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  • The Skinny On Mardi Gras In New Orleans

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    The skinny on Mardi Gras in New Orleans: history, parades, Zulu and Rex, and king cake fun.

    You have seen the photos, maybe watch the webcams, but here is the skinny on Mardi Gras in New Orleans. Carnivale, the festive season precedes Lent and has roots stretching back centuries in Catholic Europe. The word itself comes from the Latin carne levare, meaning “to remove meat,” a nod to the fasting and abstinence observed during Lent. Over time, communities created elaborate celebrations to indulge before the solemn season began. Two of the world’s most famous Carnivale traditions still flourish today: the masked elegance of Carnival of Venice and the electrifying samba parades of Rio Carnival. Both events blend pageantry, costuming, music, and public revelry — elements later defining Mardi Gras on the Gulf Coast.

    RELATED: Cannabis Is Quietly Reshaping Mardi Gras Culture

    In the United States, Mardi Gras first took root not in Louisiana but in Mobile. French settlers celebrated the holiday there as early as 1703, marking one of the earliest organized Mardi Gras observances in North America. Mobile’s early mystic societies and parading traditions laid the groundwork for what would evolve into a uniquely American festival. Yet it was downriver in New Orleans where Mardi Gras found its grand stage.

    New Orleans embraced and expanded the celebration throughout the 18th and 19th centuries, blending French, Spanish, African, and Caribbean influences into a spectacle unlike any other. By the mid-1800s, organized parades, masked balls, and social clubs known as krewes transformed Mardi Gras into a citywide cultural institution. Today, the season typically begins on Twelfth Night — January 6 — marking the end of the Christmas season and the start of Carnival. From that date through Fat Tuesday, the city hosts dozens of parades; in a typical year, more than 70 processions roll through neighborhoods across the metro area.

    Central to the celebration is the Krewe system. Krewes are private social organizations who plan parades, design floats, host balls, and select royalty such as kings and queens. Each krewe has its own history, traditions, and themes. Some, like Rex and Zulu, date back more than a century, while newer groups reflect the city’s evolving cultural landscape. Membership is often selective, and krewe identities are closely tied to neighborhood pride and social networks.

    Fat Tuesday, the final and most anticipated day of Mardi Gras, carries its own traditions. Only two parades roll in New Orleans on the day: the Zulu Social Aid and Pleasure Club and the Krewe of Rex. Zulu, known for its hand-decorated floats and prized painted coconuts, represents African American cultural heritage and community philanthropy. Rex, founded in 1872, crowns the symbolic King of Carnival and established the city’s official Mardi Gras colors: purple for justice, green for faith, and gold for power.

    RELATED: How Marijuana Can Heighten Intimacy With Your Partner

    No Mardi Gras season is complete without king cake, a ring-shaped pastry decorated in those same royal colors. Inside each cake is a tiny plastic baby, and tradition holds whoever finds it must host the next king cake party. Bakeries across the city produce thousands each day during Carnival, making the dessert as central to the season as beads and brass bands.

    At the stroke of midnight on Fat Tuesday, the revelry ends. Police clear the streets, bars close, and the city symbolically shifts from indulgence to reflection. Ash Wednesday dawns, Lent begins, and New Orleans returns to its everyday rhythm — at least until Carnival comes again.

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    Sarah Johns

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  • Cannabis Is Quietly Reshaping Mardi Gras Culture

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    How cannabis is quietly reshaping Mardi Gras culture, as millennials trade hurricanes for THC seltzers and balanced Carnival experiences.

    For generations, Mardi Gras in New Orleans has been synonymous with exuberant parades, bead throws, brass bands, and free-flowing alcohol. From the krewes rolling down St. Charles Avenue to the packed revelry of Bourbon Street, the Carnival season has long been fueled by hurricanes, hand grenades, and go-cups carried through the French Quarter. But as cultural attitudes shift and younger generations redefine celebration, cannabis is quietly reshaping Mardi Gras culture.  Marijuana, hemp, cod and low-alcohol alternatives are quietly reshaping how people experience the greatest free show on Earth.

    RELATED: Data Shows People Like Cannabis Before Intimacy

    Mardi Gras traces its roots to medieval Europe and Catholic traditions marking the last indulgence before Lent. When the celebration arrived in Louisiana in the 18th century, it evolved into a uniquely New Orleans blend of pageantry, music, and community. Over time, drinking became embedded in the festivities. Public consumption laws in New Orleans—famously permissive compared to most U.S. cities—helped cement the image of Carnival as a marathon of cocktails and street parties stretching from Twelfth Night to Fat Tuesday.

    Yet today’s younger revelers are changing the script. Gen Z and many millennials are drinking less than previous generations, driven by wellness trends, mental health awareness, and a desire for more mindful social experiences. Instead of chasing the next sugary daiquiri, many are opting for cannabis products, THC-infused beverages, and low-ABV cocktails allowing them to stay present and energized through long parade days.

    The rise of cannabis culture—particularly in legal states and through hemp-derived THC beverages available in parts of the South—has introduced alternatives aligning with these preferences. Lightly dosed THC seltzers and cannabis mocktails offer a social buzz without the heavy hangover, while low-alcohol spritzes and bitters-based drinks provide flavor and ritual without excess. For many, this shift reflects a broader move toward balance rather than abstinence.

    Safety is another factor shaping this new era. Mardi Gras crowds can swell into the hundreds of thousands, with shoulder-to-shoulder conditions along parade routes and in the Vieux Carré. Lower alcohol consumption can mean greater situational awareness, fewer medical incidents, and a more comfortable experience navigating dense crowds. Public health experts have long noted excessive drinking contributes to accidents and altercations at large events; a moderation-minded approach may help reduce these risks.

    RELATED: How Marijuana Can Heighten Intimacy With Your Partner

    None of this means the end of traditional revelry. The sound of a trumpet echoing down Royal Street, the cry of “Throw me something, mister!” and the joy of catching beads under a balcony in the Quarter remain unchanged. But alongside the classic purple, green, and gold festivities, a quieter transformation is underway. Younger celebrants are embracing options letting them laissez les bons temps rouler—let the good times roll—without sacrificing well-being.

    As Mardi Gras continues to evolve, cannabis and low-alcohol beverages are becoming part of the cultural mosaic, offering new ways to celebrate while honoring the spirit of Carnival. In a city which thrives on reinvention, this subtle shift may be just another chapter in New Orleans’ long tradition of adapting the party to the times.

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    Anthony Washington

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  • Hypernaut: The Rising Star of Electronic Music in 2023 with '“Zulu (3000 Bass)” | Your EDM

    Hypernaut: The Rising Star of Electronic Music in 2023 with '“Zulu (3000 Bass)” | Your EDM

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    In the dynamic world of electronic music, 2023 has witnessed the meteoric rise of an artist who is rapidly becoming a household name: hypernaut. This talented electronic music artist has carved a niche for himself, especially with his recent triumph in Insomniac’s ‘Discovery Project’ competition. This prestigious contest, known for uncovering and nurturing emerging talents, has been a launchpad for many aspiring artists, offering them a once-in-a-lifetime chance to showcase their skills at the coveted Electric Daisy Carnival (EDC) festivals.

    Hypernaut’s victory in the EDC Orlando 2023 edition of the ‘Discovery Project’ competition is a testament to his exceptional talent and hard work. This win not only allowed him the opportunity to perform at the EDC Orlando festival in November 2023 but also facilitated a significant encounter with the renowned DJ/producer Dillon Francis. Such opportunities are rare and can be pivotal in the career of an upcoming artist.

    The release of hypernaut’s latest single, “Zulu (3000 Bass),” marks a new chapter in his evolving story. This track is a compelling blend of emotive melodies intricately woven into a classic drum and bass framework. It offers an immersive and escapist musical experience, showcasing hypernaut’s ability to blend different elements to create something unique and captivating.

    Hypernaut’s musical journey is deeply rooted in drum and bass, but his explorations do not stop there. He has a knack for seamlessly integrating adjacent genres into his music, creating a sound that is both fresh and familiar. His active participation in the live music scene, particularly in Florida, has been noteworthy. His performance at EDC Orlando stands out as a significant milestone in his career, highlighting his prowess as a live performer.

    of evolution and experimentation. He has dabbled in various roles and styles, each phase contributing to the development of a unique and influential sound that sets him apart from his contemporaries. This extensive experience has been instrumental in shaping his musical identity, allowing him to create a distinct niche in the electronic music landscape.

    With his recent achievements and the growing anticipation for the release of his winning track from the Discovery Project contest, hypernaut is quickly establishing himself as a fast-rising talent in the electronic music community. His story is one of persistence and dedication to his craft, making him a standout talent in a fiercely competitive and constantly evolving music scene. As he continues to make waves and push boundaries, hypernaut is undoubtedly an artist to watch in the coming years.

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    Peter Berry

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