Field Report: Miriam Batiste Reed Funerary Second Line

Miriam Batiste Reed Funerary Second Line

Miriam Batiste Reed, legendary New Orleans Baby Doll and member of the sprawling Batiste family, recently passed away in her adopted home of Newport News, Virginia. She was 97 years old. This morning, Baby Doll troupes from across the city gathered to fete her in a celebratory second line.

Miriam Batiste Reed Funerary Second Line

Here’s what we saw:

Miriam Batiste Reed Funerary Second Line

Miriam Batiste Reed Funerary Second Line

Miriam Batiste Reed Funerary Second Line

Miriam Batiste Reed Funerary Second Line

Miriam Batiste Reed Funerary Second Line

Miriam Batiste Reed Funerary Second Line

Miriam Batiste Reed Funerary Second Line

Miriam Batiste Reed Funerary Second Line

Miriam Batiste Reed Funerary Second Line

Miriam Batiste Reed Funerary Second Line

Miriam Batiste Reed Funerary Second Line

Miriam Batiste Reed Funerary Second Line

Miriam Batiste Reed Funerary Second Line

Miriam Batiste Reed Funerary Second Line

Miriam Batiste Reed Funerary Second Line

Miriam Batiste Reed Funerary Second Line

Miriam Batiste Reed Funerary Second Line

Miriam Batiste Reed Funerary Second Line

Miriam Batiste Reed Funerary Second Line

Miriam Batiste Reed Funerary Second Line

Miriam Batiste Reed Funerary Second Line

Miriam Batiste Reed Funerary Second Line

Miriam Batiste Reed Funerary Second Line

Backstreet Cultural Museum Celebrates 1st Anniversary In Their New Treme Home

A brass band roams Treme in 2019. Photo courtesy rl reeves jr

On Saturday June 17, 2023 the Backstreet Cultural Museum is throwing a wild party in the streets outside their 6th Ward repository. The museum was founded in 1999 by cultural stakeholder Sylvester Francis as he sought a place to host his growing collection of New Orleans ephemera including personal work as a videographer using the Super 8 format.

Unfortunately Hurricane Ida sent a giant tree through the roof of the original facility leading to the museum moving a few blocks away to an old wood-frame building across from Tuba Fats Square.

This Saturday at noon a classic New Orleans street party will kickoff at the new museum. I expect a bit of a second line vibe as the otherworldly Lil Rascals Brass Band are performing along with some other street parade regulars. Of course there will be more food and drink than anyone could sensibly imagine.

Various troupes of Baby Dolls will promenade about in their finery as they are wont to do.

Mr Francis passed away from appendicitis on September 11, 2020 leading to his daughter Dominique assuming the reins of the business.

The party begins at noon and slows to a halt at 4pm

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