Antoinette K-Doe
Encyclopedia
Antoinette K-Doe was the spouse of rhythm and blues singer Ernie K-Doe
. She was also owner of the Mother-in-Law Lounge
in New Orleans, a pub and shrine to her late husband. She was a notable cook and costume designer, putting her skills to use to make elaborate suits for Ernie and dresses for herself. Antoinette acted as spokesperson for Hands on Network, a volunteer organization dedicated to Hurricane Katrina
relief. Antoinette herself was rescued from the Mother-in-Law Lounge after being stranded by flood waters for seven days, and she was passionate about the rebuilding of her city. A local celebrity, she was known by many as "Miss Antoinette".
After she returned to the city following Katrina, she helped to rebuild the neighborhood by cooking up large servings (often for 200+) of her delicious gumbo and other New Orleans favorites to serve to the volunteers who had come to help rebuild. One of the first to return to the area, she was an inspiration to all.
She died of a heart attack early in the morning on February 24, 2009 (Mardi Gras
Day) in New Orleans, Louisiana, at the Mother-In-Law Lounge. She had just closed up the lounge at about three in the morning and was laying down to rest up for Mardi Gras day. Only days earlier, she rode in a float with the famous Ernie K-Doe mannequin in the Krewe of Muses
parade.
Miss Antoinette was also the leader of the Baby Dolls, a female Mardi Gras Krewe
. With origins dating back to the turn of the 20th century, the Krewe had not existed for many years when Miss Antoinette decided to take it upon herself to start it back up.
Ernie K-Doe
Ernie K-Doe , born Ernest Kador, Jr., was an African American rhythm and blues singer best known for his 1961 hit single "Mother-in-Law" which went to #1 on the Billboard pop chart in the U.S.-Early career:...
. She was also owner of the Mother-in-Law Lounge
Mother-in-Law Lounge
In 1994, Ernie K-Doe opened the world-famous Mother-in-Law Lounge. The Mother-in-Law Lounge is a pub and a shrine in New Orleans, Louisiana dedicated to the memory of the late rhythm and blues singer, Ernie K-Doe. The lounge is a historical icon in the local community. It was completely...
in New Orleans, a pub and shrine to her late husband. She was a notable cook and costume designer, putting her skills to use to make elaborate suits for Ernie and dresses for herself. Antoinette acted as spokesperson for Hands on Network, a volunteer organization dedicated to Hurricane Katrina
Hurricane Katrina
Hurricane Katrina of the 2005 Atlantic hurricane season was a powerful Atlantic hurricane. It is the costliest natural disaster, as well as one of the five deadliest hurricanes, in the history of the United States. Among recorded Atlantic hurricanes, it was the sixth strongest overall...
relief. Antoinette herself was rescued from the Mother-in-Law Lounge after being stranded by flood waters for seven days, and she was passionate about the rebuilding of her city. A local celebrity, she was known by many as "Miss Antoinette".
After she returned to the city following Katrina, she helped to rebuild the neighborhood by cooking up large servings (often for 200+) of her delicious gumbo and other New Orleans favorites to serve to the volunteers who had come to help rebuild. One of the first to return to the area, she was an inspiration to all.
She died of a heart attack early in the morning on February 24, 2009 (Mardi Gras
Mardi Gras
The terms "Mardi Gras" , "Mardi Gras season", and "Carnival season", in English, refer to events of the Carnival celebrations, beginning on or after Epiphany and culminating on the day before Ash Wednesday...
Day) in New Orleans, Louisiana, at the Mother-In-Law Lounge. She had just closed up the lounge at about three in the morning and was laying down to rest up for Mardi Gras day. Only days earlier, she rode in a float with the famous Ernie K-Doe mannequin in the Krewe of Muses
Krewe of Muses
The Krewe of Muses is an all-female krewe or New Orleans Mardi Gras social organization--one of the few clubs with that distinction . The Muses first paraded during Mardi Gras in 2000. Since then, their krewe has grown to include nearly 1500 members...
parade.
Miss Antoinette was also the leader of the Baby Dolls, a female Mardi Gras Krewe
Krewe
A krewe is an organization that puts on a parade and or a ball for the Carnival season. The term is best known for its association with New Orleans Mardi Gras, but is also used in other Carnival celebrations around the Gulf of Mexico, such as the Gasparilla Pirate Festival in Tampa, Florida, and...
. With origins dating back to the turn of the 20th century, the Krewe had not existed for many years when Miss Antoinette decided to take it upon herself to start it back up.