Sunday 2 March 2014

Mardi Gras Ball

In an attempt to respect the traditions of the New Orleanians who were kind enough to invite me to the ball I attended last Friday, I will refrain from sharing some of the details of the night. Instead, I'll speak broadly about the ubiquitous traditions around Mardi Gras balls in New Orleans.

The most famous Mardi Gras ball is likely the Rex Ball seen below. Traditionally, the New Orleans balls were a way for the "high society" of New Orleans to present their daughters to society (you will note the young women in all white gowns in the image below). For those of you who saw the most recent episode of Downton Abbey, you will note that one of the main characters, Rose, was presented to the English royalty. New Orleans Mardi Gras balls mimic this European tradition  -- they name a King and Queen every year who "hold court" at the Mardi Gras ball and accept the presentation of young women into society.


The ball I attended had a Mardi Gras court (King, Queen, Jester, Ladies in Waiting etc), but there were no debutantes. Everyone at the ball had to pay their respects to the court and cast upon them many well wishes for their "reign." One of my favorite aspects of the night was the New Leviathan Oriental Fox-Trot Orchestra -- a 20-piece band that plays music selectively from the 1890s-1930s. It was very fun to partner dance - I was able to pick up the box step, fox trot etc. We even were able to dance the Charleston a few times! I actually felt like I was living in a Downton Abbey-esq world!

The food was also fabulous as were the drinks. One of the members of this Carnival society makes his own Sazeracs for the event every year. I tried one -- it was delicious!

And....a few glam shots from the night!

 

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