Another summer past in New Orleans brings us Southern Decadence. Last year, The Ace Hotel and Three Keys hosted its first party during Southern Decadence, titled Cake. This year will be its second annual party, from August 30 to September 1. All events will be free with an RSVP.

Southern Decadence began 48 years ago as an end-of-summer turned going away party between 50 gay and straight friends. Last year’s Decadence saw a record-breaking attendance of over 250,000 queer people. Now it’s a six day event, starting the Wednesday before Labor day and ending the Tuesday after. 

On Friday, August 30, Grrlspot and CRESCENDO will co-host Cake in the Ace Hotel’s lobby from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. There will be a happy hour social with music from DJ Natty Boom before the party is moved over to Three Keys.

Saturday, August 31, from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. you can go see Cake’s Big Queer Pod Fest. There will be live recordings of four queer podcasts, including Out Magazine’s “The Outcast.” There will be games, special guests and boozy interviews. At 10 p.m. Three Keys will see performances by Charlene, Blew Velvet and Mister Wallace and music by FIVE and Phlegm, both New Orleans natives.

On Sunday, September 1, from 3 p.m. to 5 p.m., Cake will present Franky Canga. Canga is a versatile genderbending gentleman who could perform dance routines or ASMR. He will be accompanied by Fathoms Deep, Sweet Tooth Simone and Mz. Juno.

The Ace Hotel will also be providing room discounts with the promotional code CAKE.