Mardi Gras Manual 2020

DINING • MUSIC • ENTERTAINMENT • NIGHTLIFE

MARDI GRAS MANUAL February 2020 | WhereYat.com

BARKUS pg.8

WhereYat.com | February 2020

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Mardi Gras Manual | Where Y'at Magazine

AWARD W BLOOD INNING Y MARY S

Come visit any of our 7 locations: Daisy Dukes 121 Chartres St. French Quarter

Daisy Dukes Cafe 308 St. Charles Ave. CBD

Daisy Mae’s 902 Poydras St. Warehouse District

Daisy Dukes 1200 W. Approach Mandeville

Daisy Dukes Express Daisy Dukes 123 Carondelet St. 2244 Veterans Blvd.

CBD Kenner Daisy Dukes 5209 W. Napoleon Ave. Metairie

WhereYat.com | February 2020

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CONTENTS February 2020 Vol. 23 No. 06 Features

Events & Nightlife

8

Barkus

38

Music Calendar

12

Parade Maps

44

Lakeside 2 Riverside

10

Mardi Gras Calendar

24

Schedules

Movie Editors: David Vicari & Fritz Esker

26

Mardi Gras Around the World

Copy Editor: Donald Rickert

30

Bead Recycling

32

Mardi Gras Indians

36

Fat Tuesday Alternatives

Contributing Writers: Emily Hingle, Kathy Bradshaw, Phil LaMancusa, Debbie Lindsey, Kim Ranjbar, Landon Murray, Leigh Wright, Emil Flemmon, Greg Roques, Steven Melendez, Andrew Alexander, Kimmie Tubre, Jeff Boudreaux, Eliana Blum, Alison Cohen, Camille Barnett, Donald Rickert

Extras 66 67 69 72 74 78

Creative Director: Tony Lawton Assistant Editor: Kathy Bradshaw

Food & Drink 46

Restaurant Guide

Director of Sales: Stephen Romero

49

Food News

Where to Throw Up

52

$20 & Under

Cover Photo by Shreveport-Bossier Convention and Tourist Bureau, Licensed under Creative Commons 2.0

Skinz N Bonez

56

Bar Guide

Film Reviews

58

Bars Near Parade Routes

Columns

69

What's Open on Mard Gras Day

Riding in a Big Krewe

Where Y'at Chat

Happy Carnival from Where Y’at!

Enjoy our Mardi Gras Manual filled will all you need to know. Kudos to our Creative Director Tony Lawton on the new redesign: Check out the color-coding system in the Table of Contents to easily get to the section that you’re looking for.

If you’ve ever ridden the subway in New York, you’re probably familiar with their famous map. We’ve taken our inspiration from those iconic maps to bring you a fresh new look at the Carnival parade routes. For up-to-date schedules, check back to WhereYat.com throughout Mardi Gras season.

It’s not too late to register your dog for Barkus! Dean Shapiro takes a look at the four-legged French Quarter parade that is not for felines. If you miss getting into Barkus, check out Mardi Paws in Covington or the new Krewe du Pooch in Mandeville.

This issue culminates with how to spend your Fat Tuesday on February 25. If you want to follow the Mardi Gras Indians, check out Kimmie Tubre’s article. Or if you’ve had enough by Mardi Gras Day, then don’t miss Jeff Boudreaux’s breakdown of places to escape to.

Have a safe and happy Carnival! –Josh Danzig, Publisher

Mardi Gras Manual | Where Y'at Magazine

Photographers & Designers: Gus Escanelle, Jason Hall, Steve Hatley, Romney Caruso, Jorge Menes, Kathy Bradshaw, Greg Roques, James Macaluso, Scott Chernis, Kimmie Tubre, Emily Hingle, Farrah Ross, Tony Lawton Interns: Molly Kellogg, Alena Cover, Emily Ahmad, Katie Napoli, Camryn Cohen, Raissi Bysiewicz

Letter from the Publisher

6

Publisher/Editor-in-Chief: Josh Danzig

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Subscribe: Receive 1 year (14 issues) for $30 and get a FREE Where Y’at CD. Subscribe today at WhereYat.com.

Logo © 2020 All rights reserved Bruce Betzer, Legal Counsel: (504) 304-9952 Where Y’at Magazine 5500 Prytania St., #133 New Orleans, LA 70115 (504) 891-0144 info@whereyat.com | WhereYat.com

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MUTTY GRAS: Krewes of Barkus and Mardi Paws Host Dog Parades in New Orleans and Covington

By Dean Shapiro

Since the dawn of recorded history, dogs have served as household pets and faithful companions to their owners and the families who house them. Today, they enjoy a special place in the hearts of millions of people who give them names, shelter, sustenance, and, above all, love and attention.

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Mardi Gras Manual | Where Y'at Magazine

Here in the Greater New Orleans Area, the undying affection that people have for their pet dogs is taken to an even higher level. The canines have their “Dog Day Afternoons,” being honored with parades during the Carnival/Mardi Gras season in which they are the stars of the show. They are dressed up in colorful costumes, hoisted onto colorful floats, and treated to a special day of colorful pageantry for thousands of people to see and admire.

In New Orleans, the cleverly named Mystic Krewe of Barkus—a play on words inspired by the superkrewe Bacchus—takes to the st.s of the French Quarter on Sunday, February 16, with dozens of dogs being pushed and pulled on elaborately decorated floats by their human owners or led along on leashes.

Observing and cheering them on from the sidewalks are thousands more dogs and their owners, all caught up in the joyful spirit of the occasion.

On the North Shore, parading for its 26th year and its first year in Covington, the Mystic Krewe of Mardi Paws rolls out on Sunday, March 1, trumpeting the theme of “Beyond all Boundaries: Exploring Sea, Air & Space.” The stars of the show—the dogs—will be attired accordingly, as will their human owners/ escorts, in costumes consistent with the theme.

Here is a rundown of the two canine configurations:

The Mystic Krewe of Barkus Founded in the early 1990s and holding its inaugural parade during Mardi Gras 1993, Barkus leads a procession through the French Quarter that started out as a “Let’s try this and see what happens” experiment, according to Catherine Olivier, one of the krewe’s founding members.

“We had no idea where this was going in the beginning,” Olivier explained. “We were having fun with it and we still do, but I don’t think any of us thought it would ever become what it is today.”

And “what it is today” is one of the Carnival season’s most eagerly anticipated events. Drawing a mostly local crowd and mostly local participants, the Barkus parade brings out some of the best of the artistic creativity for which New Orleans is widely known. The human participants, the dogs, and many spectators along the route get into the spirit of the occasion with clever, imaginative, and often intricately designed costumes to match the theme.

“It’s so creative the things people can come up with,” Olivier said.

“We had about 50 or 60 people show up with their dogs outside of Good Friends Bar (at the corner of Saint Ann and Dauphine St.s), and we did a parade,” Olivier continued, still referencing the inaugural event. “We had a lot of fun, and it was really good, and we were like, ‘Wow! This is great! Let’s keep doing it.’”

“Welcome to the Flea Market” was the first of a long succession of clever, play-on-words themes the krewe would come up with in the years that followed.

Later ones included "Jurassic Bark" (1994), "Tails from the Crypt" (1996), "A St. Dog Named Desire" (2006), "From the Dog House to the White House" (2016), and last year’s theme, "The Big Bark Theory: Barkus Goes to Comic Con." This year’s theme is “Bark to the Future: Barkus Returns to the ‘80s.” Many of the dogs – and their owners – will be attired in 1980s garb, consistent with the theme.

Within a few years of its founding, the Barkus parade grew so large with participants and spectators that the staging area had to be moved out of the French Quarter and into its present starting point at the St. Ann St. gate to Louis Armstrong Park. Around the same time, the New Orleans City Council recognized Barkus as an official Carnival parade.

The Barkus parade is held annually on a Sunday, 10 days before Fat Tuesday. Emcees for the parade are former Channel 4 news anchor Angela Hill, presenting on the st. just outside of the Good Friends bar; and Channel 6 meteorologist and co-founder of the krewe, Margaret Orr, on the bar’s balcony.

Those who have signed up for the parade are welcome to participate in the pre-parade and post-parade “Pawty” in Armstrong Park, from 10:30

a.m. until 5:30 p.m. The “Pawty” will feature food, beverages, and live music.

The krewe’s queen is nearly always a rescue animal, and the king may be, also, but it’s not a requirement.

Other “royalty” includes grand dukes and duchesses, dukes and duchesses, and a grand marshal. Yearround, the krewe officials are engaged in animal humanitarian efforts, and the krewe’s membership dues and parade fees raised go toward shelters and rescue and adoption efforts. The krewe’s rules and policies are set by a board of directors, all of whom are volunteers. Gregory Curtis is the krewe president.

For more information and to sign up for the parade on February 16, visit the Barkus website at barkus.org or follow them on Facebook.

The Krewe of Mardi Paws Although much smaller in the number of participants and spectators than the Krewe of Barkus parade, the Krewe of Mardi Paws on the North Shore is equally dedicated to making their event a special one for the canine stars of their show.

The krewe actually owes its origin to Barkus, according to its founder Denise Gutnisky, who witnessed the second Barkus parade in 1994 and was inspired by it. “I started Mardi Paws just because Barkus was so fabulous, and we needed something like it on the North Shore,” Gutnisky said.

One of the major differences between the two parades is that the North Shore is largely made up of families and residential communities, as opposed to the primarily singles-oriented Vieux Carré. The Mardi Paws parade is more family-oriented and less risqué than the Krewe of Barkus can be.

The first few Mardi Paws parades organized by Gutnisky took place in the gated subdivision of Beau Chene on the Mandeville lakefront, with the gates open to the public on parade day. In 1999, after a few years and considerable growth in dog and human membership, the parade moved to the public portion of the Mandeville lakeshore.

This year’s Mardi Paws parade takes place on March 1, several days after Carnival officially ends on Fat Tuesday. The reason for that, Gutnisky explained, is that they used to roll on Lundi Gras, but they got rained out one year and rescheduled the parade for after Mardi Gras. “It worked out well for us. We got a lot of people to come out for it because people still want Mardi Gras even after it’s over,” she said.

The parade will roll out at 2 p.m., proceeding in a loop along several of the main st.s of downtown Covington, ending at the Covington Trailhead.

One of the main reasons for moving the parade to Covington, according to Gutnisky, is the greater availability of parking, which lessens the distance parade-goers and participants will have to walk to get onto the route.

And another reason for the move is that Covington is the home of renowned actor Ian Somerhalder (Lost, The Vampire Diaries, and V Wars). He is a prominent animal rights advocate who, in 2010, launched the Ian Somerhalder Foundation (ISF) with the goal of protecting animals and the environment.

Somerhalder is expected to be in attendance at this year’s parade, along with regular celebrity emcee Randi Rousseau, from WDSU News, at the reviewing stand.

Royalty includes King Mardi Paws XXVI, Queen Mardi Paws XXVI, a grand marshal (human), a canine grand marshal, a celebrity mascot, a grand duke, two dukes, the king’s scepter bearer, the queen’s lady in waiting, two maids, and the queen’s scepter bearer.

Other festive events of the day include a costume contest with rubberized “poop trophies” in a variety of glitter-embellished colors and a post-parade extravaganza at the end of the parade route with food, music, sponsor fun, and more.

For more information, including registration fees, parade regulations, and other details, visit the krewe’s Facebook page or its website at mardipaws.com or call 1-800-634-9443.

WhereYat.com | February 2020

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MARDI GRAS 2020 parade maps

Chewbaccus

Krewe Du Vieux

'tit Rex

Saturday, February 1 | 7:00PM

Saturday, February 8 | 6:30PM

Sunday, February 9 | 4:30PM

Krewe Boheme

Krewe Delusion

Krewe of Cork

Friday, February 7 | 7:00PM

Saturday, February 8 | Follows Krewe Du Vieux

Friday, February 14 | 3:00PM

Parade schedules are subject to change

ELYSIAN ST. CLAUDE

FRENCHMEN

ESPLANADE

BOURBON

DECATUR

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Mardi Gras Manual | Where Y'at Magazine

Krewe of Oshun

Krewe of Choctaw

Friday, February 14 | 6:00PM

Saturday, February 15 | follows

The Mystic Krewe of Femme Fatale Sunday, February 16 | 11:00AM

Krewe of Cleopatra

Krewe of Freret

Friday, February 14 | 6:00PM

Saturday, February 15 | follows

Krewe of Alla

Knights of Sparta

Sunday, February 16 | 1:00PM

Saturday, February 15 | 5:30PM

Krewe of Pontchartrain

Krewe of Pygmalion

Saturday, February 15 | 1:00PM

Saturday, February 15 | follows

Krewe of Carrollton Sunday, February 16 | follows

Krewe of King Arthur Sunday, February 16 | follows

Krewe of Barkus Sunday, February 16 | 2:00PM

MARDI GRAS 2020 parade maps CANAL

POYDRAS

MLK BLVD

NAPOLEON

LEE CIRCLE

JEFFERSON

LOUISIANA

ST. CHARLES

ROYAL

MAGAZINE BOURBON

WhereYat.com | February 2020

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MARDI GRAS 2020 parade maps

Krewe of Druids

Knights of Babylon

Krewe of Muses

Wednesday, February 19 | 6:15PM

Thursday, February 20 | 5:30PM

Friday, February 14 | 6:00PM

Krewe of Nyx

Krewe of Chaos

Wednesday, February 19 | 6:45PM

Thursday, February 20 | 6:15PM

Krewe of Bosom Buddies Friday, February 21 | 11:30AM

CANAL

POYDRAS

MLK BLVD

NAPOLEON

LEE CIRCLE

JEFFERSON

LOUISIANA

ST. CHARLES

ROYAL

MAGAZINE

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Mardi Gras Manual | Where Y'at Magazine

BOURBON

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MARDI GRAS 2020 parade maps

Krewe of Hermes

Krewe of Morpheus

Krewe of Tucks

Friday, February 21 | 5:30PM

Friday, February 21 | 7:00PM

Saturday, February 22 | 12:00PM

Krewe of d'Etat

Krewe of Iris

Krewe of Endymion

Friday, February 21 | 6:30PM

Saturday, February 22 | 11:00AM

Saturday, February 22 | 4:30PM

CANAL

POYDRAS

MLK BLVD

NAPOLEON

LEE CIRCLE

JEFFERSON

LOUISIANA

ST. CHARLES

ORLEANS

CARROLLTON

MAGAZINE

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Mardi Gras Manual | Where Y'at Magazine

CANAL

WhereYat.com | February 2020

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MARDI GRAS 2020 parade maps

Krewe of Okeanos

Krewe of Thoth

Krewe of Proteus

Sunday, February 23 | 11:00AM

Sunday, February 23 | 12:00PM

Monday, February 24 | 5:15PM

Krewe of Mid-City

Krewe of Bacchus

Krewe of Orpheus

Sunday, February 23 | 11:45AM

Sunday, February 23 | 5:15PM

Monday, February 24 | 6:00PM

KENNER

Krewe of Isis Saturday, February 22 | 6:00PM

POYDRAS

NAPOLEON

MLK BLVD

CANAL

LEE CIRCLE

LOUISIANA JEFFERSON

ST. CHARLES

MAGAZINE

KENNER 18

Mardi Gras Manual | Where Y'at Magazine

WhereYat.com | February 2020

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MARDI GRAS 2020 parade maps

Krewe of Zulu Monday, February 24 | 5:15PM

Krewe of Rex Monday, February 24 | 5:15PM

WEST BANK Krewe of Adonis

Saturday, February 15 | 11:45PM

Krewe of NOMTOC Saturday, February 22 | 5:15PM

METAIRIE Krewe of Little Rascals

Krewe of Athena

Saturday, February 22 | 5:15PM

Sunday, February 23 | 5:30PM

Krewe of Excalibur

Friday, February 14 | 6:30PM

Krewe of Pandora Sunday, February 23 | 6:30PM

Krewe of Centurions

Krewe of Argus

Saturday, February 15 | 5:00PM

Tuesday, February 25 | 10:00AM

Krewe of Kings

Sunday, February 16 | 5:30PM

Krewe of Isis

Saturday, February 22 | 5:15PM

SEVERN

Krewe of Elks Jefferson Tuesday, February 25 | follows

Krewe of Jefferson

Tuesday, February 25 | follows

METAIRIE SEVERN

VETERANS

CANAL ORLEANS

WEST BANK POYDRAS MLK BLVD

NAPOLEON

JEFFERSON

LOUISIANA

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Mardi Gras Manual | Where Y'at Magazine

WhereYat.com | February 2020

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2020 Sun

Mon

Mardi Gras Parade Calendar Tue

Wed

Thu

Feb. Fri

Sat

1

Krewe of Chewbacchus 7:00pm

2

3

4

5

6

7 Krewe Bohème 7:00pm

8 Krewe du Vieux 6:30pm krewedelusion follows Krewe of Bilge 12:00pm Krewe of Poseidon 6:00pm

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12

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Adonis 11:45am Nemesis 1:00pm

Krewe of Nefertiti 11:00am

Cork 3:00pm

Pontchartrain 1:00pm

Krewe of Little Rascals 12:00pm

Oshun 6:00pm

Choctaw 2:00pm

Krewe of Slidellians 1:00pm

Cleopatra 6:00pm

Krewe of Perseus follows

Alla 7:00pm

'tit Rex 4:30pm

Excaliber 6:30pm

Pearl River Lions Club 1:00pm

Eve 7:00pm

Freret 3:30pm Pygmalion 6:15pm MadHatters 5:00pm Centurions 6:30pm Olympia 6:00pm Titans 6:30pm

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Femme Fatale 11:00am

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Babylon 5:30pm

Bosom Buddies 11:30am

Chaos 6:15pm

Hermes 5:30pm

Iris 11:00am

Muses 6:30pm

d'Etat 6:30pm

Tucks 12:00pm

Dionysus 1:00pm

Morpheus 7:00pm

Endymion 4:15pm

Barkus 2:00pm

Selene 6:30pm

Isis 6:00pm

Carrollton 12:00pm

Druids 6:15pm Nyx 7:00pm

King Arthur 1:00pm

NOMTOC 10:45am

Atlas 4:00pm Kings 5:00pm

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Okeanos 11:00am

Proteus 5:15pm

Mid-City 11:45am

Orpheus 6:00am

Zulu 8:00am Rex 10:00am

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Elks Orleans Follows Crescent City Follows

Thoth 12:00pm Bacchus 5:15pm

Argus 10:00am

Athena 5:30pm

Elks Jefferson follows

Pandora 6:30pm

Krewe of Jefferson follows Covington Lions 10:00am

Sun

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Mon

Mardi Gras Manual | Where Y'at Magazine

Tue

Wed

Thu

Fri

Sat

Mar.

GET DOWN & JOIN THE PARTY

#WeAreNOLA

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@HarrahsNOLA #WeAreNOLA

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MARDI GRAS 2020 North Shore Parade Schedule Krewe of Bilge (Slidell) Saturday, February 8 | 12:00 p.m.

Krewe of Poseidon (Slidell) Saturday, February 8 | 6:00 p.m.

Krewe of Slidellians (Slidell) Sunday, February 9 | 1:00 p.m.

Krewe of Perseus (Slidell)

North Shore Parade Schedule & Marching Group Parade Schedule

Marching Group Parade Schedule Amelia EarHawts & Cabin Krewe

Lucha Krewe

aecabinkrewe.com and Facebook

Facebook

Cleopatra

Friday, February 14

Freret

Saturday, February 15

King Arthur

Sunday, February 16

Druids

Wednesday, February 19

Dead Beans

Monday, February 24

Druids

Wednesday, February 19

Babylon

Thursday, February 20

Iris

Saturday, February 22

mandemilkshakers.com and Facebook

Bearded Oysters

Poseidon

Saturday, February 8

beardedoysters.org and Facebook

Eve

Friday, February 14

Mad Hatters

Saturday, February 15

Olympia

Saturday, February 15

Muses

Thursday, February 20

Carrollton

Sunday, February 16

Tucks

Saturday, February 22

Covington

Tuesday, February 25

Mardi Paws

Sunday, March 1

Sunday, February 9 | follows Slidellians The Beyjorettes

Krewe of Pearl River Lions Club (Pearl River)

beyjorettes.com and Facebook Nefertiti

Sunday, February 9

Athena

Sunday, February 23

Muff-a-lottas

Zulu

Tuesday, February 25

themuffalottas.com and Facebook

Sunday, February 9 | 1:00 p.m.

Krewe of Eve (Mandeville)

FEB. 8

DEBAUCHE!

LUNDI GRAS BABY GRAND

MARDI GRAS DAY MARS, ANARETA, TORTURE GARDEN

SERVING BRAZILIAN STREET FOOD NIGHTLY

Cleopatra

Friday, February 14

Pontchartrain

Saturday, February 15

Tucks

Saturday, February 22

Sunday, February 16

Krewe of Paws (Slidell)

Oak

Friday, February 21

Tucks

Saturday, February 22

Saturday, February 15 | 10:00 a.m.

New Orleans Baby Doll Ladies

Dame Fine

Monday, February 24

babydollladies.com and Facebook

Krewe of Tchefuncte (Madisonville) Saturday, February 15 | 1:00 p.m.

Krewe of Olympia (Covington) Saturday, February 15 | 6:00 p.m.

Krewe of Dionysus (Slidell) Sunday, February 16 | 1:00 p.m.

Krewe of Selene (Slidell) Friday, February 21 | 6:30 p.m.

Krewe of Lyra (Covington) Thursday, March 5 | 10:00 a.m.

2227 ST CLAUDE AVE NEW ORLEANS music calendar and menu at

carnavallounge.com

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Saturday, February 8 Sunday, February 9

King Arthur

Saturday, February 15 | 6:30 p.m.

DRINKS

damesdeperlage.org and Facebook

Poseidon Nefertiti

Saturday, February 15

Krewe of Titans (Slidell) FOOD

Dames de Perlage Freret

Friday, February 14 | 7:00 p.m.

MUSIC

Mande Milkshakers

Mardi Gras Manual | Where Y'at Magazine

The Dance Connection

Krewe of Kings

Saturday, February 16

Mardi Gras Day

Tuesday, February 25

Facebook Poseidon

Saturday, February 8

Pussyfooters

Little Rascals

Sunday, February 9

pussyfooters.org and Facebook

Excalibur

Friday, February 14

Carrollton

Sunday, February 16

Pontchartrain

Saturday, February 15

Muses

Thursday, February 20

Mad Hatters

Saturday, February 15

Thoth

Sunday, February 23

Centurions

Saturday, February 15

Carrollton

Sunday, February 16

Druids

Wednesday, February 19

Nyx

Wednesday, February 19

Tucks

Saturday, February 22

Thoth

Sunday, February 23

Disco Amigos discoamigos.com and Facebook Carrollton

Sunday, February 16

Nyx

Wednesday, February 19

Tucks

Saturday, February 22

Ritmeaux Krewe ritmeauxkrewe.com and Facebook Krewe of Kings

Saturday, February 16

Mardi Gras Day

Tuesday, February 25

Star-Steppin’ Cosmonaughties Facebook Pygmalion

Saturday, February 15

Nyx

Wednesday, February 19

St.car Strutters

Krewe des Fleurs krewedosfleurs.org and Facebook

st.carstrutters.com and Facebook

Cleopatra

Friday, February 22

Alla

Friday, February 14

Femme Fatale

Sunday, February 24

Barkus

Sunday, February 16

Iris

Saturday, March 2

Morpheus

Friday, February 21

Mid-City

Sunday, March 3

689 Swampers Facebook Alla

Friday, February 14

Choctaw

Saturday, February 15

Rosethorne

Saturday, February 22

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MARDI GRAS AROUND THE WORLD

By Burke Bischoff

New Orleans has become synonymous, or at least identifiable, with its world-famous Mardi Gras celebrations. But as some locals would like to forget, we are not the only city to have an internationally famous Mardi Gras or Carnival celebration. While the U.S. also has Mardi Gras celebrations in Mobile, Galveston, and St. Louis, there are many other places in the world that have their own spin on Mardi Gras.

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From Trinidad to the Netherlands, any place with a little bit of Christian heritage has some kind of pre-Lenten festive celebration. Here’s a list of some sites around the world with Mardi Gras events that are uniquely different, and sometimes similar, to our own.

Belgium Belgium’s best-known Carnival celebration is in the town of Binche, which is located in the country’s Wallonia region. Dating back to the 14th century, the main identifying feature of the Carnival of Binche is the Gilles, which is a group of about 1,000 men who dress up in linen suits (typically designed with the colors of the Belgian flag), wear wooden clogs, and have bells on their belts. Early in the morning on Fat Tuesday, the Gilles, all wearing wax masks, gather in the town’s center to dance and scare off evil spirits with sticks called ramons. In the afternoon, the Gilles change from their masks to plume hats and parade around town, tossing blood oranges to the crowds.

Brazil Home to the largest Carnival celebration in the world, according to Guinness World Records, the Rio de Janeiro Carnival has been a mainstay of Brazilian culture since 1840. While there are many celebrations in other cities all over Brazil, the Carnival in Rio is the one that most people will think of when they hear “Brazilian Carnival.”

The main attraction of Rio Carnival is the parade through the Sambadrome Marquês de Sapucaí, which incorporates over 200 samba schools (marching groups, like krewes, that perform African-Brazilian dance and drumming), dressed in feathery costumes and followed by very intricate floats. When the parade is over, many locals migrate to different st. festivals around Rio to dance and listen to music.

Canada Officially named Carnaval de Québec, the winter Carnival in Quebec City, Quebec, is considered to be one of the largest winter festivals in the world. Typical celebrations during the Carnival include outdoor sporting events, snow-sculpting contests, a masquerade ball in the Château Frontenac hotel, bains de neige (bikini snow baths), and, of course, parades. Something completely unique to the Québec Winter Carnival is that parades will be led by the Carnival’s official snowman mascot Bonhomme Carnaval, who made his first appearance in 1955.

Colombia Colombia’s Carnival is primarily located in the city of Barranquilla. The main celebration of Carnaval de Barranquilla lasts for four days until Ash Wednesday, and each day is focused around a different celebration. The first day is for the Battle of Flowers, which is a float parade headed by the Carnival queen (the battle’s name comes from a local practice of fighting with flowers after coming off the One Thousand Days’ War). The second and third days focus on more parades, as well as an orchestra festival where different music ensembles compete against each other. The last day is marked by the funeral of Joselito Carnaval (who’s supposed to represent the joy of Carnival), when the community dresses in different costumes and playfully mourns the end of the Carnival season.

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Czech Republic

Germany

Italy

Dating back to the 13th century, Masopust, or Slavic Carnival, has been a time-honored tradition in the Czech Republic. While major cities like Prague have more mainstream celebrations with period balls and concerts, villages in the Hlinecko Region hold onto more traditional customs. Fat Tuesday traditions for Masopust include masked men going door to door and doing a traditional performance for food and drinks, a parade led by a character in a spotted costume (the more spots on the costume, the more happy days the wearer will have for the rest of the year), and a symbolic sacrifice then resurrection performance at the end of the parade with a character who is supposed to represent a mare.

Believe it or not, you can see two completely different versions of Carnival, depending on which region of Germany you’re in. One version is the Rhenish Carnival found in western cities like Düsseldorf, Mainz, and Cologne. The Rhenish Carnival includes traditions like parades, costuming, comedy shows or events that poke fun at social issues, and the appearance of the Dreigestirn peasant, prince, and maiden characters (who are all portrayed by men). The other Carnival in Germany is the Fastnacht, which is celebrated by the Swabian and Alemannic people in the Baden-Württemberg part of the country. More focused in tradition and folklore, Fastnacht features people wearing wooden masks, dressing up as various cultural characters, and letting “fools” take over the government between Fat Tuesday and Ash Wednesday.

While there are Carnival celebrations in many different cities in Italy, the most world-renowned has to be the Carnevale di Venezia (Carnival of Venice). This Carnival’s claim to fame and most recognizable feature is the costuming and masks. In fact, the use of masks for the Venetian Carnival dates back to the 17th and 18th centuries. These masks are typically made from porcelain (masks can be made out of leather and glass as well), with either intricate designs or those made to represent a specific character associated with Venetian Carnival. The Carnival officially dates from December 26 through Ash Wednesday, so it would not be too surprising to see residents wearing their masks for that extended period.

France Not only is Carnival in France fairly close to New Orleans Mardi Gras, but one part of the country claims to have one of the oldest Carnival celebrations in the world. In the city of Nice in the French Riviera, the Carnival practice is documented as dating all the way back to 1294, based on the writings of Count Charles Anjou of Provence. Sharing some similarities and differences with New Orleans Mardi Gras, Nice’s Carnival features a parade with about 20 papier-mâché floats, about 50 grosses têtes (big-headed giant puppets) tagging along in the parade, and people on the floats throwing flowers into the crowds.

Mardi Gras Manual | Where Y'at Magazine

India The Goa Carnival is significant because it is one of the very few Mardi Gras celebrations that can be found in Asia. This is because the Indian state of Goa was once occupied by Portugal as far back as 1510. With the Portuguese influencing that region, the local population adopted quite a bit of their Catholic traditions, including Carnival.

The Goa Carnival is similar to the ones in Brazil and Portugal (floats, parades, costuming, a leader of Carnival called King Momo), but you might also see people throw colored dust on each other, which aligns with the Hindu festival of Holi.

Russia The Russian pre-Lenten holiday of Maslenitsa (also found in Ukraine and Belarus) not only has Christian influences, but can also trace its history to the region’s pagan Slavic roots. The holiday’s name can literally be translated to either “Crepe Week” or “Cheese-Fare Week,” so people will typically focus on eating dairy products (the characteristic dish of the season being bliny, which is a Slavic crepe). Specific traditions include stenka na stenku (a sparring match between men in traditional folk outfits), Forgiveness Sunday (friends and family ask each other for forgiveness for any wrongdoings the year before), and the burning of Lady Maslenitsa (a straw figure representing winter).

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29

REDUCE, REUSE, RECYCLE YOUR BEADS

By Emily Hingle

On March 13, 2019, just days after the end of the Mardi Gras season, Mayor Latoya Cantrell announced that 1,072 tons of trash had been collected by sanitation workers cleaning up the purple, green, and gold mess left by revelers. This astounding number was actually a bit less than previous years, even though it was a longer Mardi Gras season than normal. The modest drop in trash collection may be due, in part, to an increase in throw-recycling efforts.

The push for a greener, more environmentally friendly Carnival has picked up steam in the last few years as Mardi Gras beads have been found clogging catch basins around the city and since people around the world are becoming more conscious about how much garbage they produce. In the fall of 2018, the Urban Conservancy (UC) and other local organizations held a forum titled “The Future of Mardi Gras,” at which ideas to make Mardi Gras less wasteful and destructive were discussed.

The UC’s Director, Dana Eness, commented, “The forum brought 300 New Orleanians together to discuss ways to reduce the adverse environmental impact of Carnival season while growing the local economic impact. It encouraged New Orleanians to continue to share their ideas for more sustainable practices on and off the parade route and launch initiatives that shift the focus away from trashing the city and toward uplifting more local, ethical, green traditions. This Carnival season, we’re seeing the results of connections made at the forum.”

One of the vendors at the forum was ArcGNO, a decades-old non-profit servicing people with intellectual disabilities.

Currently, they serve around 600 children and adults in Orleans Parish and its neighboring parishes. ArcGNO has proudly given some of their clients wage-earning jobs at the Mardi Gras Recycle Center.

For over 30 years, they have been sorting donated beads and selling them back to krewes so that the krewe members aren’t tempted to buy more and more beads that may wind up in the gutter or landfill.

Toni Wright, manager of the Mardi Gras Recycle Center, explained that more beads come in and get sold each year, and this new emphasis on environmentalism is really boosting their program. “In the past, we received about 168,000 pounds of beads throughout the year; however, in this past

30

season, we received 340,000 pounds of throws within six weeks of Mardi Gras day. This is an amazing moment for us at the ArcGNO Mardi Gras Recycle Center.

We have never had so much community support and are truly grateful for all the donations the community has given us this year.”

Beads can be donated at many locations around town, including Whole Foods at 5600 Magazine St., Rouses at 2701 Airline Dr. in Metairie, the Green Project at 2831 Marais St., and the Occasional Wife located at 8237 Earhart Blvd. But the Mardi Gras Recycle Center gets large donations from the “Throw ‘Em Back” floats at the ends of some parades where revelers can immediately give up their throws.

“Over the last two years, we have changed our process so that we are more efficient and can create a better product for our customers,” Wright noted. “Once the throws enter our facility, we create our inventory by weighing a box that is 4’x4’x4’. These boxes typically weigh 1,000 pounds each.

The next step in this process is to sort the products. We depend strongly on volunteer support to accomplish this. In 2018, we hosted 4,026 volunteers; this year, we are hoping to host over 5,000 volunteers in this 12-month period. The volunteers work along with our staff and are taught how to untangle and sort all the various products that are in the big boxes. We depend strongly on local volunteers who already have knowledge of Mardi Gras products and krewe names and can process a higher volume during their time with us. We have a full retail store, located at 925 Labarre Rd. in Metairie right off Airline Highway.” ArcGNO’s throw store is open Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. until 4 p.m.; and Saturday, 9 a.m. until 1 p.m.; or you can shop online at arcgnobeads.org.

In addition to having more donations than ever, ArcGNO’s program has more support from krewes than they’ve ever

Mardi Gras Manual | Where Y'at Magazine

had. “For the first time in the history of our social enterprise, we have the support of three krewes who have signed sales agreements to provide recycled throws to their members,” Wright said beaming. “We are selling directly to the Krewe of Excalibur, Krewe of Centurions, and the Krewe of Rex. What we are all learning is that due to the quantity we have sorted, we are able to provide a quantity discount to krewes. We have been very grateful for the opportunity to support each of these krewes, as they have made a commitment to support our efforts of providing jobs and income to up to 48 disabled adults who reside in one of the five parishes we serve.”

This circle of bead-recycling is a win for ArcGNO, the krewes who support them, people wanting to get rid of their throws in a responsible way, and the environment, and it’s only set to grow more in the years to come. According to Wright, “Last year, we sold over 75 tons of goods to Carnival riders. This year, we have processed and have prepared for sale over 95 tons ready to sell. By providing a product that is packaged similarly to a new retail product and easier for the rider to handle and throw, we find they are purchasing more. It does not hurt that their money is going to support a nonprofit that helps disabled adults within our community have jobs. Our social enterprise has been able to provide dignity, financial independence, and personal growth to our disabled staff, and has been blessed to watch each staff member rise to new levels of skills and abilities. Each time someone exhibits this growth, we watch their sense of self-esteem rise.”

If you’re in the market for bags of beads this year, consider shopping locally at ArcGNO’s Mardi Gras Recycling Center, where your money goes to help people right here in the community..

The Big Easy on Getting Around for Mardi Gras 2020 Tips to Help You Plan Ahead: RTA routes will be detoured beginning 2 hours before parades and will resume regular routes after clean-up.

Purchase your Jazzy Pass in advance on the GoMobile app or at a retail location. See the list at RTAforward.org.

Review Mardi Gras detours ahead of time at RTAforward.org.

Grab an RTA Mardi Gras Guide on your bus/streetcar.

RTAforward.org | 504-248-3900

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31

THE COLORFUL HISTORY OF THE MASKING MARDI GRAS INDIANS

By Kimmie Tubre

Here they come. You can see them and their vibrant, glorious craftsmanship from blocks away, strutting along the Uptown and Downtown st.s. He who masks will have the best design with the prettiest feathers and the most colorful beading. He needs to be seen as the most beautiful, the greatest, and the most magnificent. He must stand out. If he hasn't convinced you, he is sure to have a krewe with him that will. As he and his tribe come head-to-head with a competitor, he knows that this honor is important after spending a year designing, prepping, and sewing his suit together. That person, covered with feathers, beads, and a headpiece fit for a god, is famously known as a Mardi Gras Indian.

When we see them and stare in awe as they walk by, it is important to know that there is a vast history behind the masking men and women who make up the different tribes.

While the origin of the Mardi Gras Indian isn’t truly clear, we know for sure that it includes tradition, controversy, resilience, and rebellion. But, most importantly, the history is filled with respect for others and for what each tribe represents.

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The Suits With a tambourine in one hand and a microphone in the other, Big Chief Aflred Doucette can be seen all over

town performing shows from Uptown to Frenchmen St.. When he isn’t making music, he is working as chief council of the Flaming Arrows Tribe. The Mardi Gras Indian hall-of-famer has spent decades masking and creating suits. “Each suit I do is going to tell a story,” he said.

When you see the chief’s magnificent suits, you simply take a walk into his creative mind, where he combines history, fantasy, and spirituality into his work.

The long-standing chief says that there are three things you need in order to be a good Mardi Gras Indian. “You have to be able to sing a lil bit and be a people person, but most importantly, you have to know how to sew.”

Flagboy Giz started masking four years ago and is currently moving up the ranks, going from spyboy to flagboy. As a member of the Wild Tchoupitoulas tribe, Flagboy Giz has become renowned for his beautiful suits. “It takes real dedication to make a suit. You spend a lot of time inside, working on your art,” he explained. “Some suits are so elaborate that you may not even finish them on time.”

When asked what he does when he hasn't finished, Giz casually stated, “You just have to suit up and go out with what you hAve. Once Mardi Gras Day is here, that’s it— time’s run out.”

Flagboy Giz admits that while the suits are stunning, they can be very heavy at times.

B:10 inOne of his more popular suits weighed T:9.75 inover 70 pounds. “My chief’s suits are usually heavier,” he said.

S:9.25 in

The Ranking There are over 40 Mardi Gras Indian tribes in the city of New Orleans. A tribe can range from about four to over a dozen members. Each member of a tribe plays a different role and has a responsibility to that respective position.

Most Indians start as spyboys. The spyboy is first in line and is responsible for seeking out trouble ahead. He hypes up his flagboy and sends signals down the line. He might go up to the spyboy of another tribe to chant, whoop, and holler. He’ll brag about how his tribe has the prettiest suits. The spyboy prepares the way for his tribe as the battle begins.

Then you have the flagboy, who carries the tribe’s (gang’s) flag. In the gang, you also have the big queen, and finally, the big chief. Once the spyboy signals the flagboy, it is his responsibility to communicate between the two. While the spyboy is first in line, the big chief is always leading the way.

The long history of the black masking Mardi Gras Indians is one of mystery, tradition, and culture. It is a visually aesthetic performance that you can only see in a city like New Orleans—from a turbulent past to a glorious tradition. The Mardi Gras Indians embody what New Orleans is all about: culture, talent, music, and art.

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Mardi Gras Manual | Where Y'at Magazine

S:9.25 in T:9.75 in B:10 in

Northern Media Inc

Mech Bleed: 10 in x 5.53 in

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S:4.78 in

On Fat Tuesday, the Mardi Gras Indians parade the st.s, giving an artistic and theatrical performance that showcases countless hours, days, and months of their work. As the song goes, “Every year for Carnival time, we make a new suit.”

Mardi Gras Day is the day to finally display what you’ve been working on. Over time, this celebration has become more of a friendly competition as the different tribes come together in song, dance, and display, to decide who’s the best of all. But these celebrations were not always as friendly in the past.

There have been accounts of rather violent acts among opposing groups. From the beginning of their time, the Indians used Mardi Gras Day as a time to mask, in order to settle grudges and various battles among the Indian “gangs” in the city. Many times, the celebratory day turned into a violent affair that continued for decades, until the 1960s, when there was a push to develop more elaborate suits. These suits would serve as a different way to battle.

Now, instead of fighting with weapons, the Indians could fight over who had the bestlooking and most elaborate suit.

While there’s some past history of violence, the origins of the Mardi Gras Indians were never rooted in that. There is no way to know exactly when the Indians began masking, but the connection between blacks and Native Americans dates back to the 19th century when Native Americans helped in protecting

runaway slaves. The culture of masking Indians was influenced by the forged friendship between the slaves and the Native Americans.

As time moved along, the black masking Indians used Mardi Gras Day to have their own parade and celebration. At the time, black people were banned from wearing feathers and participating in the other parades among the masses. Creating their own neighborhood parades was a form of rebellion that began to attract other groups to do the same, eventually drawing crowds and creating traditions along the way. Mardi Gras Day was the perfect day to parade because of the low presence of police in the black neighborhoods. On Mardi Gras Day, the city was focused on protecting the other parades, leaving the neighborhoods of the masking Indians free from conviction. They therefore took advantage of this busy day, and it became a long-standing tradition and the origin of their name: Mardi Gras Indians.

Besides on Mardi Gras Day, the Mardi Gras Indians also show their suits off on Super Sunday, the Sunday closest to St. Joseph’s Day. Always the third Sunday in March, Super Sunday is a day when hundreds of Indians from all over come to display their live art for viewers from around the world.

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35

GET ME OUT OF HERE: Fat Tuesday Alternatives

By Jeff Boudreaux

Avery Island

Global Wildlife Center:

Are you a lover of hot sauce? Well, the salt dome that is Avery Island produces the world’s most famous variety: Tabasco sauce. Learn all about Edmund McIlhenny and his historic recipe that took the nation by storm in 1868, in a self-guided, 10-exhibit factory tour and museum, complete with restaurant and spectacular gift shop. With all of that, you may be surprised to learn that Tabasco isn’t the only reason to visit Avery Island. No trip here is complete without a tranquil and exhilarating walk through Jungle Gardens, a 170-acre botanical garden that also functions as a bird sanctuary and wildlife reserve. This also just happens to be home to a staggering 900-year-old statue of Buddha, one of Louisiana’s most breathtaking attractions. junglegardens. org | tabasco.com/visit-avery-island/

What’s better than rubbing elbows with abundant giraffes, bison, camels, zebras, and a host of other species? Not much, since you’ll have the absolute time of your life feeding them all from the comfort of the park’s safari wagon. You’ll tour 900 acres of Folsom’s beautiful, nationally renowned wildlife preserve, all the while wondering if you were unwittingly transported from Tangipahoa Parish to the African plains. You should purchase the family-size bucket of feed. While it may seem a little pricey at $32, you’ll kick yourself if you buy the 32-ounce cup because it will be gone approximately three minutes into the 75-minute ride. globalwildlife.com

Biedenharn Museum and Gardens One of the most fascinating spots in Louisiana is Biedenharn Museum and Gardens. Joseph Biedenharn, the first bottler of Coca-Cola, moved his operations in 1913 from Vicksburg, Mississippi, to Monroe, Louisiana. It’s three museums for the price of one, as you’ll tour his historic home and garden, a Bible museum, and, of course, a celebration of all things Coke. Be amazed at the historic soda fountain, with its own highly entertaining and informative soda jerk.

This experience is not really recommended for followers of the keto diet, as you’ll be tempted beyond belief to buy an ice-cold Coke from the original five-cent vending machine. Since the drive to Monroe is 280 miles, it would be optimal to arrive in town Monday night or start your drive there at the crack of dawn on Tuesday. bmuseum.org

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Mardi Gras Manual | Where Y'at Magazine

Louisiana Political Museum The state of Louisiana sure has a colorful political history, so naturally, we should have a museum and hall of fame devoted to such. Located four hours northwest in the town of Winnfield, the birthplace of three of our storied governors, you’ll learn all about “The Kingfish” Huey P. Long—the great, assassinated governor (and also senator) who rivaled President Franklin Delano Roosevelt in sheer political influence. Of course, Huey’s brother Earl K. Long also made a name for himself with his everyman demeanor; his multiple, nonconsecutive terms; and his involvement with New Orleans stripper Blaze Starr.

Listen to Governor Jimmie Davis’s country music hit “You are My Sunshine” and peruse the hall of fame containing over 125 inductees. This really is a Louisiana political junkie’s dream, and it’s absolutely free. lapoliticalmuseum.com

Fat Tuesday—that wonderful day of the year in the life of a New Orleanian. It certainly lives up to its billing. How else could we possibly find the energy to keep up with that merry marathon of friends, floats, and festivities? Well, it just so happens that this delightful day of debauchery isn’t everyone’s idea of a good time. Don’t worry, you’ve arrived at a nojudgment zone. The truth is, this last day of the pre-Lenten season is just another day of business in most other places in the country. If you and your family have had enough of the parades and are looking to engage in something different this year, simply fill the car up with gas and grab some refreshments for a fun-filled day trip to an enlightening place that may or may not be on your mini-vacation radar. Either way, you’ll soon discover what a great day you’ve picked to beat the crowds.

Avery Island

Natchez, Mississippi

Tunica, Mississippi

Are you ready to encounter 300 years of history on the banks of the mighty Mississippi River? Known as the “Jewel of the South,” Natchez is steeped in cultural heritage, with must-visit sites including the Museum of African American History and Culture, Fort Rosalie, Melrose mansion, and the William Johnson House—the latter three comprising the Natchez National Historical Park. Take a free tour of the Old South Winery and taste wine made exclusively from muscadine grapes. If you haven’t been to Natchez in a while, or ever, you’ll really be amazed at the rate in which the city is growing and thriving. Before you leave, be sure to watch the sunset on the great river while enjoying an ice-cold beverage from the Under the Hill Saloon.

This may be exactly what Mark Twain was describing in all those novels. visitnatchez.org

This is a little bit of a drive (about five and a half hours’ worth), but if you have the luxury of being off on Lundi Gras, a trip to the “Vegas of the South” would be well worth the trip. Casinos, museums, and down-home Southern cooking are just a few of the attractions in Tunica. Experience the rich history of the Mississippi Delta at the Tunica RiverPark & Museum and take a ride upon the riverboat known as the Tunica Queen. You’ll soon find that simulating life on the Mississippi works up quite the appetite. For authentic Southern food and hospitality, look no further than the Blue & White Restaurant, a Tunica institution for 85 years and counting, serving incomparable gastronomical delights that will please both your stomach and wallet. Do yourself a favor and try the fried chicken livers and gravy. tunicatravel.com

Poverty Point

Vicksburg National Military Park

An archaeological marvel located in Louisiana? Absolutely. This prehistoric earthwork overlooking the Mississippi River floodplain was cultured by indigenous peoples from 1730 to 1350 B.C. and was designated both a world heritage site by UNESCO and a national monument by the National Park Service. Located just four hours away in Pioneer, this incredible array of laboriously produced ridges and mounds predates the Mayan pyramids and is no less impressive. Admission is only $4 per person with seniors and small children entering for free. povertypoint.us

Under siege for 47 days by Grant’s forces, the confederate stronghold of Vicksburg, Mississippi, was the site of the last major battle of the U.S. Civil War. A major port on the Mississippi River, Vicksburg was deemed more important than New Orleans to the Union effort by President Lincoln, and the nearly 20,000 deaths from both sides prove it. A day-long excursion here includes a self-guided driving tour through the hallowed grounds (simply download the free app) and a walk aboard the USS Cairo Gunboat and Museum. The cost is only $20 per car, whether you have one or 10 people. Seriously, there is so much to experience here, you could easily spend multiple days, which is why the pass is good for an entire week. nps.gov/vick

WhereYat.com | February 2020

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4 4 Monday, February 3 30-90 - Dapper Dandies; Gene Harding Bamboula’a - St. Louis Slim; Perdido Jazz Band BMC Balcony Music Club - Paggy Prine & Southern Soul Buffa’s - Arsene DeLay and Charlie Wooton Carnaval Lounge - Daniel Beaudoin; Comic Strip Circle Bar - CHUDunday w/ Mort Vivants Chickie Wah Wah - Alex McMurray The Columns Hotel - David Doucet Crescent City Brewhouse - New Orleans St.beat D.B.A. - John Boutte’; Soul Brass Band Dos Jefes - John Fohl DMAC - Danny Alexander Dragon’s Den - DJ ILL Medina Dragon’s Den Upstairs - Nanci Zee Gasa Gasa - Higher Power Hi Ho Lounge - Amine Boucetta; Tucker Baker House of Blues Restaurant - Jamie Lynn Vessels Royal Sonesta - Gerald French & The Original Tuxedo Jazz Band The Maison - Chicken & Waffles; The Royal Roses Mid-City Lanes Rock ‘n’ Bowl - DJ Twiggs Neutral Ground Coffeehouse - Alan Bailey One Eyed Jacks - Teddy & the Rough Riders + Blind Texas Marlin Three Muses - Monty Banks; Meschiya Lake

MUSIC CALENDAR Mid-City Lanes Rock ‘n’ Bowl - Band of Gold Neutral Ground Coffeehouse - Mark Fernandez One Eyed Jacks - Vixens & Vinyl Three Muses - Leslie Martin; Hot Club of New Orleans

Three Muses - Tom McDermott; Arsene DeLay Tipitina’s - Homegrown Night, The Canarys and Zita Treme Art and Music Lounge - Hot 8 Brass Band

Thursday, February 6:

Friday, February 7:

30-90 - Josh Benitez Band; Hotline Bamboula’s - Marty Peters & the Party Meters; City of Trees Brass Band BMC Balcony Music Club - Al Ancar & Kingdom City Buffa’s - Tom McDermott and Aurora Nealand Carnaval Lounge - Dirty Rain Revelers; Rat Brain Robot Checkpoint Charlie - Gypsy Stew; Love Skunk Chickie Wah Wah - Lulu & the Broadsides

30-90 - Jonathan Bauer Project; Organami 3 Keys - Dilla Day NOLA VII; Cue’d Up Bamboula’s - The Adventure Continues; Kala Chandra Blue Nile - Kermit Ruffins & The BBQ Swingers BMC Balcony Music Club - Bettis & 3rd Degree Buffa’s - Michael Burkart’s Les Syncopators De Bayou Carnaval Lounge - The Pinx, Event Horizon, Champagne Checkpoint Charlie - Gypsy Stew; Shawn Williams

Tuesday, February 4 30-90 - The Set Up Kings; Kennedy and The M.O.T.H. 3 Keys - Tech Tuesdays Bamboula’s - Christopher Johnson; Kala Chandra Buffa’s - Evan Christopher and Tom McDermott BMC Balcony Music Club - Dapper Dandies; Carnaval Lounge - Sam Dickey & Michelle Welchons Checkpoint Charlie - Jamie Lynn Vessels Chickie Wah Wah - Jon Cleary Circle Bar - Murmur Revival + Guitar is Dead + Flutterbug The Columns Hotel - John Rankin Crescent City Brewhouse - New Orleans St.beat DMAC - Walter Wolfman Washington Dos Jefes - Tom Hook & Wendell Brunious Dragon’s Den - Poor Boy Krill & The Bottom Dwellers Dragon’s Den Upstairs - Lee Walker + Rancho T Motel Gasa Gasa - Horse Jumper of Love Hi Ho Lounge - Mike Reed, Tomeka Reid, Joshua Abrams House of Blues Restaurant - Michael Liuzza Royal Sonesta - James Rivers Movement Luna Libre - Sarah Quintana The Maison - St. Roch Syncopators; Neutral Ground Coffeehouse - Tereson Dupuy; Mia Day Three Muses - Sam Cammarata; Salvatore Geloso Treme Art and Music Lounge - Jim Stephens

Wednesday, February 5 30-90 - Bywater Skanks; Colin Davis & Night People Bamboula’s - Eight Dice Cloth; G & the Swing Gypsies Buffa’s - Nattie Sanchez BMC Balcony Music Club - Stewart Marshall & Soule Carnaval Lounge - David Roe Checkpoint Charlie - T Bone Stone Chickie Wah Wah - Meschiya Lake & Tom McDermott Circle Bar - Ixias + Pussyto + Neck Breather The Columns Hotel - Kathleen Moore Crescent City Brewhouse - New Orleans St.beat D.B.A. - Walter Wolfman Washington & the Roadmasters Dos Jefes - Carl Leblanc & Jonathan Freilich DMAC - Zonada Dragon’s Den - DJ FTK Dragon’s Den Upstairs - DJ T-Roy Gasa Gasa - Glen Parks Hi Ho Lounge - Frenchie Moe; Tiffany Pollack Foundation Room - Freedom in the Groove House of Blues Restaurant - John Paul Carmody Royal Sonesta - Big Sam Le Bon Temps - Emerging Artist Series - Satya The Maison - Sunny Side; New Orleans Jazz Vipers

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The Soul Rebels Le Bon Temps Roule | Thursday, February 6 | lbtrnola.com The Soul Rebels are a New Orleans-based eight-piece brass ensemble. The motivation behind the band’s music was to expand upon the pop music they love to listen to on the radio while incorporating the classic New Orleans sounds that they grew up around. The Soul Rebels’s music is a blend of funk and soul with elements of hip hop, jazz, and rock. With this music, they have created a unique sound and, without a doubt, put on an eclectic show.

Circle Bar - Dark Lounge City Park - Pavilion of the Two Sisters - James Rivers Movement Crescent City Brewhouse - New Orleans St.beat D.B.A. - Slugger + TBA DMAC - Mystery Fish Rock Jam Dos Jefes - Richard “Piano” Scott Dragon’s Den - DJ Jess Dragon’s Den Upstairs - HaSizzle Gasa Gasa - The Painted Hands Hi Ho Longue - John Paul Carmody House of Blues - Jake Landry and the Right Lane Bandits House of Blues Restaurant - Jake Landry Le Bon Temps - Soul Rebels Mid-City Lanes Rock ‘n’ Bowl - Chubby Carrier Neutral Ground Coffeehouse - Pat Flory; Will Robison Rib Room at the Omni Royal Orleans - Alan Bailey Royal Sonesta - Brass-A-Holics The Maison - Good For Nothin’ band; The Well - Stooges Brass Band

Mardi Gras Manual | Where Y'at Magazine

Chickie Wah Wah - Jason Ricci Band Circle Bar - Natalie Mae + Jeremy Siegrist Crescent City Brewhouse - New Orleans St.beat D.B.A. - Keith Frank & the Soileau Zydeco Band DMAC - Vance orange Dos Jefes - The Panorama Jazz Band Dragon’s Den - DJ RQ Away Gasa Gasa - Netherfriends Hi Ho Lounge - The Dial-up Tones + The Kurt Loders House of Blues - Foundation Room - Justin Donovan and Ryan Scott Long House of Blues Restaurant - Shelby Kemp; Captain Buckles Band Royal Sonesta - Burlesque Ballroom Le Bon Temps - Watson’s Theory Mahalia Jackson Theater - Nuts and Bolts; Joan of Arc The Maison - The New Orleans Swinging Gypsies; Shotgun Jazz Band Mid-City Lanes Rock ‘n’ Bowl - The Boogie Men Neutral Ground Coffeehouse - Loyola’s Finest One Eyed Jacks - DJ Soul Sister

Republic New Orleans - DJ Marauda Royal Frenchmen - Glen David Andrews Saenger Theatre - Ladies Night Out Smoothie King Center - Celine Dion Three Muses - Royal Roses; Ester Rose Tipitina’s - Flow Tribe + John the Martyr Treme Art and Music Lounge - Friends Who Play

Saturday, February 8 30-90 - Doc Lovett’s Louisiana Remedy 3 Keys - Big Easy Brawlers; DJ Soul Sister Bamboula’s - G & the Swinging Gypsies; Johhny Mastro Blue Nile - Kermit Ruffins & the BBQ Swingers BMC Balcony Music Club - Vance Orange Buffa’s - Freddie Blue and the Friendship Circle Carnaval Lounge - Krewe de Bauche!

Checkpoint Longue - The Rotten Cores Chickie Wah Wah - Lost in the 60’s Circle Bar - Kate Baxter; Feral Daughter Crescent City Brewhouse - New Orleans St.beat D.B.A. - Tuba Skinny DMAC - Sierra Green & the Soul Machine Dos Jefes - Sunpie & the LA. Sunspots Dragon’s Den - Mahmoud Chouki; DJ B Dot Dragon’s Den Upstairs - DJ Legatron Prime Gasa Gasa - Alynda Segarra Hi Ho Longue - Black Laurel; Lil Jodeci House of Blues - John Paul Carmody; Robert Earl Keen House of Blues Restaurant - John Paul Carmody; Cary Hudson Band House of Blues - Robert Earl Keen Royal Sonesta - Shannon Powell Jazz Quartet The Jazz Playhouse - Shannon Powell Jazz Quartet Le Bon Temps - Simon Lott’s Let’s Do Dis The Maison - Leah Rucker; Smoking Time Jazz The Maison Upstairs - DJ Dizzi Mid-City Lanes Rock ‘n’ Bowl - Rumba Buena Neutral Ground Coffeehouse - The Shiz One Eyed Jacks - The Main Squeeze + Moon Hooch One Eyed Jacks - The Main Squeeze Republic Nola - Hey Thanks!

Royal Frenchmen - Glen David Andrews Three Muses - Eric Merchant; Debbie Davis Tipitina’s -Wilkapalooza XXIII Treme Art and Music Longue - The Afrodiziac’s Jazz

Sunday, February 9 30-90 - Allie Porter; The Set Up Kings AllWays Longue - The Dapper Dandies Bacchanal Fine Wine & Spirits - Noah Young Bamboula’s - Barry Bremer Jazz Ensemble BMC Balcony Music Club - Retrospex; Moments of Truth Buffa’s - Larry Scala; Steve Pistorious Jazz Quartet Carnaval Lounge - 30 x 90 Blueswomen; Gina Leslie Checkpoint Charlie - Jim Smith Circle Bar - Micah McKee + friends + Blind Texas Marlin The Columns Hotel - Chip Wilson Crescent City Brewhouse - New Orleans St.beat D.B.A. - The Palmetto Bug Stompers; Future Cowboys DMAC - Winslow Dos Jefes - Michael Liuzza Dragon’s Den - Anuraag Pendyal; DJ Kidd Love Dragon’s Den Upstairs - DJs Tony Soul & Randall Smooth Gasa Gasa - Katrina Baby Classic Hi Ho Lounge - Amine Boucetta House of Blues - Sean Riley House of Blues Restaurant - Sean Riley Royal Sonesta - Germaine Bazzle Jazz Quartet Le Bon Temps - Allen Clayton Mahalia Jackson Theater - Nuts and Bolts The Maison - NOLA Jitterbugs Jazz Band Neutral Ground Coffeehouse - Open Mic with Matti One Eyed Jacks - Marina Orchestra Three Muses - Raphael et Pascal; The Clementines The Tigermen Den - Le Fils de Eunice Cajun Band

Monday, February 10

Dragon’s Den Upstairs - The hummingbirds Hi Ho Lounge - Clementine Quintet House of Blues - Blac Youngsta; Christien Bold House of Blues Restaurant - Michael Liuzza Royal Sonesta - James Rivers Movement Luna Libre - Aurora Nealand The Maison - SingleMaltPlease; Gregory Agid Quartet Neutral Ground Coffeehouse - Lela Cloud; Bob Worth Three Muses - Keith Burnstein

30-90 - Margie Perez; Gene Harding Bamboula’s - Saint Louis Slim; G & the Swinging Gypsies BMC Balcony Music Club - Paggy Prine & Southern Soul Buffa’s - Arsene DeLay and Charlie Wooton; Antoine Diel Carnaval Lounge - The Whyos; Comic Strip Chickie Wah Wah - Meschiya Lake Trio The Columns Hotel - David Doucet Crescent City Brewhouse - New Orleans St.beat D.B.A. - John Boutte’ DMAC - Danny Alexander’s Blues Jam Dos Jefes - John Fohl Dragon’s Den - DJ ILL Medina Dragon’s Den Upstairs - Catie Ridgers Hi Ho Longue - Amine Boucetta; Mark Andrews House of Blues - Escape the Fate; Jamie Lynn Vessels House of Blues - Falling in Reverse House of Blues Restaurant - Jamie Lynn Vessels Royal Sonesta - Gerald French Mid-City Lanes Rock ‘n’ Bowl - DJ Twiggs The Maison - Chicken & Waffles; The Royal Roses Neutral ground Coffeehouse - Ryan Allen Three Muses - Bart Ramsay; Washboard Rodeo

Tuesday, February 11 30-90 - Mem Shannon & The Membership Band 3 Keys - Tech Tuesdays Bamboula’s - Christopher Johnson; Kala Chandra BMC Balcony Music Club - Baby Boy Bartels Buffa’s - Evan Christopher and Tom McDermott Carnaval Lounge - Josh Paxton; Checkpoint Charlie - Jamie Lynn vessels Chickie Wah Wah - Jon Cleary Circle Bar - Joe Kile; True Commando The Columns Hotel - John Rankin Crescent City Brewhouse - New Orleans St.beat D.B.A. - DinosAurchestra; Treme Brass Band DMAC - Mark Carson’s Songwriter Showcase Series Dos Jefes - Tom Hook & Wendell Brunious Dragon’s Den - Poor Boy Krill & The Bottom Dwellers

Wednesday, February 12

Glen David Andrews Royal Frenchmen Hotel | Friday, February 7 | royalfrenchmenhotel.com Glen David Andrews is an acclaimed New Orleans trombonist. Born and raised in the Big Easy, Andrews still performs much of the brass-band music and traditional jazz that he was raised on. He has appeared in numerous documentaries about New Orleans and played himself in HBO’s Treme, performing an original tune, “Knock Wit Me.” Andrews has a certain energy and charm that matches that of New Orleans; he is as traditional as it gets and embraces the city like few other artists.

30-90 - Andy J Forest; Big Mike & the R&B Kings 3 Keys - Think Less, Hear More Bamboula’s - Eight Dice Cloth; mem Shannon BMC Balcony Music Club - Stewart Marshall & Soule Buffa’s - Nattie Sanchez Carnaval Lounge - Basher and Brungo Jowl Checkpoint Charlie - T Bone Stone & the Happy Monsters Chickie Wah Wah - Meschiya Lake & Tom McDermott Circle Bar - Lulu & The Broadsides The Columns Hotel - Kathleen Moore Crescent City Brewhouse - New Orleans St.beat D.B.A. - Walter Wolfman Washington & the Roadmasters DMAC - Spider Murphy Dos Jefes - Carl Leblanc & Ellen Smith Dragon’s Den - DJ FTK Dragon’s Den Upstairs - DJ T-Roy Hi Ho Lounge - Daniel Meinecke Group House of Blues - Foundation Room - Shawan Rice House of Blues - Luke James House of Blues Restaurant - Cary Hudson House of Blues - Shawan Rice; Cary Hudson Royal Sonesta - Big Sam Le Bon Temps - Emerging Artist Series The Maison - New Orleans Jazz Vipers Mid-City Lanes Rock ‘n’ Bowl - Jerry Embree Swing Band Neutral Ground Coffeehouse - Dale Kersteen; Beau Autin One Eyed Jacks - Vixens & Vinyl Three Muses - Leslie Martin; Hot Club of New Orleans

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Thursday, February 13

Robert Earl Keen House of Blues | Saturday, February 8 | houseofblues.com/neworleans Texas native Robert Earl Keen is often referred to as a country music icon.

The Houston-born singer, songwriter, and entertainer has produced 19 fulllength records for both independent and major record labels. His works span many different genres, from folk, country, and bluegrass to rock. Keen has been dubbed a “country and Americana hero” by fans nationwide. Don’t miss Robert Earl Keen’s performance at the House of Blues on Saturday, February 8, at 8:00 p.m.

Step into Spotlights with us prior to the event and enjoy our exclusive lounge with private entry, complimentary premium bar and light hors d’ourves.

Tickets for Spotlights can be purchased at www.ticketmaster.com or at the Box Office.

March 6 ............................................ 13th Annual Big Easy Blues Festival March 8 .................................................................... Harlem Globetrotters March 27-28 .................................................................Hogs for the Cause March 29 ..........................................................TOBYMAC Hits Deep Tour April 18 .............................................. Fabulously Funny Comedy Festival April 23-26 .......................................... Disney On Ice presents Dream Big Tickets can be purchased at www.ticketmaster.com or the Lakefront Arena Box Office

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Mardi Gras Manual | Where Y'at Magazine

30-90 - The Dial Up Tones Bamboula’s - Marty Peters & the Party Meters BMC Balcony Music Club - Al Ancar & Kingdom City Buffa’s - Spike and Dianimal; Tom McDermott Carnaval Lounge - Quinn Sternberg Band Checkpoint Charlie - Kenny Claiborne; Coyah Chickie Wah Wah - Lulu & the Broadsides Circle Bar - AntiGravity office hours City Park - Pavilion of the Two Sister - Evan Christoper Crescent City Brewhouse - New Orleans St.beat D.B.A. - Jon Cleary; Little Freddie King DMAC - Mystery Fish Rock Jam Dos Jefes - The Mark Coleman Band Dragon’s Den - DJ Jess Dragon’s Den Upstairs - HaSizzle Gasa Gasa - Telefon Tel Aviv Hi Ho Lounge - John Paul Carmody House of Blues - Jake Landry and the Right Lane Bandits House of Blues Restaurant - Jake Landry & the Right Lane Bandits Royal Sonesta - Brass-A-Holics Le Bon Temps - Soul Rebels The Maison - Good For Nothin’ Band Mid-City Lanes Rock ‘n’ Bowl - Geno Delafose Music Box Village - Big Freedia Neutral Ground Coffeehouse - Chris Robinson; Rib Room at the Omni Royal Orleans - Alan Bailey Sidneys Saloon - The Dirty Rain Revelers Three Muses - Tom Tipitina’s - Here Come the Mummies The Well - Stooges Brass Band

Friday, February 14 30-90 - Samantha Pearl; SImple Sound Retreat; 3 Keys - Aaron Abernathy and Kayla Jasmine Blue Nile - Kermit Ruffins BMC Balcony Music Club - Smokin Foundation Buffa’s - Berthena w/ Joe Welnick; Tyler Millet Trio Carnaval Lounge - Lynn Drury; Shake the Baby Til the

Love Comes Out, Chickie Wah Wah - Dwayne Dopsie Circle Bar - Kelly Duplex + Crystal Methodist Crescent City Brewhouse - New Orleans St.beat D.B.A. - 101 Runners DMAC - LYON Dos Jefes - The Hanna Mignano Trio Dragons Den - DJ RQ Away Fillmore - Dermot Kennedy House of Blues - Gina Leslie; Captain Buckles Band Royal Sonesta - Nayo Jones Experience Le Bon Temps - The Chandeleurs The Maison - The Rhythm Stoppers Mahalia Jackson Theater - Kanaval Ball One Eyed Jacks - The Mattson 2 Republic Nola - Finally Fridays Lingerie Royal Frenchmen - Glen David Andrews Tipitina’s - John “Papa” Gros

Saturday, February 15 30-90 - Noah Young Band; Luscious Duchess 3 Keys - Muevelo! And Mambo Orleans Blue Nile - Kermit Ruffins & the BBQ Swingers BMC Balcony Music Club - Crooked Vines; Deez Jakes Buffa’s - Walter “Wolfman” Washington and Steve DeTroy Carnaval Lounge - Flambeaux Freddie & Friends Chickie Wah Wah - Michael Doucet et Lacher Prise Circle Bar - The Links + The Fixers Crescent City Brewhouse - New Orleans St.beat D.B.A. - Tuba Skinny; Big Sam’s Funky Nation DMAC - Lynn Drury Dos Jefes - The Joe Krown Trio The Dragon’s Den - Mahmoud Chouki House of Blues - John Paul Carmody; Gina Leslie Royal Sonesta - Crescent By Choice Le Bon Temps - John Scott The Maison - Chance Bushman & the Ibervillianaires One Eyed Jacks - Summer Salt Royal Frenchmen - Glen David Andrews Smoothie King Center - Alan Jackson

Tipitina’s - Garza

Sunday, February 16 30-90 - Catherine De Mers; Carolyn Broussard BMC Balcony Music Club - Retrospex; Louisiana Yard Dogs Buffa’s - Molly Reeves and Nahum Zdybel Carnaval Lounge - Pfister Sisters; Gina Leslie Sundays Circle Bar - Kate Baxter; Micah McKee & friends The Columns Hotel - Chip Wilson Crescent City Brewhouse - New Orleans St.beat D.B.A. - The Palmetto Bug Stompers DMAC - Coyah Dos Jefes - Buddah The Dragon’s Den - Anuraag Pendyal; DJ Kidd Love Gasa Gasa - Zack Villere House of Blues - Gospel Brunch; Sean Riley; Xavier Omar Royal Sonesta - Antoine Diel Jazz Quartet Le Bon Temps - Robbie Smith The Maison - The NOLA Jitterbugs Jazz Band Smoothie King Center - Amour et Mardi Gras

3 Keys - The Finest in Funk with AJ Hall BMC Balcony Music Club - Kim Turk Band; Al Ancar & Kingdom City Buffa’s - Tom McDermott and Aurora Nealand Carnaval Lounge - Aden Paul; Shawn Williams & Dana Abbott Chickie Wah Wah - Meschiya Lake Trio Circle Bar - Muses MOD Dance Party Crescent City Brewhouse - New Orleans St.beat DMAC - Mystery Fish Rock Jam Dos Jefes - Ashley Beach and the Oddities The Dragon’s Den - Hasizzle; DJ Jess Fillmore - 311 Gasa Gasa - Jank Setup House of Blues - Jake Landry and the Right Lane Bandits Royal Sonesta - Brass-A-Holics Le Bon Temps - Soul Rebels The Maison - Good for Nothin’ Band; Dysfunktional Bone Tipitina’s - Water Seed

Saturday, February 21

30-90: Strange Roux; DJ Torch; Deltaphonic 3 Keys - Dj G BMC Balcony Music Club - Smokin’ Foundation; Seascape Buffa’s - Secondhand Jazz Band; Cole Williams Carnaval Lounge - Lilli Lewis Project; People Museum Chickie Wah Wah - Grayson Capps, Cary Morin & Cory Hughes Crescent City Brewhouse - New Orleans St.beat D.B.A. - Smoking Time Jazz Club; Bon Bon Vivant DMAC - Tony Lee Thomas and The Hellbenders Dos Jefes - Sunpie & the La. Sunspots The Dragon’s Den - DJ RQ Away Fillmore - 311 House of Blues - Gina Leslie; Earthgang Royal Sonesta - Nayo Jones Experience Le Bon Temps - Miss Mojo; Dave Jordan The Maison - The Rhythm Stoppers; Shotgun Jazz Band Republic Nola - Getter Royal Frenchmen - Glen David Andrews

Tipitina’s - “Mardi Gras Mumbo”

Sunday, February 22 30-90 - Sleazeball Orchestra; Tony Lee Thomas; Blue Nile - The Soul Rebels BMC Balcony Music Club - Fleurtations Buffa’s - Keith Burnstein; Marina Orchestra Carnival Lounge - Alex Bosworth; Debauche!

Chickie Wah Wah - Johnny J & the Hitmen Crescent City Brewhouse - New Orleans St.beat D.B.A. - King James & the Special Men DMAC - The Drupes + Notel Motel Dos Jefes - The Afrodiziac’s Jazz The Dragon’s Den - Mahmoud Chouki Fillmore - Silversun Pickups House of Blues - John Paul Carmody; Matt Bartels Le Bon Temps - Slugger; Steve Kelly Royal Sonesta - Kermit Ruffins & The BBQ Swingers The Maison - Chance Bushman & the Ibervillianaires; Leah Rucker

Monday, February 17 30-90: Dapper Dandies; Gene Harding 3 Keys - WHIV; Chinua BMC Balcony Music Club - Paggy Prine & Southern Soul Buffa’s - Arsene DeLay and Charlie Wooton Carnaval Lounge - Sleazeball Orchestra; Comic Strip Chickie Wah Wah - Alex Pianovich & Tom Marin Circle Bar - CHUDnday - Mardi Gras Massacre The Columns Hotel - David Doucet Crescent City Brewhouse - New Orleans St.beat D.B.A. - John Boutte’ DMAC - Matt & Eryn O’Ree Dos Jefes - John Fohl The Dragon’s Den - DJ III-Medina House of Blues - Jamie Lynn Vessels Royal Sonesta - Gerald French & The Original Tuxedo Jazz Band The Maison - Sierra Green & the Soul Machine One Eyed Jacks - Blind Texas Marlin

Tuesday, February 18 30-90: The Set Up Kings; Kennedy & the M.O.T.H 3 Keys - Tech Tuesdays BMC Balcony Music Club - Dapper Dandies; Baby Boy Bartels Buffa’s - Evan Christopher and Tom McDermott Carnaval Lounge - Mighty Brother & Friends Chickie Wah Wah - Jon Cleary Circle Bar - Joe Kile, The Chapped Hides Crescent City Brewhouse - New Orleans St.beat The Columns Hotel - John Rankin D.B.A. - DinosAurchestra; Treme Brass Band DMAC - Carson Station Acoustic Dos Jefes - Tom Hook & Wendell Brunious Gasa Gasa - Gender Confetti House of Blues - Michael Liuzza Royal Sonesta - James Rivers Movement Luna Libre - Dick Deluxe The Maison - Gregory Agid Quartet

Thursday, February 19 30-90: Bywater Skanks; Colin Davis & Night People BMC Balcony Music Club - Commodity Buffa’s - Nattie Sanchez Carnaval Lounge - KatieCat and Cain Bossa Nova Love Chickie Wah Wah - Meschiya Lake & Tom McDermott Crescent City Brewhouse - New Orleans St.beat D.B.A. - Walter Wolfman Washington & the Roadmasters DMAC - Samantha Pearl & Weston Spiro Dos Jefes - The Gerald French band The Dragon’s Den - DJ Jay Skillz; DJ T-Roy Gasa Gasa - CBDB House of Blues - Cary Hudson; Jet Lounge Royal Sonesta - Big Sam Le Bon Temps - Emerging Artists Series The Maison - Secondhand St. Band; New Orleans One Eyed Jacks - Vixens & Vinyl

Friday, February 20 30-90: Josh Benitez Band; Soul Project

WhereYat.com | February 2020

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One Eyed Jacks - Big Freedia Tipitina’s - Galactic

One Eyed Jacks - Quintron & Miss Pussycat Annual Lundi Gras Blowout Republic Nola - Juvenile Tipitina’s - Galactic

Monday, February 23 30-90 - Louise Cappi; Ted Hefko & The Thousandaires BMC Balcony Music Club - Moshe; Moments of Truth Buffa’s - Debbie Davis and Josh Paxton Carnival Lounge - Gina Leslie Sundays Chickie Wah Wah - Greazy Alice Crescent City Brewhouse - New Orleans St.beat D.B.A. - The Palmetto Bug Stompers DMAC - The Tempted Dos Jefes - Rick Trolsen & The Po’ Boys The Dragon’s Den - Anuraag Pendyal; DJ Kidd Love House of Blues - Gospel Brunch; Caleb Tokarska Royal Sonesta - Sierra green & The Soul Machine Le Bon Temps - Big Chief John; Soul Rebels The Maison - Opulence Hour Burlesque One Eyed Jacks - Big Freedia Republic Nola - Jauz Royal Frenchmen - Glen David Andrews Tipitina’s - Anders Osborne’s Bacchus Party

Tuesday, February 24 30-90 - Burris; Margie Perez; Gene Harding Blue Nile - The Soul Rebels in New Orleans BMC Balcony Music Club - JAM Brass Band; Musical Expressions Buffa’s - Arsene DeLay and Charlie Wooton Carnival Lounge - Baby Grand Crescent City Brewhouse - New Orleans St.beat D.B.A. - Zydefunk DMAC - Danny Alexander’s Blues Jam Dos Jefes - John Fohl The Dragon’s Den - DJ III-Medina House of Blues - Jamie Lynn Vessels Royal Sonesta - Gerald French & The Original Tuxedo Jazz Band The Joy Theater - Boogie T & Boogie T .Rio Le Bon Temps - Aaron Benjamin The Maison - Chicken and Waffles; The Royal Roses

Wednesday, February 25 30-90- Julie Elody; DJ Fresh; The Bywater Skanks 3 Keys - Tech Tuesdays BMC Balcony Music Club - Tyler Kinchen Buffa’s - Sherman Bernard and The Old Man River Band Carnival Lounge - Anareta/Torture Garen/ mars Circle Bar - Where Dat Party - Mardi Gras Edition Crescent City Brewhouse - New Orleans St.beat D.B.A. - New Orleans Klezmer; Treme Brass Band DMAC - Samantha Pearl House of Blues - Michael Liuzza; Moneybagg Yo Royal Sonesta - James Rivers Movement The Maison - Afrodiziaks; Jason Neville & the Funky Soul Band

Thursday, February 26 30-90 - Andy J Forest; Big Mike & The R&B Kings BMC Balcony Music Club - Stewart Marshall & Soule Buffa’s - Nattie Sanchez Chickie Wah Wah - Meschiya Lake & Tom McDermott Circle Bar - The Iguanas; Tim Higgins The Columns Hotel - Kathleen Moore Crescent City Brewhouse - New Orleans St.beat D.B.A. - Walter Wolfman Washington & the Roadmasters DMAC - Spogga Hash The Dragon’s Den - DJ Jay Skillz; DJ T-Roy Dos Jefes - The Mark Coleman Band House of Blues - Cary Hudson; Jet Lounge Royal Sonesta - Big Sam The Maison - St. Roch Syncopators; New Orleans Jazz Vipers

Friday, February 27 30-90 - Raw Deal; DJ Trill Skill BMC Balcony Music Club - Watt & the Boys; Kim Turk Band

311 The Fillmore | Friday, February 21 | fillmorenola.com 311 is a rock band that originated in Omaha, Nebraska, in the late 1980s. 311 has released 13 studio albums, two live albums, four compilation albums, four EPs, and four DVDs. The band named March 11, 2000, as the unofficial holiday of their own creation. A number of these holidays have since been celebrated in New Orleans. 311’s music has been described as reggae or alternative rock and incorporates many elements of rock, reggae, hip hop, and funk.

FAMILY GRAS W H E R E M U S I C M E E TS M A J E ST Y

CARNIVAL , COSTUMING & FREE CONCERTS! FEBRUARY 14-16, 2020 | AT CLEARVIEW CENTER METAIRIE Experience national & local music acts & Mardi Gras parades rolling through the festival!

FRI - Krewe of Excalibur SAT - Krewes of MadHatters & Centurions SUN - Krewes of Atlas & Kings

FOOD COURT | ART MARKET | KID’S ZONE JEFFERSON CONVENTION & VISITORS BUREAU, INC. For a Backstage Experience or more information & times visit www.FamilyGras.com or follow us on Facebook!

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Mardi Gras Manual | Where Y'at Magazine

THIS PARADE SEASON, BRING YOUR KREWE TO HOUSE OF BLUES FOR TUNES, FOOD & BOOZE!

WhereYat.com | February 2020

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Lakeside2Riverside Upcoming Festivals & Events

Pensacon - Feb 28 – Mar 1

The Inaugural Blue Runner Foods World Red Beans and Rice Eating Championship The Fair Grounds Race Course & Slots 1751 Gentilly Blvd., New Orleans, LA February 8 | fairgroundsracecourse.com

In the first competition of its kind, the world’s best professional eaters will be competing to see who can wolf down the greatest quantity of the Creole favorite red beans and rice, in eight minutes of furiously fast eating. The competition, which is an official Major League Eating event, will set a new world record, and over $3,000 dollars will be awarded to the winners. Don’t miss the opportunity to see this historic standoff.

Admission is free, and all attendees are treated to free red beans and rice!.

Family Gras in Jefferson Parish

Clearview Center: 4436 Veterans Memorial Blvd., Metairie February 14-16 | visitjeffersonparish.com/ events/festivals/family-gras

Experience Mardi Gras family-style at Family Gras. Guests will be offered an array of activities, from Mardi Gras parades and authentic cuisine to an art market and outdoor concerts featuring both local and national artists—all for free! Though the

2020 lineup has not yet been announced, past artists include Taylor Swift, Cyndi Lauper, and Billy Ray Cyrus. The concerts are free, but for something extra, VIP tickets are available for purchase. Additionally, families are invited to participate in a Mardi Gras 5K and Kids’ Half Mile, which will be held on Saturday, February 15.

Sandestin Gumbo Festival

The Village of Baytowne Wharf: 9300 Baytowne Wharf Blvd., Miramar, FL February 14, 15 | sandestingumbofestival.com

The 31st annual Sandestin Gumbo Festival is one of Florida’s largest and most popular events during the winter months. On Friday, February 14, guests are invited to a kick-off seafood boil party. The following day, from 2:00 until 4:00 p.m., there will be live music from Dikki Du and the Zydeco Krewe and a number of kid-friendly activities. But the main event is a gumbo cook-off and Best Bloody Mary at The Beach competition.

There will be a variety of gumbo to sample and subsequently vote on, as well as a number of featured Gulf Coast restaurants to try.

Masquerade Ball

Algiers Auditorium: 2485 Guadalcanal St. February 15 | eventbrite.com/e/masqueradeball-2020-tickets-78391859161

Come one, come all! Dance the night

Family Gras - Feb 14–16

away at this year’s Masquerade Ball, held in Algiers Auditorium on February 15th at 8:00 pm. Guests will enjoy Hors d’oeuvres, a full dinner buffet, and premium open bar, while experiencing a captivating live performance

by Gina Brown and Anutha Level along with DJ Raj Smoove. Formal attire is required and guests are strongly encouraged to come in costume. Tickets are available for purchase here.

Bacchus Bash

Generations Hall 310 Andrew Higgins Blvd.

February 23 | eventbrite.com/e/bacchus-bash2020-tickets-90395883521

Parade-goers will indulge in New Orleans staples, enjoy over 15 bars, and delight in live music performances by some of the city’s best local artists at the biggest Mardi Gras block party of the year: Bacchus Bash.

Hosted by The Metropolitan, Bacchus Bash will be held at Generations Hall, Sunday February 23rd at 12:00 pm. The indoor/ outdoor event is free and open to the public, with VIP tickets available for purchase here. Every year, the day-long celebration precedes the extravagant Krewe of Bacchus parade.

Lundi Gras Festival Bacchus Bash - Feb 23

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Mardi Gras Manual | Where Y'at Magazine

Woldenberg Park 1 Canal St., New Orleans, LA 70130 February 24 | lundigrasfestival.com

Hosted by the Zulu Social Aid & Pleasure Club, Lundi Gras Festival is a festive day with food, music, arts and crafts, and chances to meet some of the Zulu characters. The 27th Annual Lundi Gras Festival will be held in the French Quarter, along the riverfront. The festival will feature headliners such as Rockin Doopsie, Big Al Carson, JazzMen Brass Band, and the Bayou Players, in addition to a number of other local entertainers. There will be over 20 food vendors, all cooking up Cajun classics like crawfish and jambalaya.

This event is free and open to the public.

Pensacon - Pensacola Comic Con Pensacola Bay Center February 28 - March 1

From February 28 through March 1, comic fans are invited to meet their favorite animators, voice actors, authors, writers, and musicians at Pensacon—Pensacola’s premiere comic book and pop-culture convention. Guests will have the opportunity to participate in activities such as celebrity meet-and-greets, autograph signings, and photo opportunities. Prices will vary, depending on the celebrity, and some may only accept cash. There will be a plethora of food options, and local restaurants will have fandom-themed menus and specials throughout the weekend.

Now with Grub!

FEBRUARY 1 FEBRUARY 2 FEBRUARY 5 FEBRUARY 6 FEBRUARY 7 FEBRUARY 8 FEBRUARY 9 FEBRUARY 12 FEBRUARY 13 FEBRUARY 14 FEBRUARY 15 FEBRUARY 16 FEBRUARY 19 FEBRUARY 20 FEBRUARY 21 FEBRUARY 22 FEBRUARY 23

FEBRUARY 24 FEBRUARY 27 FEBRUARY 28 FEBRUARY 29

See Our Music Line Ups & Events at Lbtrnola.com

Jon Roniger 11PM Buddy Conway Band 10PM Emerging Artists Series Satya & Austin Riddle 8PM Soul Rebels 11PM Watson’s Theory 11PM Simon Lott’s Let’s Do Dis 11PM Allen Clayton 10PM Emerging Artists Series 8PM Soul Rebels 11PM The Chandeleurs 11PM John Scott 11PM Robbie Smith 10PM Emerging Artists Series 8PM Soul Rebels 11PM Miss Mojo 9PM Dave Jordan 12AM Slugger 10PM Steve Kelly 1AM Big Chief John’s Thoth Sunday Mardi Gras Indian Experience 11AM Soul Rebels 11PM Aaron Benjamin 9PM TBD Brass Band 11PM Isaac Eady 11PM Clark Gang 11PM

Soul Rebels Every Thurs. Night Live Piano with Free Oysters Every Fri. Night @ 7PM

Consider Us for Your Next Private Party!

40 CELE

BRAT

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YEAR

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4801 Magazine St. • 897-3448 lbtrnola.com WhereYat.com | February 2020

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Restaurant Guide African Bennachin is widely regarded for its flavorful, spicy dishes, Bennachin specializes in makube (a fried banana dish), nyeaturing (fish pie), and kone ni makondo (black-eyed pea stew). 1212 Royal St. | (504) 522-1230 | bennachinrestaurant.com

American

Apolline is operating out of a renovated doubleshotgun, and serves wine and carefully crafted cocktails as well as a menu created by renowned Chef Michael Shelton. 4729 Magazine St., (504) 894-888 | ApollineRestaurant.com Audubon Clubhouse is located within Audubon Park, and has a menu consisting of café fare, from salads and soups to sandwiches and po-boys, as well as an extensive wine list and specialty cocktails. 6500 Magazine St., (504) 212-5282 | AudubonNatureInstitute.org/clubhouse-café Bayou Hot Wings ensures that all the wings are seasoned and brined for 24 hours to achieve the perfect combination of flavor and texture. With over 14 different flavors and levels of heat. Bayou offers wings for everyone. 6221 S. Claiborne Ave., (504) 662-9933 | bayouhotwings.com The Country Club has a heated saltwater pool, hot tub, pool-side bar, sauna, and more. The Country Club is the ultimate place to kick back and relax, and the menu features the best of New Orleans cuisine. 634 Louisa St., (504) 945-0742 | TheCountryClubNewOrleans.com Cowbell is centrally located on Oak St., and boasts a wide variety of handmade meals from the freshest ingredients. We recommend the famous Cowbell burger with an added fried egg on top. 8801 Oak St., (504) 866-4222 | Cowbell-Nola.com Crescent City Steak House’s Since 1934, Crescent City SteakHouse has been serving up New Orleansstyle steaks (cooked in sizzling butter) from its off-thebeaten-path location on Broad St.. 1001 N Broad St., (504) 821-3271 | crescentcitysteaks.com Daisy Dukes Open early until late (and at some locations 24/7), this popular spot has all of your latenight breakfast cravings covered. Daisy Dukes strives to provide genuine Southern hospitality. Multiple Locations | DaisyDukesRestaurant.com Faubourg Bistro With multiple locations, Faubourg Bistro prides itself on its “fresh, unique, and fun” menu.

We recommend the Piggyback fries smothered in bacon and barbecue pulled pork. Multiple locations, (504) 267-0244 | FaubourgBistro.com Gattuso's Neighborhood Restaurant Gattuso’s is the Gretna Historical District’s favorite neighborhood bar and restaurant, with a menu that boasts a wide selection of traditional American-meets-Louisiana fare.

435 Huey P. Long Ave., (504) 368-1114 | Gattusos.net Gordon Biersch Gordon Biersch opened over 25 years ago with the mission to combine German precision brewing with American craft beer, in a menu consisting of traditional pub-fare. 200 Poydras St., (504) 5222739 | gordonbiersch.com/locations/new-orleans/ Lakeview Harbor boasts an impressive menu full of familiar classics like burgers, pizza, and steak. The laid back atmosphere and friendly service are sure to make you feel at home. 8550 Pontchartrain Blvd., 504-4864887 | lakeviewharbor.us Liberty Cheesesteaks Known for its Philly fare, Liberty Cheesesteaks is bringing one of America’s most loved sandwiches to the Big Easy. To get an authentic experience, order “The Wiz,” a classic Philly-style cheesesteak with NY strip. 5041 Freret St., (504) 8754447 | LibertyCheesesteaks.com

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Backspace Bar

Melba’s Open 24/7, Melba’s is one of New Orleans’ best po-boy shops, specializing in New Orleans classics, including po-boys, fried chicken, and homecooked plate dinners. 1525 Elysian Fields Ave., (504) 388-4035 | Melbas.com Please U Restaurant has been pleasing locals since 1946. Visit this popular joint for their all-day breakfast, or opt for one of their traditional New Orleans “Hot Plates” to get your NOLA fix. 1751 Saint Charles Ave., 504-525-9131 | pleaseunola.com Spudly's Super Spuds With a menu full of over 20 different potato-based meals, Spudley’s has been serving “a meal in a baked potato” for over 35 years.

Indulge in a fajita or super crawfish spud. 2609 Harvard Ave., (504) 455-3250 | Spudlys.com The Steakhouse at Harrah's Located inside of Harrah’s, the Steakhouse offers a fine dining experience led by head Chef Chris Lusk, who pays homage to New Orleans cuisine through fresh ingredients and unexpected flavors. 8 Canal St., (504) 533-6111 | caesars.com/harrahs-new-orleans/restaurants/thesteakhouse Voodoo BBQ opened up on Mardi Gras day in 2002 and has since been serving up a new style of barbecue—New Orleans barbecue—complete with all of the Cajun spices that make New Orleans cuisine so unique. Multiple locations, (504) 522-4647 | voodoobbq.com Willie Mae's Scotch House Located in the historic Tremé neighborhood, Willie Mae’s opened in 1957 as a bar and then later changed locations and opened up as a restaurant, in response to demand for Ms. Willie Mae’s down-home Mississippi-meets-Louisiana cooking.

2401 St. Ann St., (504) 822-9503 | williemaesnola.com WOW Café Doubletree Established in 2001 by Paul Ballard, WOW Café is a unique fast-casual restaurant that aims to create a family-oriented dining experience.

In the heart of Downtown New Orleans, this restaurant is within walking distance to just about everything. 300 Canal St., (504) 212-3250 | wowamericaneats.com

Asian

Bao and Noodle Located in the Marigny, Bao and Noodle is critically acclaimed for its friendly prices and delicious steamed buns as well as a variety of vegan/ vegetarian friendly options, such as ma po tofu and mock-duck steamed bao. | 22266 St Claude Ave., (504) 272-0004 | BaoandNoodle.com Green Tea is a family-owned restaurant, known for developing the “GT Way,” which lets you customize your own dish by choosing a protein, veggie, side, sauce, and whether you’d prefer that combo. steamed or fried. 3001 Napoleon Ave., (504) 899-8005 | GreenTeaNola.com Kyoto 2 is well-known for its warm and hospitable staff members, great prices, and large rolls. Customers can get the most of their money at this popular sushi restaurant. 5608 Citrus Blvd., (504) 818-0228 | facebook.com/kyoto2 Mikimoto Striving to prioritize excellent and fast customer service, Mikimoto has been providing New Orleans with delicious sushi, udon, salads, and rice dishes for over 20 years. 3301 S Carrollton Ave., (504) 488-1881 | MikimotoSushi.com Miyako's cuisine utilizes a combination of traditional and modern techniques, but specializes in hibachi and sushi, with a huge selection of chicken, steak, tuna, shrimp, scallops, and more. 1403 Saint Charles Ave., (504) 410-9997 | JapaneseBistro.com Origami Located in the heart of Freret St., Origami brings the authentic taste of Japan to the Big Easy with a combination of local ingredients and sustainably

Mardi Gras Manual | Where Y'at Magazine

sourced seafood that expands guests’ paletes. 5130 Freret St., (504) 899-6532 | SushiNola.com

Bars with Great Food Backspace Bar & Kitchen celebrates New Orleans literary icons, such as William Faulkner, Tennessee Williams, Kate Chopin, and Alice Dunbar Nelson through a cocktail menu featuring a variety of adult beverages 139 Chartres St., (504) 322-2245 | backspacenola.com Buffa’s Bar & Restaurant is a French Quarter bar with food as great as its live music. We recommend making it for the weekend jazz brunch to enjoy the iconic sounds of New Orleans jazz. 1001 Esplanade Ave., (504) 949-0038 | buffasbar.com Carnaval Lounge is a new St. Claude hotspot featuring live music every night of the week, as well as traditional Brazillian st. food from the Cozinha de Carnaval, starting every evening at 5 p.m. 1001 Esplanade Ave., (504) 949-0038 | carnavallounge.com Copper Vine Winepub is an upscale winepub complete with recommendations from their very own sommelier. We recommend attending one of their dinner and wine-pairing events. 1001 Poydras St., (504) 208-9535 | coppervinewine.com Fulton Alley may be the city’s most luxurious gaming parlour, with a variety of pool tables, bowling lanes, and a Prohibition vibe that evokes the coolness of the 1920s. 600 Fulton St., (504) 208-5593 | fultonalley. com Le Bon Temps Roule has been a fixture of the New Orleans music scene since the 1970s having hosted many music icons—including Anders Osborne, Kermit Ruffins, and the Soul Rebels Brass Band. 4801 Magazine St., (504) 895-8117 | Lbtrnola.com The Jimani This Chartres St. bar is a bustling spot for service industry workers, tourists, and natives alike, offering traditional bar fare—and then some.

141 Chartres St., (504) 524-0493 | TheJimani.com Mimi's in the Marigny Executive Chef Heathcliffe Hailey has a passion for combining farm-fresh ingredients with eclectic recipes and is best known for his “trust me” tapa. 2601 Royal St., (504) 872-9868 | MimisMarigny.com Ole Saint features the cooking of former Saints running back Deuce McAllister and combines the essence of the city with memorabilia his career in the Saints. 132 Royal St., (504) 309-4797 | olesaint.com Orleans Grapevine, Originally constructed in 1808, Orleans Grapevine is a historic wine bar with over 65 wines available by the glass and 375 available by the bottle. 720 Orleans Ave., 523-1930 | orleansgrapevine. com Rivershack Tavern enjoyed a vibrant history as a former grocery store, bar, liquor store, and pharmacy before gaining recognition for being a great tavern with live music and traditional Louisiana fare. 3449 River Road, (504) 834-4938 | therivershacktavern.com Shamrock Bar and Grill At 16,000 square feet, the

Shamrock Bar and Grill is the biggest neighborhood bar in New Orleans, featuring 23 pool tables, four ping-pong tables, seven dart boards, and more. 4133 S. Carrollton Ave., (504) 301-0938 | shamrockparty.com Tracey's Irish Bar and Restaurant Established in 1949, Tracey’s has many big screen TVs and Happy Hour specials—perfect for watching the next big game.

Tracey’s also hosts a variety of events. 2604 Magazine St., (504) 897-5413 | TraceysNola.com

Café Bearcat Café’s quirky breakfast and lunch menu has something for everyone. Make sure to check out this hotspot’s new Downtown location the next time you want to unleash your inner “bad cat”.

Multiple Locations | bearcatcafé.com Café 615 Home of Da Wabbit Located in historic Gretna, and easily distinguished by its massive Bugs Bunny-inspired sign, Café 615 is famous for its huge portions of classic entrees. 615 Kepler St., (504) 3651225 | café615.com Café Amelie Residing on the historic land that once belonged to Princess Alice of Monaco, Café Amelie has been regarded as one of the most authentic French Quarter cafés. 912 Royal St., (504) 412-8965 | caféamelie.com Café Beignet With four locations in the French Quarter alone, Café Beignet has become a fixture of New Orleans with its hot, crispy, sugar-smothered beignets.

Pair yours with a café au lait. Multiple locations | CaféBeignet.com Café Navarre This quaint little Mid-City café, specializing in paninis, po-boys, and brunch fare, is the perfect lunch spot to hit after an afternoon in City Park.

800 Navarre Ave., (504) 483-8828 | CaféNavarre.com Caffe! Caffe! In 1992, Gerard and Lisa Beck created Caffe! Caffe! to serve the classic family recipes that they grew up eating. Multiple locations | CaffeCaffe. com Carmo is a tropical café and bar with a focus on serving locally and sustainably sourced meals inspired

by African, Carribean, Asian, and South American cuisine. Try the Macaquito Banquet Bread. 527 Julia St., (504) 875-4132 | CaféCarmo.com Compère Lapin Chef Nina Compton, owner of Compere Lapin, combines authentic Caribbean cuisine with her French culinary training to create a menu unlike any other in New Orleans. 535 Tchoupitoulas St., (504) 599-2119 | comperelapin.com Cru by Chef Marlon Alexander was created by Chef Marlon Alexander, known for his delectable braised short rib that has been enjoyed by his private chef clientele as well as a former POTUS. 535 Franklin Ave., (504) 266-2856 | crunola.com Haydel’s Bake Shop is a family-owned bakery that has been open for over three generations. Haydel’s is best known for their seven types of king cake—ranging from German chocolate to praline pecan. 3117 Magazine

Vyoone's

St., (504) 267-3165 | facebook.com/ haydelsbakeshop Jimmy J’s Café is “N'awlins funkiest lil’ café,” complete with stained glass windows, colorful decor, and dishes made from scratch with fresh, locally-sourced ingredients. 115 Chartres St., (504) 309-9360 | jimmyjscafé.com Petite Amelie The younger sister to Café Amelie, Petite Amelie specializes in “cuisine rapide” with a rotating menu of fine cheeses, salads, and sandwiches that can be best enjoyed picnic-style. 900 Royal St., (504) 4128065 | petiteamelienola.wordpress.com Riccobono’s Panola St. Café Tourists, locals, and university students flock to this university-centric hot spot, one of the best places in New Orleans to indulge to get a hearty, lumberjack-style breakfast. 7801 Panola St., (504) 314-1810 | PanolaSt.Café.com Sala is a West End restaurant that focuses on great cocktails and shareable small plates, from duck empanadas to a cured salmon charcuterie-style board—perfect for a small gathering or a date night.

124 Lake Marina Ave., (504) 513-2670 | salanola.com Surrey’s Café & Juice Bar Surrey’s is an Uptown brunch venue that focuses on delivering decadent New Orleans flavors to tourists and locals alike. The shrimp and grits are a must-try. Multiple locations | surreysnola.com The Vintage This French brasserie-style café serves everything from champagne to cappuccinos as well as bistro fare, from salads to charcuterie. 3121 Magazine St., (504) 324-7144 | thevintagenola.com

French Café Degas Offering traditional French cuisine with a touch of Creole, Café Degas’s menu features delectable entrees called mises en bouche, or “mouthfuls,” guaranteed to satisfy. 3127 Esplanade Ave., (504) 945-5635 | CaféDegas.com Vyoone’s Born into a family of Afro-Creole French ancestry, Vyoone Segue Lewis opened Vyoone’s with the mission of bringing unique French classics to the Warehouse District. 412 Girod St., (504) 518-6007 | Vyoone.com

Italian Andreas Italian Restaurant menu focuses on a variety of Italian delicacies, from antipasti to gourmet pasta.

Andreas is also the perfect venue for your next party.

3100 19th St., (504) 834-6698 | Andreasrestaurant. com

LET THE GOOD TIMES ROLL! Join Us For Breakfast, Brunch, or Lunch!

Mellow Mushroom on Oak St. Located on Oak St. in the heart of Leonidas, Mellow Mushroom is a funkycasual pizza parlour with a focus on handcrafted pizzas, pastas, and salads. 8227 Oak St., (504) 345-8229 | mellowmushroom.com Mosca’s Restaurant was established out of the family legacy of Provino Mosca, who fell in love with New Orleans’s culture and fresh seafood. Mosca’s celebrates family and serves all dishes in shareable portions on family-style plates. 4137 U.S. Highway 90, Westwego, (504) 436-8950 | moscasrestaurant.com Pascal’s Manale brings masterful Louisiana-Italian cooking to a family-friendly environment. Strap on a bib and try their famous New Orleans Barbeque Shrimp. 1838 Napoleon Ave., 504-895-4877 | pascalsmanale.com PIZZA domenica Conveniently located on the alwaysbustling Magazine St. Uptown and on Banks St. in MidCity, PIZZA domenica serves up gourmet pizza from its oven, shipped straight from Italy. Multiple locations | PizzaDomenica.com

Enjoy a Cocktail From Our Full Bar Right on the Parade Route!

We Are Farm-to-Table & Proudly Support Local Farms, Bakers, & Fishers!

Reginelli’s Pizza revolves around creating a casual experience for guests to enjoy great food from their neighborhood pizza place. Multiple locations | Reginellis.com Red Gravy A self-taught chef, Roseann Melisi Rostoker partnered with her husband, Lou, to create her own unique spins on the Italian recipes passed down by her mother and grandmother. Multiple locations | RedGravyCafé.com Tavolino Tavolino is a restaurant and lounge with a focus on exceeding its guests’ expectations by providing a warm, fine-dining experience and a menu that focuses on Nouvelle-meets-homestyle cooking.

141 Delaronde St., (504) 605-3365 | facebook.com/ TavolinoLounge Venezia With an intimate and quaint ambience, Venezia is an ideal spot for a romantic date. The homemade red sauce and Italian meatballs are a must-try. 134 N. Carrollton Ave., (504) 488-7991 | VeneziaNewOrleans.net

Brunch 8 am – 2 pm Daily Breakfast & Lunch Closed Tuesdays

Mexican Carreta's Grill Carreta’s Grill has been making customers feel like part of the family since 1999, with a focus on authentic Mexican cuisine and a menu full of traditional dishes, from fajitas to tacos. Multiple locations | CarretasGrillRestaurant.com

Dab’s Bistro Dab’s Bistro is Metairie’s newest Italian restaurant, featuring “New World Italian” cuisine distinguished by familiar Louisiana flavors. If you’re extra hungry, try the delicious cheesecake for dessert. 3401 N. Hullen St. | dabsbistro.com/

Chilango’s Bar & Grill Chilango’s made its start as the Taqueria Chilango Taco Truck, which served Mexican st. food to thousands of construction workers and volunteers after Hurricane Katrina. Now, they specialize in authentic Mexican dishes. 1506 S. Carrollton Ave., (504) 766-9949 | Chilangosnola.com

Josephine Estelle celebrates the recipes that were passed down from their grandmothers while combining the unlikely pairing of Italian and Southern American flavors. 600 Carondelet St., (504) 930-3070 | josephineestelle.com

Luna Libre is home to some really great Mexican food for those looking for a little bit of flavor in their life. The atmosphere and music are also considered to be great.

3600 St Claude Ave | 504-237-1284 | facebook.com/ Luna-Libre-New-Orleans-103925964393797/

@RedGravyCafe

Call Us For Your Catering Needs 125 Camp St. (504) 561-8844 RedGravyCafe.com WhereYat.com | February 2020

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Middle Eastern

Courtoftwosisters.com

Lebanon’s Café has earned its place as a top Middle Eastern restaurant in New Orleans, thanks to its laid-back atmosphere and proximity to the universities. 1500 S. Carrollton Ave., (504) 862-6200 | lebanonscafé.com Pyramid’s Café is known for serving healthy, delicious, and, most importantly, authentic Mediterranean cuisine in the Broadmoor neighborhood. 3149 Calhoun St., (504) 861-9602 | PyramidsCaféNewOrleans.com

New Orleans Cuisine Antoine’s Restaurant Inspired to create a fine-dining experience with French influence, Antoine found New Orleans to be the perfect city to showcase his culinary expertise. This historic restaurant is the birthplace of oysters Rockefeller and eggs Sardou. 713 St. Louis St., (504) 581-4422 | antoines.com Chef Ron’s Gumbo Stop Chef Ron’s boasts a huge assortment of different gumbos—including chicken and sausage, fried shrimp, and poached egg—but if you’re not a fan of gumbo, Chef Ron’s has a variety of other Louisiana classics. 2309 N Causeway Blvd., (504) 835-2022 | Gumbostop.com The Columns Hotel famous for its Victorian interior and St. Charles-facing patio, has been a fixture of the Garden District since its establishment in 1883. The Sunday jazz brunch is a favorite among locals looking to enjoy fantastic entertainment. 3811 St. Charles Ave., (504) 899-9308 | TheColumns.com Coterie NOLA Restaurant & Oyster Bar is a French Quarter restaurant and oyster bar that was opened by New Orleans locals, so you know the food is going to be delicious. 135 Decatur St., (504) 529-8600 | CoterieNola.com Court of Two Sisters Their jazz brunch is one of the best times to enjoy crawfish etouffee and jambalaya while listening to some of New Orleans finest jazz players. 613 Royal St.. (504) 522-7261 |

House of Blues Restaurant and Bar Don’t worry about rushing the pre-show dinner or pre-game drinks in order to catch the opener—enjoy the menu consisting of traditional American and Cajun fare. 225 Decatur St., (504) 703-4480 | houseofblues.com/ neworleans/menu Mandina's The menu at this historic restaurant has changed very little in over 75 years and still features the classic Italian and seafood dishes that made it so popular. 3800 Canal St., (504) 482-9179 | mandinasrestaurant.com Neyow's Creole Café The menu comes straight from the recipes passed down by the founders’ grandmothers and celebrates their Creole heritage through rich flavors and spices. 3332 Bienville St., (504) 827-5474 | facebook.com/neyows-creolecafé-127614750599979 New Orleans Creole Cookery is the perfect spot for a romantic date on the town. Enjoy one of many boozy beverages such as the category 5 hurricane.

With extensive dining options, you can sit at the bar or dining room, or enjoy the outdoor patio. 508 Toulouse St., (504) 524-9632 | neworleanscreolecookery.com NOLA Caye is a new Caribbean hotspot that delivers bold flavors catered to the Big Easy crowd. Make sure to try one of their tropical cocktails to truly taste the island life. 898 Baronne St., 504-302-1302 | nolacaye. com Parran's Po-Boys and Restaurant has remained a local favorite for the classic po-boy sandwich.

All po-boys are served on John Gendusa Bakery’s famous poor boy French bread and consist of all the po-boy fixings you could ask for. Multiple locations | parranspoboys.com

Now Celebrating 53 Years!

Download the New Short Stop Po-Boys iPhone App Today for FREE and receive VIP Discounts, Specials, & more!

SCAN BARCODE

119 TRANSCONTINENTAL DR. • METAIRIE • 885-4572

Open Mon-Thur 8am-7:30pm, Fri & Sat 8am-9pm, Closed Sunday

shor tstop t stoppoboys poboys.com .com

BUY 1, GET 1 25% OFF

TRY ONE OF OUR BESTSELLERS! • Roast Beef • Meatball • Oyster • Crayfish

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• BBQ Roast Beef • Catfish • Shrimp • Soft Shell Crab

Antoine's

Crescent City Brewhouse, With a variety of unique beers brewed on site, from IPA’s to Pilsners, Crescent City Brewhouse incorporates both modern and oldworld brewing techniques. 527 Decatur St., (504) 5220571 | crescentcitybrewhouse.com

of equal or lesser value, one coupon per customer per day not valid with other offers, po-boys and gumbo only.

Expires 2/28/20

Mardi Gras Manual | Where Y'at Magazine

Public Service This Warehouse District bar and restaurant honors the Gulf Coast’s fishermen and farmers with a menu that highlights fresh, locally sourced seafood and ingredients. 311 Baronne St., (504) 962-6527 | publicservicenola.com Restaurant des Familles Nestled 15 miles away from Downtown New Orleans, this restaurant’s picture-perfect views of the oak-lined bayou perfectly accompany their delicious Cajun and Creole dishes.

7163 Barataria Blvd. Marrero, 504-689-7834 | desfamilles.com Short Stop PoBoys has been serving Metairie since 1966, and with over 50 types of po-boys available, customers have no shortage of selection.

119 Transcontinental Dr., (504) 885-4572 | shortstoppoboysno.com

Seafood Briquette is a contemporary-casual seafood restaurant named after the way the fresh fish is cooked

over red-hot briquettes. Briquette takes pride in its fresh coastal dishes, such as snapper Pontchartrain and Louisiana redfish on the half shell. 701 S. Peters St., (504) 302-7496 | briquette-nola.com Felix’s Restaurant & Oyster Bar popularized the concept of an oyster bar where customers could bellyup to the bar and watch shuckers prepare oysters right in front of them. Multiple locations | felixs.com Landry’s Seafood has withheld its reputation for delivering an unmatched dining experience, featuring a variety of seafood specials, pastas, and steaks that changes daily and is artfully crafted by the chefs.

Multiple Locations | landrysseafood.com Seaworthy is known for their wild-caught and sustainably harvested oysters from the Gulf Coast, East Coast, and West Coast. Stay for the late night food menu, available 11 p.m. to 1 a.m., which is perfect for those late-night munchies. 630 Carondelet St., (504) 930-3071 | seaworthynola.com

FOOD NEWS

By Kim Ranjbar

Ho, ho, hot and sour soup? … The Lower Garden District is booming with the recent opening of Blue Giant (@bluegiantnola), an American-Chinese restaurant by Bill Jones and Richard Horner, former cooks at the ever-popular Warehouse District spot Cochon Restaurant. The duo wholly acknowledges that their food—not unlike that of Red’s Chinese in the Bywater—is a far cry from traditional Chinese cuisine, and rather an “homage to the ChineseAmerican food of our youth,” growing up in South Louisiana. Located on the corner of Magazine and Thalia, Blue Giant offers a menu featuring dishes like pan-fried shrimp and pork dumplings, duck lo mein, char siu pork, and sesame banana cake with rum sauce.

1300 Magazine St., (504) 582-9060, bluegiantnola.com Bring on the barbecue! … Formerly of Blue Oak BBQ, pitmaster Shannon Bingham is now smoking his own trail with the opening of Emmylou's BBQ (@emmylousnola) inside St. Roch Market. This new spot for 'cue is serving up dishes like Frito pie with smoked beef chili, smoked beef cheeks, St. Louis spare ribs, and pulled pork sandwiches with sides such as coleslaw and pinto beans. There is also a daily, house-smoked selection of charcuterie; pickles; and desserts like pecan pie with rosemary and smoked miso.

2381 St. Claude Ave., (504) 267-0388, strochmarket.com/emmylous Vegetarian donuts? … Longtime vegetarian restaurant Seed has sprouted anew under the creative trio behind District Donuts.

Sliders. Brew. After purchasing it from the original owner Edgar Cooper, Chris Audler, Stephen Cali, and Aaron Vogel set to work redecorating both the restaurant and the

food. Touting an “approachable plantbased menu,” Audler and Seed's head chef Dan Causgrove are offering dishes like a Cauliflower Katsu sandwich on purple yam milk bread, eggplant shawarma with pickled cabbage toum, and, during brunch, sweet potato breakfast tacos and black rice porridge. Naturally, the restaurant offers their own small-batch coffee drinks, plus a cool collection of signature cocktails, wines, and (of course) craft beers on tap.

1300 Prytania St., (504) 417-7333, seedneworleans.com

FEED ME

SOMETHIN’, MISTER!

Speakin' of vegan … Artisan, plantbased bakery and café Breads On Oak has branched out beyond its namesake with a second location on Carondelet in the CBD. Located on the bottom floor of the Hampton Inn Suites, the Downtown location (Breads on Carondelet?) features everything you know and love about the original, from their famous seeded mutigrain and pain au levain to the savory and sweet-stuffed brioche and king cakes, plus their all-day breakfast and lunch.

Breads On Oak part deux is open Monday through Friday, 7:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.

222 Carondelet St., (504)841-9432, breadsonaok.com You don't look a day over 100! …

Antoine's, one of the oldest family-run restaurants in the country, is celebrating its 180th anniversary with special events, menus, and other festivities, all year long.

“Antoine’s is a testament to New Orleans and its legacy of culinary excellence. New Orleans has one of the most respected and revered culinary scenes in the world, and we very much want this year to serve as a celebration of this rich city-wide heritage,” said fifth-generation CEO and proprietor Rick Blount. From its humble

FA M O U S G U L F C O A S T C U I S I N E

IN THE HEART OF THE FRENCH QUARTER 620 Decatur St, Jackson Square, French Quarter • www.LandrysSeafood.com @LandrysSeafoodHouse

@LandrysSeafoodHouse

Or visit us at our Lake location at 8000 Lakeshore Dr.

WhereYat.com | February 2020

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RESTAURANT

& OYSTER BAR

! e m i r d a i Gras Party T M

Felix’s on Bourbon Street has all of your Carnival essentials in one convenient location!

Exclusive wristband access perks include: • Bourbon Street balcony—enjoy the fun above the crowd • Open bar • Food buffet • Clean bathrooms

For more info & tickets felixs.com/mardi-gras-with-felixs For all Felix’s locations & hours FELIXS.COM

Melba’s Story Cookbook Now Available

beginnings in 1840, Antoine’s has endured under the Alciatore family’s direction for five generations, helping make New Orleans one of the great dining centers of the world. The name has become synonymous with fine dining, and no visit to New Orleans should exclude a meal there. 713 St. Louis St., (504) 581-4422, antoines.com Spicing things up … Thai pop-up and Auction House Market vendor Long Chim has scored its own digs in the tiny space previously occupied by Superfood Bar on Magazine St.. Owned and operated by May Mananya and Kirk Cohen, this new itty-bitty spot offers “Thai st. comfort food,” like pork and shrimp dumplings; “unicorn” noodles (or glass noodles) topped with your choice of mushrooms, pork, or shrimp; and Tom Yum Goong Noodle Soup, made with shrimp, mushrooms, and rice noodles.

4113 Magazine St., (504) 982-0046, facebook.com/longchimnola Opa! … Acropolis, a Greek restaurant in Metairie on Veterans Blvd., has opened a second location on Freret St.. Situated in the space that formerly housed sandwich shop Wayfare, the Uptown spot is offering the same menu as the original—think spanakopita, stuffed grape leaves, hummus, pita wraps, gyros, kabobs, and pizza. They also feature weekly lunch specials, such as moussaka and lasagna. Acropolis is open Monday through Friday for lunch and dinner.

4510 Freret St., (504) 309-0069, acropoliscuisine.com Keepin' it fresh … According to NOLA.com, Big Easy Fresh Market opened recently on the corner of Canal St. and South Broad Ave.. Store founder Zahran Bazzar has made it unique with an emphasis on international offerings, from Latin America and the Middle East to Asian cuisine. Stop by to try the hot bar, which has everything from fried chicken to pork ribs, eggplant, and empanadas. Big Easy Fresh Market is open daily from 6:00 a.m. to 10 p.m. 2669 Canal St., (504) 226-2213 We all scream! … Australian softserve ice cream chain Aqua S recently opened a shop in the Warehouse District. Located on the ground floor of The Beacon, a mixed-use apartment building on Girod, Aqua S offers a rotating menu of their signature sea-salt flavors, like mocha, cranberry cherry, butter toffee, mojito, Thai tea, coconut, tiramisu, and many, many more. Among

Inside Melba’s and on

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their flavors, they feature soft-serves that are gluten- and dairy-free. Aqua S is open daily.

1000 Girod St., (504) 459-2846, aquas.us.com So sad to see you go …

As is always the way in any industry, with an influx of the new, there's a departure of the old. Over the past month or so, we've lost a few favorites, such as Café Rose Nicaud.

After a quarter of a century in business, serving breakfast and lunch on Frenchmen St., owners Kenneth and Melba Ferdinand have decided to retire. The longtime neighborhood café will surely be missed.

In other news, while McClure's BBQ isn't closing, per se, it is curtailing its daily 'cue offerings at NOLA Brewing Tap Room.

Kitchen installment owner and operator Neil McClure will still be cooking, but the BBQ will only make weekly appearances, making room for an expanded menu of burgers, specialty sandwiches, snacks, salads, and a few vegetarian options.

Finally, Toups' South inside the Southern Food & Beverage Museum shuttered. Chef Isaac Toups and his wife Amanda cite other developments—like another cookbook, product line, and increased television opportunities—as the reason for their second location's closure. We're sad to see you go, though thankfully, Toups' Meatery remains in full swing.

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51

$20 & UNDER à la mode

By Kim Ranjbar

What with all of the hoopla of Mardi Gras going on, it's easy to miss one of the most significant celebrations of February: Great American Pie Month!

Naturally, this is said with a heavy inflection of snark, but to take it that extra mile, what is even more paramount than pie is that scoop of cool, creamy sweetness that frequently makes an appearance alongside or, better yet, atop many a slice. After all, there are not many folks out there willing to forgo the rich, velvety rapture that is ice cream, regardless of the month—or whether or not it's served with pie.

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Oh, ice cream! It is a dessert that transcends culture, possesses an infinite number of flavor combinations, and makes an appearance on nearly every single restaurant menu in existence. In New Orleans, we have classic favorites like Creole Creamery, Quintin's Natural, and New Orleans Ice Cream Co., but lately, there have been several newcomers on the scene—shops and online purveyors who surely deserve a share of the local limelight.

Over in Lakeview, there's been much ado about Junior's on Harrison, a modern American restaurant that opened back in November with Chef Jacob Cureton, formerly of Atchafalaya, at the helm.

Among the creative starters, soups, salads, and burgers at Junior's, their dessert menu is short and to the point, offering rotating flavors of Gail's Fine Ice Cream. This small-batch ice cream, oft distributed from a blue and white food truck, places heavy emphasis on the “best of the best” when it comes to ingredients, resulting in a flavorful, creamy, almostchewy product, whether you're spooning a scoop of the double chocolate, lemon ice box pie, or vanilla bean. Get yourself to Junior's for a scoop or three or follow @gailsfineicecream on Instagram to see where you can ambush the truck on its next outing.

Over in the Marigny, ice cream master Erica Buher of Just Desserts has founded Sundae Best, a sweet spot inside the convent building of Hotel Peter & Paul.

Pop in any day but Wednesday for a scoop of flavor, such as butterscotch pecan, honey and Zapp's, peanut crackle and jam, or toasted coconut. You can also combine your favorites in two-scoop sundaes, three-scoop banana splits, or ice cream sandwiches made with house-made black cocoa cookies, or keep it simple with a shake or float. Sundae Best also offers incredible ice cream cakes, but orders must be placed at least a week in advance, so call ahead.

Across Lake Pontchartrain is Hoodoo Ice Cream, a shop that opened midsummertime 2018. Launched by Billy Sussky and George Schenck on North Columbia St., Hoodoo is well-known for its Creole cream cheese flavor, but their creativity goes far beyond this simple, local classic. Though they are always changing, past flavors have included such magic as apple bacon habanero, pumpkin pie with graham cracker crust, lavender white chocolate with local honey, chocolate walnut brownie, blue cheese and fig, candied chanterelle, mint chocolate matcha, and red bean & rice.

Watch out, Creole Creamery! It looks like Hoodoo may just give you a run for your money.

Cruise back across the lake to the South Market District for a taste of something completely different: Aqua S. Coming all the way from down under, this Australian soft-serve chain has only a few U.S. locations in Houston, Virginia Beach, and now, (lucky us!) New Orleans. Featuring

their signature sea-salt recipe, the flavors at Aqua S change every two weeks, giving soft-serve fanatics just enough time to get their fill before moving on to the next great taste. Past options have included sensations such as sweet corn, pink lemonade, guava, vanilla bean frappe, horchata, honeydew, and Earl Grey milk tea. Ravage a cone of your choice right there in the shop or choose a pint to take home; either way is the right way to do it.

Finally, a new newcomer to the local scene is Perky's Ice Cream.

Selling their brand from a virtual storefront, Perky's touts that it's a “native New Orleans business” whose mission is to “incorporate cultural foods into ice cream, to broaden our youth's mindset.” Current flavors include s'mores, Fruity Pebble Goodness, banana pudding with Nilla Wafers, and strawberry shortcake.

Though this may seem a tame collection right now, the shop only launched very recently, so we'll keep a sharp eye out for bigger things to come.

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Book your party for the Big Game!

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Bar Guide

Drink Food Specials

Dancing

Live Music

Billards

Above the Grid (NOPSI Hotel) A dynamic and energetic venue with a breathtaking view 317 Baronne St. of the city. Enjoy the view and pool with some refreshing cocktails and some healthy, delicious food.

844-439-1463 Alto (Ace Hotel) 600 Carondelet St. 900-1180

Offering fantastic drinks and a stunning view of the New Orleans skyline, Ace’s rooftop bar Alto is a sanctum of relaxation in an ever-busy concrete jungle.

Bayblon Bar 2917 Harvard Ave, Metairie 324-9961

Located in Metairie, the Babylon Bar offers up rock entertainment and barbeque that you just can't get anywhere else.

Backspace Bar 139 Chartres St. 322-2245

A literary-themed bar reminiscent of an English pub.

Backspace features a fantastic kitchen as well as a selection of historically inspired drinks.

Bar Marilou (Maison de la Luz) Bar Marilou oozes sophistication. This bar is known for a 546 Carondelet St. glass of its top-rated French wine and burrata. Indulge in the finer things at this Warehouse District hotspot.

814-7711

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Bar Tonique 820 N. Rampart St. 324-6045

Stop by Bar Tonique to enjoy one of the always-changing daily specials. Bar Tonique offers $5 specials from noon to 5 p.m. on weekdays.

Boot Scootin’ Rodeo 522 Bourbon St. 552-2510

Nashville country (or the Bakersfield Sound) in New Orleans is their thing. Their general store will be opening soon, but for now, you can grab a drink while dancing.

Bourbon St. Honky Tonk 820 N. Rampart St. 324-6045

Honky-tonk country music and booze will be sure to light up your night. This bar has traditional country and blues every night of the week.

Buffa’s Bar & Restaurant 1001 Esplanade Ave. 949-0038

New Orleans is known for its 24/7 party scene, and Buffa’s Lounge makes sure its doors are always open. They've been doing so for almost 80 years!

Carnaval Lounge 2227 St. Claude Av. 265-8855

The new Carnaval Lounge in the former Siberia location features great live music nightly. Come try the tasty Brazilian st. food for a treat.

Copper Vine 1001 Poydras St. 208-9535

This restaurant has been praised by locals and tourists alike. Make a reservation for Copper Vine’s dinner series and enjoy a meal with carefully selected wine pairings.

The Country Club 634 Louisa St 945-0742

If you’re looking for one of the best bars in the city with a heated pool and hot tub for the winter, look no further. They have an impressive selection of wine and outstanding food.

Crossing 439 Dauphine St. 523-4517

Crossing offers specialty cocktails in an inclusive and unique atmosphere. The bar is furnished with lit, handmade Einstein lamps with metallic gold and bronze finishes.

Fulton Alley 600 Fulton St. 208-5569

Fulton Alley is a special venue whose highlight is bowling, bites, and booze. This bar combines the fun of a bowling alley with the elegance of a Prohibition-era speakeasy.

House of Blues 225 Decatur St. 310-4999

In addition to live music, this venue serves mouthwatering food and drinks. You can have just about any drink you can think of and a wide array of tasty treats.

Jimani 141 Chartres St. 524-0493

Home of the Mysterious Mixer, the Jimani is the perfect place for a late night jaunt. Enjoy a couple with some friendly ghosts at this classic slice of New Orleans.

Kerry Irish Pub 331 Decatur St. 527-5954

Kerry Irish Pub’s laid-back atmosphere is the perfect place to relax and enjoy musical talent any night of the week. Celebrate with some Guinness or Jameson at this eclectic bar.

Lucy’s Retired Surfers Bar 701 Tchoupitoulas St. 504-523-8995

Hang loose and enjoy some great food, best complemented with a frozen alcoholic beverage or cold beer. Check out the laid-back beach vibe in the heart of the Warehouse District.

Martine's Lounge 2347 Metairie Rd. 831-8637

This Metairie bar offers darts, poker, and a jukebox. While they can make whatever you can imagine, try one of their signature drinks such as the Spicy Passion Fruit Margarita.

The Mercantile 727 S Peters St 504-309-4797

One of the best first or last stops of the night is this Warehouse District stop. Enjoy their live music every night!

Pal's Lounge 949 N. Rendon St. 488-7257

Pal’s is the perfect place to enjoy a signature cocktail or eat from one of the city’s local pop-up kitchens. This neighborhood joint has the goods to quench any thirst.

Penthouse Club 727 Iberville St. 524-4354

Celebrate a special event or enjoy an unforgettable night of luxury at the Penthouse Club. The club is across from Acme Oyster House and will treat you right.

Tipitina’s 501 Napoleon Ave. 895-8477

Few bars have as rich a history as Tipitina’s, which has earned a well-deserved name for itself as one of the best music venues in the city.

Vintage Rock Club 1007 Poydras St. 308-1305

Vintage Rock Club is a throwback club and video music experience that allows guests to rock out to the best of the decades and enjoy a drink at the same time.

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Spend the night with us acehotel.com/neworleans @threekeysnola 600 Carondelet Street

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COCKTAILS AMONG THE CALM

Less-Crowded Bars at Mardi Gras

By Steven Melendez

After a few hours on the Mardi Gras parade routes, it’s often tempting to drop by a nearby bar for a drink, a bite to eat, and, of course, a trip to the bathroom. But many bars on and near the popular routes are at least as crowded as the sidewalks themselves, making it difficult to place an order or get anywhere near the restrooms. Here are some alternatives that maintain a festive atmosphere without getting too crazily crowded.

Uptown Route

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Mardi Gras Manual | Where Y'at Magazine

Henry’s Uptown Bar 5101 Magazine St. Henry’s is a cozy, classic New Orleans neighborhood bar that just happens to be located on Magazine St. a few blocks from the main Uptown parade route. There’s also some history involving Lee Harvey Oswald at this bar, and while you’ll likely find Carnival revelers enjoying a beer there during many of the parades, there’s usually still room to grab a table or belly up to the bar without too much hassle. During Muses, which does pass directly by the bar, there may be an extra wait.

Circle Bar 1032 St. Charles Ave. This historic bar on the edge of Lee Circle is probably best known as a music venue. But if you find yourself along the parade route and looking for a place to stop, besides the nearby Circle K, you’ll find it to be a surprisingly tranquil location to go and enjoy a beverage, with parade music drifting in the door in place of the usual bands. The bartenders often also set up a second serving station near the door, in case you’re just dropping in for a beer to go.

The Prytania Bar 3445 Prytania St. It’s only about a block away from the main St. Charles Ave. parade route, but on a busy Carnival day, The Prytania Bar can be a relaxing antidote to the parade-route crowds.

Enjoy the more-than-reasonably priced selection of craft beer and liquor and spend some time watching whatever happens to be on the television that day before you go out to, once again, face the literal music.

You might also spot a certain orange cat hanging around the bar, looking to say hi, or simply sleeping.

Cajun Mike’s Pub & Grub 116 Baronne St. If you watch any of the parades from the Central Business District-end of St. Charles Ave., you probably know that the crowds on the area’s narrow st.s can get intense. One respite is this dive-ish bar just a few blocks away, popular with service industry workers as much as tourists. Stop in to grab a po-boy and a beer and listen to what’s on the jukebox between parades, before muscling your way back up to the main route.

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French Quarter and Marigny

A Mardi Gras Party in a Box!

Haydel’s King Cake package has all the ingredients for a Mardi Gras party: A shipper size king cake (serves 35 based on a 1” slice), a pack of French Market Coffee and Chicory, a pack of Beads & Doubloons, a King Cake History Scroll, and this year’s porcelain collectible(while supplies last)

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Chart Room 300 Chartres St. On Mardi Gras Day especially, there’s always a festive crowd in this cash-only bar that offers some of the best beer prices in the French Quarter. While the parades don’t actually pass by the Chart Room door, you can sometimes get a better and more comfortable view watching the day’s events on the bar televisions than you can on the crowded Rex and Zulu routes themselves. Mardi Gras music from artists like The Meters and Dr. John often plays on the bar jukebox.

Checkpoint Charlie’s 501 Esplanade Ave. Yes, it’s a 24-hour bar, a music venue, and a laundromat. But for parades that go down Decatur St., including Krewe Boheme, Krewe du Vieux, and Chewbacchus, it can also be a great vantage point. Grab a spot by the window on the mezzanine next to the pool tables for a view of the parades where you won’t be jostled by sidewalk crowds or exposed to the elements. Send a friend to the bar between sub-krewes so you won’t lose your spot. On Mardi Gras Day, the bar is usually host to a free, raucous, early-evening rock show.

13 Monaghan 517 Frenchmen St. Despite its location amid the bustle of Frenchmen St. and its reasonable prices, this bar and food spot remains a relative secret, popular with service industry workers and other locals. Try the on-tap kombucha cocktail or the tater tot nachos before or after one of the nearby parades or even on Mardi Gras Day, when bands and costumed revelers frolic just outside the door.

Mimi’s in the Marigny 2601 Royal St. Mimi’s is a great place to run in for a beer or a snack on the day of one of the parades that heads down Royal St. in the Marigny. If you can snag a spot on the upstairs balconies or get a good view from the ground-floor windows, you may not even need to leave the bar at all. One exception to that rule is ‘tit Rex, when you’ll want to make sure to head outside to get a good close-up view of the miniature floats as they make their customary stop on Franklin St..

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Dmac’s Bar & Grill 542 S. Jefferson Davis Pkwy.

As the only large-scale Carnival parade passing through Mid-City, Endymion draws a huge crowd that can start assembling and claiming viewing spots days before floats ever hit the st.s. Plenty of bars and other businesses along the route offer beer and bathrooms, but they can all be too crowded to grab a seat. But Dmac’s, a walk that is just a few blocks from the parade route on Canal St., is usually pleasantly uncrowded that Saturday and normally has plenty of room to sit and enjoy a beer or a cheeseburger.

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Pop! MARDI GRAS TIPS, TIPPING, AND TIPPLES

By Leigh Wright

The sound of champagne bottles opening and confetti cannons, which sound eerily alike. On Fat Tuesday, those sounds are only a fraction of the excitement that swells in the st.s, yet they always stand out. You can stand Uptown and wait for Rex, the king of Carnival, or be Downtown watching the other kings of Carnival in Zulu, or, participate yourself in the St. Ann Parade.

Fat Tuesday is the reward for making it through the previous two weeks of the Mardi Gras season. Beginners will start to feel the sensory overload from all the commotion, and locals who’ve boarded themselves in their homes emerge like butterflies from their cocoons.

As Lewis Carroll beautifully wrote, “If you don't know where you are going, any road will get you there.” Whether you know it or not, Fat Tuesday takes some planning. Sure, you can show up on New Orleans’s doorstep that morning and find parties on literally every st. corner, but novice or seasoned celebrator, your road to a good time is much easier with a plan in pocket.

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The following drinks, eats, and guides are all suggestions. There are nooks and crannies in New Orleans that hold magic, and on Mardi Gras, become even more special. If you have a favorite place, choose that one. Sometimes the wait at a restaurant is worth it for the familiar faces and usual table. Mardi Gras is about celebrating your good life, right?

Mardi Gras, for many New Orleanians’, is about situating oneself in the right environment to bump into friends and family. This is the time of year when “I’ll see you when I see you” is muttered more often than not. Cell phones are neglected except to snap pictures. Transportation is basically nonexistent except for waiting in traffic. Restaurants are booked out months in advance, and bars are packed with old and soon-to-be friends. Try to position yourself in a part of town where you can spend all day.

Never forget that Fat Tuesday is a marathon. More than a marathon, it’s an ultra-marathon. Mornings start before daybreak but should end a few hours before nightfall. A few loose rules for the big day: Try to minimize driving—either walk or bike to your destination.

Bring your provisions with you.

Everywhere will be packed, and the action is on the st.. Try to reduce the time spent in lines.

Know your exit strategy.

As mentioned, transportation and communication will eventually break down. Do your mother proud and always keep a buddy with you. Plan a meet-up time/place if you’re in a bigger group.

Be off the st.s well before you think you should be. A typical goal is 4:00 p.m. This is the time to go home to sober up, hang out with close friends, regale them with your stories from the day, and steer clear of those who are having too much of a good time.

It’s a good idea to keep a map in your mind of where potential or public restrooms are. Sure, there are emergencies, but don’t go relieving yourself in bushes, against cars, or tucked into corners. Remember, those are people’s homes, and when Wednesday morning comes, regular life resumes.

Tip everyone who is working. The service industry doesn’t let up, and the people behind the counters may seem like Mardi Gras grinches only because they, too, wish they could be celebrating. Be kind to everyone but have an even kinder tipping hand.

While you are part of the lucky few partying in the unsecured st.s of New Orleans on a Tuesday, live it up. Get your costume ready—especially if you’re going to St. Ann. Now, what should you eat and drink while out and about?

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Water.

Sorry to sound so boring, but if there’s not water involved, you might end up like countless others before you, withering on the st., waiting for a helpful stranger to get you home. A better plan is to wear a hydration pack, like a CamelBak. Just be ready to share.

Wine.

Leave the beer sitting in the cooler so you stay out of the bathroom lines. Hard liquor is for the fierce at heart and those committed to shorter days than most. A nice rosé is an excellent choice. If you bring out a magnum, you can get the “oohs” and “ahhs” from the approving crowd.

Breakfast.

This should definitely consist of starches and proteins. Biscuits, pancakes, beignets, bacon, eggs, sausage, and hash browns are all excellent choices. Throw in a Bloody Mary, mimosa, bellini, screwdriver, Irish Coffee, sangria, or a greyhound. Just go easy on the ones with liquor.

The brave souls who work and watch while others run rampant are the saints among us on Fat Tuesday. On Mardi Gras, remember to tip, tip, and overtip those running food and drinks to patrons in restaurants and bars. For the rest of us, prepare your “Feast Before the Famine.” This is the day to gorge before the penitence. Pick something communal and sobering. It is a time to splurge, but remember the backlash of the

next day, so make it not just mediocre fried food but great decadent food.

A few options to either visit or get takeout (my preferred method at the end of the day): The fancier route: Doris Metropolitan, Sobou, Criollo, Luke, Brennan’s (Brennan’s is closed Mardi Gras Day) The non-American route: Wasabi, Del Fuego, Origami, Hoshun The pub route: Cooter Brown’s, Port of Call, Ave. Pub, Sylvain, Verti Marte, Black Penny Again, don’t overthink it. These are all suggestions, but handy to have in your back pocket when a drunken, group meltdown is about to happen. Prepare for long wait times and organized chaos.

Bring a drink, order one at the bar, settle in among your fellow revelers, and pass the time. This is the one day of the year when all inhibitions are cast aside, and pure celebration is at heart. Be nice. Tip well.

The biggest key to Mardi Gras—during the whole two weeks, but especially Fat Tuesday—is patience. Enjoy the ride. Take in the unexpected. See where the st.s pick you up and drop you off. You just might find your own special recipe for a perfect Mardi Gras day.

WhereYat.com | February 2020

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ENJOY THE RIDE:

Mardi Gras Float-Riders Explain Their First Time

By Joni Hess

February in New Orleans is a time for celebration and community. For many Mardi Gras parade-goers, gazing up at the masked float-riders can be an experience both aweworthy and full of envy. How much fun they must be having, throwing beads, trinkets, and toys to massive crowds vying for their attention. Author Gary Sernovitz, writing in the Wall St. Journal, said of float-riding, “For the first time in my life, I was Santa Claus every five seconds.”

While for many, the highlight of joining a Mardi Gras krewe for many is riding in the parades, people join for a host of reasons, including being part of an organization that values giving more than just beads away. For instance, in October of last year, krewes Zulu and Rex came together to donate $10,000 to two New Orleans charter schools. Every year, the Krewe of Muses throws its signature shoes, some of which are then auctioned off by charities like the St. Bernard Project, which helps build houses for lowincome families.

Being part of a krewe is a year-long experience of meetings, events, and parade preparation—all building up to that magical float-ride through the city st.s. Two float-riders, Michele Burden and Andre Banks from Nyx, gave their perspectives on their first-year experiences.

Michele Burden’s first time riding was in February 2019. “I joined a krewe because I'm born and raised in New Orleans, and it's a fun thing to be a part of,” said Murden. “It's a plus because you get to make new friends, and I can give back to my community as well. Also, it is exciting that Nyx is the largest all-female night parade.”

When asked about the preparation leading up to the parade, Burden said, “It starts months in advance with decorating purses, buying throws, attending various krewe events, and finding costumes, to loading the float the day before. The day of the parade begins mid-morning and lasts until around midnight, so you have to get plenty of rest the night before if you are able to. Riding also requires a lot of standing and bending to sort your throws.”

Burden said that what surprised her the most about riding in a parade is the things people do and say in the crowd to get a purse or beads. Most people from New Orleans know Mardi Gras is all fun and games until the competitive nature to catch prized items breaks loose. One can

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only imagine the type of things a rider sees and hears along the route.

When asked about one thing she wishes she would have known before riding, Burden stated, “Don't procrastinate. Don't wait until the last minute because it’s a lot to do. Take your time and start preparing early so you can relax and enjoy the days leading up to the parade. Also, have a ready-made bag with special throws for friends or family you see along the parade route.”

For many first-timers, float-riding has been something they’ve wanted to do for years. That was 20 years or so for newbie Banks. Once accepted into an organization, some first-timers may feel riding in a big krewe can be rather intimidating. In just eight short years, the all-female krewe of Nyx has grown from new to superkrewe status with about 3,400 riders in 2019. But the numbers aren’t what’s intimidating to Banks; it’s making sure each sequin is laid out properly on her hand-decorated purses— the signature throw of Nyx—as well as ensuring that she has enough throws and enough stamina to last the entire parade route.

Banks added that the weeks leading up to the parade are very surprising and were something that she wasn’t quite prepared for. “What surprised me the most is the many social gatherings and the stress of getting ready for the big ball,” she confessed. “Luckily, my Nyx sisters and my float lieutenant are very willing to help newbies navigate everything.”

Float lieutenants are like sous-chefs— overseeing and organizing things to flow smoothly.

Riding in a Mardi Gras parade is a check on the bucket list for some. For others, it’s a yearly tradition that has become a part of life. Nevertheless, riders take pride in being part of something where new bonds are established, memories made, and connections are forged with crowds of strangers trying to catch their throws.

That experience is what riders pay for.

WHERE SHOULD I THROW UP?

By Julie Mitchell

You’ve got a Mardi Gras game plan for your throws, but what about your throwing up? Take this quiz to decide where you should hurl on Fat Tuesday. pleaseunola.com

1. It’s 8:00 a.m. What woke you up? a. Your “wine not?” alarm clock. (1) b. Your poly neighbor who makes leather gloves and owns chickens. (3) c. Tourists doing karaoke. (2) d. Your daughter Arabella. (4)

2. It’s 11:00 a.m. Who have you already gotten into a fight with? a. Roommate who hasn’t paid rent in three months but spent $200 on a costume for Chewbacchus. (3) b. Everyone at the Popeye’s on Claiborne.

(4) c. Dogwalker who is 20 minutes late and has the molly. (2) d. Greg. (1)

3. It’s 2:00 p.m., and there’s a very long line for the bathroom. What are you going to do? a. Walk a respectful distance to a bush. (1) b. Go in a Port-O-Let. (4) c. Walk into a house party and pretend you know someone there. (3) d. Duck between cars. (2)

4. The parade is later. What are you pre-gaming? a. b. c. d.

Warm white wine. (1) Rum in a water bottle. (2) None of your f-ing business. (3) La Croix with vodka. (4)

5. Have you ever done cocaine? a. b. c. d.

Yes. (3) Yes. (2) In college. (1) Yes. (4)

6. Who are you hoping not to run into on Mardi Gras Day? a. Ex-husband. (4) b. Weird landlord who ends every text with an ellipsis. (3) c. Man who you met yesterday and made out with at a gay bar for four hours. (2) d. Any Tulane students. (1)

7. Your friend just got off work and is coming to meet you. Where should (s)he go? a. b. c. d.

Golden Lantern. (2) Lakeside Mall, the outside. (4) Cutter’s. (3) Ave. Pub. (1)

8. What are you wearing Mardi Gras Day? a. Purple, green, and gold polo. (1) b. Wings made from PVC pipe and Christmas lights. (3) c. Saints jersey. (4) d. Beads you caught from flashing when no one asked you to. (2)

9. It’s 6:00 p.m. What have you eaten so far? a. Kombucha and fried chicken out of a bag. (3) b. Daiquiri and fried chicken out of a box. (4) c. Costco cheese from your friend’s BBQ on the neutral ground. (1) d. Verti Mart. (2)

10. Before you go to bed at night, what do you pray to God for? a. Fleurty Girl to have a sale. (1) b. Your investment in the Brad Pitt houses to pay off. (2) c. God’s dead; you’re more “spiritual.” (3) d. For everyone to be Catholic. (4)

Mostly 1s: You got Uptown. You should throw up in a Muses shoe.

You’ve been walking the same two miles along Napoleon and St. Charles for the past week, and it’s time to throw up on some of it. There are too many kids and too much trash to feel comfortable doing it on the ground. But look! There’s the Muses shoe you caught earlier. Carefully unwrap it from the plastic while you think about the $10 you spent on pushcart Domino’s. Wasn’t that a mistake? Bombs away! Oh look, is that someone you work with? Hi, Carol.

Mostly 3s: You got Marigny. You should throw up behind the Porta Potties outside of R Bar. It’s been a long day of taking molly at 7:00 a.m. and making out with everyone you’ve met since. You’ve run out of rum nips from your vegan leather fanny pack, and it’s time to throw up outside. Behind the Porta Potties at R Bar is ideal because you can keep your place in line for the bar but remain out of sight from anyone you might still want to make out with.

Stop eating hot dogs that you find. They were left for a reason.

Mostly 2s: You got French Quarter. You should throw up outside the Cat’s Meow while making eye contact with a white mom from Indiana.

You’ve mostly been yelled at by people in LSU t-shirts all day and don’t understand why everyone is dressed like a slutty bird, but coming to Mardi Gras was on your bucket list, and you did it. Forgetting to put on sunscreen as you walked in direct sunlight for eight hours is the least of your worries now because the beignets, hurricane, shrimp po-boy, and fried oysters are not sitting well. Find a gutter underneath that beautiful pink and teal neon glow, then get right back up and sing a Prince song. Today is your day.

Mostly 4s: You got Metairie. You should throw up on Veterans Blvd..

After watching about one fistfight every three miles from your backed-up car on the route with your grandparents, who are now wasted on daiquiris and full of Popeye’s, you’re feeling a little queasy. You need to navigate away from the grandstands, so the news doesn’t film you in this vulnerable moment— then let ‘er rip. There’s going to be a lot of foot traffic, and you’re going to know about a third of the people walking by, so just remember to be proud.

Geaux Saints!.

WhereYat.com | February 2020

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SKINZ N BONEZ: Feelin’ That Rhythm Jones

They operate as a type of walking momento mori—Latin for “remember that you must die.”

The motto for the krewe is “enjoy yourself; it’s later than you think,” so the common theme is intrinsic.

Skinz N Bonez is the skeleton-themed krewe that is the only female bone gang in New Orleans. There is a male counterpart to the group—the Soul Sweepers—but the original idea was to have a female-based drum krewe, which is what they are.

By Donald Rickert

From the start, Skinz N Bonez has been a labor of love for the queen of the krewe, Mardiclaw. It all began as an idea stemming from Mid-Summer Mardi Gras in 2011 by Claudia Gehrke, who would soon don the moniker of Mardiclaw, and Big Chief John—then a Wildman—of the Original Wild Tchoupitoulas. John needed drummers on the st. for his gang, and Claudia offered to find some for him.

Soon thereafter, Mardiclaw approached Ronald Lewis from the House of Dance & Feathers—a cultural gatekeeper of sorts— to ask permission to proceed as a bone gang. He gave his blessing, but there were a few conditions: no feathers, no aprons,

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and they had to learn the cultural contexts thereof. With that, Mardiclaw had the blessing she had sought out, and the bone krewe she had originated with that offer to Big Chief John was unofficially official.

Although that was the beginning, the krewe has evolved and grown from there.

Originally, as Mardiclaw remembers, during the “first meeting, no one had the confidence to drum or sing. In a circle doing ‘Little Liza Jane,’ Wildman John had us go round and round in a call and response until everyone came up with a line. We must have gone around at least 30 times. These days, it’s all or nothing.”

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Skinz N Bonez has grown and does have some acclaim now. â&#x20AC;&#x153;I think we are received fairly well, but since we aren't a dance troupe, we get left out a lot,â&#x20AC;? she lamented.

Since they donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t fit into a neat, nostalgic, or eclectic box like the popular dance troupes, including the Golddigger Babydolls, the Camel Toe Lady Steppers, the Laissez Boys, the Muff-A-Lottas, or the 610 Stompers, they sometimes donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t get the attention they deserve because, as Mardiclaw proudly states, â&#x20AC;&#x153;We are a drum corps, and yet no one wants to recognize that. We are both krewe and corps, we meet twice a week, and we do paid gigs. Some people just don't want to recognize our accomplishments, but we are still here working really hard.â&#x20AC;?

Despite the lack of accolades, Skinz N Bonez is a tightly knit group that has created its own community. Thatâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s one thing that Mardiclaw takes pride in. â&#x20AC;&#x153;The Krewe is the creativity that has come out of it,â&#x20AC;? she recalled, beaming. â&#x20AC;&#x153;There are so many singers, musicians, and artists that are all working towards the goal of sharing and caring.â&#x20AC;?

Tom Harvey, aka Rhythm Nâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; Bonez, agrees.

He states that the krewe has an â&#x20AC;&#x153;openness to all walks of life, [which] creates a microcommunity.â&#x20AC;?

In the group, too, everyone is allowed to express themselvesâ&#x20AC;&#x201D;within a certain context.

Mardiclaw confessed, â&#x20AC;&#x153;I think itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s important that everyone is given an opportunity to growâ&#x20AC;&#x201D; including meeting others and networking. I don't feel that anyone has to wear the same thing, as long as youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re a skeleton.â&#x20AC;?

This sense of everyone belonging to a group but also having an idiosyncratic identity is important to her. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Being an individual but in a krewe is a big thing for me,â&#x20AC;? she mentioned. â&#x20AC;&#x153;I think it allows us to be unique among the many krewes who dress similarly.â&#x20AC;?

Rhythm Nâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; Bonez concurs with her. He states, â&#x20AC;&#x153;Thereâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s also a lot of creativity in this kreweâ&#x20AC;&#x201D;from costuming to creating our hand-made throws to overall musicianship.â&#x20AC;?

Mardiclaw has made a vast array of memories throughout her time as queen of the krewe. She mentioned that they, as a group, have been involved in many of the Anne Rice balls and even a wedding this year. But she always finds Mardi Gras morning a special occasion because â&#x20AC;&#x153;each one is a little different, and waking people up is fun.â&#x20AC;?

One other important aspect for Mardi Gras Day is when they pay their respects to those who have crossed over to the other side. She referred to it as asking those who have passed to â&#x20AC;&#x153;drum with [them].â&#x20AC;? On every â&#x20AC;&#x153;Mardi Gras morning, each person in the krewe takes a turn or two saying the names of those who passed the past year, and the krewe chimes in with, â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;Drum with us,â&#x20AC;&#x2122;â&#x20AC;? a sort of call and response for those who cannot answer any more, imploring their spirits to take part in the ritualistic drumming.

She continued, â&#x20AC;&#x153;For instance, my friend Jason Woodson passed, so I said, â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;Jason Woodson,â&#x20AC;&#x2122; and the krewe followed with, â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;Drum with us.â&#x20AC;&#x2122; Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s a way to bring forward those who came before us and honor them on Mardi Gras Day.â&#x20AC;?

As for Rhythm Nâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; Bonez, he has a lot of memories emblazoned in his mind. He said, â&#x20AC;&#x153;Going out and drumming for the Wild Tchoupitoulas Mardi Gras Indians on Super Sundays has been quite an honor.

Weâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ve also gone out with them on Saint Josephâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s night and played with them at Jazz Fest several times. Weâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ve performed a few times for the Anne Rice Vampire Ball during Halloween season, and that was quite fun. This last Halloween night, we made a surprise appearance at the â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;Skeleton Houseâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; up on State St. and did a little performance on the front steps for the people who live there and, of course, for all the trick-or-treaters as well. It was a magic moment. Pretty much every parade has its memorable moments that Iâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ll cherish always.â&#x20AC;?

Even though they are indeed a bone krewe, and they are indeed busy during October and Halloweenâ&#x20AC;&#x201D;for obvious reasonsâ&#x20AC;&#x201D;they are also very active during Mardi Gras season. Last year, they rolled with the Muses and Femme Fatale parades, and this year promises to be just as lively.

When camped out at your favorite spot on the parade route, keep an ear out for the telltale sounds of the Skinz N Bonez drum krewe, and watch out for their signature, hand-made skeleton Barbie throws.

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WhereYat.com | February 2020

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Film Reviews Gretel & Hansel

By David Vicari

The dark fairy tale horror film Gretel & Hansel is a frustrating affair. Most of the elements for a good scare are here, except for a strong narrative thrust.

Young Gretel (Sophia Lillis) lives with her little brother, Hansel (Sammy Leakey), and mentally disturbed mother in a cabin in the forest. The mother forces the children into the dark woods to fend for themselves.

Gretel and her brother eventually find an

eerie old cabin inhabited by a mysterious old woman (Alice Krige). Soon, the old woman begins to train Gretel in the art of black magic because...bonding, I guess.

Early in the movie, when a hungry Gretel and Hansel are in the forest searching for refuge, they decide to eat mushrooms, which make them hallucinate. This whole scene feels like padding. There is no reason for it to be in the film because it doesn't advance the

plot in any way.

Gretel's dreary and repetitive nightmares also provide more padding to this 87-minute movie.

It's a shame that Gretel & Hansel doesn't really go anywhere because there is much to like. Lillis and Krige give good performances, the film is visually interesting with inventive lighting that would make Mario Bava proud, and the electronic-heavy music score

by Robin Coudert (credited here as just Rob) evokes the film music of both John Carpenter (Halloween) and the Italian progressive rock band Goblin (Suspiria).

Director Osgood Perkins and writer Rob Hayes don't flesh out their characters or plot, so in the end, Gretel & Hansel feels cold and empty

The new revenge thriller The Rhythm Section may not break new ground, but it’s an entertaining night at the movies.

Directed by Reed Morano, the film follows a young woman (Blake Lively) whose parents and siblings were killed in a plane crash. She’s at rock bottom when a journalist informs her that he found the bombmaker responsible. The journalist quickly ends up dead, and she begins a journey of revenge. Along the way, she encounters an exiled MI6 operative (Jude

Law) and a shady information broker (Sterling K. Brown).

Lively’s character should not be an unstoppable badass like Gina Carano in Haywire (also worth seeing if you get a chance). Thankfully, the film doesn’t present her that way. The fight scenes are believably clumsy and awkward.

Apparently, the awkwardness extended to the shoot, too, as production temporarily halted after Lively broke her hand punching Law.

Lively’s performance also serves as a strong center for the story. She proved in The Shallows that she could headline a thriller and she handles the leading role well here. The reliable Law and Brown provide strong support, too.

At times, Lively finds things out a little too easily. An inexplicably chatty villain discloses a key late-plot point. But this is a minor problem with an action film that otherwise keeps its feet grounded in at least something resembling reality.

The Rhythm Section

By Fritz Esker

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Tales from the Quarter

By Debbie Lindsey

H

ow do they know? You have a clean kitchen, no old garbage, recently purged refrigerated science projects, no potatoes sprouting in your larder; the litterbox is so clean that the cats circle it with suspicion—and still, the moment you remove that lemon from the grocery bag, fruit flies arrive. Come on, is there one lone fly, assigned as a sentry and stationed to the kitchen window, ever vigilant and ready to alert the troops when a random piece of fruit is about to be sliced open? Who knows? But they know!

And before you can say “lemon-aid,” your kitchen is under occupation by these teeny-tiny aerial soldiers.

Is there a special relationship between your shoes and dog poop? Or are the soles of shoes jealous (and vindictive) of the uppers, annoyed that all their hard work—taking it for the team— is never fully shown off, while the tops get polished and complimented all the time? No one ever says, “Love the soles of those pumps.

You go, girl, with those bad-ass soles.” No, the lowly and under-appreciated sole only gets to carry the weight of your fashion. So, why not head you and those smarty-pants shoe-tops right into a pile of excrement? Ah, revenge. Still, how do they know? A stroll through the park and your shoes (those sneaky soles) will find that one random renegade canine butt-bomb.

And how about my connection with light bulbs—coincidence or psychic phenomenon?

How is it that I know when a light bulb is gonna cease to illuminate? And, of course, this occurs when there is no back-up light bulb—perhaps the lamp knows this and just wants to mess with me. But I’m giving too much credit to the lamp. I suspect I am psychic yet limited in power, never destined to solve mysterious crimes or pick the winning lottery numbers.

There will not be a TV series featuring the woman with clairvoyant abilities able to predict lightbulb outages.

In addition to creatures, objects, and people that fall into the “How do they know?” category, there seems to be a “Why does it happen?” group. For example, when I was younger, forgoing the shave-my-legs-ritual before a big night out always resulted in getting lucky. Those prickly legs were magnets for that special guy to finally look my way.

Another “why” moment involves white clothing. Why are food, coffee, and red wine attracted only to white? My white clothes and I could be sequestered in a hermetically sealed room, and that damn bowl of gravy would somehow find me and slather itself across my pristine apparel.

Now, here’s a question for you: If candidates well over 60 can run for president of the United States and possibly become our next new (I am stressing NEW) president, then how come my talented chef husband—who can, could, and would work circles around

Life’s Little Mysteries

anyone half his age, who is able to slice and dice like a Samurai warrior on steroids, who can manage and mentor a kitchen staff while creating culinary masterpieces (not to mention a damn good grilled cheese)— cannot easily find employment due to his age? And hell, I am only 66 and can hardly get a serious interview to sling beer, yet I am a kid compared to Ruth Bader Ginsberg, who is unable to retire lest the Supreme Court run amuck. Thank you, Ruth, Bernie, Elizabeth, and Joe for making this geezer proud, but know you’d never get a job as a barista. Why, God. Why? While on the subject of work and employment, there is something else I have come to ponder. What the hell makes folks assume that when your company runs out of steam (financial viability) and you go out of business, that you are suddenly relaxed and retired? What about bankruptcy suddenly enables you to have enough money to stop working? And why would I look more relaxed (as people seem to delight in telling me) when I just ended a dream—a dream with lingering debts to pay off? And even if we had sold our shop/business for a tidy profit, what makes folks think that we don’t still have things we wish to accomplish? Work need not be a dirty word.

On a somewhat humiliating note: How come my swimsuit looked fine yesterday, and today, as I enter the pool area, it has drastically aged?

The fabric is suddenly thinner and drooping,

and all my “good stuff” is now immodestly revealed. And why the hell is my body aging in much the same way—sudden and with no kindness? My body looks like wrung-out, threadbare, overused spandex. It’s like when a kid has a growth spurt, except mine is an aging spurt. Why in the world can’t I keep my old body—I mean, my former body (God knows this one is old enough)?

Well, I guess all this goes to prove that life is full of mysteries. The questions we confront range from the mundane to the profound.

Circumstances, coincidences, conundrums, and serendipity befuddle and amaze us constantly. And I will accept the annoyance of the fruit fly and even the painful query of “When did I get this old?’” for the joy that serendipity consistently brings me. Serendipitous events have brought me great fortune through the years—not monetary rewards, but far more valuable things: the pleasure of being at the right place at the right time, the lost dog I found and rescued by walking home a different route, or the blind gentleman I randomly met who was lost and needed someone to walk him to his safe place. The friendships I stumbled upon, the apartments I accidentally discovered, the “For Lease” sign that never caught my eye before. The big and little moments that make life worthwhile that happen without forethought, plan, or even logic, which make one ask, “How did I get so lucky?”

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Mardi Gras Manual | Where Y'at Magazine

UNO LAKEFRONT CENTER MAR 8 •2 PM

a new spin on family time

Po-Boy Tales

By Phil LaMancusa

I

t’s 2020 and a new year for me—a new beginning; out with the old, in with the new. First, I’m going to forgo dead meat and eat only plant-based (don’t say vegan) food. Secondly, I’ve quit my lucrative side job to hunt down a full-time cooking position in a vegan (plant-based) restaurant. Both are going to be more than challenging.

As far as employment, my age works against me. A warning to all the “mature” applicants: Be aware that you can have boatloads of experience with a resume up the wazoo and still be passed over for someone younger—and probably betterlooking than you. You can bring passion and professionalism to the table, and still they’ll hire the server’s sibling. Dress for success, interview well, have qualifications, and a young squirrel can/will pass you at the finish line. It happens; it’s factual ageism. Listen, I enjoy seeing what’s considered our “new day” countenances, attitudes, and energies as much as the next person; I really do. What I object to is bright-eyed and bushy-tailed being a deciding factor in employment opportunities. I’m fully aware that I can’t sing, I ain’t pretty, and my legs are thin, but I can work with a song in my heart and a smile on my face, and I can glide around a kitchen like Fred Astaire.

Going vegan, on the other hand, is almost a no-brainer. My mate is 98-percent vegan,

and I do all the cooking at home. Although I’m living a life where I profess that “I’d eat the paint off a chair,” feeding ourselves will be a cool runnin’. Also, I’ve been training for my next gig—sometimes for hours—by cooking more complicated plant-based victuals at home: vegan cheeses, croissants, tempeh, seitan, breakfast sausage, egg replacer, aquafaba, crème brulée, etc.

Being vegan comes with conditions and stipulations. Do you wear leather? What about consuming honey or chocolate?

I fall into the category of being a “nonmilitant vegan,” as opposed to a “zealot vegan.” What’s the diff? Non-militant vegans will eat “meat and dairy substitutes,” and zealot vegans are more serious, eating only birdseed and dandelions. What do I know?

However, I am a health-conscious eating machine, meaning I try to eat right. But what about beer and potato chips? How about that Impossible Burger at the King? Can I just pick the pepperoni off the pizza?

What about roadkill?

I find myself driving more-slowly about town. I pass by my favorite fried-chicken place—my EX-fried-chicken place. I feel like I’m stalking a former lover. The same goes for that gumbo joint where I could be sure of anemic crab bodies and a chicken neck or two. Crescent City Steak House brings a tear to my eye. The oysters that

Crawfish Blues or 76-Year-Old-Virgin I’ll never eat again, andouille sausage, boudin, muffulettas. And, tell me, what am I gonna do come crawfish season when C&J Seafood tosses them in garlic, butter, and ginger and make them spicy hot? I’ll miss mouthwatering po-boys at the Orange House and Parkway, but, you know, I’ve got to do this.

First of all, eating a plant-based diet is good for the planet and your body, and you’re not killing, slaughtering, or taking the life of a fellow being; no factory farming is in question, no blood-lust brutality, and, really, there’s no good reason not to let life live.

You’ll find that folks who hanker for smoked sausage and prime rib will take Fido to the vet for a splinter and would never consider fattening that sucker up for soup or stew.

The same goes for Missy Kitten and a variety of birds, from pigeons to parrots. In my former life, I would ask, “Where’s that line?

If you’re gonna eat one animal, why not eat ‘em all? What’s the difference between pork and a palomino, except the size of the pan and how much garlic to use?”

I know, I know. It’s February, and I should be concerned with Carnival, Valentine’s, various festivals from foot races to fancy clothes, and musical events from Broadway to backst. rhythms. I should be enjoying my life and time at this point, at my age, and not be trying to challenge myself to master new

frontiers.

Do you know what I did in my final days before veganism? I went to John and Mary’s and got a boiled turkey neck and a spicy pig’s foot to have for lunch. I drank a YooHoo chocolate beverage and ate cheesecake with gobs and gobs of cream that I whipped up myself. I had a tres leches at Norma’s. It was like that last encounter with a lover when you know the next morning you’re going to move on, like leaving home and starting over in a new town as a virgin, and like a leap of faith.

Why am I doing this? That’s a good question that I’ve asked myself more than a few times. I realize that, from a culinary standpoint, I will be as lonely as a polecat in somebody’s front yard, that dining out will be nearly impossible unless I frequent “alternative” cafés, that I will have to ask a lot of questions about my menu selections, and, by having to defend my choices, I’ll be that pain-in-the-ass customer. But I feel good about this.

And from an employment viewpoint, maybe I just want to prove to myself and the world that I am still a viable human being who has what it takes to contribute to a functioning enterprise with a mission statement that is goal- and profit-oriented.

And besides that, I can cook.

Wish me luck.

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WhereYat.com | February 2020

75

Where Ya Been?

1.

Wizard World Comic Con featured comics, sci-fi booths, and fantastic costumes.

6.

Queen's Freddie Mercury made an appearance at the Studio 54 fundraiser at Vintage Rock Club.

2.

Food-lovers enjoyed the Big Chili Chill Beer Chili Cook-Off at NOLA Brewery.

7.

3.

The Magnolia New Orleans hotel celebrated its opening with delicious champagne and tasty bites.

Owner Rick Blount was all smiles at the announcement of Antoine's celebration of its 180 years.

8.

4.

The Sylvain Society Young Professionals showed off their costumes at the Big Wig Ball, which raised funds for the New Orleans Opera.

LSU fans partied at Mardi Gras World for the Taste of the Championship before the big game.

9.

The Studio 54 fundraiser at Vintage Rock Club benefitted Kidd's Kids.

Alessandra Madrid Soto and Maggie Robert toasted the launch of their new Babes XO website.

10. Gayle Benson celebrated the launch of the new Dixie Brewery with Bryan Batt and friends.

5.

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5

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Mardi Gras Manual | Where Y'at Magazine

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WhereYat.com | February 2020

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“ ”

Multi-award-winning restaurant Baru Bistro & Tapas offers an absolutely delicious variety of small plates—or tapas—and scrumptious entrees with a Latin-Caribbean flair. Nestled in the heart of the Garden District on Magazine St., Baru brings tastes of the Caribbean side of Colombia and South America onto your New Orleans plate, with a menu created by award-winning chef and owner Edgar Caro. Come sip and dine Monday through Saturday for lunch, dinner, or brunch.

CHAT

with Nikki Reyes

Edgar Caro Chef and Owner, Baru Bistro & Tapas

NOLA Carnival Royalty / "Mr. Mardi Gras"

1.

Big, colorful, jeweled-up ostrich plumes.

2.

Classic large crowned Mardi Gras beads.

I'm not a rat.

3.

Black and red licorice.

How to have virtuous patience.

4.

As a school boy.

5.

Putting the toilet seat down—an everyday battle!

1.

A 12-pack of Corona Cerveza.

2.

Oyster beads.

3.

Baru's chuzos de roses.

4.

5.

Karla Keaton

Wild Wayne

1.

ANYTHING that is not landfill.

1.

2.

Everything Mardi Gras, recycled!

3.

Cupid has the answer.

4.

I'll never tell.

5.

How to relax.

Co-Owner, Baru Bistro & Tapas

Where Y’at Chat Questions:

Blaine Kern

The Voice of the New Orleans Pelicans and “Unchained” Podcast / Don Dadda Jerk Magic

2.

3.

4.

5.

1. It's Carnival time and you are queen/ king of ALL Carnival.

What is your headpiece?

2. You just got "lei'd" on Mardi Gras! What kind of beads are you wearing?

3. Happy Valentine, Hawt! Cupid's arrows are broken.

What should he use instead?

4. Chinese New Year: Year of the Rat. When is the last time you "ratted" on someone?

5. February is "Dog Training Education Month." What training do you need?

78

Mardi Gras Manual | Where Y'at Magazine

A fiery red and orange headpiece that looks like fire.

Keeping me from watering holes?

A Bud Light lei!

A lasso and furry handcuffs.

Read between the lines.

Not lately. But I will "rat" if nasty impacts the innocent.

I don't think I need training.

I prefer to do the training.

Margot Cook

Patrick VanHoorebeek

Le Bar Mistress, Baru Bistro & Tapas

Co-Founder / King, Krewe of Cork

1.

Mardi Gras Indian headdress.

1.

A gold champagne bottle.

2.

Original glass Mardi Gras beads.

2.

Breasts.

3.

Teasers.

3.

Mini champagne bottles.

4.

The other day.

4.

Yesterday.

5.

How to mop and sweep.

5.

Behaving!

Diane Mathews

Matt Rinard

NOLA Master Court Reporter

Creative Director, Krewe Of Barkus and Gallery Rinard / Janitor

1.

Cleopatra relic crown.

1.

Rabbit ears.

2.

Muses shoe necklaces.

2.

3.

My Warren's kisses.

My late pooch King Sam, Barkus 2001.

4.

Yesterday in court.

3.

RPG to the max!

5.

How to roll over.

4.

Thursday.

5.

To speak C-L-E-A-R-L-Y.

Kerri Donnelly

Amber Martin

Director of Sales and Catering, Hotel Provincial

NYC and NOLA Cabaret Star / Divine Vocalist

1.

A boa in an upward position.

1.

Scorpion—tail up and crystaled!

2.

Red wine sippy-cup beads.

2.

Vintage red glass beads.

3.

Voodoo dolls.

3.

Pussy purses. Meow.

4.

Yesterday.

4.

The other day.

5.

Some home training!

5.

Being led on a chain.

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