Courtesy of The Merry Antoinettes
[Editor's note: Sensitive language ahead, as to be expected when an article explores modern-day Mardi Gras in New Orleans. Proceed with caution.]
Don’t look now, but Mardi Gras is no longer only a bro-show.
Beyond the plethora of all-women krewes on floats, from mega-Muses to Nyx to Cleopatra and Athena, the scene on the street is shifting decidedly female. In between the marching bands stirring neighborhood and high school pride, there are dozens of all-women walking and dancing krewes, most with salacious handles. Between the floats, during most major parades, the sass and curves of groups like the Muffa-A-Lottas, Cherry Bombs, Pussyfooters, Tap Dat, and the Organ Grinders keep the beat on the street with plenty of décolletage and sway in their step.
At first glance, looking through the lens of the #metoo movement, the dancing double entendres might seem counter intuitive to women’s empowerment. But come on, this is New Orleans, where rules are meant to be broken. In chatting with members of a handful of krewes, to a woman the message is clear: we are all about empowering women and being inclusive of all, no matter the age, body type and personal style. From trans to drag, size 2 to 22, these groups welcome all in their perfumed embrace.
The original female presence in Mardi Gras dates back to the famously costumed African-American Baby Dolls that masked in Storyville in the early 20th century. Post-Katrina, homage is paid to those original Baby Dolls by groups including Black Storyville Baby Dolls, New Orleans Baby Doll Ladies, and Golddigger Baby Dolls.
While most of the women’s krewes blossomed after the storm, the Pussyfooters, known for their signature cotton candy-colored wigs, white boots, and pink, silver and orange bustiers, was founded in 2001. Subversively feminist, with a name inspired by the popular stage show Vagina Monologues, the Pussyfooters are proudly philanthropic and unabashedly female. Although new members have to be nominated by an existing member, dancing expertise is not a prerequisite.
“If you can do some basic dance moves and wear a corset, you’re in,” said 45-year-old Ninth Ward native Shelita Domino, a member since 2015 and the krewe’s executive secretary. “I think you have to understand our culture to accept our culture. We are inclusive and all about empowering women.” Domino, who works as a Work Force development consultant at Ochsner, spends $500 annually on dues and participates in regular dance practices for Mardi Gras and the group’s annual Blush Ball. “We have raised more than $90,000 for the Metropolitan Center for Women and Children, which we are extremely proud of.” While they do appearances year-round, The Pussyfooters are marching in four parades this Carnival season: Krewes of Carrollton, Nyx, Muses and Thoth.
Jennifer Kooken, 42, didn’t know a soul in the Muff-A-Lottas—a take-off on the muffaletta sandwich—when she joined the waitress-themed group five years ago. “I’ve been in Muses since 2004 and I noticed that the women walking below the float were having a really great time. I did some research and based on the costumes and general vibe, I tried out for the Muffies and got picked.” The group is distinctive for its cheeky 1950s diner waitress look, complete with saddle shoes and short skirts with lots of crinoline. They also dance to R&B-era tunes from New Orleans faves such as Ernie K-Doe and Irma Thomas. The 60-odd members pay $350 a year to be in the group, with appearances at Decadence, Krewe of Boo, St. Patty’s Day parades and more. This year they’ll dance in Slidell’s Poseidon for the first time, along with Krewes of Cleopatra, Nyx, Tucks and Ponchartrain. Kooken, an assistant professor of English at Delgado, loves that the Muffies are accepting of women of all shapes, ages and races. “We are a close community.”
Roux La La calls itself “New Orleans’ official swamp steppin’, booty shakin’, booze guzzling,’ pot stirrin’, glitter in your face female dance troupe.” Founded in 2009, the group’s 25-members wear roux brown accented with green and white in homage to the holy trinity of onions, bell peppers and celery that go into every respectable pot of Nola gumbo. Their signature throw? Hand-painted wooden spoons, of course.
“We change our theme every year so really look for new members excited about crafting and costuming,” said longtime member Laurie Ohlsson. Members are encouraged to own their look and stay in their own comfort zone. “I’m a size 18 so I accessorize to suit my own style,” she said. “It’s an incredibly supportive group of women,” said the human resources consultant. “It gives me a creative outlet that I don’t have at work and a chance to shake my booty with an awesome group of lady friends.” Roux La La will be marching this year in the Krewe of King Arthur and Morpheus parades.
Originally a member of the Pussyfooters, Christina Duggar split off and founded the Organ Grinders in 2010 to allow younger women to participate – the Pussyfooters require that members be at least 30 to join. Duggar, 40, who works in the environmental field, was listening to a Prince song, Violet the Organ Grinder, when the inspiration for the troupe’s name solidified. The Organ Grinders are an equal opportunity dance troupe—all skill levels, sizes, colors, and genders are welcome and celebrated. “I’m not a small woman, and I was determined that our group subscribe to a love you, love your body motto. We don’t let any of our women put themselves down.” The 83-member troupe, clad in sexy red, white and blue costumes and gold fez hats, participates in multiple charitable events throughout the year and will be marching in 10 parades during Carnival, from Muses and Druids to Tucks and Barkus.
While most of the women’s marching krewes dance their way along the parade route, not so with the Merry Antoinettes. Founded in 2015 by co-captains Francesca Brennan and Julie Barecki, this troupe isn’t choreographed, putting the emphasis more on towering wigs and sparkling corsets. “We like to shake our tail feathers no doubt, but our costumes are the focal point,” said Brennan, who owns a local real estate company. Members are encouraged to riff on their own style, feel comfortable in their own skin and be sex and body-positive. This year marks their fourth carnival season, with the 140-member group marching in the debut of Krewe Boheme, the first parade to roll after Twelfth Night on February 15. Composed of several smaller marching clubs besides the Antoinettes, Krewe Boheme includes The Krewe of Hellarious Wingnuts, The Krewe of R.U.M. (really unsophisticated men), The Krewe of S.L.U.T.S. (sexy ladies up to something), The Krewe of Goddesses and The Krewe of King James. A green absinthe fairy, a symbol of the bohemian spirit leads the charge.
It’s all in good fun, underscoring why Mardi Gras expert Arthur Hardy is famously quoted as saying that Mardi Gras is “the most diverse and democratic celebration on the planet.” These female krewes embrace the fantastical magical realism of it all, although at the end of the day, the sequins, wigs and bustiers end up in a sparkly heap on the floor. “When we take that wig and corset off, we still have to cook dinner,” said Domino. Whether the dudes in Endymion can say that is a story for another day.
