Also see Union-Tribune Photo links:  Mardi Gras in Gaslamp 2007    Mardi Gras in Gaslamp 2006

Photo: Billie DeSimone
Photo: Billie DeSimone	Photo: Billie DeSimone	Photo: Billie DeSimone	Photo: Billie DeSimone
Photo: Billie DeSimone		Photo: Billie DeSimone	Photo: Billie DeSimone
Photo: Billie DeSimone	Photo: Billie DeSimone		Photo: Billie DeSimone
Photo: Billie DeSimone		Photo: Billie DeSimone
Photo: Billie DeSimone	Photo: Billie DeSimone		Photo: David Brooks, SignOnSanDiego.Com
Photo: Billie DeSimone		Photo: Billie DeSimone
Photo: Billie DeSimone	Photo: David Brooks, SignOnSanDiego.Com		Photo: Billie DeSimone
Photo: Billie DeSimone	Photo: Jerry Jones		Photo: Jerry Jones
Photo: Jerry Jones	Photo: Jerry Jones	Photo: Jerry Jones	Photo: Jerry Jones
Photo: Jerry Jones	Photo: Jerry Jones	Photo: Jerry Jones	Photo: Jerry Jones
	Photo: Jerry Jones	Photo: Jerry Jones	Photo: Jerry Jones
			Photo: Jerry Jones
Photo: Jerry Jones	Photo: Jerry Jones	Photo: Jerry Jones	Photo: Jerry Jones
Photo: Jerry Jones		Photo: Jerry Jones	Photo: Billie DeSimone

Diary of a Mad Street Dancer — or The Mardi Gras Memoirs

As a first-timer to the Gaslamp Mardi Gras of San Diego, I got my defining moment------I think many, actually. Watching everyone in our community come together to make our float come to life with our own brand of authentic Mardi Gras sights and sounds was amazing. (Secret: We have the advantage of celebrating Mardi Gras-style at our festival and dances, so we already possess the spirit, the music, and the dance!) It was definitely awesome to be part of the legend and champion float krew----I'm so glad I made it to San Diego in time for John's 4th consecutive float win.

Pre-Parade at TV Shoot: I must say, getting up at 4 a.m. in the morning on Feb. 18th to get ready for the float TV spot on channel 6, wasn't my favorite thing to do! Seeing so many of our dance community, however, setting up for the shoot at Spanish Landingin the dawn's early light was a beautiful picture of our crazy enthusiasm for Zydeco and the celebration of life we have all found though it. Then those of you who still showed up at John's a few hours later to help assemble the float, (with little sleep) ....thank you!

Mardi Gras Night: As we waited in the staging area for the parade to get under way, we all found various ways of entertaining ourselves, be it dancing, primping, passing the bottle, taking photos, or our ladies making interesting sounds into the microphone.........(you had to be there...)

Then during the parade, as I looked at the other float participants, some with little groups all dressed alike, I noticed something.......none of us were dressed exactly the same, none of us danced exactly the same...........but were truly a kaleidescope of color and creativity.....a group of free spirits......let the parade begin!!!

As I personally took to the street with 9 or so other street dancers, I had a defining moment......"It's now or never!" No place for feeling self-conscious! Engage the crowd! Be fun & make alot of eye-contact! Invite them into the celebration through the joy of the dance! As I did so, I noticed the same abandon of my fellow street dancers with all their unique, sexy, and/or kooky moves and dance embellishments wowing the crowd without apology. Yes!

Six blocks later, we were pulled into the winner's circle, and continued to dance around the float, and greet street party-ers. Then came the announcement that we had won first place, again!!!!!! Yay for us--for Bon Temps and for John!

Speaking of John, since I probably saw more than anybody, how much time and work he put into this float and parade, creating a vehicle to spotlight our club and providing a venue for a great time and defining moment in everyone's life, I have to acknowledge his big heart, fun-loving spirit and care for all of you.

It would be hard to name everyone who made a contribution, but I feel I must try, knowing I'm running the risk of forgetting to mention someone. (So I ask for your forgiveness in advance.): First arrival for our float work day, was faithful Patrick, fresh from eye surgery, but reporting for float duty, anyway. What a trooper! Then came dear Sylvia, willing to sacrifice a beautiful manicure to string lights all over the float walls, and Andy Sheets, at the ready....helping with lighting, and other miscellaneous jobs.... Then there was big Bruce King, tools or paint brush in hand, securing lampposts to the float, painting windows, bases, etc. with a Tom Sawyer zeal. In spite of our pre-dawn adventure into TV land on Sunday morning, Marianne still came out Sunday afternoon to help with the float on many aspects including bravely scouring the hardware stores for needed supplies. Patrick again, and Electric Rick, also Margaret were amonst our Sunday krew getting the rest of the last minute jobs done on the float (and enjoying a much-deserved wine and cheese break.) And Bruce with girlfriend, Mary Lou, this time, working well into the cold evening alongside John, finishing up, and making sure all was tarped for the rain.

At this point, it's literally impossible to go on and credit each person for their unique effort and contribution, large or small. I will say, when I arrived at the staging area, I found a freezing Marianne who had been decorating the float in the cold, and I was impressed with her tenacious spirit. Then greeting friends and waiting for the parade to begin was a fun little venue, all it's own....(a little more alcohol would have enhanced the experience.) The parade itself was amazing, especially as I saw our big float city come to life with all of our joy & playfulness, color & costume, John's great sound system, amazing music & lights, our lively dancing & other interesting gyrations, our own walking, talking, tail-wagging Alligator, Peter's great ringmaster abilities, and all the Mardi Gras French Quarter spirit we could project! Much of what I have tried to describe has been captured by many of us on camera and video. Maybe there's a way we can share these on the Bon Temps website. A special thanks to Jerry and Rick for preserving this great memory and so many others for us all with their great photograpy and videography. And kudos to Garry Todd, who made sure our Gator by the Bay banner was out front, leading the way down the parade route!

Yay, San Diego!!! The Chargers may not have won, but we did! Post Mardi Gras Blues: Now all I can say is I can't believe Mardi Gras is over! Thank goodness Gator by the Bay is just around the corner!!!

Love you all (especially the sexy Floatmaster), Billie DeSimone