Mardi Gras 2019

February 2019

CajunMardiGras

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new

Brew mething Some Mista’ King Cake

Features 8 12 26 28 30 32 34 36 46 48 50

February 2019 Vol. 22 No. 06

Cajun Mardi Gras Parade Routes & Schedule MG Calendar & Dance Krewes Mardi Gras Music History A More Mindful Mardi Gras "Off-Route" Krewes Carnival Around the World Zulu's Lundi Gras Festival Metairie Mardi Gras Quick & Easy To-Go Drinks Fat Tuesday Alternatives

Publisher/Editor-in-Chief: Josh Danzig Creative Director: Michael Fulkerson Assistant Editor: Kathy Bradshaw Movie Editors: David Vicari & Fritz Esker Copy Editor: Michelle Nicholson Contributing Writers: Emily Hingle, Kathy Bradshaw, Phil LaMancusa, Debbie Lindsey, Kim Ranjbar, Landon Murray, Leigh Wright, Emil Flemmon, Greg Roques, Steven Melendez, Andrew Alexander, Noah StokesRaab, Kimmie Tubre Director of Sales: Stephen Romero Cover Photo by The Daily Advertiser/ Scott Clause

,

Protein Velvet Ice & Latte

CONTENTS

Events & Nightlife For a Limited Time Inspired by the iconic Mardi Gras day parade & the most soughtafter parade throw, coconuts, our new Coconut Iced Mocha is a bold roast paired with flavors of sweet coconut & rich chocolate

38 Concert Calendar 44 Lakeside 2 Riverside

Food & Drink 54 58 60 64

Food News $20 and Under Restaurant Guide Bar Guide

Extras 66 68 70 72 74

Film Reviews Columns Around the Web Where Ya Been?

Where Y'at Chat

Photographers & Designers: Gus Escanelle, Jason Hall, Steve Hatley, Romney Caruso, Jorge Menes, Kathy Bradshaw, Greg Roques, James Macaluso, Caesar Meadows, Mike Trummel, The Daily Advertiser/Scott Clause Interns: Marissa Williams, Raven West, Madison Mcloughlin, Emilia DiFabrizio, Brailey Penny, Brooke Leggett Subscribe: Receive 1 year (14 issues) for $30 and get a FREE Where Y’at CD. Subscribe today at WhereYat.com.

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Happy Mardi Gras 2019—the perfect remedy for the pain of the Saints loss! Enjoy this great issue packed with parade maps, party picks, and everything you need to know to enjoy Carnival.

Wondering what’s up with the chicken on the cover? Kathy Bradshaw travels to Cajun Mardi Gras to share the history and highlights of Louisiana’s wildest Fat Tuesday celebration. And if Mardi Gras day is too loud and crowded for you, don’t miss Jeff Boudreaux’s remarkable rundown of places to go to get away from the madness.

Meanwhile, back in New Orleans, Kimmie Tubre takes us on a march through the history of Mardi Gras music … from brass bands to classic tunes. Carolyn Heneghan shares how to celebrate a mindful Mardi Gras, including recycling beads, proper planning, and mastering moderation.

One of the most exciting parts of Carnival is discovering an impromptu parade in an unassuming part of town. Steven Melendez shares some of the best underground parades to catch, many of which have their own unique followers.

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

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Spring Chicken

How to Celebrate Mardi Gras Like the Cajuns Do

M

By Kathy Bradshaw

Photos by The Daily Advertiser/Scott Clause

ardi Gras is an institution in Louisiana. It’s a state holiday, a cherished tradition, and for some, a way of life that many plan for and look forward to year-round. But Mardi Gras includes more than just the typical bead-catching, ladder-sitting, parade-going festivities that most people take part in during Carnival. Because as some 1.4 million revelers in New Orleans catch trinkets from floats, eat king cake and Popeye’s chicken, or attend masquerade balls on or just before Fat Tuesday, something entirely different is happening in rural Louisiana. There—in towns like Eunice, Church Point, and Mamou—men (and, with few exceptions, only men) don colorful homemade costumes that bridge the gap between creative and creepy, ride around on horses begging for gumbo ingredients, and run through a field chasing chickens.

This is Cajun Mardi Gras, and it’s about as far off Bourbon Street and Saint Charles Avenue as you can get.

The Courir de Mardi Gras, which is Cajun French for “Mardi Gras Run,” originated in 15th-century France. Along with mad accordion skills and a few good jambalaya recipes, the Courir is just one of many things that the Cajuns’ French ancestors brought with them from the Old World.

It all began in the 1400s and 1500s in France, which was under a feudal system at the time. The rich French nobles used to tax the heck out of the poor peasants who worked the land just to survive, as rich nobles so often do—anything for the wealthy French to make a few extra bucks at the expense of the poor, so that they could put a little extra brie on their baguettes or cream in their cafés au lait. If the peasants wanted to make wine to sell, the kings and lords taxed the grapes. When the peasants used only the skins of the grapes instead, to make cognac, the nobles taxed those, too. Then they said, “Let them eat cake!” and probably taxed

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the frosting.

Yes, the saying goes that there are only two sure things in life: death and taxes. But those peasants from the days of French yore knew what to do. They dealt with the certainty of death by living life to the fullest, and the burden of taxes they handled with laughter and mockery. One day a year, on Mardi Gras, the men dressed up in costumes to poke fun at all the tax-hungry aristocrats.

Then, these costumed men rode around from farmhouse to farmhouse, begging for their dinner. In exchange for a little song or dance, the farmers gave them everything from wine to chickens. Each family who donated to the cause was invited to a big dinner party held later in the center of town—an ancient rendition of today’s Cajun fais do-do.

Everyone sang and danced and ate and partied with all the food and wine they had collected throughout the day. The tax collectors showed up to try to make a little collection of their own, but they only came up empty-handed: It was

illegal to assess taxes on anything that was given for free, as all these goodies were. This tradition came to be known as the Courir de Mardi Gras.

The French peasants passed down their fun-loving attitude and tendency for parody and mockery to their Cajun descendants. Just like in the olden days, participants today “make fun of everything—of everything that’s popular in society, or just make fun of society. But the true thing is to make fun of life itself,” says Todd Richard of Church Point, Louisiana.

Richard was the co-capitaine of the Church Point Mardi Gras for over 10 years and is the current chairman of the annual Kids’ Courir de Mardi Gras there. He is also related to Elton Richard, who, in 1960, started the Church Point Courir as it we know it today.

Held the Sunday before Mardi Gras Day, the Church Point celebration draws around 20,000 to 30,000 spectators every year, from as far away as France and Japan, who crowd into the tiny rural town of only 5,000 inhabitants to eat gumbo and watch the many festivities.

The head honcho of the Courir is the capitaine, followed in rank by the co-capitaines. The rest of the runners—who share the name of the holiday itself and are simply called Mardi Gras—follow the capitaine, who maps out the eight- or ninemile route and leads the pack. He must ask for permission to venture onto private property, and everyone runs around from house to house (and many ride on horseback), begging for handouts from the property owners. The most coveted offering is a chicken—destined, in theory, for a community gumbo that they will all feast on later. The gratis chickens are set loose for the “Mardi Gras” to chase after, which is half the fun (drinking the beer is the other half). He who catches the most chickens wins a trophy—meaning that they have no choice but to count their chickens. The runners sing and dance for their benefactors in thanks for receiving a chicken.

And when they’re not begging for free stuff, they’re begging the ladies—who are not allowed to run, but watch from the safety of front porches—to dance with them.

The Mardi Gras go to great lengths to catch a chicken. “If that chicken runs on top of somebody’s house, they’re gonna run on top of that house to catch the chicken,” Richard explains. “They’ll go across 30 acres and catch it. If it goes up a tree, they’re gonna climb that tree and catch that chicken.

They’re not gonna stop until that chicken is caught.” In such

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“If that chicken runs on top of somebody’s house, they’re gonna run on top of that house to catch the chicken.

They’ll go across 30 acres and catch it. If it goes up a tree, they’re gonna climb that tree and catch that chicken.

They’re not gonna stop until that chicken is caught.”

-Todd Richard

Co-Capitaine of the Church Point Mardi Gras cases, it’s probably fairly obvious why the chicken crossed the road.

Yet contrary to popular belief and the uneasiness of animal rights activists, Church Point chickens don’t have it nearly as bad as you might think. No chicken was harmed in the making of this Mardi Gras celebration. Though the Courir runners and riders chase probably hundreds of chickens, they don’t kill them. They catch them and stick them back in cages on the so-called chicken truck, and someone comes and buys them—alive and clucking—the next day. These chickens really do come home to roost.

The time-honored tradition is to catch chickens to cook in a gumbo for all the revelers to eat, but that’s easier said than done. Although there’s a chicken in every pot, it’s not one that’s been freshly caught and killed. That simply wouldn’t be practical. “It takes too long to bring all the chickens back, kill the chickens, clean them, and put them in for the gumbo.

It’d be like 9:00 at night before they would be able to eat,” Richard says.

Therefore, while everyone is busy chasing chickens, the gumbo is already cooking—made with other chickens that met a much earlier demise. This means that Mardi Gras chickens are really the lucky ones. They may be exhausted and stressed from running around all day like, well, chickens with their heads cut off—but they will, in fact, escape that very fate.

As a matter of fact, pursuing poultry might be rougher on the chaser than the chicken, and it’s not for the chickenhearted. “You’re gonna get bumped into, run into.

You might get elbowed by accident,” Richard explains.

Between 600 and 800 men take part in the Church Point Courir, and they all push and shove to catch a chicken at all costs. “Do you want to get in that lineup to go chase a chicken? If you have the boulons to do it, go ahead,” Richard says. But it’s dangerous, and no one would blame you if you simply chickened out.

“Unlike in Eunice, we’ve never had anyone killed in Church Point. We’ve had some injuries: people falling off a horse, being kicked by horses; somebody might have been chasing a chicken on the roof and fallen off the roof,” Richard says.

Or, there was the time that 15 men chased a chicken up a tree and got shocked by some nearby electrical wires. But even that couldn’t stop them. “People poured beer on their faces, and they got up and started chasing after the chicken [again],” Richard recalls.

The iconic costumes of Cajun Mardi Gras are yet another important aspect of the overall experience. Bright and colorful with plenty of fringe and patchwork, the homemade

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costumes look a little like they were pieced together with glue and whatever scraps were kicking around on the sewing room floor, but that’s kind of the look they’re going for. They also wear masks crafted out of everything from cloth to old window screens with buttons and other such implements glued on.

Sometimes, people get creative with their attire. “One of the best costumes I ever saw: He had white thermal underwear—pants and shirt—and every square inch, he glued a Cheerio. He called himself the cereal killer,” Richard says.

Unfortunately, however, the traditional costumes are often misinterpreted. Because of the robe-like outfits, the masks, and the pointed hats, many people mistakenly associate Cajun Mardi Gras runners with the Ku Klux Klan. Richard explains, “It’s not the Klan we’re dressed like; they’re wearing hats women wore back in the 1400s and 1500s. People would say it’d be racist, but that’s not allowed.”

Another myth Richard would like to dispel is that Cajun Mardi Gras is against women. It’s true that women are not allowed to take part in the run itself, but only because that’s the age-old custom. “It’s a reenactment of what our ancestors did, and women wouldn’t have been allowed to run 400 years ago,” explains Richard. “But this is not a day to be offended; this is a day to get accustomed to our traditions.”

One such tradition in Church Point is the Kids’ Courir de Mardi Gras, which takes place the Saturday before Mardi Gras and the day before the big boys’ run. It’s open to children up to age 14, because at 15, they graduate to the adult Courir. Around 300 youngins take part, dressing up in costumes and chasing chickens. It works exactly the same as for the grown-up hen hunters, except that no alcohol is allowed and all the kids are on foot—no horses. The youngest children, up to age four, start off the day. They first pet the chickens so they’re not afraid of them, then run around after the birds for hours. Next, the bigger children have a go at it.

If fear of missing your favorite New Orleans parade full of bead-flinging floats has you tempted to limit yourself to only urban Mardi Gras splendor, don’t. Church Point has its own parade as well. Anywhere from 40 to 50 homemade floats follow behind the runners and riders on horseback, parading through downtown after the run and chucking throws. Unlike the Courir, however, the parade is a fully public event, and anyone, even women, can ride.

The tradition of the Cajun Courir de Mardi Gras goes back hundreds of years, and everyone has their own way of celebrating the occasion. For Church Point resident Stephen Carrier, for example, that means, “The music is blasting as soon as you wake up. The only thing that you play is Cajun and zydeco. While the music is blasting, the food is cooking.

You’re always cooking a gumbo. You can’t have Mardi Gras without gumbo.”

Filled with costumes and culture, gumbo and good times, Cajun Mardi Gras is a way for people to come together, indulge, maybe catch a chicken or two, and have one last hurrah before the sacrifices of Lent. “It’s what Mardi Gras is supposed to be at its core,” says Carrier. “It is supposed to be an escape from ordinary life, filled with dancing, music, alcohol, and food. You sing and dance. You give your spirit freedom to run wild.” It’s a unique experience that you can’t find anywhere else in the world.

Photos by The Daily Advertiser/Scott Clause

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Parade routes are subject to change. << Krewe of Chewbacchus Saturday, February 9 | 7:00 p.m.

Begins & Ends: St. Claude Avenue and Homer Plessy Way.

Fun FaFcatct Fun The krewe’s full name is Krewe Du

Vieux Carré, meaning “Old Square” Chewbac chus'swhich motto is (aka the French Quarter), is why Krewe “Saving du Vieux the rolls galaxy in the Quarter. … one

drunken nerd at a time!”

Krewe Bohème >> Friday, February 15 | 7:00 p.m.

Begins: Franklin Avenue and Royal Street.

Ends: N. Rampart Street and Dumaine Street.

Fun Fact The krewe’sme's proces full name is Krewe Krewe Bohè Du sion is led Vieux Carré, meaning “Old Square” by a symbo l of the bohe mian spirit, (aka the French Quarter), which is why a green absinthe fairy, followed by Krewe du Vieux rolls in the Quarter. several marching clubs.

<< Krewe du Vieux Saturday, February 16 | 6:30 p.m.

Begins: Decatur Street and Marigny Street.

Ends: Toulouse Street, half a block past Chartres Street.

Fun Fact The krewe’s full name is Krewe Du In 2006, Krewe du“Old Vieux was Vieux Carré, meaning Square” rst parade to march (akathe fi the French Quarter), which is why Krewe du post-Katrin Vieux rolls in the a. Quarter.

krewedelusion >> Saturday, February 16 | 7:00 p.m.

Begins: Franklin Avenue and Royal Street.

Ends: N. Rampart Street and Toulouse Street.

Fun Fact krewedelu The krewe’s fullsion's name slogan is Kreweis Du Vieux Carré,e Shall Rule meaning “Old – Until a "The Peopl Square” (aka the French Quarter), which is why Suitable Replacement Can Be Krewe du Vieux rolls in the Quarter.

Found."

<< 'tit Rex Sunday, February 16 | 4:30 p.m.

Begins: 1200 St. Roch Avenue (St. Roch Tavern).

Ends: 2240 St Clause Avenue (The AllWays Lounge).

Fun Fact ‘tit Rex me The krewe’smbers dre full name isss in black Krewe Du Vieux Carré,r attire as t meaning “Old tie or simila Square” o keep all (aka the French Quarter), which is why attention focused on the fl oats.

Krewe du Vieux rolls in the Quarter.

Krewe of Cork >> Friday, February 22 | 3:00 p.m.

Begins: Royal Street between St. Peter Street and Toulouse Street.

Ends: Conti Street between Royal Street and Bourbon Street.

Fun Fact TheKrewe krewe’soffull The Cork hasisbecome name Krewe Dua Vieux Carré, meaning “Old Square” world-famous phenomenon for (aka the French Quarter), is why both Mardi Gras and which the wine Krewe du Vieux rolls in the Quarter. industry.

Be sure to visit for up-to-date, interactive Parade maps at your Fingertips!

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Parade routes are subject to change. << Krewe of Oshun Friday, February 22 | 6:00 p.m.

Begins: Magazine Street and Napoleon Avenue.

Ends: Poydras Street at Tchoupitoulas Street.

Fun Fact The krewe’s 1996, the K full name is Krewe Du Founded in rewe of Vieux Carré, meaning “Old Square” Oshun is named for the Yoruba (aka the French Quarter), which is why goddess of love intimacy.

Krewe du Vieux rollsand in the Quarter.

Fun Fact The Krewe of Cleopatra's motto is: "Her beauty is timeless, her age is now ... forever!"

Krewe of Cleopatra >>

Fun Fact

Friday, February 22 | 6:30 p.m.

The krewe’s full name is Krewe Du Vieux Carré, meaning “Old Square” (aka the French Quarter), which is why Krewe du Vieux rolls in the Quarter.

Begins: Jefferson Avenue, just before Magazine Street.

Ends: Poydras Street at Tchoupitoulas Street.

<< Krewe of Pontchartrain Saturday, February 23 | 1:00 p.m.

Begins: Tchoupitoulas Street and Napoleon Avenue.

Ends: Poydras Street at Tchoupitoulas Street.

Fun Fact The Pontchartrai krewe’s full n rolls on the name is Krewe fi rst Du Saturday of t Vieux Carré,he offi meaning cial New Or “Old Square” leans Mardi (aka the Gras French season Quarter), with some which of is Mardi why Krewe Gras’s most m du Vieux rolls emorable fl in the Quarter. oats

Fun Fact

The krewe’s full name is Krewe Du

Vieux Carré, meaning “Old The Krew Square” e of Choc taw’s fi rst (aka the French Quarter), which is why parade was in 1939 .

Krewe du Vieux rolls in the Quarter.

Begins: Tchoupitoulas Street and Napoleon Avenue.

Ends: Poydras Street at Tchoupitoulas Street.

<< Krewe of Freret Saturday, February 23 | Follows

Krewe of Freret is known for its penchant for locally produced throws, including hand-decorated masks the members create themselves.

Fun Fact

Krewe of Choctaw >>

Saturday, February 23 | Follows

Begins: Tchoupitoulas Street and Napoleon Avenue.

Fun Fact The Knights of Spar ta, an all-male krewe, fi rst paraded in 1981 in Orleans Parish.

Ends: Poydras Street at Tchoupitoulas Street.

Fun Fact The krewe’s full name is Krewe Du Vieux Carré, meaning “Old Square” (aka the French Quarter), which is why Krewe du Vieux rolls in the Quarter.

Knights of Sparta >> Saturday, February 23 | 5:30 p.m.

Begins: Jefferson Avenue, just before Magazine Street.

Ends: Poydras Street at Tchoupitoulas Street.

Fun Fact The krewe’s full name is Krewe Du Vieux Carré, meaning “Old Square” (aka the French Quarter), which is why Krewe du Vieux rolls in the Quarter.

Be sure to visit for up-to-date, interactive Parade maps at your Fingertips!

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Parade routes are subject to change. << Krewe of Pygmalian

Fun Fact

Saturday, February 23 | Follows

In 2000, the Krewe of Pygmalion was founded by a group of Carnival veterans and now has over 250 male and female riders.

Begins: Jefferson Avenue, just before Magazine Street.

Ends: Poydras Street at Tchoupitoulas Street.

Fun Fact The krewe’s full name is Krewe Du Vieux Carré, meaning “Old Square” (aka the French Quarter), which is why Krewe du Vieux rolls in the Quarter.

Krewe of Femme Fatale >> Sunday, February 24 | 11:00 a.m.

Begins: Magazine Street at Napoleon Avenue.

Ends: Poydras Street at Tchoupitoulas Street.

Fun Fact The Mystic Krewe

Femme The krewe’s full nameof is Krewe Du Fatale's throw is Vieux Carré,signature meaning “Old Square” ady's comp act, (aka a designer l the French Quarter), which is why symbolizing a constant inward and Krewe du Vieux rolls in the Quarter. outward refl ection.

<< Krewe of Carrollton Sunday, February 24 | Noon Begins: Jefferson Avenue, just before Magazine Street.

Ends: Poydras Street at Tchoupitoulas Street.

Fun Fact The krewe’s

full name is Krewe Du The Krewe Carrollton was the Vieux Carré,of meaning “Old Square” fi rst Krewe actors in (aka the Frenchto utilize tr Quarter), which is why lieu of hors Krewe du Vieuxe-drawn fl rolls in the oats.

Quarter.

Krewe of King Arthur & Merlin >> Sunday, February 24 | 1:00 p.m Begins: Jefferson Avenue, just before Magazine Street.

Fun Fact The krewe’s full name is Krewe Du With 1,600 s and 50+ Vieux Carré,+ member meaning “Old Square” fl oats, this i s the 7th la rgest (aka the French Quarter), which is why Mardi Gras Krewe du Vieux parade ov rolls in the Quarter. erall.

Ends: Poydras Street at Tchoupitoulas Street.

Fun Fact The Krewe of Barkus theme for 2019 is "The Big Bark Theory," which is a riff off of the popular CBS program.

<< Krewe of Barkus Sunday, February 24 | 2:00 p.m Begins: N. Rampart Street at St. Ann Street.

Ends: Orleans Street and N. Rampart Street.

Fun Fact The krewe’s full name is Krewe Du Vieux Carré, meaning “Old Square” (aka the French Quarter), which is why Krewe du Vieux rolls in the Quarter.

Krewe of Alla >> Sunday, February 24 | 2:30 p.m Begins: Tchoupitoulas Street and Napoleon Avenue.

Ends: Poydras Street at Tchoupitoulas Street.

Fun Fact The co-ed Krewe of Alla is The krewe’s full name is Krewe Du known for bright fl oats, Vieux Carré, meaning “Old Square” hrows, mu ltiple (akagenerous t the French Quarter), which is why bands, and Krewe du Vieux marching rolls in thegroups.

Quarter.

Be sure to visit for up-to-date, interactive Parade maps at your Fingertips!

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french market’s annual

mardi gras mask market In

dutch alley

F r i d ay, m a r c h 1 – M o n d ay, M a r c h 4 1 0 : 0 0 a m – 4 : 0 0 p m d a i ly ! featuring: Artisan Masks Live Music Food & Drink available for purchase

learn more at Frenchmarket.org

French Market New Orleans

FrenchMktNOLA WhereYat.com | February 2019 | 15

Parade routes are subject to change. << Krewe of Druids Wednesday, February 27 | 6:30 p.m.

Begins: Jefferson Avenue, just before Magazine Street.

Ends: Poydras Street at Tchoupitoulas Street.

Fun Fact Thekrewe’s Krewefull of Druids The limited name isisKrewe Du Vieux to 200Carré, members meaning who “Old belong Square” to (aka the French Quarter), which other Carni val organiza is why tions. Their Krewe du Vieux in the Quarter. identities arerolls never revealed.

Krewe of Nyx >> Wednesday, February 27 | 7:00 p.m.

Begins: Jefferson Avenue, just before Magazine Street.

Ends: Poydras Street at Tchoupitoulas Street.

Fun Fact The Mystic K rewe of Nyx 's motto The krewe’s full name is Krewe Du is “Friends come and go, Vieux Carré, but a sister meaning “Old Square” is the forever," (aka Frenchand their signature Quarter), which is why Krewe du Vieux hand-deco throw is the rolls in the Quarter. rated Nyx purse.

<< Knights of Babylon Thursday, February 28 | 5:30 p.m.

Begins: Magazine Street, just before Napoleon Avenue.

Ends: Canal Street and Chartres Street.

Fun Fact The krewe’s full The Knights name is Krewe of Babylon Du still use Vieux Carré, meaning “Old Square” the traditio n of fl ambeaux l ighting (aka the French Quarter), which oat is is why the parade, and their king’s fl Krewe du Vieux rolls in the Quarter. still drawn by a mule.

Knights of Chaos >> Thursday, February 28 | 6:15 p.m.

Begins: Magazine Street and Napoleon Avenue.

Ends: Canal Street at University Avenue.

Fun Fact The fullof name is Krewe Du Thekrewe’s Knights Chaos never Vieux Carré, meaning “Old Square” reveal the king's identity or the (aka the French Quarter), which is why parade the me ahead Krewe du Vieux rolls in theof time.

Quarter.

<< Krewe of Muses Thursday, February 28 | 6:30 p.m.

Begins: Magazine Street and Jefferson Avenue.

Ends: St. Joseph Street and Tchoupitoulas Street.

Fun Fact The Krewe of Muses parade The krewe’s full name is Krewe Du has become one of Mardi Gras's Vieux Carré, meaning “Old Square” favorites, thanks to itswhich humorous (aka the French Quarter), is why and biting Krewe du Vieux parade the rolls in the Quarter. mes.

Krewe of Bosom Buddies >> Friday, March 1 | 11:30 a.m.

Begins: St Louis Street and Bourbon Street.

Fun Fact The Krewe The krewe’s of Bosom full name is Krewe Buddies Du Vieux Carré, meaning “Old Square” & Breast Fr iends's sign ature (aka the French Quarter), which is why throws are hand-deco rated bras.

Krewe du Vieux rolls in the Quarter.

Ends: Bourbon Street and Conti Street.

Be sure to visit for up-to-date, interactive Parade maps at your Fingertips!

16 | Mardi Gras | Where Y'at Magazine

WhereYat.com | February 2019 | 17

Parade routes are subject to change. << Krewe of Hermes Friday, March 1 | 5:30 p.m.

Begins: Jefferson Avenue, just before Magazine Street.

Ends: Poydras Street at Tchoupitoulas Street.

Fun Fact The krewe’s name is Krewe Du The Krewe offull Hermes's inaugural Vieux Carré, meaning “Old Square” parade in 1 938 was the fi rst to (aka the French Quarter), which is why use neon li ghting for i oats.

Krewe du Vieux rolls in thets fl Quarter.

Krewe d'Etat >> Friday, March 1 | 6:30 p.m.

Begins: Jefferson Avenue, just before Magazine Street.

Fun Fact The krewe’s full name is Krewe Du Founded in 1996, Le Krewe Vieux Carré, meaning “Old Square” d'Etat's m otto is “Li ve to (aka the French Quarter), which is why Krewe du Vieux rolls in the Quarter.

Ride, Ride to Live."

Ends: Canal Street at Chartres Street.

<< Krewe of Morpheus Friday, March 1 | 7:00 p.m.

Begins: Jefferson Avenue, just before Magazine Street.

Ends: Andrew Higgins Boulevard and Tchoupitoulas Street.

Fun Fact The krewe’s full name is Krewe Du Established in 2000,“Old theSquare” Krewe Vieux Carré, meaning of Morphe us is name d for the (aka the French Quarter), which is why Krewe Greek du Vieux godrolls of dreams. in the Quarter.

Krewe of Iris >> Saturday, March 2 | 11:00 a.m.

Begins: S. Saratoga Street and Napoleon Avenue.

Ends: Poydras Street at Tchoupitoulas Street.

<< Krewe of Tucks Saturday, March 2 | Noon Begins: Napoleon Avenue, just before Magazine Street.

Fun Fact Organized The krewe’s in 1917, th full name is Krewe e Krewe Du Vieux of IrisCarré, is themeaning oldest “Old andSquare” one of (aka the French which is why the largestQuarter), female Carnival Krewe du Vieux rolls in the Quarter. organizations.

Fun Fact The Krewe of Endymion is Carnival's largest parade, with 3,100 riders and 37 fl oats.

Ends: Poydras Street at Tchoupitoulas Street.

Fun Fact Krewe of Tucks is recognized The krewe’s full name is Krewe Du for itsCarré, irreverence andSquare” for its Vieux meaning “Old satirical fl oats, inclu ding the (aka the French Quarter), which is why King'sduthrone Krewe Vieux rolls (a giant in the toilet).

Quarter.

Krewe of Endymion >> Saturday, March 2 | 4:15 p.m.

Begins: Orleans Avenue and City Park Avenue.

Ends: Mercedes-Benz Superdome.

Fun Fact The krewe’s full name is Krewe Du Vieux Carré, meaning “Old Square” (aka the French Quarter), which is why Krewe du Vieux rolls in the Quarter.

Be sure to visit for up-to-date, interactive Parade maps at your Fingertips!

18 | Mardi Gras | Where Y'at Magazine

WhereYat.com | February 2019 | 19

Parade routes are subject to change.

Fun Fact

<< Krewe of Okeanos

With more than 250 male and female riders, the Krewe of Okeanos is known for its elaborately costumed captain and king.

Sunday, March 3 | 11:00 a.m.

Begins: Jefferson Avenue, just before Magazine Street.

Fun Fact The Krewe of Mid-City selects a boy and girl from the local Ronald McDonald House to serve as honorary King and Queen each year.

Ends: Poydras Street at Tchoupitoulas Street.

Fun Fact The krewe’s full name is Krewe Du Vieux Carré, meaning “Old Square” (aka the French Quarter), which is why Krewe du Vieux rolls in the Quarter.

Krewe of Mid-City >> Sunday, March 3 | 11:45 a.m.

Begins: Jefferson Avenue, just before Magazine Street.

Fun Fact The krewe’s full name is Krewe Du Vieux Carré, meaning “Old Square” (aka the French Quarter), which is why Krewe du Vieux rolls in the Quarter.

Ends: Canal Street at Camp Street.

Fun Fact

<< Krewe of Thoth Sunday, March 3 | Noon

Founded in 1947, the Krewe of Thoth is named for the Egyptian Patron of Wisdom and Inventor of Science, Art, and Letters.

Begins: State Street at Tchoupitoulas Street.

Ends: Poydras Street at Tchoupitoulas Street.

Fun Fact The krewe’s full name is Krewe Du Vieux Carré, meaning “Old Square” (aka the French Quarter), which is why Krewe du Vieux rolls in the Quarter.

Krewe of Bacchus >> Sunday, March 3 | 5:15 p.m.

Begins: Napoleon Avenue at Tchoupitoulas Street.

Ends: Convention Center Boulevard at Henderson Street.

Funn FFaacctt Fu The krewe’s

full name is Krewe Du The Krewe o Vieux Carré, meaning f Bacchus's “Old Square” 2019 (aka the French Quarter), parade them which e will be "St is why arring Krewe du Vieuxbased on m rolls in the Quarter.

Louisiana"— ovies

and television shows fi lmed in Louisiana.

<< Krewe of Proteus Monday, March 4 | 5:15 p.m.

Begins: Magazine Street and Napoleon Avenue.

Ends: Canal Street at Chartres Street.

Fun Fact The krewe’s Founded i full name ise Krewe o n 1882, th Krewe Du f Vieux Carré, meaning “Old Square” Proteus is the second-oldest (aka the French Quarter), which is why krewe in Carnival history.

Krewe du Vieux rolls in the Quarter.

Krewe of Orpheus >> Monday, March 4 | 6:00 p.m.

Begins: Napoleon Avenue at Tchoupitoulas Street.

Ends: Convention Center Boulevard at Henderson Street.

Fun Fact Be sure to check out the black-tie The krewe’s full name is Krewe Du Orpheuscapade, a musical Vieux Carré, meaning “Old Square” extravaganza after the parade in (aka the French Quarter), which is why the Ernest N . Morial Con vention Krewe du Vieux rolls in the Quarter.

Center.

Be sure to visit for up-to-date, interactive Parade maps at your Fingertips!

20 | Mardi Gras | Where Y'at Magazine

WhereYat.com | February 2019 | 21

Parade routes are subject to change.

<< Krewe of Zulu Tuesday, March 5 | 8:00 a.m.

Begins: Jackson Avenue at S. Claiborne Avenue.

Ends: Orleans Avenue at N. Broad Street.

Fun Fact

Krewe of Rex >>

The krewe’s full name is Krewe Du Vieux Carré, meaning “Old Square” (aka the French Quarter), which is why Krewe du Vieux rolls in the Quarter.

Fun Fact

Today Zulu is famous for their coconut throw—quite possibly the most coveted throw in all of Mardi Gras.

Tuesday, March 5 | 10:00 a.m.

Begins: Napoleon Avenue and S. Claiborne Avenue.

Ends: Canal Street at S. Peters Street.

Fun Fact With his grand traditions, rich and colorful themes, elaborate costumes, and hand-painted fl oats, Rex is the King of Carnival.

Truck Parades

Tuesday, February 13 | 11:00 a.m. - 'til Uptown Route

Be sure to visit for up-to-date, interactive Parade maps at your Fingertips!

22 | Mardi Gras | Where Y'at Magazine

METAIRIE parade schedule Parade routes are subject to change.

Krewe of Little Rascals | Sunday, February 17 | 12:00 p.m. | Route 1 Krewe of Excalibur | Friday, February 22 | 7:30 p.m. | Route 2 Krewe of Caesar | Saturday, February 23 | 6:00 p.m. | Route 2 Krewe of Kings | Sunday, February 24 | 5:30 p.m. | Route 2 (START & END REVERSED) Krewe of Centurions | Friday, March 1 | 6:30 p.m. | Route 2 (START & END REVERSED) Krewe of Isis | Saturday, March 2 | 6:30 p.m. | Route 2 Krewe of Athena | Sunday, March 3 | 5:30 p.m. | Route 2 (START & END REVERSED) Krewe of Pandora | Sunday, March 3 | 6:30 p.m. | Route 2 (START & END REVERSED) Krewe of Argus | Tuesday, March 5 | 10:00 a.m. | Route 2 Krewe of Elks Jefferson | Tuesday, March 5 | follows Argus | Route 2 Krewe of Jefferson | Tuesday, March 5 | follows Elks Jefferson | Route 2

- Parade route 1 -

- Parade route 2 -

Be sure to visit for up-to-date, interactive Parade maps at your Fingertips!

WhereYat.com | February 2019 | 23

Northshore parade schedule

WESTBANK parade schedule

Parade routes are subject to change.

Krewe of Bilge (Slidell) | Saturday, February 16 | 11:00 a.m.

Krewe of Poseidon (Slidell) | Saturday, February 16 | 6:00 p.m.

Krewe of Slidellians (Slidell) | Sunday, February 17 | 1:00 p.m.

Krewe of Perseus (Slidell) | Sunday, February 17 | follows Slidellians Krewe of Pearl River Lions Club (Pearl River) | Sunday, February 17 | 1:00 p.m.

The Mystic Knights of Adonis >> Saturday, February 23 11:45 a.m.

Krewe of Eve (Mandeville) | Friday, February 22 | 7:00 p.m.

Krewe of Paws (Slidell) | Saturday, February 23 | 10:00 a.m.

Krewe of Titans (Slidell) | Saturday, February 23 | 6:30 p.m.

Krewe of Tchefuncte (Madisonville) | Saturday, February 23 | 1:00 p.m.

Krewe of Olympia (Covington) | Saturday, February 23 | 6:00 p.m.

Krewe of Dionysus (Slidell) | Sunday, February 24 | 1:15 p.m.

Krewe of Selene (Slidell) | Friday, March 1 | 6:30 p.m.

Krewe of NOMTOC >> Saturday, March 2 10:45 a.m.

Original Krewe of Orpheus (Mandeville) | Friday, March 1 | 7:00 p.m.

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

Be sure to visit for up-to-date, interactive Parade maps at your Fingertips!

24 | Mardi Gras | Where Y'at Magazine

WhereYat.com | February 2019 | 25

SUNDAY

MONDAY

TUESDAY

WEDNESDAY

THURSDAY

FRIDAY

2019

SATURDAY

FEBRUARY 9 Marigny/Bywater Chewbacchus 7:00 p.m.

Where Y’at Mardi Gras Parade Calendar 10

11

12

13

14

15

CBD Krewe du Foo

7:00 p.m.

Marigny/ French Quarter Bohème 6:00 p.m.

Cork

17

18

Metairie Little Rascals ‘Tit Rex

19

20

21

Noon

Marigny 4:30 p.m.

16

French Quarter 3:00 p.m.

23

Congo Square Krewe du Kanaval 2:00 p.m.

Adonis

Eve

Mandeville 7:00 p.m.

Metairie Excalibur 7:00 p.m.

Slidell

Poseidon

22 Uptown Oshun 6:00 p.m.

Cleopatra 6:30 p.m.

Slidell Slidellians 1:00 p.m.

Perseus Follows

Marigny/ French Quarter Krewe du Vieux 6:30 p.m. krewedelusion 7:00 p.m.

West Bank 11:45 a.m.

St. Bernard Nemesis 1:00 p.m.

Uptown Pontchartrain 1:00 p.m.

Choctaw 2:00 p.m Freret 3:00 p.m.

Sparta 5:30 p.m.

Pygmalion 6:15 p.m.

Caesar

Metairie 6:00 p.m.

Olympia

Covington 6:00 p.m.

Titans

24

25

26

Uptown Femme Fatale 11:45 a.m.

Carrollton Noon King Arthur 1:00 p.m.

Alla 2:30 p.m..

Dionysus Kings

Slidell Metarie

4

Metairie

28 Uptown 6:15 p.m.

7:00 p.m.

Babylon Chaos Muses

1 Uptown 5:30 p.m.

6:15 p.m.

6:30 p.m.

5 Uptown

Proteus Orpheus Morpheus

5:30 p.m.

6:30 p.m.

5:15 p.m.

6:00 p.m.

7:00 p.m.

Uptown Zulu 8:00 a.m.

Rex 10:00 a.m.

Elks Orleans Follows Crescent City Follows Metairie Argus 10:00 a.m.

Elks Jeff Follows Krewe of Jeff Follows Covington Covington Lions 10:00 a.m.

26 | Mardi Gras | Where Y'at Magazine

Slidell

6:30 p.m.

2

Uptown Hermes 5:30 p.m.

D’Etat 6:30 p.m.

Morpheus 7:00 p.m.

Selene

5:00 p.m.

Uptown Okeanos 11:00 a.m.

Mid-City 11:45 a.m.

Thoth Noon Bacchus 5:15 p.m.

Athena Pandora

Druids Nyx

1:00 p.m.

3

27

7:00 p.m.

Slidell

6:30 p.m.

Westbank NOMTOC 10:45 p.m.

Iris Tucks

Mandeville Orig. Orpheus 7:00 p.m.

Endymion

Metairie Centurions 7:00 p.m.

Isis

Uptown 11:00 p.m.

Noon Mid-City

Metairie

4:15 p.m.

6:30 p.m.

MARCHING GROUP PARADE SCHEDULE Amelia EarHawts & Cabin Krewe aecabinkrewe.com and Facebook

Poseidon

Cleopatra

Saturday, February 16 Friday, February 22

King Arthur

Sunday, February 24

Druids

Wednesday, February 27

Babylon

Iris

Thursday, February 28 Saturday, March 2

Dames de Perlage damesdeperlage.org and Facebook

Freret

King Arthur

Saturday, February 23 Sunday, February 24

Oak

Tucks

Saturday, March 2

Friday, March 1

Dame Fine

Monday, March 4

Disco Amigos discoamigos.com and Facebook

Poseidon

Cleopatra

Saturday, February 16 Friday, February 22

Carrollton

Sunday, February 24

Nyx

Wednesday, February 27

Tucks

Saturday, March 2

Krewe des Fleurs krewedosfleurs.org and Facebook

Cleopatra

Femme Fatale

Sunday, February 24

Iris

Saturday, March 2

Mid-City

Sunday, March 3

Friday, February 22

Lucha Krewe Facebook

Freret

Saturday, February 23

Druids

Wednesday, February 27

Dead Beans

Monday, March 4

Mande Milkshakers mandemilkshakers.com and Facebook

Poseidon

Eve

Olympia

Original Orpheus

Saturday, February 16 Friday, February 22 Saturday, February 23 Friday, March 1 (Mandeville)

Tucks

Saturday, March 2

Covington

Tuesday, March 5

Mardi Paws

Sunday, March 10

Pussyfooters pussyfooters.org and Facebook

Carrollton

Sunday, February 24

Nyx

Wednesday, February 27

Muses

Thursday, February 28

Thoth

Sunday, March 3

Star-Steppinâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; Cosmonaughties nolacosmonaughties.com and Facebook

Pygmalion

Saturday, February 23

Nyx

Wednesday, February 27

Streetcar Strutters streetcarstrutters.com and Facebook

Pygmalion

Saturday, February 23

Barkus

Sunday, February 24

Tucks

Saturday, March 2

WhereYat.com | February 2019 | 27

Mardi Gras Mambo:

A History of the Music of Mardi Gras

By Kimmie Tubre Photos by Mike Trummel & Gus Escanelle

N

ow that we’ve gotten all of the good tidings of joy and cheerfulness out of the way, it’s time for the best music of the year. “What’s better than Christmas music?” you ask? Well, of course, Mardi Gras music is.

After the first of the new year, New Orleanians patiently wait for the perfect moment to trade out all of those Christmas albums with some “Mardi Gras Mambo,” “Iko Iko,” and all of the vibrant tunes of the Carnival season. This original music comes in many forms, and all of the great local musicians have performed Mardi Gras music during Carnival season for years and years. As the story goes, “Down in New Orleans, Where the blues was born, It takes a cool cat to blow a horn…”

Whether it’s a ballroom waltz, a smooth jazzy Carnival song, or a boisterous brass band blasting “Second Line,” Carnival music always represents a time to celebrate and “Do Whatcha Wanna.”

There’s much said about the history of the holiday itself, but not a lot of talk about the history of the music of Mardi Gras. When it

28 | Mardi Gras | Where Y'at Magazine

comes to Carnival music, many questions arise: When did the music begin? Where did it come from? And why do we love it so much?

The Early Years New Orleans was a city of music and dancing quite some time before Mardi Gras became Mardi Gras as we know it. There is now and has always been a need to celebrate every event: good, bad, big, and small. Balls and galas were also common during those early days. The traditional hobnobbing parties brought down from European culture were common affairs for people to flaunt their best formal attire and always included dancing the night away.

Carnival became more organized during the 19th century. It was then that the first societies and krewes began to develop. These groups of upper-class citizens began structuring their balls to include queens, kings, and royal courts.

Dance maintained a prominent position in these balls. Everything from the royal entrance to the promenade to the waltz was done with a dancing rhythm. People loved to dance, and because of this, musicians were always in high

demand.

The waltz accompanied by classical orchestras and big bands became the most favored dance among the elite of Carnival during the mid-to-late 19th century. But for those celebrating outside of the ballroom scene, there was another music form brewing in the Mardi Gras world.

Brass Bands, Mardi Gras Indians, and More Not everyone could afford to attend a fancy ball during Mardi Gras, but that did not stop people from enjoying the season. During the late 1800s, before jazz surfaced as a genre, the music of Mardi Gras gathered influences from the sounds of the Caribbean, Africa, France, and Spain, all while incorporating Native American chanting. Brass horn musicians dominated the lower-class music market, and several brass bands arose during that time.

Many brass bands formed their own societies, krewes, and clubs. They would use their earnings as a krewe to help fund members during times of need, helping with everything from medical bills to funeral costs.

After some time, many of the wealthier parading krewes began to seek brass bands to play during their parades, realizing that the fusion between percussion-driven African folk music and horn-heavy military sound was what the parade-goers wanted to hear. Brass music played a huge role in the development of the city’s most renowned genre: jazz. And while famous musicians like Louis Armstrong made jazz a popular part of Mardi Gras, it isn’t the most common genre heard during the season.

Introduced to parades by the Zulu Club in

the 1800s, second line music, along with brass music, rhythm and blues, and zydeco, became leading sounds of Carnival. During that same era, the mysterious marching krewe known as the Mardi Gras Indians put a pretty large stamp on Carnival season. They were known for creating and influencing several favorites, like "Iko Iko" by the Dixie Cups and "Jock-A-Mo"

by Sugarboy Crawford. The Mardi Gras Indians started their journey in the late 1800s and pulled much of their influence from their Native American comrades. Whether they’re Wild Tchoupitoulas or Wild Magnolia, the music of the Mardi Gras Indians represents strength and long-rooted tradition and is as vital a part of Mardi Gras music history as the music of brass bands.

The Beloved Songs of Today With so much history and too many songs to list, the music of Carnival time is one of the best parts of the city’s culture. Other cities may hold the title of having the first Mardi Gras, but none can compare to the elaborate music and celebration that New Orleans has created.

Since the 20th century, school bands have become the biggest source of music during parades, and many of the city’s most famous brass bands started their journeys marching in Mardi Gras parades. From Professor Longhair to the Meters to Dr. John, everyone has their favorite Carnival song and genre. If you like to waltz, groove, second line, or two-step, there will always be a Carnival song to show you how to “let the good times roll.” Just remember, when you hear the sounds of Carnival, feel free to let loose and “let your mind be free.”

WhereYat.com | February 2019 | 29

Care For Carnival How to Enjoy a More Mindful, Sustainable Mardi Gras

By Carolyn Heneghan

F

or better or worse, the Carnival season tends to inspire excess in all things involving color, flavor, entertainment, and showmanship. But while this time of year does showcase our cityâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s traditions, creativity, and craftsmanship, those excesses can also become bigger messes to clean up afterward.

From hangovers, legal woes, and trashclogged sewer drains to contaminated soil and groundwater, mindless revelry at Mardi Gras takes an undeniable toll on the city of New Orleans, its residents, and the local flora and fauna.

Whether this is your first, 15th, or 50th

30 | Mardi Gras | Where Y'at Magazine

Carnival in New Orleans, every individual who partakes in this annual spectacle also has the responsibility to ensure its continuity and sustainability. With a few minor adjustments to how we treat and respect each other, the city, and the environment, Carnival 2019 and beyond can be more enjoyable for everyoneâ&#x20AC;&#x201D;visitors and residents alike.

EDUCATE YOURSELF ON THE HEALTH HAZARDS OF PLASTIC MARDI GRAS BEADS Fellow lifelong NOLA natives, prepare to cringe at childhood memories of putting Mardi Gras beads in your mouth or laughing about the colorful metallic rings a

neck-full of beads left behind after a night of parades.

A 2013 report from Healthystuff.org, in collaboration with VerdiGras, found that more than half of the beads in their test sample contained concentrations of lead, bromine, and chlorine that surpassed recommended exposure levels, particularly for children, who are at high risk for potential lead poisoning. This information has been publicly available for years, and the Louisiana Department of Health and Hospitals has issued its own educational campaigns surrounding the safety of handling Mardi Gras beads, especially for children.

Still, plastic beads remain a very real public health hazard that has yet to garner enough attention from the public for the federal government, particularly the Consumer Products Safety Commission, to take notice. If possible, avoid these plastic beads at all costs and patronize parades and krewe organizations that choose to focus more on “the show, not the throw,” suggests Katrina Brees, captain of the Krewe of Kolossus.

If you cannot avoid plastic beads entirely, use disposable gloves to handle any beads while cleaning up around your home, place of business, or favorite spot along the parade route. After touching plastic beads, do not touch your face, another person’s hands, or your food or beverages without sanitizing your hands. Wash any clothing exposed to plastic beads themselves or the ground they land on, as lead and other compounds leach into and contaminate the soil.

Shifting the focus away from beads and throws and back to costumery and performance is the end-goal for many Carnival eco-activists. But in the interim, consider supporting businesses that distribute finely crafted beads made from recycled paper, such as Atlas Handmade Beads and Throw Me Something Green.

“When I was growing up, glass beads were the cool thing to catch, and we kept them,” says Gary Zoller, founder of Throw Me Something Green by Our Place Promotions. “[Our recycled paper beads] look like the glass beads of yore, and everyone who catches them keeps them. They’re cool enough to wear around because they don’t look or seem like cheap Mardi Gras beads.”

PLAN AHEAD TO PATRONIZE LOCAL LIQUOR AND GROCERY STORES AND BUY LOCAL FOOD AND BEVERAGE BRANDS Parade traffic, road closures, and an influx of visitors in the city can complicate even a simple stop for parade party supplies. Instead, plan into your day a stop at a locally owned grocery store, liquor store, or corner store. And while you’re there, choose locally produced food, beer, and spirit brands whenever they’re in stock.

Your hard-earned money then goes to support local businesses to ensure the community can thrive even when Carnival season is over. No one will judge or notice your case of big-brand domestics, but you will notice when Mardi Gras no longer has local businesses to support it in the future.

HYDRATE RESPONSIBLY Movement during Carnival often means traversing to and from and up and down parade routes, bouncing to the echoes of marching band drumlines, and dancing away long nights into early mornings. In short, all that extra physical activity means your body needs even more water than usual.

Combine that with the potential for more daytime drinking and more consecutive instances of nighttime drinking than usual, and regular, frequent water breaks become a critical mindfulness tool.

Pro tip: Bring a refillable water bottle instead of relying on plastic water bottles.

That means less weight and fewer objects for you to pack and lug to and from the parade route. Refilling one bottle all night also means less, if any, water-related trash, which further reduces the likelihood of

overflowing trash and recycling bins.

Offer to tip your bartender a couple bucks to fill your water bottle on the go or fill it up at water stations when you find them.

SHIFT YOUR MARDI GRAS FOCUS FROM “QUANTITY” TO “QUALITY” The most problematic excesses of Carnival stem from a misguided focus that overlooks the very essence of why Carnival is such a beloved global celebration.

“The biggest contributor is the mentality—that the throw is more important than the show or that quantity over quality is what people want,” Shephard says. “If we focus on higher quality or local impact, the pollution will be less.”

As with anything else during the Carnival season, remember: A little bit of mindfulness goes a long way.

LEAVE NO TRACE OF YOUR GOOD TIMES ON THE PARADE ROUTES It’s one of the first lessons many parents try to teach their children, yet the concept of cleaning up after one’s self is unfortunately all but foreign to many Mardi Gras revelers.

“Pack in, pack out,” Liz Shephard, founder and CEO of LifeCity, recommends. “Don't throw anything on the ground—leave no trace, Mardi Gras-style.”

Whether it’s your chili-cheese-stained paper trays, collection of throws, or cases of empty beer cans, do the city’s sanitation workers a solid: Leave your spot as clean as—if not cleaner than—how you found it.

WhereYat.com | February 2019 | 31

Mardi Gras Beyond the Mainstream Off -Route Krewes to Check Out in 2019

By Steven Melendez Photos from Krewe Websites

FEED ME SOMETHIN’, MISTER!

L

ook carefully around St. Charles Avenue in New Orleans any time of year, and you’ll see fences, trees, and telephone poles draped with Mardi Gras beads, flung by riders in the many parades that come down the city’s signature parade route.

But those are far from the only parades of the Carnival season. Some of the most distinctive pre-Lent parades in New Orleans take place off the beaten path, bringing their own interpretations of Mardi Gras to more far-flung corners of the city. Here are a few of them:

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

32 | Mardi Gras | Where Y'at Magazine

@LandrysSeafoodHouse

Chewbacchus (February 9) Inspired by both traditional Carnival parades and science fiction and fantasy culture (the name comes from the Wookiee hero Chewbacca of the Star Wars movies and the Greek god Bacchus), Chewbacchus (pictured above) has become one of the largest pre-Mardi Gras parades. More than 1,000 revelers, many in subkrewes inspired by movies, books, and TV shows, including ET, Men in Black, Star Trek, and Doctor Who, parade along the group’s Marigny route, typically early in the Mardi Gras season. Part of the reason for the krewe’s popularity: Dues are just $42, which is both a nod to fans of Douglas Adams’s sci-fi classic The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy, where that number features prominently, and a bargain compared to many more traditional parade krewes.

Krewe Bohème (February 15) This walking krewe, partly inspired by the

bohemian Paris of the 1920s, will march for the first time in 2019. Subkrewes, such as The Merry Antoinettes, Krewe of Goddesses, and the James Brown devotees of the Krewe of King James, will parade through the Bywater, Marigny, and French Quarter, led by a Green Absinthe Fairy. The parade’s organizers emphasize the group will be “sex positive, accepting others’ sexual orientations and lifestyles without judgment.” The krewe pledges to eschew mass-produced beads in favor of homemade throws.

Krewe du Vieux (February 16) Known for its biting satire, handcrafted floats, and exclusively live music, the Krewe du Vieux has paraded through the Marigny and its namesake Vieux Carré, or French Quarter, early each Mardi Gras season since its launch in 1987. While families with children are a common sight along the parade route, the parade isn’t afraid to use adult themes or language in lampooning political figures from New Orleans and around the country. A satirical newspaper handed out each year rapidly becomes a collector’s item. ‘tit Rex (February 17) This so-called microkrewe’s name alludes to the diminutive nature of its shoeboxsized floats when compared to the Krewe of Rex—think of the French word petit—as well as acting as a pun on the tyrannosaurus. It just might also be a nod to the sometimesbawdy humor displayed by some of the creators of the miniature floats, which, while inspired by the shoebox floats traditionally

made by New Orleans area schoolchildren, can be a bit raunchier and more politically aware than anything you’d see in an elementary school classroom.

The krewe marches through the St. Roch and Marigny areas, with a few stops along the way for spectators to take close-up looks at the miniature floats.

Krewe of Barkus (February 24) It’s generally illegal to bring a dog to a Carnival parade, with special dispensations naturally made for service animals and police dogs. But Barkus, which parades through the French Quarter, is an exception all its own: The parade’s king, queen, riders, and marchers are all of the canine persuasion, with some human escorts helping along the way. Costumes and floats focus on New Orleans and popculture themes, and the parade is generally beloved by animal-lovers young and old.

Proceeds from the parade go to animal welfare groups around New Orleans and Louisiana.

Krew e

Treme neighborhoods on Lundi Gras since 2009, the Krewe of Red Beans wears suits adorned with their namesake food item.

Krewe members are known for their elaborate suit designs, made largely with beans and hot glue guns, which pay tribute to New Orleans costuming traditions. They also nod to the local tradition of serving red beans and rice on Mondays.

Since 2018, they are met by a second parade known as Dead Beans, which focuses on suits honoring traditions related to death and particular people who’ve passed x du Vieu away.

Krewe of NOMTOC Kre (March 2) we of The name stands for New Orleans’s Most Talked Of Club, and the parade, organized by the Westbank’s Jugs Social Club, has been spoken about since it first appeared on the New Orleans Mardi Gras scene in 1970. Rolling through Algiers— across the Mississippi River from the French Quarter—the NOMTOC parade is known for throws featuring its symbol: Jug Man. The krewe also raises money for college scholarships for area students and features honor students as Re dB guest riders in its ean annual parades. s an Red Beans and Dead Beans (March 4) Marching through the Marigny and

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North Side Skull and Bones Gang (March 5) Before Rex and Zulu take to the streets on Mardi Gras Day, residents and visitors in the Treme neighborhood might get woken up by the earlymorning march of the North Side Skull and Bones Gang. The group traces its history back to an African American tradition of the early 1800s: dressing in skeleton costumes and masks to honor the dead. The group’s costumes also s Barku serve to warn young men away from lifestyles that could lead to their own premature deaths.

Krewe of St. Anne (March 5) For decades, this marching krewe has taken to the streets of the Bywater, Marigny, and French Quarter on Mardi Gras Day, often picking up additional marchers in elaborate costumes at stops like R Bar on Royal Street.

The group generally marches to Canal Street to catch the Rex then sojourns ns toparade, a the Mississippi River, Be some members d Dead will where scatter ashes of loved ones who’ve recently passed away.

Costumes are strongly encouraged.

WhereYat.com | February 2019 | 33

Rio de Janeiro

Carnival Around the World

W

By Steven Melendez

hen many people around the country hear the term “Mardi Gras,” they instantly think of New Orleans celebrations. But the idea of one last celebration before 40 days of fasting for Lent dates back centuries before Europeans came to modern-day Louisiana, and many cities around the world continue to have their own unique takes on Carnival. Here are some of them: Cologne, Germany Cologne’s Carnival celebration is among the oldest in the world, with some people tracing its origins back to the Bacchanalian rites staged when the city was an outpost of the Roman Empire. In theory, Cologne’s Carnival begins on November 11, but in practice, it starts in earnest shortly after New Year’s Day and reaches its peak beginning the Thursday before Ash Wednesday, when costumed revelers take to the streets. That weekend sees performances and parades by traditional and more avant-garde Carnival clubs, with the largest float parade on what in Germany is often called Rose Monday.

Monday float parades across Germany often make international news for satirical depictions of politicians from around the world. Festivities come to a close late on Fat Tuesday itself, with the burning of straw effigies known as “nubbels,” sometimes said to represent the sins committed during Carnival season.

Venice, Italy As in New Orleans, Carnival season

34 | Mardi Gras | Where Y'at Magazine

in Venice inspires both visitors and locals to take to the streets in colorful costumes. Probably the most recognizable elements of Venetian Carnival attire are the celebration’s signature masks. Some craft high-fashion originals, while others stick to classics like the Renaissance theater-inspired “Columbine” half-masks and the spooky, long-beaked “plague doctor” masks modeled after centuries-old sanitary protections. Venetian Carnival is thought to have originated in the 1100s and reached its peak in the 18th century, drawing visitors from across Europe.

The celebration was banned after 1797, when the independent city-state was conquered by Napoleon and then soon absorbed into the Austrian Empire. Efforts to revive Carnival in the 1960s led to official recognition of the celebration by the Venetian city government starting in 1979, and today, the celebration again attracts droves of visitors from around the world.

Chicago, Illinois In Chicago, the day before Ash Wednesday isn’t known as Mardi Gras.

Instead, it’s Paczki Day, named for the signature style of Polish donuts (pronounced, roughly, poonch-key) that have become popular with Chicagoans from all backgrounds and religions. Stuffed with fruit preserves or other sweet fillings, they’re served by Polish bakeries across the Chicago metro area, the Detroit region, and other areas of the country with large Polish populations. For the brave, paczki-eating contests aren’t unheard of. The pastries are traditionally made with a splash of Polish spirits, and some bars in paczki-friendly areas also serve their own food and offer drink specials for those who want a more potable Carnival feast.

Acadiana, Louisiana You don’t have to go too far from New Orleans to see another unique take on Carnival. Cajun Country has its own set of ancient Mardi Gras customs.

Celebrants have been known to take to the streets in costume early on Fat Tuesday, traveling from house to house on foot and horseback to collect ingredients for a Mardi Gras gumbo. Drunken chases after live chickens are probably the most famous Cajun Mardi Gras scene, but different towns observe slight variations of the custom, which has recently been popularized by national media figures, including the late Anthony Bourdain.

Rio de Janeiro, Brazil Among the largest and most famous Carnival celebrations in the world is the one held annually in Rio de Janeiro. Like New Orleans's Mardi Gras, Brazil's Carnival dates back to colonial times, and today’s celebrations include parties, parades, and street festivals held across the city in the days preceding the start of Lent.

The season’s signature events include float and dance parades held by the city’s major samba schools—groups of hundreds or thousands of revelers expert in the African-influenced Brazilian dance technique. They converge before massive crowds of cheering spectators from around the world at an arena known as the Sambadrome.

Port of Spain, Trinidad and Tobago Similar to New Orleans, Carnival in Trinidad and Tobago is believed to trace its origins back to French settlers, invited to the then-Spanish Caribbean colony around the time of the French Revolution.

Enslaved Africans developed their own parallel celebrations, which came to be known as the canboulay, a name coming from a French term for burning sugar cane. That celebration continued after the British Empire took control of the islands in the late 1700s and after emancipation in the 1830s, despite British efforts to limit the festival, and often included elements satirizing colonial officials. A deadly conflict between revelers and colonial police in 1881, known as the Canboulay Riots, led to bans on traditional percussion instruments. That, in turn, inspired improvised instruments that evolved into

Trinidad’s now-famous steelpan drums.

Today, music and dance remain a signature part of Trinidad’s Carnival, with new songs written for the event every year, many in the fast-paced style known as soca and influenced by the traditions of the islands’ large populations of African and South Asian descent.

Newfoundland, Canada Newfoundland is one of many formerly British colonies where the day before Lent is known as Shrove Tuesday. That comes from an old-fashioned English word for the Christian sacrament of confession, which was encouraged in the days prior to Lent.

Shrove Tuesday is often celebrated by eating sausage and pancakes for dinner, since these foods use rich ingredients like eggs, butter, and other animal fats traditionally avoided during the Lenten fast. In Newfoundland in particular, pancakes given to children are traditionally prepared in a way that is reminiscent of how baby figurines are hidden in New Orleans king cakes. Eat carefully, because objects representing potential futures, like a coin to represent wealth or a nail to represent a career in the trades, are hidden in the pancakes.

Trinidad & Tobago

WhereYat.com | February 2019 | 35

Do That Zulu That You Do So Well

By Kathy Bradshaw

N

o Fat Tuesday would be complete without the elaborate costumes, festive floats, or beloved glittery coconuts of the Krewe of Zulu—coconuts that involve more begging, bribery, and bargaining than trying to score front-row seats to Hamilton. And Lundi Gras would be just like any old Monday when you drank too much if it weren’t for the fun of Zulu’s Lundi Gras Festival. This year promises to be no exception.

The Krewe of Zulu was formed in 1909 when members of a club known as “The Tramps” saw a show about an African Zulu tribe. They were so inspired by what they saw that they—combined with certain other local groups and benevolent societies— reinvented themselves as Zulus and began parading as such almost immediately after. They have been dazzling us with an

Partners 'n Crime

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impressive parade and all-things-coconut ever since. When not decorating coconuts or parading down Jackson Avenue, members of Zulu are also very active in the community, mentoring and supporting local youth.

For Mardi Gras 2019, there are plenty of good things in store in the world of Zulu. This year’s theme is “Zulu Celebrates Fantasy and Adventure,” and to fit the motif, the parade will feature many Disney-inspired floats, with such titles as “Pinocchio,” “Jungle Book,” and “Dumbo.”

The Zulu Lundi Gras Festival began in 1993 and has long since become a Carnival institution. Every year, the festival is held at Woldenberg Park along the riverfront in the French Quarter, from 10 a.m. until 6:30 p.m., with local entertainment, plenty of good food from area restaurants, an “African Village” with Zulu memorabilia and

arts and crafts, a giant second line, and even a children’s area offering face painting, juggling acts, and stilt walkers. This year’s fest will include performances by Partners 'n Crime, the Big 6 Brass Band, the Top Cats, XS Martial Arts Dojo, and the InspireNOLA Performance Group, among many others.

Also making an appearance at the Lundi Gras Festival are the Zulu Characters, the stars of some of the many Zulu parade floats. The festival offers the public a chance to see these Mardi Gras VIPs up-close and personal a day in advance, without paradetime distractions of fighting for coconuts or vying for curbside real estate. For 2019, the Zulu Characters include LeBaron Fisher, the Big Shot; Troy Dailet, the Witch Doctor; and Mr. Big Stuff himself, James A. Mitchell.

It is a tradition for the King of Zulu to arrive at the Lundi Gras Festival via the river in a Coast Guard Cutter boat and to ceremoniously unite there with the King of Rex, who arrives via train. The two kings of both these Fat Tuesday superkrewes converge at Spanish Plaza for a toast, so that together, they may usher in a happy and successful Mardi Gras for all.

And speaking of Mardi Gras royalty, Professor Longhair and Fats Domino famously sang, “When I get to New Orleans, I wanna see the Zulu King.” The king that all are longing to catch a glimpse of this Mardi Gras is George V. Rainey, a member of the Krewe of Zulu since 1972. Rainey has been integrally involved with Zulu for 47 years now, serving as board member and vice president at various times, as well as initiating the Zulu poster series and even establishing the Lundi Gras Festival.

George’s son, Oscar Rainey, is also an active member of Zulu and currently serves as Zulu Parliamentarian. George and Oscar are the only members of the same family throughout Zulu’s history to have both served on the krewe’s board. George Rainey and his brother Lewis are also the only two brothers to both be crowned King Zulu.

Oscar explains that his father woke up one morning and just decided that he wanted to be recognized for all his service to Zulu by being named their king. “He’s an 87-year-old man, and being King Zulu is one of his last wishes on this earth,” said Rainey.

Keeping it in the family, the 2019 Zulu Queen is Rainey’s own granddaughter, whose identity will not be revealed until February 10, at the official Zulu King and Queen Party. The family that parades together, stays together.

The Top Cats

WhereYat.com | February 2019 | 37

MUSICCALENDAR

ChaWa This band blends funk music with Mardi Gras Indian traditions. Get in the New Orleans Carnival spirit and join Cha Wa, the Mardi Gras Indian slang term for “We’re comin’ for ya,” as they perform songs off of their new album, Funk ‘n’ Feathers. Saturday, February 2, 9:00 p.m. Free. Three Keys at Ace Hotel, threekeysnola.com Thursday, January 31 21st Amendment - G and The New Orleans Swinging Gypsies, Ed Wills and Blues 4 Sale Apple Barrel - The Slick Skillet Serenaders, Jeremy Joyce Bacchanal Fine Wine and Spirits - HEctor Gallardo’s Cuban Jazz Band Bamboula’s - Eh La Bas Jazz Ensemble, Jenavieve and The Royal Street Winding Boys, Marty Peters and the Party Meters, City of Trees Brass band Bar Redux - JD Hill and the Jammers Bayou Bar - Carl LeBlanc Black Duck Bar - The Rum Runners BMC - Ainsley Matich and Broken Blues, Nawlins Johnny, Kennedy Kuntz and Men of the Hour Bombay Club - Kris Tokarski Trio with Larry Scala Bourbon O Bar - Joe Goldberg and The Function Buffa’s - Doyle Cooper, Tom McDermott and Aurora Nealand Bullet’s - Shamar Allen and the Underdawgs Café Beignet - Steamboat Willie Jazz Band Café Negril - Claude Bryant and The All-Stars, Sierra Green and The Soul Machine Carousel Bar - Antoine Diel Quartet Checkpoint Charlie - HG Breland Chickie Wah Wah - Phil DeGruy, Andrew Duhon Circle Bar - Dark Lounge with Rik Slave City Park - The Pfister Sisters Country Club - Sean Riley Crescent City Brewhouse - New Orleans Street Beat d.b.a. - Job Cleary, Lynn Drury, Mia Borders Dos Jefes - Mark Coleman and Friends Dragon’s Den - Rapbaum Drifter Hotel - Brad Webb Fritzel’s Jazz Pub - Tom Fischer and Richard Scott Funky Pirate - Mark and the Pentones, Blues Masters Generations Hall - OffBeat’s Best of the Beat Awards feat. Sean Ardoin, Cha Wa, Iceman Special, Gregg Martinez and the Delta Kings with T.K. Hulin, Water Seed, Nesby Phips and a tribute to Walter “Wolfman” Washington Hi Ho Lounge - John Paul Carmody, “Guitar Joy” Clark House of Blues - Jake Landry Houston’s - David Hansen’s Garden District Band with Zack Knewstub Howlin’ Wolf - Comedy Gumbeaux Jazz Playhouse - Brass-a-Holics Kerry Irish Pub - Patrick Cooper Le Bon Temps Roulé - The Soul Rebels Little Gem Saloon - River City Hit Squad Live Oak Café - Blake Amos Maison - Catie Rodgers and the Gentilly Stompers, Southern Dynasty DJs Maple Leaf - Tom Worrell, Johnny V, Benny Bloom and Joe Ashlar Mid-City Lanes Rock ‘n’ Bowl - Horace Trahan and

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Ossun Express NOLA Brewing - Margie Perez and her Beer Band NOLA Cantina - Yocho Old Point Bar - Valerie Sassyfras Palm Court Jazz Café - Duke Heitger and Crescent City Joymakers Portside Lounge - Chris Lee and Friends Ralph’s On the Park - Joe Krown Rib Room - Alan Bailey Santos Bar - Redondo Beat and Chicken Snake Saturn Bar - Alex McMurray and his Band Siberia - Blato Zlato SideBar NOLA - Mark Bingham and Friends Snug Harbor - James Singleton Quintet Spotted Cat - Up Up We Go, Miss Sophie Lee, Jumbo Shrimp Starlight - Oscar Rossignoli, Meryl Zimmerman, Sam Price and the True Believers Three Keys - Lilli Lewis Project Three Muses - Tom McDermott, Arsene DeLay Tipitina’s - Singing for Spencer Benefit feat. Anders Osborne, George Porter, Jr., Johnny Vidacovich and more Tropical Isle Original - the Hangovers, Late As Usual UNO Lakefront Arena - Winter Jam feat. Newsboys United, Danny Gokey, Mandisa, Rend Collective, Ledger, Newsong, Hollyn Vaughan’s Lounge - DJ Black Pearl, Corey Henry and the Treme Funktet Friday, February 1 AllWays Lounge - Sarah Quintana, Ratty Scurvics, Harry Mayronne and more BJ’s Lounge - Jackson Lynch and Crazy Arms and Sabine McCalla BMC - The Lifesavers, Le Bon Temps, Soul Express, La Tran K Bombay Club - Michael Pellera Trio Buffa’s - Davis Rogan, Greg Schatz Bullet’s - The Pinettes Brass Band Burgundy Bar - Gerald French and the French Follies Jazz Band Café Negril - Shawn Williams, Dana Abbott, Higher Heights Casa Borrega - Trio Borocoto Crescent City Brewhouse - New Orleans Street Beat Dos Jefes - the Panorama Jazz Band Harrah’s Casino Theater - Vince Vance and The Valiants feat. Rockin Dopsie, Al “Carnival Time” Johnson Hi Ho Lounge - Cole Williams Bend with Lightnin Malcolm House of Blues - Jake Landry and the Right Lane Bandits, Dick Deluxe, Captain Buckles Jason Bishop Jazz Playhouse - The Nayo Jones Experience, Burlesque Ballroom feat. Trixie Minx and Jazz Vocals by Romy

Be sure to check out our new interactive concert calendar at WhereYat.com!

Kaye Le Bon Temps Roulé - Watson’s Theory Little Gem Saloon - Rechell Cook and The Regeneration Band Live Oak Café - Geovane Santos Maison - The Rhythm Stompers, The New Orleans Swinging Gypsies, Shotgun Jazz Band, Ashton Hines and The Big Easy Brawlers, DJ FTK Maple Leaf - Lamont Landers Band, Waterseed Marigny Opera House - Julie Odell and more Neutral Ground Coffeehouse - Macavoy, Plastic Sturgeon and The Foragers Old Arabi Bar - Tongue and Groove Old Point Bar - Rick Trolsen, Jesse Tripp and The Nightbreed One Eyed Jacks - DJ Soul Sister Palm Court Jazz Café - Lucien Barbarin and Palm Court Jazz Band SideBar NOLA - Mark Bingham, Sarah Quintana, Kathy Randels and Lilli Lewis Snug Harbor - Ellis Marsalis Quintet Spotted Cat - Andy Forest, washboard Chaz, Doro Wat The New Orleans Jazz Market - Nicholas Payton and Cyrille Aimee Three Keys - Big Easy Brawlers, DJ Ally BEA Saturday, February 2 BMC - Orphans of Storyville, Abe Thompson and The Doctors of Funk, Retrospex, Vance Orange, Creole Funk Bombay Club - Tap Room Four Buffa’s - Red Hot Jazz Band, Marc Stone, Soul O’ Sam with Sam Price Café Negril - Joy Clark, Jamey St. Pierre and The Honeycreepers, Sierra Green and The Soul Machine Casa Borrega - John Maestas Crescent City Brewhouse - New Orleans Street Beat Dos Jefes - the Betty Shirley Band Evangeline - Lil Josephine and Rhodes Spedale House of Blues - Sevendust, Three Rivers Trio, Pet Fangs, Geovane Santos, Baby Boy Bartels and the Boys Jazz Playhouse - Big Sam’s Crescent City Connection Les Bon Temps Roule - Wooten, Watson, and Doussan feat. Arsene DeLay Little Gem Saloon - Kermit Ruffins and the BBQ Swingers Live Oak Café - Keiko Komaki and Joe Gelini Maison - Chance Bushman and The Ibervillianaires, Leah Rucker, Smoking Time Jazz Club, MainLine, Higher Heights, DJ Dizzi Maple Leaf - Lamont Landers Band, Morning 40 Federation Neutral Ground Coffeehouse - Rob Duquette, Crazy Whiskey, Elisa Sun Old Arabi Bar - The Melatauns Old Point Bar - Rebel Roadside Palm Court Jazz Café - Greg Stafford and Palm Court Jazz Band SideBar NOLA - Cyrus Nabipoor, Jonathan Freilich and Friends Snug Harbor - Jason Marsalis and BGO Exploration Spotted Cat - A2D2 Experience with Antoine Diel and Arsene DeLay, Panorama Jazz Band, The Davis Rogan Band Three Keys - Cha Wa, DJ Soul Sister Sunday, February 3 AllWays Lounge - The Little Coquette Jazz Band Apple Barrel - Scott Stobbe and Hanna Mignano BMC - Dickerson and Darbill, Hub Cap Kings, Alicia Renee aka Blue Eyes, Moments of Truth Bombay Club - Kris Tokarsji Trio with Duke Heitger Buffa’s - Some Like It Hot, Pfirst Sunday Pfister Sisters, Steve Pistorius Jazz Quartet Bullet’s - Teresa B. Crescent City Brewhouse - New Orleans Street Beat House of Blues - Jason Bishop Live Oak Café - Sonic Migration with Dave Easley and Kass Krebs Maison - NOLA Jitterbugs Jazz Band with Chance Bushman, Nanci Zee and more, Bon Bon Vivant, Royal Street Winding Boys, Higher Heights, Catie Rodgers and the Gentilly Stompers Maple Leaf - Mikey B3 Neutral Ground Coffeehouse - Open Mic with Maddie

Old Point - Romy Kaye and Jeanne Marie Harris Palm Court Jazz Café - Mark Braud and Sunday Night Swingsters Public Service Restaurant - Sidewalk Swing Trio Snug Harbor - Josh Paxton Three Keys - DJ Ben Step Monday, February 4 Apple Barrel - James McClaskey, Bourbon Bastards BMC - Zoe K., Lil Red and Big Bad, Paggie Prine and Southern Soul Bombay Club - David Boeddinghaus Buffa’s - Arsene DeLay, Antoine Diel Civic Theatre - Peter Murphy Crescent City Brewhouse - New Orleans Street Beat Dos Jefes - John Fohl Dragon’s Den - The Darktown Strutters Gasa Gasa - Midriff and Calliope Musicals and Baby in the 90s House of Blues - Sean Riley Jazz Playhouse - Gerald French and the Original Tuxedo Jazz Band Live Oak Café - Free Feral Maison - Chicken and Waffles, Aurora Nealand and the Royal Roses, Sierra Green and the Soul Machine Maple Leaf - George Porter Jr. Trio feat. Terrence Houston and Mike Lemmler Neutral Ground Coffeehouse - Westley Horner, Andrew Benham One Eyed Jacks - Devotchka Preservation Hall - Preservation Jazz Masters with Leroy Jones, Preservation All Stars with Charlie Gabriel Snug Harbor - Charmaine Neville Band Three Keys - DJ Steve Yamada Tuesday, February 5 Apple Barrel - Dan Beaudoin, Steve Mignano Band BMC - Sweet Magnolia, Dapper Dandies, Abe Thompson and The Doctors of Funk Bombay Club - John Royen Buffa’s - Taco, Tequila, and Tiara’s with Vanessa Carr Crescent City Brewhouse - New Orleans Street Beat Dos Jefes - Tom Hook and Wendell Brunious Gasa Gasa - Daniel ROmano with Buxton House of Blues - Jacye Guerin, Michael Liuzza Jazz Playhouse - The James River Movement Like Oak Café - Katarina Boudreaux’s Family Band Jam Maison - Jazmarae Beebe, Gregory Agid Quartet, Gene’s Music Machine Maple Leaf - Rebirth Brass Band Neutral Ground Coffeehouse - Bob Worth, Ultra Violet Fever Old Arabi Bar - Ken Swartz One Eyed Jacks - Kristin Diable Preservation Hall - Preservation Legacy Band with Wendell Brunious, Preservation All Stars with Charlie Gabriel Snug Harbor - Bert Cotton Monk Trio with Johnny V and Matt Perrine Wednesday, February 6 Apple Barrel - Andre Lovett, Mike P BMC - Abe Thompson and The Doctors of Funk, The Tempted, LC Smoove, Rebel Roadside Bombay Club - Josh Paxton Buffa’s - World’s Most Open Mic Night with Nattie Sanchez Carousel Bar - James Martin Band Circle Bar - The Iguanas, Caboose Crescent City Brewhouse - New Orleans Street Beat Dos Jefes - Carl LeBlanc and Ellen Smith Gasa Gasa - The Canarys, Wakai, Lia Flannery House of Blues - Michael Liuzza, Sean Riley, Kongos Jazz Playhouse - Big Sam’s Crescent City Connection Maison - Baby Giants Jazz Band, New Orleans Jazz Vipers, Big E Brass Band Marigny Brasserie - Grayson Brockamp and the New Orleans Wildlife Band Neutral Ground Coffeehouse - Borsodi’s Poetry Hour, Not So Neutral Comedy Ground, Mike True and Phantom Band Palm Court Jazz Café - Lars Edegran and Topsy Chapman with Palm Court Jazz Band

Preservation Hall - New Orleans Sound with Joe Lastie, Preservation All Stars with Mark Braud Snug Harbor - Uptown Jazz Orchestra with Delfeayo Marsalis Thursday, February 7 Apple Barrel - The Slick Skillet Serenaders, Big Soul BMC - Abe Thompson and The Doctors of Funk, Ainsley Matich and Broken Blues, N’awlins Johnnys, Kennedy Kunts and Men of the Hour Bombay Club - Kris Tokarski and Larry Scala Buffa’s - Gumbo Cabaret, Tom McDermott and Aurora Nealand Bullet’s - Shamar Allen and the Underdawgs Circle Bar - Dark lounge with Rik Slave, Sleepspent City Park - The Yat Pack Crescent City Brewhouse - New Orleans Street Beat Dos Jefes - The Todd Squad, a Tribute to Todd Duke Gasa Gasa - The Suffers House of Blues - Jeremy Joyce Trio, Jake Landry Jazz Playhouse - Brass-a-Holics Le Bon Temps Roulé - The Soul Rebels Little Gem Saloon - John Mooney and Marc Stone Live Oak Café - Phil the Tremolo King Maison - Dinosaurchestra, Sweet Substitute Jazz Band, Dysfunktional Bone Maison Bourbon Jazz Club - Catie Rodgers and the Gentilly Stompers Neutral Ground Coffeehouse - Ash O, Not So Neutral Comedy Ground, Mark Fernandez Duo Old Point Bar - Booze Bombs Palm Court Jazz Café - Duke Heitger and Tim Laughlin with Crescent City Joymakers Preservation Hall - Preservation Legacy Band with Gregg Stafford, Preservation All Stars with Lucien Barbarin Rib Room - Alan Bailey Snug Harbor - Oscar Rossignoli Quartet Starlight - The Willie Green Band and The Leland Baker Quintet Tipitina’s - Miss Mojo + J and The Causeways + Roadside Glorious and more Vaughan’s Lounge - DJ Black Pearl, Corey Henry and The Treme Funktet

AllWays Lounge - Eh La Bas Ensemble Apple Barrel - Dan Beaudoin, The Slick Skillet Serenaders, Set Up Kings BMC - The Jazzmen, Abe Thompson and The Doctors of Funk, Les Getrex and Creole Cookin’, Tyler Kinchen and The Right Pieces, Ubaka Brothers Bombay Club - Meryl Zimmerman with Kris Tokarski Trio Buffa’s - Red Hot Brass Band, Freddie Blue and the Friendship Circle, H.G. Breland Casa Borrega - Clave y Canela Circle Bar - Gourra and more Crescent City Brewhouse - New Orleans Street Beat d.b.a. - The Soul Rebels Dos Jefes - Sunpie and the LA Sunspots Evangeline - Lil Josephine and Rhodes Spedale Gasa Gasa - Jmsn with Tiffany Jade House of Blues - Jacob Banks, Geovane Santos, Baby Boy Bartels and the Boys, Right Lane Bandits Jazz Playhouse - Cyril Neville and Swamp Funk Le Bon Temps Roule - Simon Lott’s Let’s Do This Little Gem Saloon - Kermit Ruffins and the BBQ Swingers Live Oak Café - The Dirty Rain Revelers Maison - Chance Bushman and The Ibervillianaires,

Eight Dice Cloth, Smoking Time Jazz Club, Ashton Hines and The Big Easy Brawlers, Soul Project, DJ FTK Neutral Ground Coffeehouse - the Shiz, FauxReal, Mackenzie Roark and Kate Sowley Old Point Bar - Misfit Toys Palm Court Jazz Café - Will Smith and Palm Court Jazz Band Preservation Hall - Preservation All Stars with Rickie Monie Saint Roch Tavern - Sababa Jazz Snug Harbor - Davell Crawford and Company Three Keys - NOJO 7, DJ Chris Stylez Tipitina’s - Brass-a-Holics Sunday, February 10 AllWays Lounge - Nahum Zdybel’s Blue 4 Apple Barrel - Scott Stobbe and Hanna Migano, Sam Dingle BMC - Dickerson and Darvill, Foot and Friends, Jazmarae, Moments of Truth Bombay Club - Kris Tokarski Trio Buffa’s - Some Like It Hot, Steve DeTroy, Steve Pistorius Jazz Quartet Bullet’s - V.L. and the Just Right Band Crescent City Brewhouse - New Orleans Street Beat

Dos Jefes - Ramshackle Revival House of Blues - Magic City Hippies, Jason Bishop Like Oak Café - Gettin’ It Mahalia Jackson Theater - New Orleans Opera Maison - NOLA Jitterbugs Jazz Band with Chance Bushman, Nanci Zee and more, Royal Street Winding Boys, Higher Heights Maison Bourbon Jazz Club - Catie Rodgers and the Gentilly Stompers Neutral Ground Coffeehouse - Open Mic with Maddie Old Point Bar - Anais St. John, Romy Kaye and Jeanne Marie Harris One Eyed Jacks - Marina Orchestra Palm Court Jazz Café - Mark Braud and Sunday Night Swingsters Preservation Hall - Preservation Legacy Band with Gregg Stafford, Preservation All Stars with Wendell Brunious Public Service Restaurant - Sidewalk Swing Trio Snug Harbor - Gregory Agid Monday, February 11 Apple Barrel - James McClaskey, Bourbon Bastards BMC - Zoe K., Lil Red and Big Bad, Paggy Prine and Southern Soul

Friday, February 8 Apple Barrel - Scott Stobbe and Hanna Mignano, Jack Sledge, Jeremy Joyce Bayou Bar - Kennedy and the Men of the Hour BJ’s Lounge - Keen Dreams + High and Todd Day Wait’s Pigpen BMC - The Lifesavers, Winslow, Sister Rose and Fancy Animals, Jam Brass Band Bombay Club - Matt Johnson and Steve Masakowski Buffa’s - Meryl Zimmerman, Calvin Johnson and Native Son Bullet’s - The Pinettes Brass Band Burgundy Bar - Gerald French and the French Follies Jazz Band Carousel Lounge - James Martin Band Casa Borrego - Javier Gutierrez Duo Crescent City Brewhouse - New Orleans Street Beat Gasa Gasa - Emma Ruth Rundle with Ex Specter and Thou House of Blues - Kennedy and the Men of the Hour, Steel Pulse and Koe Wetzel, Dick Deluxe, Captain Buckles, Jason Bishop Band Jazz Playhouse - The Nayo Jones Experience, Burlesque Ballroom feat. Trixie minx and Jazz Vocals by Romy Kaye Le Bon Temps Roule - Corporate America Live Oak Café - Susanne Ortner and Nahum Zdybel Mahalia Jackson Theater - New Orleans Opera Maison - The Rhythm Stompers, The New orleans Swinging Gypsies, Shotgun Jazz Band, Gene’s Music Machine Neutral Ground Coffeehouse - Captain Claude, Vali Talbot, Will Hemmings, John Parker, CICADA Old Arabi Bar - Glory Rhodes Old Point Bar - Rick Trolsen, Jamey St. Pierre and The Honeycreepers Palm Court Jazz Café - Lucien Barbarin and Palm Court Jazz Band Preservation Hall - Preservation Legacy Band with Wendell Brunious, Preservation All Stars with Will Smith Snug Harbor - Ellis Marsalis Quintet Three Keys - DJ Nice Rack Tipitina’s - Wanda Jackson Saturday, February 9 Abita Springs Town Hall - Nouveaux Cajun Xpress

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Bombay Club - David Boeddinghaus Buffa’s - Arsene DeLay, Antoine Diel Crescent City Brewhouse - New Orleans Street Beat Dos Jefes - John Fohl Dragon’s Den - Catie Rodgers’ Swing Orchestra Gasa Gasa - Taiyamo Denku House of Blues - Sean Riley Jazz Playhouse - Gerald French and The Original Tuxedo Band Maison - Chicken and Waffles, Aurora Nealand and The Royal Roses, Sierra Green and The Soul Machine Neutral Ground Coffeehouse - Kelcy May, Sergio Rodriguez, Garrett Whitten Preservation Hall - Preservation JAzz Masters with Leroy Jones, Preservation All Stars with Charlie Gabriel Snug Harbor - Charmaine Neville Band Tuesday, February 12 Apple Barrel - Dan Beaudoin, Steve Mignano Band BMC - Laura Dyer, Dapper Dandies, Abe Thompson and The Doctors of Funk Bombay Club - John Royen Buffa’s - Joe Krown Circle Bar - Zac Maras and Cactus Thief Crescent City Brewhouse - New Orleans Street Beat Dos Jefes - Tom Hook and Wendell Brunious Gasa Gasa - Slow Coyote and Papa Watske and Soft Animal House of Blues - Matthew Bartels and Nick Ferreirae, Michael Liuzza Jazz Playhouse - The James River Movement Live Oak Café - Katarina Boudeaux’s Family Band Jam Maison - Gregorgy Agid Quartet, Gene’s Music Machine Maple Leaf - Rebirth Brass Band Marigny Opera House - Skrontch Music Neutral Ground Coffeehouse - River Gypsy Jazz, Sazerac the Clown’s Cabinet of Wonder One Eyed Jacks - Kristin Diable Preservation Hall - Preservation Legacy Band with Wendell Brunious, Preservation All Stars with Charlie Gabriel Snug Harbor - Jason Marsalis and 21st Century Trad Band Three Keys - Think Less, Hear More

Wednesday, February 13 Apple Barrel - Andre Lovett, Mike P BMC - Abe Thompson and The Doctors of Funk, The Tempted, LC Smoove, Rebel Roadside Bombay Club - Josh Paxton Buffa’s - World’s Most Open Mic Night with Nattie Sanchez Carousel Bar - James Martin Band Circle Bar - The Iguanas, Fran Crescent City Brewhouse - New Orleans Street Beat Dos Jefes - Carl LeBlanc Gasa Gasa - Slothrust And The Kids House of Blues - Michael Liuzza, Cary Hudson Jazz Playhouse - Brass-a-Holics Maison - Reid Poole’s Boppin’ 5, New Orleans Jazz Vipers, B Miller Zone Marigny Brasserie - Grayson Brockamp and the New Orleans Wildlife Band Marigny Opera House - Harry Hardin, Natalia Cascante and Andre Bohren Neutral Ground Coffeehouse - Borsodi’s Poetry Hour, Ivor S.K., Jeremy Regan Palm Court Jazz Café - Lars Edegran and Topsy Chapman with Palm Court Jazz Band Preservation Hall - New Orleans Sound with Joe Lastie, Preservation All Stars with Mark Braud Snug Harbor - Uptown Jazz Orchestra with Delfeayo Marsalis Thursday, February 14 Apple Barrel - The Slick Skillet Serenaders, Big Soul BMC - Abe Thompson and The Doctors of Funk, Ainsley Matich and Broken Blues, N’awlins Johnnys, Kennedy Kuntz and Men of the Hour Bombay Club - Kris Tokarski and Evan Christopher Buffa’s - Marla Dixon Blues Project, Tom McDermott and Aurora Nealand Bullet’s - Shamar Allen and the Underdawgs Circle Bar - Dark Lounge with Rik Slave, Kelly Duplex and Hydra Plane and Cicada City Park - James River Movement Crescent City Brewhouse - New Orleans Street Beat Dos Jefes - The Matt Lemmler Trio House of Blues - Whiskey Myers, Shawan Rice, Jake Landry

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.

January 31..........................................................................Winter Jam 2019 – Tour 360 February 9............................................... UNO Privateers vs. Nicholls State University March 13 - 17.......... Sun Belt Conference Men & Women’s Basketball Championship March 23...................................................................Funny As Ish Tour with Mike Epps March 29 - 30................................................................................. Hogs For The Cause April 12.................................................................. 12th Annual Big Easy Blues Festival April 21..................................................... The Millennium Tour featuring B2K & Mario May 2 - 5............................................... Disney On Ice presents Mickey’s Search Party Tickets can be purchased at www.ticketmaster.com, Lakefront Arena Box Office, or charge by phone at 800-745-3000.

40 | Mardi Gras | Where Y'at Magazine

MagicCityHippies The band from Miami began with a one-man street performer serenading the masses of the city. Come experience the magic at the House of Blues when the Magic City Hippies take a break from working on their album to take on New Orleans. Sunday, February 10, 7:00 p.m. $15. House of Blues, houseofblues.com Jazz Playhouse - The Nayo Jones Experience Le Bon Temps Roulé - The Soul Rebels Little Gem Saloon - Mike “Soulman” Baptiste Live Oak Café - The Tangiers Combo Maison - Royal Street Winding Boys, Dysfunktional Bone Maison Bourbon Jazz Club - Catie Rodgers and the Gentilly Stompers Neutral Ground Coffeehouse - Justin Reuther, Chris Robinson, Michael Daughtry Old Point Bar - Hanna Mignano Trio Palm Court Jazz Café - Duke Heitger and Tim Laughlin

with Crescent City Joymakers, Tim Laughlin with Crescent City Joymakers Portside Lounge - The Dirty Rain Revelers Preservation Hall - Preservation Legacy Band with Gregg Stafford, Preservation All Stars with Lucien Barbarin Rib Room - Alan Bailey Snug Harbor - Topsy Chapman and Solid Harmony Tipitina’s - G. Love and Special Sauce, Ron Artis II and The Truth Vaughan’s Lounge - DJ Black Pearl, Corey Henry and the Treme Funktet

Friday, February 15 30/90 - Colin Davis and Night People Apple Barrel - Scott Stobbe and Hanna Mignano, Jack Sledge, G-VOlt and the Hurtz BJ’s Lounge - Little Freddie King, Happy Talk Band, TV Pole Shine and more BMC - The Lifesavers, Winslow, Jason Neville Band, La Tran K Bombay Club - Leroy Jones Buffa’s - Carmela Rappazzo, Keith Burnstein Bullet’s - The Pinettes Brass Band Burgundy Bar - Gerald French and the French Follies Jazz Band Casa Borrega - Javier Gutierrez Duo Central City BBQ - Johnny Sketch and the Dirty Notes Crescent City Brewhouse - New Orleans Street Beat Fillmore - Foo Fighters with Trombone Shorty and Orleans Ave Gasa Gasa - Hydra Plane, Kuwaisiana, and the Ivory Sons House of Blues - Rich Collins, Jake Landry and the Right Lane Bandits, Dick Deluxe, Captain Buckles, Baby Boy Bartels and the Boys Jazz Playhouse - Shannon Powell Quartet, Burlesque Ballroom feat. Trixie Minx and Jazz Vocals by Romy Kaye Le Bon Temps Roule - Science Fair, Sam Shahin, Dexter Gilmore, and Calvin Morin-Martin Little Gem Saloon - Sharon Martin Live Oak Café - Nick Benoit Maison - The Rhythm Stompers, The New Orleans Swinging Gypsies, Shotgun Jazz Band, Soul Project, Ashton Hines and The Big Brawlers Neutral Ground Coffeehouse - Damn Hippies, Joshua Diggs Old Arabi Bar - Strange Roux Old Point Bar - Rick Trolsen, Gal Holiday and the Honky Tonk Revue One Eyed Jacks - Murder By Death, J Roddy Walston and the Business Palm Court Jazz Café - Kevin Louis and Palm Court Jazz Band Preservation Hall - Preservation Legacy Band with Wendell Brunious, Preservation All Stars with Will Smith Snug Harbor - Herlin Riley Quartet Three Keys - DJ G-Cue Vaughan’s Lounge - Morning 40, Egg Yolk Jubilee, Rough 7 and the Planchettes

BMC - Shawn Williams, Retrospex. Jazmarae, Moments of Truth Bombay Club - Tim Laughlin Trio Buffa’s - Some Like It Hot, Al Farrell and Jerry Jumonville, Steve Pistorius Jazz Quartet Bullet’s - John Pierre and the Expressions Crescent City Brewhouse - New Orleans Street Beat Gasa Gasa - Great Lake Swimmers House of Blues - Insane Clown Posse, Jason Bishop Jazz Playhouse - Germaine Bazzle Live Oak Café - Keith Burstein and Charles Lumar Maison - NOLA Jitterbugs Jazz Band with Chance Bushman, Nanci Zee and more, The Afrodiziacs, New Orleans Swinging Gypsies, Higher Heights Maison Bourbon Jazz Club - Catie Rodgers and the Gentilly Stompers Neutral Ground Coffeehouse - Open Mic with Maddie Old Point Bar - Shawan Rice, Romy Kaye and Jeanne Marie Harris One Eyed Jacks - Jonathan Richman Palm Court Jazz Café - Mark Braud and Sunday Night Swingsters Preservation Hall - Preservation Legacy Band with Gregg Stafford, Preservation All Stars with Wendell Brunious Public Service Restaurant - Sidewalk Swing Trio

Snug Harbor - Betty Shirley Monday, February 18 Apple Barrel - James McClaskey, Bourbon Bastards BMC - Zoe K., Lil Red and Big Bad, Paggy Prine and Southern Soul Bombay Club - David Boeddinghaus Buffa’s - Arsene DeLay, Antoine Diel Circle Bar - Dem Roach Boys, Crazy Doberman and Benni and more Crescent City Brewhouse - New Orleans Street Beat Dos Jefes - John Fohl Dragon’s Den - Little Coqquette Fillmore - Coheed and Cambria and Foxing House of Blues - Sean Riley Jazz Playhouse - Gerald French and The Original Tuxedo Jazz Band Live Oak Café - Anuraag Pendyal and Moses Eder Maison - Chicken and Waffles, Aurora Nealand and The Royal Roses, Sierra Green and The Soul Machine Neutral Ground Coffeehouse - Edward Moseley, Joseph Krafczynski Preservation Hall - Preservation Hazz masters with Leroy Jones, Preservation All Stars with Charlie Gabriel Snug Harbor - Charmaine Neville Band

Tuesday, February 19 Apple Barrel - Ghalia, Steve Mignano Band BMC - Sweet Magnolia, Dapper Dandies, Abe Thompson and The Doctors of Funk Bombay Club - Matt Lemmler Buffa’s - Tacos, Tequila, and Tiaras with Vanessa Carr Crescent City Brewhouse - New Orleans Street Beat Dos Jefes - The Mark Coleman Trio Fillmore - Duran Duran Gasa Gasa - Guitar is dead, Novagolde, Hard to Be Human House of Blues - Michael Liuzza Jazz Playhouse - The James River Movement Little Gem Saloon - Maggie Perez Live Oak Café - Katarina Boudreaux’s Family Band Jam Maison - Baby Giants Jazz Band, Gregory Agid Quartet, Gene’s Music Machine Maple Lead - Rebirth Brass Band Neutral Ground Coffeehouse - Sauveterra, Dorian Greys Old Arabi Bar - Shawn Williams One Eyed Jacks - John Maus Preservation Hall - Preservation Legacy Band with Wendell Brunious, Preservation All Stars with Charlie Gabriel

Saturday, February 16 Apple Barrel - Dan Beaudoin, The Slick Skillet Serenaders, Set Up Kings BMC - The Jazzmen, Abe Thompson and The Doctors of Funk, Alicia Renee aka Blue Eyes, Crooked Vines, New Creations Brass Band Bombay Club - Don Vappie Buffa’s - Red Hot Brass Band, The Royal Rounders, Marina Orchestra Casa Borrega - Clave y Canela Crescent City Brewhouse - New Orleans Street Beat Dos Jefes - The Joe Krown Trio Evangeline - Lil Josephine and Rhodes Spedale Fillmore - Foo Fighters with Trombone Shorty and Preservation Hall Jazz Band Gasa Gasa - Schaefer Llana House of Blues - Insane Clown Posse, Geovane Santos, Baby Boy Bartels and the Boys, Old Riley and the Waters Jazz Playhouse - Chucky C and Clearly Blue Le Bon Temps Roule - Colin Davis and Night People Little Gem Saloon - Kermit Ruffins and the BBQ Swingers Live Oak Café - Todten and Caillat Duo Maison - Chance Bushman and The Ibervillianaires, Royal Street Winding Boys, Smoking Time Jazz Club, Brass-a-Holics, B Miller Zone, DJ Dizzi Neutral Ground Coffeehouse - Grace Russell, Dr. Lo presents Loyola’s Finest Old Arabi Bar - Ron Hotstream Old Point Bar - Hallelujah Hat Rack One Eyed Jacks - Naughty Professor Palm Court Jazz Café - Will Smith and Palm Court Jazz Band Preservation Hall - Preservation Brass Band with Mark Braud, Preservation All Stars with Rickie Monie Snug Harbor - Johnny Sansone Three Keys - Muevelo!

Tipitina’s - Arlo Guthrie feat. Sarah Lee Guthrie Sunday, February 17 AllWays Lounge - The Javels Jazz Band Apple Barrel - Ghalia, Jeane Marie, Josh Benitez

WhereYat.com | February 2019 | 41

Snug Harbor - Stanton Moore Trio Tipitina’s - Lee “Scratch” Perry, Subatomic Sound System Wednesday, February 20 Apple Barrel - Andre Lovett, Mike P BMC - Abe Thompson and The Doctors of Funk, The Tempted, LC Smoove, Soul Legacy Bombay Club - Josh Paxton Buffa’s - World’s Most Open Mic Night with Nattie Sanchez Carousel Bar - James Martin Band Crescent City Brewhouse - New Orleans Street Beat Dos Jefes - Carl LeBlanc Fillmore - Duran Duran Gasa Gasa - Mozes and The Firstborn, Mozes and The Firstborn and The Parrots House of Blues - Michael Liuzza, Cary Hudson Jazz Playhouse - Big Sam’s Crescent City Connection Maison - Jazmarae Beebe, New Orleans Jazz Vipers, Sam Friend Marigny Brasserie - Grayson Brockamp and the New Orleans Wildlife Band Neutral Ground Coffeehouse - Borsodi’s Poetry Hour, Elise Wunder Palm Court Jazz Café - Lars Edegran and Topsy Chapman with Palm Court Jazz Band Preservation Hall - New Orleans Sound with Joe Lastie, Preservation All Stars with Mark Braud Snug Harbor - Uptown Jazz Orchestra with Delfeayo Marsalis Thursday, February 21 Apple Barrel - The Slick Skillet Serenaders, Chris Klein BMC - Abe Thompson and The Doctors of Funk, Ainsley Matich and Broken Blues, N’awlins Johnnys, Kennedy Kuntz and Men of the Hour Bombay Club - Kris Tokarski and Evan Christopher Buffa’s - Leslie Cooper and Harry Mayronne, Tom McDermott and Aurora Nealand Bullet’s - Shamar Allen and the Underdawgs City Park - Nadja Cojoe, Rechelle Cook and Sharon Martin Crescent City Brewhouse - New Orleans Street Beat Dos Jefes - The Loren Pickford Trio Fillmore - Blackberry Smoke and Chris Shiflett Gasa Gasa - Juice House of Blues - Jake Landry Jazz Playhouse - Brass-a-Holics Le Bon Temps Roule - Derrick Freeman and James Martin Present, Soul Brass Band Little Gem Saloon - Creole String Beans Live Oak Café - Charlie Wooton Maison - Royal Street Winding Boys, Reid Poole’s Boppin’ 5, Dysfunktional Bone Maison Bourbon Jazz Club - Catie Rodgers and the Gentilly Stompers Neutral Ground Coffeehouse - Saveterre, Nattie, Tom Cowan, Mitch Broussard Old Point Bar - Bruce Tyner Trio Palm Court Jazz Café - Tim Laughlin and Crescent City Joymakers Preservation Hall - Preservation Legacy band with Gregg Stafford, Preservation All Stars with Lucien Barbarin Rib Room - Alan Bailey Snug Harbor - Warren Battiste Quartet with Steve and Martin Masakowski Vaughan’s Lounge - DJ Black Pearl, Corey Henry and The Treme Funktet Friday, February 22 Apple Barrel - Scott Stobbe and Hanna Mignano, Jack Sledge, G-Volt and the Hurtz Bayou Bar - Kennedy and the Men of the Hour BJ’s Lounge - Jamaican Me Breakfast and Cosmic Americans BMC - The Lifesavers, Winslow, Jason Neville Band, Jam Brass band Bombay Club - Riverside Jazz Collective Buffa’s - Jamie Bernstein and Dave Easley, Joe Krown, Johnny Sansone and John Fohl Bullet’s - The Pinettes Brass Band Burgundy Bar - Gerald French and the French Follies Jazz Band Casa Borrega - Trio Borocoto Circle Bar - Borealis Rex and more Civic Theatre - Boukman Eksperyans, Michael Brun and more Crescent City Brewhouse - New Orleans Street Beat Dos Jefes - Vivaz!

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Fillmore - Gucci Mane Gasa Gasa - Jank Setup House of Blues - Jake Landry and the Right Lane Bandits, Dick Deluxe, Captain Buckles, Old Riley and the Waters Jazz Playhouse - The Nayo Jones Experience, Burlesque Ballroom feat. Trixie Minx and Jazz Vocals by Romy Kaye Le Bon Temps Roule - Clark Gang Little Gem Saloon - Rechell Cook and The Regeneration Band Live Oak Café - Alex Massa and Jonathan Freilich Maison - The Rhythm Stompers, The New Orleans Swinging Gypsies, Shotgun Brass Band, Ashton Hines and The Big Easy Brawlers Neutral Ground Coffeehouse - Daniel Black, Richard Bienvenu, Tori Atkinson, Cliff Beach Old Arabi Bar - Kingsnakes Old Point Bar - Rick Trolsen, Shawn Williams Palm Court Jazz Café - Kevin Louis and Palm Court Jazz Band Preservation Hall - Preservation Legacy Band with Wendell Brunious, Preservation All Stars with Will Smith Snug Harbor - Ellis Marsalis Quintet Three Keys - DJ Ra Smoove Tipitina’s - John Papa Gros Saturday, February 23 Apple Barrel - Dan Beaudoin, The Slick Skillet Serenaders, Set Up Kings BMC - The Jazzmen, Abe Thompson and The Doctors of Funk, Les Getrex and Creole Cookin’, The Tempted, Sister Rose and Fancy Animals Bombay Club - Los Tres Amigos Buffa’s - Red Hot Brass Band, Camile Baudoin, Asylum Chorus Casa Borrega - Javier and Sebastian Crescent City Brewhouse - New Orleans Street Beat Dos Jefes - Sunpie and the LA Sunspots Evangeline - Lil Josephine and Rhodes Spedale Gasa Gasa - Where Y’acht House of Blues - Thunderstruck, Geovane Santos, Baby Boy Bartels and the Boys, Big Al and the Heavyweights Jazz Playhouse - Cyril Neville and Swamp Funk Le Bon Temps Roule - Retrofit Little Gem Saloon - Wanda Rouzan Live Oak Café - Valerie Sassyfras Maison - Chance Bushman and The Ibervillianaires, Leah Rucker, Smoking Time Jazz Club, Sierra Green and The Soul Machine, DJ G Neutral Ground Coffeehouse - Gallivan Burwell and the Predatory Drifters, Jano Brindisi, Gina Forsyth, Daphne Lee Martin Old Arabi Bar - Michael Hurt and His Haunted Hearts Old Point Bar - Marshland Palm Court Jazz Café - Will Smith and Palm Court Jazz Band Preservation Hall - Preservation Brass Band with Mark Braud, Preservation All Stars with RIckie Monie Saint Roch Tavern - Valerie Sassyfras Snug Harbor - Germaine Bazzle and Larry Sieberth Quartet Vaughan’s Lounge - Malevitus Sunday, February 24 AllWays Lounge - The Rhythm Stompers, Scott Stobbe and Hanna Mignano Apple Barrel - Ghalia, Sam Dingle BMC - Shawn Williams, Retrospex, Jazmarae, Moments of Truth Bombay Club - Kris Tokarski Trio with Tim Laughlin Buffa’s - Some Like It Hot, Steve Pistorius Jazz Quartet Bullet’s - The Wizz Crescent City Brewhouse - New Orleans Street Beat Dos Jefes - Joplin Parnell House of Blues - Cary Hudson Jazz Playhouse - Jenna McSwain Live Oak Café - Riverbend Ramblers with Eric Hiegel and Andre Michot Maison - NOLA Jitterbugs Jazz Band with Chance Bushman, Nanci Zee and more, Bon Bon Vivant, Royal Street Winding Boys, Higher Heights Maison Bourbon Jazz Club - Catie Rodgers and the Gentilly Stompers Neutral Ground Coffeehouse - Open Mic with Maddie Old Point Bar - Tres Bien, Romy Kaye and Jeanne Marie Harris Palm Court Jazz Café - Mark Braud and Sunday Night Swingsters Preservation Hall - Preservation Legacy Band with Gregg Stafford, Preservation All Stars with Wendell Brunious

NEEDTOBREATHE The Grammy-nominated rock band brings their Acoustic Live Tour to New Orleans and will be donating $1 per ticket to OneWorld Health. The band released their first-ever all-acoustic live album in November, 2018, featuring the songs “Drive All Night” and “Brother.” Thursday, February 28, 7:00 p.m. $40-$50. Saenger Theatre, saengernola.com Public Service Restaurant - Sidewalk Swing Trio Snug Harbor - Brian Charette Quartet with Melanie Scholtz Monday, February 25 Apple Barrel - James McClaskey, Bourbon Bastards BMC - Zoe K., Lil Red and Big Bad, Paggy Prine and Southern Soul Bombay Club - David Boeddinghaus Buffa’s - Arsene DeLay, Antoine Diel Crescent City Brewhouse - New Orleans Street Beat Dos Jefes - John Fohl Dragon’s Den - Dinosaurchestra Fillmore - Cypress Hill and Hollywood Undead Gasa Gasa - Ron Gallo and Post Animal House of Blues - The Zombies, Dorothy, Sean Riley, Sly Theard Jazz Playhouse - Gerald French and The Original Tuxedo Jazz Band Live Oak Café - Shawn Williams Maison - Chicken and Waffles, Aurora Nealand and The Royal Roses, Sierra Green and The Soul Machine Neutral Ground Coffeehouse - Ivor S.K., Partick Pearson, Bongos, The Genial Orleanians Preservation Hall - Preservation Jazz Masters with Leroy Jones, Preservation All Stars with Charlie Gabriel Snug Harbor - Charmaine Neville Band Tuesday, February 26 Apple Barrel - Ghalia, Steve Mignano Band BMC - Sweet Magnolia, Dapper Dandies, Abe Thompson and The Doctors of Funk Bombay Club - Matt Lemmler Buffa’s - Tom Worrell Crescent City Brewhouse - New Orleans Street Beat Dos Jefes - Tom Hook and Wendell Brunious Gasa Gasa - Zack Villere House of Blues - Braun-Wood Duo, Michael Liuzza Jazz Playhouse - The James Rivers Movement Live Oak Café - Katarina Boudreaux’s Family Band Jam Maison - Gregory Agid Quartet, Gene’s Music Machine Maple Leaf - Rebirth Brass Band Neutral Ground Coffeehouse - Sergio Rodriguez, King Ferdinand, Scuttlebugs One Eyed Jacks - Kristin Diable Preservation Hall - Preservation Legacy Band with Wendell Brunious, Preservation All Stars with Charlie Gabriel Snug Harbor - Stanton Moore Trio Tipitina's Car Seat Headrest and Naked Giants Wednesday, February 27 AllWays Lounge - Lulu and the Broadsides Apple Barrel - Andre Lovett, Mike P BMC - Abe Thompson and The Doctors of Funk, The Tempted, LC Smoove, Sandra Love and The Reason Bombay Club - Josh Paxton

Buffa’s - World’s Most Open Mic Night with Nattie Sanchez Carousel Bar - James Martin Band Crescent City Brewhouse - New Orleans Street Beat Dos Jefes - Carl LeBlanc Gasa Gasa - Summer Hart, Brothertiger, and Rareluth House of Blues - Stephen Marley, Michael Liuzza, Cary Hudson Jazz Playhouse - Brass-a-Holics Maison - The Function, New Orleans Jazz Vipers, B Miller Zone Marigny Brasserie - Grayson Brockamp and the New Orleans Wildlife Band Neutral Ground Coffeehouse - Barsodi’s Poetry Hour Old Arabi Bar - Shawn Williams Palm Court Jazz Café - Lars Edegran and Topsy Chapman with Palm Court Jazz Band Preservation Hall - New Orleans Sound with Joe Lastie, Preservation All Stars with Mark Braud Snug Harbor - Michael Watson and Alchemy Thursday, February 28 Apple Barrel - The Slick Skillet Serenaders, Al Lauro BMC - Abe Thompson and The Doctors of Funk, Ainsley Matich and Broken Blues, N’awlins Johnnys, Kennedy Kuntz and Men of the Hour Bombay Club - Kris Tokarski and Duke Heitger Buffa’s - Harry Mayronne and Friends, Tom McDermott and Aurora Nealand Bullet’s - Shamar Allen and the Underdawgs Crescent City Brewhouse - New Orleans Street Beat Fillmore - Dan + Shay Gasa Gasa - Year Of The Horse and Berlin Taxi House of Blues - Jake Landry Jazz Playhouse - Shannon Powell Quartet Le Bon Temps Roule - Damion Alexander Ft. Khris Royal and Kid Chocolate Little Gem Saloon - Sam Price and the True Believers Live Oak Café - Susanne Ortner and Alex Belhaj Maison - Eight Dice Cloth, Good for Nothin’ Band, Dysfunktional Bone Maison Bourbon Jazz Club - Catie Rodgers and the Gentilly Stompers Neutral Ground Coffeehouse - Stephanie Marcell, Jamie Bernstein, Dave Easley Old Point Bar - Born Toulouse Palm Court Jazz Café - Leroy Jones and Katja Toivola with The Sunday Night Swingsters Preservation Hall - Preservation Legacy Band with Gregg Stafford, Preservation All Stars with Lucien Barbarin Rib Room - Alan Bailey Saenger Theatre - Need to Breathe and Matt Maeson Snug Harbor - Mitch Woods and the Rocket 88s Vaughan’s Lounge - DJ Black Pearl, Corey Henry and The Treme Funktet

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Lakeside2Riverside U P C O M I N G F E S T I VA L S & E V E N T S

The Krewe du Foo February 14

MARDI GRAS EVENTS The Krewe du Foo, Broken Hearts Social Club Parade Starts on Howard Avenue and ends at the Fillmore at Harrah’s Casino Thursday, February 14: 7 p.m. fillmorenola.com The Foo Fighters will be leading their first-ever Mardi Gras parade through downtown New Orleans to celebrate the grand opening of the Fillmore at Harrah’s Casino. The band will be performing two sold-out shows at the Fillmore that weekend to inaugurate this thrilling addition to the Big Easy’s entertainment, food, and cocktail scenes. Among the Krewe du Foo members are Trombone Shorty and Orleans Avenue, the Preservation Hall Jazz Band, and many other New Orleans favorites. The Masquerade Nightclub will host the post-parade party, called “Broken Hearts Social,” which is a free concert featuring the rock band Left of Centre. The parade will start on Howard Avenue, proceed past Lee Circle, down St. Charles Avenue, and hit Canal Street before ending at the Fillmore entrance.

Krewe of Caesar, and the Krewe of Kings as well as food vendors serving jambalaya, crawfish pasta, muffulettas, gator-on-a-stick, and king cake.

Bacchus Bash 2019 Generations Hall/The Metropolitan: 310 Andrew Higgins Blvd.

Sunday, March 3: 11 a.m. – 12 a.m. facebook.com/events/2161634763893836 Started in the 1980s, this day-long block party always precedes the lauded Bacchus parade, offering patrons the opportunity to watch the superkrewe of Bacchus in VIP fashion. The indoor/outdoor party will take over several stages and will include live musical performances by Bag of Donuts, the TopCats, Category 6, and Paris Avenue as well as DJ sets from Mannie Fresh, DJ Scene, DJ Joe Maz, DJ WIxx, and DJ TAF. This year’s Bacchus Bash will also have the Ugly Dog Saloon and food trucks providing food options for the event. Come indulge in your favorite Carnival traditions!

ENTERTAINMENT BrickUniverse LEGO Fan Convention Pontchartrain Convention & Civic Center: 4545 Williams Blvd., Kenner Saturday, February 2 – Sunday, February 3: 10 a.m. – 4 p.m. brickuniverse.com/neworleans Get ready to channel your inner kid at the BrickUniverse LEGO expo. With an assortment of incredible structures, including models of Atlantis, the Golden Gate Bridge, London, and the Joker’s Funhouse, this event is sure to provide the building blocks for a great day for the whole family. Meet professional artists, such as Jonathan Lopes, E.J. Bocan III, and 18-year-old founder Greyson Beights, and indulge your creativity at one of the many building stations.

Their mission is to inspire—one brick at a time.

Family Gras February 22 - 24

Family Gras 2019 Clearview Shopping Center: 4436 Veterans Memorial Blvd., Metairie Friday, February 22 – Sunday February 24 mardigrasneworleans.com/when-is-mardi-gras/familygras Family Gras is a free Carnival celebration for the whole family. Enjoy this annual Mardi Gras spectacle of parades, authentic New Orleans cuisine, local art, and more. Kids can enjoy face painting and interactive games, along with live music that includes John Oates, Michael McDonald, and Brett Eldredge. Get excited about the Krewe of Excalibur,

Jefferson SPCA Pet Fest Lafreniere Park Sunday, February 10: 10 a.m. facebook.com/jeffersonSPCAPetFest This free pet event will feature an Adopt-A-Thon, partnering with over 40 shelter and rescue groups to help animals find a forever home. Compete in the pet costume contest presented by Pet Krewe, participate in the raffle, and enjoy local food and live entertainment. Pet Fest includes the Pet Health Watch area and Pet Marketplace, so you can be sure to satisfy all of your furry friends' needs. All proceeds go to the Jefferson SPCA to support the Jefferson Parish Animal Shelter. Add a new member to your family and support animals in need.

Tết: Vietnamese New Year Celebration French Market Sunday, February 17: 11 a.m. – 4 p.m. frenchmarket.org Tết, shortened from Tết Nguyên Đán, which is SinoVietnamese for "Feast of the First Morning of the First Day," is a celebration of the lunar new year and the most important celebration in Vietnamese culture. In New Orleans’s large and thriving Vietnamese community, Tết is seen as a fresh start to set the stage for good fortune in the coming year. Come celebrate at the French Market while enjoying Vietnamese food and live music.

Cruise for Free Travel Central: 3017 12th St., Metairie Saturday, February 23: 11 a.m. - 2 p.m. eventbrite.com/e/cruise-for-free-tickets-53368788483 A free cruise? Sounds too good to be true, but Travel Central has a legitimate way to go on a cruise for free. For weddings, reunions, birthdays, or fun with friends and family, a cruise is a great option for those looking to sail and relax.

Join them for coffee to find out how you can take advantage of this offer!

Pensacon 2019 Pensacola Bay Center, Pensacola, Florida Friday, February 22 – Sunday, February 24: Times vary. pensacon.com Pensacola Comic Con returns this year with the premiere comic book and pop cultural convention serving the Gulf Coast. Founded in 2013, Pensacon is a multi-genre convention unique to the community and featuring an assortment of creators and vendors.

In a safe and welcoming environment for all fan communities to gather, there will be popular artists, actors, and writers for fans to meet. Bring out the family and the cosplay to revel in your favorite fantasy worlds.

44 | Mardi Gras | Where Y'at Magazine

Bacchus Bash 2019 March 3

Did you know that one pill a day can prevent HIV? It’s true! Now, getting PrEP in New Orleans is easier than ever.

CrescentCare is home to the first PrEP clinic in the city, and now we have walk-in availability and appointments.

Call 504-207-CARE (2273) for More Information!

PrEP is proven to reduce the risk of HIV transmission by over 90% when taken daily.

Most insurance will cover PrEP, and our team is happy to help find ways to make medication more affordable for you.

3308 Tulane Avenue - www.crescentcarehealth.org WhereYat.com | February 2019 | 45

Orleans Original Daquiris, Fat Tuesday, or Curbside Daiquiris, and pick your favorite flavor from the whirling machines behind the counter. Simple enough. You can even add extra shots if you’re experienced with daiqs.

The Exceptionalist: No ordinary drink will do for you; you like your drinks fascinatingly created, highly inventive, and with about 50 gourmet ingredients. I think that you’d get into a chili lime Paloma.

Combine freshly squeezed grapefruit juice with an equal amount of smoky mezcal and half a cup of sparkling water. Add a tablespoon of brown sugar and the juice of half of a lime, and you’ve got your base. Add a healthy dash of chili lime salt (equal parts sugar and salt, a pinch of chili powder, and lime zest) to the mix, but only when there are people around who you can impress with your amazing cocktail skills.

Mardi Gras To Go Make-and-Go Cocktails for Mardi Gras Day

By Emily Hingle Photo by Mike Trummel

W

e’re lucky enough to live in a city that allows us to take our libations with us on the streets. You should exercise that right by making a drink to go during Mardi Gras time. It goes without saying that if you’re planning on driving that day, then you should reserve your drinking for after you park and should acquire a safe ride home.

I discovered the benefits of the makeand-go Mardi Gras cocktail when I found the best way to enjoy Mardi Gras Day for me. I experimented with different drinks in different vessels, brought them downtown to the Marigny/Bywater, and lazily walked down Frenchmen Street and all around the French Quarter, watching revelers and side parades along the way. I often ran into friends and acquaintances, and they would lead me to a new journey, finding and shedding people along the route. Having a readymade cocktail in hand makes the trip easier, because I’m not constantly fumbling with cash or stopping along the way, standing in line for a new beverage.

If you want to try out this trick, I’ve made a few suggestions for you based on how you want to enjoy your own Mardi Gras Day journey.

The Minimalist: You want to take things slowly on Mardi Gras Day and savor the holiday like you would Christmas morning.

After all, it’s been a long few weeks of partying, and this is the day where you can relax and enjoy the festive atmosphere. You need something that’s great for sipping and that won’t get you tanked. Make a nice, tall Negroni, but be sure to pack it with a lot of slow-melting ice. All you need is equal parts Campari, gin, and sweet vermouth,

46 | Mardi Gras | Where Y'at Magazine

garnished with an orange peel.

Fancy Lady: No ordinary cocktail will do for you this day. You’re probably the person who spent a lot of time and money on your costume, and it’s too nice to sully in the streets. If you’re headed to a nice house party, fill a pretty tumbler half-full of sweet red wine, add a cup of fruit juice and two shots of brandy, then muddle in some orange slices.

Party Animal: This punch is for the person who wants to remember almost nothing from the day and wants to be the one who passes out around 2 p.m. Use a heavy dose of grain alcohol with a bit of sports drink thrown in for sweetness and for the hydration that you’re going to desperately need. An empty milk jug will suffice for this drink.

The Traditionalist: You’re a native New Orleanian, or you’ve been here long enough to know the importance of masking during Mardi Gras. You’re the type who has at least one seersucker suit in your closest alongside five or so full costumes for a variety of occasions. You’re going to want to stick to the classics. May I suggest a large steel coffee mug filled with a Sazerac cocktail? For the unaware, that’s Herbsaint, simple syrup, a healthy dash of Peychaud’s Bitters, and a heaping dose of whiskey (preferably Sazerac Rye). Add a little zest of lemon, and you’re good to go!

Daiquiri Queen: You like your drinks sweet, approachable, and highly portable, so you don’t have to invest too much money or time in them. Find a drive-thru daiquiri place, like Daiquiris & Creams, New

The Light Packer: You’re going to be covering a lot of ground today, wandering from parade to parade, from St. Ann Street to Canal Street to St. Charles Avenue. Your purple, green, and gold body suit doesn’t have any pockets, and you really can’t be bothered to lug a big bag with all your necessities; heck, you can barely spare the room for your phone. The last thing you want is to have to drag around a heavy thermos or bottle or cooler to keep your go-drinks in tow. Enter Minute Mixology Cocktail Mixers—a cocktail mixer in powder form, packaged in a tiny, single-serve packet not much larger than your finger.

Available in flavors like Margarita, Moscow Mule, and Coconut Mojito, they’re compact, convenient, lightweight, and perfect for a day of meandering. Just add water and the appropriate booze, which you can pick up at any bar or convenience store along the way, and mix yourself a badass cocktail.

But if mixing your own seems too laborintensive, try Buzzbox instead—the adult version of Capri Sun. These cocktails are pre-mixed and ready-to-drink in small, 200 ml cardboard containers, with the booze already in there and the straw attached.

Choose from such flavors as Classic Cosmo, Vodka Lemonade, or, of course, Mardi Gras Hurricane. They’re smaller and lighter than even a can of beer and will fit in the teensiest of man-bags or purses. Just shake and drink.

The Non-Drinker: There’s no shame in not imbibing at all, whether you’ve had enough for the day or you never indulge in alcohol. Mocktails are making a huge impact right now, and they’re becoming so sophisticated that you can’t tell they’re alcohol-free. You can enjoy a drink without getting drunk with a mocktail that combines a fruit juice (grapefruit is great) with a soda (lemon-lime or ginger ale, for example) and maybe a twist of citrus. If you want to give it a real cocktail taste, add a dash of fancyflavored bitters. This will add alcohol to the drink, but in a very small quantity.

No matter what you do on Mardi Gras Day, do it safely, kindly, and with a festive heart.

—— 13 LOCAL FOOD VENDORS & A FAST CRAFT BAR ——

AN AFFAIR TO REMEMBER:

Eat, Drink and Relax at Apolline NEW HAPPY HOUR 4:30 - 6:30 Tuesday - Friday $1 Charbroiled Oysters - $2 Mimosas

4729 Magazine Street • (504) 894-8881 • www.ApollineRestaurant.com

VALENTINE’S DAY DRAG BRUNCH SUNDAY, FEB 10 | 12 – 2 pm Join us for brunch & a family friendly, Valentine’s Daythemed drag performance.

234 Loyola Ave | pythianmarket.com

WhereYat.com | February 2019 | 47

New Year, New Metairie Mardi Gras

By Kimmie Tubre

T

here are over a million people who attend Mardi Gras each year.

Among the attendees are hundreds of thousands of visitors who come to stroll along Bourbon Street, Canal Street, and St. Charles Avenue. They come to watch the ornamented floats while collecting as many beads, cups, and signature throws as possible. Most of the city’s tourists limit themselves to the downtown French Quarter festivities and Uptown parade routes. But, for a while now, Jefferson Parish’s Mardi Gras has become a big hit, especially for people with children.

Deemed a more family-friendly version, Mardi Gras in Jefferson Parish began several decades ago with its first parade held on Metairie Road. The celebration started with three routes that eventually combined into one main route that goes from Clearview Parkway and heads east along Veterans Memorial Boulevard to the residential area of Bonnabel.

Over the years, Jefferson Parish has faced several ups and downs, losing nine parades in the last 15 years and being marked as having a number of only-onethat-day parades—unlike Orleans Parish, where parades have become so numerous and so back-to-back that there’s no room for more.

In an effort to attract more people to the parades in Jefferson Parish, officials took advantage of the area’s family-friendly reputation by creating “Family Gras,” a free concert event held the weekend before Mardi Gras Day, with festivities that happen before, during, and after the parades. Started in 2007, Family Gras opened their first year with about 10,000 guests. Since then, the event has grown tremendously. Yet while Family Gras is a success year after year, it seems that it isn’t enough to keep Metairie’s Carnival season vibrant and filled with enough krewes and parades for its growing guests.

In fact, Jefferson Parish’s Mardi Gras became local headline news in 2018 after krewe captains and parish officials decided to make some changes to not only boost crowds, but also to keep the festival enjoyable and safe for families.

While there have been mixed reviews on these changes, there seems to be little choice about putting such changes in place. Though the number of parades has begun to dwindle, Family Gras continues to grow—ultimately outgrowing its most recent location. After several highly successful years with over 100,000 attendees at Family Gras, Jefferson Parish struggled to figure out exactly where to put

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these growing masses.

In 2019, Clearview Shopping Center will become the primary location for the new, bigger, and better Family Gras. The new location, originally where the floats loaded and lined up, has enough space to hold everyone and is a safer option. The move could be the first step toward creating a Mardi Gras celebration almost as big as the one held in Orleans Parish.

Metairie officials are also changing up the parade routes in hopes of reinventing their Mardi Gras. If the festivities are to be at Clearview Shopping Center, then why not have the option to end the parades there? The reverse route, starting at Bonnabel and ending at the shopping center, will be a finale—the icing on top of an already good time, a big extravaganza for krewe members and patrons to enjoy together.

Other changes have been made to create a more buzzing Carnival season.

Along with new locations and route changes, officials are hoping that the Metairie celebration will become more appealing to participants seeking a familyfriendly destination for their parades and krewes. Lessening the number of marching band requirements is one rule put into place, hopefully opening the opportunity up to some first-time bands and krewes that will become long-standing. And with more parades flowing back-to-back, more patrons will attend.

With Carnival season here and Mardi Gras Day around the corner, Jefferson Parish seems to be doing whatever it takes to keep a good thing going. A new Family Gras location and a new route option are coming, and naysayers seem to have quieted down.

Hopefully, these are the tricks they need to make the festivities bigger and better. As the saying goes, “It’s never too late to start with a clean slate.”

Be sure to visit

for up-to-date, interactive METAIRIE Parade maps at your Fingertips!

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WhereYat.com | February 2019 | 49

Mardi Gras Madness: Fat Tuesday Alternatives

By Jeff Boudreaux

M

ardi Gras: one of the most celebratory, highly anticipated holidays in the calendar year of a New Orleans resident. It means food, friends, floats, and fun—not to mention the prized throws that we compete for and even bend over backwards to obtain; it’s the absolute best time of the year for anyone who calls him- or herself a New Orleanian. That is, in most cases. Believe it or not, there is a growing tradition among area individuals to spend Fat Tuesday elsewhere. For people who have had their fill of parading or those who just want to take a break from the crowds and festivities, the states of Louisiana and Mississippi are collectively home to some of the most exciting and accessible day-trips for unmatched family fun.

If you are, in fact, looking to get away, then fill the car with some cold drinks and snacks and check out one of these triedand-true Fat-Tuesday alternatives: 1. Global Wildlife Center: Open seven days a week, this interactive alternative to the zoo (pictured left) just happens to be the largest free-roaming wildlife preserve in the entire U.S.! Doubling for Africa, the glorious wilderness of Folsom, Louisiana, is located just 90 minutes north of New Orleans and is home to over 4,000 friendly animals. Giraffes, camels, zebras, and bison are just a few of the creatures that will get up-close and personal with tour guests for those tasty little pellets sold at the gift shop.

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I recommend the (huge) family bucket for $30, because feeding animals never gets old, and you will hate yourself if you only purchase the $2 Mardi Gras-sized cup of feed that will most certainly run out five minutes into the 75-minute tour. Tickets to the safari wagon are $19 for adults, $17 for seniors, $13 for children ages two through 11, and free for children under one year old.

Be sure to visit globalwildlife.com for up-todate tour times.

26389 Louisiana 40, Folsom, LA; 985796-3585, globalwildlife.com 2. Tabasco Factory Tour & Museum: Located 138 miles west of the Crescent City is Avery Island, the home of Louisiana’s world-famous Tabasco sauce. For just $5.50 a person (kids aged four and under, free), learn all about Edmund McIlhenny’s vision for a spicy yet delicious condiment that would be cultivated from the island’s salt mines and abundant chili peppers. Along with vinegar, the result was the nation’s first recognizable hot sauce, one that incidentally just celebrated its 150th anniversary.

Sample Tabasco-flavored soda and ice cream in the museum and then head on over to their restaurant to dine on some delectable fare, such as the Pepper Barrel Crawfish Etouffée, Home-Style 7-Spice Chili, or Avery Island Red Beans & Sausage. Of course, each dish is expertly seasoned with that unmistakable Tabasco flavor. While on Avery Island, do yourself a favor and visit Jungle Gardens, a beautiful 170-acre botanical garden that also functions as a

WhereYat.com | February 2019 | 51

bird sanctuary and contains an astonishing 900-year-old statue of Buddha. Tickets are $8 for adults and $5 for children under 12.

32 Wisteria Rd., Avery Island, LA; 337373-6129, tabasco.com

the way, the price of admission also includes a bus tour of Stennis Space Center, NASA’s largest rocket engine test facility.

1 Discovery Cir, Pearlington, MS; 228533-9025, visitinfinity.com

3. Infinity Science Center: Just 43 miles 4. Old Louisiana State Capitol: from New Orleans, the Infinity Science History can be fun, too, especially at this Center at John C. Stennis Space 166-year-old gothic landmark in Center is 35,000 square feet of Baton Rouge. Home to the interactive, scientific fun for state’s first legislature the entire family. Observe in 1852, Louisiana’s the colossal five-engine Old State Capitol is Saturn V Booster an architectural Rocket as it ushers wonder and a you into the center must-see museum to revel in the glory celebrating the of all things NASA. unique history Marvel at the Earth of our great and Space galleries, state. Featuring including a lifeengaging exhibits size replica of the highlighting International Space Louisiana’s Station’s Destiny often-tumultuous Module and a complete legislative history, the immersive timeline of museum also includes Ta space exploration from m the award-winning ba u e sco its pre-Apollo beginnings “Ghost of the Castle” us Facto ry Tour & M to the new Space Launch 4D theatrical presentation System. Before you leave, make and a remarkable stained-glass it a point to walk the Biome Boardwalk: dome. Admission is free, and tickets for 1,400 feet comprising four diverse natural the show are only $3 per person. Just habitats that house snakes, alligators, and down the street is the actual current State carnivorous plants. Plan to spend an entire Capitol. Admission here is also free, and unforgettable day there. Adult tickets are no visit would be complete without seeing $18, $15 for seniors, $11 for children four the infamous hallway bullet hole, left as a to 13, and free for kids three and under. By memento of the assassination of Huey Long,

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as well as his grave on the Capitol grounds.

100 North Blvd., Baton Rouge, LA; louisianaoldstatecapitol.org 5. Vicksburg, Mississippi: There is an awful lot to do in Vicksburg, and it’s only 3.5 hours away. First off, The Biedenharn CocaCola Museum commemorates Joseph A. Biedenharn, the first-ever bottler of Coke, and is the very building where that momentous occasion took place in 1894. The restored décor is of an oldfashioned candy store and soda fountain, and yes, you can have ice cream or a Coke float while reliving a wonderful and simpler time in history. In addition to a wide range of exhibits covering the history and progression of Ol the world’s most popular dL soft drink, the museum ouis iana also contains an enormous collection of Coke memorabilia.

Admission is only $3.50 for adults, with children’s admission ranging from $2.50 to free. Right across the street is Yesterday’s Children, an antique doll and toy museum that is totally worth the $3 admission for adults or $2 for children 12 and under.

Of course, there’s also Vicksburg National

Military Park, including the USS Cairo Gunboat and Museum. Two days would be well-spent here, and admission is charged by the vehicle ($20), not the person.

6. Biedenharn Museum & Gardens: Joe Biedenharn certainly got around. Well, actually, he moved his business to Monroe, Louisiana, in 1913. Yes, this is yet another Coke Museum, but it is so much more as well—two more, in fact! There is also the Bible Museum (with an original 1611 King James Bible) and Joseph Biedenharn’s Home and Garden.

Admission for everything is just $6 for adults and $4 for kids. As Monroe is 4.5 hours from New Orleans, it would be optimal to arrive in Monroe on l Monday evening and o t i stay overnight, hitting ap the museums on Tuesday.

State C Just be aware that Biedenharn Museum & Gardens is closed on Mondays, so you don’t need to get there early. The atmosphere, exhibits, and memorabilia are all unique to this museum. You will not have the same experience or see the same things at the two Coke museums. Plus, visitors in Monroe are able to enjoy a bottle of Coke

for only five cents from the old vending machine, and if you’re lucky, you can plan on grabbing a few tasty kumquats from the trees overlooking the picturesque gardens.

As long as you’re in Northeast Louisiana, you may also consider driving an hour east to Poverty Point World Heritage Site, one of the oldest archeological sites in the country.

Admission is $4.

2006 Riverside Dr, Monroe, LA; 318-387-5281, bmusuem.org

Visit honeyislandswamp.com to make a reservation.

41490 Crawford Landing Rd., Slidell, LA; 985.641.1769 or 504.242.5877, honeyislandswamp.com

9. Birthplace of Kermit the Frog/ The Jim Henson Museum: Okay, let’s be honest. Who knew that legendary Muppets creator Jim Henson was born in Leland, Mississippi?

He was, and there 7. Louisiana is a delightful little State Penitentiary museum devoted Museum: Just to the world’s most over two hours famous frog, along northwest and with the rest of situated outside the Muppets, the gates of Angola too. Memorabilia is the LSP Museum. from the Muppet Admission is free, Show to Sesame and the museum’s Street is exhibited, website advises guests and there’s a gallery to plan on spending showcasing Jim and his “at least” a few hours beloved creations. The there. Don’t worry, museum is a genuine Ho p though, it’s not to hold jewel of the South that is ney Island Swam absolutely free. In case you you against your will—you just won’t want to leave until you’ve are not familiar with Leland (who seen each of their one-of-a-kind exhibits. is?), it is located 4.5 hours north. Less than From confiscated handmade weapons to a mile from there is the Highway 61 Blues the prison’s horse-drawn hearse to the Museum, devoted to over 80 musicians infamous “Gruesome Gertie,” which is the from Leland, including Edgar and Johnny decommissioned electric chair that ended Winter. Last, but certainly not least, is the the lives of 87 death row inmates, the LSP highly immersive BB King Museum and Delta Museum is a fascinating journey through Interpretive Center, just 15 miles east in all aspects of prison life on “The Farm.”

Indianola. Admission is $15 for adults, $12 While you’re here, you may as well go to for seniors, $10 for children seven through St. Francisville, which is less than a half17, and free for kids six and under. hour away. This beautiful, time-honored 415 S. Deer Creek Dr. E., Leland, MS; Mississippi River town contains a plethora 662-686-7383, facebook.com of historic buildings, houses, and churches, including the famed Myrtles Plantation, 10. Lazy Magnolia Brewery: We have America’s preeminent haunted home. Visit a lot of great breweries in and around the myrtlesplantation.com to check rates and city of New Orleans, but guess what? They’re availability. all going to be closed on Fat Tuesday for 17544 Tunica Trace, Angola, obvious reasons. The same can’t LA; (225) 655-2592, be said about Lazy Magnolia angolamuseum.org Brewery, located less than an hour away 8. Honey Island in Kiln, Mississippi.

Swamp: Feel like Lazy Magnolia is getting close to Mississippi’s oldest nature? Look no craft brewery, further than Honey with flagship Island Swamp, beers such as a mere 40 miles Southern Pecan, away from the city Southern Gold, in Slidell. Think of and Southern this excursion as Hospitality IPA. the bayou version Hey, I sense a of Global Wildlife theme going here!

Center—only here, The taproom is open you’ll get as close as all week long, but the La y humanly possible to tours are officially held zy M er Thursday alligators, raccoons, owls, through Saturday. agnolia Brew egrets, and much more. The However, if you call them at two-hour tour features entertaining 228-467-2727, the good folks at Lazy and informative guides and breathtaking Magnolia will be happy to accommodate a natural scenery and habitats that you will private tour on regular business days. Visit undoubtedly want to capture on your lazymagnolia.com for more information. camera or smartphone. Tickets are $25 for 7030 Roscoe-Turner Rd, Kiln, MS; 228adults and $15 for children. Transportation 467-2727, lazymagnolia.com is provided to and from downtown New Orleans for roughly double the ticket price.

WhereYat.com | February 2019 | 53

Food News

By Kim Ranjbar

DIY BBQ … Gyu-Kaku, a Japanese BBQ chain with over 700 restaurants worldwide, just launched its first Louisiana location in the Central Business District. Located in a 3,000 squarefoot space on Lafayette Street, the restaurant invites diners to choose from a selection of raw proteins and veggies that they can cook to their preference on a grill in the center of their table.

There are also plenty of ready-to-eat dishes, like ramen, salads, bibimbap, and more. Gyu-Kaku is open daily for dinner.

400 Lafayette St., Ste. 101, (504) 507-8800, gyu-kaku.com/new-orleans Can you say ¡Olé!? … Espiritu, the city's first mezcal bar, just opened in the Central Business District. Located near Lafayette Square in the building that previously housed Capdeville, this “celebration of Mexican history and cuisine” is owned by Jason Mitzen, his wife Amanda Sesser, and chef Nanyo Dominguez Cervantes, who formerly worked at Tito's Ceviche and Pisco on Magazine Street. Espiritu offers a wide selection of mezcals, including several from smaller, familyowned distilleries. They also offer a menu of Mexican dishes, like salsas, guacamole, tacos, tortas, and more.

520 Capdeville St., (504) 267-4975, espiritunola.com

Gyu-Kaku

Goodness gracious! … Gracious Bakery recently opened its fifth shop, located inside the brand-new home of the New Orleans Culinary & Hospitality Institute (NOCHI) on Howard Avenue.

Appropriately dubbed the NOCHI Café, the space offers coffee, pastries, sandwiches, plus an array of lunch plates created by Chef Michael Doyle, the former owner/chef of Maurepas Foods. Try the short rib debris sandwich with harissa slaw on a challah roll, the Louisiana crawfish roll, Moroccan

meatballs, or roasted butternut squash with red onion, lentils, pecans, and tahini yogurt dressing.

The café is open Monday through Saturday from 7 a.m. to 9 p.m.

725 Howard Ave., (504) 635-0033, nochi.org/ cafe And again! … James Beard Award-winning chef Sue Zemanick (formerly of Gautreau's) has opened her flagship restaurant named Zasu in Mid-City on S. Carrollton Avenue. Fans of the talented chef have been watching the renovations on the building (which used to house Rue 127) anxiously, and the new spot was overwhelmed by reservations on its first night open, which just happened to be New Year's Eve. The menu is heavily focused on seafood, with plates like grilled baby octopus with roasted peppers and salsa verde, curried grilled lobster, almond-crusted grouper, and Murder Point oysters with Meyer lemon granita. Zasu is open for dinner, Monday through Saturday.

127 N. Carrollton Ave., (504) 267-3233, zasunola.com Feeling brand-new … A former private chef to the stars in Hollywood, Chef Marlon Alexander is making his mark in New Orleans with two stands in the Pythian Market (Cru raw bar and rotisserie chicken spot Poulet) and, now, his first standalone restaurant, Cru. Located in the former home of Feelings Café in the Marigny, Cru offers some of the same dishes featured at his raw bar in addition to several more sandwiches and entrees. Try some Black Pepper Bowfin caviar, a veal chop with red wine demi-glace, or Gulf shrimp with stone-ground grits.

535 Franklin Ave., (504) 266-2856, crunola. com

Japanese Restaurant, Sushi & Such Mon – Thur 11:30 am – 10 pm Fri & Sat 11:30 am – 11 pm Sun 5 – 9 pm SushiNOLA.com | @NolaSushi 899-6532| 5130 Freret St.

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WhereYat.com | February 2019 | 55

Cru

Thanks, Slidell! … According to NOLA.com, when restaurateurs Iderlin Donna Rivera and her husband Richard lost the lease on their Slidell restaurant Que Rico! Cuban Café, they searched the area for several months to find a new location, without success. They decided to move to New Orleans and quickly scored the corner spot that once housed Saucy's BBQ on Magazine Street. Now the denizens of Uptown are flocking to the tiny café and enjoying authentic Cuban cuisine, from ropa vieja and lechon asado to croqueta and Cuban sandwiches. Que Rico!

Cuban Café is open for lunch and dinner, Tuesday through Saturday.

4200 Magazine St., (504) 827-1398, facebook. com/QueRicoCubanCafe Plenty of poké … Because folks in the GNO can never get enough poke, national chain Pokéworks recently opened their first Louisiana location on Vets in Metairie. Near Sucré and Bravo! Cucina Italiana at Lakeside Mall. The new restaurant offers familiar poke bowls plus poke burritos and salads. Diners can select signature bowls or build their own with a choice of protein (ahi tuna, organic tofu, scallops, etc.), mix-ins (kale, jalapeno, edamame, etc.), flavors (umami shoyu, ponzu, sriracha aioli, etc.), toppings (seaweed salad, sesame seeds, avocado, masago, etc.), and crunch (wonton crisps, shredded nori, lotus chips, etc.). Pokéworks is open daily from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m.

3413 Veterans Memorial Blvd., Metairie, (504) 218-5352, pokeworks.com Landmark leader … Antoine's, the oldest family-run restaurant in the country, has just selected Rich Lee to be the new executive chef to head its historic kitchen in the French Quarter.

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“I am honored to continue the next chapter of Antoine’s legacy as executive chef,” says Lee. “To serve at the helm of this legendary restaurant is a dream come true for me, as it would be for any chef.” We can't wait to see what you cook up!

713 St. Louis St., (504) 581-4422, antoines. com So sad to see you go …

As new places open, it's only natural that others will close. Some shutdowns may come as no surprise, but some hurt us inside a little, especially when they were longtime favorites that we would often patronize. Either way, every closure (and opening, for that matter) changes the culinary landscape of our city.

After a decade of business, La Thai on Prytania Street has shuttered. Owner Diana Chauvin-Gallé and her family have run several different Thai restaurants over the years, and though she's ready for a break, it's unlikely that La Thai will be her last. You will be missed!

Minority restaurant incubator Roux Carré on Oretha Castle Haley Boulevard closed at the end of December. Citing insufficient revenue, the creative culinary hub in Central City simply couldn't afford to continue. We're bummed to lose it and wish the culinary entrepreneurs who operated there every success in their future endeavors.

Finally, after serving the Warehouse District tasty and affordable plate lunches and sandwiches for 34 years, Louisiana Products on Julia Street has bid us all farewell. Owners Martha and Melanie Owen at 70+ years of age are ready to retire. Though the food was good and priced just right, we'll be missing their smiling faces more. Adieu!

COTERIE B R E A K FA S T, L U N C H , D I N N E R & M O R E !

135 Decatur St. ~ New Orleans 504-529-8600 ~ CoterieNOLA.com

WhereYat.com | February 2019 | 57

Celebrating 20 Years in New Orleans!

JUAN’S FLYING BURRITO MARGARITA MONDAY Every MONDAY

we Feature a TOP SHELF Margarita it’s Double sized but.... you’ll only pay the Single price new location!

Uptown-5538 Magazine 897.4800

CBD-515 Baronne 529.5825

LGD-2018 Magazine 569.0000

Mid-City-4724 S.Carrollton 486.9950

St. Cecilia's Spicy Oyster Po-Boy

20 and Under

$

Beloved Bivalve

T

By Kim Ranjbar

I won't want to share, though popping the hough most will be planning a special crispy, smoky bites into my lover’s mouth is outing with their significant others equally appealing. this Valentine’s Day, I'll be bucking the Next, we'll hop on a streetcar and rumble trend with a day-long ode to oysters. You down into the French Quarter to The may be telling yourself, “She's probably Governor Restaurant on the corner of single or maybe just doesn't play into that Chartres and Bienville Streets. Sitting next to annual greeting-card holiday,” but nothing the open French doors, we'll gaze into each could be further from the truth. I'll gladly other's eyes lovingly till our plate of brie bring my boyfriend along (I'm and roasted garlic butter-baked not shellfish), and we can oysters arrives. Then all bets wrap our lips around are off while we gobble this most marvelous each brie-laden bivalve mollusk together, with abandon, barely and afterwards, making eye contact who knows where until we both reach the evening might for another, only take us? After to find all of them all, oysters are are gone. said to be a Knowing me, most powerful I still won't be aphrodisiac. satisfied until We'll start our we stroll several journey in the blocks through Lower Garden the French Market, District at the buying oyster-related recently opened Grissouvenirs—everything Gris. Chef Eric Cook from shellfish earrings has made us swoon to oyster-touting totes.

G risT" Then we'll smell it—right with his Oyster & Cajun L Gris' B Caviar Po-Boy and Cast near the corner of Barracks s Oyster " Iron-Seared Fish, but today we'll Street and French Market indulge in his signature dish, the Oyster Place—the aroma of Saint Cecilia—and “BLT.” Plump Gulf oysters are deep-fried and we'll have no choice but to go in. We'll split plated with smoked pork belly, peppery micro a giant, spicy oyster po-boy with flash-fried arugula, and tomato jam and drizzled with Louisiana oysters, pickled red onion, tomato, sugarcane vinegar for an oyster appetizer and horseradish mayonnaise. Will we be able

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The Governor's Brie & Garlic Butter-Baked Oysters to go on?

We must! Especially when over in Mid-City, there are some bivalve beauties just calling our names. Building suspense and delicious anticipation, we'll slowly make our way over to MOPHO on City Park Avenue for a tonguetingling taste of Vietnamese and New Orleans cuisine. Though we may â&#x20AC;&#x153;ooh and aahâ&#x20AC;? over

the beautiful, crispy, cornmeal-fried P&J oysters with mopho mayo, radish, and pickled blue cheese, we certainly won't hesitate to inhale the whole plate, leaving nothing except perhaps a bruised sprig of parsley or a faint smear of sauce in our wake.

Our oyster affair couldn't possibly end without the salty-sweet taste of raw Gulf

Superior Seafood's Raw Oysters oysters on our lips, so off we fly to Superior Seafood on St. Charles Avenue, where freshly shucked beauties are only $16 a dozen. With a loaf of warm French bread, saltine crackers, and horseradish, we'll sensuously slurp our way through every shell till we grab the last, scratch our heads, shrug, and order another round.

An oyster dessert would be a fitting end to our day, but we'll likely be so stimulated by all the zinc that the only thought in our minds will be to head back home for some cuddle time. Of course, we could just as easily pass out from a food coma.

Happy Valentine's Day!

WhereYat.com | February 2019 | 59

We Dat’s Chicken and Shrimp, known for its wings, wraps, and shrimp, serves up simple yet delicious iterations of Southern comfort food. Sample their large array of sauces, and don’t miss their Brow Special: two pieces of catfish, some shrimp, and a mountain of fries.

Multiple Locations | wedatschickenandshrimp.com

RestaurantGuide AFRICAN Bennachin specializes in West African cuisine with a New Orleans flair. This unique restaurant offers a welcome break from the conventional meals you’ve been eating. Their specialty is taking traditional African flavors from Gambia and Cameroon and kicking them up a notch. 1212 Royal St. | 522-1230 | bennachinrestaurant.com

Willie Mae’s Scotch House knows how to make some juicy fried chicken. Since 1957, they’ve been serving up quality entrees from their short and sweet menu. Their accolades include a James Beard Award and Travel Channel’s distinction for Best Fried Chicken in America.

2401 St. Ann St. | 822-9503 | williemaesnola.com WOW Café Doubletree will have your taste buds begging for more of their wings with signature sauces, which range from spicy to sweet and tangy. Wings aside, their vast menu offers serious handhelds, like wraps and burgers, and tender ribs. 300 Canal St. | 212-3250 | wowcafe.com/stores/double-tree-new-orleans

AMERICAN Apolline, occupying a renovated double-shotgun cottage, may look rustic with its brick interior and soft lighting, but don’t be fooled; their food is far from country fare. Plus, they have bottomless mimosas and Bloody Marys; need we say more? 4729 Magazine St. | 8948881 | apollinerestaurant.com Bayou Hot Wings is finger-lickin’ good. With 13 irresistible wing flavors, from sweet to beastly, there is surely something for every palate. Not into wings? Try some of their other awesome creations, like burgers or wraps. Your taste buds will thank you. 6221 S. Claiborne Ave. | 662-9933 | bayouhotwings.com Daisy Dukes is known for its Cajun Bloody Mary Mix, but they’ve also got some equally delicious, no-frills Southern classics, like po-boys, gumbo, and crawfish, to satisfy your belly. Two of their five locations are 24/7, so drop by anytime to get your fill of some good cookin’. Multiple Locations | daisydukesrestaurant.com Gattuso’s Neighborhood Restaurant shines in the heart of Gretna. They serve something for everyone, with a large variety of dips, wraps, burgers, and daily specials.

Their Dirty Bird po-boy, stuffed with turkey, roast beef, Swiss, and gravy, can’t be beat. 435 Huey P. Long Ave. | Gretna | 368-1114 | gattusos.net Gordon Biersch is taking over the handcrafted brewing scene with its German lagers and enticing entrees. They have an impressive variety of beers on tap, with a brew to pair perfectly with any dish you fancy. Their Gorgonzola Ribeye is tops on the list. 200 Poydras St. | 522-2739 | gordonbiersch.com Lakeview Harbor might take inspiration from local waters for its name, but you’ll find a lot more on the

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ASIAN

Apolline menu than just seafood. They have a huge selection of burgers and sandwiches, along with juicy steaks and Southern comfort food. Check out their delectable daily specials. 8550 Pontchartrain Blvd. | 486-4887 | lakeviewharbor.us Liberty Cheesesteaks is invading the home of the poboy, one Philly cheesesteak at a time. Founders Mike and Joe saw a vacuum in this sandwich-crazed city and filled the gap. Today, they bring us traditional cheesesteaks any native Philadelphian would approve of. 5039 Freret St. | 875-4447 | libertycheesesteaks.com Spudly's Super Spuds is a potato heaven. Whoever said potatoes were a side dish is clearly wrong. Here, the overstuffed spuds take center stage, with virtually any filling you could ever want (try the crawfish)—and don’t forget a side of their amazing corn and crab bisque. 2609 Harvard Ave. | Metairie | 455-3250 | spudlys.com Surrey’s Cafe & Juice Bar is known for having some of the best breakfast and brunch items in town. Highlights include the Crab Meat Omelette and Banana Pancakes, and if you’re really hungry, go for the Montana Plate.

Arrive early to avoid the wait! Multiple Location | 5243828 | surreysnola.com

Green Tea has got your back. With origins in New York City, this eatery offers great healthy options, soups, fried rice, noodles, and several dinner and lunch specials—all at an extremely reasonable price. These Chinese take-out titans will feed you in a flash. 3001 Napoleon Ave. | 899-8005 | greenteanola.com Kyoto 2, located in an unassuming strip mall, has perfected the art of sushi. These sushi mavens roll up some of the biggest, baddest rolls in town. They also serve plenty of other options for those non-sushi fans, such as chicken teriyaki, shrimp tempura, and udon soup.

5608 Citrus Blvd. | Harahan | 818-0228 | facebook. com/Kyoto2Nola Mikimoto offers delicious sushi with the flavor of New Orleans in each bite. Who’d pass up the chance to try a taste of Carrollton with the South Carrollton Roll or the city’s beloved sandwich in sushi form with the Poboy Roll?

3301 S. Carrollton Ave. | 488-1881 | mikimotosushi. com Miyako Hibachi & Sushi Bar is known for its entertaining hibachi chefs and ample seating and is a great spot for large groups. Their sushi menu has many delicious options, like the Spicy Crawfish Roll. Try one of their excellent cocktails from the bar to go along with your meal. 1403 St. Charles Ave. | 410-9997 | miyakonola.com Origami may be a paper-folding art, but here it takes

the form of an artfully crafted sushi roll. This spot is a favorite of Tulane students and Uptowners alike. Make sure to save room for dessert, because you can’t get their delicious Banana Tempura or lychee ice cream anywhere else. 5130 Freret St. | 899-6532 | sushinola.com Viet Orleans Bistro offers far more than your typical Vietnamese restaurant does. The menu is full of phở’, bánh mi, and noodle bowls and features an entire page dedicated to their amazing sushi. Viet Orleans insists on using the freshest and best ingredients for a memorable dining experience. 300 Baronne St. | 333-6917 BARS WITH GREAT FOOD Backspace Bar & Kitchen is about as close as you can get to eating in a library. Whether you are a foodie or a bookworm, this spot is bookmark-worthy. Try the Whitman Roast Beef or the Hemingway Cuban if you want to channel your inner author. 139 Chartres St. | 322-2245 | backspacenola.com Buffa’s Bar and Restaurant is a staple in the New Orleans jazz community and also serves up some soulful food. The menu is loaded with amazing choices, so you may want to get one of everything. They’re also open 24/7, so stop by anytime for any meal. 1001 Esplanade Ave. | 949-0038 | buffasbar.com Copper Vine is a wine-lover’s dream and the perfect place to unWINEd after a long day. With everything from small plates to delicious burgers, Copper Vine definitely has something to satisfy your craving. They also have over 30 wines, with some on tap, so make this your new go-to post-work haunt. 1001 Poydras St. | 208-9535 | coppervinewine.com The Jimani is the place to be if you love sports and good food. They show virtually every game imaginable, and have a great selection of beer and an impressive menu.

Come watch a game, eat a burger, and sip a cold one in this relaxed and comfy environment. 141 Chartres St. | 524-0493 | thejimani.com Mimi’s in the Marigny is technically a bar, but when it comes to the bar food, don’t expect simple peanuts here.

The menu features gourmet tapas for both vegetarians and carnivores. You can’t go wrong with patatas bravas, duck poutine, or the ultimate shareable staple: a cheese board. 2601 Royal St. | 872-9868 | mimismarigny.com Ole Saint takes you down memory lane with Deuce McAllister’s football memorabilia, but brings you back to reality when a game is on. Watch your team, eat some

delicious food, and have a local brew at this former New Orleans Saint’s watering hole. 132 Royal St. | 309-4797 | olesaint.com Orleans Grapevine, with over 375 bottled wines, is an oasis in itself. As if that weren’t enough, they’ve got Bacon Happy Hour from 4 p.m. till 6 p.m. and 10 p.m. till 12 a.m. daily, when you’ll get FREE bacon with your drinks. Come for the drinks: stay for the BACON! 720 Orleans Ave. | 523-1930 | orleansgrapvine.com Shamrock Bar and Grill is all about the games—and the food. Challenge your friends to some mini-bowling, foosball, basketball, or darts at the city’s largest neighborhood bar, all while savoring their Ribeye Steak with Mashed Potatoes. 4133 S. Carrollton Ave. | 3010938 | shamrockparty.com CAFÉ Café 615 Home of Dawabbit serves homestyle meals at great prices and offers daily lunch specials that are out of this world. The lima beans on Tuesdays are delicious, and the pork chop is as big as your head. There’s a reason that Café 615 was voted best restaurant on the Westbank! 615 Kepler St. | Gretna | 365-1225 | dawabbit.net Café Amelie is a favorite among local foodies as well as tourists, due to its beautiful atmosphere and courtyard setting. No other café will serve you oven-roasted salmon with horseradish cream and fingerling potatoes. Café culture never tasted better. 912 Royal St. | 412-8965 | cafeamelie.com Café Beignet has some of the best chicory coffee and beignets anywhere. Order breakfast here any time of day or try one of their Cajun specialties. Stop by the Musical Legends Park at their Bourbon Street location for live local jazz beginning at 8 a.m. Multiple locations | cafebeignet.com Café Carmo creates a tropical foodscape with its fresh juices, ceviches, salads, and breads inspired by Caribbean cuisine. Try their new raw bar to experience amazing flavors. Take your taste buds on an adventure with influences from all over the world. 527 Julia St. | 8754132 | cafecarmo.com Caffe! Caffe! beats all the coffee chains when it comes to baked goodies, offering up some decadent cakes, pies, and other sweets. If you don’t have a sweet tooth and are looking for a healthier option, this café also offers salads and Eat Fit selections. Two Metairie Locations | caffecaffe.com

Compère Lapin knows how to spice up a traditional menu, putting a Caribbean spin on their dishes with innovative flavors. This James Beard Award-winner is home to fantastic cocktails and some classic New Orleans dishes with Caribbean pizazz. 535 Tchoupitoulas St. | 599-2119 | comperelapin.com Cru by Chef Marlon Alexander serves up delicious seafood and meat dishes, as well as an assortment of drinks. Be sure to treat yourself to a hearty serving of Shrimp Rémoulade while enjoying the sights and sounds of their courtyard surroundings. 535 Franklin Ave. | 266-2856 | crunola.com Jimmy J’s Café, tucked away in the French Quarter, is a small and funky café that is big and bold when it comes to Southern flavor and hospitality. If you like breakfast for dinner, try one of their French toast selections, such as the Bananas Foster variety. 115 Chartres St. | 309-9360 | jimmyjscafe.com FRENCH Café Degas has been voted one of the best French restaurants in the city and offers authentic French cuisine that is perfect for any occasion. For something really special, try the Caille Rôtie: roasted quail over baby greens, served with fresh fruit. 3127 Esplanade Ave. | 945-5635 | cafedegas.com ITALIAN Josephine Estelle, an Italian eatery run by James Beard Award nominees, knows how to make good pasta and seafood. Head on over to this gourmet establishment for some homemade noodles or delectable soft-shell crab bathed in brown butter. 600 Carondelet St. | 930-3070 | josephineestelle.com

Italian punch. Upscale pizzas with arugula and dates as well as fresh chicken liver pate are just a few examples of what this restaurant can whip up. The arancini balls are incredible and are simply a must-try. 141 Delaronde St. | 605-3365 | facebook.com/TavolinoLounge

Uptown, offers generous portions of the Middle Eastern food that has patrons flocking from across the city. Snack on savory dishes and check out the daily lunch menu for specials. 1500 S. Carrollton Ave. | 862-6200 | lebanonscafe.com

Venezia may lure you in with the promise of “pizza pie,” but they’ve got much more to offer, including a variety of pastas that range from fettuccine to stuffed shells.

Along with that, their Veal Pontchartrain is sure to be your new favorite dish. 134 N. Carrollton Ave. | 488-7991 | venezianeworleans.net

Pyramid’s Cafe may look like an American diner with its checkerboard tiles, but they serve up some seriously delicious Mediterranean dips, salads, and entrees that come with a side of hummus. They also offer a whole lamb with all of the fixings, perfect for a special occasion.

3149 Calhoun St. | 861-9602 | pyramidscafeonline. com

MEXICAN Juan’s Flying Burrito lets you have Taco Tuesday every day. No matter what sort of Mexican dish you crave, the whole menu is great at Juan’s. Thirsty? They’ve got everything from margaritas to boozy lemonade to mojitos at this funky taco joint. Multiple locations | juansflyingburrito.com NOLA Cantina is the new kid on the block, but that doesn’t mean it’s not already standing up to the other taco heavyweights. With a menu full of flavor, NOLA Cantina is sure to have something for everyone. The Flower Power tacos are a must. 437 Esplanade Ave. | facebook.com/nolacantina/ MIDDLE EASTERN Lebanon’s Café, located under the shady oak trees of

NEW ORLEANS CUISINE Antoine’s Restaurant has been setting the standard for Creole cuisine since 1840. They also have the honor of being the inventor of the world-renowned Oysters Rockefeller. Antoine’s continues to deliver a classic FrenchCreole dining experience in a city known for just that. 713 St. Louis Ave. | 581-4422 | antoines.com Broussard’s seamlessly blends Creole and French cuisines. They’ve got all the classics, including oysters, shrimp remoulade, and turtle soup. Perfect for a night out or just a casual drink with friends, Broussard’s guarantees good food and good times. 819 Conti St. | 581-3866 | broussards.com City Donuts & Café has not only some of the city’s best donuts, but also fantastic New Orleans dishes, like

Mellow Mushroom on Oak Street is a necessary stop for any hungry patron in the Carrollton area. Their pizza parlor menu is anything but the usual. They have calzones as well as classic and thin crust specialty pizzas, like the Holy Shitake with black truffle oil. 8227 Oak St. | 3458229 | mellowmushroom.com Red Gravy, a rustic Italian café, offers cannoli, spaghetti, meatballs, and gnocchi for breakfast, brunch, or lunch.

Most of the tasty options are recipes passed down from generation to generation, making the dishes here homemade masterpieces. 125 Camp St. | 561-8844 | redgravycafe.com Tavolino is a small restaurant that packs a modern

CaféBeignet

Steamboat Willie Jazz Band Nightly at 311 Bourbon Musical Legends Park

A New Orleans Tradition 600 Decatur • 334 Royal • 311 Bourbon

www.cafebeignet.com WhereYat.com | February 2019 | 61

shrimp and grits, po-boys, and more. Open 24/7, City Donuts has great locations Uptown near Tulane and in the Marigny on St. Claude Avenue. Multiple locations | 372-5811 | facebook.com/pages/City-DonutsCafe/168532820654540 Chef Ron’s Gumbo Stop is the definition of inconspicuous. Tucked away in a strip mall off the Causeway, this small shop is doing big things with Louisiana classics. The menu is overflowing with burgers and Creole favorites, but the many variations of gumbo make this place famous. 2309 N. Causeway Blvd. | Metairie | 835-2022 | gumbostop.com The Columns Hotel offers a memorable dining experience with breakfast, brunch, and an awardwinning Happy Hour. Enjoy their seasonal charcuterie and cheese combination board in the Victorian dining room or front gallery with a view of beautiful Saint Charles Avenue. 3811 St. Charles Ave. | 899-9308 | thecolums.com Coterie NOLA Restaurant & Oyster Bar is a new spot where you can enjoy some fried pickles or an alligator po-boy in a casual atmosphere where you don't need to get dressed up for a fine-dining experience. If that isn’t enough to bring you in, there’s also a Happy Hour with deals on oysters. Try yours chargrilled. 135 Decatur St. | 529-8600 | coterienola.com Crescent City Brewhouse, the French Quarter’s only microbrewery, is a drinking and dining experience for all the senses. They serve up modern takes on classic New Orleans dishes that go well with one of their famous brews. 527 Decatur St. | 522-0571 | crescentictybrewhouse.com Crossroads at House of Blues is the perfect blend of food, music, and art. Their “Impossible Cheeseburger”— made up of a "burger" patty with cheese, lettuce, pickles, and a secret spread on a bun—is 100 percent vegan.

Yes, it really is possible! 225 Decatur St. | 310-0499 | houseofblues.com/neworleans/menu Dick and Jenny’s is located in a cozy Creole cottage on Tchoupitoulas Street, serving upscale food with a Southern twist. Chef Merlin prides himself on “creating Cajun Creole culinary dishes with just a touch of Thai influence,” made with locally sourced ingredients. 4501 Tchoupitoulas St. | 894-9880 | dickandjennys.com The Governor salutes the city’s historical influencers and age-old recipes for lunch and dinner. You can enjoy some oysters or Shrimp Clemenceau while pondering

62 | Mardi Gras | Where Y'at Magazine

the shortcomings of our political system. All-day brunch is also an option. 301 Chartres St. | 291-1860 | governorrestaurant.com New Orleans Cajun Cookery is keeping the city’s food traditions alive with its interpretations of the classics.

Located in the Warehouse District among some of the city’s trendiest restaurants, this spot shows that a good ol’ shrimp po-boy can still be the best meal around. 701 S. Peters St. | 985-778-2529 | facebook.com/NewOrleans-Cajun-Cookery New Orleans Creole Cookery is New Orleans cuisine at its finest. The Snapper Pontchartrain features panseared snapper topped with jumbo lump crab meat and hollandaise sauce. They’ve also got a great list of boozy beverages, like the Category 5 Hurricane. 508 Toulouse St. | 524-9632 | neworleanscreolecookery.com The Original Fiorella’s Cafe may offer a variety of New Orleans staples, but believe us, pass those up on your first visit and try some crispy fried chicken. Fiorella’s won the Fried Chicken Festival title of Best Fried Chicken two years in a row. 5325 Franklin Ave. | 309-0352 | originalfiorellas.com Parran's Po-Boys and Restaurant serves up a variety of delicious fried and grilled po-boys on fresh French bread, along with gigantic muffalettas and mouthwatering Italian dishes. With locations in Metairie, Kenner, and Uptown, Parran’s can easily satisfy your poboy hankering. Multiple locations | parranspoboys. com Public Service at the NOPSI Hotel truly serves the public with a delectable selection of seafood and modern twists on Creole classics, including Cajun poutine and their Braised Short Ribs with Wild Mushroom and Potato Ragout. 311 Baronne St. | 9626527 | publicservicenola.com Short Stop Poboys doesn’t mess around when it comes to making the city’s famed sandwich, offering the biggest po-boy menu in the city. There is sure to be something here for every craving. The menu has some delicious non-po-boy items as well. 119 Transcontinental Dr. | Metairie | 885-4572 | shortstoppoboysno.com SEAFOOD Acme Oyster House is an institution that we’re proud to claim here in New Orleans. With locations spread across the Gulf South, Acme is sharing its delightful

Felix'sRestaurant&OysterBar NOLA fare far and wide. Don’t miss their Fried Peace Maker Po-Boy. Multiple Locations | acmeoyster.com Briquette offers contemporary coastal cuisine in a casual environment inside a former molasses refinery.

Their open kitchen truly puts the food center stage, and their 18-foot seafood display features a variety of fresh fish. This is the perfect place for seafood-lovers. 701 S. Peters St. | 302-7496 | briquette-nola.com Felix’s Restaurant & Oyster Bar lives up to its name.

With plenty of oyster options, they’re guaranteed to appease all mollusk-lovers, whether you like them raw or fried. Be sure to check out Felix’s newest location on the lakefront, with beautiful views overlooking Lake Pontchartrain. Multiple locations | felixs.com Landry’s Seafood puts an elegant spin on seafood.

You won’t find your average fried fish here; they spice it up with lemon pepper seasoning and even bacon.

And if you’re missing a taste of home, they’ve got New Orleans BBQ shrimp, po-boys, and gumbo—even at their Missouri location. Multiple Locations | landrysseafood.com Poseidon is a delectable seafood restaurant and sushi bar that offers a wide array of sushi rolls, hibachi, and even karaoke. Open six days a week and serving until

2 a.m. on Fridays and Saturdays, Poseidon is sure to please your palate. 2100 St. Charles Ave. | 509-6675 | poseidonnola.com Seaworthy features wild-caught, local, and sustainably harvested seafood with a global flare. Enjoy a diverse menu that offers tasty seafood options, like the smoked cobia with prosciutto and fennel. Don’t forget to pair your meal with one of their amazing craft cocktails. 630 Carondelet St. | 930-3071 | seaworthynola.com VEGAN Green Goddess focuses on the flavors of New Orleans and prides itself on selecting the best possible ingredients every time. They put just as much effort into the cocktails: Be sure to try a Liquor Ball, their boozy take on a snow ball. 307 Exchange Pl. | 301-3347 | greengoddessrestaurant.com Seed has firmly planted itself in a city known for its carnivorous diet and love of seafood and everything fried. But that’s not stopping them from sharing their version of tantalizing vegan soul food, including an eggplant po-boy, gumbo, and beignets. 1330 Prytania St. | 302-2599 | seedyourhealth.com

WhereYat.com | February 2019 | 63

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BarGuide

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Above the Grid (NOPSI Hotel) NOPSI’s dynamic rooftop pool and bar, Above the Grid, is a peaceful oasis for hotel guests, visitors, and locals to 317 Baronne St. savor chilled drinks and dine on creative, healthy fare.

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

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

Backspace Bar 139 Chartres St. 322-2245

Brimming with inspiration and local color, Backspace feeds both the mind and the taste buds in an atmosphere where you can channel your inner Tennessee Williams.

Bar Tonique 820 N. Rampart St. 324-6045

A hidden gem at the edge of the French Quarter, this cozy, brick-built space offers classic cocktails and a chalkboard full of daily specials.

Boot Scootin Rodeo 522 Bourbon St. 552-2510

Boot Scootin Rodeo is as country as it comes, with plenty of honky-tonk—and the refreshments to go with it—as well as the largest oak dance floor on Bourbon Street.

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— and has been doing so for almost 80 years!

Crescent City Brewhouse The first brewpub in New Orleans, Crescent City Brewhouse offers nightly live music, skillfully house527 Decatur St. brewed lagers, and monthly exhibitions of local art.

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64 | Mardi Gras | Where Y'at Magazine

Cosimo's Bar 1201 Burgundy St. 522-9428

A cozy neighborhood spot since 1934, Cosimo’s offers a great Happy Hour and delicious bar food options, such as mouthwatering pizzas, burgers, and wings.

Fontaine Palace 218 S. Robertson St. 525-3277

Fontaine Palace takes everything that’s expected of a bar and raises those expectations, with great music and appetizing dishes to accompany their drinks.

Gattuso’s 435 Huey P. Long Ave. 368-1114

A gem in the Gretna Historic District, Gattuso’s is the perfect place for family night, a meet-up with a group of friends, or Trivia Night every Tuesday.

Golden Lantern 1239 Royal St. 529-2860

The Golden Lantern, open 24/7, is full of fun times, thanks to their friendly atmosphere and weekly drag shows every Friday, Saturday, and Sunday.

Hermes Bar at Antoine's 725 St. Louis St. 581-4422

In a converted dining room of the renowned Antoine's Restaurant, the polished and pleasant Hermes Bar serves up classic New Orleans cocktails alongside traditional dishes.

House of Blues 225 Decatur St. 310-4999

This long-standing concert venue features great live music and a rich atmosphere. Be sure to try their deliciously soulshaking Crossroads Cadillac Margarita.

Jimani 141 Chartres St. 524-0493

Whether you’re looking for a place to end the night or start it, the Jimani is a great haunt for any night owl, with one of the largest beer selections in the Quarter.

Kerry Irish Pub 331 Decatur St. 527-5954

If you’re looking to escape the Bourbon Street scene, Kerry Irish Pub is the welcoming, authentic bar you need, with possibly the best Guinness poured in the city.

Martine's Lounge 2347 Metairie Rd. 831-8637

Whether you’re a weekend warrior or a weekday barfly, any day spent at Martine’s Lounge is far from dull, thanks to their variety of weekly events and drink specials.

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

If you’re looking for a neighborhood bar with sophisticated cocktails, then Pal’s is the place to go, where they offer a unique rotation of drinks and pop-ups.

Pat O'Brien's Bar 718 St. Peter St. 525-4823

As the inventor of the Hurricane cocktail, this bar has been a long-standing destination for visitors clamoring to try the fruity rum concoction in their gorgeous courtyard.

Penthouse Club 727 Iberville St. 524-4354

For an unforgettable night of luxury or to celebrate a special event, Penthouse Club is the place for mature entertainment on one of three stages.

Rick’s Cabaret 315 Bourbon St. 524-4222

There’s fun to be had with the 18,000 square feet of teasingly naughty entertainment, including the group of beautiful ecdysiasts on stage at Rick’s Cabaret.

Shamrock Bar & Grill 4133 S. Carrollton Ave. 307-4350

One of the largest neighborhood bars in the city, Shamrock has 16,000 square feet of wall-to-wall fun, with over 20 pool tables, ping-pong, and arcade-style games.

Tropical Isle Multiple Locations 529-1702

Home of the Hand Grenade, Tropical Isle has plenty of locations along Bourbon Street to get “Have a Hand Grenade” off your to-do list.

Vintage Rock Club 1007 Poydras St. 308-1305

A high-end entertainment venue built upon the concept of the greatest jukebox that ever existed. Be sure to rock with them every Friday and Saturday night!

World of Beer 300 Julia St. 299-3599

World of Beer is a brew-lover’s heaven on Earth. They carry beer options from all over, so there’s nothing between you and a beer-based journey around the globe.

WhereYat.com | February 2019 | 65

FilmReviews

Catch all of Where Y'at's film reviews

by Movie Editor David Vicari and Critic Fritz Esker at WhereYat.com.

Glass

By David Vicari

I have never been an M. Night Shyamalan fan. Nope, not even The Sixth Sense (1999). So, it's no surprise that I thoroughly dislike Glass, the third in his “comic book” trilogy following Unbreakable (2000) and Split (2016).

Here is a recap of the characters: David Dunn (Bruce Willis) is the main character from Unbreakable who has super strength, psychic abilities, and can't really get hurt. Elijah Price, AKA Mr. Glass (Samuel L. Jackson), is the wheelchairbound terror from Unbreakable who has such fragile bones that they are easily broken. And James McAvoy reprises his role from Split as a character with about 24 personalities, the most dangerous of which is named The Beast and is vicious and has powerful strength.

So, in Glass, all three of these characters end up in the same mental facility that has the absolute worst security. Dr. Ellie Staple (Sarah Paulson) tries to convince them that their super powers and weaknesses are only in their minds. Eventually, Price and Split team up and escape. The Dunn character is put on the sidelines for much of the film—that is, until the climactic three-way showdown in a parking lot.

Writer/Director Shyamalan's movie pretends to be low-key, but it is actually wildly pretentious, not to mention an unintentional laugh riot. Characters like Dunn's son (Spencer Treat Clark), Price's mother (Charlayne Woodard), and Split's wily would-be victim (Anya Taylor-Joy) all make like a Greek chorus throughout the film to tell us how comic book characters are supposed to act in certain situations. That's just dumb. The funniest scene, however, is late in the movie, when an injured McAvoy goes through a bunch of his personalities. It's impressive, but it comes off like a Robin Williams routine.

Of course, it wouldn't be a Shyamalan film without a lame twist. I won't spoil it, but I'll just say that we find out the true intentions of one of the characters. I guess Shyamalan deserves points for not making a cookie-cutter movie and actually taking story risks, but his choices are misguided.

On the Basis of Sex

By Fritz Esker On the Basis of Sex is a partially successful telling of how Ruth Bader Ginsburg established herself in the legal world by winning a gender discrimination case for a male client.

Ginsburg (Felicity Jones) struggles with discrimination, first in law school, then from law firms that are reluctant to hire her because she’s a woman. So, she becomes a law professor at Rutgers while raising a family with her loving husband (Armie Hammer), a fellow lawyer. Ginsburg wants to make the world a fairer place for women, and she finds what she thinks will be an opening to reversing gender discrimination laws: a case where a man (Chris Mulkey) is denied a caregiver’s tax exemption while he cares for his sick mother full-time.

At times, On the Basis of Sex feels a bit too overly idolizing. There are times when the screenplay’s dialogue (written by Ginsburg’s nephew Daniel Stiepleman) is a little too obvious and on-the-nose. And in the lead role, the British Jones also struggles to maintain Ginsburg’s Brooklyn accent.

But where director Mimi Leder’s film succeeds is in its portrayal of how Ginsburg broke down gender discrimination via the law. It may seem self-evident now to say that it is wrong to discriminate against people because of their gender, but it was not so obvious in the fairly recent past. The movie is compelling when Ginsburg breaks down the legal basis for gender discrimination brick by brick.

The film has an admirable emphasis on the importance of persuasion. In the Facebook/Twitter era, many people are quick to resort to ad hominem attacks and patronizing dismissals of anyone who slightly disagrees with them. On the Basis of Sex acknowledges that actual persuasion is difficult. It takes time, patience, and hard work, but it’s more likely to achieve real change than a public name-calling contest. And that’s a message worth conveying in this day and age.

66 | Mardi Gras | Where Y'at Magazine

The Upside

Vice

By David Vicari

By David Vicari

The Upside is an Americanized remake of the 2011 French smash hit The Intouchables, which, in turn, is inspired by the true story of Philippe Pozzo di Borgo and his French-Algerian caregiver Abdel Sellou.

The Intouchables is a solid comedy-drama and a remake wasn't really necessary, but, as it is, The Upside is a pleasant enough film in its own right.

In The Upside, Bryan Cranston plays wealthy paraplegic Phillip Lacasse, who needs a 24/7 caregiver.

Much to the displeasure of his stern assistant, Yvonne (Nicole Kidman), Phillip picks Dell Scott (Kevin Hart) for the job—an ex-con with no prior experience.

Of course, the two men form an unlikely friendship that affects both of their lives.

Surprisingly, The Upside doesn't go for either corny melodrama or sitcomstyle shenanigans. Director Neil Burger (The Illusionist, Limitless) goes for a low-key approach—maybe too low-key at times, but that's far better than a sugary affliction-of-the-week movie. It's the undeniable chemistry between Hart, Cranston, and Kidman that makes the movie work. Hart, however, is the real surprise. He's known as a comedic actor, but he takes a dramatic turn here with ease. The performance comes across as natural and not at all forced.

Yeah, The Intouchables is the better movie, but The Upside isn't so bad. It's a respectable remake.

This movie about Dick Cheney's rise to power is scattershot in its storytelling, but that actually works for the movie, giving it a surreal quality.

The tone here isn't starkly, seriously dramatic, but darkly funny and irreverent. What I saw in Vice, directed by Adam McKay (Anchorman: The Legend of Ron Burgundy, The Other Guys, The Big Short), were shades of both Robert Altman and Louis Bunuel. I can totally watch a triple feature of Vice, M*A*S*H (1970), and The Phantom of Liberty (1974).

McKay's film chronicles Dick Cheney's climb up the political ladder, first as a staffer to Donald Rumsfeld. Later, Cheney served as vice president of the United States from 2001 to 2009 under President George W. Bush, a position that Cheney accepted with the understanding that he would be able to wield more executive power than the role allows.

Christian Bale plays Cheney in an extraordinary performance. His transformation into Cheney is so complete that the actor is unrecognizable.

It's definitely a nuanced performance, as Bale even gives his subject a twinkle of humanity. The rest of the cast is sensational, too. Amy Adams is Cheney's wife Lynne, who is just as powerhungry as her husband; Steve Carell is a bitter and constipated Donald Rumsfeld; and Sam Rockwell hilariously plays George W. as a bumpkin.

In a very entertaining way, the movie plays with the realization that it is a movie. Characters often break the fourth wall, like the everyman narrator (Jesse Plemons), who is our guide throughout the film. A bedroom conversation between Dick and Lynne becomes a scene from Shakespeare's Macbeth. Then there is the fake happy ending in the middle of the movie, telling us that the Cheneys got out of politics in support of their gay daughter. McKay even has fun with the fact that the movie clearly leans to the left politically.

Yes, Vice is often funny, but at its core, it is a biting commentary about political corruption that is shocking and infuriating.

WhereYat.com | February 2019 | 67

TalesFromTheQuarter

By Debbie Lindsey

And the Show Must Go On

I

t took the near obliteration of a city and her culture to make me care about Mardi Gras.

I had lived in New Orleans for 16 years, and for each and every Mardi Gras during those years, I would grouse and grim about how much I hated Mardi Gras—that the mere color scheme of purple, green, and gold was an assault to my eyes. And those damn beads were like acid to the touch, never to be worn around my neck like some silly tourist would wear them. Oh, I would go on and on about the living hell of having an apartment in the thick of all this foolishness. Sure, there were certain parties and a couple of parades that I deemed worthy of my time, but I never gave Mardi Gras its due, never attributed any merits to it— that is until Katrina.

From the time the levees broke, along with our hearts, I have seen things differently; the cataracts of complacency have been removed. The color combo of Carnival became my red, white, and blue, and those damn Mardi Gras beads took on a reverence one might attribute to a rosary. Yep, we nearly lost it all, but that first Mardi Gras back—back from being a city left to die—was a battle cry to take back our culture and community. Make no mistake; it nearly didn’t happen (at least, that first 2006 Mardi Gras). Many thought that it was too frivolous, too expensive, at a time when monies were lean for recovery—too disrespectful to those whose lives were taken. But what better way to honor the people who paid the ultimate price to live in this often dangerous environment. There we were, lucky enough to have survived, to be back, and to simply allow traditions to fade away would just be wrong. And even if celebrating life while laughing in the face of death was disrespectful to some, most felt an urgency to do it.

One of my most euphoric moments during my life in this town, a moment that made me weep and laugh until my sides ached, was the viewing of Krewe du Vieux that year. There on Decatur Street, across from Molly’s at the Market (bar), this parade of satire, parodies peppered heavily with profanity, and music romped and rolled. Adding to my emotions was that Molly’s was where, during the six days we remained in New Orleans after Katrina,

68 | Mardi Gras | Where Y'at Magazine

we had taken a beer break from fear every evening. I still find pride in the fact that we in New Orleans can laugh through horrific moments. I mean, the city was still damp from the floodwaters and the death toll had not been capped yet, but there we all were, facing down the still ongoing effects of the levee failures and governmental neglect. F*#@ ‘em if they can’t take a joke.

That Carnival season, blue tarps were glue-gunned into costumes. Folks masqueraded as FEMA, Bush, “Helluva Job Brownie,” Nagin, and just about anyone or anything we could lampoon with sharp satire. We took no prisoners. And yet, for everything we mocked and held accountable with grim glee, we also celebrated and honored those who survived, those who died, cultures lost, and cultures ready to endure. We paraded to prove to the world that we, our city, and all our neighboring communities along the Gulf coast were worth saving.

In my hometown of Mobile and, of course, here in New Orleans, high school marching bands have always been associated with Mardi Gras. My appreciation of their music and footwork was always there, even when Mardi Gras meant little to me. But now this marching talent has a visceral effect upon me. And that first time after Katrina (Mardi Gras 2007), when I saw and heard St. Augustine come charging down Royal Street during a preCarnival celebration, I burst into tears. I was so overcome with pride. Students, many of whom did not even have a house to call home, would commute to the city to attend their schools and perform with their bands. Their music was a call to arms to unite us.

Mardi Gras post-Katrina would act as a magnet to draw back, if only for a few days, displaced New Orleanians. It was more than a party, a carnival; it was a reunion of families and neighbors. Talk about a party with a purpose. It would be years before many of our people could return to their former homes. In the meantime, Mardi Gras kept many connected to this crazy place. When one might feel there was no point in returning and that the effort might be too costly, a visit home would strengthen the resolve to come back. And with due respect to Houston, Memphis, Atlanta, and all of the great towns that became residences for our expats—they simply, for better or for worse, were not New Orleans, not home. The magnetism of Mardi Gras and our Saints, Essence and Jazz Fests (heck, just about any excuse to come home was good) helped build resolve to make New Orleans home again.

It has been over 13 years since much of our city was slammed and left for dead. A great deal was lost forever, yet despite the odds, so many old friends and neighbors did make it home, and along with them, our culture, music, traditions, and our crazy funk are still alive and well—sure, a little worse for wear at times, yet here. So, all I can say to those who doubted the need for Mardi Gras back in 2006 is that it helped to save a city. And may I offer my heartfelt thanks to those who persisted and knew that the “show must go on.”

Po-BoyViews

By Phil LaMancusa

C

Gung Hay Fat Choy OR Nguyen Ever

ats and hats, it’s February! Happy New Year! Wherever you are, whomever you are, and whomever you want to be, New Year’s Day on this planet is like Happy Hour in the French Quarter—there’s always one going on somewhere.

If you are Christian countrified, you’ve already celebrated your New Year’s Day on January 1, and are pretty much done with it. What rubbish. If you don’t approve of the previous New Year’s celebration (that you probably screwed up somehow), pick another and do it all over again! Who said that the first day of your calendar year had anything to do with what space (and other people) believes is the first day of the year? The beginning of a year of the cycling of this globe that we live on that’s shooting through space at 67,000 mph, while spinning at 1,040 mph, going around a sun that’s orbiting the center of the universe along with the rest of our galaxy (100 million planets or so) at 480,000 mph? I’m dizzy all the time; it’s always friggin’ New Year’s!

Jewish calendars have four New Year’s Days (Nisan, Elul, Rosh Hashanah, Tu B’Shvat). Islamic folks have Al-Hijra/Muharram, starting on the 31st of August and celebrated for 29 days.

The Hindis have at least eight New Year’s Days (mostly in mid-April), depending on what part of India you’re in. Nepal, Sri Lanka, Myanmar, and Laos also celebrate mid-April. Celtic New Year (Samhain) is November1; Thailand has Songkran (twice). My astrologer tells me that the New Year begins at the spring equinox, March 20-21. She says, “It’s lunar, fool.”

So, missed any New Year’s celebrations?

Maybe you were busy slinging drinks for drunks? Well, you’re in luck, because here comes another one, just in time for the February edition of Where Y’at: Chinese and Vietnamese (and Korean and Tibetan) New Year, February 5! Rock on with your bad self!

For those who might be unsure and possibly insecure, Asian cultures celebrate a 12-year lunar cycle, and each year is symbolized by an animal. We’re just coming off the Year of the Dog and going into the Year of the Pig. Other animal years are horse, rat, snake, ox, dragon, monkey, goat, tiger, rabbit, and sheep. Their outlook on animal attributes is completely different than you might think, and the best way to start understanding this form of astrology is to find out which sign you are and what it means (talk amongst yourselves). For example, if you were born in the Year of the Pig, you fall into one of five categories of pig that correspond to the five elements (metal, water, wood, fire, and earth). Pigs are considered a wonderful astrological sign (what’s yours?); they are generous, diligent, loving and giving, compassionate and entertaining. It’s a good thing to be a pig sign; if you are one, this is your year!

As you know (or should), we have a plentiful Vietnamese population, and this New Year promises to be big—it promises to go on for days. Last year, Mary Queen of Vietnam Church, 14011 Dwyer Blvd., was the location of a week-long celebration with dragons dancing, wishes granted, and flowers, parades, fireworks, and festivities that thrilled throngs.

This year is gonna be more of the same: family-friendly fun and participatory events; activities and games will abound. And there is no admission fee—it’s all free to attend, but be sure to bring some spending money for souvenirs and the delicious treats: bánh mì, phở, and spring rolls supplied by vendors.

Now, those of you who have watched David Chang’s Ugly Delicious will already know this, but for you others—let me be the first to clue you in on Viet-Cajun food. This is a twist on our local fare that has not caught on in New Orleans, they say, because we’re too steepid (combination of steeped and stupid) in our traditions to adapt or change our tried-andtrue what works for what may be something that will possibly blow our minds with its uniqueness. Viet Cajun. Consider this: Suppose, just suppose, you take five pounds of our spicy boiled crawfish in the shell (yum), put them in a sack, and add ginger, lemongrass, and lots of butter, and eat them like that. Yummer, huh? But noooo, according to folks in Houston, where this adaptation is going strong, we folks in New Orleans are stuck in our ways.

Tell me this: How come when you go into a convenience store operated by people from other cultures (Asian, Islamic, Mediterranean), you really only find fried chicken, ham hocks, and beans and rice? Why can’t I find bánh mì or shawarma in corner stores? Is it because the citizens of my ward and precinct are too thick to try something in their bowl other than gumbo?

Let’s make a New Year’s resolution this February 5: Ask that Vietnamese counter clerk who makes that dynamite shrimp po-boy to put some phở on the menu. In the same vein, find out from that Islamic guy at Brothers by the overpass where they keep the harissa to spread on your fried chicken. Dammit, I want some gochujang available as a condiment; is that so wrong?

Granted, there are a handful of ethnically run, small convenience stores and filling station outlets that have fried rice or egg rolls or even a few with bánh mì sandwiches, but by and large, if I want non-mainstream Saigon selections (my favorites or new ones to try), I’ve got to drive out to Dong Phuong (which the James Beard Foundation calls “a vital part of the local culinary landscape”). Do you know where Dong Phuong is? Well, you had better find out before February 5, because that’s where the festivity epicenter for our own Vietnamese New Year’s celebration is gonna be. Chúc mừng năm mới!

Old School New Orleans Est. 1934

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522-9715

WhereYat.com | February 2019 | 69

YaGram

Below are our staff's favorite #NOLA hashtags on Instagram for January.

Tag us @WhereYatNola or #WhereYatNola to be featured in an upcoming issue.

NewsAroundTheWeb

Updated Daily at WhereYat.com

NOLAOnlySeventhForNightlifeInCountry

@neworleanswalks

@cgranger

@bowiebookclub

Apartment Guide recently released a list of the top 10 best cities for nightlife in America, and New Orleans came in seventh, with St. Louis, Missouri, ranking first. New Orleans features 176 bars, 16 breweries, 81 clubs, and four music and live-entertainment venues. For every 1,420 people living in New Orleans, there is one nightlife-related attraction or business.

NOLAThirdBestBeerDestinationInWorld @mycrescentcity

@sam.guidry

@kozakmoment

@geaux.wild

@rachelvanni_

@alicetrahant

TweetBites

Below are our staff's New Orleans hashtag picks from Twitter for January. Tag us @WhereYatNola or #WhereYatNola to be featured in an upcoming issue.

@NFLHumor: Refs are gonna bring more championships to LA than LeBron will.

Refs are gonna bring more championships to LA than LeBron will.

According to VinePair.com, the Crescent City is one of the best places in the world for beer-lovers. Alongside its notable breweries, like NOLA Brewing Company and Abita, many “non-distribution” breweries, such as Brieux Carré in the Marigny and Parleaux Beer Lab in the Bywater—which only have their beer available for taproom patrons—make New Orleans worth the trip for hop-loving connoisseurs across the world.

KingCakeBabyCensoredOnFacebook The Mandeville-based company Innovative Advertising, which sponsors the annual King Cake Snob contest, recently hit a snag while advertising the competition on Facebook. When a photo of one of the traditional naked plastic Carnival babies that live inside the cakes was used, Facebook blocked the ad, citing excessive skin and nudity. Andrew Alexander, a representative of King Cake Snob, says they are fighting against Facebook’s censorship of the local tradition.

@phz_nola girl: But New Orleans knows a thing or two of heartache, loss and pain. It's weathered storms before, with pride; it'd weather them again. The Non-Call would leave lasting scars, but they'd be overcome, 'Cause the Who Dat heart is stronger than some blind, stripe-wearing bum. @LennieYoung: I be looking @ my Mardi Gras shirt in the closet, like I can’t wait to have fun in you. @reawilburn: im dedicating this mardi gras season to eating more king cake than i ever have before .. now let’s begin. @CrystalVisionCS: In light of the atrocious lack of calls during the New Orleans Saints game we would like to extend free eye exams and glasses to any NFL referee in need. You know who you are. @aiightBet_: I wanna go to New Orleans and bounce from corner to corner of live music; drink in 1 hand and a bag of beignets in the other.

70 | Mardi Gras | Where Y'at Magazine

NetflixAnnouncesHighestPriceHikesEver Netflix recently announced its largest price spike since the launch of the streaming service 12 years ago, according to TVLine.com. Subscription rates are rising anywhere from 13 to 18 percent, effective immediately for new subscribers and rising over the next three months for current users. Despite a fall in subscribers after the last increase, Netflix cites a continuation in investing in great entertainment.

TICKETS ON SALE NOW

WhereYat.com | February 2019 | 71

5 3

3 2

1

Where Ya Been?

1.

The Metropolitan Nightclub held a rockin’ New Year’s Eve party that included great music and a balloon drop.

2.

4

6.

The 610 Stompers and friends rang in the New Year at Big Night New Orleans.

Chris Owens welcomed the start of Carnival with Mark Davison at the Mardi Gras Museum of Costumes and Culture.

7.

3.

Wizard World Comic Con New Orleans showcased fantastic costumes of all shapes, colors, and sizes.

Bal Masqué featured delicious food, excellent music, and creative costumes.

8.

4.

Chef Alon Shaya hosted a red beans and rice fundraiser with his wife Emily at Saba.

Revelers at The Metropolitan shared a New Year’s Eve kiss to welcome in 2019.

9.

5.

Fans of Cowboy Mouth danced in the New Year at Big Night New Orleans.

Partygoers at Bal Masqué got into the Carnival spirit while dancing the night away.

10. Big Night New Orleans at the Hyatt Regency was a party to remember.

5

8

72 | Mardi Gras | Where Y'at Magazine

6

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WhereYat.com | February 2019 | 73

Chat NIKKI REYES with

Back in the 1940s, Felix’s put the New Orleans oyster bar on the map, creating a place where oyster-lovers could “belly up to the bar” and have the freshest oysters shucked right in front of them. Visit Felix’s lakefront location to taste why, when it comes to oysters, they are the place to go for those who know.

Robbie Orgeron

Blaine Kern

President, Felix's Restaurant Group

Patriarch/Mr. Mardi Gras

1.

2.

3.

4.

5.

Fred Flinstone.

Pantsing 'dem!

They have it ALL planned.

In Jost Van Dyke in the Virgin Islands.

"Let me tell ya what happened last night …”

1.

2.

3.

4.

5.

Me, yet real!

Whispering in their ears.

Me. Right here.

"It started with a mural …"

Ronnie Gerasi

Becky Allen

Service Manager, Felix's Lakefront

Iconic New Orleans Entertainer

1.

2.

3.

4.

5.

Tiana of The Princess and The Frog.

Take their wine. Who knows what else?

Spending. Night. On St. Charles Ave. In Paris!

"He put on his dress for the day …"

1.

2.

3.

4.

5.

Jessica Rabbit.

Take their BEST beads outta their bags!

Start making their costumes a year before.

Where I have NEVER been kissed before. Hmmm …

"It's Mardi Gras Day and the WHOLE world is …"

Ryan McMahon

Julie Lea

Bar Manager, Felix's Lakefront

Founder/Captain, Krewe of Nyx

1.

2.

3.

4.

5.

Wonder Woman!

Taking their "nicest" beads!

The earrrrly morning Who Dats.

Oooou …

"Outta the murky Lake Pontchartrain …"

1.

2.

3.

4.

5.

Jessica Rabbit.

"Lei" beads on their necks.

Urban, masked, land procurement.

On my PURSE! “A woman, a badge, a NOLA Carnival …”

Alana Harris

Jordin Dykes

Project Manager, New Orleans Mayor's Office

Queen Iduna XLVII/ Law Aficionado

1.

2.

3.

4.

5.

Zulu Tramp!

Take their champagne from their hands.

The Baby Dolls of New Orleans.

On top of a float in front of Gallier Hall. Yassss!

"It was the morning of Mardi Gras Day …"

1.

2.

3.

4.

5.

Aquaman! I like water, Nikki.

Block beads from knocking their faces!

Early bird gets a good spot.

Beyond the sea.

"My fairy godmother said …"

Harry Mayronne

Grant Baudoin

Marionette Artist/Master Award-Winning Pianist

Owner/Operator, GART, Pirate's Alley

1.

2.

3.

4.

5.

Rapunzel.

Pick their noses with my gloves on.

Making it home, STANDING UP! At twilight, at the Lakefront.

"I'm on a walk with Hansel and GRETNA …"

1.

2.

3.

4.

5.

74 | Mardi Gras | Where Y'at Magazine

Brad Pitt.

I would "bumblebee" their ears!

The ones with the sticks, fishing beads out of trees.

New Orleans boardwalk, in front of the organ-playing Natchez boat.

"And after so many accidents …"

Where Y’at Chat Questions: 1. Mardi Gras!

What fictional character is the king or queen of your krewe?

2. You are invisible and pranking Carnival revelers.

What are you doing to them?

3. What makes a bonafide professional Mardi Gras reveler?

4. My funny Valentine!

Where would you like a kiss?

5. February hosts Tell A Fairy Tale Day. How does yours begin?

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