Grrl Guide: Southern Decadence
Updated: Aug 23, 2019
With the creation of an entire slate of events specifically curated for lesbians, queer women, and transfolx, Southern Decadence is now for everyBody. To make sure that everyone gets their chance to get down and dirty, here's our list of events that queer women and their friends should check out this year…
Friday, August 30:
CAKE - Happy Hour With GrrlSpot & Crescendo At The Ace Hotel
We're teaming up with the Ace Hotel New Orleans and Crescendo for OutSet: A SoDec Sip & Social Happy Hour vibe featuring DJ NATTY BOOM (representing DC / NOLA) On Friday, August 30th, start your Decadence weekend by joining our QUEwe for a little socializing in the Lobby of Ace Hotel New Orleans. Extended happy hour drink specials and light bites available. Stick around after Happy Hour for Crescendo presents JUST Dance! bit.ly/CRESCENDONOLARSVP
Subject Matter, Santos
Bearded Lady Productions have imported one of the Motor City’s best, DJ Holographic, just for you. She's bringing that house/techno sound that's been blowing up festivals all summer to one of our favorite French Quarter spots, Santos Bar on Decatur Street. Also on the deck for this event is the enigmatic HeXXorsis, force of nature Franky Cagna, reigning Unicorn Queen, Ariana Amour, and one of NOLA’s most sought after mixologists, Tristan Dufresne. (P.S. If you miss Tristan Dufresne at Fusion, you can check her out at VooDoo Fest this year. She's a big deal and you’ll see why if you catch her set.)
Saturday, August 31
GrrlSpot Presents: Fleurt!
Now entering its eighth year as the premier women's event of Southern Decadence, Fleurt! is bringing a whole new lineup to a brand new venue. Fleurt! has always been a big girl, with attendance ranging between 400 to 600+ women and friends. (The Joy’s capacity is at least four times the size of the old Uptown venue.)
This year's lineup includes Burlesque Hall Of Fame winners and World’s Show Busiest Couple, Kitten N’ Lou, alongside rising local burlesque stunners.
Get on up to sets by the only two female DJs to have held residencies at the biggest dance clubs on Bourbon Street. DJ Vaughn Dutch (Current Resident at Bourbon Pub) and DJ Jenna Jordan (“former DJ of GrrlSpot”, Bourbon Pub and Oz) will have you shaking ya ass, and watching all kinds of stuff, throughout the event.
Crescent City Aerial Arts acrobats will activate throughout the Joy, and Elektra Cosmetics Original Glitter Buffet will be onsite to help everyone get their shine on, all night long. If that’s not enough, Southern Fundraising is bringing a silent auction featuring sought-after Saints’ memorabilia and pieces by local artists like Terrence Osborne, at the same damn time as all of the other cool stuff.
It's safe to say that New Orleans has never seen a girl party like this. Get Tickets Here.
Sunday, September 1
Almost nothing happens in New Orleans without a parade, and Decadence is no exception. Catch up with friends while you catch some beads and lube samples on the route which meanders through the French Quarter, beginning at 1:00 PM. The parade is traditionally led by the year’s Southern Decadence Grand Marshals and their extravagantly attired entourages. The procession will also feature carriages filled with local LGBT favorites as well as past Grand Marshals. You can see the parade route here.
This event is organized by New Orleans Ladies Arm Wrestling (“NOLAW”), which is alleged to have disbanded when they discontinued their formal bouts in 2018. Rumors of the group’s demise are questionable, since they continue to bring the heat with their eclectic, glittered tittied, ass shaking, Queer As F*ck! dance parties during Decadence and Pride. This year, QAF jumps off at One Eyed Jacks. Check out the event page for all of the sweaty and scintillating details about this party.