| Mardi Gras in New Orleans 2010 |
| Mardi Gras News & General Info:
- When is Mardi Gras 2010? - Mardi Gras Day falls on Tuesday, February 16, 2010.
- Future Mardi Gras Dates - 2010 (Feb. 16); 2011 (Mar. 8); 2012 (Feb. 21).
- Make Your Plans Now - Hotels are filling up quickly for Mardi Gras 2010. Make your hotel reservations now to get the best rates & locations.
- I Love A Parade - the 2010 Parade Schedule for uptown/downtown New Orleans has been posted. Dates are subject to change. Here's a schedule for Metairie and Jefferson Parish parades.
- Krewe du Vieux Update - the satirical Krewe du Vieux parade will take place on Saturday, January 30, 2010, rolling through the Marigny and French Quarter. The King of KdV for 2010 will be music legend Dr. John
 , with Priestess Miriam Chamani reigning as Queen.
- It's Carnival Time! - the Phunny Phorty Phellows celebrate the start of the 2010 carnival season with their annual street car ride on January 6, 2010.
- Pegasus Grounded - the Krewe of Pegasus, who traditionally rolled on the first Saturday of Mardi Gras season, will not parade in 2010. The Krewe of Pygmalion will move from Friday to Pegasus's Saturday night parade slot on the St. Charles Avenue route.
- Hornets dress for Carnival - the NBA's New Orleans Hornets unveiled new Mardi Gras inspired uniforms on Nov. 19th; the purple, green and gold gear will be worn for selected home and away games during the Mardi Gras season each year; check 'em out in this video clip.
- Ready to Party? - check out Mardi Gras costumes, masks, beads & accessories
 at CostumeSuperCenter.com. Let the good times roll with some great Mardi Gras Music. Head to Amazon.com for beads, masks, party supplies and decorations!
Mardi Gras in New Orleans - FAQ & Tips
- Mardi Gras parades and related festivities begin in New Orleans circa 3 weeks before Mardi Gras Day.
- Festivities officially end at midnight on Mardi Gras Day (February 16th in 2010).
- At midnight on Mardi Gras Day, NOPD (New Orleans Police Dept) officers take over Bourbon Street on horseback, clearing it out to announce the official end of Mardi Gras. The mounted police are followed by a convoy of street cleaning trucks, so you are advised to get off of Bourbon Street before all of this comes down. Not to worry though - you can head into any bar in and around the French Quarter to continue celebrating.
- If you can only be in town for a couple of days, the weekend prior to Mardi Gras Day is when things really kick up. New Orleans is packed with tourists and locals, the biggest and best parades - the krewes of Endymion, Bacchus, and Orpheus - roll on Saturday, Sunday and Monday evening respectively, and there are other special events (eg. Zulu's Lundi Gras Festival) that only take place on the weekend before Fat Tuesday.
- Flights and hotel rooms get harder to come by as Mardi Gras Day approaches, so book your travel plans as far in advance as possible. Note that some hotels may have a minimum stay requirement. You can book airplane tickets, hotels & rental cars online via TravelNow.com.
- Glass bottles / containers are not allowed on the streets of New Oreans (ever). Every bar / restaurant / convenience store will be stocked up with "Go Cups" - free plastic disposable cups - so ask for one on your way out the door.
- What will the weather be like? In New Orleans, weather can change completely in a matter of hours, so your guess is as good as mine; check the forecasts before coming, and bring some warm clothes as well as rain gear just in case. Here is a little historical weather data from the Washington Post for what it's worth.
- At Mardi Gras, you can get away with almost anything, but use common sense. Police forces are stretched, work long hours, and have to deal with thousands of drunks, so don't push your luck. If you are after the wild & crazy stuff, then hang out in the French Quarter (i.e. Bourbon Street). Girls flashing their breasts seems to be accepted, but only to the confines of Bourbon Street. Guys showing their stuff, public sex, urinating in the streets, etc. will likely land you in the slammer. Not fun with a hangover, and you may not get out of the pokey until after Mardi Gras.
- Have some cash on hand - if you catch a local band playing on the streets, or in a club, please make a deposit in their tip jar. Tip your waiters and bartenders well too - they also have to put up with loads of drunks, plus they have to struggle through crowds, traffic, and blocked streets just to get to work to wait on you.
Old News: Mardi Gras 2009:
- Roll With It: check the 2009 Mardi Gras Parade Schedule for uptown & downtown New Orleans.
- Connick to ride in Orpheus: Krewe of Orpheus co-founder Harry Connick, Jr. will take part in this year's Orpheus Parade, which takes place on Monday, February 23rd.
- Party at Ernst: Ernst Cafe will hold its 25th annual "Bacchus Bash" on Sunday, February 22nd; the event will include live music from The Topcats (with special guest Rockin' Dopsie, Jr.), Bag of Donuts, and 5 Finger Discount ... Drop by Ernst Cafe on Monday, February 23rd for the "Bacardi Bash on Lundi Gras" featuring performances from Bonerama and Cowboy Mouth.
- Lundi Gras Celebration: Riverwalk Marketplace will host the 23rd annual Lundi Gras at Spanish Plaza with Rex, King of Carnival, from 3:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. on Monday, February 23. The free celebration will again include fireworks on the Mississippi River and musican entertainment by New Orleans' own Living Legends Brass Band, Rockin' Dopsie Jr. & the Zydeco Twisters, and the Topcats.
- Need a Costume?: Costume SuperCenter
 has Mardi Gras costumes, hats, wigs, accessories, beads and more!
- Grandstands: chill out & catch the parades from grandstands along St. Charles Avenue... the InterContinental Hotel also offers grandstand seating, plus buffet meals on Mardi Gras day.
- Family Gras: the family friendly celebration tales place February 13-15, 2009 in Metairie; the music lineup for '09 includes Cowboy Mouth, Gavin DeGraw, Sara Bareilles, Zac Brown Band, Lee Ann Womack, Jesse McCartney, Drew Seeley, Jordin Pruitt, Better Than Ezra, Sheena Easton, and more! Check here for more info.
- Celebs at Mardi Gras - CNN's Soledad O'Brien and New Orleans attorney Stephen Rue will serve as "Mr. and Mrs. Big Stuff" in the Zulu Social Aid & Pleasure Club's 2009 parade, rolling on Mardi Gras day ... Kid Rock has been named the Grand Marshal of the 2009 Endymion Parade, rolling on February 21st. He will also headline the Endymion Extravaganza, which will also feature REO Speedwagon, the Zippers, the Topcats and the Wise Guys ... "Batman Forever" star Val Kilmer will reign as celebrity king for the Krewe of Bacchus parade ... Krewe of Orpheus celeb riders include Jim Belushi, Bryan Batt, Joan Rivers, Josh Gracin, Christian LeBlanc and Ricky Paull Goldin.
- Zulu's 100th Anniversary - check out this feature segment on NPR.com: "100 Years Of Zulu Krewe's Mardi Gras Madness."
- Lundi Gras Festival Music Line-Up - performers for the 2009 Zulu Lundi Gras Festival include the James Rivers Movement, Kermit Ruffins, Amanda Shaw, Ed Perkins, Rebirth Brass Band, Pinstripe Brass Band, Charmaine Neville and Big Al Carson.
- Mardi Gras Music - get ready for Mardi Gras or hold your own Mardi Gras party where ever you are. Check out these cool Mardi Gras CD's, videos and books.
- Mardi Gras a National Holiday? - nearly 7 in 10 Americans said in a national survey that they support a motion to declare Mardi Gras a national holiday. Zatarain's, the brand serving up New Orleans-Style cuisine for 120 years, wants to help America let the good times roll and is leading the charge to declare Mardi Gras a national holiday... read more.
Old News: Mardi Gras 2008:
- Throw Me Sumthin' here's a Mardi Gras Parade Schedule for uptown & downtown New Orleans. Check here for info on parades rolling in Metairie, Slidell, Mandeville, Covington, Madisonville, St. Bernard, Chalmette, and on the West Bank.
- More Parade Updates: all 3 parades scheduled for Thursday (01/31) were cancelled due to possible severe weather. The Krewe of Muses will now roll on Friday (02/01) at 8:00 pm. The Knights of Babylon moved their parade to Sunday (02/03) at 11:00 am. The Knights of Chaos will not reschedule their parade this year.
- Rain Delay: Friday's Krewe of Pygmalion parade was postponed due to weather. They have re-scheduled to roll on Wednesday, Jan. 30th, following the Krewe of Ancient Druids.
- Orpheus Celebs: Celebrity monarchs and nobility for the '08 Krewe of Orpheus parade include Helio Castro-Neves, Salt 'N Pepa, ReBirth Brass Band & the Lady Buckjumpers, Sean Payton, Josh Gracin, Lance Bass and Amanda Shaw; see details.
- Family Gras: family friendly celebration held in Jefferson Parish with loads of food and music. Music line-up for 2008 includes The Bangles, The Imagination Movers, Herman's Hermits with Peter Noone, Billy Ray Cyrus, Taylor Swift, Kansas, Elliott Yamin, Frankie Ford, Irma Thomas, Cowboy Mouth and Amanda Shaw. Events take place on Jan. 25-27 (Metairie) and Jan. 26-27 (in Gretna). Check here for more info.
- Alla Gras: The 2nd annual Alla Gras Festival takes place on Sunday, January 27th on the West Bank (Algiers). The free fest will feaure music from Rockin' Dopsie Jr., Kermit Ruffins, Pinstripe Brass Band, 101 Indian Runners, Crow the Mixel, and the Algiers Brass Band. The event coincides with the Krewe of Alla parade.
- Lundi Gras: The Zulu Social Aid and Pleasure Club's annual Lundi Gras Festival takes place on Monday, February 4th at Woldenberg Park. The free event features food and music, plus the arrival of the Zulu King by U.S. Coast Guard Cutter. Performers include Free Agents Brass Band, Amanda Shaw, Charmaine Neville, James Rivers, and Rebirth Brass Band.
- Vieux Do: the Krewe Du Vieux parade takes place on January 19, 2008. Ronald W. Lewis of the Lower Ninth Ward in New Orleans will reign as king. This year's parade theme is Magical Misery Tour.
- More Celebs at Mardi Gras: Wrestler and reality tv star Hulk Hogan will be celebrity king for the Krewe of Bacchus parade (Sunday, February 3). Actor Kevin Costner will serve as Grand Marshal of the Krewe of Endymion parade (Saturday, February 2).
Old News - Mardi Gras 2007:
- Parades !! the 2007 Mardi Gras Parade Schedule has been announced!
- Tony Soprano rules Bacchus actor James Gandolfini will reign as celebrity monarch for the Krewe of Bacchus. The Bacchus parade rolls on Sunday, February 18th.
- Krewe Du Vieux: the satirical Krewe Du Vieux will hold their fundraiser at Chickie Wah Wah on December 8th. Their 2007 parade will roll on February 3rd. Columnist & author Chris Rose will serve as king. This year's parade theme: Habitat for
Insanity.
- Mardi Gras Music - get ready for Mardi Gras or hold your own Mardi Gras party where ever you are. Check out these cool Mardi Gras CD's, videos and books!
- Future Mardi Gras Dates: 2008 (Feb. 5); 2009 (Feb. 24); 2010 (Feb. 16); 2011 (Mar. 8); 2012 (Feb. 21).
- Your first Mardi Gras? our Mardi Gras and New Orleans guides will get you primed and ready for fun in the Big Easy. Note: Mardi Gras festivities end on Mardi Gras Day. You want to get here before Mardi Gras Day!
- Book Rooms for Mardi Gras: Visit TravelNow.com for hotel rooms, airplane tickets and car rentals. Prime hotel locations in the French Quarter area always the first to sell out, so the earlier you book your rooms, the better!
- Message Board: visit the Mardi Gras Message Board to talk about Mardi Gras, find out where to stay, meet up with friends, post questions & announcements, etc.
Mardi Gras 2006 News & Notes:
- A Milestone Mardi Gras: 2006 marks the 150th anniversary of Mardi Gras in New Orleans!
- Fountain at Mardi Gras: New Orleans clarinet legend Pete Fountain and his Half Fast Walking Club plan to participate in Mardi Gras 2006. The group has been a Mardi Gras Day fixture for circa 45 years. Fountain's Bay St. Louis home was destroyed by Katrina, and he lost virtually all of his possesions. He is currently residing in Hammond, but plans to return to the Gulf Coast and resume his gig at Casino Magic when it reopens.
- Mardi Gras Parades: here's the tentative 2006 parade schedule for New Orleans.
- Krewe Du Vieux: the satirical Krewe Du Vieux are planning to hold their 2006 parade and ball on February 11, 2006. This year's theme - c'est levee!
- Mardi Gras will go on in New Orleans in 2006, but there will be fewer parades than usual. The cash-strapped city will allow 8 days of parades, and also announced that they are considering corporate sponsorships as a way to defray costs. The plan will have parades rolling on the weekend of February 18th & 19th, and then Thursday, February 23rd through Mardi Gras Day (Tuesday, February 28th). See press release from Mayor's office.
- Can't make it to Mardi Gras this year, or displaced due to Katrina? Celebrate carnival year round with some cool Mardi Gras music and/or videos. You can also help the city and it's musicians recover by buying CD's that benefit Hurricane Katrina relief efforts. See our Katrina message board for more resources and charitable efforts.
Old News - Mardi Gras 2005 Notes:
- Party Poopers: Harry Connick Jr. did not participate in the 2005 Krewe of Orpheus parade. Connick and celeb monarch Toby Keith were no-shows at the post-parade "Orpheuscapade" party. Connick had just returned from the Far East (Kuala Lumpur), so he was probably too worn out. No idea what Keith's excuse was ... he just wimped out I guess.
- Pucker Up: rock legend Gene Simmons (of KISS fame) has been added to the list of celebs riding in the Krewe of Endymion parade on Saturday, Feb. 5th.
- Lundi Gras Festival: the Zulu Social Aid and Pleasure Club "Lundi Gras Festival" is set for Monday, February 7th at Woldenberg Park. The free festival offers live music, food and drink, kids activites and more. Scheduled performers include Marva Wright, Big Al Carson, Michael Ward, ReBirth Brass Band, Charmaine Neville, Amanda Shaw, and many more.
- Live Music: the Howlin' Wolf is hosting several great free concerts over the Mardi Gras weekend. Check their web site for details.
- Muddi Gras: country music star Brad Paisley will tape a TV special for the CMT cable channel during Mardis Gras; he will be seen hanging out in the French Quarter and performing at the House of Blues; the one-hour special, "Brad Paisley's Muddi Gras", will premiere on CMT on March 11th at 8:00 pm (ET); more.
- Country music group Sawyer Brown will serve as grand marshals for the Krewe of Orpheus parade (Feb. 7th). They will also perform (along with Toby Keith; see below) at the post-parade "Orpheuscapade" party.
- Academy Award-winning actress Marisa Tomei has been named Grand Marshal of the 2005 Krewe of Endymion parade (February 5th); music acts Hootie & the Blowfish and the Pointer Sisters will appear in the parade, and will also perform at the Endymion Extravaganza (along with The Nobles, Rockin' Doopsie, and Cowboy Mouth).
- Actor Sean Astin ("Lord of the Rings") has been named celebrity monarch for the 2005 Krewe of Bacchus parade. Last year's "King of Bacchus" Elijah Wood will also appear in the parade. Bacchus rolls on February 6th (Super Bowl Sunday).
- Country music star Toby Keith has been named as the celebrity monarch for the Krewe of Orpheus (on February 7th). He will also perform along with Orpheus founder Harry Connick Jr. at Orpheuscapade (the post-parade party).
- Rock legends The Go-Go's will appear in the 2005 Krewe of Muses parade (February 2nd).
- New Krewe: Ponchatoula, LA gets it's first Mardi Gras parade when the Krewe of Pericles rolls through the city on January 28, 2005 (starting at 6:00 pm); the group held their inaugural "bal masque" on January 8th.
- The 2005 Krewe Du Vieux Parade & Ball are scheduled for Saturday, January 22, 2005; the King of Krewe du Vieux for 2005 will be New Orleans R&B legend Al "Carnival Time" Johnson (who wrote & sang the classic Mardi Gras tune, "Carnival Time").
Mardi Gras 2004 News & Notes:
- Parade Schedule: here's the 2004 Mardi Gras Parade Schedule (for downtown New Orleans parades).
- Hobbit Forming: actor Dominic Monaghan (Merry from "The Lord of The Rigs" trilogy) will be a celebrity monarch in the Krewe of Orpheus parade (Feb. 23); he joins Elijah Wood (Frodo) at Mardi Gras, who will appear in the Bacchus parade (see below).
- Mardi Gras Pandemonium: Category 5 Entertainment and Hustler Magazine present the official Hustler Mardi Gras Party - Mardi Gras Pandemonium - at the Contemporary Arts Center in New Orleans on Sunday, February 22; look for whipped cream bikini contests, chocolate syrup mud wrestling, wet t-shirt contests, and music by Lil Jon & the Eastside Boyz.
- Music Legends Honored: the "Krewe Of Mona Lisa And Moon Pie" take to the streets of Slidell on Saturday, Feb. 14th with the theme of "Mona Lisa Honors Music Legends"; the ReBirth Brass Band will reign as honorary kings of the walking krewe, and Slidell resident Clarence "Gatemouth" Brown will be the Grand Marshal.
- Frogman in Adonis: New Orleans R&B legend Clarence "Frogman" Henry will be a celebrity guest in this year's Mystic Knights of Adonis parade (West Bank, Feb. 22).
- Traditional Mardi Gras Returns to Claiborne Ave: Mardi Gras Day 2004 will mark the return of traditional carnival festivities to Claiborne Avenue in New Orleans. Ernie K-Doe's Mother-in-Law Lounge will host a special carnival celebration including Mardi Gras Indians, Baby Dolls, Skeletons and live music. Honorees at the event include Mardi Gras Indian Chief Alison "Tootie" Montana (who masks again for the first time since his "retirement" in 2000) and Baby Doll Miriam Reed, whose family made up the Original 6th Ward Dirty Dozen Kazoo Band. Al "Carnival Time" Johnson will perform at the event... read more.
- Rave It Up: Disco Productions brings 2 events to the State Palace Theatre for Mardi Gras; "Zoolu 10 Full Cycle" (on February 21) will feature Roni Size (UK), Derrick May (Detroit), Dave Seaman (UK), Miguel Migs (San Fransisco), Tortured Soul (New York), Dynamite MC (UK), DJ Demonixx (New Orleans), Stryfe (New Orleans), Oktane(New Orleans), and Cease (New Orleans); "Zoolu All-Stars" (on Feb. 23) features Charles Feelgood (Los Angeles), Danny the Wildchild (Chicago), Dieselboy (Philadelphia), MC J Messian (Philadelphia), Micro (New York), Monk (Tampa), Nigel Richards (Philadelphia), Phantom 45 (Chicago), and Tim Walsh's Laser Music (San Marcos), plus Ballzack (New Orleans), Zach (Los Angeles), Trent Cantrelle (Los Angeles), and J. Andrew (New Orleans); tickets for both are available through Ticketmaster & the theatre box office.
- Bacchus Bash: be sure to check out the Bacchus Bash at Ernst Cafe on Feb. 22 - the annual pre-Bacchus Parade block party will feature music by Tom's House (from 2 - 4 pm), and others.
- Lundi Gras Festival: the Zulu Social Aid and Pleasure Club "Lundi Gras Festival" is set for Monday, Feb. 23. Performers include local favorites Kermit Ruffins, ReBirth Brass Band, Los Hombres Calientes, and many more.
- Stuff Block Party: the Stuff/Southern Comfort Block Party will be held on Monday, Feb. 23 with music from Cowboy Mouth, Bag of Donuts, and Big Chief Monk Boudreaux and the Mardi Gras Indians; the event takes place in front of the Howlin' Wolf - at 828 South Peters in the Warehouse District -- starting at noon.
- 2004 Mardi Gras Throw Down: the Mardi Gras Indian tradition is in the spotlight at the "2004 Mardi Gras Throw Down", set for Friday, February 20, at Tipitina's in the French Quarter (233 North Peters); the show will feature music from Al "Carnival Time" Johnson, Big Chief Monk Boudreaux and the Golden Eagles, Bo Dollis and the Wild Magnolias, Chief Rodrick and the Wild Tchoupitoulas, Cyril Neville, ReBirth Brass Band, Trombone Shorty, The Caesar Brothers, Jason Neville, Nick Daniels and Mean Willie Green, plus special guests; things get rolling at 10:00 pm - cost is $20.00 - a bargain for all of that entertainment!
- Rimes with Endymion: country songstress LeAnn Rimes willl serve as Grand Marshall of the 2004 Krewe of Endymion parade (which roles on Saturday, February 21).
- Bacchus XXXVI: actor Elijah Wood (Lord of the Rings) will reign as Bacchus XXXVI when the Krewe of Bacchus parades on Sunday, February 22.
- Brad Paisley for Orpheus: country music superstar Brad Paisley has been named as a celebrity monarch for the 2004 Krewe of Orpheus Parade. Paisley will join Orpheus co-founder Harry Connick, Jr. and others when the parade takes place on February 23, 2004. Brad will also take part in the Orpheuscapade after-parade bash at the New Orleans Convention Center.
- This Bud's For You: where to catch the Budweiser Clydesdales during Mardi Gras.
- Krewe du Vieux: tha satirical Krewe du Vieux will hold a "fun razor" at Lucy's Retired Surfers Bar (701 Tchoupitoulas Street) on Saturday, December 6, 2003. Music will be by Them Taggart Boys.
- The Krewe of O.A.K. 17th Annual Midsummer Mardi Gras Parade and Ball will be held on August 23, 2003. Things start at 8:30 pm at the Maple Leaf Bar (8316 Oak Street). The parade is free and open to all. The ball costs $15, which includes music by Papa Grows Funk, free food, and access to 4 kegs of beer (til its gone). The parade route runs the streets of Old Carrollton, with stops at several area watering holes. The funky Forgotten Souls Brass Band will lead the parade. For more info, call 866-9359.
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