Every Mardi Gras parade has its own flair, but there’s only one with lots of ladies, shoes and glitter — the Krewe of Muses. The all-female organization is known for its community involvement and spectacular throws.
According to Muses krewe member Eleanor Baugnies, beginning in 2000 and first rolling in 2001, the Muses organization now has more than 1,000 riding members and was the first krewe to parade at night in Uptown New Orleans made up of women. Muses is so popular, it can no longer accept members due to a lack of space.
One major factor that sets Muses apart from other organizations is its all-female membership. Traditionally, men make up the majority of krewes, and when women first tried to organize their own groups, they were met with opposition. Muses now stands as a huge showcase of creative, powerful women, Baugnies said.
“There are a lot of women with a lot of connections in the krewe, and I think it just caught on in the network of professional women, and we have close to 1,000 members now,” said Nicole Dufour, a Muses krewe member since 2005.
Muses is also recognized as one of the more philanthropic organizations among the krewes. Baugnies said members spend the year working on community involvement and projects around New Orleans. Focusing on local art, Muses often pairs with local artists and residents in rehabilitative facilities to decorate the floats and headdresses worn by the riders. Also, area children participate in a cup design contest each year with the winning student’s school receiving $1,000 toward its arts program.
“Beyond being a parade, it’s a community outreach,” Baugnies said. “We’re very involved in the city and what the city needs.”
In the spirit of Mardi Gras and New Orleans revelry, Muses has partnered with NOLA Brewing to create NOLA Muses beer. It’s a seasonal beer only available on draft, and some of the proceeds will go to the Muses Foundation. In 2015, the Krewe of Muses will focus its support on the non-profit organization Women With A Vision.
“Another thing that distinguishes Muses is the quality of the throws for the parade,” Dufour said. “Traditionally you just give beads and doubloons, but we have the shoes and very high end beads.”
Muses shoes are the trademark, coveted item associated with the parade. Each riding member is allowed to decorate thrifted shoes with feathers, bows and copious amounts of glitter. Similar to the coconuts thrown at Zulu, these shoes are much desired by parade attendees. It’s a way for the women and their non-member friends to come together, relax and unwind with a little crafting. In the past, the shoes have been auctioned off at various charity events.
A large aspect of the krewe that makes it so special is the bond the women create in the krewe and the passion they all have for what they do. Baugnies and Dufour said it’s one of their favorite things to do all year. They spend weeks preparing the shoes and getting set to ride.
“The girls who ride in it, over the years we become friends, and there’s a bond we make as riders and friends, and that’s one of the most important things to me,” Baugnies said. “This is honestly one of the best things I’ve ever done in my life.”
Both women claim the rush one gets when riding a parade is indescribable. The krewe makes sure the prestige of catching a shoe or one of the other special throws remains by being selective with who they throw to.
“It’s a wonderful parade. Everyone’s got to see it at least once in their lives because it’s very special,” Dufour said. “Nobody goes to see Muses just once, because once you go, you’re hooked.”
The Krewe of Muses rolls Feb. 12 at 6:30 p.m. It will start at Magazine and Jefferson and will roll down Magazine to Napoleon.
You can reach Sadie McDade on Twitter @sadiemcdade.

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Eleanor Baugnies