Good timing! … le bon temps roule! Scene4 hits the ‘streets’ right smack in the middle of Carnival season in Old New Orleans.

It’s not electricity that fills the air –watch it! duck! - those are beads, doubloons, cups, moonpies (yummy!) and any other desired tossible.

The weather outside’s been frightful. WHO CARES! This is New Orleans: the City That Care Forgot. This is Mardi Gras: THE GREATEST FREE SHOW ON EARTH!

Each night, for the twelve nights leading up to the great day, itself! … Parades take to the streets. Each named after a Greek/Roman God or Muse.  There’s even one named Krewe of Muse this year. They’re produced by a plethora of pro bono

Carnival Krewes in New Orleans, and its equally fun-loving surrounding towns. Each Krewe with 300-2000 members actors. There, I said it! Let’s call them by their rightful name, Actors, cuz they’re not just ol’ props up there on those stages on wheels. It’s Opening and Closing Night for them… “Makeup! Cover up my 5 o’clock shadow please!” “Wardrobe! I ripped a stitch up to you know where. It’s mighty drafty down there!”

All, party hearty. Give the folks a great show to remember you by! Toss out all your “throws, hold your hurls till fin; and, please try to be up there at your station at curtain call, at the end of the parade. Hollywood and the Music Industry are catching on: Steven Tyler’s the Captain of Harry Connick JR’s Orpheus this year. It rolls on Lundi Gras. That’s Mardi Gras speak for Monday, the day before Fat Tuesday. Starting with Saturday, March 1^st through Tuesday, March 4^th, they’ll be 3 million visitors vying for those “precious beads” with the 1 million populi, be warned: they’re very seasoned populi. (everything’s well seasoned down here!)They’ll do anything for dem beads … anything! I’m tellin’ ya!

Hey Conan? Wannabe a Monarch, a Lord of Misrule, a swell swill of a Bacchanalian decadent Ruler? Why, we’ll even install a for-your-use-only john on board your float,for ya!

“Conan, darling, show me your …”  Why, LUCILLE, I left the room for a second; and, you were going to ask him to do that! He’s a fine gentleman; I’m certain he would never do such a thing! …wudja?

LE CHAT NOIR is ground zero again for the greatest view of the parades; and, some pretty great plays throughout the year, in the theatre at 715 St. Charles Avenue, New Orleans.  The crème de la crème of parades passes right in front where they have private, up-close and personal, viewing stands, a cash bar and restroom facilities. Think about it…that’s all you really need in life: a viewing stand, a cash bar, and a restroom!

Places Everyone…

Standby Lights…Sound…GO Curtain

It’s Mardi Gras time at le chat noir!

During this season, we will be selling packages that include use of our viewing stands beginning with the Friday, February 28^th evening parade.  Read more about Mardi Gras parades and our le chat noir viewing packages. All include Viewing Stand, Cash Bar, and Restrooms:

February 28th, Friday: Night Parades only. KNIGHTS OF HERMES rolls at 6 p.m. and LE KREWE D’ETAT at 6:30. Viewing stand opens at 6 p.m. $85

March 1st, Saturday: Day Parades. KREWE OF IRIS rolls at Noon. KREWE OF TUCKS at 1 p.m. $50.

March 1^st, Saturday: Night Parade. MYSTIC KREWE OF ENDYMION rolls at 4:30 p.m. Viewing stand opens at 4 p.m. $85.

March 2^nd, Sunday: Day Parades. KREWE OF OKEANOS rolls at 11 a.m. KREWE OF THOTH rolls at 11:30, KREWE OF MID-CITY at 1:30 $50.

March 2^nd, Sunday: Night Parades. MYSTIC KREWE OF BACCHUS rolls at 5:15. Viewing stand opens at 4:45 $85

March 3^rd, Monday, Lundi Gras. Night Parades only. KREWE OF PROTEUS rolls at 5:15. KREWE OF ORPHEUS rolls at 5:45. Viewing stand opens at 4:45 $85

March 4^th, FAT TUESDAY: ZULU SOCIAL AID AND PLEASURE CLUB rolls at 8:30 a.m. REX at 10 a.m. ELKS ORLEANIANS at 11:30. CRESWCENT CITY after ELKS Viewing stand opens at 8 a.m. $100.

Gotta try www.nola.com There’s a ParadeCam. You can see live feeds of Mardi Gras Parades!

Now, but of course, catch some wonderful plays running. You may have to dodge those flying objects being thrown; but, they’re worth it!

OF MICE AND MEN University of New Orleans Performing Arts Center, Thrust Theater. Tele: 504-280-7469. Tickets only $8

SHE STOOPS TO CONQUER New Orleans Centre for Creative Arts/Riverside, Nims Black Box Theatre, 2800 Chartres St 504-940-2900 $5.

I DO I DO Playmakers Theatre, 19106 Playmakers Road in Covington, LA. 504-893-1671. Quiet, Peaceful place. No parades to contend with. $10

SALOME UNO Downtown Theatre, Scottish Rite Temple, 621 Carondelet St. 504-945-4285. $5

© 2003 Steve&Lucille Esquerré

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