Last year, I was asked to be a “Celebrity Pole Greaser” at the Royal Sonesta’s 43rd Greasing of the Poles to kick off Carnival weekend. The person who recommended me to the Sonesta was a fan of this blog and a member of the Pussyfooters – who performed with me that day. While we were lining up to go out to the crowd, another Pussyfooter suggested I should join their group. I’ve loved watching them since my first full Mardi Gras season in 2010. Just seeing their pink power dancing my way made me smile and made me proud of my own brand of pink-corset-and-combat-boots femininity. It stuck with me so when I bumped into the Pussyfooter who beat me at the greasing the following Mardi Gras Day, I asked her about the organization and what it took to join. A year later, I was at the Royal Sonesta again in a room full of Pussyfooters – who I had just paraded with the night before in my very first Mardi Gras parade!
This year, I was a “Celebrity Judge.” I assure you that it’s far easier to sit and judge beautiful women (and one fearless man) smearing petroleum jelly on balcony poles, than to be a Pole Greaser trying to entertain a big crowd on Bourbon Street wearing skimpy clothing and realizing how long a 3 minute song really is. Easier – but not more fun. My fellow judges were amazing – Saints safety Malcolm Jenkins, comedian Jodi Borrello and Chef John Folse. Mad Men‘s Bryan Batt was hilarious and charming as the MC and more Saints came to lend a hand to the ladies on ladders, including last year’s judge, Saints punter Thomas Morstead.
All of the entertainers from Fleur de Tease were wonderful but the clear winner of both the crowd favorite award and our judging was the lovely and elegantly sassy Praline Dupree.
Those who read this blog regularly know that I’ve run out of time for labeling photos and even choosing between 2 similar photos. Apologies and stay tuned for watching Hermes, D’Etat and Morpheus from Thomas Morstead’s balcony as well as great photos from Iris, Tucks and Endymion. Sunday, I march with the Pussyfooters again in Thoth on Sunday and attend more parades, then Monday – I ride in Quentin Tarantino’s float in Orpheus.
Photos by Brett Bauman, Andy Gallagher and various others.
L.A. to N.O.LA 
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