It’s time to party!
Yes, while the rest of the country seems content with one night of festivities for New Year’s Eve, we here in Louisiana are just getting started.
My first memories of moving to New Orleans will always be leaving our box-filled apartment to take my 6-month-old daughter down to see her first Mardi Gras. It was all so overwhelming – the gigantic colorful floats, the marching bands booming away just a foot from our faces in perfect precision, the beads and toys flying everywhere.
But I have to say the most magical moment, for me, happened between parades. A woman we had never met started talking to us – drawn by the world’s cutest baby I’m sure. When she found out it was our first Mardi Gras, she quickly disappeared into the crowd and returned moments later with two big dishes of the best red beans and rice I’ve ever had. “It’s a tradition,” she said, handing over the food. “My whole family comes down every year and we always bring plenty of food.”
And that, my friends, was the moment I officially fell in love with New Orleans. Which is why I’m excited that the articles you’ll find here in our Mardi Gras issue are all about the heart of Carnival – the people. Whether it’s the story behind New Orleans’ first all-female night parading krewe, the current move toward eco-friendly throws and a more sustainable celebration, or a peek behind the scenes at the workings of a superkrewe, it’s the people, the Louisianians, who make the magic happen.
Within these pages you’ll also find a profile on the offices of another Louisiana institution – celebrated jeweler Mignon Faget. In 1969, at the very start of her design career, Faget first graced the cover of our sister publication, New Orleans Magazine. Now, more than 45 years later, the same writer, Bonnie Warren, has brought her to Biz New Orleans.
With so much going on, I’m always excited when I can get out and attend a great event. Most recently, it was a monthly luncheon for the newly re-formed New Orleans chapter of the American Business Women’s Association (ABWA) featuring Charlee Williamson, VP of Ralph Brennan’s Restaurant Group (pictured above). It was a special treat to hear her speak about the exciting career she’s enjoyed with such a city staple.
If you have a business event, an opening, an incredible office, or any business story you’d like to see covered, let us know. Editorial@BizNewOrleans.com.
Happy Carnival Season!
