Southern comfort ... A beaded reveller smiles amid the celebrations.Photograph: Dan Chung/GuardianRed-feathered Queen ... A reveller wears a feather mask and costume on Bourbon Street. Photograph: Dan Chung/GuardianShake your tail feather ... A dancer in the Mardi Gras parade. Photograph: Dan Chung/GuardianNo strings attached ... Revellers celebrate by dropping strings of beads on Bourbon Street. Traditionally spectators on balconies dangle beads tempting passing women to bare their chests for the trinkets.Photograph: Dan Chung/GuardianThe remains of the day ... Dropped strings of beads and cups litter the ground in Canal Street.Photograph: Dan Chung/GuardianThere's always room for Elvis ... Revellers in fancy dress costumes on Bourbon Street. Photograph: Dan Chung/GuardianFeatherlight ... A man tempts partygoers with beads from a Bourbon Street balcony. Photograph: Dan Chung/GuardianRoute canal treatment ... Crowds wave at a Krewe of Orpheus float passing along Canal street.Photograph: Dan Chung/GuardianMaking up is hard to do ... Getting ready for the Zulu Social Aid and Pleasure Club's party.Photograph: Dan Chung/GuardianThe visitors ... Tourists pay up to £1,500 to ride with the Zulus in New Orleans. Here, two visitors prepare for the parade, at a 3am breakfast at the Hilton. Photograph: Dan Chung/GuardianZulu do ... 'His Royal Highness, King Zulu decrees that all impediments that may interfere with public enjoyment on Mardi Gras Day, shall be removed.'Photograph: Dan Chung/GuardianJoin the club ... The Zulu Social Aid and Pleasure Club members hold their parade.Photograph: Dan Chung/GuardianBeads for all ... Strings of beads are handed down from a procession float in the Uptown area of the city, as tourists and locals kick off the party in the run-up to 'Fat Tuesday'.Photograph: Dan Chung/GuardianKatrina kept away ... A woman holds a sign saying 'Katrina can't stop this party' during a parade in Uptown.Photograph: Dan Chung/Guardian
