Are We Losing focus on Our Ball Galas' ?

With all the emphasis on Parades., are we forgetting the one thing that is for our Krewe? After all, Isn't this, the main show?

The building was just converted from an ice rink back into the auditorium without that dreaded ice floor pads. It was done so the Krewes could and /or would come back to, and continue the tradition of holding the Balls in the main theater. A very nice, new floor, in still shining, (see pic to the left) but the gloom of ice still looms over the place.

Why haven't we noticed!? Because the parade has come to be yardstick by which the krewe's success and failure is publicly measured and that is sad. The public view of a krewe can be so misleading, it's pathetic. The only true measure of a krewe, are not the parades, but rather the type and quality of ball galas that the club produces.

The krewe, itself, doesn't work at building floats but rather at producing a quality tableau Ball. Floats are built by builders that specialize in putting the themed platforms together, it is not a krewe's function, but rather the bonus of what they have come to do, and do well!

Each season we look forward to going to the Sparta ball. Why ? Because that Ball gala is one of the best of the krewes, in the city. Yet they hold it, in Kenner, at the Ponchartrain center every year. They're not the only ones, by far! Most clubs have to go out to the metro area venues and some are not happy about the apparent lack of facilities that we now have to deal with here in New Orleans, La.

   Balls, until recently, say in the last 12 years, were the function of choice, for most krewe members. As a member of the krewe, you went to the ball, even if you weren't going to ride in the parade. Why!? Simple...They were the production that the group worked hard on, and staked it's reputation, as it was that gathering the members counted on to bond, be amongst themselves and all could come together to celebrate the holiday. Some krewes also were almost family reunions, with most members comprised of mostly relatives, since the rules of membership were tight. The rules only admitted certain family bloodlines known as, "hereditary memberships", that kept out those who did not meet the groups requirements. The Balls go back a while also, having their real start in the, "Golden Age of the Creole Carnival", from 1837 to 1849.

The first known "Ball", however, may have been, in fact, a party, held in the "good" side of town. The Marquis de Vaudreuil, an early Louisiana governor, had established elegant society balls that became the model for the upper class Carnival Ball Masque celebrations of later generations. These

A Sparta Maid displays one of the beautiful gowns made for the Krewes Ball gala. Gowns and exquisite costumes like this are the focus of most Balls. Produced by the krewe they are a great part of Carnival that is rarely seen by outsiders.

balls are held at his home and started as early as 1741. These "parties", were loosely a get together of associates, with the men in one area and the women in another. Often there were games of chance, and some skill that were an impromptu part of the gathering. Men and women would later wear masks to these parties, and their finest evening gowns, eventually gave way to specially made ball gowns that women had made for just these occasions.  

Starting in 1822, however, we find references to the fact that Creoles were routinely, holding Mardi Gras Balls in various homes across the back areas of the city. Starting around November, these "balls", were thrown for free people of color, slaves, and anyone, who could attend, the nights gathering. Most Balls in the New Orleans area, were held starting on January 6th, each season, more commonly known as Epiphany. In Mobile, balls were held starting in November.

Later those gathering were apparently held in "dance halls", the larger and well run juke joints, and included some of the most talked about celebrations that even today are still eluded too in the early papers of some scholars.

Starting from 1857, the krewe of Comus, invigorated the Ball scene, when they sent out invitations to the city's elite, to come to the Ball as they became the first krewe to throw elaborate balls. They didn't hold tableau's however. Our research can't pinpoint the date when this practice first started.

An Stubborn Attitude of Complacency

It is often quoted that, "Pride goes before a Fall". The Balls of today, notably of Rex, Comus, Momus, Druids, and several of the old line krewes, are very much like the ones of yesteryears. There haven't been much of a change because of the stanch stand of traditional ball scholars, who have, and will hold on to, the old ways of doing things despite the clear advantage of taking the progressive track.

One of the best reasons constantly given for the current fall of ball popularity, is the rigidity of the function, which the "traditionalists" espouse. "It's boring!" said one young ball goer last season. ""This is my 9th season going to balls. They are pretty much the same, from krewe to krewe. I like the parades better, because it puts some unexpected spice into the mix. As a rider, you never know what you're going to see out on that route!"

Indeed this may be the chief reason for the decline of the status of the balls. Most krewe members find the procedure quite boring and since the public is not invited to the shows, they find little in heart felt reward in the gratitude department.

Krewe balls are for the krewe members and the traditionalists never let outsiders forget it. The balls are by invitation only and are a free function that some select outsiders can and do enjoy, each season. Two krewes however, Bards and Sparta are well known for their balls, and are traditional in the balls scope and presentation. They are also well known for the tableau's that are innovative, and fresh. They are never afraid to try new things! They are constantly changing elements, deleting others or even adding extreme surprises that have the audiences in total awe.

Even through this horrible photo( it's cut from a video) it's easy to see that an explosion of color and constantly changing backgrounds make some of the gay productions the hands down favorites for the title "best in the city".

 Here's where the two schools of thought break from the others. No matter how much the old traditionalists try, operating under the traditional Ball rules, they will never match the scenic  awesome pageantry, and wild theatrical flair of the Balls currently being produced by the Gay clubs. These productions will take anyone totally by surprise, that has never seen one. If the ball is done like the krewe of Armeinius, they would be spoiled for life.

The word "Beautiful", doesn't have enough punch to adequately describe the sheer explosion of color, and the constant change of background brings to these productions. They are done with a measure of taste and elegance that will pull the traditional ball goer into the production.

Clubs such as Armeinius, are Ball only clubs they don't parade. But those same costumes are then entered into competition against other clubs who enter the Bourbon Street Awards each season held in the Quarter. These competitions show off the best costumes of each organization and a few independents that are out there.

 Crowds seem to be growing each season that we've been tracking them and it's easy to see why. The traditionalists are going to have to get into productions a little more to compete against formidable clubs such as Armeinius and their type of productions.

Balls versus Parades

With all the fuss over the parade spots, the loss of attention to ball creative talent, and the shift towards parades as the primary event to draw people here to New Orleans, it's no wonder the Balls are suffering a decline in status.

After all, the primary purpose of any club is to show it's members a good time. But can't we do this with our Ball galas as well. Even more so, than with the parades. We need to refocus efforts to make the balls more grand than they are now. Make them more of a production and make efforts to bring the public into the ball scene with more enthusiasm than we have in the past.

Even the city needs to get involved in the process by improving the auditorium situation so more balls came stay here and increase the number of balls that can return or want to come here. The  halls need to increase space, or at the very least, give the balls some type of discount to encourage them to return to our city.

There are a multitude of ideas out there that can help bring the balls back to the social prominence that they once enjoyed. We should as a city help as much as we can, to put the balls on top of the city's agenda once again.

Yes the parades are for the public and the primary vehicle to bring in tourists dollars for the city. The balls, however, are for the krewes that live here, and after all, don't we deserve the Best!? If it weren't for the krewes, there wouldn't be parades.