Southern Decadence — also known as Gay Mardi Gras — is New Orleans’ most flamboyant event … and that says a ton. Taking place in the Crescent City over the Labor Day weekend, it’s a sea of twinks and bears, drag queens and leathermen, dykes on bikes and hell on wheels. Still, it truly has grown beyond its “weekend” status, and now begins this Wednesday. And it’s not too late to book a last-minute trip to revel in all the frolic. (I found airfare for about $200 round trip.)
This year’s event — its 45th — has the theme Decadence Takes the World, and the “colors” are ruby red, pearl white, blue sapphire and amethyst purple.
There are tons of things to do, but readers of Dallas Voice can get some special discounts if they book at the Ace Hotel, a 1928 art deco building located the crossroads of Carondelet and Lafayette streets in the Warehouse District. If you book here and use the code BLANCHE, you can get a discounted room rate, VIP access for two to shows at its Three Keys venue (which include a Queer Bounce and Hip Hop Night a drag double-header, a Black Decadence seance and more), plus two free drinks on the property.
