Dolly Parton drag, a daddy-themed party, and more ways to celebrate.
Hedonism . Overindulgence . Debauchery . Each of these words perfectly describesNew Orleans ’ biggest LGBTQ+ event of the twelvemonth , but Southern Decadence roam off the tongue a little good than the Deep South Festival of Queer Inhibition .
To adequately label the end of summer from August 29 to September 2 , showily dressed ( or scantily tog ) queer multitude and our allies trip the light fantastic toe in the streets and infuse the metropolis with an zip that we can only describe from experience as unchecked joy . In flower years , crew have well up to 300,000 reveller , flap out someMardi Grascrowds . Though , appropriately enough , many people call Southern Decadence “ Gay Mardi Gras . ” This stenography term quickly trance the nitty-gritty of the five - day party over Labor Day Weekend without having to go into any more detail .
A lot has transfer since the queer gathering first begin in 1972 . found by a close - knit group who referred to themselves as the “ Decadents , ” it started with only about 50 costume friends in attending , many partaking in spirits and drugs to live up to their namesake report . The party set the point for an enduring legacy sweep up by free - spirited folk worldwide , and one year after , the Decadents cast another party the Sunday before Labor Day and sashayed through the streets of the Gallic Quarter in what would become the first - ever Southern Decadence Parade , now the dear cultural centerpiece of the weekend .
Tim Turner/Shutterstock
By 1974 , the first Grand Marshal was in station , and another tradition was born . In late year , Grand Marshals have pluck a report , colors , song , and charity beneficiary for the weekend . This twelvemonth ’s Grand Marshals areVanessa Carr Kennedy , Paribe Meyer , and Jeffrey Mayeauxand the group selected “ razzing of a Feather ” for the theme with Billie Eilish ’s single of the same name as the prescribed strain . The color scheme is 50 Shades of Blue , Pink , and Gold . New Orleans Advocates for GLBT Elders ( NOAGE)will receive proceeds from the outcome ’s fundraising .
“ It ’s an experience like no other . Through fundraising and celebrate , we ’re build bonds and friendships that will last a lifetime , ” says Mayeux . “ It ’s one of the sixth large events that New Orleans hosts annually . mightily now we have 54 march groups with over 2,000 people participating in the parade at this point . ”
“ It has turn into a five - day , non - halt LGBTQ+ holiday of outcome that range the gamut from dance parties and drag shows to leather competition and juicy private upshot , ” says Tony Leggio , a topical anesthetic who served as Southern Decadence Grand Marshal XLII ( 42 ) and continues to host and raise Southern Decadence events each year .
Photo by Barrett DeLong
He aim out that Decadence differs from Pride effect because it ’s unapologetically adult - only . And though a majority of partiers identify as festal men , every LGBTQ+ person and friend will find numerous ways to get their lusus naturae fleur-de-lis vaporize . “ It is our metropolis and community of interests ’s decadence that make New Orleans special , and this holiday illuminates that , ” Leggio say .
Most significantly , it ’s the idealization of individualism . “ It ’s about being yourself , ” Mayeux says . “ It ’s in the middle of the summertime when it ’s red-hot , and people get to carry themselves by break whatever they want . Or as little as they need . ”
Throughout the French Quarter , bars and eatery legion events and welcome the crew to their air - stipulate spaces . But at its gist , Southern Decadence remain a massive street party with an ever - morphing landscape of colorful people unify around a soundtrack of faggot anthems .
Tim Turner/Shutterstock
How to Celebrate Southern Decadence in New Orleans:
Visit the best LGBTQ+ bars in the city
For a city of few than 400,000 people , New Orleans has more than a dozenwildly fun poove bars , principally locate in the Gallic Quarter . At the pump of the Bourbon Street point of intersection that marks the beginning of an unofficial homosexual dominion , Bourbon Pub & ParadeandOzeach host separate Southern Decadence events with all - approach weekend pas options . Elsewhere in the Quarter , every queer soul , as a right wing of passage , simply must visitLafitte’s(also known as Café Lafitte in Exile ) , the old endlessly operate jolly measure in the US.Golden Lanternserves as the kickoff point for the Southern Decadence Parade , The Corner Pocketramps up the effete vibration with underwear - dress virile terpsichorean , andGood Friends Barturns from a low - cay hang to an profuse party inside and out .
Allies Against Cancer Party with Jujubee
August 29,$75 and upGenerations Hallin the Warehouse Arts District will hostRuPaul ’s Drag Racelegend , Jujubee , for a fundraising puff extravaganza with several local nance , includingDebbie with a DandLaveau Contraire . Proceeds from the consequence go toward increase cancer covering , lodgement , and Department of Transportation help for LGBTQ+ malignant neoplastic disease patients .
Bling it On with Halloween New Orleans
August 30,$20 ( admit one costless cocktail)Not only doesVirgin Hotels New Orleansmake a corking post to stay year - round because of its LGBTQ+ inclusivity , but the team there has put together a weekend - recollective roll of fun , starting with this poolside party . Get a taste of one of NOLA ’s other significant queer events , HNO , then plan your coming back for Halloween .
I Beg Your Parton Drag & Burlesque Brunch
August 31,$40The Commons Club Bar & Restaurant will host a Dolly Parton - themed drag brunch with a two - course repast include in the price during the weekend of Southern Decadence . fetch your hard currency tips , honey , and your thirst because you’re able to also kick upstairs to bottomless Veuve Clicquot champagne for only $ 79 .
Horse Meat Disco
August 31,$45 and upUnderground disco and classics pair with the sexy energy of Decadence to receive Horse Meet Disco , Honcho , and an particular surprise performance you have to see to believe at theFillmore New Orleans .
Grrl: Southern Decadence Girl Party
August 31,$15 and upNever undervalue the power of a women ’s political party at Southern Decadence . Dance the dark out to music from multiple disc jockey and performers , wonder at burlesque dancers , and fling for panjandrum access code that gets you a private view balcony , bar , and — perhaps best of all — dignitary - only public lavatory .
Church of Daddy!
August 31,$20 and upA little off the beaten path of the Gallic Quarter , The AllWays Lounge & Cabaretis hosting a handful of Southern Decadence events . But this solemnization of elder men epitomise the alternative programming where the locale thrive , whichthis weekendalso includes pull kings , lesbian burlesque , Broadway show melodic phrase , and aRocky Horror - themed striptease show .
Drag Brunch & River Cruise
August 31,$79 and upAll aboard the Creole Queen for a cluster of other queens . host by Eureka Starfish , this monthly drag brunch get a Decadence guest - list rise . delight a breakfast counter , and add on bottomless chintzy - champagne buck’s fizz for only $ 15 more .
Spill the Tea Drag Brunch
August 31,$75The Elysian Bar ’s first - ever Southern Decadence upshot brings out Laveau Contraire to host the celebration , along with several of NOLA ’s other top queen : Virginia SlimJim , Otto Von Blotto , and Lexis Redd D’Ville . Tickets to either of the two shows let in a three - course brunch with beverage pairings .
Southern Decadence Parade
September 1,FreeFor many partygoer , the highlight of Southern Decadence will always be the Sunday afternoon parade . It start at the Golden Lantern and works its manner to Bourbon Street . Watch from the sidelines , or jump into the line and march , cheer , sing , and dance your way of life to the next destination .
Fruit Salad Pool Party
September 1,Ticket price varyThe Pool Club at Virgin Hotels New Orleans opens to non - hotel invitee for a day of playfulness in the sun . It ’s free to hang out , or $ 60 if you wanna get wet and beat out the estrus . Show up before or after the parade , or remain the intact time .
Labor Day Bash: Symone at Strut Southern Decadence
September 2,$25 and upRuPaul queenSymonewill headline a tea dance filled with music , burlesque , and drag in at the Pool Club atop the Virgin Hotels New Orleans . A pop - up shop , soundless charity auction bridge , sports meeting - and - greet with Symone , and cod cocktails await , make a sodding style to crest off Decadence Weekend .
