Naked Bike Ride

The World Naked Bike Ride rolls annually past the Creole Tomato Fest. Easily one of our city’s simplest parades, people roll past in various and creative stages of dress and undress. Meant to call attention to bike safety the themes of naturalness, respect for the Earth and pride in owning your shape and size run deep. Though the issues may be serious, the parade is fun and sometimes silly with decorated naked people wearing big smiles. Burlesque Queen, Trixie Minx led the festivities. Enjoy the photos

Easter Parades 2018

We missed the early parade to have the all-you-can-eat Easter brunch at Red Fish Grill. Ike the Peep, a bad-ass version of Sammy Davis, Jr. in a bright yellow chick outfit, was there again to brighten everyone’s day from behind Joe-Cool sunglasses.

The weather was outstanding for the Chris Owens Parade – sunny and upper 70’s with a gentle breeze coming off the river. The burlesque queen’s parade features retired dancers, friends and sponsors throwing beads, toys and candy while wearing festive Easter bonnets. Not to be outdone, the Gay Easter Parade takes bonnets to a whole new level.

Krewe of Boo Parade 2016

 The Krewe of Boo parade gets bigger and better every year. “Chief Spookster” Brian Kern adds a “greener” point of view to his family legacy with locally-made throws and food items like Pralinettes from Aunt Sally’s, Chee Wees from Elmer’s Fine Foods and PJ’s Coffee packs. This year’s parade featured king Morten Andersen, legendary kicker for the Saints, and queen Trixie Minx, local burlesque diva. Their floats led a procession of 14 separated by brass bands like Soul Brass Band, marching bands from local schools like Renew Cultural Academy and 30 carnival marching groups including Tap Dat, Camel Toe Lady Steppers, Sirens, Krewe Des Fleurs, Skinz’n’Bonez and the Pussyfooters!

Easter Parades 2016

Rain threatened the parades all day but the  33rd annual Chris Owens French Quarter Easter Parade and the Gay Easter Parade benefiting Food for Friends rolled as scheduled. Renowned burlesque dancer and club owner Chris Owens still performs nightly (despite rumors of her being in her 80’s) and hosts a fun, fabulous parade. Both parades offer bands, colorful floats, beads, stuffed animals, candy, seersucker suits, floral dresses and elaborately decorated Easter hats. The Gay Easter Parade has also raised nearly a quarter million  for charity over the past 14 years.

Krewe du Vieux and Krewedelusion 2015

After a fabulous supper at Susan Spicer’s Bayona, we headed down to Royal Street in the French Quarter to catch the 29th Krewe du Vieux and 6th Krewedelusion parades. Paradetracker.com let us know when to finish up desert but the crowds were so thick, we ended up missing the first couple of floats just trying to find a place where we could see. Krewe du Vieux and Krewedelusion are the city’s unofficially-official start to Carnival’s parade season.  (Carnival doesn’t “officially” start until 12 days before Fat Tuesday (Mardi Gras in French)).

Judging the Queen of Burlesque Contest

As a “celebrity,” I’ve gotten to judge a bikini contest, 2 gumbo contests, a beauty pageant and the Greasing of the Poles, but judging the Queen of Burlesque contest was the best time I’ve had yet. The jewel in the 3-day, 6th annual New Orleans Burlesque Festival crown, the contest featured a lively M.C., singing, a jazz band and top burlesque dancers from  near and far. The show opened with a performance by last year’s winner, “Medianoche.” I’d seen a VIDEO of her winning performance and by the end I had laughed, cried and been overwhelmed by the wonder of woman.