West Bank Carnival 2011

BY FRANK J. BORNE, JR.

Thousands of men, women, and children in a half dozen Carnival organizations are earnestly preparing to present the West Bank’s outstanding parades for Mardi Gras 2011. Mark your calendar now to attend the revelry and continue our communities’ unique traditions.

ADONIS

Saturday, February 26, 11:45 a.m.

To join, contact Paul Bourg, President, at 236-4530 or tlcpres@bellsouth.net

www.adonis-tlc.com.

Adonis, named for the figure in Greek mythology who was the epitome of male beauty, was established in 1999 and follows Choctaw.

This year’s theme is “Adonis’ Childhood Memories,” a whimsical presentation of timeless childhood stories featuring floats such as Little Red Riding Hood, Cat in the Hat, and Hansel & Gretel. The parade will feature 14 floats designed by Phil Fricano, seven to eight bands, and approximately 200 riders.

Paul Bourg, President of Adonis, is enthusiastic about this year’s parade and what it means for the West Bank. “I love Carnival and the culture that revolves around Carnival. Our parade is a family organization,” he said. Bourg has been involved in Mardi Gras parades for more than 30 years. He’s ridden in Poseidon, Choctaw, and Alla, is a member of the West Bank Social & Marching Club, and reigned as King Adonis IV in 2002. “It has to be in your soul. We have fun and that’s what Carnival is all about,” Bourg said.

During the year, the krewe is active with quarterly meetings and a variety of fundraising activities including BINGO and dances which encourage commradarie and help to raise money to keep dues down. Memership dues are $200 per person.

The group’s ball was held at the Landmark Hotel in Metairie in January. Brian M. Robert reigns as King Adonis XIII and Tiffany Nicole Smith as Queen Adonis XIII.

ALLA

Sunday, February 27, Noon

To join, contact Paul Leman, President, at 813-4770.

www.kreweofalla.com

The Krewe of Alla, an all-male West Bank organization established in 1932, parades from Algiers through Terrytown into Gretna two Sundays prior to Mardi Gras. Its theme for 2011 is “Alla’s Superfriends” and will feature many comic book super heroes including Batman, Captain America, and Spiderman. Signature floats include the Allagator, Baby Allagator, and Coon-Ass and all are designed by the sensational artists at Blaine Kern Studios in Algiers.

Alla is particularly proud of its outstanding marching bands. Its captain, John Beninate, II, who organizes parades for 13 Carnival krewes, indicates that Alla spends more than $40,000 to attract quality bands. “We work really hard to secure the top bands in the area and some from out of state,” he said. They generally have at least 15-18 bands and schools from all over the United States have participated.

For 2011, Bryan Adams, Fire Chief of the Terrytown-Fifth District Volunteer Fire Company, reigns as Alla’s 79^th Maharajah (king), and Lindsay Theresa Leman reigns as Maharanee (queen).

The organization holds many events during the year and performs charitable work such as cooking at church fairs and partnering with the Rotary Club of the West Bank at Christmas time to provide toys and food baskets to the needy.

Alla’s ball, the Alla Bash, is open to the public and will be held at the Marriott Hotel on Canal Street in New Orleans on Saturday, February 19, from 6:30 p.m. to 1:00 a.m. Tickets cost $110 per person and includes an open premium bar, elegant buffet, and live musical entertainment.

The krewe meets at Blaine Kern’s Mardi Gras World located at 213 Newton Street in Algiers.

CHOCTAW

Saturday, February 26, 11:00 a.m.

To join, contact Chuck Favrot, 913-1875.

www.kreweofchoctaw.com.

One of the oldest Carnival krewes in the New Orleans area is Choctaw, organized in 1935 and named for early Native-American settlers in Louisiana. It’s a family affair, with an organization of 225 men, women, and children, says Captain Chuck Favrot. This is Favrot’s first year as captain, although Choctaw has been a part of his life for a very long time. He’s been on the board of directors for nine years and served as Chief Choctaw in 1999 and 2003 and as a papoose in 1978. His mother, Thais Sutherland was princess in 1958 and his grandfather, Stanley Sutherland, was a chief in 1963. As well, his sister and an aunt also reigned as princess in the krewe.

“Choctaw fills a niche,” said Favrot. “Alla is an all-male krewe and Cleopatra an all-female krewe, but [in Choctaw] a couple can ride with their children. We help keep the Mardi Gras spirit alive through our youth.” Favrot adds that the organization’s monthly meetings are open to the whole family. Membership dues are $275 per person.

Choctaw’s theme this year is “It’s All Elementary”, and floats are designed by Phil Fricano. The parade will feature 18 floats and a dozen bands.

For 2011, Chief Choctaw (king) is Darren M. Laurent and Princess Choctaw (queen) is Kathie Sanchez Millet. Special throws will include plush tomahawks and spears and wooden nickels. The nickels are a captain’s tradition and a collector’s item. Choctaw held its ball, called The Big Pow-Wow, in January.

A week before the parade, on Saturday, February 19, Choctaw holds a unique event, its river parade on the Steamboat Natchez on the Mississippi River. It’s open to the public, and admission is only $15 for the ride and musical entertainment. Food and beverage are available for purchase, and the whole Choctaw court will greet passengers in full costume. Boarding begins at 9:30 a.m. and the boat sails from 10:00 a.m. until Noon. Tickets may be purchased in advance or at to dock, the Gretna Ferry Landing at Huey P. Long Avenue and First Street in Gretna.

The group also gives of its time and money throughout the year to help the less fortunate. Choctaw’s members have worked to help area non-profit organizations including the Veterans of Foreign Wars, the American Cancer Society Relay for Life, the Gretna Economic Development Association, and a myriad of area schools.

CLEOPATRA

Friday, February 25, 6:30 p.m.

To join, contact Tuttie Kepner, 367-0351.

www.kreweofcleopatra.com

Named for the Egyptian queen, Cleopatra is the West Bank’s only night parade and traditionally rolls on the Friday two weekends before Mardi Gras. The organization was established in 1972 and its motto is “Her beauty is timeless, her age is now—forever.” Like Alla, Adonis, and Choctaw, Cleopatra rides from Algiers through Terrytown into Gretna. The all-female krewe has more than 300 members. The krewe will have 17 floats, designed by float builder Phil Fricano, Jr., illustrating the theme “Egyptian Treasures.” Floats include City of Cleopatra, Valley of Kings (Tut), Giza: Land of Pyramids, and Bast: Land of Sacred Cats. Kyla Clement Diehl is Queen Cleopatra XXXVIII.

Cleopatra supports the Sunshine Kids organization, a group founded in 1982 that sponsors events and other activities for children with cancer. Cleopatra invites the Sunshine Kids to its annual Boomtown luncheon so its members may greet the kids and give out toys and other throws. The Sunshine Kids then view the parade on a reviewing stand in Terrytown.

Dolores “Tuttie” Kepner, Cleopatra’s captain since the group was organized, is excited about what the krewe means for the West Bank. “The people look forward to this, and we do this for the people and the children.”

Cleopatra’s ball, which it calls the Rendezvous, is open to the public. The event takes place at the Marriott Hotel on Canal Street in New Orleans on Saturday, February 12, at 7:00 p.m. Tickets cost $175 per couple. Membership in Cleopatra costs $450 and includes a pair of tickets to the ball.

GRELA

Tuesday, March 8 [Mardi Gras], 11:00 a.m.

To join, contact Carmen Kass, Vice President, 347-0595.

One of the oldest krewes in Carnival, Grela, established in 1947 and whose name is short for Gretna, Louisiana, will roll on Mardi Gras with the theme “It’s All Greek to Me.” Its floats will feature the mythological icons Poseidon, Jupiter, Medusa, and Mercury among others. Grela is the only West Bank organization to roll on Mardi Gras.

Grela Vice President Carmen Kass beams when speaking about her krewe and community: “I enjoy Mardi Gras in Gretna because I believe in Grela’s history and want it to continue for future generations. There’s something special about being in your own town for Mardi Gras. It’s a family atmosphere.”

In 1960, Grela was the first club to throw a wooden doubloon. In 1984, women and children were accepted into the club and the organization moved its parade to Mardi Gras day at the request of the City of Gretna.

Gretna’s own renowned artist Keith Eccles will be Grela’s grand marshal in 2011. The parade begins at 11:00 a.m. and features 300 riders on 21 floats. Throws will include toys, beads, doubloons, and cups.

Grela’s ball will be held on February 26 at the New Orleans Airport Hilton in Kenner, and the event is open to the public. Doors open at 7:30 p.m. with the tableau and buffet beginning at 8:30 p.m. Tickets are available for $85.00 each.

Grela also meets monthly on the first Wednesday at 7:00 p.m. at the Lion’s Club on Franklin Avenue in Gretna. Dues are $175 for adults ($150 if paid before September 30), $100 for children ages 13 to 17, and $75.00 for children ages 5 to 12.

NOMTOC

Saturday, March 5, 10:45 a.m.

To join, call Warren Green, President, at 458-6317, James Henderson, Parade Captain, at 214-2455, or e-mail the club at Jugs@NOCoxmail.com.

www.nomtoc.org

Algiers is home to NOMTOC, which stands for New Orleans’ Most Talked of Club. The krewe is sponsored by the Jugs Social Club, which was established in 1951 and incorporated in 1969. NOMTOC’s first parade was held the following year, 1970.

NOMTOC rides entirely in Old Algiers with more than 400 riders on 21 floats. This year’s theme is “Great Works of Fiction” and features floats depicting “The Full Moon Chronicles” and “The Dark Night.” Special throws include NOMTOC footballs and Frisbees. This year, the krewe will throw a lighted crest medallion beads that are sure to be a hot item.

The organization invites families to ride. “We pride ourselves on our safe family atmosphere,” says Parade Captain James Henderson, who has been with NOMTOC since the early 1980s. “We’re an early start on the Saturday of the big weekend before Mardi Gras, parading early before the big parades across the river. We provide family fun for the Old Algiers community.” Henderson also is proud of their recruiting of bands, many of whom come from outside the area to march. They have at least 15 lined up so far for this year’s parade.

King NOMTOC XLI is Danny V. Kennedy and Queen NOMTOC XLI is Dominique Donielle Melder, and their coronation will be at the club’s ball at 8:00 p.m. on Saturday, February 12 in the Ernest N. Morial Convention Center. Tickets cost $40 each and tables of 10 are available.