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.

2013 EVENTS

Friday, June 14th...
~Lords of Leather, Beer Bust, Phoenix, New Orleans

Saturday, June 15th...
~7-10pm, Krewe of Petronius presents Cooking with The Queens, New Orleans School of Cooking, New Orleans
~Lords of Leather, Who's Ya Daddy Contest, New Orleans
Wednesday, June 19th...
~8pm, Krewe of Armeinius presents La Cage aux Folles, Tulane Summer Lyric salutes gay broadway composers, Dixon Hall Tulane Campus, New Orleans
Saturday, June 22nd...
~7-10pm, Krewe of Amon Ra presents Country & Western Prom crowning Prom King & Queen, Gay Pride Weekend, 2300 Chartres across from Friendly Bar, New Orleans

Friday, June 28th...
~Lords of Leather, Leather Theme Party coinciding with Phoenix's 1st Annual Queer Film Festival, Phoenix, New Orleans
Wednesday, July 3rd...
~Lords of Leather, Fourth of July Play Party, New Orleans
Wednesday, July 10th...
~8pm, Krewe of Armeinius presents A Little Night Music, Tulane Summer Lyric salutes gay broadway composers, Dixon Hall Tulane Campus, New Orleans
Friday, July 12th...
~Lords of Leather, Beer Bust: Preview Xmas Wreaths, Phoenix, New Orleans

Saturday, July 13th...
~Lords of Leather, Xmas in July Wreath Auction, Phoenix, New Orleans

Sunday, July 14th...
~Lords of Leather, Luau, New Orleans
Saturday, July 20th...
~7-10pm, Krewe of Petronius presents Cocktails & Crowns, Petronius Den, New Orleans
~Krewe of Amon Ra presents Christmas In July, Michael's On The Park, New Orleans
Friday, July 26th...
~Lords of Leather, Bleather Weekend, Mobile, Alabama
Wednesday, July 31st...
~8pm, Krewe of Armeinius presents Kiss Me Kate, Tulane Summer Lyric salutes gay broadway composers, Dixon Hall Tulane Campus, New Orleans
Friday, August 9th...
~Lords of Leather, Beer Bust, Phoenix, New Orleans

Saturday, August 10th...
~Lords of Leather, Miss Louisiana Leatherette, Michael's On The Park, New Orleans
Sunday, August 11th...
~Krewe of Amon Ra presents Sister Sunday Social, New Orleans
Saturday, August 17th...
~7-10pm, Krewe of Petronius presents Dragging with The Stars, Oz, New Orleans
Friday, August 30th...
~Lords of Leather, Southern Decadence Block Party & Beer Bust, Phoenix, New Orleans

Saturday, August 31st...
~Lords of Leather, Southern Decadence Play Party, Phoenix, New Orleans
Friday, September 13th...
~Lords of Leather, Beer Bust, Phoenix, New Orleans

Saturday, September 14th...
~Lords of Leather, Wacky Wagon Race , New Orleans
Saturday, September 21st...
~7-10pm, Krewe of Amon Ra presents Forbidden Girls Gone Broadway
September, TBD...
~7-10pm, Krewe of Petronius presents Dinner & Death of a Drag Queen, TBD
Friday, October 11th...
~Lords of Leather, Beer Bust + Mr. Louisiana Leather Contestants Meet & Greet, Phoenix, New Orleans
Saturday, October 12th...
~8pm, Krewe of Armeinius CocktoberFest, a German Beer Garden with free flowing beer, a show, German food, games & prizes, New Orleans
~Lords of Leather, Mr. Louisiana Leather, Oz, New Orleans
Wednesday, October 23rd...
~8pm, Krewe of Petronius presents Vampire Lesbians of Sodom, TBD
Thursday, October 24th...
~8pm, Krewe of Petronius presents Vampire Lesbians of Sodom, TBD
Friday, October 25th...
~8pm, Krewe of Petronius presents Vampire Lesbians of Sodom, TBD
Saturday, October 26th...
~Lords of Leather, Halloween Play Party & Costume Contest, Phoenix, New Orleans
Thursday, October 31st...
~8pm, Krewe of Petronius presents Vampire Lesbians of Sodom, TBD
Friday, November 1st...
~8pm, Krewe of Petronius presents Vampire Lesbians of Sodom, TBD
Saturday, November 2nd...
~8pm, Krewe of Petronius presents Vampire Lesbians of Sodom, TBD
Friday, November 8th...
~Lords of Leather, Beer Bust, Phoenix, New Orleans
Saturday, November 23rd...
~Krewe of Petronius presents Queer Bar Shopping & Holiday Desserts, The Country Club, New Orleans

Friday, November 29th...
~Lords of Leather, 5th Friday Beer Bust, Phoenix, New Orleans

Saturday, November 30th...
~Lords of Leather, American Bandstand, New Orleans
Friday, December 13th...
~7pm, Krewe of Armeinius Teddy Bear Tour, New Orleans
~Lords of Leather, Beer Bust, Phoenix, New Orleans
Saturday, December 14th...
~2pm, Krewe of Armeinius Teddy Bear Tour, New Orleans
Sunday, December 15th...
~2pm, Krewe of Armeinius Teddy Bear Tour, New Orleans
Friday, December 20th...
~Lords of Leather, Patron Party, Teddy Bear House, New Orleans
Saturday, December 21st...
~Lords of Leather, Teddy Bear House Tours, Teddy Bear House, New Orleans
Sunday, December 22nd...
~Lords of Leather, Teddy Bear House Tours, Teddy Bear House, New Orleans
Tuesday, December 31st...
~Lords of Leather, New Year's Eve Fetish Party, New Orleans
2014 EVENTS

Friday, January 10th...
~Lords of Leather, Beer Bust, Phoenix, New Orleans
Sunday, January 12th...
~2-5pm, Krewe of Petronius presents Gospel Show, 4 Seasons, Metairie
~Lords of Leather, Royalty Appreciation Party & Mardi Gras Wreath Auction, New Orleans
Friday, January 31st...
~Lords of Leather, 5th Friday Beer Bust, Phoenix, New Orleans
Saturday, February 1st...
~8pm, Krewe of Mwindo Bal Masque XVI, Frederick J. Sigur Civic Center, New Orleans
Saturday, February 8th...
~8pm, Krewe of Amon Ra Mardi Gras Ball XLIV, Frederick J. Sigur Civic Center, New Orleans

Friday, February 14th...
~Lords of Leather, Beer Bust, Phoenix, New Orleans
Sunday, February 16th...
~8pm, Krewe of Queenateenas 21st King Cake Queen of Gay Mardi Gras Coronation, by invitation only, Ambush Mansion, New Orleans
Friday, February 21st...
~8pm, Mystic Krewe of Satyricon Bal Masque XII, Frederick J. Sigur Civic Center, New Orleans
Saturday, February 22nd...
~8pm, Krewe of Petronius Bal Masque LIII, Frederick J. Sigur Civic Center, New Orleans
Friday, February 28th...
~9pm-12midnight, Friday Night Before Mardi Gras Extravaganza XV, Audubon Tea Room, New Orleans
~9pm-2am, Lords of Leather presents Night of the Black Mask Beer Bust, Phoenix/Eagle, Elysian Fields @ N. Rampart, New Orleans
Saturday, March 1st...
~9pm, Krewe of Armeinius Bal Masque XLVI, Frederick J. Sigur Civic Center, New Orleans
Sunday, March 2nd...
~8pm, Lords of Leather Bal Masque XXXI, The Civic Theatre, New Orleans

MARDI GRAS (Fat Tuesday), March 4th...
~12noon, 50th Annual Bourbon Street Awards, Oz, Corner of St. Ann at 800 Bourbon St.
~2pm - 27th Annual Official Gay Mardi Gras Bead Toss led by King Cake Queen XXI of Gay Mardi Gras, 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
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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