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Choctaw Celebrates 75 at the BIG POW-WOW!

Pictured: Chief Choctaw Guy Laigast, and his beautiful daughter, and her royal highness, Celeste, Princess Choctaw 2010

Saturday, January 9, 2010 ................New Orleans, Louisiana  The krewe of Choctaw became one of the first in the city this weekend to hold their Ball masque. Chief Choctaw and his entire court went through the corridors of time as the krewe of the Old Reliable Pleasure Club went about the celebration of it's 75 years, its Diamond Jubilee of existence.

Held at the new River City ball room at the new Mardi Gras World, recently built on the east bank of the Mississippi River, the ball began as it promised, in splendid fashion as the tepee or wikeup was revealed to the audience. You knew at that point that this was going to be a show to behold, as the captain blew his whistle to dispatch two young braves to "guard the entrance" to the tepee and to act in essence as the gatekeepers of time! Each magical moment was "unleashed upon the audience" as the two young braves revealed "snippets of the past", to the audience through the "magic" of the tepee flaps.  

The Pow Wow celebration was entitled "Choctaw's 75th Anniversary", however it was the only the 27th year that the club had held a Pow Wow, it's unique version of a Ball Masque themed to carry on the tribal hierarchy of this most famous organization. The Ball commenced with the presentation of colors by officers of the now famous Jefferson parish sheriff's office, which only this season has been the vehicle of a new A&E TV Crime Series, entitled "Steven Segall: Lawman". The two officers escorted the colors to the tepee and the audience rendered "honors", to our nations flag and the state flag. Upon retiring the colors, the Ball commenced with the presentation of the krewe Captain.

Following Carnival tradition, the captain of each organization is masked and his identity is never revealed to the general public. We want to acknowledge the captain here and make sure that the public understands that this captain is the real glue that holds this organization together. Even though tradition says that we can not reveal his name, we must publicly proclaim him as a true Carnival leader. The captain wore an elegant and beautifully ornate red velvet costume. Accented with red and white jewels, his tunic was accented with gold sequined braid, imported Austrian rhinestones and elaborate rhinestone appliques. The ensemble was finished with a traditional Indian headpiece with red Indian feathers. His red-and-gold cape bore an elaborately embellished crest of the krewe. Well done Captain.... 

As with the Captain, others also are part of this well oiled organization, individuals that represents just how good, any board of directors can be, in a club. In Choctaw, the board is one that helps this captain work amazingly well with the membership. They carry out policies that are solid, fair, and organize the entity into a fully functioning krewe that is ready willing and indeed able to perform any operation requested of it. This takes leadership in the highest caliper to accomplish.

Pictured: The captain of Choctaw observes the Pow Wow as the presentations are made.       

In time-honored tradition, the Krewe of Choctaw staged its 27th Mardi Gras tableau in the River City Ballroom with that capabilty. Even when something went wrong, it was handled in such a way as to inspire confidence in the krewe and the audience both!

The Krewe first acknowledged the past royalty, the past Chiefs and princesses in attendance. Each of the past royalty was escorted by the captain to the center of the room where they were spotlighted and they were presented to the krewe and guests.

The krewe then presented the last years Chief and Princess with two representatives of their royal court took one last walk and mention of the 2009 theme, the Chief Choctaw: "The Chief of LOVE." Maids Alexandra Catherine Belair and Hilary Frances Freeman were introduced and spotlighted and escorted to their seats in a position of honor.

It was only then that the 2009 Princess exited the tepee and stood, graciously acknowledging the audience with a wave of her wand. Finally as the two braves pulled back the flaps of the tepee, the 2009 Chief of the krewe of Choctaw exited the tepee and joined his princess. They were spotlighted and the two took their final walk, circling the hall, then moving towards the position of honor!

Pictured: Chief Choctaw 2009 and his Princess,

Now the float officers were presented, these gentlemen are charged with keeping order on the floats as they make their way down General Myers on the west bank. They are acknowledged here for the work that they do to keep every riders safe. They forfeit their fun, so others can enjoy themselves in safety and peace, knowing someone has their back at all times. If anything were to happen, these gentlemen are trained by the krewe to take care of it or evacuate the krewe from the float.

Next to be introduced is Choctaw's answer to the Zulu Witchdoctor, the "Medicine Man! This Choctaw tradition calls for Chief Choctaw to call his tribal Council together, and no appearance, ritual, or decision is made without consulting, arguably the 4th most powerful man in this tribe, the Medicine Man. The medicine man was Mr. Roy Anthony Guidry, Jr., husband of Mrs. Elizabeth Abbot Guidry. Always this magic maker is asked to bless the parade and the ball, and the Choctaw Medicine man exited the tepee and did a wonderful job of blessing both ball and parade. Click on the video to get a look at the blessing ritual of Choctaw and his war dance.

Now the stage was set for the trip through time as the time & history of Choctaw was revealed. From the beginning in 1934 through 2010the krewe journeyed back to remember such times in the organizations history as the founding of the club. Beginning on St. Charles Ave. with meetings that were moved to Algiers and took place at Santos Cafe' on Brooklyn street. The first parade with one of Choctaw's Founder's, State Representative Leonard Santos reigning as the first Mighty Chief.

Events during those time spans gave reference points of what was happeing in the world as the organization travels through time. Events such as the Gold Rush in the west in the year 1949, and the chief of that year, A. P. Gary. Also the first Princess was seated that year, her royal highness, June Barnett Lawson. The history moved from the 40's to the 50's then to the 60's, 70's and beyond, as themes like Dreams of Art in '48, Great Explorers in '51,Bienvenidos in '66, and the Good Life in 1984 were brought back to memories.

Pictured: The Choctaw Medicine Man, the Club's answer to Zulu's Witchdoctor! Wonder who is more powerful the witchdoctor or the medicine man. We may have to find out one day!

This was accomplished by the introduction of each maid that represented a span of time for the krewe. Maids to her majesty were Lauren Michelle duTreil, daughter of Mr. Louis Michael duTreil Sr. and Mrs. Connie L. duTreil; Blaina Alexis Bergeron, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Blaine Bergeron; Katherine Elizabeth Johnson, daughter of Mr. Phillip Edward Johnson and Mrs. Patricia Lynette Johnson; Eden Marie Bubrig, daughter of Mr. Bill M. Bubrig and Mrs. Gena B. Bubrig; and Alyssa Marie Rouchon, daughter of Mr. Andre J. Rouchon and Mrs. Colette D. Rouchon. Wearing Indian costumes that were stunning, the maids helped the audience reflect on the history and traditions of this venerable organization.

 Finally, it was time to reveal Chief Choctaw and his Princess for the diamond jubilee of the Old Reliable Pleasure Club for the year 2010 in all their glory and attire! Miss Celeste Margaret Laigast reigns as Princess Choctaw 2010. She is the daughter of Chief Choctaw 2010, Guy Francis Laigast, and Claudia Bush Laigast.

The royal regalia of both the chief and princess were designed with turquoise and white velvet accented with silver. The costumes were of traditional Indian custom and were embellished with custom-made and imported Austrian rhinestone appliques. The entire ensemble was trimmed with imported Austrian rhinestones and silver sequins. They also wore traditional Indian headdresses to match their dress and tunic in coordinating colors.

Papooses to the princess were Kaleigh Brooke Carpenter, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Kenneth Carpenter; Madalin Abigail Fortmayer, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Chris Fortmayer; Taylor A. Buras, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Mike Buras; Jaycie Lynn Bergeron, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Dustin J Punch and Mr. Gregory Bergeron; Brianna Alexis Bergeron, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Blaine Bergeron.

Papooses to the chief were Vincent Malcom Tallieu, son of Mr. Joseph Tallieu and Ms. Brandi Laigast; Joshua M. Schmidt, son of Mr. John H. Schmidt and Mrs. Monique E. Schmidt; Alexander Bryce Walker, son of Mr. Terry A. Breaux and Mrs. Sherri A. Walker; and Mason Gordon Meeks, son of Mr. and Mrs. Daniel G. Meeks.

The Indian maidens were Haley Elizabeth Hardouin, daughter of Mr. Michel A. Hardouin, Jr.; Erin Michelle LeBouef, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Dwayne LeBouef; Catherine Diane Hardouin, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Stephen A. Hardouin; Shae Michelle Favrot, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Charles M. Favrot Jr.; and Brianna Michelle Bladsacker, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Terry Bladsacker.

The junior warriors were Dylan Michael Hardouin, son of Mr. Michel A. Hardouin Jr.; Logan Daniel H Hardouin, son of Mr. Michel A. Hardouin Jr.; Connor Bryce Goris, son of Mr. and Mrs. John Charles Goris Jr.; Robert Monroe Heindel, son of Mr. and Mrs. Robert Holt Heindel; Charles Darwin Favrot, son of Mr. and Mrs. Charles M. Favrot Jr.; Zachary Joseph Bladsacker, son of Mr. and Mrs. Terry Bladsacker.

Mighty Chief Choctaw 2010 and his princess reigned will riegn over the coming river parade, on January 30,2010, at 10 a.m., the only one in New Orleans Carnival, and a sight to behold on the river. They also will reign over the street parade on the west bank on February 6th, 2010

General chairman was Mr. Gary Laigast. Vice general chairmen were Mr. John R. Heindel Jr. and the Rev. Robert Rockefeller. Serving on the court committee were were Messrs. Thomas G. Simonelli, David Ortega, Glen Cornick, Keith Wall, Paul Molinario, Keith Keitherson, Jorge Wentworth VI, Philip Fricano Jr, John R. Heindel Jr. and Kenneth Carpenter.