Editor’s note: The Press-Register holds exclusive global rights to reportage of the Masked Observer, a mysterious denizen of the Leisure Class who covers the local Mardi Gras scene.

Every veteran Mardi Gras-baller has experienced The Moment: when a Mardi Gras ball is transcended from a creditable excuse for revelry into a true Night to Remember. Such rare Moments, when they occur, demand to be recognized and appreciated — with an extra toast, a risqué Snapchat, or some other gesture that, while not exactly running afoul of the law, at least toes the line.

This basic tenet of revelry was foremost in the mind of the Masked Observer as he and his retinue faced a milestone anniversary of relentless ball-going. True to form, the Crewe d’Observe did not pause to ponder the implications of three revelrous decades spent in devotion to Carnival, and forged ahead in their formalwear, ready to find fresh Moments and confident that when it comes to the Boom Boom, too much is never enough.

Still a couple of weeks from downtown Mobile parade action, Early Gras presented a rainy round of frolicking. But as the Observer had received gracious invitations to the well-established Treasures of the Isle society, which reigns in splendor in Orange Beach, and the brand-new Carnival Krewe Du Rue, staging its first fête at Mobile’s Calirojaè venue.

Treasures of the Isle

First up was the Treasures, with the theme of “Magnolia Belles and Beaux.” The Orange Beach Event Center was filled with shiny magnolia leaves and creamy blossoms at every turn, including the dressing rooms. The elegant tableau was a family celebration for this mystic society, whose members were eager to shower Queen Judy and King Ross with doubloons and mini liquor bottles to stock a leprechaun’s lagoon.

The royal pair were bedecked with shimmering mantels and jeweled magnolia blossoms. City Councilman Jerry Johnson held the evening’s reigns as emcee, and the promenade ended with the society’s theme song, “Frozen in Time.” The TOI ball brought together first-time revelers from across the country, including snowbird refugees from Texas and the far reaches of wintery Wisconsin. Orange Beach Mayor “Tommy Gun” Tony Kennon and his missus were among the guests, who enjoyed a lavish buffet, topped off with Krispy Kreme doughnuts as a bonus delivery at 11 p.m.

Montgomery’s 2nd Coming Band rocked the hall with a string of Motown favorites, and as the dance floor filled up, the Observer regretfully rounded up his coterie to head up and across the bay for the second event of the evening.

Carnival Krewe Du Rue Ball

As they disembarked in front of Calirojaè dance hall, Floral Headpiece quickly noted a savvy ball-goer approaching the entrance in a full-length gown and sneakers. Thinking a costume de rigueur coup might be in the offing, the savvy social secretary stood impressed as the young woman deftly changed her shoes and passed them off to her gallant escort, who tucked them away before the couple made their grand entrance.

“Chivalry is not dead, ladies!” she murmured, making a mental note to try this sole-saving technique next time around.

Emcee Dr. Terry Hazzard presided as the Krewe Du Rue’s king and queen, Maynard and Roxanne Odom, led the tableau. Queen Roxanne was particularly radiant in a red sequined column, topped with a glittering, feathered mantle.

The new organization has deep roots in Mardi Gras, which was evident in the attitudes of the guests, as well as its members. Its president was formerly the head of the Original Don Q society, which was dissolved to create the Carnival Krewe Du Rue, to “focus more on Carnival style” and “restore the regal dynasty of Carnival through scholarship opportunities, community service functions, and inspire future leaders locally and nationally.”

According to sources, former Williamson High/LSU/Oakland Raiders star quarterback Jamarcus Russell is a significant backer of the Krewe, which is no surprise considering how Calirojaè was festooned with enough glitz and glam to light up Super Bowl during its resplendent night. The tables had towering feathered tablescapes with enigmatic golden masks suspended under glass columns, and the lavish menu included jambalaya with crawfish roux and caramelized port and sweet potato skewers.

When Dark Hallway, the Observer’s surly centurion, suddenly started speaking like Bob Marley and asking how he’d look in dreadlocks, it took only one peak into his jacket pockets to find out why: a steaming stack of Jamaican stuffed meat tortes from the buffet.

The Crewe d’Observe lost no time settling in with food and drink, but then came the Moment: the Krewe Du Rue’s inaugural second line. The fearless Jukebox Brass Band led an exuberant procession of angels, shamans, exotic dancers and impromptu musicians who added to the percussive rhythms via empty whiskey bottles.

If Carnival means anything, it means no limits, and this promenade of color, light, music and flair was one for the ages. At last, the season is back, and if the first soirees are any indication, Mobile revelers should brace themselves for a season of folly, filled with mystic Moments to cherish.