Ambush magazine volume 27 issue 25 by Ambush Publishing

2 • The Official Mag: AmbushMag.COM • December 8-21, 2009 • Official Gay Mardi Gras Guide • GayMardiGras.COM

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the "official" dish by Rip & Marsha Naquin-Delain RipandMarsha.COM Email: marsha@ripandmarsha.com

Ambush's Toni Pizanie Among Honorees for Community Center's Founders Day Celebration Dec. 12

he LGBT Community Center of New Orleans will host its annual Founders Day Celebration on Friday, December 12, 7:30pm, upstairs at JohnPaul's, 940 Elysian Fields. Traditionally, Founders Day or “12/12,” is recognized as the day, back in 1993, when the LGBT Community Center first opened its doors down on Rampart Street. This year celebrates the sixteenth year that the LGBT Community Center has been open and serving not only the LGBT community, but the entire New Orleans community. Also, on December 12, 1991, the City of New Orleans Human Rights Ordinance was passed. This ordinance was significant due to it including “gays and lesbians” in the group of peoples whom the city deemed in deserving equal rights and nondiscrimination. Later, in 1998, the city of New Orleans finally came around in extending equal right to “transgendered” peoples under this ordinance. In 2007, LGBT in New Orleans historian Roberts Batson, while serving on the Board of Directors of the Community Center, suggested an event in honoring this historical date for all LGBT persons. A need was felt in honoring some of the amazing people who worked so hard to make sure that the Community Center not only kept its doors open, but thrived as a part of the soul of the city. The Center also wanted to recognize people who worked hard everyday to ensure that the rights given to the LGBT community during that groundbreaking time are never taken away. The “Founders Day Award” was born! The first to receive this award for the amazing work that they performed on behalf of all LGBT persons were Steward Butler and partner Alfred Doolittle, and Norma Kearby and partner Betty Caldwell. This year, the Board of Directors of the LGBT Community Center of New Orleans has decided to increase the amount of awards given due to so many amazing people coming together and working to ensure the rights given to the LGBT Community. On December 12, five different awards will be given including Founders Day Award – Laurence Best Media Award – Steven Forster Medical Award – Dr. Coleman Pratt Business Award – American Aquatic Gardens/Richard Sasher Lifetime Achievement Award – Toni Pizanie Please join the LGBT Community Center of New Orleans and its Board of Directors to celebrate this momentous day in its history and give recognition to members of the community who have strived so hard in the past to get us to where we are today. Tickets will be available at the door for $25 and $20 for paid members of the LGBT Community Center of New Orleans. There will be free food, cash bar and a champagne toast. Then stick around after the awards are presented to enjoy Marcy Marcell's Golden Age Revue downstairs at JohnPauls. For more information go to lgbtccno.org or contact the center at 504.945.1103. Ambush Mag is proud to be one of the Founders of the LGBT Community Center.

New Orleans Gay Men’s Chorus presents Greetings of the Season Dec. 18 & 19

he New Orleans Gay Men’s Chorus (NOGMC) will perform their 27th annual holiday concert, Greetings of the Season, December 18th and 19th. Music for the concert includes some familiar carols and tunes and, as is now expected from NOGMC, some less familiar songs written about our lives. The familiar includes a suite of five early American Appalachian Carols and new arrangements of Silent Night and Angels We Have Heard on High in close harmony. Less familiar pieces include the haunting O Lux Beatissima and the tongue-in-cheek The Longest Christ-

Giant Christmas, New Year's Ambush due out Dec. 22 DEADLINE: Tuesday, Dec. 15

inside

email: president obama under the gaydar queen on the scene chop chop/nola restaurant guide sappho psalm celebrazzi gaydar paparazzi snap paparazzi/new orleans trodding the boards 'tis the season to be gay! king cake queen xvii

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mas Dinner, a Bach-like take on fairly dysfunctional family dinners. Now in its 27th season, NOGMC rehearses and performs in New Orleans and Baton Rouge. Supporting and supported by individuals and community organizations across southeastern Louisiana, NOGMC is becoming the regional artistic voice of the LGBT community. NOGMC annually supports and provides community events to benefit local charities. Since Hurricane Katrina, NOGMC has raised money and food at their annual holiday concerts in New Orleans and Baton Rouge to benefit Food for Friends and the Greater Baton Rouge Food Bank, respectively. In four years, NOGMC has raised and donated over $4,000 and collected almost 1,500 pounds of non-perishable food items for the two groups. NOGMC will continue their tradition this year by collecting non-perishable foods and donating the proceeds of their raffle to the two groups. Greetings of the Season will take place in New Orleans at the Recital Hall of UNO’s Performing Arts Center on Friday, December 18, at 7:30pm and at the Unitarian Church of Baton Rouge on Saturday, December 19, at 7:30pm. Starting November 1, tickets may be purchased in advance for $15 through NOGMC’s website at www.nogmc.com, from any NOGMC member or by calling 504.322.7007 for New Orleans tickets or 225.387.4281 for Baton Rouge tickets. Tickets will also be available for $18 at the door. These programs are supported by a grant from the Louisiana Division of the Arts, Office of Cultural Development, Department of Culture, Recreation and Tourism, in cooperation with the Louisiana State Arts Council, and by a Community Arts Grant made possible by the City of New Orleans, both as administered by the Arts Council of New Orleans.

Satyricon's Annual Christmas Buffet & Auction

he Mystic Krewe of Satyricon will hold its annual Christmas Buffet and Auction on Saturday, December 12, from 1 to 5pm in the Annex of the Friendly Bar, 2301 Chartres St., corner of Chartres and Marigny Streets. Admission is free and open to the public. The all-you-can-eat buffet is only $10. A large variety of jewelry, antiques, Mardi Gras memorabilia and unique Christmas gifts will be auctioned off to the highest bidder by celebrity auctioneers Becky Allen and Brian Peterson. For more information, please call 504.525.4498.

Pride Celebration for New Orleans in Planning Stages for Oct. 9 & 10, 2010, Meeting Set for Dec. 16

he LGBT Community Center of New Orleans will host the next Pride organizational meeting on Wednesday, December 16, 6pm at the Center, 2114 Decatur Street. The Center is asking all organizations and individuals interested in creating a Pride celebration for New Orleans to attend. Various committees will be set up to produce the event, so lend your talents to make Pride a reality once again in the Crescent City. The celebration is planned for the weekend of October 9 and 10, 2010.

4 • The Official Mag: AmbushMag.COM • December 8-21, 2009 • Official Gay Mardi Gras Guide • GayMardiGras.COM

Visions of Excellence Exhibit at the Cabildo

ew Orleans – “Visions of Excellence,” a collection of 53 extraordinary images by photojournalists around the world is now at the Louisiana State Museum’s Arsenal Gallery at the Cabildo, Jackson Square running through March 3, 2010. A focal point of PhotoNOLA, a citywide celebration of photography presented each December by the nonprofit New Orleans Photo Alliance, Visions of Excellence presents an extreme wide-angle view of world events with images of war, catastrophe, politics, sports, the arts, entertainment, nature, and daily life. The photos were selected from more than 40,000 submissions to the [continued on 5]

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] Email: marsha@ripandmarsha.com PHONE: 1.504.522.8049 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 Regina & Lee Adams-Mullen, Nathan Brooks, Rev. Clinton Crawshaw, Tony Leggio-New Orleans Bob Brunson, Cieanne & John, Leon Weekley-Mobile, 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

the "official" dish ...from 4 66thAnnual Pictures of the Year International competition. An exhibition from the 2008 competition was shown at the Cabildo last year.

Running From Gas by Emilio Morenatti in Visions of Excellence at the Cabildo

“We’re delighted to host Visions of Excellence for the second consecutive year,” said Sam Rykels, assistant secretary of the Louisiana Department of Culture, Recreation and Tourism and director of the Louisiana State Museum. “This is a great opportunity for the community to see great photography in the best possible way – through a collection of large, masterfully printed images displayed in one of New Orleans most historic settings. For more information on hours and admissions, visit lsm.crt.state.la.us.

49th Petronius Ball to Feature Jason & deMarco

he Krewe of Petronius is proud to announce that Jason & deMarco of Showtimes We’re All An gels will entertain at this years 49th annual Bal Masque entitled The Out of Frame and off the Wall Ball. The ball will be held Sunday January 24,2010 at 7pm. at the

Laborers Union Hall. Limited tickets will be available at Kreweofpetronius.org. Jason & deMarco are independent artists and songwriters who have spent the last seven years touring the U.S. and abroad performing over 100 concerts per year. Their music focuses on every day challenges, relationships, and the kind of struggles that we all identify with; yet they have the courage to write from a personal place, unapologetic and proud of whom they are, without compromising their principals. Jason & deMarco and their band have

created their own signature sound combining their haunting melodies and breathtaking harmonies with strummy guitar acoustic pop/folk arrangements of covers as well as their original hit songs. Together, Jason & deMarco’s vocal harmo[continued on 6]

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1021 W. J udg e P er ez Judg udge Per ere

Chalmette, LA 70043

the "official" dish ...from 5 nies are mesmerizing, unified by transcendent and uplifting lyrics making their appeal multi-generational, touching most everyone who hears them. Their autobiographical and controversial, documentary-film, We’re All Angels, from director Robert Nunez, currently airing on the SHOWTIME NETWORK and coming to MTV’s LOGO Television in April 2010, is now available on DVD at major retailers, and invites fans to take a behind-the-scenes look at the public and private lives of these rising pop stars, who are gay, spiritual, and in love. The film chronicles the lives of the two singers as they perform all over the country in dance clubs, at pride events, and even in churches. The movie takes a look at how

their openness about their sexuality often pits them against evangelical Christianity, while their faith at times meets with resistance from the gay community. As Jason & deMarco prepare to release a new album to appeal to a wider mainstream audience, We’re All Angels turns the spotlight on how they integrate their sexuality and spirituality within their relationship and professional careers. Jason & deMarco have had the opportunity to perform at numerous high profile events including the National Gay and Lesbian Task Force Awards in Los Angeles, the Matthew Shepard Foundation’s annual gala in Denver, and the 2006 Human Rights Campaign Gala at the Waldorf Astoria New York. They have also been a part of the Human Rights Campaign star-studded benefit two-pack CD album celebrating marriage equality, Love Rocks, alongside artists such as Christina Aguilera, Pink, and The Dixie Chicks. For further information on the Krewe of Petronius please contact Captain Bill McCarthy 504.430.6695 wmmno@bellsouth.net.

LGBT Youth Peer Support Group Forming

he LGBT Community Center of New Orleans would like to announce the formation of the LGBT Youth Peer Support Group. This youth and young adult peer support group is open to all people ages 18-24. It provides support for youth dealing with the struggles of coming out, sexuality, family, and relationships. It allows an opportunity for the youth of the community to come together in an environment supported by adult peer facilitators. The group meets the third Wednesday of each month at 7pm at the Center.

The first meeting will be held January 20, 2010. For more information please contact: programs@lgbtccno.org.

Susan Boyle’s "I Dreamed A Dream" Biggest Selling Female Debut Album in History

usan Boyle’s I Dreamed A Dream (Columbia Records) made a historical introduction to the charts today as the album achieved the highest first week sales of 2009 as well as the largest ever debut for a female artist on the Billboard 200 in the Soundscan era. I Dreamed A Dream topped the charts selling 700,763 copies in the U.S. Boyle’s album also reached the #1 spot on the charts in the UK, Australia, Ireland, Canada and New Zealand. I Dreamed A Dream has sold nearly 3 million copies worldwide since its release one week ago. Within 48 hours of its unannounced placement on Amazon, I Dreamed a Dream shot up to the #1 position on the site’s charts. By release day, the album was the largest CD pre-order in the history of the Amazon.com Music Store and had also broken the record for album presales for QVC and Barnes & Noble Online. Simon Cowell congratulated Susan by saying “I’m incredibly proud of Susan and delighted for her. This success couldn’t have happened to a more deserving person. Susan Boyle quite simply has broken the rules, her story is like a Hollywood movie but this time it’s real life and a really talented, nice lady who has won.” “Susan Boyle possesses a relatable quality that is easily understood and meaningful to her many loyal fans. They watch her every move, whether on YouTube,

6 • The Official Mag: AmbushMag.COM • December 8-21, 2009 • Official Gay Mardi Gras Guide • GayMardiGras.COM

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Facebook, or Susan’s own website, and respond with sincerity that matches [continued on 8]

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the "official" dish ...from 6 Susan’s own genuineness. The connection between Susan and her fans is unique, and most importantly, real. They’ve put her where she is today,” says Steve Barnett, Columbia Records Chairman.

Susan Boyle (Photo by Austin Hargrave)

email/letters Obama for America Original Message From: President Barack Obama To: marsha@ripandmarsha.com Sent: Wednesday, November 25, 2009 4:45 PM

Subject: Thanksgiving Friend — Tomorrow, Thanksgiving Day, Americans across the country will sit down together, count our blessings, and give thanks for our families and our loved ones. American families reflect the diversity of this great nation. No two are exactly alike, but there is a common thread they each share. Our families are bound together through times of joy and times of grief. They shape us, support us, instill the values that guide us as individuals, and

make possible all that we achieve. So tomorrow, I’ll be giving thanks for my family — for all the wisdom, support, and love they have brought into my life.

But tomorrow is also a day to remember those who cannot sit down to break bread with those they love. The soldier overseas holding down a lonely post and missing his kids. The sailor who left her home to serve a higher calling. The folks who must spend tomorrow apart from their families to work a second job, so they can keep food on the table or send a child to school. We are grateful beyond words for the service and hard work of so many Americans who make our country great through their sacrifice. And this year, we know that far too many face a daily struggle that puts the comfort and security we all deserve painfully out of reach. So when we gather tomorrow, let us also use the occasion to renew our commitment to building a more peaceful and prosperous future that every American family can enjoy. It seems like a lifetime ago that a crowd met on a frigid February morning in Springfield, Illinois to set out on an improbable course to change our nation.

8 • The Official Mag: AmbushMag.COM • December 8-21, 2009 • Official Gay Mardi Gras Guide • GayMardiGras.COM

After an audition for Britain’s Got Talent, in which Susan immediately impressed the judges, the audience and then anyone with access to Youtube’s expectations by dazzling her way through a version of I Dreamed A Dream from Les Miserables. A tornado of rumination and amazement grew around Susan Boyle feverishly, with over 300 Million YouTube hits and nearly two million Facebook friends to prove it. I Dreamed A Dream was recorded during the summer of 2009. Susan first entered a recording studio in July in Edinburgh, picking songs that resonated with her. The final results shocked both her and veteran producer Steve Mac with its beauty and musical impact. “It was important that I could feel everything I was singing,” she says. The 12 track collection features Susan Boyle performing signature songs such as I Dreamed A Dream, Cry Me A River, as well as her haunting rendition of The Rolling Stones’ Wild Horses, Madonna’s You’ll See, The Monkees’ Daydream Believer, and Who I Was Born To Be, an original recording written especially for Susan. Visit Susan's website SusanBoyle.COM. In the years since, Michelle and I have been blessed with the support and friendship of the millions of Americans who have come together to form this ongoing movement for change. You have been there through victories and setbacks. You have given of yourselves beyond measure. You have enabled all that we have accomplished — and you have had the courage to dream yet bigger dreams for what we can still achieve. So in this season of thanks giving, I want to take a moment to express my gratitude to you, and my anticipation of the brighter future we are creating together. With warmest wishes for a happy holiday season from my family to yours, --President Barack Obama

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under the gaydar by Tony Leggio Email: tonymgp@hotmail.com Photo by: Larry Graham, GrahamStudioOne.COM

Diva's Among Us Dec. 13

he holidays are in full swing and so are the gay carnival krewes as they prepare for their balls. Please keep in mind that in order for them to throw these elaborate balls, the krewes throw events throughout the year. So please support these events as often as possible to make this year’s Gay Mardi Gras the best ever. In keeping with the holiday spirit, the Lords of Leather are sponsoring a fundraiser for St. Anna’s Food Bank on Sunday, December 13 at 4pm. (And, before you ask, the answer is yes, it is after the Saints game, which begins at 12:15pm that day.) The event is called Divas Among Us and will be hosted by Ms. Louisiana Leatherette 2010 Cathy Fox. This celebrity filled show will include Miss Gay America '06 Nicole DuBois, King Cake Queen XVII Opal Masters, Marcy Marcell, King Cake Queen XII Savanna DeLorean, Ms. LSGRA Elizabeth Bouvier, Mr. Louisiana Leather Toby Lefort, Britney O’ Bryan, Queen Amon Ra XIV Rhonda Roget and King Cake Queen XIV Princesse Stephaney. There will be a $5 admission at the door, a 50/50 raffle and silent auction. For more information, go to www.lordsofleather.com.

Bless You Boys!

ow about them Saints? OMG, 12 and 0! We are doing it and I am so proud of our coaches, our city and most of all, our boys. Bless you boys just doesn’t seem enough to say this holiday to our guys in the black and gold. They have given us the most wonderful present they could imagine. They have given us hope. Hope that no matter what people have said in the past, we are one team, one city, that will survive anything. They are bringing a city together in a time of transition for our community. We are going into a year where there is much uncertainty in our economy and our politics (we are electing a new mayor next year). But there are no political agendas here, no infighting, just great football. They may have no idea they are healing a city and a people collectively one game at a time. And, for that I say thank you. I think that games are just about the most exciting thing on television now. And, it definitely is the most social thing to do in our city. No matter if you are in the nose bleed seats or in the suites, going to a Saints game is like going to a party for fifty thousand people. From the tailgating done outside before the game, to the parties inside the dome, nothing beats a Saints game. I love going from suite to suite visiting with people. Okay, I like crashing other suites to see if they have better food in their suite than mine. I told my boss to buy the damn boiled shrimp next time. But nevertheless, if you can’t get to the game seeing it at one of the gay bars in the city is just as good. I see the game at JohnPaul’s which is at 940 Elysian Fields.

To say it is a blast is not doing it justice. They have the game playing on the big screen and the numerous other televisions around the bar. They serve jello shots every time the Saints score and offer complimentary popcorn and hot dogs throughout the game. In fact all the bars pretty much offer up the same fare. The Double Play at 439 Dauphine offers free hot dogs and shots of schnapps when the Saints score. Even Billy’s in Slidell at 2600 Highway, 190 West does the same. And, fyi, if you have the opportunity to go to Billy’s then by all means do, since the Mississippi Gulf Coast only has one gay bar, many of our brothers come to Billy’s to party. This is your chance to bag a big strapping country boy from Mississippi. I have also seen a Saints game at Good Friends and it is that wild. They have the Weenie Man, Bun Boy and the Juice Crew. Talk about your gay superheroes. This bar, located at 740 Dauphine Street, really brings in a crowd for the games. What the hell they have a Weenie Man, what more could you ask for. The Phoenix at 941 Elysian Fields offers free shots with every Saints score. Don’t you love a high scoring game. This is a great place to get your “game” on so to speak. I love the 700 Club at 700 Burgundy, not just because it is a fabulous bar, but because they offer complimentary frito pies during the game. That stuff is good, I mean real good. They also offer the shots with every Saints touchdown. Other great places in the Marigny to watch the game is The Friendly Bar and Cutter's. Cutter's, located at 706 Franklin offers great food, in fact their owners are some of the best cooks around. If you do not have anywhere to go for a holiday or football game, go there, you will surely find fun people and good cuisine. And, The Friendly Bar, offers hot dogs and other football fare along with shots during every game. They also have the best trash talking football fans around. Check out a game there and you will see what I am talking about. And if you like them big, yes size does matter, then check out the Country Club at 634 Louisa Street, they have a 12 foot screen to watch football. The players feel like they are coming right at you. Now that should make you smile. Right down the street at the Bywater's newest gay bar, catch the game at Bywater Patio Bar, 3162 Dauphine, with two big screens, free pizza, and free shots with each Saints TD. Lets not forget our friends on Rampart Street, Orlando’s Society Page at 542 North Rampart. They were not only the Bayou Classic headquarters, but a great place to watch the Saints’ games. And, Orlando always makes sure there is something good to eat there. Starlight by the Park at 842 North Rampart also has a big screen television to watch the game. And if anyone knows how to enjoy a Saints game it is Lance over at Tubby’s Golden Lantern at 1239 Royal Street. Go

10 • The Official Mag: AmbushMag.COM • December 8-21, 2009 • Official Gay Mardi Gras Guide • GayMardiGras.COM

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see him behind the bar during one of the games. And if you like a little skin with your football and I do not mean pig skin, go see the game at the Corner Pocket’s big screen at 940 St. Louis Street. Try to not be distracted with all the sacks around you. Of course watching the game at one of our many Bourbon Street bars is always a plus. There is Oz, the Pub, Cafe Lafitte in Exile and Napoleon’s Itch, which is smoke free which I love. Like I said viewing a Saints game is a social occasion and especially at one of the many gay bars. I just recently witnessed our wonderful win over the New England Patriots at JohnPaul’s which was amazing and we scored a lot. So I had numerous jello shots, which morphed into numerous schnapps shots which led me to become more friendlier then normal. So as I woke up this morning and rolled over, I exclaimed in surprise at the person laying beside me. “Who Dat!”

Congratulations Opal Masters

would like to take a moment to congratulate Miss Opal Masters for being chosen as King Cake Queen XVII, the Parisian Queen. Following in the footsteps of many other great personalities in the city, Opal will reign supreme at the 23rd Official Gay Mardi Gras Bead Toss on February 16 at 2pm. This event takes place every year at 828 Bourbon Street at Ambush Headquarters and is not to be missed, I cannot wait to see her costume. You can best believe that this year she will definitely “let them eat cake.”

Book Report Time

adies and gentlemen, it is book report time. No actually I wanted to let you know about a great book I have just read. It is called Amuse Bouche by Anthony Bidulka. The author has won the Lamba Literary Award and hails from Saskatoon, Canada. That is actually where Amuse Bouche takes place. This novel is the first book in the Russell Quant mystery series and is an excellent read. Quant is a private detective searching for a missing groom from a gay wedding. There are plenty of twists and turns to keep the reader guessing up until the end. Although, I figured out who did it well before that. Being an avid mystery reader, I found Bidulka’s style of writing very easy to read and truly enjoyed his characters. You actually like Quant’s non-traditional approach to solving the crime, especially since he is a gay detective in a mostly heterosexual business. His character is funny, flawed and real. The reader can relate to him and what he is going through both in his personal life and in his work. After reading this, I am snapping up the other books in the series which are Flight of Aquait, Tapas on the Ramblas, Stain of the Berry, Sundowner Ubuntu and Aloha, Candy Hearts. To find these books by Bidulka and many more gay mysteries, go our local gay bookstore, FAB at 600 Frenchman Street or call at 504.947.3700.

The Holidays Are Here

ell, ready or not the holidays are here and so is the party season which began well before Thanksgiving. The Friday before the big Turkey Day, City Park held its Celebration in the Oaks Preview Party. The lights this year are truly magical and City Park is a wonderful holiday tradition to take your family and friends. I went with my friends Jennifer, Valerie and Erin and we had a ball sampling all the great restaurants that participated and dancing to Cowboy Mouth. Kudos for them for getting Cowboy Mouth to play their event. It offered guests a chance to see this popular band in a more intimate setting instead of a crowded bar. The following day, the Krewe of Satyricon kicked off the holiday festivities with their Thanksgiving Dinner at JohnPaul‘s. The food was amazing and so was the entertainment by Lisa Lynn. They also had a great silent auction with lots of goodies. Also that night the New Orleans Hispanic Heritage Foundation held their Azucar Ball at the Hotel InterContinetal

on St. Charles Avenue. The theme this year was Tropicana and the night was alive. From the brightly colored décor around the room to the greeting Tropicana showgirls at the entrance, the mood was festive. The food as always at this event was incredible, but most of all, the exquisite outfits worn by the guests was well worth the price of admission. As I approach December it is with trepidation because the realization that the parties have not even started yet has just dawned on me. So I am grabbing my disco heels and getting ready for the holidays.

Black Friday

f you like shopping as much as I do, then you realize that it is just not something to do, it is a sport. I swear it should be included in the gay Olympics. Finding the right bargain or great deal gives me an adrenalin rush like no other. I am one of those crazy people who thoroughly enjoy shopping on Black Friday, the traditional shopping day after Thanksgiving. Although, I am not crazy enough to be spending the night at a store until it opens at midnight, even I have my limits. But I wanted to talk about two great outlet malls in that area nearby to New Orleans that you might want to visit. The first one is in Foley, Alabama and this place has some great stores. Stay in nearby Mobile and make a weekend out of it. You can even check out some of the gay bars in the area like Club Evolution in Foley or B-Bob's and Gabriel’s Downtown in Mobile. I spent Black Friday shopping at the outlet mall in Destin Florida, which is one of the best ones I have ever visited. They opened at midnight and had outrageous sales until noon. With my mother Dawn in tow, we

were there at the respectable hour of 7am. And some of the sales were mind numbing. 75% off, 50% off, buy one get one free, hell, I finished my entire holiday shopping list and had a latte before 10am. We spent the weekend in Pensacola which was fun, because I got to go to my favorite bars there Emerald City, The Other Side and The Roundup. With our trunk full of goodies, I could not decide how we were going to get our luggage home, so we went to Target and bought a luggage rack for the top of the car. Problem solved. Happy shopping. Have an event or have something of interest to the LGBT community, feel free to send press releases or information to tonymgp@hotmail.com.

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queen on the scene by Nathan Brooks Email: Nathan@nathanbrooksentertainment.com

ell my friends it has been the longest two weeks of my entire life. For all those who have not heard I will be departing New Orleans at the end of December so the next article will be my last. My departure is due to a great opportunity that I can not refuse in Tampa, Florida. I do admit the past week I have had my time to cry and I think that is why when I go out lately I am very stand offish towards people. On the good side I would like to thank all of those friends…True friends who have sent me such lovely emails after hearing of this sudden news and the answer to all your questions is “YES”. The question for al those who are just thinking nasty thoughts was made into three parts: 1. Will you be having a farewell show? Yes. I am talking with Tommy from Oz to have something there in late December. 2. Will Apheelia Breast be retiring? Unfortunately, yes Apheelia will do the show and will retire and I will also be retiring as a male entertainer. 3. Who will be asked to perform at the farewell show? Any and all of my friends who would like to, just like my USofA benefit. Although I will have a another article after this one, I would like to thank all of you for taking this little part of me home and taking time out of your day to read my thoughts. Lord knows if this ever falls in the wrong hands I will be sitting in a nice little room with a jacket that makes me hug myself. But at least it will be an excuse to wear white after Labor Day. Okay now all that is over with let's dry our eyes and know that we will always be connected and in the immortal words of

Bianca Del Rio, “Go Ahead bitch LEAVE… but you will be back! They always come back home!” that being said, New Orleans will always be my home and you all will ALWAYS … ALWAYS be my family! Okay now I need to stop that pop my F**k-et-All and Xanex and let's go on with the week ladies….and pass the tequila!

An Apology?!?!?

h Lord! Jesus take the wheel I am about to say those words! I have to apologize to some people for something I have been saying. For the past year drag, female illusion, ect. has been DYING! Yes my sisters! Admit it! It has gone to hell in a hand basket according to me! HOWEVER! The past few Sundays I have dragged my lazy old ass out of my French Quarter apartment to watch the shows at Oz and Pub. I have given every show a little of my time, and I have finally figured it out! I must say and apologize to the cast of Oz because after coming the past two weeks I feel like drag has finally gotten a heartbeat back! BUT! Figure this out! All the entertainers at Oz are Oz grown! Just as the Kingdom Show back in 2006 showed, Oz has put their cast together not by what titles someone has or what they have done because as mean as this will sound…the queens in this state could really care less what the hell title you have! I mean how many people can name the current Miss USofA, Continental, or even Miss America? They can’t even name the local title holders. Thus enters Tommy Elias’ evil scheme (just kidding Tommy), Why recruit those who think they are great when you can raise those and make them

great! Honestly people think about it for just a moment. Bianca del Rio – taught and created by Tommy Elias, Blanch Debris, Persana Shoulder, Coca, and as of late the up and coming Sable Nicole Starr! If you want to get really factual Raquel Chevalier, Lisa Beauman, and even your current Miss Louisiana graced the Oz stage before they were “found” by the other bars. They all started at Oz! Now you can say I am kissing ass but you can also ask anyone who knows me, “I would rather cut off my lips then kiss someone’s ass!” this is the gospel according to Nathan! Praise Allah! Now that you read this when you plan your Sunday and you would like to actually learn how to ENJOY drag again head on over to Oz. Also tell Blanche she should have to do “I Believe” in the XXXXXXL Drew Brees Jersey every week until the Saints win the Super Bowl but I think Tommy should add back up dancers lol! Make a big production out of it lol! If you missed her performing it, you missed out! That song is now tattooed to her like “Gimmie a Break” is tattooed to Kofi! Tommy….Make it happen!

NattyB-TV site Launches

kay well I know this is SHAMELESS SELF PROMOTION but screw it! Last time I looked I was on Tequila Sunrise number 4 and I was screwing this cat! Okay so here we go Thelma! After 3 months of laziness I finally finished launching NathanBrooksEntertainment.COM. I know you are all excited. You would be amazed how Photoshop and Dreamweaver kinda merge when you sit at a computer for 12 hours. It is pretty much done and includes a news page for NattyBTV and for Miss American Dynasty so you can get all your news and gossip there. Also I will be updating it with news about me when I leave so you can stalk me! I know you queens always gotta know the Tea! And you also know that I always have the good gossip! Like Momma said, “If you ain't got

nothing good to say….come sit by me!” And “I Never repeat gossip, so listen closely the first time!”

NELLLLLYYYY~!

nd I am not talking about a former bartender at Oz! Now you know a girls gotta eat and if you thought the steak deal was great last time well have I got a little question for you. So I am stuck between one of my favorite sandwiches the Philly Cheese Steak. It is as my friend from Chicago says…”better then sex” well after I figured out I was suppose to eat it and not use it...well I am getting way to personal with you people! Anyway! Yes they are AMAZING at the oddest locations. My friend from Chicago DRAGGED my ass to the Nellie Deli where I would usually get just my ½ roasted chicken with mashed potatoes and broccoli and cheese….(don’t judge. I might be skinny but this queen can put a Chinese buffet out of business, which is why I am banned from most of them), but I threw caution to the wind like Tyra Van Ryan throws her legs up (Love Ya!), and got the damn philly cheese steak. I hate to admit when I could be, possibly, in a way, wrong. I know scary isn't it. I do have to admit that it was absolutely delicious. It was gone faster then Blanche can devour a Latin Boy on Bourbon Street! (Sorry Blanche it was too easy.) So I had one for the entire weekend, every day for three days. Here is my problem though. We have already reviewed how much I like to eat and I wasn’t as lazy as usual and went to Fiorella’s on Decatur across from Rubyfruit Jungle on one of my little walks. I sat down and ate their Roast Beef po-boy, which is designed just like a philly, just named different. It was HUGE! I had to bring a good bit of it home just so I wouldn’t feel like a hog at a state fair and I would just feel fluffy enough to make it home and take a nap. So back to the problem, I need you to go test these out and tell me what you think is better because I can’t argue with good food. Also if you bring someone with you to

Fiorella’s and they don’t want a Philly then defiantly get the World Famous Fried Chicken! It will make you slap your Momma! Don’t though! It is rude and that lady suffered through enough dontcha think?!!? Just slap Persana instead. The world will thank you for your contribution. So just do a Sista that favor and go tour those places and tell me when you see me on the street what you think!

VARLA! VARLA! VARLA!

-M-G Becky! Our little home town sweetheart Varla Jean has done it again! I have written up documents this week to bill her for the deaths of 4 of my close friends who died tragically by laughing too much at her current endeavors! Miss Varla is touring and performing to SOLD OUT CROWDS all over with Shut Up Sweet Charlotte, The Girl with the Pearl Necklace and Scrooge in Rouge. I get calls from all the cities she is touring about how amazingly funny she is! It makes me worry what the hell OUR night clubs are thinking! Decadence we lost Shirley Q due to prior obligations and the year before we lost Chi Chi due to her surgical ummmm reduction of her mid-section, and Lady Bunny is getting OLD! There is only so many times you can see an unprofessional queen get drunk and almost fall off the stage before you say ENOUGH! Now back to my point! Why aren’t our lovely night clubs hiring Varla?!?! Why stop there get the whole cast from Girls Will Be Girls, which if you have not seen, please turn in your gay card at the front desk until you have! The movie stars two [continued on 16]

12 • The Official Mag: AmbushMag.COM • December 8-21, 2009 • Official Gay Mardi Gras Guide • GayMardiGras.COM

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chop chop by Rip & Marsha Naquin-Delain www.ripandmarsha.com Email: marsha@ripandmarsha.com

New Orleans Restaurant/Deli Guide 700 Club Restaurant, 700 Burgundy St., 561.1095, has just opened and is now serving sliders, paninis, quesadillas, and more at the popular club in the French Quarter. Restaurant hours are 7pm till Wed.-Sun. Visit 700ClubNewOrleans.COM. Bywater Restaurant, Deli & BBQ, 3162 Dauphine St., 944.4445, is noted for its gumbo, barbeque, pizza, sandwiches and specials serving breakfast, lunch and dinner. Open 9am-9pm Mon.-Tues., 8am-10pm Thurs.-Sun., closed Wed. MasterCard/Visa accepted. Cafe Amelie, 912 Royal St., offers romantic courtyard or indoor dining along with both eclectic culinary creations and cocktails. Serving lunch and dinner, Wed.-Sat. 11am-9pm, 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 and shakes. Call 598.1010 or visit CloverGrill.COM. Country Club Restaurant, 634 Louisa St. Under the direction of Chef Coy LeBeau, he has taken attention to detail and ingredient, and focused on a more contemporary menu at an even more affordable price point. Still the best food, but at even more unbelievable value! Serving 7 days 11am-10pm and Sunday Brunch 11am-3pm. Visit TheCountryClubNewOrleans.COM or call 945.0742 for more information. The Embers Original Bourbon House, 700 Bourbon, 523.1485. You can still enjoy the charm and ambience of Old New Orleans while dining on fresh Louisiana seafood, great steaks, po-boys, and authentic Cajun and Creole cuisine and some Italian to make it interesting, all served on the largest balcony on Bourbon Street. Only two blocks from the corner of Bourton and St. Ann Streets, and the heart of Decadence. Lunch Thursday-Sunday 11am-3pm, dinner nightly 4pm-midnight, Krystal, 116 Bourbon at Canal, Open 24 hours, it's one of the best stops for fast food with tasty burgers, hot dogs and breakfast. Call 523.4030 for more info. Louisiana Pizza Kitchen, 95 French Market Place is famous for its wood fired gourmet pizzas, pastas, salads and appetizers. Open 7 days from 11am-10pm, call 522.9500 or visit LouisianaPizzaKitchen.COM. Mona Lisa Restaurant, 1212 Royal St., features Italian specialties including salads, pizzas, sandwiches and both lunch and dinner entrees. Lunch 11am-5pm Thurs.-Mon., Dinner 5pm-10pm 7 days. Call 522.6746 for info. Orleans Grapevine Wine & Bar Bistro, 720 Orleans, 523.1930, is located in a beautifully renovated 1809 building offering a pleasant atmosphere, extensive wine list with over 350 selections and delicious food including prime steaks, lobster tails, and rack of lamb. Serving dinner 5-11pm daily. The Pelican Club, 312 Exchange Alley, 523.1504, PelicanClub.COM. With its tasteful but comfortable ambience, The Pelican Club serves contemporary Louisiana cuisine specializing in seafood. The restaurant is conveniently located in the French Quarter on historic Exchange Alley, an easy walk from most downtown hotels. Quartermaster: The Nellie Deli, 1100 Bourbon St., 529.1416, was voted Restaurant/Deli of the Year once again and is open 24 hours 7 days. Serving breakfast, lunch and dinner, the deli offers free delivery. Tiramisu 55 Restaurant & Bar, 123 Carondelet, 581.3288, serves Southern, Italian and seafood specialties. Get breakfast, lunch and dinner here. Open 24 hours, take out and delivery is also available for the French Quarter and CBD.

Prime Rib with baked potato Sunday evenings at Bywater Restaurant, Deli & BBQ, 3162 Dauphine St.

Seafood Martini Ravigote: Maine Lobster, Gulf Shrimp and Jumbo Lump Crabmeat with Yukon Gold Potato Salad at The Pelican Club, 312 Exchange Alley Eggplant Parmesan at Mona Lisa Restaurant, 1212 Royal St.

Gourmet Burger with fries at The Country Club, 634 Louisa St. Roasted Duck Breast at Cafe Amelie, 912 Royal St.

Spaghetti at Tiramisu 55 Restaurant & Bar, 123 Carondelet Louisiana Crawfish Pasta at The Embers Original Bourbon House, 700 Bourbon St.

BBQ Brisket with two sides at Restaurant/Deli of the Year Quartermaster: The Nellie Deli, 1100 Bourbon St.

16oz. Porterhouse Cut 'T-Bone' with loaded baked potato at The Embers Original Bourbon House, 700 Bourbon St.

Eggplant & Crab Benedict Sunday Brunch at Bywater Restaurant, Deli & BBQ, 3162 Dauphine St.

14 • The Official Mag: AmbushMag.COM • December 8-21, 2009 • Official Gay Mardi Gras Guide • GayMardiGras.COM

Gourmet Pizza (Salsiccia Marinara) at Louisiana Pizza Kitchen, 95 French Market Place

Blackened Ribeye at The Country Club, 634 Louisa St.

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sappho psalm by Toni J.P. Pizanie Email: psalmwrite@att.net

World AIDS Day Stand in a cold rain, a group of loving supporters attended the Rededication and Commemoration of the New Orleans AIDS Memorial in Washington Square Park. Speakers were Fran Lawless, Director Office of Health Policy & AIDS Funding; Susan Levingston, Founder New Orleans AIDS Memorial; Brandi Bowen, New Orleans Regional AIDS Planning Council; and Clinton Crawshaw, Pastor MCC Church. A lovely musical selection was sung by Christopher Wecklein. Even with the rain, it was a nice opportunity to visit with old friends. I spent some time with Ed and Christian talking about the Friday Night Before Mardi Gras event. And members of the LGCCNO were telling us of their plans for Founders Day. For such a bad day, it was a good time to remember those we love and those we wish to continue helping.

PFLAG National Director to Visit New Orleans

queen on the scene ...from 12 of the funniest stand up female illusionist in the world, Coco Peru and Varla Jean! The only other queen I would even recommend adding to that line up would be Jackie Beat, who opened up for Rosanne in Vegas. Now that’s a show! Varla has now gotten FULL SPONSORSHIP with Manhunt.net and Recon, two of the largest hook up web site companies in the country. Our little girl has grown up! She is doing amazing! Last year her tour included Europe and even Australia. So here comes the part where it will make you sick. Varla Jean Merman…LIVES in NEW ORLEANS! And she still isn’t getting booked! Some of you are reading this article going WHO THE HELL?!?! Okay I will make it easy for the younger generations who don’t remember the Vid-Kid-Timo days. (Look that up to and you will find out where Brandon Baker and me both got our porn starts lol!) Info on Varla Jean Merman can be found at – VarlaOnline.com or just look her up on Youtube.com. Those who have seen Trick another gay classic, will remember Coco Peru and the drag queen who got 'love juice' in her eye and left a young virgin with the quote, “Have you ever got 'love juice' in your eye? IT BURNS!” Greatness! More info on Coco can be found at CocoPeru.com or on Youtube.com as well. As for the hilarious Miss Jackie Beat I recommend you get her on Myspace.com/JackieBeat and take a listen to her music. If you don’t O-M-G! Then you are messed up and need to seek

more psychological help then she does.

New Orleans...Play Ball!

ne of the things I will miss while I am gone will be the creation of the new Gay Softball League in New Orleans. I know that every butch queen just lit up like a Christmas tree. Mark Boline will be heading up the new project to bring the NAGAA League to New Orleans by Spring 2010. Details of the league are almost finished and the first meeting, which will be for managers, coaches, and volunteers will be held upstairs at Good Friends on Sunday, January 10, at 1pm. Any further questions can be sent to me at Nathan@nathanbrooksentertainment.com and I will get you an answer as soon as I can. Also we are working on the website which will launch in early January and there will be more specific emails and officers who will be able to guide this league to a great 1st season!

Easy Christmas! It's Amazon!

his is so Cyber-Funk-netic but I have to tell you about this wonderful feature on Amazon which will help you all so much with Christmas this year! Do you have lots of relatives which it takes forever walking all over the mall thinking to yourself, “hmmm, what should I get Aunt Selma that says I love you but I am not cheap!” Not anymore! Our family this year switched to automotive gift buying on amazon. Here’s how it works. Everyone in our family has an account on Amazon.com which is listed by their

ody Huckabee will be attending a meeting in Baton Rouge and has decided to make the side trip to New Orleans to attend our December General Meeting. Jody will speak to us on PFLAG’s roll in President Obama’s Administration. Jody is from Eunice, LA, and understands many of our needs in this area. He holds the New Orleans PFLAG Chapter in high esteem as we do him. Everyone is welcome. We meet on the second Thursday of each month. This month that date is 12/10. This is also our Christmas Party and we ask attendees to bring a little something for the group to enjoy. I was going to bring Mrs. Bates’ fudge but I was weak and ate it. Come on, what did you expect? I am going back to Grand Bay before the meeting so maybe I can get more. Meeting Time: 7:30pm – Location: St. Matthews United Church of Christ, 1333 S. Carrollton Avenue at the corner of Willow St. Please join us and bring a friend.

What About Dem Boyz

n a year when Katrina survivors are still rebuilding or trying to get home or still suffering emotional affects, the people of New Orleans have turned their attention to the Saints. This came at email address or name. On this account they create a “Wish List” and on that list they put what they want. Amazon allows you to purchase, wrap, and deliver to even the most difficult person on your list! And I know a lot of other places do this but believe it or not you will save MORE doing this than you will paying online at Walmart or any other big box place. I already have tried the statistics. Alrighty boys and girls that is it for this issue! Next issue I will go into a great deal and have some closing remarks for everyone here in New Orleans! Once again thank you all for everything!

the perfect time – thank you boyz. We all need something to feel good about, something to unify us. We have been abused by every level of government, and now something as insignificant as a football game gives us hope and brings excitement. Friends of mine that have not watched football before are watching the Saints. God help us if we go to the Super Bowl. I don’t think the city could contain the joy. A win at the Super Bowl would be bigger than Katrina. But I am getting ahead of myself. We are only 12 – 0 with more games on the schedule. Anything can happen. No matter how the season ends, I am thankful for the few months of a much needed “rush” that once again puts us in the National spotlight in a very good way. Bless dem boyz.

ATTORNEY’S ADVICE - NO CHARGE

ot A Joke!! I received this from Randy Trahan as an email, “Even If you dislike attorneys. You will love them for these tips.” Read this and make a copy for your files in case you need to refer to it someday. Maybe we should all take some of his advice! A corporate attorney sent the following out to the employees in his company: 1. Do not sign the back of your credit cards. Instead, put ‘PHOTO ID REQUIRED.’ 2. When you are writing checks to pay on your credit card accounts, DO NOT put the complete account number on the ‘For’ line. Instead, just put the last four numbers.. The credit card company knows the rest of the number, and anyone who might be handling your check as it passes through all the check processing channels won’t have access to it. 3. Put your work phone # on your checks instead of your home phone. If you have a PO Box use that instead of your home address. If you do not have a PO Box, use your work address.. Never have your SS# printed on your checks. (DUH!) You can add it if it is necessary. But if you have It printed, anyone can get it. 4. Place the contents of your wallet on a photocopy machine. Do both sides of each license, credit card, etc. You will know what you had in your wallet and all of the account numbers and phone numbers to call and cancel.. Keep the photocopy in a safe place. I also carry a photocopy of my passport when I travel either here or abroad. We’ve all heard horror stories about fraud that’s committed on us in stealing a name, address, Social Security number, credit cards.. Unfortunately, I, an attorney, have firsthand knowledge because my wallet was stolen last month. Within a week, the thieves ordered an expensive monthly cell phone package, applied for a VISA credit card, had a credit line approved to buy a Gateway computer, received a PIN number from DMV to change my driving record

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celebrazzi (celebrations-paparazzi)

ig Easy Metropolitan Community Church Rev. Clinton Crawshaw gave a rousing oration for The Occasion of the rededication of the New Orleans AIDS Memorial at Washington Square Park in the pouring down rain on World AIDS Day, December 1. The rededication signaled the completion of the installation of the remaining benches and engraved bricks. The beautiful metal benches were placed throughout the park and the names of those who donated the funds for the benches are engraved at the foot of the memorial including the Gay Appreciation Awards and Gay Easter Parade.

urkey Week kicked off on the Saturday before Thanksgiving Day as Cutter’s opened its incredible holiday feast. Cutter’s provides the ham and turkey and their many customers prepared their signature sides and desserts.

n Turkey Day, Le Roundup kicked it off at noon with their annual Thanksgiving Buffet serving juicy turkey, mashed potatoes and gravy, smothered corn, cornbread stuffing, green bean casserole, dinner rolls, deviled eggs, cranberry sauce, and both a white layer, and spice cake. (Photo: Ron, Shane, Le Roundup GM Candise & Donna)

egendary Winston Gray opened the 4pm Thanksgiving Dinner at Tubby’s Golden Lantern. Here too, both staff and customers provided the wide assortment including Winston’s andouille cornbread dressing and fresh cranberry sauce, turkey, ham, mac & cheese, Stephen’s collard greens, Emile & Tim’s chicken sausage gumbo, sweet potatoes, pasta salad, green salad and rolls.

hef Alan serves his mini apple and sweet potato pies at 700 Club’s Thanksgiving Dessert Buffet. There was also mini carrot cakes, mini red velvet cakes, pumpkin cheesecake, chocolate peppermint cheesecake and New York cheesecake prepared by The Decadence Shoppe, and there were giant cookies and more.

how director Marcy Marcell and bar baron Javier Sandoval served Starlight By The Park’s Thanksgiving Buffet at 4pm with Starlight providing the meats. Their customers provided the sides and desserts including Moe’s jambalaya, Marcy’s cabbage parmesan, mirliton casserole, oyster dressing, potato salad and bread pudding with rum sauce.

artender Wil serves up pecan pie at the Happy Thanksgiving Dinner at 5pm at The Double Play. Wil brought in roasted goose, while manager John brought in ham, deviled eggs, green beans and corn, along with bartender Trevor’s Italian pasta salad. There was also antipasto and Debbie’s mac & cheese.

z’s Tommy Elias joins brother Michael Elias for The Corner Pocket’s Post-Thanksgiving Feast on the Sunday after Thanksgiving. They had all the holiday favorites but the extremely special treat here was the famous stuffed grape leaves prepared by Michael and Tommy, an old family recipe.

ylvia Frank was thrown a surprise birthday party by partner Pat Skelly on November 29. The affair brought together 20 invited guests to enjoy cocktails, brunch off the menu, and a case of Dom Perignon at Feelings Cafe. And as Sylvia said, My age is just a number, and it’s not listed!”

18 • The Official Mag: AmbushMag.COM • December 8-21, 2009 • Official Gay Mardi Gras Guide • GayMardiGras.COM

artender Wayne c e l ebrated his birthday at the Phoenix asking for a toy for a needy child in lieu of gifts. At the end of the party there was a pool table full, all donated to Toys For Tots.

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Saints QB Drew Brees & his son @ the Fulton Street Tree Lighting

Robbi& Marvin @ the Celebration in the Oaks Preview Party

ambush

Fred from Cowboy Mouth @ the Celebration in the Oaks Preview Party

Mardi Gras Productions Sugar Plum Fairy & Ice Princess @ the Holiday Lighting of Fulton Street

sappho psalm ...from 16 information online, and more. But here’s some critical information to limit the damage in case this happens to you or someone you know: 5. We have been told we should cancel our credit cards immediately. But the key is having the toll free numbers and your card numbers handy so you know whom to call. Keep those where you can find them. 6. File a police report immediately in the jurisdiction where your credit cards, etc., were stolen. This proves to credit providers you were diligent, and this is a

AMBUSH

MAG.COM 828

first step toward an investigation (if there ever is one). But here’s what is perhaps most important of all: (I never even thought to do this.) 7. Call the 3 national credit reporting organizations immediately to place a fraud alert on your name and also call the Social Security fraud line number. I had never heard of doing that until advised by a bank that called to tell me an application for credit was made over the Internet in my name. The alert means any company that checks your credit knows your information was stolen, and they have to contact you by phone to authorize new credit. By the time I was advised to do this, almost two weeks after the theft, all the damage had been done. There are records of all the credit checks initiated by the thieves’ purchases, none of which I knew about before placing the alert. Since then, no additional damage has been done, and the thieves threw my wallet away this weekend (someone turned it in). It seems to have stopped them dead in their tracks. Now, here are the numbers you always need to contact about your wallet, if it has been stolen: 1.) Equifax: 1.800.525.6285, 2.) Experian (formerly TRW): 1.888.397.3742, 3.) Trans Union: 1.800.680.7289, 4.) Social Security Administration (fraud line): 1.800.269.0271. We pass along jokes on the Internet; we pass along just about everything. If you are willing to pass this information along, it could really help someone that you care about.

Ambush's Tony & Bradley @ the Preview Party for Celebration in the Oaks Mardi Gras Productions’ candy cane stiltwalker @ the Fulton Street Tree Lighting

The girls of Celebration in the Oaks: Erin, Valerie, Frannie, Jennifer & Ann Mardi Gras Productions’ Tropicana Showgirls at the Azucar Ball @ the Hotel Intercontinental

Margarita Bergen & Juan at the Azucar Ball

20 • The Official Mag: AmbushMag.COM • December 8-21, 2009 • Official Gay Mardi Gras Guide • GayMardiGras.COM

Miss Elysian Fields Barbara Ella & Michelle from DC

On The Gaydar ~ New Orleans ~ Photos by Tony Leggio

paparazzi

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Esther Goodman “Looking For A City” @ One Night in Nashville

Marcy Marcell (center) celebrates her first birthday show @ Starlight By The Park

Marty & Koo join birthday girl Sylvia @ Feelings Cafe

All the girls join in the b-day finale @ Starlight

Marcy continues with her second birthday show @ JohnPaul’s

snap

Beyonce’ & her backups “Put A Ring On It” @ One Night In Nashville

paparazzi

Rip & Marsha get their photo op with birthday girl Sylvia Toebe celebrates his birthday with Marcy @ Starlight

Special guest Richie Rich joins Marcy bday show @ JohnPaul’s

Lady Scarlett Alan gets a little help from King Cake Queen XVII Opal Masters @ American Bandstand

The rededication of the New Orleans AIDS Memorial on World AIDS Day in Washington Square Park The real girls open Lords of Leather’s American Bandstand: One Night in Nashville @ JohnPaul’s The finale of Lords of Leather’s One Night In Nashville @ JohnPaul’s

Chester celebrates with Marcy for her b-day @ Starlight

Bartender Wayne celebrates his birthday @ the Phoenix by asking for toy donations in lieu of gifts for Toys For Tots

King Cake Queens XIV Princesse Stephaney & XVI Tami Tarmac join Marcy's b-day show @ Starlight

Minnie Pearl @ One Night in Nashville

22 • The Official Mag: AmbushMag.COM • December 8-21, 2009 • Official Gay Mardi Gras Guide • GayMardiGras.COM

Lords president Gary, Panda Bear’s Ed & Mr. Beyonce’ do the basket raffle

Birthdays, Toys, Surprises ~ New Orleans

Pat escorts Sylvia into Feelings Cafe for Sylvia surprise birthday party with 20 invited guests

Phillip & Marigny Manor House’s John join b-day boy Wayne @ the Phoenix

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trodding the boards by Brian Sands

E-mail: bsnola2@hotmail.com

The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee at Muriel’s Cabaret/Le Petit Theatre

ver the years, there have been a number of local productions that have outshone the original ones in New York, e.g., The Musical of Musicals— The Musical! at Le Chat Noir, Rivertown’s Little Shop of Horrors, and Southern Rep’s recent I Am My Own Wife. Add to this list forefront theatre’s The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee. Broadway’s Spelling Bee was certainly delightful. But what director David Hoover and his exceptional cast bestowed upon this Bee was a warmth and a gentle loving

glow that the NYC version lacked. Who knew a spelling bee could leave you with a lump in your throat? While never straying too far from the look or style of the original, Hoover made his spellers less self-absorbedly competitive and with this came a sweeter, but never cloying, tone. Frannie Rosenberg’s choreography seemed to be more imagi-

native and joyous than on Broadway which further enhanced the fun. On Eric Porter’s authentic looking school gymnasium set, all six of the spellers were believable as kids. James St. Juniors did well with the least plausible character, a Boy Scout whose hormones

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he annual Holiday Shopping Guide of Ambush Mag has many different ideas for that special present you may be seeking. There are selections featured on this page, but there are many ads in this edition with ideas ranging from autos to jewelry, clubwear, portraits, eclectic gifts, hair care products, underwear, accommodations, gift certificates, cds/dvds, services, books, calendars, erotica and more. Several of the krewes are having special holiday events and auctions, another great place to shop. And, very importantly, by shopping with our gay and gay friendly business on these pages, you will help our own GLBT community to survive and thrive in these tough economic times. You can also find your favorite spots to shop in the classifieds on pages 28-31.

ave Rabalais offers fantastic club wear at Rab Dab Clothing & Gifts, 918 Royal St.

he colorful Men of Southern Decadence 2010 Calendar is presented by Sir Speedy Printing, 343 Carondelet, with a portion of the proceeds benefiting Belle Reve. Calendars featuring many highlights from Southern Decadence XXXVII are available at Sir Speedy Printing, Belle Reve, Napoleon's Itch and Matassa's.

a Mina’s exclusive model, Chlamydia Nomora Clapp, is wearing a 20 cm sterling silver ball necklace, a fleur de lis ring, clip-on earrings, and a concave cuff bracelet. All jewelry reasonably priced at La Mina Sterling, 840 Royal

Street.

cott Wells shows off his number 1 seller, Lady Gaga's The Fame Monster CD at Skully'z Records, 907 Bourbon St.

lternatives' Jack Jones displays two of the fab ornaments he affectionately says Miss Pool modeled for at 907 Bourbon St.

GayEasterParade.COM • GayNewOrleans.COM • SouthernDecadence.COM • December 8-21, 2009 • The Official Mag: AmbushMag.COM • 25

trodding the boards ...from 24 get the better of him. As an overachieving Asian who decides to achieve a little bit less, Joy C. Duke gave her best performance yet. P.J. McKinnie was fine as a free-spirited sort who turns out to be smarter (and sneakier) than he appears, as well as an overdriven gay Dad. Angela Papale was a delight as the lisping daughter who tries to live up to said gay Dad’s expectations. Leslie Limberg shone in another stellar performance as the gentle, overlooked

terday. In this history of the world, Wilder’s style, in which characters talk to the audience and a dinosaur and woolly mammoth roam the stage, must have seemed ahead of its time. Wilder’s anti-war substance, however, sadly, never goes out of fashion. On Jeff Becker’s sophisticated set, Jason Kirkpatrick and Janet Shea’s extraordinary direction was like a symphony with big moments and smaller, quiet ones all given their due. If one could’ve wished for a pinch more poetry in the lines’ deliv-

esque but with a personality all her own. Victoria Sumrall’s Gladys Antrobus was girly and girlish but ultimately achieved a hard-won maturity while, after the youthfulness of the first two acts, a heart-rending gravitas emerged from Austin Alleman’s Henry Antrobus in the final act. Fine performances both. Dan Zimmer’s lighting was a character unto itself and special mention must be made of Erika Hoffman for her dinosaur and woolly mammoth costumes. As I write this, I wish I could provide more details about this Skin, but it was so good that I wanted just to sit and watch it without taking notes so as to enjoy fully the experience of the show itself and, simultaneously, NOCCA’s achievement in the doing of it so well. If I can imagine other interpretations of this classic play, this was as valid as any, and in its setting, scope and staging on par with something one might see at the National Theater in London. And all you had to do was go to the Marigny.

A Raisin in the Sun at the Anthony Bean Community Theater

Brian Peterson and Leslie Limberg in The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee child of self-actualizing parents who nonetheless possesses academic drive. And Brian Peterson, out of drag but fully inhabiting the speller with the “magic foot”, added touches of vulnerability to a nerdish pomposity that made him more lovable than the Broadway incarnation. When Peterson and Limberg finally experienced a frisson of romantic (too strong a word but it will have to do) connection, awkwardly of course, it was as melting a moment as when any of Rodgers & Hammerstein’s lovers from their great musicals finally come together. And that’s saying a lot. As the adults, Megan Sauzer Harms (a Sarah Palin look alike) and Kyle Daigrepont hit just the right tone of nononsense caring for their charges, with Daigrepont’s twee persnicketiness the perfect target for kids’ snickers. Jermaine L. Keelen was excellent as a tough-loving comfort counselor and Papale’s other, more flighty gay Dad. Add in Jefferson Turner’s always topnotch musical direction, great use of audience members, and Harms’ sharpedged ad libs and this was a production that was spelled S-U-P-E-R-L-A-T-I-V-E!

The Skin of Our Teeth at Lupin Hall/NOCCA

ver sixty years have passed since Thornton Wilder’s The Skin of Our Teeth debuted on Broadway. Yet NOCCA’s revivifying production made you think it was written yes-

ifty years after its Broadway premiere, Lorraine Hansberry’s A Raisin in the Sun still packs a wallop. Not so much for its basic tale of a black, inner city family and their aspirations to better themselves, but for its details and language and observations about human nature that Hansberry limned so incisively. As Brooks Atkinson wrote in his New York Times review, “You might, in fact, regard A Raisin in the Sun as a Negro The Cherry Orchard.” If one wonders what the reaction was fifty years ago to hearing black characters talk so candidly about whites, it is telling that while a white character tries to keep the Younger family “in their place”, it is an unseen black character who inflicts the most harm on them by absconding with a large sum of their money he had been entrusted with. One can only imagine what Hansberry would make of the Obama presidency and the ongoing scourge of black-on-black violence. Will Williams’ production started off, not so much slowly, but rather, a bit unfo-

ery, i.e. the poetry one finds in Beckett or Tennessee Williams, especially as when done by, say, Laurence Olivier or one of those other Sirs, such a lack is understandable and excusable given that these teenage actors have yet to acquire the critical life experiences that would likely engender it. In a large cast, what may have appeared to be superficial, cartoony acting deceptively camouflaged well-thought out characterizations and emotional depth. As Mr. & Mrs. Antrobus, the everyman couple with ties to Adam & Eve and every other famous couple in history, Matthew Bolden was good though he had to endure some of Wilder’s more prosaic lines while Celeste Cahn was first-rate, reminiscent of a young Meryl Streep effortlessly flipping between coquetry, bitchiness and maternal warmth. As Sabina the maid, a role originated by Tallulah Bankhead, Anamarys Perez clearly delineated all the layers of the character—housemaid, former mistress, beauty queen, and the less-than-brilliant actress playing all these roles—making Sabina Anamarys Perez in The Skin of Our Teeth tartly human, Bette Midler-

cused; it’s hard to say if the director or his actors were to blame for this. Once the momentum started building, however, three hours passed very quickly. Williams nicely balanced Hansberry’s humor and pathos and, some melodramatic moments aside, wonderfully shaped such memorable scenes as when the devastating loss of the money is discovered. In the large cast, Pat McGuire Hill brought a quiet dignity and, in Atkinson’s phrase, “a nobility of spirit” to matriarch Lena Younger who yearns for a better life for herself and her family. As her daughter who aspires to be a doctor, Nicole JamesFrancois started out a bit too flashy but eventually found the right balance between the character’s comic, self-dramatizing aspects and Beneatha’s seriousness of purpose. As the Nigerian student Joseph Asagai who shares his African culture and his heart with Beneatha, Donald Lewis was just right in a role he was meant to play. Anthony Bean, as Lena’s son who dreams the biggest of dreams, made Walter Lee quite the showboat and played up the “crazy” description of Walter so that, at times, he seemed more “loco” than “aspiring to things he’s not likely to get.” Walter certainly has to be bigger than life but you also have to believe he is grounded with enough business sense to manage the liquor store he plans to open; Bean’s passion sometimes got the better of him. This was by no means a bad performance but it seemed to belong in another, more expressionistic production; I’d love to see him in Eugene O’Neill’s The Emperor Jones. You could feel the years of domestic work drudgery etched in Samantha Beaulieu’s bones as well as the fear of another pregnancy; as Ruth, Walter’s wife, hers was a very good performance as was Tyler Felix as their son. Harold X. Evans, TJ Toups and, especially Gwendolyne Foxworth as a nosy neighbor, all contributed fine cameos. Chad Talkington’s set well-captured the urban grittiness that the Youngers long to escape. That said, all of ABCT’s highly realistic sets are beginning to look alike; perhaps it’s time to bring a more abstract look to them. Talkington seemed to be going for a more expressionistic style with his lighting design but it was not done smoothly enough at the performance I saw. Never mind the nitpicking, however. The whole of this Raisin was greater than the sum of its parts and we are to be thankful to ABCT for offering us this landmark drama.

After the War at the Candle Factory

n New Noise’s After the War, three kids set off on an adventure from Pittsburgh in a post-war, barren landscape to try to make it to the coast. They travel south to the Mississippi River then west over mountains. It is not an easy journey. Created by the five person ensemble (Phil Cramer, Rachel Lee, Selena Poznak, Austin Riotte, Joanna Russo), After the War was rough around the edges but a serious, valid effort responding to the way we are now. If the line “can’t see the beginning and can’t see where it ends” described the bleak terrain that’s encoun-

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Metairie, LA [504] WALKER ACURA, 8951 Veterans Blvd., 464.4004, WalkerAcura.COM

bars 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 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] OLYMPUS BAR, 4003 MacArthur Dr., 442.6735, OlympusBar.COM 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

body rubs Baton Rouge, LA [225] BR BODY RUB-42 year old, experienced, trying to establish a BR clientele. Salt/pepper hair, brown eyes. In or out. Will be in BR on December 14, 15, 16. Call 225.246.8651 for appointment. [is2509] New Orleans, LA [504] GUY NEXT DOOR - WM avail for full body rubdowns starting @ $60 for Fr Qutr area. All other areas, add'l fee. 24 hrs. Out calls only, 616.334.1432 [is2509] 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 [is2509]

bookstores RT PA M RA

French Quarter/Faubourg Marigny/Bywater

autos

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., 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

JULES DOWNTOWN, 533 Jefferson, 264.8000 THE SOUND FACTORY, 209 Jefferson St., 269.6011 Lake Charles, LA [337] CRYSTAL'S, 112 W. Broad, 433.5457 Metairie, LA [504] 4-SEASONS / PATIO BAR, 3229 N. Causeway, 832.0659, www.4seasonsno.com BYWATER PATIO BAR, 3162 Dauphine St., 944.4445 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 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, JohnPaulsBar.COM KAJUN'S PUB, 2256 St. Claude Ave., 947.3735 LE ROUNDUP, 819 St. Louis, 561.8340

New Orleans, LA [504] AIRLINE ADULT BOOKS, 1404 26th St., Kenner, LA 70062; 468.2931 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

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

chiropractic New Orleans, LA [504] DR. MICHAEL LECHLEITER, D.C., St. Charles Chiropractic, 1529 Jackson Ave., 566.1833 [is2209]

circuit/events 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, GayEasterParade.COM May 27-31, 2010, Memorial Day Weekend, Pensacola, FL, sponsored by Ambush, GayPensacola.COM Sept. 1-6, 2010, 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. 28-31, 2010, Halloween 27, benefiting Project Lazarus, New Orleans, LA, sponsored by AmbushMag.COM, halloweenneworleans.com

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

counseling New Orleans, LA [504] DAVID WAGNER, M.Ed., Counseling & Psychotherapy, 3001 Fifth St., Metairie, LA 70002; 836.0000

erotica SYKCOR EROTICA, 225.933.0686, SykcorErotica.COM, sykcorerotica@aol.com

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

for rent New Orleans, LA [504] NEWLY RENOVATED - All New Fixtures 2 Lg. B/rms, 1204 Touro, Liv/rm, Kit, Bath, Cent A/C & Ht. Lg fenced back yard. 5 blks to Quarter. Share with your friend or partner, only $500each. Call 455.3192 or 473.8010 for your tour. [is2509] STUDIO FOR RENT - 2 1/2 blocks from French Quarter. Furnished, recently redecorated. Rent includes cable TV and wifi in addition to bi-weekly cleaning service. Rent is $225 a week. Call 504.274.559 for details. [is2509]

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 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

groceries/delis New Orleans, LA [504] MOMS MINI MART, 902 Poydras, 596.2223 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

28 • The Official Mag: AmbushMag.COM • December 8-21, 2009 • Official Gay Mardi Gras Guide • GayMardiGras.COM

HEAD QUARTERS HAIR SALON, 900 Dauphine St., 522.2666 MICKEY NOLAN'S SALON, 815 Toulouse St., 587.7782 OFADEAN SALONSPA & WELLNESS CENTER, 536 Bienville St., 522.3318, ofadeansalonspa.com SALON D'MALTA, 1233 Decatur St., 565.5555, salondmalta.com

breakfast, covered parking, high speed wireless internet, local calls, guest laundry, smoking and non smoking rooms, outdoor pool, mini fridge, microwave on request, and independent shuttle company. 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

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massage

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. [0810] 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] FRENCH QUARTER SUITES HOTEL, 1119 N. Rampart St., New Orleans, LA 70116, Phone 504.524.7725, Toll Free: 800.457.2253, FrenchQuarterSuites.COM. E-mail us at reservations@bpmhotels.com. One of several French Quarter residences that have been painstakingly restored and transformed into spacious multi-bedroom suites, executive townhouses, intimate cottages and comfortable rooms. Adjacent to the French Quarter. Complimentary continental breakfast and off street parking. 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] NEW ORLEANS COURTYARD HOTEL, 1101 N. Rampart St., New Orleans, LA 70116, Phone 504.524.7725, Toll Free: 800.457.2253, NOCourtyard.COM. E-mail us at reservations@bpmhotels.com. One of several historic New Orleans homes and cottages that have been lovingly restored and converted into beautifully appointed rooms, spacious multibedroom suites, luxury townhouses and cottages. Adjacent to the French Quarter. Complimentary continental breakfast and off street parking. SUPER 8, 6322 Chef Menteur Hwy., 504.241.5650, 800.800.8000. Minutes from the French Quarter, the hotel offers free continental

New Orleans, LA [504] 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 [is2/2010]

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: marsha@ripandmarsha.com AMBUSHonLINE, 828-A Bourbon St., 70116-3137; 522.8049, ambushonline.com, email: marsha@ripandmarsha.com

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 available, 24/7, 504.756.9443 [is2509]

museum/arts Baton Rouge, LA [225] LOUISIANAARTS AND 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

GayEasterParade.COM • GayNewOrleans.COM • SouthernDecadence.COM • December 8-21, 2009 • The Official Mag: AmbushMag.COM • 29

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 EDGAR DEGAS HISTORIC HOME, 2306 Esplanade Avenue, tours by appointment: 504.821.5009, the house tour lasts one hour, is led by a great-grand-niece of Degas, and includes the award-winning documentary video, Degas in New Orleans: A Creole Sojourn 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 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] AIDSLaw of Louisiana, 4560 North Boulevard, Suite 118, 302.5968, AIDSLAW.org 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 METROPOLITANCOMMUNITYCHURCHOF

BATON ROUGE, 7747 Tom Drive, 70806, Worship Sunday, 11am, Bible Study Wednesday, 7pm, 225.248.0404, mccbr.org 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 OF APOLLO / 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 AIDSLaw of Louisiana, 3801 Canal St., Suite 331, 568.1631, AIDSLAW.org 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 12:15pm Solumn Mass, 5pm Praise & 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, www.bigeasymcc.com, pastor@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 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 FOOD FOR FRIENDS, 944.6028 FORUM FOR EQUALITY, 336 Lafayette, Suite 200, 70130; 947.2981, ForumForEquality.COM

FRIDAYNIGHT BEFORE MARDI GRAS (FNBMG), PO Box 791376, New Orleans, LA 70179-1376; 733.3311, fridaynightbeforemardigras.com, fnbmg@cox.net 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/ambush 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 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 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 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 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, 511 Dumaine; 581.4242; chiwawagaga.com FRENCH 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 RAMSEY PLUMBING, repairs, repipe, sewer & drain cleaning, water heaters, disposals, 296.6865

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

real estate agents New Orleans, LA [504] JUDY FISHER, INC. REALTORS, Agent Mary Lind, 874.4905, marylind2020@gmail.com PRUDENTIAL GARDNER REALTORS, Agent Brett A. Rector, Cell: 453.2277, Office: 861.6400, brettinla@aol.com

restaurants New Orleans, LA [504] 700 CLUB RESTAURANT, 700 Burgundy, 561.1095, 561.1098, 700ClubNewOrleans.COM Bywater Restaurant, Deli & BBQ,3162 Dauphine St., 944.4445 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 Embers Original Bourbon House, 700 Bourbon, 523.1485 Krystal, 116 Bourbon at Canal, 523.4030 La Peniche, 1940 Dauphine St., 943.1460 Louisiana Pizza Kitchen, 95 French Market Pl., 522.9500 Maximo's Italian Grill, 1117 Decatur St., 586.8883, MaximosGrill.COM Mona Lisa Restaurant, 1212 Royal St., 522.6746 Orleans Grapevine Wine & Bar Bistro, 720 Orleans The Pelican Club, 312 Exchange Alley, 523.1504, PelicanClub.COM Quartermaster: The Nellie Deli, 1100 Bourbon St. , 529.1416 Tiramisu 55 Restaurant & Bar, 123 Carondelet, 581.3288

retail/shopping New Orleans, LA [504] ALTERNATIVES, 907 Bourbon St., 70116; 524.5222 BOURBON-STRIP TEASE, 205 Bourbon St., 70130; 581.6633, bourbontease.com THE HERB IMPORT COMPANY, 711 St. Peter [in French Quarter], 525.4372; 5055 Canal St. [near City Park Ave.], 488.4889 LA MINA STERLING, 840 Royal St., 324.3423, laminasterling@gmail.com PANDA BEAR, 415 Bourbon St., 529.8064

30 • The Official Mag: AmbushMag.COM • December 8-21, 2009 • Official Gay Mardi Gras Guide • GayMardiGras.COM

The Olympus Misfits

Awww, ain't they cute

QUEEN FASHIONS, QueenFashions.COM RAB DAB CLOTHING AND GIFTS, 918 Royal St., 525.6662 SERENDIPITOUS MASKS, 831 Decatur St., 522.9158

spas New Orleans, LA [504] B.BETTER DAY SPA & SALON, 5601 Tchoupitoulas St., 895.2760, bbetter.org 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

tours New Orleans, LA [504] SOUTHERN COMFORT TOURS, 400.9270, southerncomforttours@yahoo.com STEAMBOAT NATCHEZ, Toulouse Street Dock, 568.1401, SteamboatNatchez.COM

theatres New Orleans, LA [504] LE PETIT THEATRE DU VIEUX CARRE, 616 St. Peter, 522.2081 MAHALIA JACKSON THEATRE OF PERFORMING ARTS, 801 N. Rampart, Armstrong Park, mahaliajacksontheater.com, 525.1052 SOUTHERN REP THEATRE, Canal Place, 365 Canal St., 3rd Floor, 522.6545, SouthernRep.COM

websites CRESCENT CITY, CrescentCity.COM GAY AMERICA, GayAmerica.COM GAY AUSTIN, GayAustin.NET GAY BARS, GayBars.COM GAY PENSACOLA, GayPensacola.COM

trodding the boards ...from 26 tered, it could just as easily describe our current wars in Iraq or Afghanistan. Sung, chanted and spoken, After the War had a certain poetic lyricism to it but I wish it had had more substance; it was at its best when its narrative was most specific, filling in its protagonists’ past lives. As it was, it lacked the authentic texture of children—or were they teenagers? These are two very different creatures and, based on the words and actions on display, the lines seemed somewhat blurred. Nicely staged on a sandbox-like set and acted (by Cramer, Riotte & Russo), After the War benefitted from the opportune timing of a train passing by, adding a post-industrial soundscape to the performance I attended. Poznak’s simple but effective lighting well-marked different locales, often suffusing the set with a red glow—was it of blood? of warmth? of hell? Though, towards the end, War lost some of its focus, despite such shortcomings, it was a worthy, provocative effort by

Joey & Kellie Lucinda shows them how it’s done

Lesbians... I don’t get them!!!

Marsheya sitting down on the job

alexandria

paparazzi

[continued on 36]

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

Miss Gay Louisiana America Bambi Bextor looking awesome

Do I know you???

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Out, Awesome & Cute @ Olympus ~ Alexandria, Louisiana

Sable Monay

Dominique rocks out

acadiana

paparazzi Miss Delanie Valentine looking lovely as always @ Sound Factory

Sam & Jay, and finally a shot worth publishing...lol @ Jules Downtown

Laurel working it out for the birthday girl @ Sound Factory

And now for the crowd around her @ Sound Factory Jason & her Crew, least she thinks so @ Sound Factory

Jeff & Kenderick looking just lovely as always @ Jules Downtown Hunter & his hot little man @ Jules Downtown

TJ & his Ladies @ Sound Factory

Mark & Garry checking out the crowd for the next one @ Sound Factory

Now that’s some true divas for you all @ Jules Downtown Kacie & his hot daddy @ Jules Downtown

Adam saying, “Hey gal’s and that’s ‘bout it” @ Sound Factory

Chris serving up some of the best drinks downtown @ Sound Factory

And these two were just adorable @ Jules Downtown

Beyoncea’ Black being just divalicious @ Sound Factory

Cartier & Robert (Stephanie Stevens) @ Sound Factory

Jeremy & Tyler workin’ it out @ Jules Downtown

32 • The Official Mag: AmbushMag.COM • December 8-21, 2009 • Official Gay Mardi Gras Guide • GayMardiGras.COM

Justin, you can’t take my camera next time @ Jules Downtown, lol

Ms. Beverly...LOVE LOVE!!! @ Jules Downtown

That’s ‘bout It ~ Lafayette, Louisiana ~ Photo by Chris Perkins

These two at it again for the best Ambush pic @ Jules Downtown

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allons acadiana by Chris Perkins, Lafayette, Louisiana Email: keebler_6984@yahoo.com

o December's finally here and now with only two and a half weeks, are we ready for the day where it will not be about you, it will be or it should be about everyone else, and putting that smile on the faces of the ones that need it! Can the human population as we know it survive a day of selflessness, scary thought isn’t it? Is it really that hard for us to give up one day out the entire year and dedicate it to someone that actually deserves and needs us? If it is, then we have some serious problems that need to

be addressed as soon as possible so we can get back to the life we want to live and be content! Now just to shed a little light on the whole Mardi Gras scene, I am researching the two krewes we have in Lafayette, Apollo and R.O.U. I will start with Apollo in this article and will try and get R.O.U. in one of the next articles so that way all have some insight to “our” Mardi Gras krewes. The Mystic Krewe of Apollo was founded in New Orleans in 1969 to foster brotherhood, unity and equality within the

hot tails of red stick by Brad Benedict Email: bradhottails@hotmail.com

'Tis The Season

t hardly seems possible that it is already December. This entire year has just gone by so quickly and with so many activities going on, it has made that time pass even faster – or so it would seem. Ball season was exciting as usual with the many krewes putting on fabulous shows for everyone. And Mardi Gras, Easter, Southern Decadence, and Halloween all came and went in the same way. I think when you are younger, time goes by at a slower pace, or at least it seemed that way – back when I was hittin’ the bars and being involved in so many club activities. Now that Thanksgiving has passed, Christmas is upon us, and before you know it ’09 will fade away as a new year comes into view. Life has a lot to offer, and it is best when shared with friends and loved ones. It is for this reason that I like to count my blessings.

Counting Blessings

lessings can be both permanent and fleeting, here today and gone tomorrow. It is those steadfast friendships that mean so much, and the trust that comes with these connections is what makes everything in life worthwhile. Parents, children, siblings, and close relatives are important, but those really true friendships just can’t be overlooked. They provide joy through caring and sharing, and I’ve so many to be thankful for – and so do you. Think about it. I can’t even recall where some of my “connections” got their start, but when you are out and about, it can happen quickly and before you realize it. With someone like Richard, it was a growing process. I’m not sure we liked each other at first. I was young and not the wisest when it came to nurturing a friendship, and Richard was somewhat of an upstart, out and about and upfront, all qualities that I learned to love. I believe he would agree with me. We have both known disappointments, had

disagreements, but what was left over was a kind of love and respect that only good friends can claim as their own. With me and Richard, I’d have to say that a lot of water has gone under that bridge, and a lot more is yet to come, but in all these years, I find a respect there that is not found in many friendships. I think the same could be said of another wonderful human being who just happened into my life, and it certainly wasn’t expected. I hadn’t even met him until I took pictures at a Lords of Leather contest. I was a member at the time. He wasn’t, but I think I recall him coming to our membership drive at the Phoenix. As you can see, I must not have been impressed at first, but the time would come when I fell into a deep respect and love of this guy. I sponsored Mark for Mr. Louisiana Leather, and he won the title for 2003. That was a year I hadn’t expected, but it was a wonderful year, and one I will never forget. It continues to this day, and even though we aren’t together that often, there is a respect there that will never go away. We are tied at the hip, so to speak. I came to respect his other half too. John is perhaps one of the most honest and outgoing guys I’ve ever met. I think he is the one that Mark had searched for and had found hard to find. Then he walked into Lafitte’s, and there he was. It was instant and gratifying, and it still is one of the strongest ties I know in all of gaydom. I personally think John is one of the sexiest men I’ve ever met, and, believe me, I’ve met quite a few. He is just a down to earth and generous human being that you can’t help but love. Everyone needs a John in their life, but you just don’t find them that often. I’m very fortunate to have him as a friend – and he gives such great hugs and kisses. My goodness! When you grow old together, you also have a different kind of respect. Just because you have a best friend is no sign that you have to bed him. Sex isn’t the factor in lots of friendships. There is a sincere connection and love here, but it is not in the form of a sexual nature. It is one of simple

gay community. The main function of the krewe was to stage an annual bal masque during Mardi Gras season. In 1976, Apollo became a unique organization with the introduction of a sister krewe, the Mystic Krewe of Apollo de Lafayette. The first bal masque for the Krewe of Apollo de Lafayette was held Mardi Gras 1977 at the Thomas Park Gymnasium. A packed house of 600 guests were entertained with the krewe’s production of Shady Ladies and the coronation of King and Queen Apollo I. Today’s bal masque is held in the Heymann Convention Center to an excited audience of 1,200 plus guest. Each member invites his selected friends and relatives to be his honored guests and sit at his tables to enjoy the Mardi Gras production. Each year, the captain selects an appropriate theme for the bal masque, and members create original costumes to reflect the theme. These exquisite court costumes tower in height to fifteen feet tall,

caring and wishing for the best, a great way to form and keep a bond between you. Sam fits into this category for me, as does the feeling for several other guys. We travel together, dine together, go to plays and movies together, and even hit some of the bars together, but he goes home and I go home – and we are never together for any period of time unless we are out of town and staying at a hotel. This is the measure of a true friendship. Probably Colla touched me on more of the friendship categories than anyone. I still think so highly of this beautiful guy, and I miss seeing him. We keep in touch but only meet up at parties or when he is occasionally in town. The good times were many, and the camaraderie was probably as sincere and meaningful as two people can acquire without moving in together. Maybe that’s the way it should be. All I can say is that he is just one of the most spectacular friends anyone can have, and I treasure all my past memories of the good times. I can only hope for many more to come. Brian and I go back a long way to New Orleans of several years ago. Our bonding was started on an afternoon upstairs at Lafitte’s. Steve was the bartender. I had seen Brian before and knew where he worked, but I believe this was one of the first days we sat together and talked. It all turned out to be a rewarding afternoon. There was only one other guy at the bar sitting across from us, and he turned out to be the stunt guy for Lee Majors in that television series after The Big Valley – and not the Six Million Dollar Man. I can’t even recall the name, but it was an interesting conversation, and it got even more interesting when this guy came in and asked Steve if he had left his G-string there the night before. He needed it for work that night at the Corner Pocket. I have to say that there were four shocked individuals there at the time. I never did learn if he located this brief piece of clothing or not, but it did make for a nice play that I wrote shortly after this incident occurred. Another friend I don’t see that often is Mina, who I have written up often in this column format. She is just one of those rare human beings – full of life and pride and love. I also met her through the Lords of Leather. In fact, I can look back and see so many of my friendships tied to this organization. Whether it is by phone or email, we stay in touch, but I’m ready for a

constructed of ostrich plumes, sequins, rhinestone and any array of building materials. Through its thirty-four years of existence, the Krewe of Apollo has grown in membership and activities. At this date, the krewe has a membership of fortyseven men. The krewe holds monthly meetings and yearly events and participates in several community charitable activities. Apollo’s history has established its reputation of splendor, creativeness and gaiety in Lafayette. Sound Factory and Jules are also great places to hang out as this krewe does frequent both places especially for their after parties for the events they host, some are hosted at the bar’s themselves, so check them out. So this was just a brief history of Apollo, and there is so much more to them and their history which is easy to find, online, or just asking one of the members, they will surely be much help just as they were for me to be able to give this information to all of you. Until next time, grow in knowledge of what is around you, don’t be ignorant to the obvious, and remember this is the time of year to be giving so by definition, give a gift of love to someone. Make the world a better place. It has to start somewhere, why not with you!!!!! big squeeze. Maybe that will happen soon. Kevin is another one of my friends who I find to be just perfect in all respects. He is a great travel and dining companion, and he puts up with me. That is all I’ll say about that. I have my ways, and he has his, and the two of us know how to agree and disagree. What comes forth is a kind of friendship you don’t find that often. Kevin is a laid-back guy, who seems to not let too much bother him. If it does bother him, he has a way of covering it up so as not to be up front and in your face – like some people I’ve known. He is one of the few I enjoy just “dropping in” for a drink or just a chat about what’s going on. He is an avid bird watcher who has gotten me interested in this, but then I’m got him acclimated to traveling into wineries. He watches while I sip. He is my built-in chauffeur. He is just one of the more caring guys I know, and I appreciate him more than he will ever know. I could go on and on but you all know how much I care for Jeannie, Lance, Luther, Gerry, BC Boy, Little John, TTT, Corey, Michael, and so many others. They know how I feel, and they know how much I care for them. I am so lucky to have these people in my life.

Sharing The Joy

often wonder how Michael can go home and not be totally “out of the season altogether.” He is the manager of the Rudolph Christmas Store complex on Highland Road, and he is there for you all year. This year has been a little different as he took on extra work for his boss that got him out of the store for the first six months, but he is in full swing now. The bells have been ringing constantly since early summer, and he is often so exhausted, he just crashes the minute he gets home. With a loving relationship, things are good for him. Mark is good for him. He is a wonderful and faithful friend who I simply adore. When you are out getting your Christmas items, be sure to

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[continued on 36]

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the pink pastor

ometimes I make myself sick – it is the curse of pastors to see things clearly for what they are, but to still fall into the traps we see. This makes us open to accusations of hypocrisy, and they are often justified. I clearly see that the natural urge of humanity to surround itself with people who are similar is one of the prime reasons for war, racism, homophobia and all the other divisions and horrors of human history. Our distrust of difference may be understandable in evolutionary terms, it may have made sense when we were all little more than apes, but today I clearly see (indeed, it isn’t rocket science) that it has ceased to be useful and has now become a curse. It is an impediment for our future moral, social and spiritual development. Having said that, I have to admit that after just over a year in Harahan my husband Leon and I have moved to the Bywater and it feels very good indeed! I am now surrounded by open minded, progressive folk, many of whom are LGBT and it feels wonderful. Apart from beating myself up for hypocrisy, it has made me think about the differences between Jefferson and Orleans Parishes, and why suburbs so often feel the need to define themselves as being the opposite of the cities that gave them birth. In Atlanta recently there was an unwholesome squabble between the city of Atlanta (and Fulton County) and the various disparate counties that make up Atlanta’s gigantic urban sprawl. The squabble was over who paid for Grady

a new group in town. Here’s to their future!

New Orleans Fringe Festival at various venues

by Rev. Clinton Crawshaw Email: pastor@bigeasymcc.com www.bigeasymcc.com

A Tale of Two Cities

trodding the boards ...from 31

hospital, and why Fulton County should bear so much of the burden for a hospital that served Gwinnett, Dekalb, Clayton and Cobb counties as well. The surrounding counties defined themselves as leafy refuges, full of prosperous folk who looked down their noses at the snake pit of urban Atlanta – a city full of uninsured burdens. The reality was that they were remarkably similar to Fulton county, and Atlanta sprawls it’s poverty as well as it’s wealth into the surrounding regions. In our own backyard we have a suburban parish that still defines itself directly against New Orleans, and seems to fall all over itself to distance itself from Orleans Parish (and I mean culturally here, not in terms of competence or sound administration). Sometimes when I watch the television and see the Jefferson Parish Sheriff’s department latest advertisement I wonder who they see as their constituency. The advert has several burly, older white guys standing with folded arms, while the Sheriff talks in unsubtle tones about cleaning streets, as if human beings were vermin or filth. I may be doing their department a terrible disservice, and indeed, maybe I am oversensitive, but I often wonder how this advert makes Jefferson Parishes’ large Latino, or African American communities feel, or the women of Jefferson Parish. It makes me feel very uncomfortable indeed. The days when ‘The Parish’ was a culturally homogenous collection of rural and metro Cajuns is surely long gone. The average inhabitant of Jefferson Parish is probably much more likely to live in Kenner [continued on 38]

ats off, again, to the New Orleans Fringe Festival for offering NOLA an opportunity to see a cornucopia of theater, dance and general creative madness! Though it was impossible to see everything that was offered (15 out of about 45 entertainments was about the best you could hope for), I was able to see five of them. Dealing with video diaries, Jean Ann Douglass’ some editing and some theme music was well-directed and -acted but a bit trite and too weird for me. Halfway through it, I escaped to the happy confines of Canarsie Suite in which Jennifer Sargent & Aimee German gave a master class in sibling rivalry as two sisters who share a desperate need to entertain. This brilliant homage to mediocrity was fun, silly and theatrically inventive, and featured the wildest cops’n’robbers chase I’ve seen in a long time. After a slambang first scene, Jared Gore’s dyspeptic comedy Dying to Say This to You veered into melodrama and then just kinda trailed off. Elizabeth Skinner Gore made for a piquant leading lady, however. Similarly, the first two of Pamela Davis-Noland’s “live music videos” in her Badu-izms:A Tribute to Erykah were imaginative, playful and brought a smile to my face; the final two didn’t really add much to the original videos. Coming from Skin of Our Teeth, I stumbled into the midpoint of Rigorous Disco of Doom. With its dancing pigeons and exploding disco ball in a deconsecrated church, it was very fringey but strangely moving and I wish I had seen it in its entirety. Oh well, on to next year’s Fringe!

In brief The Thanksgiving edition of Jim

Fitzmorris’ Cabinet of Wonders (Le Chat Noir) defined Thanksgiving as “football players & Pilgrims” and Christmas as when we “get everything we wanted, everything you needed and it still isn’t enough”, noted that Glenn Beck is “inspired by people he’s inspired” (a wonderful turn of phrase) and cautioned us that in the upcoming Mayor’s race not to vote for the business candidate as “business and politics are not synonyms.” Fitzmorris’ observations range from Nagin to McStarDunks to Scrooge, and as this mad ranter of NOLA extemporizes one feels his stream of consciousness could go in three directions at once. A wonderful mimic, he fortunately knows when silence can speak louder than words. Mandy Zirkenbach, Matthew Mickal and Gary Rucker along with a play by Tulane student Dave Davis added to the fun. Charles Mee’s bobrauschenbergamerica (Le Chat Noir) is a theatrical collage about love, death and longing. I’m not convinced that such a visual artistic technique translates to performance but the St. Francisville Transitory Theatre’s presentation did have its moving moments. Extremely well done by Director Andrew Farrier and his cast of nine, James Lanius III’s lighting & sound design and Tyler D’Aquilla’s choreography contributed to the various textures of the piece. Though said to be a response to the art of the late Jeffrey Cook, that aspect of this production escaped me. I’m not sure why Cutting Edge Productions chose to do the rather passé Come Back to the 5 & Dime, Jimmy Dean, Jimmy Dean (Attractions Salon) after the truly cutting edge Pterodactyls, but director Brian Fontenot did as well as he could keeping this exposition heavy soap opera moving along. Sara Pagones and CC Falcon were believable as the same self-dramatizing person twenty years apart, as were Dana Deris Fatic and Myra Dufour (a welcome new face) as the town’s good time gal. Lisa Castro gave a brave performance as Joanne, formerly Joe.

hot tails of red stick ...from 34 stop in and see this complex of stores. It is just an outstanding little community right on the edge of big BR. I think he elected not to put up a Christmas tree at his home last year. I have to ask him about this year. I would have to agree that being around it all year is not the best incentive for doing it again at home. He’s a marvelous guy, a great and close friend. I have to think of Ken at this time of the year too. He manages Louisiana Nursery over on Coursey, but he is more than a nursery guy. He is a friend who understands my gardening needs and helps me all through the year. I think he must love his job. I know that I have enjoyed my relationship with him, whether at the store, at his home, or at gatherings of the Krewe of Apollo. This is one of the former kings who came out in a magnificent costume. It was as if you had entered a Garden of Eden. I still adore my centerpiece of magnolia blossoms he gave me on that colonial pillar. I think of him each day as I pass it in my dining room. Ken is a talented guy, full of love for his friends, and he has one of the best personalities of anyone I know. All of our local bartenders have a nice way of sharing all year. Whether you are at Splash, Hound Dogs, or George’s, you know them, and they know you. I feel like many people take them for granted, and this shouldn’t be that way. However, I think this is common everywhere you go. Whether you know someone from a bar, a bookstore, a nursery, or some gift shop, we as patrons need to go out of our way to show them a little more appreciation. It is the season, but we need to show the joy of this season all year.

36 • The Official Mag: AmbushMag.COM • December 8-21, 2009 • Official Gay Mardi Gras Guide • GayMardiGras.COM

red stick paparazzi

Chansley & Richard Guy & Jared

Jared taking a break

Splash’s Trixxie & a friend

Dwayne, Paul & Scotti

Andy hugging a friend Luther & Philip

Richard & Hound Dogs’ Johnny Another sexy karaoke stud

A sexy stud with a beautiful smile

Mr. DIVA 2010 is all smiles

Bears or cowboys? The DIVAS

Tom & Rick Chansley & Michael

Jimmy & a friend

Enjoying a night on the town

Chica LaRouge

Having fun at George’s

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Bears, Cowboys, Oh MY! ~ Baton Rouge, Louisiana ~ Photos by Brad Benedict

Karaoke time @ George’s

Southern Renegades Win Top Honors at Mobile Pride Chili Cook-Off!

nce again, Mississippi Mike has lead the Southern Renegades to capture the “Best Pride Chili” title in Mobile! The award was announced at the end of the 5th Annual Mobile Pride Chili Cook-Off, along with several other honors. Mike’s savory-yet-slightly-spicy carne also landed awards for: Best Flame Chili, Best Original Chili and Best Meat Chili!

The boys celebrating Thanksgiving With Miss Cie @ B-Bob’s James & Jeremy having Thanksgiving cocktails @ B-Bob’s

Lisa out to see the show, and hang with friends @ B-Bob’s

Miss Loretta (right) performing with Miss Cie

Meet the King of Meat! Mississippi Mike, the Southern Renegades’ official Chili Chef, sports this year’s four medals plus two earned last year.

The new medals follow last year’s honors of “Best Chili” and “Best Flame Chili”. This year Mike had the crowd guessing the secret of the chili’s appealing flavor. The answer? Well, one thing, Mexican Mole’, which gave the chili a mildly spicy but rich texture and taste, along with fresh ground pork sausage. Because of the threat of rain, the event was moved from an outside area at Spanish Plaza, to the shelter of the pavilion at Lyons Park. And much to the surprise and satisfaction of the crowd, the new venue kept chili lovers close and interactive. When the DJ wasn’t playing music, members of the crowd stepped up to the mic for a little “chili-o-kee”. Six teams were situated along the perimeter of the pavilion, making the center a perfect place to socialize and sample. Winning other honors, B.A.I. walked away with the Best Vegetarian Chili, while Best Decorated Booth went to D.S.D. (Dauphin Street Drunks... it sounds worse that it is! The “pirates” were quite charming!) Other groups participating were Mystic Women of Color, B-Bob’s and Metropolitan Community Church. See more Southern Renegades events, photos and information at www.southernrenegades.com.

mobile

paparazzi

Jasyn, Jeremy, Mack & Jessica about to baptize Louis

Miss Cie joins beautiful Jessica out @ B-Bob’s

the pink pastor ...from 36

but the city divided itself by means of foolishness like that. They didn’t need to build a wall between the communities, they had done it with words and veiled references. We here have our own walls, there is one across the parish line between Orleans and Jefferson, and there are several smaller ones that divide and estrange people – like the imaginary wall along rampart street that means you can usually park in the Tremé with little difficulty. This is definitely NOT the way of the future, or at least not a future worth living in – the first step to overcoming these divisions is to be conscious of them. Let’s stop ignoring them, and start thinking about ways to remove them.

than Grand Isle! There is a large gay women’s community in Metairie, there are gay folk all over the Parish, and as I mentioned earlier, a growing Latino population in several parts of the parish. There are large numbers of African Americans (about 22%) and yet the place still sometimes feels like another country when you drive from the French Quarter to Harahan. I actually enjoyed living in Harahan – the reason we moved was not because we were run out of town as a gay interracial couple, in fact we were always treated very kindly by our neighbors and the people we met, no, the reason was that it was just too far from downtown and the Quarter. Often it is perception that divides cities long after the reality has changed. I understand that Harahan used to have a reputation, and indeed the loathsome David Duke made it his center of operations, but that was now long ago. When I worked as a hospice chaplain in South Central Los Angeles I was often told that if you went south of Washington Boulevard then you were sure to be shot, that was nonsense, and I lived to tell the tale,

Rev Clinton Crawshaw is the pastor of The Big Easy Metropolitan Community Church, part of the only worldwide LGBTaffirming denomination. The Big Easy MCC meets every Sunday at 5pm at St. Matthew’s Church – 1333 South Carrollton Avenue, NOLA 70118. Check out their website at www.bigeasymcc.com. Pastor Clinton can be reached on 504.214.4340 or revcrawshaw@yahoo.com.

Don't be left out of the Christmas/New Year's

Ambush (Dec. 22-Jan. 4) Deadline: Tuesday, Dec. 15 The Southern Renegade Chili Team was among six teams helping to raise money to finance the annual Mobile Alabama Pride Celebration, scheduled for April 2010.

504.522.8049

38 • The Official Mag: AmbushMag.COM • December 8-21, 2009 • Official Gay Mardi Gras Guide • GayMardiGras.COM

Celebrating Thanksgiving ~ Mobile, Alabama ~ Photos by Cieanne & John

out & about in mobile

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ambush

paparazzi

Brian, manager Jerry, Frankie, Rikki Redd & Wilhemina cocktailin’ @ Cafe Lafitte in Exile

Cliff & James ready to serve you @ World famous Clover Grill

The Saints biggest Bourbon Street cheerleader Blanche Debris, straight from Oz

Bywater Patio Bar’s Mike & Rusty Leroux with Society Page’s Orlando @ Good Friends’ Karaoke Night

Tony & Brad @ Good Friends’ Karaoke Night King Satyricon VII Wedon & Troy at Satyricon’s Thanksgiving event

Josh, bartender Nate & Jeffrey get cozy for Meat Night @ Rawhide

Sable Nicole Starr, one of the stars @ Oz

Bywater Mike joins BJ @ Bywater Patio Bar, the newest gay bar in the Bywater

Rusty LaRoux & Kenny Petit back together again at Rusty’s new home, Bywater Patio Bar

Petronius’ Randy & Jimmy at Satyricon’s Thanksgiving Buffet & Auction

FourPlay’s Elizabeth Bouvier on stage @ JohnPaul’s

Mercedes Ellis Loreal gives it to ‘em @ Oz Ted & David at Satyricon’s Thanksgiving event

King Cake Queen XIII Raven Kennedy is a special guest in the Oz show

Queen & King Armeinius Tim & Ricky join Bessie Ann for Satyricon’s Thanksgiving blowout

40 • The Official Mag: AmbushMag.COM • December 8-21, 2009 • Official Gay Mardi Gras Guide • GayMardiGras.COM

Love was in the air for DB at Marcy’s b-day show @ JohnPaul's

The Petronius Calendar Boys: April, May& June at Marcy’s b-day show @ JohnPaul's

Makin’ The Rounds ~ New Orleans ~ Photos by Nathan Brooks, Tony Leggio

Get your free Mona Lisa’s pizza every Friday with Aletha & Jeff @ Cafe Lafitte in Exile

Queen Satyricon V Hoyle & JohnPaul’s Paul join Satyricon’s Thanksgiving Buffet & Auction @ JohnPaul’s

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Cutter’s kicks off it’s annual PreThanksgiving Day Buffet

Tubby’s Golden Lantern brought out Danny & Jimmy on Thanksgiving

Michael & Sammy enjoy the Happy Thanksgiving Dinner @ Double Play

Tubby’s Golden Lantern bartenders Stephen & Darrin

Mac, Lynn & JR celebrate their birthdays @ Cutter’s

Mike serves up Carrot & Red Velvet Mini-Cakes from Decadence Shoppe at 700 Club’s Thanksgiving Dessert Buffet

Double Play bartender Tom & Le Roundup bartender Chris in for Le Roundup’s buffet

Tommy’s Flowers’ George in for the feast @ Cutter’s

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Le Roundup bartender Al served the cocktails

Matthias, Joel, Kurt, Steve & David in for 700 Club’s Thanksgiving Dessert Buffet

Robbie cooked Lance’s turkey for Tubby’s Golden Lantern

Bartenders Bruce & Ashlee serve up delights @ The Corner Pocket’s Post Thanksgiving Dinner

Enjoying Cutter’s Thanksgiving Feast

700 Club bar baron Mike & new bartender Matt

Emile & Tim brought Down The Bayou Chicken & Sausage Gumbo for Thanksgiving Dinner @ Tubby’s Golden Lantern

Sam & Princesse Stephaney pop in for Starlight’s Thanksgiving Feast

Enjoying Thanksgiving Dinner @ Tubby’s Golden Lantern

Donna serves up some of the Happy Thanksgiving Dinner @ Double Play

42 • The Official Mag: AmbushMag.COM • December 8-21, 2009 • Official Gay Mardi Gras Guide • GayMardiGras.COM

Corner Pocket’s Thanksgiving Elf Boy Sheldon on the bar

Turkey Week in The Big Easy ~ New Orleans

Le Roundup GM Candise is joined by Donna for Le Roundup’s Thanksgiving Buffet

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44 • The Official Mag: AmbushMag.COM • December 8-21, 2009 • Official Gay Mardi Gras Guide • GayMardiGras.COM