Mardi Gras Groove!

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Mardi Gras is upon us and the "Fat Tuesday" celebrations have already began. Friday (the 13th), yours truly attended the Mardi Gras Groove at the Atomic Cowboy in the heart of the Manchester Grove.

New Orleans native Pamela Raymond of the Raymond Experience PR and Marketing firm, held court as queen of the ball and event organizer. To Raymond, the key to celebrating like a true Louisiana lies in knowledge. The event, was a fitting kick-off to Saint Louis’ own illustrious Mardi Gras celebration and gave attendees the opportunity to learn about things like the history and ritual of Mardi Gras, and the definitions of favorite Cajun catchphrases, while enjoying cocktails and gifts such as the ever-present Mardi Gras beads.  Raymond even encouraged some of her New Orleans brethren to come to the event, sending invitations and offering incentives to attendees able to present a valid Louisiana issued ID, or student ID from the areas’ many universities, in the hopes that they’ll be able to share a bit of their New Orleans with us as well.

Although she has lived in Saint Louis for thirteen years, Raymond hasn’t forgotten her Southern-fried charm- or her love for her hometown, which is why she wanted to bring the spicy essence of the bayou to Saint Louis. “I thought to myself, ‘I love Mardi Gras, I love New Orleans. Now, how can I share some of my personal experiences with the city I have adopted as my second home?”

Those experiences and memories of Mardi Gras center around family and ceremony, aspects of the celebration that may not spring first to mind when recalling the historically bourbon-soaked holiday. Raymond wants to change that. She says, “That’s the great thing about New Orleans’ Mardi Gras. You can take pretty much anything YOU want away from the experience. That area is so steeped in tradition but it also values individuality. That’s why it’s called ‘The Big Easy.’” 

The inventive mind behind St. Louis tastemaker events such as Sauce Magazine’s, “Saucy Soiree” and the recent “New Years’ Eve At Moulin”, Pamela now had the opportunity to bring a bit of herself into the mix, giving residents of the city she has come to love an education in the city she left behind. As for “lagniappe”? The glossary on the Experience New Orleans’ website defines lagniappe as “Something extra that you didn't pay for--thrown in to sweeten the deal--like a baker's dozen.”  Attendees of the "Soirez" received  a “Lagniappe Pack,” complete with complimentary pint of Samuel Adams, Tarot Card readings, New Orleans-style gumbo and King Cake, as well as a chance to win tickets to a St. Louis sporting event, courtesy of St. Louis Sports Magazine or a gift certificate from Salon Privé were also on the menu. A specialty cocktail, “The Perfect Storm Hurricane” also got the party kickin'.

Spotted in the packed house were lawyer Aime Needham, Estee Lauder's Kyle Hamilton, political candidate running for the 25th ward alderman Shane Cohn, Sauce Magazine publisher Allyson Mace, adventure photographer Steve Perotti and OBGYN/ pilot Dr. Teressa Knight! Be sure and check out the Photo Gallery for more party pics!

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DSly the Style Guy