"Dumb Society" inspired by Carlotta Bonnecaze's 1896 Proteus Procession
Please join us for FIVE O’CLOCK TEA
On Mardi Gras morning 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.
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 (March 4) the hotel lobby is adorned with 21 brilliant watercolors depicting fantastical, larger-than-life characters from Carnival 1896. The legendary images were created by Carlotta Bonnecaze for her irreverent "Dumb Society" parade that same year. Bonnecaze was the first creole and first woman to design costumes and parade floats for Carnival. Here’s to her Krewe of Proteus 1896 and a woman of great artistic and satirical flair !
Displayed prominently above the hotel's magnetic bar, Loa, Carlotta’s comically titled "Five O'Clock Tea" painting pokes fun at affected custom. It also inspires Loa's enchanted tea party - a late afternoon Happier Hour fête served theatrically on February 19 – March 3, 5:00 – 7:00 pm each day, complete with make-believe animal noses and Carlotta’s Cup – a ruby punch served in vintage tea cups. For 2025, the bar’s Carnival menu presents era-defining cocktails like the bracing Roffignac Tropicalia, a fusion of New Orleans original cocktails from the 18th and 19th centuries and the Three Kings Old Fashioned, with syrup made in the classic “galette des rois” tradition. These libations – pairing historical cocktails and 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. Find sanctuary in loa's warm embrace and divine Spirits. Then shhh, it’s the hushing hour!
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 Carlotta 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 a sacred taste of place worthy of a Queen, yet suitable for a jackass, dragonfly, or any satirical figure in her Dumb Society. Such are the demands of Carnival!"
With an intoxicating laugh and fantastically operatic voice, Gullo brings Carlotta and the Golden Age vividly to life – holding court each night with captivating story-telling as she pours this year’s spiked tea - a blend of rum, local tangerine, and lime, suffused with bay and matcha tea leaves and a whisper of cardamon. No doubt Carlotta would reciprocate Abigail’s praise – the supportive sisterhood reaching through the ages to cheer on Gullo’s 2025 James Beard nomination, Thrillist naming her one of Twelve Women Who Shaped Cocktail Culture and, like Carlotta, excellence in craft every day.
The saying goes, "Carnival begins when Babylon rolls." How fitting to hearken sublime classical themes and stories of great ancient cultures. It's the sort of whimsical ritual that might stir the imagination of a Golden Age designer like Bonnecaze. And it reminds us that this city owes its fabulous life to its stories and the curious characters who arrived in this gritty port town from all directions to tell them.
Step back in time to delight in the opulent spectacle & marvelous pageantry of Carnival 1896. We welcome you to don festive attire – and an animal nose gift from us of course - while raising a glass or Carlotta’s Cup, a heady mix of rum, spice and all things nice. Experiences and authentic stories like this one, well it’s a Sacred Taste of Place found at exactly one hotel and one bar in the world.