Joe Jenkins, Counsel Chief of the Guardians of the Flame Maroon Society, became an ancestor today, at the age of 90.  His passing was announced by Maroon Queen Cherice Harrison-Nelson of the Guardians. It was not COVID-related. Chief Joe was one of the oldest living Mardi ... Read more

Ronald W. Lewis, founder of the Original Big Nine Social and Pleasure Club, and director of the House of Dance & Feathers in the Lower 9th Ward, has died at the age of 68. Lewis was a highly respected member of the New Orleans cultural community for decades.  Lewis started... Read more

Flaming Arrows Big Chief Kevin Goodman makes his last suit and gives his family's legacy to the next generation at Mardi Gras 2019. Read more

Looking back to Mardi Gras Day 2017 when Big Chief Dowee debuted his new Mardi Gras Indian tribe, the 9th Ward Black Hatchets.    Read more

In a pop-up event on King's Day ("Queen's Day," in this case), Black Indians of Mardi Gras gathered to salute 80-year-old Queen Joann Fisher Bernstein of the Flaming Arrows at a senior living center. The program included a special performance by Big Chief Kevin Goodman, and... Read more

This week on Takin' It To The Streets, Action Jackson sits down with Mohawk Hunters' Big Chief Tyrone Casby to talk about the creative process behind making a suit ("one bead at a time"), the importance of the whole gang, education and the importane of oral history, and muc... Read more

This week on Takin' It To The Streets, Action Jackson sits down with the Mossman, Tyrone Casby of the Mohawk Hunters. They discuss what it was like for Casby to be born into the masking Indian tradition, his large family, and Mardi Gras morning on the Westbank. They also di... Read more

WWOZ video was in the streets for Twelfth Night, the official start of the 2020 Carnival season, on Monday, January 6! Check out this video featuring festivities at the Bywater Bakery's king cake kickoff, the Big Chief Tootie Montana celebration at Congo Square, Joan of Arc... Read more

Earlier today, Black Masking Indians chanted in honor of Big Chief Tootie Montana, the "Chief of Chiefs," in front of his statue in Congo Square/Louis Armstrong Park. His family invited the public to this celebration of his life and the opening of Carnival season. Read more

This week on our Jazz Fest at 50 Photo of the Day series, we're highlighting the next generation! Kids have always been a part of Jazz Fest, and there's even a dedicated Kids Area and Tent with performances, food, opportunities to create art, and more. Here are the Young Gu... Read more