UPDATE: THIS HAS BEEN CANCELED.
In a statement to OffBeat, Krewe of Red Beans founder Devin De Wulf said Bean Madness was “cancelled out of an abundance of caution! Bean Madness relies on hundreds of volunteers and would have multiple block-party events, we would hate to contribute in anyway to anyone getting sick or accidentally spreading COVID-19. As much as we love red beans, we want everyone to be safe most of all.”
Original post follows:
The Krewe of Red Beans returns for its fourth year of Bean Madness with “Road to the Final Fork.” 32 restaurants from around the city go head to head to compete for the highly sought after “Legume D’Or” prize, determining the best red beans dish in New Orleans.
The competing restaurants begin the competition in single round elimination events. Each day, winners will continue on to the next round. All the proceeds from the events go towards local non-profit organizations including Anna’s Place, Make Music NOLA, Market Umbrella, Electric Girls, Soul NOLA, Southern Rep Theatre, and KidsmART. Bean Madness 2019 raised an impressive $8,000 for these non-profits through the participation of over 3,600 people.
The event’s schedule is as follows:
Kick Off Party – Wednesday, March 11
Jean Lafitte National Park (FQ) – Decatur Street
4 to 6 pm
The Kick Off Party will feature live music, a bean discussion, and the first “bean battle” of the competition.
Round 32 – Thursday, March 12 to Sunday, March 15
Thursday, March 12
Mid-City Farmers’ Market – 5 to 7 pm
The Rusty Nail – 5 to 7 pm
Second Vine Wine – 4 to 6 pm
Friday, March 13
Miel Brewery – 6 to 8 pm
R Bar – 4 to 6 pm
Bud Rips – 6 to 8 pm
Second Vine Wine – 6 to 8 pm
Saturday, March 14
Farmers Market CBD – 10 am to 12 pm
Nadine Blake – 12 to 2 pm
Louisiana Music Factor – 2 to 4 pm
Terranova’s – 2 to 4 pm
Sunday, March 15
Octavia Books – 3 to 5 pm
Bead Shop – 1 to 3 pm
Southern Rep Theatre – 5 to 7 pm
Second Vine Wine – 6 to 8 pm
Sweet “6-Bean” (16) – Saturday, March 21
Bywater Block Party at Bud Rips Bar – 3200 block of Burgundy
11 am to 6 pm
This event will feature 8 “bean battles” between 16 restaurants, with musical performances by Lynn Drury, Silver Synthetic, Gal Holiday, The Planchettes, The Happy Talk Band, and Quintron and Miss Pussycat.
Great PL8! – Saturday, March 28
R Bar – 1431 Royal Street
11 am to 5 pm
The remaining 8 restaurants will compete in 4 “bean battles” and there will be music by T-bois Gras, Amigos Do Samba, Corey Henry, and Jose Fermin.
The Final Fork! – Saturday, April 4
Zony Mash – 3940 Thalia
4:30 pm to 6:30 pm
4 restaurants will compete in 2 “bean battles” and music will be performed by Bon Bon Vivant.
Championship Match – Monday, April 6
Capulet Bywater – 3014 Dauphine Street
6 to 9 pm
The championship event will have the final 2 restaurants compete for the winning prize. The event will feature a silent auction, live music by Maggie Belle Band, and the two best red bean dishes in New Orleans.
