The Krewe de Canaille 28th Annual Mardi Gras Ball
La Poussier Dance Hall
Breaux Bridge, Louisiana
February 13, 2015
Customs and traditions run deep and southwest Louisiana, none more revered than the ones associated with Mardi Gras. Small to large, they range from house parties to parades that rule the main streets for an afternoon or early evening to formal balls held by Mardi Gras Krewes. Krewes in New Orleans may have hundreds of members, stage elaborate balls and enter huge floats in Mardi Gras parades. Elsewhere in Louisiana, krewes are smaller, less formal, but no less energetic and dedicated to carrying on tradition.
The Krewe de Canaille in Lafayette has been celebrating a Mardi Gras Ball since 1987.
Let’s pause here for definitions: a ‘Krewe’ to the rest of us is a crew, but, having its origin in New Orleans history, the spelling is an affectation. The main purpose of a Krewe is to organize Mardi Gras parades and balls. Many have private parties or dances during the year. Being Louisiana, it doesn’t take much prompting to throw parties at any time of the year for just about any reason.
“Canaille”? The group’s preferred definition is “rabble rousers” or “scoundrels.” Gives them plenty of latitude.
Although a handful of its members have been along for the whole ride, some, like this year’s special inductees, came as visitors six years ago, were enthralled with the music and dance culture, the pace of life and foremost, the friendly and engaging people who live here.
The annual ball is held at La Poussiere, a premier dance hall in Breaux Bridge that can comfortably hold 200 or so people and boasts one of the smoothest dance floors in Louisiana.
Cajun dancing is the focus of this krewe, founded in 1986 by Lafayette native Janine Dugas. Their general theme is to pass a good time on the dance floor and they manage that several times a year.
The 28th Annual Mardi Gras Ball gets underway at 7:00 PM. By 7:30 the band steps off the stage and tradition steps in. Rosa Henry, a Queen in 2011, commands all spectators to stand at the sides of the dance floor heralds the annual ritual of introducing the King and Queen.
Court Jesters playfully frolic ahead of the King and Queen, who ceremoniously and to general whooping and hollering, promenade toward the stage from the end of the dance floor.
2015 King and Queen Dwayne "Neggy" Trahan and his wife Linda Trahan. The identify of the "Duke" and "Duchess" for 2015, next year's King and Queen, is a secret till tonight. The honor is given to Doug and Kathleen McLeod, who were passing by Lafayette six years ago, were swallowed up by Cajun ways, and never left!
Past Kings and Queens, in fabulously glittering attire, are announced and promenade to the stage.
A royal photo shoot precedes a jovial champagne toast. (The girls in their finery get a taste of tradition.) The King and Queen take to the burnished hardwood floor for the Royal Waltz, joined by the former royals and their court.
Formality goes out the window after the ceremonial dance when the whole court opens festive parasols and second lines (parades) around the dance floor with much un-royal joviality.
The lights dim. Kevin Naquin and the Ossun Playboys kick it up a notch and the whole crowd, locals and dancers from all over the country, kick up a storm with Cajun ballads, waltzes and the occasional swamp pop slow drag for the next several hours.
In the midst of this, a purple, green, and gold - the colors of Mardi Gras - layer cake the size of a small carpet is served.
The Krewe and many of the partiers are decked out in Mardi Gras paraphernalia. What others might call costumes are actually representations of colorful attire donned by celebrants from medieval times in Europe. Krewe members take pride in their outfits and the connection they feel with a tradition that is part of the Acadian culture that pervades the parishes of southwest Louisiana.
Combining royalty and mischief, The Krewe de Canaille continues a tradition handed down through centuries of Mardi Gras celebrations.
Photo gallery: Paul A. Tamburello, Jr. photos.
Assorted former Kings, Queens, and Jesters and one party crasher. Janine Dugas and Chris Trahan (photo at left), both former "Royals", are two of the four original members still active in the Krewe.
Janine Dugas, founder of the Krewe de Canaille. Janine has updated this banner every year since 1986!
Clear the way...the King and Queen command the dance floor for their waltz.
Rabble rowsers at play...
See you next year...
As I often do, I feel like I am there. So "throw me something, mister".
Keep the reports coming.
Posted by: KBJones | February 17, 2015 at 11:50 AM
Thanks for all the rich scoop. I just wish I were down in Louisiana to experience it all (and to get a break from the snow and ice).
Posted by: Chris Ives | February 23, 2015 at 03:17 PM