Le Krewe d'Etat

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Le Krewe d'Etat is a satirical New Orleans Mardi Gras krewe that was first organized in 1996, and held their inaugural parade in 1998. Prior to organizing their own parade, a member of the krewe known simply as Unknown Spokesman said the group had covertly infiltrated Pegasus with some floats of their own.[1] The krewe has historically paraded on the Friday prior to Fat Tuesday, immediately following Hermes. The parade route varies from year to year, but typically includes passage north on Napoleon Avenue, East/Northeast on St. Charles Avenue around Lee Circle, and finally West or East on Canal Street. The procession includes traditional floats, Lieutenants on horseback, and flambeaux carriers. In 2004, d'Etat had 21 floats and 415 riders.[2] Membership is open, but the krewe has elected to keep the organization small.[1]

The krewe eschews monarch, in favor of a figurehead known simply as "The Dictator," whose identity is held secret. The Dictator's "court" includes the kingfish, the special man, the minister of misinformation, the keeper of the bones and the high priest.[1]

d'Etat's motto is "Vivite ut Vehatis. Vehite ut Vevatis," which roughly translates to “Live to Ride, Ride to Live.”[3]

The krewe decides a new theme for their parade annually ("raison d'etre"), and it, just like The Dictator's identity, remains confidential. The parade theme is intended to lampoon current events or politicians.

Le Krewe d'Etat
Year Theme
2008 Le Krewe d'Etat's Dirty Dishes
2007 KDTV in Dictavision
2006 D'Olympics d'Etat
2005 Tarot d'Etat
2004 Malice in Wonderland
2003 Tales Told by Idiots
2002 Rock Around d'Etat
2001 D'Etat.com
2000 Cinema D'Etat
1999 Dictator's Circus
1998 Looziana Scandals and Scoundrels

[edit] References

  1. ^ a b c McCulley, R. You say you want a revolution?. Kingfish. January 2002.
  2. ^ Le Krewe d'Etat. From: mardigrasunmasked.com. Retrieved October 20, 2007.
  3. ^ Le Krewe D'Etat's Website. From: lekrewedetat.com. Retrieved October 20, 2007.

[edit] External links


v • d • e
Parades at the Mardi Gras in New Orleans
Old Line Krewes

Mistick Krewe of Comus | Knights of Momus | The School of Design (Rex Organization) | Krewe of Proteus
Super Krewes
Parading Krewes

Krewe du Vieux | Krewe of Hermes | Le Krewe d'Etat | Zulu Social Aid & Pleasure Club | Knights of Chaos | Krewe of Tucks | Krewe of OAK | Krewe of Muses | KOE (Krewe of Elvis) | Phorty Phunny Phellows
Non-Parading Krewes

Twelth Night Revelers | Elves of Oberon | Krewe of Athenians | Caliphs of Cairo | Krewe of Nereus | High Priests of Mithras | Prophets of Persia
Walking Clubs
Related