10 am MARDI GRAS DAY

January 23, 2016 by Charlie London

 

palswalktoqtr

Meet at Pal’s Lounge at 10 a.m. on Tuesday, February 9, 2016

Pal’s Lounge is located at 949 North Rendon in Faubourg St. John.moonpie

There will be moon pies, shopping carts full of beer along with kings, queens and music.

pbrholdParade with the Pal’s Lounge revelers as they cross the Magnolia Bridge (by Cabrini High School) then head on over to Pearl Wine, Holy Ground, Bayou Beer Garden then back to Pal’s.

 

palsloungebikes

Pal’s Lounge will open at 8 a.m. for the Krewe of Bikeus Parade

From the Krewe of Bikeus press page…  It is early in the morning and the Krewe of Bike-us assembles in mid-city in New Orleans, Louisiana.

Their bicycles serve as their floats and their way to get around barricades set up to curtail traffic on the streets of New Orleans. Bloody Marys, vodka cranberries and screwdrivers are part of the breakfast buffet of fun at Pal’s Lounge, a neighborhood institution owned in part by the son of Oscar winner Helen Miren.

While most Mardi Gras krewes roll thru the streets of New Orleans, this is no ordinary parade. The pedal-powered members are one of numerous unsanctioned parade organizations that add to the beauty and local color of Mardi Gras. The group got its start in 2002 when a group of avid bicyclists discovered that two wheels are better than one when it comes to the jam-packed streets of Fat Tuesday.

The group formed as an efficient way to get around during the day. They thank the scarcity of parking spots along routes for its conception.

“People see the dozens of members in costumes rolling down the street and they assume it’s a real parade and start cheering and yelling for beads,” says Krewe of Bikeus founder [sic – not really] Rob Savoy.

Each year the group of friends and friends of friends gather in Faubourg St. John.  The revelers cycle along a ceremonial path Uptown to catch the Zulu parade before making their way to the French Quarter for the rest of the day. The group has grown into one of the most recognized unrecognized groups of Mardi Gras.

 

 

 

 

beerfloat

 

Filed Under: Featured, HISTORY Tagged With: bayou st john, best neigborhood in new orleans, best neighborhood website, bicycle ride, bicyle, bikes, faubourg st john, krewe, krewe of bikeus, local, mardi gras, New Orleans, new orleans best neighborhood, pal's, parade, ride

1st Annual Always for Pleasure Festival

November 15, 2014 by Charlie London

by Charlie London
fake-wedding-2014nov16-4web


The 1st Annual Always for Pleasure Festival


The Fake Wedding Pt. III held on the Magnolia Bridge over Bayou St. John was the main event of the weekend. Susan Sakash and Casey Coleman expressed their undying love for one another by marrying everyone who attended. The Fake Wedding was immediately followed by a second line with Wits End Brass Band, truck karaoke parade, shocking revelations, delicious beer, new friends, and many surprises. The video above shows the 2nd line passing down Vignaud Street in Faubourg St. John.
(November 15, 2014)
afp_poster-schedule_3-791x1024

Without you, there is no us. Join today!

Filed Under: Featured, HISTORY Tagged With: 2nd line, bayou st john, faubourg st john, festival, fun, New Orleans, parade, second line

Have Fun Be Safe

February 18, 2014 by Charlie London

mardi-gras-logoMardi Gras Safety Tips from the New Orleans Police Department Crime Prevention Unit

Before going to the parade:

  • First secure your home by locking up and keeping a light on. Get a timer or two and connect it to a lamp, television set or radio to make it appear as if someone is moving around in the home turning lights and electronics on and off.
  • Notify a responsible neighbor to monitor your house while you are away.
  • Prepare children for the parade by making them use the restroom.
  • Put your name, address and phone number on a piece of paper and put it in your child’s sock.
  • Teach your child how to identify the police if lost.

Parking

  • Do not block a resident’s driveway.
  • Do not double park.
  • Do not park on the neutral ground.
  • Do not block an intersection.
  • Pay attention to signage on the parade route.

 

Attending the Parade

  • Do not jump over the police barricades. Ask an Officer for permission to cross from one side of the street to the other. The barricades are there for protection.
  • Do not bring a big purse to the parade. Put your personal items in your front pockets. Men should carry their wallets in their front pockets.
  • Stand a distance from the floats.
  • Do not run alongside of the floats.
  • Do not follow the bands.
  • Do not throw beads at the riders on the float.
  • Do not put someone on your shoulders if you or that person is intoxicated. Stay away from the street or curb.
  • Ladders should be as far back from the curb as they are tall. Secure the ladder to the ground. Do not place ladders in the intersection.

 

Lost children

  • If you get separated from your child, notify the police immediately. There will be several “lost children sites” on the parade route. Provide the Police Officer with the child’s name and a good physical description.

Medical Problems

  • You should carry with you any pertinent medical information regarding your health. This will help the paramedics tremendously in analyzing your medical condition should you get sick on the parade route.

French Quarter Rules

  • Do not urinate in public.
  • Do not flash your breast in public.
  • Do not drop your pants in public.
  • Do not drink from an open glass or metal container in public.

Important phone numbers

New Orleans Police Department Non-emergency number – (504) 821-2222

New Orleans Police Department Emergency number – 911

Orleans Parish Sheriff Office Automated Interactive Voice Response Inquiry System – (504) 827-6777

Parking Division-Auto Pound Address: 400 N Claiborne Ave. Phone: (504) 565-7450

  

ENJOY  YOUR  2014  MARDI GRAS !

Thank you,

Sergeant L. J. Smith

New Orleans Police Department

Commander, Crime Prevention Unit

715 S. Broad Avenue, Office # A- 412

New Orleans, LA 70119

(504) 658-5590 – Office Phone

[email protected] – Email

Filed Under: Featured Tagged With: crime, mardi gras, New Orleans, parade, safe, safety

Bayou Boat Parade July 4th

June 25, 2012 by Charlie London


The very first Krewe of Kolossos boat parade
was held July 4, 2012 on Bayou St. John


photos and video by Charlie London

Krewe of Kolossos Bayou Boat Parade
Begins/ends on Bayou St. John at Orleans Avenue.

Participants of all ages are encouraged to paddle out in their canoes, pirogues, kayaks, row boats and rafts (prizes for creative crafts and costumes) to celebrate Independence Day, 5-8 Wed. They will join the Krewe of Kolossos and New Orleans artists and musicians on decorated, paddle-powered floats with costumed riders, music and floating subkrewes. Boat rentals will be available. Admission: Free. Call 905.2830, email [email protected] or visit kolossos.org.

Filed Under: More Great Posts! Tagged With: bayou, bayou st john, board, boat, boat parade, canoe, faubourg, faubourg st john, kayak, kolossos, krewe, New Orleans, paddle, parade

Whatever Floats Your Boat

December 1, 2011 by Charlie London

by Charlie London
Over in Central Florida they are having a boat parade. Click on the photo for photo credit and more information.

Who thinks we could have a Holiday Boat Parade on the bayou?
Who is willing to make that happen?

Would a circular parade of boats between the Magnolia and Dumaine bridges be a good route?

Would you be interested in this?
https://www.facebook.com/winterparkboatparade/

Maybe in Big Lake by the Museum or in Bayou St. John between the bridges?

Maybe a bridge fundraiser? People pay to have their decorated canoe or rowboat in the parade? Best decorated canoe or rowboat wins a prize? Beads would be slingshot from the boats to the shore in wrapped packages that would float (maybe a wine cork in the bag) if they missed the mark?

OR, Krewe of Bayou Festival? Maybe on twelfth night to kick off Mardi Gras with a variety of king cake tables along the shore?

“Floats” on platforms that would be sea worthy? (catamaran-like with large barrels on either side)
***
UPDATE: JULY, 2012

The very first Krewe of Kolossos boat parade
was held July 4, 2012 on Bayou St. John


***
UPDATE: February, 2013
https://fsjna.org/2013/01/krewe-dat-floats/

Join the inaugural Krewe dat Floats parade on Bayou St. John. Weather forced cancellation last year. All SUP’s, kayaks, and canoes are welcome. Route begins at Dumaine Street bridge and floats counter-clockwise towards the Esplanade Avenue bridge which is the turn around point. Costumes, masks, and vessel originality are highly encouraged. Please do not bring any type of throws for the Bayou’s sake.

*Meet location: Grass field on Moss Street between Orleans Avenue and Dumaine Street (Carrollton side of the bayou)
*Meeting time: 12:30pm.
*Float time: 1:00pm.

More Info: http://www.krewedatfloats.org/

https://fsjna.org/2013/01/krewe-dat-floats/
***

Filed Under: Featured Tagged With: bayou, bayou boat parade, bayou st john, best, boat, bridge, canoe, christmas, dumaine, eclectic, faubourg st john, festival of lights, holiday, kayak, magnolia, neighborhood, New Orleans, new orleans best neighborhood, paddleboard, parade, surf board

610 Stompers in New York

November 21, 2011 by Charlie London


Video courtesy the 610 Stompers Channel on YouTube.com

See the 610 Stompers in New York!

Video courtesy christoz77 on YouTube

article submitted by Cheron Brylski

There is a group of 85 men (doctors, lawyers, businessmen,etc) who
formed a dance group shortly after the New Orleans Saints football
team won the Superbowl in 2009. They are a huge sensation in New
Orleans and dance in Mardi Gras parades, at other events and raise
money for charity. Their motto–“Extraordinary Moves by Ordinary Men”
is on billboards and places all over the city. They have become a
phenomena with a huge following. And are great fun. They usually
parade with a keg but, Macy’s told them to leave their keg at
home…….

Out of the blue, they have been invited to participate in the Macy’s
Thanksgiving Parade this year. They are serious about their dancing
(although their costumes are funky/ cool) and practice every Wed.
night at a local bar. So, the Thanksgiving parade goers are in for a
treat-something they have not seen before. They also grow mustaches
to perform.

Their web site is: www.610Stompers.com take a minute to check it
out. New Orleans is in love with them.
—–

They’ve been called legendary; they’ve been called brave. Quite
frankly, I call them brilliant – and insanely entertaining. Heroes
come in all forms – some wear capes, others wear coach’s
shorts. Donning their red, white, and blue, these men march across
New Orleans – heads held high. They are the 610 Stompers.

If you’re lucky you can see them on the streets of New Orleans, on
local billboards, performing at a sports event, or even using their
skilled moves to support your favorite charity. You may notice them
by a glimmer of red satin in the sunshine or simply by their
intricately groomed mustaches. For anyone who has seen these men in
uniform, they’re easy to pick out of a crowd. But, how did these
seemingly overnight sensations come to be? How did these ordinary
men, make the entire city of New Orleans fans of their extraordinary
moves? I had the honor of sitting down with eight of the board
members to dig down and see what the 610 Stompers are all about and
learn exactly how these men came to grace us with their signature
dances.

The plan all started one quiet January day in 2009. One of the
founders, Brett Patron, found himself gathered with friends and
family discussing the upswing of all female dance groups in the city.
Growing up in New Orleans he was accustomed to Mardi Gras Parades
laden with all-girl dance squads like the Gold Dusters and the Dance
Connection. They are a known staple in parades with their flashy
uniforms and base thumping music, but the man affectionately known as
“SLAB” made a decision that day that would change the way New Orleans
– and soon the world – would see dance squads.

After a little friendly, competitive banter and a few ideas later,
Brett knew his calling. The next morning, much to his wife’s
surprise, he woke up and started making some phone calls. After a few
rings to some friends and family that were quickly followed with,
Are you serious??, the men decided to give it their best shot.
Brett walked over to local business owner David Toso’s office and
said, “Dave. I’m starting an all male dance team and we’re going to
wear coach’s shorts and wife beaters.” Dave quickly replied, “Count
me in.” Mark LaForet admitted, “You had me at coach’s shorts.” One
after another the men agreed to help make this dream become a
reality. After allowing the idea to brew in their minds for a few
months, Mardi Gras came and the urge to dance called to these men
even more. The sense of competition wrestled in their legs and they
became more determined to dance than ever. They knew this is
something they had to do. They just didn?t exactly know how to get it
going. After all, they only had a handful of guys and that wasn’t
enough to make the kind of impact they were looking for.

Low and behold, the breakthrough they needed came with the Jazz Fest
Triathlon of 2009, where they saw a gathering of like minds and
spirits and knew that this was prime hunting grounds to find their
fellow Stompers. For those men who made it to the finish line, they
were greeted with the option to place their name and contact
information on a sign-up sheet of yellow notebook paper – a paper
that would forever change their lives.

Tryouts began and selections were made. Their goals were simple:
dance and have fun doing it. All they needed was 15…and they got
44. Over the course of a weekend, the men were taught a routine and
danced their hearts out. The next year would be a whirlwind for these
men and the turnout increased in subsequent auditions. This dream was
going to happen. They formed a committee and intricately designed
their uniforms to ensure that they made accommodations for both hot
and cold weather, physical prowess, and modesty. After all, with an
all male dance crew, you must always remember crowd control. So, in
the end, they wound up with their signature white tank tops, blue
coaches shorts, red satin jackets, gold tennis shoes, tube socks, and
the never-optional sweatband.

Their first official performance was in the Buddy D Superbowl Parade,
where nerves and tensions were high. Sure, they enjoyed themselves
practicing, but now this was real. How would the public perceive the
610 Stompers? With all butterflies and concerns aside, they pulled up
their socks and put on their jackets. It was time to man-up and
dance. Kevin Monahan reflected on their debut, “We were nervous, but
thankfully, we were completely surrounded by men in red dresses. We
were definitely the most butch ones there!” The crowd screamed and
cheered for the men and the 610 Stompers realized their journey had
just begun.

Word got out fast about these men and their moves. Calls were being
made on their behalf and requests for their performance grew. They
danced a victory dance for Coach Sean Payton and the Saints at the
Lombardi Gras Parade, performed at numerous Hornets games, and their
skills have even been called upon to be featured on the Tonight Show.

Well, now they’re headed back to national television where 56 of
their 65 members will perform for over 44 million people and have
been given a guaranteed slot on television for the 85th Annual Macy’s
Thanksgiving Day Parade. They are slotted to perform between 11:20 & 11:30 EST.
This is a performance you do not want to miss!

They’re packing their sprinklers, their shopping carts, and are even going armed
with some originals like the “Stinky Elephant”, “Robotic
Fence”, “Possible Snakebite”, and a new move entitled the “Miyagi-Do
Karate Series”. Flying in uniform, these men are sure to make an
impression and spread the stomping fever far and wide.

What makes these men so special is not only their uncanny ability to
entertain crowds, but also the motivation behind the uniforms. What
started as a plan to start an all male dance school to help pay for
their Saints season tickets in their namesake section 610, has turned
into an incredible medium to have fun while help others. Underneath
those mustaches of manliness lie men with hearts larger than most.

Since their formation in 2009, the 610 Stompers have raised and
donated over $100,000 to charity. They were asked to be this year’s
“Corporate Chair” of the Light the Night Walk for the Leukemia and
Lymphoma Society of Louisiana and Mississippi, released a Stomp Out
Breast Cancer video with Touro Infirmary, and have partnered with
over 13 local and national foundations where their dance moves have
helped those less fortunate. They have mastered having fun with
making a difference.

Filed Under: Featured Tagged With: 610 stompers, extraordinary moves, macy's, mardi gras, ordinary men, parade, thanksgiving

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