Portrait of a creative space : Red Beans Parade “Studio”

Mardi Gras brings out the artist in all of us. Need proof? Go to Seal’s Class Act bar in the 7^th Ward on a Monday night a few weeks before Lundi Gras. There, you’ll find “Beaners” feverishly working on their Red Bean costumes. Armed with glue guns, krewe members attach beans – all kinds of beans, red, navy, black, chickpeas and black eyed peas to jackets, hats, pants, boots and bras. It’s like a Southern (and slightly more adult) version of Santa’s workshop. The mosaic-like creations include celebrities, animals, abstract designs, politicians, parodies and puns. As Jerry Lee Lewis might say, “There’s a whole lotta shakin’ goin on!”

And, it almost goes without saying, Seal’s serves red beans and rice; and, Camellia Brand is one of the krewe’s sponsors.

The Red Beans Parade rolls (ricely) on Lundi Gras at 2:00 PM. It starts at the Marigny Opera House on St. Ferdinand Street and winds its way to the Backstreet Cultural Museum in Treme. For more information, go to http://www.redbeansparade.com