DATE SET!

MARK YOUR CALENDAR!

We are delighted to announce that the dates for this year's Round-Up have been set as

Friday October 16 through Sunday October 18, 2009


We wanted to get that news out as soon as we could knowing full well that October is a big month in New Orleans and that most like to plan ahead.

We have one fabulous venue that is willing to host us at a nominal fee, and allow us to organize our own catering, both issues that significantly reduce the price of the weekend. (This year our goal was to make the event closer to $50 with no drop off in quality of the event, nor any reduction in the menu, out-of-town speakers, etc.)

However there is a second even more fabulous location and we must wait patiently on their answer... patient alcoholics - almost a contradiction in terms. We do expect their answer by the end of next week, and if we do not get it, we are happy to take the first option that we have on hold.

Neither location is a hotel. However, we do have very specific hotels in mind to accommodate our speakers and those from out of town, in line with the price per night that we would have paid at the Holiday Inn. Please rest assured that we are blocking that space so that those coming into town will be easily accommodated and will not be left in a panic. (Unless they like to panic of course - everyone needs a hobby!)

The Lipstick Mix - this year's Sober Soiree - with it's elegant new location, outstanding entertainment by Hedda Lettuce and consequent success, showed us all that some creative thinking could produce a sober event that was both in line with Round-Up's past history with some invigorating changes thrown in.

We are particularly proud that the suggestion to change the date came from Doug Hatch, our secretary, who passed recently. In honor of his shining example and his tireless work with us, this year's Round-Up will be dedicated to his memory.

GOOD NEWS, BAD NEWS ...

Good news is that the LIPSTICK MIX was a fabulous success - everyone had a side splitting night with Hedda Lettuce hosting, wonderful fellowship and incredible art. We raised over $5000 in three hours!

And that will go a long way toward making Round-Up 2009 the best it can be.

The bad news is that 'Studio at Colton' is being unexpected shut down - two weeks before our event. We are now looking for a new location, and everything else has gone so well, we expect the most wonderful solution to unfold.

If you have any suggestions please write to us and check back in - this page will be updated as soon as we have news. We expect to finalize another venue by the end of June.

kerry m.
public info 2009

THIS SATURDAY NIGHT .... LIPSTICK MIX

ALAIN'S CONTINUING GIFT

ALAIN'S CONTINUING GIFT

Alain S. was a vibrant part of the Big Easy Does It Round-Up over the last decade. He made us special drapes, brought plants from his house to make the hospitality suite that much more elegant, and snapped up artwork at the auction to generously support our cause. Perhaps most indelibly and always at the perfect time, Alain would call out 'oh, ah, fabulous prizes'.

As we head into the second Round-Up sans Alain, remarkably he continues to add to our event. Diane, his sister, has donated a painting that hung in Alain's living room, to be auctioned off at this year's Lipstick Mix.

The painting, 'No Swimming' by Lloyd Steele, is a playful scene of young men swimming in a creek. Painted in the 1950's the image is featured in an accompanying book, Physique Pictorial, offering insight into both the piece and the genre.

32” x 38”

HOME HOSTING PROGRAM

In the spirit of fellowship, this year we have launched a 'Home Hosting Program' to match up out-of-town visitors who plan on coming to the Round-Up with local sober folks willing to open their homes.

If you are interested in doing this service, or it may benefit you, please contact us at noroundup09@gmail.com

STUDIO AT COLTON

This year the committee had two things in mind - keeping the price of Round-Up down and exploring a new location. Holding the Round-Up at the Studio at Colton gives us a chance to do both these things, while supporting a valuable asset to our broader community.

The Studio at Colton is located at 2300 St. Claude Avenue, three blocks from the Lambda center.