We all know that Mardi Gras in New Orleans looks like a huge party; some of you may have even experienced it in person. But were you aware that there’s a whole lot more going on behind the scenes, in the community, and what you might not know could astound you?!
Yes, there are parties. Yes, there are parades. Yes, it can get a little crazy. But it’s so much more than you would imagine and the work for some of the Krewe’s goes year-round. Each Krewe has a purpose, a history, and a process for naming each year’s parade royalty.
And that’s just the beginning. Royalty comes with a lot of responsibility, requiring an additional “crew” of helpers. There are events to attend, funds to be raised, themes and designs to be conceived and produced, and loads of work to be done. There’s history, and backstory, and tradition, and rules, and processes.
When I was first introduced to Racquel, it was through a dear friend. What she didn’t tell me up front was that I was speaking with Royalty! Not just as a Princess in a long-established Mardi Gras Krewe, but also in the music world, especially in New Orleans.
Racquel is musically gifted, from a musical family. Her father was a musician, singer, and producer who owned a recording studio. He wrote his special song, called New Suit, in honor of the Mardi Gras costuming tradition and Racquel used it as the theme for her reign this year, in honor of her dad.
There’s so much learn about this fabulous, colorful tradition and the people who keep it alive and growing… You’ll just have to listen in to catch it all – including how to get to ride on one of the parade floats next time you’re in NOLA during Mardi Gras! I guarantee that Racquel’s vibrant personality, knowledge, and drive will keep you entertained even while you learn something new.
Racquel’s Bio
Born and raised New Orleanians, Racquel Turbinton-Bruno and her husband Sean M. Bruno were crowned as Prince and Princess of the Zulu Mardi Gras Parade in 2020.
Befittingly, Racquel was born into a New Orleans musical family which made significant contributions to the Mardi Gras tradition. Racquel’s father, Wilson Turbinton, better known to the musical community as “Willie Tee” (of the band “Willie Tee and the Gaturs”) wrote and produced a song for the Wild Magnolias Mardi Gras Indian Tribe entitled “New Suit,” as well as several other hits that are heard throughout the city during parade season.
The song is an anthem to the Mardi Gras Indian experience as it references their annual tradition of creating a new costume in preparation for unveiling during carnival time. Racquel’s father was the pioneer of putting music behind Mardi Gras Indians; a trend which was soon imitated by other tribes who followed this practice. Racquel experienced having her “New Suit” created for her reign as Princess and dedicated it to her father as a tribute in honor of his musical works.
Professionally, Racquel is a Senior Event Manager in the hotel industry, planning and executing details of conferences in the Corporate and Association Markets. Racquel was inducted into the Hilton Corporation’s “Circle of Excellence” in Catering and Event Management. Racquel’s professional event management skills paired well with organizing a successful, enjoyable, and memorable experience for the Zulu Province Prince Krewe during Mardi Gras 2020.
