< PreviousFeaturesWith about 300 members from all across Texas, this krewe handles the evening parade during the first Sat-urday of Mardi Gras. Last year, Gam-brinus members tossed more than 700,000 beads in the parade, includ-ing special handcrafted medallions that all the major krewes have in honor of that year’s particular theme, krewe captain George Black said. Black has worked in the krewe since the early days of Galveston Mardi Gras. He has witnessed the krewe and the event grow over the years. “I was at the first Mardi Gras when it was brought back in the ’80s,” Black said. “And I think the krewes like Gambrinus are a big part of what ev-eryone remembers when they come ev-ery year and why it’s grown. We bring people down here for our parades, for our den party, for our events. We bring people who love to have a good time.” Other pOpular krewes• Krewe Babalu: Founded in 1995, this krewe has floats in the major pa-rades and calls itself “the every man’s Mardi Gras krewe” with affordable membership rates and year-round events. • Krewe d’Esprit Rosaire: The only black Catholic krewe on the island, is now run by Galveston’s Holy Family Parish.• Le Krewe Du Lac: The official Krewe of Kemah.• Krewe of Maximilian: Established in 1986, this krewe is 500-members strong. The krewe’s namesake is Maximilian, the French emperor of Mexico in 1864. • The Krewe of Thalasar: Founded in 1986 by a group of former Texas A&M University students, this krewe centers around a celebration of the Aggies’ involvement in Mardi Gras. • Z Krewe: Founded in 1994, any Z Krewe member can be chosen as king or queen. The krewe’s parade includes horse- and mule-drawn carriages making their way through the Mardi Gras entertainment district. • Krewe of Who?: Established in 1991, this krewe has an annual cos-tume ball during Mardi Gras.• Krewe of Saints: The island’s newest krewe, Krewe of Saints, was founded by 16 people in 2012 to pro-mote charitable activities and Mardi Gras traditions. CphOtO by keVIN M. COXMegan Carpenter, with the Krewe of Saints, throws beads during the 2014 Mystic Krewe of Aquarius Kick-Off Parade on The Strand. The Krewe of Saints was founded by 16 people in 2012.“Being King Frivolous was one of the most fun nights I can remember. It’s good to be king.”– Joe Tramonte20 COastMONthly.COM / FEATURES 2015AEGIS CREDIT SERVICESIS A POOR CREDIT SCORE CRUSHING YOUR DREAMS?WE CANFIX THAT.Bankruptcy Charge-Off CollectionsForeclosures Inquiries JudgmentsLate Payments RepossessionsStudent Loans Tax LiensFICO--900aegiscredit.comDAVY HERRIN409.256.9749ANGELA SANDERS713.882.9821KATHY MCANDREWS409.789.5256SHANE MCDERMOTT409.771.6270DEE RICHMOND409.370.4572TERRY RUGGLES409.939.3375RAMONA BOEKER281.687.8125TERESE BUTLER409.771.0222KAREE CAMPO713.291.4300DAVID HERRIN409.457.3936DIANA STEGNER409.692.2913SAMMY TAMBORELLO713.829.1798CYNTHIA WANDER409.789.7613LYNN WINGET409.795.7230J ROY HALLGALVESTON OFFICE MANAGERREALTOR®from the Better Homes and Gardens Real Estate Gary Greene Galveston Team.TEAM DANNY AND DENNIS409.789.2773RUTHI STAYTON 409.771.4130PATTI ZAJACK 409.789.3199Laissez Les Bon Temps RoulezParade yourself on down to our West End office and let us take care of ALL your real estate needs.13450 FM 3005Galveston, Texas 77554409.737.5200www.GaryGreene.comFeaturesStory by Laura Elder Photos by Jennifer ReynoldsAny debutante can perform a simple curtsy. But it takes equal parts grace, flexibility and courage to curtsy in the very extravagant way young Texas women do while being formally presented to society. Each year, just before Mardi Gras festivities begin, about 21 young women from the island and univer-sities across the nation faithfully practice an extreme curtsy, or bow, known as the Texas Dip. The women will be required to execute the Texas Dip when they’re presented as duchesses at the Knights of Momus Coronation Ball, which this year is Feb. 7.Of course, no duchess or debutante wants to be remembered for wobbling during the Dip, which entails far more than a mere bend of the knees and bow of the head. Rather, it’s a multi-step maneuver that begins with a duchess holding her arms out at her sides and ends with her slowly lowering her forehead to the floor by crossing her ankles, then bending her knees and sinking. This all must be done, mind you, in front of a lot of people, and without getting lipstick on a custom-made gown. Although the Texas Dip is practiced across the state and even among deb-utantes in New York, it’s a ritual and a source of pride for island duchesses and also for debutantes presented at the Galveston Artillery Club’s Annual Ball.“It’s a very fun and a very cool tra-dition,” Alex Brown, 20, said. Brown will be among the duchesses at the Knights of Momus Coronation Ball. But luckily for Brown, she already performed the Texas Dip when she was presented as a debutante at the Galveston Artillery Club’s Annual Ball in late November. Still, Brown concedes that among all the preparations to be a duchess, getting the curtsy right is the most anxiety inducing. Before making her debut at the Artillery Club, she prac-ticed the Texas Dip as many as five times a day, she said. Before this month’s Coronation Ball, Brown, a Rice University stu-dent majoring in English and Kinesi-ology, will likely brush up on the bow. Unlike some duchesses who wear flats, Brown will attempt the feat in heels.The exact origin of the Texas Dip is murky, but some believe it to be a re-gionalized twist on the less dramatic St. James Bow. In the English court of St. James, according to online re-sources, the parents of young, affluent women were looking to find suitable matrimonial matches. The first party of the season involved the presenta-tion of these women to the Queen. The bow to the Queen is now referred to as the St. James Bow.These days, debutantes likely aren’t looking for suitable husbands at balls and galas, and mostly just enjoy the rituals. But they do take the bow seriously, so much so they enlist the aid of islander Gerry Hornstein, who since the mid-1980s has instructed hundreds of young women on the curtsy. Hornstein, a former debutante, mastered the bow in the 1960s. She taught her daughter, who was Queen of Momus in the late 1980s, and began helping other debutantes and duchesses over the years.“Every duchess and debutante wants to do it right,” Hornstein said. But if they happen to falter or wobble during the curtsy, it isn’t the end of the world, Hornstein tells them.“I tell them do their very best,” she said. “I try to make them feel comfort-able and not to worry too much.” CA bow to A texAs trAditionMardi Gras duchesses and island debutantes must master the ultimate curtsy22 CoAstMontHLY.CoM / FEBRUARY 2015FeaturesTake a bowAlex Brown, 20, demonstrates the Texas Bow or Texas Dip, which she and the other Knights of Momus duchesses will perform during the coronation ball Feb. 7.1234567 CoaSTMoNTHLY.CoM / FEBRUARY 2015 23Save the Date‘Over the river and thrOugh the WOOds’ [Through Feb. 1]Nick is a single, Italian-American guy from New Jersey who is offered his dream job in Seattle. His grandparents do not take the news well and scheme to keep him around.8 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays and 2:30 p.m. Sundays through Feb. 1, Bay Area Harbour Playhouse, 3803 state Highway 3, Dickinson, 281.337.7469 or www.harbourplayhouse.com‘Murder On the nile’ [Through Feb. 1]After Simon leaves his fiancee Jacqueline to marry heiress Kay Ridgeway, Jacqueline plots revenge and follows the couple on their honeymoon down the Nile.8 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays and 2:30 p.m. Sundays through Feb. 1, Clear Creek Community Theatre, 18091 Upper Bay Road, Nas-sau Bay, 281.335.5228 or clearcreekcommunitytheatre.comalWays ... Patsy Cline [Jan. 29 to Feb. 15]College of the Mainland Community Theatre’s biggest box-of-fice success returns to thrill audiences with the glorious sounds of Patsy Cline’s remarkable music.8 p.m. Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays and 2:30 p.m. Sundays from Jan. 29 to Feb. 15, College of the Mainland Community Theatre, 1200 Amburn Road, Texas City, 409.933.8345 or www.com.edu/community-theatreMardi gras Ball fOr sPeCial PeOPle [Feb. 1]This free event provides food, fun and live entertainment for people with special needs as well as their families.10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Feb. 1, Moody Gardens, 1 Hope Blvd., Galveston, www.moodygardens.comthe treMOnt Jazz series [Feb. 6-7, 13-14, 20-21, 27-28]Trio du Jour takes center stage at The Tremont Jazz Series. Trio du Jour, formed in New Orleans in the 1990s, “performs hot swingin’ jazz from the 1940s to the present along with some mellow favorites,” pianist Leah Stonum said. She is joined by Kansas City bassist Mel Drybread and a guest artist who gives the group an ever-changing sound. 6 p.m. to 10 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays, 1888 Toujouse Bar at The Tremont House, 2300 Ship’s Mechanic Row, GalvestonfeBruaryFestivals, concerts, plays and more, there are lots of events in the area to keep your calendar booked.yaChty gras grand night BOat Parade [Feb. 7]The boats will parade down Clear Creek Channel by the Ke-mah Boardwalk and revelers will be showered with beads and doubloons in typical Mardi Gras fashion.7 p.m. Feb. 7, Kemah Boardwalk, 215 Kipp Ave., Kemah, yachtygras.comKreWe d’ esPrit rOsaire Presents “all that Jazz” [Feb. 7]The Krewe d’ Esprit Rosaire will celebrate this year’s Mardi Gras season with the theme “All That Jazz” focusing on the Roaring 1920s flapper era and the jazz music rich in its Har-lem Renaissance beginning and progressing to its sassy New Orleans swing.8 p.m. to 1 a.m. Feb. 7, Moody Gardens Convention Center Expo Hall A, 7 Hope Blvd., Galveston, www.galveston.comsan luis salute [Feb. 13]Glitz and glamour will reign at Paige and Tilman Fertitta’s 19th annual San Luis Salute. Galveston’s biggest gala will pay tribute to the island’s Mardi Gras roots with a lavish evening celebrating traditions of non-stop entertainment, impressive feasts and theatrical décor at this ultimate fête. Guests are in-vited to join in the excitement with an elegant seated dinner, all Trio du Jour, featuring Kansas City bassist Mel Drybread, pianist Leah Stonum and guest artist Sparky Koerner on trumpet, takes center stage at The Tremont House Jazz Series.COurtesy PhOtO/the treMOnt hOuse24 COastMOnthly.COM / FEBRUARY 2015Amie and Jolie Sikes The Junk GypsiesDr. Jennifer Arnold from TLC’s “The Little Couple”&Friday, April 17th, 2015Moody Gardens Convention Center Galveston Island, TexasFor Tickets, Sponsorship or Vendor Information, visit www.GalvestonChamber.com or call (409) 763-5326“Like” us at www.facebook.com/GalvestonCelebratingWomenProduced by:In partnership with:Cutting Edge Women’s Health Info from UTMB Health Physicians ALONG WITH GREAT UTMB SPEAKERS COVERING NEW AND TIMELY HEALTH CARE TOPICS:Je R. Temple, PhD“Teen Sexting, Cyberbullying and Emerging Trends in Social Media”Douglas Paddon-Jones, PhD“Nutrition and Healthy Aging”Joan E. Nichols, PhD“The Thin Line Between Fact, Fiction and the Zombie Apocalypse”FEATURING:Business DevelopmentandExciting Vendor MarketDANNY WEBER MEMORIAL FIRE TRUCK PARADE, 7 p.m. Feb. 13KREWE BABALU ALL KREWE PARADE, 8 p.m. Feb. 13KREWE OF MAXIMILIAN PARADE, 9:30 p.m. Feb. 13KREWE D’ESPRIT ROSAIRE PARADE, 9 a.m. Feb. 14HOUSTON CHRONICLE NEAUXS KREWE PARADE, 2:30 p.m. Feb. 14LES BON TEMPS ROULE PARADE, 4:30 p.m. Feb. 14KNIGHTS OF MOMUS GRAND NIGHT PARADE, 6:30 p.m. Feb. 14GEORGE P. MITCHELL MARDI GRAS AWARD HONOREE PARADE, 7 p.m. Feb. 6FUNKY UPTOWN UMBRELLA BRIGADE PARADE, 8 p.m. Feb. 6KREWE DA YAGA’S PARADE, 10 p.m. Feb. 6MYSTIC KREWE OF AQUARIUS KICK-OFF PARADE, Noon Feb. 7ZANIEST GOLF CART PARADE, 1 p.m. Feb. 7KREWE D’IHEARTMEDIA PARADE, 4 p.m. Feb. 7KREWE OF GAMBRINUS PARADE, 6 p.m. Feb. 7SUNSHINE KIDS PARADE, 1 p.m. Feb. 8SHRINERS HOSPITALS FOR CHILDREN – GALVESTON PARADE, 3 p.m. Feb. 826 COASTMONTHLY.COM / FEBRUARY 2015Seawall Blvd25th StBroadwayAve O33rd StAve S45th St53rd St61st StHarborsideStrandMechanic25th St24th St23rd St22nd St21st St20th StMarketStartStageGateParade RouteKREWE OF BARKUS & MEOUX PARADE, 1 p.m. Feb. 15MARDI GRAS CHILDREN’S PARADE, 2 p.m. Feb. 15MYSTIC KREWE OF AQUARIUS FAT TUESDAY, 6:30 p.m. Feb. 17FOR MORE INFO, VISIT WWW.MARDIGRASGALVESTON.COM COASTMONTHLY.COM / FEBRUARY 2015 27Save the Datenight dancing and revelry. The black tie event also will feature a royal procession of the Knights of Momus court, dignitaries and distinguished attendees.7:30 p.m. Feb. 13, The San Luis Resort & Spa, 5222 Seawall Blvd., Galveston, www.galveston.com Lighthouse Krewe Mardi gras Parade [Feb. 14]The Lighthouse Krewe sponsors this annual event, beginning at Avocet Park, traveling east on state Highway 87 to Gregory Park. Afterward, there will be a celebration at the park with 3 Way Switch, a food booth, face painting, a bounce house and the float judging contest.11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Feb. 14, Crystal Beach, www.lighthouse krewe.coma&M Mardi gras Parade Viewing Party [Feb. 14]Mardi Gras at The Tremont House will have a little more maroon this year, as the hotel transitions its famous Mardi Gras ball to a new event benefitting Texas A&M University at Galveston in memory of hotel owner and 1940 Texas A&M University graduate George P. Mitchell. In tribute to Mitchell, The George P. Mitchell Society of Texas A&M University at Galveston is now the beneficiary and host of this legendary party, which had been presented by George and Cynthia Mitchell and the Mitchell family since its start in 1985. The A&M Mardi Gras Parade Viewing Party will take place in the Tremont Ballroom and offer dinner, open bar, live music and a premier view of the Momus Grand Night Parade as it passes in front of the hotel. Guests will have the option to watch the parade from the ballroom balcony or on the street level in a gated viewing area. The Tremont House is donating the venue, staff and food and beverages enabling all proceeds to benefit the school. 6 p.m. to 11 p.m. Feb. 14, The Tremont House, 2300 Ship’s Mechanic Row, Galveston, www.tamug.edu/mardigrasgaLVeston syMPhony orchestra [Feb. 15]This ensemble of highly skilled amateur and professional musi-cians, under the direction of Trond Saeverud, will present the works of Haydn, Mozart and more.4 p.m. Feb. 15, The Grand 1894 Opera House, 2020 Postoffice St., Galveston, www.galveston.com‘JeKyLL & hyde’ [Feb. 20-21]Based on Robert Louis Stevenson’s classic novel, this intrigu-ing Broadway musical is the story of a genial English doctor whose lab experiment inadvertently transforms him into an evil alternate version of himself. Can Dr. Jekyll save himself and the people he loves, or will Mr. Hyde continue his spree of violence and destruction?8 p.m. Feb. 20-21, The Grand 1894 Opera House, 2020 Postoffice St., Galveston, 800.821.1894 or www.thegrand.com‘MarK twain tonight!’ [Feb. 27]Hal Holbrook returns to The Grand – just 10 days after cele-brating his 90th birthday – to reprise his portrayal of legendary American author, humorist and storyteller Mark Twain. Don’t miss this evening of true star power, as Holbrook begins his 61st year in his most memorable role.8 p.m. Feb. 27, The Grand 1894 Opera House, 2020 Postoffice St., Galveston, 800.821.1894 or www.thegrand.com‘godsPeLL’ [Feb. 27 to March 18]The show centers on a group of people who are called to gather together to create a community following a very loving and knowledgeable teacher. By sharing stories about living good lives and singing about love, joy, gratitude, judgment and redemption, this group of distinct individuals band together with a common purpose to face challenges and obstacles as they are tested along the way.8 p.m. Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays and 2:30 p.m. Sundays from Feb. 27 to March 18, Island ETC, 2317 Mechanic St., Galveston, 409.762.3556 or www.islandetc.orgLas Vegas night Fundraiser [Feb. 20]Food, fun, games and prizes await at the Galveston County Fair and Rodeo’s 25th annual fundraiser.7 p.m. to 11 p.m. Feb. 20, Galveston County Fairgrounds, state Highway 6, Hitchcock, www.galvestoncountyfair.comartwaLK [Feb. 28]Stroll the streets of downtown Galveston and check out works by local artists and artisans in a wide variety of media. The 16 winning designs of the 20th annual Grand Kids Festival (April 11) banner contest will be featured in Edna’s Room at The Grand as part of February’s ArtWalk.6 p.m. to 9 p.m. Feb. 28, Galveston Arts Center and other galleries, 2501 Market St., Galveston, www.contemporaryartgalveston.org In case of cancellations and changes to events, check with venues for updates. To submit an event, send pertinent informa-tion to calendar@coastmonthly.com.28 coastMonthLy.coM / FEBRUARY 2015Luxury High-RiseIndependent Living ResidencesNext >