NEW ORLEANS (press release) – Although the carnival parades for 2021 are canceled, the spirit in the Big Easy is still alive! The Krewe of Red Beans takes the New Orleans spirit that makes carnival floats and brings it to homes across town through the Hire a Mardi Gras Artist initiative so the float artists can keep working during this difficult time while bringing some while Joy and Magic for New Orleans. Commander’s Palace is excited to once again support the Krewe of Red Beans in their ongoing endeavors to give back to those hardest hit by the pandemic in a true New Orleans way. The Commander team supports the “Hire a Mardi Gras Artist” initiative to transform Le Petit Bleu, our to-go spot next door, and the front of the Commander’s Palace into a decorated house car.
Sticking to tradition, Commander’s Palace partnered with Pete Fountain’s Half-Fast Walking Club to design the house car. Pete Fountain’s Half-Fast Walking Club has started its parade in the restaurant for as long as we can remember. The restaurant is only closed two days a year, Mardi Gras is one of them, but we only open for this crazy Krewe (loved for their costumes, joie de vivre, silliness and great music) to have a drink at the bar and take away? Sandwiches to enjoy on the parade. The Le Petit Bleu house car will pay homage to our longstanding collaboration with the Half-Fast Walking Club – with a Half-Fast celebration of Carnival in the year that Carnival was not.
“The sight of Pete Fountain, Benny Harrell and the future crazy Half-Fast Krewe leaving the bar and courtyard of the Commander’s Palace every Mardi Gras morning is hysterical,” said Ti Martin and Lally Brennan, co-owners of the Commander’s Palace . “They are the funniest, silliest group with nothing but cheer and hijinx up their sleeves. You are the carnival spirit. And that is a ghost that not even the “Mardi Gras that wasn’t” can kill. God loves you. We know we’re doing it! “
“For most of the years, Carnival artisans work behind the scenes to make the beautiful floats that roll through our streets. Because the parades were canceled, they lost their jobs this year. This year they need our help! We’re happy to be back in operation – thanks to Commander’s Palace and others, ”says Krewe from Red Beans founder Devin De Wulf.
The float debut date will be announced shortly.