Gay Balls and Carnival Future

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The Balls

The traditions of Gay Mardi Gras came into being in the 1950s. The first Gay Mardi Gras krewe was the Krewe of Yuga or "KY." This krewe was formed to satirize the straight, aristocratic Mardi Gras traditions in 1958. In 1962, the Krewe of Yuga threw its first Ball at a badly chosen sight, a private children's school. No sooner had the tableau begun with queen and maids expectantly waiting the adoration of the spectators when police cars roared up and the ball was raided. Doors were locked and people were unceremoniously hauled to jail.
Taking a deep breath, the Gay community soon reorganized and new Gay Mardi Gras krewes began to flourish. Peaking in the early 1980s, there were dozens of Gay krewes that were the highlight of the Carnival season. Local matrons would beg for tickets from their hairdresser. They were quite the event.
The Gay balls required formal attire and the tableaus were a sight to behold. Many a cocktailed queen was seen to fall over from the weight of a bigger than life costume. It was all wonderful, some of the most cherished Carnival memories.
Why past tense? AIDS took many of the best and most talented people from New Orleans. It would be easy to blame a weak economy and apathy for the decline of the Gay krewes. It's not that. It was AIDS that hurt this fine tradition, redirecting funds from carnival clubs to fight the disease.
However, several krewes did survive across the Gulf South, plus new ones have organized in recent years bringing about the rebirth of Gay Mardi Gras. It's back! It's big! It's FAB!!!
In New Orleans there are eight Gay Carnival organizations - Krewe of Amon Ra, Krewe of Armeinius, Krewe of Mwindo, Krewe of Petronius, Krewe of Queenateenas, Lords of Leather and Mystic Krewe of Satyricon.
In Baton Rouge, Louisiana, there are two - Krewe of Apollo Baton Rouge and Krewe of Divas .
In Lafayette, Louisiana, there are two - Krewe of Apollo de Lafayette and Royal Order of Unicorn.
In Birmingham, Alabama, there is one - Krewe of Apollo Birmingham.
In Dallas, Texas, there is one, the Krewe of Apollo-Dallas.
In Houston, Texas, there is one, the Krewe of Olympus.
These Gay balls carry on the lavish traditions for everyone. Attire is formal and the balls are by invitation only. And if you hear of a krewe fundraiser, please support each and every one of them, to help maintain this Gay Mardi Gras tradition preserving Gay life, music and culture.

2012 EVENTS

Saturday, January 14th...
~8pm, Krewe of Mwindo Ball
Saturday, January 21st...
~8pm, Krewe of Amon-Ra Ball XLVII, Frederick J. Sigur Civic Center, New Orleans
Saturday, January 28th...
~8pm, Krewe of Petronius Ball LI, Frederick J. Sigur Civic Center, New Orleans
Saturday, February 4th...
~8pm, 19th King Cake Queen Coronation , presenting King Cake Queen XIX of Gay Mardi Gras Nicole DuBois, by invitation only, New Orleans
Friday, February 10th...
~8pm, Krewe of Satyricon Bal Masque X, The Sugar Mill, New Orleans
Friday, February 17th...
~9pm-12midnight, Friday Night Before Mardi Gras Extravaganza XIII, Audubon Tea RoomNew Orleans

~10pm-2am, Lords of Leather present Night of the Black Mask: The South’s Oldest Leather Block Party, Phoenix/Eagle, Elysian Fields @ N. Rampart, New Orleans
Saturday, February 18th...
~9pm, Krewe of Armeinius Bal Masque XLIV, Frederick J. Sigur Civic Center, New Orleans
Sunday, February 19th...
~8pm, Lords of Leather Bal Masque XXVIII, Frederick J. Sigur Civic Center, New Orleans
MARDI GRAS (Fat Tuesday), February 21st...
~12noon, 48th Annual Bourbon Street Awards, Oz, Corner of St. Ann at 800 Bourbon St.
~2pm - 25th Annual Official Gay Mardi Gras Bead Toss led by King Cake Queen XIX Nicole DuBois, Ambush Headquarters Balcony, 828 Bourbon St.

Future Mardi Gras Dates !
Just so you don't miss it...
Many people believe that Mardi Gras is a single day of celebration. Mardi Gras or "Fat Tuesday" is actually the climax for the Carnival season. Parades and formal Gay Balls begin on the twelfth night of Christmas (Kings Night-January 6). Parades roll in New Orleans and in Metairie. Below are the dates for Mardi Gras in the new century...
FUTURE DATES
2013 - February 12
2014 - March 4
2015 - February 17
2016 - February 9
2017 - February 28
2018 - February 13
2019 - March 5
2020 - February 25
2021 - February 16
2022 - March 1
2023 - February 21

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