Like My Facebook Fan Page The Mardi Gras Girl

Created a Facebook Fan Page called The Mardi Gras Girl...what else? Will not only have additional Mardi Gras pictures and updates but also posting more music videos.

So if you'd like to see and hear the artists who are playing the blues, jazz and zydeco music that make up the Carnival and New Orleans sound like Kermit Ruffins, Treme Brass Band, Glen David Andrews and more, make sure to visit: https://www.facebook.com/TheMardiGrasGirl

Please feel free to comment, ask questions and share. Thanks for visiting!


Sondra Carpenter
The Mardi Gras Girl

Mardi Gras Day 2016 Is On February 9

Well people, Mardi Gras 2016 will be here before you know it. Next year it falls on Tuesday, February 9.

Make sure you don't wait until the last minute to visit New Orleans for the festivities. Remember Mardi Gras Day is the LAST day of the Carnival Season. The next day is Ash Wednesday and folks will either be in church repenting for what they've done, hungover or asleep!

The best time to arrive is about 2 weeks prior to the big day. That's when a lot of the parades will be running throughout the city. You'll be able to see them in the French Quarter, Uptown New Orleans as well as near the Garden District on St. Charles Avenue. 

Stay tuned for more updates. Feel free to post comments below and thanks for visiting!


Sondra Carpenter
The Mardi Gras Girl

Hey The Mardi Gras Girl Is Baaaaack!

Hi folks, my apologies that I've been away so long, but well, life happens. Anyway I'll be posting regularly again. Please feel free to comment and let me know what Mardi Gras related topics you'd like to see covered here.

One topic I do plan on having more posts on is music, since I love the sound of New Orleans. I've started with one of the native musicians Glen David Andrews. Click here to check out my previous post featuring him as well as a video of one of his live performances.

Will also be reviewing some of the traditional brass bands like the Rebirth and Treme Brass Bands.

So glad to have you back if you're a loyal follower, if you're a new visitor welcome to my little world, lol!



Sondra Carpenter
The Mardi Gras Girl

Happy Mardi Gras Day 2014!

Despite the scene in this picture it's actually a little cool and wet in New Orleans this morning, but you better believe the party will NOT stop!

Check out the live coverage through the video below and stay tuned for more Mardi Gras updates!


Sondra Carpenter
The Mardi Gras Girl



New Orleans Local News, Weather, Sports, Investigations

Mardi Gras Open House At The Backstreet Cultural Museum And See The Skull And Bone Gangs

The ongoing tradition on the morning of Mardi Gras Day is the Open House at the Backstreet Cultural Museum in the Treme section of New Orleans, right outside of the French Quarter.

This is where you can get a look up close and personal of the Mardi Gras tribes in their new suits, carefully handcrafted over the last year. 

Also the Open House starts off at 8AM with "Breakfast With The Bone Gang" celebrating one of the many New Orleans traditions, they date back to the 1800's. The Skull and Bone Gangs, dressed in costumes resembling skeletons, go around very early in the neighborhood on Mardi Gras Day and tell children to live right or the spirits may come and get them soon. They remind us all to live for the moment and enjoy each day we are blessed with. 

Click here to check out my previous post about the Backstreet Cultural Museum.

Thanks for reading, Happy Mardi Gras!

Photo credit: LA Reno Photography - www.larenophotography.com

Sondra Carpenter
The Mardi Gras Girl

Some History Regarding The Mardi Gras Beads

The trinkets thrown from the Mardi Gras parade floats are part of one of many traditions. There are some differing ideas on when it started but general opinion is that they are a more recent introduction to the celebrations, starting around the 1920's with the Rex street parades. 

An industry has grown over the years with manufacturers coming up with all types of beads to be tossed to the eager crowds. In addition to the traditional purple, green and gold Mardi Gras colors the beads can also come in all sorts of designs as well as other colors. It still amazes me how excited people from all over the world get to be able to show off wearing what they managed to catch. That includes me, of course, lol!

If you want to find out more about the Mardi Gras colors, click here to check out one of my previous posts.

The trinkets can include not only beads but also plastic cups, doubloons, which are printed coins, and small stuffed animals. Bead strands have gotten longer and more of the throws are now customized with the different krewe names and logos. The krewes need to purchase their throws at least 6-8 months in advance of the parade schedule. 

Another throw, that's actually unique to the Krewe of Zulu, is the coconut. Originally they were tossed out into the crowd, but for safety reasons, an actual "coconut bill" was initiated by the local officials so that they're now handed out instead. It's one of the most sought after Mardi Gras souvenirs. Want to read more, click here.

Also click here to check out my post on catching Mardi Gras beads at the parades.

Thanks for reading, feel free to leave comments below.


Sondra Carpenter
The Mardi Gras Girl

Schedules Of New Orleans Mardi Gras Parades For 2014

If you're lucky enough to be in New Orleans this Carnival season, I'm sure you've see some of the amazing Mardi Gras parades. Krewes, which are local social groups, put together floats and incredible costumes and and toss lots of fun things like beads and toys, known as throws, to the screaming crowds.

Since it's sometimes difficult, especially to Mardi Gras newcomers, to know when and where the parades start, this post will cover the schedules from Friday, February 21, 2014 through Fat Tuesday.

Click here for the Parade Schedules. Have fun! Will be posting more on the types of throws.

Feel feel to leave comments below, especially if you have parade stories to tell, hee hee!


Sondra Carpenter
The Mardi Gras Girl

Mardi Gras 2014 Falls On March 4

This year, 2014 Mardi Gras Day, also known as Fat Tuesday, falls on March 4. The parades started as of yesterday, so make sure you get to the Big Easy soon. 

Remember now is the time to be in the middle of all the parties, parades and fun for the Carnival season. Mardi Gras Day is actually the last day of celebration, after that comes Ash Wednesday and the beginning of Lent.



So "Laissez les bons temps rouler" - pronounced (Lazay-Lay Bon-Tom Roulay) which means let the good times roll!

Stay tuned for the parade schedules! Thanks for visiting.


Sondra Carpenter
The Mardi Gras Girl

Highlights From Mardi Gras New Orleans 2013

Mardi Gras 2013 Highlights And Wrap-Up | Mardi Gras New Orleans 2013

 

Click the link above the mask for updates on Mardi Gras 2013!

Even with the rain you couldn't keep the folks from partying! Enjoy!


Sondra Carpenter
The Mardi Gras Girl

Happy Mardi Gras 2013!

Well it's Mardi Gras Day 2013, folks. Fat Tuesday is alive and well in New Orleans!

Here's a some popular Mardi Gras music to get you in the mood if you haven't made it there.









Enjoy!

Sondra Carpenter
The Mardi Gras Girl

Free Mardi Gras Music Playlist

One of the great things to enjoy during Mardi Gras season is the music. Basin Street Records in New Orleans has been in the business supporting major local talent such as Kermit Ruffins, one of my favorites, Jason Marsalis, Dr. Michael White, Rebirth Brass Band and others since 1997.

If you visit their site you'll see on the left of the main page a great playlist of Mardi Gras music available free. Definitely worth checking out to get you in the Mardi Gras mood. Have fun!

 

Thanks for visiting, feel free to leave comments below.

 

Sondra Carpenter
The Mardi Gras Girl