Eight office king cakes down and still a LOT more parading to come, it’s Carnival time at FSC Interactive.
Cue Al “Carnival Time” Johnson:
All because it’s Carnival Ti-i-ime
Whoa, it’s Carnival Time
Oh well, it’s Carnival Time
And everybody’s havin’ fun
- Al Johnson, Carnival Time
Now that we’ve got that out of our systems, here are the official and unofficial traditions (new and old) for FSC Interactive team members in words and photos!
Carnival, FSC Style: In Words:
Sadie: I’ll be doing the same thing I do every year…talking to strangers and dancing in the streets…Oh, and hopefully eating a mighty share of crawfish between parades!
Andy: Growing up in New Orleans, Mardi Gras was family time. And, when you’re a part of my family, that means fun time. We have a schedule of activities that includes Friday night dinner, riding in Iris (the women) and Bacchus (the men), attending the Bacchus Ball, Lundi Gras brunch at Commander’s Palace, tequila shots almost every morning (we skip Lundi Gras) around 7:15 am (this is a hard one for outsiders to grasp, but when in Rome, right?) and dressing up on Mardi Gras day. As the years have gone by, this tradition of spending Mardi Gras with the Kutchers has been experienced by dozens of family friends, friends from college and, in some cases, complete strangers. To me, Mardi Gras – and all of the family traditions we have – is my favorite time of year because it’s spent with the people I care about the most. Oh, and in 2013 my entire family served as the royal court for the Krewe of Iris. My parents were king and queen and all of the children and significant others were Maids and Dukes. The getups were pretty entertaining, and the entire experience was unforgettable.
Brooke: This will be my 9th Mardi Gras after moving to New Orleans for college in 2006. For many New Orleanians, Mardi Gras is just like Thanksgiving or Christmas around the country, it’s a time to celebrate with friends and family. There are traditions and revelry. I may not have “real” family here, but I have my Mardi Gras family, which includes my best friend Virginia who has also never missed a parade with me since 2006. True to our college roots, we tend to catch the first half of Mardi Gras more Uptown near Napoleon and St. Charles, but by Muses on Thursday you can find us outside of Igors on Jackson and St. Charles, where some of Virginia’s family friends take us in to their little neutral ground home and treat us like their own for the weekend. Endymion is always spent with lots of food and epic dance parties on Orleans and City Park Ave at our friend Anna’s house. Last but not least – Mardi Gras Day. Our “krewe” wakes up VERY early and dresses in the most ridiculous ensembles we can find (this year we are snoballs!) and treks down to Carondolet and Jackson for Zulu. Once we all have captured the prize, a coconut, we walk from this locale all the way to the French Quarter, down Bourbon St. to see the costume contest and without fail ALWAYS find our way to the Pat O’s Courtyard for a nightcap (4:00 p.m.) — Hurricanes.
Lydia: This year is full-on BIRTHDAY GRAS since the anniversary of my day of birth falls on Mardi Gras day. Look for the overly happy girl running around in a wig and/or mask with a pile of dollar bills pinned to her shirt. My Mardi Gras tip? Wear comfortable shoes you don’t mind ruining!
Annie: This is my second Mardi Gras that I won’t be in college. I am reuniting with many of my best college friends who are in town for it and I imagine I will use it as an excuse to act like a college student once again. See you at the Boot!
Matt: I took the kiddo’s to Olympia in Covington last Saturday and we had a blast! We’re still waiting until they’re a little older to bring them to the big parades in New Orleans, so we will use most of this Mardi Gras time to relax and get things ready for summer!
Margaux: This is my second year doing Mardi Gras as a New Orleans resident, so I’m going to as many parades as possible. We have a few Mardi Gras spots that we’ll hopefully repeat this year: St. Charles and Napoleon for the Uptown parades, St. Charles and Euterpe on Lundi Gras (the Burger King is so necessary!), and the Tipitina’s parade stand for Mardi Gras day. I always have a family member riding in Zulu so I’ll probably end up chasing that parade through Treme to up my coconut count. After the parades, I’ll be heading to a friend’s balcony on Royal St. to watch all of the craziness before ending the day at Mayas with my family.
Sara: This is my first Mardi Gras ever, and every day has been a learning experience! Biggest lesson so far? Don’t go to the grocery store during a parade when you live in “the box” and expect to get home. I threw away about $20 worth of Whole Foods frozen goodies and two hours of prime parade watching time. On the upside, living so close to the action is incredible! I’ve attended every Uptown parade so far (plus Krewe du Vieux), and I’ve caught my weight in throws. Bring on the beads!!!!
Kelleigh: Carnival season has been a part of my New Orleans heritage since the few months before I was born. It’s absolutely my favorite time of the year. I’ve seen it from just about every view from Uptown to downtown and from Mid-City to the stands at Gallier Hall, and I can confidently say that no matter where you watch the parades, you’re bound to have a fantastic and memorable time. Don’t pick beads up off the ground or snatch a throw intended for someone else, travel by bike if you can, make sure to stay hydrated, bring lots of friends and family and have a good time! You may even make a few new friends along the way! If you have the opportunity to participate in a Krewe, whether it’s to ride or attend Mardi Gras festivities (like a ball), DO IT! It will make your Carnival experience even more exciting. Parades you absolutely shouldn’t miss: Krewe d’Etat, Muses, Tucks, Thoth, Bacchus and Orpheus. But really, just go to all of them! You can sleep during lent.
Kyo: I love waking up bright and early Mardi Gras Day and meeting up at a friend’s house in the neighborhood to watch various krewes gather and kick off the day. In addition, one of the best things about Mardi Gras overall is everyone’s genuine hospitality, inviting guests and strangers into their home to celebrate the season together.
Lauren: I am not a morning person, but my friend Megan (pictured below) always insisted on our group of friends getting up early on Mardi Gras and heading to the Marigny to catch the Society of Saint Anne parade. I’m glad she’s convinced me to do that, because it’s become a beloved tradition (except for last year when I lasted in the cold rain for approximately 10 minutes before going home). We park somewhere near Esplanade Avenue, grab coffees from Café Rose Nicaud, head to R Bar and then post up on the porch of the house across the street, which is either abandoned or occupied by very friendly residents, and watch all the amazing costumes and makeshift floats go by. One year there was “DIY mechanical bull” which was as weird and dangerous as it sounds. I end up seeing everyone I know down there. At some point we walk down to Canal to try and catch some of Zulu. Usually I end up eating the best food ever at a stranger’s house, savoring my last slice of king cake, drinking beer from people’s backpacks, and getting home early enough to take a nap.
Elizabeth: As a starving newlywed, I will take full advantage of this Carnival season to capture as many MoonPies, Zapp’s Crawtaters, and Tootsie Rolls that my plastic bag can carry. And, of course, adding to our china collection – bring on the party cups!
Carnival, FSC Style: In Photos
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