Head to New Orleans for Mardi Gras

Mardi Gras is fast approaching. It eclipses all as New Orleans’ most famous centerpiece and reflects the city’s rich heritage, unleashes the joyous soul of the city and includes everyone in the fun. The festival highlights the variety of the city’s culture from the Mardi Gras Indians to the Zulu parade to the Endyminon ball. Parading begins with the irreverent Krews de Vieux parade through the French Quarter and with the traditional pageantry of Zulu, Rex, Elks and Crescent on Fat Tuesday.

The value of New Orleans can hardly be estimated in today’s market. It is not only a favorite of mine but by the millions of people who visit annually. Mardi Gras, aside, visitors flock to the city for its world famous Dixieland Jazz, its voodoo customers and its fascinating population of creoles, Cajuns and other native people. Despite the hard times of Hurricane Katrina and the recent BP oil spill; New Orleans is still very much a desired city to visit.

On my last visit, I landed in New Orleans airport, just as former President Clinton was taxiing on the landing strip. The President stayed at Windsor Garden in the business section as I shuttled off to Le Richelieu, in the French Quarter (Vieux Carre). Le Richelieu is a favorite stopping off place for Paul McCartney when in the Big Easy. (All the signs in the French Quarter read Vieux Carre, which means “old square,” as well as the exit sign on the Interstate from the airport) At some time or other, just about all of our presidents have made this cosmopolitan city a place to visit either for a speech at the many conventions and conferences held here or for that ubiquitous fund raiser. I also learned that the restaurateurs are relieved when the President does not choose to grace their establishments because they must restrict the restaurant to only the President’s party, therefore losing the larger receipts from their regular diners. The President’s party does not free load. They pay for their food.

A visit to New Orleans is not complete without savoring more of the delicious fare at Brennan’s known for their famous three-hour breakfasts. A starter would be Brennan’s Brandy Milk Punch followed by a split of Cajun Andouille Omelet with Cheddar cheese or Eggs Shannon. What a way to spend a morning! You can also indulge yourself for dinner in one of the twelve elegantly decorated dinning rooms of this magnificent family owned restaurant. There is Brennan’s stellar award-winning wine cellar in what was once the slave quarters of the pre-Civil War Mansion as well as a romantic patio for dining amidst huge magnolia tree and a picturesque fountain. This structure is one of the most historically meaningful buildings in the French Quarter.

Luncheon at Tujague’s Restaurant (pronounced two jacks) the second oldest restaurant in New Orleans established in 1846 a few years after Antoine’s and its brisket is worthy of the acclaim it has received by gourmands the world over. Food, food, food marvelous food can be found even at the New Orleans Superdome. A tour of this unique stadium in downtown New Orleans is a must see for the visitor to Crescent City even when there is no sporting event

taking place.

I found the Jazz scene very spontaneous down to impromptu Jazz Jam Sessions on the street corners performed by talented localities to Preservation Hall and the Palm Court Cafe. The talents of Louis Armstrong, Jelly Roll Morton and Sidney Bechet were fostered here in traditional jazz. Pianist Ellis Marsalis, the father of modern jazz artists Wynton, Branford and younger brothers Delfeayo and Jason, all have gained accolades with their inspirational jazz performances. Rhythm and blues developed in New Orleans as well with local artists like Fats Domino in the 1950s and still thrives in the jamming music clubs.

It is said that music in New Orleans is a magnet drawing the likes of Robbie Robertson, Linda Ronstadt, Quincy Jones, Paul Simon and folk rock singer Maria Muldaur who keep returning to take in more of the soulful, spiritual melodic gumbo of Crescent City music and join in the slogan, “Laissez Les bon Temps Rouler” (Let The Good Times Roll)

To plan your visit to Mardi Gras and New Orleans, contact the New Orleans Convention and Visitors Bureau or your local travel professional.

Copyright by Marcia Abramson

E-mail: mascribe@aol.com