I’ve loved dancing with the Pussyfooters in the annual Krewe of Jingle holiday parade for years. Sadly, the parade didn’t survive the pandemic, so organizers from various local organizations came together to create the first ever Children’s Hospital Holiday Parade. The float builders at Kern Studios created Louisiana and New Orleans-centritc floats like alligators and Mr. Bingle. TV cameras were set up throughout the city to report the action. Floating balloons (like in the Macy’s parade) were added to the many dance krewes and school bands crowds have come to expect. Continue reading
Tag Archives: Pussyfooters
Inaugural Children’s Hospital Holiday Parade
Filed under Carnival, Charity, Culture, decorations and costumes, free events and lagniappe, parade
Tagged as 610 stompers, beads, Blaine Kern, Bryan Batt, Children's Hospital, Children's Hospital Holiday Parade, Dolly Parton, Downtown Development District, El Lucha Krewe, Femme Fatale, Femme Fatales, floats, french quarter, holiday parade, Jingle parade, Kern, Kern Studios, Krewe of Dolly, Krewe of Iris, Krewe of Jingle, Krewe of Jingle Parade, Krewe of the Rolling Elvi, La Lucha Krewe, latonola, Laura Cayouette, Lucha Krewe, Mande Milkshakers, mardi gras, Margaret Orr, Mr. Bingle, Mystic Krewe of Femme Fatale, new orleans, parade, Pussyfooters, Rolling Elvi, Roux La La, Rudolph, Sassyracs, Smokey Mary, The Beyjorettes, the Pussyfooters
Krewe of Boo Parade 2022
Dancing in Brian Kern’s Krewe of Boo parade has become my favorite Halloween tradition. Judging by the thick crowds from the French Quarter to the CBD, it seems to have become a favorite for many. Every year, I especially love all of the children in adorable costumes lining the route, smiling and waving.
The first time I danced in a major parade with The Pussyfooters, was in 2013. The Pussyfooters are a non-profit body-positive group of over 100 women-over-30 in pink corsets who dance in Mardi Gras parades and partner with around 50 non-profits and events throughout the year. Continue reading →
Filed under Culture, decorations and costumes, free events and lagniappe, parade
Tagged as Big Easy Roller Derby, Cherry Bombs, Crescent City Fae, dance, french quarter, Halloween, Halloween costume, Halloween decorations, Krewe of Boo, latonola, Laura Cayouette, Mande Milkshakers, Muff-A-Lottas, new orleans, NOLA Cherry Bombs, parade, Pussyfooters, Roux La La, Streetcar Strutters, the Pussyfooters
Southern Decadence 50th Anniversary Parade
Southern Decadence was cancelled in 2020 for the pandemic, then again in 2021 for Hurricane Ida. 2022 marked the 50th anniversary of the costumes, parties and parades celebrating the LGBTQ community. The now-6-day weekend attracts over 210,000 people annually and creates a $250 million economic impact making it one of the top 5 annual events in New Orleans.
This year’s colors were red and gold. Continue reading →
Filed under Culture, decorations and costumes, festival, free events and lagniappe, parade
Tagged as 50th anniversary, All Ways Cabaret & Lounge, AllWays Cabaret & Lounge, Big Easy Roller Derby, Big Easy Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence, Camel Toe Lady Steppers, Disco Amigos, french quarter, Krewe d’Esprit, Krewe de Lune, Krewe des Fleurs, Krewe of Chewbacchus, Krewe of the Rolling Elvi, latonola, Laura Cayouette, Lucha Krewe, Muff-A-Lottas, National Salad Tossers Union, new orleans, Nola Heat, NOLA Night Lights, parade, Pups and Handlers, Pussyfooters, Ritmeaux Krewe, Rolling Elvi, Roux La La, Southern Decadence, southern decadence 50th, Streetcar Strutters, The Beyjorettes, The Lords of Leather
Chris Owens Easter Parade
With only days to go before the Chris Owens French Quarter Easter Parade, Miss Chris passed away at somewhere around 89-years-old. The business and property owner, generous supporter of many nonprofits, entertainment legend, and grande dame of the Easter Parade danced and sang until the last of her life.
The weather was terrific for the parade, but locals felt the bittersweetness as her signature float rolled past. Continue reading →
Filed under Culture, decorations and costumes, free events and lagniappe, parade
Tagged as Chris Owens Easter Parade, Chris Owens French Quarter Easter Parade, Easter, Easter bonnet, Easter Parade, Easter Sunday, french quarter, Gay Easter Parade, Kenny Lopez, latonola, Laura Cayouette, Muff-A-Lottas, new orleans, NOLA Angels, parade, Pussyfooters, Trixie’s Burlesque Boutique, WGNO
Krewe of Tucks Parade 2022
The fun, toilet-themed Krewe of Tucks parade features throws like hand-decorated scrub brushes and plungers as well as other potty-humored beads, toys and poop-shaped keepsakes. I heard a dad ask his toddler to hand him the “poo-poo bottle opener” that had fallen to the ground.
Traditionally, logo-embossed rolls of purple, green and gold toilet paper are tossed over the arching live oaks lining St. Charles. Continue reading →
Filed under Carnival, Culture, decorations and costumes, free events and lagniappe, Mardi Gras 2022, parade
Tagged as beaded corset, beads, Crescent City Fae, Dames de Perlage, Dames du Perlage, Funky Tucks, Krewe of Thoth, Krewe of Tucks, Laissez Boys, latonola, Laura Cayouette, Mande Milkshakers, mardi gras, Muff-A-Lottas, new orleans, parade, Pussyfooters, st. charles, Streetcar Strutters, toilet humor, toilet parade, tucks, Tucks parade
Krewe of Muses (& some Chaos)
The Krewe of Muses is a crowd favorite. Fun floats include the giant stiletto, the bubble bath and the rubber duckies. I dance with the Pussyfooters and we were thrilled to be celebrating our 21st birthday with the Krewe that helped launch our group. The Pussyfooters were the first adult dance krewe to parade Mardi Gras since the Baby Dolls in the early 1900’s. The idea of adults dancing in the parades was such a hit that now there are over 50 groups. Continue reading →
Filed under Carnival, Culture, decorations and costumes, free events and lagniappe, Mardi Gras 2022, parade
Tagged as floats, Knights of Chaos, krewe of chaos, Krewe of Muses, latonola, Laura Cayouette, mardi gras, muses, Muses shoe, new orleans, parade, Pussyfooters, Swin Cash
Krewe of Carrollton – Behind the Scenes!
The 4th oldest Carnival parading organization (after Rex, Proteus, and Zulu), Krewe of Carrollton is a fairly traditional parade with big floats and lots of bands and dance krewes. I was so excited to strut down St. Charles with my Pussyfooters sisters for the first time since 2020 – that I could barely sleep the night before. Continue reading →
Filed under Carnival, Charity, Culture, decorations and costumes, free events and lagniappe, Mardi Gras 2022, parade
Tagged as 610 stompers, Baby Dolls, carnival, Carrollton, Cherry Bombs, Dames de Perlage, Dames du Perlage, Femme Fatale, Krewe of Carrollton, latonola, Laura Cayouette, mardi gras, new orleans, NOLA Cherry Bombs, parade, Pussyfooters, the Pussyfooters
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 Continue reading →
Filed under Carnival, Charity, Culture, decorations and costumes, entertainment industry, free events and lagniappe, Mardi Gras 2022, parade
Tagged as Allen Toussaint, Alter Egos, beads, Big Freedia, Crescent City Fae, Dames de Perlage, Derrick Tabb, Femme Fatale, Grammy, Krewe of Freret, Krewe of Themis, latonola, Laura Cayouette, mardi gras, music, new orleans, parade, professor longhair, Pussyfooters, roots of music, the Pussyfooters, The Roots of Music, Themis, trombone shorty, Trombone Shorty float
Oshun & Cleopatra Parades 2022
It’s been 2 long years since floats rolled down St. Charles – and it’s wonderful having our Mardi Gras back! We’ve been parading since Jan. 6th but the Krewes of Oshun, Cleopatra and Alla were the first to roll giant floats spewing beads, plushies, cups and more. Continue reading →
Filed under Carnival, Culture, decorations and costumes, free events and lagniappe, Mardi Gras 2022, parade
Tagged as Amelia Earhawts, beads, Krewe of Alla, Krewe of Cleopatra, Krewe of Oshun, latonola, Laura Cayouette, mardi gras, Muff-A-Lottas, new orleans, oshun, parade, Pussyfooters, Rolling Elvi, Sirens, Sirens of New Orleans
Christmas Tree 2021
If you’re a longtime reader of this blog or you actually know me, you probably already know I make most of my Christmas ornaments. I mostly use polymer clay, beads, and crystals from an old chandelier. Some favorites include Mr. Bingle, representations of my Pussyfooter uniforms from the 2015-2018 Krewe of Jingle parades, and little replicas of our wedding day in 2014.
New Orleans decks many of its halls for the holidays but a favorite hallway is the lobby of the the spectacular Roosevelt Hotel. Continue reading →
Filed under Culture, decorations and costumes
Tagged as beaded ornament, Christmas, christmas decorations, Christmas ornament, Christmas ornaments, christmas tree, decorations, handmade ornaments, Krewe of Jingle, Krewe of Jingle Parade, latonola, new orleans, ornament, ornaments, parade, Pussyfooters, Sculpey, Sculpey ornaments