Although Voodoo Music + Arts Experience is a music festival at its core, electrifying tunes aren’t all Voodoo has to offer. Here’s what to check out between your favorite acts.
Get spooked at the Mortuary’s Haunted Mansion
Between the South Course and Le Plur stages sits the spookiest area of City Park. Walk through the archway labeled “Cemetery” complete with gargoyles and moss to enter the courtyard in front the Mortuary’s Haunted Mansion. Complete with fog, actors dressed as zombies and sound effects including creaking doors, screaming and bells tolling, you’ll be in the Halloween spirit in no time.
Immerse yourself in New Orleans art at The Marketplace
Located by the Haunted Mansion, The Marketplace is your one-stop shop for New Orleans style art, jewelry, attire and costumes.
For accessories, you’ll want to stop by Coco Loco Jewelry’s collection of hand-carved, organic statement earrings — many featuring wings — and Baizaar’s array of Bohemian style necklaces and earrings. Looking for a hat for any occasion? From trendy black and brown leather hats to zebra print and goggles, Head ‘N Home Hats has you covered. Cheeky Rama will fill all your costume needs with elaborate brightly colored wigs featuring floral and skeleton headpieces.
Then, be sure to check out local artist John Guillaume’s booth with paintings of New Orleans’s iconic shotgun houses — some more whimsical than others like one featuring a goat sitting on the porch and a magical purple sky. Guillaume’s booth also includes pieces in which words like “Cajun” and “home” are made out of New Orleans-based imagery like peppers, shrimp and crabs. Mountain Metal Arts booth features original metal pieces — cutouts of oak trees, wolves, dogs, — that glimmer in the sunlight. One notable light fixture decor had the outlines of the iconic pictures of the Beatles walking across Abbey Road.
Add to your Voodoo Look
Put some finishing touches on your Voodoo look with several booths around the park. Inside the Toyota Music Den, you can get glitter in your hair for free. Then, make your way over to Cheeky Rama Costume’s booth for face painting. At Henna Illuminata, follow the tapestries and rugs to the back tent to get personalized hennas of your choosing.
Carnival Rides
The most action packed ride of the festival is Rock It. Seating 12 people at a time, the 3 legged contraption swings back and forth rapidly, taking riders upside down as electronic music blares from nearby speakers. If going upside down isn’t your speed, try the Voodoo ferris wheel which gives you a bird’s eye view of the festival grounds. The bright blue, yellow and purple carts are even more beautiful at night when they light up.
