Every year the world-famous Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras parade transforms the streets of Sydney into a colorful and noisy spectacle, celebrating the pride, diversity and creativity of gay men and lesbians. Absolutely Mardi Gras focuses for the first time on the (often overlooked) extraordinary costumes that are made for Mardi Gras. Not only does it showcase some of the most prominent designers, but it also goes behind the scenes of the Mardi Gras Workshop, where so many of these wonderful creations have been meticulously planned, designed and brought to fruition. This stunning book is beautifully illustrated throughout with fantastic photography, making Absolutely Mardi Gras an essential guide to the ins and outs of the Sydney Mardi Gras.
Traditional Carnival has been well documented with a vast array of books published on the subject. However, few of them, if any, mention gay Carnival krewes or the role of gay Carnival within the larger context of the season. Howard Philips Smith corrects this oversight with a beautiful, vibrant, and exciting account of gay Carnival. Gay krewes were first formed in the late 1950s, growing out of costume parties held by members of the gay community. Their tableau balls were often held in clandestine locations to avoid harassment. Even by the new millennium, gay Carnival remained a hidden and almost lost history. Much of the history and the krewes themselves were devastated by the AIDS crisis. Whether facing police raids in the 1960s or AIDS in the 1980s, the Carnival krewes always came back each season. A culmination of two decades of research, Unveiling the Muse positions this incredible story within its proper place as an amazing and important facet of traditional Carnival. Based on years of detailed interviews, each of the major gay krewes is represented by an in-depth historical sketch, outlining the founders, moments of brilliance on stage, and a list of all the balls, themes, and royalty. Of critical importance to this history are the colorful ephemera associated with the gay tableau balls. Reproductions of never-before-published brilliantly designed invitations, large-scale commemorative posters, admit cards, and programs add dimension and life to this history. Sketches of elaborate stage sets and costumes as well as photographs of ball costumes and rare memorabilia further enhance descriptions of these tableau balls.
A sociological study of the African American carnival revelers in New Orleans who dress in Native American-influenced costumes. One of the most dazzling elements of the Mardi Gras celebrations, the Mardi Gras Indians receive the attention and respect of carnival-goers for their elaborately beaded costumes and entertaining dances. But what few realize about the groups is that the parading is more than just for show. Costuming, dancing, and all the rituals of these groups are acts of cultural preservation that date back more than a century. In this book, author Michael P. Smith addresses the sociological issues surrounding the mislabeled and rarely understood Maroon groups now known as “Mardi Gras Indians.” His textual analysis of the culture examines its African origins and how the participants help to develop the African American cultural identity. He looks at how some African Americans resisted efforts to suppress traditions that are re-emerging in modern society. Researched and documented by generations of oral and written history, this work clearly outlines the mistaken identification of the Mardi Gras Indians as just an entertainment element of the carnival season. It also shows the vital role this traditional culture plays in the community, much as the black Spiritual Churches do, in preserving an authentic base for the unique cultural heritage of blacks in New Orleans. This work illustrates how the Mardi Gras Indians are a part of the New Orleans second-line tradition. A dynamic element of this book is the collection of more than one hundred color photos. These prints capture the striking beauty of spectacles with a purpose far greater than entertaining. Combined with authoritative text by Smith, the visual images round out this examination of the roots of the Mardi Gras Indians and current practices of the whole range of African American cultural societies and parading groups in the Crescent City.
When quintessential Californian Lisa Perez catches her fiancé cheating on her she finds herself despondent and confused about how to handle the next steps of her life. Heartbroken, downcast, and desperate for a change of scenery, she books a last-minute flight to New Orleans for the Mardi Gras weekend. During the weekend of parades and beignets, she attends a black-tie masquerade ball in the French Quarter where she quickly meets a new group of friends that make her forget about her life in Los Angeles. Through the Bloody Mary bender, crawfish, and charbroiled oysters, she finds clarity among the chaos and creole flavors. She meets a man who provides the perfect distraction from her heartbreak, and she becomes open to falling in love again. But when the masks come off and Mardi Gras is over, will they be able to maintain a romance?
Lala, Babyboy, and their parents struggle to cope with the loss of their home to Hurricane Katrina, but find joy again in the celebration of Mardi Gras. Includes facts about Hurricane Katrina and glossary.
"Mardi Gras remains one of the most distinctive features of New Orleans. Although the city has celerated Carnival since its days as a French and Spanish colonial outpost, the rituals familiar today were largely established in the Civil War era by a white male elite." -- back cover.
Breast cancer survivor Dawn Bontempo describes her journey in Breast Cancer Mardi Gras: Surviving the Emotional Hurricane and Showing My Boobs to Strangers. Her use of humor and sarcasm in a series of short action chapters will educate and delight the reader. This quick read is positive, optimistic, and funny. Using conversations with her sister and her active imagination, Dawn chronicles her journey and provides unsolicited advice at the end of every chapter. From the initial "I have cancer" Facebook post to boob photos to the abscess on her butt, Dawn will keep you laughing as she educates you. She addresses tough topics during the diagnosis, surgery, chemotherapy, and radiation portions of her treatment. Using a style that makes you enjoy the absurdity of her life, she provides education, hope, and a good laugh.
