With Mardi Gras just around the corner, it’s important to be prepared. Mardi Gras isn’t as easy as it looks. Sure, it’s the world’s greatest party, but locals know a secret or two to outlasting the weeks of celebration. Comfort, endurance and toilet access are key to making Mardi Gras the best experience possible, and every year inevitably Mardi Gras …

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I am that girl on Mardi Gras day. Or, more appropriately, that mermaid: I’ve been a gold, shimmering mermaid every single Mardi Gras for the last five years. As I paint my eyelids green, don my costume carefully, arrange my wig for my Mardi Gras morning march with the Krewe of Saint Anne into the French Quarter, I know that …

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While there are many exclusive masked balls every Mardi Gras for krewes that if you’re not born into, you can pretty much forget about ever being a member of, there are plenty of sassy marching clubs that host Mardi Gras balls open to everyone. Lucky for us, the trifecta of these fundraiser balls is this weekend! In addition is the …

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I have to admit: I’m sad this is my last post about Prospect 2! Writing about the various exhibits across the city has been thought-provoking and an amazing experience, overall. For my last week, I chose to visit “Constant Abrasive Irritation Produces The Pearl: A Disease Of The Oyster! – Lenny Bruce,” a collaborative exhibit organized by John Otte. Visual …

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While many claim to have a favorite Mardi Gras parade, whether its small or big, day or night, everyone can agree on what the main events of Mardi Gras are. These five parades are the most prestigious and the most sought after, and with good reason. Most of the parades on the list have seen Carnival through almost its entire …

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Believe it or not, in this particular case, “greasing the poles” is not a naughty euphemism. New Orleans is irreverent, but, c’mon! We do have standards! Having said that, this very public, annual Mardi Gras event does involve women, Vaseline, and poles. But fear not, everyone involved is fully clothed and relatively well-behaved for the execution of this utilitarian task …

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Thumbnail image for GoNOLA Recipes at Home: Creole Crawfish and Tasso Chowder

GoNOLA Recipes at Home: Creole Crawfish and Tasso Chowder

by Sally Tunmer January 22, 2012 Food

Because crawfish season will soon be upon us, we thought a recipe featuring the Louisiana swamp bugs would be inspiring to start getting in the spirit. Every spring, New Orleanians host daylong crawfish boils filled with friends, family and pounds upon pounds of delicious bayou crustaceans dumped atop pages from yesterday’s newspaper. There are many things you can do with …

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Thumbnail image for GoNOLA Flickr Pick of the Week: French Quarter Street Swing

GoNOLA Flickr Pick of the Week: French Quarter Street Swing

by Sally Tunmer January 21, 2012 Arts & Culture

In New Orleans, people swing dance constantly, everywhere – even in the streets. If there’s music playing, there is guaranteed to be dancing, and if it’s in the street, then so be it. New Orleans music is the perfect soundtrack for swing dancing – that French gypsy or old school rag time style jazz literally summons people to the floor, …

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New Orleans Around the Web | Week of January 16

by Sally Tunmer January 20, 2012 Arts & Culture

Even with the Web blackouts due to the proposed anti-piracy bills SOPA and PIPA, New Orleans had no trouble working its way in to online conversations. New Orleans hip hop makes a splash around the Web from the efforts and antics of Dee 1 and Big Freedia plus the dos and donts of dog tourism make an appearance. All of …

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Thumbnail image for Krewe du Vieux Doo: A Mardi Gras Ball for All

Krewe du Vieux Doo: A Mardi Gras Ball for All

by The Red Streetcar January 20, 2012 Events

Mardi Gras is described as the world’s largest party. And with good reason – all you need to do to take part is wander down the street to a parade route, watch the parade go by and shout “throw me something, Mister!” No tickets to buy, no cover charge to pay – nothing. But watching a parade is really only …

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GoNOLA TV Presents: The Joy Theater

by Andrew January 19, 2012 Arts & Culture

The name says it all: Joy. Everything emanating from the newly renovated, bright and shiny Joy Theater bringing sexy back to Canal Street is a reflection of what happiness means to New Orleans: artistic expression. After sitting vacant for eight years on one of New Orleans’ main strips, the new owners transformed it from a single screen theater to a …

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Prospect 2 Spotlight: Art House on the Levee

by Nikki Carter January 19, 2012 Arts & Culture

A nondescript white house sits across from the levee in the Lower Ninth Ward at 4725 Dauphine Street: this is the Art House on the Levee, home to a collaborative project titled “Art by Committee” and organized by Robert Cary Tannen. Various artists and groups of students from local universities have been welcomed to use the house as a space …

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Thumbnail image for GoNOLA Recommends: 5 Things To Do In New Orleans This Weekend

GoNOLA Recommends: 5 Things To Do In New Orleans This Weekend

by Sally Tunmer January 18, 2012 Arts & Culture

This week is the music edition of our top five weekend picks, because as you can see, it’s a stellar weekend for music in New Orleans. Not only is the weekend embraced by concerts and shows, but the selection is so diverse that everyone will be able to find something to jam out or get down to. One Eyed Jack’s …

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Thumbnail image for GoNOLA Top 5: Daytime Mardi Gras Parades

GoNOLA Top 5: Daytime Mardi Gras Parades

by Sally Tunmer January 17, 2012 Arts & Culture

It may be hard to fathom that there is an alternative to the MTV version of Mardi Gras centered around neon colored alcoholic beverages and exposed breasts. While there is plenty of that to enjoy on Bourbon Street, there is actually a tamer side to Mardi Gras. Carnival maintains its time-honored traditions as a celebration for all ages, families and …

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Thumbnail image for Mardi Gras History: The Origin of the Doubloon

Mardi Gras History: The Origin of the Doubloon

by Edward January 17, 2012 Arts & Culture

The main reason why New Orleans Carnival parades are more exciting and fun than parades in other parts of the country is that the crowds are active participants. Mardi Gras parade riders don’t just stand and wave (or try to lip-sync songs), they throw stuff to you! Beads, cups, stuffed animals, plastic toys: you can catch them all at a …

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Thumbnail image for GoNOLA TV Presents: Blaine Kern’s Mardi Gras World

GoNOLA TV Presents: Blaine Kern’s Mardi Gras World

by Sally Tunmer January 16, 2012 Arts & Culture

Mardi Gras is an incendiary celebration of life. Moreover, it’s a celebration of New Orleans culture. Even though Carnival is broken down into individual parades and parties, the entire experience feels more like a blanketed state of mind. The elaborate details of the costumes and floats seem intangible, like they’re crafted in a magical factory and summoned instantly by the …

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