WYES will host its fourth annual Morgus Madness Halloween celebration on Oct. 16, running from 7 to 10 p.m. at the station's studios at 916 Navarre Ave. in New Orleans. The evening promises mad science, live music, costumes, food, drinks and Morgus-themed entertainment built around one of the city's most enduring television characters.
The party takes its name and spirit from Morgus the Magnificent, a longtime New Orleans television character who first appeared on local airwaves in 1959, according to myneworleans.com. The character 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 character.
Guests are encouraged to dress as a mad scientist, monster, television character or another costume of their choosing, setting the stage for a costume contest that begins at 8 p.m. Prizes will be awarded in three categories: Best Morgus Show Character, Best Couple and Most Creative Homemade Costume, per the same account. The event is presented by Keesler Federal and is billed as an evening of entertainment and fundraising for the public television station.
Live Music and a Rock Band Built for Mad Science
Music duties fall to The Consortium of Genius, a mad science-themed rock band known for turning the stage into a laboratory of musical mayhem. The band's performance anchors the night's entertainment lineup alongside the costume contest and Morgus-themed programming, as reported by Biz New Orleans.
Food and drink are part of the draw as much as the music. The $50 ticket includes food, beer and wine, with offerings from Mandina's Restaurant, Russell's Marina Grill, Liuzza's by The Track, Lucky Dogs, Swiss Confectionery and Theo's Pizza rounding out the spread. Advance tickets cost $50 and are available at wyes.org/events, while tickets purchased at the door cost $70.
A VIP Option Inside Studio A
For guests who want a more curated experience, a reserved VIP table for eight costs $1,200 and takes place in Studio A, offering a dedicated VIP space separate from the main performance area. The package includes a curated menu from Katie's Restaurant, drinks from Dorignac's and music from DJ Chrisstastic with Beat Mixers Ent.
The event has grown steadily since its start; the station's Morgus Madness gathering was described as an essential fundraiser for WYES as it entered its third year, according to neworleanslocal.com. Morgus's pull with local audiences has held up for decades, with his legacy described as remaining strong even 65 years after he debuted on local TV, per Where Y'at.
Morgus Presents Returns to WYES-TV Later in October
Beyond the Navarre Avenue party, WYES will air two episodes of MORGUS PRESENTS on Oct. 26 at 10 p.m., with a repeat scheduled for Oct. 31 at 9 p.m. Both broadcasts will run on WYES-TV, giving fans who can't make it to the in-person celebration a chance to catch the character on-screen during the Halloween season.
