Gambit's Noah Bonaparte Pais has been blogging the transcripts of his investigation into the Mardi Gras tradition, the Baby Dolls. Today he posted the recollections of Antoinette K-Doe, who was a central figure in the revitalization of the practice. In the interview, she tells the story of last year's Mardi Gras heart attack:
Last year for Mardi Gras, I did not do it because I took a heart attack Mardi Gras Day. When I was getting dressed to go in the yard with my Baby Dolls, that’s when I told the girl that was on my bar, Jeannie — she was dressed as a Baby Doll — I said, “Jeannie, I believe I’ve taken a heart attack.” She said, “No, girl, you’re not.” I said, “Don’t tell me. Keep my bar open and call me an ambulance.” I had a nurse that knew me. I had her call back and tell Jeannie to keep my bar open, but tell any lie you wanted to tell. I didn’t want people to know I was in the hospital. I’m in the hospital with my Baby Doll clothes on. I tell the doctor, “I have to go home and get ready with the Indians and the Skeletons, because I need to go out with my Baby Dolls.” He said, “Young lady, you’re not going out. You’re going to surgery.”
Showing posts with label Antoinette K-Doe. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Antoinette K-Doe. Show all posts
Wednesday, February 25, 2009
Something Not to Do
Antoinette K-Doe passed away Monday night of a heart attack after finishing her shift at the Mother-in-Law Lounge. Word traveled quickly the next morning as people got ready for Mardi Gras, though WWL-TV couldn't even include it in the news crawl beneath the happy chatter of morning television.
The downside of dying on Lundi Gras is that you don't get the dignified treatment you want (or that I want, anyway). I went to the Mother-in-Law and there were no flowers because there are no florists open on Mardi Gras. Many of the people drinking on her patio had no idea who Antoinette was or that she'd died. Two guys tried to figure out "the song that goes, 'My big chief likes to party down.'" Others were there to pay their respects (some in a slightly theatrical manner) while her best friends ran around trying to find the toilet tissue and keep the bar open.
My recent tribute to Antoinette, who really was a beautiful person.
The downside of dying on Lundi Gras is that you don't get the dignified treatment you want (or that I want, anyway). I went to the Mother-in-Law and there were no flowers because there are no florists open on Mardi Gras. Many of the people drinking on her patio had no idea who Antoinette was or that she'd died. Two guys tried to figure out "the song that goes, 'My big chief likes to party down.'" Others were there to pay their respects (some in a slightly theatrical manner) while her best friends ran around trying to find the toilet tissue and keep the bar open.
My recent tribute to Antoinette, who really was a beautiful person.
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