"Watch out for the Blanc et Noir Marching Society, that marches at the head of the Krewe of Highland Parade," Our Louisiana Magazine, Feb 2012

Blanc et Noir / Highland parade, Shreveport 08, a photo by trudeau on Flickr.

In the Baton Rouge-area magazine Our Louisiana, Feb edition, in the article "Louisiana's Other Side of Carnival," we see
Chris Jay informing South Louisiana that "The Krewe of Highland is Shreveport's funky, eclectic parade that has, in the past, tossed throws such as ziplock bags filled with spahetti and meatballs; there is a float that throws hotdogs as well and one that throws spam sandwiches."

Jay continues, "In addition to the krewe's unusual throws, watch out for the Blanc et Noir Marching Society, that marches at the head of the parade. The society started out as a group of diverse Shreveport-Bossier artists and performers and they set the tone for the entire parade."

Do we want a driver? Shout from Emma and Sherry of the K of H

Red and Black Brass band, Blanc et Noir in the Krewe of Highland Parade, Shreveport, a photo by trudeau on Flickr.

From the Krewe of Highland jefes -

"Hello fellow parade goers!

The driver's meeting will be this Wednesday, February 1st, at 6 pm at the Highland Center on Olive Street.

We call it the driver's meeting but it is often helpful if some of the members of your parade party are there as well since some of the information is for the drivers and some is for the parade participants.

If you still owe us some money, bring your check books.

Thanks for being so prompt with your parade applications. The police were WAY impressed with us this year.

There is a general parade information link that is up on the website and you can print a parade application which has the same information if you prefer to read it that way."

See you there,
Emma and Sherry

Robert Trudeau volunteers to attend the Wed meeting. I welcome fellow B&N members to join me. I will pay the K of H fee (please see above) from monies currently collected.

Don't hesitate to call me about anything at 272 6045!

Blanc et Noir financial responsibilities to the Krewe of Highland

Krewe of Highland logo, a photo by trudeau on Flickr.

The Krewe of Highland takes care of the police, insurance and large-scale organization of the annual parade.

The K of H makes it easy for B & N to show up and enjoy a worry-free parade.

The fees required by the K of H to provide their support are modest: $10 per walking participant. $250 for the krewe.

Therefore I'm asking that each person pay at least $25 in club dues so we can pay both the Red & Black Brass Band and our parent organization, the K of H.

Those of you who are paying $100 are quite important! You are enabling the society to quickly meet these expenses.

Krewe of Highland Bal Masque 2012 on Fri, Feb 17, at 3101 Fairfield Ave, Shreveport, 7 pm to midnight

Highland Bal Masque '11, Shreveport , a photo by trudeau on Flickr.

Krewe of Highland Bal Masque
7 p.m. to midnight Fri, Feb. 17.
Randle T. Moore Center, 3101 Fairfield.

Urban Legends.
Entertainment: Professor D.

Black-tie optional, costumes encouraged; masking very important.
Heavy hors d'oeuvres. Cash bar.

Admission: $40, in advance or at the door.

Tarama & Jerry Davenport welcome Blancs et Noirs to Artspace on Sun,Feb 12, 2 to 4:30 pm, for the annual Costume Workshop

Tarama & Jerry Davenport, Shreveport, a photo by trudeau on Flickr.

The annual Blanc et Noir Costume Decorating Party will be held in the artspace Fun-A-Torium on Sunday, Feb 12, 2:00pm - 4:30pm, says Tarama Davenport.

Please bring your own supplies for creating your costume, hat, umbrella, etc.

Plates, cups, napkins, utensils and the King Cake will be provided by hosts Tarama & Jerry Davenport.

All Krewe Members, please bring your specialty dish, and some juice, soda or bottled water to share with all. If you just don't have time to cook, please pick up a prepared food such as chicken or chicken strips, pizza (meat, cheese, veggie), large sub sandwich or whatever you think everyone will enjoy.

Don't forget to bring your favorite Mardi Gras music CD.

Adds Robert Trudeau, please see ideas floated at past workshops at the B&N slideshow.

Krewe of Harambee, Shreveport, invites Blanc et Noir to march in the downtown Harambee parade on Mon, Jan 16

Krewe of Harambee, Shreveport, a photo by trudeau on Flickr.

Beverly Paige of the Krewe of Harambee has been unusually warm and inviting to B & N in recent weeks, finding a band with which we might second line if we will jump in to their parade on Mon, which is MLK Day.

Bev writes, "If you are still interested in the Krewe of Harambee Parade, you have been paired with "Beat The Streets North Louisiana All Star Band". Let me know your pleasure."

Staging for the parade begins at 11 in the MunAud area. Parade rolls through downtown at 1 pm.

Please see http://www.kreweofharambee.com/

News from the Blanc et Noir Marching Society 12th Night gathering

Blanc et Noir Marching Society board: Stuart & Elisse Orchard, Lee Spruell, Ivy Elise Johnson, Carl Anderson, Robert Trudeau, Shreveport , a photo by trudeau on Flickr.

Ivy Elise Johnson and Carl Anderson are queen and king of Blanc et Noir 2012 and were so inaugurated at the 12th Night lunch. Also attending but not in photo was Marion Marks.

In business discussed today -
- Invitation from Bev Paige to march in Krewe of Harambee parade downtown on Mon, Jan 16. We would second line aside a brass band or marching band that's in the parade. Stand by for more news.

- Printing of invitation cards to enhance efforts to bring more people into the krewe and parade. Marion Marks will vectorize the mask logo so that print products may be made.

- Would you like a party at Naked Bean / Centenary Tavern near parade time? It is being planned by Lee.

- A passionate presentation about Blanc et Noir will be delivered on Tues, Jan 31, at CoHabitat as part of the first TEDx Red River region talks. The speaker will be Robert Trudeau.

- A request for a KTBS News First segment on B&N has been sent.

- Pre-parade breakfast at Strawns on Sun, Feb 19, as organized by Lee Spruell. All welcome.

Brother's Seafood site of B & N 12th Night Brunch on Sun, Jan 8

Brother's Seafood, Shreveport , a photo by trudeau on Flickr.

It's a Dutch treat at Brother's Seafood, Monkhouse Dr ((318) 635-1641), on Sun, Jan 8, at 1 pm. It honors the Feast of the Epiphany and Twelfth Night, the traditional start of Carnival in Louisiana.

All are welcome, including those simply exploring the possibility of marching with the krewe in the Krewe of Highland Parade on Sun, Feb 19!

Walking in the Krewe of Highland Parade is a peak experience: join Blanc et Noir Marching Society in the 2012 Krewe of Highland Parade on Sun, Feb 19

Blanc et Noir 10 , a photo by trudeau on Flickr.

The Krewe of Highland Parade route is some 3 miles in length and most Blanc et Noirs second line the entire route. But you don't have to: parents pushing strollers, people whose health is at the walking level rather than dancing level - you are entirely welcome in the parade.

Blanc et Noir is about keeping alive the Carnival connection to the Crescent City. The Red & Black Brass Band, the cheap-but-interesting costumes, the umbrellas, the masks: all these are borrowed with due reverence from New Orleans.

It's not authentic. Most of us are not Black or Creole residents from Treme, New Orleans. But B&N co-founder Jerry Davenport was born and raised in the 9th Ward of New Orleans.

It's about community. Blanc et Noir musters an exceedingly diverse group, representing several of Shreveport's communities.

Subtly, it's about sustainability. We are walking, dancing or bicycling so as to avoid using a float, internal combustion engine and electricity for one sweet afternoon. We are there to show Shreveport that there is an alternative to mechanized marvels.

And the Red & Black Brass Band reminds everyone that live music is best.

Costumes should cost little more than $1.98, we like to say. Recycle some trousers, a coat, a hat and tie! Use cheap glue and fabric paint to make it come alive.

Masking is important. It's an ancient Louisiana tradition. It's mysterious and fun. But you are not required to use a mask. Face paint is easy and creative alternative. Dark glasses function as a sort of mask, don't they?

Umbrellas are not mandatory. It's so much fun to decorate an umbrella - and they are so inspired by the Big Easy - that they are very popular. But you may forget the umbrella and no one will be askance.

Nor is a black-and-white outfit mandatory. The name means "white and black" but you may costume in any color you like.

Money! The only B&N expense is that we have to pay the band. They have to rehearse, travel and perform. So we happily pay.

Your fee to join B&N is adjustable. We count on several members to pay a $100 for a family. But $50 is also royal. $25 per person is quite fine and keeps all alive. But $10 per person is also good. What about no money? A scholarship to B&N? Yes; no problem, if that's what you need.

- Robert Trudeau, Jan 1, 2012