One thing is certain — your feet will be dancing the entire time that you are in New Orleans. You can’t help it! Walk down any street or along the banks of the Mississippi River and you will come across musicians, a single trumpeter, or a brass band, belting out catchy tunes that make you start snapping your fingers and tapping your toes. Or you will come across an impromptu parade, known as a second line, where a brass band walks from bar to bar collecting passersby behind them, dancing down the street. These second lines are customary at any type of celebration in this city.

It is the start of the holiday season in New Orleans, and the city is getting ready for a grand celebration. Christmas trees and festive decorations are going up on the palm trees. Twinkling lights are wrapped around the intricate wrought-iron balconies and street lamps. Shops along the tiny streets and alleys drape windows with red and green garlands.  Even the electrical wires have a festive air, festooned with Mardi Gras beads thrown over them by revelers.

Near Jackson Square, in the heart of the French Quarter, the French Market ‘fleur de lis’ Christmas tree is lit, with cocktails and a concert of Christmas music by the Louisiana Philharmonic Orchestra Brass Quintet. Papa Nöel, as the Jolly Old Elf is known here, mingles with the crowd, together with actors dressed in historical costumes. Entertainers on stilts bob and weave through the square, stopping for pictures.

Once the tree is lit, the brass band appears — a trumpeter, tuba player, trombonist, and drummer — plus a “Grand Marshall” who, together with Papa Nöel, leads a “Santa Second Line” down the street. Rousing holiday music fills the square and streets with happy tunes. In the wink of an eye, the crowd falls in behind the band dancing, shimmying and sashaying along Decatur Street to the French market. Passersby join in from the sidelines. Others content themselves with clapping and cheering. The Band leads the way to the main French market area where the celebrations continue for some time.

The Santa Second line finished, the crowd disperses, wandering through the small streets and alleys where music of every kind blasts from the bars and cafés. In the middle of the French Quarter, another brass band materializes, escorted by a police motorcycle and followed by workers from a nearby restaurant, protesting their working conditions. The band stops in front of the offending merchant while workers hand out pamphlets explaining their grievances. Only in New Orleans!

Not only will your feet want to dance the entire time you are in New Orleans, but I would also wager that once you have left, merely thinking about your trip will make your toes start twitching.

IF YOU GO
Visit www.neworleansonline.com for the official New Orleans tourist website which has up to date information on what to see and do.

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