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If you were to ask an old school raver to name some of the famous parties from the golden days of rave, it wouldn’t take long for them to mention the name Zoolu. Certainly one of our most-loved parties, Zoolu has become a mainstay to the city of New Orleans. As we wrap up the 20th edition of the event this past March 1-3rd, we’re opening the archives to see how the party has evolved from its humble beginnings.

Early Zoolu

Taking its name from the famous Zulu Mardi Gras parade in New Orleans, the flyer for the first Zoolu, born in 1995, looked an awful lot like the poster for the parade – only with different colors and a quick rearranging of characters. Featuring many out-of-state DJs, the inaugural Zoolu brought in about 1,500 in attendance to the State Palace Theatre, marking an unusually successful first run. The legendary lineup hosted various pioneers of electronic music and its culture including Chicago’s rave mainstay Mystic Bill, turntablist extraordinaire Terry Mullan, DJ Astroboy, and Reese. Taking place on February 25th, the carnival atmosphere that surrounded the city was perfect for the event and it became a tradition to do forever hold Zoolu during Mardi Gras weekend.

The second Zoolu in 1996 was the first time the event expanded to two nights. By this time, the flyers for Donnie’s shows were almost as famous as the parties themselves and this one was no different, “It’s definitely one of the best flyers we’ve ever done,” Donnie says, “the flyer still to this day–if you showed it to somebody, they’re gonna be like ‘that’s a sick flyer.”

Zoolu 2 was also the first time that Donnie got Rabbit in the Moon to headline, “That was a game changer,” Donnie recollects, “they did performance art while they played [a live PA set] and it just changed everything for New Orleans. People don’t forget the first time they saw Rabbit in the Moon. It was a really special night.”

Remembering Zoolu Through the Years

Every Zoolu was unique – if not because of the great lineups than because of their creative flyers, mailed all across the country. Some of the flyers raised a few eyebrows – our favorite being the one for Zoolu 9, “I thought it would be funny to put my son on the flyer but as a raver.” With his being son only two at the time, Donnie got improvised with the costume, “I went to the store and bought Adidas sweatpants, Adidas shell toes… I went to the gas station and bought a 40oz Miller High Life, dumped it out and then filled it with apple juice. Then I put one of my chains around him. The designer added some tattoos to the final product… I’m sure [my son] will find it humorous when he gets older.”

Zoolu 6 is one Donnie remembers fondly. It was the last edition of the popular event before he was indicted under charges of being in violation of the so-called “crack house statute” a few months later. During the months Donnie was facing criminal charges, he admits Zoolu 7 was, “thrown together and kinda last minute.” Charges were eventually dropped in March 2001 and Zoolu 8 was the first time the party was able to return to its home of the State Palace Theater.

Even with a crazy history, the Zoolu parties still have a special place in the hearts of many who attended – even after 20 years. And if you were wondering the secret to how it lasted so long, Donnie explains it quite nicely, “We were just trying to do shit no one had seen before and we weren’t trying to repeat ourselves either.”

Zoolu Artwork

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For the early days of rave, the flyer was an integral part of the planning. The flyers for Zoolu were no different and many times, they were as loved as the lineups they advertised.

Zoolu 2

Heading back to the State Palace in 1996, Zoolu 2 was the first time New Orleans got to experience Rabbit in the Moon.
Zoolu 2

Heading back to the State Palace in 1996, Zoolu 2 was the first time New Orleans got to experience Rabbit in the Moon.
Zoolu 3

Now with the party starting to gain more popularity, Zoolu 3 brought back favorites Rabbit in the Moon, but also had DJ Dan and Mike Dearborn.
Zoolu 3

Now with the party starting to gain more popularity, Zoolu 3 brought back favorites Rabbit in the Moon, but also had DJ Dan and Mike Dearborn.
Zoolu 3

Now with the party starting to gain more popularity, Zoolu 3 brought back favorites Rabbit in the Moon, but also had DJ Dan and Mike Dearborn.
Zoolu 4

Taking place in 1998, The Crystal Method made their Zoolu debut for the fourth edition and also had favorites like Rabbit in the Moon, Electric Skychurch, Donald Glaude, and Dieselboy.
Zoolu 4

Taking place in 1998, The Crystal Method made their Zoolu debut for the fourth edition and also had favorites like Rabbit in the Moon, Electric Skychurch, Donald Glaude, and Dieselboy.
Zoolu 4

Taking place in 1998, The Crystal Method made their Zoolu debut for the fourth edition and also had favorites like Rabbit in the Moon, Electric Skychurch, Donald Glaude, and Dieselboy.
Zoolu 5 All Stars

Zoolu 5 Allstars was a Valentine's Day edition. Veteran talent Danny Tenaglia headlined the night with a special four hour set.
Zoolu 5 All Stars

Zoolu 5 Allstars was a Valentine's Day edition. Veteran talent Danny Tenaglia headlined the night with a special four hour set.
Zoolu 5 All Stars

Zoolu 5 Allstars was a Valentine's Day edition. Veteran talent Danny Tenaglia headlined the night with a special four hour set.
Zoolu 5 All Stars

Zoolu 5 Allstars was a Valentine's Day edition. Veteran talent Danny Tenaglia headlined the night with a special four hour set.
Zoolu 5
Zoolu 5
Zoolu 5
Zoolu 5
Zoolu 6

The flyer for Zoolu 6 should really be renamed a booklet. Featuring a vast treasure trove of talent, the lineup hosted names like Josh Wink, Aphrodite, DVS1, and Tommie Sunshine.
Zoolu 8

Zoolu 8 marked the return of the Mardi Gras party to the State Palace Theater. Trance legend Paul Oakenfold took to the stage in February 2002 and was joined by Marques Wyatt, Ed Rush, Terry Mullan, and Dara.
Zoolu 8

Zoolu 8 marked the return of the Mardi Gras party to the State Palace Theater. Trance legend Paul Oakenfold took to the stage in February 2002 and was joined by Marques Wyatt, Ed Rush, Terry Mullan, and Dara.
Zoolu 9

Though the flyer for Zoolu 9 is most famous for the "baby raver" depicted on the cover, the lineup was packed to the brim with so many talented artists like Doc Martin, Danny the Wildchild, DJ Monk, Nigel Richards, and DJ Craze. Even after 11 years, we would still go to that party in a heartbeat.
Zoolu 9

Though the flyer for Zoolu 9 is most famous for the "baby raver" depicted on the cover, the lineup was packed to the brim with so many talented artists like Doc Martin, Danny the Wildchild, DJ Monk, Nigel Richards, and DJ Craze. Even after 11 years, we would still go to that party in a heartbeat.
Zoolu 12

You would get a good history lesson in dance music just by looking at the names on the flyer for Zoolu 12. Techno pioneer Derrick Carter performed a special four hour set, joining bass visionaries Evol Intent.
Zoolu 15
Zoolu 15
Zoolu 17

The flyer for Zoolu 17 took us away to a magical fairyland while the headliners like Green Velvet, Ghostland Observatory, Tiësto, and Bart B More took us way deep into the underground.
Zoolu 17

The flyer for Zoolu 17 took us away to a magical fairyland while the headliners like Green Velvet, Ghostland Observatory, Tiësto, and Bart B More took us way deep into the underground.
Zoolu 18

The bass was very much alive during Zoolu 19 as we hosted Krewella, Seven Lions, Adventure Club, and Tritonal.
Zoolu 19

The bass was very much alive during Zoolu 19 as we hosted Krewella, Seven Lions, Adventure Club, and Tritonal.
Zoolu 18

For Zoolu 18, we spanned every spectrum of dance music with talents like Knife Party, Paul Oakenfold, and Araabmuzik.
Zoolu 18

For Zoolu 18, we spanned every spectrum of dance music with talents like Knife Party, Paul Oakenfold, and Araabmuzik.
Zoolu 20

We celebrated the 20th anniversary of Zoolu on March 1-3rd with talents like Krewella, Pegboard Nerds, and Mark Farina.
Zoolu 20

We celebrated the 20th anniversary of Zoolu on March 1-3rd with talents like Krewella, Pegboard Nerds, and Mark Farina.

Zoolu 6 booklet

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The flyer for Zoolu 6 should really be renamed a booklet. Featuring a vast treasure trove of talent, the lineup hosted names like Josh Wink, Aphrodite, DVS1, and Tommie Sunshine.