This February the AAA focused on bringing ‘A New Orleans style Mardi Gras’ to Canberra for the 25th National Multicultural Festival 💚💛💜.
New Orleans is a city formed by the superstitions, traditions and history of Creoles, Spaniards, French, Irish, Italians, enslaved Africans and free people of colour. The origins of Mardi Gras in New Orleans are traced back to March 6 1699 when French explorers Pierre Le Moyne d’Iberville and Sieur de Bienville landed near present-day New Orleans, Louisiana. They held a small celebration and dubbed their landing spot Point du Mardi Gras as it was the eve of the festive holiday!
The US Showcase proudly flew its red, white and blue as well as the New Orleans Mardi Gras colours green, gold and purple between the 17th and 18th of February in Glebe Park.
Attendees were invited to stop by our marquee for a hydrating snocone. Other activities included fun workshops where individuals and families could create their own festive Mardi Gras masks, American Bald Eagle puppets as well as generous demonstration on how to make the famous New Orleans Hurricane drink by King O’Malley’s at City Walk. The list of awesome list of acts and performers included the Brass Knuckle Band, the James Morrison Quartet, the ANU New Orleans Rehearsal Hall Band and an electrifying performance by American gospel, Motown, big funk, and soul talent Lisa Hunt! Additionally, we brought back Elvis from the dead to serenade excited onlookers and got involved in the annual parade alongside Canberra Calvary mascot Sarge and friends.
The AAA marquee was shared with members of Disaster Relief Australia whose relief operations help people across the globe recover from the aftermath of disasters, both man-made and natural. We officially welcome Disaster Relief Australia to the AAA family as a corporate member.
We thank the AAA committee and volunteers who made this showcase a success and, to King O’Malley’s and the ANU New Orleans Rehearsal Hall Band for facilitating its conclusion by hosting the AAA on Tuesday, 21st February. Thank you everyone who visited our stall during the festival!
Please find more images on our social media and feel free to tag yourselves using the hashtags below!
#MultiCulti2023 #USwithAUS #neworleansandco #AAACBR #AAAinCBR #NOLAinCBR
