Shangri-La
Welcomes Angela Hill
as Grand Marshal for 2008
posted December
23, 2007
by: J.J. McKay
The
Krewe of Shangri-LA is celebrating
their 35th Anniversary by welcoming
Angela Hill as their Grand Marshal.
Angela Hill has been an integral force
at WWL-TV in New Orleans for almost
thirty years, joining the station's
"Eyewitness News" staff
back in 1975. And after close to three
decades of being invited into thousands
of local homes every weeknight, she
has become a broadcast icon in the
New Orleans market, where viewers
know her on a first-name basis.
During her extraordinary
career, Angela has garnered numerous
local and national industry awards.
She has already been inducted into
the New Orleans Broadcasting Hall
of Fame, while the New Orleans Press
Club has honored her with its coveted
Lifetime Achievement Award. A brass
plate in front of the Hilton Hotel
lists Angela's name, along with other
prominent local civic leaders, as
a distinguished member of the city's
"Walk of Fame." Her national
honors include the prestigious Gabriel
Award, the Gracie Award, and a Freedom
Foundation Award.
Angela's contributions to her community
also extend way beyond the television
cameras. Her profound love of animals
and people alike has inspired her
to give countless hours to diverse
organizations ranging from the New
Orleans SPCA to the United Way. Angela
was named the first-ever "Animal
Ambassador" by the LSU School
of Veterinary Medicine for her tireless
work promoting the issues of animal
welfare. For the last eight years,
she has led the Diabetes' "Walk
for the Cure," and has also chaired
dozens of fundraisers. While year
after year, she proudly wears her
"fashion bargains" on the
anchor desk as part of her beloved
"Goodwill Week" to support
Goodwill Industries.
Today, along with
co-anchoring both the "At Five"
and "At Six" editions of
Eyewitness News, Angela enjoys focusing
her considerable journalistic skills
on both people-oriented features like
her "For the Record...with Angela"
series as well as her "Animal
Patrol" special reports.
Shangri-La
Imperial Stroll
Join
the Krewe of Shangri-La as they stroll
through the French Quarter after a
specially prepared lunch by the chef
at the host hotel, the Astor Crowne
Plaza. Included in the packet for
the "French Quarter Imperial
Stroll" is a special new colored
sweat shirt, 6 dozen special beads,
50 Shangri-La cups and a special Shangri-la
nylon tote bag. All this for only
$125. Lunch only is $50. Stroll only
is $75. Non-members are welcomed.
Costumes are encouraged but optional.
the group will be stopping at four
wonderful watering places for complimentary
specialty drinks.
Reservations, call Pat Sugar 504-261-5043.
For Krewe Membership which includes
Parade, please visit the following
Link <--Click
Here-->
The
Krewe of Shangri-la's Unveiled Their
35TH ANNIVERSARY POSTER
Shangra-La's 35TH ANNIVERSARY POSTER
By local Mardi Gras Artist Manuel
Ponce.
35th
Anniversary Poster for
the Krewe of Shangri-La
On August 15, 2007 The
Captain of Shangri-La, Mary Katherine
Lonatro-Tusa and several Krewe dignitaries
members and special guest attended
the nights unveiling. The Mardi Gras
Krewes festivities held at the renowned
BYBLOS RESTAURANT, in New Orleans.
The magical Krewe of
Shangri-La was founded in 1973, This
Carnival Krewes is named for a place
or a state of mind instead of the
traditional New Orleans Parade Greek
gods. An all women's Krewe in St.
Bernard Parish. In 2000 the Krewe
moved from it's original St. Bernard
route to the uptown traditional New
Orleans Parade route.
Members of The Krewe of Shangri-La
await
unveiling of 2008 Poster
Shangri-La is known
for its family atmosphere and the
parade's 35 years of family themes
reflects this important feature of
the Krewe. Shangri-La is one of the
few Krewes that continues to host
an elaborate tableaux ball and supper
dance every year called the "La-Te-Da".
The also host several other functions
and fund raisers to help local charities
and the City of New Orleans local
City Park Botanical Gardens. Also
on display were several new Krewe
Throws for the 2008 Mardi Gras season.
Krewe
of Shangri-La Captain Mary Katherine
Lonatro-Tusa
receives original from Poster
Artist Manuel Ponce
The Captain of Shangri-La,
Mary Katherine Lonatro-Tusa is the
longest continuously serving Carnival
Captain in the city of New Orleans.
She continues to lead the parade and
the court with her unending energy,
vision and love of Carnival. Mary
Katherine has served on many boards
and committees in the area for local
charity functions.
This special Anniversary
Poster marks a comeback to a one of
the Krewe's lost tradition from their
past. This night was a momentous one
for the Krewe. And 100 limited proofs
signed by the artist were offered
on sale to all attendance.
Ponce a Mardi Gras float
designer for Kern Studios, an Illustrator
and designer. The original vision
of his art was to show mystical land
with a touch of Mardi Gras. "Shangri-La"
is a fictional place described in
the 1933 novel Lost Horizon by British
author James Hilton. In the book,
"Shangri-La" is a mystical,
harmonious valley, gently guided from
a lamasery, enclosed in the western
end of the Kunlun Mountains. Shangri-La
has become synonymous with any earthly
paradise but particularly a mythical
Himalayan utopia—a permanently
happy land, isolated from the outside
world. The word also evokes the imagery
of exoticism of the Orient. The story
of Shangri-La is based on the concept
of Shambhala, a mystical city in Tibetan
Buddhist tradition.
Artist Manuel Ponce discusses
his vision of the poster
Ponce's vision of the
poster for Shangri-la comes from the
context to which this "Garden
of Eden" might be used, to represent
a perfect paradise that exists hidden
from modern man.
"This artwork can be used as
an analogy for a life-long quest for
something elusive that is much sought."
Said Ponce at the unveiling. "For
a man who spends his life obsessively
looking for a cure to the pains of
the world, or a great sadness such
a cure could be said to be that man's
own vision of "Shangri-La".
And certainly his art does put a smile
on your face as it transports you
to a place that is only New Orleans
Mardi Gras Krewe of Shangri-La.
Members
of Shangri-La enjoy dinner
at BYBLOS RESTAURANT, in New Orleans
Krewe
of Shangri-La throws for 2008
THE 35TH ANNIVERARY
POSTERS WILL ALSO BE AVAILABLE ON
SALE SOON TO THE PUBLIC HERE AT MARDIGRASPARADESCHEDULE.COM
AND THE KREWES OFFICIAL WEBSITE.
http://www.kreweofshangrila.com/
The
MYSTIC KREWE OF SHANGRI-LA returns
to the Train Garden in City Park
(inside the Botanical Gardens)
on July 21, 2007. Bring your lunch,
your friends, and your family.
We need lots of volunteers to
make this clean-up a success.
The Krewe will be responsible
for weeding, cleaning, and planting
annuals in the Train Garden. (9:30
-12:00)
The
Krewe of Shangri-LA raises
money to help protect the
New Orleans Police Department
NOPD
& Shangri LA Event
Committee Members photo
by Beth Lytle
The
Vest for The Best Fundraiser
was a success for the Krewe
of Shangri-LA raising nearly
10,000 dollars for the NOPD
to buy bullet proof vest.
This fun-filled evening took
place at Rock n Bowl, 4133
S. Carrollton Ave., on Thursday,
June 28, 2007 from 7:00 pm
until 9:30 pm.
All
net proceeds from the event
were donated to the NOPD for
bulletproof vests in appreciation
for the NOPD’s dedication
in providing safety and security
along the uptown New Orleans
parade route. Throughout the
Mardi Gras season, the NOPD
provides countless hours of
hard work to ensure a fun and
safe Carnival for visitors and
locals alike. Come out and bowl
with us to support New Orleans
Finest.
Event
co-chair Kellie Barnes &
NOPD Officer Ross Bougerois photo
by Beth Lytle
Shangri-la
Krewe Captain photo
by Beth Lytle
Paula
Ponamsky & Pat Sugar
at the door photo
by Beth Lytle
Madeline
& Morgan The Krewe of
Shangri-la's youngest members photo
by Beth Lytle
auction-item---Reggie
Bush autographed football photo
by Beth Lytle
Gillian
& The Captain of Shangri-LA photo
by Beth Lytle
VESTS FOR THE BEST: In celebration
of their 35th anniversary the Mystic
Krewe of Shangri-La invites you to attend
Vest for the Best, a fundraising event
to supply the New Orleans Police Department
with bulletproof vests. This fun-filled
evening will take place at Rock n Bowl,
4133 S. Carrollton Ave., on Thursday,
June 28, 2007 from 7:00 pm until 9:30
pm. Ticket price includes food, wine,
beer, soft drinks, bowling and live
band. Ticket price is $35 for adults
and $25 for children.
All
net proceeds from the event will be
donated to the NOPD for bulletproof
vests in appreciation for the NOPD’s
dedication in providing safety and security
along the uptown New Orleans parade
route. Throughout the Mardi Gras season,
the NOPD provides countless hours of
hard work to ensure a fun and safe Carnival
for visitors and locals alike. Come
out and bowl with us to support New
Orleans Finest.
Patron and Corporate Sponsorships are
available. To sponsor or purchase tickets
or for more information, contact vestsforthebest@cox.net
or call Leanne 504-481-2785.
The
MYSTIC KREWE OF SHANGRI-LA returned
to the Train Garden in City Park (inside
the Botanical Gardens) on June 23, 2007.
A PRESENTATION
WAS MADE TO KRISTINA BRADFORD WHO IS
THE COMMUNITY CO-ORDINATOR FOR WHOLE
FOOD MARKET FOR HERE EFFORTS IN THE
COMMUNITY
Karen
Villavaso, Kristina Bradford (whole
food market)
and The Capt, Mary K. Lonatro-Tusa
The
MYSTIC KREWE OF SHANGRI-LA Help
Bring Back Train Garden in City
Park
New Orleans, Louisiana
-June 23, 2007
Hurricane Katrina did extensive
damage to the park, first by the
winds toppling an estimated 1,000
trees and damaging many more. After
the failure of several flood walls,
the park flooded with 1 to 10 feet
of water which sat for two to four
weeks, damaging all buildings, amusement
rides, maintenance equipment, electrical
systems, vehicles, and causing the
death of more trees and landscaping
including nearly the entire plant
collection in the New Orleans Botanical
Garden.
Currently, the park is recovering,
repairing old attractions and adding
new ones as well. The Amusement Park
has recently reopened, featuring new
rides and a brand new miniature train
ride.
Karen
Villavaso shows Regina Guerra
a verbina plant
More long hard work still needs to
be done in helping to resurrect the
lost Train Garden in City Park. The
summer season is here on top of us
and weeds are growing fast. "We
need lots of volunteers to make this
continued clean-up and maintenance
a success." Says the Mystic Krewe
of Shangi-La's Captain. "The
New Orleans parading Mardi Gras Krewe
has taken on a serious and arduous
task and will be responsible for weeding,
cleaning, and planting annuals in
the Train Garden."
City Park offers 1300 acres of year-round
family fun. Located in the heart of
New Orleans' mid-city, City Park offers
a wide menu of natural attractions,
sports and recreational activity and
attractions for children.
City Park was established in the
19th century on the land fronting
Metairie Road (now City Park Avenue)
along the remains of Bayou Metairie,
a former distributary of the Mississippi
River, but originally only went back
a block or two in distance, as swamp
ground extended from there to Lake
Pontchartrain. After this area was
drained in the mid 20th century, City
Park was expanded. Substantial improvements
were made to the park by the Works
Progress Administration, including
many sculptures by Enrique Alferez.
It is one of the 10 largest urban
parks in the country and holds the
world's largest collection of mature
live oak trees in the world, some
older than 600 years. Its founding
in 1853 makes also makes it one of
the oldest parks in America.
Standing
Regina Guerra weeding Shari Fisher
and
Kathy McNamara (City Park employee)
City Park's attractions including
the New Orleans Botanical Garden,
Storyland fairytale playground, and
the Carousel Gardens Amusement Park
delight visitors of all ages. In addition,
several facilities are available to
host any public or private event from
a formal wedding to a casual picnic,
a concert to a business meeting. The
hundreds of acres of park land provide
enjoyment for young children playing
on our playgrounds, walkers, joggers,
and bicyclists winding through the
park's streets and trails.
City Park is presently continuing
on its journey toward recovery from
Hurricane Katrina.
Following Hurricane Katrina, New
Orleans beloved City Park in New Orleans
has been struggling to keep up with
the continue maintenance and beauty
of the park as we knew before the
storm. In an effort to help the park
as well as our city recover the Krewe
of Shangri-LA has been working over
the past several months to do their
part and care for the Train Gardens
in City Park.
The Krewe members have had much success
in restoring the Train Garden to it's
pre-Katrina levels, but as summer
is setting in the weeds are returning
in full force.
Kristina
Bradford in Volunteering in City
Park
Monthly, the Krewe meets with volunteers
to continue the efforts to restore
and maintain this great treasure in
New Orleans. This website thanks you
for the efforts that you are doing
and if you would like to help, please
contact Karen Villavaso Project Chairperson
at 887-5993 or cell 453-7051, or by
e-mail kvillavaso@aol.com if you will
be able to attend. Looking forward
to seeing you in the park on the next
cleanup day.
Next Weeding date July 21 9:30 till
Noon. Bring a friend so our volunteers
will grow - refreshment will be served.
The Name
Shangri-La means "eternal youth,
peace & tranquility". The Krewe
is named after the mythical Eden-like
land called "Shangri-La" in
the Himalayan mountains. It is one of
the few Carnival Krewes named for a place
or a state of mind instead of the traditional
Greek gods.
Shangri-La began in 1973 as an all
women's Krewe in St. Bernard. In the
year 2000, with King Mario G. Bogran
and Queen Patricia Bogran, this was
the first brother and sister royal family
of Shangri-La. That year the Krewe also
moved to the uptown New Orleans route
and has since become a club of very
festive men and ladies.
Shangri-La is known for its family
atmosphere and the parade's 31 years
of family themes reflects this important
feature of the Krewe. You find many
families with several generations on
the same float!
Shangri-La
is one of the few Krewes that continues
to host an elaborate tableaux ball and
supper dance every year called the "La-Te-Da".
A full royal Court is named annually at
the Coronation Ball and presented at the
La-Te-Da in full costume. Costumes are
still handmade and detailed with the finest
materials and fabrics. The headpieces
are made of exotic imported feathers and
stones.
The Captain of Shangri-La, Mary Katherine
Lonatro is the longest continuously
serving Carnival Captain in the city
of New Orleans. She continues to lead
the parade and the court with her unending
energy, vision and love of Carnival.
Mary Katherine has served on many boards
and committees in the area for local
charity functions.
Shangri-La has evolved throughout its
33 years into a contemporary club of
“festive ladies and invited gentlemen”.
We've had our royal court go from an
18 year old high school senior to a
75 year old retired school teacher.
Our kings have been home grown life-long
military to a transplanted New Yorker.
We’ve had maids dressed as festivals,
speciality drinks, songs, cities, and
animals with dukes from all over the
United States escorting them in full
tuxedo dress. The throws have changed
from glass beads and doubloons to lighted
buddha belly beads and stuffed animals.
Throughout
the 33 years, we always had a Coronation
Ball to announce the new court. In 2006,
we will have a Coronation Brunch for all
members, families and friends to enjoy.
Another first in 2006 will be the “Members
Only” dance at our Tableaux Ball
Supper Dance on February 11, 2006.
Our membership has changes from all
ladies to groups of co-workers, colleagues
from all industries, corporate clients,
out of town guests and our newest level
of membership, our Junior Members open
to girls 9-17 before they become full
Shangri-La members at 18.
Shangri-La is reaching out into the
community through several charitable
organizations including St. Michaels
Special School. We continue to recognize
our local talent in our “Best
of the Best” marching band contest
which awards trophies and financial
contributions to New Orleans and area
schools.
The
Krewe of Shangri-La returns to the
Train Garden in City Park (inside
the Botanical Gardens) on April 21,
2007. Your response was great last
month, but we still have a lot more
work to left do.
Mark
April 21, 2007 on your calander as
we will be working in the Garden from
9am-12 noon.
Bring your lunch, your friends, and
your family. We need lots of volunteers
to make this clean-up a success.
The Krewe will be responsible for
weeding, cleaning, and planting annuals
in the Train Garden.
Make a day of it! Wear comfortable
clothes.
Please call me at 887-5993 or cell
453-7051, or e-mail kvillavaso@aol.com
if you will be able to attend.
Looking forward to seeing you in the
park on April 21st.
The
Krewe of Shangri-La has committed
to be the caretakers of the Train
Garden in City Park for 2007. The
project will kick off on March 10th
at 9.00 AM. Bring your lunch, your
friends, and your family. We need
lots of volunteers to make this clean-up
a success. The Krewe will be responsible
for weeding, cleaning, and planting
annuals in the Train Garden. Make
a day of it! Wear comfortable clothes.
Please call me at 887-5993 or cell
453-7051, or e-mail kvillavaso@aol.com
if you will be able to attend.
Looking forward to seeing you in the
park on March 10th.
