75º

WEATHER ALERT

MARDI GRAS

CDC extends Covid restrictions for cruise ship industry to January

People come out to watch the new Carnival Cruise Line ship Mardi Gras as it departs on its maiden voyage, a seven-day cruise to the Caribbean from Port Canaveral, Florida on July 31, 2021. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention extended into January restrictions on the cruise ship industry that were set to expire next week, citing concerns over the highly contagious delta variant and breakthrough cases among vaccinated travelers. The CDC has allowed cruise ships to operate with conditions since October 2020, requiring masks onboard and vaccinations or testing of passengers and crew, among other safety precautions. "However, CDC decided to temporarily extend the Order due to the continued spread of the Delta variant." Cruise lines that fail to secure a Covid-19 Conditional Sailing Certificate from the CDC will be barred from operating in U.S. waters.

cnbc.com

Miami's South Beach confronts disastrous spring break

People in a mostly maskless crowd walk down Ocean Drive in Miami Beach, Florida's famed South Beach, Monday, March 22, 2021. A party-ending curfew is in effect in Miami Beach, imposed after fights, gunfire, property destruction and dangerous stampedes broke out among huge crowds of people. (AP Photo/Wilfredo Lee)MIAMI BEACH, Fla. – Florida’s famed South Beach is desperately seeking a new image. Ad“We definitely want people to come and have fun," Miami Beach Commissioner Ricky Arriola said Monday. Miami Beach took less proactive measures under Republican Gov.

Miami’s South Beach confronts disastrous spring break

Crime crackdown in Miami Beach has some wondering if Black visitors are being targetedMIAMI BEACH, Fla. – Florida’s famed South Beach is desperately seeking a new image. The situation got so out of hand that Miami Beach Police brought in SWAT teams to disperse pepper bullets and called in law enforcement officers from at least four other agencies. Ad“We definitely want people to come and have fun," Miami Beach Commissioner Ricky Arriola said Monday. Miami Beach took less proactive measures under Republican Gov. —-This story has been corrected to show that New Orleans officials, not Edwards, closed Bourbon Street during Mardi Gras.

New Orleans' St. Augustine High School Marching Band emerges from pandemic to play notes of hope

The heart and soul of the famous Mardi Gras parades of New Orleans are its marching bands, and few are as revered and storied as the St. Augustine High School Marching Band – self-dubbed the "Best Band in the Land." The "St. Aug" band, as it's known in the local parlance, is one of the few predominantly Black, all-boys Catholic high schools in the country. "In New Orleans, marching band is a culture. But here in this city, they live, breathe, eat, sleep, everything marching band," says Johnson. Because I feel like that is-- that is St. Aug, that is New Orleans.," he tells Alfonsi.

cbsnews.com

See how Louisiana pivoted to extravagant house floats for Mardi Gras

A home is decorated with a New Orleans music theme on February 05, 2021 in New Orleans, Louisiana. Bars are closed, the temperature is freezing and crowds are banned, but that hasn't stopped Louisianans from feeling the Mardi Gras spirit. Some residents enjoyed the celebrations by creating extravagant house floats to replace the usual parade floats, either adorning their homes themselves or hiring artists to do so. The celebrations are taking a different form this year after last year's Mardi Gras crowds were blamed for a Covid-19 outbreak in Louisiana. Here are some of the house floats created to celebrate Mardi Gras:

cnbc.com

Party carries on in New Orleans with "Yardi Gras" as coronavirus restrictions limit traditional celebrations

New Orleans — Giving up has never been in the DNA of New Orleans, so the cancellation of Mardi Gras parades due to the pandemic didn't kill off an old tradition, it jump-started a new one: Yardi Gras. "Whenever he gets older, I want to look back and show him how Mardi Gras was in quarantine," said Alyssa Hicks, a mother. Now, some 3,000 New Orleans homes are part of an immobile porch parade. Visitors talk with a hostess on February 13, 2021, during Mardi Gras season in New Orleans, Louisiana. From the wild to the whimsical, the stationary parade has brought neighbors together, turning Mardi Gras into a literal house party and finding a way to let the good times roll.

cbsnews.com

Muted Mardi Gras: Closed bars, barricaded Bourbon Street

Tourists from Brooklyn take photos on a nearly deserted Bourbon Street during Mardi Gras in the French Quarter of New Orleans, Tuesday, Feb. 16, 2021. “We were expecting a little bit lower key than the normal Mardi Gras,” Wheeler said. Coronavirus-related restrictions in New Orleans included canceled parades, closed bars and a near shutdown of rowdy Bourbon Street. That, and unusually frigid weather, prevented what New Orleans usually craves at the end of Mardi Gras season: streets and businesses jam-packed with revelers. To the east, Mobile, Alabama, which boasts the nation's oldest Mardi Gras celebrations, had also canceled parades.

Party carries on in New Orleans with "Yardi Gras" as coronavirus restrictions limit traditional celebrations

New Orleans — Giving up has never been in the DNA of New Orleans, so the cancellation of Mardi Gras parades due to the pandemic didn't kill off an old tradition, it jump-started a new one: Yardi Gras. "Whenever he gets older, I want to look back and show him how Mardi Gras was in quarantine," said Alyssa Hicks, a mother. Now, some 3,000 New Orleans homes are part of an immobile porch parade. Visitors talk with a hostess on February 13, 2021, during Mardi Gras season in New Orleans, Louisiana. From the wild to the whimsical, the stationary parade has brought neighbors together, turning Mardi Gras into a literal house party and finding a way to let the good times roll.

cbsnews.com

Houses in New Orleans are transformed into Mardi Gras floats

Houses in New Orleans are transformed into Mardi Gras floats For the people of New Orleans, Louisiana, Mardi Gras is more than just the world's biggest free party. It is the throbbing, pulsing, beating heart of the city's culture. But the coronavirus pandemic put much of that on hold after the city of New Orleans announced on Friday that the city would close all bars, ban the sale of to-go drinks, and halt all large gatherings from February 12 to February 16. Despite the COVID-19 restrictions, the ever-creative residents of New Orleans have found a whole new canvas for their artistic expression. Jamie Wax has the details.

cbsnews.com

Upcoming Houston Food Events: Fat Tuesday Grub and an Epic Sunday Supper

^ Keep Houston Press Free Support Us LocalCommunityJournalismI Support Support the independent voice of Houston and help keep the future of Houston Press free. Orleans Seafood Kitchen, 20940 Katy Freeway, is offering a Fat Tuesday takeout special on Tuesday, February 16 from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. Call in or order the Mardi Gras TO-GO package online for $60, featuring five pounds of boiled crawfish, a half gallon of frozen hurricanes and beads for your krewe. Be sure to check out our 2021 Mardi Gras Dining Guide to find even more Fat Tuesday food and drink happenings (both for dine-in and takeout) this year. The IG Live starts at 6 p.m.Now's your chance to snag presale tickets for our annual Tacolandia event, this year, transitioning into the first ever Houston Press Tacolandia Taco Stop on Tuesday, March 2.

houstonpress.com

New Orleans closes bars and bans to-go drinks for Mardi Gras weekend

The city of New Orleans on Friday announced new COVID-19 restrictions to prevent crowds ahead of this year's Mardi Gras celebration. From February 12 to February 16, the city will close all bars, ban the sale of to-go drinks, and halt all large gatherings, among other measures. Under the new restrictions, foot traffic to popular Mardi Gras spots, including Bourbon Street and Frenchmen Street, will be restricted after 7 p.m. Bryan Tarnowski/Bloomberg via GettyLouisiana Governor John Bel Edwards will send agents from several law enforcement divisions to help enforce the new COVID-19 restrictions on Mardi Gras weekend. "A shame on us if Mardi Gras 2021 looks anything like Mardi Gras 2020 with the number of people with COVID in our state and across the country this year," Edwards added in a press conference Thursday.

cbsnews.com

Mardi Gras pop-up bar to bring the New Orleans-style celebration to downtown Houston

Some of the drinks featured in Houston's Mardi Gras pop-up bar in downtown. HOUSTON – A one-of-a-kind pop-up bar hopes to bring New Orleans-style Mardi Gras to downtown Houston. Live DJ and themed nights such as Wednesday Jazz Nights and weekend live performances are also scheduled. Houstonians can visit bar starting this Saturday until Feb. 28. If you go“Krewe De Plethora” Mardi Gras Pop-UpAddress: 711 Main, HoustonDates: Feb. 6-28Tickets: $20.

The Dish: Famed New Orleans restaurant hires its first female executive chef

The Dish: Famed New Orleans restaurant hires its first female executive chef Along with jazz, the French Quarter and Mardi Gras, amazing food has always been a hallmark of New Orleans. It’s found in both local cafes and in famed restaurants known the world over. At one of the most renowned — Commander’s Palace — there’s someone new in charge of the kitchen. Jamie Wax speaks with Chef Meg Bickford, the first woman executive chef in the restaurant’s long history, about caring on a tradition while making a mark of her own.

cbsnews.com

Houses in New Orleans are transformed into Mardi Gras floats since parades are canceled

Mardi Gras parades are not permitted this year because large gatherings have proven to be super-spreader events for COVID-19, said Mayor LaToya Cantrell's office. Krewe of House Floats is a local group connecting homeowners looking to celebrate Mardi Gras with businesses hit hard by the pandemic that can help with decorations. Megan Joy Boudreaux, who created the Krewe of House Floats, was one of the first people to mobilize the effort to decorate houses in lieu of regular Mardi Gras parade floats. The "Hire a Mardi Gras Artist" project, which also helps Mardi Gras artists find work, began their operation last year in partnership with the the Krewe of Red Beans. "I've never been on a Mardi Gras float until now," Demian Estevez told WWL after his house was transformed into a float by artist Caroline Thomas.

cbsnews.com

Galveston nixes Mardi Gras 2021 celebration amid COVID-19 concerns

HOUSTON – You can say goodbye to Mardi Gras Galveston in 2021. Galveston city council unanimously voted Tuesday to approve canceling next year’s Mardi Gras celebration amid the COVID-19 pandemic. Over the last few months, many krewes and sponsors pulled back out of safety concerns for their members and the public. While the Mystic Krewe of Aquarius raised concerns about participating amid coronavirus. In fact, the city of New Orleans called off all 2021 Mardi Gras parades.

Group announces cancellations of major 2021 Galveston Mardi Gras events

HOUSTON – The group behind the Grand Night Parade, Coronation and Ball for Mardi Gras in Galveston announced Tuesday the cancellation of its 2021 celebrations. The news release noted that other significant Mardi Gras! Galveston events have also been canceled including the San Luis Salute, hosted annually by the Fertitta Family since 1996. The Knights of Momus said it was a unanimous decision among its executive committee to cancel the events due to the public’s safety amid the coronavirus pandemic. “We had hoped we might find some safe way to hold the events, but the current surge in cases entering the holiday season rendered this hope untenable and the risks unmanageable,” Kenneth Shelton, Jr., chairman of the Executive Committee of the Knights of Momus, said.

Safety changes to Galveston’s upcoming events. Here’s what you should know

Dickens on the Strand, an annual Christmas celebration, will go on the weekend of Dec. 5 but with changes. The market features numerous craft, food, and holiday vendors that guests seek out each year,” according to Galveston Historical Foundation, which has hosted the holiday tradition for over 46 years. Business owners said they welcome the changes as a way to carry on tradition while maintaining safety protocol during the pandemic. Montemayor said sales have improved roughly 40% since summer when area bars and restaurants along the tourist destination were shuttered. Wendy Morgan, co-owner of the Admiralty on the Strand and Tina’s on the Strand, said sales look good as both businesses gear up for holiday sales.

New Orleans mayor says city will have to think about canceling Mardi Gras 2021

(CNN) -- The novel coronavirus may join a short list of history’s events that have led to the cancellation of Mardi Gras in New Orleans. Mayor Latoya Cantrell suggested on Tuesday that canceling the 2021 Mardi Gras festivities is "something we have to think about." "It will give me great pause right now before I commit to saying we are moving forward with Mardi Gras 2021," Cantrell said. Mardi Gras begins on January 6 and Fat Tuesday in 2021 is February 16. The total number of hospitalizations and patients on ventilators is on the decline, with 1,666 hospitalized and 244 patients on vents.

Make your own cocktails from home using these 6 recipes from these Texas bars and restaurants

With bars and restaurants around the state temporarily closing to prevent the spread of COVID-19, Friday and Saturday nights just haven’t felt as festive. Some have been packaging cocktail kits that include all the drink’s ingredients for customers to mix at home. Texas Highways also has a collection of cocktail recipes to share from our archives. This cocktail recipe from the Elk Store Winery & Distillery in Fredericksburg is a twist on the classic. The Elk Store is now offering wine and bottles of their small-batch housemade liquor to-go and for delivery.

New York sees glimmer of progress against coronavirus, New Orleans worsens

Related Coverage Factbox: Latest on the spread of the coronavirus around the worldAt least 30,800 people have tested positive for the virus in New York state and more than 17,800 in New York City alone. New York state as a whole, accounting for roughly half the countrys known infections, followed California last week in ordering non-essential businesses to close and to direct residents to stay home as much as possible. Cuomo cited recent coronavirus hospitalization figures in his state as evidence that social distancing was starting to work. The three states hardest hit so far - New York, California and Washington - were given such status previously. New Orleans restaurant owner Ronnie Evans said everyone in New Orleans was freaking out.Slideshow (16 Images)People dont know what to expect or how long this will last.

feeds.reuters.com

New York sees glimmer of progress against coronavirus, New Orleans worsens

Our closeness makes us vulnerable, said Cuomo, who has emerged as a leading voice on the coronavirus. Cuomo said more than 30,800 people had tested positive for the virus in his state and more than 17,800 in New York City alone. Officials walk into a store that has a "Social Distancing" sign on the door during the outbreak of coronavirus disease (COVID-19), in the Manhattan borough of New York City, New York, U.S., March 25, 2020. Cuomo cited recent coronavirus hospitalization figures in his state as evidence that social distancing measures were starting to work. New Orleans restaurant owner Ronnie Evans said everyone in New Orleans was freaking out.People dont know what to expect or how long this will last.

feeds.reuters.com

New Orleans bans tandem floats for the rest of Mardi Gras season after second deadly parade accident

New Orleans officials have banned tandem floats from parading during the rest of the Mardi Gras season after two people were killed in separate accidents last week. Both incidents -- one on Saturday and the other on Wednesday -- involved tandem floats, which have two or more floats connected together by a hitch and pulled by one tractor. NOLA Ready, the city’s emergency preparedness campaign, and Mayor LaToya Cantrell announced tandem floats won’t be allowed for the rest of the season. The Endymion parade is one of the most popular and one of the most family-oriented parades leading up to Mardi Gras, which is Tuesday. That incident followed a Wednesday fatality when a woman was hit with a tandem float during the Krewe of Nyx parade.

Person struck, killed by Mardi Gras float in New Orleans, officials say

(AP) – A person was struck by a float and fatally injured Saturday evening during one of the iconic parades of the Mardi Gras season in New Orleans, authorities said. The fatality comes as New Orleans was already mourning the death of a 58-year-old woman who witnesses said was run over by a parade float Wednesday night in the runup to Mardi Gras. Witnessed said the woman, later identified by authorities as Geraldine Carmouche, had apparently tried to cross between two parts of a tandem float but tripped over a hitch connecting the sections. Tandem floats are multiple floats connected together and pulled by one tractor. In 2008, a rider getting off a three-part float after the Krewe of Endymion parade in New Orleans was killed when the float lurched forward and the third section ran over him, police said.

Sunny and cool Mardi Gras weekend

Wonderfully cool Kiights of Momus parade forecast (KPRC)Heading into the final Mardi Gras weekend, our weather seems chamber of commerce perfect! The high today on Galveston Island will be a few degrees cooler than the normal of 66 for this time of the year and accompanied by mostly sunny skies. That sets up the next rain for our region which as of right now looks like a Monday morning through early afternoon passage. Expected rain amounts will be meager with half and inch to an inch and a half through Tuesday morning. Last week of February ten day forecast (KPRC)The cooler temperatures, including some 30s by the end of next week, will be accompanied by enough sunshine to make for a very pleasant last week of February!

Everything you should know about the Knights of Momus Grand Night Parade

GALVESTON, Texas – The Knights of Momus Grand Night Parade on KPRC 2 presented by Landry’s, Golden Nugget Lake Charles and the Post Oak Hotel will take place on Saturday, Feb. 22. The Knights of Momus is Galveston’s oldest and largest Mardi Gras Krewe dating back to 1871 on Galveston Island. This year’s theme is “Sail Through Scandinavia.”Related: Everything you need to know about this year’s ‘Mardi Gras! It proceeds west to 25th Street, travels north on 25th Street to Ship’s Mechanic Row, east on Ship’s Mechanic Row to 21st Street, north on 21st Street to Strand and west on Strand to 25th Street. For more information on the Knights of Momus Grand Night Parade, click here.

Houston Billionaire Tilman Fertitta shares big surprise for this year’s Mardi Gras! Galveston

HOUSTON – Houston Rockets owner, Tilman Fertitta, is a businessman mogul and a world leader in the dining, hospitality, entertainment and gaming industries. Galveston and commented on the success of his new book “Shut Up & Listen!”Tilman Fertitta Shut Up and Listen! Fertitta, who grew up in Galveston, found another way to bring people back to the island with the annual Knights of Momus Parade. The successful businessman also announced he will be tossing Mardi Gras 2020 basketball caps from some of his floats during the Knights of Momus parade this Saturday. You can watch the Knights of Momus parade live, on KPRC Channel 2 beginning at 6:30 p.m. this Saturday, Feb. 22.

Celebrate Mardi Gras at home with these easy recipes full of Louisiana flavor

HOUSTON – You don’t need to drive far to celebrate Mardi Gras. Instead, bring a taste of Louisiana to your own Mardi Gras party with some classic Cajun cooking. If you got friends coming over, light bites like Cajun duck poppers are convenient and a nice dish to get the party started. Cajun duck poppersCajun Duck Poppers (KPRC)(Serves 4)Ingredients• 1 ½ lbs. King’s Cake Milk PunchKing's Cake Milk Punch (KPRC)Ingredients:• 1.5 oz Plantation Pineapple Rum• 4 oz Half and half infused with orgeat, cinnamon, vanilla, orange zest• Infused cream• Purple, gold and green sugarDirections:1.

After Mardi Gras, what do you do with all the beads? These KPRC 2 readers have some creative suggestions

They’re a mainstay of Mardi Gras festivities but what do you do with all of them once Mardi Gras ends? Here’s what they had to say:Mardi Gras decor galore“Put them on my Christmas tree for Mardi gras season,” wrote Johnny Trlicia. Johnny Trlicia (KPRC 2)" Incorporated into my mantel decor," wrote Melissa Reddy-Tremblay. Recycle themIf you’re not a whiz with the glue gun or can’t think up a way to reuses your beads, recycle them. Surfrider Galveston collects unwanted beads and distributes them to organizations who will reuses the beads.

Blue October and Bowling for Soup to Headline Mardi Gras! Galveston 2020

Top entertainment and other event highlights have been announced for the 105th annual Mardi Gras! The biggest Mardi Gras celebration in Texas will be headlined by rock icons and Houston natives, Blue October, along with fellow 2000's pop-rock sensation, Bowling for Soup. EXPAND Bowling for Soup will headline the 2020 Mardi Gras! Fiesta Gras festivities will include two parades, a balcony party and shopping and dining options. Photo courtesy of Bidi Bidi BandaFor fans of EDM, Electric Mardi Gras returns to downtown Galveston.

houstonpress.com

Good times rolling as Mardi Gras Galveston kicks off

GALVESTON – The island’s 105th Mardi Gras celebration is now going strong, with about 300,000 visitors expected over the next two weekends. Saturday morning kicked off with the Mystic Krewe of Aquarius parade, which features 15 marching bands and dozens of floats. “I love the beads, I love the atmosphere, I love the beach,” said Alfredo Guerra, who is celebrating his 41st birthday this weekend. Besides watching the parades, many people also enjoy throwing beads from the balconies at the strand, a Mardi Gras tradition. The celebration continues Sunday with the Sunshine Kids parade at 1pm and the Shriners Hospital for Children Parade at 3p .m.

Galveston PD prioritizes safety as Mardi Gras winds down

GALVESTON, Texas – Galveston was packed with people Saturday for the last weekend of Mardi Gras. For the crowds of people coming to Mardi Gras, it's all about having a good time. Organizers of this year's Mardi Gras celebrations in Galveston estimate more than 300,000 people showed up. With the help of neighboring law enforcement agencies, Galveston police say they're ready for any kind of emergency. The Galveston County Sheriff's Office and police with the University of Texas Medical Branch are also in Galveston to help.