Carnival, King Cakes and Murals Across Louisiana
It’s party time in New Orleans
From Twelfth Night to Superbowl LIX, ‘tis the season of king cakes, epic parades and official NFL events. Nothing gets Carnival season started like the celebrated Phunny Phorty Phellows’ Twelfth Night (January 6) streetcar ride festooned with “It’s Carnival Time” banners, as 70 costumed revelers and the Storyville Stompers usher in the official start of Mardi Gras 2025 (March 4; phunnyphortyphellows.com). Showcasing the magic of Mardi Gras, the first-ever Super Bowl parade (February 8) is a new $1 million procession heralding New Orleans’ 11th Super Bowl (February 9), featuring elaborate Super Bowl LIX-themed floats from Barry Kern with New Orleans-born rapper Lil Wayne and celebrity riders tossing NFL-themed throws as dozens of high-stepping college bands march through the French Quarter. Streamlined on Nola.com (visit nolasuperbowl.com for all Host Committee events).
Dramatic Reenactment | Lafayette
The Denver-based dance troupe Cleo Parker Robinson Dance and the New Orleans Jazz Orchestra led by Grammy-winning composer/artistic director Adonis Rose, join forces for “Sacred Spaces” (January 29; Heyman Center). Inspired by the 2019 burning of three St. Landry Parish Black churches, it was conceived by Jacqueline Lyle, executive director of PASA. “Cleo and Adonis had never met prior to their collaboration,” says Lyle. “When Cleo went to the dance studio at ULL, among the dancers were two daughters of one of the church pastors. What you see on stage is what happened in that dance studio. The narrative came from the people in the church on that tragic night. Debbie Caffery’s photos from the fires are projected on the back wall.” (heymanncenter.com).
In King Cake Heaven | Thibodaux
The Louisiana King Cake Festival (February 15) in downtown Thibodaux offers an abundance of flavors from 50 vendors plus live music, parades and family fun (last year, 47 vendors served over 19,000 bites of king cake). Every VIP ticket goes to Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library providing free books to kids from birth to age 5 (louisianakingcakefest.com).
The Gators are Back | Lake Charles
The alligators have returned to Cypress Alligator Pond after “vacationing” at Rockefeller Wildlife Refuge, their temporary abode while their home was getting a makeover. A new, extended observation deck gives visitors a closer look at the gators. Originally built in the 1990s, it’s the most visited site in Lake Charles, according to Michael Castille, director of community services (507 N. Lakeshore Drive).
The Love Mural | Breaux Bridge
After two years of work by regional artists led by Jessalyn Newton, the famous Pont Breaux “birthday wall” has been transformed into a vibrant mural titled “For the Love of Breaux Bridge” that incorporates the heartfelt messages and birthday wishes that have been appearing for the past 20 year at the intersection of Reese and Bridge streets. An ArtSpark Grant contributed to the project’s success (info: acadianacenterforthearts.org/opportunities-for-artists/).
