Top Festively Gay Things to Do This Week (July 13 – July 19)
Every week I will spotlight five fabulously fun and gay happenings that you may be interested in doing in and around NOLA. This week’s choices are:
#1. Wednesday, July 15 – Sunday, July 19, 2015
Tales of the Cocktail is the world’s premier cocktail festival, bringing together the international spirits community for five days of what’s now, what’s new and what’s next in bartending. Founded in 2002, Tales of the Cocktail has grown from a small gathering of cocktail lovers into the world’s premier cocktail festival. Each year, the international spirits industry comes to New Orleans for five days of seminars, tastings, networking events and much more. With 200+ annual events developed specifically for bartenders, distillers and other spirits professionals; Tales of the Cocktail has become the industry’s annual meeting place for the exchange of new ideas, products and techniques. Tales of the Cocktail® also produces a number of other events and programs such as Tales of the Cocktail® on Tour, Tales 365 and Tales of the Toddy®, all to further the mission of supporting and growing the international cocktail community. For tickets and more information, go to www.talesofthecocktail.com.
#2. Thursday, July 16, 2015
That incomparable group the Big Easy Sisters is holding a variety show and Chinese auction to benefit St Anna’s Food Pantry entitled Yoko’s Let’s Have A Kiki. The event will be held at Mags 940 (940 Elysian Fields Avenue) from 7:30 – 10:30 p.m. With this zany and fun-loving group, you are assured to have an excellent time.
#3. Friday, July 17, 2015
In 1995 on July 17th, a monumental broadcast hit the radio. It was the broadcast of the very first show of OUT! With Michael-Chase. This groundbreaking show changed many lives including the star himself. After years of hearing personal stories from friends and total strangers, it apparently made a difference in thousands of lives in Southeast Louisiana in the mid 1990’s. It was a fun, wild, explorative, and late night openly gay and everything else talk show on B-97 FM. It was the first one of its kind on a major market, commercial FM radio station. Come celebrate the 20th anniversary of that very first show and that historic night at Lafitte’s in Exile (901 Bourbon Street). The event begins at 7 p.m. and runs to midnight.
#4. Saturday, July 18, 2015
And if you miss the Sisters on Thursday, catch them on Saturday as they present their own twisted and festive take to Bingo from 8 – 10 p.m. at the Phoenix (940) Elysian Fields). Bingo: Big Easy Sister style is always lively and you can win some fabulous prizes. But be warned if call a false Bingo, you will be spanked by a Sister.
#5. Sunday, July 19, 2015
One of my favorite Petronius events is coming up, so get those credit cards ready and tune into the Petronius Queer Bar Shopping Network (WPQBSN). This festive event that supports the oldest Gay Carnival Krewe will be held at MAGS 940 (940 Elysian Fields) from 1 to 4 p.m. There will be holiday and seasonal wreaths for all seasons and other super items for auction! Desserts will also be provided for your sampling pleasure! There is a $10 donation at the door (American Express, Discover, Visa & MasterCard accepted).
Lagniappe:
#6. Sunday, July 19, 2016
If you are enjoying the fabulousness of Tales of the Cocktail, wind down you cocktail adventure for Distillery Day at Old new Orleans Rum (2815 Frenchman Street) featuring delicious barbecue, live music, and never-before-tasted rums straight from the barrel. This local distillery will be having an open house from 12 to 5pm, with guided tours running at 12 and 3pm. You can get your tickets at https://www.zerve.com/OldNolaRum/Distill. Get an opportunity to meet the distillers behind our famous rums as they break open aged barrels for the first time and share them for you and enjoy a variety of delicious barbecued meats and sides from McClure’s Barbecue. Live music keeps the party going! Gypsy Elise and the Royal Blues will serenade us all afternoon. Buy your tickets early to reserve a seat on our complimentary shuttle from the Michalopoulos Studio at 527 Elysian Fields Avenue.