Revel with a Cause
As a New Orleans expat, my favorite Louisiana holiday is January 6 or Twelfth Night, the first day of carnival season. It’s also the Feast of the Epiphany when the magi found the baby Jesus, and it’s celebrated with everything from small jambalaya suppers to lavish masked balls. Costumed guests bask in the purplish glow of Mardi Gras trees while feasting on Creole and Cajun dishes, and the evening’s crescendo is always the appearance of the gateau de roi, or king cake. Gaudily festooned with icing of purple, green and gold, the colors of carnival, it hides a tiny baby Jesus and is sliced and served with much ceremony. Whoever finds the baby is crowned king or queen for the evening and given a special gift.
The King Cake contains a little surprise that’s not supposed to be eaten!
When I fell in love with a Californian and left the Crescent City for Pasadena in 2003, I brought lots more than gumbo recipes, tolerance for high humidity and inspiration for my novels, Twelfth Night and Creole Son. To ease my delta blues, I started throwing my own Twelfth Night parties to introduce new friends to this old custom. First-timers were often shy about costuming until they saw seasoned revelers in full regalia and usually dressed to the hilt next time. Over the years, competition grew fierce to win best costume, and excitement is always feverish when people probe their king cake for the prized baby.
The Mardi Gras tree is decorated with beads and traditional carnival ornaments.
To paraphrase the famous song, I do know what it means to miss New Orleans, and after twelve years of parties I’d finally stashed enough carnival memories. I’ve always believed the best way to continue tradition is to pass it along, so this past Saturday I lowered my carnival flag, turned off the Mardi Gras tree lights for the last time, and bequeathed all my decorations to close friends eager to party on. Thanks to them, the good times will continue to roll, and next year I get to look for the baby Jesus instead of baking it in a cake. It’s the best of both worlds!
In twelve years of costume competition, the unquestioned show-stopper was Jennifer Giambroni’s Scarlett O’Hara via Carol Burnett of course.
Having found the baby in the FIRST of your Twelfth Night King Cakes at the FIRST party you threw in California, I have to say I am shocked and amazed that it’s been twelve years already, and relieved to know the TN tradition parties on… Looking forward to another twelve years of putting a definite period to the end of the Christmas holidays with such a wonderful “final revel”. I also loved the blog post and the picture of the “All Time Costume Winner”–and truly deserved!
Having been lucky enough to attend several of your Twelfth Night parties during your Santa Fe years, I can attest to the splendor and attention-to-detail that you lavished on all the decorations, the food and the costumes. So while I am sorry you won’t be overseeing future revels, I am relieved that the baton is being passed to such capable hands. Long live Jennifer and Jesse! And doesn’t she just look fabulous in those draperies?!
Many thanks to Michael and Tom for all the hardwork and dedication that has gone into preparing so many Twelfth Night celebrations. David and I feel so lucky that we were a part of such an elegant and spirited occasions.
Kay Belangia
It has been a long time since I slept on that luxurious chaise lounge staring at the full size painting of the cover of your Twelfth Night novel! What a beautiful upper level pad. What ever happened to that glorious chandelier? I do remember the humidity, especially during those bone chilling January nights. I still have the voodoo doll you gave me. I consider it the topper of all cakes mysterious. Continue to revel with a cause. Wish I could partake again someday.