by Patrick Clinton
LAFAYETTE, LOUISIANA
Mardi Gras is upon us Acadiana, and if you’re not ready to party hard, you better get ready. The Apollo and R.O.U. Balls are past, but the festivities are just getting under way for the big day. You can look forward to parades, as well as a day at the bars like no other day of the year, not to mention all the hot guys and gals who will be crowding the downtown to swipe some beads or catch a glimpse of the spectacular outfits I know some of you will be wearing. Regardless of what you’re in to, I know you're going to have a blast in downtown Lafayette on Mardi Gras day.
Before I get into all the details of debauchery planned around the gay community for Mardi Gras, I’d like to make a quick announcement. Acadiana’s own Bryan Copeland, a.k.a. D.J. Dizzy D, has created a brand new Internet sight that will get all you computer jockeys excited. It’s called Gay South and you can log in at www.gaysouth.net. For those of you who love surfing the net, Gay South offers everything that all those other gay sights offer plus a whole lot more, and did I mention it’s totally free. You can not only chat and instant message people, but you can also post journals, stories, and personal ads. And that’s not nearly all. You can read the latest gay news, shop at the pride shop, see gay movie reviews, and participate in online polls. And best of all, it has a local event calendar and local photo albums. This is a great gay sight, and it’s catered just for you Acadiana.
Gabriel’s Restaurant and Bar in downtown St. Martinville is holding a giant Mardi Gras Party on Sunday, 2 March, and if it’s anything like the Grand Opening celebration they held this past Valentine’s Day, it’s going to be phenomenal. They had a live band, and the whole place was packed with people enjoying food and festivities. And I’m sure that was only a preamble to what they have in store for their Mardi Gras celebration. But why wait until the party to enjoy everything Gabriel’s Restaurant has to offer?
They have exquisite food and a remarkable atmosphere for your dining enjoyment every day of the week. I had their fried catfish and it was unbelievable. Forget about those other seafood restaurants; if you want authentic Cajun and Creole cuisine, you must eat at Gabriel’s. And with all their entrees, they serve boudin balls and the best jambalaya I’ve ever eaten.
If that’s not incentive enough to drop by, Gabriel’s also has a fully stocked bar where his superior bartenders can whip up everything imaginable.
And don’t forget they have karaoke every Thursday night.
So next time you’re not willing to settle for average food, come by Gabriel’s Restaurant and Bar and indulge in the best. You’ll be glad you did.
Don’t think for a moment that the Sound Factory has forgotten about the upcoming Mardi Gras celebrations. On Mardi Gras Day, Sound Factory will open at 10am and stay open until the wee hours of the morning. There’ll be food and fun all day long. It’s gonna be the perfect place to stop off for a relaxing break between fighting the parade crowds for beads. And after the parades, it’s where all your friends are going to be. Come by and celebrate the holiday right. If not, you’ll be kicking yourself until next year.
And don’t forget about Sound Factory’s spectacular weekly lineup. John and Mark have worked hard to perfect the schedule of nightly events, and from Acadiana’s general reaction, it’s obvious that it’s been a resounding success.
On Mondays Sound Factory has Happy Hour all night long. Talk about drinking for less.
Tuesday nights are karaoke night hosted by Little Karaoke Shoppe. If you haven’t been by to check out this fun filled party, you are missing the opportunity to watch all your friends get on stage and sing to their heart’s content. And if you don’t like to sing, don’t worry; you’ll have a blast watching everybody else. By the time you have a few drinks in you, you might just decide you’re destined to be the next American Idol.
Wednesdays have Hot Bodies in Action. This is when you get to watch sexy men from all over the South take it off for your viewing pleasure. Wow! Now that’s hot!
Every Thursday night is Drink ‘n Drown. By far this is the most economical night of the week. For eight dollars you can have as many well drinks as you want. And if you don’t feel like drinking and just want to enjoy the company of your friends, don’t fret, as always, there’s no cover charge.
On Friday nights you can enjoy Big Girl cocktails for only $3.75. That’s like having two for one drinks. And to make it even better, you get to dance the night away to the superior sounds of DJ Jamie Guidry. If you haven’t heard his sounds and you like to dance, then you’ve been denied some of the best music around. He DJ’s every Friday night and every other Saturday. Come by and check him out.
And on Saturdays you can also take advantage of "Get a Long One for Less." That’s right, on Saturday nights you can enjoy all your favorite domestic long neck beers for only two dollars. Now that’s a Saturday night special.
And don’t forget about Sundays, the pinnacle of the week at Sound Factory. They open at noon and the doors don’t close until midnight. It’s twelve hours of the most fun you’ll find around Acadiana. It begins with a pot luck lunch and ends with Sound Factory’s now famous "Drag Races." Showtime, as always, is at 10pm and I know you don’t want to miss all the fun.
After Mardi Gras is over, don’t think for a moment that Sound Factory is going to take a break from entertaining Acadiana. On March 21 - 23, the Sound Factory and Shania Scarlett will present Miss Gay Louisiana USofA 2003. This is going to be a fabulous show and will have many of your favorite entertainers performing, not to mention the competition is always breathtaking. So mark your calendars and get ready for a night of fun and entertainment.
And don’t forget about Sound Factory this Mardi Gras.
Backstreet Men’s Club has really been popping these last few weeks, and they’ll continue this trend until way past Mardi Gras. On Saturday, 15 February, Backstreet had some of the hottest male dancers I’ve seen in a while. The two sexy Latin Lovers really knew how to shake their stuff. Believe me when I tell you it was a night to remember. And that’s just the beginning of what Mark has planned for this Mardi Gras season.
On Mardi Gras day, Backstreet will open at 9am, just in time to get that first drink in your system before the parades begin. And the fun will continue all day long, with food, drinks, and everything in between.
Backstreet Men’s Club has always been like a home away from home for much of the Acadiana gay community. It offers a laid back atmosphere that can be rivaled by no other bar. You can relax and enjoy cocktails with your friends, and unlike most bars, you can actually enjoy a friendly conversation. It’s no wonder so many people choose to drop by Backstreet on their way home from work. It’s fun and relaxing, and you can always find a friendly smile.
So if you haven’t been by Backstreet Men’s Club lately, drop by this Mardi Gras season and enjoy yourself with some of your closest friends.
Jules Downtown has really been preparing for the Mardi Gras season this year. On the Monday before Fat Tuesday, Danny and his crew will have a pre-Mardi Gras celebration that will really get you in the mood for the upcoming parades. There’ll be drinks and fun until late into the night. But don’t sleep in the next day because Jules Downtown is opening at 11am Mardi Gras morning. You’ll be able to drop by for a drink or a few spins on the dance floor while taking a break from those crowded streets. If it’s anything like last year, it’s going to be a blast.
This Mardi Gras I know a lot of you will be on the road. Many of you will be spending the holiday in New Orleans. While on the roads be careful. There’ll be lots of people out, and many of them will be drinking. So if you’re going to be traveling, watch out for the other drivers, and make sure you always have someone designated to take you home. It's worth the few extra dollars for a cab ride if it means saving your or someone else’s life. Mardi Gras is a celebration of life; don’t let it become an occasion to mourn.
Until next time, have fun and be safe.
