29 episodes

Renaissance Publishing's Errol Laborde and cohost Rich Collins dive into the history, tradition and modern celebration of New Orleans Carnival.

Mardi Gras Beyond The Beads New Orleans Magazine

    • History
    • 4.5 • 24 Ratings

Renaissance Publishing's Errol Laborde and cohost Rich Collins dive into the history, tradition and modern celebration of New Orleans Carnival.

    S4, Episode 5: Carnival A to Z

    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 Historic New Orleans Collection's Lydia Blackmore, curator of Decorative Arts, who discusses the history of Carnival ladders. 

    • 1 hr 44 min
    S4, Episode 4: The Evolution of Mardi Gras

    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. 

    • 59 min
    S4, Episode 3: The History of King Cakes

    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. 

    • 35 min
    S4, Episode 2: Queen Reesie, Guardians of the Flame

    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 alive for future generations.

    • 33 min
    S4, Episode 1: The Krewe of Orpheus

    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. 

    • 34 min
    S3, Episode 5: The History of Throws

    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.

    • 26 min

Customer Reviews

4.5 out of 5
24 Ratings

24 Ratings

LeePilleteri ,

Love it!

Living in Birmingham, Alabama and riding in a New Orleans Krewe (Hail Thoth!) this podcast is absolutely amazing and keeps me in the Mardi Gras spirit while still being hundreds of miles away! It’s also made the cancellation of 2021 parades a lot easier getting to listen each week and learn more and more about the history of my favorite holiday season!

bbirdwell84 ,

Fix the sound!

Great podcast lots of interesting history and insight. Some episodes have just terrible sound quality. Check your sound set up dude! Example season 2 episode 2 is unlistenable. Errol is so low you can’t hear him and the interviewer is super loud, I about blew up my car speakers.

i❤HK ,

Laissez les Bon Temps Rouler 🥳

Being originally from Baton Rouge, this lets me get my fix of NOLA!
I love it!

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