“Other attractions include a fantastic dance tent, featuring local favorite Kimberly S spinning music all night long, multiple bars, costumes, live entertainment, free bead giveaways, and a VIP tent with free food and drinks served into the evening.
Many sharp readers may have noticed
that February was unusually quiet in the gayborhoods of Southern California. There was a distinct lack of beads this year and there wasn’t a lot of people flashing each other on the streets . . . well, at least no more than usual. So, what happened to Mardi Gras and let the good times roll?
Have no fear, Mardi Gras is on its way, it’s just running on GST (Gay Standard Time) making it fashionably late, which just goes to show that it truly is a gay holiday. Although the celebration traditionally takes place in
February, it changes from year to year because it is tied to the Christian holiday Easter, which itself can take place anytime between March 22 and April 25. This year, the Easter Bunny (a male egg-laying mammal???) will be hopping down the bunny trail on April 24. Confused yet? Hang on . . . it gets better. The reason Mardi Gras moves around with Easter? Be-
cause Mardi Gras is French for Fat Tuesday and it’s always the day before Ash Wednesday, which is also the first day of Lent, the period of 40 days and 40 nights when many Christians are supposed to give up various vices such as drinking, smoking, and swearing. As a result, Fat Tuesday became sort of a “feast before the famine” for many cultures. The celebration caught on as often happens, well
beyond the usual church faithful and these days Mardi Gras, Fat Tuesday, Carnival, etc, is celebrated in cities and neighborhoods around the world. Here in Southern California the place to be is the 10th anniversary celebra- tion of the Hillcrest Mardi Gras party on March 8. What started out as a bar party thrown by the folks at (what was then) Hamburger Mary’s, has blossomed into a full-scale block party attracting straight and queer folks alike. As with any Mardi Gras party there will be beads
RDI GRAS
shared, swapped and earned, but with the usual gaybor- hood flare, we take the celebration to the next level. Nowhere else in the city will there be as many hot men and women willing to show so much just to earn a few beads. This year’s celebration promises to be the biggest
MARCH 2011 | RAGE monthly 13
one yet. Raunchy and hilarious entertainer Wendy Ho will take to the main stage, sponsored by Viejas Casino, to entertain the crowd. Now obviously, getting a crowd of queer folks’ attention away from the cocktails, body parts and various shiny objects is no easy feat, but if anyone can pull it off, it’s Wendy Ho. Even in a crowd of sequined, beaded queens, all eyes will be on her. Other attractions include a fantastic dance tent featur- ing local favorite Kimberly S spinning music all night long, multiple bars, costumes, live entertainment, free
”
bead giveaways, and a VIP tent with free food and drinks served into the evening.
Additional information available at:
hillcrestmardigras.com Tickets are $15 in advance or $20 at the gate for general admission, and $50 in advance or $75 at the gate for VIP tickets. Tickets are available at Baja Betty’s, Urban Mo’s, Obelisk Bookstore and gsdba-
foundation.org. Proceeds benefit the Hillcrest Business Association and the GSDBA Charitable Foundation. Last year the event raised more than $34,000 for the two organizations. Bon Ton Roulet!
LET THE GOOD TIMES ROLL!
AT THE 10TH ANNUAL HILLCREST MARDI GRAS STREET FAIR
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