Krewes of Freret & Themis Parades

The Krewe of Freret is fast becoming one of my favorites of the season. The Krewe paraded for 40 years until the 90’s then was reborn in 2011. Some members of the new Krewe are the children of the previous membership. Grammy-nominated Trombone Shorty rode on his Trombone Shorty float with the super-long trombone prop.

The goddess, Themis, represents order and justice and is a perfect match to follow the diversity-and-activism-driven Krewe of Freret. Locals know the story

Krewe of Freret

The Krewe of Freret paraded for 40 years until the 1990’s then was reborn on the parade route almost a decade ago. Some members of the new Krewe are the children of the previous membership. A highlight in the middle of a 5-parade Saturday, the parade began with young Spidey504’s fancy footwork leading the NOLA Chorus Girls.

Krewe of Freret Parade 2019

The recently revived Krewe of Freret is a highlight in the middle of a 5 parade Saturday. Part regal and traditional – part whimsical and funky, the parade began with a shout-out to the Who Dat Nation’s recent no-call loss from some of the Saints superfans. Dancing Man 504 and Spidey504 showed off fancy footwork followed by the Bearded Oysters swinging diaphanous pearlized wing-capes. Dancers from NOLA Chorus Girls, Ritmeaux Krewe and Alter Egos brought everything from an ocean of silver-clad women with vintage hair to purple-afro-wearing women putting the fun in funky.

Krewes of Pontchartrain & Choctaw Parades

Saturday was a 5 parade day starting with  the Krewe of Pontchartrain. The weather was pretty perfect (75, sunny) for the school bands, dancers, baton twirlers and pom girls as well as the women of Dance Connection, Muff-A-Lottas and Big Easy RollerGirls. Dee Snider threw beads from his perch high atop a float filled with riders sporting his signature long blonde hair. Best known as the frontman for Twisted Sister, I have always felt grateful for his testimony before Congress 30 years ago where he fought for our First Amendment rights.

Krewe of Choctaw followed with the NOLA Showgirls wearing flea de lis headpieces topped with a spray of ostrich feathers. But the stars of Choctaw were the many impressive school bands and girls from local dance schools.

Mardi Gras 2017 Wrap-Up

We’ve heard it a lot in the last few days – this was the best Carnival (Mardi Gras season) in years. In fairness, a lot of it had to do with the extraordinarily wonderful weather. After the 50 degree rain-soaked Krewe of Cleopatra parade,  most days were 70-80 and sunny with breezes. This year, I danced in 3 parades with the Pussyfooters. We were excited to debut our super-hero-inspired capes and signature pink corsets at the Cleopatra parade but mostly ended up covered in dripping-wet plastic sacks. That said, the crowds kept us inspired. Carnival parades are like a perpetual motion machine. The paraders bring energy to the crowds and the crowds bring energy to the paraders.

Though routines are set, each year I get to do new things at Mardi Gras and have new experiences.

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. 

Krewes of Pontchartrain & Choctaw

Saturday, the weather couldn’t have been more perfect for parades. Sunny and mid-70’s. Though the day promised to be amazing, the crowds were manageable since the NBA All Stars events have filled our hotels and party venues with people who aren’t here for Carnival. (We wore our Pelicans gear in solidarity – I went with the Kind Cake Baby). Krewe of Pontchartrain kicked us off for the first of five parades. The purple-and-white-clad women of Dance Connection led the Cajun Indians & Cowboys Riding Club and royalty floats. The roller-skating Big Easy RollerGirls and dancers from Dance Innovation and the Muff-A-Lottas got the crowd cheering. The many school marching bands included Saint Katharine Drexel Prep, Xavier University, Kipp Central City Academy, Pierre A. Capdau Charter School, Dolores T. Aaron Academy and Joseph S. Clark Prep. (PHOTOS)

Krewes of Pontchartrain & Choctaw

It’s Carnival time and the parades are in full swing. It was a balmy beautiful day for the Krewes of Pontchartrain and Choctaw so St. Charles was crowded with families, coolers and ladder chairs. Krewe of Pontchartrain (established 1975 and named for Lake Pontchartrain) is a tractor-drawn parade with an open door policy allowing even tourists to ride with them.  The Big Easy Rollergirls got things “rolling” along with  dance teams including  The Dance Connection, Xtreme Voltage Dance Team, Dance Innovation and the Muff-A-Lottas (all pictured below).

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 Team, Dance Innovation and crowd favorite – the Muff-A-Lottas (all pictured below).

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.