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Locals Mark Their Spot Along Canal, Ready for Endymion

I have been sitting out most of Mardi Gras so far. In fact, this year, I have been working more than usual. On Wednesday, I helped my friend who does production throw a gala bash for 800 people at the convention center. Colin Powell was the keynote speaker. It was a 15 hour day but this kinds stuff pays very well. It was fun to work with her again. It’s a hectic challenge.

The poor guys doing our backdrops from Mardi Gras World went on about how much they hate Mardi Gras because they work non-stop. I shared their sentiment. A ball, a party, a ball, a parade and another ball. He loaded in three trucks worth of decor for us and then built the set which included a fake backdrop of French Quarter facades and a working fountain. We had someone else bring in tons of plants to round things out.

Troi Bechet and her band were our entertainment along with the Stone Angel from the Qtr, a Blanche DuBois actress, Johnny Angel and a couple debs. We also had a tarot card reader, which guests were fighting to get in line for after dinner. We had caricature artists along with some gambling tables and a xylophone player for walk around talent. It was very weird to recreate something that they could have walked a mere eight blocks to the actual Quarter to see for real.

With Druids also running uptown that night, traffic and parking were a nightmare we were just so happy that all our talent was able to make it on time. It was a a cold day and we worked the ballroom with the overhead door open most of the day for the load in. We started calling it the “pneumonia hole”. I had frostbite by the time I took my post in the talent hospitality/dressing room at 3pm. This kind of work is like putting on a small broadway show. It went off without a glitch. I really enjoyed working with all the talented folks it takes to pull this off.

Needless to say, I feel more like Chris Rose this year. Thow me some sleep! I have a costume all set for Mardi Gras day but I haven’t committed to the long walk from uptown to Frenchmen just yet. I have been excited just to get my errands done today before major arteries start shutting down.

The weather today is perfect for Endymion which returns to its traditional route. I’ve turned down a couple of invites because I am working again. The National Guard is supposed be an additional security presence in Mid City for the parade but there was no sign of them this morning. I did see someone walking down the street with a resident’s 96 gallon trash can. . .

After today, I can finally relax and am looking forward to Orpheus !

Related posts:

1. Council Passes Endymion Resolution
2. Need Your Help: Mardi Gras Second Line Routes
3. Krewe de Vieux Rolls : Saturday 7pm
4. C’est si bon
5. Calling All Krewes For Post-Mardi Gras Cleanup