Krewe of Sobek crowns new royalty for 2024 Mardi Gras: 'It is intoxicating'

Maggie Martin, Shreveport Times
·3 min read

Pounding music! Roving spotlights! Fanfare! Applause! Whistles! Swirling confetti!

Krewe Sobek Captain XX Johann Cooke admits he loved it all.

He relished being in the spotlight for one enchanting year, he said. He talked at the Krewe Sobek Coronation VIP party an hour away from turning his duties over to Captain XXI on Sept. 9 during "Sobek Rides the Orient Express Coronation" at the Municipal Auditorium.

"It is intoxicating," said Cooke about the spotlight

Outgoing Sobek captain Johann Cooke with the Krewe's symbol and "mascot" Croc-E-Dile on September 9, 2023.
Outgoing Sobek captain Johann Cooke with the Krewe's symbol and "mascot" Croc-E-Dile on September 9, 2023.

"It is hard to let go," he added.

Krewe of Sobek XXI King Billy Roy Anderson and Queen Tamara Flentroy.
Krewe of Sobek XXI King Billy Roy Anderson and Queen Tamara Flentroy.

As if to emphasize Cooke's comments, and referring to Cooke and Co-Captain XX Virgin Rachel, Sobek Official Thomas Edwards said: "I am not sure if they were able to find their way back to earth or not."

Although many royals are ready to step down, not so for others. Former Queen Verna Norris and Sobek Queen XX Tamesha Lane agreed they would relish being "Forever Queens."

Former Sobek Queen Renee Davis uses her "custom-made" umbrella in the second line dance.
Former Sobek Queen Renee Davis uses her "custom-made" umbrella in the second line dance.

On Sept. 9, it was time for the 2023 court to leave the arena and turn over the roar of the crowd to another court, another captain.

This year, the crowning and sashing of the queen was extra exciting for Sobek Queen XXI Tamara Flentroy is Mardi Gras royalty.  Her parents, Michael Flentroy, and the late Frances Flentroy founded Sobek 21 years ago, pledging a neighborhood parade for the Queensboro area as their contribution to the Mardi Gras in the Ark-La-Tex celebration.

Queen Tamara wore a long silvery dress with floating panels flowing from each shoulder and swaying as she strolled the Municipal floor. She paused to hug her father, Michael, and her son, Richard Smith.

Krewe of Sobek Captain X Rosalind Howard and Co-Captain X Eric Monroe led the second line dance at the Krewe's coronation event on September 9, 2023, at the Municipal Auditorium.
Krewe of Sobek Captain X Rosalind Howard and Co-Captain X Eric Monroe led the second line dance at the Krewe's coronation event on September 9, 2023, at the Municipal Auditorium.

It was a bittersweet moment for long-time members who remember when Queen Tamara's mom, Frances, who, with Michael, were the faces of Sobek in those early days.

King XXI Billy Roy Anderson Jr. joins the queen as top royal.

Other court members:

  • Keepers: Water 21 Marilyn Robinson, Wind Victor L. Thomas, Fire 21 Patricia Scott, Earth 21 Shawn Richarson.

  • Replacing Sobek 2023 Captain Cook and  Co-Captain Rachel, are Captain 2024 Rosalind Howard and Co-Captain Eric Monroe.

  • Royalty and Coronation Chair Anitra K. Furlow planned a lively and music-filled event.

  • Long-time Emcee Michael Harris and  Lamesa Furlow Fleury kept it together with pithy comments and fun lectern routines.

Another crowd fave:  Keeper Patricia in a red,  frothy feathered, floor-length frock, stepping to the stage accompanied by vibrant sounds of "Walking on Fire."

With  the formal ceremony  and the 2nd Line Dance parade completed, Emcee Harris said, "Let the Party  Begin!"

And it did.

Making waves on the dance floor:

Kimberly Brown and husband U.S.Attorney Brandon Brown at the Krewe of Sobek's coronation event on September 9, 2023.
Kimberly Brown and husband U.S.Attorney Brandon Brown at the Krewe of Sobek's coronation event on September 9, 2023.

  • U.S. Attorney Brandon Brown and wife, Nurse Kimberly Brown

  • Darwin Jones and his wife Chief Judge of Caddo Juvenile  Court Ree Casey-Jones

  • Caddo Dist. Judge Don Hathaway Jr., who is the 2024 Justinian King

  • Caddo Commissioners Stormy Gage Watts and Lyndon B. Johnson

  • Caddo School Board Member Dottie Bell

  • Sobek 2024 Keepers Sondreka Fitch, Brandon Hancock, Freddie Russell

  • King XX Darryl Lane

  • Oceanus Co-Captain Julia Gill

Making a splash with their upscale ensembles:

  • Sobek XXI Co-Captain Eric Monroe in an eye-catching gold lame tux jacket

  • Janet Armand in a short, slim, sequinned cocktail dress

  • Tari Bradford wearing a pink sequinned dress that shimmered as they worked the crowd

  • Erica McCain

  • Karen Barnes

  • Lakeshia Hayes

  • Billy Casey

  • Richard Murphy

  • Lester Rainey

  • Justinian Captain Amy Gardner Day with husband Patrick Day.

This article originally appeared on Shreveport Times: Krewe of Sobek crowns new royalty for 2024 Mardi Gras