Living in New Orleans – the first 10 years

My family is from Louisiana for generations on both sides but I didn’t move to New Orleans until late 2009. I’d lived in Maryland, Japan, Washington D.C., Alabama, New York, and almost 18 years in Los Angeles before finally following my heart home. Looking through photos for this blog post, I saw the story of a New Dat becoming a Saints season-ticket-holding Who Dat, a parade-goer becoming a Pussyfooters parade dancer, strangers becoming friends, and a blogger becoming an author. I saw the evolution of my love story with this city, and with the man I met my first year here.

I’d just produced Hell Ride with Quentin Tarantino when I decided to leave Los Angeles.

Mardi Gras = Fat Tuesday

Mardi Gras (Fat Tuesday in French) effectively splits the city into 2 groups – parade-goers and costumers. The fabulous and feathered Krewe of Zulu starts the parades with an early morning roll across the city. We caught the beginning floats, but closer to the end of the route when they’d already been going for hours. Spike Lee handed out beads as did an entire float of Saints.

We’re costumers so we left early and headed into the French Quarter so my husband could become a wrestling taco.

Krewes of Proteus & Orpheus Parades

Krewe of Proteus, the oldest night parade, was established in 1882 and features seahorse throws. I love the romantic nostalgia of seeing some version of earlier parades. Flambeau light the way as they did before the invention of streetlights. Last I heard, the mythologically inspired floats still sit atop the original wooden chassis.

The superkrewe Orpheus parade takes the spectacle to another level. The street fills with legions of flambeau leading star-studded royalty. First up was Keegan-Michael Key who I stopped photographing when I realized he was pointing at me to catch his beads. Co-founder Harry Connick Jr. rode as king in the same float we got to ride in with Quentin Tarantino in 2014.

Krewe of Bacchus Parade

The capper of the 4-parade Sunday was the Krewe of Bacchus parade. Their intricately lit floats are familiar but continue to stun. J.K. Simmons (who I loved in Whiplash) made a regal king and seemed to be enjoying himself.

Krewe of Thoth Parade

I normally dance with the Pussyfooters in the Krewe of Thoth parade, but this year I had to settle for cheering them on. The good news is I got to see the Egyptian beauty of Thoth for the first time in years. For Krewe of Thoth history and more CLICK HERE.

The weather cleared up and a neighbor sump-pumped the moat that had separated us from the floats

Krewes of Okeanos and Mid-City Parades

The Krewe of Okeanos parade rolled in the rain to sizable crowds. It was warm and the forecast promised clearing skies. Our spot was flooded due to the recent freezes cracking pipes. Later, a neighbor bought a sump pump and drained the street but our morning was spent slogging through over half a foot of water to get to the floats. There’s something about rainy parades that’s special. When I’m watching them, I always admire the people suffering on the floats, dancing drenched and playing wet instruments.

Krewe of Tucks Parade

The Krewe of Tucks parade is always fun. Focused around toilet humor, throws include hand-decorated plungers and scrub brushes made by special needs adults at Magnolia Community Services. The rolls of purple, green and gold toilet paper leave the route strewn with streamers. Photos include some of our beloved Saints, Ducks of Dixieland, Muff-A-Lottas, Organ Grinders, Disco Amigos, Alter Egos, the lounge-chair-riding Laissez Boys and a bunch of shots of Dames du Perlage. There’s also a good shot of the bead bridge the kids near us built to cross over the moat between the sidewalk and the floats

Krewes of Muses & Iris Parades

No time to blog this year but wanted to share photos of the fun at the Krewes of Muses and Iris parades. I always love dancing with my Pussyfooter sisters in Muses. Both the parade and our group – the first modern-day adult parade dance troupe, debuted together in 2001. Photos include Krewe des Fleurs, Krewe of the Rolling Elvi, the NOLA Cherry Bombs, Fat City Drum Corps, the Amelia Earhawts and much more! 

Krewe of Cleopatra & Saturday Parades

Again, I have little time to blog but I did want to share some photos from the Krewes of Cleopatra, Pontchartrain, Choctaw, Sparta and Pygmalion. Krewe of Cleopatra was my first parade this year dancing with the Pussyfooters. I always love dancing with the “Pink Army” but I had an extra pep in my step this time.

Krewe du Vieux & Krewedelusion 2018

I don’t have time to write but did want to share some photos from Carnival’s first parades of the season, Krewe du Vieux and Krewedelusion. This year’s satire focused on John Besh and the many other harassment scandals, the Sewerage and Water Board and water boil advisories, AirBnB and selling out, and the Trump presidency.

HERE is a link to a past post for more history, explanation and links.