Good evening, everyone. Happy Tuesday, January 13. The memories of a hectic Monday are lingering in my mind. Faith, Hope & Love, a new era, in which "We are all in."
Tuesday brings a new day full of opportunities, and the positivity inspires you to achieve great things and influence others. May this Tuesday morning be the start of a fantastic week, filled with achievements and joy.”
WOW last week was a busy week but yesterday was indeed a very memorable one. I went to the Inauguration, followed by a delicious lunch at Antoine's invited by my darling longtime friend, talented Andrea Mistretta and her husband Perry. We rushed to celebrate the Bicentennial of the BK House with a Ribbon-Cutting ceremony. I took a small nap so I could attend the legendary Galatoire's Mardi Gars Table Auction. I could not send my weekly log yesterday.
I started this week by attending the lovely and inspirational Inauguration Ceremony for Hon Helena Moreno and the members of her City Council.
Helena Moreno is sworn in as New Orleans' 63rd mayor on January 12, 2026, becoming the city's first Hispanic mayor and making history by winning outright in the primary. A former City Council member and journalist, Moreno ran on a platform of moving the city in a "new direction," focusing on progress, equity, and addressing challenges like budget deficits, infrastructure, and cost of living. 
nHelena Moreno, center, is joined on stage by City Council members after she took the oath of office as mayor of New Orleans at the Saenger Theatre in New Orleans, Monday, Jan. 12, 2026. (Photo by Chris Granger, The Times-Picayune)
PHOTO BY CHRIS GRANGER
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Last night I attended Galatoire's record breaking annual auction of the tables for the Friday before Mardi Gras.(Feb.13)
Galatoire’s Restaurant and Galatoire Foundation raised more than $284,000 at its annual Mardi Gras Table Auction, held Monday, Feb. 3, 2025, in Galatoire’s historic first floor main dining room. The event featured a festive evening of competitive bidding, signature Galatoire’s hors d’oeuvres and complimentary champagne. The highest bid of the night was $22,000 for a table for 8. In total, 154 seats were auctioned for the Friday before Mardi Gras. Guests bided on table reservations in Galatoire's historic main dining room for lunch on Friday, February 13th, 2026, at 11:30 am. To close out the evening, a private in-home dinner for 10 prepared by Executive Chef Phillip Lopez, including five courses with wine pairings, garnered a winning bid of $16,000. 100% of the auction proceeds will go towards the Galatoire Foundation and this year's beneficiaries, our two table auction partners, KID smART & The 18th Ward, and our micro grant recipients, Ronald McDonald House of South Louisiana, Cafe Hope, Youth Empowerment Project, Society of St. Vincent de Paul New Orleans, Court Watch NOLA, and Rooted Ones. Combined with the Christmas Auction held in December, a record-breaking $440,000 was raised for this year’s beneficiaries. To date, the table auctions have raised more than $4.3 million for local charities.
Since I missed the coronation of the monarchs of the Krewe Of Oshun, Terrance and Stephanie Osborne, I did not want to miss the lovely tea with the Queen - Stephanie Osborne at the Ritz Carlton ! Hail to the monarchs!
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I always look forward to attending the spectacular NOTCF Gala and this year at Mardi Gras World was a great one.
2026 NOTCF Honors Gala Honorees
Eight extraordinary cultural leaders were recognized at next year’s NOTCF Honors Gala, a celebration of artistic excellence, community impact, and the enduring spirit of New Orleans culture.
From emerging innovators shaping the city’s creative future to lifelong visionaries whose legacies continue to inspire, each honoree reflects the heart and soul of our cultural community.
Cierra Chenier – Emerging Artist
Carol Bebelle – Lifetime Achievement
Arkesha Baquet – Established Artist – Culinary
Laron Quinn Nelson – Established Artist – Design
Raj Smoove – Established Artist – Entertainment
Johnette Downing – Established Artist – Literary Arts & Humanities
Jonn E. Hankins – Established Artist – Preservation
Gus Bennett – Established Artist – Visual Arts & Crafts
OMG the annual Krewe of Joan of Arc parade just gets better as the years go by. Congratulations . From the historic balcony of the BK house we were able to toast the Monarchy as it passed by
ssed by.
2026 Carnival Time for the Krewe of Joan of Arc at the Banquet
The Krewe de Jeanne d’Arc selects three community leaders each year to portray three featured characters in our parade: a young Maid Joan, a King Charles VII, and a Queen Yolande.
2026 Krewe de Jeanne d’Arc Royalty:
Maid of Honor (Joan of Arc): Rory Davis, Lycée Français International de la Louisiane
Queen Yolande of Aragon: Sandy Rosenthal, of Levees.org
, activist and author of Words Whispered in Water
King Charles VII: Greg Lambousy, New Orleans Jazz Museum
MAID OF HONOR:
Rory DavisThe young Maid of Orleans will be portrayed by RORY DAVIS, a senior at Lycée Français Internationale de la Louisiane in New Orleans. Rory’s identity is rooted in community service, a love of academics, vocal performance, and her immense respect for cultural heritage. Fluent in French and English, Rory has earned a full tuition Posse Scholarship to Providence College in Rhode Island, where she plans to immerse herself in the liberal arts, history and French studies. Rory was recognized as a 2025 Leader of the Year at Lycée Français. She is also a Juliette Girl Scout, a French tutor, a camp counselor, and captain and student coach for the archery team (a 100 Years War sport!)
Darlings I am really excited by the upcoming Round Table Luncheon Crawl Into Carnival at the New Orleans Jazz Museum
A Margarita Bergen Round Table Luncheon Special Edition
New Orleans, LA — 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.
EVENT DETAILS
Event: Crawl Into Carnival
Venue: New Orleans Jazz Museum
Date: Monday, February 2, 2026
Time: 12pm
Tickets: $50 General Admission | $79 Limited Indoor Seating
Online Press Kit: https://tinyurl.com/4bwetubx Event Landing Page: https://jazzcrawl.com/rtlABOUT JAZZ CRAWL PRODUCTIONS (JCP)
Jazz Crawl Productions is a New Orleans–based cultural media and production company focused on restoring authorship to culture bearers and documenting living traditions through documentary film, live programming, and cultural exchange. Rooted in neighborhood-based practices such as Black Masking Indian culture, Second Lines, and brass band traditions, JCP supports projects that move these stories from local streets to regional, national, and international stages while creating opportunities for performances, exhibitions, workshops, and cross-cultural exchange.
Company Website: https://jazzcrawl.comIndoorI didn't do much upon my return from Santo Domingo to save my energy for a very exciting and memorable week.
Let's enjoy it.
Ready for Mardi Gras 2026 in New Orleans? Here's a preview of all parades, with dates and maps.
Krewe of Cork
Friday, Feb. 6, 3 p.m., French Quarter
TThe 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.'
For more information and a map, visit the Barkus website.
Please put this event in your calendar of events:
WYES documentary, ARTHUR HARDY: OUR MARDI GRAS GUIDE.
The broadcast premiere on WYES -TV will air on Thursday, January 22 at 7:30 p.m. It will also be available to stream on wyes.org/live and on the PBS app.
Arthur Hardy’s name is synonymous with New Orleans’ Mardi Gras. In 2026, as the man who literally wrote the book on Carnival marks a milestone anniversary for his Mardi Gras Guide and prepares to retire, WYES is celebrating the life and career of this local legend.Legendary icon Arthur Hardy’s 50-year career is spotlighted in the new WYES documentary ARTHUR HARDY: OUR MARDI GRAS GUIDE, produced, edited and narrated by Dennis Woltering. Don’t miss the premiere Thursday, January 22 at 7:30 p.m. on WYES-TV.
