2008 Mardi Gras Pictures
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Mardi Gras visit Nick's on Second in Eunice, Jan. 12, 2008

These photos were taken about 8:30 p.m. when Mardi Gras paid a visit to the Nick's on 2nd Saturday night dance at which Jackie Caillier, Ivy Dugas and the Cajun Cousins were performing. The Mardi circled around the dance floor, gathered to sing their song and catch coins thrown by the crowd, and then danced with everyone.  As invariably happens, they didn't want to leave, so the capitaines had to drag them out of the dance hall after finding their hiding places among the tables where people were seated. Mardi Gras may show up at such events at any time, but D.I.'s Cajun Restaurant in Tee-Mamou is especially famous for such invasions. Click on thumbnails to access larger photos. 

Fred's Is Already Jammed and Jammin' Ahead of Mardi Gras, Jan. 26, 2008

These photos were taken during a brief visit to the legendary Fred's Lounge in Mamou at about 11 a.m. Saturday, Jan. 26.  The live KVPI radio broadcast had concluded more than an hour earlier.  Fred's was jam packed, with the overflow crowd gathered under a canopy outside at the back entrance. Kyle Huval and the Dixie Club Ramblers were really jamming from one corner of the lounge next to the Wall of Fame displaying photos of Cajun musicians. Somehow, dancers managed to find room to waltz and two-step while the rest of the crowd were already celebrating Mardi Gras, Mamou style. The band members include Kyle Huval on accordion, Brandon Moreau on fiddle and vocals, Robin Bruck on fiddle, Beth Fogleman on guitar, Cody LaFleur on drums, Brett Denais on bass.  It was hard to maneuver into position for a good photo of the woman whose energy and hospitality are at the center of a Cajun experience available nowhere else, so included in this set of 2008 photos is a photo of Tante Sue de Mamou taken in 2006 during the celebration of Fred's 60th anniversary, showing her taking a swig of Hot Damn Schnapps that she transports in a leather holster.