As summer comes to a close and our joyous memories of pride events, sun, and adventure are reduced to Facebook albums (and our Summer Slide-show), there is still one seasonal hurdle left to party across. Labor day is quickly approaching, and by the time you dry clean your best pair of white pants, it will have come and gone. To make things easier we’ve compiled a list of the hottest Labor Day bashes from across the country. Find the one closest to you and bid summer farewell the way it’s meant to be done–surrounded by hundreds of scantily-clad men.

1. Southern Decadence – Sept. 2-7 – New Orleans

Join thousands of travelers from all over the country and take part in this epic gay Mardi Gras. Ration your energy if you want to make it all the way through to Monday–you’ll need every last drop.

Photo by SouthernDecadence.net

After days of hoping, the organizers of New Orleans’ Southern Decadence have been forced to cut back the event significantly – the Saturday street party has been cancelled and the parade appears to as well.

With Hurricane Gustav looming and expected to hit just west of New Orleans on late Monday night, the city has already called for a “voluntary visitor evacuation”. New Orleans Mayor Nagin told tourists “it is time to leave our city, please begin the process of evacuation”. A mandatory evacuation is expected early Sunday morning.

Finer restaurants served their last meals on Friday night and most hotels forced their visitors to check out on Saturday morning and sent guests looking for temporary places to stay until they could find a flight, train or car out of town.

A diminishing number of stalwarts, including me, are taking the time to enjoy the remaining festivities (the bars still remain open) before our newly rescheduled flights for Sunday. While the gay part of the quarter still shows signs of life, most of Bourbon Street is boarded up and military vehicles are roving the streets in preparation for the storm.

We wish all New Orleans residents and visitors a safe evacuation and trip to their destination and hope that the storm ends up being a lot less than the dire predictions indicate.

More photos here…

Chi Chi has directed many award-winning popular gay porn movies and runs Channel 1 Releasing. Chi Chi is one of the most recognized personalities in the industry directing for multiple studios as well as his own. He has received numerous awards for his films: “Bolt,” “The Back Row,” and the 2006 GAYVN Best Picture Award for “Wrong Side Of The Tracks.” Over the years, he’s discovered stars like Joey Stefano, Alex Stone, Johnny Hazzard, and Zak Spears. Now, Chi Chi is DJing at bars and clubs around the globe and spends his time running his company and performing live around the world at safe sex benefits and nightclubs.

Chi Chi is heading to New Orleans for this year’s Southern Decadence, so we caught up with him by email to learn about his latest project, his new club night in LA and why you should plan your trip to Southern Decadence.

Thanks for joining us, what are you working on these days?
I just released my biggest movie ever, “Link: The Evolution.� I’m now working on finding a new star for my next project “Powertool 3�.

We hear you are DJing at your own club night “Dirty Deeds” at Fubar in LA?
Well, it’s a year old and really fun…and dirty. Very underground and sleazy. Lots of sexy boys and all kinds of music – everything from rock to pop to punk.

When you aren’t going out to your own club nights, where do you go?
To bed!!!!….LOL.

“The gays take over Bourbon Street.”

You have long been associated with Southern Decadence in New Orleans, what keeps you coming back?
This will be my 10-year anniversary doing Southern Decadence. I love the city, I love the people and I love the food!

How would you describe New Orleans’ gay scene to a first time visitor?
Hot, sweaty and fun, fun, fun no hang ups.

So what’s the deal with Southern Decadence?
Think, gay Mardi Gras. The gays take over Bourbon Street. Everyone should go and support this great city and have lots of fun!

Do you have a favorite restaurant there?
I love a good catfish sandwich from this one particular corner market…I can’t remember the name of the place, but I know how to find it.

Well, I guess we’ll have to follow you there. Is there anything that you never miss when you get to New Orleans?
Well, I never miss the Corner Pocket in the French Quarter and you must never miss the Big Dick Contest at the Bourbon Pub that I host on Thursday night. This year, I will be DJIng on Friday afternoon at the Pub so come on by and say “Hiâ€?…you don’t want to miss me!

What is the biggest misconception you think people have about New Orleans?
That it’s all about booze and getting fucked up. It is SO fun to shop in the quirky little shops and eat the amazing foods. I bought my mother and sister some great Christmas gifts while I was there last year.

It seems like your job has you traveling a lot these days, does it wear you out?
I am worn out while writing this to you….LOL…yes, but I love it.

You do gigs in a lot of bars & clubs, and I’m sure you go out on your own as well, do you have a favorite one?
You know, I love so many that it would be hard to answer. I really love the dive bars like Fubar in L.A. and the Rawhide in N.O. They get down and dirty and that’s what I like.

Someone who travels as much as you has to have some amazing travel tips, can you share a few?
Get to the airport early – that is my number 1 tip. My friends think I am crazy that I want to get to the airport hours early, but trust…it won’t fail you…OH and pick up a copy of OK and Hello Magazine from the UK…good reading.

Thanks so much for your time, before we go, tell us your your top 5 restaurants or bars in New Orleans…

1. The Gumbo Shop
2. Red Fish Grill
3. The Bourbon Pub
4. The Corner Pocket
5. And that market that I can’t remember…LOL

Thanks Chi Chi, we’ll see you in New Orleans!

• Visit our Gay New Orleans Guide (Bars, Hotels, Restaurants)
• Check out Chi Chi’s profile
• Visit ChiChiLaRue.com

Check out full coverage at NOLA.com’s Mardi Gras Coverage and their webcam (on Bourbon St. in the non-gay part of town).

If you really are missing the music at the Bourbon Pub, check out their website for their webcast of the videos playing in the club at night.