Krewe of Orpheus Boogies into 20th Year with Nostalgic Parade Floats, a New Original Song about the Smokey Mary Parade Float by Harry Connick, Jr, and Blockbuster Talent

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Co-Founder Harry Connick, Jr will premiere his original song about the Smokey Mary float at Orpheuscapade, throw a commemorative necklace that plays the chorus during the parade, and his new Mardi Gras album will feature the train on the cover.

Harry Connick Jr at Orpheuscapade

Harry Connick Jr Sings at Orpheuscapade

Harry has written "Smokey Mary Boogie Woogie Choo Choo Train" which he'll premiere at Orpheuscapade," said Orpheus Captain Sonny Borey, "and our train will appear on his new Mardi Gras album as well.

The Krewe of Orpheus will become immortalized in a song about its famous Smokey Mary parade float come Mardi Gras 2013. Krewe Captain Sonny Borey surprised krewe members and press when he revealed that co-founder Harry Connick, Jr. has written an original song in honor of the Krewe’s 20th anniversary.

Krewe members will throw a new Orpheus commemorative LED necklace that plays the new song’s chorus during the spectacular parade. The legendary parade, designed by Creative Director Derek Franklin, will feature a nostalgic look back at all of the Krewe’s parade themes from the past 20 years

“This is going to be a very special year,” declared Krewe of Orpheus Captain, Sonny Borey. “Harry has written ‘Smokey Mary Boogie Woogie Choo Choo Train’ about our signature float which he will premiere at the Orpheuscapade, and an image of our enormous float will be featured on the cover of his new Mardi Gras album.”

Another specialty throw will be a doubloon featuring the Krewe’s 2013 Musical Legend, “Uncle” Lionel Batiste, the bass drummer, vocalist, and assistant leader of the Treme Brass Band, who inspired music greats such as Kermit Ruffins. Batiste died July 8, 2012.

Leading the festivities and parade with Harry Connick, Jr. are other Celebrity Monarchs including star of the CBS hit show CSI New York, Gary Sinise; Troy “Trombone Shorty” Andrews; Animal Planet’s Tillman the skateboarding bulldog; and returning monarchs, Law & Order SVU’s Mariska Hargitay, and The Imagination Movers.

Harry Connick, Jr. will headline the 2013 Orpheuscapade lineup which includes Gary Sinise and the Lt. Dan Band; Grammy® nominated powerhouse Trombone Shorty & Orleans Avenue; Party Crashers, a smash with audiences at the 2012 event; and perennial New Orleans favorite Vince Vance and the Valiants.

In what has become a Mardi Gras tradition, Orpheus’ Celebrity Monarchs will toast the Bacchus parade from the balcony of the Astor Crowne Plaza at the Orpheus Captain’s Party on Sunday, February 10th.

For Krewe of Orpheus membership information, or ticket information about Orpheuscapade, call 504-822-7200 or visit http://www.kreweoforpheus.com. Please contact the Krewe of Orpheus office (504) 822-7200 for photography or additional information.

About the Krewe of Orpheus
The Krewe of Orpheus, founded in 1993 by Captain Sonny Borey and Harry Connick, Jr., derives its name from the mortal Orpheus, son of the god Apollo and the muse Calliope. One of the city’s “super krewes”, Orpheus is consciously nonexclusive and New Orleans most diverse krewe boasting 1,200 members from all walks of life. The parade rolls on Lundi Gras and culminates with the Orpheuscapade, a black-tie party that draws thousands of revelers to welcome the floats through the convention center while being entertained by world-renowned musicians.

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