While Mardi Gras 2015 officially kicked off on January 6, the parades have only just begun to roll.
From now until Mardi Gras Day on February 17, there will be an almost limitless number of options for your entertainment.
Locals will tell you that Lundi Gras, the Monday before Fat Tuesday, is usually just as insane and fun as the big day itself.
As usual, there are just too many parties to choose from this Lundi Gras, but here are some of our top picks.
Lundi Gras On the Mississippi
The party gears up at the Spanish Plaza around 3 p.m. with food and live music. The Krewe of Rex will reveal their Mardi Gras King around 6 p.m., when this year’s Rex he arrives to shake hands with the Mayor and participate in all the traditional toasts and speeches. Fireworks are scheduled for 8 p.m.
Photo by Kim Welsh
Krewe of Orpheus Parade
The major Lundi Gras parade is musician Harry Connick Jr.’s Krewe of Orpheus, a music-based group named for the famous lyre-player from Greek mythology. Over 1,200 strong, this super-krewe boasts one of the biggest parades of the carnival season. Their uptown march begins at 6 p.m. at Tchoupitoulas and Napoleon and ends at the New Orleans Convention Center for their “Orpheuscapade,” an after-party bash that kicks off at 7 p.m.
Cha Dooky Deux
Photo by Kate Gegenheimer
Come out to the Howlin’ Wolf at 9 p.m. to celebrate the music of Art Neville with Cha Dooky Do, a tribute band organized by Aron Lambert that includes Rick Trolsen, Tom Fitzpatrick, Ian Smith, Marc Adams, Brian Stolz, Chris Mule, Dave Jordan, and “Poppa Funk” Art Neville himself.
Art won’t be the only Neville around on Monday night; Cha Dooky Deux will also feature Cyril Neville and Art’s children Ian Neville and Amelia Neville. With all these members of one of New Orleans’ top musical families, it’s sure to be a one-of-a-kind night.
Tickets cost $20.
Valparaiso Men’s Chorus
If loud, drunken sea shanties are your thing, come out to the Saturn Bar for Alex McMurray and company. Around 20 rowdy performers with various instruments will be gearing up around 9 p.m.
Ernst Cafe’s Bacchus Bash
Ernst Cafe has joined forces with Generations Hall this year, bringing their annual Bacchus Bash to the large concert venue just a few blocks away.
The lineup features the Top Cats, Flow Tribe, Category 6, DJ Brain Dawe, DJ Ronnie Roux, DJ Wixx, and DJ TAF.
Ticket prices vary, with VIP tickets including grandstand access, open bar, and free food for $100.
The revelry on the streets outside, however, is free. Bacchus 2015 features live music, full service bars, and food with no separate cover charge. It’s sure to be a raging block party.
And last but not least, there is, of course,
The Zulu Lundi Gras Festival
One of the best-known Lundi Gras events, the festival is put on by the Zulu Social Aid and Pleasure Club and is in its 22nd year.
It will run from 10:00 a.m. 6:30 p.m. in the French Quarter’s Woldenberg Park.
The lineup will feature the Original Pinettes Brass Band, Kermit Ruffins, and plenty of other stellar musical acts.
Here’s the full schedule:
Photo by Elsa Hahne
King Zulu Stage (Woldenberg Park-Great Lawn)
Master of Ceremony: Clarence Becknell
DJ Jubilee: 10:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.
The Original Pinettes Brass Band: 12:15 p.m. – 1:15 p.m.
Michael Soulman Baptiste Band: 1:30 p.m. – 2:30 p.m.
Amanda Shaw & the Cute Guys: 2:45 p.m. – 3:45 p.m.
Rebirth Brass Band: 4:00 p.m. – 5:00 p.m.
King & Queen Zulu Arrival: 5:00 p.m. – 5:30 p.m.
Kermit Ruffins & the Barbeque Swingers: 5:30 p.m. -6:30 p.m.
Zulu Golden Nugget Stage
Master of Ceremonies: Miles McWilliams
Lester Pollard, chairman of Zulu’s 2014 Lundi Gras festivities.
Zulu Ensemble: 10:00 a.m. – 10:45 p.m.
Pin Stripe Brass Band: 11:00 a.m. – 11:45 a.m.
Big Frank & Lil Frank Band: 12:00 p.m. – 12:45 p.m.
The Revealers: 1:00 p.m. – 2:00 p.m.
Ed Perkins Band: 2:15 p.m. – 3:15 p.m.
Dwayne Dopsie & the Zydeco Hellraisers: 3:30 p.m. – 4:45 p.m.
Big Al Carson & the Rare Connection: 5:00 p.m.- 6:15 p.m.
Frito Lay Children’s Stage (Aquarium Plaza-near Canal St.)
Master of Ceremony – Alvin Mulder
DJ Green and Free Face Painting: 11:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m.
Young Audiences Drum and Dance Ensemble: 1:00 p.m. – 1:45 p.m.
Red Wolf Brass Band & the Jr. Buck Jumpers: 2:00 p.m. – 2:45 p.m.
XS Martial Arts Dojo: 2:50 p.m. – 3:00 p.m.
Young Audiences African Drum and Dance: 3:00 p.m. – 3:45 p.m.
Young Audiences Marching Bands: 4:00 p.m. – 4:45 p.m.
There will be plenty more going on besides the music. The famous Zulu characters will be making their rounds to the various stages over the course of the day, culminating with the Zulu King and Queen on the King Zulu stage at 5 p.m.
Vendors will provide food from 24 top-notch local restaurants, including Jack Dempsey’s Seafood Restaurant, Ms. Linda the Yakamein Lady, the Praline Connection, Sweet Lorraine’s Jazz Club, Brocato’s Catering, The Original New Orleans Po-Boys, and plenty of others.
Special guests this year include stand-up comedian Rickey Smiley and entertainment attorney/“Real Housewife of Atlanta” Phaedra Parks.
Happy Mardi Gras! We’ll see you out there!
