Dancing in a ballroom during Mardi Gras in New Orleans, 1930s.

Original caption:

" "Mardi Gras Ball in the New Orleans Auditorium. While the Mardi Gras period is composed essentially of parades and masking, the Carnival period is centered around the elaborate private balls given by thirty or more private social organizations. Over each of these balls reigns a king, whose name is not made public, except in the case of Rex; and a queen, a debutante of the season selected for the honor by the krewe. The King and Queen are surrounded by their court of maids and dukes. The Ball is opened by a tableaux, lasting about an hour and the cast, the scenery and the stage effects are all in keeping with the theme selected. The theme may be anything from the toy factory of Santa Claus to an important historical event, but it is always colorful and as nearly perfect as months of planning and thousands of dollars could accomplish. This picture was taken after the tableaux when all members of the krewe participate in one of the dances. Admittance to these balls is by invitation only."