Blanc et Noir Marching Society will lead the wildest Krewe of Highland Parade ever on Sun, Feb 10, 2 pm, Shreveport

Blanc et Noir Marching Society, Krewe of Highland Parade, Shreveport: Alexandra Cranford, a photo by trudeau on Flickr.

Join us on foot as B & N marches, hoops and dances the 3-mile route of the record-making Krewe of Highland Parade, 2013.

Meet anytime between 1 pm and 2 pm - when the parade rolls - at Stir Tapas, says Marion Marks.

Marks has built a fresh web site for the society at benms.org. Those are, of course, the initials of Blanc et Noir Marching Society.

There is no fee to march with Blanc et Noir.

Generous sustainers will have pitched in enough money to cover the expenses of the brass band, the K of H fees and so on.

Those who can contribute $25 to $100 for the cause of Shreveport pride, please drop your check with Marion Marks or Robert Trudeau.

Will former Shreveporter Alexandra Cranford march with B & N as she did last year when she was at KTBS? Since she's at WWL New Orleans this year we don't know, but she's been invited. Stay tuned.

Blanc et Noir Marching Society 2012, Shreveport / photo Marion Marks

Blanc et Noir Marching Society 2012, Shreveport / photo Marion Marks, a photo by trudeau on Flickr.

Over 50 strong, the Society marched the streets of Highland with the 6-piece Red & Black Brass Band in a show of both heritage and gentle anarchy on Sun, Feb 19, in the massive Krewe of Highland Parade.

Thanks to all who contributed funds to pay the K of H dues and pay the Red & Black Brass band. If you did not contribute already, please do so! Send a check for $25 or more to Robert Trudeau, 912 Monrovia St, Spt 71106.

Ready to roll on Sunday, Feb 19: Blanc et Noir Marching Society, fresh from the Costume Workshop at Artspace Shreveport

Blanc et Noir Marching Society Costume Workshop, Shreveport , a photo by trudeau on Flickr.

Zapp's chips, pasta salad and baked chicken, juice and kids, glue guns and staplers were the story at Artspace Shreveport as Tarama and Jerry Davenport hosted the 6th annual costume workshop.

Along with beautiful umbrellas and spangled jackets came the community cash. Contributing their dues to the fund used to pay the Red & Black Brass Band
were:
- Tarama and Jerry Davenport
- Stuart & Elise Orchard
- Lee Spruell
- Carl Anderson, King for 2012
also,
- Blair Thrall
- Wesley Parker
- Rachel Stuart-Haas
- Carlos Benito
- Tina Montez
- Susan Standke
- Stephanie Pedro
- Ivy Elise Johnson, Queen, 2012
And in the mail today were checks from
- Deshea Guzman
- Alix Davidson

Merci beaucoup! A few more contributions will be needed to meet the basic fees of $550 to the Krewe of Highland and $650 to the Red & Black Brass Band. Several people will pay their dues at the parade so we will surely end up even for the year.

See more snaps from the workshop at
flickr.com/photos/robert_trudeau

"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.