Sure parades are canceled but that does not mean that the spirit of Mardi Gras 2021 has disappeared. Krewe and other organizations all over our fair city have been working tirelessly in pandemic to bring you as much energy and enthusiasm for the Carnival season. Here are some of our recommendations for you to enjoy a safe, socially distanced Mardi Gras.
JAMNOLA set the bar in 2020 for curating and cultivating the safest, most socially-distanced multimedia installations perhaps in all of the United States. Now through February 21, you can (with up to a group of six friends) enjoy beautifully designed multimedia art experiences that are truly a sight to behold. Our friends at New Orleans Vinyl Club even designed a Sound Garden made of gorgeous recycled vinyl. Tickets are required in advance but this is an event with over the top installations you won’t want to miss.
Prayers up in gratitude for d.b.a. and their partnership with StageIt. Tom Thayer and Co. have organized a Carnival kick off on February 11 featuring the Soul Brass Band. Find out how to stream here.
Royal Sonesta New Orleans has Mardi Gras traditions in mind while keeping up with safety regulations. On Friday, February 12 at 10 a.m., the hotel will hold its 51st annual Greasing of the Poles at 10 a.m. CST. The iconic event has been reimagined as a smaller, private celebration this year and will include engaging virtual elements, with audiences from around the world invited to participate via live-stream. Celebrate carnival season from afar, with live streaming of select on-site events featuring popular Mardi Gras traditions and a series of engaging, family-friendly social media contests with Mardi Gras themed prizes to include king-cakes and throws, plus the grand-prize featuring a complimentary stay for two at Royal Sonesta New Orleans.
Tipitina’s has announced its King Cake and a Movie livestream event. Starting Saturday, February 13, viewers can tune in and watch a FREE movie marathon starting at 10 a.m. CST on www.Tipitinas.TV. Along with full length films covering topics from Mardi Gras to some of NOLA’s most recognizable musicians, some of the videos featured in the event will include Bayou Maharajah, Tuba to Cuba, Bury the Hatchet, All On A Mardi Gras Day, and more. For more information, visit here.
Didn’t catch the Bywater Bakery’s annual King Cake kick-off ceremony? Have no fear! It has been live-streamed and features performances by October cover star Leyla McCalla, John Boutte, Herlin Riley, and much much more. Check it out right here and don’t forget you can order your King Cake for delivery straight to your door!
Typically the Krewe du Vieux would have rolled last weekend but alas, this year it is not meant to be. However, the bawdy spirit of their art for art’s sake is on display at various art installations throughout the city. In the true interest of exposing themselves to the world, the Krewe has made their parade installations with guest appearances from Walter “Wolfman” Washington and more available via internet stream here.
Krewe of Muses Captain Staci Rosenberg announced that two of the krewe’s 2021 community programs will focus on supporting businesses located along the parade route and recognizing healthcare warriors. The Muses glitter shoe lottery Stiletto! runs now to February 10 and encourages people to patronize businesses that are already hurting due to COVID. More than forty businesses are participating. Visit participating businesses and find (or ask for) the Muses placard. Scan the QR code to pull up the Stiletto entry form. For more information and details, click here.
Whole Village Art Therapy, Inc. is a non-profit organization that provides high quality, community based art therapy services to improve access and reduce systemic barriers to mental health services in New Orleans. This year they are having a virtual shoebox float parade featuring your handmade float with special guests announcing each fabulous float builder. The parade will be featured live, Sunday, February 14 at 11 a.m. Organizers state: “We will be celebrating the culture of New Orleans, Mardi Gras, art making for a mentally healthy community, Valentine’s Day, puppets, and FUN!” For tickets that benefit the New Orleans mental health and arts community, click here.
Krewe of Tucks invites the citizens of NOLA and Carnival revelers to enjoy a “Virtual Tucks Experience.” The show will be live streamed on Saturday, February 13, 2021 starting at noon via YouTube, Facebook and Twitch, and will feature former Carnival Royal Leslie Cooper, along with WGNO’s Kenny Lopez, as co-hosts. There will be a live music
performance from SOUL Project NOLA, live painting with internationally known NOLA artist Frenchy, interviews with former Tucks Royalty, and the Tucks Charitable Founda- tion, in addition to special video tributes from past Krewe of Tucks parades. The Tucks Charitable Foundation will be making donations to Children’s Hospital of New Orleans and Magnolia Community Services, supporting their missions as they pro- vide care and medical support for our loved ones in need on a daily basis. An additional donation will be made to local musicians and production staff, who are out of work due
to the pandemic. For information, click here.
Join the City of Gretna in celebrating with the Old Gretna Krewe of House Floats. This drive-through experience will take place Saturday, February 13 6-8 p.m. along Huey P. Long Avenue. For more information, visit here.
Elon Musk and Jeff Bezos have been warned. The Krewe of Bacchus promised us in November that they would deliver us a virtual 2021 parade experience via an app and they did not disappoint. Using the app, players can create an avatar and catch and collect virtual throws every Sunday during Carnival season. Available in the Google and Apple app stores, players can trade throws and even interact virtually with Bacchus Royalty. Will Anthony Mackie or Dean Norris stop by? We hope so! Bacchus is the first Mardi Gras krewe to have ever developed a mobile app like this for cellphones and tablets and we salute them.
Commander’s Palace will host a Zoom event live from Mardi Gras World on February 10. Expect lots of wine chugging and cheese consumption with live music via Tipitina’s with with Stanton Moore of Galactic featuring David Torkanowsky, and James Singleton. Tickets on sale now at commanderspalace.com/
New Orleans has gone to the dogs, and so has Mandeville—but in the best way. You and your four legged friends have the chance to participate in the Krewe of Pooches either via a 5k run or costume contest. Find out how to join here.
Paradigm Gardens has some socially-distance festivities in place. A five-course Carnival-themed meal will be prepared by chefs from Karibu Kitchen on a brick wood-fire oven and grill with garden cocktails and local craft beers. The K.O.B. Brass Band, DJ Kash, and the Black Flame Hunter Mardi Gras Indians will perform nightly February 5-13. All event regulations, including health and safety information, will be available at the venue, and their employees will be fully trained on all safety measures and procedures. For more info, click here.
New Orleans-based arts education non-profit KID smART is inviting revelers of all ages to explore the music, movement, and visuals that bring Mardi Gras to life with a series of interactive, virtual events beginning January 12, 2021. Students, families, and educators are invited to join via Zoom each Tuesday between January 12 and February 9 from 4:30-5:30 p.m. CST. Participants will learn from Carnival experts and culture bearers representing New Orleans’ most acclaimed krewes and will then be led by artists to create all the elements of their own krewe.
Did we miss your Mardi Gras event in our roundup? Email [email protected] ATTN: Mardi Gras with your suggestion to be included in this year’s recommendations.
