Frozen at the Saenger Theatre I was a frozen virgin, um, I was a Frozen virgin until this Disney musical’s national touring company played at the Saenger Theatre recently. Sure, I had seen a few seconds from the movie's Let It Go video but that was it. Now that I've experienced it, I have a few questions: Why is Elsa dangerous? What did the satyr-looking guy do to her … [Read more...] about Trodding the Boards February 22, 2022
Arts & Culture
The Lost Krewes of Gay Carnival
If you live in New Orleans, there’s a chance you’ve attended one of the several gay Carnival balls presented each Carnival season. If you have, you know these balls are highly elaborate productions requiring hundreds of hours of work and thousands of dollars. Perhaps the most amazing thing about the gay balls is that they are produced by relatively few people, depending on the … [Read more...] about The Lost Krewes of Gay Carnival
Ambush Interview: F. Michael Haynie
Theater audiences are “Letting It Go” this February with the New Orleans premiere of Frozen at the Saenger Theater. The Tony®-nominated Best Musical completed its Broadway run in March 2020 after breaking four house records at The St. James Theatre. I was lucky enough to see the show on opening weekend and it was fantastic. The lighting, costumes and set were just gorgeous … [Read more...] about Ambush Interview: F. Michael Haynie
“The Children of Yuga”
The 73rd year of Gay Carnival is upon us. For those familiar with it, Gay Carnival usually means formal balls produced by krewes such as Petronius, Amon-Ra, Armeinius, Lords of Leather, Mwindo, and Narcissus. But Gay Carnival did not start out with krewes or balls. It began with a group of gay men who decided to do lunch. It all began in 1949 when Bob … [Read more...] about “The Children of Yuga”
Trodding the Boards February 8, 2022
Blue at Slidell Little Theatre through February 13 If you want to see a young actress who, though she’s just making her stage debut, sparkles with a talent many with far more experience can only aspire to, then head to Slidell Little Theatre (SLT) this weekend for its production of Blue. And be ready when Asia Sylvas enters the stage. Sylvas plays LaTonya Dinkins, a high … [Read more...] about Trodding the Boards February 8, 2022
Drag Queen Profile: Analia XO
Where are you originally from? How did you end up in New Orleans? I was born and raised in Honduras, but I came to the U.S. when I was 10 years old. At the time, I was living with my mom in South Carolina, but was having financial struggles, so our aunt offered her a job here in New Orleans back in 2009, and I’ve been here ever since. How long have you been doing … [Read more...] about Drag Queen Profile: Analia XO
Under the Gaydar (February 2022 Event Calendar)
Welcome to 2022 and Mardi Gras season in New Orleans. The entire month of February is Carnival time as we work our way to Mardi Gras Day on March 1. Here are just some of the hot happenings in February to put on your “Gaydar.” If you want your event listed, send me an email at ledgemgp@gmail.com. Weekly Events Monday: SAGE New Orleans Walking Group; … [Read more...] about Under the Gaydar (February 2022 Event Calendar)
Bartender Spotlight
I have always considered being a bartender as a fulfilling job. It is hard work, but you have the opportunity to meet so many people. Though in the past few years since COVID, the job has become much more challenging. But on the flip side, I think most people, I know myself included have become much more appreciative to bartenders and the well needed role they play … [Read more...] about Bartender Spotlight
Trodding the Boards January 25, 2022
World's Greatest Johnny Cash Experience at the WWII Museum’s Stage Door Canteen through Jan. 30 Fans of Johnny Cash ought to head to the WWII Museum this weekend as, if you close your eyes, you’ll think that the “The Man in Black” has come back from beyond. That’s because Terry Lee Goffee, with his rumbly bass-baritone and twang to his singing voice, sounds incredibly … [Read more...] about Trodding the Boards January 25, 2022
Let Them Eat King Cake, Queen!
The 2022 Mardi Gras season in New Orleans rolled in like a majestic Carnival float brightly ablaze with colored lights and gorgeously costumed revelers. After not celebrating Mardi Gras last year, we were ready to let our hair down but not our masks. Cautious celebrating was the feeling for the entire weekend of parades, Gay Mardi Gras events, parties and drag … [Read more...] about Let Them Eat King Cake, Queen!
