One of the most rewarding aspects of writing the Bartender of the Month feature is the opportunity to explore new bars, restaurants, and talented bartenders throughout the Gulf South. This month, I am pleased to highlight Heath Jason Vince, a Louisiana native hailing from Franklinton. Seeking greater opportunities in the hospitality and creative sectors, he relocated to … [Read more...] about Bartender of the Month
Articles
Obituary: Glen Donald Kahrman
Glen Donald Kahrman, a dedicated public health advocate, passed away on August 21, 2026 at the age of 82. Born and raised in West Springfield, Massachusetts, Glen served in the United States Marine Corps during the Vietnam war before moving to Nashville, Dallas, and finally settling in New Orleans, where he met the love of his life while bowling with the Kocktail Bunch … [Read more...] about Obituary: Glen Donald Kahrman
Trodding the Boards August 31, 2026
Bette, Bathhouse & Beyond’s Seth Sikes After 9 years, Bette, Bathhouse & Beyond has become quite the Southern Decadence tradition. Inspired by Bette Midler's legendary performances at New York City's infamous Continental Baths, this immersive celebration produced by NYC impresario (and erstwhile part-time New Orleanian) Daniel Nardicio returns on Sunday, September 6, … [Read more...] about Trodding the Boards August 31, 2026
Official Southern Decadence Event Guide (September 2026 Event Calendar)
It is Southern Decadence and things are heating up on the streets, in the clubs, bars and restaurants and at special events all around the city. Here are just a few of the hot happenings during Decadence and the rest of the month of September. If you want your event listed, send an email to ledgemgp@gmail.com. Monday: · … [Read more...] about Official Southern Decadence Event Guide (September 2026 Event Calendar)
Bobby Fieseler Eulogy for Frank Perez – August 15, 2026
I entered the gravitational life force of Frank Perez (historian, author, tour guide and barfly) in 2014 shortly after his stairwell dive, a three-story drunken plummet that was supposed to kill him, then was supposed to slow him down, and then became just another story in his arsenal... He’d already co-published In Exile, the first major work of queer NOLA history, and was … [Read more...] about Bobby Fieseler Eulogy for Frank Perez – August 15, 2026
NOLA Radical Faeries’ PoP Ball XXIII
Brad "Danger" du Puy, the New Orleans Radical Faeries’ reigning Prince of Perversion (PoP), invites all to attend the 23rd PoP Ball to be held this year at Poor Boys Bar, 1328 St. Bernard Avenue in New Orleans’ Seventh Ward. The festivities will begin on Friday, September 4, at 8pm and will go till Midnight, but you don't have to go home then. Poor Boys has a dance floor and a … [Read more...] about NOLA Radical Faeries’ PoP Ball XXIII
Trodding the Boards August 16, 2026
New in New York Heading up to New York recently, what with orange dust from Canadian wildfires drifting east and news of tragic wars making headlines, I was in the mood for something that would bring a smile to my face. So no Death of a Salesman for me (tho everyone I know who saw the recent revival loved it); instead, bring on pure mindless, more or less, entertainment. Was … [Read more...] about Trodding the Boards August 16, 2026
The LGBT+ Archives Project of Louisiana: Past, Present, and Future
“[A]nd soon now we shall go out of the house and go into the convulsion of the world, out of history into history and the awful responsibility of Time.” - Robert Penn Warren I first became aware of the LGBT+ Archives Project of Louisiana in June of 2014 when a friend invited me to attend the organization’s first public meeting, which was held at Café Istanbul. I became a … [Read more...] about The LGBT+ Archives Project of Louisiana: Past, Present, and Future
Francisco “Frank” Earl Perez (1968 – 2026)
Francisco “Frank” Earl Perez (1968 – 2026) – historian, tour guide, educator, former Southern Decadence Grand Marshal, Editor-in-Chief of Ambush Magazine and Executive Director of the LGBT+ Archives Project – passed away peacefully at home on Saturday, August 8, following a sudden and valiant fight with cancer. He was 57 years old. Perez is survived by his loving partner of 12 … [Read more...] about Francisco “Frank” Earl Perez (1968 – 2026)
Trodding the Boards July 31, 2026
2026 Critics’ Choice Gay Appreciation Award winner On behalf of Tony Leggio and myself, I am delighted to announce that the winner of this year’s Critics’ Choice Gay Appreciation Award (GAA) is Crescent City Stage’s production of Primary Trust, Eboni Booth’s Pulitzer Prize-winning play about how one damaged man confronts the world which Michael A. Newcomer directed to … [Read more...] about Trodding the Boards July 31, 2026