parades annually on January 6 in New Orleans in honor of the birthday of Joan of Arc and throughout the year promotes St. Joan and the city's French cultural heritage
Social Tomorrow Saturday April 6, 5-7 p.m. at Barracuda’s Taco Stand
After the work day, head down the block for a refreshing margarita at Barracuda’s Taco Stand / margarita garden for a krewe social. It’s ok if you come for the social only, too!
Workshop Tomorrow Saturday April 6, 2-5 p.m.: Organize the new storage unit
We’re so excited to have all of our stuff moved into our big new storage unit at 3900 Tchoupitoulas, Public Storage Unit #2 (map). Now it’s time to organize it. Park in the small parking lot out front and then come through the security gate if it’s open. If the gate isn’t already open, our unit is very close to the security gate, so you’ll probably be able to see and holler to someone so we can open the gate for you, or call Captain Antoinette’s cell (504-717-1451).
Many thanks to our parade marshall Rafael Monzon, Chris Caravella, Thomas Lemoine, Terri Wilkinson, Irwin Langhoff, and Rich and Judy Helm and anyone else who helped with the various stages of this move, and to Rich and Judy Helm who donated money for the new costume racks, locks, lights, truck rental, and other supplies to set up the new space.
Save the Dates!!!!
Wednesday May 8 at 7 p.m., Beauregard Keyes House: We’ll celebrate the anniversary of Joan’s victory day at Orléans with our annual post-parade photo and video watch party and debrief, and we’ll also have a short member meeting to elect the board.
Thursday May 30 will be our annual prayer service and party in honor of the Feast Day (death day) of Saint Joan of Arc. We’ll have the service in the St. Mary’s Chapel at the Old Ursuline Convent and then make a short progression over to lay flowers at the Joan of Arc statue.
Saturday, March 2nd from 10:00 a.m.-11:30 a.m. We will be discussing “The Hundred Years War: 1337-1453” by Anne Curry. All are welcome. The book is only 144 pages so you still have time to read or listen to it! Even if you don’t, we welcome you to join us for the discussion. Our book club coordinator and host, Gretchen Zalkind, co-owner of Frenchmen Art and Books, will generously bring coffee, juice, water, pastries, and snacks to share. We meet in the beautiful sunroom at the Rosa Keller Library at 4300 S Broad St, New Orleans, LA 70125.
We are excited that this play about Joan’s mother Isabelle Romee, (which ran on Broadway in 2018 starring Glenn Close as Isabelle), is being staged in Baton Rouge from March 7-16th. We are going to meet up on March 9th for whomever can attend, but you are welcome to experience it whenever it works for your schedule!
Red Magnolia Theatre Company Presents MOTHER OF THE MAID by Jane Anderson: Mother of the Maid is a story of Joan of Arc’s mother, a sensible, hard-working, God-fearing peasant whose faith is upended as she deals with the baffling journey of her odd and extraordinary daughter. Set during the most violent time in France’s history, Isabelle Romee follows her daughter from their village of Domremy, through French Court, and into an English prison cell.
Buy your ticket and show up, or email us if you want to coordinate rides. We have two vans going with a couple of seats still available in each. Also, krewe member Cynthia purchased a ticket but is now unable to attend; she would love to sell her ticket 504-864-3422.
March 23 Fête Française – costume volunteers needed
Come out for French food and music and show your support for our partner French immersion school Ecole Bilingue de la Nouvelle Orléans Fête Française French fundraiser festival. Krewe de Jeanne d’Arc will have an information table at the Fête, and we also need costumed volunteers to help work the table. Contact Founder Amy to volunteer.
See more downloadable and printable photos from our volunteer krewe photographers Kim Welsh and Gary H. Jones here! (Photo by Kim Welsh)
Catch our musical 2024 court in concert
Our 2024 “Joan” Marley Marsalis’s concert is sold out, but you can still catch our 2024 king and queen performing this month!
King Louis Michot
March 8: Maple Leaf Bar: Le Family Michot 8-10 p.m., followed by Louis’s Grammy-winning band Los Bayou Ramblers (tickets)
March 22: 7 p.m. as part of the Shell-a-Bration with fresh oysters, Cajun music and fundraising for oyster shell recycling and coastal restoration (tickets)
March 23: Free show noon-1 as part of the Fête Française French fundraiser festival supporting our partner French immersion school Ecole Bilingue de la Nouvelle Orléans.
Queen Hannah Kreiger-Benson
Most weekend nights you can catch Hannah as one of Pat O’Brien’s famous dueling pianists
March 13: 8 p.m. at Saturn Bar
Every Thursday in the Van Ella Bordella Storyville Burlesque (tickets)
Marley Marsalis in concert March 10 for Rotary fundraiser (sold out)
2024 “Maid of Honor” Joan of Arc, Marley Marsalis, will play the piano Sunday March 10 in a private house concert with food and wine to help raise funds for the New Orleans Rotary Foundation Scholarship for the exchange program for the New Orleans “Joan” to travel to France and the Orléans, France, “Jeanne” to travel here. Rotary members Jane Cooper and Bob Heaps will host this soiree in the French Quarter home. We’re delighted to report this concert is sold out. Email Rotary exchange coordinator Gayle Dellinger if you would like to be on a wait list. Thank you again for your support of this Rotary exchange project with our sister club in Orléans, France.
Saturday, March 2nd from 10:00 a.m.-11:30 a.m. We will be discussing “The Hundred Years War: 1337-1453” by Anne Curry. All are welcome. The book is only 144 pages so you still have time to read or listen to it! Even if you don’t, we welcome you to join us for the discussion. Our book club coordinator and host, Gretchen Zalkind, co-owner of Frenchmen Art and Books, will generously bring coffee, juice, water, pastries, and snacks to share. We meet in the beautiful sunroom at the Rosa Keller Library at 4300 S Broad St, New Orleans, LA 70125.
Marley Marsalis in concert March 10 for Rotary fundraiser
2024 “Maid of Honor” Joan of Arc, Marley Marsalis, will play the piano Sunday March 10 in a private house concert with food and wine to help raise funds for the New Orleans Rotary Foundation Scholarship for the exchange program for the New Orleans “Joan” to travel to France and the Orléans, France, “Jeanne” to travel here. Rotary members Jane Cooper and Bob Heaps will host this soiree in the French Quarter home, where Marley will play a piano on which both Duke Ellington and, her grandfather, Ellis Marsalis played.
She will be joined by Oscar Rossignoli and Jason Stewart. Oscar is an accomplished pianist and composer in both jazz and classical music. He was recognized as a finalist for the Ellis Marsalis International Jazz Piano Summer 2018 Competition, a contest meant to be the most comprehensive, challenging, and in-depth jazz piano competition in the world. Rossignoli folds many traditions into his music, from his classical music formation to this passion for Latin and North American jazz. Jason Stewart started playing the double bass at the age of 17 in his hometown of New Orleans. He was introduced to Black American Music at NOCCA where he studied with the great trumpeter and educator Clyde Kerr, Jr. and master bassist Bill Huntington. He received an Artist Diploma from the Juilliard school of music in 2009-2011. He performed with the Ellis Marsalis trio, quartet, and quintet from 2007-2020. Both of these artists are donating their time and performance to support Marley and help Rotary raise the funds for the Joan of Arc Exchange.
Marley and her mother will visit Orléans, France in June 2024 when they will be the guests of the Orléans Rotary Club. Jane Cooper and Bob Heaps are hosting this event in their home, 931 Barracks St in the French Quarter. Arrive at 2:30 to 2:45 pm and enjoy a delicious spread of food and sparkling wine along with red and white wines carefully selected by Bob and Jane. Tickets are very limited and available for $100. each. You may Venmo, Zelle or write a check. Respond to Rotary exchange coordinator Gayle Dellinger for specific ticket-buying instructions. Thank you again for your support of this Rotary exchange project with our sister club in Orléans, France.
We are excited that this play about Joan’s mother Isabelle Romee, (which ran on Broadway in 2018 starring Glenn Close as Isabelle), is being staged in Baton Rouge from March 7-16th. We are going to meet up on March 9th for whomever can attend, but you are welcome to experience it whenever it works for your schedule!
Red Magnolia Theatre Company Presents MOTHER OF THE MAID by Jane Anderson: Mother of the Maid is a story of Joan of Arc’s mother, a sensible, hard-working, God-fearing peasant whose faith is upended as she deals with the baffling journey of her odd and extraordinary daughter. Set during the most violent time in France’s history, Isabelle Romee follows her daughter from their village of Domremy, through French Court, and into an English prison cell.
Buy your ticket and show up, or email us if you want to coordinate rides.
It’s been a month since we walked in the French Quarter in honor of Joan’s 612th birthday accompanied by guests from our sister city of Orléans, who have held their Fetes des Jeanne d’Arc for 594 years! We were very proud to ring in our 16th year with you all, and while there is so much to celebrate with this big “sweet sixteen” milestone, it also comes with a plea for assistance as we look towards our 20th anniversary year.
In case you missed it on Facebook or in email, here is a note from Founder Amy on January 6, echoing comments made at the January 5 banquet: “…We need your help as we continue this gorgeous and exciting journey. If every single person involved in the krewe as a member or volunteer gave just 16 (more) hours over the next year towards recruiting new members and volunteers, gluing, sewing, building, driving, cleaning, painting, etc…it will significantly lessen the burden on the ones carrying the heavy loads. Our co-captains are extraordinary, but they are not superhuman. We have a group of stellar people who do a ton of stellar work pretty much every day of the year. Please help us as we grow and continue to evolve gracefully with all the careful creative love and thoughtfulness that sets us apart. Please give a little extra in 2024 if you feel you can. The ceiling has been raised—let’s rise to the occasion together!!!!!”
Seeking a treasurer
Our board of directors elected two new members last year, Chris Caravella and Nathalie Dajko. They have been a great asset and bring different skill sets to our leadership team: Chris is a longtime krewe member (he created our battalion banners, among other things!) with expertise in building, crafting, jewelry-making and all things Mardi Gras; Nathalie is a French professor at Tulane who serves as our French liaison and our Domremy Batallion leader.
Also last year, our treasurer and longtime board member Irwin Langhoff stepped down from the role of Treasurer. We thank Irwin for holding this important position for several years, and we thank his wife Cathy, who passed away in 2022, for being our longtime board secretary and active member, workshop hostess, throws creator, and overall amazing krewe supporter. Both Irwin and Cathy were key leaders in the krewe, and we will never be able to replace their level of enthusiasm, hard work, and expertise as a couple. We thank them for their years of service!
We are seeking a treasurer for the krewe to begin in March or April. Our next board meeting is February 28th so if you are interested, please email captain@joanofarcparade.org by Feb. 26th. The position requires attendance at once-a-month board meetings (typically second Wednesdays from 7:00-8:30 p.m.), and approximately 2-4 hours per month of bookkeeping, tracking, and reporting, depending on the time of year.
Saturday, March 2nd from 10:00 a.m.-11:30 a.m. We will be discussing “The Hundred Years War: 1337-1453” by Anne Curry. All are welcome. The book is only 144 pages so you still have time to read or listen to it! Even if you don’t, we welcome you to join us for the discussion. Our book club coordinator and host, Gretchen Zalkind, co-owner of Frenchmen Art and Books, will generously bring coffee, juice, water, pastries, and snacks to share. We meet in the beautiful sunroom at the Rosa Keller Library at 4300 S Broad St, New Orleans, LA 70125.
We are excited that this play about Joan’s mother Isabelle Romee, (which ran on Broadway in 2018 starring Glenn Close as Isabelle), is being staged in Baton Rouge from March 7-16th. We are going to meet up on March 9th for whomever can attend, but you are welcome to experience it whenever it works for your schedule!
Red Magnolia Theatre Company Presents MOTHER OF THE MAID by Jane Anderson: Mother of the Maid is a story of Joan of Arc’s mother, a sensible, hard-working, God-fearing peasant whose faith is upended as she deals with the baffling journey of her odd and extraordinary daughter. Set during the most violent time in France’s history, Isabelle Romee follows her daughter from their village of Domremy, through French Court, and into an English prison cell.
Buy your ticket and show up, or email us if you want to coordinate rides.
Here’s the link to parade line-up instructions. Foot soldiers report at 4:45. Everybody else must be there by 5:30 at the latest, or earlier if you need more time to prepare the particular gloriousness you are in charge of. Be in your place ready to shine by 6.
Remember, YOU are a performer, part of our Army of Artists creating a spectacle to make Twelfth Night magical and inspiring. Don’t hide your costume with bags or coats. Once the parade starts, put your phone away and put on your smile for other people’s cameras!
– Captain Amanda, aka St. Michael
A Letter from Our Founder, Amy Kirk Duvoisin
Sixteen Candles: A reflection of love and light as we celebrate our Sixteenth Anniversary
It is our sweet sixteenth year indeed. We have come a long way from our first rain-drenched small renegade parade full of glittering angels (yes, our band of angels that inaugural year bought their different color angel outfits at Party City and tossed glitter the color of their costumes) and theater performers, French Quarter enthusiasts, French teachers, students, and artists, to an organized, gorgeously choreographed moving storyline of Jeanne d’Arc’s life—that still contains all of the above, but 16x more! (And in much nicer costumes).
To convey the extraordinary nature of our parade is impossible, but if you are seeing this note, you know we are unlike any other parade in this town of countless parades. Each of you make this possible with your own creativity, your own personal relationship to Joan of Arc, your own personal love for the city of New Orleans and our shared French heritage.
Joan unites us all. It’s just our luck that she was (presumably) born on Twelfth Night, January 6. This wondrous synchronicity was surely a sign and laid the groundwork for the many other synchronicities that occur year-round, thanks to Joan.
Our “army of artists” brings beauty at a time of year when darkness is beginning to turn to light. It’s a magical way to begin the New Year together and to envision creative resolutions for making the world just a bit more lovely and loving.
As we celebrate our 16th year, we look back on just some of the synchronicities that propelled us forward.
But before we dive into some history, let us acknowledge the extraordinary present moment: Our first official visiting Orléans Jeanne d’Arc, Clairvie, is sixteen years old and her birthday is January 16…Coincidence? We think not!
Here are just a few of the memorable moments where we felt almost divine intervention, when our krewe’s dreams, actions, or connections incredibly intersected with other events, organizations, and moments:
In 2010, first Maid of Honor, Blair Davis, led hundreds of Saints fans in a Who Dat second line throughout the French Market in honor of the Saints going to the Superbowl that year. She carried black and gold pompoms while clad in her Joan armor. The ebullient march began and ended at the golden Joanie on the pony statue with a brass band playing When the Saints Go Marching In. It was a quintessential New Orleans moment, and represented so well what became the year that everyone felt like we they could finally breathe a little and celebrate finally, almost five years after Katrina. This is the year that Founder Amy hung the Saints jersey on the Joanie statue, symbolizing a lifting of the “Siege of Katrina” (thanks to Drew Brees, Steven Gleason, and dem!) The image can still be found on notecards and in books and other memorabilia that represent a certain time and place in our bittersweet collective memories.
In 2012, we coordinated and hosted a special exhibit of photographer Alex Labry’s portraits of Joan of Arc statues, in honor of Joan of Arc’s 600th birthday. Alex had reached out to the Consul General of France in Louisiana after hitting roadblocks with local art galleries. The Consul’s cultural attaché sent him to founder Amy who connected Alex with our new friends at St. Louis Cathedral, and through Stephen Swain, the assistant to the late Monsignor Kern, an exhibit was arranged at Ursuline Convent. Alex is a native New Orleanian who divides his time between Austin and his French Quarter apartment, but the parade was new to him. He and his wife Suzanne are now one of our most enthusiastic members, and Alex continues to gift us with images of Joan for gifts on special occasions.
In 2013, we welcomed our first Queen Yolande of Aragon, Betsie Gambel, who connected us with the Historic New Orleans Collection and the Steamboat Natchez, both friends and clients of hers. We held our banquet on the docked Natchez that year, and for several years following, utilized the Natchez landing as our gathering point on parade night. Thanks to HNOC’s then director Priscilla Lawrence, we began having royalty toasts from the balcony of their Williams Research Center. It was Priscilla’s idea to do this, and she gave the very first toast, and had it translated into French by a visiting French scholar in residence. The following year, she engaged the Consulate General of France to do the honors with her, and the rest is history.
In 2018, the same year that Founder Amy officially transferred the captain role to Amanda and Antoinette, and the same year as New Orleans Tricentennial, the official twinning of Orléans, France, and New Orleans, Louisiana, occurred. City officials from both “new” and “old” Orléans signed the agreement in New Orleans on January 6 in honor of our Joan of Arc connections, and we had the honor of welcoming representatives including the Mayor from the City of Orléans and his staff, to join us for our parade. As they were taking photos and greeting everyone at the lineup, so obviously delighted in the informal fanfare that is so unlike their May 8 Jeanne d’Arc parade, founder Amy suggested (via our krewe translator Joseph Dunn) that they walk in the front of the parade. Never has a happier diplomat been witnessed in our city. Mayor Olivier Carré sang along to “When the Saints Go Marching In”, at one point exclaiming, “This is America!” with unbounded joi de vivre. A month after he returned to Orléans, he extended an invitation to our krewe to join him in their May 8, 2018, parade in Orléans. Those of us who could make the rather last-minute arrangements did so, including our then Maid of Honor, Martha Pinney, and the A-Team, among others. We were gifted an engraved sword from their Jeanne d’Arc Association to Krewe de Jeanne d’Arc that is now used in our “little sister” parade as the official sword our Joan of Arc carries after the sword blessing.
2018 was significant in three meaningful ways: It marked 10 years since the founding of the krewe, it was New Orleans’ 300th anniversary year, and it became the sister cities’ twinning year. This was the year Antoinette and Amanda stepped into their roles as Captains, and Amy stepped back to serve as Muse, Keeper of the Sword, and President of the Joan of Arc Project. This timing was meant to be, as together we could take the momentum that began with these monumental milestones of 2018 and push them forward in various directions: Amanda and Antoinette with greatly improving the flow and artistry of all things parade related; and Amy by focusing outside of the parade on partnerships, be they on Julia Street in New Orleans or on Rue Jeanne d’Arc in Orléans.
In 2020, we launched the Joan of Art contest in partnership with Ariodante Arts and Crafts Gallery. Though conceived and announced before the pandemic as part of a yearlong celebration in honor of the 100 years of Joan’s canonization of 1920, we ended up extending the deadline to July 2020 because of the shutdown. Many artists expressed gratitude for having a project during that terrible time of unknowns. Our contest timeline has remained the same ever since: We announce shortly after the parade, and the deadline is near or on the date of Charles VII’s coronation date of July 17. The annual September contest and art show has become an integral part of our schedule, bringing fresh local art into our parade (literally–as artwork for throws, medallions and more), as well as recruiting new artists for our army of artists. Not only are we making new friends, but we have a few artists join the parade each year as individuals, and they are bringing their artistry to the parade with their costumes, props, and throws.
And now it is 2023, and we are welcoming our first official Jeanne d’Arc from Orléans, thanks to a new partnership with Rotary Club New Orleans. This partnership came about organically, as so many things do with our parade. Rotary member Gayle Dellinger was taking classes in Spring 2022 at Alliance Francaise of New Orleans, (one of our longtime partners), before departing for Orléans to meet with Orléans Rotary Club and experience her first Fetes des Jeanne d’Arc. When an AFNO staff member overheard her travel plans, he suggested she connect with founder Amy. They had coffee at Gayle’s home a week before she left for Orléans, and discovered yet again the unmistakable sign of synchronicity that follows Joan of Arc through space and time. Amy had always dreamed of a stronger connection to the “big sister” Jeanne d’Arc Parade, and Gayle was seeking to partner and create a sister relationship with the sister city Rotary Club. Voila!
We are overwhelmed with honor and joy to welcome Clairvie and her entourage as our guests of honor. We are truly synchronized with our sister city in our Sweet Sixteen year, as just one of many continued connections, and we could not be more grateful and awestruck at the ways that #JoanProvides. We have no doubt that everything has led us to this moment, and we were born for this!
Although only some of the countless, continual intersections and “perfect timings” are listed above, they serve to illustrate how we got to where we are now: by listening to our collective Voices and trusting them and one another.
Here’s to our next 16 years, and to building an even stronger army of artists, with your assistance. As noted last night at the banquet, we are asking all krewe members and volunteers to take the number 16 seriously: Look at your 2024 calendar and determine when and how you can offer up 16 hours to us. Many of you give us much more than this, and many of you dedicate at least 16 hours to your costumes, throws and props. We are asking for this extremely modest and reasonable number of 16 hours for your time at one of our throw workshops, prop workshops, socials, or other meetings and gatherings. If we all give this number of hours, the results will be noticeable, and we will be on our way to our 20th anniversary (2028) with less heavy loads for our unbelievably overworked, generous, insanely creative, immeasurably generous co-captains Amanda and Antoinette. Give them your biggest MERCI BEAUCOUP tonight before, during, and after the parade…and throughout the year, by showing up and giving of your time. It’s the best 16th anniversary gift ever!
Banners and Props Workshop tonight Wednesday 6:30-9:30 at krewe “den”
Pitch in with props repair, dragon fattening, banner ironing, battery changing and more at the home of Captain Amanda, 7330 Sycamore St.
Last Chance for Throws
We do have a few throws remaining, and you can pre-order online to pick up at either tonight’s workshop or the banquet Friday. If we have anything left by the banquet, we will have in-person sales at the banquet, cash or Venmo only. One late addition to our throws store is our signature playing cards, which might be an easy way to add more story-telling power to your own handmade throws. Most things are almost sold out, so order online now if you want to get it!
If you already purchased throws and have not yet picked them up, your throws are ready and you can pick them up either at the workshop tonight (6:30-9:30, 7330 Sycamore) or at the banquet Friday (7-10, Livaudais Hall).
(New Orléans, Louisiana—January 2, 2024)— The New Orleans Rotary Fund, Inc., in partnership with the Krewe de Jeanne d’Arc will host a historic visit by representatives from the City of Orléans, France, for one week in January 2024, to coincide with the 16th annual Joan of Arc Parade.
The New Orleans Rotary Fund, Inc., (NORFI), awarded the Krewe de Jeanne d’Arc 2023 Maid of Honor a cultural scholarship to visit Orléans, France, for ten days in the summer of 2023. This inaugural scholarship is being reciprocated by the Orléans, France, Rotary Club, and the City of Orléans, who in turn are sending their 2023 Jeanne d’Arc to New Orleans from January 3-9, 2024. This is the first time in the 594 years of the Orléans, France, Fetes des Jeanne d’Arc history that Orléans is officially sending their Jeanne d’Arc to New Orleans.
January 6, 2024, the 612th birthday of Joan of Arc and Twelfth Night, also marks the sixth anniversary of the New Orleans/Orléans twinning, signed on January 6, 2018, at the beginning of New Orleans’ tricentennial year. At that time, then-Mayor Olivier Carre of Orléans, France, and then New Orleans Mayor Mitch Landrieu signed the agreement at New Orleans City Hall. Afterward, a contingent of representatives from the city of Orléans, France, walked in the Joan of Arc Parade. This year, the 2023 Orléans, France, Jeanne d’Arc, Ms. Clairvie Quesne, will travel to New Orleans with an entourage to participate in the Joan of Arc Parade with Rotarians from New Orleans and experience other notable sights and sounds of Louisiana.
During her stay in New Orleans, Ms. Quesne will stay in the homes of local Rotarians and experience New Orleans French, Catholic, and other historic institutions, including St. Louis Cathedral, The Historic New Orleans Collection, Steamboat Natchez, Vue New Orleans, L’Union Francaise, Laura Plantation, and The National WW II Museum. During her stay, she will participate in various Krewe de Jeanne d’Arc activities, culminating in walking in the Joan of Arc Parade on January 6, 2024, in the French Quarter. She will be officially welcomed by the City of New Orleans on Thursday January 4, 4:30 p.m., with a special ceremony at Gallier Hall. Krewe de Jeanne d’Arc members are invited to this reception.
Ms. Quesne will be accompanied by her two pages, Maximilien de Rochefort and Théophile Joinneaux, from the May 8, 2023, Fetes des Jeanne D’Arc Parade in Orléans, France, as well as Madame Benedicte Baranger, President of the Orléans Jeanne d’Arc Association, who herself portrayed Jeanne d’Arc in 1975.
On most of her local visits throughout New Orleans, Ms. Quesne will be accompanied by the local 2024 Maid of Honor Marley Marsalis, portraying Joan of Arc in the January 6, 2024, sixteenth annual Joan of Arc Parade. For more information on the parade and the honorary characters, including Ms. Marsalis, visit Honorary Characters.
Ms. Marsalis will travel to Orleans, France, in summer 2024, representing the Joan of Arc Parade and New Orleans, via the New Orleans Rotary Fund, Inc. scholarship.
The Rotary Club of New Orleans formed a Sister City Club with the Rotary Club of Orléans in 2021 and the Rotary Fund Joan of Arc scholarship was launched in 2022, with the first scholarship rewarded in 2023 to the 2023 Maid of Honor Emmeline Meyer, who traveled to Orléans in July 2023. The goal of this new scholarship is for the New Orleans “Joan of Arc” to meet the Orléans, France, “Jeanne d’Arc”, to experience and learn the history and culture of Orléans, and to build friendships and cultural understanding.
Local New Orleans area young women between the ages of 16-19 years old selected for the Joan of Arc Parade Maid of Honor role must first apply through the Joan of Arc Project, prove their leadership abilities and charitable accomplishments, convey an understanding of Joan of Arc’s story and significance; appreciate and express the importance of New Orleans’ French heritage; and speak French.
Final contestants selected by the committee to represent Joan of Arc are interviewed in English by the Joan of Arc Parade president and founder Amy Kirk Duvoisin, and then in French by the Consulate General of France’s cultural attaché, Jacques Baran. The selected Maid of Honor portrays Joan of Arc in the annual January 6th parade in New Orleans and reigns as Joan of Arc for the year. Since 2023, the Maid of Honor has been awarded the additional honor of representing New Orleans with a visit to Orléans, France, funded by The New Orleans Rotary Fund, Inc.
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!
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!
Pick up a kit to assemble tea lights at home over the holiday. This is a super easy throw assembly project involving nothing more complex than Scotch tape. Be authentically medieval and get the whole family to provide serf labor! Drop by and pick up a kit; stay to work on other throws if you can. Assemble your kit over the holiday and deliver for distribution to others at 11 a.m. to the New Year’s Day workshop at St. Andrew’s. We make most of our 2,000 tea light candles at the New Year’s workshop, but it REALLY helps to have quite a few already done. Drop in when you can, stay as long as you like 7:30-9 p.m. at the krewe “den” 7330 Sycamore St. (map).
We still have lots of other throws to finish at the workshop today, so we’d love to have lots of help!
Foot soldier costume pick-ups Dec. 16 and Dec. 17 (foot soldiers, see email or calendar for details)
December 20, 7:30 p.m. tea light throws assembly pick-up
Get your signature playing cards now! New characters this year: La Hire / the original Jack of Hearts, Christine de Pizan, notary Guillaume Manchon, Hector de Gallard / the original Jack of Diamonds. Pre-order throws now to pick up at the Dec. 19th coronation party!
Throws Workshop this Saturday Dec. 16, 1-4 p.m.
Come craft with us! All skill levels are welcome and all supplies will be provided. These are a great way to connect with other krewe members, get your questions answered, show off your own krewe projects, and bounce ideas. 1-4 p.m. at 7330 Sycamore St (map). See calendar for a full schedule of workshops. We need all hands to get throws finished in time to deliver at the Dec. 19th coronation party!
Dec. 19 Coronation Party at Degas House
Find out who our new Maid, King and Queen are, pick up pre-ordered throws, purchase throws in person, and generally kick-off our parade season! Here’s the “Party Planner” with the details on our main social events this season.
Take-home kits; Workshop Wednesday 7:30-9
Pick up a kit to assemble tea lights at home over the holiday. This is a super easy throw assembly project involving nothing more complex than Scotch tape. Be authentically medieval and get the whole family to provide serf labor! Drop by and pick up a kit; stay to work if you can. Assemble your kit over the holiday and deliver for distribution to others at 11 a.m. to the New Year’s Day workshop at St. Andrew’s. We make most of our 2,000 tea light candles at the New Year’s workshop, but it REALLY helps to have quite a few already done. Drop in when you can, stay as long as you like 7:30-9 p.m. at the krewe “den” 7330 Sycamore St. (map).
