Reading—the best state yet to keep absolute loneliness at bay.William Styron During these incredibly trying times during quarantine, I find that reading has been my salvation. It is a life preserver I hang onto when I find myself adrift in a raging sea of loneliness. It is calming, transporting me from my current reality, and into another place created by the … [Read more...] about Book of the Month: Who Killed Buster Sparkle?
Arts & Culture
Strange Inheritance: Past
Let’s go back a bit. Not back to better times, but before we were sequestered in our homes and trying to keep ourselves busy. Let's go back to when we could busy ourselves with other like-minded people and find the serendipitous moments of revelation on the streets. I want to go back to a very important day that I was lucky to share with a mentor, my husband, and the mayor of … [Read more...] about Strange Inheritance: Past
Hot Virtual Happenings
Even though our city is on quarantine, the LGBT community has found a way to keep us entertained. New Orleans has been a city alive with a culture that can’t be locked behind a door. Music, drag performances, and fundraisers are just a socially distant or cyber click away from you. Hopefully, these hot virtual happenings (both locally and nationally) will give you lots of … [Read more...] about Hot Virtual Happenings
LGBTQ Horoscopes May 5-18, 2020
Have you observed your mind lately? You don’t have a choice at this moment, do you? With globally mandated social distancing, your gaze is cast upon your inner world, your Inner Makeup. This may be frightening, as it is so easy to turn one’s attention outward, all the while forgetting that outer reality is a reflection of one’s internal state. However, this is an opportunity to … [Read more...] about LGBTQ Horoscopes May 5-18, 2020
French Quarter Lockdown Journal: Some Day in April
Date: I forget... This could have been any day this April... 5:05 am—Wake up. See text from the middle of the night informing me yet another person I know has tested positive for the virus. Not the best way to wake up. Then the pissing, and the day. 5:15 am—With the coffee machine sufficiently gurgling, I step outside on the balcony. Nope. … [Read more...] about French Quarter Lockdown Journal: Some Day in April
PAST PRESENT FUTURE for Trodding the Boards
While we’re suffering from theatrum interruptus, I wanted to offer this column to the Artistic Directors of New Orleans’ theater companies to let us know what was going on when things shut down, what they’re doing now, and what plans they have for the future. First up for PPF (Past Present Future) is The NOLA Project’s A.J. Allegra who has been nominated for eight Ambie … [Read more...] about PAST PRESENT FUTURE for Trodding the Boards
LGBTQ Horoscopes April 20-May 3, 2020
Astrology was originally understood as omens, prophecies, and oracles. Whenever you go to a psychic, tarot reader, or astrologer like me, you’re engaging with the possibilities of the future. Modern astrology, however, is also the alignment of the heavens at your moment of birth that serves as the signature of your personality. This combination of your star chart and sun … [Read more...] about LGBTQ Horoscopes April 20-May 3, 2020
Tinderbox Author Robert Fieseler Wins Louisiana Literary Award
The Louisiana Library Association has selected Tinderbox: The Untold Story of the Up Stairs Lounge Fire and the Rise of Gay Liberation as the recipient of its prestigious Louisiana Literary Award. This is the first time an LGBT+ themed book has won the award. Published by Liveright, Tinderbox is the third book written about the tragic arson and positions the fire in … [Read more...] about Tinderbox Author Robert Fieseler Wins Louisiana Literary Award
Strange Inheritance: Origins
For the next four issues, this column will be dedicated to a project I have been cultivating over the past couple of years. It’s a project that has required labor, humility, gratitude, and love. Love for a community that has always needed to fight for its visibility, and love for a community that will always need to fight for its rights. What will always make this true … [Read more...] about Strange Inheritance: Origins
‘Key West Is About Escapism’: Maxwell Irwin Launches the Key West Art Walk
“Max” Irwin is shaking up the usual oil on canvas sightings of roosters, cats, and palm trees with his Key West Art Walk. The walk takes you through historical art centers while exposing you to emerging visual artists. Find out just how far Max’s roots to the island go, his thoughts on graffiti’s place in the local art world, and his time in the Parisian music scene. Are you … [Read more...] about ‘Key West Is About Escapism’: Maxwell Irwin Launches the Key West Art Walk