Golden Age of Carnival Season, Cinq à Sept.

On Mardi Gras morning in 1857, "The Mistick Krewe of Comus introduced spectacle to the streets of New Orleans, and Carnival was forever changed," writes revered Carnival historian Henri Schindler. For the next 100 years - the Golden Age of Carnival - New Orleans lived the fullest expression of its sensual self, manifest in a glorious array of opulent costumes, intricate graphic art, and marvelous pageantry created by hundreds of prolific theater artists.

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Yet, when most people think of Carnival today, they see purple, green, and gold mylar, blinking beads and flowing kegs of beer – it's the most misunderstood of the many distinctive traditions celebrated in New Orleans. However, 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 day, February 17, 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: Carlotta Bonnecaze was the first creole and first woman to design costumes and parade floats for Carnival. For the Krewe of Proteus in 1896, she did so with great artistic and satirical flair.

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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/Happier Hours - a late afternoon fête from February 4 - 12, 5pm - 7pm each day, complete with make-believe animal noses and tasty Carlotta’s Cup, a rum-tea punch. These libations - pairing lower-proof spirits with good friends – will keep you cozy in our winter Caribbean climate, and ready to catch the parade just one block away! Join us for a twilight tryst, clink a glass to this place. Find sanctuary in loa's warm embrace. Seek like-minded community in the spirits, then shh: it’s the hushing hour!

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Abigail Gullo, femme fatale and muse of New Orleans' fabled cocktail world, offers revelers a spirited taste of the Golden Age in a teacup: "My 'Five O'Clock Tea' honors Bonnecaze and her pricelessly witty animal-people creations. This libation nods to that magical era, and our "older sister," Venice, while still hailing clearly from this city. It's an extravagant taste of place worthy of a Queen, yet suitable for a jackass, dragonfly, or any satirical figures in her Dumb Society. Such are the demands of Carnival!" Gullo's tea, like her fantastically operatic voice, tells the story of Carlotta - tracing the wit of the watercolors as a liquid compendium of the season, a blend of spiced rum, local tangerine, and lime, suffused with bay and matcha tea leaves and a whisper of cardamon.

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The saying goes, "Carnival begins when Babylon rolls." How fitting to bring the myth of Ishtar, Queen of Babylon, to hearken Carnival of yesteryear, which rolled with sublime classical themes and stories of great ancient cultures. It's the sort of whimsical Pagan ritual that might stir the imagination of a Golden Age designer like Bonnecaze. And it reminds us that this city owes its fabulous, rich life to its stories, too, the telling weave of those layered narratives and curious characters who arrived in this gritty port town from all directions.

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Delight in the opulent spectacle & marvelous pageantry of Carnival in 1896. We welcome you to don festive animal attire and raise a glass to our muse of the Golden Age of Carnival. Imbibe Carlotta’s Cup, a heady mix of rum spice and all things nice. Come explore and celebrate the Sacred taste of Place that makes New Orleans unique. Carnival Season, Cinq à Sept.

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Host or Publisher Loa Bar International House Hotel