New Orleans Black

Explore African American Mardi Gras Traditions

Explore African American Mardi Gras Traditions

of New Orleans April 8 @ Xavier

It’s Carnival Time … Again! at Xavier University.

On WEDNESDAY APRIL 8, 2009 there will be a special

event titled AFRICAN AMERICAN MARDI GRAS

TRADITIONS OF NEW ORLEANS. This program is

designed to provide an inside view into unique local

Carnival traditions by featuring discussions with long time

participants. These traditions are often widely seen and

publicized, but rarely understood or discussed in a

collective public setting.

Guests include a host of well known personalities who

will discuss the history, characteristics, and meaning of their

respective traditions: Darryl Montana (Mardi Gras Indians),

Clarence Becknell (Zulu Club), Charmaine Neville (Baby

Dolls), and Bruce “Sunpie” Barnes (Skull & Bones Gangs).

A special guest will be Al “ Carnival Time” Johnson who

will discuss the music of Mardi Gras and his ever popular

seasonal anthem It’s Carnival Time, which he wrote and

first recorded in 1960.

The program will also include authentic local Carnival

music performed by Dr. Michael White and the Mardi

Gras Stompers, which will feature Wendell Brunious

(trumpet), Roderick Paulin (saxophone), Herman Lebeaux

(drums), Mark Stone (guitar), Kerry Lewis (bass), Steve

Pistorius (piano) and Dr. White (clarinet).

The program will be held at the Xavier University Center

Ballroom (3rd floor) and will begin at 7:00 pm.

ADMISSION IS FREE AND OPEN TO THE PUBLIC.

Second lining welcome!

This event is sponsored by the Keller Endowed Chair in

the Humanities at Xavier.