| Named after | Nyx |
|---|---|
| Formation | 2011 |
| Type | All Female Krewe |
| Location | |
| Website | www |
The Mystic Krewe of Nyx is an all-female Krewe organization, based in New Orleans. Organized and founded by Julie Lea in 2011, the Nyx's first pageant, "NOLA Reality Reigns," was featured on the St. Charles Avenue Parade Route on February 15, 2012. The Mystic Krewe of Nyx is named after the Greek goddess of the night, Nyx ( /ˈnɪks/ ).
After Mardi Gras in 2011, founder and captain Julie Lea had an idea to start her own all-female Mardi Gras Krewe. On March 30, 2011, the Mystic Krewe of Nyx was incorporated with the State of Louisiana. She wanted the Krewe to parade for the 2012 season. The new Krewe had momentum, but they were running out of time as the City of New Orleans still had not approved their parade permit request as of October 1, 2011. However, a vote took place within the New Orleans City Council just in time.
On October 20, 2011, the New Orleans City Council voted 7–0 in favor of putting forth a motion (M-11-495 #78) for the all-female Krewe of Nyx to Parade in 2012. [1] One of the 'motions or resolutions not on the agenda', Resolution R11-498, was presented by Councilmembers Cynthia Hedge-Morrell, Eric Granderson, and Kristen Gisleson Palmer 'supporting the application of the Krewe of Nyx to roll in the 2012 Mardi Gras season and intending to add them to the parade schedule.' [2]
On November 3, 2011, the New Orleans City Council unanimously voted to allow the Mystic Krewe of Nyx to parade in New Orleans in 2012. (#41-CAL. No. 28,734). [3] This was the first new Mardi Gras Krewe created in over a decade.
In less than three months upon receiving the City Council's approval, the Mystic Krewe of Nyx paraded on the streets of New Orleans for the first time on February 15, 2012, with 534 riders.
In June 2020, krewe co-founder and captain Julie Lea used the phrase “All Lives Matter” in social media posts on behalf of the krewe and herself. [4] The comments prompted anger and protest from krewe members. Lea later apologized, stating that she was unaware of the phrase's implications. The 49 riding members of the krewe's Float 21 resigned in protest and called for Lea's resignation. [5]
In 2020 the krewe drew criticism for "liking" a comment on one of its posts that disdained the Black Lives Matter movement and advocated “white power”. Julie Lea attributed the action to an "apprentice" and apologized. [6]
On May 19, 2024 the New Orleans City Council voted unanimously to remove Nyx from the 2025 parade schedule. This action will prevent the krewe from receiving a permit to parade during the 2 weeks of Carnival. The action came after it was determined that the krewe had violated the City Ordinance by not having enough marching bands and having throws that had a card with a QR code advertising for membership. [7]
The Krewe of Nyx parades on the Wednesday night before Fat Tuesday on the traditional Uptown New Orleans parade route down St. Charles Avenue and Canal Street. They parade immediately following the Ancient Druids parade. They start on Jefferson Ave. and Magazine St. and end on Tchoupitoulas and Poydras Street. The Krewe of Nyx floats are designed and provided by PFJ Float Designers. On February 3, 2016, Nyx celebrated its 5th anniversary, and debuted its first signature float, a pink Nyx purse float.
The First signature float introduced in 2016. It holds up to 16 riders. Each Year the Krewe holds a raffle drawing to determine who will be riding on this float. In 2020 the spaces on this float were an additional $250 per rider It rolls directly behind the Captain's Lounge
In 2019 the Captain's Float, the Nyx Captain's Lounge float made its inaugural appearance. The double decked float holds the Captain and up to 28 riders. The main platform holds the Captain and her attendants. The float features three large LED martini glasses and a 24 cycle light show. The "Nyx Captain's Lounge" portion at the rear of the float features LED fiber optics and a 7-foot rear martini glass with a cycled light show. The float is 38.3 ft long x 11.4 feet wide x 15.7 feet tall.
Within three months of the City Council's approval, the Mystic Krewe of Nyx paraded on the streets of New Orleans for the first time.
In May, 2019 the Krewe of Nyx announced plans to partner with the New Orleans Recreation Department (NORD) to build two inclusive playgrounds. The playgrounds will be located in various areas of the city with the first planned for a location in Mid City along the Lafitte Greenway with an opening in January, 2020. The remaining two will be located in New Orleans East and Algiers thus spreading them across the city. Plans are being made to include equipment that will allow children of all abilities to have a safe place to play. [23]
A krewe is a social organization that stages parades and/or balls for the Carnival season. The term is best known for its association with Mardi Gras celebrations in New Orleans, but is also used in other Carnival celebrations throughout Louisiana and along the Gulf of Mexico, such as the Gasparilla Pirate Festival in Tampa, Florida, Springtime Tallahassee, and Krewe of Amalee in DeLand, Florida with the Mardi Gras on Mainstreet Parade as well as in La Crosse, Wisconsin and at the Saint Paul Winter Carnival.
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