Established in 1947, the Irish Channel St. Patrick’s Day Club‘s Irish Channel Parade features over-1400 walkers, mostly wearing black suits and/or kilts with green accessories, who swap kisses (mostly on the cheek) for flowers and trinkets. Also included are bagpipers, the green-afroed women of Alter Egos, and the wigged, blue-stripe-painted, kilt-wearing men of the Braveheart Warriors Marching Club. But the parade is best known for the dozens of double-decker floats throwing everything from beads to cabbages – and this year I was one of the people throwing! Continue reading
Tag Archives: Pussyfooters
Riding in the St. Patrick’s Irish Channel Parade
Filed under Carnival, Culture, decorations and costumes, free events and lagniappe, history, Mardi Gras 2023, parade
Tagged as Alter Egos, beads, Braveheart Warriors, Braveheart Warriors Marching Club, cabbage, handmade, handmade throws, irish channel, Irish Channel Corner Club, Irish Channel Parade, Irish Channel St. Patrick’s Day Club, Irish Parade, latonola, Laura Cayouette, mardi gras, new orleans, parade, Pussyfooters, riding in a parde, st. patrick, St. Patrick's, St. Patrick’s Day, St. Patrick’s Day Parade., throws
Fat Tuesday 2023 – Costumes!!!
Everywhere else it’s just Tuesday, but in New Orleans it’s the explosive fireworks finale of over a month of festivities ending in 7 straight days of parades. There are plenty of Uptown parades on Fat Tuesday – the Krewe of Zulu and Krewe of Rex are 2 of the city’s oldest, but after attending dozens of parades (and me dancing with the Pussyfooters in 2 of them), for us – Mardi Gras (Fat Tuesday in French) is for wandering the French Quarter and Marigny taking in all the silly, imaginative and/or beautiful costumes people create. For my husband, it’s his favorite day of the year and he can spend weeks conceiving and preparing his ideas. This year was his most spectacular creation – the St. Louis Cathedral. Continue reading →
Filed under Carnival, Culture, decorations and costumes, free events and lagniappe, Local Cuisine, Mardi Gras 2023, parade
Tagged as carnival, cathedral costume, costume, costumes, french quarter, latonola, Laura Cayouette, mardi gras, mardi gras costume, music, new orleans, parade, Pussyfooters, St. Louis Cathedral
Krewe of Thoth with the Pussyfooters 2023
I’ve often said my favorite way to see our city is from inside a parade and Carnival season gave me 2 opportunities this year – Carrollton and the Krewe of Thoth. Thoth, founded in 1947, has a longer Uptown route designed to pass hospitals and other care facilities people have trouble leaving for a parade. Their 2,500-plus riders on 50 floats are named for the Egyptian God of wisdom – creator of science, measurement and writing,
I dance with the Pussyfooters, over 100 women-over-30 in pink wigs and corsets dancing in white combat boots. Continue reading →
Krewes of Druids, Chaos and Muses 2023
I haven’t been taking as many photos at night but wanted to share a few from the Krewes of Druids, Chaos and Muses. The final Wednesday of Carnival is the start of 7 straight days of parades – ending with Fat Tuesday (Mardi Gras). Founded in 1998, the Krewe of Ancient Druids honors the Celtic priests who acted as mediators between people and their gods and nature. The relatively small krewe of 200 masked, Merlin-capped riders remains anonymous – hidden behind masks.
Thursday is known as Thersday around here, honoring the all-female Krewe of Muses. I normally dance with my Pussyfooters sisters in Muses so I rarely get to see the Knights of Chaos parade. Continue reading →
Filed under Carnival, Culture, decorations and costumes, free events and lagniappe, Mardi Gras 2023, parade
Tagged as Amelia Earhawts, beads, Druids, irma thomas, Knights of Chaos, Krewe of Ancient Druids, krewe of chaos, Krewe of Druid, Krewe of Druids, Krewe of Muses, latonola, Laura Cayouette, mardi gras, muses, muses bathtub, Muses shoe, new orleans, parade, Pussyfooters, rubber ducky, Soul Queen of New Orleans
Krewe of Carrollton – Behind the Scenes 2023
Krewe of Carrollton, the 4th oldest Carnival parading organization (after Rex, Proteus, and Zulu), is a traditional parade with big floats and plenty of bands and dance krewes. I couldn’t wait to dance down St. Charles with my Pussyfooters sisters!
The roads were blocked off nearly 2 miles from where we were to line up so I started my day with a solo trek past decorated houses. I did get to walk past the Femme Fatale floats and was particularly impressed with the float topped with a compact featuring an actual mirror. Continue reading →
Filed under Carnival, Culture, decorations and costumes, free events and lagniappe, Mardi Gras 2023, parade
Tagged as 610 stompers, Dames de Perlage, Dames du Perlage, Derrick Tabb, Femme Fatale, Joshua Spidey Mcgowan, Krewe of Femme Fatale, latonola, Laura Cayouette, mardi gras, music, Mystic Krewe of Femme Fatale, new orleans, parade, Pussy Handler, Pussyfooters, roots of music, The Roots of Music
Krewes of Freret & Themis Parades 2023
Krewe of Freret is one of my favorites of the season. The original Krewe paraded for 40 years until the 90’s. In 2011, some children of the previous membership and others gave the parade a reboot. The addition of Grammy-winner Trombone Shorty’s float with the super-long trombone prop has given the ever-evolving parade new continuity. His cover of Ernie K-Doe’s Here Come the Girls was playing as he rode past, throwing goodies to the crowd. Continue reading →
Filed under Carnival, Culture, decorations and costumes, free events and lagniappe, Mardi Gras 2023, parade
Tagged as beads, Carrollton, CNN Hero, cotton bowl, Crescent City Fae, Dames de Perlage, Dames du Perlage, Derrick Tabb, ernie k-doe, Femme Fatale, Femme Fatales, Freret, Grammy, green wave, Kenny Lopez, King Cake, Krewe du Kanaval, Krewe of Carrollton, Krewe of Freret, Krewe of Pygmalion, Krewe of Themis, latonola, Laura Cayouette, Lucha Krewe, Mahalia Jackson, Manny Randazzo, Manny Randazzo King Cakes, Manny Randazzo's, mardi gras, marie laveau, music, new orleans, parade, Pussyfooters, red beans, roots of music, Ruby Bridges, The Roots of Music, Themis, trombone shorty, Trombone Shorty float, Tulane, tulane football, tulane green wave, Tulane University, warrior women
Krewes of Pontchartrain and Choctaw Parades 2023
I didn’t take many photos of the Friday night parades – Oshun, Cleopatra and Alla, but we had a great time kicking off the Uptown parade season. It was a cold, wet night but the wind stayed away so it was manageable. One of the floats helped our family out with a gender reveal – it’s a girl! And I loved cheering on my Pussyfooter sisters as they danced past. I’ll be joining them for Carrollton, Muses and Thoth. Continue reading →
Filed under Carnival, Culture, decorations and costumes, free events and lagniappe, Mardi Gras 2023, parade
Tagged as 689 Swampers, beads, Big Easy Roller Derby, Big Easy Rollergirls, Choctaw, Krewe of Alla, Krewe of Choctaw, Krewe of Cleopatra, Krewe of Oshun, Krewe of Pontchartrain, latonola, Laura Cayouette, mardi gras, Muff-A-Lottas, music, new orleans, oshun, parade, Pontchartrain, Pussyfooters
Inaugural Children’s Hospital Holiday Parade
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 →
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