The Bilge Pumps - Past Landings: Mardi Gras Galveston 2014

Galveston, TX February 23, 2014

The Bilge Pumps expanded our presence at Mardi Gras in 2014 thanks to an invitation from A Pair of Pirates to walk in the Grand Mumus parade on Saturday, covering 5 miles of road tossing beads to the frivolous population lining the streets along the Seawall all the way through the Strand district. Us pirates aren't used to walking that much, but the smiles were worth it. We then topped off the trip with our afternoon show that headlined the Family Gras Sunday of the festival's first weekend. We got a chance to do some damage to the innocent minds of the children lining the front rows of the standing room only crowds (in between parades) that wanted some silly piracy in their lives. We are only too happy to provide that service.

A large pack of pirates gathers together to march in the Saturday Mumus parade.	The wee pirates guard the dinghy while Fanny, John Crow, and Splice prepare the ammunition for the bead onslaught	Splice the Rigger and Maroon the Shantyman stare at a crazed tangle of pirate coin necklaces
The dinghy floats up the Seawall delivering beads to the cheap plastic starved masses.	So, we're the last one on the weekend's poster... that means we're the headliners, right?	The mic stands are properly loaded and ready to take on all comers
It's show time! That means that Sharkbait Simon, Splice, and Harvey the Corpsman are... waiting on Maroon to finish with the sound guy	Finally! The Bilge Pumps hit the stage, in time to spread their message of piracy for all!	Meanwhile, the parents send in their children to collect beads and listen to the morals of pirates diguised in the form of song.
John Crow the Cook decides that playing with the poultry is in the spirit of Mardi Gras. As long as he gives it up for lent, right?	When the crowd disperses to go catch beads from the parade, the band breaks out the their new songs, so the screw ups aren't as noticeable.	Splice the Rigger shows off his special Mardi bra for "Biddy McGrath", much to the children's enjoyment.