Ain’t no stopping us now. Mardi Gras season is officially upon us this weekend as the king of indy krewes — Krewe du Vieux — rolls through the French Quarter, and pieces of the Marigny, on Saturday, February 15 to kick-off the next two and a half weeks of major parades. Once Krewe du Vieux rolls, there’s no turning back until Mardi Gras Day, this year falling on March 4.
OffBeat Art Director Elsa Hahne and Photographer Golden Richard III in the 2013 Krewe du Vieux Parade (SPANK Krewe).
But this year, the Quarter and the surrounding districts will be an even bigger party when Krewe du Vieux rolls on Saturday night with the NBA All-Star gathering in town the same weekend New Orleans’ Mardi Gras parade season gets going. Celebrities, pro ball players and their fans will get a special taste of New Orleans life with some of the most creative costumes, witty marching krewes and conscious satire the indy Vieux krewe brings. Of course, the All-Stars weekend also means several concerts and special music shows around downtown to take in as well.
The Krewe du Vieux parade itself has a few special additions this year too though. The fledgling new Bywater-based Krewe Delusion joins Krewe du Vieux as its secondary line-up, rolling behind the Vieux members with their Delusion 2014 Queen and Krewe Captain, DJ Soul Sister. The Queen of Rare Groove brings her Krewe of King James marching troupe in tow — a gaggle of  brightly struttin’ disciples of Soul Brother #1, James Brown. For the first time, this new sub-krewe will march to funky beats and urge onlookers to “Get up offa that thing!” That’s right, these “Super Bad Sex Machine Strollers” ain’t takin no mess and have but one mission: to get you up and on the good foot.
While the rest of Krewe Delusion’s 2014 themes remain a mystery– er, a delusion? — the Krewe du Vieux takes a somewhat serious approach to their theme this year by naming environmental activist and legislator John Barry as their 2014 king. As the King of Krewe du Vieux, Barry represents the consciousness of the Vieux’s members in regard to the rapidly depleting Louisiana wetlands. If the krewe’s official introduction to this year’s them and king selection on their website is any indication, some decidedly statement-making (or, lewd?) costumes are to be expected. (View last year’s 2013 KDV parade photos here)
Krewe du Vieux and its sub-krewes line-up Saturday, February 15 at 6 p.m. on N. Peters Street between Franklin Avenue and Frenchmen Street in the Marigny/Bywater and will roll through Chartres, Royal and Decatur streets before finally disbanding at 619 Frenchmen Street (rapidly becoming known as the Trash Palace) around 11 p.m. or Midnight for the official Krewe du Vieux post-parade Mardi Gras Ball. The ball features live music from Big Chief Monk Boudreaux with Ivan Neville and a brass band jam featuring War Chief Juan Pardo, Russell Batiste Jr., June Yamagishi, Jimmy Carpenter, Lionel Batiste Jr., Jay Sanders, Boubacaar Cisokko, Antonio Gambrell and a late night set from Afroskull. Tickets for the ball are $30 cash at the door, or available in advance at the Louisiana Music Factory (now located directly below the OffBeat Magazine office at 421 Frenchmen Street) . Route and more info: www.kreweduvieux.com
The Krewe of King James won't take no mess this Mardi Gras!
The Krewe Delusion and its Krewe of King James will follow the Krewe du Vieux route, but will continue up Frenchmen Street to St. Claude Avenue where they will disband for their post-parade ball at the Hi-Ho Lounge (2239 St. Claude) for DJ Soul Sister’s Saturday night HUSTLE! party at 11 p.m. Admission is free, but capacity is limited so early arrival is suggested. Route: www.krewedelusion.com
