This is Halloween

Here is me as Meg Fright of the imaginary rock and roll zombie combo (zombo) the Fright Stripes, based of course on the real life rock and roll combo the White Stripes. The hubbs doesn't like to be pictured on this blog, but he was Jack Fright. (I don't think Meg Fright's drum technique would be much different from Meg White's, by the way.)

 

So of course we went to New Orleans, which is one of the best places on Earth to celebrate Halloween. I want to say it's The best, but more on that in a moment.

First we went to catch the end of Saturday's Voodoo Fest, including Jane's Addiction and KISS. 

Jane's Addiction was pretty great.  When they played "Stop," I remembered how much it grabbed me when it was new. It was so different from everything else, and the crowd was going wild in the video. That said, it comes nowhere near grabbing me now like it did then. But that's the case for pretty much every song I've heard a million times. I guess I over-listened to those Jane's albums, because I can't hear them the same way anymore. That's sad. But there's an infinite amount of music I've never heard still out there. That's why I don't get how people can listen to classic rock radio all the time. It's the same songs! You're making them inaudible by so many listens.

So this was the onstage pile-on during "Jane Says." Sounds corny, but it was the highlight. Well, other than wondering what the flamboyant Mr. Perry Farrel was high on besides the wine he was drinking on stage. So on stage, you had Perry Farrell in his glittery purple superhero costume ("Tonight, New Orleans, I am a suuuperheeerooooo!") (And is he one of the only rock performers to still have costumes custom made for him? ), singing with an arm slung around, say, Fidel Castro, or slutty Rainbow Brite, or a bear, or what have you. Good times.  I love the juxtaposition of people in unrelated costumes hanging out.

Then came KISS. Myself, former co-blogger at Scanner Brian, and the hubbs felt that it better open up with explosions. In fact, wouldnt' it be awesome if Gene just started it up while Jane's was still playing, during "Jane Says" with a big explosion? The crowd agreed. Before KISS started, people were calling out for explosions, or simply "FIRE!" Wouldn't it be perfect to see KISS on Halloween? Not really, as it turns out. They don't do it for me. We left before it was over, which I love doing. I hate long rock shows. 

Finally, to Frenchman's street for Halloween! It was much more crowded than I remember it being last year. Frenchman's street was almost impassable, like Mardi Gras. We quickly moved a few blocks to less crowded digs. So that's the one way New Orleans was not the best ever this year. Still, I highly recommend doing this if you love Halloween. 

Some characters: the Zach Galifinakis role from The Hangover. I asked where his man bag was, though, and he didn't have it. That's like 1/3 of the costume missing!

 

This guy, below. A little eagle, some Native American business, but dead style eyes. What was he? I'm guessing...the dead American dream?

As for common costumes, I'm astounded to say that the most common costume I saw was not Jon & Kate, Balloon Boy, Michael Jackson*, or Lady Gaga, but the Mario Brothers. Here's an example below of Mario, his princess, and...their cow.

*Speaking of Michael Jackson, I only saw two, or maybe it was the same one. But he was quite fond of my husband, and sort of caressed his arm as we passed by. It might have been the real Michael Jackson.

And now, here is what I just love about New Orleans.

 

This mini parade came through, with all sorts of bloody freaks, a fairy tale lady, a bloody clown, etc. It was presided over by what looked like a benevolent blue dancing mouse. Except when they got closer, it seemed the mouse was holding up a real pig head.

You can see the pig head a bit in this one. I love the mini parades. One minute it's not there, the next, you do a little dance and your day has been brightened(/ disturbed, if it includes dead animal heads), then, gone.

Here is Classic Batman entreating a box of wine for some wine out of his bag. Mr. Box of Wine did have an actual dispenser spigot going, but had to take off his costume & get the bag out.

Annnnd, the last photo of the night, which about encapsulates that time.

 

Comments

[Karin]

I love how anything goes on Halloween. Who would think a blue mouse should be carrying a pigs head? Not me.

[Apollo]

I really need to get to New Orleans for Halloween sometime. I thought I was going to be there this year but unfortunately things didn't work out.

Still, I dressed as Jamie Hyneman from Mythbusters and generally debauched so it was a good weekend.

Your couples costume idea was genius, by the way. But you were incorrect to assume that Meg White actually has drumming 'technique'.

[Alicia]

Undead make up aside, that's a good look for you!

[Alicia]

Undead make up aside, that's a good look for you.

[Alicia]

Let me say it again: Undead make up aside...

Sorry for the double up.

[Colleen Kane]

Karin, Totally! And that could almost be a normal day in New Orleans, too.

Apollo, thanks! Picture of you as Mythbusters guy, please!

Alicia, If Woody had gone right to the police, this would never have happened. If you get that ref I will kiss you. I bet my hubbs will get it.

[Alicia]

Well pucker up, Kane, because that's from Woody Woodpecker's "Bunco Busters."

Just kidding, I didn't know it. I looked it up. I did love Woody, though. Since I'm partially there with Woody love and quote look-up ability, why don't you give Hubbs the kiss, but stare dead into my eyes while it's happening. Then we all win!

[Colleen Kane]

HA!
Disturbing(ly sexy)
I also Googled it and was happy to see how well it was remembered. I guess cartoon quotes really get embedded while kids' brains are fresh. (Fresh brains? Still a little undead from the weekend.)

[Brick Shields]

I started reading your blogs Cokane because last year I googled something about halloween costumes and was brought to your old blog page showcasing your favorite costumes over the years. Of note is the Lampshade. Damn that's so good. I've been a reader ever since. Can't wait to see what happens in bklyn.