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Ninth Circle Bar Baron "Irish" Mike Will Lead 31st Southern Decadence Celebration as SDGM XXX
It's official! Coronation 2002 announced Ninth Circle bar baron "Irish" Mike Sheehan as Southern Deca- dence Grand Marshal [SDGM] XXX. Outgoing SDGMs XXIX Bianca Del Rio, Pat "Estelle" Ritter & "Big Rick" Thomas, made it official naming "Irish" Mike as SDGM after an action packed show of some delightful and unusual performance art acts.
Sheehan will lead the 31st Southern Decadence celebration Thurs.-Mon., Aug. 28-Sept. 2. The new grand marshal announced "Fairy Tails" as this year's theme in a proclamation he read to the audience.
It stated, "Once upon a time, three gms with waist size 29, and they had to pick a gm XXX, but didn't realize that was supposed to be a person.
So off they went to never never land and found an Irish leprechaun who spun a wild and wonderful 'Fairy Tail' and gave them a pot of gold to seal the bargain.
Then he decided he needed a song to annoy everyone for six long weeks."
During the reading of the proclamation, "Irish" Mike's grand marshal's poster was unveiled revealing "Fairy Tails". His song which closed out the festivities was a remix of "Over the Rainbow" into "Never Ending Story". For his colors, "Irish" Mike has chosen any and all.
Guest stars who lent their talents to the evenings festivities included Kabrina Watson, SDGM XII Mumbo, Victoria Versashe, Lisa Beaumann and SDGMs XXVIII Tony Langlinais and Smurf Murphy.
You can find out the very latest by visiting the Official Southern Decadence Web Site, SouthernDecadence.COM or watch for additional info in the Official Southern Decadence Guide, Ambush Mag.
2002 will be the 31st anniversary of Southern Decadence. This will actually be the 29th year with a grand marshal [the grand marshal selection did not begin until the third year], but the new grand marshal, "Irish" Mike Sheehan will be the 30th grand marshal [the two in 1978 were counted as grand marshals 5 & 6]. However, this is actually the 30th parade [there was no parade the first year].
It all began in 1972 with a mixed party of gays, straights, blacks and whites, at Belle Reve, 2110 Barracks St. There was no parade.
In 1973, an informal march began from Matassa's bar to 2110 Barracks. There was no grand marshal yet.
The grand marshal selection began in 1974. Grand Marshals include: SDGM I Frederick Wright 1974, SDGM II Jerome Williams 1975, SDGM III Preston Hemmings 1976, SDGM IV Robert Laurent 1977, SDGM V Robert King and SDGM VI Kathleen Kavanaugh 1978, SDGM VII Bruce Harris 1979, SDGM VIII Tom Tippin 1980, SDGM IX Tommy Stephan 1981, SDGM X Don Ezell 1982 [deceased], SDGM XI Danny Wilson 1983 [deceased], SDGM XII Mumbo 1984, SDGM XIII Michael "Fish" Hickerson 1985, SDGM XIV Kathleen Conlon 1986,
SDGM XV Olive 1987, SDGM XVI Jerome Lebo 1988, SDGM XVII George Goode 1989 [deceased], SDGM XVIII Ruby 1990 [deceased], SDGM XIX Jamie Temple 1991, SDGM XX Rhee 1992 [deceased], SDGM XXI Ms. Fly 1993 [deceased], SDGM XXII Alain 1994, SDGM XXIII Blanche 1995, SDGM XXIV Wayne White 1996, SDGM XXV Miss Love 1997, SDGM XXVI Robin Malta 1998, SDGM XXVII Errol Rizzuto 1999, and SDGMs XXVIII Tony Langlinais & Thom "Smurf" Murphy 2000, SDGMs XXIX Bianca Del Rio, Pat "Estelle" Ritter & Rick Thomas 2001, SDGM XXX "Irish" Mike Sheehan 2002.
Pink Camellia Tour Sets 3rd Summer Gay Weekend in Natchez Aug. 16-18
The 3rd annual Pink Camellia Tour presents its summer Gay weekend in Natchez, Mississippi Aug. 16-18. The weekend kicks off with the Welcome To Natchez Reception on Fri., 4-6pm where guests will enjoy mint juleps on the grandest veranda of them all, the Guest House Historic Inn, 201 N. Pearl St. The inn has partnered with some of the finest bed & breakfasts in town and serves as headquarters for the Pink Camellia Tour.
On Sat. morning guests will find free time for antique shopping, home tours or horse drawn carriage rides. Sat. night brings the acclaimed Cat On A Hot Tin Roof Party hosted at the O'Malloy Town House 8pm til with both buffet and bar.
Over the weekend guests can also join the Great River Road Food Festival: Great Chefs in Great Houses. Fabulous regional chefs join to create superb dinners in the elegant Natchez mansions. A series of food demonstrations, showing of regional foods and work of regional artisans, wine tasting and book signings round out the festivities.
Weekend package includes room for 2, admission to parties and breakfast daily for $94 per day. In Jan., the Pink Camellia Tour presents Pink Camellia Weekend, its winter Gay extravaganza. For more info visit http://pinkcamilliatour.homestead.com or call 1.888.442.4425.
Forum For Equality's Acclaim Awards IV Aug. 16
The Forum For Equality 's Acclaim Awards IV is this Aug. 16. The award ceremony will be held at the newly opened Astor Crowne Plaza. The evening will start at 7pm with cocktails and pianist Dr. David Wood. Auction, dinner, award presentations and dancing with music, provided by Amy and the Hank Sintras, will follow.
Award recipients include Media Representative - Steven Forster, HIV/AIDS - Paris Winn, Political Figure - The Honorable Marc Morial, Political Activism - Susan Clade and Chair's Award - Jody Gates.
Make plans to join the Forum For Equality in honoring these individuals whose achievements in government, media representation, and HIV/AIDS activism have furthered the rights of our community. Tables of 10 are $1,500.00 and individual seats are $150.00. Please contact the Forum, 504.569.9156, by Aug. 8 to reserve seats.
9 Web Sites Win July Rainbow Award
Out of 59 submissions, the Rainbow Awards Committee chose 9 Web sites of excellence as July winners. The Rainbow Award [GayAmerica.COM/Awards] is exclusively bestowed upon those Gays, Lesbians, Bisexuals, and Transgenders who have made a contribution to the GLBT Web community through excellence in content, design, creativity, presentation or overall concept of their Web page.
Gay Travel Greece [gaytravel greece.com] is a good site to go to if you're planning a Mediterranean trip with cruises and Gay friendly hotels.
#Lesbian Dalnet [http://home.iprimus.com.au/mellie28/Lesbians.html] is a wonderful site for Lesbians with plenty of content and graphics.
Pistol and Enema Gay Key West [pistolandenema.com] has information about Gay Key West including gossip, message boards, tourist information and more.
QueerSeek World Portal [queer seek.com] is another good site with plenty to do and see with GLBT news and services.
Rainbow Inn [geocities.com/rainbowinn2] is another site with a club in Northeast Pennsylvania showing the club, its cast and more.
Raven Start Pages [www.geo cities.com/nerocorvo/RavenStart.com.html] is a Lesbian site with wacky humor, deep thoughts and story time.
Trasitions [www.geocities.com/transitions_1] is a TG site dealing with Gender Dysphoria, with galleries and news.
Asian Pacific Gays & Friends [apgf.org] is a great site for the Asian-American community including upcoming events and monthly get togethers.
Central Coast Gay Rover with Cars [goecities.com/rovi51us] is another site that's entertaining with articles like Gays and cars, gaydar, and many more helpful links.
NO/AIDS Task Force Sets July/Aug. HIV Testing Dates
NO/AIDS Task Force will be offering free and anonymous HIV Testing/ Counseling on the following dates, places and times in New Orleans. Please stop by and lets "do it orally baby!!"
Come and get your test/results before "the sins of Decadence". Date, times and locations include: Sun., July 28, 6-8pm, Phoenix; Wed., July 31, 3-5pm, Club New Orleans; Wed., July 31, Corner Pocket, 7-10:30pm; Thurs., Aug. 1, 6-8pm, Oz; Sat., Aug. 3, 2-4pm, Country Club; and Fri., Aug. 8, 6-8pm, Bourbon Pub.
High Heel Pool Tourney Raises $1,538 in 1st 4 Weeks
The 11th High Heel Pool Tournament has raised $1,538 in the first four weeks of tourney play benefiting team charities. Team rankings according to game wins include: Angels, 6 wins; Big Daddy's, Four Seasons and Friendly Bar, 5 wins; Chet's Queen Pub, Ninth Circle and VooDoo, 4 wins; Another Corner, 2 wins; and Country Club, 0 wins.
Tournament play is hosted Wed.'s, 7pm, at team host bars. Check their ads for upcoming dates.
The High Heel Pool Tournament is sponsored by Ambush Mag, Miller Lite and Queen Fashions.
Amon Ra's Miss & Mr. America Pgt. set for Aug. 24
Amon Ra's Miss and Mr. America Pageant 2002 theme is "La Cage aux Folles" with tap dancing chorus girls! Set for Sat., Aug. 24, St. Bernard Cultural Center in Chalmette, 8pm, doors open at 7pm. Celebrity emcees are Bianca Del Rio, Southern Decadence Grand Marshal XXIX and Nicole Dubois, Miss National 2002 and Miss Gay Universe 2001.
The show will feature a special performance by former Amon Ra Queen Electra City benefiting Buzzy's Boys and Girls. The Krewe of Amon Ra is still seeking male contestants.
Female and male winners will receive crowns, trophies, flowers and accommodations at Hotel Intercontinental. Runner-ups receive trophies and flowers. There will also be a cash $1000 raffle.
For more information, contact Electra City at Queen Fashions, 504.524.HEEL.
Photo Exhibition, Eyes on the Road, Now at NOMA
The road trip, America's favorite summer pastime, is explored in the latest photography exhibition at the New Orleans Museum of Art. Eyes on the Road, on view through Sept. 29, 2002, takes the visitor on a fascinating tour of the United States from California's majestic Highway 1 to New York's bustling streets. Walker Evans, Ilse Bing, Lee Friedlander and other renowned photographers capture the highway habitat and other roads less traveled in sixty images, black and white and color, ranging from the 19th century up through the present. "The exhibition explores the symbiotic relationship of the car, the camera and the road," states Steven Maklansky, NOMA's Curator of Photography and the Assistant Director for Art. "The road leads the way to new experiences, the car takes you there and the camera is the perfect medium to record the fleeting instances along the journey. Whether looking through a car's windshield or a camera's lens, the world is placed in an artificial frame, allowing the viewer to see reality in a more artistic context."
This connection between the car and camera began almost immediately upon their inception. Just two years after the invention of the automobile in 1886, the Kodak camera was introduced and amateur photography quickly came into vogue. Each of these new products was marketed to an increasingly vigorous industrial middle class that was gaining leisure time and opportunities with each passing decade. Behind the wheel with camera in hand, the road soon became an endless source of inspiration for Wynn Bullock, Garry Winogrand and other artists included in the exhibition.
Eyes on the Road explores some of the idiosyncrasies encountered by photographers on the road such as car wrecks and Amarillo's Cadillac Ranch. Alongside these unusual spectacles there are also examples of fast food joints, gas stations and other familiar highway scenes. Through keen observation, clever camera work and boundless imagination these common images, however, have been transformed into fresh and compelling depictions of the highway habitat. Eyes on the Road, therefore, is an American road trip not quite like any other, taking the visitor over countless miles to both strange and ordinary places cast in a new light.
In conjunction with the exhibition, NOMA will hold a special Art Car Day on Sat., Aug. 17. A variety of whimsically painted, fancifully decorated cars will gather at NOMA where visitors will be able to peruse these artful creations from all over the Gulf South.
NOMA is supported by a grant from the National Endowment for the Arts, the Louisiana State Arts Council, the Louisiana Division of the Arts, Office of Cultural Development, Department of Culture, Recreation and Tourism.
The New Orleans Museum of Art is open Tues. to Sun. from 10am to 5pm; closed Mon.'s and legal holidays. Admission is $6 for adults, $5 for seniors (65+) and students with I.D. and $3 for children ages 3 - 17. On Thurs.'s from 10am until noon, admission is free for Louisiana residents with valid I.D., courtesy of The Helis Foundation. NOMA is fully accessible to the handicapped. Wheelchairs are available upon request at the front desk. The Museum will be happy to make other special accommodations with a three-day notice. Light meals and snacks are available in the Courtyard Caf‚, open from 10:30am until 4pm. The Museum Shop, open from 10am until 4:45pm, offers a great selection of collectibles, books, jewelry and other gift items. For more information, call NOMA at 504.488.2631 or TTY/Voice 504.482.1406. Information is also available at noma.org.
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