The lively brass sounds of New Orleans filled the air as revelers celebrated Mardi Gras on a chilly Fat Tuesday evening in downtown Oakland.
Horns blaring and drums echoing off the buildings, M.J.’s Brass Boppers, led by New Orleans native Michael M.J. Jones, made their way down 19th Street from Snow Park to the New Parish with a quick stop at Bar 355, where bystanders boogied in the street. Though a long way from the Crescent City, the spirit was infectious as locals took part in the parade, which included several stilt walkers.
The annual event concluded with a show by the band at the New Parish club on San Pablo Avenue.
Mardi Gras is French for “Fat Tuesday,” the culmination of a festive season in New Orleans which traditionally begins on Jan. 6. Also known as Carnival or Carnaval, it’s celebrated in many countries around the world, mainly those with large Roman Catholic populations, on the day before the religious season of Lent begins.
Oakland has a deep connection with Louisiana and other states in the south, as many people came here to work in the Richmond shipyards during World War II and settled in West Oakland.
Grand Marshall Arion Chapman, originally of New Orleans, leads the way during the M.J. Brass Boppers annual Mardi Gras parade in downtown Oakland, Calif., on Tuesday, Feb. 13, 2024. (Jane Tyska/Bay Area News Group)
The M.J. Brass Boppers brass band leads the annual Mardi Gras parade in downtown Oakland, Calif., on Tuesday, Feb. 13, 2024. (Jane Tyska/Bay Area News Group)
Stilt walkers Aimee Rose and Stella Adelman, from right, take part in the M.J. Brass Boppers band’s annual Mardi Gras parade in downtown Oakland, Calif., on Tuesday, Feb. 13, 2024. (Jane Tyska/Bay Area News Group)
Community members take part in the M.J. and the Brass Boppers annual Mardi Gras parade in downtown Oakland, Calif., on Tuesday, Feb. 13, 2024. (Jane Tyska/Bay Area News Group)
The M.J. and the Brass Boppers annual Mardi Gras parade winds its way through downtown Oakland, Calif., on Tuesday, Feb. 13, 2024. (Jane Tyska/Bay Area News Group)
Members of the M.J. Brass Boppers band perform during their annual Mardi Gras parade in downtown Oakland, Calif., on Tuesday, Feb. 13, 2024. (Jane Tyska/Bay Area News Group)
Chris Cornelius dances during the M.J. Brass Boppers annual Mardi Gras parade in downtown Oakland, Calif., on Tuesday, Feb. 13, 2024. (Jane Tyska/Bay Area News Group)
The M.J. Brass Boppers band, including band leader and snare drum player M.J. Jones, center, and trombonist Joshua Sirotiak, right, perform during their annual Mardi Gras parade in downtown Oakland, Calif., on Tuesday, Feb. 13, 2024. (Jane Tyska/Bay Area News Group)
Participants dance as the M.J. Brass Boppers band perform during their annual Mardi Gras parade in downtown Oakland, Calif., on Tuesday, Feb. 13, 2024. (Jane Tyska/Bay Area News Group)
Al Lazard, originally of New Orleans, plays saxophone and tambourine during the M.J. Brass Boppers band’s annual Mardi Gras parade in downtown Oakland, Calif., on Tuesday, Feb. 13, 2024. (Jane Tyska/Bay Area News Group)
Stilt walker Aimee Rose takes part in the M.J. Brass Boppers band’s annual Mardi Gras parade in downtown Oakland, Calif., on Tuesday, Feb. 13, 2024. (Jane Tyska/Bay Area News Group)
Azuri Whitlock, center, and others take part in the M.J. and the Brass Boppers annual Mardi Gras parade in downtown Oakland, Calif., on Tuesday, Feb. 13, 2024. (Jane Tyska/Bay Area News Group)
The M.J. Brass Boppers band, including band leader and snare drum player M.J. Jones, right, perform during their annual Mardi Gras parade in downtown Oakland, Calif., on Tuesday, Feb. 13, 2024. (Jane Tyska/Bay Area News Group)
Stilt walker Aimee Rose, center, takes part in the M.J. Brass Boppers band’s annual Mardi Gras parade in downtown Oakland, Calif., on Tuesday, Feb. 13, 2024. (Jane Tyska/Bay Area News Group)
