I began taking dance lessons when I was five years old, and continued doing so until I graduated from high school. I took ballet, tap, and jazz at a small town dance studio. Tap was my favorite of the styles, and I felt like I could communicate a sort of secret language by making rhythms with my feet. Recital time every year was like a second Christmas to me that never lost its excitement. I loved being on stage and losing all sight of what others thought about me (meanwhile in the audience, the other moms were telling mine how much “heart” I had).
Being away from dance after high school really made me miss it; in college, I took three semesters of hip-hop and it was admittedly my favorite class throughout the entire four years. I was deemed by the instructor as the one with attitude to make up for skills, but I had a blast. (Does “knows how to twerk” count as a resume qualification?)
After college graduation, I was really concerned about losing my social outlets and hobbies. I babysat for one of my professors fairly often, and she invited me to a cookout at her house over a holiday weekend. She and I were talking about the uncertainty of post-grad life, and she mentioned how much she loves being involved in a Mardi Gras dance troupe. (New Orleans has several, all with competing provocative plays on words as group names.) I told her a little about my previous experiences with dance, and she pointed me in the direction of the Organ Grinders.
I sent an email to the organization and was invited to “interview” a few days later. I came way too overdressed. This interview was actually dance practice, I jumped right into a routine everyone had already learned, and I had no clue what I was doing. I joined right then and there.
The Organ Grinders are a group of sexy monkeys (complete with monkey ears, tails, and fezzes) comprised of strong women of all ages, backgrounds, career paths, and experience levels who have a common love for dancing and having a good time. We dance in multiple Mardi Gras parades, but we also can be seen in parades throughout the year from Halloween to Gay Pride to Christmas. We participate in philanthropic events throughout the year, from working with the local SPCA to hosting a blood drive. We have our own DJs who manage the music selections throughout the routes on our float. We even get to enlist our significant others, friends, and family members alike as our security and support personnel, and they are affectionately called “Monkey Spankers.”
Performing in parades is an incredible and exhilarating experience, and it feels different to everyone. When I parade, I get that recital season feeling that I would have as a child. Being in costume and turning crowds of spectators into our audience for a short moment between floats is something special and unique to this city. I feel infinitely lucky to be a part of such a well-recognized and all around cool group of dancers, and I'm happy that I have been fortunate enough to carry dance into my adult life.
