Krewe members processing into mass. (Photo by Gary H. Jones)
Sunday, December 31st: Mass, Second Line and Jazz Brunch
Join your fellow krewe members for 9 a.m. worship at Saint Louis Cathedral the Sunday before the parade. In the spirit of Joan, worship is the way to begin any important endeavor! After mass, the Soul Heirs Band will lead us in a jam and second line 4 blocks from the Cathedral to the Joan of Arc statue, where we’ll do a jazz brunch at Market Cafe. The brunch is sold out, but you can still attend the mass and/or second line. Dress: second line spirit, krewe colors blue and gold, krewe gear, medieval-inspired (not costumes). Instructions for mass: arrive early and gather with the krewe at the back of the cathedral sanctuary; we will process in behind the priest to reserved seats.
Photo by Gary H. Jones
Our sweet 16th year is shaping up to be better than ever! Mark your calendars now and get your tickets! Details about each event below.
- Sunday, December 31st, 9 a.m.-noon Mass at Saint Louis Cathedral, second line and jazz brunch at Market Cafe (Get your tickets!)
- Monday, January 1, 11 a.m. – 3 p.m. New Year’s Work Party, last throw pick-up and foot soldier costume pickup at St. Andrews Parish Hall
- ** NEW EVENT ** Thursday, January 4, 4:30 p.m. Mayor’s Reception at Gallier Hall for the visitors from sister city Orleans, France. RSVP
- Friday, January 5, 7-9:30 p.m. Pre-Parade Dinner Party at Livaudais Hall (Get your tickets!)
- Saturday, January 6, 4:45-5:30 p.m. Line-up at 300 N. Front
- Saturday, January 6, 7 p.m. PARADE!!!!
- Member Resources: throws store, throws guide and costume guide
- Note: you must be a 2023-2024 registered member BEFORE you may purchase tickets or throws. Purchases made by people not on the membership list will be cancelled and refunded, so renew or join first if you haven’t already!
Details of all events below
Monday, January 1: New Year’s Work Party
Most members have a reason to at least stop by this workshop, which makes it a bustling party. Full members will be picking up throws, foot soldiers will be picking up costumes, and everyone will be working on making our signature tea light throws. 11 a.m. – 3 p.m. in the Parish Hall of Saint Andrew’s Episcopal Church at the corner of Carrollton and Zimple (1031 S. Carrollton, map). Enter from the side door on Zimple. Show off your own projects or bring a snack or wine to share if you like. Delicious holiday leftovers welcome. Dress: casual.
NEW EVENT: Thursday, January 4: Mayor’s Reception at Gallier Hall for French visitors
Meet the French “Jeanne d’Arc” Clairvie Quesne and other former French “Jeanne d’Arcs” and welcome the visitors from our sister city Orléans, France. Krewe members are welcome to attend this reception. Please RSVP.
Photo by Kim Welsh
Friday, January 5: Pre-Parade Medieval Banquet at Livaudais Hall
We’ll have king cake, a hot buffet supper, medieval music and dancing, and a cash bar, 7-9:30 p.m. Caterer Jacques-Imo’s is going to make us a medieval roast pig and a full medieval menu of roasted vegetables, mashed potatoes, and fig compote. Livaudais Hall (LEE-vo-day) is a new venue for us, and we’re excited about the larger space and the chance to create a more medieval atmosphere with the wood interior, hung with our banners of the cities Joan liberated. Luke Brechelsbauer and friends will entertain us on authentic medieval instruments. We’ll also have a drum and chant performance by Skinz-N-Bonez, the bones gang that parades with us as Joan’s murderous judges. Show off your beautiful medieval costume and share a sneak preview of your throws with friends! All paraders are invited — full members, honoraries and their entourage, group members, performers, and foot soldier volunteers. Paraders may also purchase non-member tickets for your guests. Tickets are $50 for members, $10 extra for non-members. BUT after December 25th, ticket prices will increase to $60, and after January 1, ticket prices will increase to $70, so buy your ticket now! Dress: Medieval costumes are strongly encouraged. Many krewe members (including foot soldier volunteers) wear their parade costumes. There is ample street parking near the hall.
Saturday, January 6
Photo by Kim Welsh
4:45-5:30 p.m. Parade Line-Up
Report to the corner of Bienville and Front to line up (map), costumed, ready to go, and carrying only what you plan to carry in the parade. Foot soldiers and leaders will arrive by 4:45 p.m. to unload the props; full members should be there no later than 5:30 p.m. to roll the parade at 7 p.m. sharp. Arrive in costume. Come early so you have time to see everything and get your photo taken. Best parking is in Premium Parking Lot P402, and we can use the restrooms inside the Jax during the line-up.
7 p.m. Parade!!!!
We’ll kick off Carnival season at 7 p.m. sharp, make our stops for the French Consul/Historic New Orleans Collection toasts, the sword blessing ceremony at the Cathedral, salute to the Joan of Arc statue, and the king cake ceremony at Oscar Dunn Park (sidewalk amphitheater by Cafe Du Monde). (Route and stop details) Remember that we are a family-friendly parade and also a saint procession with a ceremony at the Cathedral. Please hold off on the adult beverages until after the parade. We’ll be done around 8:30 p.m.; surely you can wait that long!
Members Only website
Remember, the Members Only page (password: Joan1412 ) is where you can order throws, view and order prints of last year’s photos from our amazing volunteer photographers (password same), and find the costume guide, throws guide, downloadable logos, relevant coats of arms, and characters wanted. And our online Joan library is full of not only books but also music, movies and TV shows. Remember you must be a 2023-2024 registered full member, foot soldier or group member to purchase tickets, keepsakes or throws. Renew or join first if you haven’t already!