Commemoration of the Up Stairs Lounge Set for June 23 – June 25

June 24 marks the 50th anniversary of the Up Stairs Lounge arson and an entire weekend of events is planned. Events will include presentations and panel discussions, a memorial service, a second line funeral procession culminating in a ceremony at the site, screenings of all three documentary film made about the fire, and live performances. An opening reception and informational presentation will be held at The Historic New Orleans Collection. The panel discussions and presentations will examine the event and response, a review of the many creative endeavors that have been produced to tell this gruesome story, and present-day implications of the fire.

See the full Program and Schedule of Events here.

This commemorative program is being spearheaded by the LGBT+ Archives Project of Louisiana and is made possible through the generous support of the, The Historic New Orleans Collection, Louisiana Endowment for the Humanities, Crescent City Leathermen, New Orleans & Co., St. Mark’s United Methodist Church, Metropolitan Community Church of New Orleans, The New Orleans Marriott, The Faerie Playhouse family, St. George’s Episcopal Church, The Big Easy Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence, The New Orleans Culture and Tourism Fund, National WWII Museum, American Townhouse, Crossing, Corner Pocket, Chez Nous, Crescent City Tour Booking Agency, NAMI New Orleans, French Quarter Journal, Odyssey House Louisiana, Krewe od Evexia, PFLAG New Orleans, Greater New Orleans Foundation, Rev. Guy LaMothe & Mr. Mike Dolan, and Dr. David Campbell.

Volunteers Needed

If you would like to volunteer to help with the commemoration, a sign-up form is here.

Pridefest

The Archives Project had a table at New Orleans Pridefest last weekend. A huge thank you to all the volunteers who helped set up, break down, and staff the table throughout the day: Aimee Everett, Robert Ticknor, Michael Perronne, Guy LaMothe, Mike Dolan, Kathleen Conlon, Chris Trentacoste, J.J. Strauss, Derek Scott Graves, and Frank Perez.

Membership Meeting

Our Annual Membership Meeting on June 1 at the Marigny Opera House was a great success. About 80 people attended the meeting and enjoyed food, wine, and fellowship while learning what the Archives Project has been up to during the last year. Executive Director Frank Perez gave a report on the Project’s recent accomplishments and set forth a vision for the coming year. Attendees were also treated to a sneak preview of the upcoming 50th Anniversary of the Up Stairs Lounge Commemoration. Officer elections for the Board of Directors were also held, with all four Board Officers being re-elected (Kathleen Conlon, President; Guy LaMothe, Vice-President; Jim Meadows, Secretary; and Jessica Troske, Treasurer).