Houston Mardi Gras

03/18/2011

Houston to Get Its Own Mardi Gras Celebration in 2012

Houston will soon have its first Mardi Gras in 2012 with Ashley Forrestier headlining the theme song, “I am Creole.” KUHF Houston Public Radio spoke with the event organizers Jeri Brooks and Harvey Yancy on what we can expect for next year.

Another year of Mardi Gras celebrations have come and gone for the city of Galveston. The event drew thousands to the island, and is always a major boost to the local economy. But next year Houston will be getting in on the action. The first annual Houston Mardi Gras is set to kick off in February 2

03/04/2011

Mardi Gras in Portland? Yeah, you right!

Mardi Gras fever is spreading throughout America, and Portland, Oregon has joined the epidemic by hosting their first annual Mardi Gras Ball on March 5. We can’t wait for Houston's turn in 2012!

Their first annual Mardi Gras Ball will be Saturday, March 5 at Norse Hall, 7:30 to 11 pm, with music starting at 9pm, 21+, $25.

02/10/2011

Houston Mardi Gras

We’re excited to announce that Houston Mardi Gras has been moved to February 2012 to ensure that we create an experience for all Texans to enjoy. Please check our website for more information - http://bit.ly/eQO8VU

Houston Mardi Gras will host the annual celebration that will feature floats, bands, performers and a formal gala. The event is interactive and allows attendees to participate in the second line dance that concludes the parade. The celebration will serve as host to various live bands and street ente...

01/20/2011

Mardi Gras Indians

The history of the Mardi Gras Indians has been underappreciated even though it is a significant part of the festival. In the past, Mardi Gras was a day for the different tribes to settle scores. Now it is an opportunity for them to compare tribal songs, dance and dress with other tribes.

Typical Mardi Gras organizations will form a "krewe." A krewe often names their parade after a particular mythological hero or Greek god. The ranking structure of a Mardi Gras Krewe is a parody of royalty: King, Queen, Dukes, Knights and Captains...or some variation on that theme. Many more establis...

01/17/2011

In 1873, Rex held its first ball and selected the first Queen of Carnival. Carnival balls traditionally were formal and very private affairs with elegant decorations, tableaux presentations, and with dancing limited to the masked and costumed members and their guests.

01/14/2011

Doubloons are small metal coins, which are often dipped in color, and have become a time honored tradition in New Orleans dating back to 1959. The coins are often distributed from parade routes and are themed, making them collectibles over the years. In 1960, Rex introduced the present series of doubloons as a carnival throw in the New Orleans Mardi Gras.

01/12/2011

A King cake is a traditional Mardi Gras treat that’s decorated in purple, green and gold. It’s similar to coffee cake or a rich sweet bread and has a special surprise inside-there’s a tiny baby doll hidden inside one of the slices. The “lucky” recipient who gets the doll has to hold the next Mardi Gras party or bake the next King cake.

01/11/2011

If you haven’t already, visit our website HoustonMardiGras.com for more information on how you can be involved in one of the year’s biggest events!

01/10/2011

In 1872 the Russian grand duke Alexis Romanoff visited New Orleans at Mardi Gras. A group of businessmen organized the Krewe of Rex to host a parade for the occasion and appointed a "King for the Day" so that the grand duke could have a royal reception. Naming kings and queens at Mardi Gras balls has been a tradition of the krewes ever since.

01/07/2011

In the United States, Mardi Gras draws millions of fun-seekers to New Orleans every year. Mardi Gras has been celebrated in New Orleans on a grand scale, with masked balls and colorful parades, since French settlers arrived in the early 1700s. Hidden behind masks, people behaved so raucously that for decades in the early 19th century masks were deemed illegal in that party-loving city.

01/06/2011

Comus is the oldest Krewe, which was founded in 1857 and used to be one of the biggest Mardi Gras events. It was dedicated to its tradition of secrecy regarding its membership. In 1992, in protest of the anti-discrimination ordinance, Comus stopped parading rather than provide a list of its members to the public. Today, the krewe still holds its annual ball.

01/03/2011

The plastic beads dated back to 1970. The high demand for throws by the Mardi Gras crowds is the reason for the use of cheaper beads. Before plastic beads, they used pair of beads made from glass, particularly Czechoslovakian glass.

12/28/2010

The original colors of Mardi Gras are gold (symbolizing power) and purple (symbolizing justice). Green (symbolizing faith) was added when Mardi Gras came to New Orleans.

12/27/2010

There is a common misconception that Mardi Gras in American began in New Orleans. Mobile, Alabama is the birthplace of the festival in 1703, one year after the town's founding. Mardi Gras came to New Orleans in 1857 after some members of a Mobilian mystic society brought it there.

12/21/2010

Mardi Gras will be in Houston for the first time on March 5 for an exciting all-day event! If you want to be involved with the festival or participate in the parade, please contact us at [email protected].