Mardi Gras 2023 Begins!

Posted on by bayoucreole

The Mystical Order of the Phoenix kicked off the 2023 carnival season with its annual meet and greet at Gordon Biersch Brewery and Restaurant.

We had such an amazing time…this is the type of gathering that fuels my soul!

And to have so many women with us who were also with us in the former krewe was the icing on the cake!!

So many people showed up that we shut the place down…the kitchen couldn’t keep up with us!

I can’t wait to ride in 2023…we ride on my father’s birthday. I think I’m going to make some specialty throws in honor of him.I don’t know what it is yet so if y’all have any ideas…put them in the comments!

Let’s get this party started!

The Fall From Grace

Posted on by bayoucreole
Krewe of Nyx has only 240 riders in 2022
The Krewe of Nyx had 3,476 women riding in 2020

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.

Ascension of Phoenix II

Posted on by bayoucreole
Phoenix II and the Mystical Order of the Phoenix Board!!!

Saturday was an absolutely wonderful day to celebrate the ascension of our Phoenix II!The weather was gorgeous and everyone was in really festive mood so it made for a fabulous gathering of friends,food and of course…libations!

I love the diversity and inclusion we possess in our carnival organization. We honestly believe in the empowerment of ALL women. That’s something that’s very important to me considering how some other carnival organizations are.

Ms.Lynn Isbell will reign as Phoenix II for our 2022 ride which will be Saturday,February 19th at 5:30pm.

I.Cannot.Wait!!!

Hail Phoenix!

Lynn Isbell
Phoenix I Gemelle Linzy

HAPPY YARDI GRAS!!!

Posted on by bayoucreole

Since there aren’t any parades this year due to covid,New Orleanians have decided to put a spin on Mardi Gras and decorate their homes…hence the name,Yardi Gras.

I love how some house decorations represent the carnival krewes that would’ve rolled this year.

Take a look at how the city of “making lemonade out of lemons” has celebrated this carnival season. Hopefully next year we’ll be back on the streets of NOLA… throwing til it hurts.

HAPPY MARDI GRAS! Stay warm!!

Phoenix House Float
Krewe of Nyx House Float
Nyx
Nyx
Krewe of Muses House Float
Muses
Zulu House Float

My Nyx Ride 2020

Posted on by bayoucreole

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.

  • BRUNCH TIME!

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.

  • Check in at the pre party
Our Co-Captain, Lori (with the hat on)
and a rider.

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.

Goddess Nyx IX in the center with float riders.
3,400 women waiting to hit the streets of New Orleans!
Sisters helping sisters prepare for the big event

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.

  • Turn on to Jefferson Ave. Time to throw!!
  • Captain’s Float
  • photo by Kris C.
    photo by Kris C.
  • photo by Kris C
    photo by Kris C
St. Charles and Canal Street

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.