Mardi Gras Day
It’s Mardi Gras in New Orleans and for longer than America has existed, freedom of expression has been found here. When the United States bought Louisiana and free people of color were enslaved, each Sunday they still gathered at Congo Square to dance. And preceding the Stonewall Riots, the openly gay Krewe of Petronius hosted one of the most popular Mardi Gras balls in the city.
Our traditions of freedom and creativity run deep. On Fat Tuesday, Mardi Gras Indian tribes gather in intricately designed suits they work all year to create. The Wild Magnolias and Dr. John describe the spy boys, flag boys and big chiefs meeting “Early One Morning.” The location changes, but it’s always very, very early. If you miss the Mardi Gras Indians, you can catch some of them later in the day when the Mardi Gras Indian Orchestra plays the Hi-Ho Lounge.
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