Yes, that’s Big Chief Monk Boudreaux.Photo: Jada Yuan
The Democratic National Convention begs the question: Do some states party harder than others? Judging from the Friends of New Orleans DNC benefit last night, yes. From the food (po’ boys, barbecue shrimp, and crawfish) to the music (Tab Benoit, Randy Newman, and Big Chief Monk Boudreaux of the Golden Eagle tribe of the Mardi Gras Indians, wearing the most amazing outfit in the history of mankind, pictured), the Fillmore was bumping. When we sought out James Carville at the bar for some hard-hitting political reporting, he was having none of it. By the time we got around to asking what tack Obama should take in his big speech, he cut us off. “Well, you know … I’m at a party,” he said. “I didn’t know I was gonna get grilled about everything! I’m kinda having a good time and thinking about fun times in New Orleans. You should really try to enjoy yourself.”
Minutes later we got the same message from another state. Over by one of the buffet tables, a full-on dance circle had formed around a couple who were just tearing it up. The duo turned out to be Louisiana’s Lieutenant Governor (and mighty sexy bald-headed man), Mitch Landrieu, and Kansas governor Kathleen Sebelius. Sebelius’s dancing was so kick-ass that New Orleans music legend Allen Toussaint came over to give her a bow. As she caught her breath, Sebelius pledged to do her best to make sure the Dems party harder than the GOP. “Well, I don’t think there’s any question,” she said. “We have the most amazing lineup of musicians — Kanye West, Wyclef Jean. Let’s start there.” And the Republicans, we pointed out, have a Canadian, Shania Twain. “I’m a global music fan, so I think it’s fine,” Sebelius said diplomatically. “But I think it also goes to show that there aren’t a lot of American musicians who will show up for the Republicans.”
