The Krewe of Red Beans began in 2008 and first paraded on Lundi Gras 2009 with 25 wackadoos in Bean Suits, one brass band, and no crowd.

Because it was super fun, the group returned the next year and a Lundi Gras tradition was created.

From 2009 to 2020, the group slowly grew organically and began to attract an audience. The open-nature of the parade encouraged folks to join in. By 2020, the size of the crowd was approaching 10,000 to 15,000 spectators.

2020 was also a pivotal year for the Krewe of Red Beans - we paraded just before the COVID -19 pandemic took hold of New Orleans . . .

When the pandemic hit, we sprung into action with an idea to support the healthcare workers, "Feed The Front Line NOLA"

In six weeks, Feed The Front Line NOLA raised $1,000,000 and created the nation's largest effort to support Frontline medical workers with "food love".  Our city-wide effort sent out delicious meals twice a day to every ER and ICU in the entire city of New Orleans during this time.

We also employed musicians - as our delivery team. Artists were also employed, making artwork for the effort.

After the first COVID wave ended, we shifted gears and created our next initiative, Feed The Second Line.
This effort worked to create more gig-work opportunities for New Orleans culture creators. Initially we purchased groceries for elders, when COVID made grocery shopping a dangerous thing. With Hurricane Ida, Feed The Second Line employed musicians to deliver aid and also repaired homes of culture bearers who had roof damage or needed a tarp.
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We also helped carnival artists when parades were cancelled in 2021. Working with a local artist, Caroline Thomas, we helped boost house float efforts as a way to employ artists. Here is an NPR story on that.

After these varied efforts, we decided to dream bit and try and create beanlandia, a space that would hopefully enable us to continue to support our city. We were able to take out a couple private loans and purchase an old warehouse in Bywater. Thanks to the Giordano family, who owner-financed the sale!

In November 2021, we secured the purchase of the building. In 2022, we went through the zoning change process and received permission from the New Orleans City Council.

In 2023, we completed the first phase of the building's renovation, adding bathrooms and a commercial kitchen.

We opened in early 2024 as a bean-museum and added our restaurant in Nov 2024. After three years, the vision of what the space could be was achieved. A cultural hub and community space unlike any other. And a place that, when we have a hurricane or other disaster, can be used to support the community.

We hope to continue to grow and continue to improve the building - replacing the roof, adding solar, and AC / heat.

Join us and help us do it! It take's a village to make a Beanlandia!
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