Keeping alive the Mardi Gras and New Orleans Jazz Fest theme "laisse las bon moments rouler" on May 20, in the Historic New Orleans Collection courtyard of Preservation Hall, the Caribbean comes to town.
It's an all-day, all-out celebration of Caribbean culture in the center of New Orleans. The first ever celebration of the Caribbean steelpan meets New Orleans jazz culture offers vibrant festivities from 8am to 7:30 pm with live steelpan music throughout the day
Event highlights include an all day rich Steelpan and Caribbean culture exhibition, welcome remarks by Ambassador (retired) Riyad Insanally of Guyana, Amanda McFillen of HNOC, New Orleans Commissioner Freddie King III, Kevin Ferguson of New Orleans & Co. and Ethan Ellestad of Friends of Culture, Inc.. There will be live steelpan music from 11am and featured at 2:45pm and again at 5:30-6:30 with famed Dr. John Wooten and his Southern Mississippi Steel Pan Orchestra. Throughout the day, Roots Kalenda Poets from Trinidad & Tobago will deliver their impressive new voices. Partner Ten-to-One Rum company showcases their original "Bacchanal Lady" drink of the day at special prices at the adjacent Touche Bar in the Omni Royal Orleans. Deliciously authentic Caribbean cuisine will be offered from the Cafe at the Collection.
The event is open and free to the public. Note: drinks and food are for sale throughout the day. This event is proudly presented by Take Stok, Inc. and Friends of Culture (TSI/FOCI) in collaboration with the Historic New Orleans Collection. Together, the aim is to highlight the cultural ties between the Caribbean, home of the steelpan and New Orleans, birthplace of jazz, fostering a deeper appreciation of their shared history and traditions.
Additional sponsors include Amtrak and the Trinidad & Tobago Carnival Museum while partners include Ten-to-One rum and the Omni Royal Orleans Hotel.
May 20, 2025 at the Historic New Orleans Collection, 520 Royal Street, New Orleans, LA 70130.
For more information, visit siteNOLA2025@gmail.com or 504-518-0304
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Media contact: Cheryl Andrews, PRCHERYL@ME.COM