Arthur Hardy's Mardi Gras Guide

PRESS RELEASES FROM THE KREWES OF MUSES & BRID
Posted: January 22, 2010

ARE YOU GODDESS ENOUGH TO ROLL WITH THE MUSES?

Looking for a riding spot? This is a chance to bypass 500+ women on the waiting list, ride in the best parade at Mardi Gras and donate to a good cause at the same time! The krewe has set up an online auction through eBay featuring a riding spot in the 2010 parade, with the proceeds benefiting House of Ruth. This is a great opportunity for all of the wannabe Goddesses out there that want to ride this year. The minimum bid for the ride is $1,000 and the rider must be a woman over the age of 18.

Prize includes priceless ride plus costume, mask, entry to the riding member only pre-party beginning at 2:00 and the post-parade aMUSEment party featuring the B-52s, plus a small package of throws (not enough for the ride). Additional throws for the ride, which cost approximately $1,000, must be purchased separately. Some Muse throws may still be available for purchase.

The House of Ruth New Orleans is an organization located in Algiers, Louisiana that helps families, largely women and their children, who are homeless or on the brink of homelessness by providing assistance with rent, utilities, and childcare. The House of Ruth Learning Center is now open, offering individuals training in word processing to enhance their ability to pursue employment. The nonprofit aims to stabilize families in crisis without creating more dependence, "a hand up, not a handout."

Click Here to Place Your Bid On eBay! Bidding ends on January 29th!

Please contact Jeanne at info@kreweofmuses.org or (504) 269-1422 with any questions.

Contact: Mary Hogan, High Priestess, Krewe of Brid
(c) 504/460-5776; (e) kreweofbrid@yahoo.com

Brid Marches as “Pothole Patrol”

The Krewe of Brid, Lakeview’s own carnival marching club, pays homage to the city’s streets with its 2010 theme “Pothole Patrol.” Brid will march 7:00 p.m. on Friday, January 29. The route begins on Milne at Conrad (near Mount Carmel Academy), heads south to Harrison Avenue, then turns east on Harrison Avenue to end at Gen. Haig (near the site of Hynes Elementary).

The krewe is named in honor of three ancient Celtic goddesses each named Brid. Three local women have been selected to represent the Three Brids:

Melanie Ehrlich, Brid of the Forge - Goddess of Strength & Justice Dr. Ehrlich is a professor of genetics, whose Tulane Medical School lab does research on muscular dystrophy and cancer. She is the founder of CHAT - Citizens' Road Home Action Team. By successfully advocating for many improvements in the Road Home PRogram, CHAT has helped thousands of Louisianaians rebuild their homes.

Stephanie Bruno, Brid of the Spirit - Goddess of Arts & Letter Stephanie is a champion of New Orleans’ neighborhoods. She writes a weekly series in the Times-Picayune spotlighting the cultural and architectural features of our neighborhoods. Stephanie has dedicated her energy and spirit to preserving our traditions for future generations.

Laura LeBon, Brid of the Hearth - Goddess of Home & Hearth Laura is mother of two boys and an architect. She was caught mid-move from Old Metairie into West Lakeview when the levees failed in 2005. Laura rebuilt both homes, and volunteered for the Gulf Coast Information Center and CHAT. She is currently working on the Dream City community center, which will provide a safe environment for at-risk youth in the Greater New Orleans area to learn and play.

Krewe members will be dressed in construction worker outfits, each customized with a feminine flair for fun. Other groups marching with Brid this year include crowd favorites Egg Yolk Jubilee Music Band, McTeggart Irish Dancers of Louisiana, and the Big Easy RollerGirls. Special guests are the 610 Stompers – New Orleans’ newest all-male dance troupe.

Krewe of Brid’s third annual after party, Party with the Goddess, starts up at 9p. The party features dancing, food, and Golden Goddess cocktails and burlesque girls. Tickets are $15 at the door.

The Krewe of Brid honors the women of New Orleans who are using all of their talent, wisdom, love and strength to rebuild the neighborhoods of New Orleans. For more information about the parade, the party and the krewe, check out the Krewe of Brid’s web site, www.kreweofbrid.org

MARDI GRAS NEWS
Posted: January 18, 2010

WHO DAT!
The Saints playoff game on January 16 caused the movement of the Pygmalion ball from Saturday to Friday, and delayed the start of the Excalibur ball from 8 PM to 9 PM.

HAIL ENDYMION
Patrick Russo was selected king by random draw at Saturday night’s coronation ball at the Convention Center.

GALLIER HALL STANDS RISING
On January 11 the construction of the Gallier Hall reviewing stands finally began. The race is on to finish in time for the first parade on February 5. Apparently the stands at Lafayette Square will not be erected this year.

TWELFTH NIGHT REVIEW
The January 6 opening of the Carnival season began with a morning press conference and king cake cutting ceremony at Gallier Hall. The krewes or Rex and Zulu made special presentations to Mayor Ray Nagin, who announced that the Mardi Gras reviewing stands would be erected in time for the parade season.

That evening the second annual St. Joan of Arc procession rolled through the French Quarter, while the Phunny Phorty Phellows rolled uptown for the first time since Katrina. Meanwhile, the historic Twelfth Night Revelers (founded 1870) held their 141st annual ball at the Ritz Carlton.

COMING EVENTS
The East Bank Regional Library will host a King Cake Tasting Wednesday, January 27th, at 7pm in the library Meeting Rooms. Library users can come and sample king cakes made by the region’s best bakeries, including Haydel’s Bakery, Gambino’s Bakery, Antoine’s Famous Cakes and Pies, Frances’ Bakery, Hi-Do Bakery, Tastee Donuts (now the home of McKenzie’s king cakes), and Breaux Mart – and it’s all free. Errol Laborde, author of Krewe: The Early Carnival from Comus to Zulu, will kick off the event with a talk about the early history Mardi Gras and how the king cake fits into the Carnival experience. The tasting will follow. Jefferson Parish Library is committed to making the library a family destination and continuously offers new programs and services that educate, entertain and expand interaction with users. For more, go to www.jefferson.lib.la.us.

CAPTAINS CORNER
The Jefferson City Buzzards present the Buzzard Ball Sat., Jan 30, 8PM
Southport Hall, featuring Charmaine Neville, Omega 3 and The Joe Krown Trio. $20 advance, $25 door. Costumes preferred, 504-982-4927, 504-319-0391.

The Krewe of Dionysus will be starting Noon in Slidell on Sunday, February 7, instead of their normal time of 1pm.