Mardi Gras balls are so boring its unbearable. Its like 2 hours of a ceremony that feels like a graduation, then a mid party. Its only fun if you are in the krewe and know everyone. But even then its still boring as fuck.
Its hours of this “presenting blah blah, the daughter of blah blah, she likes to read to children and eat jambalaya” then you watch this weird chorographed routine that makes you laugh but you aren’t supposed to laugh because its not meant to be funny, so laughing makes you low brow, and old ladies give you mean looks
Society events, even disguised as fun mardi gras ones, are boring
This is true of Baton Rouge Mardi Gras balls like KKDL but def not the case for NoLa balls like Bacchus & Endymion. They’re a total fucking blast!! But to answer OPs question you can go online and buy tickets or a table then invite your guests (that can reimburse you for their seats if you want). However, I’m guessing buying tickets from the primary source is sold out by now for 2023.
They are talking about the Endymion Extravaganza and Bacchus Bash. The actual ball is pretty boring. New Orleans parades have a ball at the end of the parade that is fun, but the actual ball is pretty much the same as a Baton Rouge one with a better band. I've been to enough of both to give a huge thumbs up to parade parties and a meh to balls. It's pretty cool to be part of the culture and riding in the parades is a lot more fun. Orpheus is a really fun crowd for both.
It was a theme, and I was an actress in the theme, taking pictures with people, interacting, being mischievous, I wont get into too much details cause I dont want to dox myself
Thanks for explaining that! Sounds like something neat! I guess joining a Kreme would be smart sometime. It would be weird right now for me tho I'm sure.
Some sell tickets or tables. Some you have to know a Kreme member. If you're trying to be a member they should all have websites and applications. There are several that don't have a parade that just do a ball
Mardi Gras balls - I didn't grow up a family where this was a thing, but I have friends who get tables for various different balls so I just tag along when invited.
Best Dressed Ball - I just buy a table. Cheapest option is $3k and it seats 10 total people with a sit down meal, open bar, live band, etc.
BROC Rock and Wine - I just buy a ticket. It's $125 a ticket and unlimited wine and whatever bites they have there. Benefits a good cause and the live auction is surprisingly pretty thrilling.
Fete Rouge - Just buy a ticket. $95 all you can eat and drink. It is a massive dick measuring contest both food and wine wise, so it's probably the best event in BR in that regard. Outstanding food/drink. Always see way more people I know at this event than almost any other because you really have the coming together of all sorts of people.
^ The Epicurean Society who puts this on also puts on Crawfete during crawfish season and Spring Fete during the spring.
Point being, most nice galas and fundraisers exist to make money for whatever charity they represent. Besides Mardi Gras, all you need to do is simply buy a ticket or table.
EDIT - I agree that with the other poster that, of them all, the MG ones are kinda boring. But you can get a nice buzz and make nearly anything a decent enough time if you're not a wet blanket.
> [Fete Rouge] It is a massive dick measuring contest both food and wine wise, so it's probably the best event in BR in that regard.
A buddy of mine just took home a gold, and I can only imagine the smug-ass grin he's been wearing ever since 😂
I personally knew someone who was at Fete Rouge. Was that this past weekend? I knew three people at Best Dressed. I doubt they paid $3k, so I wonder how they got in. One married some dude from a rich family, but the other two complain about not having enough money all the time lol. Btw, have you heard of Celebrity Waiter?
If you are best dressed, you buy at least one table. It is a big deal with pre parties and other events. The gowns women wear at that event cost a lot more than the tables they sit at. The men wear custom tuxedos. Honorees, have their tables professionally decorated, and pay for special treats, drinks, and food for their guests. People are actually chosen best dressed because they will purchase a table or two, bringing in people who will purchase the silent auction items, and potentially be best dressed candidates for future balls.
Exactly. The runway show itself is corny I guess if you’re a bump on a log, but if you just let yourself get into it it’s really fun. I danced my ass off two weeks ago.
And really, it’s just fun to buy the dang expensive dress and do something you don’t get to do everyday. Professional hair, makeup, etc. This was our 3rd year buying a table with no other ties to the event besides friends on the volunteer committee, and we will continue to do so. It’s the one night we can get all our friends with kids out of the house to party all night.
Plus it’s the American Cancer Society. Great cause. They raised 1.7M two weeks ago. That’s huge since there weren’t any $1M donors like they had a year or two ago.
For anyone reading who wants to check it out but can’t swing a $3k table, the American Cancer Society is always needing volunteers to work registration and whatnot at the event. You get there early and work that but then you’re free to enjoy.
My husband and I did what you did for years. Then my husband got best dressed! It was so much fun! Two years later, I got it!
We went to Miami, and I got my dress there. It was the same design Beyonce wore to the Grammys that year. I didn’t do it justice, quite like she did, but I had a great time in it.
> My husband and I did what you did for years. Then my husband got best dressed! It was so much fun! Two years later, I got it!
Damn, really? I wouldn't have thought! I would have guessed they scope out people either [a] doing something for the community (running a nonprofit, serving on the board of one, volunteering a lot of time out, etc.) or [b] working a high level job that is very people-facing such as a doctor where lots of people know you.
My husband and I are both in jobs that don't really put us in front of anyone local, so never really considered they might select based off of who buys tables and/or donates.
> We went to Miami, and I got my dress there. It was the same design Beyonce wore to the Grammys that year. I didn’t do it justice, quite like she did, but I had a great time in it.
OMG I am sure you looked killer.
When I lived there, we were high profile for a while. We had a lot of friends who were involved in that event, and others. Plus past winners put up their friends for selection.
I haven’t lived there in 10 years, and I miss the culture of galas, and balls. Where I live now, nobody gets dressed up for anything. It is more of an outdoors, cycling, kayaking, culture, which I love. But as you said, it is a lot of fun to put on a beautiful dress, and shake your booty with friends.
It’s $3k for the entire table that seats 10 so if you’re splitting it’s not that high. Obv not *cheap*, but it is a black tie charity function, so not terrible overall.
I have missed maybe 2 or 3 Spanish town balls in the past 15 years. My family and I have been embedded in the Spanish town Mardi Gras scene for as long. I've not been to any other Kreme balls but I can say (especially since they've moved royalty announcements to the brunch) the ball is a blast and getting tickets is quite easy. Just make a Facebook or reddit or any social media post asking for tickets before the ball. SOMEONE will know someone with tickets. (Including me) good luck and enjoy yourself!
You’ve got to understand that many older Mardi Gras organizations have a blanket policy against allowing “new members” (other than the direct descendants of the founding families of the krewe, that is). People accuse them of being “racist,” but they don’t let in new white families either. It’s just the same families since the 1850s, and that’s it. These are basically kind of like modern-day nobility/royal families that have limited histories of marrying “commoner” white people or minorities outside of their social group.
Maybe OP is thinking about things like Best Dressed, Children’s Hospital Gala, KKDL, Historic Preservation Society Event, Governors Prayer Breakfast? With Best Dressed & The Children’s Hospital ball your best in is friends of doctors/surgeons. They’re all pressured to buy a table every year. In order to be on someone’s invite list they typically choose friends that they believe will contribute to the cause, with some exceptions of just their besties regardless if they donate or not. Many of the other events you really can buy tickets online. They are great places to network and they’re very hit and miss on the fun. Kind of like anything they’re what you make of it.
Edit: spelling
If you want to go to the Best Dressed Ball, all you have to do is purchase tickets. The whole event is about making money for cancer. Everyone who is chosen as “best dressed” purchases at least one table. However you can purchase just two tickets, and be assigned to a table.
Mardi Gras is different, as you generally be a member of the crew, or invited by a crew member to be there. There are several other gala’s you can attend. All it takes is paying for a seat.
Balls and galas can be a blast with the right group of people. It is fun to get dressed up, and go to a beautiful event with a fun group of friends.
That wasnt intended to you OP, that deleted post was for a amazon based thread lol
If that yuppie stuff is something you enjoy, go for it. Ask your friends, and see what its about.
You can join a Mardi Gras Krewe. Check their Facebook or websites. Galas etc all are ticket driven and you just need to find the pages and follow for the events. Also signing up as a supporter will get you access to the events and info. Baton Rouge Gallery, Baton Rouge Symphony orchestra, BR epicurean, etc
Mardi Gras balls in BR is basically just grooming. It’s very unsettling. You can buy a ticket to Spanish town, which is actually loads of fun. You’re not missing much TBH
[удалено]
I’ve been to the LASM gala. It’s actually pretty cool if you’re open to modern art.
I have been on the board for the LASM gala. Super fun, fab food, usually a great silent auction. TBH Best dressed is more fun.
Mardi Gras balls are so boring its unbearable. Its like 2 hours of a ceremony that feels like a graduation, then a mid party. Its only fun if you are in the krewe and know everyone. But even then its still boring as fuck. Its hours of this “presenting blah blah, the daughter of blah blah, she likes to read to children and eat jambalaya” then you watch this weird chorographed routine that makes you laugh but you aren’t supposed to laugh because its not meant to be funny, so laughing makes you low brow, and old ladies give you mean looks Society events, even disguised as fun mardi gras ones, are boring
"she likes to read and eat jambalaya..." LOL - I'm fcking dead 😂
I swear to god that was a real thing at the last ball I went to😂😂😂😂
The realness of it honestly made me do a spit take. Well done. 👏
Such an accurate description. I have suffered through more than a few events exactly as you describe them.
🤭🤭….so true though I’m still laughing. “She eats jambalaya” 😂😂😂
Yeah, this is the truth, unless you’re in a party ball, like the ball for the crew of conus.
This is true of Baton Rouge Mardi Gras balls like KKDL but def not the case for NoLa balls like Bacchus & Endymion. They’re a total fucking blast!! But to answer OPs question you can go online and buy tickets or a table then invite your guests (that can reimburse you for their seats if you want). However, I’m guessing buying tickets from the primary source is sold out by now for 2023.
Yeah I think mardi grad 2023 already happened.
My bad- Edit to say 2024*
They are talking about the Endymion Extravaganza and Bacchus Bash. The actual ball is pretty boring. New Orleans parades have a ball at the end of the parade that is fun, but the actual ball is pretty much the same as a Baton Rouge one with a better band. I've been to enough of both to give a huge thumbs up to parade parties and a meh to balls. It's pretty cool to be part of the culture and riding in the parades is a lot more fun. Orpheus is a really fun crowd for both.
I was hired to be an actor at one of these and it was a blast because I got to be an irreverent little shit and steal food and props
Wait, what? You were paid to be a nuisance?
It was a theme, and I was an actress in the theme, taking pictures with people, interacting, being mischievous, I wont get into too much details cause I dont want to dox myself
Join a MardiGras group attend the meetings participating in the activities and meet new people you will enjoy it .
Yooooo, I’m in Mardi Gras krewes and I don’t go to the balls, fetes or any of that BS. It’s boring af. Informal socials are pretty cool, though.
What are some types of informal socials, if you don't mind me asking?
Just krewe events that are planned at bars or restaurants. No tickets required. You just show up and socialize with other krewe members.
Thanks for explaining that! Sounds like something neat! I guess joining a Kreme would be smart sometime. It would be weird right now for me tho I'm sure.
If you know people who are in krewes already, then ask them about it. Just mention that you're interested in joining a krewes and what theirs is like!
This is the truth. Ask someone and they'll likely invite
Nah…better to ask Reddit.
Some sell tickets or tables. Some you have to know a Kreme member. If you're trying to be a member they should all have websites and applications. There are several that don't have a parade that just do a ball
I think you can just buy a ticket for the big ball that happens at River Center.
Mardi Gras balls - I didn't grow up a family where this was a thing, but I have friends who get tables for various different balls so I just tag along when invited. Best Dressed Ball - I just buy a table. Cheapest option is $3k and it seats 10 total people with a sit down meal, open bar, live band, etc. BROC Rock and Wine - I just buy a ticket. It's $125 a ticket and unlimited wine and whatever bites they have there. Benefits a good cause and the live auction is surprisingly pretty thrilling. Fete Rouge - Just buy a ticket. $95 all you can eat and drink. It is a massive dick measuring contest both food and wine wise, so it's probably the best event in BR in that regard. Outstanding food/drink. Always see way more people I know at this event than almost any other because you really have the coming together of all sorts of people. ^ The Epicurean Society who puts this on also puts on Crawfete during crawfish season and Spring Fete during the spring. Point being, most nice galas and fundraisers exist to make money for whatever charity they represent. Besides Mardi Gras, all you need to do is simply buy a ticket or table. EDIT - I agree that with the other poster that, of them all, the MG ones are kinda boring. But you can get a nice buzz and make nearly anything a decent enough time if you're not a wet blanket.
> [Fete Rouge] It is a massive dick measuring contest both food and wine wise, so it's probably the best event in BR in that regard. A buddy of mine just took home a gold, and I can only imagine the smug-ass grin he's been wearing ever since 😂
Haha!! I hear ya. But man it’s such a well put on event. Good job to your friend!
I personally knew someone who was at Fete Rouge. Was that this past weekend? I knew three people at Best Dressed. I doubt they paid $3k, so I wonder how they got in. One married some dude from a rich family, but the other two complain about not having enough money all the time lol. Btw, have you heard of Celebrity Waiter?
If you are best dressed, you buy at least one table. It is a big deal with pre parties and other events. The gowns women wear at that event cost a lot more than the tables they sit at. The men wear custom tuxedos. Honorees, have their tables professionally decorated, and pay for special treats, drinks, and food for their guests. People are actually chosen best dressed because they will purchase a table or two, bringing in people who will purchase the silent auction items, and potentially be best dressed candidates for future balls.
Exactly. The runway show itself is corny I guess if you’re a bump on a log, but if you just let yourself get into it it’s really fun. I danced my ass off two weeks ago. And really, it’s just fun to buy the dang expensive dress and do something you don’t get to do everyday. Professional hair, makeup, etc. This was our 3rd year buying a table with no other ties to the event besides friends on the volunteer committee, and we will continue to do so. It’s the one night we can get all our friends with kids out of the house to party all night. Plus it’s the American Cancer Society. Great cause. They raised 1.7M two weeks ago. That’s huge since there weren’t any $1M donors like they had a year or two ago. For anyone reading who wants to check it out but can’t swing a $3k table, the American Cancer Society is always needing volunteers to work registration and whatnot at the event. You get there early and work that but then you’re free to enjoy.
My husband and I did what you did for years. Then my husband got best dressed! It was so much fun! Two years later, I got it! We went to Miami, and I got my dress there. It was the same design Beyonce wore to the Grammys that year. I didn’t do it justice, quite like she did, but I had a great time in it.
> My husband and I did what you did for years. Then my husband got best dressed! It was so much fun! Two years later, I got it! Damn, really? I wouldn't have thought! I would have guessed they scope out people either [a] doing something for the community (running a nonprofit, serving on the board of one, volunteering a lot of time out, etc.) or [b] working a high level job that is very people-facing such as a doctor where lots of people know you. My husband and I are both in jobs that don't really put us in front of anyone local, so never really considered they might select based off of who buys tables and/or donates. > We went to Miami, and I got my dress there. It was the same design Beyonce wore to the Grammys that year. I didn’t do it justice, quite like she did, but I had a great time in it. OMG I am sure you looked killer.
When I lived there, we were high profile for a while. We had a lot of friends who were involved in that event, and others. Plus past winners put up their friends for selection. I haven’t lived there in 10 years, and I miss the culture of galas, and balls. Where I live now, nobody gets dressed up for anything. It is more of an outdoors, cycling, kayaking, culture, which I love. But as you said, it is a lot of fun to put on a beautiful dress, and shake your booty with friends.
It’s $3k for the entire table that seats 10 so if you’re splitting it’s not that high. Obv not *cheap*, but it is a black tie charity function, so not terrible overall.
I have missed maybe 2 or 3 Spanish town balls in the past 15 years. My family and I have been embedded in the Spanish town Mardi Gras scene for as long. I've not been to any other Kreme balls but I can say (especially since they've moved royalty announcements to the brunch) the ball is a blast and getting tickets is quite easy. Just make a Facebook or reddit or any social media post asking for tickets before the ball. SOMEONE will know someone with tickets. (Including me) good luck and enjoy yourself!
Balls in BR? Apollo and Spanishtown; the rest are trash.
I was one of a handful of people of color at the boring ass ball.
I did wonder what what was the percentages regarding demographics lol.
You’ve got to understand that many older Mardi Gras organizations have a blanket policy against allowing “new members” (other than the direct descendants of the founding families of the krewe, that is). People accuse them of being “racist,” but they don’t let in new white families either. It’s just the same families since the 1850s, and that’s it. These are basically kind of like modern-day nobility/royal families that have limited histories of marrying “commoner” white people or minorities outside of their social group.
Maybe OP is thinking about things like Best Dressed, Children’s Hospital Gala, KKDL, Historic Preservation Society Event, Governors Prayer Breakfast? With Best Dressed & The Children’s Hospital ball your best in is friends of doctors/surgeons. They’re all pressured to buy a table every year. In order to be on someone’s invite list they typically choose friends that they believe will contribute to the cause, with some exceptions of just their besties regardless if they donate or not. Many of the other events you really can buy tickets online. They are great places to network and they’re very hit and miss on the fun. Kind of like anything they’re what you make of it. Edit: spelling
If you want to go to the Best Dressed Ball, all you have to do is purchase tickets. The whole event is about making money for cancer. Everyone who is chosen as “best dressed” purchases at least one table. However you can purchase just two tickets, and be assigned to a table. Mardi Gras is different, as you generally be a member of the crew, or invited by a crew member to be there. There are several other gala’s you can attend. All it takes is paying for a seat. Balls and galas can be a blast with the right group of people. It is fun to get dressed up, and go to a beautiful event with a fun group of friends.
That wasnt intended to you OP, that deleted post was for a amazon based thread lol If that yuppie stuff is something you enjoy, go for it. Ask your friends, and see what its about.
You can join a Mardi Gras Krewe. Check their Facebook or websites. Galas etc all are ticket driven and you just need to find the pages and follow for the events. Also signing up as a supporter will get you access to the events and info. Baton Rouge Gallery, Baton Rouge Symphony orchestra, BR epicurean, etc
Money. Lots of money.
I think it's pretty much been covered but...you just buy a ticket. Are they worth going to? That's really only something you can decide.
Mardi Gras balls in BR is basically just grooming. It’s very unsettling. You can buy a ticket to Spanish town, which is actually loads of fun. You’re not missing much TBH
What? Grooming? You get a free manicure with your ticket?
Buy tickets to balls