Haute Bienfaiteurs!

 As Shakespeare said, we are wise enough to play the fool but did ol’ Willy know that we’re wiser still to eschew monarchs and royalty? Dynastic control and power in the hands of one (or a few!) is utterly boring. We don’t require validation from the moneyhoarders or wannabe aristocracy. Your steak ain't no hipper than our pork chop, your Cadillac ain’t no hipper than our bus stop… We choose to celebrate and lift up the underrepresented and misunderstood. (Christy Brown ain’t the only clown around town…) Our power comes from within. We won’t kneel down, not on the ground. The only “royalty” we respect are those who’ve put in the work and built this beautiful spectacle of community with us! WE are enough.

To that end, we recite for you a rhapsody, tell a tale, and sing a song of our quartet of Haute Bienfaiteurs!

Angelina Boudreaux is a hardworking, curious soul with a bohemian spirit, deeply appreciative of all things culture and dedicated to building a bright future for New Orleans through her work as an educator. She is committed to meeting learners where they are, whether helping them earn their GED’s, helping folks become fluent in English, or helping people unlock new opportunities in meeting their educational goals.

 

She and her husband contribute to the food culture of New Orleans through their unique pop-ups throughout the city. Angie brings people together from all walks of life to experience everything New Orleans has to offer: community, food, and family and she embodies all it means to be a Goddess. We are proud to call her one of our own and are elated to bestow this honor upon her! 

 

“The culture of New Orleans, to me, is all about appreciation and adaptability. It’s a place where you learn to embrace the city’s unique traditions while also being open to the ever-changing rhythms and energy that make it so special.”

Gina Pea is one of one! Gina nurtures life in all its forms and centers interpersonal connection that is rooted in compassion and the radical idea that everyone should be safe and free. If she’s not creating a stunning costume or nourishing you with food and drink, Gina is likely tending to the Algiers Behrman Community Garden. It was here she dreamt up the project that would become the Algiers Point Pollinators, a program that not only builds community and connection among neighbors but also provides bugs and plants with more space for pollination. Gina makes our world better for all living things.

Photo credit: @rhrphotography

Peggy Welsh is a dedicated friend and Krewe member; she truly has the skills to pay the bills. She has been our treasurer for all of Flora and Fauna’s existence, even on years she does not roll. She is trustworthy, capable, and supportive, and we are so lucky to have her as a member. She gets things done without fuss and never seeks glory, but we are glad we can acknowledge her today! She worked in education and is now a superstar lawyer and a fantastic auntie to all her nieces and nephews She always makes time for her friends and shows up for the occasion and has stuck with us through it all. She is a true unsung hero of the Krewe, and we are here to sing her praises. We could not parade without her–thank you Peggy!

“Parading is about sharing joy with our krewe, friends, and strangers. It’s a magical connection with the costumes, the music, the city, and the people.”

Marita Woywod Crandle has always had a fancy for the magical side of life, making New Orleans, with its very creative atmosphere, a perfect match for this German transplant. Once she stepped foot in the French Quarter, her life changed, and she was drawn immediately to New Orleans, where she quickly became ingrained in the city. She has written books on vampires and New Orleans legends,  visited clandestine localities, and impacted New Orleans vampire lore and legend with her accomplishments, old and new. Marita is married to Steven Crandle of New Orleans, and together they run the Boutique du Vampyre, a private vampire speakeasy - Potions, The New Orleans Vampire Café and The Apothecary. She has a passion for animals and has rescued over 650 dogs since she has moved to the French Quarter and has placed them all in fairytale homes. Marita embodies each of the pillars of The Legendary Order of the Casket Girls: self-expression, self-development, community service and paying homage to New Orleans history and legends.

“It’s fascinating how many rich legends stem from our little spooky and magical neighborhood. It’s so much fun keeping them alive.”

ABOUT LES FOUS DU CARNAVAL

Les Fous du Carnaval is a community of like-minded krewes with shared ideals consisting of the krewes of Flora & Fauna, Krewe of Goddesses, Krewe of Hellarious Wingnuts, The Legendary Order of the Casket Girls, Shimmy Shakti Belly Dance Goddesses, Mystical Krewe of Aziza, and Bywater Crazy Cat Ladies & Gents. We organized in 2021 and launched our first parade in 2022. We are not bound by a single captain—each inner krewe has equal input and a safe space to shape our future. We are iconoclastic and inclusive and strive to represent the true diversity of our city within our membership except for the local “nobility” who, in the true spirit of the origins of Mardi Gras, can all get bent and keep Carnival equitable, accessible, and affordable for all. We are lovers, not fighters. We bow down to no ruler. We are Carnival of and for the masses. 

ABOUT KREWE OF GODDESSES

Krewe of Goddesses is a social aid & pleasure club that works towards the empowerment of the female identity, body positivity and sex positivity through outreach and activism in our community. Founded in 2011, the mission of the Krewe of Goddesses is to create a safe space where all members feel valued and have the support and encouragement to be their creative and authentic selves. We acknowledge that we have continual work to do in order to be strong allies as we strive to be truly anti-racist and anti-sexist and fight for a just society. Our roots lie in taking back our sexuality and bodies from a culture that is often more fearful of sexuality than violence. We work to change that perception and have a lot of fun along the way. Our krewe is woman-centric, but we have grown to include not only women but also men and trans persons from all class, religious and diverse backgrounds. We believe in the Universal Whole and respect those who are multi-sexual and all that are in touch with the Divine Feminine and Divine Masculine.

ABOUT KREWE OF HELLARIOUS WINGNUTS

The Krewe of Hellarious Wingnuts is a small, clandestine walking club that honors the city of New Orleans each year by satirizing those who perpetuate and benefit from its gross incompetence.

ABOUT FLORA & FAUNA

Flora and Fauna brings a resplendent biome, honoring the beasts and beauty of nature through carnival magic. From the icy tundra to the steamy jungle, our krewe embraces individual expression of animal and plant spirits, joining together to revel in the wild streets of New Orleans. Flora and Fauna was formed in 2018, evolving from the Krewe of Muumuu and Krewe du Krakatoa. After deep soul searching, a choice was made to abandon the colonizer glorification of Polynesian culture and instead glorify the beauty of the natural world.

ABOUT THE LEGENDARY ORDER OF THE CASKET GIRLS

The Order was created in the summer of 2023. The original members, otherwise known as The High Council, consist of six women dedicated to The Order's mission. The Legendary Order of the Casket Girls' mission is to create a structured environment of support, empowerment, inclusion, and transparency to promote the inherent worth and value of all individuals. The Order's pillars of empowerment are self-expression, self-development, community service, and paying homage to New Orleans history and legends.

ABOUT SHIMMY SHAKTI BELLY DANCE GODDESSES

Shimmy Shakti Troupe is a MENAHT (Middle Eastern, North African, Hellenic, and Turkish)/belly dance troupe that has been performing in New Orleans since 2011 as part of Belly Dance Goddess Hour. In 2017, Shimmy Shakti debuted as a New Orleans Dance Krewe for Gay Pride Parade, also joining Krewe of Goddesses in Southern Decadence in 2024. This year, in 2025, Shimmy Shakti officially joins Les Fous du Carnaval as SHIMMY SHAKTI BELLY DANCE GODDESSES KREWE.

SHAKTI symbolises the feminine principle, the activating power and energy. We believe in the healing power of the arts. Our mission is to create a vibrant community where dance and movement are celebrated and accessible to all. We aim to create a community that radiates love, kindness, joy, and appreciates cultural exchange while inspiring self-discovery, connection, and personal growth. We recognize that diversity and inclusivity enrich our community, and we welcome individuals with open arms, ready to embrace their unique perspectives and experiences.

ABOUT THE MYSTICAL KREWE OF AZIZA

The Mystical Krewe of Aziza is a magical group of African fairies on a mission to spread joy and magic during Mardi Gras and beyond.

ABOUT BYWATER CRAZY CAT LADIES & GENTS

The Bywater Crazy Cat Ladies and Gents started as a bi-annual barcrawl in 2022. This is their first parade as a Krewe.

PICS, PICS, PICS!!

Les Fous du Carnaval Parade Photos 2022-24 - Please credit @rhrphotography