Lady B joined her group next to my table and she was sent over to fill in some blanks for me. She started dancing after seeing the elegant interaction between a couple. “It’s enjoyable and great exercise,” she gleams. There is a culture around Swing dance, Stepping and Ballroom dancing. Swing dance is her preference because it’s upscale, grown & sexy dancing. She got into it because it was difficult to learn and when she overcame the hump, she was fascinated and became passionate about sharing it with others. Her fourth year as a performer at the ball, she has seen the progress. Per Lady B, this year has even more of an organized flow; and is growing in the right direction.

Another powerhouse lady of the evening that DJ Phreeze went out of his way to introduce me to was DJ Frances Jaye, a former radio personality, a DJ of 18 years and the evening’s host. Happy to be hosting versus dragging speakers and turn tables with her, DJ Frances Jaye is accustomed to wearing many hats. After 10 years as a radio personality she turned to DJ’ing which offered her more freedom than Corporate America. She has since launched her very own radio station, Neo Soul Café and six years ago added the Neo Soul Café app (free to download on Apple or Android). This is where you go for dope artists that you haven’t heard before; and where I go for the perfect backdrop to my writing session this crisp, sunny & slightly breezy Sunday afternoon. DJ Frances Jaye adds to her admirable resume, a new album coming out soon, Head Space, Volume 1. The Krewe of Orleans has set the bar high with a vast array of artistry.

Meanwhile, Cupid had donned the stage and had The People waving their hands in the air like they just don’t care and ultimately he raised the entire roof with that infectious Cupid Shuffle. People were shuffling all over the place and the spirit of New Orleans continued to be impressed upon me.

Nichelle Williams from Baton Rouge strutted in with a feathery, blue mask to accentuate her blue gown and … alone. Nichelle had no qualms about coming to the ball “solo” as she proudly exclaimed. Her family is from New Orleans “at the heart.” She’s in Dallas by way of Katrina. This was her first Mardi Gras ball ever in her life and she also proudly acclaims her 52 years of age. She was simply over the hustle that her life had become, “people are leaving {earth}” and she knew where to come for a great time.

Terraz, also another transplant in Dallas due to hurricane Katrina, has been in DFW for 12 years. She remembers only being able to make it as far as Baton Rouge for the first 7 days, then her and her family were able to safely make it to Dallas. She reports staying with a friend who’d just moved to Dallas a month prior. This New Orleanian friend accommodated about 14 people in a 2 bedroom apartment. This story is not unfamiliar and resembles Breeze’s circumstance: being forced to Dallas by hurricane Katrina with his wife and 2 small children to stay with his brother-n-law and 13 other people in one house.