Gay Mardi Gras 2016

Gay Mardi Gras – 67th Gay Mardi Gras Weekend: Friday-Fat Tuesday [Mardi Gras] New Orleans, LA; Feb 5-9, 2016

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 nine Gay Carnival organizations –  Krewe of Amon-Ra, Krewe of Armeinius, Krewe of Mwindo, Krewe of Nacissus, Krewe of Petronius, Krewe of Queenateenas, Lords of Leatherand 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 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.

Gay Mardi Gras 2016

67th Gay Mardi Gras
2016 EVENTS/BALLS

Wednesday, January 6th…
~6:30pm, Mistik Krewe du Rue Royale Reveler’s Potentate Frank Perez and Grand Reveler I Jeffrey Palmquist present Grand Reveler II Coronation with meeting of the Royal Courts: Mistik Krewe du Rue Royale Reveler’s and Krewe of Queenateenas’ King Cake Queen XXII Aubrey Synclaire, New Orleans

Friday, January 22nd…
~8pm, Mystic Krewe of Satyricon 14th Bal Masque: Le Bal des Beaux Arts: A Night at the Museum, Frederick J. Sigur Civic Center, Chalmette, LA

Saturday, January 30th…
~8pm, Krewe of Amon-Ra 51st Annual Mardi Gras Ball, Frederick J. Sigur Civic Center, Chalmette, LA
~8pm, Krewe of Petronius LV Bal Masque: All’s Fair in Gay, Glamour & Glitz!, Carver Theater, New Orleans

Friday, February 5th…
~9pm-12midnight, Friday Night Before Mardi Gras Extravaganza XVII
~9pm-12midnight, Lords of Leather Annual Night of the Black Mask, Phoenix, New Orleans

Saturday, February 6th…
~8pm, Krewe of Armeinius Bal Masque XLVIII, Frederick J. Sigur Civic Center, Chalmette, LA

Sunday, February 7th…
~8pm, Lords of Leather Bal Masque XXXIII, John A. Alario, Sr. Event Center, Westwego, LA

MARDI GRAS (Fat Tuesday), February 9th…
~12noon, 52nd Annual Bourbon Street Awards, sponsored by Oz & Ambush Mag, Corner of St. Ann at 800 Bourbon St.
~2pm – 29th Annual Official Gay Mardi Gras Bead Toss led by King Cake Queen XXII Aubrey Synclaire of Gay Mardi Gras, Ambush Mansion Balcony, 828 Bourbon St.

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