S2, Episode 2: COVID Carnival
In this episode, Errol Laborde and Rich Collins take a look at how the coronavirus has impacted Carnival in 2021 and what this means for the future of Carnival in New Orleans.
Carnival Coverage
NOCCA and Cake Cafe are Baking THREE King Cakes for Carnival
NEW ORLEANS (press release) – Carnival looks a little different this year, but it tastes as sweet as ever. That's because NOCCA's Culinary Arts department has teamed up with Cake Cafe's Chef Steve Himelfarband locally owned French Truck Coffee to…
Lt. Governor Billy Nungesser Welcomes New Partnership in Time for 2021 Carnival Season
BATON ROUGE, La (press release) – Lieutenant Governor Billy Nungesser will unveil a new flavor of king cake developed through a new partnership with Cannata’s Bakeries and Bayou Terrebonne Distillers in Terrebonne Parish. Prepared by experienced, local bakers, this new…
PJ’s Coffee Brings a Taste of Mardi Gras to Locations Around the Country with Themed Beverages
NEW ORLEANS (press release) – All hail Carnival! PJ’s Coffee of New Orleans (PJ’s) is kicking off the Mardi Gras season with several carnival-inspired drinks: King Cake Crème, King Cake Latte, King Cake Protein Velvet Ice and Zulu Coconut Iced…
King Cakes Now Available at Galatoire’s Restaurant
NEW ORLEANS (press release) – Galatoire’s is excited to announce the restaurant will now offer King Cakes this Mardi Gras season, available by pre-order. Each cake serves 12-14. “As we continue to once again shift our services in an ever-changing…
Krewe of Orpheus Offers Coveted Float Artwork
NEW ORLEANS (press release) – The Krewe of Orpheus is offering their signature floral works of art after years of requests by krewe members and the public alike. By engaging local artists, funds raised from the sale of the papier-mâché…
Arnaud's Restaurant Partners with Mardi Gras World for Weekend Long Valentine's Offering, Feb. 12-14
NEW ORLEANS (press release) – It’s sure to be a festive February with the marriage of two beloved holidays, Mardi Gras and Valentine’s Day. And while Carnival Season will look a bit different this year, Arnaud’s is making it easy…
King Cake Specialty Coffee and Treats around NOLA - CC's Coffee House
NEW ORLEANS (press release) – The majority of events and fanfare surrounding Mardi Gras are canceled this year, but CC’s Coffee House is keeping the spirit alive with the launch of two brand new Mardi Gras specialty coffee drinks:…
Commander's Palace Keeps Up Mardi Gras Spirit and Supports " Hire a Mardi Gras Artist" Initiative
NEW ORLEANS (press release) – Though the Mardi Gras parades are cancelled for 2021, the spirit is still alive in the Big Easy! The Krewe of Red Beans is taking the New Orleans spirit that makes carnival floats and is…
Create Your Own Mardi Gras Krewe with New Orleans Artists and Carnival Experts
NEW ORLEANS (press release) – New Orleans-based, arts education non-profit, KID smART, is inviting revelers of all ages to explore the music, movement, and visuals that bring Mardi Gras to life with a series of interactive, virtual events beginning Jan.…
King Cakes in the COVID Era
I suspect that this is going to be a good year for king cake sales, BUT there is also going to be a major crisis over the allocation of responsibility: In other words, who gets the baby now? To…
King Cakes by Brennan's Now on Sale
NEW ORLEANS (press release) – Celebrate the Carnival season with these three kingly newcomer cakes in Traditional, Chocolate 'Black & Gold' and 'Pink Parade' Strawberry Cream Cheese are destined to become true New Orleans royalty. Cakes are 10” X 12” and…
Rex, King of Carnival and the New Orleans Tourism Industry Issue Official Proclamation on Mardi Gras 2021
NEW ORLEANS (press release) – New Orleans tourism industry officials have joined Rex, the King of Carnival in issuing Rex's annual edict to the world that Carnival season is upon us and will be celebrated in unique ways due to…
King Cake is NOT Cancelled This Year at Cochon Butcher and La Boulangerie
NEW ORLEANS (press release) – On Jan. 6, King's Day, Executive Pastry Chef Maggie Scales of the Link Restaurant Group will be offering several flavors and sizes of king cakes at both Cochon Butcher and La Boulangerie on Magazine Street. Chef…
The Best: The Set Up for a Safe Carnival Season
As we do in my household every year at this time, this past weekend we dismantled Christmas, stowed it in the attic, and hauled out Mardi Gras. This year more than ever we will make our home look like…
Join the Krewe of New Orleans and Win Big with New Orleans Magazine
NEW ORLEANS – The Mardi Gras parades may be cancelled for the 2021 Carnival season, but that doesn't mean we all need to lose our Carnival spirit. As part of our Mardi Gras content this year, New Orleans Magazine…
The Northshore’s Krewe Du Pooch Is Going Virtual for 2021!
MANDEVILLE, La (press release) – The Northshore’s Krewe Du Pooch, co-hosted by the Old Mandeville Business Association (OMBA) and the City of Mandeville, is going virtual in 2021 with a Costume Contest, Fun Run/Walk and 5K Race! This year’s event…
For Us, 12th Night Isn't An Ending, It's A Beginning
I have long maintained that for whatever maladies may haunt New Orleanians, post-Christmas letdown has not been one of them. While the rest of the world hauls its Christmas clutter to the shed, we deck…
To Jefferson Parish: Yes, Have Parades In May...Just Don't Call It Mardi Gras, Please
Orleans Parish was named after a French Aristocrat; Jefferson Parish was named after an American Statesman. You can usually count on statesmen to be a little hungrier than aristocrats and to try a little harder to make things happen.…
Krewe of Jeanne d’Arc Hosts Inaugural Gathering of the Queens
NEW ORLEANS (press release) – The inaugural Gathering of the Queens honors those women who have reigned as Queen Yolande d’Aragon in the Krewe of Jeanne d’Arc parade, which rolls annually Jan. 6, will take place Aug. 12. The Queens,…
A Bad Year for the Mystic Krewe of Nyx
I think we can all agree that 2020 has not been a very good year. But it's been a really bad year for the Mystic Krewe of Nyx. (And in what other city do people get to write a…
Why Carnival Should Persevere
During the immediate post-Katrina days of 2005 Mayor Ray Nagin went to the Northshore one Sunday evening to talk to a group of displaced New Orleanians. They wanted to know about the condition of the city and when they…
NOLA Mock-Tales: Back Away from the Booze, the Moment of Truth is Upon Us
Melanie: Welp, here we go, y’all. Or at least those of us who gave up alcohol for Lent or who, like Ashley and I are doing the Eat Fit Alcohol Free for 40 Challenge. After the past three weeks of…
Mardi Gras Marriage Mambo
This Carnival season has considerable tragedy in New Orleanians with two fatalities involving tandem floats during the Nyx and Endymion parades, two riders injured after falling from floats in Thoth and two people requiring medical attention after falling from a…
NOPSI Hotel Hosts Mardi Gras
NEW ORLEANS (press release) – As one of the most exciting times to visit New Orleans, NOPSI Hotel, New Orleans — known as the historic headquarters of the former New Orleans Public Service Inc. (NOPSI) — is gearing up for…
Antoine's Bakery & Caluda's King Cake Win 5th Annual King Cake Snob Ranking Competition
NEW ORLEANS (press release) – Antoine’s Bakery and Caluda’s King Cake emerged victorious in the 2020 King Cake Snob annual “Seal of Approval” ranking competition. The King Cakes earned first place in the highly coveted best overall “Traditional” and “Filled”…
Barracuda Offers Fun To-Go Options During Mardi Gras
NEW ORLEANS (press release) – Neighborhood taco stand, Barracuda, which is just three blocks off the Uptown parade route, is offering fun to-go options during Mardi Gras. This year, Barracuda will be offering 32 oz. take-out jugs of their signature…
Lyft's 2020 Mardi Gras Transportation Plan
NEW ORLEANS (press release) – Lyft, whose mission is to improve people's lives with the world's best transportation, wants to help New Orleans residents and out-of-town visitors navigate the Crescent City during Carnival season with tips to maximize their experience:…
The Best Places to Seek Shelter During Mardi Gras
Few things are more valuable than a friend with a home and a working bathroom on a parade route. Hell, even a parade-side portable toilet with crowds bumping into its side and water sloshing about can be a blessing…
about
Errol Laborde holds a Ph.D. in political science from the University of New Orleans. He also serves as executive editor of New Orleans Magazine and Louisiana Life magazine.
Errol is also a producer and a regular panelist on Informed Sources, a weekly news discussion program broadcast on public television station WYES-TV, Channel 12. Errol is a three-time winner of the Alex Waller Award, the highest award given in print journalism by the Press Club of New Orleans. He also received the National and City Regional Magazine Association Award for Best Column for his New Orleans Magazine column, beating out 76 city magazines across the country. In 2013, Errol received the award for the "Best News Affiliated Blog," awarded by the Press Club of New Orleans.
Errol’s most recent books are Krewe: The Early Carnival from Comus to Zulu and Marched the Day God: A History of the Rex Organization. In his free time he enjoys playing tennis and traveling with his wife, Peggy, to anywhere they can get away to, but some of his favorite spots are the Caribbean and historic locations around Louisiana. You can reach Errol at (504) 830-7235 or errol@myneworleans.com.
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