sherwood's forest
Volume 18/Issue 18

by Wally Sherwood
NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA

VAMPS AND VOODOO, as everyone knows by now, is the motif for Halloween XVII, but some may not realize that the Knights d'Orleans will be getting things started before that in the bewitching city of New Orleans with "Things That Go Bump in the Night" on Sept. 29-Oct 1.

And as a real trick-or-treat surprise, the venerable club will be going into their 26th Anniversary celebration with a brand new set of officers featuring some very old names. They are Kent Dugan, president; Bill Frazier, vice president; Allen Brown, road captain; Jerry Meis, recording and corresponding secretary; and, George Tresche, treasurer. Active members helping with the in-town run are Paul Conley, Bill Floyd, Mike Hamilton, Joe King and Lonnie Wehmeyer.

During the weekend sanctioned by the Mid-America Conference, the Knights will be offering their guests haunted tours, a grand decadent feast, some ghastly games and, of course, plenty of witches' brew. The entire weekend is only $85, so contact the road captain at 504.263.8373.

If you must be out of town that weekend and find yourself out in the Golden West, you should check out the 14th Annual Run of the Golden Gate Guards. Held amid the redwoods north of San Francisco, the award-winning campout will focus on "California Gold: Celebrating 150 Years in the Golden State." Applications are $145 and obtainable from www.GGGuards.com or by calling Jack Goodall at 415. 469.8049.

Meanwhile, replacing the former Drummer Contest during Leather Pride Week on Sept. 21-24 in San Francisco will be the International Mr. and Ms. Deaf Leather. For information, visit www.deafleather.com/id12000. Sunday's climax will be the Folsom Street Fair, California's largest outdoor event next to the Tournament of Roses.

OF GAY CINEMA AND CDS: To brand Chuck and Buck, playing at Canal Place at press time, as a Gay stalking movie would be far too simple. The multi-layered tragicomedy is much more than that and will mine different emotions from different people. It is easy to see why it was a surprise hit at the Sundance Film Festival and produces a few surprises of its own.

A nerdy Buck, Mike White, decides to renew sexual games with his boyhood buddy Chuck, Paul Weitz, now a successful businessman. A keystone of the plot is a play within a play penned by Buck, produced on a "Wizard of Oz" set, to which he lures Chuck and his girlfriend for the revealing performance. Chuck and Buck is an off-the-wall experience, likely to evoke painful memories one moment and yet be painfully funny the next. The cast features some beautifully understated acting, but White is marvelous as we uncomfortably watch his character unfold. It is an Oscar-caliber performance and well worth seeing the film just to watch him.

Meanwhile, the New Orleans Gay Men's Chorus will hold a CD release party and rush for new members at the Arthur Roger Gallery, 432 Julia St., on Sept. 8 from 6 until 8pm. The Diva by Diva disc sells for $15. Another party is planned for the Phoenix on Sept. 6 from 2 until 7pm, with hors d'oeuvres and martinis while Red plays the new CD. For details, call 504.245.8884.

FLAGS AT HALF MAST: The leather world is still mourning the sudden death of Dr. Tony DeBlase of liver failure on July 21 in Portland, OR, at age 58. Besides being the designer of the Leather Flag, Tony was the publisher of Drummer and DungeonMaster magazines, but used the pen name of Fledermaus for his erotic stories. His distinctive Leather Flag, which was an instant success, features eight S&M black and blue stripes separated by a single white band and emblazoned with a fiery red heart.

We became close friends through our association in the Chicago Hellfire Club, which gave him their coveted Caligula Award. He was also recognized as Man of the Year by the National Leather Association and Pantheon of Leather. However, our greatest personal pleasure came when we, while serving as captain of the Celestial Krewe de Cuir, knighted Tony as a Chevalier at the Leather Coronation in San Francisco. We had organized the West Coast krewe using the very same constitution and by-laws we drafted for the Lords of Leather here in the original organizational meetings held above Petunia's Restaurant.

Tony, you envisioned a leather world on earth built on love, trust and brotherhood. Your work is done, so now rest and enjoy your leather heaven. Other expressions of sympathy may be sent to Tony's partner of 24 years, Dr. Andrew Charles, c/o Leather Archives and Museum, 6418 N. Greenview Ave., Chicago, IL, 60626, phone 773.761.9200, or e-mail archives@ix.netcom.com.

WALLY'S SHORTS: If female bodybuilders turn you on, be sure to catch Andres Serrano's classic and heroic photos at the Contemporary Arts Center until Sept. 24...Cory, Dennis and Tim all celebrated their August birthdays at the Phoenix...wanabee president George W. Bush is quoted in the press that he opposes repeal of Louisiana's 140-year-old sodomy law...John won the Toga Contest during the Krewe of Amon-Ra's Esther Williams Swimming Party at the Dive Inn...bartenders Negiege' and Big Jay were among the models at the highly-successful benefit hat party put together by professional costumer Oliver at Big Daddy's...Miss Dixie Fasnacht, 90, was a very special guest at Inez Phillips' 97th birthday parade and courtyard party in the Vieux Carre. James Weeser was the hunk who got his body painted by artist Tanner at the Jonathan Ferrara Gallery during White Linen Night....many of the Knights d'Orleans were present when Mickey surprised his long-term partner, Brett, with a birthday bash at the Country Club...Sinead O'Connor came out as a lesbian in August's Curve magazine...the High Heel Pool Tourney nears an end with the finals at Body and Soul on Sept. 24 at 5pm, with the awards passed out at Angles on Oct. 1 at 5pm. condom manufacturer Ansell donated 1,000 gold, silver and bronze ones for the Sydney Olympics...and do not forget the gigantic leather block party at the Phoenix on Sept. 1 at 10pm, followed by the Southern Decadence Breakfast on Sept. 3 at 10am.

The moms of Becky Allen and Ricky Graham, Myrtis Butzman and Gladys Graham, joined the festivities for the 100th staging of Thoroughly Modern Millennium at True Brew Theatre...and Graham's Beehive has just begun its run ...the Prime Timers had a big turnout for their soiree at the County Club...Mickey put his birthday on the front burner with a fish fry at the Mississippi River Bottom...Cafe Lafitte's in Exile has joined the Festival of Fins with "Priscilla: Queen of the Quarter" by Helen Baffes-Febry...and to solve the mystery of what happened to the "blowfish" at the Country Club, the finny salute to Louis Armstrong by Tracey Hammill can now be found in front of the French Quarter Suites.


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