Carnival Issues & Business

      May 26, 2007 ...........New Orleans, La.  Each Carnival season we talk of the history, the business and the elements of the period, but little do we realize how many sides of Mardi Gras there are. When Gallier Hall, springs to life each January 6th, the city brings what it knows of the local elements of the industry, to the building for a somewhat, "official launch" to the statewide holidays and the long list of events.

 Yet, the progenitors of the inaugural phrase, seems each year to forget one or more of those elements, for a more complete start. In the city that has literally built the observance of a holiday into a travel agents dream destination, it is hard to believe that they can not remember all the different sides to the commemoration, in the state and across the gulf coast.

The celebration of Carnival in New Orleans and across the Gulf coast has developed over time, into different compartments of highly specialized groups of participants that exist simply because of the makeup of the states various populations. Those population make ups, drive to serve as the catalyst in the creation of and /or the maintenance of a thriving celebration for years to come, yet it also serves to add or subtract elements to the very fabric of the celebration as well.

Whether you're part of the industry, or not, how can you tell who's playing in the game, and keep a score card, without knowing who the players are? So let's dive into the industry by introducing you to the players here in this first region. Each element has it's own area of expertise in which it specializes. These organizations work diligently throughout the year to raise enough funds to bear the cost of producing the parades of Mardi Gras.  

Here in New Orleans, the celebration is technically divided into five (5) segments that make up the overall fabric of the regions celebration of the Carnival season that takes place from January 6th to Fat Tuesday, each year with more of the celebration from some of the elements that does last the entire year. Those segments are; (1) the Krewes, both parading and non-parading organizations that are the best known (element or )side of the season. This is because of the media coverage that the krewes receive during this time. However there are clubs that get the bulk of the attention while some receive almost none. 

These krewes, of which there are 92 regionally, and approximately 267 in the state of Louisiana, that are registered, with another 80 + unregistered groups that would other wise qualify. Counted are those groups that parade and some that do not!   

Second, (2) is the element known as the Mardi Gras Indians, which perhaps receive just as much attention as the krewes. Next to the parading orgs or clubs, the Indians may receive even more than krewes when it comes to making news and are better known for the way they dress and the controversy that they came stir up. Locals here know them best because the locals see and mingle with the Indians more than just on Fat Tuesday.

The Mardi Gras Indians are African - American men, who mask each Mardi Gras as Indians to give thanks and praise to the Native American culture. Some Indians see the practice as an insult, but it is not meant as one. Sections of New Orleans culture, notably the descendants of the West Indian Island slaves, which migrated to New Orleans,  looks upon imitation as the one true sincere form of flattery.  

Third, (3) are the Carnival groups & Walking Clubs that are out there, such as the cyber-krewes, Ducks of Dixieland, and the Half Fast Walking Club of Pete Fountain, which constitute the main players, plus, other clubs that are non-formal, such as bar / lounge groups that are inspired to form associations or informal relationships. These groups are the least seen outside the season, and even during the season, the groups are almost never seen outside of the French Qtr., hardly interviewed, and paid any attention past Mardi Gras day.

Many clubs walk around on Mardi Gras day in some of the most innovative outfits you'll ever want to see.

The Fourth, (4) element are the Ball Only Organizations that hold activities during the season. These clubs are the least known and most easily forgotten during the season because of the fact that barely any news of the balls past the news paper reports are ever published. These clubs operate in a near perfect silence shattered only by the occasional and fleeting thought of a print media report.

They are experts at the art of producing debutante' & Tableau balls in and around the city of New Orleans. Such clubs as the Original Illinois, the Original Exclusive 20, the Oberon's and finally the Olympians just to name a few. Such clubs as these and many more, still hold ball galas during the Carnival season to spotlight and introduce, the newest women coming to age, in our region, to society. Most of these clubs believe this tradition is strictly one of societal etiquette, and 50% of it is. However, this tradition has also been introduced and sometimes even totally integrated into Carnival.    

The last element, the Fifth, (5) are not even recognized by some, in the industry, as even an integral part of the season. The Social Aide & Pleasure Clubs, can not by city ordinance parade during the Carnival season from January 6th thru Mardi Gras day, but they can parade with the krewes if invited to do so. The relationship with the SA&PC's start with Zulu, which is the best known krewe in the city besides Rex. However, the Krewe is also a social aide & pleasure club and as with all of these organizations, started the connection with Carnival back in the days of the black celebration in the late 50's and early 60's as the clubs celebrated on Claiborne before the era of the overpass. These clubs represent cultural institutions born from the spirit of the community in an effort to define and express itself. These unique aspects of the African American heritage in New Orleans are guarded by those who still practice these traditions.

The only Organization to hold the title, "Krewe", and the title, "Social Aide & Pleasure Club" - Zulu