Episodes
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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…
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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...
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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…
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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…
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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...
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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...
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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.
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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...
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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.
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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.
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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...
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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...
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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...
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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…
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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.
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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.
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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...
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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.
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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.
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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...
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S3, Episode 3: All Dogs Go To Barkus
The officially licensed Mystic Krewe of Barkus is a nonprofit organization and Mardi Gras parade that center's around man's best friend. Since 1993, Barkus has sported themes such as "Wizard of Paws," "Indiana Bones and the Raiders of the Lost Bark" and "Joan of Bark" while parading through the...
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S3, Episode 2: Celebrating Safely with Dr. Jennifer Avegno
Carnival 2022 is ready to roll, but what about the lingering coronavirus pandemic? We talk to New Orleans health director Dr. Jennifer Avegno to get her advice on how to celebrate safely this Carnival season! Hear Dr. Avegno's advice on what to bring in your parade bag to combat COVID and whether...
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S3, Episode 1: A Look at Carnival 2022
After missing the 2021 Carnival season due to the coronavirus pandemic, is the city of New Orleans ready for Carnival 2022? As the city updates parade routes and COVID mandates seem to be sticking around, Rich and Errol take a look at what Carnival means this year.
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S2, Episode 9: Top Moments in Carnival History
Errol and Rich discuss a few of the top moments in Carnival history - from the 1600s to COVID Carnival 2021. Stay tuned to the end for a new type of Carnival music.
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S2, Episode 8: The Pussyfooters Party with a Purpose
Take a trip down the Pussyfooter's parade route with Laura Cayouette, actress and long-time member of the dance krewe. We'll dance our way through the importance of the female dance krewes, how they "party with a purpose" and some surprising facts about Laura!
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S2, Episode 7: Krewe du Vieux
Krewe du Vieux has been making merry in New Orleans for many years. This year, they have adapted to COVID in typically tasteless fashion.
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S2, Episode 6: The History and Current Status of LGBTQ+ Mardi Gras
In this two-part episode, we discuss the history and current state of LGBTQ+ Mardi Gras in New Orleans. First, Roberts Batson and Errol Laborde discuss the founding of gay Carnival balls in the city and some of the struggles the community had to endure in the 1960s, '70s and '80s. Then, Rich...
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S2, Episode 5: A Little Risqué Carnival
From the woman who claims to be the first flasher for Mardi Gras beads to Pagan times and practices, this episode we discuss the risqué side of Carnival.
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S2, Episode 3: The Music of Carnival
This episode, Rich acts as "Mardi Gras Beyond The Beads" musical director, and with Errol explores the music behind the greatest free show on Earth.
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S2, Episode 2: COVID Carnival
In this episode, Errol Laborde and Rich Collins take a look at how the coronavirus has impacted Carnival in 2021 and what this means for the future of Carnival in New Orleans.
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Season 2, Ep. 1: Carnival Around the World
It will be a different Carnival this year, not just in New Orleans but the world, as people are forced to wear different types of masks. Still, the traditions survive, if only in memory. Carnival expert Errol Laborde, with interviewer Rich Collins, discusses some of the major Carnival…
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Episode 10: Carnival 2020 Wrap Up
In this episode, Rich and Errol look back at the good, bad and tragedy of Carnival 2020.
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Episode 9: Carnival Balls and Extravaganzas + Lundi Gras and Carnival Foods
In this episode, Errol and Rich scale many topics from Carnival balls to the origin of Lundi Gras and wrap things up with the best Carnival foods!
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Episode 8: Masking, Carnival in the Bywater + Marigny and Mardi Gras Day
In this episode, Errol and Rich discuss myriad things from the history of masking to Carnival parades in and around the Bywater and the Marigny.
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Episode 7: The Emergence of Muses and New Walking Krewes
In this episode, Errol and Rich discuss the emergence of all female krewe Muses and takes a look at some of the walking krewes making a statement in modern Carnival.
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Episode 6: The Police Strike and the Dorothy Mae Taylor Ordinance
Mardi Gras hasn't always been costumes and colorful floats; a few times politics got into the mix. In this episode, Rich and Errol discuss the police strike of 1979 and the Dorothy Mae Taylor Carnival Ordinance.
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Episode 5: The Emergence of Zulu and the Mardi Gras Indians
In this episode, Errol discusses the impact of Zulu on New Orleans Mardi Gras and the origins of the Mardi Gras Indians.
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Episode 4: The Emergence of Bacchus and Super Krewes
In this episode, Errol and Rich discuss the term "super krewe" and the parade that got it all started.
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Episode 3: The 1872 Emergence of Rex, Plus Carnival's Anthem, Colors and Other Traditions
In this episode, Errol and Rich discuss the beginning of the Rex organization in 1872. In addition, they tackle the true meaning behind the Carnival colors, as well as the Carnival anthem "If Ever I Cease To Love."
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Episode 2: Mardi Gras Coming To America, Settling in New Orleans
In this podcast, Errol and Rich discuss the travel of the Carnival and Mardi Gras celebrations to America, European and other big city influences and the settling of Carnival in New Orleans.
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Episode 1: Carnival Before America
In episode one, Errol explains the origins of Carnival and the historical background of the celebration.
About this show
A dive into the history, tradition and modern celebration of New Orleans Carnival – The Greatest Free Show on Earth.
Hosted by
New Orleans Magazine
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