OVER three thousand women of all races stood on the right side of history and left the Mystic Krewe of Nyx in 2020.
Most school bands and walking krewes have pledged to not participate in that parade ever again.
The power of unity is mighty indeed.
I’ve been thinking about how I wanted to write about my ride for awhile now. If you have been keeping up with the news, you know that this season was marred with tragedies…one of which happened during our parade. That tragedy led to a number of Nyx riders not being able to complete their ride,
and a beautiful soul was lost.
I was on float 13 so I was able to complete the entire ride.
And because of that, there’s a conflict between my head and my heart.
How do you write about a ride that was so awesome, a pre-party that was the best one ever and a crowd that had been lined up on the streets since 9 am…waiting for the krewe to roll when your heart keeps pulling you to the poor soul who is no longer on this earth?
Someone told me that, she loved Mardi Gras…and she loved life. She was out there living her NOLA Life to the fullest.
I definitely understand that. I’m a NOLA Girl through and through too. So in her honor, I’m going to write this blog (and the rest of my Mardi Gras posts)and focus on the joy of the ride..the joy of the season.
The excitement that filled the city that Wednesday.
The people who couldn’t wait for the Mystic Krewe of Nyx to hit the streets and turn this city pink and black,
and the women who couldn’t wait to ride.
Most of us were watching the weather like hawks. I think the forecast was 30% chance for rain that day, but in true NOLA form… people must have started with novenas and getting whatever good juju they could lay their hands on because, we were spared the rain AND the temperature was around 60 degrees.
Great weather equals large crowds and they were out there…DEEP.
Check in for our pre-party began at noon. Some of the ladies like to get together beforehand and have brunch. I began my day slow. I know it’s a marathon type of day so I don’t leave the house until I have to go check in.
Because I’m a float lieutenant, I have added duties so I usually check my bags(a kazillion times) to make sure everything is in there before I leave the house. Once I get to the Convention Center, I check in, find our section and wait for the riders on my float to show up.
This year was very interesting because I rode with laryngitis. My voice was totally gone.I had gotten sick on Sunday and by the time we rode Wednesday, I was so sick that I had to run to an Urgent Care and get a shot to make it through the ride.
My float riders are the best though. They took such good care of me…I’m so lucky to have them.
The pre-party was on fire! This was my favorite one so far and I can’t wait til we ride in 2021 to see if it can get any better. The food was plentiful…and good! The drinks were flowing, and the music kept everyone on the dance floor.
I don’t know who the DJ was but he’s a keeper! My cousin who doesn’t like to dance, STAYED out there on the floor..so yeah…he has the magic touch.
And speaking of floor, let me just say that I LOVE HALL A at the Convention Center!
Why?
Because that hall has carpet! It makes a difference because we’re in there for about 4 hours. Walking around and dancing on a carpeted area was mercy on these old legs and feet of mine. Also, it gave the room a cozy feel. I absolutely love that hall.
Around 3 pm, they began to call the riders by float number to get on the buses parked outside. The buses took us to the lot where the floats were and then we rode the floats down to the line up area.
The ride to the lineup is one of my favorite things to do that day. Usually there are people just hanging out in front of their door or walking the street and they always wave when they see us passing.
I don’t know what it is, but something about seeing them before I get to the massive crowd of people on the route helps me to get ready for the joyous storm that lies ahead.
Man, when we started rolling though.
I knew the crowd was going to be thick, but I wasn’t ready for this one. This was the largest crowd ever…must have been close to 10 people deep. I did notice that the crowds were more aggressive this year. They told you exactly what they wanted from you. One of my riders had her headdress snatched off her head while she was bending down to get more throws.
Not cool at all.
But it’s only a small percentage of people who act this way. Majority of the people on the route are courteous, grateful and happy to see us out there.
And I appreciate you all so much. You all are the reason I ride…there’s nothing like seeing those happy faces staring back at you when you give someone something they didn’t expect to receive.
The crowds were thick the entire route. I ran out of throws (something I never do) and I’m a heavy thrower. I’ve already decided that I’m going to buy the largest package next year (so y’all come out and get those throws.) I know a lot of people like to buy throws and bring them to the floats, but I’ve been riding for 7 years now and the easiest thing to do is to purchase the bead packages. They’re loaded on the float for you and the way they’re packaged gives you more space.
A win-win in my book.
I’m looking forward to 2021… it will be the Mystic Krewe of Nyx’s 10th Anniversary.
10 whole years already.
Seems like yesterday I watched the krewe roll on the streets for the first time.
Seems like yesterday I was blogging about how I didn’t think I’d ever become a member…and here I am 7 years in and a proud float lieutenant.
Here we all are.
Here’s to 2021.
WISHING EACH AND EVERY ONE OF YOU A VERY HAPPY MARDI GRAS! Have a great day and be safe out there! Its been a rough season, take care of yourselves and your loved ones out there.
I’ll be blogging about it soon.
Yeah, I’m a month late and a dollar short, but I’m still here so…let me tell ya all about it!
It was cold. It was wet. It was windy.
And I would do it again in a heartbeat!
Even with the inclement weather, I still had a great time. I don’t know how the Captain does it, but the krewe just keeps getting better and better.
The pre-party was off the chain! Over three thousand women filled the room.
For those who don’t already know, on the day of the ride, all of us meet for a pre-party before we roll on the streets of New Orleans. I love the pre-party because it’s something just for us before we roll and unleash all of our throws onto the city. We get to hang out with sisters we haven’t seen in a while. Some riders live out-of-state, some out of the country and it’s always wonderful being able to spend time with them and the rest of the sisters. Here are a few pics taken at the pre-party,
After the pre-party, we hit the streets and threw til it hurt! Man, I gotta tell ya…that cold/wet/windy combo wasn’t nothing nice! It’s all a part of parading though…some rides will have great weather, some not so great.
I wish I’d taken a picture of the crowd that was out there in the rain supporting us because they were the real MVP’s of the evening. At one point, the rain began to come down pretty hard…I was expecting people to pack up and leave. They did not budge…I was floored. I couldn’t throw to them fast enough. Anything they asked for (expect for purses because I didn’t have anymore) I gave it to them. They more than deserved it.
Shout out to anyone who was out there in that weather with us! You are the real deal!
The krewe is still young (7 years old) and has already topped 3,000 women riders. I’ve been a member for 5 years and this was my first year as a lieutenant. People kept asking me how I liked being in that position. My response was always, “it’s like breathing” because it feels so natural. When you have a passion for something, it doesn’t feel like work.I have no plans to ever leave the krewe. When I’m so old that I can’t climb on the float anymore, then I’ll stop riding.
Nyx has made history in a lot of ways,but what really impresses me the most is the inclusivity. The fact that so many women of color ride in the krewe (and are float lieutenants) speaks volumes. And that inclusivity is visible from the streets. That means a lot when you are a child out there trying to catch throws. I’m not going to even talk about my childhood…when my own kids were young, they didn’t see anyone that looked like them on the floats (and if they had blacks in the krewe, they were few and far between) and my kids are in their 20’s. It’s nice to be in a krewe where diversity is seen.
If you’ve never experienced Mardi Gras in New Orleans before and plan on coming one day, make your reservations so you can catch us! You will not be disappointed! We throw like crazy! See the picture below for evidence…lol.
I’m looking forward to riding in 2019. We ride on Feb.27th…now, I just checked the weather for that day and this year it was clear skies and 72 frigging degrees at night! Imma need the weather gawds to do a repeat for next year.
Until then…
HAIL NYX!
I know this blog post is late like a big dawg, but so much has been going on that it’s getting really hard to keep this ole’ dinosaur afloat.  Bare with me y’all. I’m trying to come up with ways to keep this blog from biting the dust. We’ll discuss more of that later. I had to put out some pics of the Nyx Myx Masquerade Ball which was held in January.
Since so many nyx sisters and future nyx sisters come to the blog looking for pics of events, I had to put out some pics of the Nyx Myx Masquerade Ball which was held in January.
We had a new venue this year. The ball was held at the Convention Center and the last thing anyone can say is that they didn’t have room because…WE DID. It was beautifully decorated and spacious. Â The Captain looked stunning as always and Goddess Nyx VI is the beautiful Zenia Williams.
I do miss the Hilton, but we’ve outgrown her. I’m looking forward to getting as acquainted with the new venue as I was with the old one.
After the 3 course dinner, we danced the night away. I had a wonderful time. I should have taken a picture of my shoes because I have officially given up on wearing heels to the ball. I walk around and dance entirely too much so I purchased a pair of blinged out sneakers to wear.  They felt like slippers! They were sooo comfy. I don’t  believe in suffering for the cause. My dress will by fly, but I won’t wear heels and dance for hours on end…nada.
Here are a few pics of the ball. I love going to the ball…it’s my favorite event.
Hail Nyx!
Yes, I am a bad BayouCreole. This is so unlike me. Mardi Gras is in full swing and I have not blogged a thing. I have so much going on right now it’s crazy, but I will be back soon with a full recap on my season with Nyx (Nyx turns Syx) and other happenings.
I just wanna say that my ride was epic. Â Last year was so fantastic, I didn’t think it could get any better…but apparently it could because last night was over the moon!
Perfect weather, perfect crowd, and perfect krewe. It.Was.Amazing. I have to shout out the Captain of the krewe, Julie Lea. It was her vision to bring about another all-female krewe to ride at night. We are 2,900 women strong.She’s the one who keeps it all together…and she does one helluva job. Well done Julie…very well indeed.
I don’t usually go to the parades on Friday so, I’ll put a post up then about the ride and the work my way back to the ball.
I am one tired duck, but I wouldn’t trade if for anything.
Happy Mardi Gras y’all!
I had thee best time Wednesday! Sit down a spell and I’ll tell you all about my pretty darned awesome experience riding with the Mystic Krewe of Nyx.
My riding experience actually began Tuesday with float loading. All of the floats are pulled out of the barn and brought to a place undisclosed to the public. We’re given a 3 hour window to load and/or check our throws. You could feel the excitement around the floats as the sisters were busy getting their throws ready for the big night. Â The men were just as awesome as ever….checking to see if anyone needed help carrying throws or putting bike hooks up (we use them to hold throws). We just needed the rain to hold up.
The weather wasn’t looking all that great for us. It rained Tuesday and light showers were expected around our time to roll.
But remember, I said it wouldn’t rain on Nyx the year I rode with them.
And the rain held up!
Wednesday morning  began with a light breakfast at home. I had some last-minute float things to do which took some time so I stayed pretty close to  home until it was time to leave.  Around 10:30 a.m. I dressed in full gear and headed out to the float loading area once again to drop off my decorated purses.
The pre-party began at noon. I arrived around that time and checked  in to enter the hall. Security is very tight at the pre-party and you have to show identification to enter. Once checked in, I received my wristband and I was good to go! The pre-party was off the chain! It was held at Generations Hall … they did a wonderful job. The staff was excellent and there was more than enough food and spirits to keep over 1200 women happy!
Mardi Gras  music filled the hall as the ladies  talked, laughed and enjoyed  being around other nyx sisters.
After a while, we could hear the sound of brass in the building. Well, with a brass band in the house, only one thing was  going to happen…
time to second line!
Did you notice all the different color wigs and headdresses? That’s because every year, there is a headdress competition. Each float comes up with an idea that’s related to the theme of their float and create headdresses to wear. There were some pretty spectacular  headdresses…there’s a lot of creativity in the krewe.
CHICKEN CORDON BLEU!
YEAH BABY!!!
The pre-party was about 4 hours long. I enjoyed every last-minute of it. It was wonderful being around so many happy women who were eager to spread that happiness on to the City of New Orleans.  Shortly after the headdress competition, we were called to board the floats. Each float had a designated sister  holding a sign and we followed that person to the float.
That’s when it really hit me!
The waiting patiently to  receive  an invitation to join,  all the hard work and  dedication it takes to create purses..its all been for this moment,
TIME TO RIDE!
Once boarded up  and ready to go, we were escorted by the New Orleans Police Department to the staging area. During this time riders began organizing more of their throws or  just took a minute to take it all in.
I took it all in.
Here’s a short clip I created of the ride and how the floats move to the staging area.
This is where the bands and dancing troupes are waiting to “fall in line” with the floats.
Once we reached the staging area and the band  scheduled to march in front of us fell in line,
IT WAS ON!
Here’s  a clip of the parade coming down the street
We began to throw like crazy to the crowd! Â You go through sensory overload with so many people screaming for throws for 5 miles, but I enjoyed every single second of it.
The joy that you see when you give someone a throw is priceless. I particularly loved giving decorated purses to those who did not think they would get one from me.
The crowd was very gracious!
Posters for purses were everywhere! It was spectacular!
A sinus attack kicked in on me around Lee Circle and by the time I made it to the end of the route, I was toast.
I’d do it all in a heartbeat though…sinus attack and all.
It was just that fabulous!
Thanks to all my wonderful friends,family and readers who came out in the cold to support me and the krewe. Â It means so much to me that you were there for my inaugural ride.
The city showed the Krewe of Nyx so much love that night.
I’m  looking forward to many years of riding
with this wonderful krewe,
in this fabulous city.
TONIGHT IS THE NIGHT!! Â Hail Nyx! We’re rolling tonight at 7!
I’m excited,tired,sad and happy all at the same time. Happy I’m riding, sad that I have to now part with my babies.
What babies you ask?
Why the decorated purses I’ve created throughout the year. It’s our signature throw and if you catch one, you indeed have a prized possession. The purses take many “people hours” to create and a lot of love and attention go into making them. Most of my purses were purchased from thrift stores. I’d often find the most torn and tattered ones and give them new life. We’re only allowed to bring 30 on the float, but we can create more than 30 and give them out to family and friends.
It’s been rainy and it’s supposed to be cold tonight. Hopefully, the rain will be finished by the time we roll…otherwise you all will see a soggy Bayou Creole on the webcam.
I’ll post about my day (which I’m sure will be one of the most amazing days of my life) sometime tomorrow…hopefully.
I gotta go…busy…busy…busy.
Here are some of my creations that I’ll  either throw tonight or have given to friends.  Some are simple, some are not. All have a part of me in them.
I hope you enjoy!
The first big weekend of Mardi Gras is officially underway! I’m super hyped about it this year because,
I ride in 4 days!!
I’ve been really busy finalizing a lot of things for my inaugural ride. I do have my float position though!
Float 16, sidewalk side (that’s passenger side for non NOLA folks),bottom level, 5th person.
Make sure you get my attention so I can hook you up . My blog peeps are my most favorite folks, so I have something special for you all in addition to getting one of our beautifully hand decorated purses. It’s gonna be one awesome night. The ladies in the krewe are all excited about riding and plan to throw like crazy!
I’ll put a post up about my inaugural ride on Thursday (hopefully) with pictures. That way you all will have an idea of what goes on  inside of carnival krewes and what it’s like being on a float. I may even do a 60 sec video and post it. On Tuesday, I will post photos of all the decorated purse that I plan to throw and the ones that I made to go to some friends.
Hopefully, they’ll receive them before I post…lol
Now, on to other Mardi Gras info,
The first big weekend has already begun with the Krewes Oshun and Cleopatra rolling along the uptown route. I wasn’t able to attend. In fact, I’m going to miss being out there for all the parades this weekend. I plan to catch them on  various webcams.
The link for NOLA.com parade cam is here.  This webcam is located at St. Charles Ave. and Napoleon. This is near the beginning of the route and a good one if you are catching the parades near their scheduled time to roll.
If you go into the link now, you should see whatever is happening at the intersection of St. Charles and Napoleon.
*The Krewe of Nyx will be streamed on all webcams. NOLA.com’s webcam is on the sidewalk side so, if you want to try to catch  a view of ole’ Bayou Creole on the float, this is the webcam to watch. If I don’t get too caught up in the moment, I’m going  to wave at the camera!
WWLTV will also stream live. Their camera is located at Gallier Hall. You can find the link here. It will take a while for the parade to get to Gallier Hall. I think Gallier Hall is a little more than half of the parade route.
Here’s the 2014 Mardi Gras Schedule,
February 22 2014
| Uptown | |
|---|---|
| Pontchartrain | 1:00 p.m. |
| Choctaw | 2:00 p.m. |
| Freret | 2:30 p.m. |
| Sparta | 6:00 p.m. |
| Pygmalion | 6:45 p.m. |
| Â |
|---|
For all of my Purple Knights, St. Aug will be marching in the following parades,
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Pontchartrain,Alla,NYX,Muses,Hermes,Endymion,Mid City,Bacchus,Orpheus and Zulu.
*They were also in Cleopatra but that parade has already rolled.
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Here’s a clip of Aug in Cleopatra under the bridge.
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I’m on a bandhead forum with all the band directors and they have their bands ready to bring the heat this year!
It’s gonna be an amazing season. We just need the weather to coöperate. I said that  it wouldn’t rain the year I got to ride with Nyx and none is expected so far.
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I Â just hope it stays that way.
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That’s all I have for now. I’ll be posting video clips of parades as I go to them. I won’t be going out on Mardi Gras day though. We’ve decided to stay home this year. If the weather’s really nice, I’ll go out and see the Indians, but I plan to catch everything on the television and hibernate on the couch this year.
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Let the good times roll!
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I’m ready to get it in!
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Have a great weekend y’all!
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