Marsha & Rip Naquin-Delain celebrated their 29th anniversary at Magnolia Cotillion XXIX with 355 guest in attendance at 828 Bourbon St. in New Orleans. The 1830s mansion encompasses the first floor Ambush offices and their second and third floor private residence.

The evenings festivities benefits the NO/AIDS Walk each year. Guests are asked, in lieu of gifts, to help sponsor Rip in the NO/AIDS Walk. From 1991-2002, a total of $88,812 has been raised for the Walk.

Celebrating the 29th anniversary of New Orleans first registered domestic partners, the festivities kicked off with the unveiling of "Dos Gatitos." The interpretive work by artist John Sowley portrays Marsha as a Romanesque woman nude with Rip peering through deep purple fabric. It certainly caused quite a stir among party guests.

Next up was the first auction of the Cotillion Egg created and donated by Sylvia Frank & Pat Skelly. Celebrity auctioneer Phyllis Denmark (r) headed the proceedings and local celebrity Larry Anderson (l) won the egg with his $700 bid.

Guests were treated to the South of the Border Feast personally prepared by the Naquin-Delain's. The unusual culinary delights included Wild Boar/Chiles Rellenos Quiche, Venison Enchilada Bake, Crawfish Maison, Hot Crabmeat Queso, 7-Layers of Heaven: guacamole, cheddar, black olives, sour cream, salsa, mozzarella & refried beans, and The Big Diva's Fiesta Rollups prepared by Phyllis Denmark.

Members of the Gay Appreciation Awards (GAA) Board were joined by members of the William Fanning J. Foundation (Buzzy's Boys & Girls) Board for a special presentation. The GAA Board presented the $3,225 raised at the GAA Gala this year to Buzzy's Boys & Girls.

GAA's Rip Naquin-Delain, Buzzy's Joyce Alberts, GAA's Marsha Naquin-Delain, Buzzy's Koo Gaffney, GAA's Lisa Beaumann, Toni Pizanie, Teryl-Lynn Foxx & Lance Ford, and Buzzy's Marty Curtin with the GAA Gala's $3,225 donation.

Guests were served the traditional anniversary Magnolia Wedding Cake prepared by Swiss Confectionery in the Ambush offices. Long-time friend and Petunias Chef, Jay Loomis, did the honors here.

The total raised for the NO/AIDS Walk was unavailable at press time since money continues to arrive until Walk day on Sept. 14.

Bartender Randall celebrated his birthday blowout at his home bar, Ninth Circle on the Rampart St. strip in New Orleans

Blanche Debris was the real star along with the talented Mimi Guste at the Krewe of Armeinius' fab fund-raiser on St. Louis St. in New Orleans. The Krewe of Armeinius Bal Masque XXXVI is set for Sat., Feb. 21, 2004 at St. Bernard Cultural Center in Chalmette.

The fabulous Fish pulled off another great Turnabout benefiting Buzzy's Boys & Girls. This ninth presentation opened with the Age of Aquarius presented by SDGM XXXI Rusty LaRoux & Co. at Body & Soul in New Orleans. The event has raised thousands of dollars each year for Buzzy's Boys & Girls.

Southern Decadence Grand Marshal Sponsor Coors Light's own Valerie Landry, SDGM XXXI Rusty LaRoux and Oz's Tommy Elias mingle with party guest during the Southern Decadence Grand Marshal Reception & Show hosted by Dance & Show Bar of the Year Oz in New Orleans. Madame Grand Marshal joined the Oz show girls on stage for this wild Wednesday blowout.

Sebastian is joined by Hair Salon of the Year Hair Asylum's Brenda Laura and Greg during the giant Sexy Bitch vs. Sebastian blowout hosted at Ninth Circle in New Orleans.

Maskarade’s Mary and Marion offer a fabulous new selection of Rainbow Mask from Brazil in time for Carnaval Decadence in New Orleans.

SDGM XXXI Rusty LaRoux is joined by Golden Lantern's Jay Verona during the Tits & Ass Drag & Variety Show hosted in Rusty's honor by the Corner Pocket in New Orleans.

Ricky Henry, Mr. Knight 2003, was host of the Leather Auction that raised over $1,100 for Children With AIDS presented by Knights d'Orleans at the Phoenix in New Orleans.

 

 

Bartender Billy Alexander celebrated his birthday at the Friendly Bar serving up cocktails for his friends and fans in New Orleans.

Mr. Idaho & Miss Mississippi took home the coveted crowns of  Mr. & Miss America presented by the Krewe of Amon Ra at St. Bernard Cultural Center in Chalmette.

Southern Decadence visitors will be welcomed by these vibrant Pride banners hanging from street lamps sponsored by Ninth Circle. The display appears from St. Louis St. to Esplanade on N. Rampart, the Gay Gateway to the French Quarter in New Orleans.

The Southern Decadence Grand Marshals Luncheon was hosted at the Royal  Cafe by SDGM XXXI Rusty LaRoux. (Front Row) SDGM XXIV Wayne White, SDGM XXVI Robin Malta, SDGM XXXI Rusty LaRoux, SDGM I Frederick Wright; (2nd Row) Mother of Southern Decadence Maureen Block, SDGM XII Mumbo, SDGM XXIX Estelle, SDGM XV Miss Love; (3rd Row) SDGM XIX Jamie Temple, SD Founder Charlie Block, SDGM XV Olive, SDGM XXIII Blanche, SDGM IV Robert Laurent, SDGM XXIX Bianca Del Rio, SDGM XVIII Tony Langlinais, SDGM XXIX Big Rick; (4th Row) SDGM XXII Alain, SDGM XIII Fish & SDGM XXX Irish Mike.