Ambush magazine volume 27 issue 11

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2 • The Official Mag: AmbushMag.COM • May 26-June 8, 2009 • Official Southern Decadence Guide • SouthernDecadence.COM

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the "official" dish

by Rip & Marsha Naquin-Delain RipandMarsha.COM E-mail: marsha@ripandmarsha.com

Renowned Circuit Promoter Johnny Chisholm Presents One Mighty Weekend June 4-7 in Orlando; Destiny's Child's Kelly Rowland Featured Star at One Mighty Party

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ne Mighty Weekend, the "Gay Day" events you've heard about, is set for Thursday, June 4 through Sunday June 7 in Orlando, Florida. The weekend is presented by Johnny Chisholm in association with Absolut®.

According to Chisholm, "Sixteen years ago, a vision to bring amazing events to the 'Gay Day' weekend took shape with our creation of One Mighty Party. We work all year long to bring a fun, exciting and memory-filled weekend to thousands of attendees of One Mighty Weekend. Despite the obstacles associated with this year’s big financial downturn, which has hit every single one of us, our production team is pleased to bring you One Mighty Weekend once again this year – with some events in new locations but most in familiar locations! As a token of our appreciation for your understanding, all ticket holders and pass holders alike will receive a $15 beverage coupon for each of the three main events – Beach Ball Luau, One Mighty Party City After Dark and All Stars Deep Blue World.

Kelly Rowland will be the main stage performer at One Mighty Party on June 6 at the Gaylord Palms Resort. The bestselling Grammy-winning solo artist is a founding member of Destiny’s Child the top-selling female recording group of alltime.

Rowland proved a major contributing force to the group’s record-breaking global popularity as they racked up sales of more than 100 million records worldwide while earning three Grammy Awards. She successfully debuted as a solo artist in 2002 with the album Simply Deep, which sold over 2.5 million copies worldwide and included the hit single Dilemma. The duet, with rapper Nelly, earned the Grammy for Best Rap/Sung Collaboration in 2002 and spent 10 weeks at No. 1 on Billboard’s Hot 100. Her follow-up album, Ms. Kelly, was released in 2007. Kelly is featured on the lead single of David Guetta’s album, When Love Takes Over. The track is currently headed to #1 on the Billboard Charts. She is currently a judge on Bravo’s The Fashion Show.

Magic Journeys, voted by Just Circuit as “2008’s Best After-Hours Party of the Year,” One Mighty Party, voted by Edge New York as 2008’s “Best National Party” and One Mighty Weekend, voted by Edge New York as “2008’s Best National Party Weekend,” you can once again expect over-the-top performances and a visual extravaganza this year! You’ve been impressed with our parties in the past and I promise you’ll be impressed again this year as we present to you One Mighty

Kelly Rowland, Founding Member of Destiny's Child, Live at One Mighty Party June 6

Weekend 2009 … your One Mighty Weekend!"

Here's this year's schedule: JUMPSTART • Thursday, June 4 • 8pm-2am: Jump-start your weekend in One Mighty way with DJ Eddie Baez at the House of Blues® Downtown Disney West Side as Johnny Chisholm presents JUMPSTART. REUNION POOL PARTIES AT THE BUENA VISTA PALACE • Friday, June 5 – Sunday, June 7 • noon-6pm: You asked for it, and we listened! This year we are bringing the DJs closer to you and the energy with an all-new location…poolside! DJ Don Bishop (Friday), DJ Wendy Hunt (Saturday) and DJ Phil B. (Sunday) will be closer to the action than ever before.

MAGIC JOURNEYS AT ARABIAN

GAA Ballot, Father's Day Edition due out Tuesday, June 9 DEADLINE: Tuesday, June 2

inside

under the gaydar the pink pastor everybody's a critic/new orleans ambush paparazzi/new orleans krewe calendar e-mail/letters drag 101 celebrazzi: celebrations/paparazzi one mighty weekend/orlando snap paparazzi/new orleans halloween new orleans

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classifieds hot tails of red stick/baton rouge allons acadiana/lafayette trodding the boards/new orleans red stick paparazzi/baton rouge acadiana paparazzi/lafayette mobile paparazzi in the spotlight/new orleans c-est bon, chop chop/nola snap paparazzi/new orleans the very worst of varla jean

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NIGHTS • Friday, June 5 –Sunday, June 7 • 1am-8am: Magic Journeys is back and better than ever with DJ David Knapp on Friday night, DJ Tony Moran on Saturday night and DJs Peter Rauhofer and Offer Nissim spinning Sunday night.

BEACH BALL LUAU (“Get lei’d and get wet!”) • Friday, June 5 • 8pm-1am: The lush tropical nighttime setting at the Buena Vista Palace Hotel sets the stage for the first ever “Beach Ball-Luau”! Grab your coconuts and your hula skirt and get ready to shake it to the world’s hottest tracks with DJ Joe Gauthreaux. Dance among the stars and under a canopy of light and sound as the sights and sounds of the tropics fill the night air.

Tickets are limited so get yours today for this first ever event!

ONE MIGHTY PARTY CITY AFTER DARK • Saturday, June 6 • 8pm-2:30pm: Amidst a 60,000 square foot space of concrete and steel at the Gaylord Palms Resort, join us for a sensory explosion of lights, sights and sounds in the “City After Dark”. Extreme stunt performers catapult themselves up, over and through the buildings of the cityscape while DJ Roland Belmares is perched above on a rooftop spinning today’s hottest dance beats. Kelly Rowland's live performance will be the highlight of the evening on the main stage.

ALL STARS DEEP BLUE WORLD • Sunday, June 7 • 8pm-2:30am: You’ve been dazzled in the past with shows like FREEZERBURN and RUNWAY, and now the production teams responsible for those shows transport you into a “Deep Blue World”. Immerse yourself into the depths of the sea as DJ Abel and DJ Ralphi Rosario, aka Rosabel, transport you into the depths of a world unknown inside the Empire Ballroom at the Buena Vista Palace Hotel.

Exciting Celebrity Talent for this weekend will be announced soon!

Stay where the action is! Stay at the Official Host Hotel, the Buena Vista Palace! Hotel guests get into Reunion Pool Parties for FREE. Book your room today, they are going fast! Visit the website to download a registration form. All hotel guests of the Buena Vista Palace Resort & Spa will be provided with complimentary transportation to and from One Mighty Party in addition to complimentary transportation to Magic Journeys nightly.

Buy tickets, passes and book your rooms at OneMightyWeekend.COM.

Satyricon Hosts Opening of The Sweetest Sounds, the Music of Richard Rodgers

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he Mystic Krewe of Satyricon will present, as a benefit for the krewe, the opening night of The Sweetest Sounds, the Music of Richard Rodgers, at Le Chat Noir, 715 St. Charles Ave., on Thursday, May 28, at 8 pm. Tickets for this performance only are $25, and may be obtained by calling 504.525.4498.

The Sweetest Sounds, the Music of Richard Rodgers is a production of NOCCA featuring some of the center’s best music students, with musical direction by Jefferson Turner.

Lords of Leather Host Bath House Beer Bust May 29

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ourney back to the 1970s as the Lords of Leather host the Bath House Beer Bust at the Phoenix

on Friday, May 29. Enjoy the all-you-candrink beer or soda bust from 9pm to 1am for only $5.00. Anyone wearing only a towel gets a free shot at the back bar. If you forget your towel, the Lords will have them available for $1.00 and you can check your clothes for free.

For more information visit the Lords of Leather website at lordsofleather.com.

Stonewall Library & Archives Exhibit Explores 1969 Stonewall Riots

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t. Lauderdale, FL - STONEWALL - The word has become a touchstone of the gay rights movement, our Bastille, our Bunker Hill, our Lincoln Memorial. In a new exhibition premiering June 3, at the Broward [continued on 6]

THE OFFICIAL MAG

GulfSouthEntertainment/TravelGuideSince 1982 • Texas-Florida Official Gay Easter Parade Guide Official Gay Mardi Gras Guide Official Gay New Orleans Guide OfficialSouthernDecadenceGuide OFFICE/SHIPPING ADDRESS: 828-A Bourbon St., New Orleans, LA 70116-3137 USA OFFICE HOURS: 10am-3pm Monday-Friday [Except Holidays] E-mail: marsha@ripandmarsha.com PHONE: 1.504.522.8049 • 1.504.522.8047 ANNUAL READERSHIP: 650,000+ in print/3.5 Million+ On-line NATIONAL CIRCULATION: USA... Alabama-Birmingham, Foley, Mobile Florida - Pensacola Louisiana - Baton Rouge, Lafayette, Lake Charles, Metairie, New Orleans, Shreveport, Slidell Mississippi - Biloxi, Hattiesburg, Jackson Texas - Austin, Dallas, Houston

STAFF: PUBLISHER/EDITOR R. Rip Naquin-Delain, New Orleans PRODUCTION DIRECTOR M. Marsha Naquin-Delain, New Orleans GULF SOUTH/NEW ORLEANS AD SALES Rip Naquin-Delain • 504.522.8049 LESBIAN/POLITICAL ISSUES Toni J.P. Pizanie, New Orleans THEATRE/PERFORMING ARTS CRITIC Brian Sands, Patrick Shannon AD REPS/JOURNALISTS/PHOTOGRAPHERS Brad Benedict-Baton Rouge, LA Chris Perkins-Lafayette, LA Rev. Clinton Crawshaw, Gary Glitter, Tony Leggio-New Orleans Bob Brunson, Cieann & John, DJ Chromatic, David Long, Craig Powell, Leon WeekleyMobile, AL Roy Williams-Pensacola, FL NATIONAL ADVERTISING REP Rivendell Media~212.242.6863 AMBUSH Mag is published on alternate Tuesdays of each month by Ambush, Inc., R. Rip Naquin-Delain, President. Advertising, Copy & Photo DEADLINE is alternate Tuesdays, 4pm, prior to publication week, accepted via e-mail only: marsha@ripandmarsha.com, except for special holidays. The Publisher assumes no responsibility for the claims of advertisers and has the right to reject any advertising. The inclusion of an individual's name or photograph in this publication implies nothing about that individual's sexual orientation. Letters, stories, etc., appearing herein are not necessarily the opinion of the Publisher or Staff of AMBUSH Mag. Subscription rate is $45 for 1/2 Year; $75 for 1 year. Sample Copy is $3 First Class Mail. ©1982-2009, AMBUSH, INC., ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. NOTHING HEREIN MAY BE REPRODUCED WITHOUT WRITTEN PERMISSION OF THE PUBLISHER INCLUDING AD LAYOUTS, MAPS and PHOTOS. AMgrant - AMbush Advertising Grant Donation

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the "official" dish ...from 4 Main Library, Stonewall Library & Archives looks at the who, the what, and the where of the Stonewall Riots, in an attempt to understand why those three hot New York City nights in June 1969 became a catalytic moment in the long struggle for gay and lesbian rights. The riots at the Stonewall Inn in New York’s Greenwich Village are generally cited as the starting point of the gay and lesbian rights movement, but the facts are considerably more nuanced and even disputed.

Media coverage immediately after the riots was minimal. Yet within a year, the first gay pride marches had taken place, and gay activist organizations had sprung up. Political activism had replaced the homophile movement of the 1960s that had slowly and steadily sought equality for gay men and lesbians.

Coinciding with the Stonewall’s move to its new expanded facility, the exhibition, Stonewall: The End of the Beginning of Gay Liberation,offers visitors the opportunity to delve into a widely known but little understood event in the rich and complex history of the LGBT rights movement.

Stonewall: The End of the Beginning of Gay Liberation, organized to commemorate the fortieth anniversary of the Stonewall Riots, is the latest in a series of acclaimed gay and lesbian history exhibitions organized by Stonewall Library & Archives. Pride: Party or Protest? was cited by The Washington Post as “small but thoughtful,” and Days Without Sunshine: Anita Bryant’s Anti-Gay Crusade was hailed by Guide magazine as being “a model for doing gay history on the web.” These exhibitions, along with Out of the Shadows: Gay America from Kinsey to Stonewall, are currently on view at various locations around the country.

The exhibition will be shown June 3-28 at the Broward Main Library, 100 South Andrews Avenue, Fort Lauderdale, in conjunction with ArtsUnited’s United and Proudexhibition.

The opening reception will take place June 3, 5:30-7:30. The exhibitions and reception are free and open to the public.

Integrity Meeting July 18 at Grace Episcopal Church

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ou are invited to the first formal meeting of the newly organized New Orleans Chapter of Integ rity USA which will be held at Grace Episcopal Church Saturday, July 18 at 12:30pm (3700 Canal Street, New Orleans, LA).

Here is a little background information about Integrity USA. Integrity is the leading public voice for the full inclusion of lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) persons in the Episcopal Church. Integrity has grown to become an organization with members across the country—LGBT and straight, rural and urban, in congregations large and small.

Integrity fulfills a key uniting role, seeking to bring together individuals and congregations who share the vision of a church in which all the baptized are fully included in the Body of Christ.

Over the years, its ministry has expanded beyond the Episcopal Church. It has also become a respected voice for equal civil rights. Often working in coalitions with both secular and other faith-based groups, Integrity has been instrumental in advancing the claim LGBT persons are making for equal protection and opportunity in our society.

Integrity is a community comprised of straight and LGBT persons...singles, couples, and families with children...and laity and clergy who share a common mission of justice and are moved to action by a vision of a truly diverse church and society. You may be blessed to worship in a church where the dignity of LGBT people is fully respected and their full participation in community life completely welcomed…but that is not yet the reality everywhere. Prejudice and denial still greet too many who simply want to walk their faith journey with integrity.

You are asked to consider becoming an active participant in the local chapter here in New Orleans. If you have any questions prior to the meeting date please call St. Anna’s Episcopal Church 504.947.2121.

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“Even though companies are cutting back, they still need to do some marketing. Actually, this is the perfect time for companies to market themselves as they have a better chance of getting noticed,” said Wayne Chambless one of the owners. “Our state-of-the art digital production capabilities enable us to do flyers, brochures, spec sheets, booklets and manuals in smaller quantities, quickly and more affordably with the same high-quality our customers expect.”

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Sir Speedy Meets Customer Demand for Cost-effective Marketing Support

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ew Orleans - Wayne Chambless and Billie Cox Jr., owners of Sir Speedy located at 343 Carondelet Street, even though they are feeling the pinch from today’s economic slowdown, their printing and marketing business has been busy helping customers

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under the gaydar

by Tony Leggio E-mail: tonymgp@hotmail.com Photo by: Larry Graham, GrahamStudioOne.COM

Saints & Sinners Literary Festival

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elcome to flying under the gaydar. When I approached Rip and Marsha about writing a column for Ambush, I wanted it to be fun as well as informative. Hence Under the Gaydar came into creation. This column is designed to enlighten you to late breaking news, cool events and of course fascinating points of interest that affect the gay community both on a local and national level.

Many thoughts swirled in my head about the topic of my first column. But last weekend I attended the Saints and Sinners Literary Festival and this column’s topic came into formation.

In case you are not familiar with this festival, in mid-May the No/AIDS Task Force and the Tennessee Williams/New Orleans Literary Festival put on a four day event that encompasses literary discussions, readings and receptions in the heart of the French Quarter. This festival brings LGBT writers from around the globe to the Crescent City.

Having always been an avid reader and budding writer, I signed up for the entire weekend. I have to admit this was one of the more satisfying weekends of my life. Not only did I get to meet some nationally recognized LGBT authors, but I was actually able to rub elbows with these writers and have one-on-one conversations.

I had to admit, before last weekend, my idea of a LGBT specific book was relegated to the odd character in one of my “mainstream” novels such as the Kay Scarpetta’s niece Lucy in Patricia Cornwell novels. Much to my delight, not only had I discovered that there was a large following for LGBT writers, but that these novels encompassed all genres from mystery and romance to science fiction and horror as well as everything in between. There are even gay children’s’ books out there.

Who knew gay people read novels? I thought the extent of most of the gay male population’s reading material was printed on the front of a tee shirt worn by some well muscled man, just kidding? Those people know who they are.

The classes were held predominantly at the Bourbon Orleans located adjacent to the fruit loop, or upstairs at the Pub. Talk about new experiences, sitting in classes during the day held at the Pub. Now I never experienced classes that came with its own bartender making killer Bloody Mary’s. School would have been much more enjoyable, or at least tolerable. The classes ranged the gamut of topics such as the shameless art of selfpromotion (something I personally am very good at) to The Alchemy of Publishing.

The cost to come to this event is ridiculously affordable at $100 and you get an opening reception (this year it was held in the courtyard of the French Quarter W) and a closing reception upstairs at the Pub. Even if you are not a writer, there are

reading series the entire day where you can hear your favorite LGBT authors read excerpts from their books. All of the authors attending the conference have their books for sale in the lobby book store, so after a reading, or truly anytime during the conference, you can get them to sign your book.

There were so many authors I met during the weekend, it is hard to sum them all up, but I attended one of the classes on gay murder mysteries. On the panel was Anthony Bidulka who has an award winning mystery series featuring Russell Quant. Quant is a gay detective that travels to exotic locales to solve his mysteries.

The latest book in his series is Aloha, Candy Hearts.

Also on the panel was Jeffrey Rounds who writes the Bradford Fairfax mysteries.

Author Jeffrey Rounds

His latest book in the series is Death in Key West, which is the follow up to his first novel Death in P-Town. His mysteries take place in gay resort cities. Stay tuned for his fourth book in the series which will feature our fair Crescent City, which is definitely no stranger to murders.

One of my favorite writers I got a chance to speak with was Ellen Hart who has authored twenty-four crime novels and two series. Her latest books are No Reservations Required (A Sophie Green Mystery) and Sweet Poison, which is her sixteenth Jane Lawless mystery. I also [continued on 10]

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the pink pastor

by Rev. Clinton Crawshaw, 504.214.4340 E-mail: pastor@bigeasymcc.com www.bigeasymcc.com www.thebigeasymccblog.blogspot.com

Mr. Crawshaw Goes to Washington

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couple of weeks ago I travelled with Leon to Washington DC for the Human Rights Campaign’s Clergy Call conference. This was one of the most exhilarating two days I have ever spent! The first day of the conference was taken up with speakers and discussion groups centered on the need for full equality for the LGBT community.

under the gaydar ...from 8 had an opportunity to meet Jewelle Gomez who wrote The Gilda Stories about lesbian vampires.

Local writers were also represented with Greg Herren, who writes the Chanse McLeod series with the latest book being Murder in the rue Chartres and J.M Redman who has just finished her fifth novel featuring New Orleans detective Mickey Knight entitled Death of a Dying Man. After hearing these wonderful writers talk about their exploits and experiences, I quickly snapped up all their books, which means my reading calendar should be filled for the next few months. Most of these books can be found at your favorite independent book seller Faubourg Marigny Art and Books (or FAB). Stop by there for these authors and many others.

When you are there sign up for their mailing list for book signings or readings that they often have. This is a great way to meet people.

Coming back full circle to the question if gay people read, my friends just joined a gay book club that they love. This is a great way to expand your reading horizons and meet new people at the same time. Check on-line for gay book clubs in your area or more information on any of these writers you can e-mail me at tonymgp@hotmail.com.

Have an event or have something of interest to the LGBT community, feel free to send press releases or information to tonymgp@hotmail.com.

Bishop Gene Robinson spoke about his struggle within the Episcopal Church, and he told us of the death threats and intimidation he has received as a result of his honesty. Rev. Joshua DuBois, the President’s director of Religious Affairs spoke to us about the centrality of equality and diversity in Barack Obama’s administration, and promised to listen to religious voices from the LGBT community. He has so far been as good as his word, and Rev. Elder Nancy Wilson – the worldwide head of MCC (my own church, and the only

denomination founded within our community) will be having a monthly consultation with Rev. DuBois to ensure that our voice is heard!

Harry Knox, who is on President Obama’s Advisory Council on Faith-based and Neighborhood Partnerships, and who is also the Human Rights Campaign’s Religion and Faith Program Director, moderated the conference, and was a really inspiring speaker! Not only did we all leave the first day with the impression that we have turned a corner, but we left inspired and fired up for the future. I also managed to squeeze a promise from Harry Knox to come to New Orleans to preach, so watch this space!

The second day of the conference was spent on Capitol Hill, petitioning both Congress and the Senate to support two pieces of legislation – the Matthew Shepherd Act and The Employment Non Discrimination Act (ENDA). The Matthew Shepherd Act would extend existing hate crimes laws to include sexual orientation, gender identity and disability, and ENDA would ban discrimination and arbitrary dismissal on grounds of sexual orientation or gender identity. ENDA especially will transform lives within our community, and for the first time offer the prospect of Gays and Lesbians, and Trans men and women being considered on their merits, and not subject to the ignorance and bigotry of prospective employers.

Leon, Andrea Levario - the senior advocate from the Human Rights Campaign, and I visited with the offices of [continued on 12]

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everybody's a critic

posed to follow, but sometimes you need to be able to bend them and show a little diplomacy.

Shows

by Gary Glitter E-mail: gglitter04@yahoo.com

Contests

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his past week was the week for contests and pageants. And no matter where it is or who handles it, they all seem to have the same problems.

For a town as big as New Orleans is, it seems kind of sad that when someone is putting on a contest, it’s like pulling teeth to get people to want to apply and be in them. In both instances it came down to the last minute to see if they would have enough contestants to be able to legally have a contest. Do you think maybe it could be that they have been put off by contests in the past that they feel they won’t get an

honest judging and feel, “What’s the use, I won’t win anyway?”

In both instances they had four contestants,but only had three prizes. So that 4th person was left out totally, and ignored (more or less) at the end of the contest. Now wouldn’t it be nice if somehow they could have found a 4th prize, so everyone could be recognized for their showmanship. Or in this instance, why not just have a first runner-up and a winner, that way the other two people wouldn’t have to be embarrassed or humiliated by placing third or fourth.

I know that contest/pageants have rules and guidelines that you are sup-

H

ad the misfortune to go and see a show that was supposed to happen at 11pm.

Was informed when I arrived that the show would be starting 30 minutes late due to another function in another part of the bar.

Okay, no sweat, I guess I can wait 30 minutes, so I sat and did some work for my other column. Well, the 30 minutes passed and then 45 minutes before the “other function” let out. Upon waiting another 15 minutes, finally a bar rep came and said that it would begin the show in about 15 minutes, which would have made it at 12:15am. (Did I mention that I had arrived at the bar at 10pm, early enough to get a good seat.) Well, needless to say, I left and didn’t get to see the show that I had been waiting to see for two weeks.

I think I mentioned this before, “Begin

your show at the time you have advertised”, it’s the polite thing to do.

And I’m Off

W

ill be taking a long weekend, leaving Thursday for Chicago and will be their for the IML (International Mr. Leather) weekend events. Will also, be seeing my friends at the Baton Show Lounge, and some of the hunky male dancers at Man’s Country.

Hopefully will have a whole bunch of pictures for the next issue.

Since I’m off to the Windy City, better take my jacket as it’s not summer up there yet. the pink pastor ...from 10

Senator’s Vitter and Landrieu, and with Congressman Joseph Cao, and I bent their ears very forcibly on the need for this legislation!!!

I was able to recount the real experiences of our community, and especially the needs of the Transgender Community, which is so often marginalized and overlooked even amongst Gay folk, and I am quite sure that nobody was left in any doubts as to my position! Senator David Vitter’s staffer was extremely cordial, and remarkably receptive, but unfortunately indicated that Senator Vitter would probably vote against both bills, but on the issue of state’s rights (!) and not on any spurious moral grounds. Now therefore is the time to vigorously press your opinions to his office, as the majority of Americans support both bills – even self identified Evangelical Christians! Senator Landrieu’s staffer was very supportive, and told me at length what a good friend Senator Landrieu has been to the LGBT community, but was remarkably cagey about whether the Senator would support these bills – the HRC assures me that Mary Landrieu has given them a direct assurance of her support, but I think a few hundred letters would not go amiss.

The visit to Congressman Cao was the revelation of the trip though. We met with the congressman and I gave him a full theological, political and social presentation on why these bills are so vital, and thanked him wholeheartedly for supporting The Matthew Shepherd Act (he actually spoke in favor of the bill on the floor of the house, much to the irritation of his own party!). At the end of our discussion, he said, and I quote….’I am strongly moved to support the [Employment Non Discrimination Act]’. RESULT! I think Congressman Cao needs to see that sticking his neck out in support of equality and justice can win him friends, not just alienate the Louisiana GOP and make his life difficult.

I think he needs a few letters and calls of thanks and encouragement to ensure that he remains, and becomes a stronger friend to our community.

It was a wonderful couple of days, and let’s ensure that just as the movement for equality is developing a little momentum, we get behind it and push for all we are worth!

Rev. Clinton Crawshaw is the fulltime pastor of The Big Easy MCC. They meet every Sunday at 5pm, for full details of Christian Education classes, social functions and events, and also to check out on-line sermons, go to www.bigeasymcc.com. Tel: 504.214.4340 to speak to the pastor or e-mail at revcrawshaw@yahoo.com.

12 • The Official Mag: AmbushMag.COM • May 26-June 8, 2009 • Official Southern Decadence Guide • SouthernDecadence.COM

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Busstopa’s Kittens headline in Don’s Cook-Off 3 raising $1,200 for N’R Peace Spotlight...PRICELESS!

Paul & John flank JohnPaul’s newest bartender, Lauren

Friday’s Drag Dingo MC Princesse Stephaney calls the balls at Oz

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Denice Pattron joins My Mother’s Mustache Revue for Don’s Cook-Off 3 at the Vibe

Bartender Frankie servin’ up 25¢ Oyster Shooters Fridays in the Balcony Bar above Cafe Lafitte’s

Catch Wende behind the bar at Rubyfruit Jungle

Justin & Blake slingin’ cocktails at Good Friends Bar

Kirsten Absolut belts one out for My Mother’s Mustache Revue

C. Sherry goes head over heels for the crowd at Don’s Cook-Off 3

Reginia Absolut is another show stopper at Don’s Cook-Off 3

Passion Armani Cassidine’s final number as Miss Gay New Orleans America at Oz

Christina Cayne performs during Miss Gay New Orleans America Pageant representing Glitz at Oz

Franco slingin’ cocktails at The Corner Pocket

Bartender Trevor ready to serve you at The Double Play

Will slings ‘em Wednesdays at The Double Play

Marsha joins Phoenix bartender Brian at JohnPaul’s

King Cake Queen XVI Tami Tarmac on stage in FourPlay at JohnPaul’s

Chris & Allen behind the bar for Drag Dingo Fridays at Oz

Josie Mae Cotton & Rudy pop into JohnPaul’s for FourPlay

14 • The Official Mag: AmbushMag.COM • May 26-June 8, 2009 • Official Southern Decadence Guide • SouthernDecadence.COM

Out in the Spotlight ~ New Orleans ~ Photos by Ambush

paparazzi

GayMardiGras.COM • GayEasterParade.COM • GayNewOrleans.COM • May 26-June 8, 2009 • The Official Mag: AmbushMag.COM • 15

krewe calendar

A

mbush Mag is providing its Carnival/Krewe Calendar to assist Gay Mardi Gras Krewes with their fund-raisers, functions and balls to support and help preserve the cultural fabric of the GLBT community. Visit GayMardiGras.COM Thursday, May 28th... ~8pm, Mystic Krewe of Satyricon presents The Sweetest Sounds, the Music of Richard Rodgers, Tickets: $25, Le Chat Noir Friday, May 29th... ~9pm-1am, Lords of Leather Bath House $5 Beer Bust, anyone wearing a towel get a free shot, $1 towels available, Phoenix Sunday, June 7th... ~12noon-5pm, Krewe of Mwindo hosts Family Day in The Park, All You Can Eat Barbecue, $15 Advance, $20 Day of Event, Audubon Park, Shelter #A (St. Charles Street side) Friday, June 12th... ~8pm, Mystic Krewe of Satyricon presents Running With Scissors’ Valley of the Dolls, $25, Le Chat Noir Saturday, June 27th... ~Krewe of Amon Ra Pride Function

(time and location TBA) Sunday, June 28th... ~Mystic Krewe of Satyricon Cocktail Party, In the Garden of Good and Evil, TBA Wednesday, July 8th... ~8pm, Mystic Krewe of Satyricon presents Karen Akers in Concert, $30, Le Chat Noir Sunday, July 19th... ~4-6pm, Krewe of Amon Ra Sister “Sundae” Social (home-made ice cream served along with ice-cream drinks), AllWays Lounge Sunday, August 9th... ~4-6pm, Krewe of Amon Ra Miss TurnAbout, All-Ways Lounge Thursday, August 13th... ~8pm, Mystic Krewe of Satyricon presents My First Time, $25, Le Chat Noir Saturday, September 5th... ~Krewe of Amon Ra Playboy Bunny/ Chippendale Rejects (time and location TBA) Thursday, September 10th... ~8pm, Mystic Krewe of Satyricon presents Amy Alvarez with Jefferson Turner, $25, Le Chat Noir Thursday, October 1st... ~8pm, Mystic Krewe of Satyricon pre-

e-mail/letters Subject: United We Stand Greetings, Memorial Day is more than just having a drink or firing up the grill. It’s more than going to the beach or a ball game. It’s more than a day off work.

Much more.

The day is set aside to honor those who have served this country and, especially, those who have made the ultimate sacrifice with their lives.

Lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender individuals have served proudly in uniform and as civilians, making many sacrifices in building a better world for us today. Too many of our brothers and sisters have passed before their time—whether from crimes of hate, HIV/ AIDS, or tragically by their own hand. This year marks the 40th anniversary of the Stonewall riots and this month would have seen Harvey Milk turn 79. We wish to spend this Memorial Day honoring all those in our community who put their bodies on the line to put an end to discrimination.

That is why we have to remind you that there is much, much more left to do.

In the past several weeks, our members have gone to testify before the Louisiana House of Representatives, opposing hateful legislation; written to exclude our families and our needs from the protection of law. We want to thank our allies and the courageous response of Louisiana LGBT families who shared their stories in Baton Rouge by testifying before mainly indifferent and sometimes hostile legislatures. Continuing to push back against the encroachment of the extreme fundamentalists is the only way we will open the door to civil rights protections for us all.

Paste this link in your browser: http:/ /eqfed.org/ct/zpsga4n1OYzn/ to make a

sents Andrea Marcovicci sings Songs from the Movies, $30, Le Chat Noir Saturday, October 24th... ~Krewe of Amon Ra Halloween Party (time and location TBA) Saturday, November 21st... ~ 7-11pm, Mystic Krewe of Satyricon Thanksgiving Buffet and Silent Auction with entertainer Lisa Lynn, $10 all-youcan-eat, JohnPaul’s Sunday, November 29th... ~Krewe of Amon Ra “Pot Luck” function (time and location TBA) Saturday, December 12th... ~1-5pm, Mystic Krewe of Satyricon Annual Christmas Buffet and Auction, $10 all-you-can-eat, Friendly Bar Annex Sunday, December 13th... ~Krewe of Amon Ra Amon-Ra Rockettes (time and location TBA)

2010 EVENTS SATURDAY, January 2nd... ~7-11pm, Mystic Krewe of Satyricon 8th Annual 12th Night Ball, $20 Admission, Country Club SATURDAY, January 9th... ~8pm, doors open 7:30pm, 12th Annual Krewe of Mwindo Ball, Best Western Landmark Hotel, 2601 Severn Ave., Metairie FRIDAY, January 22nd... ~2pm, Krewe of Queenateenas’ 17th King Cake Queen Coronation presenting

the 2010 King Cake Queen of Gay Mardi Gras, by invitation only SUNDAY, January 24th... ~7pm, Krewe of Petronius Bal Masque XLIX, site TBA SUNDAY, February 7th... ~7pm, Mystic Krewe of Satyricon Bal Masque VIII, $20 General Admission, Sugar Mill, 1101 Convention Center Blvd.

FRIDAY, February 12th... ~10pm-2am, Lords of Leather & Phoenix present Night of the Black Mask: The South’s Oldest Leather Block Party, Phoenix/Eagle, Elysian Fields @ N. Rampart SATURDAY, February 13th... ~12noon, Annual Spanish Town Parade, 5th & Spanish Town Road, Baton Rouge ~8pm, Krewe of Armeinius Bal Masque XLII, Alario Center, New Orleans SUNDAY, February 14th... ~8pm, Lords of Leather Bal Masque XXVII, Alario Center MARDI GRAS (FAT TUESDAY) February 16th... ~12noon, 46th Annual Bourbon Street Awards, Oz, Corner of St. Ann at 800 Bourbon St. ~2pm - 23rd Annual Official Gay Mardi Gras Bead Toss, led by King Cake Queen XVII, Ambush Headquarters Balcony, 828 Bourbon St.

drag 101 gift of $250, $150, $75 or $40 (OR MORE!) today in support of Forum For Equality’s efforts as we build chapters around the state to achieve full equality through strategic engagement.

With your support, Forum For Equality will continue to equip our members and supporters with the tools and resources necessary to create winning strategies and put boots on the ground to advance civil rights for Louisiana’s LGBT community.

Please contribute before Friday, May 29th to help the Forum For Equality strengthen our infrastructure for the upcoming Senate fights on HB 60, HB 517 and HB 340, among others.

United we stand! United we can make a difference!

--Forum For Equality, New Orleans

Subject: Trodding the Boards of 5/12 PatrickThank you for your wonderful review of THE LITTLE DOG LAUGHED. It has been a long time since I have laughed OUT LOUD in the theatre, and I must admit, I was skeptical about this particular show and Le Petit being a “fit”, but I was never so glad to be proved wrong in my life.

Francine ( a dear friend for over 30 years) was at her best, as was the entire cast (Jessie Terrebonne was GENIUS); but the direction of Heidi Junius proved to me what can be done when theatre regains the word COMMUNITY in front of it! BRAVO to all, but a special BRAVO to Le Petit for landing on its feet after such a horrendous tragedy - it will rise like the proverbial phoenix, and I, for one, will do all I can to aid in its recovery/rebirth as THE community theatre of New Orleans!

My best to you and Hector, --David M. Tringali, New Orleans

by Ida Slapter E-mail: ida_slapter00@yahoo.com ello, my little drags and dragonettes in the steamy land of New Orleans, America’s answer to the land down under.

Permit me to introduce myself, I am your old Aunty Ida, and I am here to help you with that universal problem of to drag or not to drag. But, let me forewarn you that I have a “Purple Belt in the World of Drag” and be prepared to hear the ups, downs, ins, outs, likes, and dislikes of what New Orleans dragsters are doing, or in most cases not doing.

I will be easy on you for the first couple of issues, but, watch out cause I am watching you and have every intention of letting you know when you are making mistakes.

Some of the things we will cover will be, analyzing everyone from the top of your inexpensive wigs, to the tips of your cheap shoes, and everything that lies in between from the skin out. Don’t be afraid as I will not call anyone out by name or where you

H

work, just some of the mistakes that I see, and will offer tips on how to correct them.

As you know the only way to become good at your job, is to have a job analysis done by someone that knows what to do, and your old Aunty Ida is just trying to be helpful to her New Orleans divas.

Let’s start with hair: A woman’s crowning glory is her hair. With that said, I have seen some of the best and the worst hair, here in New Orleans. When you are wearing a wig that is to show a natural hairline, your hair should match as closely as possible to the wig or weave you are using.

(Was at a show over the weekend, and counted too many dragsters with hair showing under their wigs/weaves that was just so obvious, it was embarrassing.)

Don’t forget girls, you want to make it as real as possible. You don’t want to look like truck drivers in dresses.

Well, I guess Aunty Ida has done enough damage for her first column. Next time we talk about keeping your clothes on!!!!!!!! What is with that ????? Cause you know if I was her Mama.........

16 • The Official Mag: AmbushMag.COM • May 26-June 8, 2009 • Official Southern Decadence Guide • SouthernDecadence.COM

GayMardiGras.COM • GayEasterParade.COM • GayNewOrleans.COM • May 26-June 8, 2009 • The Official Mag: AmbushMag.COM • 17

celebrazzi (celebrations-paparazzi)

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ouisiana State Gay Rodeo Association (LSGRA) presented a check for $800 to the NO/AIDS Task Force, one of three chosen charities of the organization.

Ronald McDonald House is set to receive $2,616 and the William Fanning Foundation (Buzzy’s Boys & Girls) will receive $800 bringing total charitable donations to $6,000. LSGRA will host the first Louisiana State Gay Rodeo on Saturday, March 27, 2010. For more information, visit LSGRA.COM. (Photo: LSGRA member Barry Matherne, LSGRA President Lance Pippin, NO/AIDS Task Force Executive Director Noel Twilbeck, LSGRA Trustee J Field and Food For Friends Director Glen Kahrman)

C

1

st Place and 2nd Place, Jonathan and EZ, are presented by new Calendar Boy host Barry Bareass (center) as the weekly winners in the Calendar Boy Contest at The Corner Pocket in New Orleans. Out of a field of 11 contestants, the pair were voted as the winners by audience secret ballots. The contest is now held every Sunday evening at 9pm and is sure to be entertaining with the hilarious antics and outlandish costumes of new MC Barry Bareass.

M

iss Gay Louisiana America Promoter’s House of DeLorean Productions’ Tommy McClendon and Dominique DeLorean join outgoing Miss Gay New Orleans America Passion Armani Cassidine, newly crowned Miss Gay New Orleans America Arilyn Roberts, Miss Gay Louisiana America Anastacia Davenport and emcee Persona Shoulders following competition at Oz in New Orleans.

Mercedes Ellis Loreal placed as first alternate and Imani Jackson D’Black placed as second alternate. Both the winner and first alternate will now travel to Miss Gay Louisiana America August 19-21 to represent the Miss Gay New Orleans America Pageant at Splash in Baton Rouge. For additional information, visit MissGayLouisianaAmerica.COM.

B

usstopa headlined My Mother's Mustache Revue during Don’s Cook-Off 3 at The Vibe in New Orleans. The event raised $1,200 for N’R Peace HIV/AIDS Clinic.

rown Prince and Princess Royale Lee Briggs and Randy Chauvin were presented as 2010 Royalty for the Krewe of Petronius Bal Masque XLIX by Captain Bill McCarthy during Cocktails and Crowns Trois at Fredrick Guess Studio in New Orleans.

Additionally, the captain announced the ball theme as Out of the Frame and Off The Wall and the krewe’s charity partner as Art Against AIDS. The ball is set for Sunday, January 24, 2010.

J

oe Truxillo hosted Orlando Aloe’s Surprise 60th Birthday Party at Society Page in New Orleans.

The neighborhood bar was packed with well wishers who enjoyed a great buffet for the occasion.

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eft: Jason and B-Bob’s Bar Baron Jerry Ehlen join Del Shores, author of Sordid Lives and writer for Queer as Folk at B-Bob’s in Mobile, Alabama. Del entertained the mega crowd with his own stories and antidotes. (Photo by Craig Powell)

R

ight: Stephen, Ashley, Yvonne and Mickey hail from one of New Orleans most popular hair salons, Mickey Nolan Salon, at 815 Toulouse Street. Tuesdays and Wednesdays are Service Industry Discount Days, and the salon is open 10am-6pm Tuesday through Saturday.

18 • The Official Mag: AmbushMag.COM • May 26-June 8, 2009 • Official Southern Decadence Guide • SouthernDecadence.COM

GayMardiGras.COM • GayEasterParade.COM • GayNewOrleans.COM • May 26-June 8, 2009 • The Official Mag: AmbushMag.COM • 19

20 • The Official Mag: AmbushMag.COM • May 26-June 8, 2009 • Official Southern Decadence Guide • SouthernDecadence.COM

GayMardiGras.COM • GayEasterParade.COM • GayNewOrleans.COM • May 26-June 8, 2009 • The Official Mag: AmbushMag.COM • 21

Miss Gay New Orleans America 1st Alternate Mercedes Ellis Loreal at Oz

Oz’s special guest, Miss Gay Louisiana America Anastacia Davenport, at Miss Gay New Orleans America

Calendar Boy Contestant John at The Corner Pocket

Stephen helps MC Persona Shoulders with the Miss Gay New Orleans America Pageant at Oz

Matt wins Mr. Phoenix New Orleans Bear Contest at the Phoenix

Tim is 1st Runner-up in Mr. Phoenix New Orleans Bear Contest Calendar Boy Contestant Lance at The Corner Pocket

Miss Gay New Orleans America 2nd Alternate Imani Jackson D’Black at Oz

Miss Gay Vieux Carre America Bambi Bextor joins Frankie & Sammy following the Miss Gay New Orleans America Pageant at Lafitte’s

Calendar Boy Contestant Richard at The Corner Pocket

Gino is 2nd Runner-up in Mr. Phoenix New Orleans Bear Contest

snap paparazzi

Miss Gay New Orleans America contestant Amy Nelson at Oz

Corner Pocket Bar Baron Michael Elias welcomes new Calendar Boy Contest host Barry Bareass

Calendar Boy Contest Winner Jonathan Mr. Phoenix New Orleans Bear Contestant Courtney

Miss Gay Louisiana America Promoter House of DeLorean Productions’ Dominique DeLorean

Calendar Boy Contestant Sam on the bar at The Corner Pocket

Ashlee helps heal Bruce’s broken arm behind the bar at the Pocket for Calendar Boy

Mr. Phoenix New Orleans Bear Contest Judge's Mac, Danny & Eddie

22 • The Official Mag: AmbushMag.COM • May 26-June 8, 2009 • Official Southern Decadence Guide • SouthernDecadence.COM

Pageants & Contests ~ New Orleans ~ Photos by Ambush, Gary Glitter

Newly crowned Miss Gay New Orleans America Arilyn Roberts at Oz

GayMardiGras.COM • GayEasterParade.COM • GayNewOrleans.COM • May 26-June 8, 2009 • The Official Mag: AmbushMag.COM • 23

CANAL STREET

100 IBERVILLE

200 BIENVILLE

300

600

RAMPART

500 TOULOUSE

BURGUNDY

ROYAL

ST. LOUIS

DAUPHINE

400

CHARTES

DECATUR

CONTI

BOURBON

ST. PETER ORLEANS

Baton Rouge, LA [225] CITY NEWS STAND & VIDEO, North Blvd., 343.2606; Jones Creek, 751.7494 New Orleans, LA [504] AIRLINE ADULT BOOKS, 1404 26th St., Kenner, LA 70062; 468.2931 CHARTRES ST. CONXXXION, 107 Chartres St., 586.8006 FAB - Faubourg Marigny Art & Books, 600 Frenchmen St., 947.3700 MR. BINKY'S OF KENNER, 96 West 26th St., 466.1870 PARADISE ADULT VIDEO, 41 W. 24th St., Kenner, LA 70065; 461.0000 PARADISE #2 IN ELMWOOD, 5608 Heebe, Harahan, LA, 733.7780 SLIDELLADULT SUPERSTORE, Slidell, LA, 985.646.2616

New Orleans, LA [504] ANGLE CUSTOM FRAME, 4422 Magazine St., 269.3726

cable shows

America Damron Travel Guide, 800.462.6654, www.damron.com Gulf South/United States AMBUSH Mag, 828-A Bourbon St., New Orleans, LA 70116-3137; 504.522.8049, ambushmag.com; email: info@ ambushmag.com International GayBars.COM, 828-A Bourbon St., New Orleans, LA 70116-3137; 504.522.8049, webmaster@gaybars.com United States/Canada GAYELLOW PAGES: Informing the US/ Canada LGBTG Community since 1973. Separate sections for Women and Ethnic/Multicultural focus. PO Box 533, NY, NY 10014-0533; 212.674.0120, http://gayellowpages.com gayellowpages@earthlink.net. Sold at Alternatives/New Orleans, LA

1200 BARRACKS

1300 ESPLANADE

classifieds

1800

23 ES TR R FR 2 A A 500 CH N K L 2 6 0 LIN YA 0 O R E LO IN UI PH SA U A D

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Mobile, AL [251] B-BOB'S DOWNTOWN, 213 Conti St., 433.2262, b-bobs.com GABRIEL'S DOWNTOWN, 55 South Joachim St., 432.4900, gabrielsdowntown.com VISION'S TWIST, 266 Dauphin St., 431.9002, visions-mobile.com Foley, AL [251] CLUB EVOLUTION, 8380 Highway 59, 251.943.5557, myspace.com/ evolutionclubdance1 Pensacola, FL [850] EMERALD CITY, 408 E. Wright St., 433.9491, EmeraldCityPensacola.COM THE ROUNDUP, 560 East Heinberg St., 433.8482 Alexandria, LA [318] UNIQUE, 3217 Industrial St., 448.0555 Baton Rouge, LA [225] GEORGE'S, 860 St. Louis, 387.9798, GeorgesPlaceBR.COM HOUND DOGS, 668 Main St., 344.0807 SPLASH, 2183 Highland Road, 242.9491, splashbr.com Lafayette, LA [337] BACK SIDE, 209 Jefferson St., 269.0430 THE SOUND FACTORY, 209 Jefferson St., 269.6011 Lake Charles, LA [337] CRYSTAL'S, 112 W. Broad, 433.5457 Metairie, LA [504]

New Orleans, LA [504] THE GAR WILLIAMS SHOW, Every Wed. &Sat., 8:30am & 8:30pm, Access Television Channel 78

casinos

French Quarter/Faubourg Marigny/Bywater

bars

florists framing

GOVERNOR NICHOLLS

00

New Orleans, LA [504] DAVID WAGNER, M.Ed., Counseling & Psychotherapy, 3001 Fifth St., Metairie, LA 70002; 836.0000 WILLIAM C. AUSTIN, LCSW, Individual & Family Therapy, Licensed Clinical Social Worker, LA Lic # 8042, 1532 Ursulines Ave., 504.586.7400, 225.571.5964

bookstores

1100

22

counseling

1000 URSULINES

EL YS IA N

Baton Rouge, LA [225] JDiT NETWORKING SOLUTIONS, Jerry Durden, 229.6108, JDiT.US

900 ST. PHILIP

M AR IG NY

computers

Baton Rouge, LA [225] FOUR SEASONS FLOWERS & GIFTS, 3482 Drusilla Ln., Drusilla Shopping Center, 924.1386, 1.800.237.5381

800

FR

body rubs

GayPensacola.COM

New Orleans, LA [504] MASCULINE TOP STUD FOR AWESOME BODY RUBS & MORE 6'0, 178#, w/magic hands & hard gun. 6am-mid. Fantastic 4 hand session avail. In/Out/Hotels. Call Charlie 504.430.7413 [is1109]

ST. ANN

DUMAINE

19

525.8106, Rawhide2010.COM RUBYFRUIT JUNGLE, 1135 Decatur St., 373.5431, NOLAJungle.COM SOCIETY PAGE, 542 N. Rampart St., 299.0156 STARLIGHT BY THE PARK, 834 N. Rampart St., 561.8939, StarlightByThePark.COM TUBBY'S GOLDEN LANTERN, 1239 Royal, 529.2860 Shreveport, LA [318] CENTRAL STATION, 1025 Marshall St., 222.2216 KORNER LOUNGE, 800 Louisiana, 71101; 222.9796 Slidell, LA [985] BILLY'S, 2600 Hwy. 190 West, 847.1921

4-SEASONS / PATIO BAR, 3229 N. Causeway, 832.0659, www.4seasonsno.com CLUB TRIBUTE, 3202 N. Arnoult Rd., 455.1311, myspace.com/clubtribute New Orleans, LA [504] 700 CLUB, 700 Burgundy, 561.1095, 561.1098, 700ClubNewOrleans.COM ALL-WAYS LOUNGE, 2240 St. Claude, 218.5778 BIG DADDY'S, 2513 Royal, 948.6288 CAFÉ LAFITTE IN EXILE, 901 Bourbon Street 522.8397, Lafittes.COM CORNER POCKET, 940 St. Louis, 568.9829 COUNTRY CLUB, 634 Louisa St., TheCountryClubNewOrleans.COM, 945.0742 CUTTER'S, 706 Franklin, 948.4200 THE DOUBLE PLAY, 439 Dauphine, 523.4517 THE FRIENDLY BAR, 2301 Chartres, 943.8929 GOOD FRIENDS BAR, 740 Dauphine St, 566.7191, GoodFriendsBar.COM JOHNPAUL'S, 940 Elysian Fields Ave., 948.1888 KAJUN'S PUB, 2256 St. Claude Ave., 947.3735 LE ROUNDUP, 819 St. Louis, 561.8340 NAPOLEON'S ITCH, 734 Bourbon, 371.5450, NapoleonsItch.COM OZ NEW ORLEANS, 800 Bourbon, 593.9491, OzNewOrleans. COM PHOENIX/EAGLE, 941 Elysian Fields, 945.9264, PhoenixNewOrleans.COM RAWHIDE 2010, 740 Burgundy St.,

New Orleans, LA [504] HARRAHS NEW ORLEANS, Canal at the River, 800.HARRAHS

chiropractic New Orleans, LA [504] DR. MICHAEL LECHLEITER, D.C., St. Charles Chiropractic, 1529 Jackson Ave., 566.1833 [is1309]

circuit/events June 4-7, 2009, One Mighty Weekend, Gay Day Weekend at Disney sponsored by Ambush, OneMightyWeekend.COM Sept. 2-7, 2008, 38th Official Southern Decadence-A Celebration of Gay Life, Music & Culture, end of Summer Blowout including the Southern Decadence Parade & loads of activities, bringing over 125,000 revelers to New Orleans, LA, sponsored by Ambush & SouthernDecadence.COM Oct. 29-Nov. 1, 2009, Halloween 26, benefiting Project Lazarus, New Orleans, LA, sponsored by AmbushMag.COM, halloweenneworleans.com Dec. 30, 2009-Jan. 3, 2010, Gay New Year's in New Orleans, New Orleans, LA, GayNewOrleans.COM Feb. 12-16, 2010, Official Gay Mardi Gras, New Orleans, LA, sponsored by Ambush, GayMardiGras.COM Easter Sunday, April 4, 2010, Official Gay Easter Parade, New Orleans, sponsored by Ambush & Queen Fashions, GayEasterParade.COM May 27-31, 2010, Memorial Day Weekend, Pensacola, FL, sponsored by Ambush,

galleries New Orleans, LA [504] FAB - Faubourg Marigny Art & Books, 600 Frenchmen St., 947.3700

gardening/landscaping New Orleans, LA [504] AMERICAN AQUATIC GARDENS, 621 Elysian Fields, 944.0410

guides

groceries/delis New Orleans, LA [504] QUARTERMASTER DELI, THE NELLIE DELI, 1100 Bourbon, 529.1416 VERTI MART, 1201 Royal St., 525.4767

hair salons New Orleans, LA [504] BOBBY BLUE CONTEMPORARY BARBER & BEAUTY PARLOR, 906 Bourbon St., 527.5100 HEAD QUARTERS HAIR SALON, 900 Dauphine St., 522.2666 MICKEY NOLAN'S SALON, 815 Toulouse St., 587.7782 SALON D'MALTA, 1233 Decatur St., 565.5555

laundries New Orleans, LA [504] RALPH'S QUARTER LAUNDERETTE & DRY CLEANING, 1101 Bourbon St., 522.9274 WASHING WELL LaunDRYteria since 1949, City Wide Pick-up, Fluff Dry or Finished, 1 Hour Service, 841 Bourbon St., 523.9955 or 525.3983 [is909]

24 • The Official Mag: AmbushMag.COM • May 26-June 8, 2009 • Official Southern Decadence Guide • SouthernDecadence.COM

lodging/accommodations

AMBUSHonLINE, 828-A Bourbon St., 70116-3137; 522.8047, ambushonline.com, email: info@ambushonline.com

New Orleans [504] BURGUNDY BED AND BREAKFAST, 2513 Burgundy St., New Orleans, LA 70117, PHONE/ FAX: 504.942.1463, Toll Free (Continental US only): 1.800.970.2153, theburgundy.com, Email us at theburgundy@cox.net. Gay owned and operated in newly renovated 1890's double.

Four guest rooms with private baths, guests' parlor and "half-kitchen", courtyard and halfopen tubhouse with spa (hot tub/whirlpool).

Clothing optional in sunbathing and hot tub area.

Walking distance to French Quarter. Immediate vicinity of gay and lesbian bars/venues. [0809] CRESCENT PALMS MOTEL, 3923 Martin Luther King Blvd., New Orleans, LA 70125; PHONE: 504.821.7773, FAX: 504.267.7366, CrescentPalmsMotel.COM, E-mail us at crescentpalmsmotel@yahoo.com. The Crescent Palms Motel is located in the heart of New Orleans, minutes from the French Quarter and other famous attractions. Our newly renovated, vintage motel offers 24 spacious guest rooms, large bathrooms, ample closet space, a cocktail lounge and complimentary off-street parking. Each room features two brand new double beds, complimentary high-speed wireless internet, a refrigerator and more. Please come visit soon!

[1109] MARIGNY MANOR HOUSE, 2125 N. Rampart St., New Orleans, LA 70116, PHONE: 504.943.7826, Toll Free: 877.247.7599, marignymanorhouse.com, E-mail us at info@MarignyManorHouse.COM. 1840’s Grand Greek Revival guest house, large spacious bedrooms, private baths, antique 4 poster queen beds, wireless internet access, tv/vcr/dvd/ cable, telephone, complimentary continental breakfast and off street parking.

[0110] BON MAISON GUEST HOUSE, 835 Bourbon St., New Orleans, LA 70116, 504.561.8498 BOURGOYNE GUEST HOUSE, 839 Bourbon St., New Orleans, LA 70116, 504.524.3621

medical

massage New Orleans, LA [504] PROFESSIONAL MASSAGE THERAPY

By Patrick LMT - Outcall or Uptown Studio.

Safe neighborhood, comfortable studio. Towels available for draping, Non-Sexual, 717.2577, www. n e w o r l e a n s . a m a z i n g h a n d s . u s , Discounts for: Friends of Dorothy, Students, Artists, Service Industry, License #LA4005 [is1109] RIGHT TOUCH MASSAGE -- Christopher - Full body therapeutic massage; heated table; private studio; tropical garden; Faubourg Marigny Area, French Quarter. Upgrade (Salt Scrubs Bodywork). Call 504.458.5996 / website www.righttouchnola.com for pictures, location & special. License #LA4553 [is1509]

media New Orleans, LA [504] AMBUSH Mag, Official Gay Easter Guide, Official Gay Mardi Gras Guide, Official Gay New Orleans Guide, Official Gulf South Guide, Official Southern Decadence Guide, 828-A Bourbon St., 70116-3137, 522.8049, AmbushMag.COM; email: info@ ambushmag.com

Marrero, LA [504] PRIORITY HEALTH CARE CENTER Tloloc S. Alferez, MD, APMC Infectious Disease/Internal Medicine 4700 Wichers Dr., Suite 304/305 Marrero, LA 70072 (504) 644-4787

models/escorts New Orleans, LA [504] MIKEY/NUMBER 1 MALE ESCORT IN NOLA-hot, cute muscle stud, pics at m4rn.com, ID #190508, friendly & discreet. In/Out/Hotels.

Body rubs & 4 hands avail. 7 days, 6am-11pm.

504.756.9443 [is1109]

museum/arts Baton Rouge, LA [225] LOUISIANAARTSAND SCIENCE CENTER / RIVERSIDE MUSEUM, 100 S. River Road, 344.5272 LOUISIANA GOVERNOR'S MANSION, 1001 Capitol Access Rd., 342.5855 LOUISIANA STATEARCHIVES, 3851 Essen Ln. LOUISIANA STATE CAPITOL, State Capitol Dr. LOUISIANA STATE UNIVERSITY HILLTOP ARBORETUM, 11855 Highland Rd., 767.6916 LOUISIANA STATE UNIVERSITY RURAL LIFE MUSEUM, I-10 at Essen Lane, 765.2437 LSU MUSEUM OF NATURAL SCIENCE and MUSEUM OF GEOSCIENCE, LSU Campus, 388.2855 MAGNOLIA MOUND PLANTATION, 2161 Nicholson Dr., 343.4955 OLD ARSENAL MUSEUM, State Capitol Complex, 342.0401 OLD BOGAN FIRE STATION, 427 Laurel St., 344.8558 OLD GOVERNOR'S MANSION, 502 North Blvd., 344.5272 OLD PENTAGON BARRACKS, State Capitol Dr. at River Road, 342.1866 OLD STATE CAPITOL, 100 North Blvd. at River Road, 342.0500 or 342.4479 USS KIDD/NAUTICAL HISTORICAL CENTER, Government St. at River Rd., 342.1942 New Orleans, LA [504] BEAUREGARD-KEYES HOUSE, 1113 Chartres, 523.7257, Mon-Sat 10am-3pm CABILDO, 701 Chartres, Jackson Square, Tues-Sun 10am-5pm CAC [Contemporary Arts Center], 900 Camp St., 528.3805, cacno.org 1850 HOUSE, 523 St. Ann, Tues-Sun 10am-5pm GALLIER HOUSE, 1132 Royal, 523.6722, Mon-Fri 10am-3:30pm GERMAINEWELLSMARDIGRASMUSEUM, 2nd Floor Arnaud's, 819 Bienville HERMANN-GRIMA HISTORIC HOUSE, 820 St. Louis, 525.5661, Mon-Fri 10am-3:30pm HISTORICAL PHARMACY MUSEUM, 514 Chartres, 524.9077, Daily 10am-5:30pm HISTORIC NEW ORLEANS COLLECTION, 533 Royal, 523.4662, Tues-Sat 10am-4:45pm

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26 • The Official Mag: AmbushMag.COM • May 26-June 8, 2009 • Official Southern Decadence Guide • SouthernDecadence.COM

LONGUE VUE HOUSE AND GARDENS, 7 Bamboo Rd, Metairie, 488.5488, Mon-Sat 10am4:30pm, Sun 1-5pm MUSEECONTIHISTORICALWAXMUSEUM, 917 Conti, 525.2605, Daily 10am-5:30pm NATIONAL D-DAY MUSEUM, 945 Magazine, 527.6012 NEW ORLEANS MUSEUM OF ART, City Park, 1 Collins Diboll Circle, 488.2631, Tues-Sun 10am-5pm OGDEN MUSEUM OF SOUTHERNART, 925 Camp St., 539.9600 OLD U.S. MINT, 400 Esplanade, Tues-Sun 10am-5pm PRESBYTERE, 751 Chartres, Jackson Square, Tues-Sun 10am-5pm ST. LOUIS CATHEDRAL, Jackson Square, Mon-Sat 9am-5pm, Sun 1:30-5pm

music New Orleans [504] SKULLY'Z RECORDZ, 907 Bourbon St.

organizations Mobile, AL ALABAMA PRIDE FEST, MobileAlabamaPride.COM AQUA, THE PARTY, PO Box 145, Mobile, AL 36601, TheAquaParty.COM BAY AREA INCLUSION, BayAreaInclusion.ORG FUSION, MobileFusion.ORG GULF COAST BEARS & LEATHER ASSOCIATION, b-bobs.com/gcbla.htm THE SOUTHERN RENEGADES, a Levi/ Leather Club, southernrenegades.com Pensacola, FL [850] APPETITE FOR LIFE, INC., provides 2 nutritionally balanced meals a day-lunch & dinner, for some 60 men, women and children living with HIV/AIDS, 1842 West Cervantes St.; Mail: P.O. Box 308, 32592-0308; 470.9111, Fax: 470.0201, gaypensacola.com/appforlife

GULF COAST TIDE, INC. w w w . G u l f C o a s t T I D E . o r g ; info@GulfCoastTIDE.org Alexandria, LA [318] CLASS [Central Louisiana AIDS Support Services], 103 Bolton Ave., 71301; 1.800.444.7993, 442. 1 0 1 0, FAX: 443.5216 Baton Rouge, LA [225] HAART (HIV/AIDS Alliance for Region Two), 4550 North Blvd., #250, 927.1269, Fax: 927.7367, haartinc.org, haartinc@aol.com GBLSU [Gays, Bisexuals, Lesbians & Supporters United], glsapres@unixl.sncc.

Isu.edu, Kristy Price, President, 388.5160 KREWE OF APOLLO / BATON ROUGE, PO Box 3591, 70821; kreweapollobr.org KREWE OF DIVAS, kreweofdivas.com, 343.0380 LAMBDA GROUP, 2937 Greenwood Dr., PO Box 82775, 70884-2775, 907.3665, www.lambdabr.org, info@lambdabr.org LEWIS HUMPHREY’S FOOD FOR FRIENDS, 387.9798 METROPOLITANCOMMUNITYCHURCHOF BATON ROUGE, 7747 Tom Drive, 70806, Worship Sunday, 11am, Bible Study Wednesday, 7pm, 225.248.0404, mccbr.org MYSTIC KREWE OF ROYALTY, PO Box 66571, 70896; 926.1698 PFLAG Baton Rouge, President Harold Truax, 225.218.8320 Lafayette, LA [337] ACADIANA CARES [Concern for AIDS Relief, Education, and Support], PO Box 386, Lafayette, LA 70502; 203 W. 3rd St., 70501; 233.2437, FAX: 235.4178; 800.354.2437 KREWE OFAPOLLO / LAFAYETTE, PO Box 53251, 70505 LEAGUE FOR EQUALITY, PO Box 53425, 70505 PFLAG/LAFAYETTE, PO Box 31078, 70503 ROYAL ORDER OF UNICORN, PO Box 3985, 70502 Monroe, LA [318] GO CARE 2121 Justice, 71201, 325.1092

New Orleans, LA [504]

ACLU and ACLU Foundation of Louisiana, P.O. Box 56157, New Orleans, LA 70156, 504.522.0628 x25, Fax: 888.537.0384, laaclu.org AIDS HOTLINE, 821.6050 in New Orleans, 1.800.99.AIDS[2437]-9 toll free statewide ALCOHOLICS ANONYMOUS, 828.3399 BELLE REVE NEW ORLEANS, AIDS Residence for Families, PO Box 3305, 70177; 945.9455 BIG EASY M.C.C. (Metropolitan Community Church of Greater New Orleans), Sunday Worship at St Matthew’s UCC, 1333 S. Carrollton Ave. at Willow. Fellowship after service. Mailing address: 1333 S. Carrolllton Ave. New Orleans, LA, 70118; 213.4340, p a s t o r @ b i g e a s y m c c . c o m , www.bigeasymcc.com BROTHERHOOD, INC., To decrease the spread of AIDS and HIV among African Americans, 1661 Canal St., Suite 3230, 70112; 566.7955 CHURCH OF CHRIST THE LIBERATOR, Sun. 11am Service, 607 Marigny St. (behind The Friendly Bar), ChristTheLiberator.ORG COMING OUT SUPPORT GROUP, meets 1st Wed. of each month, 7:30-9pm, Info: Liz 482.4012; Lesbian & Gay Community Center, 2114 Decatur St., 70116; 945.1103 COMMUNITY ACTION NETWORK, a project of the NO/AIDS Task Force which works with the gay community to implement HIV prevention activities, 507 Frenchmen St., 945.4000, noaidstaskforce.com COPS 8 (Citizens' Organization for Police Support in the 8th District), 840 N. Rampart St., #51, 70116; 588.COPS (2677), cops8.org DRAMA! [A Gay & Lesbian Arts Organization], PO Box 52565, 70152; 948.9924, DramaNO.org, DRAMA@DramaNO.org FOOD FOR FRIENDS, 944.6028 FORUM FOR EQUALITY, 336 Lafayette, Suite 200, 70130; 947.2981,

ForumForEquality@aol.com FOUNDATION FOR MACRO BIOTIC WAY, enjoy-life.com GAY APPRECIATION AWARDS, 828-A Bourbon St., 70116-3137; 522.8049; AmbushMag.COM/GAA GAY COUNSELING LINE, 833.1500 GLSEN [Gay Lesbian & Straight Education Network], 482.4081, Fax 595.8587, E-mail: glsenno@hotmail.com, glsenno.org GULF GENDER ALLIANCE [GGA], NonProfit Support Group for Transgender persons.

Monthly meetings, socials and political activism.

Privacy respected and expected. Interview required. Nondiscriminatory. Call 504. 324.4035 or write PO Box 56836, New Orleans, LA 70156-6836; gga.org, E-mail: info@gga.org HALLOWEEN IN NEW ORLEANS, INC., PO Box 52171, 70152-2171; halloween neworleans.com HATE CRIMES HOTLINE, c/o Family Service of Greater New Orleans, 504.202.2131.

The Hate Crimes Project offers to assist those who feel that they may have been a victim of a hate crime. The project provides advocacy for persons victimized due to race, religion, gender and gender identity, age, disability, and/or sexual orientation.

IN THIS TOGETHER, HIV/AIDS Case Management, 2511 Bayou Road, Suite B, 70119; Office: 504.962.3245, Fax: 504.962.3246; 962.3245, www.inthistogetherinc.org, michael@ittnola.org KOCKTAIL BUNCH BOWLING LEAGUE, Contact Glenn Culp, 504.861.0233 KREWE OF ARMEINIUS, PO Box 56638, New Orleans, LA 70156-6638, cetubby@cox.net, KreweOfArmeinius.ORG KREWE OF AMON RA, PO Box 7033, Metairie, LA 70010, KreweOfAmonRa.COM KREWE OF MWINDO, PO Box 51031, 70156; 913.5791, KreweOfMwindo.ORG, krewe@kreweofmwindo.org KREWE OF PETRONIUS, PO Box 71665, 70172, Pres. Arthur Alarcon 451.9507, Capt. Bill McCarthy 430.6695, Sec. Mae Falgout 484.6045,

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http://kreweofpetronius.tripod.com KREWE OF QUEENATEENAS / KING CAKE QUEEN ROYALTY CLUB, 828-A Bourbon St., 70116-3137, 522.8049, GayMardiGras.COM/ KCQ LaCARP [Louisiana Community AIDS Research Program], 584.1971 LA-LIFT, Social Club for Lesbians, age 50+, who have fun together on weekends. Email: armyvet20@webtv.net LAMBDA CENTER, 831 Elysian Fields Ave., 70117 LEAGUE OF WOMEN VOTERS OF NEW ORLEANS, 234 Loyola, Suite 421, 70112; 581.9106 LESBIAN & GAY COMMUNITY CENTER OF NEW ORLEANS, 2114 Decatur St., 701162013; 945.1103, Fax 945.1102, Email: info@lgccno.net LORDS OF LEATHER, P.O. Box 770435, New Orleans, LA 70071-4035, LordsOfLeather.COM LOUISIANA STATE GAY RODEO ASSOCIATION (LSGRA), 915.3339, lance@lsgra.com, LSGRA.COM MCLNO HOP Clinic, 136 S. Roman Street, 4th Floor, New Orleans, LA 70112; Appts.: 504.903.6959, www.hopclinic.org METROPOLITAN COMMUNITY CHURCH OF GREATER NEW ORLEANS, Sunday Friendship Hour 4:15pm, Worship/Celebration, 5pm at St Matthew’s UCC, 1333 Carrollton Ave. at Willow; Mailing Address: PO Box 71024, 70172; 945.5390, www.mccgno.com MYSTIC KREWE OF SATYRICON, 1021 Gov. Nicholls St., 70116, 525.4498, MysticKreweOfSatyricon.COM NEW ORLEANS GAY MEN’S CHORUS, 322.7007, nogmc.com; nogmc@aol.com NEW ORLEANS JAZZ & HERITAGE FESTIVAL, nojazzfest.com NO/AIDS TASK FORCE, 2601 Tulane Ave., Suite 500, 70119; 821.2601; NOAIDSTaskForce.COM N'R Peace, 3201 Gen. DeGaulle Dr., Suite 201, 70114, 364.1950 MOC/NO [Men of Color/New Orleans], 482.5341 OFFICIAL GAY EASTER PARADE, 828-A Bourbon St., 70116-3137, 504.522.8049, info@gayeasterparade.com, GayEasterParade.COM OFFICIAL GAY MARDI GRAS, 828-A Bourbon St., 70116-3137, 504.522.8049, GayMardiGras.COM OFFICIAL GAY NEW ORLEANS, 828-A Bourbon St., 70116-3137, 504.522.8049, GayNewOrleans.COM OFFICIAL SOUTHERN DECADENCE, 828A Bourbon St., 70116-3137, 504.522.8049, SouthernDecadence.COM PEOPLE OF SUBSTANCE, INC. (POS), 7210 Arbor Dr., 70126, 244.1920, posnola.com PFLAG/NO [Parents & Friends of Lesbians & Gays/ New Orleans], PO Box 15515, 70175; 895.3936, 392.0001, pflagno.org, info@pflagno.org PROJECT LAZARUS, A Residence for PWAs, PO Box 3906, 70177-3906; 949.3609 REGIONALAIDS INTERFAITH NETWORK [RAIN], 523.3755 TAU HOUSE MINISTRIES, 1029 Governor Nicholls, 70116, roddyssnd@aol.com, 529.3569. Mass on Sunday 4:15pm; Vespers on Monday, Wednesday, Friday 6pm. Everyone is welcome!

VOLLEYBALL NEW ORLEANS, PO Box 13306, 70185-3306; volleyballneworleans.com, postmaster@volleyballneworleans.com WILLIAM J. FANNING FOUNDATION [Buzzy’s Boys & Girls], 2301 Chartres, 70117; 943.8929 Shreveport, LA [318] KREWE OF APOLLO/SHREVEPORT, PO Box 4918, 71134 PHILADELPHIA CENTER, PO Box 44454, 71134-4454; 222.6633 YWCAAIDS MINORITY COMMUNITY OUTREACH, 700 Pierre Ave., 71103; 226.8717

pets New Orleans, LA [504] CHI-WA-WA GA-GA, 37 French Market Place, 70116; 581.4242; chiwawagaga.com

hot tails of red stick

by Brad Benedict E-mail: bradhottails@hotmail.com

The Tool Man

I

t isn’t often that I see Cass, but when I do it is really a nice meeting of the minds – and other things.

Well, I have to tell you that his most recent party – a crawfish boil – turned into another spectacular gathering of friends. There seems to be a different group of people here, and this just goes to show that Cass has a way of picking the cream of the crop when it comes to making friends.

Cass always has two or three parties each year, and his home and huge back yard offer the ideal place to gather and celebrate just about any occasion. I know that his birthday bash last year was really fantastic, although I have to admit that after a few of those margaritas, very few in the crowd felt anything at all but sheer relaxation. The host was completely wasted, and he had to be told exactly what he did on this special 39th birthday affair. It was a shock to him, but the big shock was what everyone there witnessed. I dare not reveal any more.

Well, the crawfish boil was a little more subdued to say the least, and even arrangements were made to hold the feast in the huge garage if the rains came in to spoil the event. The gathering came to a close before this happened, and everyFRENCH QUARTER PET ASYLUM, 513 Dumaine St., 302.9845 DR. MIKE'S ANIMAL HOUSE, 1120 N. Rampart, 523.4455

pharmacy New Orleans, LA [504] MUMFREY'S PHARMACY, 1021 W. Judge Perez Dr., Chalmette, LA 70043, 504.279.6312

photography New Orleans, LA [504] GRAHAM/STUDIO ONE NEW ORLEANS, by appointment, grahamstudioone.com

plumbers New Orleans, LA [504] AVALON PLUMBING, residential & commercial repair & remodeling, call Michael 237.0888

printers New Orleans, LA [504] SIR SPEEDY, 343 Carondelet, 586.9812

real estate New Orleans, LA [504] GREEN FIELDS REAL ESTATE, Agent Mary Lind, 874.4905, 598.1700 PRUDENTIAL GARDNER REALTORS, Agent Brett A. Rector, Cell: 453.2277, Office: 861.6400, brettinla@aol.com PRUDENTIAL GARDNER REALTORS, Agent Cathy Espenan, Cell: 344.2116, Office: 861.7575

restaurants New Orleans, LA [504] Bywater Restaurant, Deli & BBQ,3162 Dauphine St., 944.4445

one went away with smiles on their faces and filled to the brim with Louisiana’s wonderful delicacy.

My red-headed friend is also my fixit man. He is probably one of the most outstanding businessmen in the city. I depend on him to take care of home and garden problems. In fact, he designed my privacy fence, painted my home and fences with the historic colors of the period of time when the home was built, and continues to do odds and ends when I request his services. Goodness! That sounds sexy!

At any rate, you can’t go wrong when he is hired to do any repair work or building something from scratch. Everything he does has a touch of excellence attached to it even down to all the wonderful gatherings at his home. I suppose I should tell you about his special playhouse for adults, but that is a story for another day. Right now, I just want to tell him how much I appreciate his friendship, and I know quite a few guys and gals who can echo my praises. Try him. You will like him. Hmmm.

The Exercise Stud

S

omehow I missed out on a little impromptu dinner re cently at the home of our neighborhood hottie. I speak of none other than Cafe Amelie, 912 Royal St., 412.8965 Clover Grill, 900 Bourbon St., 598.1010, CloverGrill.COM Country Club Restaurant, 634 Louisa St., TheCountryClubNewOrleans.COM, 945.0742 Krystal, 116 Bourbon at Canal, 523.4030 La Peniche, 1940 Dauphine St., 943.1460 Louisiana Pizza Kitchen, 95 French Market Pl., 522.9500 Magazine Perks, 4332 Magazine, 899.2911, MagazinePerks.COM Marigny Perks, 2401 Burgundy, 948.7401, MarignyPerks.COM Mona Lisa Restaurant, 1212 Royal St., 522.6746 Petunias, A Restaurant, Cajun, Creole, Crepes, Cocktails, 817 St. Louis, 70112; 522.6440 Quartermaster: The Nellie Deli, 1100 Bourbon St. , 529.1416

retail/shopping New Orleans, LA [504] ALTERNATIVES, 907 Bourbon St., 70116; 524.5222 BOURBON-STRIP TEASE, 205 Bourbon St., 70130; 581.6633, bourbontease.com ESTATE TREASURES CONSIGNMENT SHOP, 2014 Magazine, 679.6600 THE HERB IMPORT COMPANY, 711 St. Peter [in French Quarter], 525.4372; 5055 Canal St. [near City Park Ave.], 488.4889 PANDA BEAR, 415 Bourbon St., 529.8064 QUEEN FASHIONS.COM, queenfashions.com, exoticfashionmall.com RAB DAB CLOTHING AND GIFTS, 918 Royal St., 525.6662 SERENDIPITOUS MASKS, 831 Decatur St., 522.9158 SECOND SKIN LEATHER, 521 St. Philip St., 561.8167 TOP DRAWER ANTIQUES, 4310/18 Magazine St., TopDrawerAntiques.NET

our youthful man who stands tall among us in trying to maintain body perfection.

Just seeing him riding around on his bicycle can give you a thrill, especially if he is wearing the black ones split up the sides. It is such a wonderful sight, and David is just a nice sight to see.

I also hear I missed a wonderful sight.

Walker was at this little din-din, and I understand that he demonstrated some handstand pushups for everyone. I speak of pushups with his feet and legs high in the air. I have to say this really sounded hot, hot, hot when I learned of this. It just goes to show what I have said all along that this is one outstanding example of male beauty. I’m not sure how everyone was positioned for this little demonstration but I can only imagine what it would have been like looking up those shorts. I need to check back and see if he wore shorts or jeans. Either way, it would have been breathtakingly wonderful. You can tell that he possesses plenty of upper body strength for that. I can only imagine how that strength relates to the lower anatomy. Hmmm.

The Silent Hunk

S

ome people have me figured out completely wrong. It is disconcerting to learn how people visualize your type of sexual preferences. It should be apparent now that I can go from one end of the spectrum to the other. However, there is still some doubt with some readers, but that is the joy of observing people and then writing about them. What you think is up to you. [continued on 29]

spas New Orleans, LA [504] CLUB NEW ORLEANS, 515 Toulouse, 581.2402, www.the-clubs.com FLEX NEW ORLEANS, 700 Baronne St., 598.FLEX [3539] SPA ATLANTIS PROFESSIONAL SPA & SALON, 740 Gravier St., 566.8088, SpaAtlantis.NET

tattoos/piercings New Orleans, LA [504] AARTACCENT TATTOO & PIERCING, 1041 N. Rampart in French Quarter, 581.9812

theatres New Orleans, LA [504] LE PETIT THEATRE DU VIEUX CARE, 616 St. Peter, 522.2081 MARIGNY THEATRE, 1030 Marigny St., 947.0505

websites CRESCENT CITY, CrescentCity.COM GAY AMERICA, GayAmerica.COM GAY AUSTIN, GayAustin.NET GAY BARS, GayBars.COM GAY PENSACOLA, GayPensacola.COM OFFICIAL GAY EASTER PARADE, 828-A Bourbon St., 70116-3137, 504.522.8049, GayEasterParade.COM OFFICIAL GAY MARDI GRAS, 828-A Bourbon St., 70116-3137, 504.522.8049, GayMardiGras.COM OFFICIAL GAY NEW ORLEANS, 828-A Bourbon St., 70116-3137, 504.522.8049, GayNewOrleans.COM OFFICIAL SOUTHERN DECADENCE, 828A Bourbon St., 70116-3137, 504.522.8049, SouthernDecadence.COM

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hot tails of red stick ...from 28 I suppose I have not heard of anything newsworthy about one of my sexy neighbors, but I definitely would like to learn more. I consider him to be the silent type. He is friendly but doesn’t seem to talk that much, which is okay, but it makes it more difficult to figure him out. I suppose if I invited him to a beer at Hound Dogs that we could become more knowledgeable about each other, but it hasn’t happened yet. What I’m saying is that I can’t get to the “real him.”

I’m speaking of Derek here, and I know a lot of things about him but yet it isn’t what you could describe as really knowing him. I can say that he is fun to be around, which I haven’t experienced many times and even then, there was that distance between us where I couldn’t figure out if he was trying to analyze me or was worried about me analyzing him. I do know he has a lot of gay and straight friends, and I hear that he really like blues, jazz and all kinds of live music events. He is always attending these type events, and I also know that he loves having a steak with friends as often as possible. He is known to stop in at Hound Dogs frequently, and this stands to reason. It appears that he walks to work so he probably stops off on the way back to his home.

All I can say at this point is that he is a very private person. He seems to live in a land of mystery, causing me a little problem in getting to know him. Maybe one of these days we can sip some cool ones, chat some, and get to know each other better. All I can really tell you now is that he just seems to be one of the nicest guys around. I really believe he is, and I respect his right to privacy, but let me in, sweetie. If you do, I’ll tell you how damned sexy you are and how your smile is so wonderful too. Hmmm.

times that turns out to be more rewarding than hitting the road.

I do know that Robert and Brandon have tickets for Billy Elliott on Broadway. Those boys just keep it in the road all the time. They return periodically to take care of things around their home, but then they hit the road again. I am so happy to see these two love birds in action.

It is nice to know that happiness is out there for those searching for it. Once the right connection is made, it is great and honoring that loving commitment is just one of the most outstanding things that life

and love have to offer. I really like these guys and appreciate their friendship. Hopefully, someone will take their picture along the Great White Way, and I can share their happiness with you.

I finally got back in touch with Mina last [continued on 30]

Miscellanea

L

ots of people will be away this weekend to celebrate the holiday in different ways. I’ll probably stay in town. I’m busy with a number of projects now and just can’t seem to get away. It would be nice to head to Florida for some beach time, but maybe I’ll just visit the bars here and see who is left in town. Some-

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allons acadiana

trodding the boards

by Chris Perkins, Lafayette, Louisiana E-mail: keebler_6984@yahoo.com

E-mail: bsnola2@hotmail.com

W

ith a fabulous weekend behind us, and the month of May coming to an end, we now prepare for the hot summer months to come. First, shall we do a quick recap of all the craziness of the last couple of weeks. We began the month with a bang, went through with a fabulous pageant and finished it off with Memorial Day festivities, and some of those things that happened will probably never be known to all, but we all have a pretty good idea of what went on.

On May 16, the Royal Order of Unicorns hosted their Mr., Ms. & Miss R.O.U. pageant at the hottest night club downtown, Sound Factory. With an amazing turn out, and outstanding performances by the contestants, it was definitely a night, I hope, you didn’t miss out on. The titles for the 2009-2010 R.O.U. pageant are Mr. Danni Sonnier, Ms. Christina Rogers, and Miss Shardnae’ Stevens. The first runner up was Lexus Black, and the second runner up was Geneva Stevens. They gave their all that night and all equally deserved the titles that were there, unfortunately it had to come down to the top three most stunning contestants through it all.

With May just about over, and some hot summer months ahead, we start to anticipate what will come, and with words of wisdom for Mr. John Gilland, “Ladies Brace Yourself,” as he has told me that he is going to be holding nothing back. There

are many fabulous things coming for his patrons at the Sound Factory, but is not willing to divulge anything just yet, his only advice is, to keep your eyes and ears open, because as said before, the remodeled Sound Factory side is not the only thing that he has up his sleeves. So from the words of John, one can only assume that this summer is not just going to be hot temperature wise, but definitely will be hot things going on at the hottest night club in downtown Lafayette.

Memorial Day Weekend was also an amazing weekend for everyone, from your bars to of course the people as well.

Some headed out of town to enjoy things such as Pride in Florida and from what I have heard they more than enjoyed all that was there. Some did choose to stay in town for the weekend and had just as much fun if not more than those that headed out of town, to each their own, right…? No matter where you decided to go, and no matter what you decided to do, I am sure, without a doubt, that it was very well worth it.

hot tails of red stick ...from 29

There are just simply very few guys that even get near to his goodness. I am so proud of you, my friend. I only wish for you the very best, and know that I will always love you.

Another John, of the Phil variety, is really a happy camper now, and I’m equally as proud of him. Phil has finally moved all his things into John’s condo, has rented out his home which is nearby, and now this loving twosome can truly share their love and respect under one roof instead of two. I do love my soldier boy too, and having him with Phil is a pleasure to see and one that was a long time coming.

That fabulous lawyer threw another outstanding Derby Party, but anything he does is just simply “over the top” and aimed at perfection. Of course the perfection starts with the man himself. Joseph is just the most beautiful guy – from head to toe and all points in between. Maybe I should note something here. He reminds me of Walker – beautiful to look at and admire but possessing a trait of male beauty that goes beyond the body and into the very realm of human goodness. Joseph can help me out any time he so pleases – and he does. Oops! Did I tell you he was my lawyer? Whatever did you think I meant?

For those of you who have not taken in all the great events taking place at our three bars lately, then let me tell you that you have missed a lot of good things. Of course, this extends beyond the bars too.

I like to think of George’s, Splash, and

week. This is someone I really care for.

She has always represented, at least to me, the crème de la crème of lesbian society in New Orleans. She is an Outlaw, and I love Outlaws, especially the ones I know. Mina and I go a long way back to the days when I first met her in the Lords of Leather and Phoenix activities. I consider her not only to be a good friend, but I rather like her way of looking at things. If anyone could ever hit something right on the head, this is one who can do just that. I understand her actions, sometimes feel her frustration at being misunderstood, and can only say that I fully support her views on most things gay and lesbian. If there are cases where she may have offended someone, I can see why she took the offence personally, and I can really say that this was not her fault but originated with the other party. Without citing a source, this may sound a little strange, but trust me. Mina was right, and she still maintains a quality of correctness that few can imagine – or understand. You are great, sweetie. Do you think we can ever get around to sharing din-din together?

My wonderful BCBoy has a new truck, and I am so happy for him. It’s about time he did something for himself. He has been through a lot including his apartment loss and all his possessions too during Gustav, but he seems to be coming along fine now. John is such a beautiful human being – straight from the heart.

So as we get ready for June to roll on in, we have found our swim suits, planned for heading to the beach, canoe trips, and many more fun things, we also anticipate what John has in store for our locals here in Lafayette. So get ready ladies, I am sure it will be a blast. Until next time, have fun, be safe and drink up.

by Brian Sands

Varla Jean and the Mushroomheads at Le Chat

I

Jacques Lamarre, Ricky Graham and Brooks Braselman), with nods to Soupy Sales, Cher, The Princess & the Pea and many more cultural talismans, the subversive wit comes so thick and furious that it is breathtaking. And while that ain’t no gerund, the rap about “-ing” tickled my brain so viciously I was left gasping for air.

For VJ&M, Varla has put her copious demons behind her, well, most of them, and is now ready to pass on to others her

n Varla Jean Merman’s relentlessly brilliant new show, Varla Jean and the Mushroomheads, Varla matures by aiming at the younger set. Asserting that her goal is “not to entertain, but to educate,” she does both, though her curriculum is not likely to get you into the Ivy League. Poison Ivy League? Maybe.

Starting the show off with Varla’s Van and its truckload of double entendres, Varla proceeds to introduce us to Sharon the Needle, Flossido Domingo and Ruth Buzzed in a series of rapid fire skits and songs a la that ‘70s favorite The Electric Company which Varla pays homage to first with a video of the classic Billy Licked a Lolly, then Varla Jean Merman in Varla Jean and the Mushroomheads with her version, (Photo by Michael von Redlich) involving tuberculosis, that raises hard-earned wisdom, most of which can’t the camp level of the original to atmo- be repeated here. But, as VJ&M continspheric heights. ued along its merry way, Miss Merman, up Written by Varla’s alter ego Jeffery [continued on 34] Roberson (with additional material by

Hound Dogs as being the anchors for all the events that take place in the downtown and LSU areas. Without them, the gay community would be at a great loss. That means that they need our continued support as a way of letting these guys and gals know how much we appreciate them. I learned a long time ago to never take anything for granted. Sometime things slip away before you realize it.

Something slipped away from New Orleans in recent months, and without naming anyone or any place, I just have to say that I’m still wondering what happened. I always admired the owner and enjoyed the place even after an outstanding employee went elsewhere. I don’t know the situation with any of this, and I’m sure there is a reason for the change, but I personally don’t like it. There are good changes and disappointing changes. In this case, I’m disappointed.

As far as being happy with a situation, let me just say how much I like going to JohnPaul’s. When I go to New Orleans, I really enjoy stopping in there. The atmosphere is great, the bartenders are excellent, and the general camaraderie of the place is just outstanding. I realize how time changes things, but this is one change that just couldn’t be better. I love it there.

Congratulations are in order for Lance and Stephen. I checked out the graduation listings in the paper and saw their names.

The only reason I saw them was that I knew their majors and knew where to check. I’m sure there are others I could congratulate, but small type doesn’t invite me to read all the contents that readily. I like things big – well, newsprint, that is.

I talked with Joy at Hound Dogs for a while last week when I delivered Ambush.

Her sweetie lost her job, so that was a downer, but knowing Joy, she perked her partner up in a hurry. She is such a happy camper. I love being around her.

I also discussed those legal problems with David who is still sweating out the troubles he has been enduring because of the shootout earlier this year. I’m just so happy that things may be working out in his favor, and I am definitely happy to be able to see and hug this gorgeous guy and know that he is still in the land of the living. He is just a super nice human being.

I haven’t seen Luther lately, and I need a good Luther fix. How about it, sweetie?

It’s been too long. My place or yours?

I’ve just about used up all my space again, and by the time you read this you will probably still be recovering from your weekend getaways in Florida. I want to thank all the invitations I received for joining you, but I had to pass this year. Let’s meet again soon, and you can tell me all about your experiences at home and away.

I’d like that.

30 • The Official Mag: AmbushMag.COM • May 26-June 8, 2009 • Official Southern Decadence Guide • SouthernDecadence.COM

Dale, Cass, Dennis and Sam

Aaron and Richard

Studs, Crawfish, Purging ~ Baton Rouge, Louisiana ~ Photos by Brad Benedict

Richard, Chansley and Lance

Ronnie, Richard and Joseph

Keith boiling crawfish Nicky knows his M&Ms

Out for a night of fun

Ronnie and that adorable Andy

red stick paparazzi

Happy couple at George’s

Shane and Seth from Destrehan

Luther and Todd

Gorgeous stud performs at George’s

EJ purging crawfish Danny at Splash

Guy picks another nice one Two handsome studs out for the evening

More karaoke participants

Eric and Wes at Splash

Nicole Foxx at Splash

Richard with Splash’s Trixxie

GayMardiGras.COM • GayEasterParade.COM • GayNewOrleans.COM • May 26-June 8, 2009 • The Official Mag: AmbushMag.COM • 31

Mark showin' da ppl good times Cuz they bluffin' with their muffins.....

The gang of Champs

Even the real Ladies stop to say hey

No John is not bartending....nice try ole girj

acadiana

paparazzi

John & his stunningly beautiful Baby

Brandon & Blake

How many shots will they do tonight Miss Gordon holdin' our sister up after a long night, lol Chillaxin' @ Sound Factory

Now what???

Well, y'all can decide Froggy & Tator tryin' to be divalicious The divas of the night

Chris & Macky on his birthday!!

Johnnie welcoming James, Kyle & Ashton

LOL...just had to do it

2009-2010 R.O.U. Pageant winners; Miss Shardnae’, Mr. Danni Sonnier, & Ms. Christina Rogers

32 • The Official Mag: AmbushMag.COM • May 26-June 8, 2009 • Official Southern Decadence Guide • SouthernDecadence.COM

Holdin', Bluffin', Chillin' ~ Lafayette, Louisiana ~ Photos by Chris Perkins

Brodie & Jamie chillin' on Backside

Uncle Bert posin' with his people

GayMardiGras.COM • GayEasterParade.COM • GayNewOrleans.COM • May 26-June 8, 2009 • The Official Mag: AmbushMag.COM • 33

to now a solo act, discovered she can’t do it alone, that her mushroomheads, delightfully (and sometimes grouchily) portrayed by Braselman & Graham, are needed to make her illusions whole. This emotional transparency gave the production a depth that elevated it to an exalted level of humanism that escapes many of its genderbending cousins.

Director/choreographer Donna Drake gave VJ&M its breakneck pace and it is no insult to previous Varlastravaganzas to say this one featured the smoothest, most inventive direction yet seen, a frabjous intermingling of live and fabulously done video segments. Cecile Casey Covert outdid herself with some of her wittiest, most creative costumes she’s ever designed. And when Varla wore her body stocking again, body parts still showing, it was like seeing an old friend.

Varla Jean and the Mushroomheads is so full of finely detailed verbal and visual jokes that you risk missing something if you blink your eyes. How Varla does it— including solving technical problems (Amen, cause the nannyqueen.com video was worth the wait!)—I don’t know, but she sure gives you your money’s worth. And where else can you see a ukelele trio?!

Here’s hoping Varla returns to Le Chat soon so we can party’n’play with her and her mushroomheads all over again!

The Women of Brewster Place at The Anthony Bean Community Theater

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im Acito’s musical adaptation of Gloria Naylor’s The Women of Brewster Place has much potential but still needs a lot of work if it is to get to what seems to be its hoped-for destination, Broadway.

In keeping the episodic nature of the novel, Acito gives us an entertaining soap opera set in a run down Baltimore housing project. If he conveys well the feeling of people living on top of each other in extremely challenging conditions, Acito’s women are interesting as archetypes but we never get to know them in a detailed way that would enable us to care about them as deeply as we want to. Though there’s real emotional urgency here, unlike Shakespeare, Acito cannot juggle alternating scenes of comedy and tragedy while making an audience believe that these characters are all part of the same universe.

Taking his cue from the book, Acito doesn’t pull punches about the generational and socioeconomic differences within the black community but unnecessarily stereotypical portrayals of church ladies and black men diminish the script which has a slightly dated feel; a world without cell phones now seems rather quaint and a pre-Clinton welfare system needs to be put in its proper context. Still, when a “welfare mom” calls to her kids “Dumbass! Not you. The other dumbass” it’s a hoot.

Acito’s music is generic pop that evaporates from the memory almost as quickly as it is heard. And if knotty Sondheimesque lyrics would’ve been inappropriate for such people with their overpoweringly straightforward emotions, Acito’s simple sing-song-y words, using obvious rhymes that an average fourth grader could’ve come up with, are not only

insulting to the characters but shrink the emotional heft of the story.

Acito can on occasion deliver the goods. The potent feelings expressed in the Act One finale This Ain’t a Prayer, and the transfixingly sad story told in Ghosts prove that Acito has the talent to create a memorable score.

Tommye Myrick directed with passion and infused the production with a vitality that overcame much of the script’s weaknesses. Musical Director Joel Britton brought high standards to The Anthony Bean Community Theater that I hope to see replicated in future productions. If choreographer Kesha McKey’s seemingly Bill T. Jones-inspired abstract movements seemed out of place in an otherwise naturalistic production, I could at least appreciate them. But having an older woman suddenly get down and boogie to express grief or whatever was just plain weird.

The large cast featured some of this city’s premier musical actresses. Chase Kamata was suitably tough as a lesbian yet humorously taunted her not so tolerant neighbors with the “freaky” things she does with her groceries. Nicole James Francois was very good, if a bit too young, as a man-hungry woman trying to change her ways.

Brittney James gave a great portrayal of the aforementioned “welfare mom” who finds her true self even if the script lacked the dramatic basis for the transformation.

Similarly, Idella Johnson brought conviction and pizzazz to the activist Kiswana even if the material she had to work with was somewhat weak. On the other hand, given some of the play’s strongest material, Michaela A. Harrison, primarily known as a singer, showed she can act as well.

The find of the show, however, was Fran Love, a natural performer making her theatrical debut. As Brewster Place’s narrator, Love grounded the production with a motherly compassion and an innate truthfulness while never succumbing to the temptation of histrionics. I hope we’ll see more of her on various stages in the future.

Del Shores, author of Sordid Lives and writer for Queer as Folk, entertains the B-Bob’s crowd

Celebratin’ @ B-Bob’s

mobile

paparazzi

Jason Dottley who plays “Ty” on Sordid Lives-the Series performs his new song “Hit Play” @ B-Bob’s

The friendly Miss Cie@ B-Bob’s

Kristey & Chad hanging out @ Gabriel’s

And, if Acito is willing to do some significant work on this project, I hope we’ll see another incarnation of The Women of Brewster Place in the future as well.

Cocktailin’ @ B-Bob’s

Soul of the City at Tulane’s Lupin Theater

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am not convinced that Jim Fitzmorris & John D. Fitzmorris Jr.’s Soul of the City is a play. A history lesson? Yes. An editorial, a think piece, or an expose? No argument. Or, as described in the program, “a series of snapshots and anecdotes”, absolutely.

But if a play is to involve character development, narrative tension and emotional engagement, then Soul of the City doesn’t quite fit the bill.

On its own terms, though, Soul of the City is a fascinating look at a narrow portion of New Orleans’ history in the last 30-60 years.

The first act, A Matter of Perspective, uses a Pirandellian device in which two young black women, a Historian (Kameron Moore-Mitchell) and a Revisionist (Sarah Yeboah), question an archetypical 1950s New Orleans middle class white family who may not be racists per se, but whose [continued on 36]

Smilin’ for Ambush @ B-Bob’s Amy welcomes you to B-Bobs @ the door

Owner Carl welcoming you to Gabriel’s

Girls just wanna have fun @ B-Bob’s

34 • The Official Mag: AmbushMag.COM • May 26-June 8, 2009 • Official Southern Decadence Guide • SouthernDecadence.COM

Nightlife by the Bay ~ Mobile, Alabama ~ Photos by Cieann & John, Craig Powell

trodding the boards ...from 30

GayMardiGras.COM • GayEasterParade.COM • GayNewOrleans.COM • May 26-June 8, 2009 • The Official Mag: AmbushMag.COM • 35

in the spotlight

by Gary Glitter E-mail: gglitter04@yahoo.com

Beauties & Bears

O

nce upon a time in the land of Oz, on May 13 at 10pm, the Miss New Orleans America Pageant, was magically produced on their stage. Under the direction of Dominique DeLorean, Miss Gay Louisiana America 2005 and with the cooperation of Oz management for the 20th year, a spectacular production was enjoyed by a packed house all waiting to see who of the four contestants would end up being the new Miss Gay New Orleans America 2009.

On a stage decorated in black and white and festooned with several baskets of flowers, the Emcee of the evening, Persona Shoulders, started the festivities by bringing to the stage the current and reigning MGNOA 2007-08 - Passion Armani Cassidine. And following her would be Anastasia Davenport - Miss Gay Louisiana America 2008 with Damien Davenport, and current reigning Miss Gay Vieux Carre America 2009 - Bambi Baxter, and Dominique DeLorean.

Contestants for the evening were: Imani Jackson D'Black, Amy Nelson, Mercedes Ellis Loreal, and Arilyn Roberts.

The contestants competed in the catagories of : Evening Gown/Q&A, and Talent.

The judges had their work cut out for them as the contestants were out to spare no mercy. They had come to win and came out of the gates swinging. Between the categories, and after, the crowd was treated to a fine line-up of talent from the showgirls of Oz, and the past winners of the MGNOA/MGLA titleholders. Some of the entertainers were: Christina Cayne, Coca, Constantine, and Tyra Van Ryan.

And after much deliberation and crunching of numbers, the winners were announced: Second Alternate - Imani, First Alternate - Mercedes, and Miss Gay New Orleans America 2009 Arilyn Roberts. An exceptional job was done by all, especially Persona, the lights, sound and bar staff of Oz, and congrats to Dominique as the new owner of Miss Gay Louisiana America.

Mr. Phoenix New Orleans Bear Contest

O

n Friday, May 15th, at the Phoenix on Elysian Fields, the New Orleans Bears held their monthly beer bust and on this night would have a contest to decide who would become the Mr. Phoenix New Orleans Bear 2009. The stage was ready and designed by bartender Eric, with a bewitching night scene.

At 10pm, the Emcee KaCey took to the stage and introduced the four contestants that would vie for the honor of MPNOB 2009. The contestants were: Courtney, Gino, Matt, and Tim. The catagories were: Bear Wear, Jockstrap, and Bar Wear.

The judges for the evening were: Danny - Bears Club, Mac - Cutter's and Eddie - Bears Club. Needless to say they

had their work cut out for them, however, KaCey had the contestants moving along at a rapid pace since they only had to take off one thing and strip down to another.

(The whole thing lasted about one hour, my kind of contest!)

And the winners were: 2nd runnerup: (a medal, $10 bar tab) - Gino, 1st runner-up: (a medal, $15 bar tab) - Tim, and MPNOB 2009 - Matt , (special made leather jacket patch, $25 bar tab, and entry fee to Louisiana Leather Bear, Sire Ursus) Congratulations to Clint, and the Bear Club, and all the workers, especially bartenders Eric and Brian B. So ends the week of the Beauties and the Bears pageants.

trodding the boards ...from 34 concern for maintaining their own standard of living prevents them from effecting social change.

Act Two’s The Big Razzoo examines the rise of District Attorney Jim Garrison, his quest to clean up Bourbon Street, and the resulting fall of the famous stripper Jezebel, aka Suzanne Robbins. The Fitzmorrises use this tale as a framework for portraying the allure NOLA has that gives its savvier denizens the opportunity to separate those who come to the Big Easy from their money.

Perspective does a superb job of laying out the various social and economic forces that prevented whites from “doing the right thing”and the relevant history that led up to that point. Fitzmorris père et fils are on murkier ground, however, when they move on to somewhat simplistic talk of heroes and villains; to expect all people to do the heroic thing while consigning the villain’s cape to those who don’t ignores the fact that most people fall somewhere in the middle of this continuum. One could even say that if everyone did the “heroic” thing, it wouldn’t be that heroic. Such morally complex material cries out for dramatization; I wonder how Ibsen or Arthur Miller might have done this.

The Fitzmorris family’s many decades of political involvement in this city allows them to bring a singular and very interesting perspective to the events portrayed in Razzoo but I’m not sure people’s fear that they might be “missing something” if they go home is the sole force driving folks’ actions on Bourbon Street and beyond. Still, as NOLA politics continue along its absurdist way, it’s enlightening to see how previous foibles got us where we are today.

Director Buzz Podewell did a beautiful job of propelling the stories forward and keeping the various themes clarified.

The ten student actors, including two from Xavier University (Moore-Mitchell showing much potential, and Averis Anderson who is already ready for greater challenges), made for a crackerjack ensemble with Jennie Stumpf, as the conflicted Mom in Perspective and the innocent Suzanne/ worldly-wise Jezebel in Razzoo, first

among equals.

If I relished the insider’s view that The Big Razzoo provided, A Matter of Perspective furnished an all too rare pleasure to hear this city’s racial issues spoken of with intelligence and candor. I look forward to more such insights from the Fitzmorrises.

Only an Orphan Girl at Actor’s Theatre of N.O.

B

ack in the early 1940s, Henning Nelms felt that the stage needed more melodramas in which you could “Boo” the villain and cheer the hero, and proceeded to write Only an Orphan Girl, a throwback to the plays of the turn of the century. While one may question whether there truly was such a need, Girl proved popular with its cleanly defined good & evil characters and engaging plot.

Following the classic form, Girl includes questions of parentage, life-changing bequests, duplicitous scheming, innocent love, not-so-innocent passion, emotional deception, salt-of-the-earth folks up against hard times, good-hearted neighbors, fog, a sawmill with a big blade, and a happily-ever-after ending.

For the recent Actor’s Theatre of New Orleans’ production of Orphan Girl, director René J.F. Piazza wisely decided not to camp up the script though he might’ve heightened its inherent melodrama a bit.

Piazza guided his cast to give suitably over-the-top performances using a stylized approach; if the actors’ reach sometimes exceeded their grasp, this is hardly the kind of material that requires a Barrymore or a Streep to be enjoyable (though hearing accents ranging from Southern to Boston (the play’s locale) to Yat was a little disorienting).

With his diabolical laugh, Piazza stood out as a villain you loved to hate. Young Bekah Kleindorf did a nice job as the landlady’s daughter caught up in the hurlyburly. And pianist Ryan McCarty astutely provided each character with their own entrance leitmotif along with period music throughout the evening.

Though contemporary playwrights seem happy to leave melodrama to the domain of the soap operas, with its breezily entertaining Orphan Girl, ATNO gave audiences a rare opportunity to experience part of theatrical history. I’ll cheer for that!

Much Ado About Nothing at UNO’s Robert E. Nims Theatre

W

hile Twelfth Night and As You Like It get regular out ings, productions of Much Ado About Nothing, one of my favorite of Shakespeare’s plays, are for some reason harder to come by. Though there were moments when someone could’ve been forgiven for wondering if this play really was much ado about nothing, the pluses of UNO’s recent production eventually outweighed the minuses.

The long first act, encompassing, as it is typically divided, Shakespeare’s first three acts, while never unacceptably bad, took a while to get going and never fully came into focus with good moments alternating with pedestrian ones. It is fine to emphasize the comedy in Much Ado, as Director Beau Bratcher did, but the work’s

charm must be brought out from the start as well.

If Chrissy Garrett and James Yeargain failed to capture some of the sparkle in Beatrice and Benedick’s Act One duel of words, by the second act, with B&B having evolved from mere verbal sparring partners into two people profoundly bonded to each other, Garrett and Yeargain illuminated their roles with deeply felt conviction and heart-stopping sensitivity.

Throughout the evening Randy Maggiore was his usual fine self as Beatrice’s uncle Leonato, letting paternal warmth give way to hot-headed outrage when his daughter Hero’s honor was called into question. Natalie Boyd made for a delicate and charming Hero, and was particularly touching at the end when she was brought back from the “dead” and reunited with her fiancé Claudio (Louis Saubat, III).

Blake Balu went beyond Shakespeare’s words for Don John to create a fully defined villain, whose tics and weird ways would not seem out of place in a police line-up. Georgette Verdin exhibited good intentions as the Constable Dogberry and well-effected Bratcher’s Keystone Kops koncept, but settled for a two-dimensional characterization when she might’ve achieved a three-dimensional one.

Bratcher’s updating of the play to 1912 Messina, Italy made costuming easier for sure, but I can think of many other, more relevant twentieth century war fronts from which the soldiers at the top of the play could return, and Bratcher failed to make a convincing argument as to why he chose this particular setting. Yet by the end, when the moving cemetery scene gave way to Hero & Claudio’s reconciliation, and an autumnal warmth had settled on the stage, it didn’t really matter as Bratcher & Co. had demonstrated that their efforts were indeed much ado about something.

Playing Possum at Luke’s Brisket & Broadway Dinner Theatre

C

ongratulations to Luke’s Brisket & Broadway Dinner Theatre! Despite a mouthful of a new name, the old Minacapelli’s is looking splendid after a renovation that added a new sign outside and a slightly raised platform to the back of the space so people sitting there can now have an unobstructed view of the stage.

What hasn’t changed is Chef Ginger Luke’s scrumptious cooking which recently included a Brisket Luke with peach glaze which needed only a fork to cut it; a tender baked chicken to which a shrimp & tomato Creole sauce added the perfect kick; melt-in-your-mouth glazed baby carrots; a savory Green Bean Amandine; and a Baked Cheesy Penne Pasta whose secret ingredient was cream cheese and which I had to have three helpings of!

Fortunately, I did save room for the yummy Deep Rich Chocolate Cake with hot fudge.

Suffice to say, I just wish the theatrical portion of the evening, Playing Possum written & directed James Hartman, had been as good as the food. The idea itself (mother of two grown children fakes dementia to get attention and discover what her kids really think about her) had potential. But everything else about it (writing, directing, acting) was half-baked. I’ll have another serving of the food, please.

36 • The Official Mag: AmbushMag.COM • May 26-June 8, 2009 • Official Southern Decadence Guide • SouthernDecadence.COM

Thursday brings you to Rubyfruit Jungle at 8pm for Karaoke with DJ Dorian Grey. And then it's back to the Jungle on Sunday at 6pm for Karaoke with DJ Dorian Grey as well, with 50¢ draft, $1 Cactus Juice and $4 Smirnoff cocktails.

c'est bon

by The Susan Lucci's E-mail: marsha@ripandmarsha.com

Latest Update on Gar Williams

G

ar Williams, star of The Gar Williams Show, is still recovering from a serious automobile accident on January 29 on I-10.

Gar's hip was crushed, and he also suffered both a broken leg and ankle.

George Schwandt, past vice president of the Louisiana State Gay Rodeo Association (LSGRA), was the driver of the vehicle and is recovering as well, suffering two broken legs.

Gar has undergone three surgeries and is in a rehab home in Harahan. His recovery is proceeding and he should be able to return home soon.

The Gay Williams Show which gives a touch of Hollywood nostalgia, continues with rotating episodes at public access Channel 78. Airing every Wednesday and Saturday at 8:30am and 8:30pm, Gar is expected to return soon to produce new episodes.

Forbidden Fruit Makes Comeback at the Jungle

F

orbidden Fruit, a star studded revue at the original location of Rubyfruit Jungle makes its comeback at the club's new location, 1135 Decatur Street. Under the direction of veteran star Lisa Beaumann, the show runs every Thursday at 10:30pm.

Lisa has an array of special guests each week. Just last week Lisa brought Jasmine SX to the stage along with the talents of Tyra Van Ryan, and this year's Crack Whore, Frankie.

The Marcell-Bouvier Factor

Y

es, it's veteran star Marcy Marcell, and Entertainer of the Year and Miss LSGRA Elizabeth Bouvier, we're talking about.

Every other Saturday you can catch The Golden Age Revue under the direction of Marcy at JohnPaul's at 11pm. It stars Princesse Stephaney, Regina Adams, Zsa Zsa d'LaHor and guest. About once a month the guest star is our dear friend Opal Masters.

FourPlay is Elizabeth's gig running every other Friday at JohnPaul's at 9pm. It brings King Cake Queen XVI Tami Tarmac, Prom Queen Cathy Fox, Southern Decadence Grand Marshal XXXV Tittie Toulouse and veteran star Lauren Brown to the stage. The closing production number for this show benefits a different charity each month.

Barry Bareass Reins in Calendar Boys

B

arry Bareass is back at it again making a triumphant return to The Corner Pocket to host the Calendar Boy Contest. The contest originally held on Thursdays, has moved to Sundays at 9pm.

On Barry's first week back, he brought 11 hot boys to the bar top. Barry hosts both

the weekly contest and the bi-weekly finals. The weekly winner gets $100 cash.

What's great about this contest is that after you see the boys each perform once, they come back as a group displaying their contestant number. Ballots are handed out to each member of the audience. You vote on 1st and 2nd place choosing the number of your favorite contestant.

Both winners come back to compete in the bi-weekly finals.

Bruce slings cocktails for the show and sometimes even Miss Ashlee gets behind the bar to help out.

Getting in the Zoo

G

etting in this Zoo is quite easy and it's FREE! It's The Zoo Revue held alternate Saturdays at Big Daddy's at 11pm. Your hostess here is Rusty LaRoux, Southern Decadence Grand Marshal XXXI, known as the most notorious tongue this side of the Mississippi...it's wicked! And who out their has not been tongue-lashed by her? You know we love you girl!

Rusty brings an array of talent to the stage here with regulars like Marcy Marcell, Princesse Stephaney, Opal Vanderhurst, Ava Sinclair, Bliss, and special guest or guests. Usually Wayne and Shane are serving up cocktails for this extravaganza.

Wii Wii Monsieur or Mademoiselle

W

ii fever has hit the Big Easy in a big way bringing all members of the GLBT community out to play.

Every Wednesday head on over to 700 Club at 9pm. The club host its own Wii Wednesday Bowling Tournament with the winner taking home a bottle of Smirnoff vodka. The club also offers all 13 flavors of Smirnoff for $4 during game play.

Another Wednesday destination on the other side of the Quarter is Rubyfruit Jungle at 9pm. Here the club offers Wii Bowling with both drink specials and prizes.

And from Monday through Thursday catch Wii Sports at Oz 6-8pm. There's bowling, tennis, golf, baseball and boxing here. Plus the club offers $2.50 well cocktails and domestic beer 4-9pm MondayFriday and 4-8pm Saturday and Sunday.

Singin’ for Fame

T

here are so many budding stars out on the circuit and for your chance to catch them in action live, why not hop into the world of Karaoke?

On Tuesdays, it's Kocktail Karaoke with Rikki Gee hosted at Good Friends Bar 8-11pm. Here the best singer wins a fabulous prize.

The next night, Wednesday, brings you to Karaoke at Cafe Lafitte in Exile hosted by Alex at 9pm. The winner takes home a bottle of Jeremiah Weed Sweet Tea flavored vodka, while both 1st and 2nd place gets a serving of World famous Tater Tots from Clover Grill.

The Triple Crown

I

t's three for Sunday at Dance Club of the Year Oz right down the street on Bourbon from Ambush Headquarters.

Begin your afternoon with Drag Dingo with Blanche Debris at 6pm doling out a prize for each of the 11 games held.

Then it's the Boy Next Door Contest which is a crowd favorite as Blanche gets unsuspecting boys out of the audience to bare it to win $50 cash and a $50 bar tab.

And you, the audience, choose the winner.

Next up is Sunday Show Night bringing the Oz girls, Coca, Mercedes Ellis Loreal and Tyra Van Ryan to the stage with

a special guest each week. Blance emcees the affair and the cast production number is always a crowd favorite in this revue. Following the show, you can dance the night away with DJ Tim Pflueger.

Four Cuts

Y

'all know we're moving into those hot days of Summer.

What better way to get in the mood for the beach, the streets, or vacation than getting your own personal makeover. We're talking hair here and must recommend one of the most popular hair salons in the French Quarter, Mickey Nolan Salon.

Here proprietor Mickey and his staff of stylists: Yvonne, Stephen and Ashlee can work their magic.

The salon's at 815 Toulouse Street and open Tuesday-Saturday 10am-6pm.

Tuesdays and Wednesdays is Service Industry Discount Days.

chop chop

by Rip & Marsha Naquin-Delain www.ripandmarsha.com E-mail: marsha@ripandmarsha.com

New Orleans Restaurant Guide Bywater Restaurant, Deli & BBQ, Magazine Perks, 4332 Magazine, 3162 Dauphine St., is noted for its gumbo, serves gourmet coffee, sandwiches, pastbarbeque, pizza, sandwiches and spe- ries, danish and cakes. Open 7 days 7amcials serving breakfast, lunch and dinner. 10pm. Call 899.2911 or visit Hours are 9am-9pm Mon.-Fri., and Sat. & MagazinePerks.COM. Sun. Closed Wed. Call 944.4445 for Marigny Perks, 2401 Burgundy, additional info. MasterCard/Visa accepted. serves gourmet coffee, sandwiches, pastCafe Amelie, 912 Royal St., offers ries, danish and cakes. Open 7 days 7amromantic courtyard or indoor dining along 10pm. Call 948.7401 or visit with both eclectic culinary creations and drinks. Serving lunch and dinner, Wed.Sun. 11am-9pm, and Sun., brunch 10am-3pm. Call 412.8965 for reservations or additional information.

Clover Grill, 900 Bourbon St., is open 7 days and features breakfast including build your own omelettes. But let’s not forget their fab burgers grilled right under a hub cap and then there’s all those sandwiches, sides, desserts New Orleans Muffuletta at Restaurant/Deli of the Year and shakes. Call 598.1010 Quartermaster: The Nellie Deli, or visit CloverGrill.COM. 1100 Bourbon St. Country Club Restaurant, 634 Louisa St. Under the new direc- www.marignyperks.com. tion of Chef Coy LeBeau, he has taken Mona Lisa Restaurant, 1212 Royal attention to detail and ingredient, and fo- St., features Italian specialties including cused on a more contemporary menu at salads, pizzas, sandwiches and both lunch an even more affordable price point. Still and dinner entrees. Lunch 11am-5pm the best food, but at even more unbeliev- Thurs.-Mon., Dinner 5pm-10pm 7 days. able value! Serving 7 days 11am-10pm 7 Call 522.6746 for info. days and Sunday Brunch 11am-3pm. Visit Petunias, A Restaurant, 817 St. TheCountryClubNewOrleans.COM or call Louis, is open daily 8am-3pm serving 945.0742 for more information. breakfast, brunch, lunch, crepes, poboys, Krystal, 116 Bourbon at Canal, Open salads, gumbo, Cajun/Creole specialties 24 hours, it's one of the best stops for fast and dinner Wednesday-Sunday 5-10pm. food with tasty burgers, hot dogs and Call 522.6440 for more info. breakfast. Call 523.4030 for more info.

Quartermaster: The Nellie Deli, 1100 Louisiana Pizza Kitchen, 95 French Bourbon St., was voted Restaurant/Deli of Market Place is famous for its wood fired the Year once again and is open 24 hours gourmet pizzas, pastas, salads and ap- 7 days. Serving breakfast, lunch and dinpetizers. Open 7 days from 11am-10pm, ner, the deli offers free delivery. Call call 522.9500 or visit 529.1416 to order.

LouisianaPizzaKitchen.COM.

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Teah joins the festivities at Society Page for Orlando’s 60th

Queen & King Petronius XLVIII Freddie & Arthur welcome guests to Petronius’ Cocktails And Crowns Trois

Ava Sinclair in The Zoo Revue

Rusty LaRoux joined by David for The Zoo Revue at Big Daddy’s

More royalty at Petronius’ Cocktails And Crowns Trois at Fredrick Guess Studio

Tim, Lawton & Bob join Bartender Jim & Bessie Ann at Cutter’s for cocktails

Celebratin’ Orlando’s 60th at Society Page

Lacy & Felipe pop into Cutter’s Wayne & Shane sling cocktails at Big Daddy’s for The Zoo Revue

King Cake Queen XVI Tami Tarmac socializin’ at Cocktails And Crowns

Rinal & Don pop into Society Page for Orlando’s 60th b-day

Bywater Restaurant’s Mike brought over some of his famous BBQ ribs for Orlando’s b-day blowout

Opal Vanderhurst in The Zoo Revue at Big Daddy’s

Peewee & Mac show off their full Pot Luck bellies at Cutter’s Pot Luck Dinner

Marcy Marcell in The Zoo Revue

Cutter’s Bartender’s Chris & Jim sling cocktails for Cutter’s Pot Luck Dinner

Princesse Stephaney & Prince Sam join Petronius’ Cocktails And Crowns Trois

Queen of da Ho’s & Jimmy at Petronius’ Cocktails And Crowns Trois

Society Page Bartender’s Mike & Byron slingin’ cocktails for Orlando’s 60th b-day

38 • The Official Mag: AmbushMag.COM • May 26-June 8, 2009 • Official Southern Decadence Guide • SouthernDecadence.COM

Hot City Nights ~ New Orleans ~ Photos by Ambush

Amon Ra’s Paul & Lee catch Petronius’ Cocktails And Crowns Trois

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40 • The Official Mag: AmbushMag.COM • May 26-June 8, 2009 • Official Southern Decadence Guide • SouthernDecadence.COM