Southern Decadence – 5 days of costumes, parties and parades celebrating the LGBTQ community – 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. It’s also one of my favorite walking parades of the year, an explosion of vibrant colors and fanciful costumes. This year’s theme was Fruit Salad: Come Toss a Good Time which led to a Carmen Miranda inspired spectacle. Continue reading
Tag Archives: Star Steppin’ Cosmonaughties
Sparta and Pygmalion Parades 2019
I wrote a lovely blog about the Knights of Sparta and Krewe of Pygmalion parades with anecdotes about huddling with people from all over when the rain poured. But technology has defeated me and that post disappeared as I went to publish. Enjoy the photos! Continue reading
Krewes of Sparta and Pygmalion 2017
Krewes of Sparta and Pygmalion finished a long Saturday of 5 parades. With beautiful floats, traditional costumes and flambeau, Sparta got the night off on a note of nostalgia then added fun surprises like dancing Chinese dragons. Pygmalion‘s floats featured exotic animals and many dancers and bands had interesting uses of light including the brightly lighted instruments of Holy Cross Tiger Band the lighted shoes of one of the dance troupes and the glowing tent of walkers in Krewe of Lune with the Star-Steppin Cosmonaughties. Though I wasn’t able to take many photos, I enjoyed dancing in the streets and catching beads. Having danced in Friday’s Krewe of Cleopatra parade and attended 5 parades Saturday, I felt exhausted but exhilarated to have already celebrated Carnival on both sides of the curb. Continue reading
Glen David Andrews kicks off Armstrong Park Thursdays
The People United for Armstrong Park concert series began its 5th season with Treme’s own prince, Glen David Andrews. French Quarter Fest, the free 4 day local music and food extravaganza, just ended on Sunday. Days later, Billy Iuso and Honey Island Swamp Band played Wednesday at the Square, a free concert series. (I was stuck waiting on the Cox cable guys). And now, Thursdays in the Park are back – more booths of food, cocktails and crafts and more free music! Continue reading
Molly’s (Jim Monaghan’s) Irish parade
Whichever name you call it by, this was its 32nd year. Molly’s at the Market is an Irish pub with game nights, neon cluttered walls and a jukebox full of rock and local favorites. It’s also where the parade was born, begins and ends. A friend of mine from college had just arrived in New Orleans for her first visit to the city. After lunch at K. Paul’s, a visit to Jackson Square, Photoworks Gallery and Maskarade mask shop (all from my list of Fav Things), we headed over for her first parade – ever. The parade is short on floats but big on fun and she loved it. Continue reading