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…
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…
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…
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”…
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…
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:…
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…
NEW ORLEANS (press release) – International megastar EDM DJs Tiesto and Diesel will fire fans up in the midst of Mardi Gras season at this year’s Zoolu 26. DJ Diesel (aka Shaquille O’Neal) opens the weekend’s festival at The Metropolitan…
This weekend, celebrations start early, end late and go well into the week for Mardi Gras! Everything from parades to their afterparties are featured here, so you’ll know where to go before you start your night. This week is all…
Here we go. The home stretch. The final week. The sprint at the end of the marathon. All the parts, parcels and parades – the ways and means – of the last wild days and wicked nights of the…
I got through Hurricane Barry evacuation this summer without eating any of the hurricane snacks. I got through my birthday with only the tiniest piece of cake. I didn’t eat a single piece of my kids’ massive haul of Halloween…
It’s the most wonderful time of the year in New Orleans … Carnival season. This past weekend was the first full weekend of Carnival and though there was a little rain, it mostly went off fabulously. Many may wonder what…
There are some old traditions in Carnival. There are also some traditions thought to be ancient, but really are not. One of the latter is “Lundi Gras.” While, the practice of Rex arriving…
NEW ORLEANS (press release) – This Mardi Gras season, laissez les bons temps rouler and count on Uber for convenient transportation options to and from parades and festivities around the Greater New Orleans area. Hosting a party at home? Let…
NEW ORLEANS (press release) – Royal Sonesta New Orleans will host its annual signature event “Greasing of the Poles” at 10 a.m. on Friday, Feb. 21. To mark the dawn of a new decade, this year's theme, “Royal Roaring 20s”…
NEW ORLEANS (press release) – As you pack up your king cake, your ladder and your bead bag, don’t forget to go over tips with your family to keep everyone happy and safe. “We see a fair amount of preventable…
NEW ORLEANS (press release) – Welcome to Mardi Gras at Barcadia New Orleans! Barcadia is excited to unveil a special Mardi Gras-themed transformation of the restaurant & bar, an innovative Mardi Gras drink menu, and the best spot on Tchoupitoulas…
So for those who might be wondering: I did take Ruby to Krewe du Vieux this weekend, and she loved it. We laughed at the floats, we caught some blinky rings and some…
It has happened before – the evolution of a head of state in America was rumored to be linked with a prominent Russian. Legend has it that the first parade of Rex King of Carnival, was created in 1872 as…
NEW ORLEANS (press release) – Vintage Rock Club will be the best viewing location for some of Carnival's biggest parades. In addition, Vintage Rock Club will be open throughout Mardi Gras for its regular hours, Friday and Saturday 9 p.m.…
NEW ORLEANS (press release) – Nolé Restaurant, located on St. Charles Avenue in the heart of the city and at the center of Mardi Gras parading, will offer the perfect home-base for parade watching with exclusive buffet dining tickets, parking…
NEW ORLEANS (press release) – The Roosevelt New Orleans, a Waldorf Astoria Hotel is inviting locals and visitors alike to celebrate Carnival in its legendary property. Since 1893 the hotel has embodied everything that makes New Orleans one of the world’s…
NEW ORLEANS (press release) – Your favorite local nautical dance krewe is turning 10 years old! The Sirens of New Orleans have been proudly parading down the streets of New Orleans for a decade, shimmering in only the way mermaids…
Munch and Mambo Oh well, it’s Carnival time and everybody’s drinkin’ wine. Al Johnson warbled those words in his classic Mardi Gras song, recorded in 1960 (because after all, you can’t go wrong with a rich cabernet on a chilly…
Suppose you started a new job in February of a certain year. When then should you celebrate your first anniversary? A reasonable answer would be February a year later. That is, unless you use Carnival time. In that case…
NEW ORLEANS (press release) - Known for house-made pastas and seasonal specials, Josephine Estelle is located right off the parade route. The kitchen is open all day (starting at 7 a.m.), which makes it perfect for parade goers to stop…
We are most assuredly in the Season of the King Cake. They are seemingly everywhere. Throughout Carnival Season, both Cochon Butcher (930 Tchoupitoulas St., 588.7675, cochonbutcher.com) and La Boulangerie (4600 Magazine St, 269.3777, laboulangerienola.com) will offer King Cakes ranging…
NEW ORLEANS (press release) – Organizers of Bacchus Bash 2020, the epic, day-long party that precedes the renowned Bacchus parade, announced today the entertainment lineup for this year’s Mardi Gras extravaganza. The free, annual 14-hour block party kicks off at…
There was a time when there was no debate about King Cake. There was, for the most part, only one brand, McKenzie's, and only one flavor, Mckenzie’s- style – which had a slight cinnamon coffeeroll taste. The purple green…
For 20 years, Melanie Warner Spencer has covered news, lifestyle, design and entertainment at various publications, including as the design columnist at The Austin American-Statesman, a senior staff reporter at The Houston Chronicle and as the editor-in-chief of Modern Luxury Houston Brides magazine. Her work also has appeared in The Chicago Tribune, The Huffington Post and Reuters in the United States and across the globe. Melanie is also an award-winning fine art and editorial photographer. She has been honored by the Texas Press Association for her editorial photography, by the Press Club of New Orleans for writing and editing and by the International and Regional Magazine Association for writing, editing and photography. Melanie is currently serving as the President of Press Club of New Orleans. When not making magazines, Melanie enjoys cooking, trying out new restaurants and best happy hours and taking road trips. Click here to like Spencer's Facebook page and follow her on Instagram @MelanieWarnerSpencer.
