NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA

July 4th Weekend ...
A Total Hit in the French Quarter!

July 4th weekend kicked off with LazFest '97 held at Cabrini Park. The Fest was full of lots of fun, but Mother Nature was quite hateful with extreme heat. In spite of the awful temperatures, they were able to raise $60,000 for the day's efforts. That is incredible! Hats off to Project Lazarus for a job well done.

Another fundraiser coming up is "Dining Out For Life" on Thursday, August 14th. Pick out your favorite participating restaurant and bring a crew with you. Remember that a portion of proceeds go to NO/AIDS Task Force. Last year's event did very well. This year's promises to be even better.

We have a Grand Opening coming up August 1st for the new Hit Parade Gifts and Clothing Store, right across the "Lavender Line" of St Ann Street. The spacious shop is located in the old French Quarter Realty building. I stopped in the store for a visit with Pub/Parade manager Jonathan while he was setting up their new state-of-the-art Point Of Sale system to run the fabu shop. Of course I had to find out what was being sold there. I've been checking in on the renovation frequently and I have to say the place is remarkable. With the luxurious look and feel of its "mother" business, the Parade, this shop will be a total pleasure. In the first section of the store there will be novelty cards of all kinds...from campy to sexy. Candles, holders, picture frames, fun magnets, and several other unique gifts will adorn the shelves.

Their second section will be their clothing department. They will be carrying some very popular West Coast labels such as Y.M.L.A., 2-Xist, Jocko and other traditional gay favorites.

Right now they plan on opening 6-7 days a week for afternoon and evenings. Weekends and holidays will have extended hours.

Here's the real fun part about the store: only one person could run this grand shop, our very own favorite "Wonder Woman" Matt Roundtree has been appointed store manager. You Go Girl!!!

Flashbacks..... Oz held its Red, White and Blue Nights for Independence Day Weekend with Judy Cheeks gracing thestage with a great and energetic performance that had the queens screaming and dancing.

The Mint held a fundraiser with celebrity guest bartenders all day on July 4th! The event turned out to be a great success. They raised some $2,000 dollars for Buzzy's Boys and Girls! Good job Brian!

Miller Girl Lisa and I were graciously selected to be on a panel of wonderful people to judge the 1st Queen of Rampart Pageant. Along with Lisa and I were Homo-Political ActivistToni Pizani, WDSU-TV 6 Anchorman Norman Robinson, Donnie Walker of Rosie's Florist (formerly of the Mint) and Jerry Pruett with CLK Hair Salon--also Pussy Galore's hairdressser. The contest was spread over three nights with events being held in different locations: Mother Bob's and Footloose. Contestants were: new and rising beauty Felicia Renee Cole, Rampart hit Simone Richard, Rampart Comedian Tammy Whynot, the fabulous Brenda LeChat (formerly of Heartbreak Cafe), and Rampart legend Lady TT Thompson. The talents were very unique and very good. The pageant ended with 1st runner-up TT Thompson and Queen of Rampart Simone Richard. I was proud of all the girls. They did a very good job.

Coming Up... Watch out for these up coming events! Southern Decadence Grand Marshal XXIV Wayne White will name his successor for this year's Decadence on August 1st at Lafitte's at 8pm.

Miss Gay New Orleans Pageant will be hosted at Oz on August 6th. If you are interested in being a contestant, call 504.593.9491 to sign up.

Ambush's Magnolia Cotillion (fundraiser for NO/AIDS Walk) is on August 17th by invitation.

The Walk will take place on September 14th. For more information, call the NO/AIDS Task Force, 504.945.4000.