by Toni Pizanie
NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA
Southern Decadence W
I have to admit that although I was at Ambush Headquarters for the bead toss, I never did go out on the balcony. There seemed to be enough people out there and I was having as much fun as I could handle in the living room.
To start off that festive Sunday, Kay and I decided to attend the Church of Christ the Liberator after our breakfast at LaPeniche. It would mean that we would miss the Grand Marshal’s brunch at the Friendly but we felt it was the best way for us to proceed. Indeed breakfast with friends and visitors in our favorite gay atmosphere is a must for us.
It was a sermon not to be missed. Fr. Nicholas is known for his humor and he out did himself at this service. He reminded us that as liberals and Democrats we were too open hearted to say that God was punishing Governor Bush and Florida for the 2000 election. Compare that to the right-wing who would say that God was punishing New Orleans if it rained on Decadence. It is funny but so true that the right-wing is not Christian at all.
In the sunny heat, we made our way back to the Doll House for a cool drink and cover for our sunburned heads. We were joined by Danny Calhoun and wandered down to the Golden Lantern to snap some outrageous pre-parade pictures. Kay is writing occasionally for the Boise, ID Gay Community Center Newsletter. She wanted to show them Southern Decadence as there was no way she could explain the five day event. This was not Kay’s first SD but she hasn’t seen enough to be as blase as we experienced locals. Danny and I stood in the shade greeting friends as Kay rushed through the crowd looking for more and more shocking costumes.
I reminded her of 15 years ago when we (Pam and I) just fell out of bed on the Sunday of Decadence. We dragged ourselves to The Mint still in our sleeping apparel and proceeded to get drunker than the night before and waited for the parade which we tried our best to follow on it’s undefined route. She wasn’t interested and preferred what SD has become rather than the past.
Finally the great winged Master of the Day, Donnie Jay, arrived riding a horse. He rivaled Rex, the King of Mardi Gras. Former Grand Marshals served as his court like the always beautiful Rusty while Tony tried to control the horse. There were others but they were relegated to servitude and walked in a group. I saw Todd, TT, Regina Ann, Klorocks, Tiffany Rose and Wayne. Rip and Marsha rode upon lazyboys like Decadent celebrities on the back of a truck that someone said carried refreshments. They are always the smart ones.
Looking glorious and walking alone was Adam Hawkins in flawless makeup and wings that stretched across the narrow street. They were almost as large as Donnie Jay’s. From there, it was difficult to tell who was in the entourage. Creative groups followed. My favorite was the synchronized swimmers. They were too fab. Of course the Catholic School Girls caught my eye. Master Allen and several exquisite visitors in leather were among the crowd. Michael Chase, the perfect radio personality and actor, was with a blonde, sequined angel. Michael is leaving New Orleans for California. It is our loss.
After that, I lost count. We worked our way to Bourbon trying to stay in the shade. At Dumaine, Danny decided to leave us for some more appealing company. Kay and I pushed and stumbled to Ambush Headquarters only to find a dozen people parked on the steps and not wanting to move. I said, OK and started to climb over them. They moved.
Upstairs it was quiet and cool. It was quiet until Phyllis Denmark made an entrance. About five of us started pulling out the goodies that Rip & Marsha had prepared for the Grand Marshal’s Bead Toss. Then like a gust of wind from one of those hurricanes, there was Donnie Jay and his merry group.
As I’ve said, I didn’t make it outside on the balcony. It was just too hot for me. Everyone that did take a turn on the balcony came in raving about how large the crowd was and how excited they were in the street. I was exhausted just listening.
Bianca invited everyone to Oz for drinks. Now I might not have gone except that I know that Kay is a bar fly. She loves the loud music, the dancing, the couples pairing off in the late afternoon. I enjoyed it too so we hung over the second floor balcony and watched.
When we got home, I hit the shower to wake me up and get some of the day’s grime off. You will never guess what Kay wanted to do on Monday. I thought we’d just visit the French Market and a few friendly bars but no. Kay had planned for me to drive her to Cutoff, LA to visit her son.
That didn’t come as a welcome surprise. But, gee, I was so glad to have her here in New Orleans again. There is an expression that old friends are the best friends. I don’t know if that is true but I do treasure the visits of my friends and talking with them about politics in different parts of the country. Kay and I did a lot of that. She told me that the small Gay community in Boise is very active in the Kerry campaign. That’s good news.
So another SD is history and I didn’t hear anything negative. Perhaps all the worrying was for nothing. The businesses I spoke with said that business was good and they were pleased. All’s well that ends well.
