Dante Hale of the 610 Stompers, an all-male marching club, does a warm-up dance with fellow Stompers. The men have no formal dance experience but are the type who are traditionally first on the dance floor at any event. (Sean Gardner / For The Times)
The 610 Stompers are New Orleans’ only all-male marching dance troupe.
Members of the 610 Stompers gather before the parade in New Orleans. Before a march, their leader asks, “Is everyone fired up? Y’all know the dances. Three things you got to do: Be humble, don’t be cheesy, and don’t make sex with the people.” (Sean Gardner / For The Times)
Daryl McGill dances with fellow 610 Stompers while marching with the Krewe of Nyx in New Orleans. The Stompers’ motto: “Ordinary Men. Extraordinary Moves.” (Sean Gardner / For The Times)
Dante Hale dances with reveler Lauren Bertucci in New Orleans. (Sean Gardner / For The Times)
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Hale and Bertucci hug after dancing together. (Sean Gardner / For The Times)
Stomper Brad Wilkins warms up before marching with the Krewe of Nyx in New Orleans. (Sean Gardner / For The Times)
Corbett Simons of the 610 Stompers appears shocked after being shown up by Juwuan Banks, 13, while parading in New Orleans. (Sean Gardner / For The Times)
Andrew Doss, Mike Spara and Robert Lewis of the 610 Stompers sing their anthem before the parade. The name 610 comes from the Superdome section where the group’s founder has Saints season tickets. (Sean Gardner / For The Times)
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Stomper Eric Charleston dances with revelers in New Orleans. The leader of the 610 Stompers, Brett Patron, says, “I have zero shame.” (Sean Gardner / For The Times)
The 610 Stompers’ look was built around shorts and tube socks, founder Brett Patron said, because they “screamed ‘ordinary man,’ ” reminding him of the archetypal coach, “a little bit past his prime, but still intense.” (Sean Gardner / For The Times)