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Madame Grand Marshal sets Ambitious Public Appearances Schedule
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outhern Decadence Grand Marshal XXXI Rusty LaRoux has set an ambitious schedule of public appearances throughout New Orleans including the Faubourg Marigny, Bywater, French Quarter and Metairie. The 32nd Annual Southern Decadence celebration is Aug. 27th-Sept. 1st.Madame Grand Marshal as Ms. LaRoux prefers to be called, wants to include all areas of greater New Orleans in her plans.
Scheduled appearances include:
Tues., Aug. 12th, 9-11pm, Big Daddy's, Tip the Grand Marshal for United Services for AIDS.
Wed., Aug. 13th, 9-11pm, Oz, Honorary Grand Marshals Party w/past Grand Marshals & Escorts, Oz VIPs & Ms. LaRoux's special guests, followed by the Oz Show w/special guest SDGM XXXI Rusty LaRoux at 11:30pm.
Fri., Aug. 15th, 10pm, Corner Pocket, SDGM XXXI Rusty LaRoux judges New Meat Night;
12midnight, Ninth Circle, Sexy Bitch vs. Sebastian.
Sat., Aug. 16th, 1-4pm, Poker Run for United Services for AIDS beginning at Lafitte's & spanning other Quarter Bars;
8pm, Body & Soul, Turn-A-Bout IX: The Age of Aquarius benefiting Buzzy's Boys & Girls, followed by a Mini Bar Run.
Sun., Aug. 17th, 8pm, Ambush Headquarters, Magnolia Cotillion XXIX benefiting NO/AIDS Walk, by invitation only.
Mon., Aug. 18th, 8pm, Rawhide 2010, Rawhide Pool Tournament;
10pm, Corner Pocket, Tits & Ass Drag & Variety Show featuring SDGM XXXI Rusty LaRoux.
Sat., Aug. 23rd, 1pm, Royal Cafe, Annual Grand Marshal's Luncheon by invitation only for past Grand Marshals followed by a Bar Run through the Bywater, Marigny & French Quarter.
Sun., Aug. 24th, 1-4pm, Scavenger Hunt through the Marigny benefiting United Services for AIDS.
Wed., Aug. 27th, 9pm, Bourbon/Pub Parade, SDGM XXXI Kick-off Party benefiting United Services for AIDS, all past Grand Marshals are invited to entertain (please contact Donnie Jay at 504.523.0140 or 504.523.6588.
11:30pm, Oz, Annual Southern Decadence Kick Off Show.
Fri., Aug. 29th, 6pm, Royal Cafe, Grand Marshal's Meet & Greet Party;
8pm, Ninth Circle, Poster Signing and Whiz Mag Cover Party;
10pm, Golden Lantern, Annual Southern Decadence Drag Show.
Sat., Aug. 30th, 8pm, Body & Soul, Grand Marshal's Decadence Show benefiting United Services for AIDS, all past Grand Marshals are invited to perform (contact Donnie Jay 504.523.0140 or 504.523.6588.
Sun., Aug. 31st, 8am, Big Daddy's & Chet's Pub, Grand Marshal's Make-Up Breakfast;
11am, R Bar, Dressing & Staging of Grand Marshal's Court & Friends by invitation only;
2pm, Golden Lantern, 31st Annual Southern Decadence Parade;
4pm, Ambush Headquarters, 11th Annual Southern Decadence Bead Toss;
5pm, MRB, Grand Marshal's Bar-B-Que;
11pm, Municipal Auditorium, 1st Annual D-Dance benefiting NO/AIDS Task Force.
Mon., Sept. 1st, 10am, Country Club, Recovery Party;
1pm, Corner Pocket, 7th Annual Southern Decadence Closing Party: Survivors Bar Run led by Cruise Director Ted Mahaffy through the Quarter and Marigny.
Madame Grand Marshal also made appearances at Oh, What A Drag Turnabout at the Parade benefiting Food For Friends and COPS 8; the opening night of Satyricon's Bluebeard, a Metairie Bar Run to Angles, 4 Seasons and Masquerade's; and the Grand Marshal's Press Party at Body & Soul.
Coors Light, Official Sponsor of SDGM XXXI Rusty LaRoux, will be giving out t-shirts and other promos throughout Decadence.
Visit SouthernDecadence.COM for all the latest.
Volunteers Needed for Southern Decadence Security Team
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Southern Decadence (SD) Security Team is currently being organized and 19 more volunteers are needed. If you're interested, please phone Ambush, 504.522.8049 and place your name on the list. The SD Security Team will be trained by Sam H. Bell, a veteran law enforcement officer and police detective. Your name and contact information will be passed on to Detective Bell.• There will be 40 volunteers working in teams throughout the Southern Decadence weekend, Aug. 29th through Labor Day, Sept. 1st. They will wear yellow shirts with the SD logo and the word SECURITY, so as to be easily identified. Security Team members will be able to provide information, directions and general assistance to visitors. A contingency of Security Team members will be involved in escorting the Southern Decadence Grand Marshal, and participants, during the parade.
• Security Team members will receive basic, applicable training.
• Visitors should report harassment or intimidation to Security Team members, or NOPD (New Orleans Police Department).
• Security Team members will remind individuals engaged in unlawful conduct of applicable laws, and warn them of consequences associated with a violation of these laws.
• Objectives of the Security Team include the safety and security of Southern Decadence participants, and will be responsible for providing information to ensure participants are aware of laws. Issues regarding criminal conduct, reporting of crimes and enforcement of laws will be handled by NOPD.
• The SD Security Team is sanctioned by the City of New Orleans Human Rights Commission and The Mayor’s Advisory Committee on GLBT issues.
Updates on SD Security Team information will be available at SouthernDecadence.COM.
Sharon F. Brown set as Center Artist for September
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he Lesbian and Gay Community Center of New Orleans is pleased to announce its featured artist for September, local trangender activist/artist Sharon F. Brown. Brown was born male with the birth name of Franklin Brown in Sicily Island, Louisiana. Currently living in New Orleans, Sharon has lived in several different states over the past fifteen years advocating transgender rights.Self-taught as an artist, Brown blends graphite and colored pencil in her work, creating great detail reflecting personality and realism. Her specialty is portraits and figured which seem to capture the emotional side of men which she believes often goes unnoticed. "We’re very pleased to have Sharon’s show here at the Center," says Program Coordinator Greg Herren. "As soon as I saw examples of her work, I knew she was an artist of passion, feeling, depth and talent, and would be an excellent addition to the list of local artists we have featured in the past."
The LGCCNO is located at 2114 Decatur St. For more information, interested art lovers can call 504.945.1103.
Lower Cost Hepatitis A & B Vaccines Offered
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or the past 8 months the Lesbian and Gay Community Center of New Orleans, NO/AIDS Task Force and the Visiting Nurses Association has been offering low cost Hepatitis A & B vaccines at about half the cost of private physicians. But now, through a program with the Office of Public Health HIV/AIDS Program, Hepatitis A & B vaccines will be offered at $30 for the series rather than the prior cost of $150. Vaccinations are offered the third Thursday of each month at The Center, 2114 Decatur St. from 6-7pm. If you are interested, please call to make an appointment 504.945.1103.Mwindo's White Party -Summer Splash IV Aug. 16th
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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.
Turn-A-Bout IX Benefits Buzzy's Kids Aug. 16th
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urn-A-Bout IX presents The Age of Aquarius as the largest annual benefit for Buzzy's Boys & Girls. It's set for Sat., Aug. 16th, 8:30pm at Body & Soul, 2300 Chartres at Marigny St. in New Orleans.Chet Robin will emcee the affair and celebrity Southern Decadence Grand Marshals will bartend. The show will feature New Orleans' finest, campiest and most outrageous drag queens. Limited seating is available. For information call 504.943.8929.
Armeinius Hosts Gennifer Flowers Aug. 21st
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he Krewe of Armeinius will present Musical Sets with Gennifer Flowers for two performances only on Thurs., Aug. 21st. The 7:30 and 9pm shows will be staged at the Kelsto Club, 720 St. Louis St., New Orleans.Donation is $10 per show and tickets are available from any Armeinius member or by calling 504.949.4604.
37th Miss/Mr. America Pageant set for Aug. 23rd
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he 37th Annual Miss/Mr. America Pageant: Amon Ra Goes Retro will be hosted by the Krewe of Amon Ra on Sat., Aug. 23rd at 8pm, doors open at 7pm.Categories of competition include: Female - State, Swimwear and Talent; Male - State, Swimwear and Talent.
Hosted at the St. Bernard Cultural Center in Chalmette, ticket info is available by visiting www.KreweOfAmonRa.ORG or calling 504.524.4335.
New GLBT Discussion Group Begins Sept. 10th
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he Lesbian and Gay Community Center will begin a new discussion group on Sept.10th from 7pm til 9pm. The group will discuss a variety of topics that affect the GLBT community such as same sex marriage, the new monogamy, coming out, spirituality, politics and much more. Bring your own ideas to discuss or just come and be a part of the group.The group will be facilitated by Kenny Barge as part of his internship at the Tulane School of Social Work. For more information, call The Center at 504.945.1103.
Hate Crimes Volunteer Training Announced
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he Hate Crimes Project of New Orleans, a program of the Lesbian and Gay Community Center has announced its next training for volunteers. The training, which prepares volunteers to work on the Hate Crimes hotline and other hate crime prevention activities, will be held in mid-September. Anyone interested in being a volunteer should call The Center at 504.945.1103.Feast of Love Gala Oct. 11th
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he Lesbian and Gay Community Center of New Orleans is excited to announce that Mayor Ray Nagin and Seletha Nagin, and Becky Allen and Bianca del Rio will host the 3rd annual Feast of Love Gala on Sat., Oct. 11th.The event, which will include a patron party at 6pm followed by the gala at 8 will be held amid the historic elegance of Gallier Hall and will include delectable foods, stellar performances and just lots of fun!
The Feast of Love provides much needed support for the Hate Crimes Project—the only one currently operating in the State of Louisiana—and the Lesbian and Gay Community Center of New Orleans. The event also provides funds for the Center’s Film Festival, youth program, bi-monthly newspaper, support groups, community education and information and referral programs.
Tickets for the patron party start at $100 and include the patron party, Gala and inclusion in the invitation and program. Gala tickets are available for $50. For more information about the Feast of Love, call 504.945.1103.
Cavaliers Ride to Grand Isle
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he Cavaliers Motorcycle Club rode to Grand Isle on Sun., July 13. Nine riders made the trek down Bayou Lafourche to Louisiana’s only inhabited barrier island, including six members of the Cavaliers and three other motorcyclists.The Cavaliers is the South’s most active club for lesbian and gay motorcyclists. The group hosts monthly day rides on the second Sunday of each month to a variety of fun destinations. Planned rides for this summer and fall include rides to the Global Wildlife Center in Folsom, False River in New Roads, and Beauvoir in Biloxi, as well as weekend rides to Hot Springs, Ark., and Houston, Tx.
The club will be adding monthly dinner rides to its calendar this fall, visiting a different New Orleans area restaurant on the third Wednesday of each month. The group also hosts a monthly beer bust on the patio of the Phoenix bar on the fourth Friday of every month.
The club will celebrate its first anniversary with a special weekend of events Sept. 26-28, including a beer bust on Friday, a private awards bash on Saturday, and an anniversary ride on Sunday.
Visit the club’s web site at www.cavaliersmc.com for further information on all of these events.
Pansies & Dirt
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t was 1:30pm Friday and we were off to the Rib Room to meet Sylvia Frank and Pat Skelly for lunch. It was our thank you for the donation of the "Cotillion Egg" they created and designed for our upcoming 29th anniversary party. The egg, at a minimum bid of $300, will be auctioned during this year’s Magnolia Cotillion. In lieu of gifts, guests are asked to sponsor Rip in the NO/AIDS Walk each year. Proceeds from the auction along with donations of party guests will all go to the 2003 NO/AIDS Walk.You certainly cannot have lunch at the Rib Room without drinks. Pat decided on a lunch martini, Sylvia had sherry and we each had a dirty, dry Skyy martini. We discussed several topics, had a few more martinis, and then ended up on travel for the remainder of our dining experience. We are planning to go to Venice next year and the girls gave us some great pointers on things to see and places to stay. They also told us all about their fab trips to various destinations including Venice, Rio de Janeiro, St. Petersburg, Paris, London, Rome, Vienna, Brussels and Belgium. And of course, the girls had great pointers on shopping since we all were into jewelry and furs.
We finished lunch around 3:45 and the girls motored us on over to the Friendly Bar. As we entered Roger and Clark called us over to join them. The couple also had lunch earlier at the Rib Room directly behind us. Pat ordered a round for all of us from Donna who was filling in for Marty for a few minutes. Marty Curtin and partner Koo Gaffney were this year’s recipients for the Gay Appreciation Awards' Lifetime Achievement honor. Marty returned from Body & Soul where she had been helping set up for the opening performance of "People Come & Go So Quickly Here" followed by "Freak-A-Rama" which were benefits for Buzzy’s Boys and Girls later that evening.
We joined Pat and Sylvia and purchased tickets for the evening's performance since it was a benefit for Buzzy's Kids. Since none of us would be attending the plays, we asked Marty to give the tickets to those that might need them.
The subject got hot a little later as Roger informed all of us that Koo had dyed her hair blond. Then, it was suggested that Marty dye her’s red. Marty said, "NO!" But Roger wasn’t buying that. He made an outrageous offer to donate a sum to Marty’s favorite charity if she’d do it. Well about that time Marty was saved when Diane, Pat and Liz popped in for their regular Friday afternoon rendezvous with this group. Apparently, most Fridays, Pat, Sylvia, Roger, Clark, Diane, Pat, Liz and others meet for cocktails during Marty’s shift. It was loads of fun with this cast of characters.
We even had a chance to speak with Lewis Routh and his partner Marlin Haindfield who head up Whatta LewLew Productions. The theatrical group is producing "People Come & Go So Quickly Here" and "Freak-A-Rama". They were off to the Trailer Trash Party hosted by the Double Play as a send off for the run of their opening productions later that evening. Shortly after they left, Pat and Sylvia motored us on home so we could get the camera and head on over to the Double Play.
Double Play manager Doc had quite a spread for the festive Trailer Trash Party. Yes, he chose an assortment of frozen TV dinners for the occasion. But that wasn’t all; every time you purchased a drink you got a chance to win a raffle prize. Doc had an assortment of treasures all wrapped in the most expensive gift wrap he could find, a copy of Ambush Mag. The first prize was won by Aaron and when opening his especially beautifully wrapped present, he produced a lovely can of Spam. There were several more of these as well as t-shirts from the plays and even a pair of tickets to a performance of your choice. Double Play’s Chuck was socializing with bar patrons including Krystals’ DB and Caroline, Petunias’ Peter and Hoyle, Dusty and many more Double Play regulars.
Saturday arrived and we were off for a little shopping and a light lunch. Then it was back to bed for a power nap before an ambitious evening of stops in the Bywater, Marigny and French Quarter. We popped into the Country Club where Chris was slingin’ cocktails. Bar baron Karl chatted with us a while and then he was off on a little bar run of his own. We ran into Ronnie here and told him our next stop was to see his partner Mike over at Bywater Bar.B.Que/Lorenzo’s right down the street.
As we walked through the indoor dining facilities of Bywater Bar.B.Que/Lorenzo’s we saw Big Daddy Lou and Jerce Ann having dinner. After a chat and a wave to Richie, we headed to the Outback Bar off the dining patio area. We had not been to the Outback in a while so we were surprised to see Ragan slingin’ cocktails here. Ragan now works Saturday through Wednesday evenings in the Outback. Proprietor Mike came in and we had a chance to chat with him.
Then it was off to Chet’s for the big Amon Ra blowout. We arrived just in time to buy raffle tickets before the show began. Queen Gizelle Bouvier and King Pete Eschette presented the evenings festivities as a benefit for Belle Reve. They hosted a shrimp boil prior to the show along with the raffle.
Before the show began, they drew for the raffle prize, a $50 gift certificate from the BEEF People-Winn Dixie. And guess who won? Non other than two of our friends Karen and Gene Riggleman who are members of the Krewe of Satyricon. The shrimp boil and raffle had already raised $750 for Belle Reve.
Emcee Jay Cooper urged the huge crowd to be generous during the show to bring the $750 donation up to at least a $1,000. While we were there, we saw the talents of former Amon Ra queen’s Tittie Toulouse and Electra City (currently reigning Easter Grand Marshal), Queen Amon Ra Gizelle and Delta Louise Carter. They were all fabulous but we had to move on for the remainder of our tour. Amon Ra raised over $1,100 for Belle Reve.
Big Daddy’s was up next where SDGM XXIV Wayne White was slingin’ cocktails. We ran into Marty, Roger, Clark and got a chance to meet Winaford for the first time. They were heading out and after a few cocktails so were we.
The Golden Age Revue was in high gear when we popped into the Golden Lantern. Marcy and the gang here will always give you a memorable moment so don't miss there next performance.
Orlando’s Society Page was hoppin’ and we arrived just at shift change with Evans leaving and Don taking over the bartending duties. The crowd here was already in party mode dancing to the tunes of their choice.
From there, we visited old friend Kelton who was slingin’ cocktails at Ninth Circle. We had just missed SDGM XXIX Big Rick.
So we decided to pop into Voodoo to see fellow SDGM XXIX Estelle for Voodoo’s 4th anniversary weekend. We lucked out and were able to get a photo of Estelle and Sebastian who was serving as Voodoo Doll for the Saturday evening festivities. Estelle invited us to return Sunday when she was serving the anniversary buffet including her famous potato salad which we absolutely love.
7th Circle was up next and we found bar baron Frank in the house with bartender Phillip doin’ the honors. Of course, we had to force ourselves to stay through a few sets of those sexy dancers on the bar here.
We could not believe it! We made it to Starlight By The Park, the last stop on our bar hoppin’ night of madness. Chester was slingin’ the cocktails here along with the latest gossip. But by this time all of those vinos were kickin’ in so we can’t remember one word to repeat here. In our case, that might be a good thing!
Sunday rolled around and it was off to the Phoenix which was packed to capacity for the 3rd Annual Mr. & Ms. Marigny Leather Contest hosted by Ambush's own Wally Sherwood. Ben Bourgeois and Ambush's Toni Pizanie took top honors. Over $600 was raised for the evening's charity, Buzzy's Boys & Girls.
It was off to Kims 940 next. Yes, we could not miss the latest Unisex Illusions Drag Kings show. If ya'll have not seen these womyn in action, you'll be amazed.
We certainly couldn't go to the Phoenix and Kims 940 without popping into Cowpokes. The lovely Negleje was in the house as was Hurricanes of the Heart and Ambush's own Patrick Shannon, III.
Marcus was slingin' cocktails when we arrived at Le Roundup. He's always got a good story to keep us laughing and drinking. And those vinos would serve as our nightcap to end an incredible weekend of activities.
Free Movies Fridays at the Community Center
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he Lesbian and Gay Community Center of New Orleans still presents its traditional Friday night free screenings of GLBT films."The Friday night movies are a proud tradition of the LGCCNO," according to Executive Director Jack Carrel. "A lot of these films are never shown in theaters locally, or carried by local video stores, so in many instances these screenings are one of the few opportunities for members of the community to see these films."
The remaining films for August are:
Fri., Aug. 15: If These Walls Could Talk 2 (2000, US, directors: Jane Anderson, Martha Coolidge & Anne Heche). Vanessa Redgrave won an Emmy for her performance in this hard-hitting trilogy of love, struggle and empowerment that follows three generations of lesbians living in the same house. This HBO-produced film also stars Ellen DeGeneres, Chloe Sevigny, and Sharon Stone. (Approximately 96 minutes).
Fri., Aug. 22: Circuit (2001, US, director: Dirk Shafer). This film tells the story of John, a closeted small-town cop who moves to L.A. where he is quickly seduced into the gay life of workouts and dusk-to-dawn parties. As he falls deeper and deeper into a spiral of drugs and carousing, his one chance of redemption lies in the arms of his new boyfriend, Gill. (Approximately 130 minutes).
All showings are free, and held in the back meeting room of the Center, which is located at 2114 Decatur St. in the Marigny Triangle, New Orleans. Popcorn and sodas are also provided for free. The films begin promptly at 7pm.
Fri., Aug. 29: Princesa (2000, Italy/Germany/Brazil, director: Henrique Goldman). Fernanda, a Brazilian transvestite, arrives in Milan hoping to make enough money to have a sex change operation. She begins working as a prostitute for Karin, an older transvestite in Via Pirelli. One night, she meets Gianni, an attractive businessman. When Gianni discovers that Fernanda is a man, he can’t handle the news, tries to dump her, but finds he’s obsessed and has fallen in love. (In Spanish with English subtitles; approximately 96 minutes).
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