Ritual of The Capes

Here is an edited version of an old forum post


When I was at the K, for every parade we had a certain spot where we'd open up our capes.. it was like a ritial or something. Durring the parades there are various Judges stands located all down St. Charles avenue. but it isnt till After we'd pass Gallier Hall to get our shine on. See, after Gallier Hall is about 2 more or 3 more blocks till St. Charles Meets Canal Street. A we marched down to the corner an random band members start yelling Back "OPEN THE CAPES!!!. OPEN UP!!" while the rest of the band Is Chanting "Canal Street, Canaaaal Street" l(similar to the Ay,yo chants that most bands do) and we star doing the FSU Seminoles War Chant. As we make it toward the corner, The Whistle is blown and we'd roll off one of our most powerful songs or a song that we're known for playing. As we go down canal street, From the guards in the front to the Basses in the back. The whole band is bucked up, Striding as our capes swing left to right. If we're lucky enough to see another band on the other side of the street we'd have the Neutral Ground Battle. Here's how that plays out While we are marching down one street. Most likely another band (like St. Aug.) would be on the other side or the neutral ground blowing, So we'd crank up a few song just blowing toward their way letting the parade goers be the judges. As we go around the bend its the sae thing.. another band comes out and attempts to blow, but we shut that down with the quickness then as we are leaving Canal Street we'd play "Bai La Mos". That was our end of Canal Street song. After that its the end of the parade so we just relax (while still marching) & probably play a few more songs untill the parade is officially over. Thats when we play *JFK JAM* as the band chant......The Parade is over, we Hit the Busses. But if some one is marching Directly Behind us, We Would Stay for a Back Street Battle of the bands.. & then Leave the scene as if nothin' happened
As for me, I think it all was because we were all Bucked up about our capes being opened (not really though)

original post here (created some time in 2004)