Carnival 101
Experience the delirious, eye-popping kaleidoscope that is Mardi Gras — a visually intoxicating celebration and the official art form of New Orleans. Images and videos capturing everything from the magnificence of Mardi Gras Indian regalia and the boisterous revelry of offbeat marching groups to the feeding frenzy for throws and the glitz and visual puns of parade floats. 
Everybody knows that Mardi Gras is a time to frolic and have fun, to "throw down," as they say in the Crescent City. But beyond the superficial stereotypes, the celebration represents an authentic and compelling expression of indigenous folkways. 
Please bear with us as we prepare a completely revamped version of Mardi Gras Unmasked.
For 12 years, our mission has been to celebrate and sustain the diversity, traditions and artistry associated with the New Orleans Mardi Gras experience. We subscribe to the notion that Mardi Gras is the civil ritual that best exemplifies the astounding cultural richness of New Orleans. On the margins—beyond the fancy-dress balls, glitzy parades and flesh-baring exhibitionism on Bourbon Street—is a veritable cornucopia of “unofficial” processions and presentations that, collectively, represent an authentic and compelling expression of indigenous folkways. And despite the tendency of the national media to traffic in titillation, playing up the risqué side of Mardi Gras revelry, the gala has in fact retained much of its traditional family orientation.
We believe in the true spirit of Mardi Gras: an optimistic and enduring human capacity for merriment and make-believe, for mirthful mockery and the creative indulgence of whimsy, as expressed through a remarkable array of home-grown customs and traditions incorporating virtually all art forms.
To optimally showcase this spirit, and to more effectively stimulate and deepen the public’s appreciation of Mardi Gras as a cultural attraction, we are refocusing our efforts. The revamped Mardi Gras Unmasked will take advantage of new presentation methodologies and technologies for tablet computers and mobile devices. Our goal is to create a richer, more versatile online environment that is fun, engaging and mostly free of advertising clutter.
Meantime, we’d love to hear from you! Please use the form below to submit comments and keep us informed of upcoming Carnival-related events and activities.
Thank for your support.