Photo Montage: Mia X, 2020 Kanaval Queen

Photos by Katie Sikora

Revelers, musicians and float riders of the Krewe of Freret parade lined up alongside Tipitina’s to roll on Saturday, February 15, 2020 – a month before COVID-19 became cause for a city-wide shut-down.

New Orleans entrepreneur, educator, author, philanthropist, No Limit Records rapper and lyricist Mia X presided over the scene – in a regal Carnival gown, hand-painted by her own niece, adorned with the faces of New Orleans Creole and Haitian matriarchs, like Leah Chase, Marie Laveau and Haitian revolutionary Catherine Flon.

She served as Queen of the Krewe du Kanaval that year, celebrating the close cultural ties between Haiti and New Orleans, alongside Kanaval King Titos Sompa – master dancer, choreographer and drummer born in Brazzaville, Congo.

As COVID-19 forced citizens of New Orleans to forego the sacred traditions of secondline season, jazz funeral processions, and Mardi Gras the following year, alongside venue closures and gig cancellations continuing, Mia and the gown made their way to the rear building at Preservation Hall, containing 60 years of New Orleans music history, for a quiet afternoon photo shoot where photographer Katie Sikora captured the scene.

Mia X poses for portraits at Preservation Hall, alongside drummers Walter Harris and Kerry Hunter, and Preservation Hall Creative Director Ben Jaffe.