Happy Pride Y’all! It has been quite a year and half as we have navigated the COVID pandemic, quarantines, unemployment, riots, murder hornets, natural disasters and a host of other crises. But as the world gets vaccinated against the virus, life has begun to come alive again in New Orleans. Live music can be heard, businesses are reopening fully, and you … [Read more...] about THE OFFICIAL PRIDE GUIDE
Articles
Steven Powell (1956-2021)
Steven Powell passed away suddenly on May 21, 2021 at his home in New Orleans. He was 64. He was born on September 1, 1956 in Campbellsville, KY, to Barbara Edelen Powell and the lateBobbie Lewis Powell. A graduate of Western Kentucky University, Powell retired after a thirty year career asLegislative Analyst at Equifax; at that time, the United States Senate recognized … [Read more...] about Steven Powell (1956-2021)
Chess, Insanity, and the Historical Closet
One of the challenges of recovering queer history from the closet is the fact that until recently, no one wanted to document their same sex desires. To do so could result in being arrested, committed to a mental asylum, being fired from a job, being ostracized by family and friends, and in some cases, suicide. This was certainly the case in the 19th Century. The … [Read more...] about Chess, Insanity, and the Historical Closet
Bartender Spotlight: May 2021
The television show Cheers was a tremendous success for many reasons; but one of the biggest ones is we all want to go to that one place “where everyone knows your name and they’re always glad you came.” In many cases for New Orleanians, that is your neighborhood (or favorite) bar. This is a safe refuge where you can be with friends, enjoy cocktails, and … [Read more...] about Bartender Spotlight: May 2021
Trodding the Boards May 18, 2021
New in New York Broadway will be reopening in September and, elsewhere in New York, live performances have begun happening again, all great news. During a recent visit there, though I noticed only a few street musicians, I was able to go to a number of museums, some featuring special exhibitions, one in an exciting temporary location, and two even in Queens! While The … [Read more...] about Trodding the Boards May 18, 2021
Healing a Broken Heart
This past week I was asked a question: “My heart feels broken. How can I heal it?” It’s a difficult and multi-faceted question that I had to think about quite a bit. For purposes of this article, the concept of a broken heart shall be taken in a broad sense, one not necessarily having to do with primary love as in partner or spousal relationships. An example … [Read more...] about Healing a Broken Heart
Book of the Month: The Night Crawler King
A gripping memoir has the capacity to take readers on a journey of a person’s life and experiences. Memoirs tend to be not so much of an autobiography but a glimpse into a slice of your life. My book of the month choice for May is about William Fagaly who while growing up in rural Indiana during World War II began his first venture―collecting and selling earthworms (or … [Read more...] about Book of the Month: The Night Crawler King
It’s Time to Legalize Weed in Louisiana
The Louisiana legislature is considering two bills that would legalize recreational marijuana use in Louisiana. House Bills 524 and 243 (sponsored by Richard Nelson, R-Mandeville, and Candace Newell, D-New Orleans, respectively) were favorably reported to the full House by the House Criminal Justice Committee on April 27. The House has already passed a bill which … [Read more...] about It’s Time to Legalize Weed in Louisiana
Trodding the Boards May 4, 2021
Eurydice at the UNO Amphitheater After two online productions last fall (Single Black Female and The Emperor Jones), Theatre UNO rousingly returned to live performances recently with an outdoor production of Sarah Ruhl’s Eurydice. Though I’ve attended many productions at UNO over the past 15+ years, this was my first time at its Amphitheater--I even had to ask where it was, … [Read more...] about Trodding the Boards May 4, 2021
Take Up Your Cross – Part I
A recent Gospel reading focused on the Transfiguration. The Transfiguration was fabulous! Jesus and three friends simply dazzled on a mountain top. Just before this sequence, however, was Jesus’ first crucifixion pronouncement. Jesus had just rebuked Peter for not understanding this gift of sacrifice that must happen. Honestly, taking up the cross is no idle matter. It is not … [Read more...] about Take Up Your Cross – Part I
