by Wally Sherwood
NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA
WILL THIRD TIME BE THE CHARM for Carnival queen and community activist Toni J.P. Pizanie? Further encouraged by her newest title of Miss Possum Holler III, the reigning Ms. Marigny Leather III is about to find out as she attempts to join the gods and goddesses climbing Mount Olympus on Oct. 3-5 in the Florida panhandle.
The destination for the terrific Toni, who will be accompanied by her newly appointed manager, Dan Ulz, plus a lot of other leather folk including this columnist, will be at the Gulf States Olympus Pageant at the Emerald City bar in historic downtown Pensacola.
The leather contest is restricted to residents of Alabama, Florida, Louisiana, Mississippi and Texas for a $50 entry fee, with the deadline rapidly approaching on Sept. 15. Judging will be in the categories of interviews, fetish image, fantasy presentation and speech/stage presence. The Mr. and Ms. Gulf States Olympus winners will advance to the National Olympus Finals at the Pantheon of Leather in Chicago during the Presidents’ Day Weekend.
The "Lessons in Leather" weekend will open with a meet-and-greet and pool party. Before the contest on Saturday evening, there will be a vendors fair, workshops and demonstrations. A play party will cap off the day’s activities before Sunday’s victory brunch. The $75 package deal includes a souvenir pin and t-shirt. Host hotel will be the Days Inn Historic District, only two blocks from the pageant.
MR. OLYMPUS TIED TO N’AWLINS: Robert, Mr. Olympus 2003 who went on to win in Chicago as Mr. Gulf States Olympus, resides in Mobile but was in town for Southern Decadence. He was a guiding force behind La Petit Bastille and Rubicon here in New Orleans. Joining him as a judge will be Melly of Birmingham, Ms. Gulf States Olympus 2003.
Also serving on the panel will be Miss Jennifer, Ms. Philadelphia Leather 2003; Rob Carabelli, Mr. New Jersey Leather 2002; Doug Harris, Sanctuary of the Dark Angel instructor; and Tim Woody, Virginia Leather Boy 2002-03. Keeping tabs of the scores will be tallymaster Jim Jenkins, an International Mr. Leather staff member from Ohio. Mistress Susan Walens, founder of Masters and Slaves Together in Atlanta and slave Stewart Siegel, founder of the Fetish Alliance in Ft. Lauderdale, will serve as co-emcees.
Executive producer Joni Perrie of Springfield, VA, was International Ms. Leather 2001 and can be contacted at 202.431.6733. Further information can be obtained at fetishalliance.net/gso/home.html or gulfstatesolympus@fetishalliance.net.
Immediately on the heels of Gulf States Olympus in Florida will be the Leather University’s presentation of "Dungeon 801" on Oct. 17-19 in Ft. Lauderdale. Our good friend and fellow Chicago Hellfire Club member, Parker Perry, will be there along with other instructors from Delta International, Eulenspiegel Society, National Leather Association and Lesbian Sex Mafia. You can register for $215 at 954.761.9828 or e-mail registrar@leatheru.com.
KREWE GETS "A+" FOR GAY PRIDE: Armeninus, our personal choice for the Best Overall Carnival Ball of last season, really proved their worth and outdid everyone else in the Chicago Gay Pride Parade. Their magnificent float, very appropriate for the celebration of the Louisiana Purchase, featured the reigning Napoleon and Josephine accompanied by seven other krewe members, and literally blew the Windy City away. The response drew a record of 12,000 hits on the Armeninus website.
Gambling trips are still a lucky source of donations for many krewes. Billy Neal, a float chairman for King Arthur’s parade, has tickets for a $10 breakfast fund-raiser at the Treasure Chest on Sept. 13. You can contact him at 504.943.8929 while he is working at the Friendly Bar or 432.7818 afterwards.
The Lords of Leather will be cruising to Beau Rivage on Sept. 20 at 10am, followed by Armeninus with a Casino Magic Bingo Trip on Oct. 11 at 8:30 am. Both are ticketed at $10. Armeninus also has a theatre party for "The Mystery of Irma Vep" on Oct. 30 at Le Petit Theatre du Veiux Carre.
Unfortunately, there still is no Ms. Louisiana Leather Contest, but in its place the LOL will have a Leatherette spin-off on Oct. 20 at 8pm in the Barn Theatre. That will also be the venue for the Fetish Ball on New Year’s Eve, with the New Orleans Bondage and Leather Enthusiasts joining the Lords for the occasion.
PARTNERS BUILD LEATHER DYNASTY: Is a new royal family taking root in Hammond in the heart of the leather State of Louisiana? First it was Ben Bourgeois coming down to New Orleans and winning the Mr. Gay New Orleans and Mr. Marigny Leather contests. Then it was on to Mobile to support his partner of 11 years in his bid for Mr. Gulf Coast Bear.
Patrick Johnson did not win, but earned the respectable position of second alternate to Derrick Young of Pensacola. Runner-up was Tony Pennington, also of Pensacola. Finishing out the top five were two entries from the host city of Mobile: Darryl Forrett, a former New Orleans resident, and Patrick Garrett.
The contest, which this year followed a theme of "Trailer Trash Bears," is hosted annually by the Gulf Coast Bear and Leather Association at their home bar, B-Bob’s Downtown. The highly enjoyable, down-home comical presentation brought in a serious amount of $550 for Mobile AIDS Walk 2003.
Two of the judges were from the Big Easy: Mark Colley, Mr. Louisiana Leather 2003 and Mr. Marigny Leather I; and Mike Melancon, president of the New Orleans Bear and Bear Trapper Social Club.
They were joined by Butch McKay of Panama City Beach, long-time Gulf Coast Bear member; Austin Newberry of Tallahassee, a former Mr. Gulf Coast Bear winner; and Tonni Oswell of Long Beach, member of the Beach Cities Bears in California. The masters of ceremonies were A. J. McKay, of WABB 97 FM Radio in Mobile, who emcees the show every Saturday night at B-Bob’s, and Buddy S.
WAY DOWN YONDER IN POS SUM HOLLOW: Leather ruled the day during the fun Possum Holler Contest, appropriately hosted annually by Cowpokes, the Country-and-Western dance bar in the Faubourg Marigny.
As mentioned above, Ms. Marigny Leather III and the reigning Queen of the Krewe of Petronius, Toni J.P. Pizanie, added the crown of Miss Possum Holler III to her growing resume. Runner-up was Mr. Knight 2003, Ricky Henry, who unexpectedly showed a hidden and unusual flair for costuming.
Mina Hernandez, president of the Crescent City Outlaws, was mistress of ceremonies. The three judges were Momma Mina, a dedicated supporter of the leather community; Princesse Stephaney, Miss Possum Holler II and Ms. Marigny Leather II; and Larry. As the new title-holder Toni gleefully described the simple rules, "Oh! It is holler-and not hollow—because to win, you have to be able to call a possum!"
Meanwhile, if you are unable to attend their entire run on the last weekend of month, the Outlaws have separate $40 tickets available for their gala banquet on Sept. 27 at 6:30 at Jack Dempsey’s popular seafood restaurant in the Bywater. For more information, contact Cowpokes bartender Rex Romans at 504.947.0505.
ONCE A NIGHT, ALWAYS A KNIGHT: Members of the highprofile Mid-America Conference of Clubs and South East Conference of Clubs are headed for the Big Easy on Oct. 3-5 to help the Knights d’Orleans celebrate their 29th Anniversary in grand style. The weekend run will revolve around an appropriate medieval theme of "Knights of Olde."
Official lodging for the anniversary celebration is being provided by the Olde Town Inn. Just around the corner will be the main venue of the Phoenix bar, where activities will kick off with a Friday night bust and final registration for $85. There will be the usual fun-filled round of cocktail parties, bar games, grand banquet and installation of new officers. Contact road captain Stephanie Lee at 504.452.2115 for complete details or pull up a registration form at www.knightsdorleans.com.
Before the out-of-towners hit old New Orleans for the run, the Knights d’Orleans will host a Back-to-School Uniform Night beginning at 9 o’clock on Sept. 19 during their weekly $5 beer bust in the Phoenix patio. The reigning Mr. Knight, Ricky Henry, also hosted a highly successful Leather Auction on Aug. 22 to benefit Children With AIDS. The event raised over $1,100, with master of ceremonies Pat O’Rourke doing double duty as the auctioneer.
MEET AND GREET IN THE MARIGNY: The reigning Mr. and Ms. Marigny Leather will be bar-crawling through their namesake faubourg on Sept. 12 to help raise some cash for their travel funds. It will be an excellent chance to personally meet and greet Ben Bourgeois, who just added accolades for finishing as first alternate to Mr. Louisiana Leather, and Toni J.P. Pizanie, civil rights crusader who serves on the Mayor’s Advisory Committee for Gay Issues. The floating benefit starts at 5pm at the Friendly and then goes to Big Daddy’s at 6:30 and on to Chet’s Bar at 8. There will be a 50/50 raffle and a parade of prizes.
Meanwhile, the Dallas Eagle, a consistent GAA nominee for Leather Bar of the Year, will host the Boy Pride Weekend on Sept. 19-21, complete with two leather competitions. Tap into www.dallasboysofleather.com for complete details. And during the Columbus Day Weekend in St. Petersburg, the Suncoast Resort Hotel will be the headquarters for the International Leather Sir and Boy Pageant. Packages are available now at www.LeatherSIR.com or 412.889.9605.
Congratulations to George Schwandt, Mr. Knight 2002, who is proudly wearing his handsome belt as the Most Outstanding Volunteer at the North Star Rodeo in the Twin Cities. Winding down the International Gay Rodeo Association circuit is San Diego on Sept. 26-28, 619.298.4708, and the 17th Annual Finals in Tulsa on Oct. 23-26. For more information on the cowboys, cowgirls and competition, contact Patrick Terry at 303.832.IGRA.
And do not forget the Angola Prison Rodeo on Oct. 5, 12, 19 and 26, which is billed as "The Wildest Show in the South," complete with music, arts, crafts and food. The hotline is 225.655.4411.
WALK THE WALK, TALK THE TALK: The New Orleans AIDS Walk turns 20 on Sept. 14 at Audubon Park, having been polished to perfection under the auspices of Ambush Magazine. Registration begins at 8am, with the walk promptly at 10. Following that, New Orleans will play host to the Southern AIDS Conference on Sept. 17-18 and U.S. Conference on AIDS on Sept. 19-20.
Then comes the Lazarus House’s massive musical fund-raiser, Lazberry Jam, on Sept. 20 from 6 until 10pm on Royal Street next to the Bywater railroad tracks. There will be at least three bands, good food and soft drinks, all for $30. But you can reserve a personal seat for a $50 donation by calling 504.949.3609.
The Friday Night Before Mardi Gras, a non-profit organization which parties just before the Fat Tuesday finale, has contributed their proceeds to two worthy AIDS and HIV charities. Along with president Billy C. Henry and secretary Henry LaRoche, the formal presentation was made by treasurer John Chatterton.
Identical checks of $6,000 were presented to Belle Reve, accepted by executive director Vicki G. Weeks and board secretary Jacqui B. Rankins; and United Services for AIDS Foundation, headed by executive director Richard Vititoe. All in all, the Carnival group’s galas have raised over $30,000 in the fight against the disease. Those interested in helping the cause and desire invitations for the 2004 pre-Mardi Gras extravaganza may request to be placed on the waiting list by writing POB 791376, New Orleans, LA 70179-1376.
BIG SALUTE TO AMONA RA’S AMERICA: "Amon Ra Goes Retro" was the theme for the venerable krewe’s Mr. and Miss America Pageant and when the results were tallied, the titles went to Mr. Idaho, Ricky Langois, and Miss Mississippi, Christina Crawfish. They received their crowns from the retiring duo of Ricky Callais and Tiffany Holiday.
Runner-ups to Mr. Idaho were Alaska and Oklahoma and for the female title, they were Texas and Michigan. The important Congeniality Awards went to Mr. Pennsylvania and Miss Oklahoma. It was fun and an honor being a judge again and the emcees, Eric Ziblich and Opal Masters, were just as effective as last year’s were insufficient.
The winning points were scored in the costume, swimwear and talent categories and, man, did the spirited contestants keep the judges busy. But, the tabulations moved smoothly and swiftly thanks to the well-known J.T. of Harrah’s accounting department, ably assisted by Billy Warr of Four Seasons.
The ceremonies at the St. Bernard Cultural Center, which will also be the site again for the krewe’s 39th bal masque on Jan. 31 at 8pm, opened with the national anthem by Tonisha Thompson and the president’s address by Jay Cooper. The signature cast number was by Nancy, Petula, Loretta, Mama, Melanie, Connie, Bette and Diana, who later returned to rousing applause as the Village People.
The event was again a fund-raiser for Amona Ra’s favorite charity, Belle Reve. The ever-charitable Electra City, Gay Easter Parade Grand Marshal IV, performed the benefit number to the tune of $254. Adding to the total was a raffle, as well as numerous boxes of canned goods collected at the door for the AIDS facility.
BAYOU BEARS SURVIVE THE STORMS: They came from California. They came from Connecticut. And they came from many cities inbetween for another highly successful four-day Bear Decadence celebration despite being in the eye of the Rev. Grant Storms’ hurricane of hate.
"Bears Take It Up The Bayou" started on Thursday night with the traditional Bear Block Party on Rampart Street beneath those glorious new rainbow banners. There was complimentary beer at the Ninth Circle and a very decadent punch at Voodoo on Congo Square.
As participants signed up for the run hosted by the New Orleans Bear and Bear Trapper Social Club, they received souvenir t-shirts and pins featuring the colorful logo of a Cajun Bear riding an alligator rendered by artist and club member Mike H. Registration resumed the following night at the Barn Theatre, complete with cocktails by the Crescent City Outlaws, a buffet by Bywater Bar-B-Que and special entertainment.
Saturday’s Arctophile Lunch was provided by the Friendly, with bar games and eye-openers by the Cavaliers Motorcycle Club. Then the action moved to the Phoenix with drinks flowing from a penis-shaped fountain provided by the Knights d’Orleans and on to Kim’s 940 Nightclub with cups of "swamp water" containing miniature gators served by the Lords of Leather.
Owner Jamie Temple hosted the giant Leather Block Party Saturday evening and the closing Bear Breakfast on Sunday morning during his annual Pre-Southern Decadence Parade Make-Up Party at the Phoenix. Before heading to Lucille’s Golden Lantern for the kick-off of the procession, light-hearted contests were conducted for the Best Beard, Best Buns, Best Chest and Best Belly, with farewell cocktails compliments of the Gulf Coast Bear and Leather Association.
And, with that, we are all out of room. But when the dust finally settles after Southern Decadence, we will be back with the results of two contests held during the festival as well as a full report on Amon Ra’s Mexican Fiesta Cruise aboard Carnival’s Holiday.
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