It Just Keeps Getting Better

Festi-Finished (For Now!)

Hard to believe that the 8th annual FestiGals weekend has passed, and we miss it already! Along with lingering glitter and pink feathers that we’re all still discovering in our homes and autos, are the new friendships, shared experiences and business relationships that will remain with us well beyond this Tricentennial year.

Cooking Up Magic

We cooked, drank and laughed together on our opening night at the New Orleans School of Cooking.

Tough Topics in the Big Easy

We were inspired, touched by passion, trauma and hope, and empowered at our Tricentennial Women’s Day, with presentations by more than two dozen incredible speakers.

And, of course, we shopped too ‘cause we had awesome, local vendors!

Stepping Up and Saving Lives

We stepped up in the most New Orleans way possible at the city’s largest women’s second-line parade, shining a light on domestic violence and raising nearly $40,000 for the New Orleans Family Justice Center in the Step Up Second-Line Parade. Hundreds of women (and a few men) joined 29 marching krewes to demonstrate their support of women in our community who are victimized by domestic violence and sexual assault. Kudos to the Sirens of New Orleans for raising $5,600, to Grand Diva Stephanie Burks and her Wonder Women for a close second with $3,955 and to others who stepped up for this important cause. You can still contribute to NOFJC by clicking here.

Passion, Purpose, Party!

We danced to the sounds of Groovy 7 at Harrah’s New Orleans Casino at our Step Up Second-Line After Glow Party and enjoyed fantastic food and cocktails from dozens of generous donors.

History in the Making

We viewed timeless treasures with exclusive tours of M.S. Rau and The Williams Residence at the Historic New Orleans Collection, and even tried on some fabulous jewels.

Tourists in our Own Hometown

We followed our Two Chicks Walking Tour through the Quarter for an informative trek through the Vieux Carre and cruised the mighty Mississippi aboard the Steamboat Natchez. With cocktails at each, of course.

Wine & Spirits (Literally!)

We dined in style at Tujague’s Restaurant, enjoying delicious cuisine with accompanying wines and delightful tales by food maven, author and Louisiana Eats! host Poppy Tooker. What fun to learn about Madame Begue, a love triangle, and the cross-dressing ghost of Julian Eltinage!

Hallelujah!

And, then we celebrated with a rousing Gospel Brunch at the House of Blues where a few of our ladies joined Linda Wright and the Heatbeats of Praise on stage to sing praise and share the joy of being together, being women, being FestiGals.

Yes, it was a magical weekend where in true FestiGals style, we were inspired, we connected and we celebrated women while supporting causes important to their well-being!

Thank you to those who attended from near and far, to our sponsors, speakers, the marching krewes, suppliers, event hosts, and ACCENT-DMC staff who made FestiGals 2018 and these timeless memories possible. View all of the photos from the event here and share your flashbacks with us at #FestiGals18.

If you missed our best FestiGals yet, there’s always next year! Stay tuned for updates on our social media pages.