The holiday season is upon us, which means it’s time to break out your favorite ugly holiday sweater, throw back a shot of eggnog and start celebrating. Whether you’re looking to hear classic Christmas carols being sung by a choir, or to simply dance the night away with other like-minded holiday revelers, there’s plenty to do this December and January in New Orleans.
Small Craft Warnings at Mags 940
Bah, humbug! Has the season got you down? Well, misery loves company. Head over to Mags 940 for a very special performance of Small Craft Warnings by Tennessee Williams presented by the Tennessee Williams Theater Company of New Orleans. The play, which is appropriately set in a seedy dive bar, follows “a band of the strange, the crazed, and the queer” as they navigate through the ups and (mostly) downs of their miserable existences. That’s right, it’s a play set in a bar being performed in a bar. It doesn’t get much more meta than that. Small Craft Warnings runs through December 20. Tickets are $25.
Christmas Day at Oz
After you’ve exchanged gifts with your family and vegged out all day, mosey on over to Oz in the French Quarter to dance off all those extra calories you’ve been consuming for the past month. Or just sit back and ogle the go-go boys. Your choice. Doors open at 6 p.m.
The Return of EVƎ New Year’s Party
If you’re looking for a unique way to ring in 2016, join other club kids, misfits, gender-benders and queers at EVƎ, a New Year’s Eve party being hosted by club promoters Force Majeure and Liquid Nailz. This glitzy party will feature two floors of dancing, six DJs, live performances and a “very special surprise” at midnight. Advance VIP tickets are $20 and include a bottle of champagne. Regular tickets are $10 at the door.
New Year’s Eve at Tulane Avenue Bar
Mid-City’s one and only gay bar will be hosting its second annual New Year’s Eve Celebration starting at 9 p.m. on December 31. The night will feature a musical performance by Vanessa Carr plus a delicious spread of all your favorite Cajun dishes, including jambalaya, shrimp etouffee and red beans and rice, plus lots and lots of champagne. $10 gets you into the party.
The Phunny Phorty Phellows Annual Streetcar Ride
Kick off Carnival season on January 6 by heading down to St. Charles Ave. to see the Phunny Phorty Phellows “herald the arrival of Mardi Gras.” The colorful krewe will gather at the Willow Street Car Barn at 6:30 p.m. then board the St. Charles Ave. streetcar at 7 p.m. and ride all the way down to Lee Circle and back, waving and tossing beads to spectators all along the way. The Storyville Stompers will also be there to partake in the festivities. As the Phellows like to say, “A little nonsense now and then is relished by the best of men!”
Black Out Party at RawHide 2010
Slip into your favorite leather chaps and grab your harness then get yourself down to RawHide 2010 in the French Quarter on January 14. This infamous monthly party happens on the second Thursday of every month. Lights dim at 9 p.m. and the fun goes all night.
Bearracuda New Orleans
One of the world’s most popular gay bear dance parties is making its way back to New Orleans. Step out of hibernation and get your grrrr on at One Eyed Jacks in the French Quarter on January 23. Dance the night away with hundreds of other bears, cubs pups and otters. DJ Mateo Segade from Los Angeles will be spinning tunes into the early hours. Doors open at 9 p.m. Tickets are $8 in advance or $10 at the door.
Which pretty much takes us right into Mardi Gras, folks!
