May is here and we have so much happening in this city, rain or shine. Here are some of the festively gay things to do. Enjoy!
#1. Monday, May 2, 2016
Join Nicole Lynn Foxx and special guest comedian DC PauL at Big Mama’s Lounge at the House of Blues New Orleans (225 Decatur Street) for a special Monday night Kiki! Doors open at 6:30 p.m. and showtime is at 7 p.m. There is NO COVER! For more info, visit houseofblues.com or contact (504) 310-4999.
#2. Tuesday, May 3, 2016
Get your derby on and celebrate GiveNOLA Day in style with The Louisiana Museum Foundation! Wear your most extravagant derby hat and sip on mint juleps in the historic courtyard at Madame John’s Legacy (632 Dumaine Street) —not typically open to the public! Doors open at 6 p.m. with live music from 7:30pm-10:00 p.m. provided by legendary bluesman Ron Hacker. For a $10 GiveNOLA Donation, receive a free mint julep or drink of your choice! Cash bar and refreshments will be provided (21+). Prizes will be awarded for best derby hats— Music at the Mint concert tickets, rare posters, and books! If you have any questions or are interested in volunteering with us, please email info@thelmf.org.
#3. Wednesday, May 4, 2016
The Bow Tie Bash is a CrescentCare event that benefits those affected by cancer and HIV in the New Orleans community. The event will take place at Il Mercato (1911 Magazine Street). Proceeds from the Bow Tie Bash will help our Food for Friends program deliver meals to cancer and HIV clients who are unable to prepare meals for themselves. There will be an open bar, live auction, creative bow tie contest, catering by Joel’s Catering and music by A Boy Named Ruth, Jay-Ray & Gee, Robin Barnes and more! Free valet parking is offered in the ticket price. Tickets are $75.
The event was inspired by Chet Pourciau, a long-time volunteer for NO/AIDS Task Force known for his vibrant personality and a love for flashy bow ties. Last year, Chet passed away after diagnosed with lymphoma. With the blessing of his partner, Jack Sullivan, we created this event to honor Chet and immortalize his contributions to our mission through raising funds for cancer patients in the Food For Friends program. For more information, go to www.noaidstaskforce.org.
#4. Wednesday, May 4, 2016
Join CommUNITY® Speak Out as they present their May presentation series with Adikus Sulpizi speaking about Stigma. The talk starts at 7:00 P.M. Adikus Sulpizi will talk about the stigma that still surrounds HIV and education. He will also discuss the organization he works with here locally, Team Friendly NOLA and how you can get involved. Please come and join us for this FREE education. Please R.S.V.P – https://www.eventbrite.com/e/community-speak-out-adikus-sulpizi-hiv-and-stigma-tickets-24634291830. The talk will be held at BEbyTees Hit Parade VIP Lifestyle Studio (741 Bourbon St).
#5. Thursday, May 5, 2016
Harlequeen Presents a monthly series titled HONOR THY MOTHER at the Ace Hotel (600 Carondelet Street). In May, they bring you a truly legendary vocalist, Jimmy James. Hailing from New York City & Los Angeles, James is renowned for his Live Vocal Impressions ranging from Barbra Streisand to Elvis Presley! His new show”HEARING IS BELIEVING” takes the audience on a vocal journey of uncanny contemporary and classic impressions like: ADELE, CHER, BARBRA STREISAND, ELVIS, STEVIE NICKS, BILLIE HOLIDAY, EARTHA KITT, JUDY GARLAND, LIZA MINNELLI, PATSY CLINE, BETTE DAVIS, DIANA ROSS & LIONEL RICHIE, MAE WEST, KATHERINE HEPBURN, JANIS JOPLIN & MORE! His own original song ‘FASHIONISTA’ became a global club hit making it to the top 10 of the BILLBOARD Dance charts. The show is at 8 p.m. Go to http://jimmyjamesneworleans.bpt.me for tickets which start at $20.
#6. Thursday, May 5, 2016
The Four Seasons (3229 N. Causeway Blvd.) and Thursty Tranny Thursday w/Jasmine SX invites you to Celebrate Cinco de Mayo And Jasmine A. Essex 44th Bday Bash! Featured Entertainment will be MGLAUSofA 2015 Maya McNiel; MGLAUSofA 2016 and on her way to Ms Gay USofA Dominique DeLorean and featuring The Fabulous Lana O’Day as well as hostess Jasmine Essex and her Thursty Tranny Cast Infinity aka Antonio Rubin and the Lovely Laveau Contraire. There is no cover and the show starts at 11 p.m. So grab your friends… And get ready to Party – Cinco de TrannynStyle!!!!!
#7. Friday, May 6, 2016
It’s time once again for the 2016 Whitney Zoo-To-Do at the Audubon Zoo (6500 Magazine St). Ready those black ties and cocktail dresses! Whitney Zoo-To–Do will feature live entertainment, local and international cuisine from over 70 New Orleans restaurants, a luxury car raffle, premium cocktails, and a silent auction! Enjoy music from this year’s headlining band, Emerald City, along with many other live musicians. All proceeds support Audubon Zoo. Tickets available for purchase at http://audubonnatureinstitute.org/ztd or call (504) 861-6160
Enter the raffle to drive away in a brand new 2016 Lexus ES350 from Lexus of New Orleans at http://audubonnatureinstitute.org/ztd. Only 1000 raffle tickets are being sold! The event timeline is as follows: Silent Auction: 7:00pm-10:00pm; Sponsor/Patron Party: 7:00pm-12:00am; Gala Admittance: 8:00pm-12:00am.
#8. Friday, May 6, 2016
Grab your Penny loafers, Buddy Holly shades, Saddle shoes and Poodle skirts for the Pride Sock Hop at Tulane Avenue Bar (3813 Tulane Ave) from 8 – 11 p.m. Support New Orleans Pride. Come dressed in your best 50’s style outfit for the costume contest where the winner will receive TWO TICKETS TO SEE BIANCA DEL RIO and other prizes! There will also be Raffles, Live entertainment and a 50/50.
#9. Friday, May 6, 2016
Join the Mystic Krewe of Satyricon and producer Mark Cortale for an opening-night performance by the internationally acclaimed singing string quartet Well-Strung, directed by New Orleans’ own drag superstar, Jeffery Roberson (aka Varla Jean Merman). The four performers, who specialize in pairing classical compositions by Mozart, Beethoven, and Bach with pop hits by Adele, Taylor Swift, and Kelly Clarkson, will perform at Cafe Istanbul, 2372 St. Claude Avenue starting at 8 p.m. Tickets to this special performance include a post-performance reception with band members Edmund, Christopher, Trevor, and Daniel are $40. For tickets and more information, go to www.mystickreweofsatyricon.com.
#10. Saturday, May 7, 2016
The Krewe of Narcissus is having a Kentucky Derby Party at GrandPre’s (834 N. Rampart) from 2 – 6 p.m. Wear your Derby Attire and enjoy a Hat Contest, and Wet Jockey Short Contest plus a Southern Style Buffet. There is a $15 donation at the door.
#11. Saturday, May 7, 2016
Join Tulane Avenue Bar (3813 Tulane Ave) at 9 p.m. for the Divas of Tulane featuring Dasani Water, Paris Dee DeLorean, Colin Backster, and Scarlet Michaels.
#12. Saturday, May 7, 2016
Oz New Orleans and Persana Shoulders proudly presents MISS GAY NEW ORLEANS AMERICA 2016 at Oz (800 Bourbon St) starting at 5 p.m. Celebrating 20 years of excellence as the oldest preliminary pageant in the Miss Gay Louisiana America pageantry system! For more information on MGNOA or to sign up please contact: Persana Shoulders: persana@ozneworleans.com
The Miss Gay New Orleans America 2015 Entrance Fee is $100. Prize Packages: $2000 CASH, PRIZES, AND BOOKINGS to the Winner and $1000 CASH, PRIZES. AND BOOKINGS to the 1st Alternate. Categories include Male Interview, Solo Talent, Evening Gown, On Stage Question and Talent.
Registration is at 1:00pm contestants must come in their “Male Interview” attire and interview will happen immediately after registration at 1:30pm. Once the interview portion is over, you will be free to leave, but MUST be back at the venue for 4:30pm. The pageant starts promptly at 5pm.
#13. Saturday, May 7, 2016
The Phoenix (941 Elysian Fields) presents the Full House Dating Game starting at 10 p.m. hosted by comedian Jim Tideman. This is a a quarterly all club event to raise money for St Anna’s Food Bank and includes the Lords of Leather, Big Easy isters, NOLA P.A.H., Renegade Bears and Knights d’Orleans. There is a$10 beer bust, raffles, door prizes and much more.
#14. Sunday, May 8, 2016
Well Strung is coming back to premiere their ALL NEW show in New Orleans and the Krewe of Armeinius will be hosting one of the opening nights. The show will be at Café Istanbul (2372 St. Claude Ave) starting at 7 p.m. Ticket prices range from $40 – $60. For more information or tickets, go to https://armeinius.ticketleap.com/well-strung16/dates/May-08-2016_at_0700PM.