ueen Fashions
joins Ambush Mag as the presenting sponsors of the 6th annual Gay
Easter Parade on Easter Sunday, March 27, 4pm. The parade minus expenses,
benefits Food For Friends again this year. Queen Fashions, located at 3017 19th
St. in Metairie, has been the top monetary donor over the past three years.
Ambush Mag has presented and promoted the parade since its inception
in 2000 with coverage, donated advertising space and monetary donations.
James
Swire and Lisa Beaumann will reign as Easter Grand Marshals VI. Swire and
Beaumann were selected by the Official New Orleans Gay Easter Parade Board of
Directors following the 2004 parade. They both have been outstanding
participants and supporters of the Gay Easter Parade and its many fund-raisers
since the very beginning. Swire is noted for his work with the NO/AIDS Task
Force CAN Project, while Beaumann stars on stage at both the Corner Pocket and
Oz.
The Whiz Magazine returns this year as a
Platinum Sponsor donating advertising space, plus both cover and inside
exposure.
The
2005 parade route, chosen by the board, boast a new, more inclusive route. The
parade kicks off on N. Rampart St. at Armstrong Park, traveling down St. Ann to
Bourbon, Bourbon to Esplanade, Esplanade to Royal, Royal to St. Louis and St.
Louis to N. Rampart ending at St. Ann. The parade will pass in front of every
gay bar in the French Quarter this year.
The parties already begin with the Grand Marshals Reception
presenting EGMs VI James Swire and Lisa Beaumann on Mon., Feb. 21, 8-10pm at the
Corner Pocket, 940 St. Louis St.
The 3rd annual Spring Fever! A Star Studded Benefit Gala is
up next at 4 Seasons in Metairie, presented by EGM IV Electra City and Tittie
Toulouse on Fri., March 4, 8pm.
The 4th annual Super Star Studded Drag Extravaganza is on
Sat., March 12, 8-10pm, at Cowpokes, 2240 St. Claude.
The 6th annual Purple Party Grand Marshals reception is set
for Sat., March 19, 8-10pm, at the Double Play, 439 Dauphine.
|
Gay Easter Parade Board of Directors Tip
Varnadore, Rip Naquin-Delain, Gary Delaune & Marsha Naquin-Delain |
Watch for more details and other fund-raisers and events
associated with the parade at GayEasterParade.COM, or in Ambush or the Whiz.
For parade and sponsorship information or to schedule fund-raisers/parties,
please contact Rip Naquin-Delain,
info@gayeasterparade.com or 504.522.8049. Make all checks payable to
Ambush/Gay Easter Parade, 828-A Bourbon St., New Orleans, LA 70116-3137.
The Board of Directors would also like to welcome new board
members Tip Varnadore (Electra City) and Gary Delaune (Tittie Toulouse}. Their
personal support, as well as that of their company, Queen Fashions, has been
immense. Electra City also reigned as Easter Grand Marshal IV, and along with
partner Tittie Toulouse, have hosted a major fund-raiser personally each year
for the parade. They join fellow board members, Rip and Marsha Naquin-Delain,
and as a board, make all decisions concerning the parade, parade route,
fund-raisers and the selection of the Easter Grand Marshals.
The board would like to express its gratitude to former board
members Lance V. Ford and Carl J. Ford for their outstanding participation,
efforts and hard work in past parades.
7th Annual Stars & Strays Spring Gala March 19
N
ew Orleans has one
of the largest homeless animal populations in the United States - an estimated
400,000. Last year alone, the local animal shelters euthanized more than 35,000
companion animals. SpayMart, a local, all volunteer-based 501© 3 nonprofit
organization, was formed in 1999 by Pam Casey and Lynn Chiche. Their mission is
to address animal over- population and animal homelessness through: education,
aggressive spay/neuter, and adoption programs and initiatives.
The 7th annual Stars and Strays Spring Gala
Sat., March 19, 6:30pm, will benefit abandoned/homeless animals. All proceeds
from the auction will go towards helping the animals. Due in part to previous
galas, SpayMart has assisted over 36,000 homeless animals.
Hosted at the UNO Homer L. Hitt Alumni and Visitors Center,
the evening will feature a silent auction, live music, food by renowned chefs,
complimentary photos, raffle, door prizes and free parking. Jim Tweedy of
"Charlie the Red Cat" will unveil a new original painting.
Tickets are $50 with patron tickets $150-$500. Visit
www.spaymart.org to purchase gala tickets,
request sponsorship information, or donate auction items. For more information,
or to purchase gala tickets or sponsorships by credit card, call Susan Geoghegan
at 504.782.6649. All major credit cards are accepted. If you cannot attend, your
donation is appreciated.