New Orleans Halloween 28

Photos by Keith Pinkston

Channel your evil energy for the Halloween 28 in New Orleans (HNO28). With the theme, “Wickedly Ever After,” thousands will convene on the New Orleans Convention Center on Saturday, October 29. HNO28 is not just one party, but four events:

•Thursday, October 27: The Lazarus Ball—a gala and silent auction
•Friday, October 28: ClubHNO with DJ Corey Craig
•Saturday, October 29: Main event and costume parade with DJs Manny Lehman and Eddie Baez
•Sunday, October 30: Riverboat cruise and brunch

Saturday night’s event chair, Nick Nevares, highlighted some of the “twisted” décor elements.

“When guests arrive, they will be greeted by New Orleanian ‘celebrity,’ Traffic Tranny, who will be directing traffic and making sure guests arrive safely,” laughed Nevares.

A dramatic entrance waits, as animation will light up the dimmed convention center. Walk through the trunk of an 18-foot tree and continue along a 100-foot tunnel, lined with fairy tale characters (nude painted men).

As costumed guests imbibe on cocktails at the open bar, DJ Manny Lehman and DJ Eddie Baez will start the dance party. The parade of costumes occurs between 10:00 p.m. and 12:00 a.m.. At midnight an elaborate stage show will light up the room and feature bungee aerialists, and a second show has been added this year at 2:00 a.m.; the party itself goes from 10:00 p.m. to 4:00 a.m.. Those feeling extra special can purchase a host pass that grants you access to the event’s VIP Host Lounge with top shelf liquor and food.

“I have invited people from all over the U.S., and they always have been floored,” said Nevares. “It’s not exclusively gay, and it’s one of the only circuit parties with open bar.”

It’s important to note the tenacity of New Orleanians and their ability to come together despite tragedy. Nevares stated that they still had a Halloween party the year of Hurricane Katrina, but on a smaller scale.

John Ramsey, this year’s overall HNO28 chair, who has been involved with the event since 1996, chimed in on the sentiment. “We never try to lose focus of who we are. New Orleanians," he said. "I’m proud to be the chair and that I’m from New Orleans. We keep the New Orleans experience alive at HNO by hosting events like the riverboat cruise on Sunday, a truly unique New Orleans experience.”

The mission of the event is to provide funding for Project Lazarus, a home in New Orleans for men and women with AIDS. Project Lazarus, which provides direct AIDS services, is the sole beneficiary of all funds raised.

“Our Halloween events have raised $4.3 million in the past 27 years for Project Lazarus,” finished Ramsey. “This year will be no exception, as we are expecting 3,000 in 2011.”

MORE INFO:
www.halloweenneworleans.com