Staci Rosenberg liked to tell the story about that night during th 1999 Carnival season when she stood on the St. Charles neutral ground watching the parade of the Krewe of Druids and hoping to see one of her fellow workers, wearing a mask, pass by. As she watched, Rosenberg, who grew up near Pittsburgh, became enthralled with the idea of staging a parade. There have been all-female krewes before but, in her mind, not enough. Maybe she, who had no parade organizational experience, could start another one. That night she called friends to ask that if she started a krewe would they ride in the parade. All said yes.
Her course was set. In 2000, she founded the Krewe of Muses, cleverly named after the Greek goddesses whose names were given to some of the city’s Uptown streets.
In 2001, the new krewe made its first appearance. Its coming was well heralded. While other female krewes had traditionally paraded on weekend days, Muses would be the first female krewe to parade along the prime St. Charles Avenue route at night. There would be big floats with satirical themes. There was even a special throw, not a Zulu type coconut, but a decorated women’s high heel shoe, prepared by the members themselves.
While the floats were interesting, most popular were what was between them, newly formed women’s walking groups, many with playful sexual double-entendre names.
Parading the Thursday night before Mardi Gras (on the same night as the krewes of Babylon and Chaos), Muses has become one of the most popular krewes in Carnival, drawing Super Krewe sized crowds.
For all these years, Rosenberg has served as the group’s Captain, a role that is critical to the mechanics of how Carnival works. A former Rex Captain once told me that he felt fortunate to have one of the most important “public service jobs” in the city. “Public Service?” I hadn’t thought about it that way, but captains create events that draw crowds to our streets – helping the businesses along the way. And for the spectators, it is all free.
Now there is a change. Last week Rosenberg sent a message to her fellow Muses announcing her resignation.
Dear Muses, she wrote:
“When I started our Krewe in 2000, I could never have imagined what it has become today. I am so proud of the many firsts we created, including being the first women’s krewe to parade at night. Being your captain has been the honor of my life, and it is now time for a change.”
She never gave a reason why, but few Captains of any krewe have ever lasted as long as as 26 years.
In her message Rosenberg also announced that, “Dionne Randolph, who has handled bands and marching groups and so many other things from the beginning, has taken over as Captain… Dionne is doing an amazing job, and I can’t wait for the next chapter. I love you all and thank you for everything.”
Rosenberg steps aside as being on of the most important leaders in the city’s Carnival hisory. Muses created new excitement and opportunities. During the years since Muses was found the Krewe of Iris, which was founded in 1917 has taken on new life and energy. In terms of riders, Iris is now the largest parade in Carnival. Some of that excitement, I suspect, was inspired by Muses. The krewe also inspired some of the all-female walking groups which are fun to watch and relatively inexpensive to partiipate in.
In a follow-up to Rosenberg’s message, new Captain Dionne Randoph wrote;
“What an incredible honor! Twenty-six years ago, when I was invited to a meeting at Staci’s house to discuss the idea of starting an all-women’s Mardi Gras krewe, I never imagined that it would lead to this opportunity.
With immense excitement, I look forward to continuing to uphold our cherished traditions, create new ones, and craft unforgettable memories. “
Her closing sentence would only make sense in New Orleans:
“Here’s to glitter and high heels.👠”
Because of a gal from Pittsburgh watching a parade who wondered what was possible, women are now more a part of Carnival than ever.
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To contact Errol, email elabordenola@gmail.com!
BOOK ANNOUNCEMENTS: Errol’s Laborde’s new book, “When Rex Met Zulu: And Other Chronicles of the New Orleans Experience,” (Pelican Publishing Company, 2024) is now available at local bookstores and websites.
Laborde’s other recent publications: “New Orleans: The First 300 Years” and “Mardi Gras: Chronicles of the New Orleans Carnival” (Pelican Publishing Company, 2017 and 2013), are available at the same locations.
