Trio of Nyx spinoff krewes roll with established krewes, focus on social justice

The Mystic Krewe of Nyx parade grew quickly after its first parade in 2012, but its collapse was even quicker. The women’s krewe continues to parade on the Wednesday before Mardi Gras, though its 2022 parade was significantly smaller. Many Nyx members exited the krewe in summer 2020 over a controversial social media posts by krewe Captain Julie Lea as the Black Lives Matter movement was surging nationwide. At that time, some members cited other complaints about Lea’s leadership, and a class-action lawsuit was filed. If you looked closely at the Saturday (Feb.

Former Nyx members file class action against the krewe and its captain

On what would have been Nyx Wednesday, five former members of the Mystic Krewe of Nyx instead petitioned for a class action against the krewe, its captain Julie Lea, her husband Chris Lea and related organizations. The lawsuit seeks a class action certification for all former and current Nyx members since 2016 who suffered economic damages in connection with the krewe, whose signature throw is glittery purse. The krewe has boasted of having more than 3,000 members. The complaint describes Lea’s financial dealings on behalf of the all-female superkrewe, alleging, for example, that she forced members to pay for tips and other expenses in cash and apparently pocketed the money. It details credit card charges uncovered by Fox 8’s Lee Zurik and states the krewe paid for a New Orleans pied-à-terre for the Leas, who live on the north shore.

Mayor Cantrell denies Nyx a summer parade

from the City of New Orleans 

The Krewe of Nyx proposed a second parade for the summer, but Mayor LaToya Cantrell denied the request, as it would mean using major public safety resources during hurricane season. Cantrell issued the following statement regarding the proposal:

“While I have the utmost respect for what Nyx has achieved as an all-women’s Carnival krewe — and I applaud them for their commitment to our children and our community — unfortunately I cannot support the addition of a summer parade,” Cantrell said. “Their proposed second parade places demands on our public safety resources in the middle of hurricane season, and it is not something our NOPD leadership is comfortable with. Their request has been denied, and the event will not proceed.”

The Krewe of Nyx rides through Uptown every Mardi Gras season on the Wednesday before Fat Tuesday.

Rolling tonight: Ancient Druids, Mystic Krewe of Nyx

The final week of the Carnival season opens with the Ancient Druids, a highly secretive all-male krewe that presents a parade with old-line elegance, and the Krewe of Nyx, an exuberant all-female krewe that has grown exponentially to become the newest superkrewe. The two krewes are known for taking jabs at each other with their floats. The parades follow the same route, starting on Jefferson and Magazine and turning on Napoleon before rolling on St. Charles Avenue into the CBD. See the route map below.