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MARDI GRAS The guests are greeted by Harleqins (pantomime charcters in masks and gaily coloured costumes) and presented with carnival masks and trinkets Other Mardi Gras characters preside over games-of-chance and a spirited
dixie band strolls through the room THE RECEPTION The reception area is noisy and up-tempo. Streamers, balloons and decor create the effect of an exciting masquerade party in full swing. The room is deliberately set up to create conjestion and jostling. At approximately 7:00, Papa Bois arrives amid great flurry and fanfare. Accompanying him is his entourage of "maskers" (improve actors). Papa Bois and the maskers mingle and interact with the guests, and in the process, the quests become familiar with the Mardi Gras characters, their own chacters (represented by the mask they are wearing) and the events of the evening including the fact that a Carnival King and Queen will be selected from among them. Papa Bois is a jovial Creole/Carribbean character not unlike the actor in the pepsi commercials. Papa Bois with his loud good humour directs the events for the evening. he is our patriarch and master of ceremonies. At 7:30, having whipped everyone into a party mood, Papa Bois announces that it is time for everyone to follow him to Rampart Street for dinner and then the Mardi Gras parade. The doors to the main room open and everyone; the band, harlequins and guests noisily follow Papa Bois to Rampart Street THE MAIN ROOM The main ballroom is decorated to resemble a New Orleans French Quarter street at night. Using murals, set pieces and lighting effects, the walls appear as typical New Orleans store fronts with iron balconies. The tables are seperated in groups by railings and full size lamp posts creating a "street" down the centre of the room. The mood and effect is of street side, outdoor cafes lit by street lamps and candles. At one end of the street is a terrace (stage) where the dance band is set up. Piano music eminates from one of the cafes throughout dinner. .Lighting for all the activities in the "street" is provided by four follow spots elevated in each corner of the room. Specialty lighting and special effects are hung from a truss running down the centre of the room, directly over the street. Throughout dinner, Papa Bois continues to appear as though strolling from cafe to cafe. He announces the meal courses and any other important announcements. The main course is paraded down the street by dancing waiters and before desert, papa Bois introduces the chefs (comic actors) who in addition to speaking only gibberish, have difficulty negotiating the length of the street due to carnival intoxication. Also at this time, the King and Queen are chosen. (They are led away to be costumed for their presentation in the parade) THE PARADE The parade begins with papa Bois' introduction. Among the trinkets and the centre-piece decorations at each table are horns and noise makers. Papa Bois encourages everyone to put on their masks and to make as much noise as possible. When the din reaches an acceptable level, Papa Bois blows his whistle and the parade begins. The main element in the parade is a New Orleans marching band. The band enters first in a crash of drums and cymbals playing "Rampart Street Parade". Accompanying the band are the Harlequins, each with a long pole and streamers atop which is a corporate logo. The harlequins toss beads and trinkets to the audience (a Mardi Gras tradition called "throwing"). Also in the parade are a number of variety acts. These acts are introduced by Papa bois (like a ringmaster) while the music thunders on. Included in this entertainment is: stilt walkers, acrobatic acts, jugglers, fire eaters and a parade of exotically feathered carnival costumes. Finally the carnival King and Queen on a throned float with the rest of the maskers serving as coutiers. When the parade finally comes to rest, the King and Queen declare the "carnival begin" and the parade and all the performers invite the audience onto the street for the march out. At this point as a finale, a n indoor fireworks display rains down on the street as the parade departs. THE WEE HOURS As soon as the parade leaves, the dance band starts up and the audience literally dance in the streets till the wee hours. |
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