Category: Other Page 113 of 182

The organizers of the funeral arrange for hiring the band as part of the services. When a respected fellow musician or prominent member of the community dies, some additional musicians may also play in the procession as a sign of their esteem for the deceased.[4]

A typical jazz funeral begins with a march by the family, friends, and a brass band from the home, funeral home or church to the cemetery. Throughout the march, the band plays somber dirges and hymns.[4] A change in the tenor of the ceremony takes place, after either the deceased is entombed, or the hearse leaves the procession and members of the procession say their final goodbye and they “cut the body loose”. After this the music becomes more upbeat, often starting with a hymn or spiritual number played in a swinging fashion, then going into popular hot tunes. There is raucous music and cathartic dancing where onlookers join in to celebrate the life of the deceased. Those who follow the band just to enjoy the music are called the second line, and their style of dancing, in which they walk and sometimes twirl a parasol or handkerchief in the air, is called second lining.[5]

Source: Jazz funeral – Wikipedia

The Second Line is a tradition in parades organized by Social, Aid and Pleasure Clubs (SAPCs) with a brass band parades in New Orleans, Louisiana, United States. The “main line” or “first line” is the main section of the parade, or the members of the SAPC with the parading permit as well as the brass band. The Second Line consists of people who follow the band to enjoy the music, dance, and engage in “community.” The Second Line’s style of traditional dance, in which participants dance and walk along with the SAPCs in an African-based, free-form style with parasols and handkerchiefs, is called “second-lining”.

Source: Second line (parades) – Wikipedia

The Order of Myths, founded in 1867,[1] is the oldest mystic society to celebrate Mardi Gras in Mobile, Alabama. The Order of Myths chose, as its symbolic emblem, Folly chasing Death around a broken column of life. During parades, a person dressed in a jester’s suit, as Folly, chases a person dressed in a skeleton suit as Death, around a Greek column on the emblem float. At the conclusion of the traditional OOM parade, Death is defeated, and Folly wins the day.[1]

Source: Order of Myths – Wikipedia

The samba school system seems to be unique to Brazil.[14] Unlike parades such as the Rose Parade in California, for instance, the samba schools’ organizations consist almost entirely of community volunteer work. More than just musical groups, the schools are the neighborhood associations that cover a variety of community needs, such as educational resources and medical care. There are often political and commercial interests involved as well, even from abroad, especially when the samba school honors the literature, music and dance, or a myth, historic figure or event from another country. Drug lords who control trafficking in the Rio favelas as well as illicit gambling (Jogo do Bicho) are also said to contribute financially to schools, as many of them are guardians and controllers of shanty town life.

Source: Samba school – Wikipedia

Carnival blocks, carnaval blocos or blocos de rua are street bands that mobilize crowds on the streets and are the main popular expression of Brazilian Carnival. These parades fall under the term “street carnival”, and happen during a period of about one month, beginning before and finishing after Carnival. Carnaval blocos usually perform samba music all around Brazil, but other popular musical styles (also identified with Carnaval) are present in specific regions, including frevo and maracatu in Pernambuco and axé in Bahia.

Source: Carnival block – Wikipedia

A comparsa is a group of singers, musicians and dancers that take part in carnivals and other festivities in Spain and Latin America. Its precise meaning depends on the specific regional celebration. The most famous comparsas are those that participate in the Carnival of Santiago de Cuba and Carnaval de Barranquilla in Colombia. In Brazil, comparsas are called carnival blocks, as those seen in the Carnival of Rio de Janeiro and other Brazilian carnivals. In the US, especially at the New Orleans Mardi Gras, comparsas are called krewes, which include floats. […]

In Cádiz and other parts of Andalusia, comparsas are groups of singers that take part in carnivals, especially the Carnival of Cádiz.[1] They sing comedy routines and the best comparsa is chosen in a contest. Other ensembles can also be found at the carnival, such as chirigotas, coros de carnaval, and cuartetos carnavalescos.

Source: Comparsa – Wikipedia

Orpheus is a musically themed krewe taking its name from Orpheus {ohr’-fee-uhs} of Classical mythology. The Krewe of Orpheus was founded by Harry Connick Jr., his father Harry Connick Sr., Sonny Borey, and others.[1] When the krewe had their first parade on February 14, 1994,[2] there was a record high 700 riders on their parade, and they had then already established themselves as a super krewe. […]

The Krewe of Orpheus derives its name from the mortal Orpheus, son of the god Apollo and the muse Calliope. The story of Orpheus illustrates the power of music in both this world and the next. Legend is that Apollo presented Orpheus with a lyre, which he played with perfection. The music of Orpheus was so beautiful that wild animals ceased their hunting, mountains bowed, seas stopped spraying and trees bent near to listen when he sang. His music was celebrated and cherished by all who heard it. His melodies inspired the noblest love. When Orpheus sang every heart was opened.

 

Source: Krewe of Orpheus – Wikipedia

A krewe (pronounced “crew”) is a social organization that puts on a parade or ball for the Carnival season. […]

Krewe members are assessed fees in order to pay for the parade or ball. Fees can range from thousands of dollars a year per person for the most elaborate parades to as little as $20 a year for smaller clubs. Criteria for krewe membership varies similarly, ranging from exclusive organizations largely limited to relatives of previous members to other organizations open to anyone able to pay the membership fee. Krewes with low membership fees may also require members to work to help build and decorate the parade floats and make their own costumes; higher priced krewes hire professionals to do this work. Parading krewe members are usually responsible for buying their own throws such as beads and coins, which are thrown to parade spectators according to tradition. Some krewes also have other events, such as private dances or parties, for members throughout the year. Some also make a point of supporting charities and good causes.

Source: Krewe – Wikipedia

What is a mystic society? Mobile’s Mardi Gras organizations are called mystic societies; New Orleans’ organizations are usually called krewes. They are private, nonprofit groups that celebrate Carnival, either with a parade, or a ball, or both. They meet year-round to plan out each year’s theme and events. Some groups, known as “non-parading societies,” hold a ball, but do not put on a public procession. The largest parading groups build and store their own floats; some of the smaller groups rent floats from the larger groups for their parades. Most of the mystic societies keep their members’ identities secret, a tradition from the earliest Medieval Carnival celebrations when revelers wore masks to add a layer of intrigue and excitement.

Source: Mobile Mardi Gras 101: A primer on all things Carnival – al.com

If a person’s good thoughts, words and deeds in life are many, the bridge will be wide enough to cross, and the Daena, a spirit representing revelation, will appear and lead the soul into the House of Song. Those souls that successfully cross the bridge are united with Ahura Mazda.

Source: Chinvat Bridge – Wikipedia