Chris Owens (performer)
Chris Owens (1932–2022) was a performer, club owner and entrepreneur who based her act out of the French Quarter of New Orleans, Louisiana, in the United States. She was a French Quarter fixture and celebrity from the start of the 1960s through the early 21st century. Owens was well known in Louisiana and throughout the South. Tourists visiting Bourbon Street could not miss huge posters of her wearing costumes as they walked by her nightclub. Owens was known as "Queen of the Vieux Carré".[1][2][3]
Chris Owens | |
|---|---|
 Chris Owens rides as grand marshal for the Krewe of Shangri-La Mardi Gras parade. | |
| Born | Christine Joetta Shaw October 5, 1932 |
| Died | April 5, 2022 (aged 89) New Orleans |
| Nationality | American |
| Occupation(s) | Performer, entrepreneur, philanthropist |
Life and work
Chris Owens was born Christine Joetta Shaw on October 5, 1932, in rural Texas, the daughter of Fred Moore Shaw Sr. and Thelma Leona Martin who married in 1925 in Haskell, Texas. Owens grew up on a farm and went to Texas Wesleyan College (now Texas Wesleyan University) to be a nurse. She married car dealer Sol R. Owens in 1956 and opened a nightclub on St. Louis Street in the French Quarter; it was originally intended to be a low-key sideline establishment, but business exploded. Realizing that Owens' performance numbers were a huge draw, they sold their home in 1977 and purchased the building on the corner of St. Louis and Bourbon. Soon the "Chris Owens Review" became a noted act in town. In 1979, Sol had a heart attack and died; Owens took over management of the club and of the 30 apartments and four shops located within the building. As of 2016 the club and Owens' act continue to be a draw.
Owens hosted a yearly Easter Parade that continues to roll throughout the French Quarter.[4][5]
Owens can be seen in the 1962 film The Wacky World of Doctor Morgus (see Morgus the Magnificent). She began production in 2003 of her first feature film, Let's Ballroom, in which she stars as a wealthy widow who falls in love with her dance instructor.
Death
Chris Owens died of a heart attack on the morning of Tuesday, April 5, 2022 in her St. Louis Street apartment, according to her longtime manager Kitsy Adams.[6]
Honors
On April 22, 2006, Chris was inducted into the New Orleans Musical Legends Park with a statue created in her likeness. Her image stands next to other musical greats including Fats Domino, Pete Fountain, Allen Toussaint, Irma Thomas, Al Hirt, Ronnie Kole, and Louis Prima.[7]
References
- Cuthbert, David (May 15, 1972). "In Land of 'Gorilla Gal,' Clothed Chris Still Queen: 'No Hustlin,' No Strips, Policy Lasts 16 Years". The Times-Picayune. p. § 3, 19.
- Cruz, Mario (March 25, 1983). "Chris Owens--Still Dancing, Singing in the Quarter". The Times-Picayune/The States-Item. pp. 6, 9.
- Parker, Nancy (December 9, 2016). "Queen of Bourbon Street Chris Owens invites us to her home". Fox8 News. New Orleans. Retrieved 23 July 2018.
- "Photos: New Orleans celebrates Easter Sunday in style with big parades". The Advocate. Baton Rouge. April 1, 2018. Retrieved 24 July 2018.
- MacCash, Doug (March 27, 2018). "Why New Orleans newbies should absolutely attend Chris Owens' Easter Parade". The Times-Picayune. New Orleans. Retrieved 24 July 2018.
- Massa, Dominic (April 5, 2022). "Chris Owens, legendary Bourbon Street performer passes away". 4WWL. Retrieved April 5, 2022.
- Marina, Peter (2017). Down and Out in New Orleans: Transgressive Living in the Informal Economy. Studies in Transgression. New York: Columbia University Press. ISBN 9780231545198.
Foster, Mary (July 21, 2009). "She turns back time on Bourbon Street". The Boston Globe. Boston. Retrieved 24 July 2018.
Matthews, Bunny (February 1, 2004). "Chris Owens". OffBeat Magazine. New Orleans. Retrieved 23 July 2018.
Scott, Mike (November 6, 2017). "1956: Chris Owens becomes a French Quarter sensation". The Times-Picayune. New Orleans. Retrieved 23 July 2018.
McCash, Doug (April 5, 2022). "Chris Owens, dancer, singer, the heart of old Bourbon Street, has died". The Times-Picayune. New Orleans. Retrieved 5 April 2022.