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"; Ent_FiveTop_060224_2.appFooter = " By Barbara Travers"; Ent_FiveTop_060224_2.rowSpacer = "20"; Ent_FiveTop_060224_2.rowAlt = "F7F7F7"; Ent_FiveTop_060224_2.appNavStyle = 3; Ent_FiveTop_060224_2.appLayout = 1; Ent_FiveTop_060224_2.copyMargin = 9; Ent_FiveTop_060224_2.copyBorder = 0; Ent_FiveTop_060224_2.sBodyFont = "font-size:12px;"; Ent_FiveTop_060224_2[i++] = new Array("","","","","","Throws", "", "", "", "", "right", "", "", "258", "368", "", "", "", "", ""); Ent_FiveTop_060224_2[i-1].body = "

Throws: If you have even one ragged bag of colorful beads and baubles, doubloons, stuffed toys and krewe cups stuffed into the back of a closet, you know the value of this valueless loot. Throws -- usually plastic beads tossed from parading Mardi Gras krewes (the private organizations that help organize the festivities) -- have come a long way from the ornate glass beads imported from Eastern Europe. True aficionados scout out rare items for their stockpile. Sure, \"the most beads wins,\" but catch a painted coconut from a Zulu float or a flashing Bacchus head and you’ve got eBay-worthy collectors’ items. Of course, die-hard bead-whores would never part with such treasures, but swapping is okay. A few tips: Don’t show off your trophies. (Throws favor those who appear neglected.) Make eye contact with a masked rider and appear devious or forsaken. (Both the extroverted and shy can reap rewards.) Never take your eyes off the floats. (You could get ambushed with throws, which can be painful.) Never bend down to pick up throws from the ground. (Think foot-stomping and broken fingers). And never expose flesh in exchange. That’s just plain tacky."; Ent_FiveTop_060224_2[i++] = new Array("","","","","","Pete Fountain", "", "", "", "", "right", "", "", "258", "368", "", "", "", "", ""); Ent_FiveTop_060224_2[i-1].body = "

Pete Fountain’s Half-Fast Walking Club: There’s no stopping legendary clarinetist Pete Fountain and his merrymakers. Celebrating its 45th year, Pete Fountain’s Half-Fast Walking Club hits the streets bright and early Mardi Gras morning. New Orleans native Fountain and his freewheeling 140-strong posse meet at dawn at the famed Commander’s Palace (which hasn’t yet reopened, but the Brennan family insisted on hosting the Half-Fasters). The woodwind wizard and his loyal followers, including actor John Goodman, ramble along historic St. Charles Avenue to the French Quarter, filling the streets with melodic jazz. It ain’t Mardi Gras until you spot this zany troupe. Stopping along the way to replenish libations, the Club winds up at Royal Street’s Hotel Monteleone, then heads off for red beans and rice. Fountain, 75, who lost his home to Hurricane Katrina, hasn’t lost his spirit and passion for his hometown New Orleans. \"We’ve been walking since 1961 and nothing will stop us,\" said the intrepid Pied Piper. \"The city needs us and we’ll be there.\""; Ent_FiveTop_060224_2[i++] = new Array("","","","","","Seven Days in May", "", "", "", "", "right", "", "", "258", "368", "", "", "", "", ""); Ent_FiveTop_060224_2[i-1].body = "

King cakes: Perhaps the only pastry to come with a disclaimer (\"careful when eating: plastic baby inside\") these are served on January 6th to kick off Mardi Gras season and dished up through Fat Tuesday. The coffee-cakeish dough is traditionally baked plain and sprinkled with colored, granulated sugar – in Mardi Gras colors of purple, green and gold, of course. A small plastic baby (you can custom-order pink or brown) is pressed into the dough and the recipient of the \"gift\" is responsible for buying the next cake and hosting the next inevitable party. There are a few fabled spins to its origin, most steeped in Catholicism. The most compelling is that the King Cake celebrates the visit by the Three Kings to the baby Jesus on the Epiphany. Another: that the baby simply signifies the New Year. Either way, you’re still crowned \"King\" and stuck buying the next cake if your slice has the hidden babe."; Ent_FiveTop_060224_2[i++] = new Array("","","","","","Deterrence", "", "", "", "", "right", "", "", "258", "368", "", "", "", "", ""); Ent_FiveTop_060224_2[i-1].body = "

Mardi Gras Indians: Often overlooked in the shadows of the mega-krewes, the Indians have perhaps the most fascinating traditions and customs. Certainly, they have the most flamboyant and elaborate costumes. Fictitious tribes were created by black New Orleans citizens who felt they couldn’t fit in with established, mostly white social clubs. In homage to American Indians who supported the abolition of slavery, the tribes meet on Mardi Gras day and engage in a friendly competition of ritual chanting, dancing and showcasing their brilliant costumes – elaborate \"suits\" of cascading ostrich plumes, feathers, jewels and dazzling beadwork. They are works of art that tell stories and exude pride and respect. The tribes meander through New Orleans’ back streets, attracting spirited \"second liners\" as the Big Chiefs cross paths and size up each other. If you miss them at Mardi Gras, you can always catch them again on March’s \"Super Sunday\" and St. Joseph’s Day."; Ent_FiveTop_060224_2[i++] = new Array("","","","","","Fail-Safe", "", "", "", "", "right", "", "", "224", "320", "", "", "", "", ""); Ent_FiveTop_060224_2[i-1].body = "

Flambeaux: Every krewe parade has its floats, throws, court and masked riders. But true-blue krewes have time-honored flambeaux (\"keepers of the light\"), bearing blazing torches and heading up the procession. The tradition started prior to electric streetlights – when men of color would line up early in the morning, hoping to be chosen to lead the way for that evening’s parade. Dressed in white robes, the flambeaux strap on tall crossbar poles with kerosene lanterns at the top, which leaves one arm free for teasing the crowd. The men jig and jag downriver-style, providing hilarious shtick for their fans and scooping up coins without missing a beat. For over 150 years, these fiery convoys have enthusiastically led the way, illuminating the way for the night’s festivities."; // END editorial data