I Wanna Do That!

$40.00

I Wanna Do That!: The Magic of Mardi Gras Marching Krewes

Each year, thousands of people in New Orleans make the leap from spectator to participant, joining the city’s vibrant Mardi Gras marching krewes. I Wanna Do That! Celebrating the Magic of Mardi Gras Marching Krewes captures this ever-growing phenomenon with over 200 stunning photographs that showcase the artistry, energy, and joy of these unique groups. Marching krewes bring together people who choreograph routines, craft elaborate costumes, and create coveted “throws” to share with paradegoers. Whether quirky, extravagant, or heartfelt, each krewe is a celebration of creativity and community. With photography by Ryan Hodgson-Rigsbee and Patrick Niddrie, this book documents the magic of over 300 marching krewes and the people who make Mardi Gras unforgettable. Perfect for Carnival lovers and New Orleans enthusiasts alike, I Wanna Do That! is a tribute to the city’s most dynamic grassroots tradition.

I Wanna Do That!: The Magic of Mardi Gras Marching Krewes

Each year, thousands of people in New Orleans make the leap from spectator to participant, joining the city’s vibrant Mardi Gras marching krewes. I Wanna Do That! Celebrating the Magic of Mardi Gras Marching Krewes captures this ever-growing phenomenon with over 200 stunning photographs that showcase the artistry, energy, and joy of these unique groups. Marching krewes bring together people who choreograph routines, craft elaborate costumes, and create coveted “throws” to share with paradegoers. Whether quirky, extravagant, or heartfelt, each krewe is a celebration of creativity and community. With photography by Ryan Hodgson-Rigsbee and Patrick Niddrie, this book documents the magic of over 300 marching krewes and the people who make Mardi Gras unforgettable. Perfect for Carnival lovers and New Orleans enthusiasts alike, I Wanna Do That! is a tribute to the city’s most dynamic grassroots tradition.

  • Hardcover, 9.25x11, 3.5lbs, 272 pages

  • 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

    About the Author
    This Yankee child has found home and heart in the wide bayous, smoky clubs and parade routes of New Orleans.  Since the 1970s Echo Olander has been exploring the intricate layers of New Orleans culture and working to build creative capacity in the city.  Her current interest is the fertile place where self and community find vibrant connection.