year during which the zone would be in effect are the Krewe of Titans on Feb. 25, the Krewe of Dionysus on Feb. 27 and the Krewe of Selene on March 4. However, for future Carnivals, the zone would be in effect for all parades.
The zone would not affect Mona Lisa and Moon Pie, on Feb. 25 this year, and Krewe de Paws, on March 6, since those krewes parade on a different route through Olde Towne.
Pussyfooters Marching Club Ball to Benefit Metro Center for Women & Children
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I attended this ball last year at Kern’s Mardi Gras World on the West Bank and it was a very fun time! DJ Soul Sister was the musical highlight of the evening, her set truly kicked butt all the way across the Mighty Mississippi! The event setting, Mardi Gras World, was perfect for the event with all the surreal paper mache sculptures surrounding all event attendees. I attended with my good friend Jack, who also had a ball!
Pussyfooter at her ball having fun
Pussyfooters Ball 2010
For 2011, the Pussyfooter’s Blush Ball will be held at the Howlin’ Wolf, 907 South Peters Street, New Orleans on January 29, 9 pm to 2 am. The party features Big Sam’s Funky Nation, DJ Brice Nice, the 610 Stompers, the Pussyfooters, plus a Firehouse Cook Off by the Firefighters of New Orleans.
2011 is the 10th Anniversary of the Pussyfooters, and their goal is to do something special: Party with a Purpose to raise $10,000 for the Metropolitan Center for Women & Children.
They hope to sell 800 tickets to the event. Party attendees will also have a chance to win one of 60 raffle prizes. They have Mignon Faget jewelry, a Picasso print, hotel and dinner prizes, and spa gift certificates.
KREWE OF CHEWBACCHUS IS LOOKING FOR A FEW NEW MEMBERS!
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Krewe of Chewbacccus
Come on down to the 3 Ring Circus Arts Education Center, 638 Cleo Street off of St. Charles Avenue tonight, January 20, 2011 between 8:30 pm – 12 am for a FREE Membership meeting and social for the Krewe of Chewbacchus! UFO Hefewiezen is sponsoring the event with $3 UFO draft!
The Krewe of Chewbacchus is a Carnival Krewe for the most revelrous of Star Wars Freaks, Trekkies, Whovians, Mega-Geeks, Circuit Benders, Cryptozooligists, UFO Conspiracy Theorists, and all the rest of Super Nerdom.
They roll on Bacchus Sunday, March 6th, 2011. King Chewbacchus himself will lead our krewe and ride on Eyegore the Royal Rickshaw. We are building a fleet of Flying Saucers, a Bar2D2 float, a giant BacchanALIEN puppet and a Boozebot 4200 puppet, experimental X-Wing Art Bicycles, and much much more…
Hans & Chewbacca
The Intergalactic Krewe of Chewbacchus, created by the 3 Ring Circus Arts Education Center and Razzamataz Puppetry, will stroll and roll for the first time this Carnival season.
Membership is open and all types of science fiction-themed costumes and contraptions are welcome. The march will be followed by Chewbacchanal block party later that night at the Big Top, with pyrotechnic puppetry and musical including Consortium of Genius, or C.O.G.
The krewe is based out of 3 Ring Circus Arts Education Center’s The Big Top gallery, but members are creating a fleet floats and throws, including flying saucers made from hubcaps and old kitchenware as well as alien and robot puppets, at the Chewy Den, 4820 Banks St., No. 6, in New Orleans, every Wednesday from 7 to 10 p.m. until they roll.
Inspired by Zulu and then Muses, who created the much-sought-after throws of decorated coconuts and shoes, respectively, the Chewbacchus will create and then toss to the crowds furry, homemade wookie bandoliers, such as those worn by the huge, furry “Star Wars” character who inspired the krewe’s name and theme.
Chewbacca's Bandolier
City to Hold Vendor Permits Lottery for Mardi Gras Parade Routes
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The city will hold its annual lottery for Mardi Gras fixed location permits, on Feb 10 at 1:30 p.m. in the lobby of the Civil District Court Building.
For the vendors, Mardi Gras season officially starts Feb. 25 and ends at 11:59 p.m. on Fat Tuesday, March 8.
Vendors will be permitted to sell items two hours before the start of a parade and two hours after the parade ends.
There are 37 fixed locations, some with space for more than one vendor, along the city’s traditional parade routes. Citizens interested in obtaining a permit for these locations must register for the lottery with the Bureau of Revenue between January 31 and February 4.
All participants must submit a lottery registration card and a $1,000 sales tax deposit in the form of a certified check or money order made payable to the City of New Orleans. Registration cards may be picked up at City Hall, 1300 Perdido St., Room 1W14, or can be found online.