Every week I will spotlight fabulously fun and gay happenings that you may be interested in doing in and around NOLA. This week’s choices are:
# 1. Tuesday, August 11, 2015
Burn the House Down! Co-presented by the New Orleans Film Society and the Contemporary Arts Center, New Orleans, BreakOUT! partners to present the legendary film, Paris Is Burning at the CAC starting at 7 p.m. Celebrating its 25th anniversary this year, Jennie Livingston’s iconic documentary PARIS IS BURNING offers an intimate portrait of the Harlem drag balls, where rival fashion houses compete for trophies and cash prizes in categories like “face,” “femme queen realness,” and “voguing.” Winner of a Sundance Grand Jury Prize, the film celebrates how one group of New Yorkers, for whom racism, poverty, and homophobia are all too real, creates a world of sustenance and joy. Admission for NOFS and CAC Members is free or more information, go to Http://neworleansfilmsociety.org/film/detail/2428/paris-is-burning. The CAC is located at 900 Camp Street.
#2. Tuesday, August 11, 2015
Dinner does not have to be a drag. Spice it up at the Country Club (634 Louisa Street). Every 2nd & 4th Tuesday night of the month, the Country club serves up dinner and drag!! Starring Nicole Lynn Foxx and emceed by Persana Shoulders. August 11th’s special guests include Eureeka Starfish aka Benjamin Murray and Wednesday Bonet Iman. Showtime is at 7 p.m. For dinner reservations call (504) 945-0742.
#3. Wednesday, August 12, 2015
Come grab some grub at the Southern Decadence Sally-FLY Cookout with Head SF (Sally-FLY) Chef Jeffrey Palmquist at Café Lafitte’s in Exile from 6 – 8 p.m. There will be cheese burgers grilled with all the accoutrements. Join Southern Decadence Grand Marshals XLI Rip & Marsha’s who are bringing their Award Winning Potato Salad and Cole Slaw. There will be auctions and more all benefiting Southern Decadence. The cost is only $5 per burger, now that is a deal. Cafe Lafitte in Exile is located at 901 Bourbon Street.
#4. Thursday, August 13 through Monday, August 31, 2015
See ‘Em On Stage: A Production Company is proud to announce the world premiere stage production of “Flowers in the Attic” written by the internationally best-selling author Andrew Neiderman and based on the V.C. Andrews novel of the same title. Directed by Christopher Bentivegna and working in direct conjunction with Neiderman, this long-awaited stage adaptation will premiere on August 13th and run through August 31st at the Old Marquer Theatre. See ‘Em On Stage: A Production Company and the city of New Orleans were specifically chosen by Neiderman to premiere his new work. “Flowers in the Attic” is based on the controversial and popular gothic horror novel written by V.C. Andrews in 1979. The captivating story of greed, betrayal, and forbidden love has sold over 40 million copies worldwide and has been developed into two movies. The recent movie adaptation produced by Lifetime was the highest-rated original cable TV movie of 2014.
For over 28 years, Andrew Neiderman has been ghostwriting the V.C. Andrews novels, having sold over 106 million copies worldwide in 98 countries. Under both names, he has published over 115 novels and has had eight films adapted from his works. Mr. Neiderman is working directly with this production of “Flowers in the Attic” as it develops and is readied for its world premiere. “Flowers in the Attic” is the only official stage play of V.C. Andrews’s enduring classic of forbidden love—the original story that captured the world’s imagination and earned V.C. Andrews a fiercely devoted readership.
At the top of the stairs in one of the grandest, most magnificent mansions in Virginia, there are four hidden secrets; blond, beautiful, innocent, and struggling to stay alive. The Dollangangers were the ideal family; perfect and carefree, until a devastating tragedy shattered their lives. Now, in order for their mother to receive an inheritance that will ensure their future, the children must be hidden away out of sight as if they don’t exist. Locked away in an attic in their grandmother’s vast mansion, their loving mother assures them it will be just for a little while. But as brutal days swell into agonizingly long months, Cathy, Christopher, and the twins Cory and Carrie, realize their survival is at the mercy of their tyrannical and superstitious grandmother and this cramped and horrifying existence may be the only one they ever know.
“Flowers in the Attic” stars Kali Russell as Cathy Dollanganger, Levi Hood as Christopher Dollanganger, Jen Pagan as Older Cathy, Mary Pauley as Olivia Foxworth, Rebecca Elizabeth Hollingsworth as Corrine Dollanganger, Edward Boudreaux IV as Cory, and Daisey Mackey as Carrie.
“Flowers in the Attic” will run Thursdays-Mondays, August 13th-31st. Tickets are $20. Monday nights (August 17, 24, and 31) are a special “Industry Nights” where members of the theater community (actors, directors, producers, etc.) will receive 20% off tickets that are bought at the door. Please call (504) 298-8676 to reserve tickets. Or http://www.eventbrite.com/e/flowers-in-the-attic-new-orleans-tickets-17142915923. All performances will take place at the Old Marquer Theatre (former The Shadowbox Theatre) located at 2400 St Claude Avenue (www.oldmarquer.com).
#5. Saturday, August 15, 2015
The South has risen in all its decadent glory at the Magnolia Cotillion 2015 celebrating the 42nd Anniversary of Southern Decadence Grand Marshals 41 Rip & Marsha Naquin-Delain, Steven Mora, Misti Ates and Frankie Fierce. The event takes place from 8 – 10 p.m. at the Ambush Mansion located at 828 Bourbon Street. There will be an open bar and culinary delights from the Seven Seas. The attire is casual summer whites. The DOOR DONATION can be $25, $50, $75 or $100 (please make checks payable to New Orleans Southern Decadence Inc.), RSVP: 504.522.8049 or ripna@ambushmag.com.
#6. Saturday, August 15, 2015
Spin the Sexy Wheel at Strip Roulette. This zany and naughty game takes place at the Allways Lounge (2240 St. Claude Avenue) starting at 10p.m. The rules are simple; it consists of 2 teams of burlesque performers who will have to strip for the lives of their g-strings! They will have to improv a burlesque act to music that they have not picked out and will be carefully curated by DJ Ajent O to be as awkward and hilarious as possible!! And, on top of that, they will be given an uncomfortably obscure prop that they will have to incorporate into their striptease! There will be fun, games, prizes, stripping and much more. Doors are at 9pm; show at 10pm and there is a $10 cover per person.
#7. Sunday, August 16, 2015
This is how we roll in NOLA with a festival for just about anything even sushi. The 2015 Sushi Fest will be held at the Lakefront Arena (6801 Franklin Avenue) from 1:00 p.m.-5:00 p.m. (1:00 – 2:00 VIP Patron Party). Tickets are $15 in advance for general admission and $25 at the door. Unfortunately the VIP tickets are sold out. There are plenty of food vendors (lots of sushi and mush more), drinks, entertainment by Flow Tribe, and a vendor fair. Purchase at Ticketmaster.com, Lakefront Arena Box Office, select Wal-Mart locations, or charge-by-phone at 800.745.3000.
#8. Sunday, August 16, 2015
Nothing screams festively gay than a garden party at a beautiful mansion in the Garden District. Grab a bow and bring a beau to the 2015 Summer Party hosted by the Junior Committee of the New Orleans Opera. The event will be held at the Opera Guild Home from 2 to 4 p.m. to kick off the 2015-2016 opera season.
This year’s “Bows and Beaus” theme celebrates the art of being southern. Women and men are encouraged to incorporate a bow into their best summer attire. Enjoy light bites courtesy of Ralph Brennan Catering & Events while sipping a summer cocktail. Local business, NOLA Couture will be on site with a delightfully dandy display of southern bow ties for guests to browse. Tickets are $35. Each ticket holder will be entered into a raffle for a bow tie courtesy of NOLA Couture. For more information, contact the Junior Committee at juniors@neworleansopera.org.
#9. Sunday, August 16, 2015
Get your sweet tooth satisfied at the Sicilian Sweets and Southern Spirits fundraiser at Little Vic’s (719 Toulouse Street) from 7 – 10 p.m. This Southern Decadence Fundraiser is hosted by Little Vic’s and Frankie Fierce. $30 gets you an open bar, dessert bar and live music by the Lagniappe Brass Band.