Henry IV, Part 1 at Tulane’s Lupin Theater through July 30 For the first time in its 29 year history, the New Orleans Shakespeare Festival is presenting Henry IV, Part 1, a tale of political infighting, warring battles on the fields of England, and interpersonal relationships that mutate throughout the course of the production’s two hours. This second installment of … [Read more...] about Trodding the Boards July 26, 2022
Arts & Culture
Drag Queen Profile: Tiffany Alexander
Where are you originally from? How did you end up in New Orleans? I grew up in Baton Rouge and started my career there. I moved to New Orleans on April Fool’s Day 1996 for a job in the cosmetic industry. When I came to New Orleans, I wanted to retire from drag and just be Mitch. Obviously that didn’t go so well. How long have you been doing … [Read more...] about Drag Queen Profile: Tiffany Alexander
A History of “The Steamboat Club of New Orleans”
The Steamboat Club of New Orleans, the city’s oldst social organization for gay men, is approaching its 70th anniversary having been founded in January of 1953. It began with twelve older influential gay men. Often they would meet informally at the Bourbon Coffee House and share ideas. After some planning sessions for “Steamboat” in 1952, the first official meeting of … [Read more...] about A History of “The Steamboat Club of New Orleans”
Moments in Queer New Orleans History: Remembering Daisy Mae
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
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
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
