The Line-Up for the First Ever Krewe of Muses Parade
Who are the Muses?
We Celebrate Women of Legend, Women of Art, Women of History, Women of the Future, the Women of New Orleans.
To the people of New Orleans they are street names, often mispronounced. In Greek mythology the nine Muses were the daughters of Zeus. Their mother is Mnemosyne (pronounced Nemosinee), the goddess of memory. The Muses were wild until reformed by Apollo, who tamed them and taught them ways to express themselves. They lived together on Mount Parnassus, and were often in the company of Apollo.
Initially, the Muses didn't have personalities or names, but later they were all assigned names and specific virtues. Clio was the Muse of history, Urania of astronomy, Euterpe of lyric poetry, Polyhymnia of songs to the gods, Melpomene of tragedy, Thalia of comedy, Terpsichore of dance, Calliope of epic poetry, and Erato of love poetry.
(FYI, Phonetic pronunciation of the muse names: Cleeo, Urania, Euterpee, Polimnia, Melpomenee, Thalia, Terpsichoree, Calliopee, Erato)
They will gather for Mardi Gras 2001 and celebrate the legend of the Nine Muses. They will celebrate their wildness before they were tamed, their virtues after they were appointed and their place in the mystique of New Orleans, where each virtue seems to thrive.
Throws
Muses Krewe Medallion Bead — a green ivy leaf with our Muses logo on white pearls.
Muses Shoe Bead (Inaugural Theme Bead) — a high-heeled red pump, which should be near and dear to the heart of all Muses on a red metallic bead.
Cups — Muses signature cups. The cup design contest winner, Natalie Sciortino, a senior at Ben Franklin Senior High School, designed the signature cup for 2001. (she will be seated in the stands at Gallier Hall and should be recognized.) The design beautifully depicts each of the nine Muses and her attributed art or science.
Blinking Bead — our most coveted throw. A blue and white longbead with our logo in blinking lights, with a battery so the lights can be turned on and off.
Muses Beaded Purse — a 4" square blue and white beaded purse to hold ladies' necessities, on a long beaded handle.
Muses Horse — a genuine pleather stuffed white horse with our Muses logo around its neck. Sure to be a favorite of children of all ages.
Can Huggies — keep that beverage cold in style!
Doubloons — the classic aluminum doubloon in Muses blue or silver. A charter year collector's item.
The Muses and the Community
One of the goals of the Muses was to create an organization deeply involved in the community. For their charter year the Muses chose to hold a contest for the design of the official krewe cup. Entries were sent to Orleans Parish public schools and over 75 were received.
The winner, Natalie Sciortino, a senior at Ben Franklin Senior High School, designed the signature cup for 2001. (she will be seated in the stands at Gallier Hall and should be recognized.) The design beautifully depicts each of the nine Muses and her attributed art or science.
Elementary school students assembled the masks worn by each of the Muses from several schools in the greater New Orleans area. (Each float will bear the name of the school which created the masks for the maskers on that float.)
The floats for Muses first parade were designed and created by Blaine Kern Artists. However, the Muses wanted to involve the art community in their charter year so several floats have additional artwork designed and executed by local artists.
To quote the Muses:
“We are all of one heart – free of care. When a muse is around there are no trouble there.
The Muses set their hearts upon song and their spirits are free. Seems the Muses is just exactly what Mardi Gras needs. Not a soul shall feel sorrow, no one shall be glum…watch out New Orleans because here they come.”
The Parade
- Muses Horse Unit — Includes Muses costumed as famous horsewomen and others including: Artemis, Lady Godiva, Xena, Warrior Princess, Camilla Parker Bowles and the King’s Fool, riding a mule named shotgun.
- Flambeaux
Float 1 – The Muses 2001 – The Captain and the officers of the Krewe of Muses
The nine riders represent the nine Muses: Clio, the Muse of history; Urania — astronomy; Euterpe — lyric poetry; Polyhymnia — songs to the gods; Melpomene — tragedy ; Thalia — comedy; Terpsichore — dance; Calliope — epic poetry; and Erato — love poetry.
Masks made by The Glade School (St. John Parish), under Teach for America teacher, Shayla Weier
Artists Riza LaCour, Christina Dauterive, Rose Ayson and Cecelia Gambala contributed to this float design.
- Midnight Riders Horse Unit
- Band – St. Augustine Marching 100
- Flambeaux
Float 2 – Title Float — Muses’ First Time
Muses First Time to roll the streets of New Orleans became the theme for the charter year. Established in 2000 by a group of New Orleans women this unique krewe is made up of women of diverse ethnic backgrounds and careers. It is said that if man has grief in his soul – it disappears when the Muses roll. To celebrate the first time all of the muses are wearing their Muses virginal white costumes
Masks by John McDonough Sr., teacher Linda Ford
- Stepping in Style Horse Riders
- Band – John F Kennedy Marching Band
- Flambeaux
Float 2a – Wild Magnolia Mardi Gras Indians and Coolbone
(second time ever Indians have been in a parade. They are also playing at the after party.)
Float 3 – The Awakening
A Muse in her youth – preparing to take on the world, to the dismay of her mentors. This young muse quotes Louisianian Brittany Spears in saying “I’m not that innocent.” It is a sentiment echoed by the entire krewe of over 600 women this Mardi Gras.
Masks by Israel Augustine School, teacher Dixie Moore
- Band — George W. Carver Marching Band
Float 4 – Muses Primping, Prepping & Pushing Up
The Muses are getting ready for a night out of the town with all of the Muse essentials from hot rollers to wonder bras.
Masks by Thomas Edison School, Teach for America teacher Jeanine Menczywor
- Band – Joseph S. Clark Marching Band
Float 5 – Meow Muse Fight!
Put 600 women in the same dress and there’s bound to be a Muse Fight.
Masks by Allen school
- Band – Executive Steel Band on Caribbean themed float and featuring the Shim Shamettes
Float 6 – The Sole of Musehood
Every Muse loves her shoes so float #6 is the sole of Musehood. From pumps to clogs to strappy sandals – this float reflects the sole of Musehood.
Masks by Karr School, Teach for America Teacher Mary Wilkerson
- Band — Andrew J. Bell Marching Band
Float 7 – Muse Idols & Ideals
Muse Idols and Ideals is a float celebrating glamourous images we all desire to be – so close and yet so far. This float sports Barbie, Marilyn Monroe, the Sex and the City girls, models and movie stars.
Masks by The Glade School (St. John Parish), Teach for America teacher, Tania Peters
- Buffalo Soldiers Riding Group
- Band — Pink Slip
Float 8 – Muses Talk, and Talk and Talk and Talk
Communication is very important to a muse and this float pokes fun at the old gossip stereotype.
Artist Sue Ford contributed to this float design. (Note, features Monica Lewinsky and Linda Tripp)
Masks by Karr School, Teach for America Teacher Mary Wilkerson
- Band – Fannie C. Williams Marching Band
Float 9 – A Muse's Prerogative…to Change Her Mind
It is every Muses prerogative – to change her mind. The front of the float is the wedding and the back is the divorce decree… In between – well you can see it for yourself.
Masks by Karr School, Teacher Sean Haynes
- Drill Team – Southern Belle Twirlers
Float 10 – Hell Hath No Fury like a Muse Scorned
This float depicts a Muse’s revenge with a few examples of how vicious that revenge can be. Never cross a Muse. Like all the gods and goddesses of the Greeks, the Muses could be kind if kindly treated, and vengeful as all get-out if you tread on their turf.
Masks by J.W Johnson School, Teach for America Teacher Megan Lockett
- Crescent City Cowboys Riding Group
Float 11 – A Muse's Peak
It’s a tropical island full of handsome young men. This is how a Muse gets her groove back.
Masks by McDonough 15, teacher Beverly Diaz
Artists Karen Abboud and Tuni Bose contributed to this float design, which was inspired by the art of Gaughin.
- Band – Rebirth Brass Band
Float 12 – Hail Apollo — Only A God Can Tame A Muse
Only a god can tame a muse. The Muses were wild until reformed by Apollo, who tamed them and taught them ways to express themselves. They lived together on Mount Parnassus, and were often in the company of Apollo.
Masks by Hynes, teacher Margie White
- Band – Istrouma High School Marching Band
Float 13 – Muses on the Rocks
Muses love their fun and a little nectar of the Goddesses. Muses on the Rocks celebrates the good times and cushions the bad.
Masks by New Orleans Free School, Teach for America teacher Jacqui Lipson
- Band — O. P. Walker Marching Band
Float 14 – New Orleans Muses
This float celebrates the women of New Orleans who have, like the Muses, shared their attributes with the city!
Masks by Bauduit School, Teach for America teacher, Emily Klein
- Band – Israel Augustine Middle Marching Band
Float 15 – Ya’ Mama was a Muse, Dahlin'
Although this is their first Mardi Gras to roll the streets of New Orleans we know that Muses have been among us, inspiring and bringing music and merriment for many many years. The float features Nat’ly Broussard, designed by local artist Bunny Matthews.
Masks by The Glade School (St. John Parish), teacher Tania Peters
- Band – F. Douglas Senior High Marching Band
Float 16 – Muses MIA
Every so often a Muse disappears into thin air. She is there and she is gone..and if she is truly a Muse she is missed. These are some Muses we miss. (Float includes: Amelia Earhart, Carolyn Bessette Kennedy, Patsy Kline and others.)
Masks by Fannie C. Williams, teacher Regan Grillet
Artist Sue Ford contributed to this float design.
- Band – West St. John High School
Float 17 – Muse Envy
Is it desire or envy?
Masks by The Glade School (St. John Parish), Teach for America teacher, Natasha Paterson
Artists Riza LaCour, Christina Dauterive, Rose Ayson and Cecelia Gambala contributed to this float design.
- Band — St. Charles Streetcar Jazz Band
Float 18 – Muse Wannabes
Close but no cigar! Muse wannabes are those who were not endowed with the attributes of a Muse...but who try awfully hard to imitate. (Features drag queens.)
Masks by Bauduit, teachers Winder and Knutson
- Band — Molasses
Float 19 – Beware the Anti-Muses
There are in this world – to the dismay of Muses – women who are the opposite of what all Muses stand for. They are the Anti-Muses and here we find a few. (Features Playboy bunnies, Hooter Girls, Dr. Laura, Katherine Harris, Medusa.)
Masks by Lafayette School, Teach for America teacher, Karen Flynn
- Band — Riverside Ramblers
Float 20 – The Sirens: Cast Out by the Muses
The Sirens, singers who were part bird, part human female, lured sailors to their death on the rocky shore of their island. When trying to outsing the Muses, they lost, and the Muses plucked them of their feathers and wings. Because the Sirens were cast out by the Muses for disobedience, the most wild of the Muses come at the end of the parade.
Many were tempted and fell to the Sirens. The last float sums up the feeling of the entire krewe – disappointment that the ride is over so soon.
Masks by Ben Franklin Elementary, teacher Catrina Hernandez