FEBRUARY 24, 2020 • MARDI GRAS SOUTHWEST • 17
been married for 22 years and have two children,
Aaron and Lauren. Steven has been
employed by Citgo for 14 years and works as
a turnaround manager. Jolene is employed
by Turner Industries.
Th roughout the years as music has
evolved, so has dance. We had the opportunity
to watch the Bons Amis dancers “Bust a
Move.” Th ey charged the dance fl oor, doing
Th e Twist, Tootsie Roll, Cha-cha Slide and
more. And just as fast as they appeared, they
were gone! Participating were Kayla Babaz,
Leslie Cubbage, Ryan and Tracy Doucet,
Jessica Heard, Kayla Lyons, Kysha Martin,
Zelda Lantier and EJ Cutright.
Who likes Country music? Th e crowd
welcomed the Duke and Duchess of
Country Legends, Amanda and Alexzandra
Blanchard as Johnny Cash and June
Carter Cash. Amanda was born and raised
in Abbeville. She graduated from Abbeville
High School in 2005 and got her associates
degree in hospitality from SLCC. Amanda
is an OWI deputy clerk for Lafayette City
Court. Ali was born in Lancaster, California
and raised in Arizona. Aft er high school
graduation she moved to Louisiana where
she fell in love with the culture, music, and
food. She is a staffi ng coordinator for Right
at Home in Lafayette. Amanda and Ali have
been married for nine years and have been
Krewe members for two years. Th ey were
introduced to Krewe des Bons Amis by Ali’s
dad, Chris and stepmom, the late Christine
Draper. Christine was a beloved founding
member who will be missed and remain in
their hearts forever.
Next came Elwood and Jake Blues, who
in real life were Krewe members Mike Allen
and Michael Lewandowski. With their suits
and hats, they wowed the guests with their
dance moves.
Th e crowd welcomed Axel Rose and Joan
Jett to the party, better known as the Duke
and Duchess of Rock ‘n Roll, David and
Jody Gibson. David grew up in the Lake
Charles area and has been an operator at
Phillips 66 Refi nery for the last 25 years. He
has a 12-year-old daughter and has been in
the Krewe for fi ve years. He is currently the
Float Chairman. Jody grew up in South Lake
Charles and has worked at Phillips 66 Refi nery
for the last 19 years in operations. She is
currently a clerk in the maintenance department.
Th e couple has been together for eight
years and reside in Lebleu Settlement. Jody
is a charter member of the Krewe and has
held several board positions, including her
current position as Krewe Vice-President.
Th e next performance was Bruno Mars
to “24 Karat Magic,” played perfectly by E J
Cutright.
Th e Duke and Duchess of Movie Showtunes,
Buddy Ryan and Caline Pittman,
were next to perform. Th e Duke as “Danny
Zuko” led his dancers/mechanics Jimmy
Bastow and Kyle Caswell to front and center
with their Red Greased Lightning car and
the song “Greased Lightning.” Duchess
Caline Pittman as Ali Rose led her fellow
burlesque dancers Tammy Ryan and Ayasha
Gillespie in a routine to “Show Me How You
Burlesque.” Buddy grew up in Sulphur and
attended San Jacinto College in Pasadena,
TX. He has three children and has been
employed with Turner Industries for the
past 5 years. Caline grew up in Sulphur and
aft er high school, moved to San Diego for
the next 29 years. She has been employed by
Turner Industries for the past 5 years and is
a member of Mardi Gras SWLA
Th e Captains poured the champagne and
off ered the Royal Toast, with the traditional
Second Line kicking off an evening of dancing.
Music was provided by Southern DJ
Productions.
Bons Amis was founded in 2005 by fi ve
good friends: Charles and Leslie Cubbage,
Jimmy and Jackie Bastow and the late
Christine Draper.
Duke and Duchess of Country Legends
Amanda and Alexzandra Blanchard
Duke and Duchess of Rock ‘n Roll
David and Jody Gibson
Duke and Duchess of Movie Showtunes
Buddy Ryan and Caline Pittman