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20 Nov 04 - 05:38 PM (#1333938) Subject: BS: Poppa/MamaGator: MardiGras royalty From: PoppaGator Ms Peggy and I are pleased to announce that we've been named 2005 King and Queen of the Krewe of Mama Roux, one the the 17 "sub-krewes" (marching clubs) that make up the Krewe du Vieux. This is probably the least prestigious and undoubtedly the least expensive honor in the entire Mardi Gras universe, but we'll take it. The club has been in existence since 1987, and a few of the founding members have always been our friends, but we didn't join ourselves until about 5 years ago -- so we were surprised to be elevated to royalty quite this soon. But you can only reign once, and many of the 50 members have already had their turn. Not everyone is part of a (straight) couple, either, so the field of candidates isn't that large. Peggy has contributed plenty of effort to each year's costume design and production effort, and I get some cancer-survivor sympathy this year, so here we are: monarchs! Mardi Gras is ridiculously early this year (first or second Tuesday of February), and our parade is always one of the earliest of the season, on the Saturday night three weeks before the big day. So, we'll be rolling on January twenty-something. Not much time to get ready! The Krewe du Vieux website includes a little info on this year's theme, etc., but it's not fully updated yet. Most of the info is still about last year's doings, which is worth a look if you're curious. More updates later. |
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20 Nov 04 - 09:51 PM (#1334123) Subject: RE: BS: Poppa/MammaGator: MardiGras royalty From: khandu Congrats Poppa!! The "least prestigious" is nonetheless an honor ! And it belongs to one of Mudcat's own! Hopefully I will be able to attend the upcoming fest this time! If so, I'll keep an eye out for the Gator duo! k |
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20 Nov 04 - 10:08 PM (#1334137) Subject: RE: BS: Poppa/MammaGator: MardiGras royalty From: mack/misophist Congratulations, Sire. |
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20 Nov 04 - 10:40 PM (#1334156) Subject: RE: BS: Poppa/MammaGator: MardiGras royalty From: Joybell Your Royal Highnesses, congratulations! I'll give a deep bow when I read your posts from now on. We'll be anxiously awaiting photographs. Joy |
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21 Nov 04 - 12:39 PM (#1334500) Subject: RE: BS: Poppa/MammaGator: MardiGras royalty From: PoppaGator A little more on KdV: "The Krewe du Vieux is a non-profit organization dedicated to the historical and traditional concept of a Mardi Gras parade as a venue for individual creative expression and satirical comment. It is unique among all Mardi Gras parades because it alone carries on the old Carnival traditions, by using decorated, hand or mule-drawn floats with satirical themes, accompanied by costumed revelers dancing to the sounds of jazzy street musicians. We believe in exposing the world to the true nature of Mardi Gras -- and in exposing ourselves to the world." Our parade is noted for exhibiting EXTREMELY bad taste; anyone planning to actually visit N.O. and witness this debacle (a full three weeks before the peak/conclusion of Carnival season on Mardi Gras day) should be forewarned. Not only is this year's overall parade theme explicitly sacreligious... "The trends are unmistakable: our country is veering further out towards the religious right with every passing election and uncounted ballot. Ever-growing numbers of people, when confronted with critical questions like "paper or plastic", ask themselves "WWJD"? Believing that a higher source (not mention a source for a good high) should always be consulted when facing life's conundrums, the 2005 parade theme will be "WWKdVD" ("What Would Krewe du Vieux Do?)"." ...but some of our fellow sub-krewes always make it a point to display sexually-explicit images on their floats. Be warned! We of Mama Roux are *just a bit* more conservative. No ten-foot-high papier-mache private parts on OUR float -- ever! Our "WWKdVD"-related theme for this year will be "Mama Roux Spanks the Other Cheek," and our costumes will feature battery-powered fiber-optic halos and those plastic bare-behind prostheses, each with a bright red handprint stenciled on one cheek. Out in front of the other 48 krewe members walking/dancing/strutting to the accompaniment of our friends the Treme Brass Band, Her Heinie-ness and I will be *seated* on our little mule-drawn float. Therefore, the plastic bare-butt attachments won't work for us -- they wouldn't be visible beneath our own real butts while we're sitting. It is customary for the reigning monarchs to wear different, more elaborate costumes than the rest of the gang, anyway, but so far we haven't figured out a way for seated float-riders to convey the ass-cheek theme effectively. We'll figure something out. Preliminary plans for the float: from the front, it'll look like a grotto; king and queen will sit within a little alcove, perhaps behind a rack of Christmas-tree-light votive candles. From the front, the "grotto" structure will show a roughly textured surface, probably painted gray, to look like it's contructed out of rocks. From *behind,* the structure will be smooth, divided into two rounded halves, and painted pink/tan/flesh colored -- to wit, a big behind. We hope to construct a huge (i.e., to-scale) hand lifted in spanking position, and -- if we get really inspired and have the time and energy to make it happen -- the hand will ideally be animated. To get it motorized is probably beyond our capabilities, but maybe we can rig something with springs and a rope that we can pull from our seats up front in order to move the spanking hand back and forth. If the above actually gets accomplished, you can count of seeing pictures. If not, it won't be the first time our little group will have fallen short of accomplishing such grandiose plans. |
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21 Nov 04 - 01:09 PM (#1334519) Subject: RE: BS: Poppa/MammaGator: MardiGras royalty From: Dead Horse Throw me sumthin' mister! |
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21 Nov 04 - 04:40 PM (#1334646) Subject: RE: BS: Poppa/MammaGator: MardiGras royalty From: Joybell WOW! Photos delivered in a brown paper bag please. Joy |
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22 Nov 04 - 03:28 AM (#1335017) Subject: RE: BS: Poppa/MammaGator: MardiGras royalty From: Roger the Skiffler Tom & Peggy, congrats, your highnesses. RtS (PS can I have a knighthood?) |
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22 Nov 04 - 10:56 AM (#1335275) Subject: RE: BS: Poppa/MammaGator: MardiGras royalty From: PoppaGator Knighthoods will be made available as soon as we settle upon a price (grin). |
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22 Nov 04 - 11:07 AM (#1335285) Subject: RE: BS: Poppa/MammaGator: MardiGras royalty From: alanabit Hell mate, you don't have to copy everything from the European tradition! |
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14 Jan 05 - 12:24 PM (#1379000) Subject: RE: BS: Poppa/MammaGator: MardiGras royalty From: PoppaGator One week 'til parade date, Saturday night 1/22! Preparations are rushed and last-minute, even moreso than usual what with Mardi Gras falling on such an early date this year (2/8). But it's all coming together: costumes, custom-made "throws" (trinkets of various kinds, in lieu of beads), and tomorrow we start to decorate the float. (Our costumes this year will feature "Cool Neon" illuminated headgear!) The annual "newspaper," Le Monde du Merde, has finally been published on the Krewe du Vieux website. Check out my article about our group (Krewe of Mama Roux) at the bottom half of page 3, and definitely read page 2, about Al "Carnival Time" Johnson, overall King of KdV 2005, and his lifelong -- and recently victorious -- effort to earn royalties for his one great hit record: Krewe du Vieux news: "Le Monde du Merde" I expect to have a nice collection of digital photos of this monumental event, and would be more than happy to share, but I'm not sure how to do it. I don't have a website, and I don't think it would be appropriate to submit a stack of jpeg's to Pene Azul as a "Mudcat Event," since only one Mudcat member (me) will be involved. Anyone who'd like a looksee could just PM me with their email address, and I could respond with a bunch of attachments. |
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14 Jan 05 - 01:04 PM (#1379041) Subject: RE: BS: Poppa/MammaGator: MardiGras royalty From: John MacKenzie It makes you glad that they drained the swamps :~) Giok |
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14 Jan 05 - 01:23 PM (#1379063) Subject: RE: BS: Poppa/MammaGator: MardiGras royalty From: GUEST,MMario I've never been down to Mardi Gras - though have read several fictionalized accounts - some set way way back - some more recent. Never thought I'd "know" someone in a crewe |
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15 Jan 05 - 11:46 AM (#1379390) Subject: RE: BS: Poppa/MammaGator: MardiGras royalty From: sixtieschick Tres cool, PoppaGator. Congrats to you and MamaGator. I'm sure you'll do the event proud and maintain the proper dignity and solemnity the occasion warrants. Way out where I hang my hat we have a "Solstice Day Parade" full of hippie pagan-style revelries. All the costumes and floats have to be handmade. The mayor leads the parade. A few years back, the mayor was a 75 year-old, no-nonsense-type woman who dressed in a ballet tutu, glitter-covered sneakers and brandished a starry wand for the occasion. The parade has gotten more "establishment" over the years, but it still usually gets picketed by born-again Christians waving palm fronds. But your parade has history and tradition--and a whole lot more people--on its side. Do post pics! |
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15 Jan 05 - 11:54 AM (#1379398) Subject: RE: BS: Poppa/MammaGator: MardiGras royalty From: John MacKenzie They stuffed his head with cannon balls and powdered his hehind When they set the powder off the 'gator lost his mind. Could this become the second 'Battle of New Orleans? I always think of an alligator as a DIY handbag/purse kit. Giok :~) |
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15 Jan 05 - 12:06 PM (#1379415) Subject: RE: BS: Poppa/MammaGator: MardiGras royalty From: Gern Wow! What news. You've accomplished a dream of mine. Have fun with it!!! |
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15 Jan 05 - 12:12 PM (#1379422) Subject: RE: BS: Poppa/MammaGator: MardiGras royalty From: Leadfingers Congrats and Have Fun !! |
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15 Jan 05 - 03:39 PM (#1379580) Subject: RE: BS: Poppa/MammaGator: MardiGras royalty From: fat B****rd Outstanding, PG Oustanding !!Hope you and Mrs PG have a great time. Bon Ton Roulet !! |
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16 Jan 05 - 12:27 AM (#1379793) Subject: RE: BS: Poppa/MammaGator: MardiGras royalty From: Dead Horse What's all this about roulet? Gambling or gamboling? Yes please, post piccies, esp if you is both nekkid on dem Nawleans floats. (Dubloons suitably covering vital parts, of course!) |
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16 Jan 05 - 04:14 PM (#1380042) Subject: RE: BS: Poppa/MammaGator: MardiGras royalty From: Ernest No one deserves it more than the two of you! Have a good time! Ernest (looking forward to the pics) |
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16 Jan 05 - 10:32 PM (#1380244) Subject: RE: BS: Poppa/MammaGator: MardiGras royalty From: PoppaGator "Laissez les Bonne Temps Roulez" translates from French to English as "Let the good times roll" -- as we indeed intend to do. Been a busy weekend of preparations. Next on the agenda: Wednesday night we go to a dinner with the Captains (semi-permanent administrative "bosses") and Monarchs (this-year-only honorees, like ourselves) of the seventeen sub-krewes of Krewe du Vieux, plus this year's King of the entire KdV and all surviving former kings/queens (Generally, local New Orleans celebrities: mostly musicians, a few sports figures and TV personalities). Then, on Saturday evening, the parade (preceded by all-day "preparations"). The current long-range weather forecast is for dry, mild weather for the entire coming week. We sure hope it holds up; there's nothing worse than rain on one's parade. We got a good soaking year before last; amazingly, moderately large crowds were out in the street despite the weather. |
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17 Jan 05 - 10:35 PM (#1381111) Subject: RE: BS: Poppa/MammaGator: MardiGras royalty From: SINSULL If I run up beside you and flash my rather large boobies, will you toss me a trinket? Have fun and YES - pictures! |
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18 Jan 05 - 10:39 AM (#1381299) Subject: RE: BS: Poppa/MammaGator: MardiGras royalty From: PoppaGator Hell, you'd get something even for flashing itty bitty titties! |
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20 Jan 05 - 02:14 PM (#1383439) Subject: RE: BS: Poppa/MammaGator: MardiGras royalty From: PoppaGator refresh Preparations continue, and last night's Captain's Dinner was a gas, but I have nothing newsworthy to report for now. I'm just sending this up to the top of the list so that a friend can find it. more later |
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20 Jan 05 - 09:38 PM (#1383835) Subject: RE: BS: Poppa/MammaGator: MardiGras royalty From: Folkie101 Hi PoppaGator, I'm so glad you're enjoying Royalty week and the upcoming weekend celebration! Happy too, that the Captain's dinner was lots of fun. Be well, and we'll look forward to seeing Mr. and Mrs. MardiGras Royalty soon! Cheers, Folkie |
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20 Jan 05 - 10:12 PM (#1383852) Subject: RE: BS: Poppa/MammaGator: MardiGras royalty From: Bobert Congrates, P-Gator and Mrs. P-Gator... Now, when its yer turn to step up and do yer acceptance speech, just moon 'um all... That way, no one will forget who you'all was... Bobert |
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21 Jan 05 - 10:11 AM (#1384283) Subject: RE: BS: Poppa/MammaGator: MardiGras royalty From: Azizi Papa & Mama Gator: Partee Hartee for me!! I'll be in New Orleans in spirit, but not in the flesh. Just let the good times roll! Azizi |
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24 Jan 05 - 02:09 PM (#1387236) Subject: RE: BS: Poppa/MammaGator: MardiGras royalty From: PoppaGator Brief recap: Saturday night's parade was a resounding success; the weather was perfect (despite brief torrential rains elsewhere in town at the same time). The mule assigned to our float was a real sweetheart ~ no sudden stops and starts, so Peggy and I were able to stand up and dance while rolling down the street. At one point, turning the corner off Decatur Street onto Dumaine, I stood at the very front of the float bellowing Smokey Johnson's classic "It Aint' My Fault" at the top of my lungs, singing along with the Molasses Brass Band while exhorting the crowd to join in. It's good to be the king! We ran out of throws at about the halfway point, shortly after entering the French Quarter, and so wound up slapping hands with the crowd as we passed by. An exceptionally good time was had by all. And yes, there was plenty of mooning, as might be expected when one's costume prominently features a big fat fake ass. The two of us would take turns spanking each other's prostheses, to the very vocal delight of the crowd. (It was a quite partisan crowd, too ~ guys would cheer lustily when I paddled Her Heinieness, and then the wimmenz had their chance to cheer when I turned around and bent over.) Oh yeah, then there was the post-parade party, the Krewe du Vieux Doo, where KdV King Al Johnson regaled us with the l-o-o-o-n-g version of "Carnival Time" (the "dance mix"?) as the crowd shook what their mamas gave 'em, limboed lower now, and even popped the gator. Don't get me started! Also, I haven't mentioned the earlier phase of the weekend, including the annual miracle of turning a broke-down wagon into a cosmetically acceptable Mardi Gras float in a single last-minute marathon session on Friday afternoon-into-evening, the very day before the parade. Maybe I'll be back later with more... Photos (and perhaps some video as well) will be available soon on a new website to be put up by our subkrewe, Mama Roux. One of our new members has volunteered to handle the job, and he's so ridiculously overqualified (he was project manager for the development of QuickTime back when he worked for Steve Jobs years ago) that I'm sure he'll do an excellent job and get it done quick. So there won't be any reason to email jpegs or to ask Jeff to post anything here at Mudcat. I'll be able to provide a link and your browser can do the rest. |
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24 Jan 05 - 03:24 PM (#1387354) Subject: RE: BS: Poppa/MammaGator: MardiGras royalty From: jeffp Sounds like a grand time indeed! Congratulations to all involved. Our high school marching band marched in the Greatest Bands of Dixie and Rex parades back in 1969 and I've never forgotten the fun. jeffp |
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24 Jan 05 - 03:57 PM (#1387387) Subject: RE: BS: Poppa/MammaGator: MardiGras royalty From: PoppaGator The "Greatest Bands in Dixie" competition was for many years a feature of the Krewe of Mid-City's daytime parade on the weekend before Mardi Gras. (I *think* Mid-City is Sunday, but it might be Saturday.) The judge's reviewing stand was always at the corner of Jeff Davis and Canal. For the last two years, this parade had to move from its customary route through (duh!) mid-city to the uptown St. Charles Avenue route, because of steetcar-track construction on Canal Street. I think the band contest may have been discontinued amidst the confusion. The parade *should* return to its traditional route this year ~ the construction is complete and the new streetcars are up and running. The Rex parade is the big one, granddaddy of 'em all, kicking off on Mardi Gras morning at 10 am. jeffp, you ought to come back for another Mardi Gras; you just might be able to act like a high-school kid again ~ but a more experienced one, with no obligation to show up and march in step with your bandmates or anyone else! |
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24 Jan 05 - 04:45 PM (#1387441) Subject: RE: BS: Poppa/MammaGator: MardiGras royalty From: jeffp Perhaps some day; if I manage to make it I'll have to look you up. Of course if you're on the float, I'll have to look up to you. When we went, the GBofD parade was on a Sunday. Great fun, we placed 5th out of 20, if I recall correctly (never a given). |
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25 Jan 05 - 12:14 PM (#1388133) Subject: RE: BS: Poppa/MammaGator: MardiGras royalty From: PoppaGator I wrote a long-ish reply to jeffp last night and then got a "page not found" when I tried to Submit Message. I hate when that happens! Anyway, congrats on that 5th pace finish years ago, and don't worry about "looking up" -- I may never ride up on the float again. Saturday night was probably the high point of my lifetime Mardi Gras career; it'll be all downhill from now on ;^) In the meanwhile, our new Mama Roux website has appeared with a small "starter set" of a half-dozen photos (as of Tuesday morning 1/22/05). More pictures will probably be added each day for the next week or so, evntually some text, and maybe even some streaming video. Her Heinieness and I should be easily recognizable -- we're the ones waering the big feather headpieces. http://www.kreweofmamaroux.com/ |
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25 Jan 05 - 12:35 PM (#1388164) Subject: RE: BS: Poppa/MammaGator: MardiGras royalty From: Peace Yo, PG and MG, CONGRATULATIONS. This is way cool. Bruce |
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25 Jan 05 - 04:12 PM (#1388391) Subject: RE: BS: Poppa/MammaGator: MardiGras royalty From: hesperis Wow, that must have been FUN! Congratulations! |
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25 Jan 05 - 04:25 PM (#1388406) Subject: RE: BS: Poppa/MammaGator: MardiGras royalty From: Azizi PoppaGator, I'm much too reserved to go around spanking 'strange' men's cheeks', but it sounds like you and MammaGator and the rest of your 'kwewe' had fun! I'm glad that the sun shined for ya! Azizi |
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25 Jan 05 - 05:14 PM (#1388456) Subject: RE: BS: Poppa/MammaGator: MardiGras royalty From: PoppaGator I heard that there was a certain amount of strangers-spanking-strangers going on behind our float, with spectators interacting with members of our group, but we weren't able to see what was going on *behind* us. The faux-spanking exhibition *on* the float, however, was all in the family. I had a paddle in each hand and clapped them together *near* Mama's plastic tush, making no contact at all but playing a nice loud percussion part along with the band. Drumming, singing, and wearing those big ostrich plumes ~ it was about as close as I'll ever get to the experience of being a Big Chief on Mardi Gras Day! PS: Since the starting time was 7 pm, the sun wasn't shining ~ but the sky was clear and the almost-full moon was quite beautiful. |
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25 Jan 05 - 10:18 PM (#1388692) Subject: RE: BS: Poppa/MammaGator: MardiGras royalty From: Folkie101 Hi PoppaGator, I can tell you both had a super time at the parade. So happy to know you made the most of the celebrations! Cheers, Folkie |
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18 Jan 06 - 06:18 PM (#1651196) Subject: RE: BS: Poppa/MammaGator: MardiGras royalty From: PoppaGator Here's some video of the 2005 parade. Peggy and I appear more than once ~ video quality is pretty poor, but our big white feather headdresses are visible enough. The hostess/narrator really seems to like our "Spank The Other Cheek" theme, and keeps coming back to us: http://www.nola.com/mardigras/video/?/mardigras/video/content.ssf/kdv2005 We'll be back on the streets Saturday evening February 11, kicking off what will probably be the weirdest Mardi Gras season yet, a semi-private celebration mostly for local folk who really need a good party. But of course guests, as always, are more than welcome ~ y'all come! |
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19 Jan 06 - 04:33 AM (#1651419) Subject: RE: BS: Poppa/MammaGator: MardiGras royalty From: John MacKenzie Great stuff PG, looks like great fun, good move on your part having a 'sit down' float. Hope y'all have a good one again this year in spite of all your trials and tribulations. BTW can I have some of whatever that girl fronting that video was on? Giok |