The move from spectator to participant is a quantum leap. Yet each
Mardi Gras in New Orleans, thousands of people make that leap,
abandoning inhibition and reveling in the ever-growing creative
phenomenon of marching krewes.
To celebrate this untold story, I Wanna Do That! Celebrating the Magic
of Mardi Gras Marching Krewes, bursts with over 200 full color
photographs that document this important New Orleans-centered cultural
movement. As local arts critic Doug McCash says, "At this juncture,
marching krewes are one of the best art stories in the city."
Ok...so, what is a marching krewe?
Simply put, a marching krewe is a group of like-minded people who get
together for the purpose of marching in parades that take place during
the Carnival (Mardi Gras) season.
These krewes come in all shapes, sizes, and variations, yet they all
share the attributes of creativity, artistry, quirkiness, humor,
inclusiveness, and accessibility. Krewes are composed of people who
practice dance moves, sew costumes, and create "throws" to hand out to a
covetous public. People for whom participation is a badge of civic
identity. People who at one point stood on the curb and said "I wanna do
THAT!!"
Realizing that the marching krewe field has expanded exponentially, our
team knew it was a story that must be told. Two incredibly talented
local photographers worked tirelessly to document the creative energy of
the 2020 Mardi Gras season for this book, to tell and share the unique
story of the 300+ marching krewes in New Orleans. I Wanna Do That! is
perfect gift for anyone who loves New Orleans.
"'I Wanna Do That!: The Magic of Mardi Gras Marching Krewes' is a
must-have book for Carnival aficionados. Leafing through the 272-page
volume, illustrated with lusciously funky photos by Ryan Hodgson-Rigsbee
and Patrick Niddrie, seems especially precious these days, since the
coronavirus has put the kibosh on most upcoming Mardi Gras-season
events." - Doug MacCash, Staff Writer, The New Orleans Advocate
