The Roots of Music which empowers the youth of New Orleans through music education, academic support and
mentorship, while preserving and promoting the unique musical and cultural heritage of the city, has announced its Mardi Gras schedule. This year The Roots of Music Marching Crusaders program will march in the following parades:
- Saturday, Feb. 22: Krewe of Freret starting following the Krewe of Choctaw
- Sunday, Feb. 23: The Mystic Krewe of Femme Fatale starting at 11 a.m.
- Monday, Feb. 24: The Mystic Krewe of Music starting at 6 p.m.
- Wednesday, Feb. 26: The Krewe of Nandi starting at 6 p.m.
- Thursday, Feb. 27: Knights of Chaos starting following the Knights of Babylon
- Sunday, March 2: Krewe of Bacchus starting at 5:15 p.m.
- Monday, March 3: Krewe of Proteus starting at 5:15 p.m.
The Marching Crusaders band program serves youth ages 9-14 from low- income households and provides students with hot meals and round-trip transportation to reduce common barriers to participation. Five days a week, 12 months a year, this program delivers over 2,500 hours of instrumental music education, music theory and other academic tutoring, over 30,400 nutritious hot meals, 1,400 bus journeys and supplies up to 200 instruments for student use free of charge.
“Mardi Gras is special and always important to our students. It’s their opportunity to perform for their family, friends, and City of New Orleans,” says Chief Operations Officer of The Roots of Music, Erica Spruille. “We hope that 2025 brings us a safe and fun season of parading!”
For more information of Roots of Music, click here.
