Orpheuscapade 2024
Yes, Carnival Season has officially come to an
end and, like every year, it's truly a sad affair.
The good news is we get to do it all over again, and if you missed something this year, you haven't lost your opportunity because it will be back.
One of those must-experience events to put on your list for future Mardi Gras happens annually on the night of Lundi Gras in the Ernest N. Morial Convention Center. Patrons dress their best in formal wear to attend the Orpheuscapade, hosted by Harry Connick Jr. and the Krewe of Orpheus.
The Krewe of Orpheus is one of the city's most prominent and innovative Mardi Gras organizations. The now super-krewe was established in 1993 by Harry Connick Jr., Sonny Borey, and the late Harry Connick Sr.
The Krewe of Orpheus quickly gained attention for its unique approach to Mardi Gras parades. Aiming to bring a new level of creativity and spectacle to the Carnival festivities, the krewe introduced their signature Orpheus flowers, beautifully decorating their floats. Created by local artists, the hand-crafted pieces of floral artwork have made the Orpheus parade one of the most aesthetically pleasing parades to see each Carnival season.
With that said, every year, the famous parade ends inside their must-experience annual ball: the Orpheuscapade. This year's ball did not disappoint. The floats rolled into the Convention Center at about 9:15 p.m. with Harry Connick Jr. and monarchs Neil Patrick Harris and David Burtka leading the way.
Ringing in their 31st year, some other excellent sights to see at the event were "Tell It to My Heart" singer and star Taylor Dayne, the beautiful and relatively new float "The Captains Galleon," and, of course, the classic super long Tandem float the "Smokey Mary."
This year's theme was Music of the Spheres and a coveted throw this year was the music Legend doubloons.
While patrons enjoyed the beautiful sights as the parade rolled through, they also enjoyed music from Taylor Dayne and Harry Connick Jr., along with Big Bad Voodoo Daddy, 12 South, and The Mixed Nuts.
It was an affair like none other, and you
certainly don't want to miss what next year has in store.
