Ambush magazine volume 28 issue 26 by Ambush Publishing

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

Year Comes to a Close Bringing Ambush into its 29th Year

his issue of Ambush Mag is the last of the year bringing Ambush's 28th year to a close. As the publication moves into it's 29th year, it has much to be thankful for. First and foremost, Ambush would like to thank each and every advertiser who has kept this institution alive and well. It's readers are some of the most loyal and thousands of them help raise huge amounts of dollars for the various charities and causes vital to the Gay Lesbian Bisexual Transgender community. Seasons Greetings to all, and hopes of a happy, prosperous New Year come your way!

Senator Collins Leads Effort to Repeal Don't Ask, Don't Tell, Senate Passes Historic Legislation 65-31

ashington, D.C. - U.S. Senator Susan Collins released this state ment following a vote in the U.S. Senate to repeal the Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell policy, which was implemented under President Clinton

in 1993. “This is an historic day. It is important that the United States will now join at least 28 of our closest allies in welcoming the service of any qualified individual who is willing and capable of serving our country. “Society has changed a great deal since President Clinton signed the Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell law in 1993. I agree with Defense Secretary Robert Gates and Admiral Michael Mullen, Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff and our nation’s highest ranking military official, that this law should be carefully repealed. I also agree with Secretary Gates that it is appropriate that the issue be decided by Congress, not the courts.” “I am delighted to have joined my friend and colleague Joe Lieberman in leading the effort to begin repeal of this law.” In May, Senator Collins was the only Republican on the Senate Armed Services Committee to vote to include repeal of Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell in the Defense Authorization bill. Last week, she was the only Republican in the Senate to vote to proceed to the Defense Authorization bill which included repeal language, however, that bill failed. Senators Collins and Lieberman then introduced the standalone bill which passed the Senate today. President Obama, who called Senator Collins to thank her for her leadership on this issue, is now expected to sign the bill into law.

Historic Victory on Critical Senate “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” Vote

ASHINGTON, D.C. - Servicemembers United, the nation’s largest organization of gay and lesbian troops and veterans, released the following statement regarding the Senate’s successful cloture vote on the bill that would repeal the “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” (DADT) law: “This vote represents an historic step forward for this country, and it will very likely be a life-changing moment for gay and lesbian troops,” said Alexander Nicholson, Executive Director of Servicemembers United and a former multilingual Army interrogator who was discharged under DADT. “While we still have a long road ahead, including a final passage vote, the certification process, and a yet-to-be-determined implementation period, those who defend our freedom while living in fear for their careers will finally breathe a sigh of relief tonight, and those who have fallen victim to this policy in years past will finally begin to see true closure and redemption on the horizon.” For more information about Servicemembers United and “Don’t Ask, Dont’ Tell,” please visit ServicemembersUnited.org. For the most comprehensive collection of polling data, discharge statistics, academic works, legislative and congressional material, and more, visit DADTArchive.org.

29th Anniversary, Mardi Gras Classic Issue out Jan. 4 DEADLINE: Tues., Dec. 28

inside

commentary under the gaydar ambush paparazzi/new orleans celebrazzi trodding the boards/new orleans snap paparazzi/nola, metairie acadiana happens/lafayette

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24 26 27 28 32 34 36 38

Gulf South Entertainment/Travel Guide Since 1982 828-A Bourbon St. • New Orleans, LA 70116-3137 • 504.522.8049 marsha@ripandmarsha.com feature food, champagne, entertainment, and BDSM demonstrations from 10pm to 2am. Tickets are $20 in advance or $25.00 at the door. Advance tickets may be obtained from any Krewe member or at JohnPaul’s prior to the event. An exciting new feature of the ball is a tattoo contest to be held promptly at 11pm. Winners will be chosen in the categories of “Best Tribal”, “Most Artistic”, and “Best Tattoo in an Adult Recreational Area”. Raffle drawing will be held throughout the evening and prizes include tattoos and piercings from Art Accent French Quarter Tattoos. Fetish attire is required and may include full leather, rubber/latex, sexy lingerie, formal, drag, goth, and jock gear as just a few examples. A clothes check will be provided. For a detailed description of the dress code and for more information on the New Year’s Eve Fetish Ball, visit lordsofleather.com and click on the link for the New Years Eve Fetish Ball.

Rare Performance by Miss Gay America 1995 Slated for Opal's Follies

n Sunday, January 2, Opal’s Follies will feature a rare performance by Miss Gay America 1995 Patti Le Plae Safe, direct from Dallas, Texas, at JohnPaul's beginning at 5pm sharp.

Hosted by King Cake Queen XVII Opal Masters and emceed by Satyricon [continued on 6]

THE OFFICIAL MAG

Gulf South Entertainment/Travel Guide Since 1982 • Texas-Florida Official Gay Easter Parade Guide Official Gay Mardi Gras Guide Official Gay New Orleans Guide Official Southern Decadence Guide 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-Mobile Florida - Pensacola Louisiana - Baton Rouge, Lafayette, Lake Charles, Metairie, New Orleans, Slidell Mississippi - Biloxi, Hattiesburg Texas - Austin

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 THEATRE/PERFORMING ARTS CRITIC Brian Sands, Patrick Shannon AD REPS/JOURNALISTS/PHOTOGRAPHERS Joey Collins-Lafayette, LA Devin Black, Rev. Clinton Crawshaw, Tony Leggio, Lee Mullen, Jeff Palmquist-New Orleans Bob Brunson, Cieanne & John, Leon WeekleyMobile, AL Roy Williams-Pensacola, FL NATIONAL ADVERTISING REP Rivendell Media~212.242.6863 AMBUSH Mag is published on alternate Tuesdays of each month by Ambush, Inc., R. Rip Naquin-Delain, President. Advertising, Copy & Photo DEADLINE is alternate Tuesdays, 4pm, prior to publication week, accepted via e-mail only: marsha@ripandmarsha.com, except for special holidays. The Publisher assumes no responsibility for the claims of advertisers and has the right to reject any advertising. The inclusion of an individual's name or photograph in this publication implies nothing about that individual's sexual orientation. Letters, stories, etc., appearing herein are not necessarily the opinion of the Publisher or Staff of AMBUSH Mag. Subscription rate is $45 for 1/2 Year; $75 for 1 year. Sample Copy is $3 First Class Mail.

Lords of Leather Ring in New Year with New Year's Eve Fetish Ball Dec. 31 he Lords of Leather ring in the New Year with the return of the New Year’s Eve Fetish Ball at JohnPaul’s on Friday, December 31st. A pre-Katrina tradition, the ball will cover both floors of JohnPaul’s and

the pink pastor acadiana paparazzi/lafayette baton rouge classifieds paparazzi/mobile chop chop/new orleans snap paparazzi/new orleans ambush paparazzi/new orleans

Opal Masters & Patti Le Plae Safe

©1982-2010, AMBUSH, INC., ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. NOTHING HEREIN MAY BE REPRODUCED WITHOUT WRITTEN PERMISSION OF THE PUBLISHER INCLUDING AD LAYOUTS, MAPS and PHOTOS. AMgrant - AMbush Advertising Grant Donation

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commentary Did we dance at the White House?

hen the White House invited me to one of its holiday receptions and dinners, my first reaction was that I’ve already had enough face-time with the president and to let someone else go. The staff here at PGN persuaded me otherwise. They were right. All my meetings with the president have been community-business or politically related. This was a White House party. And there’s this list that I keep of things I’d like to do in my lifetime, and one of them is dancing ... with my boyfriend at the White House, so I began to wonder if that would finally come off the list. A White House party is what you’d expect: Elegant, glamorous, famous people walking about and ready to chat. But what is really impressive is that you actually get to use the building as it was intended — as a house. There are no rope lines and, with the exception of the private residence, you have the freedom to walk about the building. You actually get your food and sit on the furniture, stand by the Gilbert Stuart portrait of George Washington and sip a cocktail. You can go to the library and take a few books out to read. Or just do [continued on 8]

the "official" dish ...from4 Captain Tony Leggio, the show stars Miss Gay Vieux Carre America Tami Tarmac, Queen Amon-Ra XXXVIII Gizelle Bouvier and Amon-Ra Miss America Deja Deja Vu. A performance is also slated by the colorful Queen Petronius L-Elect Bootsie DeVille.

FoodChannel.COM Predicts 2011 Top 10 Food Trends

hicago - The Food Channel® has released the much-anticipated Top 10 Food Trends for 2011. By partnering with CultureWaves™, Mintel International and International Food Futurists®, The Food Channel has been able to identify the most significant food trends that will drive how people eat throughout 2011, from buying to cooking to consuming. “The new economy has created a boldness and willingness to change how we work, how we cook and how we eat. All of our 2011 trends reflect that in some way,” said Kay Logsdon, editor of The Food Channel. “One example is Baby Boomers wanting to age well. Trend #10 explains they are eating for better sex, more energy and the ability to work longer.” For 23 years, The Food Channel has uncovered food trends ahead of

the curve. “The insights are fun for consumers, and give those who make their living from food a competitive edge when it comes to what drives their consumers’ choices,” added Logsdon. The Food Channel Top 10 Trends for 2011 include: 1. The Canning Comeback – “Putting Up” is gaining popularity for both economy and health. 2. Men in Aprons – Layoffs have led to more men cooking. 3. Local Somewhere – We care about hand-tended no matter where it’s grown. 4. Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell – We’re tired of being told what we can eat. 5. Appetite for Food Apps – Social media is our guide and our coupon source. 6. Small is the New Big Business – Corporations are thinking like small businesses. 7. Fresh Every Day – Rooftop gardens are just part of this trend. 8. Chefs in Schools – Better flavor is possible in an institutional setting. 9. Discomfort Foods – Change makes us comfortable with more change. 10. Eating for Sex and Other Things – We are working longer, and want all the gusto. Read the complete Top 10 Food Trends for 2011 at foodchannel.com. Also look for the Top 10 Foods to

Watch in 2011. They include sausage, moonshine, grits, fin fish and the latest in antioxidant-heavy fruit. Plus, The Food Channel offers videos like the Mixology series, recently nominated for a Tasty Award, “the premier awards show celebrating the year’s best in Food, Fashion, and Home Lifestyle programs on Television, in Film and Online.” The Food Channel is a place for great food inspiration, the latest trends, the most compelling stories, and original perspective. This website offers insightful original content that is distributed everywhere foodies interact with culinary creativity by influencing, contributing to, learning from, gaining inspiration through, and being a part of the experience around great food. For more information, visit foodchannel.com. Follow The Food Channel on Twitter at twitter.com/ foodchannel or twitter.com/aford, or on Facebook at facebook.com/ FoodChannel.

Next Edition

29th Anniversary/ Mardi Gras Classic

Ambush 504.522.8049

cont act

marsha@ripandmarsha.com

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commentary ...from 6 what most people do: Take pictures of yourself with the White House Christmas tree, or one of hundreds of famous points in the building. There are Marines scattered around the building, ready to help take that photo of you and your spouse under the Presidential Seal

or in the East Room, Red Room, Blue Room or anywhere else. As for food and drink, it was in abundance. The main entrées were filet mignon or salmon, but the main course did not match up to the desserts. The centerpiece of the dessert table was a white-chocolate White House, with two cut-in rooms with actual working chandeliers and the First Family’s dog sitting on the lawn. Very impressive. That, of course, was not to eat, but the White House bakery did not disappoint. Several kinds of pies, cakes, pastries, chocolates and cookies were available, including a cookie in the shape of the family dog, Bo. Of course, a party is not all food and drink, it’s also pleasant conversation.

Or, in the White House, it’s political conversation. Of the many chats I had Tuesday night, two stood out. One was with an old friend I hadn’t seen or talked with since he took his job as Special Assistant to the President, David Axelrod. David in the past had managed several Philadelphia campaigns and, on occasion, we’d have lunch at Famous Fourth Street Deli. He and I talked about “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” — now, the rules of this event are that the comments of the administration are off the record, but my comments are not — and I gave him a friendly reminder that the president had promised to end the ban by the end of his first term. Next up was by far my favorite conversation of the night, and I don’t think he’ll mind that I’m writing about it. I went over to introduce myself to press secretary Robert Gibbs. I introduced myself, “Mark Segal, Philadelphia Gay News.” A big smile came to his face and he said, “You’re the guy who kicked our butt for 18 months.” We laughed and I said, “It was only four months and then, as I recall, we worked together.” The rest of the conversation, I think, falls under the “off-the-record” category, but the subject matter was about LGBT media. I really like this guy. Last up was getting your picture taken with the president and first lady. And of course the pic, when we receive it in, say, six months or so, will be very animated since I never lose an opportunity when I have the president’s ear to mention LGBT issues or projects — and that was my only disappointment of the evening. The president and first lady were gracious, but they had been through a very busy and difficult political week. I was disappointed not with them, but with myself for giving them another item to think about. There are always better times. But the president was oh-so-polite. And yes, Jason and I did dance at the party. There’s even a video of it on my Facebook page. Cross that off my list. Mark Segal, PGN publisher, is the nation’s most-award-winning commentator in LGBT media, having recently received the 2010 Columnist of the Year Award from Suburban Newspapers of America. He can be reached at mark@epgn.com.

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

Hotel le Marais is on the Scene

ew Orleans has a brand new chic boutique hotel. Guests will be inspired by its design as it blends the city’s old world charm with a contemporary upscale atmosphere. Hotel le Marais is also New Orleans’ latest hot spot with a trendy bar and sophisticatedly elegant courtyard. The trendsetters, influencers, fashionistas and of course, the gays, will be in the midst of all the action set amid a historic and cultural backdrop when they check in or just come in for a drink at the bar. Let’s talk about the bar for a moment; the bar has an exciting environment with an amazing wine list, and an impeccable tequila selection in addition to their signature purple cocktail. This place is connected to the pulse of the city in the heart of the French Quarter. This hotel is a modern sanctuary with four-star amenities and a high level of personal service. Hotel le Marais offers guests and patrons an opportunity to experience the elegance (and decadence) of one of the most incredible cities in the world. For more information on the hotel or to book reservations, call 504.525.2300 or go to hotellemarais.com.

December Book of the Month

ell, I am back on track with my book reviews. I am sorry about the absence for a month, but the holidays got the better part of my world which has been like a whirlwind. But I have decided to make time in my life for the things I enjoy, and reading ranks high on my list. That being said, the book of the month for December is from one of the best LGBT mystery writers of our time, Ellen Hart. Her latest book The Cruel Ever After finds our heroine, Jane Lawless, in a very vulnerable spot. Her plans of

a third restaurant have fallen through due to the failed economy, her relationship with her girlfriend has ended, her family bond with her brother and niece are strained and now a mystery man from her past has come back into her life with very dangerous consequences. The man is Chester Garrity, her exhusband, who has returned to a city that he swore he’d never see again. After their divorce many years ago, he took off with his inheritance to travel the world, leaving Jane with enough seed money to open her first restaurant. Now he’s back and penniless, or as he would prefer to say, between fortunes. He’s working an angle to make his next one by selling a priceless artifact recently looted from the Baghdad Museum, but it all falls through when he wakes up next to the dead body of his buyer with no memory of what happened the night before. Panicked, Chester flees the scene starting a chain reaction that leads to more murders, kidnapping and possibly the final days of Jane. As with her previous novels, Hart paints a detailed picture of the characters and their lives. With numerous red herrings thrown in for good measure, The Cruel Ever After is a quick and satisfying read. Even though I found the ending slightly rushed, Hart has provided such an intricate storyline that it does not matter. The novel is being released by St. Martin’s Minotaur Press this December and makes a great gift for those mystery readers on your list. For more information, go to ellenhart.com. Or as always, you can buy this book or any other LGBT title at our own independent bookseller, FAB located at 600 Frenchman Street in the Marigny.

From One Holiday to the Next

e will not be over Christmas and New Year’s when we begin our Mardi Gras celebration with Twelfth Night,

Reach the Market

NEXT EDITION 29th Anniversary/ Mardi Gras Classic Deadline Dec. 2 8 t h 504.522.8049 marsha@ripandmarsha.com

the official kickoff to the carnival season. The Mystic Krewe of Satyricon is celebrating the holiday in style with their annual 12th Night Gala at 7pm on Saturday, January 8, 2011. This year the krewe has several new surprises in store for guests including a fabulous new venue, delectable cuisine, great entertainment and most importantly the announcement of their new royalty for the ball. In addition they also crown the king and queen of 12th night. These lucky two individuals will have a chair at the captain’s table and get to promenade in front of all the guests. This year the event will be held at K-Joe’s located in the heart of the French Quarter at 720 St. Louis Street. Tickets prices are $25, for more information call 504.671.7410 or go to mystickreweofsatyricon.com.

Merriment on Magazine Street

his holiday season, the merchants on Magazine Street held their annual Merriment on Magazine event and it was a huge success. The galleries, shops and restaurants opened for all the holiday festivities which included bands, libations, food and my favorite pastime, shopping. But there was one standout place on the thoroughfare that made quite the impression. Chet Pourciau Design hosted one truly amazing event that night. You could not help but be in the holiday spirit after going to their open house. Let’s begin with the fact that they served killer pomegranate martinis that were as potent as they were delicious. But then add to it that they were whipped up by hot little male elves in skin tight green tee shirts and you just made the drink even sexier. One of those bartenders was my “it” boy, Blake, who bartends regularly at Oz. Then there was passed hors d’oeuvres, a yogurt bar supplied by Pinkberry and a DJ that kept us in the hottest holiday tunes of the season. Besides all of that, I wanted to spotlight our host Chet. I truly believe that he is an inspiration to young people in the LGBT community. He is talented, professional, hard-working and most of all committed to helping our community. He offers complete design services either in home or at his shop located at 3650 Magazine Street. From one room or your complete home, his talents are remarkable. For more information, call 504.522.2438 or go to chetpourciaudesign.com.

Giving Back This Holiday Season

he New Orleans Bear and Bear Trapper Social Club held their annual holiday party on December 10 at Lazarus House in the Marigny and it was not only a festive occasion, but a very

philanthropic one. I was invited to the event by the wonderful George Tresch who has been the treasurer for nine years. He said the evening would be something enjoyable and he was ever so right. Not only did I meet some delightful new people, but I had a chance to reconnect with people I have not seen in a while. Also, since Christmas is one of my favorite holidays, I love to decorate trees, and the club uses this event to decorate the tree for Lazarus House. So with the help of Gary and a few others, we decked the halls and made that tree fabulous. The organization has been around for 15 years and in that time they raised thousands of dollars for some very worthy causes and charities. That night was no exception, they handed out checks to Buzzy’s Boys and Girls and Project Lazarus for $2,841.75 each and to St. Anna’s Food Bank for $1,000.00. Now that is what I call the true meaning of Christmas giving. For more information, go to bearsofneworleans.com.

Don We Now Our Gay Apparel

love the holidays, it brings the best out in everyone. Even the bitter queens take a break from their bitchiness to have some fun (well at least most of them do). The others end up being visited by the ghosts of tricks past and it never ends well for them. My holidays started with a bang. This is the first part of a two part series on the happening holiday events. My party season began on December 1, when the National Association of Catering Executives hosted their annual holiday party and fundraiser on the top floor of the Windsor Court. The only thing I could say about this event is that it was top notch from start to finish. From the food and entertainment to the spectacular view of the city, everything was first rate. The organization honored Chef Matt Murphy from the Ritz Carlton and the Louisiana Seafood Promotion and Marketing Board for all their deserving work they did during the Gulf Oil Crises. As incoming president for NACE, this party was a great way to begin my tenure. And I have to add that the top floor of the Windsor Court is just one amazing place to hold an event. Then on Friday, December 4, I went to see the wonderful premier of Running With Scissors’ newest holiday play Snow Girls. The Krewe of Satyricon hosted the opening night of this side splitting show. It was a great way to get into the holiday spirit. The next day was the wonderful shopping expedition I took with my friend Laura as we enjoyed Merriment on Magazine Street. I finished up my entire shopping list that night as I browsed through [continued on 14]

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Celebrating the holidays @ Country Club Christmas Party

Marc & Gigi @ Gigi Zazou’s Holiday/50th Birthday Bash Michael & Gary @ opening night of After Dark play starring Jeff Mallon @ Shadowbox Theatre

Celebrating @ New Orleans Bears Christmas Party

ambush

Enjoying the Country Club Christmas Party

The girls at the Golden Age Revue @ JohnPaul’s Celebrating opening night of After Dark

In the holiday spirit @ New Orleans Bears Christmas Party

A check was presented to St. Anna’s Food Kitchen for $1,000 from New Orleans Bear & Bear Trapper Social Club at their holiday party

Gary decorates the tree @ Lazarus House for New Orleans Bears Christmas Party

Marcy Marcell presents the Golden Age Revue @ JohnPaul’s

Celebrating @ Country Club Christmas Party

DJ Dan & Zsa Zsa in Golden Age Revue

More fun @ Country Club Christmas Party

The cast of After Dark, Jeff Mallon, Trenton Perez with director William Powell at JohnPaul’s opening party

A check was presented to Buzzy’s Boys & Girls @ New Orleans Bears party @ Lazarus House

A check was presented to Lazarus House @ New Orleans Bears Christmas Party

Dawn Leggio & Brick Bishop @ Gigi Zazou’s Holiday/50th Birthday Bash @ home of Marc Behar

Michael & Ben from Glazer’s @ Gigi Zazou’s Holiday/50th Birthday Bash

Caleb with Bourbon Pub Parade owner Sandy

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Celebratin’ The Holidays ~ New Orleans ~ Photos by Devin Black, Tony Leggio

papar azzi

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under the gaydar ...from 10 the stores and galleries on Magazine sipping wine and cocktails. More retail establishments needs to remember this, the more people drink, the more they spend. We then went to the Big Top Gallery on Clio for their holiday fundraiser which was off the hook. The DJ was playing some great music, which had the entire place on the dance floor. The food was amazing and there were these hot chefs from Delmonico grilling meat. Being the little imp I am this holiday season, I got them to take their shirts off and pose for me with their “meat.” Talk about hot. Trust me I didn’t go vegetarian that night. On Sunday, I went to my cousin Angie’s baby shower then I emceed Opal’s Follies at JohnPaul’s. Opal’s show is always so much fun as she and her girls entertain the lively crowd after the Saints’ win. Opal’s Follies is always the first Sunday of every month at 5pm. So come check her out. I felt like I breezed through the next week like a hurricane. I went to holiday parties put on by Pigeon Catering, Where Magazine, Gambel Communications and the Bombay Club. All the parties were fun, but I would like to tell Gigi Zazou, a longtime supporter of Satyricon, what a lovely 50th birthday/ holiday party she had at the gorgeous home of Marc Behar. The food was incredible and the chocolate peppermint cake was to die for. And being the gracious hostess she is, she asked in lieu of gifts people make donations to three of her favorite organizations: WYES, Forum for Equality and Satyricon. We appreciate and wish you a very happy birthday year. Jeff Mallon opened his show After Dark at the Shadowbox Theatre on St. Claude that week. This gay themed show was funny and tender and had outstanding performances by Mallon and Trenton Perez. I went to the opening of the show followed by a cast party at JohnPaul’s. Then afterwards I made a quick stop in at the Country Club for their holiday celebration. They had a great band and amazing cuisine. The Lords of Leather also held their art and wine auction at JohnPaul’s which is always festive and a great way for me to get some last minute gifts. But my top event that week had to be Art Against AIDS at The Shops at Canal Place. I was very lucky to work on this fundraiser with some truly dedicated people on the NO/AIDS Task Force staff. Special thanks should go out to Cheryl, Lyndsey, Chad, Larry and TJ who worked tirelessly to make this event a massive success. The food was scrumptious as twenty restaurants served up their specialties. Their auction ranks in my top five at fundraising events. I got several great pieces of art by talented artists. The DJ spun great dance tunes and singing sensation Josh Duffy wowed the audi-

ence with his beautiful melodies. If you missed out this year, remember to put it on your calendar for next, because this is one event not to be missed. Stay tuned to part two of my series on holiday parties in the next issue of Ambush.

A Stritch Christmas

knocked on Elizabeth’s door with my arms laden with holiday gifts, alcoholic libations and a fruit cake that my aunt had sent me from Cutoff, Louisiana. I honestly think that fruit cakes are the worst thing in the world, but why keep it in my house, when I can bring it to someone else’s home for their holiday party. I guess if someone else tosses it out, it alleviates my guilt. She answered the door carrying a martini, wearing a Santa short skirt outfit and a hat saying, “Naughty Girls Need Love Too.” “Well, you seem to be in the festive mood.” “I am,” she led me inside to the den where I put the bottle of liquor and the fruit cake down. “I am so excited about tonight because we are going to crack the case before Christmas.” Elizabeth and I have been working on a blackmail case involving Elaine Stritch, I mean Cathy Fox. Someone wants her crowns, sashes and pins and they will stop at nothing to get them. We as usual had plenty of suspects and very few clues. We believe that the culprit is one of the four male gigolos that she has been seeing over the past few months (I know, right, she is a whore). Anyway, we had investigated three of them and we had one more left on our list. “All the suspects here, under one roof, do you really think that is a good idea?” “Man up girly boy, we will be fine, now fix yourself a drink.” With that, the doorbell rang and Elizabeth escorted Rhonda Roget, the madam of the call service that sent out the boys, her manservant David (pronounced Daveed, so pretentious) and Colston, one of the male escorts who I have been seeing on and off for the past few months. I took a page out of Elizabeth’s handbook, fixed my first stiff martini and downed it, then made another one. From the looks of it, this may be a rough night. They made themselves at home on the seating area near the huge brightly lit tree when the doorbell chimed again. This time it was Renegade Robbie who escorted in Eva Las Vegas dressed in a suede coat, beaded mini dress and a crooked Santa hat. But I actually could not be sure if the hat was tilted or her wig. They were quickly followed in by Easy Bake Oven Lance who brought in Tami Tarmac on his arm. He swaggered up to me at the bar and grabbed a beer. I know trouble

Cathy Fox was brewing so I fixed another cocktail and checked to see if I brought my pepper spray which I had purchased a few days prior. Elizabeth and I had been receiving threats since we started on this case and I figured it could not hurt. “I think this is going well,” Elizabeth said as she came up to me at the bar. “I hope you know what you are doing.” The door opened and Lauren Brown, Little Debbie Snatchcakes and Barbara Ella came in. “What are they doing here, they are not part of the case.” “Well, I figured I would make this a fun holiday party for everyone in my FourPlay show also and since Tami was already going to be here, I figured what the heck.” “At this special time, I hope all of you have a blessed holiday,” Little Debbie said with a basket of Snatchcakes in her hand. Her holiday outfit which included a cape made her look more like Little Red Riding Hood then a Christmas Elf. “Save it sister,” Lauren said. “And keep your snatch away from me. I am on a diet. Where’s the bar Bouvier?” She noticed me and saddled up and fixed herself a straight glass of bourbon. The owners of JohnPaul’s, John and Paul entered next looking very celebratory. They brought holiday jello shots, actually jello jiggelers in the shapes of snowmen, Christmas trees, ornaments and elves. They were scarfed up quickly by the guests. I tried one very potent yellow elf that packed a whollop. Suddenly I was filled with the holiday spirit all right, the spirit of Captain Morgan rum. I walked up to a few of the guests and started chatting idly waiting to see if anyone divulged any information. “What is she doing here,” Tami said and all eyes turned to the door.

Cathy Fox entered the door in a full length white mink coat, with a glittering crown atop her head covered with shiny stones, a sash from a contest she had won years ago and an array of pins on here dress that nearly blinded you if the light hit them right. Her matching white sequin gown made her look like a brilliant snowflake. She was followed in by Vespa Vic and his roommate Rocky Road. “Look who I met outside walking up,” Vespa said. “Isn’t that a coincidence, but we did not come together.” He again said loudly for the entire room to hear. I saw Rocky roll his eyes behind him. It had been a few weeks prior we had found out that Cathy and Vespa were having an affair and according to her, seemingly in love. Only one suspect was not accounted for, Russell the Love Muscle. I walked up to Elizabeth. “You learn anything.” “No, but the night is still young and I plan on getting them and myself liquored up real good, so let’s see where that takes us.” I groaned. “Now I am just going to pop into the kitchen and check the rumaki, and I will be back in a jiff. Keep the wolves at bay.” I walked to the bar and poured myself a stiff vodka drink and turned and ran into Colston. “Why haven’t I heard from you, it has been two weeks? I thought we had something good.” Oh god, not the time for this, I thought. “I have been busy with the holidays and a new case I am working on.” “Case? It is not like you are a detective or anything.” I saw red for a moment. “Please do not talk about my work. I haven’t said anything about your line of business. By the way, how many people have you slept with this week?” “Tony, that is not fair. Your job is dangerous, I care about you. You are following people and getting threats.” “I care about you too, let’s talk about this another time and enjoy the party. Look mistletoe, want to try your luck,” I smiled slyly, then out of the corner of my eye, I saw Easy Bake Oven Lance walk under it. Cathy Fox shot like a rocket over there and planted a huge kiss on him. One of those long, slow, deep kisses that you feel in your toes. “Get your hands off of him you old hag.” It was Tami who sauntered up to her and before anyone had knew it she ripped her crown from her head and threw it to the floor smashing it. “You washed up little bitch, you are just jealous because I have had almost every man in this room.” “Well, I could too, they are prostitutes, anyone with a hundred dollars could get one.” “A hundred dollars, what the hell,” Eva Las Vegas said. “I have been paying three.” [continued on 19]

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celebrazzi (celebrations-paparazzi)

inger Josh Duffy and entertainer Princesse Stephaney join Chairperson Tony Leggio for the 24th Annual Art Against AIDS: Out of The Frame and Off The Wall at Canal Place in New Orleans benefiting NO/AIDS Task Force.

iltmore House’s holiday centerpiece, a 34-foot Fraser fir, spends the holidays in the 72-foot high Banquet Hall, adorned with lights and surrounded by gifts. The 250 room French Renaissance-style chateau opened in 1895, still houses original furnishings and art of the late George Vanderbilt in Asheville, North Carolina.

mbush's Rip and Marsha Naquin-Delain decided on Christmas at Biltmore for their holiday get-away. They took advantage of Candlelight Christmas Evenings showcasing Biltmore House with candles and fire places glowing, along with performances by a choir, orchestra, dancers and a quartet. They stayed at the Inn on Biltmore Estate with shuttle service to all of the attractions. Below: Biltmore House.

he cast of Good Friends 16th Christmas Gala: Hard Candy Christmas turn-a-bout show raised $2,722 for Belle Reve in New Orleans. The bar also adopted 13 residents and will buy each a Christmas gift this season.

uartermaster's Misael Rubio joins Southern Decadence Grand Marshal Toby Lefort for Toby's Annual Holiday Party & Auction raising $7,310 for families with kids with HIV and AIDS at 4 Seasons in Metairie. (Photo by Devin Black)

anta Grand Marshal Lance Pippin joins Animal Rescue New OrIeans (ARNO) Rep Charlotte and Elf Rikki Redd on stage at Tubby's Golden Lantern in New Orleans during the 1st Christmas Carriage Ride raising $1,100 for ARNO.

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under the gaydar ...from 14 “Honey with you, they are earning every penny,” Rhonda said. Oh, no, I saw it happen before I could react. Eva grabbed my fruit cake from the table and hummed it at Rhonda Roget missing her and smashing into her manservant David. I guess she was not wearing her glasses. “I beg your pardon,” he said and walked up to her and ripped the Santa hat from her head which happened to be connected to her wig. He screamed and dropped it on the ground. That is when Renegade Robbie threw the punch connecting into David’s jaw and sending him flying into John and Paul who were standing off to the side. Paul lost his footing and fell taking Barbara Ella down with him. “Why Paul, I am flattered,” she said underneath him. He tried to get back up, but she wrestled him back to the ground, turned him over and straddled him. John tried to help Paul, but Barbara’s legs had snapped shut on his thigh like a vice grip. She pulled John down on top of her. “My , my, two men at one time, what is a fair flower like me going to do?” “I cannot believe you kissed him,” Vespa yelled at Cathy. “What about us?” “Please it is innocent I only have eyes for you.” When she said that, Tami tackled her from behind bringing down both Vespa and Cathy in a clump atop John, Paul and the extremely horny Barbara Ella who was now gyrating wildly and moaning. Meanwhile Colston was trying to break up the fight between Robbie and David, when I saw Rhonda stand up and shove Eva. “This is all your fault, you crazy old lady.” That was it, the fists started flying and Eva swung, Rhonda ducked and Lauren Brown took the punch, which sent her reeling backwards into Rocky Road. “Why can’t we have nice things,” as she sank to her knees on the ground. “Watch it lady,” he said. She stood up and Rocky got met by a backhand to his face. Vespa Vic tried to step in and got kicked in the groin for his effort. He went down like a ton of bricks. That is when I got hit on the side of the face by a snatchcake. It was wet, sticky and moist. Little Debbie was standing in the corner throwing them at people, but was sidelined by Eva Las Vegas who was still flailing around in the living room unable to see. I tried crossing the room to calm everyone down, but got shoved into the Christmas tree which fell over and rolled into the center of the floor. Before long the melee had turned into one drunken brawl mixed with ornaments and lights. “Rumaki, anyone,” Elizabeth said as she entered the room wearing an apron, martini glass in one hand and silver tray in the other. She surmised the scene before her and left quickly. I found myself sandwiched between John and Lauren Brown with someone’s foot near my mouth so I bit it. I heard Lance yelp. I could not tell who was who in the tangle of fighting people on the floor. Cathy’s fur had been shredded in the commotion and I now had a piece of it in my mouth. Suddenly a gun shot rang out. A piece of plaster fell from the roof. Elizabeth stood in the doorway, rumaki in one hand and a glock had replaced the martini in the other. “I said rumaki, anyone.” Everyone stood up and straightened their clothes. “Now listen up, we are going to have a god damn Merry Christmas if it kills us. So let’s don our gay apparel, make merry and sing carols by the spinet and all that crap.” “Elizabeth,” I pointed out. “You do not have a piano.” She shot off another round into the ceiling. “Any-

one else want to correct me tonight. And whoever dropped the cocktail weenie on my white couch better get into that kitchen and get some cleaner on it right now.” Paul slunk out of the room into the kitchen, his eyes never leaving the gun in Elizabeth’s hand. “Now let’s all take a rumaki and enjoy the remainder of the evening.” She handed the tray to Easy Bake Oven Lance who started passing them around. “Do you think that will keep everyone quiet,” I said. “It should, I laced them with valium,” she whispered to me. “Lauren honey you eat up, have two or three, you need it. That’s it, Cathy, have more they are small.” “Well at least it cannot get any worse,” I said. Suddenly the front door burst open and a little man walked in totally naked except for a red thong, Santa boots and a Santa hat that wiggled and made noise. Your eyes could not help but go directly to the man’s nether region which was poking out quite

extensively. “I think we have our fourth suspect,” I said. “Merry Christmas, everyone! Who wants to unwrap Russell the Love Muscle’s package first.” “Aww hell,” Elizabeth said. “I do not think we have enough rumaki for this.” (Have a wonderful and safe holiday. Merry Christmas.” If you would like your event mentioned in my article, or have something of interest, please email me at tonymgp@hotmail.com.

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trodding the boards by Brian Sands

Email: bsnola2@hotmail.com

New Orleans Fringe Festival at Various Venues

n just three years the New Orleans Fringe Festival has gone from being a mere idea to a vital part of our theatrical calendar. This year there were more offerings than ever; with careful planning, it was possible to partake of a good deal of them. Certainly the most compelling was Crawling with Monsters about a theater professor in a South Texas college town who marshals her students to do a Laramie Project-esque investigation of the drug-fueled violence across the border in the Mexican city of Reynosa, “one of the most dangerous cities in the world”. Monsters segued from the inherent drama of putting on a high-stakes show to a more reportorial expose of a god-forsaken city but its harrowing tales, involving eight-year-olds dodging bullets in their schoolhouse, mesmerized. After learning how Reynosa’s citizens live in a constant state of fear, most Americans have nothing to complain about. The brave actors brought a genuine quality to all the adults and children they portrayed, and the fabulous music added atmospheric flavor to the show. I wish I could give the cast and crew credit by name but they remain anonymous for fear of reprisals against them and their families. How often do you hear of something like that?! On a much lighter note, in 52 Man Pick Up, Desiree Burch used a deck of cards to take the audience on a wild ride through the many men, and occasional woman, she’s slept with. Each card had its own memorable story; the higher the card, the better the lay in this “Deck of Sexual Experience”. Burch is an assured, emotionally open comedienne whose routine is an imaginative and different take on the whole sex thing; the faces she made to differentiate between vaginal and anal penetration were priceless unto themselves. Knowing that 52 tales of various encounters might become a bit repetitive, she wisely got the audience involved and the folks at the performance I caught were fully game. Filled with sexy, smart fun, an hour with Burch went by very quickly. Asia Rainey’s poetic monolog Shut Up and Fly also went by very quickly; in fact, this was a rare instance where I left wanting more. Rainey’s unsentimental vocal paintings of a strong grandmother and tough mother were

lovingly told with a masterly command of words. Rainey is a poised performer who overcame one or two small technical mishaps to create full portraits, from lots of little details, of those who helped shape her. Like Rainey, Brad McEntire’s solo show CHOP dealt with finding one’s place in the world, but in a very different way. The hero of CHOP was abandoned by his parents who ran away to join the circus. Winding up in a big city as an adult, he becomes an office temp. He eventually goes to a party for the first time in his life (a section that evoked true pathos) where he meets Rosie. They start dating and Rosie, being an amputation fetishist, asks him to chop off her arm. Despite a few longueurs, CHOP was an interesting and entertaining, if slightly disturbing, tale of discovering oneself in a strange subculture where you have a gift to give. To Moscow, You Betcha! found us in another strange subculture, Czarist Russia crossbred with contemporary American politics. In Bridget Erin’s wild mash-up of The Three Sisters and Sarah Palin quotes, the former vice-presidential candidate found herself interacting with members of the Prozorov household. The result was like a Saturday Night Live skit only more sophisticated. With their many references to work and the military, as well as tea parties and samovars, it was amazing how well Palin’s “wit & wisdom” dovetailed with Chekhov. Rebecca Rae was very funny as a determined and somewhat desperate Mama Grizzly while Andrew Chau stood out among the Russians as the philosophical Baron Tuzenbach. I couldn’t really tell you what The Executioner was about—something about the undead and the heroine’s unsuccessful battle with a ghost—but I enjoyed its quirky humor and strong narrative sense. An ingratiating melange of filmed sequences, spoken passages and a pop/rock electronic score, this dreamscape evoked a meeting of MTV and the SciFi network. Author/performer L. Gabrielle Penabaz has a vivid imagination, but should stick to acting and let someone else do the singing. Laurita Marie and Pamela DavisNoland’s N.O. Soul, loosely based on a Douglas Turner Ward play, explored what might happen if all Black people disappeared here on Super Sunday. This was scrappy street theater featuring broad characterizations of gutter punks, FEMA reps, TV reporters, tour-

ists, etc., which was fine, but it needed to be tighter; too often there was too much talk frequently giving us information that had already been conveyed. The social satire aspect also could have been sharper throughout; when Black actors in white face commented on “colored people’s time”, however, it was sublime. The sketch comedy All Beepers Go To Heaven had more misses than hits but a skit contrasting old-fashioned letter writing vs. texting was witty, and one in which an online banking service traded in social networking offered a keen (and very amusing) observation of what might happen in the near future. As always, though there were other shows I wished I had seen, I’m already looking forward to Fringe’11!

Altercation sang well with a voice that reminded one of sandpaper which is not inappropriate for Jenny Diver. As Macheath, Scurvics brought conviction and urgency to his songs in the Old Bailey but, as Ben Brantley observed about Alan Cummings’ recent turn as Mack the Knife, there was “little sense of the menacing charisma that keeps all London atremble.” Selena Poznak’s lighting conjured up the moody ambiance of lowlife Victorian England. In the cramped confines of the AllWays front bar, however, the excitement generated by this memorable Threepenny allowed one to imagine what it must’ve been like to see it in 1920s Berlin.

The Threepenny Opera at the AllWays Lounge

n recent years, The Santaland Diaries has become as much of a holiday staple as The Nutcracker. With its wry, sharp and politically incorrect humor, and stories so crazy they have to be true, David Sedaris’ tale of his time as Crumpet, an elf in Macy’s Santaland, is the perfect antidote for those who have had their fill of Sugarplum Fairies. Mark Routhier fluidly staged Joe Mantello’s adaptation of the book throughout Le Chat’s cabaret area. If its literary origins could not entirely be disguised, Routhier’s nimble pacing ensured that it never got bogged down, without sacrificing any of the wit. A.J. Allegra triumphed as David/ Crumpet eschewing a smug interpretation, as some have done, for a sweeter one. Allegra was like an explorer constantly amazed at the new lands he discovers. Though his tone was conversational, he could commandingly change it instantaneously to provide a tangible sense of depth. A confident comic performer, Allegra morphed into a variety of secondary characters, all nicely delineated; his Billie Holiday singing Away in the Manger was an especial treat. Su Gonzy’s holiday lighting and David Raphel’s gift box bestrewn stage made this the best-looking Santaland I’ve yet seen. At less than an hour, I didn’t want this delicious production to end.

hat made the recent AllWays Lounge/ Cripple Creek production of The Threepenny Opera so extraordinary was not the work itself, which was a fairly traditional interpretation with nary a drag queen or king in sight as has become de rigeur, but the brilliant co-mingling of theater artists from NOLA’s musical theater/cabaret (Becky Allen, Chris Wecklein), drama (Donald Lewis, Monica R. Harris), and alternative performance (Altercation, Ratty Scurvics, Pandora Gastelum) worlds, each bringing their unique talents to the enterprise yet melding under Dennis Monn’s inventive direction into a cohesive whole. One wishes it would happen more often here. Brecht’s acid-etched view of humanity is no less apt now than when it first appeared in 1928, perhaps even more so. Government officials might well heed his lyrics: “You must feed us/ then we’ll all behave.” Under Musical Director Harry Mayronne’s and Band Director Walter McClements’ leadership, Weill’s sumptuous score has never sounded more wonderful, orchestrated by McClements for piano, guitar, woodwinds, accordion, trumpet, percussion and a stand up bass. Monn’s expressionistic approach well-suited Robert MacDonald’s translation and evoked the Weimar era paintings of Dix & Grosz. Allen (Mrs. Peachum), Wecklein (Mr. Peachum), Lewis (Tiger Brown), and Harris (Lucy Brown) all expertly executed this style and finely calibrated their performances to balance the comic and the snarly humanity of their characters. Allen, sounding like a perfectly pitched foghorn, truly has the makings of a classical actress; will someone please cast her as Mistress Quickly? Gastelum (Polly Peachum) found the proper balance between daintiness and toughness, and sang beautifully.

The Santaland Diaries at Le Chat Noir

Forbidden Broadway at Le Petit Théâtre du Vieux Carré

orbidden Broadway, Gerard Alessandrini’s ar senic-tinged love letter to Broadway, played a too brief run at Le Petit recently, its mocking skits coming thick’n’fast. Favorites? Wicked’s Defying Subtlety and Hairspray’s You Can’t Stop the Camp which gave us both [continued on 24]

22 • The Official Mag: AmbushMag.COM • Dec . 21, 2010-J an. 3, 2011 • Of fic ial Gay Mar di Gras Guide• GayMar diGras.COM

’Tis The Season ~ New Orleans, Metairie ~ Photos by Devin Black, Tony Leggio

Tony, Michelle, Rikki & Chad @ Toby’s Christmas Auction @ 4 Seasons

Cocktailin’ with Bourbon Pub Parade’s Sandy Sachs

Bar Baron Matt & bartender Michael hail from 700 Club

Manager Neel does 16th Christmas Gala Turn-A-Bout @ Good Friends raising $2,722 for Belle Reve

Michelle & VJ Brendon in the Parade Ronald, Ryan & Rick @ Four Seasons

Celebrating the holidays @ Good Friends

Bartender Allen & one of the handsome ones celebrating @ Oz

snap paparazzi

Chris & Keith @ Bourbon Pub Parade

DJ Blair Quintana mixing it up in the booth @ Bourbon Pub Parade Disco

Shawn, Aletha & Jeff enjoying the season @ Lafitte’s

Rikki & Barbara Ella @ MC Good Friends Turn-A-Bout

Chris, Eddie, GM John & David @ Four Seasons for Toby’s Holiday Auction

Second Skin’s Joey with David & Danielle @ Four Seasons

Christina & Hunter Holloway @ Bourbon Pub Parade Disco

DJ Dorien Grey with Joey & Angel @ Bourbon Pub Parade

Yvonne welcomes revelers to Mickey Nolan Salon’s Holiday Party Charlie Bear with one of Lafitte’s hot dancers

Elisa & Mickey join Mickey Nolan Salon’s Holiday Party

DJ Matt with bartenders Damon & Shawndra @ Lafitte’s

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acadiana happens by Joey Collins, Lafayette, Louisiana Email: ejcollins583@gmail.com Twitter: JoeyC_583

ell this is now the very last issue of 2010. Don’t point at me, I didn’t do it. I’m not the one who caused the year to fly by like some bitch on a broom. 2011 is right upon us and I suppose it’s time to start making some resolutions for the New Year. Before you add fun to your list of resolutions, consider that there is so much more around the corner. Before you know it the New Year will usher in Mardi Gras and so much more. Before we rush too quickly in advance, let’s make sure that we cover what’s currently going on. You’re listening up with Joey Collins.

Bar Spill

ery recently Jules held its annual Red Party. Such an event is very crucial to our community. Without being said, we all know the impact that HIV/AIDS has on our community. Organizations such as Acadiana CARES are the backbone when it comes to support, education, community involvement, and awareness on this issue. Such organizations cannot thrive without our support. Much thanks goes out to those who came out and supported such a great cause for

the community. If you or anyone you know is ever in need of support due to HIV/AIDS, please do not ever hesitate to contact Acadiana CARES. CARES is an organization for all people, regardless of race, age, sexuality, religion, or creed. CARES does free and anonymous HIV testing on a weekly basis. CARES also offers an organization for support, education, and awareness to young gay men. FM Acadiana meets every Thursday and Sunday evening. For more information on testing, support, volunteer work, and FM Acadiana, please contact 337.233.2437 or find them on the web at acadianacares.org. Recently I almost shattered my iPhone in excitement when I spoke with Jules owner, Darren Parker, as he expressed to me via phone that there are so many surprises around the corner for bar patrons. Between the upcoming Christmas Party and New Year’s Eve, I just don’t know where to start. I just can’t stand the excitement! Now would be the correct time to put the cocktail down and read on. Jules has done a few changes to its physical appearance and not only that, they have invested in a photo

booth. That means get ready to strike a pose with your favorite friend and/or bar top dancer. Not just that, I hear much is in store for their Christmas Party on December 25th. Get ready for egg nog and red cup drink specials. Not just that, Jules’ Christmas present to you all is that there is no cover on Christmas night! Think that is the end of the trail to complete gratitude? Think again! Gear up for their annual New Year’s Eve bash when Jules has a tremendous balloon drop filled with cash. Yes, that’s right, cash. Picture yourself in a game show setting when you attempt to claim all the cash that you possibly can at midnight when Jules drops over 600 balloons onto its patrons. Show up with your pockets deep so that you may stuff as much cash as possible! As for Tonic, where do I begin? Miss Brodie Mess and bartender Bobby Bergeron has pulled out all of the stops when it comes to entertaining guests at Tonic. Kira’s Tuesday Night Talent Show already displays a success and if you have yet to attend then you have no idea what you’re missing out on. Patrons are stacked from wall to wall just to see what surprises are in store. Guests are left at the edge of their seats just to get a glimpse of the creativity that such a local community can orchestrate. From Kira’s edgy costumes to Miss Mess’ witty comments to Miss Bisquita Steven’s racy outfits, one can only imagine what exactly is in [continued on 27]

the pink pastor by Rev. Clinton Crawshaw Email: pastor@bigeasymcc.com BigEasyMCC.COM

The Meaning of Life

dvent can be one of two things – the lead up to Christmas can either be (and usually is) a time of warm fuzzy feelings, of retelling stories to comfort and delight, of children’s tales and adults who still repeat them as unexamined truths. It could also be a time of pregnant preparation, of cultivated the ground in preparation for the coming of a new reality. This reality is represented for us by the Man of Galilee, Jesus. Ultimately creation looks like this; vast chasms and voids, wherein spin the stars in their trillions, great glorious expanses of gas, and ice, and rock, and dark matter and vacuum. Around most of those stars are planets, and the latest estimates are that perhaps 25% of those stars have Earth-like rocky planets. We occupy a spinning rock revolving around a middle aged star in the outer spiral arm of the Milky

Way galaxy, one of billions of other galaxies each containing billions of stars. On our rock we have been self aware for only a few thousand years of the twenty odd billion years our universe has existed, and we exist in a fantasy world of mortgages and social status, of ever changing morals and infantile oppression. This fantasy is what we regard as real, and all the rest, the 99.999999999999% of creation is seldom thought of. The man Jesus represents an attempt to unmake this fantasy, and to allow a glimpse of reality. This reality is overpowering in its majesty, and the idea that one man is greater than the next in this staggering immensity becomes laughable, or simply irrelevant. Jesus points to the God who created all things, and who remains incomprehensible to us. In Jesus we are able to draw some truths about that unknown God. Jesus cuts through the flaccid

vanity of our constructed world and says ‘we serve one another, and love ourselves, each other and therefore God’. Jesus says that peace can only be obtained through reality, and not fantasy; through the God who is the wellspring of all things and not the egotistical scrabblings of human society. Jesus tells us the harsh truth that we love God only as much as we love the least (in our view) of God’s children. All faiths set out to approach the unapproachable God. They do this through a system of symbols that point to a truth that cannot directly be comprehended. Human beings are symbolic creatures – our words are in fact symbolic representations of objects, ideas, feelings and concepts. Christianity is, in conception and [continued on 32]

trodding the boards...from 22 Harvey Fierstein and John Travolta send-ups. These two numbers packed a hysterical one-two wallop and showed that Alessandrini’s pen is as affectionately poisoned as ever. Certainly some of the bits are past their expiration dates (Carol Channing, Les Miz/Cameron Mackintosh, and a Chita Rivera vs. Rita Moreno feud come to mind) but they’re still very funny so you can’t object too much. Forbidden veteran William Selby directed a local cast flawlessly. Leslie Castay, Dianna Duffy, Vatican Lokey and Cliff Thompson all sang gorgeously, wrung every comic drop out of the material, and worked together as a true ensemble. Though it took over twenty years for Forbidden Broadway to get here, it was certainly worth the wait.

After Dark at the Shadowbox Theater

n Steve Kluger’s After Dark, two loners meet in a Los Angeles diner at 3am a week before Christmas’96. At first, Ryan, a corporate lawyer, just wants Craig, a seeming lowlife type, to leave him alone, but within an hour they’re going home together. Five years later we see what that innocuous meeting led to. Kluger writes witty, realistic-sounding dialog but the characters’ secrets tumble out of them a bit too easily. Purportedly autobiographical, I suppose I can accept Ryan and Craig’s initial hook-up, staying together—I’ve seen more unlikely matches—and eventual parting, but Kluger never explains how Ryan goes from being a lawyer to a successful playwright in Act Two. Similarly, Craig’s talk of running for a senate seat seems far-fetched. A state rep from West Hollywood, maybe; but a U.S. Senator? Jeff Mallon embodied the testy Ryan in a low key but effective performance. If the script didn’t give him a lot to work with, forced to confront difficult choices, a series of complex emotions danced across his face. Trenton Ryan Perez’s Craig exhibited a natural charm that could cut through Ryan’s bullshit. Perez initially was rough enough around the edges but displayed an underlying intelligence to make you believe he may or may not be what he seems to be; by the second act, he cleaned up well. William B. Powell directed smoothly though he might have amped up the sexual chemistry between his two actors. After Dark is the type of play Hallmark might sponsor on the Logo channel. It’s by no means a perfect work, but with its references to tiramisu flavored condoms and Craig’s dismissal from Disneyland for giving Dopey a blowjob, it was nonetheless entertaining and well done at the Shadowbox.

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acadiana

papar azzi

Hanging out @ Tonic for Tuesday Talent Night

Joey & Darren @ Jules’ Red Party Darius showing some love for Adam @ Tonic

Miss Mess & Mandy Michelle @ Tonic

Sean, Shekee & Chris @ Jules’ Red Party

What a beautiful group @ Jules!

Karaoke night @ Tonic becomes a mess!

Miss Bisquita Stevens shocking us all @ Tonic

The people in this picture must remain anonymous but note that they’re @ Tonic Felicia, Darren, Joey, Jacque & Joe @ Tonic

Trey & Ryan hanging out @ Zea

Joey giving out free shots on the bar @ Jules Darren & upcoming fashion model Laura Flannery

Acadiana CARES Representatives Jason & Corey @ Jules’ Red Party Hunter, Andre & Jared striking a pose

Work it! Kira’s Tuesday Night Talent Show @ Tonic

Besties Joey & Ryan strut their “school boy look” @ Jules’ Red Party

Justin & friends @ Jules

26 • The Official Mag: AmbushMag.COM • Dec . 21, 2010-J an. 3, 2011 • Of fic ial Gay Mar di Gras Guide• GayMar diGras.COM

Excitement @ Tonic & Jules ~ Lafayette, Louisiana ~ Photos by Joey Collins

DJ Kyle D playing your favorite tunes @ Tonic

Tayler & Andre hanging out

acadiana happens ...from 24 store. Spectators are always in for a real treat. The fun does not have to end on Tuesday nights. Do not forget that Tonic is open seven days a week. On Monday Bobby Bergeron hosts Tonic’s weekly pool tournaments. Wednesday features karaoke with host Chad Evans, Thursday introduces the weekend with $15 all you can drink specials, Friday and Saturdays feature drink specials, and Sunday concludes the weekend with Sunday Funday. If you are yet to experience any of the fun then what are you waiting for? Remember that finals are complete; you have a month to celebrate and party, engage in the fun. Whether it is Jules or Tonic, I’m confident in saying that you’re going to have a great time. As always, do not forget to follow the following on Facebook: Lafayette Gay Men, Lafayette Lesbians, Tonic, and Jules. This is your best bet to an instant up to date report on what exactly is happening at your favorite hangout.

Political Awareness Let’s get political, political! As a community we must realize that certain change is soon to happen. For the very first time in history, we as a community have the opportunity to create

change. Now more than ever is the perfect time to be part of a movement that will one day be celebrated in history books. There is no time than now to move forward, to celebrate our diversity, and become a part of something so big that one will speak of it during the course of our ones continuing life. Such legislation that currently presented itself to Congress is the idea of Don’t Ask Don’t Tell (DADT). The fight to repeal DADT, which actively bans openly gay military personnel, has now passed! Our current President rode into office on the commitment of overthrowing such legislation and demanding equality for all active military personnel, regardless of sexuality. Such legislation is a hot topic in not only the news media, but lies on the front line battlegrounds for opening the gates for equality for our entire community. Many of your elected officials have been willing to cross party lines in either support or in anguish against such legislation. The bottom line is that it is no longer about political parties or politics in general. It’s about what’s right or wrong. Regardless of sexuality, those who are willing to sacrifice their lives for our country deserve the same rights as everyone else. The best thing that you can do is to contact your elected officials. Email and call the offices of your elected Senators and Representatives. Let

them know who you are and how you feel. Let them know that as a citizen, as a voter, and as an individual person you believe in equality and support. Farther than that, much has been stirring in the state of California. Believe it or not, Proposition 8 is still being challenged. Very recently the challenge for same-sex marriage has been brought to the Supreme Court of California. This is the FINAL step before being brought to the Federal U.S. Supreme Court. The idea that such a massive and historical case could be decided upon by the U.S. Supreme Court is monumental. The ultimate decision could depend on a simple few appointed Supreme Court Justices. Even more persuasive, the decision of the U.S. Supreme Court will become the law of the land for the following decades, regardless if it is in our favor or not, hence the reason to take action now. Such history does not happen every single day. We must come together as a movement. Do not ever forget to contact your elected officials and let them know who you are. Let them know that you not only care about, but demand equality. Encourage your friends and your straight allies to do the same. Now more than ever we need the support of our straight allies. Those who do not accept us within our creative endeavors are not our friends if they cannot stand beside us and de-

mand equality. Always remember, if you sit there and do nothing, then you shall receive nothing at all. Recognize that America is not always easy. Our country was built upon the belief of freedom of expression. Remember that just as much as we fight for our own equality, there are others out there who have made it their life’s work to fight against us. Just as much as they have the right to do so and have their voices heard, as do we. Make it count!

Closing Out

t’s the holiday season and this can be joyful for some and depressing for others. I know that my friends are not only my family but one of my best assets. Endure both. Recognize that some may not be as fortunate to have accepting families. This is a time of high suicide rates upon our community. Take a chance, take a step forward, and invite and push to include those who are not so fortunate. Make sure that the spirit of giving is passed upon those who lack a support system. At the end of the day we want to make sure that we all survive the holiday season in a very safe manner. Drink, be merry, but above all, remain safe. Be safe and as always, keep the party going. You’re listing up with Joey Collins, girl!

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CANAL STREET

100 IBERVILLE

200 BIENVILLE

300

500 TOULOUSE

600

RAMPART

ST. LOUIS

BURGUNDY

400

DAUPHINE

ROYAL

CHARTES

DECATUR

CONTI

BOURBON

ST. PETER ORLEANS ST. ANN

800 DUMAINE

900 ST. PHILIP

1000 URSULINES

1100 GOVERNOR NICHOLLS

1200 BARRACKS

1300

classifieds

ESPLANADE

1800 19 FR M A R IG N Y

23 ES TR R A H C

FR 2 A 500 N K L L 26 00 IN YA O R E LO IN U PH IS U A A D

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EN 2 0 0 0 C 2 1 HM E 00 N

Slidell, LA [985] OLDE SLIDELL ANTIQUE DISTRICT, First & Erlanger Streets, antique malls, gift shops, doll shop & restaurants, 643.4790, SlidellAntiques.COM

autos 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 THE MIDTOWNE PUB, 153 Florida St., 450.1555 Pensacola, FL [850] EMERALD CITY, 408 E. Wright St., 433.9491, EmeraldCityPensacola.COM THE ROUNDUP, 560 East Heinberg St., 433.8482 Baton Rouge, LA [225] CAJUN COVE, 4550 Concord Ave., 246.8317 GEORGE'S, 860 St. Louis, 387.9798, HOUND DOGS, 668 Main St., 344.0807

bookstores New Orleans, LA [504] FAB - Faubourg Marigny Art & Books, 600 Frenchmen St., 947.3700 MR. BINKY'S BOUTIQUE, 107 Chartres St., 302.2095 MR. BINKY'S BOUTIQUE OF HARAHAN, 301 Funston St., 305.2160

cable shows New Orleans, LA [504] THE GAR WILLIAMS SHOW, Every Wed. &Sat., 8:30am & 8:30pm, Access Television Channel 99

casinos New Orleans, LA [504] Harrah's New Orleans Casino, Canal @ the River, 800.,HARRAHS

chiropractic

FI EL D S RT PA M A R

French Quarter/Faubourg Marigny/Bywater

antiques

LE ROUNDUP, 819 St. Louis, 561.8340 NAPOLEON'S ITCH, 734 Bourbon, 371.5450 OZ NEW ORLEANS, 800 Bourbon, 593.9491, OzNewOrleans. COM PHOENIX/EAGLE, 941 Elysian Fields, 945.9264 RAWHIDE 2010, 740 Burgundy St., 525.8106, Rawhide2010.COM RUBYFRUIT JUNGLE, 1135 Decatur St., 373.5431 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, TubbysBar.COM Slidell, LA [985] BILLY'S, 2600 Hwy. 190 West, 847.1921

SPLASH, 2183 Highland Road, 242.9491, Lafayette, LA [337] JULES DOWNTOWN, 533 Jefferson, 264.8000 TONIC, 2013 Pinhook Rd., 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, 4seasonsno.com New Orleans, LA [504] 700 CLUB, 700 Burgundy, 561.1095, 561.1098, 700ClubNewOrleans.COM BIG DADDY'S, 2513 Royal, 948.6288 BOURBON PUB & PARADE, 801 Bourbon St., 529.2107, BourbonPub.COM BYWATER PATIO BAR, 3162 Dauphine St., 944.4445 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, CuttersBar.BIZ 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

New Orleans, LA [504] DR. MICHAEL LECHLEITER, D.C., St. Charles Chiropractic, 1529 Jackson Ave., 566.1833 [is0211]

circuit/events Dec. 30, 2010-Jan. 4, 2011, Gay New Year's in New Orleans, New Orleans, LA, GayNewOrleans.COM March 4-8, 2011, Official Gay Mardi Gras, New Orleans, LA, sponsored by Ambush, GayMardiGras.COM Easter Sunday, April 24, 2011, Official Gay Easter Parade, New Orleans, sponsored by Ambush, GayEasterParade.COM May 26-30, 2011, Memorial Day Weekend, Pensacola, FL, sponsored by Ambush, GayPensacola.COM Aug. 31-Sept. 5, 2011, 40th Official Southern Decadence 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. 27-30, 2010, Halloween 28, 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] AARON EDWARDS, M.Ed., LPC, LAC, Licensed Professional Counselor, 3350 Ridgelake Dr., Suite 200, Metairie, LA 70002, 814.0648, aaronedwardsllc@yahoo.com DAVID WAGNER, M.Ed., Counseling & Psychotherapy, 3001 Fifth St., Metairie, LA 70002; 836.0000

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

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

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: marsha@ripandmarsha.com International GayBars.COM, 828-A Bourbon St., New Orleans, LA 70116-3137; 504.522.8049, marsha@ripandmarsha.com

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 MICKEY NOLAN'S SALON, 815 Toulouse St., 587.7782 SALON D'MALTA, 1233 Decatur, 565.5555, salondmalta.com

insurance New Orleans, LA [504] ALLSTATE: Buckwalter Insurance Group LLC, 2002 20th St., Kenner, 504.469.4800;101 Schexnayder Ln., Destrehan, 985.764.3833

lodging/accommodations New Orleans [504] AARON INGRAM HAUS, 1012 Elysian Fields, New Orleans, LA 70117, PHONE: 504.949.3110, E-mail us at ingramhaus@yahoo.com. Condos with queensize beds, private entrances; located only six blocks from Bourbon Street and walking distance to most New Orleans attractions. Several favorite bars are within one block. 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, E-mail 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 half-open 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] 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. Official Host Hotel of Oz New Orleans. 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.

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HOTEL LE MARAIS, 717 Conti St., New Orleans, LA, 800.535.9111 or visit NewOrleansHotelCollection.COM, is the newest boutique hotel property in the French Quarter. This sleek, contemporary hotel offers high level service, a “happening” bar, delightful amenities and an inclusive concept that avoids a “nickel and dime” mentality. It features heated saltwater courtyard pool, complimentary daily newspaper, complimentary Wi Fi in all areas and all rooms, complimentary extended continental breakfast, complimentary fitness center, complimentary business center, and complimentary welcome drink. 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. [0111] 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. 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

marketing & printing New Orleans, LA [504] SIR SPEEDY, 343 Carondelet, 586.9812, 586.9817, offering printing and marketing services including web design and hosting. info@sirspeedyneworleans.com, sirspeedyneworleans.com

massage 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 & thai massage/bodywork). Call 504.458.5996 / website righttouchnola.com for pictures, location & special. License #LA4553 [is26/10]

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/escort New Orleans, LA [504] BODY RUBS & ESCORT: Mikey 504.756.9443, Charlie 504.430.7413, 4 hands availalable, 24/7, in/out/hotels, pics at www.men4rentnow.com. Search by ID# 190508 [is2610]

museum/arts Baton Rouge, LA [225] LOUISIANA ARTS AND SCIENCE CENTER / RIVERSIDE MUSEUM, 100 S. River Road, 344.5272 LOUISIANA GOVERNOR'S MANSION, 1001 Capitol Access Rd., 342.5855 LOUISIANA STATE ARCHIVES, 3851 Essen Ln.

LOUISIANA STATE CAPITOL, State Capitol Dr. LOUISIANA STATE UNIVERSITY HILLTOP ARBORETUM, 11855 Highland Rd., 767.6916 LOUISIANA STATE UNIVERSITY RURAL LIFE MUSEUM, I-10 at Essen Lane, 765.2437 LSU MUSEUM OF NATURAL SCIENCE and MUSEUM OF GEOSCIENCE, LSU Campus, 388.2855 MAGNOLIA MOUND PLANTATION, 2161 Nicholson Dr., 343.4955 OLD ARSENAL MUSEUM, State Capitol Complex, 342.0401 OLD BOGAN FIRE STATION, 427 Laurel St., 344.8558 OLD GOVERNOR'S MANSION, 502 North Blvd., 344.5272 OLD PENTAGON BARRACKS, State Capitol Dr. at River Road, 342.1866 OLD STATE CAPITOL, 100 North Blvd. at River Road, 342.0500 or 342.4479 USS KIDD/NAUTICAL HISTORICAL CENTER, Government St. at River Rd., 342.1942 New Orleans, LA [504] BEAUREGARD-KEYES HOUSE, 1113 Chartres, 523.7257, Mon-Sat 10am-3pm CABILDO, 701 Chartres, Jackson Square, Tues-Sun 10am-5pm CAC [Contemporary Arts Center], 900 Camp St., 528.3805, cacno.org 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 GERMAINE WELLS MARDI GRAS MUSEUM, 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 10am4:45pm LONGUE VUE HOUSE AND GARDENS, 7 Bamboo Rd, Metairie, 488.5488, Mon-Sat 10am-4:30pm, Sun 1-5pm MUSEE CONTI HISTORICAL WAX MUSEUM, 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, TuesSun 10am-5pm OGDEN MUSEUM OF SOUTHERN ART, 925 Camp St., 539.9600 OLD U.S. MINT, 400 Esplanade, TuesSun 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., 592.4666

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 METROPOLITAN COMMUNITY CHURCH OF 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, 838.3399 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, w w w . b i g e a s y m c c . c o m , 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 FRIDAY NIGHT 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, Email: 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 701566836; 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, w w w.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, KreweOfPetronius.ORG 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 70117-4035, 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, PO Box 15889, 70115-5889 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, 828A 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, 828-A 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 Lesbi-

30 • The Official Mag: AmbushMag.COM • Dec . 21, 2010-J an. 3, 2011 • Of fic ial Gay Mar di Gras Guide• GayMar diGras.COM

ans & Gays/ New Orleans], PO Box 15515, 70175; 895.3936, 392.0001, pflagno.org, info@pflagno.org PRIDE NEW ORLEANS CELEBRATION: NOLA PRIDE, 2114 Decatur St., 945.1103, NOLAPride.ORG PROJECT LAZARUS, A Residence for PWAs, PO Box 3906, 70177-3906; 949.3609 REGIONAL AIDS INTERFAITH NETWORK [RAIN], 523.3755 SOFTBALL LEAGUE SPRING SEASON BEGINS AFTER MARDI GRAS. Recruitment day for the NOLA Softball League is February 13, 2011. All skill levels welcome, including beginners. Visit nolasoftball.com for more information. THE COMMUNITY COALITION OF GREATER NEW ORLEANS LGBTQ Organizations & Businesses, tccgno.org, 569.9156 Until It Is OVER, Inc., Executive Director Don S. Evans, Sr., 5837 De Bore Drive, New Orleans, Louisiana 70126, Phone 504 722 1694, Fax 504 286 5784 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 YWCA AIDS 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 DR. MIKE'S ANIMAL HOUSE, 1120 N. Rampart, 523.4455 FRENCH QUARTER PET ASYLUM, 513 Dumaine St., 302.9845 FRENCH QUARTER VET, 922 Royal St., Office 322.7030, Cell 250.1175, DrScott@TheFrenchQuarterVet.COM

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] RAMSEY PLUMBING, repairs, repipe, sewer & drain cleaning, water heaters, disposals, 296.6865

real estate agents New Orleans, LA [504] FRENCH QUARTER REALTY, Agents: Gary R. Williams 251.2047, Sandy Preston 319.7500; Office 949.5400 PRUDENTIAL GARDNER REALTORS, Agent Brett A. Rector, Cell: 453.2277, Office: 891.6400, brettinla@aol.com WWW.GAYREALESTATE.COM Free Instant Access to New Orleans and the Nations Top Gay & Lesbian Realtors. On-line: www.GayRealEstate.com or Toll Free 1.888.420.MOVE (6683)

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 Candy Bar, 908 Bourbon, 504.52.CANDY Clover Grill, 900 Bourbon St., 598.1010, CloverGrill.COM

Cooyon's Cajun Cooking, New Orleans French Market, 1100 N. Peters St., 337.339.1131, CooyonsCajunCooking.COM Country Club Restaurant, 634 Louisa St., TheCountryClubNewOrleans.COM, 945.0742 Creole Cuisine Restaurant Concepts, CreoleCuisine.COM The Decadence Shoppe (coffehouse, bakery, cafe), 806 N. Rampart, 529.8874, DecadenceShoppeCafe.COM The Green Goddess, 307 Exchange Place Alley, 301.3347, GreenGoddessNOLA.COM Krystal, 116 Bourbon @ Canal, 523.4030 La Peniche, 1940 Dauphine St., 943.1460 Little Vic's Gelateria, 1912 Magazine St., 309.8236 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, 523.1930 Quartermaster: The Nellie Deli, 1100 Bourbon St. , 529.1416, QuartermasterDeli.NET Who Dat Coffee Cafe, 2401 Burgundy St., 872.0360

retail/shopping Metairie, LA [504] SUZETTE'S, 3209 Edenborn Ave., 888.7722, Suzettes.COM New Orleans, LA [504] BOURBON-STRIP TEASE, 205 Bourbon St., 70130; 581.6633, bourbontease.com THE HERB IMPORT COMPANY, 711 St. Peter [French Quarter], 525.4372; 5055 Canal St. [Mid City], 488.4889, 712 Adams St. [Uptown], 861.4644, HerbImport.COM LA MINA STERLING, 840 Royal St., 324.3423, laminasterling@gmail.com PANDA BEAR, 415 Bourbon St., 529.8064 RAB DAB CLOTHING AND GIFTS, 918 Royal St., 525.6662 RAZZLE DAZZLE, the newest sensation in a very old place, 524 Royal St. 568.0001, RazzleDazzle.COM Slidell, LA [985] THE HERB IMPORT COMPANY, 1331 Englewood Dr., 643.8007, HerbImport.COM

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

tours New Orleans, LA [504] MORTUARY HAUNTED HOUSE, ghost haunting/tours, private parties, haunted attraction, 4800 Canal St., TheMortuary.NET 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 BARS, GayBars.COM GAY PENSACOLA, GayPensacola.COM OFFICIAL GAY EASTER PARADE, 828-A Bourbon St., 70116-3137, 504.522.8049, GayEasterParade.COM

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Friends of Magnolia Mound to hold 11th Petite Antiques Forum

he Friends of Magnolia Mound Plantation will hold the 11th annual Petite Antiques Forum on Wednesday, January 26, 2011. A symposium will be held at

the pink pastor ...from 24 ideally in practice, an intensely sophisticated system of symbols (a semiotic construct to put it academically) that brushes the face of God with a subtle touch. Much violence has been done to this extraordinary faith by brutish and idiotic ‘fundamentalism’, which, far from returning to fundamentals, is a lazy attempt to make everything instantly available, and to reduce the grandeur of the human spiritual journey down to an exercise in memorizing and repetition. None of our words are simple and unambiguous. Words written in other languages (Greek and Hebrew for example) are even more ambiguous, and words written 2 – 3000 years ago in a vastly different culture are deeply ambiguous. The Bible is not a textbook written for modern Americans, it was written by dozens of different hands for specific audiences, usually with direct references to the environment those audiences lived in. In other words, without a living relationship with the God that inspired the writings, and the passion and labor of researching the meanings and background of those writings they can never be fully respected. Yes, it is easier to grab little bits to justify existing positions, but it is blasphemous to do so! Most folk learn about Jesus at about the same time they learn about Santa Claus, and for many people the story never develops beyond that – a heartwarming children’s story. For seekers after truth however, an extraordinary journey of self discovery and humility, of joy and surprise awaits. This amazing figure, this Jesus, this man of Galilee can, and indeed must continually return anew for us, and this Advent we can choose to welcome him, and not just a children’s story. Rev. Clinton Crawshaw is the Pastor of The Big Easy Metropolitan Community Church in New Orleans. The Church meets every Sunday at 1pm (mass) and 5pm (Praise and Worship service) at 1333 S. Carrollton Ave. (St Matthew’s church) NOLA 70118 – ring or email for details. This Christmas Eve they will be celebrating Midnight Mass at 11.30pm, all are welcome! Info: revcrawshaw@yahoo.com, 504.214.4340, www.bigeasymcc.com.

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papar azzi

Happy Holidays from Miss Venus & Miss B-Bob’s 2010-11, Miss Davenport

Happy Holidays from Aaron, Shawn & Company

Maury & Jayme @ B-Bob’s Holiday festivities

Hello Justin, Mack, Jeremy & Bryant @ B-Bob’s Thursday College Night

Show Director Miss Cie (r) @ BBob’s with her Angel, Miss Dana

New York’s very own Miss Gina Germaine performs @ B-Bob’s for the Holidays

Merry Christmas kiss for Kelly from Miss Cie

Two of B-Bob’s favorite boys ...Weston & O’Brian ... Merry Christmas

Merry Christmas from Miss Cie @ B-Bob’s

32 • The Official Mag: AmbushMag.COM • Dec . 21, 2010-J an. 3, 2011 • Of fic ial Gay Mar di Gras Guide• GayMar diGras.COM

Happy Holidays ~ Mobile, Alabama ~ Photos by Cieanne & John

baton rouge

the Louisiana State Archives on Essen Lane entitled Creole and Acadian Furniture, 1735-1835, presented by H. Parrott Bacot. Mr. Bacot is a specialist in the art of the American South and served for more than 30 years as the Executive Director of the Louisiana State University Museum of Art and was a Professor in European and American Decorative Arts, Southern Art and Museology at the university. His most recent books, in collaboration with other scholars, are monographs on 19th century Louisiana artists Joseph Paret, entitled Plantations by the River: Watercolor Paintings from St. Charles Parish, Louisiana by Father Joseph M. Paret, 1859, and Adrien Persac entitled Marie Adrien Persac: Louisiana Artist. The book on Persac was named Book of the Year for 2000 by the Louisiana Endowment for the Humanities and was also the recipient of the Ruth Emery Award for Best Regional Book on a 19th century topic by the Victorian Society in America. He has recently been part of a major collaborative work on early Louisiana furniture entitled Furnishing Louisiana: Creole and Acadian Furniture 1735-1835. A luncheon at the Baton Rouge Country Club and a tour of Union Plantation, the home of Don Fuson, will follow the symposium. This tour of Union Plantation will be the first time that the home has been opened to the public. In addition to offering a distinguished expert lecture about early Louisiana furniture, the Friends of Magnolia Mound’s Petite Antiques Forum traditionally provides a tour of a notable house and its collections and antique furnishings. This year’s event offers attendees the opportunity to see Union Plantation, circa 1803, and the garden and antique collections belonging to Mr. Don Fuson. The house was original to St. James Parish, reputedly built by Maurius Pons Bringier as a wedding gift for his daughter Louise Elizabeth at the time of her marriage to Augustine Dominique Tureaud of La Rochelle, France. The house was extensively remodeled in the Greek revival style in the mid-19th century as were a number of other Creole houses in the area, most notably another Bringier house, Houmas House. James Dakin, architect of the gothic revival Old State capitol, transformed the Creole cottage into a two-story Greek revival mansion. The house has experienced several moves, once to set it back from the levee and again when the Texas Company (Texaco) bought the property and moved the house just south of Tezcuco Plantation on the River Road. In 1990, Don Fuson, a Baton Rouge contractor, discovered the house in deplorable condition and decided to buy it and move it to Baton Rouge. Dave Beeson, well-known house mover, disas-

Gay East erParade.COM • Sout hernDec adenc e.COM • Dec . 21, 2010-J an. 3, 2011 • The Official Mag: AmbushMag.COM • 33

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

New Orleans Restaurant Guide 700 Club Restaurant, 700 Burgundy St., 561.1095, 700ClubNewOrleans.COM, is serving sliders, paninis, quesadillas, and more at the popular club in the French Quarter. Restaurant hours are 7pm til Wed.-Sun. with extended Decadence hours. Bywater Restaurant, Deli & BBQ, 3162 Dauphine St., 944.4445, is noted for its gumbo, barbeque, pizza, sandwiches and specials serving lunch and dinner. Now under the direction of Executive Chef David Duvall, the restaurant is open 11am-10pm Mon.-Tues., Thurs.-Fri.; 9am-10pm Sat.-Sun. with brunch 9am-3pm, closed Wed. MasterCard/Visa accepted. Cafe Amelie, 912 Royal St., 412.8965, CafeAmelie.COM, offers romantic courtyard or indoor dining along with both eclectic culinary creations and cocktails. Open Wed.-Sat. with lunch 11am-3pm, dinner 6-9pm, Sun. brunch 11-3. Candy Bar, 908 Bourbon, 504.52.CANDY, is a new upscale dessert & specialty food store, open 7 days & weekends 24 hours. Best in desserts, snacks, cheeses, crackers, candies, NY bagels & knishes, po-boys, wraps & sandwiches. PLUS PLUS PLUS many organic, all natural & gluten free items, also DOG TREATS. Clover Grill, 900 Bourbon St., 598.1010, CloverGrill.COM, 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. Cooyon’s Cajun Cooking! 1100 N. Peters St., 337.339.1131, CooyonsCajunCooking.COM. C’est Bon! This new open air restaurant in the Historic French Market is the perfect place to enjoy some of the best Cajun cooking. Come get “U” some! Country Club Restaurant, 634 Louisa St., 945.0742, TheCountryClubNewOrleans.COM. 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. The Decadence Shoppe, 806 N. Rampart, 529.8874, DecadenceShoppeCafe.COM is part coffee shop, part cafe, and part bakery. "We take pride doing all our own baking, and you can order your next special treat from us," says owners Matt and Kevin. This little neighborhood place will fulfill your sweet tooth or both your breakfast or lunch cravings in a quiet setting while serving "desserts like Mom use to make". Located across the street by the Armstrong Park arch, the cafe is open Wed.-Sun. 7am - 3pm. The Green Goddess, 307 Exchange Place Alley, 301.3347, GreenGoddessNOLA.COM, opened in May 2009 with a progressive menu that blends New Orleans sensibilities with a globetrotting sampling of ingredients, all emanating from the small open kitchen where chefs Chris DeBarr and Paul Artigues make it happen. Krystal, 116 Bourbon at Canal, 523.4030. Open 24 hours, it's one of the best stops for fast food with tasty burgers, hot dogs and breakfast. Louisiana Pizza Kitchen, 95 French Market Place, 522.9500 or visit LouisianaPizzaKitchen.COM, is famous for its wood fired gourmet pizzas, pastas, salads and appetizers. Open 7 days from 11am-10pm. Little Vic's Gelateria, 1912 Magazine St., 309.8236, is a gay owned and operated family labor of love in the works since owner Vic Caracci learned at age 11 to make real Italian gelato from his family, three generations of Sicilian-Americans who first immigrated to New Orleans's French Quarter in 1911. Pulling from almost a century of family experience in the food industry, Vic, 23, enlisted the help of his uncle from Messina, Sicily to train he and his cousins in the detailed and fine art of gelato making. Little Vic serves over 40 inventive flavors of gelato, including stracciatella, amaretto, bacio de gama, and limoncello, as well as fresh-made panino, pastries, and Lavazza espresso. Open 11am-10:30pm 7 days. Maximo's Italian Grill, 1117 Decatur St., 586.8883, MaximosGrill.COM, features New Orleans inspired Italian cuisine along with a wonderfully assorted wine selection. Experience Maximo’s open kitchen and watch Chef Thomas Woods prepare his extraordinary dishes. Open 6pm 7 days a week. Moms Mini Mart, 902 Poydras, 596.2223, is a quick stop in the CBD for hot dogs, nachos, snow balls, fresh fruit, coffee, tea, Icees and groceries. Open Mon.-Fri. 6am7pm, Sat. 7am-7pm, open later & Sundays during special events. Mona Lisa Restaurant, 1212 Royal St., 522.6746, features Italian specialties including salads, pizzas, sandwiches and both lunch and dinner entrees. Lunch 11am5pm Thurs.-Mon., Dinner 5pm-10pm 7 days. Quartermaster: The Nellie Deli, 1100 Bourbon St., 529.1416, QuartermasterDeli.NET, voted Restaurant/Deli of the Year, is open 24 hours 7 days. Serving breakfast, lunch, dinner and late night menu, the deli offers free delivery. Who Dat Coffee Cafe, 2401 Burgundy St., 872.0360, offers Fair Trade gourmet coffees, teas, cupcakes, scones, coffee by the pound, gift baskets, art & merchandise by local artists, stamps & mail box rentals, along with outdoor seating & Wi-Fi. Open 7am-10pm daily.

baton rouge ...from 32 sembled Union and brought it to what will hopefully be its final site – a large parcel of land off Highland Road where the home has been beautifully restored. The house provides a perfect backdrop for Mr. Fuson’s collection of Colonial Louisiana and West Indian furni-

Fuson Home ture as well as Louisiana federal and classical pieces made in Louisiana and on the East Coast. While he has a few early to mid-19th century Louisiana paintings, his real interest in Louisiana fine art focuses on late 19th and first half of the 20th century Louisiana art – especially that of the Arts and Crafts movement. Another treat provided by this house is its lovely garden which features native plants including the red berry ardesia and water lilies. Karen Zobrist and Winnie Byrd are co-chairs for the event. The cost per person ranges from $30 for the lecture only or $65 for the whole day including the lecture, lunch and a tour of Union Plantation. The event begins at 9:30 am at the Louisiana State Archive. To receive a registration form please contact Karen Zobrist at 225-336-4189 or print a registration form from the website at friendsofmagnoliamound.org. Seating is limited. The Friends of Magnolia Mound Plantation is supported by the Community Fund for the Arts. Magnolia Mound Plantation is listed on the National Register of Historic Places and proceeds from this event will benefit educational programming at Magnolia Mound Plantation.

Baton Rouge Gallery’s Third Surreal Salon to Feature Contemporary Work from Across the Country in January

he Third Annual Surreal Salon will run from Jan. 427, 2011 at Baton Rouge Gallery, 1515 Dalrymple Drive. This exciting exhibition will feature the work of contemporary artists from across the country, engaging audiences in a multi-sensory art experience and shedding light on the growing popularity and exceptional quality of contemporary surrealism and the pop-surrealist movement. The Third Annual Surreal Salon, which can only be seen at BRG, celebrates the many reasons why this

irreverent and exciting movement has come to the forefront of contemporary art in recent years. The Surreal Salon will feature the works of 27 artists from 11 different states. The work on display will run the gamut from video to sculpture, from photography to paintings. More than 125 works were submitted from across the nation for consideration by the exhibition’s juror. Baton Rouge Gallery’s Third Annual Surreal Salon will be punctuated by a one-night celebration of the exhibition Saturday, Jan. 22 from 6-10pm. Titled the Surreal Salon Soirée, this evening of art, exciting live music and costumed attendees will surely be unlike any the arts community in the area has seen since last year’s affair. All are invited to wear their “most surreal” attire to view and celebrate the work included in the Surreal Salon (and hear the announcement of this year’s winners and the awarding of more than $2,000 in prize monies) while enjoying live musical performances from the internationally-acclaimed Quintron & Miss Pussycat and DJ OttO. The evening will also include surrealist games, a performance from the fire performance troupe, Jebediah Goodstuff’s Pyromaniacal Olde-Thyme Travelling Sideshow and much more. Tickets are $15 and can be purchased in advance or at the door. A variety of free refreshments will be provided during the Soirée. The Surreal Salon festivities will not stop there. On Jan. 23, the day following the Surreal Salon Soirée, Ryniak will speak at Baton Rouge Gallery as a special engagement of the gallery’s popular ARTiculate series. During this engagement, Ryniak provides insight into his work, techniques, inspirations and unique artistic processes. According to Ryniak, “Whatever the medium or outlet that I explore with my work, the message is always the same, and that is to never forget the wondrous world beneath our feet and the treasures it holds between the cracks.” Ryniak’s presentation is free and open to the public beginning at 4pm. Serving as juror for the Third Annual Surreal Salon, artist and sculptor Chris Ryniak’s paintings and sculptures have exhibited in galleries throughout the U.S. including some of the nation’s most popular contemporary art galleries: Copro Gallery (Santa Monica, CA), MyPlasticHeart (NYC), Roq La Rue (Seattle, WA), Gallery 1988 (Los Angeles, CA). A rising star of the pop-surrealist movement and contemporary art in general, his work was recently featured at Art Basel, (Miami, FL), inside the pages of popular publications such as Hi-Fructose and Juxtapoz, as well as abroad in Germany, Canada and Italy. For more information regarding the Third Annual Surreal Salon or any of the festivities scheduled in conjunction with it, please visit batonrougegallery.org or call 225.383.1470.

34 • The Official Mag: AmbushMag.COM • Dec . 21, 2010-J an. 3, 2011 • Of fic ial Gay Mar di Gras Guide• GayMar diGras.COM

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Ms. Jenkins is a showstopper in Opal’s Follies @ JohnPaul’s

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Princesse Stephaney & NO Fire Fighters @ Art Against AIDS

Amon-Ra Miss America Deja Deja Vu in Opal’s Follies

Lord Consort Tim @ Lords of Leather Art & Wine Auction

Petronius’ Bill, Randy & Jimmy @ Art Against AIDS

Georgianna Belle does the “Peacock” in Opal’s Follies

Grey Cross’ living Christmas Tree with Pat @ Lords of Leather Art & Wine Auction @ JohnPaul’s

Gary, Pat & Grant welcome revelers to the Lords Art & Wine Auction

Jay Cooper sings live in Opal’s Follies

Miss & Mr. Claus @ Art Against AIDS

The Armeinius gang @ Lords of Leather Art & Wine Auction Shari, TJ & Cheryl @ Art Against AIDS

King Cake Queen Opal Masters headlines Opal’s Follies

Terry & Ken @ Lords of Leather Art & Wine Auction Jennifer & John Rowland @ Art Against AIDS Ed & Yudi Harland @ Art Against AIDS

Gizelle Bouvier dazzles in Opal’s Follies

Kevin & Mr. Louisiana Leather Troy @ Lords Art & Wine Auction

Ranord, Laura & Goo @ Art Against AIDS

Lords of Leather’s Gary & Tim @ Art Against AIDS

36 • The Official Mag: AmbushMag.COM • Dec . 21, 2010-J an. 3, 2011 • Of fic ial Gay Mar di Gras Guide• GayMar diGras.COM

Holiday Spectaculars ~ New Orleans ~ Photos by Tony Leggio, Rip Naquin

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Carl & Jonathan welcome you to Oz The Naked Chef has nothing on this chef @ Big Top Photo NOLA fundraiser

Monica St. Clair in MCC’s Drag Yourself to Church event at JohnPaul’s benefiting St. Mark’s Church

Oz’s newest hottie working the door The ladies came out for Satyricon’s opening night of Snow Girls

A hottie gets the welcome treatment from Persana @ the opening of the Ruby Slipper in Oz

The men came out for the Chet Pourciau Magazine Street Holiday Party

Santa Grand Marshal Lance leads 1st Christmas Carriage Ride from Tubby’s Golden Lantern

Toby, Elf Jim, Elf Rikki Redd, Marrina, Miss Terry, Shoe Shine & Miss Tubby’s Newcomer Imani Cassadine set for the Carriage Ride

More performers in MCC’s Drag Yourself to Church event

The wonderful people of Windsor Court @ National Association of Catering Executives Holiday Party Elf Lady Hope decorating carriages for 1st Carriage Ride

Joining MCC’s Drag Yourself to Church event Chet & Jack Sullivan @ his Magazine Street Holiday Party

Raven Kennedy in MCC’s Drag Yourself to Church event

Scott & Leslie camp it up @ the NACE Holiday Party @ Windsor Court

The men in the kitchen @ Big Top Photo NOLA fundraiser

Jay & Gizelle celebrate their anniversary @ Opal’s Follies

38 • The Official Mag: AmbushMag.COM • Dec . 21, 2010-J an. 3, 2011 • Of fic ial Gay Mar di Gras Guide• GayMar diGras.COM

The Holiday Scene ~ New Orleans ~ Photos by Tony Leggio

Performers in MCC’s Drag Yourself to Church event

The Satyricon opening night of Snow Girls @ Southern Rep

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40 • The Official Mag: AmbushMag.COM • Dec . 21, 2010-J an. 3, 2011 • Of fic ial Gay Mar di Gras Guide• GayMar diGras.COM