Twelfth Night is when frivolity starts to reign supreme in New Orleans. This date, Jan. 6, marks the official start of Carnival, and what better way to celebrate than with parades and fêtes. (FYI: Mardi Gras is March 4.) Weather and other factors may affect the schedule and routes for parades, so check before.
• Funky Uptown Krewe kicks off its traditional streetcar ride at 7:05 p.m. at Bourrée restaurant, proceeds down St. Charles Ave., turning at Harmony Circle and ending at Fat Harry’s. DJ Mannie Fresh returns to perform on the streetcar while it rolls. Information: funkyuptownkrewe.com; @funkyuptownkrewe
• Joan of Arc: This krewe marches through the French Quarter starting at 8 p.m. Entertainment includes the Angel Army choir, Flag Corp, Cannoneers, among others. Royalty is Megan Holt of One Book One New Orleans as Queen Yolande and Scott Tilton of the Nous Foundation portraying King Charles VII. Information: joanfoarcparade.org
• Phunny Phorty Phellows (PPP) starts with a toast from the Krewe of Oak at 6:45 p.m. at the Willow Street Streetcar Barn. The PPP departs with the Storyville Stompers on board for the ride at 7 p.m. along the St. Charles Ave. streetcare line, heading to Canal Street before it returns to the streetcar barn. Information: phunnyphortyphellows.com; @phunnyphortyphellows
• Societé des Champs Elysée’s 2025 theme is Turbo Jet, and the group returns to Siberia to celebrate the 2025 King Cake and Queen Quaraoke: Patrick Bordnick and Heather Moon Whinnery. If the Rampart Street streetcar is working, the Societé plans to ride it with the Elysian Brass on board. It starts at 7 p.m. Information: societedeschampselysee.org
Big Hair, Big Fun
In Bay St. Louis on Jan. 11, the town will be taken over by high hair, high heels and rhinestones for the 8th annual Dolly Should, inspired by the queen of country herself. The event features various activities: a Children’s Book Drive in honor of Dolly’s literary initiative; a live Dolly painting by Andrew Switzer at 4 p.m.; music by Sweet, 4 p.m.-7 p.m. at the Mockingbird Cafe (110 S. Second St.); a High Hair contest at 5 p.m. at The Shops at Century Hall (112 S. Second St.), all culminating in the Dolly Look-Alike Contest at 7 p.m. with DJ Doug Funnie at the Mockingbird Cafe. There is both an adult and a child category in the Dolly Look-Alike contest, as well as a crowd favorite. The event is free, but admission to the contest is $10 per person, which will be donated to Kings Kitchen, a free meal program in Hancock County. Information: mockinbirdcafe.com; @mockingbirdcafebsl
Back To Carnival School
Curious about the rich history of Carnival in Louisiana? The Friends of the Cabildo’s History of Carnival classes promise to both educate and entertain. The four classes are via Zoom and start at 6 p.m.: Jan. 8: Origins of Carnival: Dr. Karen Leathem; Jan. 9: Satire in Carnival: Dr. Karen Leathem and Cajun Mardi Gras: Barry Ancelet; Jan. 13: Black Carnival History and Traditions: Dr. Kim Vaz-Deville and Jan. 14: To Be a Star: The Carnival Costume Design of San Nicholas: Wayne Phillips and Mardi Gras Throws: Doug MacCash. Information: friendsofthecabildo.org; @friendsofthecabildo
When the Levees Broke
“A Tale of God’s Will: A Requiem for Katrina” will get an emotional tour-de-force performance on Jan. 18 from composer Terence Blanchard and the E-Collective accompanied by the Louisiana Philharmonic Orchestra. “A Tale of God’s Will: A Requiem for Katrina” was originally produced as an album that included elements from Blanchard’s score for Spike Lee’s “When the Levees Broke: A Requiem in Four Acts,” which will mark a 20th anniversary in August. There will also be a visual component of photos from the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina created by Andrew F. Scott. This musical and visual elegy of remembrance and hope will take place at the Orpheum Theater (129 Roosevelt Way). As NPR’s Josh Jackson said about “A Tale of God’s Will,” it “… reveals what many jazz fans know: Blanchard is a powerful storyteller.” Information: lpomusic.com; @lpomusic; @terence_blanchard
Race Into History
To commemorate the victory of the Battle of New Orleans, the New Orleans Track Club is hosting its 118th anniversary Jackson Day Race on Jan. 12. This 9K race, open to all skill levels, offers a course that starts and ends at the Aycock Barn (457 Aycock St., Arabi) with a portion of the route winding through the Chalmette Battlefield, part of the Jean Lafitte National Historical Park and Preserve. The fun doesn’t end at the finish line — post-race festivities include food, beer and camaraderie. Packet pickup and race day registration begin at 7 a.m., with the race kicking off at 8 a.m. Information: runnotc.org/events; @runnotc.
