History
In 1972, Mary Katherine Lonatro-Tusa gathered a few friends together to share her vision of an all-woman’s Mardi Gras organization parading in St. Bernard Parish, which is located just down-river from the City of New Orleans. The original members of the Mystic Krewe of Shangri-La (MKS) were primarily from St. Bernard Parish and the Ninth Ward of Orleans Parish. Since the first Shangri-La Parade rolled in St. Bernard, all floats are from the Blaine Kern (BK) Studios. The BK Studios assembled the original signature floats built in Spain and continue to maintain these floats. The first parade rolled in Chalmette, LA on February 22, 1973 with Mrs. Lonatro-Tusa serving as the Captain. By 1982, the MKS was the largest woman’s organization in the history of the New Orleans Mardi Gras with a total membership of 1,083 ladies parading on 38 floats. For the first 14 years, a random drawing produced the Shangri-La Queen and her Court of eight maids. The Krewe Royalty experienced no additional cost to their assessed annual dues $175. During this period, the Shangri-La held its annual Ball at the traditional New Orleans location for tableaux balls, the New Orleans Municipal Auditorium. In 1987, the 15th anniversary year for Shangri-La, the Captain followed the emerging trend of relocating royal tableaux balls to large hotel facilities in downtown New Orleans. During this year, members experienced their first dues increase. The end of the 1980’s marked the end of what many describe as the “Golden Era” of Mardi Gras in New Orleans. Emerging from the Golden Era was a revitalized and reenergized Mardi Gras that honored old traditions but brought forth new traditions. After 26 years of parading in St. Bernard Parish, the Shangri-La Parade moved to Orleans Parish and rolled on February 22, 2000 along the traditional Mardi Gras Route, the Napoleon Avenue-St. Charles Avenue-Canal Street “Uptown” route. Shangri-La is one of the few Carnival organizations continuing to honor the historic tradition of an annual tableaux Ball and Supper Dance, the La-Tee-Da. Annually, the naming of the Shangri-La Royal Court occurs at the Coronation Jazz Brunch (previously the Coronation Ball) with the Royal Court presented during the La-Te-Da Ball and in full royal dress. Parade Costumes and Royal Dress continue to be handmade and detailed with the finest materials, feathers, and stones. Shangri-La is renowned for its family atmosphere, including family parade themes. Several generations of families often ride in the parade, frequently on the same float. Membership today includes festive ladies and invited gentlemen from the metropolitan New Orleans area as well as Katrina-scattered New Orleanians who relocated throughout the country after the storm. Junior memberships are available for 9 to 17-year old girls prior to full membership eligibility at 18. Mrs. Lonatro-Tusa holds the honor of being the longest continuously serving Carnival Captain in the City of New Orleans. The year 2008 marked her 36th year as Captain and she continues today to lead the Parade and Krewe with her endless energy, vision, and absolute love of Carnival and all it brings to the people and the City of New Orleans. Shangri-La retains its relevance in the City of New Orleans through its continual emphasis on remaining a contemporary organization. Krewe activities range from the revelry of Mardi Gras to the seriousness of post-Katrina community needs. On January 7, 2006, MKS members kicked off the Mardi Gras Season in New Orleans with the first Clean the Route event. Members gathered at the corner of Napoleon Avenue and Tchoupitoulas Street, received coffee and brooms, and swept their way down Napoleon Avenue picking up trash and debris along the way. Although most members had lost their homes, all wanted to be “part of the solution” in rebuilding their home, the metropolitan City of New Orleans. The MKS is a non-profit tax-exempt corporation under Title 26 §501(c)(3) of the U.S. Tax Code. One of the MKS continuing and successful accomplishments is the recognition of local high school talent in the annual “Best of the Best” marching band contest. The annual MKS band contests result in the awarding of trophies and financial contributions to the winning schools. In 2009, the Shangri-La Parade will be led by the Warren Easton High School Band, winner of the 2005 contest prior to Katrina. Examples of pre- and/or post-Katrina philanthropic activities include an annual scholarship grant to St. Michael’s Special School in New Orleans; a variety of volunteer activities at Charity Hospital in New Orleans (as of 2008, the doors of Charity Hospital remain closed after Hurricane Katrina); partnering with other non-profit organizations such as the Louisiana Chapter of Pajama Program and the Beacon of Hope Resource Center; and support for both Bridge House (substance abuse treatment center) and Save our Cemeteries (dedicated to the preservation and restoration of historic cemeteries in Louisiana).
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