Mardi Gras Day

My first year living in NOLA, I was fairly new to Carnival. I hadn’t expected all the tents and barbecue grills and grandparents and the fun adult dance troupes like the Pussyfooters and the 610 Stompers. Now I know people in both groups and get hugs and waves when they pass. I went to nearly 30 parades that first year, mostly alone. But, in a city this friendly, I was never alone for long. Families brought me into their fold, groups of friends and couples too. I learned early to “protect the head,” to try to make eye contact with a thrower to get beads and that kids and industrious adults will find whatever you miss. I also learned to admire someone’s Zulu coconut and started hanging Krewe medallions on my Mardi Gras tree.

Django Ends, My Summer Begins and Uncle Lionel Passes

For months now, I’ve been donning corsets and hoop skirts for my role as Lara Lee Candie-Fitzwilly in Quentin Tarantino’s Django Unchained. It’s been an amazing journey and experience. I can’t wait for the movie to come out this Christmas. But all good things must come to an end and the Los Angeles cast and crew have returned to L.A. to finish the movie and I have returned to shorts and ponytails.