Happy Shrove Tuesday / Mardi Gras to you all!

I am not a New Orleans native, but like millions of others, I’ve fallen in love with the allure of the Crescent City’s rich history and culture. I’ve never been to Mardi Gras, but from what I gather it’s much more of a tourist affair than a local one (at least in the French Quarter). Even so, Mardi Gras gives us an opportunity to openly and proudly celebrate one of America’s greatest cities, one that has made immeasurable contributions to our larger cultural heritage.

Geeks like me are likely to focus on the musical element of those contributions. And as with most events in New Orleans, music is a central feature of Mardi Gras celebrations. For those of us who are not in the Big Easy to participate, we’ve constructed a Mardi Gras playlists for your listening pleasure. Some old, some new, some classics, some that are headed for that status.

So mix up a Sazerac, suck the head of a crawfish, watch out for the baby in that King’s Cake, and enjoy!