Mardi Gras Beyond The Beads

In this part two with Carnival historian Errol Laborde, we pick up right were we left off and the start of Carnival in the states. Errol takes us by way of Philadelphia – with a stop in Mobile – through to the celebration of Carnival and Mardi Gras as we know it today. Plus, he shares a few of his favorite Carnival food pairings - champagne and a Moon Pie, anyone?

Jennifer Samuels became one of the go-to people for king cake when her and her husband Will sarted the King Cake Hub. Following Will’s passing in 2021, Jennifer decided to continue the business in his honor and has grown the hub to a must-visit for each Carnival season. This episode of Beyond the Beads Ashley  caught up with Jennifer to talk about the hub, what they have to offer and some new things people can see this year in their new Mid-City location.

Errol Laborde is a famed Carnival historian with a knowledge that span thousands of years and countless books. Arguably, very few know more about the beloved celebration outside of Errol. This week, we tapped into his vast knowledge of the subject to start from the very beginning. In this two-part interview, we'll discuss where the concept of Carnival originated and how it ended up in Louisiana, while sharing an appreciation for our Mobile, Alabama counterparts.

What's Carnival without a little "throw me something, mista?" Those who have experience Carnival parades since they were born probably remember being in a ladder or on someone's shoulders catching beads, stuffed animals and all kinds of trinkets from those riding in the parades. If you're like any normal New Orleanian, you also have a place in your kitchen dedicated to plastic Mardi Gras cups thrown from atop the double decker floats coming down St. Charles Avenue. This week, Terri Rushing of The Historic New Orleans Collection shares with us a little fun insight into the history of Carnival throws, as well as the bite-sized talks the organization is putting on every Wednesday and Saturday at 2 p.m. throughout Carnival.

Keep up with everything HNOC is doing at the website here.

Brandan "BMike" Odums is a visual artist here in New Orleans who is behind some of the city’s most iconic murals. One of the most famous is that of the Katrina girl on the front of his StudioBe 36,000 square foot gallery in the Bywater.

While Odums has worked with many major brands and famous individuals, he is teaming up this year with Raising Cane's to debut a new Mardi Gras mural at one of the restaurant's locations, which will also be used across a multitude of swag and other items throughout the Carnival season.

We chat with Odums about his art, what inspires him and what the collaboration was like between two Louisiana titans.

In our final episode of Season 6, we shine a light on some - in our opinion - extraordinary men with extraordinary dance moves. Brett Patron is a founding member of the 610 Stompers, New Orleans' premier all-male dancing group. From physique to uniform, we get all the info behind these dancing dudes and the badass ladies that walk with them.

Only a handful of men and women each year get to say they are a part of royalty... Carnival royalty that is. This week we have the current reigning queen of the Krewe of Tucks Ellie Platt to share her love for her krewe and the road to becoming their queen.

In the first episode of our new season, we're launching a crossover episode with sister podcast "Louisiana Insider." Producer, and occasional host, Kelly Massicot talks to Vice producer and storyteller Jackson Garrett. Garrett and Vice will release a new documentary this year highlighting the culture and traditions behind Cajun Mardi Gras. Garrett shares his insight into the celebration and what he hopes viewers learn from his experience.

In the final episode of season 5, Errol and Rich discuss the inception and history of the meeting of Rex and Comus, as well as the ball that is televised each Mardi Gras night. Additionally, they cover the meeting of Rex and Zulu each Lundi Gras, and Errol's new book that covers it all.

In 2024, three Carnival krewes are celebrating big milestone anniversaries. In this week's episode, Errol Laborde and Rich Collins dive into the history of the krewes of Carrollton, Mid-City and Okeanos, as well as an important date for Rex.