Cleopatra’s Vixens and Valentines charm the crowds on the Uptown route (photo gallery)

The Krewe of Cleopatra’s 47th annual parade rolled through Uptown on Friday (Feb. 14) with the them “Cleopatra’s Vixens and Valentines.” The 70 units included 21 floats, marching bands and walking clubs. The all-female krewe has 1,500 member with Amanda Roudolfich reigning as Queen Cleopatra XLVII. Signature throws included lighted heart items such as sunglasses, rings, wands, head boppers and hula hoops. Medallion beads and Cleopatra dolls were also tossed to the crowd.

Oshun spreads message of love on Valentine’s Day (photo gallery)

The Krewe of Oshun traveled the Uptown route Friday (Feb. 14) with the theme “The Message is Love.” The group’s 24th annual parade featured 18 floats decorated with hearts and flowers to recognize Valentine’s Day.

Marching bands, walking clubs and dance troupes, including Baby Dolls, were part of the nearly 50 units that made up the parade. Around 300 male and female member tossed handmade fans, theme beads, peacock krewe beads, lighted batons and lighted peacock rings. Reigning as Shango was Cordell Chambliss, and Queen Oshun XXIV was Joan Ann Brown.

Newly planted Napoleon Avenue trees shielded from barrage of beads

By Nicholas Reimann, Uptown Messenger

It’s become one of the postcard images of Carnival in New Orleans — beads and other debris lining trees along the Uptown parade route, some to the point of being hardly recognizable.

But parade-goers this season on the Napoleon Avenue portion of the route won’t take in any sights that like there — at least if the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers has its way.

Rolling tonight: Oshun, Cleopatra, Alla

Love is the air for Friday evening, and not only because it’s Valentine’s Day. The krewes of Oshun, Cleopatra and Alla will show their love for the community and get plenty in return. These krewes  herald the Carnival parade season along the Uptown route.

The National Weather Service forecasts a good night for parades, with clear skies. It will be chilly, however, with a low of around 44.

This Week at The Broad: Take A (Best) Picture

Sponsored by
This week brings both Valentine’s Day and a slew of Mardi Gras parades to our fair city, and we get it, you have a lot of entertainment options to choose from. Might we offer a humble suggestion? Nobody is going to spray paint their spot in our theater, and our ladders are stored far away from your eye lines. And while we don’t have any shoes to hand out, we do have a fabulous new release and a returning favorite for you to watch this weekend.

THE PHOTOGRAPH opens on Valentine’s Day, and there is no better weekend to catch it. Issa Rae and Lakeith Stanfield star in a tale about a daughter trying to piece together the life of her late mother while falling in love with the journalist assigned to do the same thing. We’ll have bubbly and strawberry packages available for $25 on Valentine’s Day no matter what movie you’re seeing. (Hint hint folks.) Tickets are available now.

City officially breaks ground on yearlong Freret area roadwork project

From the Mayor’s Office

Mayor LaToya Cantrell today joined other officials and partners to break ground on the $4.2 million Freret Group A roadwork project.

“This is the first Joint Infrastructure Project starting in Council District B; in total there will be nearly $60 million invested in this district over the next several years,” said Ramsey Green, deputy CAO for infrastructure. “At the conclusion of this project, residents on 50 blocks will have better streets and an overall improved quality of life. We have 16 projects under construction worth about $108 million.”