One of my favorite books about New Orleans is Bruce Gilden’s photographic essay, “Hey Mister, throw me some beads!” From 1974 to 1982, Gilden came to New Orleans from New York for Mardi Gras and captured the Carnival street scene in the French Quarter. The photographs are raw and poignant and include a cross section of people—old/young, gay/straight, … [Read more...] about Moments in Queer New Orleans History: Remembering Daisy Mae
Articles
Trodding the Boards July 12, 2022
Curtain Up As typically happens when the temperatures go up, theater activity goes down. Still, a goodly number of shows, from comedies to dramas to musicals to a drag extravaganza, will be playing in the greater New Orleans area in July and August. If you prefer your entertainment “live and in person” rather than on TVs, movie screens, cell phones, or computers, plan on … [Read more...] about Trodding the Boards July 12, 2022
Drag Queen Profile: Gia GiaVanni
Where are you originally from? How did you end up in New Orleans? I was born in Metairie and lived in various cities across Louisiana until 1988 at the age of 13. I then moved to Texas, and lived there from 1988 until 2008. In 2008 Hurricane Ike hit the Houston area where I was living and I ended up displaced as a result. I eventually moved back to Louisiana at the end … [Read more...] about Drag Queen Profile: Gia GiaVanni
Under the Gaydar (July 2022 Event Calendar)
It’s July and summer is rolling along like the mighty Mississippi River. Here are just some of the hot happenings in July to put on your “Gaydar.” If you want your event listed, send me an email at ledgemgp@gmail.com. Weekly Events Monday: * NOAGE New Orleans Walking Group; Audubon Park; 6500 Magazine St. 6 p.m. (not walking on 6/4) NOAGE’s … [Read more...] about Under the Gaydar (July 2022 Event Calendar)
Trodding the Boards June 28, 2022
School Girls; Or, The African Mean Girls Play at Loyola’s Marquette Theater thru July 1 (Full disclosure: I am the sponsor of The Carol Sutton Memorial Grant and I, along with Grant advisers Gwendolyne Foxworth and Wanda Rouzan, awarded The NOLA Project a 2022 grant to help offset some of the costs associated with the postponement, due to the Omicron Covid surge, of School … [Read more...] about Trodding the Boards June 28, 2022
Bartender Spotlight
Bartenders have always been classified in my book as good people. They are great listeners, fun, witty and, most of all, serve you cocktails. They are everything I ever wanted in a person and they give me vodka. My bartender for the month of May is just an all-around great guy. He is festive, polite, professional, and a master mixologist. I am speaking of none other than … [Read more...] about Bartender Spotlight
City of New Orleans will recognize the 32 victims of the Up Stairs Lounge arson
After 49 years, the City of New Orleans is finally recognizing the 32 victims of the Up Stairs Lounge arson. On Thursday, June 23, the City Council will hear a presentation about the fire and pass a resolution acknowledging and honoring the victims. If your schedule allows, please be at the City Council chamber on Thursday at 10:00am. In 1973, the tragedy was ignored by … [Read more...] about City of New Orleans will recognize the 32 victims of the Up Stairs Lounge arson
Trodding the Boards June 14, 2022
As You Like It at Tulane’s Lupin Theater through June 25 If you’ve never seen As You Like It before, the New Orleans Shakespeare Festival’s current production (running thru June 25 at Tulane's Lupin Theater) will serve as a good introduction to this pastoral comedy by the Bard. Directors Jon Greene & Torey Hayward have served up a straightforward rendering of it that … [Read more...] about Trodding the Boards June 14, 2022
Mamou Louisiana to host first-ever PRIDE Festival on June 17 & 18
The Hotel Cazan is delighted to announce that it will host Mamou, Louisiana’s first-ever PRIDE festival on June 17 & 18. The event will kick off with a media-only mixer from 3:30--5:30 at Cazan’s inside the hotel where attendees will have the opportunity to meet with and interview festival participants, including: Players and coaches from Bayou Storm Surge, the women’s … [Read more...] about Mamou Louisiana to host first-ever PRIDE Festival on June 17 & 18
The Pride Conundrum
How a person feels about Pride month says a lot about that person. I’m not talking about the people that hate it. The religious fascists will always be with us. I’m talking about members of the queer community. Theoretically, it’s fair to say we all like the idea of having a Pride month. But why? Maybe you’ve just come out of the closet and feel … [Read more...] about The Pride Conundrum
