Mardi Gras Muses

The birth of
Mardi Gras 2000
“If I start a parade do you want to be in it?”
Staci Rosenberg
March 2000
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Mardi Gras Krewes
(parading) c. 2000
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Rex
Orpheus
Zulu
Bards of Bohemia
Endymion
Mid-City
Pontchartrain
Thoth
Okeanos
Bacchus
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Iris
Tucks
Ancient Druids
Chaos
Krewe d’Etat
Hermes
Pygmalion
Oshun
Saturn
Sparta
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Pegasus
Babylon
Proteus
Carrollton
First attempt at a krewe name
Maenads
The female devotees of the wine-god Dionysus,
thus also called Bacchae and Bacchantes. Inspired
by him to ecstatic frenzy, they accompany him in his
wanderings and as his priestesses carry out his
orgiastic rites. In their wild frenzy they tear animals
apart and devour the raw flesh. They are represented
crowned with vine leaves, clothes in fawnskins and
carrying the thyrsus, and dancing with the wild
abandonment of complete union with primeval
nature.
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The Name
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Recruitment by Email Spring 2000
KREWE OF MUSES
A group of women is working together to start a new women's Mardi Gras krewe, Krewe of Muses, to parade at night, the first Sunday of the Mardi
Gras season (when there is currently no parade) or Wednesday night following Saturn. In addition to being a lot of fun, the krewe will have a
civic-orientation, through a relationship with the arts community. The group of women we have assembled is diverse in every way ethnically, racially and socio-economically and represents all areas of the City of New Orleans. Our membership is open to any woman over
the age of 18.
It is our intention to add a new dimension to the history and traditions of Mardi Gras. In addition to preserving the traditional Mardi Gras
parade practices, including flambeaus, and possibly even mule-drawn carriages, we wish to add an arts and community-based orientation to
our parade. We plan to conduct community outreach efforts to involve schoolchildren and artists in the design of our throws, costumes and
floats. We also plan to showcase a variety of musical styles.
Mardi Gras is limited by City ordinance to 31 parading krewes. However, there are currently only 30 krewes parading. As a result, there is a
slot open. The decision is made by the City Council, However, we will have an ordinance introduced by the Council on April 19 and are very
optimistic about obtaining the permit.
We are asking that everyone who is interested in being involved in Krewe of Muses send a check for $100 made payable to Goddesses, Inc.
(our nonprofit corporation) to: Dana Meeks, First Bank & Trust, 909 Poydras St., Suite 100, New Orleans, LA 70112. Along with your
check, please provide your address, phone number, fax number and email address if available.
If we are not successful at obtaining a parade permit, the money we raise will be refunded, less any costs expended (which should be
minimal, if any). Up to$400 more will be expected from each member but we hope (and expect) to keep the cost lower than that. The price
will include riding in the parade and a costume. It should also include some throws but riders will also have to supplement by purchasing
additional throws.
If you want additional information, please contact Staci Rosenberg at staci@smithmartin.com, 525-0134 or 897-6073.
PLEASE JOIN US AND RECRUIT OTHERS AS WELL
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June 2000
GOAL: Krewe of Muses
Deadline: June 30th
Goal: 350 Members
Dues: $425 annually - $100 down
Emphasis on diversity, satire, tradition,
community service, fun…
The Muses
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The Muses
February 2001
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2001
2001
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2001
2002
"For its second parade, the hot new all-female
Krewe of Muses had the theme 'Terrible Twos.'
The weather contributed to that theme-it was
terrible. The parade, however, was a noble
effort...This is a krewe on the go.“
-Errol Laborde
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2002
"In the sparkling eyes of 2-year-old Muses, there's no such thing as a sophomore
jinx. These ladies played on their youth via their 'Muses Reaches the Terrible
Twos' theme, which featured a plethora of witty puns: '2nd Wives,' 'It Takes 2
to Tango,' '2 Girls for Every Boy,' and of course, '2nd Line.' My personal
favorite (and I hope I'm not revealing anything!) was '2 Timer.' The throws
were too numerous and amazing to enumerate, but the lighted bead is a true
keeper. Next year, I'll be elbowing that loyal subject next to me to snag my
first lipstick holder. Amidst all the horses and flambeaux was a nice Muses
kick in the pants: an all-female punk-rock band, the Pink Slips, putting a
contemporary spin on a Mardi Gras tune that rocked the crowd. Just like the
parade itself. Muses is simply major league, and through a cold, wet night to
boot. Congratulations to this year's best overall parade!"
Congratulations to this year's best
overall parade!"
2007
Best Carnival Night parade
Muses -- This all-female krewe is relatively young by
Mardi Gras standards (founded in 2000), but the
women already have become an annual favorite.
Last season's parade featured great throws -- satin
sleep masks and the coveted Muses' shoes -- a satiric
theme ("Supermuses"), and a message of hope:
"You Have The Power To Save New Orleans."
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Satire
Satire is a Mardi Gras tradition!
Comus was the first Mardi Gras organization and named for
the Greek god of misrule. He represented chaos and
anarchy. The Zulu parade was originally staged as a
satirical presentation of Rex, with the king wearing blackface, a grass skirt and a crown made from a lard can.
Today you can see excellent satire, especially political in
Mardi Gras. Look for it in Krewe du Vieux, Druids,
Krewe d’Etat, Tucks, Chaos and Muses. Also look for
satire in costumes across the city on Mardi Gras Day.
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2003
Museology: The Lesser Known
Gods & Goddesses
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Museology: The Lesser Known
Gods & Goddesses
Museology: The Lesser Known
Gods & Goddesses
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The Muse Shoe
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The Bathing Muses
2004
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Weekly World Muse
2005
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Muse TV
2006
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Muses Got Game
Muses Got Game
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Sirens 2006
Come Hell or High Water…
there’s no place like home
2006
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2007
Super Muses
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Super Muses
Super Muses
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Super Muses
Super Muses – Sirens 2007
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2008
2008
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2008
2008
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27
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Muses 2014
Membership
• 1032 riding members in parade
• 700 + wait listed members
Parade
• 27 floats (25 krewe-owned, 1 exclusive rentals)
• Approximately 40 bands, marching units or horse units
(only the best!)
• Krewe owned float den
Parties
• Events including monthly Thirsty Thursday gatherings
(fund raisers for the Muses Foundation), Annual meeting
& Luncheon, Holiday Bazaar, 12th night event, Float
Viewing, Pre-party and the Amusement.
Muses 2014
Community
• Muses Foundation fund raising
• Cup is designed by a New Orleans public school
student art contest.
• Donations made in past years to New Orleans
Ballet Association, NOPD barricade fund, New
Orleans Musicians Clinic, Kingsley House and
others.
• 2006 donation of $50,000 to NOPD to help cover
overtime for Mardi Gras season.
• The David Anthony Bell Fund – over $25,000
raised.
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Honorary Muses
Honorary Muse 2013 – Ruby Bridges
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