Mermaids and Mayhem
One of Mardi Gras' greatest dance krewes got spooky for a good cause.
The Sirens of New Orleans, the iconic mermaid-themed dance krewe, celebrated its 16th anniversary season (or, as they like to emphasize, sea-son) on the parade route. The annual Mermaids and Mayhem Halloween party, the Sirens' signature annual party-fundraiser, served as a celebration of the group in the last months of preparation leading into the Mardi Gras season, while also accomplishing some great charity fundraising on the way.
While Mermaids and Mayhem was decidedly a Halloween event, the cooler weather and the dance-krewe hostesses give it the vibe of being the first foretaste of Carnival. Southport Hall is, of course, on the exact edge of that Oak Street neighborhood, which, as the site of the Midsummer Mardi Gras and the street car barn of the Phunny Phorty Phellows, seems to feel such celebrations with a precognition unmatched anywhere else in Louisiana.
"M&M is such a special event that allows the community to come together, party for a purpose, and raise money for incredible organizations like The Beignet Fest Foundation," in the words of Sirens' marketing director Maddi Terribile. The Sirens' chosen fundraising partner for this sea-son supports children on the autism spectrum and their families.
The Sirens have also been making waves on a very different front—the Siren Song Seltzer collaboration with Port Orleans Brewing, having been released only two weeks prior to Mermaids and Mayhem. Available on-tap for the party, the seltzer has notes of coconut and citrus, with a deep blue color. The piece is a limited-edition collaboration, but it still exists out there—like a pirate's treasure.
With the colder weather, Halloween is just the first leg on the winter social gauntlet that culminates with Mardi Gras. The Sirens have a packed schedule, appearing soon at the Scales and Ales fundraiser for the Audubon Aquarium, as well as the parade routes of Sparta, Alla, Morpheus, and Orpheus.
