SLICE OF MARDI GRAS
Historic New Orle
ans
Collection
KOP first ball invitation, 1962.
Krewe of Petronius
C E L E B R AT I N G
50
Y E A R S O F G AY C A R N I VA L / B Y H O W A R D S M I T H
“Nothing is falser than people’s preconceptions and readymade opinions; nothing is sillier than their sham morality.”
— Petronius Arbiter, The Satyricon
The Krewe of Petronius, the oldest active gay Carnival krewe, celebrates its
50th anniversary in 2011. Not only does this represent a major contribution to
the history of Carnival in New Orleans but also a milestone in gay history. Taking
their name from the chronicler of decadent Rome, Petronius Arbiter, the Krewe of
Petronius began a long line of gay krewes that celebrated the often hidden world
of gay themes and icons.
Formed in 1961, the Krewe of Petronius gave its first ball in 1962 at the
Rambler Room, a day school hall in Metairie off Veterans Boulevard. Many of
its members were also members of the Krewe of Yuga, which had formed several
years earlier. Following the debut ball of the Krewe of Petronius on Saturday,
February 17, 1962, the Krewe of Yuga held its 5th ball in the same hall the next
weekend.
Despite harsh laws against gays and lesbians, these early gay groups took up the
spirit of Carnival and parody and proceeded to celebrate Carnival with largerthan-life costume parties. A king and queen reigned at these presentations along
with a captain and ball lieutenant. Unfortunately, the Krewe of Yuga ball was
raided in 1962 by the Jefferson Parish police, and almost all the attendees were
arrested and thrown in jail, many in drag. This form of police harassment was
common in the early 1960s, and it was a risk even to attend a ball such as this,
especially when the laws forbidding costume and masking in public were still on
the books.
Carlos Rodriguez, the newly-crowned first queen of the Krewe of Petronius,
had attended the Krewe of Yuga ball and was arrested along with other members
during the raid. His name was only one among almost 100 duly printed in
the newspapers. Many members found that they no longer had jobs the next
morning. These arrests resulted in the immediate and complete demise of the
Krewe of Yuga.
Two important founding members of the Krewe of Petronius somehow escaped
the raid. Bill Wooley and Elmo Avet represented the future of gay Carnival
as well as an unflinching defiance coupled with an inexhaustible source of
creativity. Under their guidance, the Krewe of Petronius obtained a state charter
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Mardi
Gras
Guide
2011
Louisi
Historic New Orleans Collection
The Glorification of the American
Girl ball at the ILA Union Hall on
Claiborne Avenue, 1969.
M
a r d i
Gand
r a successfully
s G u i d e became
2 0 1 1incorporated
as
a legitimate Carnival group in 1966. In
addition, the krewe wisely changed its ball
format. They required all guests to come in
formal tuxedoes and gowns, strictly regulated
by invitation. Only the members of the
krewe would present their costumed tableau
on stage for the amusement of their guests,
which now included uptown ladies, as well
as mothers and sisters of the krewe members.
This strategy served them well, and thus a
custom was started that continues today.
During the ensuing 50 years, many diverse
and wonderful balls dotted the Carnival
landscape and helped define a unique gay
culture in New Orleans. Bill Wooley reigned
as queen for the 1965 “Wicked Bitches of
History” ball. In 1969 the crew presented
its 8th ball, entitled “The Glorification of
the American Girl” at the International
Longshoreman’s Association Hall on
Claiborne Avenue on the second Sunday
Krewe of Petronius
40th Anniversary
Ball,
2001; design by
Henri Schindler.
Louisiana State Museum
000
before Mardi Gras. This extravagant tour-de-force tableau solidified
the krewe’s place in the history of gay Carnival. Jamie Greenleaf
was the ball captain, and as legend has it, using the knowledge
gained from Elmo Avet and his experience working on the sets of
Hollywood movies, he steered the krewe into using film and theater
as inspiration, much like the old-line krewes had used pagan
mythologies and strange literatures.
The Ziegfeld Follies movie of 1929, Glorifying the American
Girl, was transformed into a daring fashion extravaganza. Lavish
costumes, worthy of the court of Louis XIV, graced the stage,
representing months of elaborate planning and hard work from the
krewe members, who created and paid for the costumes themselves.
Six blond showgirls in pink tights with huge pink feathery fans
formed a screen and parted way to reveal the costumes, each more
extravagant than the last. These showgirls were called “A Potpourri
of Plucked Plumage Perfection,” and the captain was dressed in a
“Beaded Extravaganza of Shimmering Boa.”
Bill Wooley stopped the show with his dazzling, solid gold lamé
costume spouting long curvy tendrils and gold discs, “The Golden
Vision.” Elmo Avet followed, covered from head to toe in flowers,
“A Floral Tribute to the Flower Child.” The returning king was
King Plumus of the Realm Biceptus (Millard Wilson) and his
returning queen was Queen Irrisistabus of the Realm Pootius and
Impedimenta (Clyde Webb). Both looked like they had stepped
off the set of Claudette Colbert’s Cleopatra. Other magnificent
costumes were the “Fluttering Fulfillment of the Magnificent
Moth of Desire,” “A Gushing Geyser of Gorgeous Glitter,” and “A
Lustrous Lavishness of Lemon Loveliness.”
At many gay balls, the entertainment always had to be served up
with a twist. A simple dance number could quite possibly become
an exercise in gender-bending politics. A famous ballroom dance
team was portrayed by Astaire and Rogers in the film, The Story
M
a r d i
G
r a s
G
u i d e
before Mardi Gras. This extravagant tour-de-force tableau solidified
the krewe’s place in the history of gay Carnival. Jamie Greenleaf
2011
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Historic New Orleans Collection
Attendees had to wear togas and food was thrown liberally onto
the floor. Originally held at the Sir Thomas Hall on Burgundy
Attendees had to wear togas and food was thrown liberally onto
Attendees had to wear togas and food was thrown liberally onto
Street, by the mid 1980s the feast was held at the Country Club in
the floor. Originally held at the Sir Thomas Hall on Burgundy
the floor. Originally held at the Sir Thomas Hall on Burgundy
Bywater.
Street, by the mid 1980s the feast was held at the Country Club in
Street, by the mid 1980s the feast was held at the Country Club in
Millard Wilson returned as ball captain for both the “Valentine”
Bywater.(1971) and the “Clowns” (1981) anniversary balls, which
Bywater.
Millard
Wilson
returned
as
ball
captain
for
both
the
“Valentine”
Millard Wilson returned as ball captain for both the “Valentine”
featured large posters designed by George Dureau and Charles
(1971) and
thelegendary
“Clowns”gay
(1981)
balls, Gay
which
(1971) and the “Clowns” (1981) anniversary balls, which
Kerbs,
artistsanniversary
of New Orleans.
krewes often
featuredcommissioned
large posters designed
by
George
Dureau
and
Charles
featured large posters designed by George Dureau and Charles
posters for their balls along with doubloons and
Kerbs, legendary
artists ofThey
Newtook
Orleans.
Gay very
krewes
often and their Kerbs, legendary gay artists of New Orleans. Gay krewes often
sometimesgay
necklaces.
their balls
seriously
commissioned
posters
for
their
balls
along
with
doubloons
and of
commissioned posters for their balls along with doubloons and
ambition continued to grow in proportion to the creativity
sometimes
necklaces.
They
took
their
balls
very
seriously
and
their
sometimes necklaces. They took their balls very seriously and their
their membership and, of course, the desire to outdo their sister
ambition
continued
to grow
proportion
to1980s
the creativity
ambition continued to grow in proportion to the creativity of
krewes.
For many,
the in
balls
in the mid
were theofheight of
their membership
and,
ofacourse,
desire to
outdo
their sister
gay Carnival
with
burst ofthe
creativity
that
continued
to amaze and their membership and, of course, the desire to outdo their sister
krewes. dazzle
For many,
balls
in the mid
1980s
werewere
the height
of
their the
eager
audiences.
Twelve
krewes
active during
that krewes. For many, the balls in the mid 1980s were the height of
gay Carnival
withalla but
burst
ofgave
creativity
that continued
to amaze
time and
one
breathtaking
balls: Cerci,
David,and
Apollo, gay Carnival with a burst of creativity that continued to amaze and
Armeinius,
Lords of Leather,
Amon-Ra,
dazzle their
eager audiences.
Twelve Ishtar,
krewesPolyphemus,
were active during
that
dazzle their eager audiences. Twelve krewes were active during that
Perseus,
Petronius.
time andCelestial
all but Knights,
one gave Olympus,
breathtaking
balls:and
Cerci,
David, Apollo,
time and all but one gave breathtaking balls: Cerci, David, Apollo,
this point,
the Krewe
of Polyphemus,
Petronius could
look back with
Armeinius,AtLords
of Leather,
Ishtar,
Amon-Ra,
Armeinius, Lords of Leather, Ishtar, Polyphemus, Amon-Ra,
satisfaction,
for all and
roadsPetronius.
led back to the grande dame Celestial Knights, Olympus, Perseus, and Petronius.
Celestialwell-earned
Knights, Olympus,
Perseus,
who
had the
spawned soofmany
illustrious children.
However,
Atof this
point,
Petronius
look back
with AIDS
At this point, the Krewe of Petronius could look back with
Vernon
and IreneKrewe
Castle. This
was thecould
inspiration
for a dance
would
begin
to
decimate
the
ranks
of
the
gay
krewes,
and
by
well-earned
satisfaction,
for “The
all roads
led and
backThen
to the
grande
dame
well-earned satisfaction, for all roads led back to the grande dame
number in
the ball called
Castles
Some.”
A man
late 1980s,
gay Carnival
faced
certain However,
extinction.AIDS
Only a few who had spawned so many illustrious children. However, AIDS
whoand
hadthe
spawned
so
many
illustrious
children.
a woman were dancing across the stage. Midway through
krewestowould
weather
thisatpandemic.
would
decimate
the ranks
of theclothes
gayParticularly
krewes,
andhard
by hit was
would begin to decimate the ranks of the gay krewes, and by
the begin
number,
they
both
tugged
their
and instantly
the
Krewe
of
Petronius,
which
continued
to
lose
its
members
the transformed
late 1980s, gay
Carnival
faced
the late 1980s, gay Carnival faced certain extinction. Only a few
themselves
into
theircertain
genderextinction.
opposite. Only a few at
anCarnival
alarming
rate.
Butpandemic.
a renaissance
camepersonalities,
along
with
arrival of krewes would weather this pandemic. Particularly hard hit was
group
was
immune
toParticularly
strong
power
krewesNo
would
weather
this
hard
hit the
was
Mickey
Gil. HisGay
exuberance
andno
creative
would
reinvigorate
and
rivalries.
krewes
were
exception.
Krewe
the plays,
Krewe
of Petronius,
which
continued
to losestyle
its The
members
atof
the Krewe of Petronius, which continued to lose its members at
the
krewe
and
bring
it
back
from
the
brink
of
oblivion.
In
Amon-Rarate.
was born
1966 with came
formeralong
members
thearrival
Kreweof1987
of
an alarming
But ainrenaissance
withofthe
an alarming rate. But a renaissance came along with the arrival of
he became
ball Jamie
captain
in perpetuity
and
hisfrom
“ThetheDiva
in Me”
Petronius.
In 1970,
Greenleaf
broke
away
Krewe
Mickey
Gil. His
exuberance
and creative
style
would
reinvigorate
Mickey Gil. His exuberance and creative style would reinvigorate
ball was and
a return
to grandeur.
His
tongue-in-cheek
themes,
often
of
Petronius
formed
the
Krewe
of
Olympus.
His
first
ball
in
the krewe and bring it back from the brink of oblivion. In 1987
the krewe and bring it back from the brink of oblivion. In 1987
and
witty,
were aCivic
welcome return
to frivolity and
1971self-referential
was
held
in the
Saint
Bernard
he became
ball
captain
in
perpetuity
and hisCenter
“The Auditorium.
Diva in Me”
he became ball captain in perpetuity and his “The Diva in Me”
whimsy
in the
face of such catastrophic
of the
venues were loss.
now “Petronius
willing to Gets
ballVery
was few
a return
toonce-welcoming
grandeur. His tongue-in-cheek
themes,
often
ball was a return to grandeur. His tongue-in-cheek themes, often
(1990)soand
“Petronius
Punctures
Pomposity”
(1994) were
rent Culcha”
to gay krewes,
other
places had
to be found
that not only
self-referential and witty, were a welcome return to frivolity and
self-referential and witty, were a welcome return to frivolity and
successfulthe
balls
in the guest
1990s.
The
he relinquished
couldhighly
accommodate
growing
list,
butonly
alsotime
preserve
the
whimsy in the face of such catastrophic loss. “Petronius Gets
whimsy in the face of such catastrophic loss. “Petronius Gets
his roleofaskrewe
captain
extraordinaire
was to
the Grand Queen
anonymity
members.
Thus began
thebecome
long-running
Culcha” (1990) and “Petronius Punctures Pomposity” (1994) were
Culcha” (1990) and “Petronius Punctures Pomposity” (1994) were
of Petronius
in 1993
withinthe
of Jamie
Greenleaf
as his
tradition
of holding
gay balls
thereturn
outlands
of Chalmette,
which
highly
successful
balls
in
the
1990s.
The
only
time
he
relinquished
highly successful balls in the 1990s. The only time he relinquished
Formore
the 40th
ball (2001),
“Color
gavecaptain.
the krewes
roomanniversary
for their tableau
and seating
for Me Red,”
his role
as
captain
extraordinaire
was
to
become
the
Grand
Queen
hundreds
of enlisted
guests. Special
guests
at elegant
overflowing
Mickey
designer
andsat
author
Henritables
Schindler
to create the his role as captain extraordinaire was to become the Grand Queen
of Petronius
1993
with
theThe
of
Greenleaf
as his
of Petronius in 1993 with the return of Jamie Greenleaf as his
withkrewe’s
foodin
and
drink
set up
inreturn
front
of Jamie
theprominently
stage.
Costumed
krewe
annual
poster.
artwork
featured
Elmo
captain.
For
the
40th
anniversary
ball
(2001),
“Color
Me
Red,”
members
could then
come
down
fromofthe
stageSeveral
and engage
Avet dressed
as his
idol,right
Mary,
Queen
Scots.
years later captain. For the 40th anniversary ball (2001), “Color Me Red,”
Mickey
enlisted
designer
and
author
Henri
Schindler
to
create
theKrewe Mickey enlisted designer and author Henri Schindler to create the
theirGil
audience.
tables
were
the ball for
dancing.
himselfThe
broke
from
thecleared
Kreweafter
of Petronius
to form
the
krewe’s
annual
poster.Sadly,
Thea artwork
prominently
featured
Elmoand
krewe’s annual poster. The artwork prominently featured Elmo
What
once
looked
like
dismal
situation
been
overcome
of
Satyricon.
he
passed
away inhad
2010.
into
a
golden
opportunity.
Avetturned
dressed
as
his
idol,
Mary,
Queen
of
Scots.
Several
years
later
The fabulous Krewe of Petronius, despite the bumps and detours Avet dressed as his idol, Mary, Queen of Scots. Several years later
Inalong
1976,
after
thecontinues
15th
anniversary
ball,50
Billyears
Wooley
splitKrewe
off behind Gil himself broke from the Krewe of Petronius to form the Krewe
Gil himself
broke
from
the Krewe
of Petronius
to
form
the
the
way,
today
with
of brilliance
and
formed
the
Mystic
Krewe
of
Celestial
Knights,
composed
of Satyricon.
Sadly,
he passed
away
2010. and gold awaits.
of Satyricon. Sadly, he passed away in 2010.
her. Only
a future
paved
withinsequins
mainly
of window
and dancers.
Histhe
firstbumps
ball inand
1977,
The
fabulous
Krewedressers
of Petronius,
despite
detours
The fabulous Krewe of Petronius, despite the bumps and detours
entitled
“Heavenly
Bodies,”
to steal
from the
aging
along
the way,
continues
todaysought
with 50
yearsthe
of fire
brilliance
behind
along the way, continues today with 50 years of brilliance behind
But thepaved
Queen
of Petronius
would
notawaits.
be outshone by
her.dowager.
Only a future
with
sequins and
gold
her. Only a future paved with sequins and gold awaits.
her children. In her “Fantaisie de la Mer” ball, the queen’s costume
at the end of the ball revealed her in a gloriously sequined octopus
gown with tentacles spreading out to cover the entire stage. She
had, for the moment, retained her luster.
In 1970, the Krewe of Petronius began the tradition of holding
a fall fundraiser like none other. The Satyricon was a party of
feasting and entertaining that recalled the excesses of ancient Rome.
KOP Fantasie de la Mer ball, 1977;
design by Charles Kerbs
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