Tag Archives: Benjamin Franklin Elementary

Krewe of Freret Parade 2017

The Krewe of Freret paraded for 40 years until the 1990’s then was rebirthed on the parade route 4 years ago. Many members of the new Krewe are the children of the previous membership. I loved that they opened with traditional Baby Dolls, the inspiration for the adult dance troupes you see in parades today. In Saturday’s parade, those troupes included The Chorus Girl Project, Nyxettes and my vote so far for best new dance krewe of the year – Alter Egos. Between their purple afros and their fun, funky moves, they were an instant crowd favorite. The Dames de Perlage put on a great show with their intricately beaded corsets honoring local “saints” like the fictitious Ignatius Reilly, the very real culinary legend Leah Chase and the surreal Big Freedia. Bearded Oysters’s diaphanous wing-capes and Lucha Krewe’s fight-dance moves filled out the entertainment.  Continue reading

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Filed under Carnival, Culture, decorations and costumes, free events and lagniappe, Mardi Gras 2017, parade

Krewes of Pontchartrain, Choctaw and Freret

This sunny, warm Saturday, the parades kicked into high gear with 5 parades rolling the Uptown route and 2 parades in the Marigny. We hit the daytime ones, the Krewes of Pontchartrain, Choctaw and Freret.  The tractor-drawn Krewe of Pontchartrain (established 1975 and named for Lake Pontchartrain) allows anyone with the cash to roll with them – even if they’re here as a tourist! The Dance Connection led the way for other dance teams including Xtreme Voltage Dance TeamDance Innovation and crowd favorite – the Muff-A-Lottas (all pictured below). Continue reading

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Filed under Carnival, Culture, decorations and costumes, free events and lagniappe, history, Mardi Gras 2015, parade

Krewes of Choctaw and Freret Parades

The bad news is I missed the Krewe of Pontchartrain parade. The great news is I’m working this week. As a result, I won’t be writing much but I will include more photos. I also missed the first half of my first Krewe of Choctaw parade, recently moved from the Westbank, but arrived to see the Sci Academy Starlets, McDonogh #32, Andrew H. Wilson, Alice M. Harte, Harriet Tubman and Whatever School of Dance.  My favorite moment was when Wossman got stuck in front of us and their band really put on a show.

I also enjoyed the debut of the Krewe of Freret parade with Grand Marshall, DancingMan504. Continue reading

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Filed under Carnival, Culture, decorations and costumes, free events and lagniappe, Mardi Gras 2014, parade