Sarah Siddons as the Tragic Muse paintings of Melpoméne, she is represented with a tragic mask and also often holds in her other hand a knife or club. In Greek mythology, she is the daughter of Zeus and Mnemosyne, who had eight other daughters, Melpoméne's sisters and the eight other muses are: Calliope, muse of epic poetry; Clio, muse of history; Euterpe, muse of flute playing; Terpsichore, muse of dancing; Erato, muse of erotic poetry; Thalia muse of comedy; Polyhymnia, muse of hymns; and Urania, muse of astronomy. Reynolds was inspired not only by Sarah Siddons' extreme talent to embody the tragic heroine in Macbeth, but
Krewe of Muses optic shoe. Past year's Honorary Muses have included Brenda Marie Osbey (the Poet Laureate of the State of Louisiana), New Orleans-based jazz singer Charmaine Neville; Cherise Harrison Nelson, Becky Allen, Mary Matalin, Liz McCartney (co-founder of the St. Bernard Project), Patricia Clarkson, and Ruby Bridges. Bands that have marched with the Muses' parade have included the St. Augustine High School Marching 100, The Ninth Ward Marching Band and the Revolutionary Snake Ensemble. The Krewe of Muses parade has also featured dance troops such as the Pussy Footers, the 610 Stompers and the Camel Toe Lady Steppers. The theme of the