Sunday
SOME MORE GAY MARDI GRAS HISTORY
Gay Mardi Gras traditions began with the Krewe of Yuga, circa 1958, presenting invitation-only costume parties at which a Queen and a "tableau" were presented.
The gathering was held at a private school in 1962, and it was raided by the New Orleans police. The names of those in attendance were publicized in the local daily newspaper. This was quite the scandal at that time. Notwithstanding, the gay Mardi Gras balls endured...continuing their mocking of the "straight" Carnival traditions.
In the begininning of the 1980's there were upwards of fifteen gay Mardi Gras krewes. This was before the AIDS panademic. Now, there are only a handfull of organizations, as discussed in a previous posting.
During 1964, Arthur Jacobs ("Mister Jake") wanted to create some more business for his French Quarter landmark, The Clover Grill restaurant at the corner of Bourbon and Dumaine Streets. In that year he created an costume and award competition on Mardi Gras Day, known as The Bourbon Street Awards. Over the years, it became quite the showcase for drag queens and anyone with fabulous costumes, or the lack thereof. It attracted unprecedented numbers of spectators and film crews from the world-wide news media.
The contest remained on the corner of Bourbon and Dumaine Streets for years. It was subsequently moved to various other locations, including Bourbon and St. Ann Streets and St. Ann and Burgundy. Now it has returned to the corner of Bourbon and St. Ann, and you can get a bird's-eye view from The Bourbon Pub balcony on Mardi Gras Day.
The gathering was held at a private school in 1962, and it was raided by the New Orleans police. The names of those in attendance were publicized in the local daily newspaper. This was quite the scandal at that time. Notwithstanding, the gay Mardi Gras balls endured...continuing their mocking of the "straight" Carnival traditions.
In the begininning of the 1980's there were upwards of fifteen gay Mardi Gras krewes. This was before the AIDS panademic. Now, there are only a handfull of organizations, as discussed in a previous posting.
During 1964, Arthur Jacobs ("Mister Jake") wanted to create some more business for his French Quarter landmark, The Clover Grill restaurant at the corner of Bourbon and Dumaine Streets. In that year he created an costume and award competition on Mardi Gras Day, known as The Bourbon Street Awards. Over the years, it became quite the showcase for drag queens and anyone with fabulous costumes, or the lack thereof. It attracted unprecedented numbers of spectators and film crews from the world-wide news media.
The contest remained on the corner of Bourbon and Dumaine Streets for years. It was subsequently moved to various other locations, including Bourbon and St. Ann Streets and St. Ann and Burgundy. Now it has returned to the corner of Bourbon and St. Ann, and you can get a bird's-eye view from The Bourbon Pub balcony on Mardi Gras Day.
Thursday
KREWE OF BARKUS
Held the Sunday before Mardi Gras weekend, the Krewe of Barkus is a favorite with the Gay New Orleans community and the entire City of New Orleans as well.
Founded in November of 1992 with their first parade during Mardi Gras of 1993, the event attracts thousands of canine citizens and their human companions.
Previous themes have included "Welcome to the Flea Market," "Jurrasic Bark," "Lifestyles of the Bitch and Famous," "Joan of Bark," and "007: From Barkus With Love."
Founded in November of 1992 with their first parade during Mardi Gras of 1993, the event attracts thousands of canine citizens and their human companions.
Previous themes have included "Welcome to the Flea Market," "Jurrasic Bark," "Lifestyles of the Bitch and Famous," "Joan of Bark," and "007: From Barkus With Love."
Wednesday
DJ JOE GAUTHREAUX MOVES TO THE BOURBON PUB
Exciting news. After years working for a smaller bar in New Orleans on holiday weekends, DJ Joe Gauthreaux will be now be spinning upstairs at The Bourbon Pub during Mardi Gras 2005. A New Orleans area native, Joe relocated to New York City in 2003, and has been a rising star on the gay circuit party scene for years.
And you'll be able to enjoy Joe's music during most holiday upstairs at The Bourbon Pub, beginning with the upcoming New Year's Eve weekend.
And you'll be able to enjoy Joe's music during most holiday upstairs at The Bourbon Pub, beginning with the upcoming New Year's Eve weekend.
Saturday
MARDI GRAS VISITOR SUGGESTIONS
Most of this is just common sense, but here are some tips suggested by veterans:
- If you have a car, be careful where you park. Parade route parking is prohibited, usually for two hours before a parade, until 2 hours after. Don't park on the neutral grounds (the median area between one side of a street and the other). If you do, the City will love you because you'll be towed, and the cost to retrieve your vehicle is substantial.
- Taxi cabs are a great way to get around, but can ve VERY difficult to find during Mardi Gras. This is because of the increased demand, plus the fact that many streets are closed for parades and it is quite difficult to navigate. We can wholehartedly recommend United Cabs...they have a solid reputation in and out of the gay community. Call 522-9771.
- You can drink on the streets, just no glass or cans. Ask for a "go cup" from your favorite establishment.
- Plan your bathroom stops, and whatever you do, please don't urinate on the streets. It'll land you in the slammer quick and fast, and it's just not nice. Remember, the French Quarter is also a residential neighborhood, and think of how you would like for someone to piss in front of your house.
- The City is fairly tolerant of some nudity during the weekend, but use your better judgement. It's probably best saved for inside the clubs and behind closed doors.
And please play safe...it would be really nice for you to return to the Gay Mardi Gras year after year !!
- If you have a car, be careful where you park. Parade route parking is prohibited, usually for two hours before a parade, until 2 hours after. Don't park on the neutral grounds (the median area between one side of a street and the other). If you do, the City will love you because you'll be towed, and the cost to retrieve your vehicle is substantial.
- Taxi cabs are a great way to get around, but can ve VERY difficult to find during Mardi Gras. This is because of the increased demand, plus the fact that many streets are closed for parades and it is quite difficult to navigate. We can wholehartedly recommend United Cabs...they have a solid reputation in and out of the gay community. Call 522-9771.
- You can drink on the streets, just no glass or cans. Ask for a "go cup" from your favorite establishment.
- Plan your bathroom stops, and whatever you do, please don't urinate on the streets. It'll land you in the slammer quick and fast, and it's just not nice. Remember, the French Quarter is also a residential neighborhood, and think of how you would like for someone to piss in front of your house.
- The City is fairly tolerant of some nudity during the weekend, but use your better judgement. It's probably best saved for inside the clubs and behind closed doors.
And please play safe...it would be really nice for you to return to the Gay Mardi Gras year after year !!
Friday
GAY MARDI GRAS BALLS
After a rocky start in the 1950s and 1960s with the Krewes of Yuga (or KY), Gay Mardi Gras balls came into their own in the late 1970s and 1980s. Dozens of Krewes existed, and they were one of the most anticipated components of the Mardi Gras season...the hottest tickets in town.
Attendance required either elegant drag, a tux or an evening gown, and the events were nothing short of spectacular. The plague took its toll on much of the talent, and so began the decline of the era of Gay Mardi Gras balls.
A few of the organizations have survived, and in recent years new Krewes have formed. The New Orleans region now has six major Krewes: Amon Ra, Armeinius, Mwindo, Petronius, Satyricon, Lords of Leather. Baton Rouge has the Krewe of Apollo. And Lafayette, Shreveport, Birmingham (Alabama) and Houston also have Gay Mardi Gras organizations.
Here's the schedule of balls in the New Orleans area for 2005:
Sunday, January 16: Krewe of Mwindo
Saturday, January 22: Krewe of Amon Ra
Sunday, January 30: Krewe of Barkus dog parade
Sunday, January 30: Krewe of Petronius
Saturday, February 5: Krewe of Armeinius
Sunday, February 6: Lords of Leather
Attendance required either elegant drag, a tux or an evening gown, and the events were nothing short of spectacular. The plague took its toll on much of the talent, and so began the decline of the era of Gay Mardi Gras balls.
A few of the organizations have survived, and in recent years new Krewes have formed. The New Orleans region now has six major Krewes: Amon Ra, Armeinius, Mwindo, Petronius, Satyricon, Lords of Leather. Baton Rouge has the Krewe of Apollo. And Lafayette, Shreveport, Birmingham (Alabama) and Houston also have Gay Mardi Gras organizations.
Here's the schedule of balls in the New Orleans area for 2005:
Sunday, January 16: Krewe of Mwindo
Saturday, January 22: Krewe of Amon Ra
Sunday, January 30: Krewe of Barkus dog parade
Sunday, January 30: Krewe of Petronius
Saturday, February 5: Krewe of Armeinius
Sunday, February 6: Lords of Leather
A LITTLE BACKGROUND
It's the Mother of all Parties, where you'll never know if that buxom woman standing next to you is really a man! Or vice-versa.
While it is only the Tuesday before Ash Wednesday in most places, in the Crescent City it is Mardi Gras Day. However, don't be fooled and think that Mardi Gras is just a one-day event.
It all begins on January 6th and continues until Midnight on Fat Tuesday, which can fall at any time from early February through early March. And why "Fat Tuesday?" Well, in years past it was customary to offer up a fatted calf on the Tuesday before the start of the religious season of Lent. Hence the name "Fat Tuesday."
Reflecting the dichotomy of New Orleans, the exact timing of Mardi Gras is actually based on the church calendar. The date is driven by Easter Sunday, which is the first Sunday after the first full moon after the first day of Spring. The dates of Fat Tuesday for the next few years are:
2005: February 8
2006: February 28
2007: February 20
2008: February 5
2009: February 24
2010: February 16
2011: March 8
2012: February 21
2013: February 12
2014: March 4
2015: February 17
2016: February 9
2017: February 26
Parades roll through the streets of New Orleans for several weeks before Mardi Gras Day. And on Fat Tuesday, they begin early in the morning with the Krewe of Zulu, followed by Rex, which is followed by the popular truck parades.
While Mardi Gras is celebrated throughout the city of New Orleans, the lower French Quarter is the home of the Gay Mardi Gras. It's here that you can see the more outrageous costumes on Mardi Gras Day, or in some cases, the lack of costumes.
Ground-zero of the New Orleans gay community is The Bourbon Pub and The Parade, located at the corner of Bourbon and St. Ann Streets. It is the longest continually-operating gay nightclub in the United States, and some of the top circuit party DJs in the world perform there throughout Mardi Gras weekend. This is also where you can find gorgeous dancers and porn stars on the bar tops day and night.
While it is only the Tuesday before Ash Wednesday in most places, in the Crescent City it is Mardi Gras Day. However, don't be fooled and think that Mardi Gras is just a one-day event.
It all begins on January 6th and continues until Midnight on Fat Tuesday, which can fall at any time from early February through early March. And why "Fat Tuesday?" Well, in years past it was customary to offer up a fatted calf on the Tuesday before the start of the religious season of Lent. Hence the name "Fat Tuesday."
Reflecting the dichotomy of New Orleans, the exact timing of Mardi Gras is actually based on the church calendar. The date is driven by Easter Sunday, which is the first Sunday after the first full moon after the first day of Spring. The dates of Fat Tuesday for the next few years are:
2005: February 8
2006: February 28
2007: February 20
2008: February 5
2009: February 24
2010: February 16
2011: March 8
2012: February 21
2013: February 12
2014: March 4
2015: February 17
2016: February 9
2017: February 26
Parades roll through the streets of New Orleans for several weeks before Mardi Gras Day. And on Fat Tuesday, they begin early in the morning with the Krewe of Zulu, followed by Rex, which is followed by the popular truck parades.
While Mardi Gras is celebrated throughout the city of New Orleans, the lower French Quarter is the home of the Gay Mardi Gras. It's here that you can see the more outrageous costumes on Mardi Gras Day, or in some cases, the lack of costumes.
Ground-zero of the New Orleans gay community is The Bourbon Pub and The Parade, located at the corner of Bourbon and St. Ann Streets. It is the longest continually-operating gay nightclub in the United States, and some of the top circuit party DJs in the world perform there throughout Mardi Gras weekend. This is also where you can find gorgeous dancers and porn stars on the bar tops day and night.
Thursday
DISCOUNT HOTELS AVAILABLE
The Gay Mardi Gras official website is offering great deals on hotel accommodations.
Check it out HERE.
Check it out HERE.
MARDI GRAS 2005 DJs ANNOUNCED
The following DJs will be performing in New Orleans during Mardi Gras weekend:
Kimberly S., Lydia Prim, Rick Mitchell, Max Rodriguez, Darren Thomas, Jayskee, Brendan Thompson, Wayne Mancuso and REV.
Kimberly S., Lydia Prim, Rick Mitchell, Max Rodriguez, Darren Thomas, Jayskee, Brendan Thompson, Wayne Mancuso and REV.
