Felicia Philips, the Cheese Queen of New Orleans, took on a new title as she was crowned Grand Reveler IV at the Mistik Krewe de le Rue Royale Revelers’ annual Twelfth Night Party on January 6 at the Double Play Bar. A crowd of over 200 revelers packed the bar as Krewe Captain and Lord of Misrule Frank Perez, echoing the words of Aubrey Synclaire, declared, “For giving out … [Read more...] about Felicia Philips Crowned Grand Reveler IV
Articles
Mid-Term Congressional Elections and Impeachment
All 435 members of Congress are up for reelection this year and the Democrats’ chances of recapturing the House are better than they have been in years. Many are predicting the mid-term elections will be a referendum on Trump although Democratic leaders fear making impeachment a campaign issue could backfire. Their fears are irrelevant as calls for impeachment are gaining … [Read more...] about Mid-Term Congressional Elections and Impeachment
Unveiling the Muse: The Lost History of Gay Carnival in New Orleans
THE UNTOLD STORY OF A POWERFUL MARDI GRAS TRADITION “In Unveiling the Muse, Howard Philips Smith presents a lively and comprehensive history of New Orleans’s gay Carnival organizations formed in the post–World War II era. In addition, he takes a wider look at the places, people, and non-Carnival annual calendar of events that are allied with it. His use of archival sources, … [Read more...] about Unveiling the Muse: The Lost History of Gay Carnival in New Orleans
The Official Dish
So the Christmas and New Year’s holidays are behind us, just in time for Twelfth Night and the opening of Carnival Season. Kudos to Frank Perez for a successful kick off on Twelfth Night with his annual Mystic Krewe du Rue Royal Revelers fundraiser for the Gay Archives Project. The Double Play was a great host location and it’s safe to say a good time was had by all. I also … [Read more...] about The Official Dish
Trodding the Boards
Peter and the Starcatcher at Slidell Little Theater through Feb. 4 When I saw Peter and the Starcatcher on Broadway in 2012, I found the first act, set amid dreary workhouses and the dank holds of ships, overly dark and, worse, a gobful of exposition slowed it to a tedious crawl as we met a Lord, his daughter, her nanny, some nasty sea captains and their henchmen, a preening … [Read more...] about Trodding the Boards
Unveiling the Muse: The Lost History of Gay Carnival in New Orleans.
Howard P. Smith. University Press of Mississippi. ISBN: 9781496814012. 2017. 346 pages. $50.00. At long last, a book on the history of Gay Carnival has been published. And what a book it is. Simply put, this book is a triumph! Traditional Carnival has been well documented with a vast array of books published on the subject. However, few of them, if any, mention gay … [Read more...] about Unveiling the Muse: The Lost History of Gay Carnival in New Orleans.
Under the Gaydar
Party Down It’s Carnival and the city is alive with festivity. The scent of fresh king cake fills the air as the parades start winding their way through the streets. It is a perfect time of the year to live and visit our beautiful city. I filled my time these last two weeks with all kinds of wonderful events starting with a reception announcing Crescent Care’s new building … [Read more...] about Under the Gaydar
Prospect 4: The Lotus in Spite of the Swamp
The fourth iteration of Prospect New Orleans’ international art exhibition, Prospect.4 (P.4), opened to the public on Saturday, November 18, 2017 and runs through February 25, 2018 aligning with the City of New Orleans Tricentennial celebration. According to P.4’s website: Prospect.4 Artistic Director Trevor Schoonmaker, Chief Curator and Patsy R. and Raymond D. Nasher … [Read more...] about Prospect 4: The Lotus in Spite of the Swamp
Armeinius Turns 50
The Krewe of Armeinius turns 50 this year and in a happy coincidence, the krewe’s golden anniversary coincides with the city of New Orleans’ tricentennial celebration. Consequently, the theme of the 2018 ball is “La Nouvelle Orleans: 300 Years of Fabulous.” Co-Captain Barrett Delong-Church promises “this ball will be like no other.” That’s a high standard to surpass. In … [Read more...] about Armeinius Turns 50
Gay Carnival at the Historic New Orleans Collection
On Wednesday, January 31, author Howard Philips Smith will give a presentation on his new book Unveiling the Muse: The Lost History of Gay Carnival in New Orleans (University Press of Mississippi, 2017). Traditional Carnival has been well documented with a vast array of books. However, few of them, if any, mention gay Carnival krewes or the role of gay Carnival within the … [Read more...] about Gay Carnival at the Historic New Orleans Collection
