Red beans and rice is a staple in New Orleans. Most local restaurants that have daily specials will serve red beans and rice on Mondays. Some bars even serve red beans and rice during shows, like the Candlelight Lounge on Wednesdays. What better way to pay homage to New Orleans' favorite meal than by creating a parade in its honor?
Start Playing With Your Food
The Redbeans Parade was created by artist Devin Meyers after he created a costume one year crafted out of beans and hot glue. It was such a hit that others joined in on the burn-your-finger craze. Almost three years ago, the first walking Redbeans Parade hit the streets. This Lundi Gras, over 60 members and hundreds of second-liners will join the Monday parade - only fitting the Redbeans Parade occurs on Monday.
To prepare for the parade, beaners start hot gluing right after Halloween. Paraders meet weekly, and then bi-weekly once Carnival Season is in full swing. With an official bean sponsor Camellia BrandBeans, and a huge supply of hot glue sticks, magic begins to happen.
To keep the energy up, Meyers also functions as the master chef, creating great southern classics such as tomato pie, gumbo, smothered okra, crawfish cornbread, and shrimp and grits. He even has a signature barbeque sauce, Sweet Baby Gavin's, that makes an appearance once in a while. The beaners are well fed, encouraged creatively, and part of a niche community, truly built one parade at a time. That, to me, is still one of the best things about this city: we actively live in community, on our porches, dancing in the streets.
Beans on Parade
Meyers' grassroots walking parade is bordering on infamous for, well, walking the walk. The Redbeans Parade route goes from the Marigny to Frenchmen Street, and many places between. The Treme Brass Band is the parading band, and Al "Carnival Time" Johnson is the Lifetime Grand Marshall.
To premier the specialty suits, The Redbeans Prom will be held at the Michalopoulos Gallery on Sunday, March 6. As of now, tickets ($25) are still available online to witness the world debut of Huey "Pea" Long, Beanjamin Franklin, Beanie and Clyde, and Bean Wolf. The party boasts aerialists and 5 bands, including locals Margie Perezand Red Light District and South Carolinian Cary Ann Hearst.
Catch the parade starting at 2 p.m. on the corner of Port and Royal Streets in the Marigny. See the world premier of the 2011 suits at the Redbeans Prom. As the locals know, Mardi Gras is more than beads on Bourbon. It's celebrating our creativity in community. And in costume- preferably made from beans. What's your can't-miss Mardi party?
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