The joyous, chaotic Carnival season. distinguishes New Orleans from any other city in America, particularly those with gay communities. New Orleans gays use this time of year to show the rest of America just how unique and wondrous their city can be. Although bedlam and wholesale cavorting is reserved for Mardi Gras day, the true glory of Carnival is represented in the over 200 balls given from Epiphany to Mardi Gras night. Some balls are considered low-class; others are highly exclusive. The gay balls of New Orleans are even more elite than those given in straight society. It is not unusual to see a member of Comus go begging for a ticket to a gay tableau. Compared to straight krewes which often have upwards of two hundred members, gay carnival organizations are small (under 50 members) and limit the number of guests to less than a thousand. The preparations are more arduous, the costumes more fanciful and refined and the tableau more imaginative for the gay balls, where themes and decorations are jealously kept secrets. The special experience of going to a gay Mardi Gras ball, it is said, is only exceeded by actually participating in one.

Carnival Supplement, IMPACT, Page 3

A HISTORY OF THE GAY KREWES

Some balls are considered low-class; others are highly exclusive. The gay balls of New Orleans are even more elite than those given in straight society. It is not unusual to see a member of Comus go begging for a ticket to a gay tableau.

or to go parade watching in drag.

Once the group had become well enough organized to have a party at someone's house every year, it was referred to coyly as a "social and pleasure club." Those clubs that found themselves large and well-heeled enough would stage little tableaus of their own, often after a straight ball had ended in the wee hours of the morning.

Dressmakers and display men who had stayed up long winter nights sewing a Queen's costume together for their aunts now welcomed the burden of creating their own Queen's gown (of much finer materials to be sure). The tradition of small secret parties grew to be so popular that by the liberating late sixties (when gay bars and open socializing finally became acceptable), a number of groups were ready to officially charter a krewe, rent an auditorium, pass out tickets, and show the rest of New Orleans how a ball SHOULD be run. Here then, is a report on the gamut of gay Carnival krewes, from Amon Ra to Petronius.

AMON RA: Began 14 years ago, this krewe numbers 50 members, and features such fund-raising functions as a Miss America Pageant. Their most memorable ball had the theme "Superstition," and was held on Friday the

thirteenth. From Macbeth's witches to the Devil himself, the ball showed an incredible lusty vision of Hell.

Gay krewes did not always enjoy such admiration. One of, if not the first, gay Carnival group was the Krewe of Yuga, which began in 1959. In 1961, the tableau (located in a secret den in Jefferson Parish) was raided by the boys in blue, causing the maids of court to run NO PICTURES, PLEASE for cover by jumping into garbage cans and nearby bushes. Most gays celebrated Carnival by getting together with nuApollo: This ten-year-old Krewe of 30 merous friends for drag dress-up parties, members has presented grand balls with

such international themes as "A Salute to Imperial Russia," and this year's, "China." Their annual functions include a Spring Bedroom Tour of Infamous Persons, several raffles, and Apollo Weekend, where Mr. and Miss Apollo U.S.A. are selected.

NO PICTURES, PLEASE

ARMENIUS: Began in 1968. Armenius began with 14 members and has since grown to its upper limit of fifty. Among their frequent functions are spring productions of Broadway musicals including a tribute last year to "Grease", with all the fifties trappings including a very sexy alternative to John Travolta. Armenius' most remembered ball had the theme of "Lillies of the Field." All costumes were white, and they did wonderful portrayals of Lillian Russell and Diamond Lil.

CELESTIAL KNIGHTS: The Knights are giving their third ball this year, and it is promised to be even more elaborate than the highly successful "Heavenly Bodies" of last year (and they WERE heavenly). Although Celestial Knights began with 20 members, the krewe has doubled in size, and this year will be the first gay ball in recent years to open its tableau up to the general public in an admission-ticket performance at the Theatre of the Performing Arts.

DIONYSUS: This is a brand-new krewe with thirty-two members who have won over the gay community with their "Harlots on Review" function along with the Las Vegas Nights and Chris Blake

Autograph Party. The beloved Dirty Dottie of Rampart Street is the secretary, treasurer and co-founder of Dionysus, and we are assured that their ball on the 25th will astound and amaze.

MEMPHIS: Memphis is best known for its annual Miss Vieux Carre contest, where all the lovely belles compete for the crown and other contests in Dallas and Atlanta. Last year, Memphis also collected $500 for Muscular Dystrophy, in association with the Jerry Lewis Telethon. Their most spectacular ball was "Daughters of Evil-A Bunch of No Goods," which stunned their audience last year. Although Memphis is just four years old, in that short time they've contributed much to the gay community.

OLYMPUS: The Krewe of Olympus just had their fabulous ball on the 26th of January, and presented the theme: "Olympus Reads the Sunday Paper." The fantastic display was led by the

Captain who did a wonderful, albeit

a 10-foot hoopunsteady, curtsy in skirt of newspapers. The krewe has been together for nine years, and has thirtyfive members presently. They put on an auction in October and a tremendous Las Vegas night during the summer.

PETRONIUS: Petronius is the oldest gay krewe, having started in 1961 with three members who staged a ball in a private home uptown. The krewe now has thirty-three members and put on a fabulous spoof last year called "Albito Zero Point 39" on a space theme. Petronious is one of the most active krewes with all sorts of functions in the spring and summer, including variety shows. NO PICTURES PLEASE

FROM KREWE OF MEMPHIS

FROM KREWE OF ARMENIUS