Tag Archives: Joan of Arc

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Welcome Carnival 2015

Today we begin OUR holiday season-Carnival. It starts today with the celebration of the Feast of the Epiphany and Joan of Arc’s birthday and ends on Fat Tuesday aka Mardi Gras, the day before Ash Wednesday (Lent). I will celebrate with the first slice of king cake and maybe seeing two parades in this first Carnival day. Phunny Phorty Phellows-A little nonsense now and then is relished by the best of men! truly kicks off the season with their streetcar parade and then the Joan of Arc parade really shows what we do best with their walking (trotting?) French Quarter celebration. Not only is it great to be able to hit 2 parades (one within an easy bike ride of my neighborhood and the other here in the Quarter) but when in a late search of a small traditional king cake, I can hit 3 or 4 bakers or shops within a few blocks of my home and find one:
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First throws of the 2015 season, including Joan of Arc matches and my very own Heretic Doll

First throws of the 2015 season, including Joan of Arc matches and my very own Heretic Doll

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The appearance of king cake tells the season

We have officially begun the 2014 Carnival season in Louisiana. The season starts on the Feast of the Epiphany, Jan 6th (aka Twelfth Night) and runs through Fat Tuesday, the day before Ash Wednesday. Interestingly, January 6th is also the birthday of the Maid of Orleans, Joan of Arc who is honored in New Orleans with a startlingly gold statue

Joanie on her pony, French Quarter New Orleans

Joanie on her pony, French Quarter New Orleans

and her own lovely parade on her day. As you probably can tell, all of this is closely linked to the Catholic tradition deeply embedded in French Louisiana. For those who have the impression that Mardi Gras is a weekend spent on Bourbon Street, that would be quite far from the actual truth of our season of revelry, which has much more to do with tradition, family and friends and ornate or satirical public costuming. The link to the video shows how a commercial king cake is made, which is the cake we eat throughout the season. The tradition is explained well in the video, so I’ll just add that with the surge in local and artisanal foods, many more types of king cake are now available in the area. Whole wheat cakes, french-style Galette des Rois cakes and more can be found at markets, at stores and bakeries. Happy Carnival!

Galette des Rois (french king cake)

Galette des Rois (french king cake)

yes there is a plastic baby in there. If you get it in your slice, you buy the next cake for your next party.

yes there is a plastic baby in there. If you get it in your slice, you buy the next cake for your next party.

I prefer the brioche with cinnamon version of king cake, but there are literally dozens of varieties available now.

I prefer the brioche with cinnamon version of king cake, but there are literally dozens of varieties available now.

<a href=”http://www.wwltv.com/entertainment/mardi-gras/How-a-king-cake-is-made-111899959.html?autoplay=y”>How a king cake is made</a>