The Mardi Gras tradition and Louisiana culture has been spreading across the U.S. for many years. Back when I was a kid growing up in Northwest Louisiana, we did not celebrate Mardi Gras nor did we eat Cajun or Creole food. One had to go south of Alexandria to find etouffe, jambalaya and gumbo or to hear Cajun and Zydeco music. Today, the food, music and culture of Louisiana can be found all over the world. Hurricane Katrina promoted the dispersion of people from South Louisiana. A number of Louisiana musicians ended up in Portland, OR for instance. Linda and I visited friends in Portland last summer and attended the River Front Blues Festival. In addition to two stages devoted to blues music, the festival now has a Zydeco stage with a huge dance floor and vendors selling Cajun food. Just last Saturday night the Mysti (sic) Krewe of Nimbus held their second Mardi Gras Ball in Portland. In some ways, they were the inspiration for tonight’s party and our idea of forming a Krewe here on the Eastern Shore to sponsor and host a Mardi Gras celebration every year.
A Krewe is essentially a club that hosts a party and often a parade during the Mardi Gras season. If you have fun tonight and think we need something to look forward to during the dark winter days of February next year, please get in touch with me. There will be no commitment required initially. I will organize an exploratory meeting in the next month or so. We will talk it through and see if there is enough interest to move forward. Please contact me at my email or phone or complete the form below.
Thanks so much for joining us!
Philip Dutton
chestertownmardigras@gmail.com
410.778.5457