As Mardi Gras nears, the parades, parties and balls commence at a fevered pitch. So just don your gay Carnival apparel and enjoy the ride. Here are just a few festively gay things to do.
#1. Tuesday, January 26, 2016
Join The Country Club (634 Louisa St.) for their delicious DRAG DINNER! Performing with hostess Nicole Lynn Foxx and emcee Persana Shoulders will be special guests Dominique DeLorean and Anastacia Davenport. The dinner also features $10 BOTTOMLESS red or white house wine. To make your dinner reservation, call (504) 945-0742.
#2. Tuesday, January 26, 2016
Come spend an EVENING WITH DOMINIQUE DELOREAN at Oz (800 Bourbon Street). This event is hosted by Persana Shoulders and stars Miss Gay Four Seasons USofA Dominique DeLorean. Rounding out the cast is Nicole Lynn Foxx, Illaynnah Eve DeLorean, Britney DeLorean, Miranda Kelli, and many more. Come out to help raise funds to send Dominique to the Miss Gay Louisiana USofA Pageant! There will also be a 50/50 raffle.
A voucher coupon is offered to the customers by McDVoice Survey that is redeemed by the next visit of its customers to store. McDonald’s has always made an effort to ensure contentment of its customers and maintained a level of security and safety.
#3. Thursday, January 28, 2016
Join Forum for Equality for their annual Mardi Gras Masquerade and boogie the night away at Propeller (4035 Washington Ave) from 6 – 9 p.m. Enjoy delicious food from Louisiana Pizza Kitchen as well as scrumptious sweet and savory king cakes like chocolate chip mascarpone and crawfish with goat cheese as well as an open bar. Carnival and/or Disco attire suggested, but not required. There is a suggested Membership Donation of $40.
#4. Friday, January 29, 2016
OMG, I love this entertainer so much! Barry Manilow is coming to the Smoothie King Center (1501 Dave Dixon Dr) with his new concert show ONE LAST TIME! The show starts at 7:30 p.m. The GRAMMY®, TONY®, and EMMY® Award-winning musician’s career skyrocketed to superstardom when his mega hit song, “Mandy,” topped the charts in 1975. In the spirit of that special year, tickets will be priced to tie into that year and will start at $19.75 (fees included). Manilow insisted that the average ticket price remain low and that a greater range of ticket prices be available. General information about the ONE LAST TIME! Tour is available at www.manilow.com. Tickets may be purchased via Ticketmaster at http://www.ticketmaster.com.
#5. Saturday, January 30, 2016
The Krewe of Petronius celebrates its 55th year, and presents “GAY, GLITZ, & GLAMOUR’ for its bal masque at Historic Carver Theatre (2101 Orleans Ave). Doors open at 7pm with the ball starting promptly at 8 p.m. Please arrive early to take advantage of our complimentary valet. Attire is strictly formal. Photography encouraged. For more information, go to http://www.kreweofpetronius.net.
#6. Saturday, January 30, 2016
All That Glitters Isn’t Gold is the year of Amon Ra’s 51st annual ball. Voted best ball by Ambush Magazine three years in a row, Amon Ra is one of the city’s finest balls. The charity number will be held for Saint Anna’s. For more information, go to www.kreweofamonra.com.
#7. Saturday, January 30, 2016
Enjoy at NIGHT IN THE JUNGLE Variety/Drag Show at The Four Seasons Bar (3229 N. Causeway Blvd.) starting at 10 p.m. The show stars Nikki Max, Corynne DeVille, Brad Arseneaux, Bebe Starr and Connie.
#8. Sunday, January 31, 2016
The King Cake Festival, a celebration benefitting babies and children at Ochsner Hospital for Children, celebrates its third year at Champion Square (1 LaSalle St). Spend the day strolling Champions Square and sampling Louisiana’s finest King Cakes from the state’s greatest bakers. The event is from 11 a.m. – 5 p.m. and is free and open to the public. For more information regarding tasting tickets, the Gladiator Games, or all things King Cake Festival, please visit www.kingcakefestival.org.
#9. Sunday, January 31, 2016
In 1983 the Lords of Leather held their first ball at 2001 Burgundy, which was known as the Bakers Union Hall. Now it’s the Ruby Slipper and the Lords are returning to their roots. This year’s Royalty Appreciation Party is back at the beginning and we would like to have all the past Royalty of all the Krewes to join us in celebrating Gay Mardi Gras. So dust off those crowns and come on out for a great time with the Lords of Leather. The event takes place at the Ruby Slipper (2001 Burgundy St.) from 3 – 5 p.m. They will have a wonderful buffet to enjoy and specialty drinks. Cover charge is $10.00 and current Royalty gets in free. Crowns Encouraged.
Parade Schedule:
Friday, January 29, 2016
Krewe of Cork (3:00 p.m.) – French Quarter
Krewe of Oshun (6:00 p.m.) – Uptown New Orleans
Krewe of Cleopatra (6:30 p.m.) Uptown New Orleans
Krewe of Excalibur (7:00pm) – Metairie
Krewe of Athena (7:30 pm) – Metairie
Krewe of Eve (7:00 p.m.) – Mandeville
Saturday, January 30, 2016
Krewe of Paws (10:00 a.m.) – Slidell
Krewe of Titans (6:30 p.m.) – Slidell
The Mystic Knights of Adonis (11:45 a.m.) – Westbank
Knights of Nemesis (1:00 p.m.) – Chalmette
Krewe of Pontchartrain (1:00 p.m.) – Uptown New Orleans
Krewe of Choctaw (follows) – Uptown New Orleans
Krewe of Freret (follows) – Uptown New Orleans
Knights of Sparta (6:00 p.m.) – Uptown New Orleans
Krewe of Pygmalion (6:15 p.m.) – Uptown New Orleans
tit Rəx (5:00 p.m.) – Marigny
Krewe of Chewbacchus (7:00 p.m.) – Marigny
Krewe of Caesar (6:00 p.m.) – Metairie
Krewe of Olympia (6:00 p.m.) – Covington
Sunday, January 31, 2016
Krewe of Carrollton (12:00 p.m.) – Uptown New Orleans
Krewe of Femme Fatale (follows) – Uptown New Orleans
Krewe of King Arthur and Merlin (follows) – Uptown New Orleans
Krewe of Alla (follows) – Uptown New Orleans
Krewe of Dionysus (1:00 p.m.) – Slidell
Krewe of Barkus (2:00 p.m.) – French Quarter
Corps de Napoleon (5:30 p.m.) – Metairie