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Yahoo
23-03-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Marche du Nain Rouge embraces the Red Dwarf, parades through Midtown to kick off spring
It is a procession of the absurd. The Marche du Nain Rogue, a riotous, jazzy parade through the Cass Corridor of Detroit, kicked off once again Sunday, attracting thousands to join and behold all the weird, wacky and wonderful costumes and floats while marking the beginning of spring. Organizer and co-founder Francis Grunow said the event serves as a distraction from the chaos of the real world. It's a chance for people to let loose and have fun. "We need more absurdity in our lives," Grunow said. "We want people to come down and let their freak flag fly." And that is exactly what parade-goers did. Thousands turned out to see the march, which kicked off on Second Avenue and West Canfield Street in Midtown. Led by Detroit's Gabriel Brass Band, the parade took about an hour to reach its stopping point at the Masonic Temple on Temple Street. With New Orleans-inspired jazz, an annual appearance from a mythical legend and DJs spinning techno at the afterparty, the Marche du Nain Rouge solidified itself as Mardi Gras meets Groundhog Day in Detroit. Detroit Protests: Protesters in Detroit and Canada unify across river, rally against Trump presidency Ralph Taylor, an 82-year-old artist from Trinidad, has been designing costumes for the parade for almost a decade, he said. Taylor, who wore a simple navy blue jacket and jeans, was actually the man behind some of the loudest costumes marching through the Cass Corridor Sunday. Performers wearing his costumes stood out in the crowd with large fans and ornate sets of wings fixed to their backs. Taylor is a Kresge Arts fellow who designs ornate costumes for marchers in the parade. He said he's inspired by his childhood in Trinidad and Tobago. "I grew up in Trinidad, and there I loved Carnival," Taylor said, referencing the exuberant annual festival in the country. "I loved all the old people making costumes and I wanted to make costumes myself — something beautiful." Taylor said he's been making award-winning costumes since he was nine. And at 82, he plans to keep elevating the Marche du Nain Rouge. "I just love the Nain Rouge," Taylor said. News quiz: Did you follow metro Detroit news this week? Test your knowledge with Free Press news quiz The parade is steeped in nearly 300 years of history. The Nain Rouge — "red dwarf" in French — is a local cryptid described as an impish, cantankerous creature who has allegedly been sighted in Detroit before several catastrophes. In previous iterations of the march, people were encouraged to chase Nain out of Detroit, warding off the potential for bad luck. Often, there were effigy burnings once the parade had concluded to cast away Nain. This year, organizers have decided Nain can stay — billing the event as a "Groundhog Day of Detroit" rather than the running off of a little red dwarf. Most versions of the story attribute the myth of Nain to Antoine de la Mothe Cadillac — the founder of Detroit — who said he saw a little red devil running through the city before experiencing financial ruin. John Tenney, a local historian who studies hauntings and local folklore, said the origin of the red dwarf is wrapped up in anti-indigenous stereotypes. Tenney has been hoping for a change like this for a while — he has protested at every march for the last 20 years. "The problem is, the history behind the parade is problematic," Tenney said. "We don't need to be kicking the red devil out of Detroit." Tenney and about a dozen other protesters of the event stood with light-hearted signs embracing Nain. Tenney said he still appreciates the event and the celebration and now he is embracing the change in tone of the parade. Nicole Talley, a pro-Nain protester from Clawson, said she has always had fun at the parade but is happy the narrative is changing. "We're pro the Nain Rouge parade," Talley said. "But we don't think we should be running the little red man out of Detroit." This year, the red, pointy-earned Nain stood in a float at the head of the parade pointing forward as a trail of dancers, jazz musicians, bikers and people in wild costumes — all of them having a grand time — followed closely behind. Contact Liam Rappleye: LRappleye@ This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: Marche du Nain Rouge rolls through Midtown once again
Yahoo
19-03-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
March du Nain Rouge returns for 2025 with a new twist: Details
Detroit's Marche du Nain Rouge will descend upon Midtown once again on Sunday, March 23, for a wild afternoon and evening along the Cass Corridor. But this year, there's a twist – the legend of the red demon that has persisted for centuries is being rewritten. 'We're back, and in our mid-teens,' said Marche organizer and co-founder Francis Grunow. 'It's kind of hard to believe it's been going that long. 'This year, we still have the parade kicking off at one o'clock. And we're actually going to feature a bit of a retelling of the Nain Rouge myth. He's kind of like our version of Punxsutawney Phil, except he's more cantankerous.' In correlation with this, the Marche du Nain Rouge website reminds attendees not to chase the Nain if or when he appears. Grunow also said this year will feature more focus on local, Detroit-based bands for the community stage, located at the intersection of Canton Street and Second Avenue. More: In life-sized rodent costume, 'Trash Squirrel' picks up litter across Detroit, Hamtramck More: Marche du Nain Rouge 2024: Detroit parade to mark start of spring draws hundreds 'We have entertainment starting around 11:30 a.m., with electronica music from Strand; Greektown Hotbox, who's a world-famous bucket drummer from Detroit; and then, of course, the Gabriel Brass Band will bring us into the parade.' The parade route will begin at the community stage, head west on Canfield and south on Second Avenue, and circle Cass Park before heading back toward Masonic Temple, where the afterparty will take place. Revelers are encouraged to wear costumes, masks, or whatever fun adornment is needed to get in the party mood. Grunow said this is a perfect year for people who've never attended to check out the event. 'The world is constantly changing and challenging,' he said. 'The parade provides an opportunity for people to come out and express themselves and bang pots and pants and just have a day where they can enjoy a beautiful time in the city with other people, who might be dressed in some strange outfit that requires explanation.' The outdoor celebration, which began in 2010, heralds the start of spring and gives area residents a unique way to display their Detroit pride. The Nain Rouge ('red dwarf' in French) is an urban legend woven through pivotal moments in Detroit history. It is said the red demon appeared to the city's founder, Antoine de la Mothe Cadillac, who suffered financial ruin soon afterward. Subsequent Nain "sightings" have preceded disasters ranging from the 1805 Detroit fire to the 1967 riot. This year's event aims to change that narrative. Learn more about the event at Contact Free Press arts and culture reporter Duante Beddingfield at dbeddingfield@ This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: March du Nain Rouge returns for 2025 with a new twist: Details
