Gay Easter Parade
Past Highlights


presents

The 19th Annual Official Gay Easter Parade

Easter Sunday, April 1, 2018
@ 4:30pm benefiting Food For Friends…

The parade showcases the fashion and creativity of the entire LGBT community with gentlemen in summer suits/tux with hats, and ladies in Easter suits/dresses with Easter hats.

18th Gay Easter Parade

18th Gay Easter Parade Raises over $22,000 for Food For Friends
(See Ambush Mag: The “Official” Dish, page 4)

The 18th Gay Easter Parade led by Easter Grand Marshals XVIII Glen Kahrman and Bootsie DeVille has raised an incredible $22,057.32 for Food For Friends, a vital program of the NO/AIDS Task Force in New Orleans.

The parade minus expenses has now raised a whopping $286,842.13 for charity the past 16 years.

This year the parade boasted 47 units including 29 carriages, wagons and trolleys; 7 convertibles; 2 bands; and 11 walking groups.

The Board of Directors of the Gay Easter Parade: Rip Naquin, Marsha Delain, Electra City, Tittie Toulouse, Opal Masters, Darwin Reed, Tony Leggio, and Monica Synclaire-Kennedy would like to extend its debt of gratitude to all who made this possible.

It would have been impossible without the generous support of its many sponsors including:

PresentingAmbush Magazine donating over $10,000 in an Ambush Advertising Grant Donation;

Platinum – Friday Night Before Mardi Gras, EGM XVIII Glen Kahrman & Noel Twilbeck, James Garner/The Golden Lantern, Alva John Groth II;

Gold – EGM XII Gary Vandeventer, Joann Guidos/Kajun’s Pub, Krewe of Amon-Ra, EGM XVIII Bootsie DeVille, Jeff Bater & Tim Irving, Ken GrandPre’/GrandPre’s, Michael & Tommy Elias/The Corner Pocket, EGM XV Todd Blauvelt, Mona Lisa Restaurant, Ron Iafrate/Chef Ron’s Gumbo Stop & Pub, Cam Zimmerman/Irish Channel Funding;

Silver – EGM XV Stuart Nettles & EGM IX Safonda Peters, Rodney Thoulion & RJ Buras, Rachel Bufkin & Sharon Barreca, King Amon-Ra LII Ronnie White/EGM XIII Rhonda Roget & King Amon-Ra XLVII David Roget, Dwain Hertz & Gene Theriot/Gene’s Po-Boys, Wood Enterprises, SDGM XLII Jeffrey Palmquist & Coca J. Mesa, GR II William G. Antill, Matt Giglio/700 Club;

Bronze – EGM XV Starr Daniels & Justin Moffatt, EGM IX Orlando Aloe, Jr., EGM X & SDGM XLII Tony Leggio, Krewe of Armeinius, SDGM XLII Felicia Phillips, EGM XIII Darwin Reed & EGM VII Opal Masters, James deBlanc, Natasha Sinclair, Robert Cook, Jim Hochadel, Gerard A Scavo, In Memoriam: EGM VIII Rona Conners by R&M, Michael Sullivan, Bebe Scarpinato & Chris Linwood, Solitaire, John & Therese Vignone; and

Venue/In Kind – Food For Friends Kitchen, Four Seasons, GrandPre’s, Oz New Orleans, The Double Play, House of Blues Music Hall, Larry Graham/GrahamStudioOne.

18th Gay Easter Parade/Financial Report/2017 includes: Revenues- 11,950.00 7th Sponsorship Party, 1,400.00 Additional Sponsorships, 2,707.00 15th Spring Fever Extravaganza, 1,238.00 9th Eggstravaganza, 1,928.00 16th Super Star-Studded Extravaganza, 3,488.00 18th Purple Party, 5,290.00 8th Bunnies in the Big Easy, 2,900.00 Convertible/Walking Group Entry Fees, 585.00 Parade Day Collection for 31,486.00 in total revenues;

Expenses-144.00 Wine/Sponsorship Party, 75.00 EGM Pins, 235.78 Sponsorship Pins, 730.00 EGM Carriages, 100.25 Parade Permit, 2,640.85 Police Detail, 2,037.86 Parade Insurance, 40.00 Drag Extravaganza/Light Tech, 700.00 Bunnies in the Big Easy/House of Blues, 2,225.00 Bands, 500.00 Post Parade Cleanup, for a total of 9,428.74 in expenses; generating a 22,057.32 total raised for Food For Friends.

More information is available here or www.Facebook.com/GayEasterParade.

18th Purple Party raises $3,488 @ Double Play for Gay Easter Parade
(See Ambush Mag: The “Official” Dish, page 8)

The 18th annual Purple Party Easter Grand Marshals Reception honored EGMs XVIII Glen Kahrman and Bootsie DeVille at The Double Play in New Orleans. Emceed by GEP Board’s Tony Leggio and EGM Bootsie DeVille, the event was chock full of auctions and entertainment raising $3,488 for the Gay Easter Parade benefiting Food For Friends.

The event brought in 1,030.00 Door, 296.00 Egg Raffles, 42.00 Jello Shots, 227.00 Stage Performance Tips, 104.00 50/50 Raffle, 104.00 50/50 Raffle Winner Henry Baptist donation, 500.00 Donation/Paul Rearick for a 2,303.00 event subtotal;

and in Auctions: 130.00 Giant Pink Pig/Noel Twilbeck, 50.00 Antique Bunny Basket/Gene Theriot, 50.00 3-Piece Art Collection/Beaux DeLong-Church, 120.00 Giant Baby Lamb/James Garner, 60.00 Chinese Easter Basket/Michael Elias, 60.00 4-Piece Art Collection/Brett Messmer, 110.00 Barbara Striesand Signed Poster/David Dowhan, 125.00 Giant Blue Bunny/Cam Zimmerman, 300.00 Sylvia Frank Easter Egg/Ronnie White, 200.00 Bunny Liquor Basket/Ellen Miller, 80.00 Silver Bootsie Boots/Ellen Miller, 40.00 Gold Bootsie Boots/Regina Adams, 80.00 Holiday Wreath/Gene Theriot, 80.00 Big Momma’s Wine Basket/Gene Theriot, 100.00 Giant Liquor Basket/Bill Miller, 70.00 Regina Adams’ Basket/Gary Vandeventer, 90.00 Bill Miller donates Giant Liquor Basket back/Ellen Miller, 70.00 Bootsie Boots/Felicia Phillips, for a 1,185.00 auction subtotal; with a 3,488.00 event total.

8th Bunnies In The Big Easy raises $4,590 @ HOB Music Hall for Gay Easter Parade

Gay Easter Parade Board’s Tony Leggio and Monica Synclaire-Kennedy hosted the 8th Bunnies In The Big Easy in the Music Hall at House of Blues. Guests were treated to entertainment with emcees Persana Shoulders and Elizabeth Bouvier, and auctions raising $4,590 for the Gay Easter Parade benefiting Food For Friends.

There were 3,045.00 Tickets, 290.00 Performance Tips;

and in Auctions: 100.00 Patron Gift Set/Mark Fort, 60.00 Purple Lamb/Blake Robertson, 50.00 Relaxation Basket/Cam Zimmerman, 80.00 Pink Pig/Vanessa West, 75.00 Fleur de Lis/Chuck Turner, 1,000.00 Dinner for 10/Chuck Turner, 70.00 Tony’s Basket of Surprises/Coca Mesa, 100.00 House of Blues Auction/Cam Zimmerman, 70.00 Armeinius Gift Basket/Will Antill, 180.00 Art Against AIDS/Bow Tie Combo/Chuck Turner, 170.00 Art Against AIDS/Bow Tie Combo donated back by Chuck Turner to Patti Garcia, for a 1,955.00 auction sub-total; and a 5,290.00 event sub-total;

Expenses: 700.00 DJ/House of Blues Staff; leaving a 4,590.00 event sub-total;plus 500.00 Gold Sponsor/Cam Zimmerman-Irish Channel Funding, and 100.00 Bronze Sponsor/John & Therese Vignone.

Sponsored by Ambush Magazine, more information is available here or www.Facebook.com/GayEasterParade.

18th Gay Easter Parade Rolls through the Streets of the French Quarter April 16; Food For Friends set to Collect $$$ on the Route
(See Ambush Mag: The “Official” Dish, page 6)

GEP’s Bunnies in The Big Easy April 14th
(See Ambush Mag: The “Official” Dish, page 6-7)

7th Sponsorship Party rakes in $11,950 for Gay Easter Parade benefiting Food For Friends
(See Ambush Mag: The “Official” Dish, page 4)

15th Spring Fever Extravaganza raises $2,707 for Gay Easter Parade benefiting Food for Friends @ Four Seasons, Metairie
(See Ambush Mag: The “Official” Dish, page 4)

Gay Easter Parade Entry Deadline April 5
(See Ambush Mag: The “Official” Dish, page 4)

GEP’s Spring Fever, Eggstravaganza Up Next on March 18 & 25
(See Ambush Mag: The “Official” Dish, page 6)

Gay Easter Parade Sells Out of All but One Carriage in Record Time
(See Ambush Mag: The “Official” Dish, page 6)

Glen Kharman & Bootsie deVille will Reign as 18th Easter Grand Marshals; 7th Sponsorship Party March 12 @ Food For Friends Kitchen; GEP Sets Remaining Events/Fundraisers
(See Ambush Mag: Celebrazzi, page 6)

18th Gay Easter Parade host 7th Sponsorship Party March 12 @ Food For Friends Kitchen
(See Ambush Mag: Out Front, page 25)

18th Gay Easter Parade Schedules Events
(See Ambush Mag: The “Official” Dish, page 8)

Past grand marshals include EGMs I Rip and Marsha Naquin-Delain, II Larry Bagneris and the late Miss Do Moreland, III Timm Holt and Teryl-Lynn Foxx, IV the late George Simons and Electra City, V Brett Messmer and Princesse Stephaney, VI James Swire and Lisa Beaumann, VII the late Doc Reed and Opal Masters, VIII Michael Elias and the late Rona Conners, IX Orlando Aloe and Safonda Peters, X Tony Leggio and the late Marcy Marcell, XI Chuck Turner and Tittie Toulouse, XII Gary Vandeventer and Elizabeth Bouvier, XIII Darwin Reed and Rhonda Roget, XIV Tommy Elias and Starr Daniels, XV Todd Blauvelt and Stuart Nettles, XVI Johnny Passion and Deja Deja-Vue’, and XVII Ken GrandPre and Monica Synclaire-Kennedy.

2017 SPONSORS

Platinum$1,000 

Friday Night Before Mardi Gras, EGM XVIII Glen Kahrman & Noel Twilbeck, James Garner/The Golden Lantern, Alva John Groth II

Gold $500

EGM XII Gary Vandeventer, Joann Guidoz/Kajun’s Pub, Krewe of Amon-Ra, EGM XVIII Bootsie DeVille, Jeff Bater & Tim Irving, Ken GrandPre’/GrandPre’s, Michael & Tommy Elias/The Corner Pocket, EGM XV Todd Blauvelt, Mona Lisa Restaurant, Ron Iafrate/Chef Ron’s Gumbo Stop & Pub, Cam Zimmerman/Irish Channel Funding
Silver $250 EGM XV Stuart Nettles & EGM IX Safonda Peters, Rodney Thoulion & RJ Buras, Rachel Bufkin & Sharon Barreca, King Amon-Ra LII Ronnie White/EGM XIII Rhonda Roget & King Amon-Ra XLVII David Roget, Dwain Hertz & Gene Theriot/Gene’s Po-Boys, Wood Enterprises, SDGM XLII Jeffrey Palmquist & Coca J. Mesa, GR II William G. Antill, Matt Giglio/700 Club
Bronze $100 EGM XV Starr Daniels & Justin Moffatt, EGM IX Orlando Aloe, Jr., EGM X & SDGM XLII Tony Leggio, Krewe of Armeinius, SDGM XLII Felicia Phillips, EGM XIII Darwin Reed & EGM VII Opal Masters, James deBlanc, Natasha Sinclair, Robert Cook, Jim Hochadel, Gerard A Scavo, In Memoriam: EGM VIII Rona Conners by R&M, Michael Sullivan, Bebe Scarpinato & Chris Linwood, Solitaire, John & Therese Vignone
VENUE/
In-Kind:
Food For Friends Kitchen, Four Seasons, GrandPre’s, Oz New Orleans, The Double Play, House of Blues Music Hall; Larry Graham/GrahamStudioOne

2016 Highlights

17th Gay Easter Parade raises over $33,100 for Food for Friends; Brings 40,000 to the Quarter
The 17th Gay Easter Parade was a rousing success raising $33,110.08 for Food For Friends, a vital agency of the NO/AIDS Task Force in New Orleans. The huge parade had 52 entries with an estimated 40,000 lining the parade route through the historic French Quarter. The parade minus expenses has now raised an incredible $264,784.41 for charity the past 15 years.

Led by Easter Grand Marshals XVII Ken GrandPre and Monica Synclaire-Kennedy participants included: King Cake Queen XXII Aubrey Synclaire, GEP Board’s Tittie Toulouse & Electra City, GEP Board’s Rip & Marsha Naquin-Delain, GEP Board’s Tony Leggio, LGBT+ Archives Project of Louisiana, Mystic Krewe of Satyricon, EGM XII Elizabeth Bouvier, Stacy Bundrick, Oz New Orleans, The Golden Lantern, Dr. George Toti-Williams, Robert Cook & John Zeringue, Kajun’s Pub, Brandon Wilkins, Chad Blanchard-Apollo Baton Rouge, Krewe of Narcissus, Queen Troy “L. Sisters”, Friday Night Before Mardi Gras, Buddy Juneau, The Corner Pocket, The Double Play, Larry Bagneris, Bootsie DeVille, Mercedes Carswell, Krewe of Petronius, Krewe of Amon-Ra Playboy Bunny Reject, Krewe of Armeinius, Food For Friends, First Unitarian Universalist Church, NOLA Softball League, Lords of Leather, Bradley Cantrell, Jr., Marching Dills, Friends Helping Friends, The Appletini Revue, AUX Color Guard, Darrin Duplissey, Krewe of Mwindo, Metropolitan Community Church of New Orleans, Aletha Bryant, and Ostara Revelators.

The Board of Directors of the Gay Easter Parade Rip Naquin, Marsha Delain, Electra City, Tittie Toulouse, Darwin Reed, Opal Masters, Rona Conners, Tony Leggio, and Steve Patrick would like to thank everyone whose generosity made this year’s parade a reality benefiting the reason for the Easter Season, Food For Friends. Of course, none of this would be possible without the help of the incredible array of sponsors including:

PRESENTING: Ambush Magazine;

PLATINUM: James Garner & EGM XVII Monica Synclaire-Kennedy/The Golden Lantern;

GOLD: In Honor of EGM XIII Darwin Reed and EGM VII Opal Masters Wedding, EGM XII Gary Vandeventer, Wedon Brown & Troy Quint/Something Different NOLA, Noel Twilbeck & Glen Kahrman, EGM VIII Michael Elias & EGM XIV Tommy Elias/The Corner Pocket, EGM XVII Ken GrandPre/GrandPre’s, Joann & Lisa Guidos/Kajun’s Pub, Scott Vincent & Scott McRae, John Groth;

SILVER: Krewe of Amon-Ra, Dwain Hertz & Eugene Theriot/Gene’s Po-Boys, Mystic Krewe of Satyricon, EGM XV Todd Blauvelt, EGM XV Stuart Nettles & EGM IX Safonda Peters, Bradley Latham, Daniel Morvant & Jon Taylor, Jeff Bater & Tim Irving, EGM XIII Rhonda Roget & David Roget, Wood Enterprises, Persana Shoulders, Jeffrey Palmquist & Coca J. Mesa, Glitter Girls;

BRONZE: GrandPre’s Saints Games Fundraiser, Four Seasons Turnabout Show, Paul Melancon, Michael Bingham, Bryon Anderson & Jimmy Mondoro, Butch & Cindy Peno, Robert Cook & John Zeringue, EGM II Larry Bagneris, Jr, EGM X Tony Leggio, In Memory of EGM X Marcy Marcel, EGM XIV Starr Daniels & Justin Moffatt, EGM XVI Misti Ates/Johnny Passion, Sam Stewart, June Pennick, Charles Click, Peter & Frank Abbruscato, Philip A. Palumbo/Felicia Phillips, Jeremy Weinberg, Lee Worrells, Anonymous, Helene Berot, NOLA Softball League, Bootsie DeVille, Orlando Aloe, New Covenant Church NOLA, R&M/In Memory of Allen Miller, Queen Petronius LV Kitty D’Litter, A-MMED Ambulance Inc.; and

VENUE/In-Kind: Corner Pocket, Double Play, EGM XVI Deja Deja-Vue’, Four Seasons, GrandPre’s, House of Blues/Voodoo Garden, Oz New Orleans, Larry Graham-GrahamStudioOne.com.

The complete parade financial report follows.

REVENUES:
11,349.00 Sponsorships
10,175.00 6th Sponsorship Party
4,478.00 15th Super Star-Studded Drag Extravaganza
2,194.00 14th Spring Fever Extravaganza
3,102.00 8th Eggstravaganza
3,305.00 17th Purple Party
5,834.00 7th Bunnies in the Big Easy
269.00 14th Marigny Bunny Hop 50/50 Raffle
1,700.00 17th Gay Easter Parade Car/Truck/Walking Group Entry Fees
20.00 Post Parade Donation

42,426.00 Total Revenues

Expenses
620.00 Sponsorship Party Cocktails
49.15 Wrist Bands
67.00 Easter Grand Marshal Pins
700.00 Bunnies In The Big Easy/DJ & Staff @ House of Blues
192.62 PayPal charges
500.00 Parade Cleanup
50.25 Parade Permit/City of New Orleans
2,965.00 Parade Police Detail
1,946.90 Parade Insurance
2,225.00 Bands

9,315.92 Total Expenses

33,110.08 Total raised for Food For Friends

Past grand marshals include EGMs I Rip and Marsha Naquin-Delain, II Larry Bagneris and the late Miss Do Moreland, III Timm Holt and Teryl-Lynn Foxx, IV the late George Simons and Electra City, V Brett Messmer and Princesse Stephaney, VI James Swire and Lisa Beaumann, VII the late Doc Reed and Opal Masters, VIII Michael Elias and Rona Conners, IX Orlando Aloe and Safonda Peters, X Tony Leggio and the late Marcy Marcell, XI Chuck Turner and Tittie Toulouse, XII Gary Vandeventer and Elizabeth Bouvier, XIII Darwin Reed and Rhonda Roget, XIV Tommy Elias and Starr Daniels, XV Todd Blauvelt and Stuart Nettles, and XVI Johnny Passion and Deja Deja-Vue’.

The 18th annual Official Gay Easter Parade is set for Easter Sunday, April 16, 2017.

7th Bunnies in The Big Easy raises $6,084
The 7th Bunnies in The Big Easy definitely put the good back in Friday raising $6,084 for the Gay Easter Parade benefiting Food For Friends. Hosted in the Voodoo Garden at House of Blues on Good Friday in New Orleans, the event raised $5,834 plus a Silver $250 sponsorship.

There were Bunny Boys, Bunny Girls, and a host of celebrities with live performances from Easter Grand Marshal XII Gary Vandeventer, James Miller and Trey Ming, and starring Easter Grand Marshals XVII Monica Synclaire-Kennedy and Ken GrandPre, Nicole Lynn Foxx, and Queen Petronius LV Kitty D’Litter. The event was hosted by GEP Board’s Tony Leggio and Steve Patrick.
The event raised 3,740.00 from tickets/donations, 535.00 from performance tips, 154.00 from 50/50 Raffle; and auctions including: 180.00 for Crescent Care Basket from Ned Pitre, 100.00 for Tales of the Cocktail Basket from John Jackson, 110.00 for Petronius Sazarac Basket from Jeff Bater, 350.00 for Tony’s Basket from Kurt Goodman, 60.00 for James Drop Your Pants from Kevin Boudreaux, 80.00 for Rona Conners Faux Faberge Egg from Rhonda Roget, 525.00 for House of Blues Basket from John Jackson, for an event sub-total of 5,834.00.

Expenses included 700.00 for DJ/House of Blues Staff, and 192.62 for PayPal charges, leaving 4,941.38 as the event sub-total, plus a 250.00 Silver Sponsorship from Glitter Girls, for a 5,191.38 grand total.

2016 Easter Season Ends on a Successful Note

As of press time, it appears Easter Season will end as a success for the 17th Gay Easter Parade benefiting Food For Friends. The last fundraiser Bunnies in the Big Easy on Good Friday, and the parade on Easter Sunday did not make it into this issue of Ambush Magazine due to print deadlines. All of the exciting details and photos will be in the next issue of Ambush Magazine including the complete 2016 financial report. (Photo by Larry Graham: Easter Grand Marshals XVII Ken GrandPre & Monica Synclaire-Kennedy)

This Easter Season could not have been accomplished without the help of the entire LGBT+ community. A special salute to Easter Grand Marshals XVII Ken GrandPre and Monica Synclaire-Kennedy, and the entire board of the Gay Easter Parade including Electra City, Tittie Toulouse, Opal Masters, Darwin Reed, Tony Leggio, Steve Patrick, Rona Conners, Rip Naquin and Marsha Delain for their tireless efforts.

And of course, none of this would have been possible without the parade’s generous sponsors:

PRESENTING: Ambush Magazine;

PLATINUM: James Garner & EGM XVII Monica Synclaire-Kennedy/The Golden Lantern;

GOLD: In Honor of EGM XIII Darwin Reed and EGM VII Opal Masters Wedding, EGM XII Gary Vandeventer, Wedon Brown & Troy Quint/Something Different NOLA, Noel Twilbeck & Glen Kahrman, EGM VIII Michael Elias & EGM XIV Tommy Elias/The Corner Pocket, EGM XVII Ken GrandPre/GrandPre’s, Joann & Lisa Guidos/Kajun’s Pub, Scott Vincent & Scott McRae, John Groth;

SILVER: Krewe of Amon-Ra, Dwain Hertz & Eugene Theriot/Gene’s Po-Boys, Mystic Krewe of Satyricon, EGM XV Todd Blauvelt, EGM XV Stuart Nettles & EGM IX Safonda Peters, Bradley Latham, Daniel Morvant & Jon Taylor, Jeff Bater & Tim Irving, EGM XIII Rhonda Roget & David Roget, Wood Enterprises, Persana Shoulders, Jeffrey Palmquist & Coca J. Mesa;

BRONZE: GrandPre’s Saints Games Fundraiser, Four Seasons Turnabout Show, Paul Melancon, Michael Bingham, Bryon Anderson & Jimmy Mondoro, Butch & Cindy Peno, Robert Cook & John Zeringue, EGM II Larry Bagneris, Jr, EGM X Tony Leggio, In Memory of EGM X Marcy Marcel, EGM XIV Starr Daniels & Justin Moffatt, EGM XVI Misti Ates/Johnny Passion, Sam Stewart, June Pennick, Charles Click, Peter & Frank Abbruscato, Philip A. Palumbo/Felicia Phillips, Jeremy Weinberg, Lee Worrells, Anonymous, Helene Berot, NOLA Softball League, Bootsie DeVille, Orlando Aloe, New Covenant Church NOLA, R&M/In Memory of Allen Miller, Queen Petronius LV Kitty D’Litter; and

VENUE/In-Kind: Corner Pocket, Double Play, EGM XVI Deja Deja-Vue’, Four Seasons, GrandPre’s, House of Blues/Voodoo Garden, Oz New Orleans, Larry Graham-GrahamStudioOne.com.

14th Spring Fever Extravaganza raises $2,394 @ Four Seasons in Metairie

Gay Easter Parade Board of Directors Electra City and Tittie Toulouse hosted the 14th Spring Fever Extravaganza at their club, Four Seasons in Metairie. The annual event raised $2,394 for the Gay Easter Parade benefiting Food For Friends, a vital agency of the NO/AIDS Task Force. It raised $2,194 from the event and $200 in sponsorships. The evening brought Easter Grand Marshal XVII Monica Synclaire-Kennedy, EGM IV Electra City, EGM XI Tittie Toulouse, Miss Gay Louisiana USofA Dominique DeLorean, Queen Petronius LV Kitty D’Litter, Countess C Alice and Taze-Ya Ballz to the stage. Easter Grand Marshal XVII Ken Grand Pre joined the festivities as well as Food For Friends director Glen Kahrman and NO/AIDS Task Force CEO Noel Twilbeck. Kahrman addressed the crowd thanking the Gay Easter Parade for being the largest contributor to the Food For Friends program each year donating over $230,000 for 13 years. In 2015 Food For Friends distributed over 40,000 home delivered meals, 190,000 pounds of groceries, and 9,500 bags of groceries.

The event raised 370.00 in door donations, 204.00 in egg raffles, 422.00 in stage performance tips; and from auctions: 188.00 from Basket Of Love with Dominique DeLorean, 45.00 for Wine Basket from Jake, 60.00 for Republic Skyy Basket from Philip, 20.00 for Grecian Painting from Dakota, 35.00 for GrandPre Basket from Ellen Miller, 60.00 for Bud Light Cooler from Lee, 155.00 for Large Basket from Ellen Miller, 130.00 for Large Basket from Lee, 30.00 for Patio Umbrella from Ellen Miller, 70.00 for Rona Conner’s Faux Faberge’ Egg from Jason, 45.00 for Candle Basket from Anna Marie, 50.00 for Cork Wreath from Tim & Jeff, 45.00 for Coffee Basket from Ned, 210.00 for Chef Ron’s Gumbo Shop Certificate from Jeff, and 55.00 for Bud Light Cooler from Ellen Miller for an event sub-total of 2,194.00; and 100.00 in Bronze sponsorships from Queen Petronius LV Kitty D’Litter, and In Memory of Allen Miller from Rip and Marsha for a grand total of 2,394.00.

8th Eggstravaganza raises $3,102 @ GrandPre’s

Gay Easter Parade Board’s Opal Masters and Darwin Reed hosted the 8th Eggstravaganza at GrandPre’s in New Orleans raising $3,102 for the Gay Easter Parade benefiting Food For Friends. The festive evening saw performances by Philip Anthony and Easter Grand Marshal XVII Ken GrandPre as Lana Luscious doing Sonny and Cher, EGM XVII Monica Synclaire-Kennedy, Clorox Bleachman, EGM XIII Rhonda Roget, Jim May and Deja Deja-Vue’, and Savana Summers. Food For Friends Director Glen Kahrman and NO/AIDS Task Force CEO Noel Twilbeck joined the festivities.

The event raised 615.00 from door donations, 521.00 from stage performance tips, 65.00 from jello shots, 119.00 from 50/50 Raffle, 119.00 from 50/50 Raffle winner Scott; and from auctions: 90.00 for Drown A Drag Queen EGM XVII Lana Luscious (Ken GrandPre), 200.00 for Picnic Basket from Donna, 350.00 for Mardi Gras Basket from James Garner, 400.00 for Romantic Getaway from Kevin Limberg, 100.00 for Malibu Pineapple Basket, 150.00 for Rona Conners Faux Faberge’ Egg from Donna, 170.00 for Bud Light Sign from Michael Elias, 60.00 for King’s Basket from Grand Reveler II Will Antil, 50.00 for Ladies Basket from King Cake Queen XXII Aubrey Synclaire, 50.00 for Yellow Bunny Basket from Donna, and 40.00 for Candle Basket from Krystal for a grand total of 3,102.00.

17th Purple Party raises $3,555 @ Double Play

The Gay Easter Parade Board of Directors hosted the 17th Purple Party Easter Grand Marshals Reception and celebrating the 45th Anniversary of Chuck and Bill at The Double Play in New Orleans. The event raised $3,555 for the Gay Easter Parade benefiting Food For Friends with $3,305 from the event and a Silver $250 sponsorship. Emceed by GEP Board’s Tony Leggio and EGM XVII Ken GrandPre, the event brought to the stage EGM XII Monica Synclaire-Kennedy, Angel, Coca J Mesa, Savana Summers, Deanna, and EGM V Princesse Stephaney.

The highlight of the event was when New Orleans Human Relations Commission Executive Director Larry Bagneris presented a mayoral certificate to Easter Grand Marshals XVII Ken GrandPre and Monica Synclaire-Kennedy.

Food For Friends director Glen Kahrman and NO/AIDS Task Force CEO Noel Twilbeck joined the festivities.

The event raised 660.00 from door donations, 331.00 from egg raffles, 424.00 from stage performance tips, 157.50 from 50/50 Raffle, 57.50 from 50/50 Raffle winner, and from auctions: 40.00 for Easter Basket from Hoyle Byrd, 90.00 for Bud Light Cooler from Philip, 225.00 for Grey Goose Basket from Gene Theriot, 150.00 for Candle Basket from Elizabeth Bouvier, 285.00 for Bunnies Only Basket from Gene Theriot, 600.00 for Royal Carousel Egg from Wedon Brown, 160.00 for Bud Light Cooler re-auction from Hector, and 125.00 for Jagermeister Basket from Chuck Turner for an event sub-total of 3,305.00, and a 250.00 Silver sponsorship from Jeffrey Palmquist & Coca J. Mesa for a grand total of 3,555.00.

15th Super Star Studded Drag Extravaganza Raises $5,478 @ Oz New Orleans

Easter Grand Marshals I Rip Naquin and Marsha Delain hosted the 15th Super Star-Studded Drag Extravaganza at Oz New Orleans raising $5,478 for the 17th Gay Easter Parade benefiting Food For Friends. The event brought in $4,478 with an additional $1,000 in sponsorships.

It is the only time of the year when reigning Carnival Royalty and Easter Grand Marshals are on one stage for one night only joined by past royalty and past Easter Grand Marshals. The large crowd experienced outstanding performances from reigning King Amon-Ra LII Chris Arthur as King Cake Queen XXI Barbara Ella, King Cake Queen XXII of Gay Mardi Gras Aubrey Synclaire, Queen Armeinius XLVIII Adrienne Andrews, and Queen Petronius LV Kitty D’Litter. They were joined by reigning Lord Consort XXXIII Kyle Robin of Lords of Leather as auctioneer. Reigning Easter Grand Marshal XVII Ken GrandPre and GEP Board’s Tony Leggio (Easter Grand Marshal X) emceed, while Easter Grand Marshal XVII Monica Synclaire-Kennedy joined the honorees for the show. Reigning Grand Reveler II Will Antil joined the festivities in the “Man I Feel Like A Woman” put Will Antil in Drag auction.

Other notable performances came from Easter Grand Marshal I Marsha Delain, King and Queen Satyricon XIII Marshall Harris and Becky Allen, Easter Grand Marshals XVI Misti Ates and Deja Deja-Vue’, Easter Grand Marshal V and King Cake Queen XIV Princesse Stephaney, and Easter Grand Marshal III and King Cake Queen X Teryl-Lynn Foxx.

The evening raised 732.00 at the door; 900.00 in VIP Table sales/donations from Kajun’s Pub, Corner Pocket, Savana Summers, Krewe of Petronius, and John Groth; 200.00 donation from Mary J. Dodwell; 789.00 in Stage Performance Tips; 165.00 from the Menage A Trois Basket auction by Ned Pitre; 200.00 from Hummingbird Faux Faberge’ Egg auction by EGM XI Chuck Turner; 70.00 from Mary’s Kitchen & Bath Gift Basket auction by EGM X Tony Leggio; 275.00 from Crystal Gift Basket auction by Shawn Lizana; 550.00 from Giant Blue Bunny Basket auction by EGM X Tony Leggio; and 50.00 Golden Lantern performance donation from Vanessa Carr Kennedy and Senator Ken for a sub-total of 3,931.00.

The “Put Will Antil in Drag” auction raised 60.00 for the Dress from Corner Pocket Bartender Tommy, 20.00 for Blush & Eye Shadow from Oz DJ Kyle, 40.00 for Lipstick from Chuck Turner, 28.00 for Eyelashes from Corner Pocket Bartender Tommy, 20.00 for Earrings from Savana Summers, 100.00 for Wig from EGM XI Chuck Turner, 60.00 for Shoes from EGM V Princesse Stephaney and EGM XI Chuck Turner, 50.00 Name That Queen “Wilmado Anything” from EGM I Rip Naquin, 100.00 for Song “Man I Feel Like A Woman” from EGM XI Chuck Turner, and 69.00 for Stage Performance Tips for a sub-total of 547.00. The event total was 4,478.00.

Sponsorships received included Silver $250 from Wood Enterprises and Persana Shoulders; and Bronze $100 from NOLA Softball League, Bootsie DeVille, Orlando Aloe, Nick Weber & Rick Mirabelli/Krewe of Narcissus, and New Covenant Church NOLA for a sub-total of 1,000.00.

The Grand Total raised was 5,478.00. All expenses for this event were donated by Rip Naquin and Marsha Delain.

the “official” dish: Only 2 Fundraisers Left for Gay Easter Parade benefiting Food For Friends; 17th Gay Easter Parade Led by Easter Grand Marshals XVII Ken GrandPre & Monica Synclaire-Kennedy March 27th thru French Quarter(see Page-4) (continued on Page-10)

celebrazzi: 15th Super Star Studded Drag Extravaganza Raises $5,478 @ Oz New Orleans

snap paparazzi: 15th Super Star-Studded Drag Extravaganza Raises $5,478 for Gay Easter Parade/Food For Friends @ Oz; Drag Extravaganza’s “Man I Feel Like A Woman” put Grand Reveler II Will Antil in Drag Auction @ Oz

the “official” dish: 6th Sponsorship Party Raises Whopping $10,370 for Gay Easter Parade/Food For Friends; Join Gay Easter Parade’s Last 5 Fundraisers (see Page-4) (continued on Page-8)

celebrazzi: Crescent Care/Food For Friends join Easter Grand Marshals XVII Monica Synclaire-Kennedy & Ken GrandPre @ The Corner Pocket

snap paparazzi: 6th Sponsorship Party Raises $10,370 for Gay Easter Parade/Food For Friends @ The Corner Pocket

the “official” dish: Ken GrandPre & Monica Synclaire-Kennedy will lead Gay Easter Parade as 17th Grand Marshals; Gay Easter Parade’s 6th Sponsorship Party Feb. 21 catered by Food For Friends @ Corner Pocket (see Page-4)

2015 Highlights

the “official” dish: Gay Easter Parade Raises $29,260 for Food For Friends, 40,000 Line the French Quarter Route, $231,674 Total Raised for Charity (see Page-4) (continued on Page-6)

celebrazzi: Easter, Campaigns, Contests, more…; the “official” dish: 6th Bunnies in the Big Easy raises $6,344 for GEP/Food For Friends

snap paparazzi: 16th Gay Easter Parade led by Easter Grand Marshals XVI Johnny Passion & Deja Deja-Vue’

snap paparazzi: 16th Gay Easter Parade greets 40,000 along French Quarter Route 

ambush paparazzi: 6th Bunnies In The Big Easy raises $6,344 for Gay Easter Parade/Food For Friends @ Kim Smith’s Marigny Home

the “official” dish: 13th Spring Fever & 16th Purple Party Brings in $8,356 for Gay Easter Parade/Food For Friends (see Page-4)

celebrazzi: Spring Fever, Purple Party

snap paparazzi: 13th Spring Fever Extravaganza raises $3,241 for Gay Easter Parade/Food For Friends @ Four Seasons

snap paparazzi: 16th Purple Party raises $5,115 for Gay Easter Parade/Food For Friends @ The Double Play 

the “official” dish: 16th Gay Easter Parade Rolls thru French Quarter April 5 led by Johnny Passion & Deja Deja-Vue’; 14th Super Star Studded Drag Extravaganza Raises $3,894 for Gay Easter Parade/Food For Friends (see Page-4)Join Final 2 Major Fundraisers for Gay Easter Parade & Food For Friends (see Pages 8 & 10)

celebrazzi: Gay Easter Parade’s 14th Super Star Studded Drag Extravaganza & “Man I Feel Like A Woman” Put Pride Grand Marshal Adikus Sulpizi in Drag Auction

snap paparazzi: 14th Super Star Studded Drag Extravaganza raises $3,894 for Gay Easter Parade/Food For Friends @ Oz 

the “official” dish: First Two Gay Easter Parade Fundraisers bring in $11,419 for Food For Friends; 14th Star Studded Drag Extravaganza March 14 @ Oz (see Page-4) 13th Spring Fever Extravaganza March 21 @ Four Seasons; Remaining GEP Events (see Page-8)

celebrazzi: Gay Easter Parade’s 5th Sponsorship Party & 7th Eggstravaganza

snap paparazzi: 5th Sponsorship Party raises $8,800 for Gay Easter Parade/Food For Friends @ Cutter’s

snap paparazzi: 7th Eggstravaganza raises $2,619 for Gay Easter Parade/Food For Friends @ GrandPre’s

the “official” dish: 16th Gay Easter Parade Fundraisers Kicks off Easter Season on March 1 & 6 (see Page-4)

spotlight feature: Misti Ates & Deja Deja-Vue’ Chosen Easter Grand Marshals XVI; The Excitement Begins for 16th Gay Easter Parade Season (see Page-14)

2014 Highlights

the “official” dish: Gay Easter Parade Passes Goal, Raises over $31,300 for Food For Friends, Total Charity Donations Now over $202,414 (see Page-4)

the “official” dish: 5th Bunnies In The Big Easy Brings in $6,886 for Gay Easter Parade (see page 8)

snap paparazzi: 15th Gay Easter Parade 2014 led by Easter Grand Marshals XV Todd Blauvelt & Stuart Nettles  (see Page-14)

celebrazzi: 15th Gay Easter Parade, 5th Bunnies In The Big Easy (see Page-16)

snap paparazzi: Some 30,000 Spectators Greet 15th Gay Easter Parade 2014 (see Page-24)

ambush paparazzi: 5th Bunnies In The Big Easy Raises $6,886 for GEP/Food For Friends @ Bourbon Vieux (see Page-34)

the “official” dish: 15th Purple Party Raises $3,816; 12th Spring Fever Extravaganza @ Four Seasons raises $3,695 (see Page-4); continued (see page 8)

celebrazzi: Fundraisers, Celebrations (see Page-6)

snap paparazzi: 15th GEP Purple Party Easter Grand Marshals Reception Raises $3,556 for Food For Friends @ Double Play (see Page-14)

snap paparazzi: 12th Spring Fever Extravaganza Raises $3,445 for Food For Friends @ Four Seasons (see Page-16)

the “official” dish: Spring Fever, Bunnies In The Big Easy Up Next; 12th Annual Spring Fever Extravaganza @ 4 Seasons; 5th Bunnies in the Big Easy April 18th @ Bourbon View; 15th Gay Easter Parade Easter Rolls Sunday, April 20 (see Page-4)

the “official” dish: 6th Eggstravaganza Raises $3,501 for GEP/Food For Friends; 13th Star-Studded Drag Extravaganza Raises $4,387 (see Page-8, 10)

celebrazzi: Eggstravaganza, Drag Extravaganza, Put Jeff Palmquist in Drag Feature Pics (see Page-16); snap paparazzi: 6th Eggstravaganza raises $3,501 for Gay Easter Parade/Food For Friends @ Grandpre’s (see Page-18)

snap paparazzi: 13th Super Star-Studded Drag Extravaganza raises $4,387 for Gay Easter Parade/Food For Friends @ Oz (see Page-24)

the “official” dish: Gay Easter Parade Festivities in Full Swing; Sponsorship Party Raises $9,185; 13th Annual Super Star-Studded Drag Extravaganza; 15th Annual Purple Party Easter Grand Marshals Reception (see Page-4)

celebrazzi: Sponsorship Party Feature Pic (see Page-16)

snap paparazzi: Gay Easter Parade’s 4th Sponsorship Party raises $9,185 @ Cutter’s (see Page-24)

the “official” dish: End of Mardi Gras Heralds in “The Reason for The Easter Season”  (see Page-4)

easter feature: Todd Blauvelt & Stuart Nettles to lead 15th Gay Easter Parade as Easter Grand Marshals XV  (see Page-30) (see Pages 31-32)

2013 Highlights

celebrazzi: Celebrations Paparazzi (see Page-6)

the “official” dish: 14th Gay Easter Parade Raises Over $23,000 for Food For Friends, Total Charity Donations Now Over $170,000; GEP’s 11th Annual Spring Fever Raises $4,097 @ 4 Seasons in Metairie; GEP’s 14th Purple Party Raises $4,087 @ The Double Play (see Page-8)

snap paparazzi: 14th Gay Easter Parade led by Easter Grand Marshals XIV Tommy Elias & Starr Daniels raises $23,662.06 for Food For Friends (see page 16), 14th Gay Easter Parade Rolls through the French Quarter Easter Sunday, March 31, 2013(see Pages 18), GEPs 4th Bunnies In The Big Easy raises $5,155 for Food For Friends @ The Bourbon Vieux (see Page 20)

the “official” dish: 14th Gay Easter Parade Raises Over $23,000 for Food For Friends, Total Charity Donations Now Over $170,000; GEP’s 11th Annual Spring Fever Raises $4,097 @ 4 Seasons in Metairie; GEP’s 14th Purple Party Raises $4,087 @ The Double Play (see Page-4) (continued on 8)

celebrazzi: celebrations paparazzi-12th Purple Party, 4th Bunnies In The Big Easy (see Page-6)

snap paparazzi: GEP’s 14th Purple Party raises $4,087 for Food For Friends @ Double Play (see Page-14)

snap paparazzi: GEP’s 11th Spring Fever Extravaganza raises $4,097 for Food For Friends (see Page-16)

the “official” dish: 14th Gay Easter Parade Rolls March 31 through the French Quarter, 14th Purple Party March 23 @ Double Play, 4th Bunnies in The Big Easy Good Friday, March 29 (see Page-4) (continued on 6) 12th Drag Extravaganza raises $5,000 for GEP/Food For Friends

celebrazzi: Celebrations Paparazzi (see Page-10)

snap paparazzi: 12th Super Star Studded Drag Extravaganza raises $5,000 for Gay Easter Parade/Food For Friends @ Oz (see Page-12)

snap paparazzi: 12th Drag Extravaganza’s “Man I Feel Like A Woman Put Lord King Pat Johnson in Drag” auction raises $1,429 for GEP/Food For Friends @ Oz (see Page-32)

the “official” dish: 12th Super Star Studded Drag Extravaganza set for March 9 @ Oz, 11th Annual Spring Fever Extravaganza March 16 @ 4 Seasons in Metairie (see Page-4) (continued on 6 & 8) Gay Easter Parade Carriages Going Fast!, Last 2 Gay Easter Parade Fundraisers,3rd Sponsorship Party Raises $6,725 for Gay Easter Parade & Food For Friends, 5th Eggstravaganza raises $2,217 for GEP/Food For Friends

celebrazzi: Celebrations Paparazzi (see Page-14)

snap paparazzi: 3rd Sponsorship Party raises $6,725 for Gay Easter Parade/Food For Friends @ Cutter’s  (see Page-18)

snap paparazzi: Gay Easter Parade’s 5th Eggstravaganza raises $2,217 for Food For Friends @ Michael’s On The Park (see Page-32)

the “official” dish: 3rd Sponsors Party & 5th Eggstravaganza Kick Off Gay Easter Parade Festivities benefiting Food for Friends (see Page-4)

the “official” dish: Tommy Elias & Starr Daniels Chosen as Easter Grand Marshals XIV by GEP BoardTommy Elias & Starr Daniels Chosen as Easter Grand Marshals XIV by GEP Board (see Page-6, continued on Page-8)

13th Gay Easter Parade to Donate A Whopping $36,252 to Food For Friends

The 13th annual Gay Easter Parade will donate a whopping $36,252 to Food For Friends this year thanks to the generosity of the GLBT community. The parade minus expenses has benefited charity for the past 11 years, bringing total donations now to over $147,439!

Led by Easter Grand Marshals XIII Darwin Reed and Rhonda Roget, the 2012 parade brought some 47 units to the streets of the French Quarter including Pair-A-Dice Tumblers, New Orleans Bears walking group, carriages, wagons, trolleys, cars, and trucks on Easter Sunday, April 8. Highlights appear in this issue.

The parade raised an incredible $46.154.75 with most of it raised in a quick 6-week period leading up to Easter. Expenses were $9,902.75 leaving a whopping $36,252 to the parade’s charity, Food For Friends this year, a vital service of NO/AIDS Task Force.

The financial report follows:

2012 Revenues:

17,419.00 Sponsorships

504.00 2nd Sponsorship Party

4,964.00 11th Drag Extravaganza

2,562.00 4th Eggstravaganza

5,802.00 10th Spring Fever

6,621.75 13th Purple Party

7,397.00 3rd Bunnies in The Big Easy

275.00 Parade Entry Fees

5.00 Parade Day Donation

605.00 4th Fruit Loop Chili Cook-OFF

46,154.75 Total Revenues

2012 Expenses:

50.25 Parade Permit

2,400.00 Police Detail

3,837.50 Insurance

730.00 Easter Grand Marshal Carriages

500.00 Band

1,040.00 Spring Fever

1,345.00 Bunnies In The Big Easy

9,902.75 Total Expenses

2012 Donation

36,252.00 Food For Friends

Thanks in large part to Easter Grand Marshals XIII Darwin Reed and Rhonda Roget for their efforts helping bring in 73 sponsors, the largest number in the parade’s history.

A very special thanks to all sponsors including:

Presenting-Ambush Mag, Ketel One Vodka;

Platinum-EGM XII Elizabeth Bouvier;

Gold-EGM XIII Rhonda Roget & King Amon-Ra XLVII David Forth, EGM XIII Darwin Reed & EGM VII Opal Masters, Stuart Nettles & EGM IX Safonda Peters, Krewe of Amon-Ra, Joann & Lisa Guidos/Kajun’s Pub, EGM XII Gary Vandeventer, Todd J. Blauvelt, Electra City & Tittie Toulouse, Quartermaster: The Nellie Deli, Kevin Sullivan;

Silver-EGM VIII Rona Conners & Bob Boler, Dwain Hertz – Al Dugas & Gene Theriot, Deja Deja-Vue’ & James May, Terry Woodard & Rick Kuzmyak/Bungalows, Oz New Orleans, Wood Enterprises, David Richerson/Salon Versailles, Queen Amon-Ra XLVII Dr. Barry Rutherford, Jerry Scavo & Kenny Walker, Michael Cookmeyer/Michael’s On The Park, Therese & John Vignone, Michael J. Ducote & Douglas W. Minich, EGM VIII Michael Elias & Jay Sewell/The Corner Pocket, Glen Kahrman & Noel Twilbeck, Johnson Mire & Fernandez/CPAs, PFLAG New Orleans, DB & Caroline Carnes, Mona Lisa Restaurant, Atlanta’s Ron & Barry;

Bronze-EGM X Tony Leggio, Dawn Leggio, King Cake Queen XIX Nicole DuBois, Starr Daniels & Justin Moffatt, Ranzy Montet & Creig Istre, Michael Durocher, Orlando Aloe/Society Page, Mystic Krewe of Satyricon, Glenn O’Berry & Roger Copenhaver, Michael Strickland, Steve Patrick, King Amon-Ra XLIV Nick Olivares & Roy Smith, Josie Mae Cotton & Rudy Snyder, Frank & Peter Abbruscato, Bebe Scarpinato, New Orleans Bear and Bear Trapper Social Club, Frankie Fierce & Dusty Debris, Freddie Guess/Fredrick Guess Studio, David Berni, Jeffrey Palmquist & Coca Mesa, Randy Chesnut/The Drama Club-Houma, Jill Dolese, Billy Matthews & Tony Phillips, Tubby’s Golden Lantern, Michael Sullivan, Thomas Schoonenberg, EGM II Larry Bagneris, James Stevens, Toby Lefort & Al Herrera/Club LAX, Laurie Aicklen/Spudly, TJ Conrad, Marty Curtin & Koo Gaffney, Icons/LAX in memory of Marcy Marcell, Icons/LAX in memory of Marcy Marcell, Bootsie DeVille, Lee Worrells, Jo-Jo Holdings, Ben Bourgeois & Pat Johnson, Celebrating Chuck Turner & Bill Miller’s 41st Anniversary/Purple Party, Hoyle A. Byrd, Anonymous, Matt McCulla;

Venue/In Kind-700 Club, Cafe Lafitte in Exile, Chef Ron’s Gumbo Stop, Club LAX, Cutter’s, The Double Play, Good Friends Bar, Larry Graham, Michael’s On The Park, Oz, Rawhide, Ritz-Carlton.

3rd Bunnies in The Big Easy Raises $10,147 @ Ritz-Carlton

Good Friday, April 6th brought revelers to the prestigious Ritz-Carlton 12th floor Crescent View Ballroom for the 3rd annual Bunnies In The Big Easy: Put the Good Back in Friday. The event raised $10,147, the largest fundraising one night total in the history of the Gay Easter Parade which benefits Food For Friends.

Under the direction of GEP Board’s Tony Leggio and Rona Conners, the evening boasted complimentary culinary delights, vodka cocktails, wine, beer and soft drinks along with DJ Rockin’ Ron, hot bunny boys, 50/50 raffle, incredible live auctions, and a special performance by Easter Grand Marshal XIII Rhonda Roget.

3rd Bunnies 2012 Financial Report includes:

Tickets:

4,240.00 Tickets 106 @ $40

Event:

750.00 Bunny Boy Auction/Chuck Turner ck

400.00 2 Nights @ Ritz-Carlton/Tim Fields ck

260.00 Super Spa Basket/Tim Tields ck

60.00 Venetian Mask/Chris Auther ca

70.00 Mickey & Mini/Al & Dwain ca

500.00 Pink Bunny Basket/Gene Theriot ca

120.00 2 Nights New Orleans Courtyard/Bobby & Joey Krieger ca

150.00 2 Nights French Quarter Suites/Lisa Guidos NP

142.00 Bunny Boy Dance Tips CA

120.00 Ronda Roget Tips CA

585.00 0/50 Raffle CA

3,157.00 Event Subtotal

7,397.00 Subtotal/Tickets-Event

Sponsorships:

2,500.00 Ketel One

250.00 Mona Lisa

2,750.00 Sponsorship Subtotal

10,147.00 Revenue Total

Expenses:

1,065.00 Bartenders/Servers/DJ

280.00 50/50 Raffle

1,345.00 Expenses Total

8,802.00 Grand Total

4th Chili Cook-OFF Raises $605 for Gay Easter Parade

The 4th annual Fruit Loop Chili Cook-Off brought forth three teams at Cafe Lafitte in Exile, four teams at Good Friends, three teams at Oz. and five teams at Rawhide raising $1,010. Half of the proceeds went to the Top Chili Chef, and the other half, $505 plus a $100 donation, benefited Gay Easter Parade/Food For Friends.

For $10 guests enjoyed unlimited tasting and FREE Bud Light while it lasted. All tasters got to vote at each location for the top bar chef, then the four top bar chefs competed at Lafitte’s and tasters voted on the 4th Top Chili Chef.

The top four teams included Lafitte’s Freut Qoz, Good Friends Titties, Oz’s Team Oz, and Rawhide’s Hot & Spicy. Team Titties from Good Friends won Top Chili Chef.

13th Purple Party Raises $8,135.75 @ Double Play

The 13th Purple Party Easter Grand Marshals Reception raised a whopping $8,135.75 for the 13th Gay Easter Parade benefiting Food For Friends. Hosted by Double Play’s Chuck Turner and Bill Miller, the event brought in $2,436.75, auctions $4,185.00, and sponsorships $1,514.00.

The breakdown includes:

Event:

800.00 Billy’s Donation

590.00 Door

318.00 Raffle

189.00 Tips

301.00 Egg Raffles

78.75 Skky Cocktails

160.00 Jello Shots

2,436.75 Event Subtotal

Auctions:

1,500.00 Royal Cinderella Carriage Egg/Chuck Turner

500.00 TV/Gene Theriot

300.00 Easter Basket/Rip Naquin

150.00 Lavita Basket/Rhonda Roget & David Forth

300.00 Millinium Basket/Gary Vandeventer

150.00 Grace Jones Poster/Electra City

250.00 Diva Doll/Chuck Turner

200.00 Drago Gift Card/Ellen Miller

110.00 Grey Goose Basket/Ben Bourgeois

60.00 Drag Jewelry/Safonda Peters

95.00 Cuervo Basket/Coca Mesa

50.00 Jaegermeister Basket/Robert-New Orleans Bears

70.00 Marble Table/Chairs/Bud -Ranzy & Creig

150.00 Boy Auction/Chuck Turner

100.00 Boy Auction/Chuck Turner

100.00 Coca Auction/Chuck Turner

100.00 Boy Auction/Chuck Turner

4,185.00 Auction Subtotal

6,621.75 Subtotal/Event

Sponsorships:

500.00 Kevin Sullivan

250 .00 DB & Caroline Carnes

100.00 Bootsie DeVille

100.00 Jo-Jo Holdings

100.00 Lee Worrells

100.00 Ben Bourgeois & Pat Johnson

114.00 In Honor of Chuck & Bill’s 41st Anniversary

150.00 Hoyle A Byrd

100.00 Anonymous

1514.00 Sponsorship Subtotal

8,135.75 Grand Total

There were no expenses for this event with all monies raised going to the 13th Gay Easter Parade and Food For Friends due to the generosity of Chuck Turner and Bill Miller.

The annual event honored Easter Grand Marshals XIII Darwin Reed and Rhonda Roget bringing a majority of former Easter Grand Marshals to the affair. In addition to one of Chuck and Bill’s legendary buffets, special performances by Big Mama, Coca Mesa, Electra City and others brought the evening to a climax.

Past Grand Marshals include EGMs I Rip and Marsha Naquin-Delain, II Larry Bagneris and the late Miss Do Moreland, III Timm Holt and Teryl-Lynn Foxx, IV George Simons and Electra City, V Brett Messmer and Princesse Stephaney, VI James Swire and Lisa Beaumann, VII the late Doc Reed and Opal Masters, VIII Michael Elias and Rona Conners, IX Orlando Aloe and Safonda Peters, X Tony Leggio and the late Marcy Marcell, XI Chuck Turner and Tittie Toulouse, and XII Gary Vandeventer and Elizabeth Bouvier.

10th Spring Fever Raises $7,502 at Gumbo Stop & Club LAX

The 10th Spring Fever Extravaganza raised an astounding $7,502 benefiting the 13th Gay Easter Parade and Food For Friends. Under the direction of GEP Boards Electra City and Tittie Toulouse, the VIP Dinner Reception at Chef Ron’s Gumbo Stop raised $2,170, while the Spring Fever show and auction at Club LAX brought in $3,632, and sponsorships another $1,700. Minus expenses of $1,040, the event netted $6,462.

The breakdown includes:

2,170.00 VIP Dinner Reception Tickets (62) @ $35 each

200.00 VIP Tables (4) @ $50

330.00 Spring Fever Door

471.00 Stage Performance Tips

231.00 50/50 Raffle-winner Leroy

60.00 Auction 1 Absolut Basket/Misael Rubio

165.00 Auction 2-Bear Trap 3-Night Stay/Earl Barrow

30.00 Auction 3-Necklace/Purse Set/Daniel

125.00 Auction 4-Hotel Storyville 2-Night Stay/Marty Curtin & Koo Gaffney

195.00 Auction 5-Bryce Landry Painting/Tony Leggio

100.00 Auction 6-Bunny Basket Wine & Candy/Little Ricky & Chad

150.00 Auction 7-Saints Glasses/Ice Chest/Safonda Peters

200.00 Auction 8-Saints Jacket/Leroy

125.00 Auction 9-Bryce Landry Painting/Tony Leggio

500.00 Auction 10-Royal Blue Crown Egg/Chuck Turner

200.00 Auction 11-Sex Toy Basket/VNO-NO Tennis-Jerry

425 .00 Auction 12-Big Yellow Bunny Basket/Josie Mae Cotton

125.00 Auction 13-Easter Egg Cake/Rip & Marsha

5,802.00 Subtotal/Event:

Sponsorships:

500.00 Misael Rubio/Quartermaster

500.00 Electra City & Tittie Toulouse

100.00 James Stevens

100.00 Marty Curtin & Koo Gaffney

100.00 Laurie Aicklen/Spudly

100.00 TJ Conrad

100.00 Toby Lefort & Al Herrera/Club LAX

100.00 Icons/LAX in Memory of Marcy Marcell

100.00 Icons/LAX in Memory of Marcy Marcell

1,700.00 Sponsorship Subtotal

7,502.00 Grand Total

-930.00 VIP Dinner Expense

-110.00 50/50 Raffle Expense

6,462.00 Spring Fever Total

Performances by some of New Orleans top entertainers including EGM XIII Rhonda Roget, EGM IV Electra City, EGM XI Tittie Toulouse, EGM V Princesse Stephaney, EGM IX Safonda Peters, Varla Jean Merman, Dominique DeLorean, Wendy Kennedy, Crystal Rivers, Marty J, Johnny Passion and others were indeed one of the highlights of the evening.

11th Drag Extravaganza raises $5,814 @ Oz

The 11th annual Super Star Studded Drag Extravaganza raised $5,814 for the Gay Easter Parade benefiting Food For Friends at Silver Sponsor Oz. The event brought in $4,964 with an additional $850 in sponsorships.

Under the direction of GEP Board’s Rip and Marsha Naquin-Delain, the event brought royalty performances from five Gay Mardi Gras krewes, a first at an Easter event, along with Easter Grand Marshal XIII Rhonda Roget to the stage at Oz. GEP Board’s Tony Leggio and Opal Masters emceed the affair with entertainment by Nicole DuBois (King Cake Queen XIX), Sydney Williams (Queen Amon Ra XLVII). Aunt Ida Comeaux (Queen Armeinius XLIII), Bootsie DeVille (Queen Petronius L), Ms. Rizzo (Queen Satyricon X), Marsha Naquin-Delain (King Cake Queen XV, EGM I), Princesse Stephaney (King Cake Queen XIV, EGM V), Raven Kennedy (King Cake Queen XIII), and Lisa Beaumann (King Cake Queen IX, EGM VI).

One of the highlights of the evening was the “Man I Feel Like A Woman Put EGM XIII Darwin Reed in Drag” auction with the assistance of King Cake Queen XIX Nicole DuBois. Raising a total of $1,347, it brought in $170 for the dress and $45 for the shoes from Dillon, $55 for blush-eye shadow and $110 for lipstick from John Vignone, $100 for eyelashes from EGM XIII Rhonda Roget, $80 for nails from Bourbon Pub’s Chuck Kee, $60 for earrings/jewelry from Marsha Naquin-Delain, $270 for the wig from Kajun’s Pub’s Lisa and Joann Guidos, $150 for name that queen Santa-Claudette Masters and $100 for the song from Rip Naquin-Delain, plus $207 in stage performance tips.

The huge (10″ tall) Royal Elephant Faux Faberge’ Musical Egg auction with the prize inside being a framed gilded portrait of Czar Nicholas on one side and Czarina Alexandra donated by Easter Grand Marshal VIII Rona Conners went for an astounding $1,200 to Double Play’s Chuck Turner.

The Easter Big Basket auction done by GEP Boards Electra City and Tittie Toulouse worth over $1,000 in liquor and prizes went to a group of women called Anonymous for $625.

The door brought in $950 while stage performance tips came in at $842. Sponsorships included Gold $500 from Todd Blauvelt, Silver $250 from Food For Friends’ Glen Kahrman and NO/AIDS Task Force’s Noel Twilbeck, and Bronze $100 from Jeffrey Palmquist and Coca Mesa.

4th Eggstravaganza raises $4,012 @ Michael’s On The Park

The Gay Easter Parade’s 4th Eggstravaganza raised $4,012 at Silver Sponsor Michael’s On The Park benefiting Food For Friends. Under the direction of GEP Board’s Opal Masters, the evening brought in $2,562 from the event and $1,450 in sponsorships. Bar baron Michael Cookmeyer did an incredible buffet for the affair.

Emceed by GEP Board’s Tony Leggio and Opal Masters, Ms. Missy May acted as the hostess for the affair. In addition to the emcees, entertainment included Easter Grand Marshal XIII Rhonda Roget, Little MM, Queen Petronius XLIX Natasha Sinclair, Dusty Debris as Lady Gaga, Monalot Fontaine, Queen Petronius L Bootsie DeVille and the talents of Ms. Jenkins.

The five auctions included a lovely Easter silk arrangement donated by Deja Deja-Vue’ with top bid of $120 from Kajun’s Pub’s Lisa and Joann Guidos, a brand new beautiful ladies red Easter suit donated by EGM XIII Rhonda Roget with top bid of $50 from Deja Deja-Vue, beautifully framed 2011 signed print by famed artist Jamie Hayes donated by Deja Deja-Vue’ with top bid of $120 from Double Play’s Chuck Turner, Yellow Bunny Basket with over $500 in prizes with top bid of $225 from Club LAX’s Toby Lefort, Make Missy May Perform with top bid of $250 from Will Antil, and Retired Painted Pony named Fancy Dancer donated by EGM VIII Rona Conners with top bid of $200 from Double Play’s Chuck Turner.

The door raised $560, stage tips $655, and the 50/50 raffle raised $382 with winner Devin Parro donating his half back to the Easter Parade.

2012 Highlights

 

  • the “official” dish: Darwin Reed & Rhonda Roget Selected as Easter Grand Marshals XIII by Gay Easter Parade Board (see Page-8)

    2011 Highlights

  • snap paparazzi, the “official” dish: 12th Gay Easter Parade raises $30,362.42 for Food For Friends (see Page-6), 30,000 Line the Streets for 12th Gay Easter Parade Raising Over $30,000 for Food For Friends (see Page-8)

  • the “official” dish: Gay Easter Parade Wrap-up, Parade to Donate Over $25,000 to Food For Friends (see Page-8), 9th Spring Fever Raises $2,339 & 12th Purple Party $6,927 for GEP & Food For Friends (continued on Page-10)

  • the “official” dish: Gay Easter Parade Pink Party/Eggstravaganza Raises $1,422, Drag Extravaganza Raises $3,860; Up Next Purple Party April 16 & Bunnies In The Big Easy April 22; 12th Gay Easter Parade Rolls April 24th with Pre & Post-Parade Parties (see Page-4), (continued on Page-8)

  • the “official” dish: Gay Easter Parade Sponsorship Kick-Off Party Raises $4,361; Drag Extravaganza April 2 & Spring Fever April 8 Up Next (see Page-4)

  • the “official” dish: Sponsorship Kick-Off Party, Pink Party Begins Fundraising Efforts of 12th Gay Easter Parade (see Page-4)

  • breaking news: Gary Vandeventer & Elizabeth Bouvier To Lead 12th Gay Easter Parade April 24 as EGMs XII, $5,750 Launches Gay Easter Parade Sponsorships (see Page-42, 43)

    2010 Highlights

    Some 30,000 View 11th Gay Easter Parade, Over $17,182 Raised for Food For Friends

    The 11th annual Gay Easter Parade brought some 30,000 spectators to the streets of the French Quarter on Easter Sunday, April 4. Led by Easter Grand Marshals XI Chuck Turner and Tittie Toulouse, the thirty-five unit parade included twenty-three carriages, wagons and trolleys, Smitty Dee’s Brass Band, The Third Line Brass Band and ten cars and trucks.

    The parade minus expenses raised $17,182.15 for Food For Friends this year. Over the past 9 years, the parade has raised over $80,825 for charity.

    Presented by Ambush Mag, the parade passed by the majority of popular GLBT bars, restaurants, delis, and businesses in the Quarter including parade sponsor Starlight By The Park, parade sponsor Rawhide, parade sponsor Good Friends Bar, Bourbon Pub, Napoleon’s Itch, parade sponsor Oz, parade sponsor Cafe Lafitte in Exile, parade sponsor Clover Grill, parade sponsor Quartermaster: The Nellie Deli, Tubby’s Golden Lantern, Mona Lisa, Verti Mart, FiFi Mahoneys, Rab Dab, Cafe Amelie, La Mina Sterling, Le Roundup, parade sponsor Double Play, parade sponsor Corner Pocket, parade sponsor Society Page, and parade sponsor 700 Club.

    The colorful and elegant parade threw thousands of bunnies, candy and beads to the huge appreciative crowds.

    Parade participants included: Easter Grand Marshals XI Chuck Turner & Tittie Toulouse; EGM VIII Rona Conners & Bob Boler; EGM VII Opal Masters & Darwin Reed; EGMs I Rip & Marsha Naquin-Delain; Miss LSGRA Elizabeth Bouvier/FourPlay; JohnPaul’s; Queen Amon-Ra XLIV Rhonda & David Roget; Double Play, 4 Seasons & Billy’s; Society Page; NO/AIDS Task Force; Bebe Scarpinato; EGM VIII Michael Elias/Corner Pocket; 700 Club; Kurt Goodman; EGM IX Safonda Peters & Stuart Nettles; Zsa Zsa D’LaHor; EGM X Tony Leggio; Lords of Leather; Krewe of Petronius 50; Kajun’s Pub/Bunny Marshals; Tubby’s Golden Lantern; King & Queen Amon-Ra XLV David Aranda & Countess C. Alice; Food For Friends; Darrell K. Sims/People of Substance; Bobby Wagstaff/King Krewe of Mwindo; Justin Donnaud; Bruce Orgeron/Krewe of Armeinius; Tyriq Davenport Kennedy; Rosario D’Amico/Krewe of Armeinius; Joseph McCrory/Krewe of Mwindo; and Starlight By The Park.

    Special thanks to all sponsors of the Gay Easter Parade including:

    $1,000-Platinum: Elizabeth Bouvier/FourPlay, John Vignone & Paul Chiriaco/JohnPaul’s Bar;

    $500-Gold: Queen Amon-Ra XLIV Rhonda & David Roget, Lord King XVI Gary Vandeventer & Lord Consort XVII Tim Lott, Miseal Rubio/Quartermaster: The Nellie Deli, Krewe of Amon-Ra;

    $250-Silver: King & Queen Amon-Ra XLV David Aranda & Daryl Dunaway Jr., EGM IX Safonda Peters & Stuart Nettles, EGM VIII Tom “Rona” Conners & Bob Boler, King Cake Queen XVII & EGM VII Opal Masters & Darwin Reed, EGM IX Orlando Aloe/Society Page; Wood Enterprises, Oz New Orleans, EGM VIII Michael Elias & Jay Sewell/The Corner Pocket, Mike Cookmeyer & Matt Giglio/700 Club, Krewe of Petronius, Celebrating Chuck & Bill’s 39th Anniversary/Friends of The Purple Party;

    $100-Bronze: EGM X Tony Leggio, Dwain Hertz & Al Dugas, Glenn O’Berry & Roger Copenhaver, Starr Daniels & Justin Moffatt, Jay Cooper & Gizelle Bouvier, Saints & Sinners Literary Festival, Bruce Orgeron/Krewe of Armeinius, King Amon-Ra XLIV Nick Olivares & Roy Smith, KCQ XVI Tami Tarmac & King Amon-Ra XLIII Paul Davis, Lee Worrells, J.E. Bourgoyne & Jay Tyburski/Bourgoyne Guest House; and

    Venue/In-Kind: 4 Seasons, 700 Club, Billy’s, Bywater Patio Bar, Double Play, JohnPaul’s, Starlight By The Park.

    Parade Revenues include:
    $7,850-Sponsors
    $1,808-2nd Eggstravaganza
    $2,200-8th Spring Fever
    $3,257-9th Drag Extravaganza
    $3,522-11th Purple Party
    $5,270-1st Bunnies in the Big Easy
    $250-Vehicle Entry Fees
    $20-Parade Day Donation/Todd Blauvelt
    $50-Donation/Bon Maison Guest House
    $24,227-Total Revenue

    Parade Expenses include:
    $40-EGM Pins
    $780-EGM Carriages
    $389.60-Entertainer/EGM Shuttle/Eggstravaganza
    $100-Drag Extravaganza DJ
    $1,875-Bands
    $1,500-Insurance
    $50.25-Parade Permit
    $1,050-Parade Police Detail
    $1,260-Food, Staff, Underwear/Bunnies in the Big Easy
    $7,044.85 Total Expenses

    The Board of Directors of the Gay Easter Parade includes Electra City, Tom “Rona” Conners, Tony Leggio, Opal Masters, Rip and Marsha Naquin-Delain, and Tittie Toulouse.

    Past Grand Marshals include EGMs I Rip and Marsha Naquin-Delain, EGMs II Larry Bagneris and the late Miss Do Moreland, EGMs III Timm Holt and Teryl-Lynn Foxx, EGMs IV George Simons and Electra City, EGMs V Brett Messmer and Princesse Stephaney, EGMs VI James Swire and Lisa Beaumann, EGMs VII Doc Reed and Opal Masters. EGMs VIII Michael Elias and Tom “Rona” Conners, EGMs IX Orlando Aloe and Safonda Peters, and EGMs X Tony Leggio and Marcy Marcell.

    Purple Party Raises $3,522 for GEP, Food For Friends

    The 11th annual Purple Party Easter Grand Marshals Reception was another success this year raising $3,522 for the Gay Easter Parade benefiting Food For Friends. Hosted at The Double Play, the party honored Easter Grand Marshals XI Chuck Turner and Tittie Toulouse. Many past grand marshals were in attendance as well as representatives of many organizations and Carnival krewes. The evening also celebrated the 39th Anniversary of Easter Grand Marshal XI Chuck Turner and partner Bill Miller.

    Guests enjoyed the lavish buffet while mingling with all the celebrities in attendance.

    The auctions went extremely well with the Carousel Egg fetching $700 from EGM XI Chuck Turner, the Mermaid Egg $350 from Petronius Captain Bill McCarthy, Massage $225 from Ronald Buras, Chocolate Basket $225 from Lord King XVI Gary Vandeventer, and the Purple Bunnies $200 from EGMs I Rip and Marsha Naquin-Delain. The door brought in $615, egg raffles $444, and raffle tickets $413. A $250 Silver sponsorship was raised from party goers in honor of Chuck and Bill’s 39th Anniversary, and a $100 Bronze sponsorship came in from Lee Worrells. Many thanks to all who helped and supported this event.

    Bunnies in the Big Easy Raises $5,270 for GEP/Food For Friends

    Easter weekend kicked off in New Orleans on Good Friday, April 2 when the 11th Gay Easter Parade presented the 1st annual Bunnies in the Big Easy: Putting The Good in Friday, under the direction of GEP Board’s Tony Leggio and Tom “Rona” Conners. The new event was hosted at Bywater Patio Bar & Secret Garden raising an astounding $5,270 for the Gay Easter Parade benefiting Food For Friends.

    Easter Grand Marshals XI Chuck Turner and Tittie Toulouse were presented “official” proclamations from the Mayor of the City of New Orleans by Human Relations Chair and Easter Grand Marshal II Larry Bagneris. The wonderful live auction brought in $150 for the Bryce Landry Bad Bunny painting from Queen Satyricon VII Wedon Brown, $75 for the Ashton Drake Doll from Petronius Captain Bill McCarthy, $150 for the Bill McCarthy Easter Basket from Lee Worrells, $350 for the Big Basket from Friday Night Before Mardi Gras’ Ed Chapman which he donated back for reauction, $300 for the Big Basket reauction from Mwindo’s Larry Jones, and $350 for the Jewel Egg from EGM XI Chuck Turner.

    One of the highlights of the evening had to be the live auction of hot model’s underwear in the Secret Garden including $150 for model Cage’s underwear from EGM XI Chuck Turner, $300 for model Jason’s underwear from Miss LSGRA Elizabeth Bouvier and $300 for model Chase’s underwear from EGM X Tony Leggio’s Mom Dawn Leggio.

    The event also brought in $2,850 from 95 event tickets, $245 in egg raffles, and a $50 donation from Michael Sullivan in memory of John St. Clair.

    Guests enjoyed a scrumptious buffet and limited open bar offering vodka cocktails, beer and wine. DJ Buckley featured fierce dance tunes under the stars in the Secret Garden. Thanks to all who made this such a success.

    9th Super Star Studded Drag Extravaganza Raises $3,257 for Gay Easter Parade

    The 9th annual Super Star Studded Drag Extravaganza & Auction, under the direction of Gay Easter Parade Board’s Rip & Marsha Naquin-Delain, raised $3,257 on March 19 at JohnPaul’s, 940 Elysian Fields. The 11th Gay Easter Parade benefits Food For Friends. The faux Faberge musical Tulip Egg donated from the private collection of EGM VIII Tom “Rona” Conners brought in $1,000 at auction from EGM X Chuck Turner.

    A pair of giant Easter Bunnies beautifully dressed also donated by Conners brought in $500 at auction from John Vignone and Paul Chiriaco.

    The Grand Easter Basket auction worth over $1,000 in prizes raised $550 from Elizabeth Bouvier. It included an Ambush full page black and white ad worth $445; Oz VIP Pass with admittance throughout 2010 worth $200; Silver Demitasse Set of 6 donated by Tom “Rona” Conners; Fleur de Lis Pitcher & Saucer, and 4 hand painted Wine Glasses donated by Rip and Marsha Naquin-Delain; bottle Bailey’s Caramel Irish Cream & Parrot Bay Coconut Rum donated by 700 Club; bottle Grey Goose Pear Vodka, Patron Citronge, Patron XO Cafe Liqueur and Parma Pomegranite Liqueur donated by Cafe Lafitte’s, Clover Grill, Good Friends & Rawhide; bottle of Freixenet Champagne & Tango de Mendoza Red Wine donated by Tom “Rona” Conners; bottle Bushmills Irish Whiskey & $30 Bar Tab donated by The Corner Pocket; $25 Bar Tab donated by Society Page, and $25 Bar Tab donated by Tubby’s Golden Lantern.

    The door brought in $445, stage performance tips $532, a $200 donation by Rip and Marsha Naquin-Delain, and a $30 donation by Darwin Reed and Opal Masters.

    Honoring Easter Grand Marshals XI Chuck Turner and Tittie Toulouse, the extravaganza was emceed by Miss Gay America ’06 Nicole Du’Bois, EGM X Tony Leggio, and EGM VII and King Cake Queen XVII Opal Masters. The star studded lineup included a rare performance by EGM I Marsha Naquin-Delain, along with performances by EGM IV Electra City, EGM V Princesse Stephaney, EGM IX Safonda Peters, EGM X Marcy Marcell, EGM XI Tittie Toulouse, KCQ XIII Raven Kennedy, KCQ XVI Tami Tarmac, EGM VI Lisa Beaumann, Queen Amon-Ra XLV Countess C. Alice, Miss LSGRA Elizabeth Bouvier, Miss Elysian Fields Barbara Ella, Bronze Sponsor Starr Daniels, and Bronze Sponsor Jay Cooper and Gizelle Bouvier.

    7th Spring Fever: A Star Studded Benefit Raises $2,200 for Gay Easter Parade, Food For Friends

    The 8th annual Spring Fever: A Star Studded Benefit Gala & Auction (500 Years of Drag Celebrating Tittie’s 50th Birthday) was hosted at 4 Seasons in Metairie on March 13. Under the direction of Gay Easter Parade Boards Electra City and Tittie Toulouse, the event raised $2,200 for the 11th Gay Easter Parade benefiting Food For Friends

    Both EGM IV Electra City and EGM XI Tittie Toulouse starred in and emceed the festive evening. The musical Butterfly Egg donated from the private collection of EGM VIII Tom “Rona” Conners raised $400 at auction from EGM X Chuck Turner, while the plush Bunnies (also donated by Conners) raised $85 from John Vignone. Crystal Charbonnet had the top bid of $100 for the Wine Basket donated by Buffa’s Restaurant & Bar won in raffle by Brad who put it up for auction to raise more money. The raffle raised $400 which included a Men’s Gift Basket donated by Saks Fifth Avenue (value $350), 3 bottles of liquor donated by Toby Lefort, 2 bottles donated by Tittie Toulouse and Electra City, 2 bottles donated by Wood Enterprises, 2 bottles donated by JohnPaul’s, and 2 bottles donated by Buffa’s Restaurant & Bar. The Egg Raffles raised $315, stage performance tips $445 and door/VIP Table sales $455.

    Celebrities donating their time and talents for the cause included King and Queen Amon-Ra XLV David Aranda and Countess C. Alice, Crystal Charbonnet, EGM IX Safonda Peters, Miss Elysian Fields Barbara Ella, Starr Daniels, Trixie Treats, Zsa Zsa D’LaHor, EGM VII Opal Masters. Gizelle Bouvier, KCQ XVI Tami Tarmac, and EGM V Princesse Stephaney.

    2nd Eggstravaganza Raises $1,808 for 11th Gay Easter Parade Benefiting Food For Friends

    The 2nd Eggstravaganza Show & Auction, under the direction of Gay Easter Parade Board’s Opal Masters raised $1,808 for the 11th Gay Easter Parade benefiting Food For Friends at Billy’s in Slidell. The door brought in $550, stage performance tips $641, Egg Raffles $292, 50/50 raffle $110, Emerald Egg Auction $70, Green Basket Auction $55, Marilyn Monroe framed photo $40, Pop Big Mama’s Balloon Breast Auction $35, and Flower Basket Action $15.

    Celebrity MCs and stars Big Mama and King Cake Queen XVII Opal Masters led the field of entertainment including EGM XI Tittie Toulouse, Miss Louisiana Leatherette Cathy Fox, KCQ XVI Tami Tarmac, EGM IX Safonda Peters, EGM IV Electra City, Amon-Ra Prom Queen Alexis Daniels, and Miss Elysian Fields Barbara Ella. EGM XI Chuck Turner and partner Bill Miller, along with C&B Enterprises GM John Bowling, did an outstanding job decorating and providing a delicious buffet for the affair.

    2009 Highlights

  • the “official” dish 10th Gay Easter Parade Raises an Astounding $15,518.75 for Food For Friends (see Page-4, 5)

  • celebrazzi Celebrations Paparazzi (see Page-18)

  • snap paparazzi 10th Gay Easter Parade led by Easter Grand Marshals X Tony Leggio & Marcy Marcell Raises $15,518.75 for Food For Friends (see Page-22)

  • snap paparazzi 10th Gay Easter Parade Raises $15,518.75 for Food For Friends (see Page-40)

  • the “official” dish 8th Super Star Studded Drag Extravaganza Raises $3,255 for 10th Gay Easter Parade, 10th Purple Party Easter Grand Marshals Reception Raises $4,311 for 10th Gay Easter Parade at The Double Play (see Page-4)

  • the “official” dish Special Thanks from 10th Gay Easter Parade Board (see Page-6)

  • snap paparazzi 8th Super Star Studded Drag Extravaganza raises $3,255 for 10th Gay Easter Parade benefiting Food For Friends at JohnPaul’s (see Page-18)

  • snap paparazzi 10th Purple Party Easter Grand Marshals Reception raises $4,311 for 10th Gay Easter Parade benefiting Food For Friends at The Double Play (see Page-20)

  • celebrazzi Celebrations, Paparazzi (see Page-25)

  • the “official” dish 10th Purple Party Saturday, April 4 at The Double Play; 10th Gay Easter Parade Rolls Through the Streets of the French Quarter April 12; 7th Spring Fever Raises $1,674 for Easter Parade (see Page-4)

  • the “official” dish Three Major Fund-Raisers Left for 10th Gay Easter Parade, 10th Gay Easter Parade Sees Largest Increase in Sponsorships in Its History Benefiting Food For Friends (see Page-4)

  • the “official” dish 1st Eggstravaganza Raises $1,537 for 10th Gay Easter Parade (see Page-6)

  • the “official” dish Tony Leggio & Marcy Marcell to Lead 10th Gay Easter Parade (see Page-6)

    The Parade for, by and from the Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual and Transgender Community, showcases its culture, color and creativity. Parade attire includes tuxedos, summer suits or Easter dresses/suits with Easter hats/bonnets. Nudity or partial nudity is not allowed. Sexually explicit beads or throws of that nature are not allowed.

    2008 Highlights

  • the “official” dish Largest Gay Easter Parade Rolls; $12,424.05 Raised for Food For Friends (see Main-4)

  • celebrazzi Celebrations Paparazzi (see Main-10)

  • snap paparazzi 9th Official Gay Easter Parade led by Easter Grand Marshals IX Orlando Aloe & Safonda Peters (see Main-12)

  • snap paparazzi 9th Official Gay Easter Parade, Pre-Gay Easter Parade Party at Starlight (see Main-14)

  • snap paparazzi 9th Post-Gay Easter Parade Party at Society Page (see Main-24)

  • the “official” dish 9th Purple Party Easter Parade Grand Marshals Reception Raises $4,160.10 (see Main-4)

  • celebrazzi Celebrations Paparazzi (see Main-10)

  • snap paparazzi 9th Purple Party Easter Grand Marshals Reception (see Main-16)

  • snap paparazzi 9th Purple Party Easter Grand Marshals Reception (see Main-23)

  • the “official” dish 9th Gay Easter Parade Rolls through the streets of the French Quarter, 6th Spring Fever Raises $3,211 for GEP, 7th Drag Extravaganza Raises $6,759 for Gay Easter Pasrade & Food For Friends (see Main-4)

  • celebrazzi Celebrations Paparazzi (see Main-14)

  • snap paparazzi 7th Super Star Studded Drag Extravaganza & Auction (see Main-16)

  • snap paparazzi 6th Spring Fever Gala & Auction (see Main-22)

  • the “official” dish 7th Super Star Studded Drag Extravaganza March 1, 9th Annual Purple Party March 8 (see Main-4)

  • the “official” dish Fund-raisers set for 9th Gay Easter Parade (see Main-4)

 

Sponsorships included: Silver $250 EGM VIII Michael Elias and Jay Sewell/The Corner Pocket, Johnson Mire & Fernandez/CPAs, PFLAG New Orleans; and Bronze $100 Randy Chesnut/The Drama Club-Houma, Jill Dolese, Billy Matthews & Tony Phillips, Tubby’s Golden Lantern, Michael Sullivan, Thomas Schoonenberg, and EGM II Larry Bagneris.