Mardi Gras Beyond The Beads

Krewe du Vieux has been making merry in New Orleans for many years. This year, they have adapted to COVID in typically tasteless fashion. 

In this two-part episode, we discuss the history and current state of LGBTQ+ Mardi Gras in New Orleans. First, Roberts Batson and Errol Laborde discuss the founding of gay Carnival balls in the city and some of the struggles the community had to endure in the 1960s, '70s and '80s. Then, Rich Collins chats with Tony Leggio about all the costumes, events and pageantry that are a big part of the&nbsp...

From the woman who claims to be the first flasher for Mardi Gras beads to Pagan times and practices, this episode we discuss the risqué side of Carnival. 

This episode, Rich acts as "Mardi Gras Beyond The Beads" musical director, and with Errol explores the music behind the greatest free show on Earth.

In this episode, Errol Laborde and Rich Collins take a look at how the coronavirus has impacted Carnival in 2021 and what this means for the future of Carnival in New Orleans. 

It will be a different Carnival this year, not just in New Orleans but the world, as people are forced to wear different types of masks. Still, the traditions survive, if only in memory.  Carnival expert Errol Laborde, with interviewer Rich Collins, discusses some of the major Carnival celebrations around the world. Learn about what we will be missing with hopes of better days ahead. 

In this episode, Rich and Errol look back at the good, bad and tragedy of Carnival 2020. 

In this episode, Errol and Rich scale many topics from Carnival balls to the origin of Lundi Gras and wrap things up with the best Carnival foods! 

In this episode, Errol and Rich discuss myriad things from the history of masking to Carnival parades in and around the Bywater and the Marigny. 

In this episode, Errol and Rich discuss the emergence of all female krewe Muses and takes a look at some of the walking krewes making a statement in modern Carnival. 

Mardi Gras hasn't always been costumes and colorful floats; a few times politics got into the mix. In this episode, Rich and Errol discuss the police strike of 1979 and the Dorothy Mae Taylor Carnival Ordinance. 

In this episode, Errol discusses the impact of Zulu on New Orleans Mardi Gras and the origins of the Mardi Gras Indians. 

In this episode, Errol and Rich discuss the term "super krewe" and the parade that got it all started. 

In this episode, Errol and Rich discuss the beginning of the Rex organization in 1872. In addition, they tackle the true meaning behind the Carnival colors, as well as the Carnival anthem "If Ever I Cease To Love."

In this podcast, Errol and Rich discuss the travel of the Carnival and Mardi Gras celebrations to America, European and other big city influences and the settling of Carnival in New Orleans. 

In episode one, Errol explains the origins of Carnival and the historical background of the celebration.