2022 Gay Appreciation Critics’ Choice Award winners On behalf of my colleague Tony Leggio and myself, I am delighted to announce the winners of this year’s Gay Appreciation Critics’ Choice Awards-- Best Play--For Whom the Southern Belle Tolls (The Tennessee Williams Theatre Company of New Orleans) Best Musical--Head Over Heels (Loyola University's Department of Theatre … [Read more...] about Trodding the Boards September 20, 2022
Articles
Bartender Spotlight
Lots of people like going to their favorite bars and while I believe that people do visit bars they like, I also think that an equal amount of people go to see their favorite bartenders. A really good bartender can increase a bar’s business substantially. My newest Bartender Spotlight is on one of those star bartenders at The Phoenix. Jeff Seaver is hospitality … [Read more...] about Bartender Spotlight
Moments in Queer New Orleans History: Remembering Donnie Jay
I recently attended the annual Hookers Ball. It was a fun evening and a very successful fundraiser for Southern Decadence. Kudos to Todd Blauvelt for putting together such a wonderful event. While the performances were great and it was fun seeing friends, the highlight of the show for me was a vintage video of Southern Decadence Grand Marshal XXXII, the late … [Read more...] about Moments in Queer New Orleans History: Remembering Donnie Jay
Drag Queen Profile: Passion Armani Cassadine
Where are you originally from? I am very proud to say that I am a true New Orleanian from birth! How long have you been doing Drag? Well, I started on the original drag queen’s birthday (Halloween) in 1998. I did it on occasion for a while until I relocated to Atlanta, Georgia, in 2002. That’s where my career took flight. I did it more regularly and was in … [Read more...] about Drag Queen Profile: Passion Armani Cassadine
Before Southern Decadence Became Super Gay
I recently spent the afternoon with Maureen & Charlie Block and Robert Laurent at their beautiful antebellum home on Magazine Street. Those names may not ring a bell, but they should. These three people, along with a handful of their friends, started Southern Decadence in 1972. Back then, of course, they had no idea a simple house party would evolve into the … [Read more...] about Before Southern Decadence Became Super Gay
Fabulous Eyewear Boutique and Optometry Practice Opens on Magazine Street
Upscale artistry meets quality eye care. Local optometrist Dr. Lauren Agnew recently opened her third Eye Wares location on Magazine Street in the Uptown area of New Orleans. A luxury eyewear boutique, optometry practice, and dry eye treatment center, Eye Wares has quickly expanded since its first location opened in March 2020. The new location at the corner of State and … [Read more...] about Fabulous Eyewear Boutique and Optometry Practice Opens on Magazine Street
Contemporary Arts Center New Orleans Announces Colors by Laveau Contraire During Southern Decadence
Laveau Contraire, a rising drag performer and 2022 CAC Artist in Residence, is presenting COLORS with collaborators sora, and Synamin Vixen. Through storytelling and performance, COLORS aims to splatter the walls of your mind with experiences and perspectives on what it means to live in a world full of color. The Contemporary Arts Center, New Orleans (CAC) announced the … [Read more...] about Contemporary Arts Center New Orleans Announces Colors by Laveau Contraire During Southern Decadence
New Music from Kynt! Plus Thriller 2022 Flash Mob Classes
Kynt is New Orleans’ premier songwriter, recording artist, and performer of house music. Since the 1990s, his songs have been produced and remixed by some of the biggest names in the DJ world, including Erick Ibiza, André Grossi, Mauro Mozart, Edson Pride, Cesar Vilo, Fred de France, and Alain Jackinsky, among others. Last December saw the release of Club Electronica, … [Read more...] about New Music from Kynt! Plus Thriller 2022 Flash Mob Classes
Official Southern Decadence Event Guide & September Event Calendar
Something Decadent this way comes! It is Southern Decadence in NOLA, one of the largest LGBTQ+ holidays in the country. There are lots of parties and events the first weekend as well as the rest of September. So fasten your seatbelts, it is going to be a bumpy month! Here are just some of the hot happenings in September to put on your “Gaydar.” If you want … [Read more...] about Official Southern Decadence Event Guide & September Event Calendar
Trodding the Boards August 23, 2022
Gay Appreciation Critics’ Choice Award Blame it on Covid brain or just because we got out of the routine after no Gay Appreciation Awards (GAAs) since 2019, but I and my colleague Tony Leggio neglected to bestow a Critics’ Choice Award on any production from the past year or so at the recent GAAs. To make up for that, we’d like to announce the following nominees, all of … [Read more...] about Trodding the Boards August 23, 2022