Mardi Gras Returns to New Orleans

Uncategorized | henry, February 17th, 2006

It won’t be a very happy Mardi Gras for most of us. But ironically, for those who have returned, it might be the most heartening ever. New Orleanians know how to celebrate in the face of adversity.

Bart Everson, b.rox, A Bittersweet Visit

That’s life! [Bart Everson/Flickr]

Bart Everson wasn’t sure what to expect from the crowds at this year’s Carnival celebrations. He has lived in New Orleans for six years and has relished the part of the participant-oberserver in the city’s biggest parties. He was among the crowd watching the Krewe du Vieux kick off the parade season last weekend as they marched through the French Quarter.

You didn’t know what to expect considering that so many people were gone, but it seemed that there were more people than ever. It seems like people needed to see something like that. A lot of these parades have a satricial aspect, the Krewe du Vieux more than any, and they sure did.

Bart Everson, in a conversation with Open Source, 2/17/06

Note the high water mark and the notorious red X [Bart Everson/Flickr]

Former FEMA chief Michael Brown plays the Fool [Bart Everson/Flickr]

Bart and his wife Xy in the spirit [Bart Everson/Flickr]

To say that the floats are irreverent is a huge understatement. They are vengefully iconoclastic, wickedly satirical, vulgar (sometimes bordering on obscene), clever, hilarious, and wonderful. This parade, more than any other (except maybe the “underground??? krewes) exemplifies what I love about New Orleans and Carnival.

Bart Everson, b.rox, A Bittersweet Visit

It is a big shot in the arm when you are dealing with adverstiy. One of the best ways to deal with adversity is to laugh…. We could go around and act all depressed and sober, but I’m not sure that would accomplish any more.

Bart Everson, in a conversation with Open Source, 2/17/06