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 now nine Gay Carnival organizations - Krewe of Amon Ra, Krewe of Armeinius, Krewe of Mwindo, People of Substance, 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 Shreveport, Louisiana, there is one - Krewe of Apollo Shreveport.
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.
2009 EVENTS
Ambush Mag is providing its Carnival/Krewe Calendar to assist Gay Mardi Gras Krewes with their fund-raisers, functions and balls to support and help preserve the cultural fabric of the GLBT community. To submit your carnival/krewe function, e-mail info@gaymardigras.com.
Wednesday, July 8th...
~8pm, Mystic Krewe of Satyricon presents Karen Akers in Concert, $30, Le Chat NoirSunday, July 12th...
~8pm, Krewe of Mwindo presents 1st Annual Mwindo Honors, JohnPaul'sSunday, July 19th...
~3-7pm, Lords of Leather Luau, Lion's Inn
~4-6pm, Krewe of Amon Ra Sister "Sundae" Social (home-made ice cream served along with ice-cream drinks), All-Ways LoungeSaturday, July 25th...
~8pm, Lords of Leather Vegas Game Night, JohnPaul's
Saturday, August 8th...
~9-11pm, Lords of Leather Ms. Louisiana Leatherette Contest, JohnPaul'sSunday, August 9th...
~4-6pm, Krewe of Amon Ra Miss Turn-About, All-Ways LoungeThursday, August 13th...
~8pm, Mystic Krewe of Satyricon presents My First Time, $25, Le Chat NoirFriday, September 4th...
~10pm, Lords of Leather Decadence Block Party, Phoenix
Saturday, September 5th...
~Krewe of Amon Ra Playboy Bunny/Chippendale Rejects (time and location TBA)Thursday, September 10th...
~8pm, Mystic Krewe of Satyricon presents Amy Alvarez with Jefferson Turner, $25, Le Chat NoirThursday, October 1st...
~8pm, Mystic Krewe of Satyricon presents Andrea Marcovicci sings Songs from the Movies, $30, Le Chat NoirSunday, October 4th...
~Lords of Leather Halloween Haunted House & Decoration Auction, JohnPaul'sFriday-Sunday, October 16th-18th
~Lords of Leather Mr. Louisiana Leather Weekend, Various Locations
Saturday October 24th...
~Krewe of Amon Ra Halloween Party (time and location TBA)
Friday, October 30th...
~9pm, Lords of Leather Fifth Friday Beer Bust, PhoenixSaturday, November 21st...
~ 7-11pm, Mystic Krewe of Satyricon Thanksgiving Buffet and Silent Auction with
entertainer Lisa Lynn, $10 all-you-can-eat, JohnPaul's
Saturday, November 28th...
~9pm, Lords of Leather American Bandstand, TBASunday, November 29th...
~Krewe of Amon Ra "Pot Luck" function (time and location TBA)Sunday, December 6th...
~Lords of Leather Art Gallery Event & Auction, JohnPaul's
Saturday, December 12th...
~1-5pm, Mystic Krewe of Satyricon Annual Christmas Buffet and Auction, $10 all-you-can-eat, Friendly Bar AnnexSunday, December 13th...
~Krewe of Amon Ra presents Amon-Ra Rockettes (time and location TBA)2010 EVENTS
Saturday, January 2nd...
~7-11pm, Mystic Krewe of Satyricon 8th Annual 12th Night Ball, $20 Admission, Country ClubSaturday, January 9th...
~8pm, doors open 7:30pm, 12th Annual Krewe of Mwindo Ball, Best Western Landmark Hotel, 2601 Severn Ave., MetairieSunday, January 10th...
~Lords of Leather Royalty Appreciation Party & Mardi Gras Wreath Auction, JohnPaul'sSaturday, January 23rd...
~8pm, Krewe of Queenateenas' 17th King Cake Queen Coronation presenting the 2010 King Cake Queen of Gay Mardi Gras, by invitation onlySunday, January 24th...
~7pm, Krewe of Petronius Bal Masque XLIX, site TBASaturday, February 6th...
~8pm, Krewe of Amon Ra Bal Masque XLV, Alario Center, WestwegoSunday, February 7th...
~7pm, Mystic Krewe of Satyricon Bal Masque VIII, $20 General Admission, Sugar Mill, 1101 Convention Center Blvd.Friday, February 12th...
~10pm-2am, Lords of Leather & Phoenix present Night of the Black Mask: The South’s Oldest Leather Block Party, Phoenix/Eagle, Elysian Fields @ N. RampartSaturday, February 13th...
~12noon, Annual Spanish Town Parade, 5th & Spanish Town Road, Baton Rouge
~8pm, Krewe of Armeinius Bal Masque XLII, Alario CenterSunday, February 14th...
~8pm, Lords of Leather Bal Masque XXVII, Alario CenterMARDI GRAS (Fat Tuesday), February 16th...
~12noon, 46th Annual Bourbon Street Awards, Oz, Corner of St. Ann at 800 Bourbon St.
~2pm - 23rd Annual Official Gay Mardi Gras Bead Toss, led by King Cake Queen XVII, 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
2011 - March 8
2010 - February 16
2011 - March 8
2012 - February 21
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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