RHR PHOTO

Ryan Hodgson-Rigsbee
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Carnival Time 2015
Photography and Text by Ryan Hodgson-Rigsbee
Audio Recorded by Thomas Walsh, Joe Stolarick , and Ryan Hodgson-Rigsbee

This is a 500+ photo essay to go with 1 hour and 28 minutes of audio, and may time a moment to load. Listening to the audio is highly recommended. It is presented in chronological order to show the build up to Fat Tuesday. If you aren't interested in looking at so many photos there is short edit of my favorite images from last year here . Thanks for visiting the essay and please contact rhr with any questions of comments about the work. Enjoy! -rhr

Phunny Phorty Phellows

Haydel's Bakery

Muses

pre Krewe du Vieux

Monogram Hunters

Rex

Monogram Hunters

Jefferson Variety

Krewe of Athena

Purple Lightning

Thoth

tit' Rex

Krewe Delusion

Rex

Athena

Monogram Hunters

Muses

Krewe of Freret

Phunny Phorty Phellows

Rex

Thoth

Krewe Dat

Krewe of Freret crowning of the King

Le Lucha Krewe

Muses

Monogram Hunters

Athena

Athena Ball

Endymion

Monogram Hunters

Monogram Hunters Big Queen Denice Smith and Big Chief Tyrone "Pie" Stevenson sewing in late July 2014. Big Chief Pie started masking as a spy boy with the famous downtown tribe Yellow Pocahontas when he was 12 years old. In 1992 Tootie and Edward Montana gifted him his own tribe Monogram Hunters, which was Montana's father's tribe.

Big Queen Denice

Rex Float Den

Painter Raymond Boyd puts the final touches on a float at Rex Float Den in December 2014. Krewe theme in 2015 is "Wars that shaped early America."

Raymond Boyd painter for Kern Studio

Monogram Hunters Big Queen Denice Smith and Big Chief Tyrone "Pie" Stevenson sewing in early October.

tit' Rex float auction at Michalopoulos in November 2014.

Floats up for auction

John Calhoun auctions off tit' Rex floats at Michalopoulos in December 2014.

Monogram Hunters Big Chief Tyrone "Pie" Stevenson and Big Queen Denice Smith working on the Chief's apron in early December 2014.

Big Chief Tyrone "Pie" Stevenson

Wild Tchoupitoulas Big Queen Mary Kay Stevenson sings with (left to right) FiYiYi Big Queen "Cutie" Kim Boutte, Black Eagles Big Queen "Calliope" Shmuela Padnos, Wild Tchoupitoulas Big Queen "Mercy" Mercedes Stevenson during a celebration of Mardi Gras Indian queens in December 2014.

Rex Float Den

Marcus Bronson and Randy Ernst planning where to put flowers on a Rex float in December 2014

Rex Float Den

Randy Enster moving flowers in storage for the final floats at Rex in early December 2014.

Marcus Bronson and Randy Ernst put flowers on the Rex floats in December 2014

Randy Enster working at Rex

Randy Enster at Rex

Janine Hayes working on her float for the tit' Rex in

Janine Hayes working on her float for the tit' Rex in early January 2015

Christie Walton working on her float for the tit' Rex in early January 2015

Big Chief Pie, Kevin, and Big Queen Denice work on Pie's apron.

Big Chief Pie and son 2nd Chief Jeremy "lil Pie" Stevenson at Sweet Lorraine's for the first Monogram Hunters Indian practice of the 2015 season in early January 2015.

2nd Chief Jeremy "lil Pie" Stevenson at Sweet Lorraine's for the first Monogram Hunters Indian practice of the 2015 season in early January 2015.

3rd Chief Keelian Dump Boyd Sr at Sweet Lorraine's for the first Monogram Hunters Indian practice of the 2015 season in early January 2015.

Monogram Hunters Indian in early January 2015.

Artist working at Mardi Gras World on January 6, 2015.

Member of Zulu at the Mardi Gras World opening to Carnival Season on January 6, 2015. Carnival kicks off on the Twelfth Night of Christmas.

Members of Rex and Zulu join Mayor Mitch Landrieu and his wife Cheryl Quirk in cutting a King Cake for the opening of Carnival Season on January 6, 2015. Carnival kicks off on the Twelfth Night of Christmas.

Mardi Gras world at the start of Carnival 2015.

Phunny Phorty Phellows on the Twelfth Night marking the start of Carnival season in New Orleans on January 6, 2015

Phunny Phorty Phellows

Storyville Stompers roll with the Phunny Phorty Phellows on the Twelfth Night to kick off Carnival.

Susan of the Phunny Phorty Phellows

Phunny Phorty Phellows roll down St Charles.

The Phunny Phorty Phellows Ball at the Rock'n Bowl

Honoring the new King and Queen of the krewe at the Phunny Phorty Phellows Ball at the Rock'n Bowl

The Phunny Phorty Phellows Ball at the Rock'n Bowl

Benny Grunch and the Bunch play the Phunny Phorty Phellows Ball at the Rock'n Bowl

Big Chief Pie sewing on January 8.

Dana Embree working on her float for the tit' Rex on January 11.

Monogram Hunters Indian Practice on January 11.

Monogram Hunters Indian Practice

Spy Boy Zach at Monogram Hunters Indian Practice

Second Chief Jeremy "lil Pie" Stevenson and Big Chief Pie during Monogram Hunters Indian Practice at Sweet Lorraine's on January 11.

Michael Cerveris working on his float for the tit' Rex on January 11.

Southern Costume Company

Krewe of Freret King Bobby Hjortsberg and his Queen Allison making the final adjustments to their suits at Southern Costume Company on January 10.

Krewe of Freret King Bobby Hjortsberg

Southern Costume Company on January 10.

David painting a piece for the kings float at Krewe of Carrollton on January 16.

Krewe of Carrollton on January 16.

Jefferson Variety Mardi Gras Store on January 16.

Krewe of Athena Queen Ayanna Fultz prepares with family for the krewe first Ball on January 18.

Krewe of Athena's first Coronation Ball at Xavier on January 18. The all female krewe is the first all African American krewe to roll in Jefferson Parish

Members of Krewe of Athena prepare for the Ball.

Krewe of Athena Ball

King and Queen of Krewe of Athena

Krewe of Athena Ball

King and Queen of Krewe of Athena honor the members of the krewe.

Katrina Brees at work in her studio on January 21.

Christie Walton working on her float for the tit' Rex on January 25.

Big Chief Pie at work on January 21.

Rex den on January 22

Members of tit' Rex work on tiny throws on January 22.

Caesar Meadows and Brett Evans look at a collection of Mardi Gras coins

Tiny throws at a tit' Rex throws party on January 22.

Haydel King Cake

King Cake dough

Employees at Haydel's Bakery roll out future King Cakes on January 27.

Frosting King Cakes and Haydel's Bakery.

Jefferson Variety on January 23.

Krewe of Carrollton on January 23.

Dames de Perlage on January 24.

Members of Dames de Perlage work on there suits on January 24.

Members of Dames de Perlage at work

Members of Dames de Perlage work on there suits on January 24.

Krewe of Confetti Kids on January 24.

El Lucha Krewe dressed practice on January 25.

Bo Dollis Jr. at the Monogram Hunter indian practice on January 25.

2nd Chief Dump, Big Chief of the Black Feather Lionel “Bumma” Delpit III and Kevin

Monogram Hunter indian practice on January 25.

Big Chief Pie work on his suit on January 26.

Rex den on January 27.

Marcus working on the Butterfly King's wand at the Rex den on January 27.

Mary Stewart Bailey getting the costumes ready at the Rex den on January 27.

Members of Muses decorate shoes on January 27.

Monogram Hunters Big Queen Denice (right) and her sister Stephanie Bennett (center) help put the final touches on Big Chief Pie's crown while Pie and Larry Terrence (left) watch, on January 27.

3rd Chief Dump works on his suit on January 28.

Spy Boy Jon and 3rd Chief Dump go over materials for their suits on January 28.

Spy Boy Jon and 3rd Chief Dump

Members of Dames de Perlage visit WWOZ to talk with DJ Nita about their work and which parades they will be in.

Maskarade in the Quarter

Muses shoes

Muses working on shoes for their parade on January 29.

Muse Julie

Muse Weezie Porter

Muse Lorrie Guiza

Dancing Man 504 checks out the paint work on his float for Krewe Dat on January 30.

A Krewe Delusion float ready for the parade on January 30.

Golden Blades Big Chief Derrick Hulin and Flag Boy Alphonse at a Xavier for Bo Dollis' funeral on January 31.

Gathering of Mardi Gras Indians for Bo Dollis' funeral on January 31.

Shining Star Hunters Gang Flag Ronald "Ronnie" Matthews (middle) Creole Wild West Flag Boy Ronnie (right) line up during Bo Dollis' funeral.

Bo Dollis' funeral on January 31.

The feather room at Jefferson Variety on January 31.

Jessica at Jefferson Variety

Members of Krewe of NOMTOC and Zulu shopping at Jefferson Variety on January 31

pre Krewe du Vieux on January 31

Grand Marshal Marty Graw and Professor Carl Nivale

Dancing Man 504 crowning Allison the Queen of Freret before Krewe du Vieux.

Bobby being crowned King of Freret by the 2014 King Jason Williams shortly before Krewe du Vieux on January 31.

Krewe du Vieux on January 31

Panorama Brass Band during Krewe Delusion on January 31

Krewe Delusion on January 31

Thoth open house on February 1.

Caesar Meadows working on his float for tit' Rex on January 2.

Jeannie Detweiler working on her tit' Rex float.

Props at Thoth for Druids on February 4.

Hank works on props at the Thoth den for Druids on February 4.

Thoth den

Muses working on shoes for their parade on January 29.

Keerthi Mcintosh works on his shoe in preparation for the Muses parade.

Kathleen Parke works on her Tulane themed shoe with other members of Muses on January 29.

Big Chief Pie and Big Queen Denice work on the queen's apron on February 5

With help from friends and family Big Chief Pie and Big Queen Denice work on their suits on February 5.

A King Cake from Dong Phuong on February 5.

Members of Athena in Metairie for the start of their parade on February 6.

Members of Krewe of Excalibur in Metairie get ready for the start of their parade on February 6.

The King of Excalibur in Metairie preparade on February 6.

Members of the Krewe of Athena

A decorate hats are the special throw of Athena

Athena preparing to roll

Queen Ayanna ready to roll with Krewe of Athena

Mcdonogh 35 marching band in Athena

Krewe of Athena rolls for the first time on February 6.

Members of Krewe of Freret prep their floats the night before their parade on February 6.

Krewe of Freret

Krewe of Freret members get ready the day of the parade on February 7.

Krewe of Freret

Krewe of Freret members get ready the day of the parade on February 7.

Freret King Bobby helps manage the lineup preparade on February 7.

Jason Williams 2014 King of Krewe of Freret on February 7.

Dames de Perlage pre Krewe of Freret on February 7.

Dames de Perlage members pre Krewe of Freret on February 7.

Members of Krewe of Choctaw on February 7.

Awaiting the start of the parade

Krewe of Freret rolling in Uptown New Orleans on February 7.

El Lucha Krewe marching with Krewe of Freret

Krewe of Freret rolling into the CBD in New Orleans on February 7.

Dames de Perlage

The end of the parade for Krewe of Freret

tit' Rex rolling in the Marigny on February 7.

tit' Rex Ping Pong Ball at the Allways Lounge

Members of Purple Lightening form for their procession on February 8.

Purple Lightning Queen

Purple Lightning rolling through the ByWater on February 8.

Monogram Hunters Indian Practice on February 8.

2nd Queen Christine Cook and her daughter

Sweet Lorraine's on February 8.

Big Chief Pie helps 2nd Queen Christine with her suit on February 9

Denice's mother helps with finishing the suits.

2nd Queen 2nd Queen Christine gets help with her suit on February 9

Nyx work on purses the night before their parade on February 9.

Hank working on Druids floats on February 10

Arthur of Druids

Members of Thoth arrive at the den to load their throws on to floats on February 10.

Members of Thoth load their throws on to floats on February 10.

Thoth on February 10.

members of Rex at after lunch at Antoine's in the French Quarter on February 11.

Members of Druids court a possible Queen in the French Quarter on February 11.

One of Keerthi McIntosh's Muse Shoes ready for the parade on February 11.

Muses load their floats with throws in preparation for the parade on February 11.

Pam Cooper shows a cockroach throw to Andrea Legrand

Sisters get help setting up their float area at Muses.

Rex floats loaded with throws on February 12.

Randy Enster, who constructs the flowers for Rex at the den on February 12.

Rex floats loaded with throws on February 12.

Zombi Sailor Lisa gets ready to march in Muses on February 12.

Dead Rock Stars hang out before Muses on February 12. Their 2015 tribute was to Adam "MCA" Yauch of the Beastie Boys.

Flambeaux wait for the start of the parade.

Bearded Oyster

Muse Lauren Del Rio

Rolling Elvi

Pussyfooter

Bearded Oysters

Katrina Brees

Flambeaux

Muses rolling down Magazine Street on February 12.

Pussyfooters in Muses

Rolling Elvi

Muses rolling down Magazine Street on February 12.

Dead Rock Stars

A crowd gathering for the greasing of the pole in the French Quarter on February 13.

Maskarade in the Quarter

French Quarter on February 13.

Big Chief Pie at work on February 13.

People stake out their parade spots along Canal Street for Endymion on February 13.

Endymion party on February 14.

The Dixie Cups perform at a pre-Endymion party along the route on February 14.

Endymion rolls through Mid City on February 14.

Irish Channel Corner Club get ready to march in Thoth on February 15.

Members of Thoth prepare at the top of the route for their parade on February 15.

The clean up crew that follows Thoth on February 15.

Thoth rolls down St Charles in the CBD on February 15.

Irish Channel Corner Club in action along St Charles in the CBD

Thoth rolls down St Charles in the CBD on February 15.

Final Monogram Hunters Indian Practice before Fat Tuesday on February 15.

Larry helping with finishing up a boot on February 15.

Al "Carnival Time" Johnson in the Red Beans and Rice Parade on February 16.

The Red Beans and Rice Parade on February 16.

FiYiYi Queen Kim and Baby Doll Cinnamon Black check out Red Beans Parade founder Devin De Wulf's suit during the Red Beans and Rice Parade on February 16.

Big Queen Denice puts the final touches on her suit the night before Fat Tuesday on February 16.

Members of Rex await the start of their parade on Fat Tuesday February 17, 2015.

Big Chief Pie makes some calls before putting on his suit for Fat Tuesday on February 17.

Big Queen Denice puts on her boots for Fat Tuesday on February 17.

Monogram Hunters Big Chief "Pie" Tyrone Stevenson puts on his white suit for the first time with the help of his son Tyrone Jr. on Fat Tuesday 2015. Chief Pie has been masking for 33 years, but took a fifteen year hiatus between 1999-2014. "I have been doing this since I was 12." says Pie, "I came back because things wasn't right, and we have to make them right with tribes and children. We are lacking with the babies, cause they are the future of indian sewing. Once we stop there won't be anything to look forward to. We need community centers where we can teach these kids sewing, the art of making a suit, why we chant, why we dance, why we do everything."