Krewe of Orpheus

Krewe of Orpheus
Formation	1993
Location	New Orleans
Website	http://www.kreweoforpheus.com/

The Krewe of Orpheus (1993) is a relatively recent New Orleans Mardi Gras super krewe, which puts on one of the largest parades in the famous Carnival celebrations of New Orleans, Louisiana. The krewe was founded in 1993 by Harry Connick, Jr., Sr., and Sonny Borey.

History

The parade is named after Orpheus, a figure from Greek mythology, as an illustration of the power of music.

The Krewe accepts members of either gender and any race or ethnicity, and quickly became one of New Orleans' largest, after it was founded in 1993.^[1] It is a music-based krewe, taking its name from Orpheus {ohr'-fee-uhs} ^[2] of Classical mythology. The Krewe of Orpheus was founded by Harry Connick Jr., his father, Harry Connick, Sr., and Sonny Borey.^[3] When the krewe had their first parade on February 14, 1994,^[4] there was a record high 700 riders on their parade, and they had then already established themselves as a super krewe. The Krewe of Orpheus was the first super krewe to include both men and women.

Mythology

The Krewe of Orpheus derives its name from the mortal Orpheus, son of the god Apollo and the muse Calliope. The story of Orpheus illustrates the power of music in both this world and the next. Legend is that Apollo presented Orpheus with a lyre, which he played with perfection. The music of Orpheus was so beautiful that wild animals ceased their hunting, mountains bowed, seas stopped spraying and trees bent near to listen when he sang. His music was celebrated and cherished by all who heard it. His melodies inspired the noblest love. When Orpheus sang every heart was opened.

Orpheus accompanied Jason and the Argonauts on their adventures. During one voyage a storm arose, and Orpheus began to play his lyre. Immediately, the sea calmed and the storm ended. When his fellow sailors were bewitched by the enchanted song of the Sirens, Orpheus took up his lyre and began to sing. The Sirens’ song lost all its power, and the women were changed into rocks. However, Orpheus’ greatest feat involved his beautiful wife, Eurydice.

Shortly after their marriage, Eurydice was pursued by Aristaeus, who was overwhelmed by her beauty. When fleeing his advances, Eurydice stepped on a snake, which bit her foot, and she died. Overcome with grief, Orpheus vowed to rescue her from the regions of the dead.

Orpheus gained entry to the Underworld by using his music to charm Charon, the ferryman and Cerberus, the three headed dog that guarded the gates of Hell. He passed through crowds of ghosts, and presented himself before Hades and Persephone. Orpheus strummed his lyre as he implored them to return Eurydice to the realm of the living. As he sang, the ghosts wept and the cheeks of the Furies became wet with tears. The yearning notes from Orpheus’ lyre had kindled their memories of the sweet secrets of life’s pleasures. At last, Eurydice was called forth. Orpheus was permitted to take her away, on condition that he should not turn to look at her until they both reached the surface.

They traveled through dark waters and passages, in silence. They had nearly reached the surface and shafts of sunlight began to illuminate the cavern. In a moment of longing, Orpheus cast a glance behind him. But Eurydice was still in darkness, and she was instantly carried away. They reached for one another, but only grasped the air. Eurydice was lost to Orpheus forever.

Touched by the charm and power of the music of Orpheus, Zeus turned his lyre into a constellation. Thus, Orpheus still inspires lovers, at night, as they gaze upon his stars.

Parade

The Krewe of Orpheus parades on St. Charles Avenue and Canal Street on Lundi Gras (Fat Monday) - the day before Mardi Gras (Fat Tuesday). The parade ends inside the Convention Center where Orpheuscapade begins. In addition to the floats, the parade also includes "flambeaux," chariots, and marching bands.

Parade Themes

• 2012 Nonsense and Tomfoolery
• 2011 Visions of Other Worlds
• 2010 Delectable Delights
• 2009 The Whimsical World of How and Why
• 2008 Cocktail Concoctions ^[5]
• 2007 Tales of Transformation ^[6]
• 2006 Signs and Superstitions ^[7]
• 2005 Dance of the Hours ^[8]
• 2004 Serenades of the Seasons ^[9] - a tribute to the sights, colors and sounds that mark the changing tides of the year.^[10]
• 2003 A Flourish of Fetes and Feasts ^[11]
• 2002 Fiendish Fanfares of Fantasy
• 2001 Crescendos of Creation^[12]
• 2000 Musical Metamorphosis
• 1999 New Orleans Premieres at the French Opera House ^[13]
• 1998 Troubador Tales
• 1997 Tuneful Tales of the Brothers Grimm
• 1996 Music of Mythology
• 1995 Lyrical Legend of Orpheus
• 1994 Rhythm, Rhyme & Revelry

Celebrity Monarchs

• 2013: Gary Sinise, Trombone Shorty
• 2012: Bret Michaels, Cyndi Lauper
• 2010: Steve Zahn, Sean Payton, Imagination Movers, Paul Mainieri
• 2009: Joan Rivers, James Belushi, Reno 911!
• 2008: Hélio Castroneves, Sidney Torres, Lance Bass, Kevin Meaney, Salt-n-Pepa, Christian LeBlanc, Ricky Paull Goldin, Sean Payton, Josh Gracin ^[5][14]
• 2007: Patricia Clarkson, Sean Payton, Harry Connick, Jr. ^[15]
• 2006: Steven Seagal, Josh Hartnett ^[16]
• 2005: Sawyer Brown, Toby Keith ^[17]
• 2004 Dominic Monaghan,^[17] Brad Paisley, Nicole Miller, Harry Connick, Jr. ^[9]
• 2003 Travis Tritt, Harry Connick, Jr.
• 2002
• 2001 Glenn Close (grand marshall), Whoopi Goldberg, Hoda Kotb, Harry Connick, Jr. ^[12]
• 2000 Whoopi Goldberg (grand marshall),
• 1999 Sandra Bullock,^[18] Forest Whitaker,
• 1998
• 1997 Stevie Wonder, Quincy Jones, Anne Rice, Harry Connick, Jr.
• 1996 The Road Rules gang from MTV, Laurence Fishburne, Jay Thomas ('96 King of Orpheus), Anne Rice ('96 muse of Orpheus), Harry Connick, Jr. ^[19]
• 1995 Anne Rice
• 1994 Little Richard, Branford Marsalis, Vanessa R. Williams, Dan Aykroyd, Harry Connick, Jr.

Other celebrity monarchs for the Krewe of Orpheus include Camryn Manheim, Debbie Allen, Tommy Tune, James Brown, David Copperfield, Delta Burke, Gerald McRaney, Josh Gracin and Christian LeBlanc.

Floats

The Leviathan stored at Mardi Gras World, New Orleans

Per 2008, the krewe has 36 floats. Harry Connick, Jr. wrote and recorded a song for his 1994 album She, called "Here Comes the Big Parade". The song's music video shows clips from floats in the parade. The floats have a large amount of flowers, gilding and gold leaf. The flowers are made out of cardboard, wire, paint, gold leafing, some of paper-mâché, etc.

Notable floats

• In 2004, the Krewe of Orpheus bought the Dolly Trolley, the original horse-dawn bus that was used in the opening of Hello Dolly with Barbra Streisand.^[3]
• The Smoking Mary (Smokey Mary) is a six unit float that looks like a steam locomotive
• The Orpheus Leviathan Float has been part of the parade since 1998. It's a three unit, 139-foot (42 m),float, and the first Carnival float to use extensive fiber optic lighting.
• Trojan Horse

Throws

The throws include emblem beads, stuffed animals, signature beads, light-up Orpheus medallion beads, cups, three different types of doubloons, and 4-foot-long stuffed dragons.

Orpheuscapade

The parade ends inside the Ernest N. Morial Convention Center where Orpheuscapade begins. Orpheuscapade is the post-parade black-tie party, that includes live music, food, and dancing, and it's open to the public by paid admission. The Orpheuscapade draws a crowd of over 5000 people each year.

Other

• This krewe does not have any connection to:
  • the first Krewe of Orpheus: a ball krewe in Orleans Parish (1940s, 1950s)
  • The Original Krewe of Orpheus: a parade krewe in Mandeville, Louisiana (founded 1987)

Notes

External links

• Official website
• "Here Comes the Big Parade" - Harry Connick, Jr. music video
• Krewe of Orpheus, at Prof. Carl Nivale.
• NOLA.com : Mardi Gras : Parades