Pontchartrain & Choctaw Parades 2020

After 3 parades Friday night, Saturday was a 5-parade day starting with  the Krewe of Pontchartrain. The weather couldn’t have been more glorious for parading – 65, crisp and sunny – which made for thick crowds along St.Charles. The Big Easy Rollergirls led the way for school bands, dancers, baton twirlers, pom girls and plenty of floats. Tulane University’s band dazzled with lofty high-kicks.

Got Gumbo? 2014

Gumbo is the perfect metaphor for our city, our music and our culture – all of the ingredients work together without ever losing their individual flavors. This was my 4th United Way’s Got Gumbo? at the Royal Sonesta but the contest has been running for 14 years. I had a friend visiting from out of town who’d been here a week and hadn’t eaten anywhere outside of his hotel and national chains. He joined us and got to taste over 20 restaurants competing in 4 categories of gumbo: traditional, seafood, exotic and vegan. Way to make up for lost time!