Romeo and Juliet at Tulane’s Lupin Theater through July 30 In trying to review the New Orleans Shakespeare Festival at Tulane’s (NOSF) current production of Romeo and Juliet, to use the lingo of today, “It’s complicated.” First of all, it’s a good solid production without a weak link in the cast, similar to NOSF’s Twelfth Night earlier this year. A 2-for-2 NOSF season … [Read more...] about Trodding the Boards July 25, 2023
Arts & Culture
Bartender Spotlight – July 2023
Saying “Summertime in New Orleans is hot” is an understatement. I believe walking-on-the-sun-hot may be a better descriptive. But on the days when the humidity brings the temperatures into triple digits, a cool, air-conditioned LGBTQ+ bar is the perfect safe haven. A community oasis, if you will, that makes all your problems melt away. And helping with … [Read more...] about Bartender Spotlight – July 2023
Access Health Louisiana Pride Month Recap
Pride Month highlights the LGBTQIA+ community in a variety of ways, whether celebrating our queerness, affirming our identities, presenting drag performances, or reflecting on the inequities the community has faced past & present and taking meaningful action to create the change we want. Access Health Louisiana (AHL) attended several Pride events to support and partake of … [Read more...] about Access Health Louisiana Pride Month Recap
Trodding the Boards July 11, 2023
Critics’ Choice Gay Appreciation Award On behalf of Tony Leggio and myself, I am pleased to announce the nominees for the Critics’ Choice Award that will be presented as part of the 33rd Gay Appreciation Awards (GAA). They are: The Baltimore Waltz produced by Fat Squirrel Big Freedia with the LPO presented by the Louisiana Philharmonic Orchestra Little Shop of … [Read more...] about Trodding the Boards July 11, 2023
Under the Gaydar (July 2023 Event Calendar)
Its summertime in NOLA, y’all and the livin’ is easy! Starting with Essence Festival and the 4th of July, things are heating up so 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 … [Read more...] about Under the Gaydar (July 2023 Event Calendar)
Trodding the Boards June 27, 2023
New in New York If you’re heading up to New York for July 4th, or any other time this summer, I wish I could recommend a bunch of new theatrical offerings for you to enjoy. Alas, that is not the case (and more on that later). What has blossomed, in many cases just since I was last up there in April, is a plethora of worthy exhibits at museums throughout Manhattan. If you … [Read more...] about Trodding the Boards June 27, 2023
Bartender Spotlight – June 2023
My Bartender for the Spotlight this month has made quite a name for himself in the LGBTQ+ Community of New Orleans in a very short time since he moved to the city. Jimmy Gale is the Capacity Building Community Mobilization Manager for the Louisiana Department of Health, STD/HIV/Hepatitis Program. In his role, he helped organize one of the largest vaccinations … [Read more...] about Bartender Spotlight – June 2023
Trodding the Boards June 13, 2023
The Baltimore Waltz at Gallier Hall’s Ty Tracy Theatre through June 22 I know I saw The Baltimore Waltz when it was done at the CAC in the 1990s. I just can’t remember who directed or acted in it or much else about the production (googling didn’t help). Just that it left me kinda cold. I don’t think that will happen with Fat Squirrel’s production of Paula Vogel’s dramedy, … [Read more...] about Trodding the Boards June 13, 2023
Pride Flags on N. Rampart Street
Pride flags once again adorn the neutral ground along N. Rampart Street on the edge of the French Quarter. Many people reasonably assume the flags are there because June is Pride month, but that’s not entirely true. Originally, the rainbow flags on N. Rampart grew not out of Pride, but rather out of Southern Decadence. To be more specific, the flags trace their origin to a … [Read more...] about Pride Flags on N. Rampart Street
Bartender Spotlight – May 2023
Many skills come together to make a good bartender, particularly in New Orleans, a drinking city where the cocktail is king. Here a bad bartender usually is not employed long. We are more than a party city for tourists; we are a place where locals love to drink and go out frequently. To be a great bartender in the Big Easy you need to have a personality, be … [Read more...] about Bartender Spotlight – May 2023