A Non-New Orleanian's Guide to HBO's 'Treme'

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A Non-New Orleanian's Guide to HBO's 'Treme'
Apr 15th 2010
BVX

Authenticity is "Treme" creator David Simon's calling card. On "The Wire,", Simon immersed us in the sights, sounds and slang of Baltimore. He does the same with New Orleans on "Treme," but the learning curve for culture in the Big Easy is pretty steep so theBVX is giving you a cheat sheet .

Last Sunday, April 11, millions of viewers from far outside the Crescent City tuned in to "Treme," scratching their heads as obscure, but visually stunning, references emerged. Some of those references would probably elude even a frequent New Orleans visitor, especially if said tourist never took the time to venture into Fauborg Treme. To alleviate any confusion, check out the top five obscure "Treme" moments, explained.


1. Mardi Gras Indian regalia

The sight of Albert Lambreaux (played by Clarke Peters) feathered brightly from head to toe – like Big Bird crossed with a peacock -- illustrated a long-running African-American ritual in New Orleans. On holidays like St. Joseph's (or St. Joe's), the Mardi Gras Indians face off in the streets wearing intricately woven costumes to decide who's the prettiest, and best armed with knowledge about the history of the tribes. That history is unfortunately marred with violence but the "chief of chiefs" Allison "Tootie" Montana called a truce years ago, telling the tribes not to fight with weapons but with their costumes. The violence died down, but police continued to harass them. At a city council hearing in June of 2005, Montana demanded the police abuse stop, but then fell dead of a heart attack. Two months later, Hurricane Katrina crash-landed on the Gulf Coast.

2. Hubig's pies

When chef Janette DeSautel serves a fried pie to patrons because her restaurant's dessert menu is a bit deserted, the reference is to a city-favorite bakery called Hubig's, which has served the fruit-filled pastries since 1922. This scene actually caused controversy, albeit by Simon himself when he wrote to the Times-Picayune admitting he violated realism by inserting the pie at a time-setting when Hubig's hadn't yet been re-opened.


3. Vaughan's Lounge

The scene where Davis McAlary, played by Steve Zahn, is at Vaughan's, a popular lounge, is seasoned with cameos from numerous jazz legends, including Kermit Ruffin and Elvis Costello. If you look closely, you can spot Davis Rogen, a local musician with a somewhat rambunctious reputation around the city, upon which McAlary's character is based.


4. Hurricane Katrina was not a natural disaster, it was a man-made

An opening scene shows professor Creighton Burnette, played by John Goodman, barking at a news reporter who's made the mistake of referring to Hurricane Katrina as a "natural disaster." "What hit Mississippi," says Burnette, "was a natural disaster, but what led to 80% of New Orleans drowning under water was the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers' faulty levees." Burnette is not splitting hairs. Katrina actually missed New Orleans, but the surges led to the infamously tragic flooding. Activists have organized at Levees.org to ensure that America never forgets this important distinction. In real life, Goodman is a spokesman for the group.

5. Mystikal's "Keep Bouncin' Back"

When McAlary blares this Mystikal song from his windows, pissing off his neighbors, some might have wondered why he chose this bounce-cum-hip-hop MC instead of Juvenile or Master P. Some even might wonder why he chose "Keep Bouncin' Back," one of Mystikal's earlier songs. But lyrically, the song title says it all. You may have preferred a Lil' Wayne -- or Jay Electronica! -- joint, but Mystikal has a particular resonance. While Wayne is a fresh jailbird, Mystikal just came home from a six-year prison sentence for sexual battery and extortion and his city performances this past Mardi Gras were a much celebrated comeback.