A Toast to New Orleans and YOU -Week of January 19-26
Good afternoon my darling family & friends. It is Monday, January 19, Martin Luther King Day. Remembering Martin Luther King Jr. Day is a tribute to his enduring legacy and the ongoing struggle for civil rights and social justice. We honor not only Dr. King’s memory, but the fullness of our own humanity. In doing so, remembrance becomes renewal, and each passing moment becomes an opportunity to live with purpose. Wishing you all a fabulous Monday and a new week full of memorable events.
Darlings, last week was full of memorable events that included among others the following:
What a lovely way to spend an afternoon at Louisiana Baroque Chamber Orchestra’s fundraiser, “ Hot Chocolate at the Court of Louis XIV" at the New Marigny Theatre. Artist Director and Conductor Maestro Riccardo Leónidaardo did an outstanding concert and we all donned beautiful costumes in which I was one of the winners. The next concert will be “ Premier Concert “ Masterpieces from the Court of Baroque Europe on Sunday, January 25. Hope to see you there!
On Saturday, January 17 ,I was invited to attend the wedding of my darling friend Bonnie Vassaro to Bryan Morgan at the ZA- Ranch, Covington, La. The ceremony with the participation of their children from preview marriages was lovely! I saw many mutual friends at the fabulous wedding!
“Herb Alpert & the Tijuana Brass and Other Delights” at the Orpheum Theater on Friday. January 16
Darlings, one of the highlight of this past week was attending the outstanding
concert of HERB ALPERT. Thanks to my darling friend Carl Mack who invited to join him at this sold-out performance. At 90 he played the entire concert and is an inspiration !
Trumpeter, composer, visual artist, philanthropist and businessman Herb Alpert is a multidisciplinary success story.
Did you know that his foundation gave a $5 million matching grant to the New Orleans Jazz Museum in the Old U.S. Mint — a sculptor (his “Jazz Man” stands outside the Jazz Museum)
He sold an astounding 72 million records as leader of the Tijuana Brass; the classic “Whipped Cream & Other Delights,” with its Allen Toussaint-penned title track, accounted for several million of that tally.
He and Jerry Moss founded A&M Records in the 1960s. The label's catalog included the Police, Janet Jackson, the Carpenters, Cat Stevens, Peter Frampton, Styx, Supertramp, Sting, Joe Cocker, Bryan Adams, the Neville Brothers and many others; they eventually sold the company for $500 million.
Since then, Alpert has stayed busy as a philanthropist — his foundation gave a $5 million matching grant to the New Orleans Jazz Museum in the Old U.S. Mint — a sculptor (his “Jazz Man” stands outside the Jazz Museum) and a touring musician. Now 90, he brings a show billed as “Herb Alpert & the Tijuana Brass and Other Delights” to the Orpheum Theater on Friday.
He sold an astounding 72 million records as leader of the Tijuana Brass; the classic “Whipped Cream & Other Delights,” with its Allen Toussaint-penned title track, accounted for several million of that tally.
He and Jerry Moss founded A&M Records in the 1960s. The label's catalog included the Police, Janet Jackson, the Carpenters, Cat Stevens, Peter Frampton, Styx, Supertramp, Sting, Joe Cocker, Bryan Adams, the Neville Brothers and many others; they eventually sold the company for $500 million.
Since then, Alpert has stayed busy as a philanthropist — his foundation gave a $5 million matching grant to the New Orleans Jazz Museum in the Old U.S. Mint — a sculptor (his “Jazz Man” stands outside the Jazz Museum) and a touring musician. Now 90, he brings a show billed as “Herb Alpert & the Tijuana Brass and Other Delights” to the Orpheum Theater on Friday. Tickets are sold out but may become available on the secondary market.
Almost sold-out of inside tables at $79 for this very special RTL "Crawl Into Carnival 2026
Crawl Into Carnival returns to the New Orleans Jazz Museum on Monday, February 2, as a Carnival-season edition of Margarita Bergen’s longstanding Round Table Luncheon series, currently in its 20th year.
Held annually on the third Monday before Fat Tuesday, Crawl Into Carnival marks the beginning of Carnival’s most heightened period—leading into the two weekends before Mardi Gras Day, widely regarded as the most active and culturally rich stretch of the season.
Curated by Jazz Crawl Productions, the program brings together Black Masking Indian culture, Second Line footwork, and live brass band music in an intimate and engaging setting.
Performing artists include the Monogram Hunters and Young Fellaz Brass Band, who are also featuring subjects in Jazz Crawl Productions’ documentary film Spirit to the World, currently in production. The film documents remembrance traditions of New Orleans through the eyes of its culture bearers, examining how artistry, mentorship, and community sustain these practices as they move from neighborhood rituals to national and global stages.
The afternoon includes a Second Line procession led by some of the city’s most recognized Social Aid & Pleasure Club Grand Marshals, live musical sets, festive Carnival attire, and a coronation honoring Carnival pageantry.
Doors open at Noon. General admission tickets are $50, with a limited number of indoor seated tickets available at $79. Ticket options include cuisine by Chef P. Pierre Brown, founder of Gourmet Sacred Soul Kitchen Therapy, along with bubbly, King Cake, and additional refreshments. Crawl Into Carnival is planned primarily as an outdoor event; in the event of inclement weather, programming will move fully indoors.
Held annually on the third Monday before Fat Tuesday, Crawl Into Carnival marks the beginning of Carnival’s most heightened period—leading into the two weekends before Mardi Gras Day, widely regarded as the most active and culturally rich stretch of the season.
Curated by Jazz Crawl Productions, the program brings together Black Masking Indian culture, Second Line footwork, and live brass band music in an intimate and engaging setting.
Performing artists include the Monogram Hunters and Young Fellaz Brass Band, who are also featuring subjects in Jazz Crawl Productions’ documentary film Spirit to the World, currently in production. The film documents remembrance traditions of New Orleans through the eyes of its culture bearers, examining how artistry, mentorship, and community sustain these practices as they move from neighborhood rituals to national and global stages.
The afternoon includes a Second Line procession led by some of the city’s most recognized Social Aid & Pleasure Club Grand Marshals, live musical sets, festive Carnival attire, and a coronation honoring Carnival pageantry.
Doors open at Noon. General admission tickets are $50, with a limited number of indoor seated tickets available at $79. Ticket options include cuisine by Chef P. Pierre Brown, founder of Gourmet Sacred Soul Kitchen Therapy, along with bubbly, King Cake, and additional refreshments. Crawl Into Carnival is planned primarily as an outdoor event; in the event of inclement weather, programming will move fully indoors.
I am sorry to learn of the loss of talented author: Patricia Maureen Brady Obituary | 1943 - 2025 | The Times-Picayune
Carnival season is heating up, and WYES invites the community to indulge in one of New Orleans’ sweetest traditions at
the 4th Annual WYES KING CAKE AND CONVERSATION, taking place on Saturday, January 24, 2026 from 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. at WYES, 916 Navarre Avenue, New Orleans.
Over 10 king cakes to sample, over 15 vendors to shop Mardi Gras-themed gear, and three lively conversations delving into Carnival traditions—including a sit down with Arthur Hardy to discuss his retirement after 50 years of producing the Mardi Gras Guide, which he and his wife Susan founded in 1977. The conversation will also highlight Hardy’s new documentary, ARTHUR HARDY: OUR MARDI GRAS GUIDE, produced by Dennis Woltering, which premieres on WYES Thursday, January 22 at 7:30 p.m., with additional airdates to follow.
Tickets to WYES KING CAKE AND CONVERSATION are $30 in advance and $40 at the door.
Not to be missed: January 24 at 12 pm
Please join us on Chewbaccus Saturday on the corner of St claude and Spain Street in the little park with the Mosaic couch from 12:00 till 4:00pm for a fun-filled market featuring handmade Carnival wear by incredibly talented local artists. Come try on clothes meet the artists, imbibe a libation & get your revelry off to a good start! Check the discussion portion of this invite to get a sneak peek of some of the wonderful creations we'll have on hand. Let's get fabulous!
Please put this event in your calendar
LPO Presents:
Wednesday, February 4 at 5:30pm and 7pm at 1000 Chartres Street
2026 HIDDEN TREASURES -CARNIVAL EDITION
Experience an extraordinary evening of cultural discovery with this exclusive behind-the-scenes tour of the Louisiana State Museum's renowned Carnival Collection. On February 4th, gain privileged access to the institution's restricted storage facilities to examine historic costumes and exceptional artifacts spanning decades of New Orleans' most celebrated tradition. Led by Wayne Phillips, the museum's esteemed Curator of Costumes and Textiles, this singular event offers discerning enthusiasts an intimate exploration of Carnival's material heritage. Two viewings available at 5:30pm and 7pm at 1000 Chartres Street. Limited to 20 tickets per showing. Members $25, general admission $35. Reservations required; tickets not available at the door.
Congratulations to the Mard
i Gras Mambo 26 Monarchy 
Here's a preview of all parades, with dates and maps.
Krewe of Cork
Friday, Feb. 6, 3 p.m., French Quarter
The rambling 400-member Royal Street walking parade is dedicated to sipping and sloshing vino, while sharing custom-made beads and other throws.
For a few more sips of information and route map, visit [http://website.%20https//kreweofcork.com/]the Krewe of Cork website.
The Mystic Krewe of Barkus
Sunday, Feb. 8, 1 p.m., in the French Quarter.
Barkus
Sunday, Feb. 8, 1 p.m., in the French Quarter.
An annual 15-block procession of costumed canines, the concept for the Krewe of Barkus dog parade first came about at a meeting of television meteorologist Margaret Orr fan club.
To sniff out more about the 2026 parade, read the story 'New Orleans' Krewe of Barkus goes 'Wicked' for 2026, with time change for the Super Bowl.'
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