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It's "Official" - Rusty LaRoux Will Lead the 32nd Official Southern Decadence Celebration; Over 110,000 Expected
It's "official!" Southern Decadence Grand Marshal (SDGM) XXX Irish Mike Sheehan announced that Marigny/Bywater icon Rusty LaRoux will lead the 32nd Official Southern Decadence celebration at Coronation 2003, July 19th at the Bourbon Pub/Parade. As SDGM XXXI, LaRoux has been cast into a fury of activities, events and fund-raisers as the figurehead of the popular "end of Summer blowout" for the Gay Lesbian Bisexual and Transgender community of New Orleans. It all leads up to the annual celebration over Labor Day Weekend, Wed.-Mon., Aug. 27th-Sept. 1st, when most of the events of the season occur.
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SouthernDecadence.COM has been bombarded with e-mails requesting information to the tune of 1,000-3,000 e-mails per day from the Official Southern Decadence Website. That is up considerably from 500 to 2,000 e-mails per day last year. The 2003 celebration should be as large as last year, or maybe even larger this year. It was estimated that 2002 brought out over 110,000 revelers with an economic impact of over $88 million for the local New Orleans community.
Irish Mike's selection of LaRoux surprised many in the community who believed it would be someone from N. Rampart St. this year. Instead, Irish Mike sent the grand marshalship back to its roots, where most grand marshals hailed from, the Marigny and lower Quarter. The selection has led to a rebirth of sorts with loads of new participants pledging to join in the 31st Official Southern Decadence Parade. Set for Sun., Aug. 31st at 2pm, the parade traditionally begins at the Official Home of Southern Decadence, the Golden Lantern, 1239 Royal St.
2003 will be the 32nd anniversary of Southern Decadence. This will actually be the 30th year with a grand marshal [the grand marshal selection did not begin until the third year], but the new grand marshal will be the 31st grand marshal [the two in 1978 were counted as grand marshals 5 & 6]. However, this is actually the 31st parade [there was no parade the first year]. It all began in 1972 with the first costume party which was a farewell to Michael Evers, who was leaving New Orleans, at Belle Reve, 2110 Barracks St.
LaRoux, who insist on not being called the Queen of Southern Decadence, has instructed Ambush that Madame Grand Marshal will do just fine. The tone for the celebration has been set with LaRoux's selection of Carnaval Decadence as this year's theme. According to LaRoux, "It's Gay Mardi Gras with a little Rio Latin Flair." That's right, think Carnaval in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, and your costume will fit perfectly in this year's bar hopping, walking parade. And for those visitors and locals who do not know. Everyone is welcome and encouraged to participate in the parade. It's the only way to truly experience Southern Decadence in New Orleans. Of course, individual groups of revelers are usually the most popular way to go.
LaRoux also selected Coors Light as her sponsor along with the vibrant colors of the rainbow as the this year's colors while La Vida est Un carnaval by the late Queen of Salsa ~ Celia Cruz will be this year's song.
The new grand marshal put in her time participating in almost all of the Southern Decadence parades over the years. LaRoux hails from Big Daddy's where she has slung cocktails as a bartender for years. Sister pub, the Friendly Bar has also seen her talents there as a bartender. Madame Grand Marshal got her start some 40 years ago when she first hit the stage at the old My O My Club on Bourbon St. Over the years LaRoux has performed in numerous shows, events and fund-raisers. Although LaRoux supports all of the causes in the GLBT community, AIDS fund-raisers are close to her heart, especially the William J. Fanning Foundation (Buzzy's Boys & Girls). Currently LaRoux heads up the Zoo Revue at Big Daddy's hosted every other Saturday evening at 11pm. The revue's cast and special guests have included such stars as Opal VanderHurst, Marcy Marcell, Lady T, Regina Ann Adams, Mr. Donnie Jay, Ava Synclaire, Connie Marcelle, Princesse Stephaney and Tonisha Thompson.
Madame Grand Marshal has endorsed the
SouthernDecadence.COM and
Ambush Mag marketing 2003 campaign to end public sex and urination
in the streets during the Official Southern Decadence celebration. This
year's campaign is bold in its concept to catch the attention of both visitors
and locals alike to end public sex, in particular. It simply states "Southern
Decadence Wrist Bands" (with a pair of hand cuffs below), followed by
"Public Sex=10 Days in Jail!" The campaign began back in 1995 during Mardi
Gras that year and later was launched at Southern Decadence that same year, with
a concerted effort by local businesses, organizations and neighborhood
associations. LaRoux's advise to visitors is, "Come here, enjoy our city as we
would enjoy your city, but please give our city respect. Just keep it (public
sex and urination) indoors!"
3rd Mr./Ms. Marigny Leather Aug. 3rd at the Phoenix
The third edition of the Marigny Leather Contest has been finalized for Aug. 3rd from 6 until 9pm at Leather Bar of the Year, the Phoenix in New Orleans, as a benefit for Buzzy’s Boys and Girls. The AIDS charity will be hosting a $5 beer bust on the patio until midnight, along with a 50/50 raffle. Retiring as Mr. and Ms. Marigny Leather II are Ronnie Gauthreaux and Princesse Stephaney.
A limited number of Marigny Leather Contest souvenir t-shirts will be available for auction at the contest, with all proceeds going to Buzzy’s Boys and Girls. Kevin Butler’s logo appearing on this year's poster will be on the front, along with a dedication to the late Chuck Lance and a salute to Buzzy’s Boys and Girls. On the back will be a list of the past winners of the Mr. and Ms. Marigny Leather title.
As announced previously, Mark Colley, the reigning Mr. Louisiana Leather, will return to his roots as the original Mr. Marigny Leather and serve as head judge. Conducting the ceremonies will be two esteemed members of the New Orleans community. Danny LeCompte, South Central Regional Award Winner in the Pantheon of Leather; and Ann Sauve, King XXXVII of the Krewe of Amon Ra and manager of Queen Fashions, will share the spotlight as co-emcees.
Joining Colley as judges from New Orleans will be Kim Ficaro, Lesbian of the Year Top 5 Finalist and owner of Kims 940 Night Club; and Patrick Shannon III, theatre and performing arts critic for Ambush Magazine. On the panel from out-of-town will be Bruce Schellhase of Pensacola, an active member of the Gulf Coast Bear and Leather Association; and Damon Veach of Baton Rouge, ball lieutenant and Lord King XVII of the Lords of Leather.
Assisting the five judges in the critical job of keeping up with the scores will be Doug Minich, a founding member of the Cavaliers Motorcycle Club. Points will be scored in the categories of formal wear, cruising attire, presentation of fantasy with involvement of one other person allowed and a personal question from each judge. Entry blanks are available at the Phoenix or from the producer, Wally Sherwood at wsherwoodforest@aol.com or 504.949.0882.
Acclaim Awards V Aug. 15th
The Forum For Equality will host the Acclaim Awards V on Fri., Aug. 15. The award ceremony, dinner, and auction will be held at the Astor Crowne Plaza in New Orleans. This year’s recipients are David Tyree, Media Representative; Vicki Weeks, HIV/AIDS Activism; Larry Best, Political Activism; Miriam Waltzer, Political Leader; and Jack Sullivan, Chair’s Award.
The evening will begin at 7pm with an open bar and silent auction on the gallery overlooking Bourbon Street. Dinner, prepared by Dickie Brennan’s, will be served at 8pm in the Astor Crowne Ballroom. Music and dancing will follow the Acclaim Awards presentation.
Please join the Forum For Equality as it honors those individuals whose achievements in media, HIV/AIDS activism, and politics have furthered the rights of the GLBT community. Make plans to assist the Forum For Equality in honoring these individuals by attending the Acclaim Awards V. Tickets are $150 per person. To reserve seats and to obtain further ticket information please call Tim Hornback at 504.569.9156.
Krewe of Mwindo sets White Party - Summer Splash IV
I
n celebration of its fourth anniversary, the Krewe of MWINDO announces its White Party—Summer Splash IV. The pool party will be held at the French Quarter Courtyard, 1101 N. Rampart St, New Orleans, LA, from 6-10pm, on Sat., Aug. 16.People interested in obtaining tickets to Summer Splash IV may contact Teryl-Lynn Foxx, at 504.628.1644, or Carlos Butler, at 504.452.7203. Tickets are $10 advanced purchase or $15 at the door.
Come join the Krewe of MWINDO as they splash their way into another year of fun, frolic, and frivolity.
Landmark Research Continues in GLBT Community
S
yracuse, NY – The GLCensus Partnership, (Syracuse University and OpusComm Group) have unveiled the third annual GLBT Consumer Online Census, delving further into the spending habits and overall economic structure of the Gay/Lesbian/Bisexual/Transgender community. New topics have been added to the original survey areas covered in the history-making annual study. Since the beginning with the 2001 research and last year’s 2002/2003, which nearly 9,000 respondents and the attention of worldwide media, politicos and businesses alike, the GLCensus Partnership has accrued a database with thousands more GLBT members registering each month to participate in this year’s study.The 2003/2004 G/L Consumer Online Census was available to members of the worldwide GLBT community since July 7th running through August 18th at www.glcensus.org. The study includes basic demographics (gender, self-identification, ethnicity, geography, family/relationship structures, occupation, household income), as well as spending habits in a number of targeted industries, such as automotive, financial, health and human services, pet care, travel and entertainment, just to name a few.
The annual G/L Census survey was intended to become one of the tools used to educate mainstream advertisers about this unique niche market, which has been widely ignored in the past. The results were remarkable, according to Jeffrey Garber, president of OpusComm Group, and founder of the partnership along with Syracuse University.
"With the G/L Census, our hope was to get a higher, more respectable number of respondents, making it the largest independent survey of the GLBT consumer market to date, enabling it to accurately express the attitudes and opinions of a larger GLBT population", Garber said. "Launching the ’Stand Up and Be Counted‘ campaign, and choosing the Internet as the vehicle for the study, was obviously a potent combination. Last year we drew a record response of 8,831 respondents. That is practically unheard of in research of any kind, much less in a targeted community considered so elusive."
Todd Evans, president of Rivendell and new media sponsor of the GLCensus further adds, "In today’s media, advertisers wishing to target the GLBT community require solid research to effectively launch national advertising campaigns."
The results of the annual G/L Census are published and made available for purchase. Since then, a large number of the Fortune 100 companies have purchased the information in an effort to successfully market directly to this coveted segment.
Garber states: "GLBT consumer clout is gaining fast respect and attention. GLBT consumers are hoping that their consumer loyalty will be valued by advertisers who will in turn, reciprocate in assisting the community in efforts to pursue legislative equality — in essence consumerism is a form of activism."
The GLCensus Partnership consists S.I. Newhouse School of Public Communications at Syracuse University and founding partner OpusComm Group, Inc.
OpusComm Group is an award winning advertising/PR agency with over 18 years of experience servicing the Fortune 500, specializing in consultation of sensitivity issues and market planning for all types of advertisers to target the GLBT community in mainstream media.
Syracuse University is well respected as one of the world’s leading academic and research institutions in the field of communications, partner S.I. Newhouse School of Public Communications at Syracuse University is again leading the development of the Census. The research team is led by Professor Amy Falkner and Dr. Beth Barnes, Assistant Dean for Professional Graduate Studies.
This year GLCensus Partners proudly announces Rivendell, as the lead media sponsor of the GLCensus. Rivendell Media is considered America’s leading gay and lesbian media placement firm. They have been helping agencies reach the gay press since 1979, serving as the national advertising representative for over 200 gay and lesbian newspapers, magazines and entertainment guides.
Ambush Mag and AmbushOnLine are proud sponsors of this year's G/L Census.
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