Mardi Gras de la Louisiane

Krewe of Boogaloo

BOOGALOO BACCHANALIA 2008

For its 20th Anniversary in 2008, a leap year, Krewe members and guests will Boogaloo to the Boogaloo All Star Band, the same band that played for BB King’s 80th Birthday Party when the doors open at the Riverfront Center. Guests will be costumed in various themes, and the room will be decorated in traditional Boogaloo and Mardi Gras colors. Bottles of sparkling wine will be awarded for best costumes and best table decoration.

A tradition is that each Boogaloo Member is a King or Queen, and each guest is a Prince or Princess or Duke or Duchess. Thus, there is neither a King or Queen nor a court for the Bacchanalia.

The Krewe was founded in Mississippi in 1932 by B.B. Bacchus, who was born in Itta Bena, Mississippi, on the Kilmichael Plantation. Since B. B. King was also born there and was an inspiration for re-establishing the Krewe in Louisiana, many believe BB King is Bacchus.

In 1988, a grave decision was made to resurrect the Krewe in Central Louisiana by a group including Rick Ranson, Sonny Craig, Bob Dvorak, and Greg Gormanous. John Thompson is the current President/Captain and Bob Dvorak is the Perpetual Treasurer.

The Krewe’s purpose is to celebrate carnival in the spirit of Supreme Grand Marshall Emeritus B. B. Bacchus, whose motto is

SICUT EQUITES AGGREDIUNTUR HOMINEN VIVERE OPORTET! (Latin)

L’HOMME ET TOUTES LES FEMMES DE SA VIE DOIVENT VIVE LA VIE COMME UN CHEVAL DE LA CAVALERIE!

UN HOMBRE Y TODAS SUS MUJERES DEBERAN VIVIR LA VIDA COMO UNA CORRIDA DE TOROS!

Only Krewe members are given the sacred interpretation of his motto.

During the second Bacchanalia in 1936, another leap year, B. B. Bacchus made a grand entrance on Kemosh, his 11,000-pound bull elephant. He disappeared later that evening when he was seen leaving with three women...and Kemosh following them. He was expected to reappear during the millennium leap year for Bacchanalia 2000 and subsequent leap years. However, Kemosh’s reappearance was doubtful. While no one will testify B. B. Bacchus or Kemosh was at the Bacchanalia 2004, a leap year, reports of their sighting were widely spread by Krewe Members.

Three women descendants of Bacchus attended Bacchanalia 2006. One claimed she had proof that Bacchus was her relative. Krewe members were skeptical because some feared she was attempting to claim the Bacchus’ estate, which is valued at over three billion dollars.

Recent sightings of Bacchus have been reported in Australian, North American and European cities including Perth, Palm Beach, New Orleans, Quebec City, Paris, Nice, Montreal and Cannes. B. B. Bacchus was seen May 27, 1998 near the French Riviera as Grand Marshall of the Annual Vin De Vin Festival on Avenue De Nostradamus in Salon De Provence. On May 27, 2003, Bacchus was sighted in Sydney, Australia. Multiple sightings of Bacchus were reported on January 4, 2004 in New Orleans at the LSU championship game. Bacchus was also seen in New Orleans during the LSU Championship Game on January 7, 2008.

Much speculation exists as to Bacchus’ true identity. In addition to B. B. King, some believe Bacchus is Blues Brothers 2000 Steve Cropper or was Otis Redding. Some believe George Burns was the real Bacchus while others think Humphrey Bogart, Jimi Hendrix or Elvis was Bacchus. Although some believe Hank Williams, Sr., was Bacchus, this theory is contradicted by the documented fact that Bacchus visited Hank Williams’ grave in Montgomery, Alabama in 2004.

Honorary Krewe members include Campbell Brown, NBC correspondent; Grady Gaines, the First Grand Marshall of the Alexandria Mardi Gras Parade; former Dallas Cowboy and Grand Marshall Chris Bonial; R. P. Reaves, of Montgomery, Alabama; and Sydnie Kohara, former Grand Marshall. Eddie Floyd of the Blues Brothers’ movie was named an honorary member in 2004. Julie Hanna, the 2008 Grand Marshall of Alexandria Mardi Gras is also an honorary member.

Celebrating music, especially Louisiana inspired music, is the cardinal theme of the Krewe. Past musicians have included The Dock of the Bay House Rockers, Irma Thomas, Charmaine Neville, The Boogie Kings, Leon Medica and Lady Liz Neville, Cookie and the Cupcakes, Na Na Sha, Big Luther Kent, the Harmon Drew Review, Ronnie Brumley and The Fabulous Fire Horns, Tip Top, and Bobby Cure. The official song is Jockomo by New Orleanian Sugarboy Crawford, and the official Krewe colors are red and black.

Eddie “Knock On Wood” Floyd, from the Hollywood movie Blues Brothers 2000, performed with Grady Gaines, the first Grand Marshall of the Alexandria Mardi Gras Parade, for Bacchanalia 2004. Floyd performed original songs, including his famous composition “Knock on Wood” and “634 5789.”

The authority of the Krewe is derived “Ex Authoritate Bacca Commissa.” Krewe membership is open to men and women, singles and couples and is non-discriminatory with regard to race, ethnicity, religion, etc...

The Krewe of Boogaloo is antithetical to traditional Krewes because its purpose is to raise funds for worthy causes Each year donations are made to charitable organizations. Past recipients include Habitat For Humanity, The Shepherd Center, Big Brothers/Big sisters, Hope House, The Food Bank, Rapides Primary Health Care Center, Dixie Boys and Girls Youth leagues and the Caring Peoples Pharmacy. In 2003, funds were distributed to support the Alexandria Police Memorial and the families of National Guard personnel deployed in Iraq.

For 2008, donations were made to the Giordano Families, who are long time members of the Krewe of Boogaloo.