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Salt-N-Pepa take reality series to Mardi Gras

CELEBRITIES: Rap duo joins other stars leading krewes during Mardi Gras

12:00 AM CST on Saturday, February 2, 2008

From Wire Reports The Associated Press

NEW ORLEANS – Sandy "Pepa" Denton got a lesson this week on how to toss beads and an up-close look at the elaborate float she'll be riding in Monday's Krewe of Orpheus parade with friend and rap partner Cheryl "Salt" James.

The women, stars of the rap group Salt-N-Pepa, brought their VH1 reality TV show to New Orleans to document their work helping a family rebuild after Hurricane Katrina, as well as their ride in the parade.

"It's so pretty," Ms. Denton says of the float, which has two winged horses and hundreds of decorative flowers. It will be among dozens rolling down St. Charles Avenue the night before Mardi Gras.

Carnival and celeb watching go into high gear this weekend.

Kevin Costner will serve as grand marshal of the Krewe of Endymion, one of the largest, glitziest parades. He'll be joined by the Doobie Brothers and the Go-Go's.

On Sunday, wrestler Hulk Hogan will reign as king of the Krewe of Bacchus. Today show correspondent Hoda Kotb and weatherman Al Roker will be grand marshals of the Krewe of Argus on Tuesday in suburban Metairie. Also on Mardi Gras, clarinetist Pete Fountain will lead a cadre of locals and celebrities for the annual trek of the Half-Fast Walking Club.

Orpheus, the glittery parade founded in 1993 by singer Harry Connick Jr., has one of the longest list of celebs. Besides Salt-N-Pepa, Lance Bass and Kevin Meaney, daytime TV star Christian LeBlanc and two-time Indianapolis 500 winner (and Dancing With the Stars champ) Helio Castroneves will ride.

South Louisiana's Carnival celebration dates back to 1699, when French explorers sloshing through the wetlands paused to mark the day before Lent.

But celebrities didn't become a regular highlight until the first Bacchus parade in 1969, when Danny Kaye reigned.

Salt-N-Pepa say they chose to come to New Orleans not only to take part in Mardi Gras but to keep the plight of the recovering city and its people fresh in the minds of Americans.

A second season of The Salt-N-Pepa Show is scheduled to begin airing Feb. 11; the New Orleans segments are set for late March-early April.

"The main point for coming is to bring attention through the show to the fact that there's still a lot of devastation," Ms. James says.

The Associated Press

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Home The Arts Books Performing Arts Visual Arts Attractions Kids & Family Sports & Recreation Best in DFW Celebrity News Movies Music & Nightclubs Reviews Restaurants Television TV Listings Video Games Visitors' Guide Columnists Video GuideLive.com/extra About GuideLive Blog: Arts Blog: Local Scene Blog: Movies Blog: Music Blog: Eats Blog: TV Blog: Punchbutton Blog: Shopping Buzz Blog: Texas Pages Newsletters Submit an Event Search Archives	Salt-N-Pepa take reality series to Mardi Gras CELEBRITIES: Rap duo joins other stars leading krewes during Mardi Gras 12:00 AM CST on Saturday, February 2, 2008 From Wire Reports The Associated Press NEW ORLEANS – Sandy "Pepa" Denton got a lesson this week on how to toss beads and an up-close look at the elaborate float she'll be riding in Monday's Krewe of Orpheus parade with friend and rap partner Cheryl "Salt" James. The women, stars of the rap group Salt-N-Pepa, brought their VH1 reality TV show to New Orleans to document their work helping a family rebuild after Hurricane Katrina, as well as their ride in the parade. "It's so pretty," Ms. Denton says of the float, which has two winged horses and hundreds of decorative flowers. It will be among dozens rolling down St. Charles Avenue the night before Mardi Gras. Carnival and celeb watching go into high gear this weekend. Kevin Costner will serve as grand marshal of the Krewe of Endymion, one of the largest, glitziest parades. He'll be joined by the Doobie Brothers and the Go-Go's. On Sunday, wrestler Hulk Hogan will reign as king of the Krewe of Bacchus. Today show correspondent Hoda Kotb and weatherman Al Roker will be grand marshals of the Krewe of Argus on Tuesday in suburban Metairie. Also on Mardi Gras, clarinetist Pete Fountain will lead a cadre of locals and celebrities for the annual trek of the Half-Fast Walking Club. Orpheus, the glittery parade founded in 1993 by singer Harry Connick Jr., has one of the longest list of celebs. Besides Salt-N-Pepa, Lance Bass and Kevin Meaney, daytime TV star Christian LeBlanc and two-time Indianapolis 500 winner (and Dancing With the Stars champ) Helio Castroneves will ride. South Louisiana's Carnival celebration dates back to 1699, when French explorers sloshing through the wetlands paused to mark the day before Lent. But celebrities didn't become a regular highlight until the first Bacchus parade in 1969, when Danny Kaye reigned. Salt-N-Pepa say they chose to come to New Orleans not only to take part in Mardi Gras but to keep the plight of the recovering city and its people fresh in the minds of Americans. A second season of The Salt-N-Pepa Show is scheduled to begin airing Feb. 11; the New Orleans segments are set for late March-early April. "The main point for coming is to bring attention through the show to the fact that there's still a lot of devastation," Ms. James says. The Associated Press This text is invisible on the page, but this text is affected by the invisible item's flow. This text is invisible on the page, but this text is affected by the invisible item's flow. More headlines The Best in DFW: Best frozen treats Sneak peek: The X-Files: I Want to Believe Junior Players give 'A Midsummer Night's Dream' a Bollywood twist Dallas restaurant owner Lisa Garza faces heavy competition to be 'The Next Food Network Star' They love 'Nashville Star' finalist Melissa Lawson in Arlington More... ARCHIVES: Search for more stories on this and other topics \| Search Tips SUBSCRIBE: Get The Dallas Morning News delivered to your home	Advertising