News
*NPR & ASSOCIATED PRESS*
Full versions available at www.neworleanssocietyofdance.com/press.php
Broadcast: March 8, 2017
As I pondered the meaning of International Women's Day my mind zeroed in immediately on some of what I call my favorite "hero-women"... My heroes are women who shrugged off obstacles, persisted in chasing personal or community wide dreams, envisioning a new way of doing things or simply living independent lives of their own design. Since Katrina, Millisia White has revived a tradition birthed in 1912 in a nuanced challenge to segregation by black women sex workers who chose to march for Mardi Gras, a first in itself, and to call themselves "Baby Dolls" to declare their precious status. That then audacious gesture has survived more than a century, freshened by Millisia White.
By: Jeanne Nathan, WBOK 1230 AM (New Orleans, La)
CrossTown Conversations
Published: March 6, 2017
Baby Dolls - New Orleans style...Members of the New Orleans Baby Doll Ladies walks down St. Charles Avenue ahead of the Zulu Parade during Mardi Gras in New Orleans, Tuesday Feb. 28, 2017.
By: Gerald Herbert, AP Photo
THE LOUISIANA WEEKLY
Published: March 1, 2017
BON TEMPS: A marcher with the Baby Doll Ladie struts down St. Charles Avenue as part of Tuesday's Mardi Gras festivities in New Orleans. The group is one of a series of parades that close the Carnival season, a blowout before the solemnity of Lent.
By: Dan Anderson/ European PressPhoto Agency
THE WALL STREET JOURNAL
Posted: April 11, 2016
"Students, faculty, staff, and special guests of Vic A. Pitre Elementary received a special treat earlier this year. They had a visit from members of the New Orleans Society of Dance, New Orleans Baby Doll Ladies featuring Musical Ambassador, DJ Hektik. What was so special about this visit? The NOSD Baby Doll Ladies bringnot only a fabulous performance, but the 104 year old history of doll masquerading and parading in New Orleans."
By: Jefferson Parish Public School System; School News
A Piece of New Orleans History Comes to Pitre Elementary
Posted: November 24, 2014
We bring the sun, the fun and the spirit of New Orleans. We will transform Herald Square into Bourbon Street on Thanksgiving Day, -Millisia White, Artistic Director for New Orleans Society of Dance Baby Doll Ladies.
By: Kenny Lopez, WGNO
From the Big Easy to the Big Apple: Baby Doll Ladies dance in Macys Parade
Posted: November 24, 2014
Our performance group selection committee is committed to finding the most original and talented regional talent in the nation, says Flores. When we saw the Baby Doll Ladies application, we knew we had an opportunity to showcase a truly authentic New Orleans tradition in a modern spirit on a national stage. As proud as we are of all of our groups, opportunities like this rarely show up in such talented packages. Were thrilled to have them join us and share their talents. -Sara Flores, Macys Thanksgiving Day Parade Creative Manager
By: Kelly Parker, Louisiana Weekly
Baby Doll Ladies Strutting in MACYS Thanksgiving Day Parade
Posted November 11, 2014
From The Big Easy to the Big Apple, Millisia White's Baby Doll Ladies along with DJ Hektic will be performing in the 88th annual Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade.
By: Kenny Lopez, WGNO 26 NEWS (N.O., La.)
Baby Doll Ladies dancing in Macys Thanksgiving Day Parade
Posted: August 28, 2013
In the words of my friend Couture Maddness, its in the booty, not the back, says Millisia White, artistic director of the New Orleans Society of Dances Baby Doll Ladies, a group that pays homage to traditional black-Creole culture."
By: Reed Tucker, New York Post
TWERKING GIRLS; In The Cultural Forefont
Posted: May, 2013
"Though the Carnival season is long gone, the historic Baby Doll Ladies remain hard at work; entertaining, while educating us on a cherished local tradition. The ladies are popping up at various events around the city, and theyve become part of the mainstay of the celebration of Mardi Gras, post Hurricane Katrina. Now, some of the treasured stories told of the Baby Dolls from a century ago are coming to an entertainment stage."
By: Kelly Parker, Nola Defender
JASS CLASS; Baby Doll Dancers Take 100 Yrs. Satin & Sass To Old U.S. Mint
Posted: February 8, 2013
"White's revival produced the Baby Doll Ladies, with costumes, face paint, music and dances that are modern takes on the Baby Dolls of the past. Rather than using a live band, her brother DJ Hektik plays mixes of hip-hop and jazz for their choreographed performances. But White also wanted to bring back the community focus central to the Baby Doll tradition."
By: Shaina Negron, CNN
A MODERN CELEBRATION OF AFRICAN AMERICAN HISTORY
Posted: April 28, 2012
"No amount of historical background could prepare the crowd for Millisia White's Baby Doll Ladies with DJ Hektik at the New Orleans Jazz Fest on Saturday. That's because, although the dancers continue the 100-year-old baby doll tradition, they have made it their own."
By: Stephanie Bruno, NOLA.com
Not Ya Mama's Baby Dolls Seduce Crowds at New Orleans Jazz Fest
Posted: February 16, 2012
"Mardi Gras Indians are, at this point, a well-understood phenomenon. There have been scholarly studies, pop-culture head-nods, and heaps of plaudits from the larger community. This should have been the fate of the Baby Dolls, Millisia White thinks, and its a gap in our Carnival consciousness that she and her Baby Doll Ladies are looking to correct."
By: Sam Primeaux, Offbeat Magazine
The Baby Dolls are 100 and Brand New This Carnival
Posted: February 15, 2012
"2012 marks 100 years since groups of lovely ladies, sashayed through the sixth ward and many other neighborhoods; and thanks to a local dance company, the baton; or in this case the bonnet, has been passed to the next generation. New Orleans third-generation Baby Dolls, are Millisia Whites New Orleans Baby Doll Ladies, of The New Orleans Society of Dance."
By: Kelly Parker, The Louisiana Weekly
New Orleans Baby Dolls Celebrate Their Centennial
Posted: February 2012
"In commemoration of the New Orleans Baby Doll Ladies' Centennial-year anniversary, the New Orleans Society of Dance hosted a private luncheon accompanied with good food, good company and good conversation. The exclusive affair took place at Dickie Brennan's Palace Cafe; 605 Canal St., New Orleans, La. at one o'clock in the afternoon."
By: The Post Signal; Crowley, La. A Mardi-Gras Centennial Luncheon
Posted: Winter 2010-11
"Those in Millisias group are the newest to pick up the Baby Dolls mantle. They do so with the blessing of Miriam Batiste-Reed, matriarch & "original" Babydoll of one of New Orleans' most popular musical families."
By: Kim Vaz, PhD. for The LA Cultural Vistas Magazine
They Call Me Baby Doll: Resurrection of a Masking Tradition
Posted: February 22, 2010
"A form of empowerment for women. Music, song and dance" are the call to arms for Millisia White & her Baby Doll Ladies, an off-shoot of the New Orleans Society of Dance production company."
By: Alicia Edwards for The Louisiana Weekly
The Resurrection of The Baby Dolls
*LOCAL NEWS BROADCASTS*
Aired: November 26, 2014
WDSU 8 NEWS (N.O., La.) New Orleans Baby Doll Ladies to appear in Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade
Aired: April 9, 2013
WGNO 26 NEWS (N.O., La.) mileycyrustwerk1o1: Professional Twerk dancers critique Miley Cyrus twerking dance moves.
Aired: April 9, 2013
WGNO 26 NEWS (N.O., La.) Learn how to twerk along with Reporter Kenny Lopez. The New Orleans Society of Dance Baby Doll Ladies show him how to twerk it out!
Aired: August 31, 2011
WGNO 26 NEWS (N.O., La.); Baby Doll Ladies Formal Recruitment of Honorary Members
Aired: February 28, 2011 WGNO 26 NEWS (N.O., La.); Baby Doll Ladies keep Mardi Gras Tradition Alive
*PHOTOJOURNALISM*
Posted: February 14, 2015
Chris Bockford; NATIONAL GEOGRAPGRAPHIC TRAVEL
" The Legendary Baby Doll Ladies of Mardi Gras"
Posted: November 27, 2014
-Gordon Donovan; YAHOO NEWS
"88TH Annual MACYS Thanksgiving Day Parade
Posted November 27, 2014
Paula Mejia; NEWSWEEK (U.S.)
"PHOTOS, The Macys Thanksgiving Day Parade
Posted: February 21, 2012
"Women dance in baby doll outfits during the Zulu Mardi Gras parade in N. O., La."
By: Lee Celano; New York Post
Posted: March 6, 2012
-BRBill; The Allee Willis Museum
"Certifikitsch of Authenkitschity"
Posted: February 21, 2012
-John McCusker; The Times-Picayune/nola.com
"Zulu Kicks Off Mardi Gras"
Posted: March 18, 2010
-Chris Bickford; Travelogue
If God Is Willing and The Creek Dont Rise
Posted: March 11, 2010
-Federica Valabrega; Federicaville
"Runing into Spike Lee's Documentary Shooting"
Posted: February 16, 2010
-John McCusker; The Times-Picayune/nola.com
"St. Charles Avenue during the Zulu Social Aid & Pleasure Club parade on "Fat Tuesday"
Full versions available at www.neworleanssocietyofdance.com/press.php
Broadcast: March 8, 2017
As I pondered the meaning of International Women's Day my mind zeroed in immediately on some of what I call my favorite "hero-women"... My heroes are women who shrugged off obstacles, persisted in chasing personal or community wide dreams, envisioning a new way of doing things or simply living independent lives of their own design. Since Katrina, Millisia White has revived a tradition birthed in 1912 in a nuanced challenge to segregation by black women sex workers who chose to march for Mardi Gras, a first in itself, and to call themselves "Baby Dolls" to declare their precious status. That then audacious gesture has survived more than a century, freshened by Millisia White.
By: Jeanne Nathan, WBOK 1230 AM (New Orleans, La)
CrossTown Conversations
Published: March 6, 2017
Baby Dolls - New Orleans style...Members of the New Orleans Baby Doll Ladies walks down St. Charles Avenue ahead of the Zulu Parade during Mardi Gras in New Orleans, Tuesday Feb. 28, 2017.
By: Gerald Herbert, AP Photo
THE LOUISIANA WEEKLY
Published: March 1, 2017
BON TEMPS: A marcher with the Baby Doll Ladie struts down St. Charles Avenue as part of Tuesday's Mardi Gras festivities in New Orleans. The group is one of a series of parades that close the Carnival season, a blowout before the solemnity of Lent.
By: Dan Anderson/ European PressPhoto Agency
THE WALL STREET JOURNAL
Posted: April 11, 2016
"Students, faculty, staff, and special guests of Vic A. Pitre Elementary received a special treat earlier this year. They had a visit from members of the New Orleans Society of Dance, New Orleans Baby Doll Ladies featuring Musical Ambassador, DJ Hektik. What was so special about this visit? The NOSD Baby Doll Ladies bringnot only a fabulous performance, but the 104 year old history of doll masquerading and parading in New Orleans."
By: Jefferson Parish Public School System; School News
A Piece of New Orleans History Comes to Pitre Elementary
Posted: November 24, 2014
We bring the sun, the fun and the spirit of New Orleans. We will transform Herald Square into Bourbon Street on Thanksgiving Day, -Millisia White, Artistic Director for New Orleans Society of Dance Baby Doll Ladies.
By: Kenny Lopez, WGNO
From the Big Easy to the Big Apple: Baby Doll Ladies dance in Macys Parade
Posted: November 24, 2014
Our performance group selection committee is committed to finding the most original and talented regional talent in the nation, says Flores. When we saw the Baby Doll Ladies application, we knew we had an opportunity to showcase a truly authentic New Orleans tradition in a modern spirit on a national stage. As proud as we are of all of our groups, opportunities like this rarely show up in such talented packages. Were thrilled to have them join us and share their talents. -Sara Flores, Macys Thanksgiving Day Parade Creative Manager
By: Kelly Parker, Louisiana Weekly
Baby Doll Ladies Strutting in MACYS Thanksgiving Day Parade
Posted November 11, 2014
From The Big Easy to the Big Apple, Millisia White's Baby Doll Ladies along with DJ Hektic will be performing in the 88th annual Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade.
By: Kenny Lopez, WGNO 26 NEWS (N.O., La.)
Baby Doll Ladies dancing in Macys Thanksgiving Day Parade
Posted: August 28, 2013
In the words of my friend Couture Maddness, its in the booty, not the back, says Millisia White, artistic director of the New Orleans Society of Dances Baby Doll Ladies, a group that pays homage to traditional black-Creole culture."
By: Reed Tucker, New York Post
TWERKING GIRLS; In The Cultural Forefont
Posted: May, 2013
"Though the Carnival season is long gone, the historic Baby Doll Ladies remain hard at work; entertaining, while educating us on a cherished local tradition. The ladies are popping up at various events around the city, and theyve become part of the mainstay of the celebration of Mardi Gras, post Hurricane Katrina. Now, some of the treasured stories told of the Baby Dolls from a century ago are coming to an entertainment stage."
By: Kelly Parker, Nola Defender
JASS CLASS; Baby Doll Dancers Take 100 Yrs. Satin & Sass To Old U.S. Mint
Posted: February 8, 2013
"White's revival produced the Baby Doll Ladies, with costumes, face paint, music and dances that are modern takes on the Baby Dolls of the past. Rather than using a live band, her brother DJ Hektik plays mixes of hip-hop and jazz for their choreographed performances. But White also wanted to bring back the community focus central to the Baby Doll tradition."
By: Shaina Negron, CNN
A MODERN CELEBRATION OF AFRICAN AMERICAN HISTORY
Posted: April 28, 2012
"No amount of historical background could prepare the crowd for Millisia White's Baby Doll Ladies with DJ Hektik at the New Orleans Jazz Fest on Saturday. That's because, although the dancers continue the 100-year-old baby doll tradition, they have made it their own."
By: Stephanie Bruno, NOLA.com
Not Ya Mama's Baby Dolls Seduce Crowds at New Orleans Jazz Fest
Posted: February 16, 2012
"Mardi Gras Indians are, at this point, a well-understood phenomenon. There have been scholarly studies, pop-culture head-nods, and heaps of plaudits from the larger community. This should have been the fate of the Baby Dolls, Millisia White thinks, and its a gap in our Carnival consciousness that she and her Baby Doll Ladies are looking to correct."
By: Sam Primeaux, Offbeat Magazine
The Baby Dolls are 100 and Brand New This Carnival
Posted: February 15, 2012
"2012 marks 100 years since groups of lovely ladies, sashayed through the sixth ward and many other neighborhoods; and thanks to a local dance company, the baton; or in this case the bonnet, has been passed to the next generation. New Orleans third-generation Baby Dolls, are Millisia Whites New Orleans Baby Doll Ladies, of The New Orleans Society of Dance."
By: Kelly Parker, The Louisiana Weekly
New Orleans Baby Dolls Celebrate Their Centennial
Posted: February 2012
"In commemoration of the New Orleans Baby Doll Ladies' Centennial-year anniversary, the New Orleans Society of Dance hosted a private luncheon accompanied with good food, good company and good conversation. The exclusive affair took place at Dickie Brennan's Palace Cafe; 605 Canal St., New Orleans, La. at one o'clock in the afternoon."
By: The Post Signal; Crowley, La. A Mardi-Gras Centennial Luncheon
Posted: Winter 2010-11
"Those in Millisias group are the newest to pick up the Baby Dolls mantle. They do so with the blessing of Miriam Batiste-Reed, matriarch & "original" Babydoll of one of New Orleans' most popular musical families."
By: Kim Vaz, PhD. for The LA Cultural Vistas Magazine
They Call Me Baby Doll: Resurrection of a Masking Tradition
Posted: February 22, 2010
"A form of empowerment for women. Music, song and dance" are the call to arms for Millisia White & her Baby Doll Ladies, an off-shoot of the New Orleans Society of Dance production company."
By: Alicia Edwards for The Louisiana Weekly
The Resurrection of The Baby Dolls
*LOCAL NEWS BROADCASTS*
Aired: November 26, 2014
WDSU 8 NEWS (N.O., La.) New Orleans Baby Doll Ladies to appear in Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade
Aired: April 9, 2013
WGNO 26 NEWS (N.O., La.) mileycyrustwerk1o1: Professional Twerk dancers critique Miley Cyrus twerking dance moves.
Aired: April 9, 2013
WGNO 26 NEWS (N.O., La.) Learn how to twerk along with Reporter Kenny Lopez. The New Orleans Society of Dance Baby Doll Ladies show him how to twerk it out!
Aired: August 31, 2011
WGNO 26 NEWS (N.O., La.); Baby Doll Ladies Formal Recruitment of Honorary Members
Aired: February 28, 2011 WGNO 26 NEWS (N.O., La.); Baby Doll Ladies keep Mardi Gras Tradition Alive
*PHOTOJOURNALISM*
Posted: February 14, 2015
Chris Bockford; NATIONAL GEOGRAPGRAPHIC TRAVEL
" The Legendary Baby Doll Ladies of Mardi Gras"
Posted: November 27, 2014
-Gordon Donovan; YAHOO NEWS
"88TH Annual MACYS Thanksgiving Day Parade
Posted November 27, 2014
Paula Mejia; NEWSWEEK (U.S.)
"PHOTOS, The Macys Thanksgiving Day Parade
Posted: February 21, 2012
"Women dance in baby doll outfits during the Zulu Mardi Gras parade in N. O., La."
By: Lee Celano; New York Post
Posted: March 6, 2012
-BRBill; The Allee Willis Museum
"Certifikitsch of Authenkitschity"
Posted: February 21, 2012
-John McCusker; The Times-Picayune/nola.com
"Zulu Kicks Off Mardi Gras"
Posted: March 18, 2010
-Chris Bickford; Travelogue
If God Is Willing and The Creek Dont Rise
Posted: March 11, 2010
-Federica Valabrega; Federicaville
"Runing into Spike Lee's Documentary Shooting"
Posted: February 16, 2010
-John McCusker; The Times-Picayune/nola.com
"St. Charles Avenue during the Zulu Social Aid & Pleasure Club parade on "Fat Tuesday"