tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6471745.post-1100929760302441752004-11-19T23:47:00.000-06:002004-11-19T23:49:20.303-06:00After 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. <br /> <br />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. <br /> <br />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. <br /> <br />Here's the schedule of balls in the New Orleans area for 2005: <br /> <br />Sunday, January 16: Krewe of Mwindo <br />Saturday, January 22: Krewe of Amon Ra <br />Sunday, January 30: Krewe of Barkus dog parade <br />Sunday, January 30: Krewe of Petronius <br />Saturday, February 5: Krewe of Armeinius <br />Sunday, February 6: Lords of Leather <br /> <br />BLOGmasterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10042052620242062023noreply@blogger.com