Archive for the ‘Mardi Gras’ Category

The Big Easy Experience Contest is here!  You can win a prize package worth over $900 that brings the best of the Big Easy to you.  This awesome prize package includes

• a 2-night stay for two people at the Marigny Manor House Bed and Breakfast
• 2 cocktail Jazz history tours (drinks included) from Southern Hospitality Tours LLC
• a Photo Safari for two courtesy of See It My Way Photo
• a one-hour gondola ride for two courtesy of NOLAGondola.com
• dinner for 2 to a local restaurant
• a custom-made itinerary from 411 NOLA
• a set of 10 New Orleans-themed photo note cards
• a Voodoo Doll from the film Desiree
• a copy of The Coffee Shop Chronicles of New Orleans by David Lummis
• a copy of the CD Disco Zydeco by the Bonhoffs
• 2 411 NOLA-branded T-shirts of your choice

To enter to win this awesome prize package send your name, your mailing address, and your phone number to contests@411nola.com.  You must put “The Big Easy Experience” in the subject line of your email.  Limit one entry per household.  Deadline to enter is Sunday, October 30, 2011 at 11:59 p. m.

Please note that the gift certificate for two for 2-nights at the Marigny Manor House Bed and Breakfast is not good during special event dates and that the gift certificate is valid through August 2012.

The winner will be chosen at random using Random.org.  411 NOLA will not keep your personal info on file after the end of the contest.  We respect your privacy.

“All on a Mardi Gras Day” is the title of a popular Carnival song by renowned singer and songwriter Dr. John.  A lot happens on Mardi Gras day.

There are parades of course; the two big ones are Rex and Zulu.  Merriment and mirth overtake the French Quarter.  Locals host house and courtyard parties beginning first thing in the morning.  One of the highlights of the day is the 47th Annual Bourbon Street Awards, a costume contest and show that takes place at the corner of St. Ann and Bourbon Streets at noon.

Elsewhere around the city, marching clubs take to the streets as early as 6:00 a. m. along St. Charles Ave. uptown.  In the 7th Ward, Mardi Gras Indians second line through the streets. In the Marigny, the Krewe of St. Anne, a walking krewe of costumed locals makes its way through the streets.  Accoring to Camille Martin, in this krewes, “there isn’t really a central command deciding on a theme to unify the parade. And no top-down decisions means a fantastic array of individuals and small groups strutting their alter-ego costumes, snaking their way through the old city.  Waves of colour flow through the streets, and just when you think sadly that the parade has ended, another motley wave arrives.” Read the rest of this entry »

Traditionally, New Orleanians eat red beans and rice on Mondays.  Laundry day was usually on Monday, so women would put a pot of beans on to cook all day while they spent their time washing clothes.  By the end of the day, dinner was cooked, and the linens were folded and put away (citation).

Despite more modern times and electric washing machines, the tradition of eating red beans and rice on Mondays continues.  A new carnival krewe builds on this tradition in a most N’Awlins kind of way.

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The first big weekend of Carnival is almost here.  Eight parades roll this weekend in New Orleans alone.  Many more will wind way their way through the streets of the West Bank, the Northshore, and Metairie.

Two of the NOLA parades will take place in the French Quarter.  A perennial favorite is The Krewe of Barkus, an all doggie parade.  Things get “Bow-wow-wow yippee-yo-yippie-yay” on Sunday, February 27, 2011 at 2:00 p. m.   The pooches will begin their royal stroll at the corner of Rampart and Orleans streets in their best costumes and on some fabulous homemade floats.  The parade continues through the heart of the French Quarter where canine lovers of all stripes gather to fawn over the Fidos and Fiffys of the world.

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At the Arts Market of New Orleans from 10:0 a. m. to 4:00 p. m. on Saturday, February 26th in lovely Palmer Park, experience more than one hundred of the region’s best artisans inspired by the crown celebration of the Crescent City.  Add a touch of Carnival to your home all year long with locally made paintings, photographs and crafts or prepare for parties, parades and personal transformations with costume accessories, masks and jewelry.

Presented by the Arts Council of New Orleans, the Arts Market is an open air festival of creativity held the last Saturday of every month in Palmer Park (located where South Claiborne and South Carrollton Avenues meet).  The Arts Market of New Orleans is a free event featuring local artists, live music showcasing New Orleans unique musical heritage, and a Kids Tent with children’s performance and crafts. In the Cuisine Corner, new vendor Don Harding of Cool Fruit Sensations will vend beverages including donations from current Arts Market sponsor Community Coffee.

Designer Christine Wright of Avantegarb creates a unique and ever changing collection of original clothing, costumes and hats using upcycled and thrifted fabrics and trims.  The artist was drawn to New Orleans during Mardi Gras and her furry, horned animal hats (a big hit at the Holiday Arts Markets) are perfect for untamed parade viewers.  Christine stated, “I like to make a bold statement with using color, texture, motif and superfluous excess because it is my belief that we should all stand out in a crowd and bring smiles to everyone.”

The Wild Tchoupitoulas Mardi Gras Indians perform in the Kids Tent at 10:30 a. m.  After the show, enjoy a slice of King Cake donated by our neighbors at Robert Fresh Market, and then children can create “Tribal Tiaras” all day after the show.  In the Music Tent, J.Monque’D Blues Band & the Creole Wild West Mardi Gras Indians play both sets at 1:00 p. m. and 2:30 p. m. Read the rest of this entry »