French Quarter Events

Upcoming Neighborhood Happenings

The Krewe of Chewbacchus dancing down Decatur Street on Saturday, Feb. 1st. photo by Ellis Anderson

You'll find 30 upcoming events in the list below. For even more, check out our Facebook Events page.
Note: You don't have to belong to or log into Facebook to use our events list below or our FB Events page!

Darlings...
notes to our readers

Who better to cover the plethora of neighborhood happenings than socialite Margarita Bergen? To keep up with her you'd need a tanker of expresso and high-dollar roller skates. For we mere mortals, this page makes life simple - it features a roster of upcoming French Quarter events* and snaps from recent happenings in Margarita's Top Shelf.
*We dip into surrounding neighborhoods on occasion!

Jan. 11: Margarita and Daniel Hammer, director of the Historic New Orleans Collection with the National College Football Championship trophy.

Darlings,

It is Carnival Time in New Orleans!

I began 12th night (January 6) but attending the annual Mayor LaToya Cantrell King Day Celebration and finished by riding in my pedicab throne in the spectacular Jeanne D'Arc Parade throughout my beloved French Quarter.

Nothing beats starting the 2020 Carnival season than portraying Queen Yolande de Aragon for the Krewe de Jeanne d'Arc. I feel grateful and honored. There's an album of my reign below and many wonderful photos of the parade here).

I am looking forward to attending many fun carnival celebrations including on January 18, the always spectacular Stryjewski Foundation's Bal Masqué at the The Sugar Mill. I will rush to attend and participate in the superb Krewe of Stars Show Ball at JPAS Center.

On January 24, I am looking forward to hosting my annual Round Table Luncheon saluting the Carnival Season (click here for full details, guest speakers and ticket info).

On January 25 is the much anticipated New Orleans Ballet Association's Evening of Stars and NOBA's 50th Anniversary Gala at the Mahalia Jackson Theater. And last but not least on January 29, New Orleans Wine & Food Experience's Ella Brennan Lifetime Achievement Award Gala honoring Chef John Folse at the Ritz Carlton. You can access full details and tickets from our events roster on this page.

In fact, our new curated events list allows you to keep up with French Quarter (and vicinity) events! The roster on this page shows the next 30 upcoming events and is updated daily. You'll find many, many more happenings on our FQJ Facebooks events page (you don't have to belong to Facebook to use this fabulous feature! Anyone can use it - and should!) .

So check back here often, because, believe me, darlings, you don't want to miss a thing!

Margarita's Top Shelf
top events of the past weeks

French Quarter Business Association Annual Gala
January 16, 2020

Thanks to my longtime friend Joey DiFatta, President of the New Orleans Patio Planters Associations, I joined the members of the Patio Planters at the French Quarter Business Association’s annual fundraising gala on Thursday, Jan. 16, 2020 at Harrah’s casino. Guests enjoyed the sounds of D.J. Raj Smoove, bid on fabulous silent auction items, and tasted delicious offerings from many French Quarter restaurants including Acme Oyster House, Backspace Bar & Kitchen, Broussard's Restaurant & Courtyard, House of Blues New Orleans, Landry’s Seafood House, and more!

For more than 35 years, the FQBA has been a long-standing recognized group for its dedication to enhancing the business climate in the French Quarter. Patio Planters of the Vieux Carré is a volunteer organization dedicated to the preservation and beautification of the neighborhood.

Preservation Resource Center President Circle
January 15, 2020

The exquisite, art-filled residence of Daniela and Elie Khoury in the French Quarter was the setting of the annual soiree celebrating the PRC’s President’s Circle members on Wednesday, January 15, 2020. Libations were provided by the Khoury family and Moet Chandon, and hors d’oeuvres provided by Catering by Laura Arrowood. Remarks were made by PRC Executive Director Danielle Del Sol, PRC Board President Jeanne H. Boughton and host Elie Khoury.

The Preservation Resource Center was organized by the Junior League of New Orleans as a community group of individuals involved in preservation and urban planning. The non-profit was founded in 1974 to promote the preservation of New Orleans’ historic architecture by expanding the constituency that understands the economic, cultural and aesthetic importance of historic preservation, and by involving citizens in preservation projects and services that enhance living in New Orleans.

King's Day MG Kick-off at Gallier Hall and King Cake Hub
January 6, 2020

On January 6, 2020, I felt that God was smiling and sending us the most glorious weather to enjoy Epiphany, Twelfth Night and the beginning of The 2020 Carnival Season. I started my day by attending the Will Samuels' King Cake Hub at the Mortuary. Will Samuels, and his wife Jennifer created King Cake Hub, an aggregator and reseller of cakes from bakeries across the region. King Cake Hub’s second season began on Kings’ Day, Jan. 6, in the Mystere Mansion (4800 Canal St.), home to the Mortuary Haunted House at Halloween, with more than 50 varieties of king cake, including some far-out flavors.

On Monday morning, Mayor LaToya Cantrell along with City Council members and representatives from the Carnival Krewes kicked off the Mardi Gras season with a King`s Day event at Gallier Hall. Members of the Rex and Zulu organizations participated and unveiled The Rex Proclamation and the Zulu Poster.

The 2020 Rex Proclamation, the work of noted New Orleans artist Molly McGuire, was unveiled at the Mayor’s Twelfth Night event. Ms. McGuire’s artwork illustrates “Omens and Auguries,” the theme of the 2020 Rex procession. Images of prophets and portents appear along with Rex symbols in the colorful style that has made Ms. McGuire a rising star in the vibrant New Orleans art scene.
The memorable ceremony concluded by eating the traditional King Cake.

Later that day, I had the most amazing honor to be the 2020 Queen of Joan of Arc for the first official parade of the Mardi Gras season. Some highlights of my reign are below! And don't miss French Quarter Journal's photo albums of the Coronation and of the 2020 Joan of Arc Parade itself. It was a splendid night!

Margarita as 2020 Queen Yolanda of Joan of Arc with 2010 King David Villarubia

Margarita Bergen was born in Santo Domingo, but she was born to be a New Orleanian. She’s a fan of the ballet, symphony, theater, opera and the visual arts – not to mention champagne. Margarita describes herself as a “party animal” and doesn’t miss a beat when it comes to the Quarter’s jazzy social scene. Margarita’s master’s was in education and her career in school administration, but her passion now is celebrating. In a city with so much going on you can’t possibly do it all, here’s the woman who gives it the old college try. She’s fabulous, dahling!