Golden Age of Carnival Tea Party

221 Camp Street,New Orleans LA 70130

15 February, 2023

Description

The locally-owned, art-centric boutique-hotel, International House, celebrates this annual ritual with a breathtakingly original, culturally rich and historically significant story from the Golden Age. In the two weeks leading into Mardi Gras, the hotel lobby is adorned with 21 brilliant watercolors depicting fantastical, larger-than-life characters from Carnival 1896. The legendary images are from Carlotta Bonnecaze’s irreverent “Dumb Society” parade that same year and pay tribute to her, the first woman to design costumes and floats for Mardi Gras. Displayed above the entrance to the hotel’s magnetic bar, Loa, is Bonnecaze's comically titled “Five O’Clock Tea” painting, in which she pokes fun at affected custom. The painting is also the inspiration behind Loa's most enchanted tea party - a must-see late afternoon fête served theatrically by costumed creatures with seatings at 5pm and 6:15pm, complete with make-believe animal noses, tasty rum-tea punch and King Cake! And to celebrate the 25th anniversary of the iconic hotel and bar, there will be 25 silver babies slipped under certain slices of King Cake that come with great prizes like a stay at the hotel and a drink from Carlotta's silver cup. Seating is limited. Fancy dress as your favorite animal encouraged!