Zulu float riders, one of whom is holding up a coconut in one hand and in the other, a strand of Mardi Gras beads strung with a gigantic gold ball
Flashing for Beads

Flashing for Beads

As flashing for beads has evolved into a Mardi Gras pastime, “Show your tits!” has become as much a part of the lexicon as “Throw me something, mister!” But those inclined to revel in the risqué should be mindful of the fact that what was once a spontaneous and casual...

Throw Me Something Mister!

Throw Me Something Mister!

In the heat of the moment, the perceived value of the exotic bounty tossed from parade floats cannot be measured in dollars and cents. Because it cannot be bought, only bestowed and won, it is, in a sense, priceless.The quest for beaucoup booty at Mardi Gras A...

Throw-Catching Tips

Throw-Catching Tips

Increasing your chances of reaping a worthy share of the coveted spoils begins with recognizing that, while throws are sometimes tossed at random to parade audiences, most of what float riders toss is aimed at specific people, with a lot of the best stuff saved for...

John Lawson

John Lawson

What many people would regard as junk is, for New Orleans artist John Lawson, a “natural resource”—and a compelling artistic medium. A native of Birmingham, England, he uses Mardi Gras beads to bedeck all manner of objects–pianos, bongo drums, shoes, bones,...

All things Mardi Gras in New Orleans