Al “Carnival Time” Johnson, with Baby Dolls, performing at the Old U.S. Mint in the run-up to Mardi Gras 2012
American Routes

American Routes

Produced and hosted by folklorist and musicologist Nick Spitzer, who provides an absorbing mix of interviews, documentary features, commentary and music, American Routes is a nationally distributed, two-hour radio program usually focusing on individual artists and...

OffBeat Magazine

OffBeat Magazine

A key resource for New Orleans-centric music and cultural content as well as, both online and via its mobile app, listings about events and live music gigs.

Louisiana Music Factory

Louisiana Music Factory

Louisiana Music Factory is an essential destination — a veritable shrine worthy of pilgrimage — in a city whose musical heritage and vibrancy is second to none.

WWOZ

WWOZ

The mission of the “Guardians of the Groove” at WWOZ is to serve as the worldwide voice, archive and flag-bearer of New Orleans culture and musical heritage.

Parties and Balls

Parties and Balls

While “society” Carnival balls are private affairs for krewe members and their invited, formally attired guests, some krewe fêtes — including post-parade “extravaganzas” staged by Endymion, Orpheus and Tucks — are accessible to non-members. Costuming or fancy dress, drinking and dancing, live music, frivolity and pretend royalty are all key ingredients in the common quest to let pleasure rule.

Mardi Gras Music History

Mardi Gras Music History

The nexus between Carnival and music reflects the festive, let-the-good-times-roll culture of the Crescent City, where parading and dancing have long been obsessions. The seasonal spirit and its accompanying soundtrack conspire to prompt revelers to shed inhibitions...

All things Mardi Gras in New Orleans