Mystick Krewe of Laff Social Aid Pleasure Club

The Mystick Krewe of Laff Social Aid & Pleasure Club Est. 1992 Chicago, Illinois

Welcome!

WHO ARE WE?

A diverse group of people from greater Chicagoland (and beyond) - the premiere Mardi Gras Krewe of Chicago. The Mystick Krewe of Laff takes its name from the Great Spirit of Humor and Fun.

WHAT DO WE DO?

Our goal is to educate Chicagoans about the history and cultural influences of Carnival in the United States and Southern Louisiana culture in general via special events. The Krewe is organized as a non-for-profit corporation.

The Krewe’s largest annual event is it’s annual Mardi Gras Bash and Second Line parade, held on a Saturday prior to Mardi Gras Day. This year’s bash will be held on Saturday, February 18, 2012. The Krewe also participates in other parades and events throughout the year.

WHAT ELSE DO WE DO?

The Mystick Krewe of LAFF also joins together to “give back to the community”. It is the overarching goal of LAFF to live up to the creed for American Carnival first adopted by New Orleans’ own Krewe of REX - Pro bono Publico! - For the Public Good. Through volunteer work at food pantries and soup kitchens and the production of fundraising events for other not-for-profits, our Krewe joins together to accomplish this goal.

Laissez les bons temps roulez!

2012 Bash Info

Invite

Download your own copy

Map

Map to the Bash

Chicago Cultural Center, Preston Bradley Hall

78 East Washington, Chicago, IL 60602

Raffle

Raffle Tickets

The link to purchase raffle tickets on-line is https://www.brownpapertickets.com/event/215353

or you can click the yellow tickets below to be taken

to the site directly.

Once at the site, simply click the large orange BEGIN ORDER button near the right side to access the order page.

There is no discount code needed to purchase raffle tickets.

Raffle tickets are actually listed as "Ticket Packages", and are being sold in bundles of 12, 24, or 36.

ANYONE can purchase raffle tickets through this system. Whatever name and information is listed on the ticket order will be the name on the raffle tickets. The raffle will take place at the Bash.

You do not need to be present to win.

Invite
Map
Raffle

2012RumBashInviteF.pdf

About Us

The Mystick Krewe of Laff has its origins in 1992 when four staff attorneys from the Legal Assistance Foundation (LAF) organized the first “Bash” under the nom de krewe “Laf”. After a three years, the Krewe became the Mystick Krewe of Laff - the premiere Mardi Gras Krewe of Chicago. The additional “f” signifies a more expansive membership than just LAF employees. Laff takes its name from the Great Spirit of Humor and Fun.

LAFF seeks to educate residents of Chicagoland, about the historical and cultural significance of the annual celebration of Carnival. To carry out this mission, LAFF’s efforts are focused in two directions. First, LAFF will attempt to work with the City of Chicago, and other public and private groups, toward the development (or ‘resurrection’) of a public celebration of the Carnival season.

In addition, because of the crucial role that Southern Louisiana, particularly New Orleans, played in the development of American Carnival, Laff’s corollary mission is to educate residents of Chicagoland about the enormous contributions made by this truly unique region to the American cultural heritage.

LAFF is intended to function as a social organization for the benefit of its membership. An important consideration in selecting LAFF activities is the potential for fun and enjoyment on the part of Laff’s members. Moreover, LAFF at all times strives to maintain a membership as diverse as the community in which it resides and has as one of its goals the development and maintenance of strong and lasting social relationships amongst its members.

Mystick Krewe of Laff Fact Sheet:

WHO:

A diverse group of people from greater Chicagoland (and beyond)

WHAT:

To educate Chicagoans about the history and cultural influences of Carnival in the United States and Southern Louisiana culture in general via special events. The Krewe is organized as a non-for-profit corporation.

The Krewe’s largest annual event is its annual Mardi Gras Bash and Second Line parade, held on a Saturday prior to Mardi Gras Day. The Krewe also participates in other parades and events throughout the year.

BACKGROUND:

The Mystick Krewe of Laff Social Aid & Pleasure Club was founded in 1992 by New Orleans aficionados with the goal of creating a traditional Mardi Gras carnival organization (krewe) and New Orleans style Social Aid and Pleasure Club here in Chicago. The group has gained members and momentum over the years.

Unlike some traditional New Orleans krewes, the Krewe de Laff is diverse in terms of race, ethnicity and orientation. Membership is open to anyone, though new members must be nominated by a current member.

The Krewe has been hired by the City of Chicago, and other organizations, to provide traditional New Orleans Second Line parades. These parades generally consist of a brass band and costumed marchers. The marchers wear krewe sashes and follow behind the krewe banner, dancing wildly and waving colorful marching umbrellas and tossing out traditional beaded necklaces.

For the Public Good

Community Service

FOR THE PUBLIC GOOD

Community Service

One of the primary missions of the Mystick Krewe of Laff is to give back to our community.

MKOL members are honored to give of their time and fundraising skills to New Orleans and local causes. Our ability to achieve our ‘for the public good” goals is further enhanced by many gracious sponsors.

MYSTICK KREWE OF LAFF COMMUNITY SERVICE

The members of the Mystick Krewe of Laff were honored to provide service to the following organizations at various fundraising and community events:

EVENT DATE/YEAR

KATRINA RELIEF

Smith Robertson NOLA Mission Katrina Rebuild 2011

Old St. Pat’s Katrina Anniversary 2010

Gumbo Stomp/New Orleans Parish rebuilding 2009 - 2011

Katrina Children’'s Relief 2005

Hide-Out Katrina Relief 2005

JamBalaya North Shore Center 2005

ALL SAINTS CHURCH

Food Pantry Distribution and Meal Service 1999 - 2011

PADS – Organization Committed to End Homelessness

“Dance Your Pants Off” Fundraising Event 2009-2011

MARKLUND ORGANIZATION - NAVY PIER 2008

Fundraiser for children with special needs

FRIENDS OF THE CHICAGO RIVER DAY

Riverbank Clean –up 2004, 2008, 2011

CHICAGO MARATHON

Water Station Team 2002 & 2003

Donations

MYSTICK KREWE OF LAFF MARDI GRAS BASH

RAFFLE PROCEED RECIPIENTS

Since 2005, The Mystick Krewe of Laff has donated 100% of the proceeds from its annual Bash raffle to Hurricane Katrina relief organizations or directly to victims.

SWEET HOME NEW ORLEANS $2100

WWOZ – NEW ORLEANS $2000

TIPITINA’S FOUNDATION $1510

NEW ORLEANS MUSICIANS CLINIC $1500

ALL SAINTS KATRINA PROJECT $1100

NEW ORLEANS MUSICIANS ASSISTANCE PROJECT$1025

GUMBO STOMP – ALL SAINTS NOLA REBUILDING $1000

BACKSTREET CULTURAL MUSEUM $ 830

AMERICAN RED CROSS $ 800

THREADHEAD RECORDS FOUNDATION $ 500

HOUSE OF DANCE AND FEATHERS $ 500

ST. BERNARD PROJECT $ 500

KATE STOUT $ 500

KING’S PRALINES $ 236

KATRINA’S CHILDREN’S CHARITY $ 200

JOSHUA Q PAXTON $ 200

ROBERT SNOW $ 100

MR. ROBINSON’S WASTE REMOVAL $ 100

DIKKI CARRIER $ 100

STOOGES BRASS BAND $ 100

ARABI WRECKING CREW $ 100

HABITAT FOR HUMANITY – NOLA MUSICANS VILLAGE $ 100

JANE’S FUNDRAISER $ 100

In-Kind Donors

THE MYSTICK KREWE OF LAFF would like to thank the following organizations for their continuous support. Without their help, the MKOL could not achieve its missions of expanding the appreciation of Louisiana culture and local community service.

Mayor’s Office of Cultural Affairs

Chicago Cultural Center

All Saints Church

Old New Orleans Rum

Carlyn Berghoff

Jimmy Bannos /” Heaven on 7”

Toon’s Bar –Chicago

FitzGerald’'s Nightclub– Berwyn

The HideOut Chicago

WLUW – Chicago

WWOZ – New Orleans

Billy Goat Tavern Chicago

Little EAZY Guest House New Orleans

Full list of “In Kind” donors coming soon.

Videos

VIDEOS

Below are videos detailing one of our community service donatees; Smith Robertson's school sponsored trip to rebuild Katrina devastation.

Community Service

Donations

In-Kind Donors

Videos

Bash History

History Homepage

Bash History

Our entire Krewe party year culminates in a Mardi Gras Bash on the Saturday before Mardi Gras.

Here you can discover why the Mystick Krewe of Laff has a "Bash" and not a "Ball" and take a look back through our 20 year history at a pictoral review of our many previous annual bashes.

Bash not Ball

Why the Mystick Krewe of Laff Social Aid and Pleasure Club has a “Bash” and not a “Ball”

Most Mardi Gras Balls are formal and private affairs for a Krewe. The Ball is the highlight of the krewe organization’s annual festivities. The King and Queen reign, and hold court with the dukes and captains. Debutantes are introduced at the Ball Tableau as a formal introduction to society. For most organizations, the identity of the reigning monarch is a closely guarded secret, until just before the parade. The climbing of the social ladder starts for the children serving as pages to the court. Women dress in ball gowns and hope to be issued a "call-out" card. If fortunate enough to receive one, the woman is seated in a selected area and waits her turn to be "called out" for a dance by the Krewe member that sent the card. It’s a night of formal dining and dancing.

Many of the smaller Krewes in NOLA have parades which are followed by parties. The grand balls are pretty much only held by the old krewes – Rex, Bacchus, Endymion.

When the Mystick Krewe of Laff was working on becoming a formal organization several of its members met with the King of the Krewe of Tucks at Acme Oyster House in New Orleans. The king of this krewe was very helpful in helping Laff form itself into what it is today. We chose to speak with Tucks because of its reputation of begin a rather baudy fun loving krewe with a political bend to its themes - a more modern day krewe.

The Krewe of Tucks has two large scale events during the Carnival season. The first is their formal ball which has a mini parade to introduce the king and queen, and a buffet dinner with open bar. Dress is costume or semi-formal. Until a year or two ago, you had to be a member to attend this event. The second is its “Extravaganza” a much less formal party where people are invited to wear costumes or casual wear and members sell tickets to “outsiders”.

Tucks has several hundred members and is able to support two parties. The founders of LAFF felt that having a party that was somewhere between the Ball and the Extravaganza would be more appropriate to what they wanted LAFF to become.

The Mystick Krewe of Laff is also a Social Aid and Pleasure Club. Social aid and pleasure clubs date back to late 19th century benevolent societies. Benevolent societies were a part of post-emancipation service organizations that included freedmen societies, fraternal organizations (which is LAFF’s tax status), and faith-based societies. It was difficult if not impossible for African Americans to get insurance in those times, early benevolent societies gave funeral insurance to their members to provide proper burials upon death. These societies also would aid members if they fell sick or lost their jobs, therefore providing a simple form of both health and unemployment insurance to newly freed black Americans. Many of the societies put on parades celebrating the triumph of life over death and in doing so, created community pride and solidarity. The Jazz Funeral and second line parade traditions became the signature events for which these clubs and, indeed, the city of New Orleans became famous. Today’s Social Aid and Pleasure Clubs are formed around the varying needs of their members and many have some kind of community involvement.

The founders of LAFF thought that combining the Krewe and the Social Aid and Pleasure Club would best meet the needs of the early group of members. At the time of the formal founding (incorporating) there were still several lawyers in the krewe who had practiced with the Legal Assistance Foundation (LAF add another F for a good time). Those two lawyers and other founding members took community service, diversity, and partying very seriously. The group also had a great love of the Southern Louisiana Culture. In the discussions about by-laws, rules, etc. it was decided that Laff’s annual party would be called a “Bash” rather than a ball because of the exclusionary connotation of the “Ball” and the members wanted a word stronger than party.

If you haven’t read the by-laws of The Mystick Krewe of Laff Social Aid and Pleasure Club, they can be found on our website. Here is an excerpt:

"LAFF activities may include public demonstrations of various elements of Southern Louisiana cultural traditions.

Participation in ‘jazz’ or brass band ‘second-line’ parades,

public demonstrations of the various types of uniquely

Southern Louisiana dance, performance or the sponsorship

of performances of music from Southern Louisiana in all

its breadth (jazz, blues, Cajun, zydeco, etc.) are just examples of methods that LAFF may employ to further its purpose to educate and share with Chicago these

important American cultural experiences."

Lastly, LAFF is intended to function as a social organization for the benefit of its membership. An important consideration in selecting LAFF activities will be the potential for fun and enjoyment on the part of LAFF’s members. Moreover, LAFF will strive, at all times, to maintain a membership as diverse (i.e. culture, race, ethnicity, economic, gender, geographic, orientation and religion) as the community in which it resides and have, as one of its most important goals, the development and maintenance of strong and lasting social relationships amongst its members. To foster an environment conducive to these goals, LAFF will maintain a strict policy requiring behavior of its members (and their guests) that is respectful of all members (and all their guests) at all times.

In sum, it shall be the overarching goal of LAFF to live up to the creed for American Carnival first adopted by New Orleans’ own Krewe of REX - Pro bono Publico! - For the Public Good!

Past Themes

Theme Home

2012

2011

2010

2009

2008

2007

2006

2005

2004

Earlier

Theme Home

The links above will open the pictorial theme pages

Mystick Krewe of Laff's Annual Bash Themes

Theme History

2011 –- From Zeus to Seuss – (Preston Bradley Hall)

Decorations- Seuss Cakes, Mountains of Gods & Goddesses, Colums with ivy and Gods & Goddess, Decorated wine bottles. Music – Honey Island Swamp Band and BS Brass Band. Sound – AVS Sound Logistics, Raffle – various. Hotel Honaco - $129.00. Food – Jambayala, Veggie Red Beans/Rice, corn bread, pralines, Red Velvet cupcakes; moon pies, pretzels, green egg & ham candies, fish candies, beer, wine, soda, hurricanes; Remembrance Altar. – clouds

2010 –- Moulin Rouge: Paris 1900 (Preston Bradley Hall)

Decoration: Eiffel Towers , Windmills, Bustiers; Onie murals. Bands:BS Brass Band and Big Red and the Zydeco Playermakers Sound: AVS Sound Logistics, Raffle: various; Lagniappe: Top Hat beads; Hotel: Hotel Monaco $129; Food – Jambayala, Veggie Red Beans/Rice, corn bread, pralines, chocolate Eiffel Towers, Red Velvet cupcakes; moon pies, pretzels, beer, wine, soda, hurricanes; Remembrance Altar. – Fleur-de-Lis.

2009 - Bone-Yard Boogie Bash (Preston Bradley Hall)

Decoration: Skulls/shrouds; tombstones;Lagniappe Skull necklace; Onie murals. Bands:BS Brass Band; Jeremy and the Zydeco Hot Boys; Sound: AVS Sound Logistics ; Raffle: various; Lagniappe: Skull beads; Hotel: Hotel Monaco; $159.00; Food – Jambayala, corn bread; pralines, moon pies, pretzels, beer, wine, soda, hurricanes; Remembrance Altar. - coffins

2008 - Mardi Gr’oz in the Land of wwOZ (Preston Bradley Hall)

Decoration: small tables black and white floral arrangements,large tables tomato cage "tornados" with flying monkeys. Black and white apple tree and a photo op area of Wizard of OZ character cut-outs,Yellow bricks, Lollipops, Life size stand-ups of Munchkins & Wicked WItch of the West. Lagniappe: Ruby Slipper necklace; Onie murals. Bands:BS Brassband; L’il Guyland ; Sound : AVS Sound Logistics ; Raffle: various; Hotel: Hotel Monaco; Discount parking $129.00; Food – Jambayala, corn bread, pralines, moon pies, pretzels, beer, wine, soda, hurricanes; Remembrance Altar Poppies.

2007 - Mothers Goosed (Preston Bradley Hall)

Decoration: Old Woman in the Shoe; Geese; Lagniappe: White boas Onie murals. Bands: BS Brass Band; Big Red and the Zydeco Playmakers; Sound: Tony Pellini; Raffle: various; Hotel: Hotel 71; Discount parking $; Food – Jambayala, cornbread, pralines, moon pies, pretzels, beer, wine, soda, hurricanes; Remembrance Altar.

2006 - NOLA’s Ark (Preston Bradley Hall)

Decoration: Arks, all things New Orleans. Musical Instruments; Lagniappe: Recipe Cards w/Mini Tabasco Bottle Onie murals. Bands: Mama Digdown; Dikki Du and the Zydeco Krewe; Sound Tony Pellini; Raffle: various; Hotel: Hotel Allegro; Food – Jambalaya, cornbread, pralines, moon pies, popcorn, beer, wine, soda, hurricanes; Remembrance Altar.

2005 -– Cirque de Luna (Preston Bradley Hall)

Decoration: Circus Wagons on large tables, popcorn boxes on small tables; Onie murals. Bands: BS Brass Band; Dikki Du and the Zydeco Krewe; Sound Tony Pellini; Raffle: various; Hotel: Hotel Monoco - $99.00; Discount parking $14.00; Food – Jambayala, pralines, moon pies, popcorn, circus peanuts, beer, wine, soda, hurricanes; Remembrance Altar.

2004 –- Octopus’s Garden A Mardi Gras Fantasea (Preston Bradley Hall) Decorations: Large purple, green, and gold Octopuses on large tables, fish bowls with floating fish on small tables, Sea Murals by Onie; Bands: BS Brass Band and Lil’Malcom and the House Rockers: Krewe members sound person-Tony Pellinio,: Raffle; Hotel Monaco discount rooms $99.00; Bacardi Sponsor; Discount Parking $13.00 Jambayla, Pralines, Moonpies, beer, wine, soda, Hurricanes, Remembrance Altar.

2003 - Alice in Mardi Gras Land. Through a Carnival Lookkinglass (Preston Bradley Hall)

Decorations: purple and green rose topiaries on large tables and flamingos on small tables, Oniefied Alice character murals. Mama Digdown Brass Band and ‘Lil Brian and the Zydeco Travelers. Krewe member sound person. Raffle. Discount hotel rooms $79.00 at Hotel 71. Bacardi sponsor. Discount parking $13.00. Cornbread donated by Heaven on Seven, 400 Alice/Lisa tartlets, Jambalaya, beer wine, soda, Hurricanes, Remembrance Altar.

2002 -– VooDoo Luau Mardi Gras Bash (Preston Bradley Hall)

Decoration with VooDoo and Hawaiian theme. Live palm plants on tables. Decorated with purple, green gold beads and vee-vee pot covers. Mama Digdown Brass Band and Dikki Di and the Zydeco Crew Band (Chubby Carrier’s brother). Sound person. Raffle. Discount hotel room at Executive House $79.00. Bacardi sponsor. Discount parking. Purchased cornbread.

2001 –- Space Oddities Bash (Preston Bradley Hall)

Decorations with outspace/alien theme. Two live bands – MamaDigdown Brass Band and Chubby Carrier & the Bayou Swamp Band. Raffle to help support the hiring of a second band. Also hired a sound person. No taped music. Discount hotel room at Executive House $69.00. Bacardi sponsor. Discount parking

2000 –- Century Carnival Bash (Preston Bradley Hall)

Decorations taking guest through the 20th Century Decades highlight with Mardi Gras and New Orleans touches purple, green and gold. Two hours of live brass band music and two hours of taped New Orleans and music through the decades. Bacardi sponsor

1999 -– Swamp Boogie Bash (Preston Bradley Hall)

Swampy, cajun and full of ‘gators. All decorated with Mardi Gras colors and throws. All taped New Orleans music. Bacardi sponsor

1998 – - Carnival Knowledge Bash (Preston Bradley Hall)

Jesters, gold painted books, huge Carnival Masks. All taped New Orleans music.

1997 –- Riffin’ on the Rue Bash (DuSable Museum)

Mardi Gras Bourbon Street scene. Balconies, flower boxes, street lights. All taped New Orleans music.

1996 -– Under a Crescent Moon Bash (House Party)

Crescent moons, starry ceiling and lots of silver crawfish. CD’s New Orleans music. First year of Second lining.

1995 -– 1992 – Mardi Gras Bash (House Parties) –

Mardi Gras flags and beads.

2012

February 28, 2011 Preston Bradley Hall, Chicago Cultural Center

2011

February 28, 2011 Preston Bradley Hall, Chicago Cultural Center

From Zeus To Seuss

2010

March 18, 2010 Preston Bradley Hall

2009

2008

Mardi GrOZ in the land of WWOZ

2007

Mothers Goosed

2006

NOLA'S Ark

2005

Cirque de Luna

2004

Octopus’s Garden A Mardi Gras Fantasea

Earlier

History Homepage

Bash not Ball

Past Themes

Gallery

Krewe Photos

Please enjoy these photos of our fabulous Krewe!

19479_1235755329568_1099763548_30622079_2926817_n.jpg

37241_410728699241_849234241_4345080_5020339_n.jpg

199794_1653369489661_1099763548_31433507_3296633_n.jpg

19479_1235755489572_1099763548_30622082_2233660_n.jpg

197371_205864282762865_100000178840465_867903_5396907_n.jpg

189301_205868689429091_100000178840465_867969_1648545_n.jpg

Calendar

Join us at one of our many upcoming social activities

Contact Us

Feel free to drop us a note below, We'll be happy to get back to you.

Friend us on Facebook

Follow us soon on Twitter

Connect soon on Linked In

Guestbook

Please leave a comment in our guestbook. Thanks for visiting!

Members Only

Home

2012 Bash Info

About Us

For the Public Good

Bash History

Gallery

Calendar

Contact Us

Guestbook