CULTURE CLASH GALVESTON - Jan/Feb 2024

CULTURE

CLASH a venue for Galveston’s free thinkers

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WED: Ladies Night 7PM - 10PM THURS: Total Texas Thursdays 7PM - 10PM FRI & SAT: Live Entertainment 7PM - 11PM SUN: Sing-A-Long Sunday 5PM - 9PM

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MArdi GRas LETTER FROM PUBLISHER: Mardi Gras Galveston is nothing short of pure magic! I speak from decades of experience and countless interactions with various Mardi Gras players. Our great island has been hosting this seasonal festival since at least 1861 and the party has only grown over time.

After over six years of publishing Galveston content, we felt it was time to shine a light on one of our community’s most loved events. We are excited to present Mardi Gras Galveston over the ages and highlight some of the most important facets that make our celebration unique. Learn more about the origins of Fat Tuesday, the iconic crews, and catch up on the most current Mardi Gras event schedule.

We hope this issue ignites your passion for the island party atmosphere and gets you ready for the revelry to come. Although we come from different cultures and backgrounds, Mardi Gras allows us to come together and celebrate all that life has to offer. Enjoy responsibly and pace yourself, festival season is around the corner.

Les Bon Temps Rouler!

Write us an email or shoot us a comment any time online: CultureClashGalveston.com CultureClashGalveston@gmail.com Janese Maricelli Publisher ON THE COVER: “Mardi Gras Past” cover art collaboration using vintage Mardi Gras posters and digital design by artist Corinne Tamayo.

Big thanks to the Galveston & Texas History Center for access to the complete archive of Mardi Gras Galveston invitations, programs, and tickets from centuries past. See more in person at Rosenberg Library, 2310 Sealy Ave, Galveston, TX 77550 *This magazine is NOT printed on recycled paper or with soy-based inks YET! But we are working on it. Help us get there, advertise or sponsor us!

E-mail for more details CultureClashGalveston@gmail.com.

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table of contents Vol. 7 Issue 2 (Jan/Feb 2024)

DEPARTMENTS 7

You Can Not Resist Carnival

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The Mardi Gras Experience on Galveston Island

EDITOR Lauren Miller CONTRIBUTORS Janese Maricelli • Dan Marks Janae Pulliam JR Shaw • Terri Suduth Dancie Perugini Ware Galveston & Texas History Center

12 Smoke on the Water 14

Mardi Gras Through the Ages

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COOLTURE 23 Featured Artist 23 Rosenburg Library Unveils New Trustees Hall 24 Mardi Gras Schedule 26 Hike for Hope

MAKE A CONNECTION For ad rates or personalized marketing strategies, call us at 409.502.8221

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CHECK US OUT CultureClashGalveston.com instagram.com/CultureClashMagazine facebook.com/CultureClashMag cultureclashgalveston@gmail.com

27 PULSE Calendar

ANNUAL SUBSCRIPTIONS Please mail check payable to Culture Clash 1625 23rd St., • Galveston, TX 77550 In the amount of $24 Note “subscription” in memo line

28 People of Galveston

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STIVAL S E A

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FE GET READY FOR THE NEXT ISSUE!

magazine

LAYOUT & DESIGN JanMar Agency Corinne Tamayo

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10 Knights of Momus History

CL AS H PUBLISHER Janese Maricelli-Thomasson

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MARDI GRAS

CULTURE

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Online Solutions for Your Business or Non-profit Specializing in Web Design & E-Commerce Stores

Proudly serving Galveston County! creativemousestudio.com

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You Can Not Resist

BY JANESE MARICELLI MARDI GRAS, FRENCH FOR “FAT TUESDAY”, IS TRADITIONALLY A FESTIVE DAY CELEBRATED IN FRANCE ON SHROVE TUESDAY (THE TUESDAY BEFORE ASH WEDNESDAY), WHICH MARKS THE CLOSE OF THE PRE-LENTEN SEASON. Lent, in the Christian church, is a period of penitential preparation for Easter. In Western churches, it begins on Ash Wednesday, six and a half weeks before Easter, and provides a 40-day period for fasting and abstinence (Sundays are excluded), in imitation of Jesus Christ’s fasting in the wilderness before he began his public ministry.

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The French name Mardi Gras means Fat Tuesday, from the custom of using all the fats in the home before Lent in preparation for fasting and abstinence.

Outside of the United States, the merrymaking and festivity that takes place in many Roman Catholic countries in the last days and hours before the Lenten season, is referred to as Carnival.

In the United States the principal Carnival celebration is in New Orleans, Louisiana with Galveston, Texas coming in as a very close second. The Carnival season in NOLA opens on Twelfth Night (Epiphany, January 6) and climaxes with the Mardi Gras festivities commencing 10 days before Shrove Tuesday.

This period in Galveston is filled with elaborate revelrous parades, both day and night, building up to Mardi Gras and the Knights of Momus Grand Night Parade. Beads of yellow, gold, green, and purple are commonly distributed, and the eating of king cake is an iconic part of the celebration.

-----Petruzzello, Melissa. “Mardi Gras.”

Britannica, 23 October 2023, britannica.com/topic/MardiGras-carnival

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THE MARDI GRAS EXPERIENCE ON GALVESTON ISLAND BY: JR SHAW CREATOR & HOST OF GALVESTON UNSCRIPTED MARDI GRAS, ALSO KNOWN AS FAT TUESDAY OR CARNIVAL, IS A VIBRANT AND THRILLING FESTIVAL CELEBRATED FROM EUROPE TO SOUTH AMERICA TO MOBILE, NEW ORLEANS, AND A LITTLE ISLAND OFF THE COAST OF TEXAS. Galveston Island is home to the 3rd largest Mardi Gras Celebration in the United States. Like many celebratory traditions in Galveston, Mardi Gras is not only a holiday or just an excuse to let your inhibitions run wild, but it is a time of year that brings Galvestonians and visitors together from around the country.

EAR

LY 1700’S

Mardi Gras first appearing in the United States.

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18 5 3 Galveston founder, Michele Menard, hosting first Mardi Gras Ball.

Mardi Gras is a fun and exciting holiday celebrated by many countries around the world. It dates back thousands of years to pagan spring and fertility rites and is traditionally celebrated on “Fat Tuesday,” the Tuesday before Ash Wednesday and the start of Lent.

The most famous public festivities occur in Brazil, Venice, and New Orleans. During Mardi Gras, people celebrate by wearing costumes, throwing beads and trinkets, decorating floats, and eating King Cake. The first Mardi Gras in the United States was celebrated in Mobile in the early 1700s. Now, celebrations in the United States are most famous in New Orleans.

However, it is safe to say that Mardi Gras made its way to Galveston Island fairly quickly.

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18 8 0

First official masked ball and costumed performance for Mardi Gras.

First grand scale Galveston Mardi Gras celebration.

Mardi Gras celebrations slowed.

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1910

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Karnival Kids revived carnival parades in Galveston.

Mardi Gras comes to a halt due to WWII.

George D. Mitchell revives city wide Mardi Gras celebrations.

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Much like today, the parades and the week-long Mardi Gras celebration included a gala ball and musical performances. Mardi Gras has continued to draw over a quarter million celebratory visitors to the island every year, providing a significant boost to the economy and keeping the tradition of Fat Tuesday alive and well along the Texas Gulf Coast.

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The celebrations continued through WWI and The Great Depression until WWII began.

In 1941, shortages of men and materials and a total commitment to the war effort caused the halt of Mardi Gras on the island.

It wasn’t until 1985 when a local entrepreneur, George P. Mitchell, and his wife, Cynthia, launched the revival of a citywide Mardi Gras to revive the city’s tradition.

The Mitchells, who had long dreamed of reinvigorating the island’s celebration, initiated a grand opening of the Galveston Mardi Gras celebration that was a spectacle to behold. A milelong Grand Night Parade featuring nine dazzling floats designed by renowned New Orleans float-builder Blaine Kern and hundreds of musicians in marching bands were led through the streets of the Strand to the delight of 75,000 cheering spectators.

CAST HERE! D O P E

LISTEN TO

Founder of the City of Galveston, Michele Menard, is noted to have kicked off the Mardi Gras Celebrations at his home in 1853 with a Mardi Gras ball, which quickly caught on throughout Galveston’s early high society. By 1867, the first official celebration included a masked ball and costumed theatrical performance. It wasn’t until 1871 that the event was celebrated on a grand scale with the emergence of two rival Mardi Gras societies, or “Krewes,” called the Knights of Momus and the Knights of Myth. Parades, masked balls, costumes, and exuberant invitations became the norm.

By 1880, the massive parades became costly and slowed, but the balls continued until 1910 when the “Kotton Karnival Kids revived the carnival parades.” The Mardi Gras Celebrations of the early 20th century were a draw to Galveston Island and a significant boost to the local economy.

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Knights of

Momus History

BY DANCIE PERUGINI WARE THE KNIGHTS OF MOMUS IS THE GRANDEST AND OLDEST KREWE SUPPORTING THE SOCIAL AND CIVIC EFFORTS OF GALVESTON’S HISTORIC MARDI GRAS, THE TRADITIONAL CARNIVAL OF FEASTING AND MERRYMAKING THAT PRECEDES THE SOLEMN SEASON OF LENT. In 1867, just two years after the close of the War Between the States, the citizens of Galveston proclaimed the island’s first public celebration of Mardi Gras. It was a first for Texas, as well.

Shortly thereafter, in 1871, a group of Galveston’s most distinguished citizens formed the Knights of Momus. Frivolity and unpretentious and exuberant fun marked these early celebrations, with elaborate invitations, torch-lit night parades, royal balls and stunning costumes.

A different theme was chosen each year, and everyone involved – from revelers to restaurants, saloons and gambling halls – followed that theme.

From the onset, this legendary festival grew until its spirit embraced all of the Southwest. Parades and balls became more elaborate, attracting visitors from across the South. Young ladies of families from all over the state vied to become duchesses, and the event was covered in the society pages of The New York Times. Elaborate coronations, exclusive masked balls and large public celebrations were the order of the day.

Following the outbreak of World War II in 1941, Galveston’s Mardi Gras celebrations ceased. However, the spirit of Mardi Gras was kept alive by organizations such as Treasure Ball and the Galveston Artillery Club which continued to celebrate the event with private coronations. In 1982 efforts began to revive the event with a public street dance on the Strand. In 1983 and 1984 events increased in size and scope and in 1984 King Frivolous and Queen were again chosen. Having observed rekindled interest, George Mitchell, in 1984, suggested restarting the island’s oldest Mardi Gras Krewe and committed substantial resources and personal energy and effort.

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With that encouragement, an influential group of island civic leaders – Kenneth R. Shelton Jr., E. Douglas McLeod Jr., James L. Ware, Michael C. Doherty, Vincent J. Tramonte, William S. Cherry and John H. Spencer, Dancie Perugini Ware, and Joan McLeod – formally resurrected and incorporated the Knights of Momus. A week of festivities celebrated Mardi Gras’ return to the island, including the dazzling Momus Grand Night Parade, a torchlit-night parade presented by George Mitchell to coincide with the gala opening of the Tremont House Hotel in the historic Strand District. Working with Mr. Mitchell and the newly formed Knights of Momus, Dancie Ware turned the Momus Grand Night Parade into a spectacular event and choreographed a week of festivities to celebrate Mardi Gras.

Named for the Greek God of merriment, the krewe of the Knights of Momus is a support organization whose chief purpose is the perpetuation of the Galveston Mardi Gras, not only through its own activities, but by encouraging the formation of other krewes and helping them participate in the celebration.

To this day, fun and frivolity has become contagious each year as the spirit of the Knights of Momus continues throughout the Mardi Gras season.

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now open Welcome to Trustees Hall at

ROSENBERG LIBRARY 2310 SEALY, GALVESTON TX, 77550

Faces and Places of Galveston

Rosenberg-Library.org @RosenbergLibrary

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Smoke on the Water

BY DAN MARKS

IT IS PRETTY WELL KNOWN, AT LEAST ON OUR LITTLE ISLAND, THAT GALVESTON BEGAN CELEBRATING MARDI GRAS BEFORE NEW ORLEANS. Granted, we’ve had our fits and starts, such as the 1900 Storm and that little dust up with the Germans and Japanese in the 40s, but 1985 was the beginning of a new era.

The opening of the Tremont, along with other properties, would up the ante on Galveston tourism and forever alter our ideas of municipal revenue. There was a lot of hype for Mardi Gras 1985. It wasn’t the party we know today - it was better! The two weeks before Ash Wednesday were marked on the calendar, parade routes designated, and sections of downtown cordoned off from traffic. No one really knew what to expect, but that never stopped us before.

When the first big weekend rolled around, the freaks really came out of the woodwork. The streets surged with jugglers, musicians, artists, craftsmen, and myriad costumes (or lack thereof, if you know what I mean). A carnival-like atmosphere filled the air. Booths held various amusements and games of chance. Wide varieties of food and drink were available.

And law enforcement was scarce. We were transported to life in a medieval village. It was a beautiful anarchy.

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Exactly when did all that change? I don’t remember.

It crept in little by little. Booth prices went up, forcing out the merely entertaining in favor of the profitable.

Food choices narrowed to turkey legs, funnel cakes, and beer. And police vans were strategically stationed along the dark corners of Harborside Drive.

1992 brought pick pockets and thieves, a bounty of Krewes of questionable character, admission fees, and my first Mardi Gras related shooting. It also brought a change in the parade route. For whatever reason, it was decided that the route down 25th Street would take a jog east on Mechanic before proceeding to Strand. Metal bleachers had been set up on this dark narrow block to accommodate revelers.

I should point out that it had become common practice to jump in with the parade as it was passing and follow the party. I was lucky enough to have found a spot high up for a better view. Before the arrival of the main column, the crowd mulled about.

In the vanguard came mounted officers, pushing everyone off the street. There were many different uniforms on site for this event, rented out from neighboring towns and counties.

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CULTURE CLASH (MARDI GRAS) Despite the change of mood from just seven years prior, the parade went smoothly. But as the tail of the parade turned onto Mechanic, chain-link fences were put up, blocking the exit to the west. What else was there to do now but follow the parade, like we usually did.

Unfortunately, waiting at the east end of the block were outof-town deputies, both on horse and on foot. They not only kept us from following the parade, but started pushing us back onto Mechanic. They became loud and forceful, pulling out their nightsticks.

Most people at ground level, even the deputies, couldn’t tell that the other end of the block was closed by the chain-link fence, now being scaled as a means of escape. I hung a hard left for the top of the bleachers, figuring the horses wouldn’t be directed up there except as a last resort.

I watched as the crowd was pressed against the fence to my left while the deputies came in from my right. Just before the scene transformed into an English soccer match, some of the mounted deputies, looking over the top of the crowd in the gloom, took in the reality of the situation and called off their over-enthusiastic cohorts. Law enforcement caught up with the parade and the crowd dispersed. The chain-link fence came down. And all memory of averted tragedy was forgotten. I vowed never again to spend Mardi Gras downtown.

Pulling my 4-year-old in a wagon stuffed to the gills, we jumped in at the end just before the turn onto Seawall. As we made the turn she dropped some of the presorted beads. What happened next raises my blood pressure to this day.

A group of about half a dozen kids ran straight at us to grab the dropped beads.

In the process the wagon was knocked over, spilling more beads, and drawing in more kids. They grabbed EVERYTHING they could get their hands on, including the beads around my daughter’s neck. I channeled the wrath of Satan sufficiently to clear the street. Otherwise, I’d be on death row.

The first time I saw Tilman Fertitta walking behind the Rainforest Café float, I wasn’t too impressed. He didn’t look happy. He was stingy with the beads. And, it looked like he was throwing them AT people, not TO people.

But, I get it.

Years later, lulled into a sense of complacency, we crashed the Children’s Parade with our kids. We had started this tradition as a practical matter, to avoid squirreling away beads for the next year. This was the first year floats in the Children’s Parade had to be registered. We snuck in anyway.

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h r t o s u a g r h t h G i e d r A ge a s M February 17th, 1874 Knights of Momus Fourth Year Invitation

February 13th, 1877 Knights of Momus Seventh Year Invitation (Bottom Right)

February 29th, 1876 Knights of Momus Sixth Year Invitation (Bottom Left)

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February 13th, 1872 Knights of Momus Second Year Invitation

February 16th, 1904 Southern Pacific Dock Workers’ General Flier

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February 25th, 1873 Knights of Momus Third Year Invitation

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February 21st, 1871 MDR First Year Dance Booklet

February 9th, 1875 Knights of Momus Fifth Year Ticket

February 9th, 1875 Knights of Momus Fifth Year Invitation Front (Right) & Back (Left)

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February 10th, 1880 Knights of Momus Tenth Year Invitation

March 4th, 1878 MDR Third Year Invitation

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CULTURE CLASH (MARDI GRAS) February 21st, 1871 Knights of Momus First Year Invitation

February 21st, 1871 Knights of Momus First Year Ticket

February 21st, 1882 Knights of Momus Twelfth Year Invitation

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February 13th, 1872 Knights of Momus Second Year Program Back (Top Left), Program Front (Top Right) May 4th, 1876 Merrie Klan of Comus Invitation Houston (Right)

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Michael J. Gaido, III

Kimberly A. Gaido

409.457.4900

713.498.2020

Michael@ michaelgaido.com

KimberlyGaido@ sandnsea.com

Community comes first, Let us help find your island oasis.

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Coolture

2019 MARDI GRAS

By Corinne Tamayo

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Featured Artist CORINNE TAMAYO CORINNE IS AN ARTIST BORN AND RAISED IN GALVESTON COUNTY. She makes a living as a graphic designer and loves to paint as hobby.

The featured art shown (left) is a product of the yearly contest Mardi Gras Galveston throws.

The mask is inspired by the Mardi Gras Fantasy Arches that were a part of the celebration in the late 1980s. These arches were commisioned by the Mitchells, and have since been torn down.

All except one, which is the famous and beautiful Boone Powell Arch that is still standing today on Mechanic and 24th.

Follow Corinne on Instagram @corincat331 Or see more art at ctamayo1.myportfolio.com

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Rosenberg Library Unveils New Trustees Hall

BY JANAE PULLIAM THE ROSENBERG LIBRARY IS PROUD TO ANNOUNCE THE UNVEILING OF ITS NEW TRUSTEES HALL, LOCATED IN THE HISTORIC WING OF THE LIBRARY’S FOURTH FLOOR. “The intent of the project was to restore the 5,000 square foot space as close to its original 1904 construction as possible;including restoration of the historic leaded glass skylight and ornately carved plaster elements and columns,” said Mike Miller, Executive Director.

With the opening of Trustees Hall, the public will have access to expanded exhibitions, including the opening exhibit.

Visitors will see paintings of notable Galvestonians, as well as architecturally significant Island landmarks.

“A selection of artifacts including historic ship models from the museum’s permanent collection will also be displayed,”said Sean McConnell, Special Collections Manager.

“The library has plans for a number of future exhibits that will take a close look into the many fascinating aspects of Galveston’s history,” added McConnell.

Visitors to Trustees Hall will see stunning natural light from the large arched windows, original carved plaster, and are stored skylight floating above the vaulted ceilings. These features come together to make a warm, inviting place for future library events, lectures, book reviews, and gatherings.

“Public use and enjoyment has always been a guiding principle of Rosenberg Library’s services and spaces, passed down between every generation of library leadership for more than 100 years, and Trustee’s Hall represents another chapter in its great history,” said Mike Doherty, President of the Library Board of Directors.

Trustees Hall can be found on the fourth floor of Rosenberg Library at 2310 Sealy, Galveston, TX.

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PA R A D E

SCHEDULE

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Party Gras! Procession @5:00 pm George P. Mitchell Mardi Gras Award Presentation @5:30 pm George P. Mitchell Mardi Gras Award Honoree Parade @7:00 pm The Funky Uptown Umbrella Brigade @8:30 pm Mardi Gras! Galveston Parade @10:00 pm

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The Jolly Jester Jaunt – Official Mardi Gras! Galveston 5k Run @11:00 am Mystic Krewe of Aquarius Parade @12:00 pm 13th Annual Zaniest Golf Cart Parade @1:00 pm Mardi Gras! Art Car & Jeep Parade @3:00 pm Krewe of Gambrinus Parade @6:00 pm

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Fiesta Gras! Parade @1:00 pm Los Locos Vaqueros & Jeeps Parade @4:00 pm

Danny Weber Memorial Fire Truck Parade @6:30 pm Krewe Babalu “All Krewe” Parade @7:30 pm Mardi Gras! Galveston Parade @9:00 pm

Krewe d’Esprit Rosaire Parade @11:00 am Z Krewe Z Parade @1:00 pm KRBE Krewe Parade @2:30 pm Ben E Keith Parade @4:00 pm Jumpin’ Jays Bumpin’ Bus Parade – So Fly It’ll Make You Wanna Die @5:00 pm Knights of Momus Grand Night Parade @6:00 pm

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Shriners Children’s Texas & Sunshine Kids Parade @12:00 pm Krewe of Barkus and Meoux Parade @1:30 pm Firefighters Children’s Parade @3:00 pm Mystic Krewe of Aquarius @6:30 pm

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ENTERTAINMENT

SCHEDULE 02

MID LIFE CRISIS Fri. Feb. 2 – 5:15 pm Corona Extra Stage

THE LINE UP Fri. Feb. 2 – 7:30 pm Corona Extra Stage HAYDEN BAKER Fri. Feb. 2 – 10:00 pm Corona Extra Stage

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GIN BLOSSOMS 1st Weekend Headliner Sat. Feb. 3 – 5:30 pm Corona Extra Stage EAST OF EADO Sat. Feb. 3 – 12:30 pm Corona Extra Stage JOILUX BAND Sat. Feb. 3 – 2:30 pm Corona Extra Stage QUEEN LEGACY A Tribute to Queen Sat. Feb. 3 – 10:00 pm Corona Extra Stage

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SIGGNO Fiesta Gras! Headliner Sun. Feb. 4 – 2:30 pm Corona Extra Stage

DAVID LEE GARZA Y LOS MUSICALES Fiesta Gras! Opening Act Sun. Feb. 4 – 12:00 pm Corona Extra Stage C U LTU R EC L A S H G A LV E STO N . C O M • J A N / F E B 2 0 2 4

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ELI YOUNG BAND 2nd Weekend Headliner Fri. Feb. 9 – 10:30 pm Corona Extra Stage

BRANDON MCDERMOTT BAND Fri. Feb. 9 – 5:30 pm Corona Extra Stage CHAD COOKE BAND Fri. Feb. 9 – 8:30 pm Corona Extra Stage

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OGRE Sat. Feb. 10 – 12:00 pm Corona Extra Stage

MAMBO JAZZ KINGS Sat. Feb. 10 – 2:30 pm Corona Extra Stage VEGAS STARS Sat. Feb. 10 – 6:00 pm Corona Extra Stage RADIO JOURNEY A Tribute to Journey Sat. Feb. 10 – 10:30 pm Corona Extra Stage

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SCHOOL OF ROCK SHOWCASE Corona Extra Stage Sun. Feb. 11 – 12:00 pm SCHOOL OF ROCK SHOWCASE Corona Extra Stage Sun. Feb. 11 – 2:00 pm 25

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Hike for Hope 2024

BY TERRI SUDDUTH

THE THIRD ANNUAL HIKE FOR HOPE IS SET FOR 3/23/24.

The site opens at 9am and the 5K walk will kick off after a ceremony starting at 10am. For those who have lost a loved one to suicide or have battled their own struggle this will be a great event to attend. The 2023 event had nearly 600 people in attendance with many local vendors, a DJ, food trucks and even a designated kids area.

This event is put on by The American Foundation for Suicide Prevention by two Galveston residents, Terri Sudduth and Stephanie Waltman. Together they make up the “Dynamic Duo” team and have been active in the community sharing their resources for Suicide Prevention and advocating for positive mental health.

Terri is a preschool teacher on the island with a heart for the cause. Her passion is what brought this event to Galveston. Stephanie is a mother of three and works in HR. She’s managed to find time to plan year three while juggling motherhood to her two daughters and newborn son. Her husband Chris helps out with marketing and special events too.

The walk route is along the Seawall and begins at McGuire Dent.

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pulse

SEE ART “2017 MARDI GRAS”

by Corinne Tamayo

Jan - Feb 2024 Calendar of Events

January HOLIDAY IN THE GARDENS Wed Dec 6 - Sat Jan 6 Cool off at ICE LAND, stroll through the festival of lights, enjoy the ice rink, arctic slide and more.

Moody Gardens | 1 Hope Blvd $$ See website for details LAFFTOWN COMEDY SHOW Sat Jan 6 | 9PM Enjoy a fun night of live entertainment and comedians who will have you laughing all night.

Seating is limited so get there early.

23rd St Station | 1706 23rd St FREE 21+ YAGA’S CHILI QUEST & BEER FEST Fri Jan 12 - Sat Jan 13 Discover an array of breweries and spirits from all over the USA. 2302 Strand St $$ See website for details SUNRISE YOGA ON THE BEACH Every Saturday | 7AM - 8AM Wake up with the sun surrounded by the sounds of the waves and birds.

29th Street & Seawall on the sand $15

Digital Art See Featured Art Pg 22-23

February MARDI GRAS GALVESTON Fri Feb 2 - Tue Feb 13 The biggest party of the year is back for another 2-week celebration! $$ See website for details FAT TUESDAY CELEBRATION Tue Feb 13 | 5PM - 8PM A GAC Member Mardi Gras Party with complimentary hors d’oeuvres, and drinks.

Galveston Arts Center | 2127 Strand FREE for current members

See more at ctamayo1.myportfolio.com

drink up RUBY BREEZE DEEP EDDY RUBY RED, PINEAPPLE JUICE, CRANBERRY JUICE. Get it NOW! Shrimp N Stuff Downtown 2506 Avenue H

CHARLOTTE’S WEB Wed Feb 21 | 10AM - 1PM Experience the story of Charlotte’s Web in person with the whole family.

Grand Opera House | 2020 Post Office St $$ See website for details BINGO NIGHTS Every Monday | 5:30PM - 7:30PM Play when you want, leave when you need. Prizes are won every round.

Galveston Island Brewing | 8423 Stewart Rd FREE

WANT YOUR EVENT LISTED? Email Us. CultureClashGalveston@gmail.com

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e l p o e p TON

CULTURE CLASH (FEATURE)

S E V L A G of

What does Mardi Gras mean to you?

WENDY MORGAN While most folks experience cold, grey winter, our island lights up like a beacon of joy!

JANESE MARICELLI Mardi Gras means family, friends, food, and festivities.

I love the parades and marching bands best of all. Big bass drums and high school dance teams add the extra oomph to any celebration. To see the costumes and feel the music move through you is synonymous with soul food.

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JEANIE CULLIP I am a Galveston newbie and have not yet experienced Mardi Gras. I am looking forward to our first in 2024!

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CULTURE CLASH (FEATURE)

WHAT MARDI GRAS MEANS TO ME

BY JOE EDWARDS MY OLDER BROTHER - A HOUSTON CITY BOY WHO IMMEDIATELY FELL IN LOVE WITH LOUISIANA DURING HIS FIRST YEAR AT LSU - WAS ALWAYS INFATUATED WITH MARDI GRAS; WELL, WITH CAJUN CULTURE IN GENERAL. He died in February of this year. Yet, his spirit, as well as those of all the others who have passed who loved Mardi Gras, still feels palpable this time of year; their energy is in the air.

My brother loved Mardi Gras so much that he was actually on a special edition of the show Cops, covering New Orleans Mardi Gras arrests. Don’t worry, he wasn’t arrested (well, not that night). He just went viral among our friend groups for dancing behind a man who was getting arrested for punching a police horse while wearing a jester hat. I’ll never forget how proud he was to show me the clip from TiVo (yes, this was the TiVo days).

He loved to make me laugh; I laughed so hard every time he shared his Mardi Gras escapades. Those conversations made me feel like a true friend of his, not just a brother who is 9 years his junior. Though he was always cooler than me, in every way, he always made me feel cool. He taught me, as a white male, how important it is to educate yourself on different politics, cultures, and religions. He also taught me that Mardi Gras is a perfect balance of culture and debaucherous fun. A subculture he loved, as most white teens did in the 1990s, was Houston rap - the very music you hear blaring on the Galveston streets from neon-lined slingshot 3-wheelers during Mardi Gras.

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My favorite rapper, as well as my late brother’s, was Z-ro from Houston - a master lyricist who focuses on topics of loss and independent strength. I often listen to his song “I really miss my dawg”, a song originally dedicated to the late, great, chopped, and screwed legend DJ Screw.

One line in that song stands out to me: “I ain’t never had a friend like him, I’m feeling vacated by destiny, wish I was in the wind like him.”

Regardless of one’s religious affiliation, or lack thereof, it is undeniable that those who loved Mardi Gras are still within the wind, carrying the celebration. Mardi Gras is a great excuse to get too drunk; it’s also a great excuse to feel the energy of those around you: people who continue to choose Galveston as an escape from their daily adversity and celebrate the spirits of past loved ones. So, this year, I will raise a glass to all the lost loved ones in the air, and I hope you, readers, do the same for Jim. Beads and beer are wonderful; memories and the feeling of the present moment are priceless. Who knew this quirky island could represent so much sentimental value through a lively party? A season of partying that I will never miss. Thank you, Galveston, thank you locals, and thank you, Jim, for reminding me to flow with the wind and enjoy this year’s party as you would have, big brother.

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