Krewe of Boo 2017

The weather was balmy for Krewe of Boo, the Halloween parade kicking off the season’s festivities. I have absolutely no time to blog but I took some great photos while lining up with the Pussyfooters to dance through the French Quarter and into the CBD. I only wish I could show you all of the adorable children I saw along the route and the clever costumes worn by kids and adults. This is a city that costumes for no reason, so given any excuse, they tend to go all out. 

Gleason Gras, Downriver Festival & Burger Fest

My family is safe after Hurricane Irma but it was a long, scary weekend. Luckily, New Orleans always has plenty of distractions. Friday, I performed with the Pussyfooters at 7th annual Gleason Gras. Presented by former Saint, Steve Gleason, and What You Give Will Grow in the Superdome’s Champions Square, the event raises awareness and money for ALS and the Gleason Family Trust. The show included Jon Cleary, Colin Lake and Rebirth Brass Band as well as performances by the 610 Stompers and the Pussyfooters! We danced, ate, took photos with the Lombardi trophy and had a great time for a great cause.

Saturday was a 2 Fest day. First was Downriver Festival, celebrating the cultural and environmental impact of the Mississippi River region. Soul Brass Band played as DancingMan504 and Spidey504 put on a show under a shady tent next to the U.S. Mint.

Southern Decadence 2017

Southern Decadence is a 5-day weekend of costumes, parties and parades celebrating the LGBT community that attracts over 200,000 people and creates a nearly $200 million economic impact. The Sunday parade had remarkably good weather, upper 80’s and sunny. Drag queens, dance troupes, pride groups and other revelers took to the streets in costumes accented with this year’s signature neon colors.

Festigals Stiletto Stroll

The Festigals Stiletto Stroll was the first parade I ever did as a Pussyfooter. Our non-profit organization of 120 women over 30 was one of the many dance troupes and walking krewes that helped raise money for New Orleans Family Justice Center. Their mission is to “bring together community-based domestic violence and sexual assault providers as well as criminal justice and law enforcement professionals to provide wrap-around and comprehensive services to victims of domestic violence, sexual assault, stalking and child abuse.”

This year’s parade began at Carl Mack’s  Mardi Gras Museum of Costumes & Culture.

Gay Pride Parade 2017

Occurring just after the Naked Bike Ride and the Creole Tomato Fest, the Gay Pride Parade seems to be growing each year. In addition to the many LGBT groups, there were representatives from rugby, track club and kickball teams, the teachers union, Planned Parenthood and community organizations like churches and a suicide prevention center. And of course there were drag queens and walking groups from Big Easy Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence, Mystic Krewe of the Lords of Leather and the New Orleans Girls of Leather. 

Naked Bike Ride 2017 (R-rated)

Rolling annually past the Creole Tomato Fest, the World Naked Bike Ride is one of our city’s simplest parades. People roll past in various and creative stages of dress and undress. Calling attention to bike safety, this year’s parade had an added reaction to recent targeting of cyclists in various assaults. The themes of naturalness, respect for the Earth and pride in owning your shape and size run deep but at the end of the day, it’s just a lot of fun to watch decorated naked people bike past. Enjoy the photos and don’t forget to check out posts on the Tomato Fest and the Gay Pride Parade.

Creole Tomato Fest 2017

The 31st annual Creole Tomato Fest delivered food, music, cocktails, food demos and the perfect backdrop to 2 parades, the Naked Bike Ride and the Gay Pride Parade (my next 2 posts). It was a warm, breezy day in the French Quarter so crowds were steady but lines weren’t too long. We headed straight for George’s Produce Co. for my favorite dish every year, The Pontchartrain – Sliced Creole Tomato topped with lump crab meat remoulade. So simple and so freaking good. We weren’t surprised when they won Best of the Fest’s “Tastiest Dish.”