Samedi Gras Parade 2014 ~ The Movie!

New Toulouse can be proud!
On Saturday March 1st, the wonderfully creative citizens pulled off a glorious extravaganza of color and imagination, in the Mardi Gras Tradition.
This fun-filled video, shot in extreme conditions of lag, by our own Natascha Randt, can maybe say it better than I can. Watch and Enjoy! A roster of all the Krewes follows below! Thank you Nat once more for these memories!

The Queen’s Float bears the queen of this Year’s Mardi Gras, Soto Hax. Soto is recognized for her tremendous scripting assistance to New Toulouse and for creating smiles wherever she goes. In her first royal act, Soto tried to pardon all of the criminals in New Toulouse, but she couldn’t find them. The queen’s float was designed and built by Armand of Amadeo’s Artifacts.

The Krewe of the Articulate float celebrates the waters of New Toulouse and the bayou. It is a paddle boat design, mounted with the egret and powered by articulated paddles, propeller, and flaming steam. This float was crafted by Armand of Amadeo’s Artifacts, and you might see the beautiful OtherJane, the lovely Pandora, or the stunning Bianca Solderini riding along with him.

Krewe des Zombies was formed for the 2009 New Toulouse Mardi Gras and has paraded in a number of New Toulouse parades ever since. This year’s float humorously portrays a sleeping bayou birdwatcher, missing the most beautiful birds in the bayou. The birdwatcher is Mayor Henri Godenot, and the beautiful birds are played by Karima Hoisan, Dale Innis, and Amira Kevoli.

Jake Wikifoo, the captain of the Krewe des Flambeaux, has been captaining a float in New Toulouse since before he could drive. He commands the powerful Flambeaux float, and like Professor Longhair’s poor little Junco, goes a-wobblin’ all over the street. You might not want him to drive under your balcony!

The Krewe des Horreurs was formed when a group of zombies threw up their hands and shouted “Quelle horreur!” when they saw they way their brethren were being massacred by anybody with a firearm in the bayou. They decided to band together and show that they were not animals, they were human beings … or what remained. They decided to give up biting for Lent and just try to be respectable citizens of New Toulouse. Some of the riders of Krewe des Horreurs are Pazzo Pestana, Gibley Goldblatt, and Iovanka Milena

The Krewe of Bast is one of the oldest krewes in New Toulouse, having been instrumental in organizing the first parade, in 2009. Bast rode again in 2010, then went mysteriously undercover for a couple of years, returning to parade in 2013 and 2014. Just as the Egyptian goddess Bast is the Eye of Ra, her krewe members see their function as protectors of New Toulouse. This year’s theme is “Alley Cats.” Float riders will include Nikita Weymann (krewe captain), Jimmeh Obolensky, Liza Veliz, and Aodhan; Kristine Jinx-Kristan and Silky Grimknot may also ride. Throws this year will include beads and lucky coins.

Mirri Rosca rides high in the beautiful Gumbeaux Krewe float. Her float was built by the very talented Armand, of Amadeo’s Artifacts. It is a stunning homage to the beautiful work of the great master Boudreauxcelli. Mirri portrays the lovely Venus, rising from a steaming bowl of oyster gumbo. When in New Toulouse, visit Mirri’s Gumbo House, for a dish you’ll never forget.

Krewe des Avalon is a new crew formed in 2014. This year’s float depicts Dr. Avalon as a knight, protecting the patient from the Dragon of Disease. On the other end of the float, Nurse Alycia Blaylock has a dragon-sized lance, ready to give her brand of medicine to any patient that needs it.

New Toulouse….you Always let “The Good Times Roll”

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Only The Muse

xxxx

“Comatose would be my choice….

Let me sleep until I write, ” My dreams are spun in you.”
Comatose would be my choice if never more a verse burst from my loins.
Barren in this wasteland, dried up floundering on the sand,
don’t poke me with, “It will be all right.” Just let me sleep it off,
until I pick up a pen and write a memory or a love song.

Agony is when you’re near the end, sustained by drops into your veins.
When a poet’s drying up, the nurse is never found and empty bottles
swing and sway above her in the breeze-less room.
Choking on the vacuum, eyes searching and never finding, fading,
not a tube could save her life tonight, not one measure from ordinary means.

Yes, I prefer the darkness, the day shut down, and I am left alone.
This is how I try to woo my lover, to give me gifts of flowing words.
She comes because she wants to, not because of me, for my summons’s never heard,
but poetry is on her lips, and in her arms she brings me treasures, just because.

Only the muse can wake me. Only her lips can start my heart to beat.
Lover like no other, take me away from the sterile white of static sickness.
I drink from you, I drink from you, all else is  frozen in its place, like death turned dust,
because in your arms I come to life with that first line pressed wet into my depths

And when you ask,”Are you still my poet?” I cry out,”You know I am. Oh yes!

Karima Hoisan
February 28, 2014
Costa Rica

 * The image used is entitled, “acry431-13-70×74-750.jpg 2014 by Coma

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Fat Saturday & RoseDrop Rust March 1st in New Toulouse!

Poster by Lawrence

Poster by Lawrence James

Parades and Partying continue in New Toulouse….Come celebrate Mardi Gras with us this Saturday March 1st.
After our very successful Bayou Parade (see post and video) we are still on a roll (rolling around  Laveau Square and the center of town) with a very amazing float-based extravaganza to delight all viewers. Please join us at 12 noon at the center of our town, to enjoy, and weave, and get beads. All of the residents have worked so hard to make this parade another record breaker, and I promise you will not be disappointed!
Here is your swift transport and come a little early to get a good place
New Toulouse Town Square

Then…….at 2pmslt….

Fabulous Poster by Natascha Randt

Fabulous Poster by Natascha Randt

Come to Kari’s Bar and Dance to enjoy an unforgettable hour with one of SL’s best loved performers, RoseDrop Rust.
RoseDrop is not only a versatile singer and musician, he is a seasoned and excellent poet. He plays both guitar and piano, and has a wide range of genres in his musical repertoire.
Don’t miss this great performer, and wear costumes, don your feathers and mask and celebrate this Saturday March 1st with all of us “New Taloosters”
The fun begins at 12 noon: “Samedi Gras Parade” (Fat Saturday Parade)
Then…2pmslt RoseDrop entertains at Kari’s!
“Laissez Les Bon Temps Roulez”

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Pisces Sisters of Second Life!

Happy Birthday Sissies!

Happy Birthday Sissies!


Or as it says on my Profile:
Take us out of water and we swim even better..

Put us down into the depths and we will always go deeper.
Been more than 6 (6!) years since we were happily hooked in the same lake, thrown back in and formed our little school of SL solidarity, loyalty , love and creativity.
I adore you both ..I adore us..who we are for each other, time tested, man tested,(hehe) we still find the time to swim, dance, laugh, console..Better than blood, chosen by fate and good timing..we are a close knit fish family..and we will swim the SL Seas together forever…inshallah
Suze~Kari~Diz..Pisces to the very gills!!

Forever!!

Suze…Kari…Diz..Forever!!

Happy Birthday Beloved Fish Sissies…Here’s to many many MORE!!
and..for ALL Pisces reading this too:)

XOXOX

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The Very Best Day Ever in New Toulouse!!

“Laissez Les Bon Temps Roulez”
“Let The Good Times Roll!”
 Last Sunday Feb. 15th The good times rolled, they pranced. they hopped and they danced at the very first Krewe Bayou Parade. Wild and Wonderful Creatures took to the streets of New Toulouse in a Mardi Gras Mood; colorful, noisy, weaving and just one crashing, the parade snaked through the streets, bringing joy and beads to those spectators who cheered from the sidelines.
   Miss Francesca Alva was the small but mighty leader of the party-pack, and gracefully keeping everyone in line (sort of)from the very tall Trombone Creature (Quiet Wonder) who set the pace, to TheToad King bringing up the rear. Parade participants ranging from tines to chariots, a horse-riding kraken, and other mutations, like equestrian butterflies, a very cute but tiny Mayor Henri, superman, and umbrella dancers added to the magic and the color of the event, When it was all over, everyone agreed that it was the very best parade ever that New Toulouse as ever seen. Here is a great movie shot by award- winning (and my video partner) filmmaker Natascha Randt,
Thanks to Natascha, we can keep these memories forever. Thank you again Nat!

Then, at 2:30, Taloosters who were not yet too drunk, assembled back on the ferry dock to “Oooo ‘n Awwww” at a spectacular fireworks display shot off from the top tier of the steamboat. There were cheers and funny comments, and admiration for the very awesome display overhead. Spectators were witness to a 20 minute finale, something that is rarely seen outside China.

Fireworks on the River photo by Liza Velíz

Fireworks on the River
photo by Liza Veliz

Everyone went home to change out of their dusty costumes, take showers and come back for the big celebratory dance at Kari’s Bar and Dance later that night.

Big crowd!

Wonderful music and fun!

Jimmyt Dukes was amazing!

Jimmyt Dukes was amazing!

Live Musician, Jimmyt Dukes entertained  an enthusiastic and appreciate audience of nearly 50 (49) gatherers for an hour, with some classic and newer Blues and some original songs too. Balloons and confetti rained down on the club, the liquor flowed especially the Guinness and the absinthe, and a few opium pipes could be seen turning the air a cloudy, dreamy blue.
The after- show went on and on and on, a few hours more until finally a naked neighbor (not mentioning any names) rode in on a horse (possibly another neighbor) and ran over a few customers and then out the dock door.. Pazzo (dressed as a horse who drank too much absinthe) took that as his cue to leave too.
Miss amira helped me not only dance, but clean-up too.

Closing Time...

Closing Time…photo by Aodhan

The party slowly wound down after, and I am quoting our own Mayor Henri when he said,
“This is the best day we have ever had in New Toulouse!”
I totally agree! New Toulouse has a community spirit and spark rarely found in SL anymore these days, but still very much alive in our hearts and in the streets.

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Fun Times Saturday in New Toulouse 12 noon slt Big Parade! Live Music At Night!

Poster by Lawrence

Poster by Mr Lawrence James

Why do I love to live in New Toulouse Sl? Why did I come back? Well days like tomorrow Saturday Feb. 15th are some of the reasons why?
We are having a Big Parade tomorrow to start off the day at noon, and Creatures Great and Small is our theme. From Krakens to The Toad King and everything in between. To make sure I don’t misquote Miss Nikita Weymann, who has All the information, I will just paste it all here like she wrote it down:

Krewe Bayou Parade: A Guide for the Perplexed

WHAT: It’s a parade through the city, with self-powered participants! That means you bring and ride your own horse, bike, rollerskates, or whatever. Simply walking is fine too! More than one person can share a carriage or something. Really, it’s up to you—just please try to keep things semiplausible for the era (1900-1925).

WHEN: Krewe members should be in the city and ready by 11:30 AM SLT this Saturday, February 15, 2014. The parade kicks off at 12:00 noon and should be over by 1:00 PM.

WHERE: We’ll begin at the French Market/riverboat dock area and parade through the streets. Don’t worry—the streetcar will be taking some time off! Landmark for Parade

WHO: You, dressed to reflect this year’s theme of Wild and Wonderful Creatures! This is open to interpretation, but something about your costume (and/or choice of vehicle, if applicable) should call to mind a wild animal or a mythical beastie of some kind. Please, no particle emitters or “bead throwers”!

HOW: Everybody form up behind the band and follow it around. It should be relatively easy, since part of the band will be a monstrous trombone creature (Quiet Wonder) that can see over the tops of many of the buildings! Before the start, Quiet will also distribute parade throws for you to give out to folks along the way.

WHY: We aim to have chaotic fun in a relatively orderly fashion!

AND: You are all the royal court. Check your Krewe Bayou title dropdown to find some added options. And if you wish a specific title (Toad King and King Walksintowalls are taken), contact Niki and let her know.

ALSO: February 15 is National Hippo Day in SL. Make of that what you will.

Then after the parade and the fireworks display and people go home to take showers…
at 7pmslt ,
Kari’s Bar and Dance is proud to present our Live Show featuring the very popular and talented Blues virtuoso,
Jimmyt49 Dukes.

Poster by Scottius Polke

Poster by Scottius Polke

Friends and Neighbors and Strangers and Parade Revelers,
Come to this great after Valentine’s Day and after The Krewe Bayou Parade Dance with Live musician and Blues maestro JimmyT49 Dukes.
Hearts, romance, silliness, costumes, and Mardi Gras colors are encouraged. Hope to see all friends and neighbors and the public at large there Saturday Feb. 15th at 7pmslt.
After Jimmy’s set there will be Zydeco, Hud dancing, the usual Kari’s spontaneous FUN!
Don’t Miss This One!
“Laissez Les Bon Temps Roulez”

Click here for a carriage to The Front Door of Kari’s

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Invitation To A Very Unique Opening~Thursday Feb.13th 2pmslt

Poster and Photo by Natascha Randt

Poster and Photo by Natascha Randt

Last November Nat and I were invited to participate with other machinima makers in an opening at the Artemis Gallery by Duna Gant entitled, “Regaining Freedom-The Opening” Our video, Window on a Train , was chosen as one to highlight the theme of violence against women.
Now, Thursday, February 13th at 2pmslt, there will be a new opening, something very different, and both Nat and I are extremely honored, excited, and very curious too, as we will not peek before it opens.

Poster by Natascha Randt

Poster by Natascha Randt

Artemis Gallery (GALERIE ARTEMIS) will present a 3D Art Installation by the French artist, Jadeyu Fhang, inspired by our machinima, Drink Me With Your Eyes
( INSTALATION de JADEYU FHANG inspirée à la machinima “DRINK ME WITH YOUR EYES” realisée par KARIMA HOISAN & NATASCHA RANDT)

Sooo, I invite you all to join us and see this exciting art opening in the beautiful and very prestigious European gallery Artemis Gallery (translators will be whirring)
Natascha and I feel very honored indeed, that what started off as a small, memory, turned into a poem, and then a machinima, is now being realized by a renowned  Sl artist, who will bring her interpretation of it into all of our virtual lives.  Is this not one of the best things Second Life offers to those who love to create?
Please come and enjoy this experience with us….Here is your Taxi to Artemis Gallery
Don’t miss this one!

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When Real Life Echoes Second Life

Usually it is the other way around, as we in virtual worlds, build our worlds inside from our memories and experiences of the world we live in outside. I hope that makes sense:)
It is a rare treat to see that get turned around, and all of a sudden “normal Real Life” is echoing and mirroring”unreal Second Life”
This striking and evocative snow sculpture, was created by someone who had gone to my reading last Saturday in Second Life, and was inspired, after a massive snowfall, to recreate it in his front yard. It even has a name (one I did not choose of course)
It is simply called, “Karima, the Snow Poet and Her Adoring Fans.”
Peek below:)

umm I am not quite that rotund..

umm I am not quite that rotund..

Definitely got my hair down...

Definitely got my hair down…

I do beleive half of that couple in the center is "Uniqua" from  "The Backyardigans"

I do believe half of that couple in the center is “Uniqua” from “The Backyardigans”

From the poet's view..a lot of faceless men in the audience..no major sports event on TV  obviously...

From the poet’s view..a lot of faceless men in the audience..no major sports event on TV obviously…

mittens in muffled applause.. "Thank you all for coming to my reading..."

mittens in muffled applause.. “Thank you all for coming to my reading…”

…and to the Builders…much appreciation and smiles at your artistic recreation of my last poetry performance!!
Thank you! Thank you!
Bows and …..loses her head:)

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ReCap of The Tom Waits Show and Reading @ Kari’s Bar and Dance

This was a first for me. It was the first time I had ever read in my own club in New Toulouse, and combined a reading with a selected DJ session (100% Tom Waits) Thanks to Gamma and Dale I have pictures to share with all….oh and here is the recording for those of you who couldn’t make it. Recording of The Reading.mp3
There were 36+ at the reading and 42 attended in all. I had a great time, and I think all who came did too. Definitely will do this again….in a few more months! Pictures below…
Enjoy!

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“Welcome everyone…..” (photo by Dale)

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Let’s ride our glorious monster… until we all fall down.! (photo Dale)

hgg

Remembering my Rez Day…. SLip Away (photo by Dale)

shsg

My brother Kenneth who came from Far Away..

sjsh

Comfy patrons…

djdhdj

Wurfi!! Dale and Dr. Avalon

dkkj

The Beautiful amira…(photo by Dale_)

dodkdj

My partner Hoyt looking absorped..Miss Francesa looking adorable:) Kenneth looking regal

soso

1920’s Natskers, Dale, Wurfi, Luna…

#10dale sleep _ Kari's Bar and Dance, New Toulouse (21, 225, 23) - 8

Sleepwalking Through Your Town

spok

Gorgeous Gamma and Shesa (on her tummy:) photo by Dale

shsjsh

Inside the chessboard…but outside the game “From Stone”

asd

Luna front and center, Nat, Dale, Dr. Avalon, Aodhan, Rob Barber and date

Gamma

Warming up the DJ set…Here Comes some Pure Tom Waits….

mayor

Our very loved and admired, The Honorable Mayor of New Toulouse, Henri Godenot

Shesa

 Beautiful Shesa and Gamma..

Miss F

Miss Francesca my neighbor and friend

dod

Ripped Up the rug…Let’s Dance!

gsos

Moving To The Tom Waits Magic

laster

Time for  some Blues..

Gamma1

Gamma caught the shadows and the mood

Gamma Nat

Natascha Randt by Gamma and next to Gamma

Gamma K

Gamma  captures me onstage

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The perfect 20’s couple G & S:)

Gamshe

Love the feeling of this one too..photo by Gamma

gshsjs

The Poets sway..Luna and RoseDrop

djdhd

Into the mood.. photo by Gamma

djdkdj

Some residents Mr. Lawrence and Aodhan..and guests

Hope to see you all at the next one:)


 

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Satin Doll Solo

dkdjdkdj

Sometimes I just don’t see you...

Satin doll…smoke-filled room, eyes all over you…
feather boas, crowded ashtrays, hard wood stools and plumes,
dark brick walls behind the bar, where the trash turns smoky blue;
couples fumble vertically, up against the wall
pressing their passion under the moon’s bewitching hue.

Maybe a cello can inspire your sunrise, walking down the street
you hear the master, and his notes transport you inside, it’s so deep,
but oh my satin doll, you are so much more than that to me,
a guitar solo that cries and it makes me sigh when I can’t find you.
It makes me cry and I sing the Blues..in my lonely Club of Blues

Your perfect loving hands made just to offer and to give,
high high heels, the turn of  phrase, your look that comes up to meet my eyes..
Speak to me my satinized wrapped fantasy, oh I know you so well. I know you so well.
You are no stranger no usurper, no pretender, no come lately…
and you are only mine.

Sometimes I just don’t see you when I open up our door.
I hear, oh I hear you calling me in the passion of a riff
in that whine, in that wailing slide.
When the guitar cries and moans, I hear you but I don’t see you,
I don’t feel you, like you’re lost to me, and I don’t know..my solo cries,
“Let my fingers touch once more your satin strap, your satin skin
your soul,
my satin doll……..”

Karima Hoisan
Feb. 2, 2014
Kari’s Bar and Dance, New Toulouse, SL

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