Dames de Perlage: Dame Fine Second Line 2024
Krewe members posing on Chartres Street with founders and “Grand Dames” Christine Clouatre and Julie Lodato near center (Julie is standing with red top and third eye, Christine is kneeling with keyboard headdress).
February 2024On Lundi Gras, FQJ went behind the scenes in a historic French Quarter hideaway to hang with dozens of Dames dressing for their annual day-long jaunt through the neighborhood. Each member of this 11-year-old krewe spends hundreds of hours throughout the year, designing, then intricately beading their costumes and more hours in philanthropic work.
The theme for the krewe’s beadwork this year was “Southern Nights,” things we love to do in Louisiana from dusk ‘til dawn. While it takes commitment to be a Dame, the Carnival season payoff in fun makes the work worthwhile.
- photos by Ellis Anderson
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This feature is made possible by Calli Weirick, Financial Services Professional, New York Life
This year’s theme was “Southern Nights,” after a 1975 album by Allen Toussaint
This year’s theme was “Southern Nights,” after a 1975 album by Allen Toussaint
Almost ready for the Dame Fine Second Line. Krewe founders and “Grand Dames” Christine Clouatre is third from left with keyboard headdress, Julie Lodato second from right with third eye headdress.
A beaded pickle accompanies the hamburger prop
More extraordinary beadwork:
At the end of the day, the krewe wound up at Harry’s Corner Bar, where it began the 2024 Dame Fine Second Line through the French Quarter.
A patch on one of the costumes speaks volumes.
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