Parading: Muses, A New Orleans Parade (picture heavy)

Now that grad school is over, Kurt and I started to slowly have a life again, which means now that it is Mardi Gras season, we can go out and enjoy the greatest free show on Earth, the parades in New Orleans. Other cities have their own parades and unique traditions, but in my opinion, nothing holds a candle to the beauty of a New Orleans parade. One parade that is tops for fun, beauty, and uniqueness is Muses. Muses is always the Thursday night before Mardi Gras, which means we usually have work on Friday morning; however, this year, by some beautiful luck of fate, we are off on Friday. Thus, it was the perfect night to finally enjoy the over 1000 all female Krewe of Muses, who just happen to have a shoe fetish.

Krewe of Muses
The famous Krewe of Muses shoe.

Though the shoe float was always a part of Muses, the much coveted shoe throws were not. It started with a few members throwing decorated shoes, and slowly, the entire krewe took up the tradition. Now, almost every member throws elaborately decorated shoes, though the limit per person is capped at 30 shoes, in order to ensure their specialness. One of my colleagues teaches a Fine Arts Survey class and as one of their class projects, she decided to have her class decorate a shoe for a member of Muses to throw. These students did an absolutely amazing job! She included a note with each shoe for people to know that the students made the shoes and so that they could email her and let her know where each shoe ended up. She told me today that she has already received two emails, one from a military veteran with a great story.

Muses Shoe
Muses Shoe created by high school students. Photo and teacher credit: Christa Vicknair
Muses Shoe
Muses Shoe created by high school students. Photo and teacher credit: Christa Vicknair
Muses Shoe
Muses Shoe created by high school students. Photo and teacher credit: Christa Vicknair
Muses Shoe
Muses Shoe created by high school students. Photo and teacher credit: Christa Vicknair
Muses Shoe
Muses Shoe created by high school students. Photo and teacher credit: Christa Vicknair

Kurt and I decided to catch the parade right at the beginning and found a nice, not too crowded spot at the corner of Magazine and Bellecastle. The thing about parades is that it is always going to be crowded. People are going to jump in front of you. You’re going to both grab for the same beads and sometimes a little tug of war will occur. Regardless, it’s all in good fun and most people don’t take it too seriously. Granted, you can always find that one person who does take it too far, but for the most part, it’s just a family friendly good time.

Muses celebrated their 15th anniversary this year, and their theme was “Are You There God, It’s Me, Muses,” playing on the fact that they are now 15 years old.

Krewe of Muses
Krewe of Muses title float

All of the titles of the floats had something to do with the challenges that typical 15 year olds face, such as getting braces, learning to drive, even taking a plethora of selfies. Of course, in true Mardi Gras fashion, many of them slyly incorporated political commentary as well.

Krewe of Muses
Krewe of Muses float: Rights of Passage
Krewe of Muses
Krewe of Muses float: Blemishes
Krewe of Muses
Krewe of Muses float: Spin the Bottle
Krewe of Muses
Krewe of Muses float: Mall Rats
Krewe of Muses
Krewe of Muses float: Slumber Parties
Krewe of Muses
Some of the political commentary on the side of the float Slumber Parties
Krewe of Muses
Krewe of Muses float: EmBraces
Krewe of Muses
Krewe of Muses float: Anti-Social Media
Krewe of Muses
Krewe of Muses float: Learner’s Permit
Krewe of Muses
Krewe of Muses float: Fake IDs
Krewe of Muses
Krewe of Muses float: Peer Pressure
Krewe of Muses
Love the political commentary on this one!
Krewe of Muses
Krewe of Muses float: Playing Hooky
Krewe of Muses
Krewe of Muses float: I Put What Where?
Krewe of Muses
Krewe of Muses float: Frenemies
Krewe of Muses
Krewe of Muses float: Popularity Contests
Krewe of Muses
Krewe of Muses float: Padding
Krewe of Muses
Krewe of Muses float: Arrested Development
Krewe of Muses
Krewe of Muses float: Wet Dreams Wet Nightmares
Krewe of Muses
Krewe of Muses float: Selfies
Krewe of Muses
Krewe of Muses float: Hairy Situations
Krewe of Muses
Krewe of Muses float: The Cool Kids Table
Krewe of Muses
Krewe of Muses float: Being Grounded
Krewe of Muses
The last Krewe of Muses float: Sirens
Krewe of Muses
Krewe of Muses floats. Photo Credit: Krewe of Muses Facebook page.

As you can see, the floats are often funny and poignant. The sides of the floats are often decorated as well, but I was too busy catching throws to worry too much about taking pictures. Besides the floats, there were many high school bands and walking groups. One of the cool new things to bloom, especially within the last few years, are the fun walking clubs. Though some of them have been around for at least ten years, their popularity and attraction has increased exponentially. Now, there are highly specific groups devoted solely to one specialized theme, in addition to broader themed groups. There were quite a few different ones in Muses, some of which I managed to snag a picture.

Krewe of Muses
Lady Godivas Riding Group, where the women ride in a nude body suit
Krewe of Muses
Camel Toe Lady Steppers, a dancing group
Laissez Boys Social Aid & Leisure Club
Laissez Boys Social Aid & Leisure Club, where the men ride motorized lounge chairs and look totally relaxed
Krewe of Kolossos
Krewe of Kolossos, a super fun krewe that dressed up bicycles as all kind of weird and wild animals
Dead Rock Stars Marching Club
Dead Rock Stars Marching Club honor the Beastie Boys’ Adam Yauch
Krewe of the Rolling Elvi
Krewe of the Rolling Elvi, where men dress up like Elvis and parade down on small, motorized vehicles
Krewe of Muses
Krewe of the Rolling Elvi

In all, the parade was extremely fun and one of best parades that New Orleans has to offer. I highly suggest attending it next year if you have the chance. Plus, the throws are all pretty awesome, from notepads, to mirror hanging shoes, to themed beads, to the ever elusive shoe. Muses is sure to please everyone. For not having any kids, Kurt and I caught something from almost every float, and most of the items were Muses themed. Definitely a must see!

Krewe of Muses
Until next year Muses, MU-WAH!

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3 Replies to “Parading: Muses, A New Orleans Parade (picture heavy)”

  1. It’s a blast! There’s nothing quite like Mardi Gras and all the parades and the throws and the dressing up and the food and just everything! That cake is called a king cake and it’s purple, green, and gold. It’s traditionally braided dough with cinnamon and then confectioner’s sugar on top. It’s delicious and only eaten between January 6th (12th Night and the official start of the Mardi Gras season) and Mardi Gras day. We definitely have our traditions down here in New Orleans!

  2. Wow! That looks like so much fun. I\’d love to go there some time. I follow another blog and she made a special Mardi gras cake with coloured sugar on top…purple and yellow I htink. It was pretty out there.

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