The Healing Rhythm of the Louisiana LunaChicks
By Stacy Gibson | Photography Courtesy of Louisiana LunaChicks of NELA
Picture this. Women from every generation—mothers, grandmothers, educators, healthcare workers, business owners, and caregivers—deciding they need something for themselves again. Not perfection. Not pressure. Not competition. Just joy.
That is exactly how the Louisiana LunaChicks began.
What started in September 2019 as a simple idea to dance in the newly formed, Monroe-based Krewe de Riviere Mardi Gras Parade quickly became something much bigger than we ever imagined. During those first few months of rehearsals leading up to the February 2020 parade, we realized something special was happening beyond the choreography. We stayed late talking after practice. We laughed until we cried. We gathered for dinners, checked on each other between rehearsals, and slowly built friendships that extended far beyond the dance floor. Somewhere along the way, the dancing became secondary to what was truly happening in the room. Women were finding each other. And for many of us, we were finding ourselves again.
The Louisiana LunaChicks became more than a dance team. They became a healing place. For some women, this group helped ease loneliness. For others, it became emotional support during difficult seasons, health struggles, anxiety, depression, grief, or simply the heaviness that life sometimes brings. Practice nights became something we looked forward to—not just because we loved dancing, but because of the people waiting inside the room.
From the very beginning, our goal was never to create the “best” dancers. We wanted to create a space where women could come exactly as they are and feel welcomed, valued, encouraged, and accepted. A place where women could rediscover confidence, reconnect with joy, and remember that they still matter outside of their responsibilities to everyone else. That mission still defines us today.
One of the most beautiful parts of the LunaChicks is our diversity. We are women from our twenties to our seventies, from completely different backgrounds, careers, personalities, and walks of life. Some of us are educators. Some work in healthcare or factories. Some are business owners, mothers, grandmothers, or caregivers. Yet somehow, all those differences have become our greatest strength instead of something that separates us. We have learned so much from each other.
On the dance floor, we learn teamwork, confidence, and trust. Off the dance floor, we become support systems. We celebrate each other’s victories, encourage each other through hard moments, and remind one another that there is no age limit on happiness, friendship, confidence, or doing something that makes your soul feel alive. And while there is deep meaning behind what we do, we never lose sight of the fun. That joy spills into every performance.
Whether we are dancing through a hometown festival or marching in a parade, one of our favorite things is watching the crowd react. We love seeing children dance from the sidewalks, hearing people sing along, and watching entire families smile, clap, and simply enjoy the moment with us. If we can help someone forget their worries for a few minutes, laugh a little louder, or feel connected and happy again, then we feel like we have accomplished exactly what we set out to do. Now, that same spirit of joy and sisterhood is carrying us somewhere we never dreamed possible.
The Louisiana LunaChicks have officially been selected to participate in America’s 250th Independence Day celebrations. We will march in the historic Independence Day Parade in Philadelphia on July 3, 2026, before traveling to Washington, D.C., to perform in the national parade on July 4 as part of the country’s Semiquincentennial celebration.
For a group that started with a handful of women simply looking for connection and fun in Northeast Louisiana, this opportunity feels incredibly meaningful. In many ways, we feel like the LunaChicks reflect the very spirit of America. We celebrate freedom, individuality, resilience, and unity. Every woman in our group brings her own story, personality, style, and life experiences, yet we stand side by side as one.
That is the beauty of the LunaChicks. And honestly, we believe that is the beauty of America, too. We hope women who see us perform walk away with one message above all else: it is never too late to try something new, find your confidence, build friendships, and choose joy again. Sometimes healing does not arrive quietly. Sometimes it comes dancing down the street in sequins and sneakers, surrounded by laughter, music, and women cheering each other on every step of the way.