Krewe of Sobek celebrates Mardi Gras in Shreveport with 'Orient Express' themed bal

Maggie Martin, Shreveport Times
·3 min read

King Sobek XXI Billy Anderson and Queen Sobek XXI Tamara Flentroy are the first royals presented and taking their reigns during the 2024 Mardi Gras in the Ark-La-Tex.

And guess who showed up? Former Mayor Adrian Perkins. "He was walking around and talking to everyone when he spotted me," said Caddo School Board Member Dottie Bell.

Dottie Bell takes a selfie with former Shreveport Mayor Adrian Perkins at the Krewe of Sobek's Grand Bal.
Dottie Bell takes a selfie with former Shreveport Mayor Adrian Perkins at the Krewe of Sobek's Grand Bal.

"He told me he is now living part-time in Shreveport and part-time in Chicago," said Bell. "He is teaching at the University of Chicago."

Keeper of Wind Caddo Commissioner Victor L. Thomas during the Krewe of Sobek Grande Bal XXI, Sobek Rides the Orient Express, Friday evening, January 13, 2024 at the Shreveport Convention Center.
Keeper of Wind Caddo Commissioner Victor L. Thomas during the Krewe of Sobek Grande Bal XXI, Sobek Rides the Orient Express, Friday evening, January 13, 2024 at the Shreveport Convention Center.

With majestic music and purple, green and gold strobe lights dancing over the royal ramp, the king,  queen and their court and were presented at Krewe Sobek's Black-Tie Grande Bal XXI Jan. 12  at the Shreveport Convention Center Ballroom.

Other members of the court: Keepers XXI Patricia Scott, Earth Shawn Richardson, Water Marilyn Robinson and  Wind Caddo Commissioner Victor Thomas.

Leading the Krewe for the 2024 season and serving as executive bal producers: Captain Rosalind Howard and Co-Captain Eric Monroe.

Krewe of Sobek XXI Queen Tamara Flentroy, King Billy Anderson, Co-Captain Eric Monroe and Captain Rosalind Howard.
Krewe of Sobek XXI Queen Tamara Flentroy, King Billy Anderson, Co-Captain Eric Monroe and Captain Rosalind Howard.

In explaining the theme, Master of Ceremonies Michael Harris pointed out that  Sobek likes to use various forms of travel as the central theme for its tableau. So this year, the krewe took guests for a ride on the luxurious Orient Express, weaving in a murder story on the way for its theme: "Sobek Rides the Orient Express."

With the  "Call the Police" playing, krewe members, held high their 2nd Line umbrellas, and marched down the royal ramp to start the tableau. Harris kicked off the tableau with:   "All Aboard! All Aboard! All Aboard!

Master of Ceremonies Michael Harris is the "conductor on the Orient Express" for the Krewe of Sobek's Bal tableau.
Master of Ceremonies Michael Harris is the "conductor on the Orient Express" for the Krewe of Sobek's Bal tableau.

The ended  when Harris announced, "Let the party begin." It did, with DJ Love providing music to party to,  the crowd dancing elbow-to-elbow in the aisles.

Party notes:

Krewe of Sobek Keeper of Water Marilyn Robinson walks the runway in her very unique costume.
Krewe of Sobek Keeper of Water Marilyn Robinson walks the runway in her very unique costume.

An attention-getter: Keeper of Water Marilyn Robinson's fishtail costume. She shimmied swimmingly down the ramp, the tail keeping time as she moved.

Keeper Thomas brought along his own cheering section of friends who hooped and hollered and applauded for him.

Sobek Co-Captain Eric Monroe during the Krewe of Sobek Grande Bal XXI, Sobek Rides the Orient Express, Friday evening, January 13, 2024 at the Shreveport Convention Center.
Sobek Co-Captain Eric Monroe during the Krewe of Sobek Grande Bal XXI, Sobek Rides the Orient Express, Friday evening, January 13, 2024 at the Shreveport Convention Center.

Light sticks flashed and confetti flew throughout the night.

A shout-out to Grande Bal sponsors: Blue Bird Men's Group, Caddo Parish Teachers Federal Credit Union, Caddo Parish, Passion-Driven Leadership.

Saundra Bigham directed the show with  Tera Rachal-Cooker as stage coordinator and Fred Howard,  float coordinator.

The program's "Roll Credits"   long lists included: Janet Armand, Robbie Cox, Rene Davis, Verna Norris, Anitra Furlow, Marquis Hall, Valerie White,  Johann Cooke Sr., Joe Gant III and Eric White.

JoAnn Stewart and husband Judge Carl Stewart, U.S. Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals, were attendees at the Krewe of Sobek Grande Bal in the Shreveport Convention Center on January 12, 2024.
JoAnn Stewart and husband Judge Carl Stewart, U.S. Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals, were attendees at the Krewe of Sobek Grande Bal in the Shreveport Convention Center on January 12, 2024.

In the black-tie crowd: Judge Carl Stewart of the 5th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals and wife, JoAnn, Lynn Braggs, Henry  Whitehorn, Caddo School Board Member Mary Trammell, Jackie Scott, Caddo Tax Assessor Dr. Regina Webb, Thomas and Antoinette Edwards, Chenita Bower and former Caddo Commissioners Lyndon Johnson, Stormy Gage-Watts and Roy Burrell.

Chelsa Reese and Shreveport Fire Chief Clarence Reese, Jr. at the Krewe of Sobek Grande Bal in the Shreveport Convention Center on January 12, 2024.
Chelsa Reese and Shreveport Fire Chief Clarence Reese, Jr. at the Krewe of Sobek Grande Bal in the Shreveport Convention Center on January 12, 2024.

Also: Paul Lopez, Captain of Captains for Mardi Gras in the Ark-La-Tex, who was assigned a front-row seat, and wife Kimberly.

Sobek certainly let the good times roll when it hosted 2024's first grand bal.

This article originally appeared on Shreveport Times: Krewe of Sobek celebrates Mardi Gras in Shreveport check it out