the "official" dish ...from 24 Leather host their “Wacky Wagon Race on Wednesday, October 2 at 10am. Free www.saengernola.com/shows/lpofree. 2013” followed by a fabulous Holiday Deco- tickets will be distributed to area schools for their 17th year of revelry. The Ducks, led ration Auction at the Phoenix Bar, 941 and are also currently available to the Petronius to Present by Troy Richardson, anticipate well over Elysian Fields Avenue. general public. 450 of their group members will attend the Race teams will consist of 4 members In honor of the restoration of the Vampire Lesbians of 42nd annual LGBT celebration this year. (one of which MUST be dressed in drag). Saenger Theatre, the Louisiana Philhar- Sodom Oct. 24-27 In addition to various events and par- Each team must use a human-powered monic Orchestra will perform a special pro- ties scheduled throughout the weekend, (otherwise known as pushed or pulled) gram detailing the history of the New Or- The New Orleans carnival Krewe of the Decadent Ducks are putting their num- vehicle such as a wagon or wheelbarrow, leans landmark theatre. The orchestra will Petronius announces plans to produce bers to good use by raising money for Food for example, to complete the trek. To highlight selections from the famous mov- Charles Busch's Vampire Lesbians of For Friends. The Food For Friends Pro- register your team, please contact Joey ies played there, as well as the Broadway Sodom under the direction of Larry W. gram of NO/AIDS Task Force has been Landry [email protected] or Brock productions and artists that have performed Anderson for four special Halloween per- supplying groceries and home-delivered Andersen [email protected]. on stage since opening in 1927. formances, October 24 to 27 at the Café meals to HIV-infected and -affected indi- This race begins at Kajun's Pub, 2256 “Our mission is to ensure the Saenger Istanbul Performance Theatre in the Heal- viduals in the greater New Orleans area for St. Claude Avenue at 1pm. After completing is a venue that touches everyone in our ing Center at 2372 St Claude Ave. in the over 15 years. a bar challenge there, the race is on to 4- community by creating varied and unique Marigny. Prior to landing in New Orleans, Deca- 5 additional bars in the Marigny neighbor- programming,” said David Skinner, Gen- Each performance will feature an In- dent Ducks held a raffle for three free room hood for more challenges. Team members eral Manager, Saenger Theatre. “This free termission Contest for the Best Vampire or nights at the Omni Royal Orleans Hotel for will sell raffle tickets to bar patrons and concert with the Louisiana Philharmonic Zombie costume. Tickets will be $35, with Southern Decadence 2013. curious onlookers for a chance to win the Orchestra will ensure that everyone has an a $5 discount or refund to everyone wear- It doesn’t stop there. More raffle tickets grand prize – a brand new 40 inch opportunity to visit the newly-restored ing a costume. will be sold during the Decadent Ducks Westinghouse LCD TV. Raffle tickets are Saenger.” Charles Busch's vampire spoof which Original Southern Decadence Welcome $1 each and the winner does NOT have to “We’ve programmed this special con- opened and ran for many seasons begin- Party at the House of Blues (225 Decatur be present to win. Lords of Leather will cert at the Saenger with a high school ning in 1984 was for many years the long- Street – open to the public) on Friday, contact the winner. audience in mind and we are thrilled to be est-running Off-Broadway non-musical play August 30th from 6 to 9pm. In addition to the The team selling the most raffle tickets doing a show specifically for these students in theatre history. Written by Busch as a free room nights at the Omni, there will be wins half the money. This is a great oppor- that we don’t always get to reach,” said starring vehicle for himself as an estab- two chances to win a round-trip airline tunity for a softball or bowling team or Amanda Wuerstlin, Director of Education lished drag queen performer at the time, the ticket, courtesy of Southwest Airlines, and another organization to raise funds for their and Community Engagement, Louisiana play is a spoof of classic movies about many other prizes. DJ / Producer Julian group. Philharmonic Orchestra. “Hosting this se- vampires and the entertainment industry, Marsh will be spinning the tunes at this After making it to the finish line at the ries at the newly reopened Saenger The- with some memorable characters in campy House of Blues party. Phoenix, come inside to cool off and look atre makes this concert even more special situations over a period spanning over two Decadent Ducks donates 100% of the ahead to cooler times as the Lords put up for our musicians.” centuries. proceeds from these raffles to Food For for auction their array of Halloween, Christ- Free tickets to the Louisiana Philhar- Director Larry Anderson has been ac- Friends. Last year, the generosity of its mas and Mardi Gras themed decorations. monic Orchestra community concert at the tively involved with amateur and commu- membership raised over $3,600, setting a Saenger Theatre are now available for nity theatre for over forty years, having new record for the group. Jon Cleary To Headline pickup at the Mahalia Jackson Theatre Box directed and served as Artistic Director at “The people of New Orleans have Office at 1419 Basin Street. Tickets are Theatre Marigny for several years in the always welcomed us with open arms and Old U.S. Mint Sept. 20 required for entrance to the concert, but 1990s. Tickets to the performance will be available from members of the Krewe of treated us like family,” Richardson explains. Join the Friends of the Cabildo as funk seats will be first come, first serve. Doors Petronius as well the krewe's website, “I can’t stress enough how important that is, and R&B piano player Jon Cleary, plays his will open at 9am, with the show beginning www.KreweOfPetronius.ORG. especially in this day and age, when the gay first concert at the Old U.S. Mint’s 3rd Floor at 10am. For more information, visit community seems to be under attack so Performance Space at 7pm Friday, Sep- often. That means a lot. We’ve been very tember 20th. lucky, and we’re really excited to be able to Tickets are $30 for general admission give something back.” and $25 for FOC/LMF member. Seats are More than just a travel group, the limited to 150 people and can be purchased Decadent Ducks have evolved into a close by calling the FOC office at 504.523.3939 network of friends from all over the world, or online at www.friendsofthecabildo.org. and they credit New Orleans for fostering Tickets are not expected be available the and inspiring their spirit of camaraderie and night of the event. friendship. Returning members enjoy the Playing the event as a fundraiser for occasion to reunite, and new members the Friends of the Cabildo (FOC) and the appreciate the efforts made to welcome first of five concerts at the Mint for the FOC, them into the group and forge new friend- Cleary has studied the musical culture and ships. life of New Orleans. Cleary, a native of Although last year’s event was smaller England, has played with musical greats in number (due only to hurricane-related such as Bonnie Raitt, Taj Mahal and B.B. travel complications), those who made it King. Jon Cleary and the Absolute Monster had a great time and the group is looking Gentlemen have played the New Orleans forward to this year more than ever. “There’s Jazz and Heritage Festival as well as the definitely a greater sense of anticipation popular festival Bonnaroo. Cleary will be this year,” Richardson says, with a smile. performing at the Old U.S. Mint as a solo “Those who made it said it was one of the act. best weekends ever. Once we arrived, the Finished in 2012, the 3rd Floor Perfor- sun came out, the air conditioning had mance Space at the Old U.S. Mint is a $4- power, and the pool stayed full! We’ve million joint collaboration between the Loui- expanded and added new events to our siana State Museum and the National Park schedule, which includes a wine tasting, a Service. The space includes a soundproof streetcar bar crawl and a Gospel Brunch at performance hall with video and audio re- the House of Blues.We can’t wait to get cording capabilities as well as a full record- back!” ing studio. To learn more about the Decadent Doors open at 6:00 p.m. and the per- Ducks or Food For Friends, visit the official formance space will open at 6:45pm. website at http://www.decadentducks- neworleans.com. Saenger Theatre to Host Ride Your Wacky Wagon Free Community & Win a New TV! Concert Event with LPO Yes, you can - and start your Holiday The historic Saenger Theatre, slated decorating early too. Mark Saturday, Sep- to reopen this fall, will celebrate its commu- tember 14 on your calendar for an after- nity by hosting a special, free concert event noon of fun and frolic as the Lords of with the Louisiana Philharmonic Orchestra

26 • The Official Mag: AmbushMag.COM • August 28-September 9, 2013 • Official Southern Decadence Guide • SouthernDecadence.COM GayMardiGras.COM • GayNewOrleans.COM • August 28-September 9, 2013 • Facebook.COM/AmbushMag • The Official Mag: AmbushMag.COM • 27 28 • The Official Mag: AmbushMag.COM • August 28-September 9, 2013 • Official Southern Decadence Guide • SouthernDecadence.COM GayMardiGras.COM • GayNewOrleans.COM • August 28-September 9, 2013 • Facebook.COM/AmbushMag • The Official Mag: AmbushMag.COM • 29 dence in that year and estimated the eco- moments in gay new orleans history nomic impact of the event in 1997 at $25 million. By 2003, Southern Decadence obituary was drawing well over 120,000 people to the city with an economic impact of $95 million. In 2010, the numbers had climbed Sean Sasser, HIV / AIDS to 130,000 visitors spending over $160 by Frank Perez Activist Dies million. In recent years, Southern Deca- E-mail: [email protected] by Frank Perez dence has replaced Mardi Gras as the Sean Sasser, HIV / AIDS activist, died biggest draw in the city for gay tourists. following year. This time the Belle Reve August 7, of mesothelioma, a rare form of “A Little Decadence The phenomenal growth of Southern revelers decided to inaugurate a parade. lung cancer. He was 44. Decadence has had a profound impact on Goes a Long Way” The parade began at Johnny Matassa’s Sasser achieved pop fame in 1993 the gay community in New Orleans in ways In 1972, a handful of college students Grocery and marched back to Belle Reve, when he and his boyfriend, Pedro Zamora, many people do not realize. More specifi- shared a slave quarters apartment behind all the while dressed up as famous South- came out as positive on MTV’s The Real cally, the success of Southern Decadence a dilapidated house at 2110 Barracks Street ern Decadents, including, according to World, San Francisco. The two also ex- demonstrated to the straight business com- in Treme. Near the front door was a sign James Sears, Tallulah Bankhead, Belle changed vows in a commitment ceremony munity in New Orleans the spending power that read “Belle Reve,” the name of Blanch Watling, and Mary Ann Mobley. For the that aired on the show. of the gay community long before the rest DuBois’ plantation in Tennessee Williams’ third party in 1974, they decided to name a Dan Renzi, a cast member on The of the country realized that gay people were A Streetcar Named Desire. Grand Marshal to lead the parade and the Real World: Miami wrote of Sean’s death a powerful economic market with loads of As Labor Day weekend, 1972, ap- honor went to Frederick Wright. Also, the at Queerty: “Long before Ellen or Will & expendable income. The straight beer proached, the residents of Belle Reve de- parade route was to include the Golden Grace showcased gay people on TV living delivery guys may not like what they see in cided to throw a farewell party for their Lantern, which remains the official head- mainstream lives, and before the magic of the gay bars and the straight hotel workers friend, Michael Evers, who was moving quarters (home) of Southern Decadence. protease inhibitor “cocktails” turned HIV may not like what goes in their rooms over away. The party also served as a way to As the parade meandered around the lower into a manageable disease, Sasser gave a Labor Day weekend, but the beer distribu- appease a new arrival at the house, Quarter, many people spontaneously joined brave face to both issues and brought tors and hotel operators certainly like the Maureen from Manhattan, who constantly the procession, including the late, great those taboo topics to educate millions of money Southern Decadence puts in their complained of the humidity and “having Ruthie the Duck Lady. In those days, the young Americans.” coffers. In this way, greed trumps hate and nothing to do.” The theme of the party was parade did not have an official route; rather, After Zamora’s death in 1994, Sasser fosters tolerance, if not acceptance. “Southern Decadence,” and guests were it snaked its way around the Quarter at the became a tireless advocate for HIV/ AIDS Many of the tens of thousands of people instructed to arrive dressed up as their whim of the Grand Marshal. This sponta- awareness. In 1996 he participated in the from out of town who come each year to favorite Southern Decadents. Roughly fifty neity was the source of much of the parade’s Human Rights Campaign “You’ve Got the Southern Decadence may not be familiar people (both gay and straight) attended the energy and has created some unforget- Power: Vote.” Sasser was a fixture in the with the history and ritual associated with party. In Rebels, Rubyfruit, and Rhine- table moments over the years. In 1986, Portland, Oregon, HIV / AIDS community for the annual festival. To be named a South- stones (a landmark book on Southern Grand Marshal Kathleen Conlon led the years, literally serving as the 2012 poster ern Decadence Grand Marshal is one of the gayness), Belle Reve resident Frederick parade to the Riverwalk where several boy for the Portland AIDS Walk. highest honors in the New Orleans gay Wright is quoted as remembering “it was a drunken revelers jumped in the park foun- Sasser is survived by his partner, community. Grand Marshals are selected good party, better than most, but nothing tains, much to the amusement and aston- Michael Kaplan, who runs AIDS United, a by and at the sole discretion of their prede- out of the ordinary.” Founding member ishment of throngs of tourists. non profit group in Washington, D.C. cessors. There are no requirements, quali- Robert King (now deceased) remembered, The annual celebration grew gradu- fications or any other criteria necessary for “I’d definitely say it was a contribution to ally each year and by 1997, over 50,000 weekend. The highlight of the festival is the selection. One of the most anticipated something that got bigger than we ever gay people were coming to New Orleans Southern Decadence Parade on Sunday events of the year is the Grand Marshal dreamed it would be. It’s all about having each Labor Day weekend. The New Or- afternoon. By noon, the Golden Lantern is Announcement Party. Excitement and a good time.” leans Metropolitan Convention and Visi- brimming with party-goers and the corner of speculation build in the weeks and days It was good enough for a repeat the tors Bureau began tracking Southern Deca- Royal and Barracks Streets is congested following up to the climactic announce- with even more revelers. Most are in ment. Sometimes, the choices are predict- costume, many in drag while others wear able, other times they are not. next to nothing at all. Spirits are high, as are A few weeks after the announcement, blood alcohol levels. Around 2pm, the the new Grand Marshals host another party, Grand Marshals and their attendants arrive the Press Party, to reveal their theme, with great fanfare. Once in position, the colors, song, parade captain and lieuten- whistle is blown and the drunken, surreal- ants. At this event, the official Southern istic procession begins. Decadence poster is also unveiled. Soon, In addition to being one of the largest this poster will adorn just about every gay gay celebrations in the world, Southern bar and business in New Orleans. Decadence is a truly unique New Orleans And then the work begins. In addition phenomenon. This article is dedicated to to raising money to pay for the parade the former Grand Marshals who are no permit, police detail, and clean-up crews, longer with us: SDGM II Jerome Williams the Grand Marshals also raise money for 1975, SDGM V Robert King 1978, SDGM charity. In recent years, Southern Deca- X Don Ezell 1982, SDGM XI Danny Wilson dence has raised money for NO/AIDS Task 1983, SDGM XVI Jerome Lebo 1988, SDGM Force and Belle Reve, which offers transi- XVII George Goode 1989, SDGM XVIII Ruby tional housing to those living with HIV. 1990, SDGM XX Rhee 1992, SDGM XXI Revelers from around the world begin Ms. Fly 1993, SDGM XXII Alain 1994, SDGM pouring into the city on the Wednesday and XXVI Robin Malta 1998, SDGM XXVIII Thom Thursday before Labor Day. Each gay bar “Smurf” Murphy 2000, and SDGM XXXII has its own special events throughout the Donald “Donnie ‘Jager’ Jay” James 2004. 30 • The Official Mag: AmbushMag.COM • August 28-September 9, 2013 • Official Southern Decadence Guide • SouthernDecadence.COM GayMardiGras.COM • GayNewOrleans.COM • August 28-September 9, 2013 • Facebook.COM/AmbushMag • The Official Mag: AmbushMag.COM • 31