20 Years of Pure Devastation!

 New Orleans, Louisiana .....Sunday, March 13, 2005    It's funny, how Sunday can be a little nostalgic sometimes, and when you're around a festive crowd, in a good mood, it could be anything or just a combination of things that can set off distance memories of better times long ago.

 It could be the smell of cooking grills, mounted on a pickup truck, or the many beautiful women, or handsome guys, may be even the sounds of the radio's and stereo in the lounge or the autos. It can all bring back, the oddest memories, we long ago thought we had forgotten.

 While we waited in Grace Lounge, for the club, known for it's grip on the edge, and  some of the best fashion, in the main line culture, I'm sure the group known as, "Devastation", and it's current president,  were also pondering the (20) twenty years since they held their first meeting.

The people were there, from neighborhoods far and wide, in masse, to help the main line group celebrate. The brass band the, "Hot 8", waited to continue their hot streak, backing up the group. They weren't all that were in attendance, however,  by a long shot! The more traditional style main line group, the "Single Men", the ever sweet ones, who literally just drip femininity, known as the, "Undefeated Divas", the New Orleans East steppers, and the Jazz fest king, himself, Quint Davis were all around for this one.

 It took the males of the group, " Devastation", a while to make sure they were ready to hit the street, just after they arrived at the Lounge. However, you knew they were just aching to go. 

The fashion sense kicked in almost immediately, as the men of the group started the march at 12:30 p.m.  They were dressed in a military style shirt, camouflage in jungle green, with matching tennis shoes, which had a small pouch on the ankle. To complete the ensemble, the Khaki pants with a baseball cap also of khaki material.

Ling up in the doorway of the lounge, the gentlemen filed out one by one as they began the 20th anniversary march, with the crowd looking on and shouting words of encouragement. 

Digest had a chance to talk with the current president of the club before the big day, and to see really what he wanted to accomplish during this march. Thanking the crowd seemed to be high on his list. He seemed to feel that the people in the community has always shown the club support and kept the group alive. The other item on his list was to make this one parade, a very special one because you only have one twentieth anniversary. His actions, speech, and his very mannerisms were designed to bring attention to the group and the club as he believes, (and rightfully so) that they deserve it. 

During the big day, a few people could tell that the president, who is known as "Pee Wee", on the street, was as nervous as a manager of a big project could be. However, he handled it like a champ and came through smelling like a rose.

The tennis shoes were a nice touch, but it turns out, a good choice, during the first leg of the march, because of the heat that the day brought in. It was the best weather that anyone could want to hold a parade. These guys did their best dancing on the three blocks into the Magnolia street leg, after the start of the march. That's about a qtr of the way into the march.

They picked up some serious second line participants almost at the first stop when they turned right from Magnolia to Jackson street, and proceeded toward their first stop. This was because they pulled a good amount of the younger crowds that were hanging on Jackson street and were actually looking for the parade.

As they approached 2618 Jackson Ave, it was apparent that the crowd was in for a " wardrobe switch up". What was seen to alert us to this ? The front of the house was obscured by white sheets to prevent us from looking in and spoiling the "surprise effect", and the dead give away!? 2618 Jackson Ave was a house!

We had arranged before hand, to get pass security and take a few pics of the group, the Queen with her maids. This doesn't spoil the effect and it gets the group the press they deserve. It would be 42 mins before the group emerged from the house after changing.

When the big moment arrived, the men had a great shock effect! They had gone from camouflage and khaki pants to full, off white suits, with red accented fans, shoes, hats, and trim! The women now joining the group, acted to balance off the suits more, by actually becoming the accent of the Queen!  Two men added additional color to the club's palette by also wearing all red and swaying an effect know as "off balance" as the suits brought attention to any side that they chose to hold. A great effect!

The Queen, Ms Sylvia Sheilds emerged from the stop and immediately drew ooooohs and aaaaaahs as she and her maids sashayed to the royalty float. She sported a small but extremely elegant collar with the off white gown laden with sequin and quick diamonds, for an evening look! The queen was then assisted as she moved to take her position atop the vehicle and the maids also were assisted aboard. There was no king on this trip of the club. 

One aspect of the entrance of the Queen, was the fact that she was actually treated like royalty, something we don't see alot in main line society. Kudos to the club for this!

The club then proceeded to move up Jackson and on to their third stop Rose Tavern. 

Devastation put on a great show, and the color scheme, although it wasn't totally original, was brilliantly executed. The shock value of the wardrobe chance was really enhanced by the starting set of a military motif', and was one of the best this season. It was a great parade and shows what an organized group with experience is capable of doing. Great march guys!