As the second-line passes through different neighborhoods, people come out of houses and businesses alike. The party spirit is infectious, and some come off their porches dancing, and occasionally even join in behind the band heading on up the street. When the parade passes a particularly-significant intersection, such as 2nd and Dryades, where the Sportsman Lounge and Wild Magnolias headquarters are located, there may be a large crowd of people gathered on the sidelines. Occasionally, the second-line itself will head into a bar or lounge for a refreshment break, or in order to salute another neighborhood or marching club.
New Orleans Louisiana
As the second-line passes through different neighborhoods, people come out of houses and businesses alike. The party spirit is infectious, and some come off their porches dancing, and occasionally even join in behind the band heading on up the street. When the parade passes a particularly-significant intersection, such as 2nd and Dryades, where the Sportsman Lounge and Wild Magnolias headquarters are located, there may be a large crowd of people gathered on the sidelines. Occasionally, the second-line itself will head into a bar or lounge for a refreshment break, or in order to salute another neighborhood or marching club.
Once all the divisions had “come out the door”, the parade began to move. But second-lines are unusual parades. Parades in other cities usually move down major thoroughfares, but second-lines often keep to backstreets. And while most parades are rather formal affairs, the second-line is more a party in motion. The dancers called “second-liners” are behind the various bands of each division, such as the Hot 8 Brass Band or the Young Pinstripes, but they’re also on the sidewalks alongside, and even the porches. People move from participants to observers, and then back to participants again. And the whole time, people are walking up beside you offering to sell cold drinks, cold beers, even New Orleans-style snowballs. And while a second-line is about four hours of marching under the hot sun, you hardly notice because of the constant bass-and-snare drum groove from the band in front of you. They’re the ones who have reason to be hot and tired, and they seem to be having more fun than any of us.
Once all the divisions had “come out the door”, the parade began to move. But second-lines are unusual parades. Parades in other cities usually move down major thoroughfares, but second-lines often keep to backstreets. And while most parades are rather formal affairs, the second-line is more a party in motion. The dancers called “second-liners” are behind the various bands of each division, such as the Hot 8 Brass Band or the Young Pinstripes, but they’re also on the sidewalks alongside, and even the porches. People move from participants to observers, and then back to participants again. And the whole time, people are walking up beside you offering to sell cold drinks, cold beers, even New Orleans-style snowballs. And while a second-line is about four hours of marching under the hot sun, you hardly notice because of the constant bass-and-snare drum groove from the band in front of you. They’re the ones who have reason to be hot and tired, and they seem to be having more fun than any of us.
Once all the divisions had “come out the door”, the parade began to move. But second-lines are unusual parades. Parades in other cities usually move down major thoroughfares, but second-lines often keep to backstreets. And while most parades are rather formal affairs, the second-line is more a party in motion. The dancers called “second-liners” are behind the various bands of each division, such as the Hot 8 Brass Band or the Young Pinstripes, but they’re also on the sidewalks alongside, and even the porches. People move from participants to observers, and then back to participants again. And the whole time, people are walking up beside you offering to sell cold drinks, cold beers, even New Orleans-style snowballs. And while a second-line is about four hours of marching under the hot sun, you hardly notice because of the constant bass-and-snare drum groove from the band in front of you. They’re the ones who have reason to be hot and tired, and they seem to be having more fun than any of us.
The Rebirth Brass Band was the band for the final Fifth Division of Young Men Olympian, known as the “Furious Five”, and this division seemed to have the most brilliant colors in their costumes.
The Rebirth Brass Band was the band for the final Fifth Division of Young Men Olympian, known as the “Furious Five”, and this division seemed to have the most brilliant colors in their costumes.
The Rebirth Brass Band was the band for the final Fifth Division of Young Men Olympian, known as the “Furious Five”, and this division seemed to have the most brilliant colors in their costumes.
As the brass bands played outside the hall, the doors opened, and the exquisitely-costumed members came out to launch the parade. I learned quickly that a second-line is not merely the thrill of the brass bands, marching and dancing, but also a visual experience of the brightly-colored costumes. I was immediately reminded of the Caribbean. After the first four divisions had come out, the Rebirth Brass Band assembled a block away and marched up the street to the hall for the Fifth Division to come out.
As the brass bands played outside the hall, the doors opened, and the exquisitely-costumed members came out to launch the parade. I learned quickly that a second-line is not merely the thrill of the brass bands, marching and dancing, but also a visual experience of the brightly-colored costumes. I was immediately reminded of the Caribbean. After the first four divisions had come out, the Rebirth Brass Band assembled a block away and marched up the street to the hall for the Fifth Division to come out.