If Salt-N-Pepa Were Gay

This is the second post in a mini series of reports called "The Essence of New Orleans" in appreciation of the Essence Music Festival weekend.

I can hear Salt-N-Pepa now:  "Ladies, all the ladies, louder now, help me out."  I'm answering the call.  This lady is going to help out the luscious lesbians who love Essence Fest.  You're coming into town for the music, but where are you going to get your groove on?

Gay life in New Orleans is as diverse and as interesting as life anywhere else on the planet.  The gay boys may have their bars on Bourbon St., but the ladies have their own places to mix and mingle.  Unless you are from here, you aren't likely to find the best places to meet dykes and dolls.  That's true of course, unless you read 411 NOLA.

The most popular and mainstream women's bar in the city is Ruby Fruit Jungle.  It is a sleek club with three floors and hosts dance parties, comedy shows, and drag shows.  Located at 1135 Decatur St. in the French Quarter, it is easy to find.  Call 504-571-1863 for more info.

The Vibe, a gay club catering to the African-American community in New Orleans, is located at 1605 Esplanade Ave. on the corner of Caliborne St., just a few blocks from the French Quarter and the Treme.  The club always has something exciting going on and has special events scheduled for Essence Fest weekend.  Tyra Sanchez, the winner of RuPaul's Drag Race, will make an appearance on Thursday, July 1.  Rasheeda performs on Friday night followed by a Fem/Stud Drag contest.  Lisa Raye takes on Saturday night.  On Sunday, July 4, the festivities continue with "The Party Don't Stop" and the "Drop It Low" contest.  Call 504-570-4679 for more info.

If you are looking for a more mellow scene, then check out The Ju-Ju Bag Cafe located at 5363 Franklin Ave. in Gentilly (just a 10-minute cab ride from the Quarter).  Owned by Tommye Myrick (right) and her partner Phyllis (left), The Ju-Ju Bag is a unique place to enjoy a light lunch or cup of coffee.  The cafe features tables in the front, a sitting room and a library in the back, and an outside deck and garden area that would make HGTV fans swoon.  Friday nights are always happening at the Ju-Ju (as I like to call it); poets, singers, comics, and other talented folks come out and share their gifts, but any day of the week is a good day to stop by and enjoy yourself.  Lagniappe:  The cafe is housed on one side of a double shot gun home.  A barber shop and salon run by Phyllis is housed on the other side.  It's too cool.  Check it out!  Call 504-872-0969 for more info.

Another mellow, lesbian-friendly coffee house is located at 3133 Ponce de Leon in the Bayou St. John neighborhood of Mid-City.  Less than a mile up Esplanade Ave. from The Vibe, Fair Grinds is a neighborhood institution that welcomes all.  Quirky and cute, the coffee shop sells only fair trade coffee and is committed to community empowerment and local culture.  There is something going on every night of the week at Fair Grinds including Scrabble Mondays, yoga classes, live comedy, musical performances, film screenings, and much more.  The crowd at FG is mixed in every sense of the word.  It's a cool place.  Check it out.  Call 504-913-9072 for more info.  Ask for Robert or for Elizabeth.

For those of you who like your night life "all the way live," you must attend "A Rainbow Affair."  Produced by Klimatic Producitons and Powerpuff Gerrlz Entertainmnet, "A Rainbow Affair" is an LGBT event taking place at Le Roux, "one of New Orleans' premiere entertainment and social venues."  The ladies of Klimatic and Powerpuff (an enertainment and production company that throws parties for gay women of color) "are hosting a 1st Friday all LGBT party on July 2, 2010 and would like to invite all women with PRIDE to come out to party and have a great time with other gay people."  Doors will open at 11:00 p. m. with discount admission before midnight with flyer.  VIP seating, which will include special entertainment, food and gifts, is also available.  Cash bar.  People can follow Klimatic and Powerpuff on Twitter: Klitmatic504, ON Facebook under Krescentklit or via Myspace at Klitmaticproductions.  Come get your groove on on Friday night with the ladies at Le Roux!  Call 504-621-7917 for more info.

For more info about gay and lesbian resources in New Orleans, visit the website of the local LGBT community center or check out its Facebook page.  You can also join The Cathouse, a Yahoo Group dedicated to lesbian life in New Orleans.