Mardi Gras Beyond The Beads

New Orleans Magazine

A dive into the history, tradition and modern celebration of New Orleans Carnival – The Greatest Free Show on Earth.

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20 episodes
Avg 34 min
English

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S7 · E5
February 11 · 31 min
S7, Episode 5: How Carnival Has Evolved in America
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?
S7 · E4
February 4 · 16 min
S7, Episode 4: Inside the King Cake Hub
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.
S7 · E3
January 28 · 21 min
S7, Episode 3: The Beginning of Carnival As We Know It
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.
S7 · E2
January 21 · 25 min
S7, Episode 2: The History of Throws with the Historic New Orleans Collection
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.
S7 · E1
January 6 · 22 min
S7, Episode 1: Artist Brandan "BMike" Odums Partners with Raising Cane's for Carnival 2026
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.
S6 · E1
Feb 26, 2025 · 23 min
S6, Episode 3: Ordinary Men, Extraordinary Moves – 610 Stompers' Brett Patron
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.
S6 · E2
Feb 19, 2025 · 18 min
S6, Episode 2: Queen of Tucks Ellie Platt Reigns Over Beyond the Beads
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.
S6 · E1
Feb 12, 2025 · 21 min
S6, Episode 1: Vice Takes a Look at Cajun Mardi Gras
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.
Feb 7, 2024 · 24 min
S5, Episode 5: Meeting of the Courts
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.
Jan 31, 2024 · 27 min
S5, Episode 4: Major Carnival Anniversaries
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.
Jan 24, 2024 · 22 min
S5, Episode 3: The Impact of Carnival on the City
What impact does the "Greatest Free Show on Earth" have on the city and state? We talk to Tulane University economics professor Toni Weiss about the economic impact Carnival has on the city and her new study that took a deep dive into the financial side of Carnival and provides all the notable numbers.
Jan 17, 2024 · 50 min
S5, Episode 2: Elroy James, President of Zulu Social Aid and Pleasure Club
Since the early 20th Century, the Zulu Social Aid and Pleasure Club has been a prominent figure in Carnival culture. From the meeting of the Courts every Lundi Gras to throwing their famous coconuts each Mardi Gras day, Errol and Elroy tackle all aspects of the krewe both in and outside of the Carnival season.
Jan 10, 2024 · 58 min
S5, Episode 1: Barry Kern of Kern Studios
In the first episode of Season 5, host Errol Laborde speaks with Barry Kern, CEO and president of Kern Studios. The Kern family has had a long relationship with Carnival in New Orleans since the early 1900's. Barry's father Blaine Kern started Kern Studios in 1947 and quickly became the city’s leading parade designer and builder, working with legendary krewes like Rex and Zulu. With Barry at the helm, Kern Studios now builds parade floats each year for 18 different Carnival krewes. This episode, Barry talks about the history of the company, Carnival 2024 and the extra creations made for businesses all over the world.
S4 · E5
Feb 21, 2023 · 1 hr 44 min
S4, Episode 5: Carnival A to Z
From Ash Wednesday to super krewes, old-line parades and cabinets full of plastic Mardi Gras cups, for our final episode of 2023 we are looking at Carnival from A to Z. In this super-sized episode, Errol and Rich cover anything and everything Carnival, including a guest interview with The Historic New Orleans Collection's Lydia Blackmore, curator of Decorative Arts, who discusses the history of Carnival ladders.
S4 · E4
Feb 15, 2023 · 59 min
S4, Episode 4: The Evolution of Mardi Gras
This episode, we go back generations in Carnival history. Historian Errol Laborde takes us from the start of New Orleans Carnival through the evolution that lead to our modern understanding of Carnival celebration.
S4 · E3
Feb 10, 2023 · 35 min
S4, Episode 3: The History of King Cakes
In this episode, Matt Haines, writer of "The Big Book of King Cakes," shares all his knowledge of the Carnival confection, while breaking down the process of compiling and creating the delicious book.
S4 · E2
Feb 8, 2023 · 33 min
S4, Episode 2: Queen Reesie, Guardians of the Flame
This episode of Beyond the Beads features Cherice Harrison-Nelson, also known as Queen Reesie, who has been Queen of the Guardians of the Flame Maroon Society in New Orleans for three decades. She talks about the history of her organization, her famous family and her work to keep the tradition alive for future generations.
S4 · E1
Feb 1, 2023 · 34 min
S4, Episode 1: The Krewe of Orpheus
The Krewe of Orpheus celebrates its 30th anniversary this Carnival season. In our first episode of 2023, Errol Laborde talks with krewe co-founder and current Captain Sonny Borey about the organization's inception, evolution and future.
S3 · E5
Mar 1, 2022 · 26 min
S3, Episode 5: The History of Throws
Beads, doubloons, shoes and more! In our final episode of the season, Rich Collins and Errol Laborde discuss the history of Carnival throws.
S3 · E2
Feb 23, 2022 · 38 min
S3, Episode 4: Krewe of the Rolling Elvi – The Unofficial Kings of Carnival
Who doesn't love "The King" Elvis Presley? This group sure does! This week, Errol chats with David Center, Scott Galante and Cliff Golz of the Krewe of the Rolling Elvi. These "kings" of Carnival share their favorite stories from the parade routes, the inception of the group and how the krewe rolled right into the hearts of all Carnival revelers.

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