The city government could have canceled this event, but they couldn't have put it on.

Not having it would be like not having Christmas.

It?s not to say we don?t understand the seriousness of our situation, but sometimes you have to laugh in order not to cry. Mardi Gras is group therapy for us.

It wouldn't be Mardi Gras without Zulu. Nobody has more fun than Zulu.

We hope it will signify our comeback. The fact that we're down but not out. We're doing it for group therapy.

I think Mardi Gras is a symbol that we're down but not out.

There is a private side to Carnival. It started as an event that we did for ourselves and it still is. The economic side is monumental and it's good for the city. But we chose to do this for us.

We have no model for this. Will the city ever be back to normal? We don't know. All I can tell you is we're going to enjoy this Mardi Gras.