NEW ORLEANS – Get ready to get a little weird! WYES is celebrating Halloween with a night of mad science, live music, costumes, food, drinks and plenty of Morgus-style mayhem at the 4th Annual WYES PRESENTS MORGUS MADNESS presented by Keesler Federal on Friday, Oct. 16, from 7–10 p.m. at WYES, 916 Navarre Ave.
Inspired by New Orleans’ beloved television icon Morgus the Magnificent, the Halloween celebration brings the spirit of the legendary mad scientist back to life for a night of fun and fundraising. Tickets are $50 in advance and are available at wyes.org/events and $70 at the door.
A fixture on New Orleans television beginning in 1959, Morgus the Magnificent was created and portrayed by the late Sid Noel Rideau, who died in 2020. His daughter, Natalie Rideau, will once again join WYES for this year’s celebration, continuing the legacy of her father’s unforgettable character.
Guests can expect an evening packed with entertainment, including a live performance by The Consortium of Genius, the mad science-themed rock band known for turning the stage into a laboratory of musical mayhem. The $50 ticket includes food, beer and wine, with bites from a lineup of local restaurants and businesses including Mandina’s Restaurant, Russell’s Marina Grill, Liuzza’s by The Track, Lucky Dogs, Swiss Confectionery, Theo’s Pizza and more – adding plenty of New Orleans flavor to the festivities.
And, of course, Halloween wouldn’t be Halloween without costumes! Guests are encouraged to unleash their inner mad scientist, monster, television character or anything else their imagination can dream up. The costume contest begins at 8 p.m., with prizes awarded in three categories: Best Morgus Show Character, Best Couple and Most Creative Homemade Costume.
Go VIP for the Ultimate Morgus Madness Experience!
For those looking to take the madness to another level, the VIP Table Experience brings the party to Studio A. A reserved table for eight is $1,200 and includes a specially curated menu from Katie’s Restaurant, drinks from Dorignac’s, and music from DJ Chrisstastic with Beat Mixers Ent. in a dedicated VIP space separate from the main performance area. To reserve a VIP table, call 504-486-5511 or visit wyes.org/events.
WYES extends a special thank-you to event co-chairs Maria-Kay Chetta and Dom Grieshaber Jr., along with the members of the event committee, sponsors, vendors and volunteers helping bring this mad celebration to life.
And the Morgus fun doesn’t stop when the party ends. Continuing the legacy of New Orleans’ favorite mad scientist, WYES will air two episodes of MORGUS PRESENTS on Monday, Oct. 26, at 10 p.m. with a repeat Saturday, Oct. 31, at 9 p.m. on WYES-TV.