Simon Kuo » Photography, Art and Ruminations On Other Ephemera

Photo Details: Canon S90, ISO640 ƒ2.0 1/60

On a bone-chillingly cold Tuesday night, several hundred people, colorful costumery and a raucous and rough collection of party floats assembled beneath yellow arc lighting to begin the Krewe de Maximon’s annual Mardi Gras parade. The revelers caroused through the dimly lit streets, their staccato laughter, antics and pyrotechnic displays slowing traffic through the middle of the urban Crossroads area. Their parade path cut straight down 18th street from the westernmost part of this hip art district, through dark and shuttered art galleries, diners and bars to the Mutual Musicians Foundation. This joint in Kansas City’s jazz district has been in continuous operation since 1928 and is the birthplace of Kansas City style jazz. Amidst the spirits and portraits of KC jazz artists like Charlie Parker, Count Basie and Lester Young, the Mardi Gras revelers danced to the afro-beat funk of Hearts of Darkness.