Mayor-elect LaToya Cantrell will take the oath of office on May 7 during a ceremony at the Mahalia Jackson Theater for the Performing Arts, followed by an outdoor reception, public concert and other VIP events that night.
Members of Cantrell’s inaugural planning committee announced the schedule of events at a press conference Friday.
Inauguration day on Monday, May 7 will begin with a Mass at St. Louis Cathedral at 8 a.m. That will be preceded on Saturday, May 5 by an interfaith worship service at Greater St. Stephen Full Gospel Church.
On May 7 the inaugural mass will be followed by the swearing in ceremony at the Mahalia Jackson Theater which begins at 10 a.m. Cantrell will rake the oath of office along with members of the New Orleans City Council, which is welcoming five new members.
Following Cantrell’s inaugural address the public is invited to a free outdoor concert and reception in Armstrong Park. Honoring Cantrell’s status as the city’s first female mayor, organizers have booked several women to perform including Irma Thomas, Gina Brown, the all-female Pinettes Brass Band and several female Mardi Gras Indians. Other performers include Big Freedia, Bo Dollis Jr. and members of the Andrews family. The event’s theme is “We are One.”
Also on May 7, the mayor-elect will welcome an estimated 250 military veterans to a reception at the World War II Museum at 6 p.m. An inaugural ball will begin at 8 p.m. a few blocks away at Mardi Gras World. Tickets will be made available to the public on the planning committee’s web site.
While the inaugural plans are taking shape, Cantrell has yet to make any major staff announcements, leading many political observers to question the status of her new administration. Cantrell’s transition team spokesman told reporters Friday that job interviews are still being conducted and to expect an an announcement next week on hires.
