Photo by Killy Chavez. Thanks, Killy!
Wednesday, February 28, 2007
Red & Black 07: leader and player of a red trombone, Daryl Williams
Photo by professional photographer Killy Chavez, Houston.
Tuesday, February 27, 2007
Monday, February 26, 2007
Blanc et noir photo op: Mayor meets top teen, Mac Orchard / photo Elysse Orchard
Mayors like it when they meet the community's doers, the can-do people who are trying to improve the culture.
And I'm happy that a savvy 14 year-old like Mac Orchard, CMHS student, got a chance to meet our cool, young mayor.
And I'm happy that a savvy 14 year-old like Mac Orchard, CMHS student, got a chance to meet our cool, young mayor.
Getting better acquainted with the Mayor: Blanc et noir 2007 / photo Elysse Orchard
One of the many sort of accidental and unexpected advantages that accompany launching a public venture like a krewe is the people you meet. Getting better acquainted with Cedric Glover was a pleasure.
When Caddo Magnet High opened in the mid-1980's, Cedric Glover enrolled and impressed us with his spirit of academics and inquisitiveness. So I've known him many years. But I haven't had an opportunity to chat him up since the campaign.
When Caddo Magnet High opened in the mid-1980's, Cedric Glover enrolled and impressed us with his spirit of academics and inquisitiveness. So I've known him many years. But I haven't had an opportunity to chat him up since the campaign.
Sunday, February 25, 2007
Beads, sequins, feathers, marching: send Trudeau your observations on the Blanc et Noir's debut
Looking forward to seeing or hearing your remarks about the debut of Blanc et Noir Marching Society. Whether a member of the krewe or an interested onlooker, I would appreciate your response. Brief or detailed, I will devour your feedback.
Email trudeau@earthlink.net or leave your remarks on the machine at 318-861-6809. Merci beaucoup.
Email trudeau@earthlink.net or leave your remarks on the machine at 318-861-6809. Merci beaucoup.
Saturday, February 24, 2007
Crescent City cousins: A Walking Krewe captured by a Flickr.com photog
W h a t a sash!
Looks like a much smaller krewe than ours. The photog on flickr.com implied this was taken on St Charles Ave. Delachaise St crosses The Avenue near Louisiana Ave.
Looks like a much smaller krewe than ours. The photog on flickr.com implied this was taken on St Charles Ave. Delachaise St crosses The Avenue near Louisiana Ave.
Struttin' by Centenary College: SHV 2007 Mardi Gras 066
Thanks, David Hennington!
This article by maggie martin was the first major story on B & N. I don't think I've published it here. So, here 'tis:
Marching group, youth krewe new to this year's festivities
January 11, 2007
WHO THEY ARE
ORGANIZATION: Blanc et Noir Marching Society.
WHAT: a group that marches with a brass brand in Mardi Gras parades.
MEMBERSHIP: Open to the public.
DUES: $25.
FOUNDER: Robert Trudeau.
INFORMATION: 861-6809, trudeau@earthlink.net or blancetnoirmarchingsociety.blogspot.com.
By Maggie Martin
maggiemartin@gannett.com
The horns will toot! The umbrellas will sway! The participants will dance!
So sound the whistle for the new Blanc et Noir Marching Society.
It premieres Feb. 18 at the Krewe of Highland Parade that struts its stuff in the Highland neighborhood, with new Shreveport Mayor Cedric Glover serving as parade marshal.
With Blanc et Noir, Mardi Gras may never be the same.
Founder/Mardi Gras fan Robert Trudeau certainly hopes so.
Such groups, with a brass band, traditionally march in front of the regular Mardi Gras parades, getting people excited and roused up about the main event to come.
"We wind around the street and do a second-line dance. We might leave five or two minutes in advance of the parade," Trudeau said. "A lot of what we do is improvisation."
Mardi Gras fans can root for Blanc et Noir when the Highland Parade gears up at Columbia Cafe and meanders through the Highland neighborhood.
Loosely, that means, up and down Creswell, in and around Highland, down Herndon and Olive, past Centenary College, ending up eventually at Columbia Park where there is live music before and after the parade.
Capping off the day at the park "" Carnival de Columbia.
Highland krewe founder Matthew Linn, owner of Columbia Cafe, thinks the society will fit into the groove of Highland's parade.
"We are fun and off-center. We are not your stereotypical marching or truck parade," Linn said.
Like the Highland parade marchers, society members are not absolutely committed to the four-mile parade.
"You can do one mile and drop out. You can start up and stop when you meet up with your friends," Trudeau said. (Linn said those who sign up for Highland can come in at side roads or start or stop as they want.)
Trudeau says you never know what a good line dance is until you get the crowd involved. "It is magical," he said.
Blanc et Noir signed up with Highland when Linn told him the group could piggyback with the krewe's insurance.
"He came to our meeting and he recognized the idea was important to the continued development of the local celebration," said Trudeau.
Trudeau hopes this is the beginning of the growth of marching societies locally.
They are more inexpensive than traditional parades, he said. "You don't need to pay for a float. It is a lower investment," he said. "We would welcome other marching societies."
Anyone can join Blanc et Noir.
Admission is $25 and the money goes mainly to pay the brass band they will hire and the banner to identify the group.
Costumes can be anything, even a tux.
Artist Tamara Davenport and musician Bruce Flett are among those who already have joined.
Flett, a member of the popular Bluebirds, is intrigued by the history of the marching societies that go back at least 100 years.
"Fun is the main reason I am doing it, although I always go to the Highland parade with my kids," said Flett, an electric bass player who will be blowing on a trombone for this gig.
Davenport, a veteran at local Mardi Gras events, is looking forward to the camaraderie as much as anything.
"We don't have marching societies here like they do in New Orleans. ... I am looking forward to it," she said.
She is not sure what she will wear, but she will definitely have an umbrella to lead the way.
One of Trudeau's earliest New Orleans Mardi Gras memories revolves around pre-parade events.
"People came and the brass band played. They were flexible in their activities," Trudeau said.
He wants to bring that merriment to Shreveport-Bossier City with Blanc et Noir.
He wants the good times to roll.
This article by maggie martin was the first major story on B & N. I don't think I've published it here. So, here 'tis:
Marching group, youth krewe new to this year's festivities
January 11, 2007
WHO THEY ARE
ORGANIZATION: Blanc et Noir Marching Society.
WHAT: a group that marches with a brass brand in Mardi Gras parades.
MEMBERSHIP: Open to the public.
DUES: $25.
FOUNDER: Robert Trudeau.
INFORMATION: 861-6809, trudeau@earthlink.net or blancetnoirmarchingsociety.blogspot.com.
By Maggie Martin
maggiemartin@gannett.com
The horns will toot! The umbrellas will sway! The participants will dance!
So sound the whistle for the new Blanc et Noir Marching Society.
It premieres Feb. 18 at the Krewe of Highland Parade that struts its stuff in the Highland neighborhood, with new Shreveport Mayor Cedric Glover serving as parade marshal.
With Blanc et Noir, Mardi Gras may never be the same.
Founder/Mardi Gras fan Robert Trudeau certainly hopes so.
Such groups, with a brass band, traditionally march in front of the regular Mardi Gras parades, getting people excited and roused up about the main event to come.
"We wind around the street and do a second-line dance. We might leave five or two minutes in advance of the parade," Trudeau said. "A lot of what we do is improvisation."
Mardi Gras fans can root for Blanc et Noir when the Highland Parade gears up at Columbia Cafe and meanders through the Highland neighborhood.
Loosely, that means, up and down Creswell, in and around Highland, down Herndon and Olive, past Centenary College, ending up eventually at Columbia Park where there is live music before and after the parade.
Capping off the day at the park "" Carnival de Columbia.
Highland krewe founder Matthew Linn, owner of Columbia Cafe, thinks the society will fit into the groove of Highland's parade.
"We are fun and off-center. We are not your stereotypical marching or truck parade," Linn said.
Like the Highland parade marchers, society members are not absolutely committed to the four-mile parade.
"You can do one mile and drop out. You can start up and stop when you meet up with your friends," Trudeau said. (Linn said those who sign up for Highland can come in at side roads or start or stop as they want.)
Trudeau says you never know what a good line dance is until you get the crowd involved. "It is magical," he said.
Blanc et Noir signed up with Highland when Linn told him the group could piggyback with the krewe's insurance.
"He came to our meeting and he recognized the idea was important to the continued development of the local celebration," said Trudeau.
Trudeau hopes this is the beginning of the growth of marching societies locally.
They are more inexpensive than traditional parades, he said. "You don't need to pay for a float. It is a lower investment," he said. "We would welcome other marching societies."
Anyone can join Blanc et Noir.
Admission is $25 and the money goes mainly to pay the brass band they will hire and the banner to identify the group.
Costumes can be anything, even a tux.
Artist Tamara Davenport and musician Bruce Flett are among those who already have joined.
Flett, a member of the popular Bluebirds, is intrigued by the history of the marching societies that go back at least 100 years.
"Fun is the main reason I am doing it, although I always go to the Highland parade with my kids," said Flett, an electric bass player who will be blowing on a trombone for this gig.
Davenport, a veteran at local Mardi Gras events, is looking forward to the camaraderie as much as anything.
"We don't have marching societies here like they do in New Orleans. ... I am looking forward to it," she said.
She is not sure what she will wear, but she will definitely have an umbrella to lead the way.
One of Trudeau's earliest New Orleans Mardi Gras memories revolves around pre-parade events.
"People came and the brass band played. They were flexible in their activities," Trudeau said.
He wants to bring that merriment to Shreveport-Bossier City with Blanc et Noir.
He wants the good times to roll.
Friday, February 23, 2007
Blanc et Noir photo by Charlsie Shaver
Another view of the krewe - this one at less than peak performance. We certainly need a break here and there.
You can follow photos from flickr.com to the source and find a button on top of the photo that says ALL SIZES. If you maximize the view you can often find amazing detail (depending on how the photog loads the pics to flickr).
You can follow photos from flickr.com to the source and find a button on top of the photo that says ALL SIZES. If you maximize the view you can often find amazing detail (depending on how the photog loads the pics to flickr).
Wednesday, February 21, 2007
Blanc et Noir's Crescent City cousins: Joe, Mary, Smitty , Dorie and Anthony
We hope to trade art with the Skeleton Krewe of NO and I hope one day there will be guest appearances between NO and Spt. At least, I'd like to see some St Charles Ave Skeletons visit us on the Sun before Fat Tuesday.
Happily, B & N had skeletons in our inaugural parade: Stuart & Elysse Orchard and son Mac.
Happily, B & N had skeletons in our inaugural parade: Stuart & Elysse Orchard and son Mac.
Ernie Roberson riding the LSU float in the Krewe of Highland Parade
Ernie Roberson riding the LSU float in the Krewe of Highland Parade
Originally uploaded by Red River Blog Jam.
Photo Kathryn Usher.
B & N medallions by Talbot
Very similar to the jacket design created by Jerry Davenport, the flag was designed by Robert and produced by Talbot Hopkins Trudeau. Made of felt and glue, the medallions were pinned to jackets.
Also in the photo: Houstonian Carolina Chavez.
Also in the photo: Houstonian Carolina Chavez.
the society / photo Annabel Trudeau
Thanks, Annabel.
Also, the video you shot of the parade is terrific. We've looked at most of it and editing ideas are running round my brain. Estimated editing time, about a week.
Also, the video you shot of the parade is terrific. We've looked at most of it and editing ideas are running round my brain. Estimated editing time, about a week.
Tuesday, February 20, 2007
Daryl Williams, leader, Red & Black New Orleans Style Second Line Band, says . . .
On behalf of the Red & Black:
It was a honor to march for the Krewe of Highland parade on Feb 18th. We want to thank you for everything.
There were people dancing and singing with the band as if they really could feel the music! We were shocked to see so many
" Shreveporters " knowing the words to some of the " New Orleans 2nd Line " songs!
Everytime we stopped, someone in the band would run into someone who knew or have heard about other 2nd line bands based in New Orleans. They all said that they were happy to see a 2nd line band in Shreveport.
Also, we were had a chance to meet, " Katrina Victims " that were displaced and had not seen a 2nd line band in a very long time. It was a great feeling. Once again, thanks and may god bless you.
Daryl Williams, aka BASEBONE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
P.S.
" You ain't ever seen no Redtrombone before "
******** ********
The Red & Black payment check was for $725. I added $25 on the site because they were on time. Plus, they brought 10 musicians. Wish I could have done more.
As we passed Centenary College we picked up a little cooler from Centenary's Carla Alsandor. In it were hotdogs for the band, wolfed down at parade's end. Merci, Carla! I'll return the box soon, promise.
Also, Matthew Linn fed the Red & Black his box lunches from Columbia Cafe. He promised that to help us sweeten the negotiations. Merci, Matthew!
It was a honor to march for the Krewe of Highland parade on Feb 18th. We want to thank you for everything.
There were people dancing and singing with the band as if they really could feel the music! We were shocked to see so many
" Shreveporters " knowing the words to some of the " New Orleans 2nd Line " songs!
Everytime we stopped, someone in the band would run into someone who knew or have heard about other 2nd line bands based in New Orleans. They all said that they were happy to see a 2nd line band in Shreveport.
Also, we were had a chance to meet, " Katrina Victims " that were displaced and had not seen a 2nd line band in a very long time. It was a great feeling. Once again, thanks and may god bless you.
Daryl Williams, aka BASEBONE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
P.S.
" You ain't ever seen no Redtrombone before "
******** ********
The Red & Black payment check was for $725. I added $25 on the site because they were on time. Plus, they brought 10 musicians. Wish I could have done more.
As we passed Centenary College we picked up a little cooler from Centenary's Carla Alsandor. In it were hotdogs for the band, wolfed down at parade's end. Merci, Carla! I'll return the box soon, promise.
Also, Matthew Linn fed the Red & Black his box lunches from Columbia Cafe. He promised that to help us sweeten the negotiations. Merci, Matthew!
Blanc et Noir medallion production at the last hour before parade time
Adolph Trudeau, Amber McCarthy Trudeau and Carolina Chavez with daughter Paola oversee Talbot's inspired spin-off from the B & N banner: mask medallions made of felt that were pinned on some members' jackets.
**** ****** ****
In the meantime 3 more checks arrived.
* Barbara Meyers, mother of our 13 year-old cowgirl marcher, Mary Meyers, paid $25.
* Zama Jones Dexter, our red-coated marcher, paid an additional $25.
* And in the mail on Fat Tuesday was a check from Annette Simmons of Greensboro, NC.
Ms. Simmons is planning to return to Spt after many years away. She plans to buy a house in Highland and be an active member of B & N. Simmons has enjoyed marching parades from NYC to Oaxaca, Mexico, so she understands us. Merci, Annette!
All checks collected by B & N have been scanned (obscuring the acct #) so that a record can be verified. I'll send copies to finance committee members Tara-Ma & Jerry Davenport and to treasurer designee Sheri Underwood.
**** ****** ****
In the meantime 3 more checks arrived.
* Barbara Meyers, mother of our 13 year-old cowgirl marcher, Mary Meyers, paid $25.
* Zama Jones Dexter, our red-coated marcher, paid an additional $25.
* And in the mail on Fat Tuesday was a check from Annette Simmons of Greensboro, NC.
Ms. Simmons is planning to return to Spt after many years away. She plans to buy a house in Highland and be an active member of B & N. Simmons has enjoyed marching parades from NYC to Oaxaca, Mexico, so she understands us. Merci, Annette!
All checks collected by B & N have been scanned (obscuring the acct #) so that a record can be verified. I'll send copies to finance committee members Tara-Ma & Jerry Davenport and to treasurer designee Sheri Underwood.
Costume inspiration from L'Italia: futbolista enmascarado
Rather a dashing cape, cummerbund and striped pants ensemble being worn by this lad. Flying fabric is so cool when you're dancing a la Blanc et Noir.
Robert Trudeau & Carla Jones / photo Mike Rosebery
Thanks for the snap, Mike, and the pose, Carla.
See more of Mike Rosebery's dynamite captures at http://flickr.com/photos/mikerosebery/.
See more of Mike Rosebery's dynamite captures at http://flickr.com/photos/mikerosebery/.
Panderina Soumas / photo Stan Carpenter
Stan Carpenter caught some terrific images for the Times. My favorite was this dramatic shot of Panderina Soumas.
Monday, February 19, 2007
Blanc et Noir 07
Hello, everyone! We are looking for more photos of B & N in action. Please send your images to trudeau@earthlink.net.
For more general parade photos, please see http://flickr.com/photos/robert_trudeau/.
The video footage will be up on Youtube soon.
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