The 30th Southern Decadence Phenomenon
Wed., Aug. 29 through Mon., Sept. 3, 2001

I'd definitely say it was a contribution to something that got bigger than we ever dreamed it would be. It's all about having a good time." [Robert King, one of the founding members of the S.D. Happening]

It is coming again! The Southern Decadence festival; that circus gone amok of a wildly aberrant, unusual, motley, slightly crazy bunch of avant garde attitudes in drag; that congerie of costumed marchers who take to the streets of the French Quarter in a route only the Grand Marshal knows on a day in September that usually turns out to be one of the hottest of the year in this Bombay of the New World - New Orleans. They arrive like Asian termites hungering for pine logs in French Quarter architecture. But these strange creatures arrive mostly to imbibe of the grape; mostly to be outrageous and have fun doing it.

Not even the fire from a dragon's breath would keep participants and watchers from assembling in the 1200 block of Royal Street on the first Sunday before Labor Day for a celebration that has gotten bigger and more wonderfully insane each year since its casual creation in 1972.

That day, usually between 10am and noon, an unknown quantity of men and women, Gay and straight, begin to assemble at the corner of Royal and Barracks Streets. They will huddle on the banquette in front of a favorite Gay watering hole named The Golden Lantern, there for some 30 years. They will spill out into the street.

No one ever knows exactly how many will show up, but recent years have seen the numbers grow into the tens of thousands. By around noon traffic will have to slow down or detour because Royal Street will be overflowing with marchers mostly costumed in drag, scare drag and traditional drag, and any other kind of rig they can conjure up from their imaginations. You will see the playful, the whimsical, the pretty, the ugly, the satirical, the witty, and the obscene. But whatever you see, it will always be totally decadent. It's a scene from a technicolor Fellini film extemporaneously created. It's a happening of habadashery fit for an LSD Alice In Wonderland. It's a casting call for Lord of the Rings.

Then, at 2pm, the Grand Marshal will arrive with a following of courtiers accompanied by the squeals and screams of his/her group and often other noises - the sound of whistles, goose honks, castanets, washtub fiddles, conch shell blasts, homemade jazz bands, horse whinnies, tiger roars, pussy meows, and whatever else that particular group fancies as an auditory assault, or a musical instrument. When the time comes to march, the Grand Marshal blows his/her/its/their whistle and the whole drunken, rowdy group weaves its drunken way down the streets of the Quarter, one year cutting through St. Louis Basilica when a Mass was in progress, another year giving attitude to the tourists in the lobby of the Fairmont Hotel, or on the Moonwalk, or where ever they can go. The secret route always depends entirely upon the imagination of the Grand Marshal[s]. But it's always decadent, outrageous, and, of course, includes all the Gayles bars and other favorites; it's always an extemporaneous demonstration of cutting edge freedom of expression, a walk on the wild side, a flourish, a smile, a brave conceit of the past.

1995's Grand Marshal Blanche chose Grand Marshal XXIV Wayne White August 1, 1996. You see this is tradition. It has always been at the discretion of the Grand Marshal to choose how he/she/it will pass on the Southern Decadence torch! 1996 is history: Theme - Tour of da'NILE!, Colors - Royal Blue and Gold, Beer - Bud Light; Revelers - Over 35,000.

1996's Grand Marshal Wayne White chose Grand Marshal XXV Miss Love August 1, 1997. 1997 is history: Theme - The Love Tour: A Wedding To Remember!; Colors - Silver, White & Teal; Beer - Budweiser; Revelers - Over 50,000; Economic Impact - Over $25 million.

1997's Grand Marshal Miss Love chose Grand Marshal XXVI Robin Malta July 5, 1998. 1998 is history: Theme - Deliriously Decadent Divas: A Salute To Sitcom Reruns; Color - Color TV Optional; and Beer - Bud Light; Revelers - Over 60,000; Economic Impact - Over $30 million.

1998's Grand Marshal Robin Malta chose Grand Marshal XXVII Errol Rizzuto July 4, 1999. 1999 is history: Theme - Dark Lady Tour: Dissidents of Decadence; Color - Silver & Black; and Beer - Bud Light; Revelers - 70,000; Economic Impact - $35 million.

1999's Grand Marshal Errol Rizzuto chose Grand Marshals XXVIII Tony Langlinais & Thom "Smurf" Murphy July 8, 2000. 2000 is history: Theme - Taboo X 2: The Forbidden Pleasures Tour; Colors - Red, Silver & Black; Song - Man I Feel Like A Woman, and Beer - Bud Light; Revelers - 91,000; Economic Impact - $72 million.

2000's Grand Marshals Tony Langlinais & Thom "Smurf" Murphy chose Grand Marshals XXIX Bianca Del Rio, Pat "Estelle" Ritter & "Big" Rick Thomas July 7, 2001. This year's selections include: Theme - "Menage a trois"; Colors - Purple, Pink & Red; and Song - Lady Marmelade.

It all began in 1972 with a going away party for Michael Evers at Belle Reve, 2110 Barracks St.; consisting of Gays, straights, blacks and whites. 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 SDGMs XXVIII-Thom "Smurf" Murphy & Tony Langlinais 2000; SDGMs XXIX-Bianca Del Rio, Pat "Estelle" Ritter & "Big" Rick Thomas 2001.

The Crescent City is gearing up for what is expected to be the largest Decadence celebration in history bringing in possibly some 100,000 revelers. This "end of summer celebration" has received much acclaim in recent years throughout the United States due to the national marketing efforts of businesses like SouthernDecadence.COM, AMBUSH Mag, AMBUSHonLINE, 735 nightclub/bar, Bourbon Pub/Parade and Oz. The local economy benefits greatly to the tune of over $50 million each year, thanks to the vision of these businesses.

Tips & Tricks

If you've never been to Southern Decadence, you have a lot to learn! What follows is some advice gathered from locals that will help you get the most out of your decadent experience.

During Southern Decadence, some streets of the French Quarter do not allow parking - look for, and heed, no parking signs. So, plan on doing a lot of walking. Comfortable shoes are a must. Always walk where it is well lit and there are a lot of people. New Orleans is a city of neighborhoods. Like all large cities, the Big Easy does have some trouble spots. Always walk with others, never alone if possible. Don't wander about the city. In New Orleans the neighborhoods change, literally, when you cross a street. Always carry a map. If you're drinking, don't go stumbling about the French Quarter. Locals know that the people who encounter trouble are usually the ones who have been drinking.

Unfortunately, Southern Decadence does attract some people who are out for more than a good time. When you walk the streets, don't bring your wallet. Take the cash you need and some sort of identification and put them in a pocket that no one can slip their hand into. Don't wear expensive jewelry. Basically, don't take anything with you that you would have a hard time replacing if it were lost.

If your car is impounded, it will cost you over a $100 bucks plus whatever else the city decides to tack on. Your car can be retrieved from the City Auto Pound, located in a dangerous area of the city, 400 N. Claiborne Ave., (565.7236). This will spoil a good time. Cabs will be difficult to get during Southern Decadence. In addition, many cab companies enforce a "special event rate." This means that you'll be paying a premium for a taxi and, sadly, many cabbies take advantage of people during Decadence. If you are going to take a cab, we recommend UNITED CABS: 522.9771 or 524.9606. Write these numbers down and put them in your wallet. This cab company can be trusted. If you don't care what it costs to get around, any cab will do. United Cabs has a sound reputation with the Gay community.

People are allowed to drink on the streets in New Orleans; however, you must ask the bartender for a "geaux cup." (A "go cup" is a plastic cup.) Glass and cans are not allowed on the streets for safety reasons.

Bars in New Orleans are open twenty-four hours a day. Pace yourself. If you are going to drink, take it easy and slow. Most important, it's easy to get caught up in all the excitement and forget to eat. If you want to make it through the weekend, solid food is a necessity. Of course, New Orleans is world famous for its food and indulging is part of a complete New Orleans experience.

Clean bathrooms are a difficult thing to find during Decadence. Every business closes its facilities to everyone but paying customers. If your hotel is far from the action, take care of the more important business before you hit the streets. If you need to, plan on buying lunch or dinner and using the restaurant's bathroom before you pay the check!

No matter how "bad" you have to go, do not urinate in the streets or on door steps or through iron gates. This is a fine way to end up in central lock-up and people who are arrested sit in jail until the courts re-open after Labor Day which will cost you about $200. Besides, it's not polite. Listen to your body. Get in line before you really have to go. By the time you're crossing your legs, you might be at the front of the line. During Southern Decadence weekend, you're bound to get an eyeful. Public nudity is not allowed and the obscenity laws are still on the books. You need to use your better judgement on this stuff. The police in New Orleans tend to "look the other way" at MOST of the things that happen during Decadence; however, it is possible to get into trouble by showing too much. If you see a uniform, be certain it's a costume.

Beggers, panhandlers and con artists of all persuasions will be looking to scam the unwary and (especially) drunk visitor. If some con walks up to you and says "I can tell you where you got dem shoes," you reply "YEAH! On my feet on Bourbon Street!" before he can con you out of a fiver or more. "If you play ya gotta pay."

If you want to have your boots polished, do it yourself. Never take out your money (remember - you left your wallet and other valuables in the room) to pay for anything on the street. Of course, the Phoenix bar has a hot guy who will really put a shine on those boots; and, there may be a few people there who will do it for free.

Southern Decadence is a big party. People drink and are having a good time. It's easy to forget that there is a real world out there. All the bars offer free condoms and there is no excuse. Don't allow the party to overwhelm your better judgement. We want you to come again. Have fun and play safe!