Krewe of Muses
Encyclopedia
The Krewe
of Muses is an all-female krewe or New Orleans Mardi Gras
social organization--one of the few clubs with that distinction (see Krewe of Les Mysterieuse, Krewe of Isis, Krewe of Venus). The Muses first paraded during Mardi Gras
in 2000. Since then, their krewe has grown to include nearly 1500 members.
The krewe's parade always "rolls" on the Thursday or Friday evening before Mardi Gras
.
Besides being an all-female krewe, it is known for its unique, non-traditional mardi gras throws
such as “decorated shoes, lighted necklaces, purses and other fun 'girlie' goodies".
The Krewe of Muses is an inclusive organization that reflects the diversity of New Orleans. Membership is diverse racially and socio-economically.
The theme
of the Krewe of Muses, which is kept a secret outside of the membership, is always satirical. Satire
is an important aspect of Mardi Gras
celebrations in New Orleans dating back to the earliest organizations. Past themes have been "Muses First Time Poking Fun at Women" (2001); "Muses Reach the Terrible Twos
(2002)" (featuring puns such as "Two Timers" and "Two Sides to Every Story"); "Museology -the Lesser Known Gods and Goddesses(2003)" which satired the other carnival organization of the New Orleans; "The Weekly World Muse (2004)", which was a satirical look at tabloid journalism
; "Muse TV (2005)"; "Muses Got Game (2006)" ; and "SuperMuse (2007)" which featured satirical super heroes. The organization produced and threw a comic book, "The Adventures of Supermuse".
In 2006, to honor the victims of Hurricane Katrina
, the Muses had at the tail end of their parade an empty float which evoked the riderless horse
that follows the caisson carrying the casket
in a funeral
procession. the final riderless float represented the mother of the Muses and the goddess of memory. Painted on the somber float were the words "We celebrate life, we mourn the past, we shall never forget."
Each year, in addition to their year-long philanthropic works, the Muses host a design contest for students in the area. The winner has his or her design turned into a throw cup.
Honorary Muses have included Brenda Marie Osbey
, the Poet Laureate
of the State of Louisiana and New Orleans-based jazz singer Charmaine Neville
. Bands that have marched with the Muses' parade have included The Ninth Ward Marching Band and the Revolutionary Snake Ensemble
.
The Krewe of Muses has presented several award-winning displays.
Krewe
A krewe is an organization that puts on a parade and or a ball for the Carnival season. The term is best known for its association with New Orleans Mardi Gras, but is also used in other Carnival celebrations around the Gulf of Mexico, such as the Gasparilla Pirate Festival in Tampa, Florida, and...
of Muses is an all-female krewe or New Orleans Mardi Gras
New Orleans Mardi Gras
Mardi Gras in New Orleans, Louisiana, is a Carnival celebration well-known throughout the world.The New Orleans Carnival season, with roots in preparing for the start of the Christian season of Lent, starts after Twelfth Night, on Epiphany . It is a season of parades, balls , and king cake parties...
social organization--one of the few clubs with that distinction (see Krewe of Les Mysterieuse, Krewe of Isis, Krewe of Venus). The Muses first paraded during Mardi Gras
Mardi Gras
The terms "Mardi Gras" , "Mardi Gras season", and "Carnival season", in English, refer to events of the Carnival celebrations, beginning on or after Epiphany and culminating on the day before Ash Wednesday...
in 2000. Since then, their krewe has grown to include nearly 1500 members.
The krewe's parade always "rolls" on the Thursday or Friday evening before Mardi Gras
Mardi Gras
The terms "Mardi Gras" , "Mardi Gras season", and "Carnival season", in English, refer to events of the Carnival celebrations, beginning on or after Epiphany and culminating on the day before Ash Wednesday...
.
Besides being an all-female krewe, it is known for its unique, non-traditional mardi gras throws
Mardi gras throws
Mardi Gras throws are strings of beads, doubloons, cups, and other trinkets passed out or thrown from the floats in the New Orleans Mardi Gras parades to spectators lining the streets. The "gaudy plastic jewelry, toys, and other mementos tossed to the crowds from parading floats"...
such as “decorated shoes, lighted necklaces, purses and other fun 'girlie' goodies".
The Krewe of Muses is an inclusive organization that reflects the diversity of New Orleans. Membership is diverse racially and socio-economically.
The theme
Theme (arts)
In the visual arts, a theme is a broad idea or a message conveyed by a work, such as a performance, a painting, or a motion picture. This message is usually about life, society or human nature. Themes are the fundamental and often universal ideas explored in a work. Themes are usually implied...
of the Krewe of Muses, which is kept a secret outside of the membership, is always satirical. Satire
Satire
Satire is primarily a literary genre or form, although in practice it can also be found in the graphic and performing arts. In satire, vices, follies, abuses, and shortcomings are held up to ridicule, ideally with the intent of shaming individuals, and society itself, into improvement...
is an important aspect of Mardi Gras
Mardi Gras
The terms "Mardi Gras" , "Mardi Gras season", and "Carnival season", in English, refer to events of the Carnival celebrations, beginning on or after Epiphany and culminating on the day before Ash Wednesday...
celebrations in New Orleans dating back to the earliest organizations. Past themes have been "Muses First Time Poking Fun at Women" (2001); "Muses Reach the Terrible Twos
Terrible twos
Terrible twos may refer to the following:* A child development stage which normally occurs around the age of two and consists of toddlers often saying no and throwing temper tantrums....
(2002)" (featuring puns such as "Two Timers" and "Two Sides to Every Story"); "Museology -the Lesser Known Gods and Goddesses(2003)" which satired the other carnival organization of the New Orleans; "The Weekly World Muse (2004)", which was a satirical look at tabloid journalism
Journalism
Journalism is the practice of investigation and reporting of events, issues and trends to a broad audience in a timely fashion. Though there are many variations of journalism, the ideal is to inform the intended audience. Along with covering organizations and institutions such as government and...
; "Muse TV (2005)"; "Muses Got Game (2006)" ; and "SuperMuse (2007)" which featured satirical super heroes. The organization produced and threw a comic book, "The Adventures of Supermuse".
In 2006, to honor the victims of Hurricane Katrina
Hurricane Katrina
Hurricane Katrina of the 2005 Atlantic hurricane season was a powerful Atlantic hurricane. It is the costliest natural disaster, as well as one of the five deadliest hurricanes, in the history of the United States. Among recorded Atlantic hurricanes, it was the sixth strongest overall...
, the Muses had at the tail end of their parade an empty float which evoked the riderless horse
Riderless horse
A riderless horse or caparisoned horse is a single horse, without a rider, and with boots reversed in the stirrups, which sometimes accompanies a funeral procession...
that follows the caisson carrying the casket
Casket
A casket, or jewelry box is a term for a container that is usually larger than a box, and smaller than a chest, and in the past was typically decorated...
in a funeral
Funeral
A funeral is a ceremony for celebrating, sanctifying, or remembering the life of a person who has died. Funerary customs comprise the complex of beliefs and practices used by a culture to remember the dead, from interment itself, to various monuments, prayers, and rituals undertaken in their honor...
procession. the final riderless float represented the mother of the Muses and the goddess of memory. Painted on the somber float were the words "We celebrate life, we mourn the past, we shall never forget."
Each year, in addition to their year-long philanthropic works, the Muses host a design contest for students in the area. The winner has his or her design turned into a throw cup.
Honorary Muses have included Brenda Marie Osbey
Brenda Marie Osbey
-Life:She graduated from Dillard University, Paul Valéry University, Montpellier III, and from the University of Kentucky, with an M.A.She has taught at the University of California at Los Angeles, Loyola University New Orleans, and at Dillard University. She was Visiting Writer-in-residence at...
, the Poet Laureate
Poet Laureate
A poet laureate is a poet officially appointed by a government and is often expected to compose poems for state occasions and other government events...
of the State of Louisiana and New Orleans-based jazz singer Charmaine Neville
Charmaine Neville
Charmaine Neville is a member of a famous New Orleans music family which includes the Neville Brothers. The daughter of Charles Neville, she is currently the leader and lead singer of the Charmaine Neville Band, a jazz/funk band based in New Orleans, Louisiana.Ms...
. Bands that have marched with the Muses' parade have included The Ninth Ward Marching Band and the Revolutionary Snake Ensemble
Revolutionary Snake Ensemble
The Revolutionary Snake Ensemble is an improvisational brass band based in the Boston area that specializes in playing New Orleans second line brass band music, as well as other modern improvised celebratory music. Led by saxophonist Ken Field, the group's colorful costumes and creative...
.
The Krewe of Muses has presented several award-winning displays.