The Lords of Leather sponsor several events throughout the year, all leading up to our annual Bal Masque during Carnival. After all, what's a Mardi Gras krewe without a Mardi Gras Ball?

The krewe year begins (after the Ball Masque) in the spring with the Rush Party.  This year's Rush Party was quite a success with several new memberships being applied for.  Cowpokes  Bar provided the backdrop for a fun couple of hours on a Sunday afternoon for members of the Lords to welcome their new pledges.  Pledges are encouraged to attend upcoming functions in order to meet their criteria for membership.  Barons are invited to join the krewe throughout the year, whereas Lords (Full Active Members) are invited to join in the beginning of a ball season. This allows the Lords to enjoy all the membership privileges throughout the year.

During the summer the krewe produces the annual American Bandstand review. This event is the only time each year that Lords are allowed to appear in public in drag, and the results are usually comical if not downright scary. Friends of the krewe also lend their talent to this event that makes for a great evenings entertainment. Guest entertainers are always welcomed.

Over the Labor Day weekend, as part of the Southern Decadence festivities, we sponsor the annual Mr. Louisiana Leather contest. We are proud to be one of the first preliminary contest for International Mr. Leather each year, kicking off the season with a virtual who's who in the leather community coming down to New Orleans for the event.  A panel of nationally recognized judges select Louisiana's leather representative for the year.

Later in the fall, we produce the highly acclaimed Miss Louisiana Leatherette contest.  This contest, which is open to all persons no matter their gender or sexual label, has received recognition as being the only contest of it's kind in the leather community.  This titleholder is the krewe's Ambassador of Goodwill throughout the year.

Throughout the year we host our monthly Beer Bust at the Phoenix Bar in New Orleans. The second Friday of each month finds the Lords on the patio at our home bar, welcoming members and guests alike. There's usually snacks and sometimes even free cigars. It's a great way to catch up with friends and welcome in the weekend.

The New Year Eve's Fetish Ball (produced in conjunction with our N.O.B.L.E. partners and Cowpokes Bar) is the only leather oriented social event of the French Quarter for the holidays. This mix of interesting people make for a fun and kinky way to welcome in the new year.  It's just a few blocks down to the riverfront for the fireworks display on the Mississippi River levee.

Much work and a great amount of effort goes into the fundraising for the Lords of Leather.  This enables the krewe to produce their Ball Masque.  The Ball is always scheduled for the Sunday night before Fat Tuesday (Mardi Gras).  Since Mardi Gras is a date that 'floats' (50 days before Easter) it can occur anytime in February or March of a calendar year. The ball is a mix of formal attire and (unlike other balls during the season) leather fetish wear.  It's a mix of the most colorful characters to ever 'wear the hides!'

Not all of the krewe's fundraising is for the ball production.  Each year the krewe designates certain monies for the Lords of Leather Charity Fund.  Annually these funds are dispersed to charity organizations in and around the New Orleans Area.  Donations to this fund are specific and not used for any other purpose.  In 2004 these funds were dispersed during the American Bandstand event.  Those charities receiving awards were NO/AIDS Task Force and United Services for AIDS.