On the surface, the word socialite can sound frivolous. But for those who know how to harness the power of connection, being social can be a superpower—especially when it’s used in service of the community.
“Maven of Mardi Gras” Luann Denten
“Maven of Mardi Gras” Luann Denten has done exactly that. As founder of The Krewe of Vices and Virtues and Soulard Pride, she’s proven that charm and determination can move mountains. Her gravitas and persistence were on full display when she brought together representatives from all seven regional Pride boards for her 2024 Pride United Ball—a feat that required diplomacy, creativity, and no small amount of flair.
Before she became “The Maven,” Denten worked as a psychotherapist, serving children in social services. She and her husband, Joe, raised their family in West County, and when she retired, she was ready for a second act.
The couple moved to Soulard, where Denten immediately began investing her energy into community life. As a member of the Soulard Restoration Group, she played a key role in installing historic plaques at the neighborhood’s entry points, reviving the garden tours and Bastille Day celebrations, and launching a “Trunk or Treat” tradition complete with decorated golf carts.
Never one to do anything halfway, Denten also created the Soulard Ghost Tours, blending neighborhood lore with her famed psychic gifts—stories of which have been chronicled in House of Villadiva and Sauce Magazine.
Denten is all about the costumes.
And then, of course, there are the costumes. A prolific seamstress and designer, Denten has crafted hundreds of elaborate looks for her Mardi Gras krewes, themed balls, and community celebrations, helping others dazzle as brightly as she does.
A master of soft power, Luann Denten has perfected the art of getting big things done while making it all look effortless. Whether she’s sewing sequins, summoning civic leaders, or conjuring community spirit, she embodies the very best of what it means to be a luminary.
