MARDI GRAS FOR ALL Y'ALL
One thing about New Orleanians—we're always going to find a way to celebrate. It's Mardi Gras season and although the pandemic has put a halt to our traditional festivities—parades, large parties and live music to be specific—the spirit of Carnival continues on! This year, our amazing local artists have been transforming houses in the city into "stationary house floats," to mimic the mesmerizing, gigantic floats that usually take over the streets during Mardi Gras.
Currently, these house floats are popping up all over the city, bursting with electric colored flowers, Mardi Gras beads, lights and fun yard characters to feast your eyes on. The Hire a Mardi Gras Artist (created by the Krewe of Red Beans) initiative was created to support New Orleans culture bearers during this time and to spread Carnival joy all over NOLA. You best believe that close circles of people are having their own little decoration parties, playing their music on the porch while sipping drinks and snacking on King Cake. It's a bit of a different feeling of course, but as you hear the faint sounds of jazz playing down the street from some nearby neighbor's house, as you spot the random bike rider wearing a topsy-turvy outfit and the families taking pictures in front of the house floats, that feeling is still there because it can never die.
What most don't realize is that we need that feeling of Mardi Gras more than ever right now. Yes, we will follow the rules and stay socially distant, but that jolt of energy that this season brings is exactly what we need during these hard times to make us feel like ourselves again, to unite us as people and remind us that there is life out there and it must be lived. This year poses an opportunity for us to share with you that amazing feeling of Mardi Gras. Thanks to virtual festivities and social media, you can feel like you're right here celebrating with us to get that true feeling of the season.
Here are some ways to celebrate Mardi Gras with us no matter where y'at:
KEEP AN EYE ON THE HOUSE FLOATS
The official map isn't even out yet for the Krewe of House Floats (will be releasing Feb 1), but in the meantime, follow @kreweofhousefloats on Instagram to see the progress they're making and the various houses being decked out for the season.
ATTEND A VIRTUAL CONCERT
It's been almost a year since Friday's from the Funky Uncle took over the Funky Tucks float warehouse and began putting on live shows and streaming them for all to watch. Every Friday night, a different New Orleans band graces the stage of the Funky Uncle Mardi Gras float and plays like they're playing in front of a real audience and streamed live on Facebook for all to watch. Be sure to check Friday's from the Funky Uncle out for some amazing shows so you can have your very own New Orleans-style concert right in your living room.
WATCH IT LIVE ON YOUTUBE & FACEBOOK
Feb 12 -14, "Mardi Gras For All Y'All" will bring viewers close to the sights and sounds of Carnival, with celebrity interviews, musical performances and Carnival features narrating the history of the celebration and New Orleans' unique culture. Watch this on Nola.com or Facebook to get an inside look at Mardi Gras in New Orleans.
LISTEN TO OUR FAVE RADIO STATION
Beginning Feb 10th, local radio station WWOZ will be providing the world with New Orleans anthems, Mardi Gras Indian music, brass band numbers and commentary from some of the best radio DJs in New Orlean. Head to their website and start listening anytime you need to feel a little bit of that NOLA love.
The Queen of Naughty N’awlins 2020—Nicole from World Exotic Travel
A house float in the Garden District (@kreweofhousefloats)
