Ambush magazine volume 29 issue 26 by Ambush Publishing

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Sunday, Dec. 25th, 10:30am, Festive Christmas Day Mass; and Friday, Jan. 6th (Twelfth Night!) , 6:30pm, Feast of the Epiphany High Solemn Mass. "The liturgy at St. Anna’s is AngloCatholic in ceremony and ritual, which represents for us the splendor and joy of the eternal banquet in heaven which we join in our celebration of the Mass. As Christians, the congregation strives for justice and peace among all people and respects the dignity of every human being.' All are invited, and according to The Rev. Bill Terry, Rector, "All are welcomed, none are shunned." St. Anna's is located at 1313 Es-

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

Christmas, New Year's Ambush Brings 2011 to a Close

he Christmas, New Year's edition of Ambush Mag brings 2011 to a close with a flurry of activities and events happening across the Gulf South. It has actually been a very good year for the GLBT community which can be proud of itself for raising over a million dollars for the various charities dear to the community. Special thanks to all of those who put on these philanthropic events, and especially to everyone whose participation and generosity made all the great successes they were. In the spirit of the holidays, please remember all of the service industry personnel out there who make our lives enjoyable. It's a great time to leave a larger tip for your favorites so they to can have a Merry Christmas and Happy New Year. 2012 is nearly upon us, and as Ambush celebrates it's 30th anniversary, we all look forward to another great year of excitement and fulfillment!

Larry Graham Presents Official Portrait of King Cake Queen XIX Nicole DuBois

he official photographer of the King Cake Queens, Larry Graham, has just released the official portrait of King Cake Queen XIX Nicole DuBois following an extensive photo shoot earlier this month. The dazzling shot celebrates the Krewe of Queenateenas theme of Carnivale in Rio on Bourbon Street with the "Samba Queen" in vibrant red. This portrait will be used in all public relations materials until the coronation. The actual coronation photo will be unveiled at the 19th King Cake Queen of Gay Mardi Gras Coronation on Saturday, Feb. 4 at the Ambush mansion. The formal, by invitation only bash, introduces KCQ Nicole DuBois to Carnival Society. The highlight of DuBois' reign will be the 25th annual Official Gay Mardi Gras Bead Toss on Fat Tuesday, Feb. 21st where the "Samba Queen" will lead some 50 revelers tossing thousands of beads to the throngs below. For more on renowned photograOfficial Portrait pher Larry Graham, visit King Cake Queen XIX GrahamStudioOne.COM. For more on Nicole DuBois the Krewe of Queenateenas, visit (Photo by Larry Graham) GayMardiGras.COM/KCQ. customers and community. Various sources of information Ambush Mag Receives were gathered and analyzed to choose

2011 New Orleans Print Media Award

ew York - Ambush Mag has been selected for the 2011 New Orleans Award in the Print Media category by the U.S. Commerce Association (USCA). The USCA “Best of Local Business” Award Program recognizes outstanding local businesses throughout the country. Each year, the USCA identifies companies that they believe have achieved exceptional marketing success in their local community and business category. These are local companies that enhance the positive image of small business through service to their

the winners in each category. The 2011 USCAAward Program focuses on quality, not quantity. Winners are determined based on the information gathered both internally by the USCA and data provided by third parties. U.S. Commerce Association (USCA) is a New York City based organization funded by local businesses operating in towns, large and small, across America. The purpose of USCA is to promote local business through public relations, marketing and advertising. The USCA was established to recognize the best of local businesses in their community. The organization works exclusively with local business owners, trade groups, professional associations, chambers of commerce and other business advertising and marketing groups. It's mission is to be an advocate for small and medium size businesses and business entrepreneurs across America. For more information, visit www.uscaaward.com.

St. Anna's Episcopal Church Announces Christmas Services

t. Anna's Episcopal Church in New Orleans has announced its Christma services schedule. Christmas masses include: Saturday, Dec. 24th, 11pm, Solemn High Candlelit Choral Mass;

30th Ambush Anniversary, Mardi Gras Classic out Jan. 3 DEADLINE: Tues., Dec. 27

inside

celebrazzi 6 a community within communities 10 under the gaydar 11 chop chop restaurant guide 18 snap paparazzi/new orleans 20 on the prowl 24 travel paparazzi/new york city 26 travel feature/new york city 27

snap paparazzi/new orleans trodding the boards service industry page classifieds pensacola paparazzi ambush paparazzi/new orleans ambush paparazzi/new orleans mobile paparazzi

Gulf South Entertainment/Travel Guide Since 1982 828-A Bourbon St. • New Orleans, LA 70116-3137 • 504.522.8049 marsha@ripandmarsha.com

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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 OVER 1 MILLION: 260,000+ in print/780,000+ 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 NEW ORLEANS AD SALES Paul Melancon 504.535.3615 THEATRE/PERFORMING ARTS CRITIC Brian Sands AD REPS/JOURNALISTS/PHOTOGRAPHERS Joey Collins-Lafayette, LA Devin Black, Tony Leggio, Jeff Palmquist, Rev. Bill Terry, Frankie Wingerter, Rory WrightNew Orleans Bob Brunson, Cieanne & John, Leon WeekleyMobile, AL Lauren Mitchell-Pensacola, FL Roy Williams-Pensacola, FL NATIONAL ADVERTISING REP Rivendell Media~212.242.6863 AMBUSH Mag is published on alternate Tuesdays of each month by Ambush, Inc., R. Rip Naquin-Delain, President. Advertising, Copy & Photo DEADLINE is alternate Tuesdays, 4pm, prior to publication week, accepted via e-mail only: marsha@ripandmarsha.com, except for special holidays. The Publisher assumes no responsibility for the claims of advertisers and has the right to reject any advertising. The inclusion of an individual's name or photograph in this publication implies nothing about that individual's sexual orientation. Letters, stories, etc., appearing herein are not necessarily the opinion of the Publisher or Staff of AMBUSH Mag. Subscription rate is $45 for 1/2 Year; $75 for 1 year. Sample Copy is $3 First Class Mail. ©1982-2011, 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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celebr azzi

irect from New York, Lady Bunny, appeared live at BBob’s in Mobile, Alabama, along with Show Director Miss Cie.

iss Tubby’s Golden Lantern 1st Runnerup Bubbles Champagne, Winner Starr Alexander, 2nd Runnerup Amaryana Black and 2011 Queen Mercedes Ellis Loreal celebrate following competition at Tubby’s Golden Lantern in New Orleans.

ack Sullivan joins honorary Art Against AIDS co-chairs John Bullard, Director Emeritus of New Orleans Museum of Art, and his colleague, Bill Fagaly, Curator of African American Art, and one of the founders of Art Against AIDS, during the 25th annual Art Against AIDS Gala hosted at New Orleans Museum of Art raising thousands of dollars for NO/ AIDS Task Force and its many valuable programs.

outhern Eagle’s Stephen Fischer joins Wood Enterprises GM Ken Grandpre at the annual Wood Enterprises Employee Xmas Party hosted in The Balcony Bar above Cafe Lafitte in Exile in New Orleans.

owboy Dave, Marc Anthoni and Bourbon Pub Parade owner Sandy Sachs present $6,500 proceeds from Oh What A Drag! turnabout show to Food for Friends Pantry Coordinator Bobby Vallicello during the annual Bourbon Pub Parade Christmas Party.

utter’s Mac McAll, Dudley LeBlanc and (center) Jimmy Kilgour received the William J. Fanning Hero Award at Buzzy’s “It’s Gonna Look a Lot Like Christmas” Turn-A-Bout which raised over $7,500 for their dedication and commitment to the fight against HIV/ AIDS raising thousands of dollars over the years for Buzzy’s Boys & Girls in New Orleans.

M Bert McComas, Sexy Santa and bar baron Jay Janis welcome revelers to the Country Club Holiday Party in New Orleans.

ime Out Lounge bartender’s Dakota West and Daniel Armando flank karaoke master Patrick Kuzara after Naked Boys Singing at New World Stages on West 50th Street in New York City.

he first Miss Michael’s On The Park brought 2nd runner-up Jessica Dicks, 1st runner-up Deja Deja-Vue’, bar baron Michael Cookmeyer and winner Tutu Cox to the stage at Michael’s On The Park in New

Orleans.

eja Deja-Vue’ presents Gumbo Cook-off winner Paul Davis at first AmonRa Gumbo Cook-off hosted at Tubby’s Golden Lantern in New Orleans.

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the "official" dish ...from 4 planade. Call 504.974.2121 or visit StAnnaNOLA.ORG for more information, or email: fr.bill@stannanola.org.

Accomplishments, Challenges in Decriminalizing & Protecting LGBT People

uman Rights violations against Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender people were brought to the forefront of Human Rights Protection. In honor of Human Rights Day (12/10), the 63rd anniversary of the creation of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, Secretary of State Hillary Clinton delivered a historic speech in Geneva (12/ 6) focused on human rights for the

LGBT community, “Some have suggested that gay rights and human rights are separate and distinct; but, in fact, they are one and the same…the governments that drafted and passed the Universal Declaration of Human Rights were not thinking about how it applied to the LGBT community. They also weren’t thinking about how it applied to indigenous people or children or people with disabilities or other marginalized groups. Yet in the past 60 years, we have come to recognize that members of these groups are entitled to the full measure of dignity and rights, because, like all people, they share a common humanity… President Obama has directed all U.S. Government agencies engaged overseas to combat the criminalization of LGBT status and conduct and to respond swiftly to abuses against LGBT persons.” A panel was held at the United Nations in New York City (12/8) featuring international LGBT activists discussing successes and failures in their own countries to end systematic violence and discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation and gender identity, from bullying in schools to arrest and incarceration, or worse. The questions that persist despite the Yogyakarta Principles that identify 29 protected rights for LGBT individuals to live the full spectrum of their lives in safety and privacy include: >What to do when governments

justify homophobic violence and discrimination by citing ancient cultural and religious traditions? >When will sexual orientation and gender identification be decriminalized globally? >Does international pressure help or hinder? >How can countries be held accountable for human rights violations? For more info, visit http://mainstream-media.net.

Nation’s Largest Gathering of LGBT Rights Activists & Allies Jan. 25-29, 2012

ashington - More than 2,500 lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) rights advocates from across the country will converge in Baltimore, Md., on Jan. 25-29 for the 24th National Conference on LGBT Equality: Creating Change. It is the largest convening of LGBT activists and allies in the country. They will come together from every corner of the nation to strategize at the start of a critical election year and learn how to build political power back home. Benjamin Jealous, president and chief executive officer of the NAACP, the nation’s oldest and largest civil rights organization, will deliver the opening plenary keynote speech on Thursday, Jan. 26. Jealous is an outspoken supporter of LGBT rights. A major conference draw is the annual “State of the Movement” address, which will be given by National Gay and Lesbian Task Force Executive Director Rea Carey on Friday, Jan. 27. She will present a vision for the year ahead in the struggle for LGBT equality, and for social

and economic justice. The plenary event on Saturday, Jan. 28, will focus on international LGBT issues, a topic that is making national and global headlines of late following a White House memorandum from President Obama and a historic speech from U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton on the importance of international LGBT human rights. Cary Alan Johnson, executive director of the International Gay & Lesbian Human Rights Commission, will moderate a discussion featuring LGBT organizers from around the world who will discuss current issues facing LGBT people abroad and ways that U.S.-based activists can support efforts to bring full justice and equality to LGBT people globally. The conference kicks off with hundreds of LGBT rights supporters converging on Capitol Hill on Thursday, Jan. 26, for Creating Change’s inaugural Lobby Day. They will advocate for passage of critical legislation in the areas of employment nondiscrimination, pay equity, anti-bullying and safe schools. A coalition of LGBT groups, as well as the ACLU, SEIU and the American Association of University Women, will join to support and sponsor the Creating Change Lobby Day. Faith leaders and lay people from numerous denominations and spiritual practices will convene for Practice Spirit, Do Justice, held in conjunction with the conference. Religious-based arguments are often used to undermine LGBT equality. Participants will strategize on how to bring more faith allies into the LGBT movement and how best to counter religious-based bigotry. The National Conference on LGBT Equality: Creating Change also features hundreds of skills-building workshops, more than 15 additional daylong institutes, networking sessions and much more. Learn more at www.creatingchange.org.

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a community within communities

by The Rev. Bill Terry, Rector St. Anna’s Episcopal Church Email: fr.bill@stannanola.org

God Bless us one and all!

or many of us Christmas is a season of sadness. The shadows grow long and the streets darken earlier. It is often damp and chilled. Mulled wine, bourbon, hot cakes, none seem to bring joy. We are hurt and the family that we long for seems somehow removed, inaccessible, we just want companionship and to be cared about. For some of us Christmas can be a solitary time filled with poignant sadness. Think of it. A man and a woman live in poverty and are in that town homeless and without resources. There is no medical care, little food, if any. They have traveled oh so long and they are tired. The man and the woman carry a great

secret that no one will listen let alone believe. Why it is hard to believe it themselves, “how can it be” they ask each other. The shadows grow long the night is deep and they are perhaps filled with fear if not sadness. She is expecting a baby at any time and they have nothing. The secret is with them and no one will listen. The “Joy to the World” enters in just such a place. Dark, without help or

resources, not surrounded by family but rather barn animals and a few low class no class working folk. The very first community of Christ earned little money and lived on the land. The parents of Yeshua (éùåò) were poor and by many standards marginalized. Just a few gathered and in time some very strange men, perhaps kings, or astronomers, scientists if you will, came to visit and brought rich gifts fit for a King, gold, frankincense, and myrrh. Perhaps Mary and Joseph received them well…yet, what good was incense and spices when you are hungry, poor, and indeed hunted by the establishment? It is the “incarnation”! It is the coming of God into humanity and such a place to find God’s center! A baby is born into poverty, in a class despised by some, rejected by many, and hiding from the fear of certain death by the establishment. It is the “incarnation” this is the God that we Christians worship. So long ago yet the story still rings out today. We often forget the humble beginnings of the one called Emmanuel (God is with us) and it is lost in great churches, great choirs, great vestments, lovely candles and good food and abundant gift giving. It is the “incarnation” God becoming one of us; just another person in a complex world.

Given this perspective is the incarnation lost on us? Is the incarnation real? How can it be so when so much in the world seems dark? Hurt is a powerful thing. Is the incarnation real? Even in our darkness the answer is unquestionably, YES! It is very real. It can, when invited so to do, overcome hurt and darkness and marginalization. It can be quiet and subtle it can be loud and boisterous! The incarnation is real. It finds its very center in so many people today and like that first night of the incarnation it often goes unnoticed or is despised. Recently, the Bear Club and associates, a bartender at the Phoenix, JohnPaul’s Bar, good people in the LBGT community too many to name or number looked for a purpose to give. Anna’s Arts for Children received over 200 gifts for kids; bright shinny new and ready to be played with. I sat with Mike a friend who told me about a certain “church” that when finding out toys were coming from a gay group refused them. That kind of hurt is monstrous and hateful it did not start in barn on a cold winter’s night surrounded by shepherds. That behavior started in a dark place of haughty self-righteousness! A certain wealthy church with a grand gesture sent some packages to St. Anna’s and with some self pride said it was clothing and toys for the children in our neighborhood. It was [continued on 12]

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

Book of the Month

othing is a better read during the holidays than a fast paced thriller. And James Patterson, one of my favorite authors in that genre, has brought us his newest page-turner in the Detective Michael Bennett series with Tick Tock. This novel gives readers a great adrenaline rush. [continued on 12]

a community ...from 11 old and used clothing it was broken and used toys. Together the LBGT community and St. Anna’s sometime sit side by side in a barn, marginalized, despised by some, low class no class

folk. The joy and expectancy that the Bears and others shared with us when delivering the toys is/was enough to put a smile on any caring persons face. The sadness is that they neither expect nor get the emotional pay off of

giving the toys to the children. We have been too hurt too often to take that risk. Take heart because as a priest I will say without hesitation – this community – this community within a community reflects the incarnation God dwelling among us is ways glorify the birth of Jesus. It may be dark and cold and seem unforgiving, but that is how Jesus came into the world and this community is right there with him. God bless us everyone! Thank you for being the incarnation of Christ Jesus to us, to St. Anna’s, to the children of Treme, to show us how to care. Please do not be afraid, come and pray and be loved with us. We stand at the entrance of a barn we folk that are not so much and we are the light in a cold winter’s night. To support Dodwell House Community Center contact fr.bill@stannanola.org or go to www.dodwellhouse.org to make a donation to the dream.

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under the gaydar ...from 11 The story follows Detective Bennett as he vacations at the beach with his ten adopted children, his father and his nanny/housekeeper when back in New York City a maniac starts to mimic famous serial killers from the city’s storied past. Each new vicious attack paralyzes the city in fear as Bennett and his team rush to bring this madman to justice. Meanwhile back at the beach, there is a more realistic threat as local bullies threaten his children. With each new installment in the series, the characters become more developed and their dynamics change as their relationships evolve. The romance triangle between Bennett, FBI Agent Emily Parker and his nanny Mary Catherine takes an interesting turn in this outing. What I love about Patterson’s novels is that he manages to set a scene very quickly. He creates real situations for his characters and makes them leap off the page in vivid detail. Tick Tock delivers on all levels as an action packed novel. For more information on Patterson and his works, go to www.jamespatterson.com.

Who Is Your Bosom Buddy?

f you answered Ricky Graham and Varla Jean Merman, you are right! Now you can cozy up to them at their latest cabaret show at the new Mid City Theatre. On Wednesday, Dec. 28, the Mystic Krewe of Satyricon is hosting the opening night performance of Big Bosom Buddies. This swinging pair of entertainers once again will have you laughing in the aisles. There are only 100 seats for this show so get your tickets right away before they are all sold out. The show begins at 8pm and tickets are $25. For information or to purchase tickets call 504.525.4498. The Mid City Theatre is located at 3540 Toulouse Street.

Party Down!

have decided to begin a new feature in my column that highlights some of the hottest parties and events that I have attended. Since this is the holiday season, that list has grown pretty extensive, so let’s begin. And before I start telling everyone my escapades, I hate to admit this, but this year the holidays have been wiping me out. I am shaking my sugar stick of holiday cheer everywhere and it is taking its toll, but I digress. We start actually on Wednesday, Nov. 30 with the Art Against Aids Patron Party at Arthur Roger’s Gallery in the Warehouse District. This precursor to the main event later that week was an intimate gathering designed for the patrons and those who do a lot for the organization. The food was donated by Vega Tapas Café and it was simply delicious. And the gallery was the perfect setting for this event and a fitting tribute since it was Arthur who was the catalyst for Art Against AIDS 25 years ago. Afterwards, I headed down to the Marigny where I emceed Carolina Gallop’s fashion show fundraiser for her hometown of La Ceiba, Honduras. Always striving to bring new emerging designers to the forefront, this show spotlighted seven designers and their cutting edge fashions. Mixing live musicians with the runway shows added some spice to the night. I love to play a part of this show every year, and it does not hurt hanging around with the beautiful models either. Starting with the first day in December it seemed like I had something to do every night. On Thursday, Dec. 1, I went to the Gambel Communications party at their offices on Metairie Road. This company is quickly gaining a name for itself as one of the top public relations and advertising agencies in the city. Recently I have become friends with most of the staff and I find them to be some of the hardest working women in the business. Their party was catered by the Maison Dupuy and Zea’s, which meant the food was excellent. They even had that new Pub bike that people can rent out. I took a ride on it and it was one of the coolest things, basically people petal facing each other at a fully stocked bar while there is a driver steering this rolling tavern. That same evening down the street, Vega Tapas had their 15th anniversary celebration and owner Glen Hogh pulled out all the stops to make this one of the most unique and memorable events. In case you are not familiar with the restaurant, it is located on Metairie Road and is probably one of the best tapas restaurants in the metro area. The sangria and wine flowed as scrumptious delights were passed to the many guests in attendance. There was authentic flamenco dancing which even our host took part in trying. The night was spectacular meeting new people, reconnecting with old friends, and most of all dining at one of the best eateries in the city. Congratulations to Glen and his staff; I raise a glass to you and wish you fifteen more years of much deserved success. Friday was a chaotic night in which I dragged my poor mother around with me, and I have to admit she was a trooper. People half her age do not have the stamina she does. The apple definitely does not fall far from the tree in this case. We began our evening going to the opening night performance of Running with Scissors’ Grenadine McGunkle’s Double Wide Christmas show which was a fundraiser for the Mystic Krewe of Satyricon. The show runs Friday and Saturday though the 24th. The characters may be the same, but the storyline has changed dramatically and we now see new adventures of our favorite trailer park [continued on 14]

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under the gaydar ...from 12 denizens. With performers like Brian Peterson, Elizabeth Pearce, Jack Long, Dorian Rush, Lisa Picone and Bob Eades to name just a few, how can you go wrong. It was a crowded night and guests were treated to a laugh filled comic outing. You need to make a point to catch one of their final shows. Next up, I went to Chet Pourciau Designs’ holiday party at his shop on Magazine Street. Chet is one of the top interior designers in the city and his parties are always an over the top soiree. Chet is also known for his television and radio appearances. He is on Fox 8 as their resident designer and hosts Chet Chat on LAE. Guests were allowed to shop while they enjoyed libations and some hors d’oeuvres. One of my favorite items he had was these little bite size desserts from the NOLA Pie Guy. They were really dreamy which can also be said of the pie guy himself, Nathan, who looks like a young Antonio Sabato, Jr. Dawn (my mom) was still hanging in there so we went to the Armeinius fundraiser at the Teddy Bear House owned by Ricky and Tim and holds over 10,000 teddy bears that range from antique to modern and everything in between. The party was a great mixer with this exciting Mardi Gras krewe. With great food, flowing drinks and a noteworthy silent auction, this party rocked. If you have a chance, go check out this house, there are teddy bears everywhere, in the shower, in the beds and hanging from the rooftop, it is a sight to behold. Proceeds for the tour of this house go to the krewe as well as several other charitable organizations in the city. After the party, I let my mother off the hook for my next evening stop which was Elizabeth Bouvier’s

final performance of the FourPlay show at JohnPaul’s. I was able to perform a number with La Liz that brought the house down. The reins of the show has now been turned over to the talented Dominique DeLorean who will continue the tradition of great drag shows at JohnPaul’s with Diamonds of the South every other Friday. The following day was filled with excitement as I prepared for Art Against AIDS at the New Orleans Museum of Art. This exquisite event celebrated its 25th Anniversary with the theme: 25 Years of Art, 25 Years of Hope. It is in my opinion that this event is the start of the holiday party season. It combines all the elements of a great fete, food, art, entertainment and hot men. This year guests entered the museum which was completely illuminated red on the outside and were greeted by a gospel choir on the stairs of the main hall. The restaurants served some of their signature dishes and the auction was one of the best in years. Harrah’s had a swanky lounge on the courtyard that added to the ambiance. Now not all the totals are in, but I heard that we surpassed what was made in the previous year. Congratulations to all who was involved, they did an outstanding job. The following week, my party hopping began on Wednesday, Dec. 5 with the National Association of Catering Executives holiday party at the Basin Street Station. If you have not been to this location or thought about it for a function, check it out. It is a hidden jewel, with a balcony that overlooks the cemetery and French Quarter, free parking and a great catering menu; it is one of the top event spaces. You can always know when you go to a party thrown by someone in the business, because all the details were taken care of. This party had it all, great open bar, delicious food, a grand silent auction, and good entertainment. They also had this new fun thing called flipbooks, where you and your friends can make a book that actually works like a mini movie. So much fun. After that, I rolled my slightly cocktailed self to JohnPaul’s where I emceed the hysterical ZsaZsa d’LaHor’s Hump Day the Country Way show. The show turned into a fun party with guys stripping on stage, Eva Las Vegas bringing the house down with her numbers, and of course, ZsaZsa who makes sure that everyone stays on track. On Thursday, my friend Nick and I went to the Vella Vetro party at the Studio Inferno warehouse in the Bywater. If you have never seen James Vella’s glass sculptures, you are missing out; this man is a true artist. He had a simple little holiday party where he had some of his pieces on sale and did glass blowing demonstrations. They had an overabundance of rum punch, so I got slightly over served, but finished most of my holiday shopping. Friday brought another busy schedule of party bouncing. I started my evening off Uptown at my friend Jeremy

Smith’s house that had a themed holiday Quinceanera for his dog Brickston. There were sombreros, lots of Mexican fare and some of the best margaritas I have ever had. After a few libations, I traveled to the Bywater for the Country Club’s Christmas party and they had a great throw down. As always the food was good and the crowd lively. They had a live band keeping the mood upbeat and they had raffle prizes, of which I won an ice chest. The staff really rolled out the red carpet for guests and everyone had a great time. My final stop of the night was to JohnPaul’s for Misti Ates Winter Wonderland fundraiser for New Orleans Gay Pride. I got to do a number in the show with Ms. Bouvier and had an absolute blast doing it. Cheers to Misti for putting on one hell of a show. She can call me anytime to be a part of one of her events. Saturday was not any less hectic than Friday. My schedule began at four with the Lords of Leather Art Auction at JohnPaul’s. They had some pretty awesome pieces of art and the food was plentiful as always. I managed to get another holiday gift before I had to jump to my next location which was the home of Jon Ramsey and his partner Dewey on Esplanade Avenue. Let’s begin with the entire party was just first class from the food to the guest list. It was like a who’s who in the gay community. Their home lends itself to the ultimate party house. Jon was kind enough to give me the guided tour. I cannot remember when I had so much fun connecting with people. FYI, note to the wise, in crowded parties always drink clear liquids; let’s just leave it at that. My next stop was conveniently close by on Esplanade Avenue, the home of Brick Bishop and Chris Santilli. It was Brick’s fiftieth birthday and the well-wishers were out in droves at their magnificent, antique laden home. Brick unusually is a “Hello Kitty” fanatic (I know right, who knew!); the cake and décor fell right in tune with the theme. The cuisine was party fun, but my favorite feature of the house is their bar, which boasts stain glass windows and ornate fixtures. The cast of Grenadine all turned out and it was one of those events that just make all in attendance feel warm, happy and leave a lasting impression. Other quick pauses that night were a hot second at Petronius’ Pingo at Kajun’s Pub, Shayne’s Monster GaGa party and the Golden Age Revue at JohnPaul’s. I do believe a rooster was crowing in the background when I arrived at my house at the wee hours of Sunday morning. On Sunday, I awaked tired but no more worse for the wear, and dragged myself to the Golden Lantern for the Amon-Ra Gumbo Cook-Off and Saints Viewing Party. There were seven tasty dishes to sample and it was difficult for people to pick just one winner, but in the end it was Paul who made a seafood filled gumbo with okra to die for. Well, this ends part one of my holiday party review. Until next issue, keep those party heels twirling.

Are You Ready for Mardi Gras!

he gay carnival krewes are and they are preparing to put on fabulous balls for all who attend. One of the first major carnival happenings this season is the Mystic Krewe of Satyricon’s 12th Night Ball that will be held at the home of Dr. Marc Behar and his partner Jeff Sbisa on Saturday, Jan. 7, 2012 from 7 – 10pm. 12th Night is the kickoff of the Mardi Gras season and even though it is technically the day before, Satyricon has an evening of amazing entertainment in store for all attendees. For a mere $30 per ticket, there will be an open bar, exquisite gourmet cuisine, entertainment, a silent auction, the coronation of King and Queen 12th Night and of course, the announcement of the new royalty and the ball theme. This elegant evening is formal or [continued on 16]

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under the gaydar ...from 14 costume. Marc Behar’s home is located Uptown at 1422 Jackson Avenue. For more information or tickets, call 504.525.4498.

Everyone Wants To Go To Heaven

ecently the House of Blues has resur-rected their ex tremely popular dance event, Heaven. I remember this party in the past and it always brings back fond memories. It was like a cross between a gay Studio 54 and a New Orleans house party. I recall wearing angel wings while I danced to Kevin Aviance, quite surreal. HOB General Manager Robert Rizzuto was instrumental in it’s return once a month, and Heaven is quickly gaining momentum. December’s one has a special meaning for me, since I was honored along with three other individuals and organizations as a recipient of the first annual Spirit of Giving Award presented by House of Blues New Orleans. In recognition for the significant work that you have done in support of the New Orleans community the HOB acknowledged us as living by a Spirit of Giving. 2011 has been a momentous year with historic advancement in the civil rights of the GLBT community and the House of

Blues wanted to take a moment to acknowledge select representatives in our community who demonstrate the Spirit of Giving. My fellow award recipients will include NO/AIDS Task Force, Halloween New Orleans and author/ actor Bryan Batt. The award will be presented on Friday, Dec. 23 at Heaven which will include a special homecoming of internationally known DJ Alyson Calagna and special guest Varla Jean Merman. Doors open at 9pm and the award will be presented at 10pm. There will be a special reception during the first hour that will feature complimentary hors d’oeuvres and specialty cocktails with the dance party immediately afterwards. For more information on this event or tickets, go to www.houseofblues.com.

Tony’s Tidbits of Gay Wisdom

et’s hear it for the help. Sorry, but I could not help referencing the widely popular book and movie. But all kidding aside, during this bustling holiday season I think we all should take time and thank those people who work in the service industry. These individuals labor on holidays to make your day brighter and more enjoyable. They are the waiters, bartenders (thank god for them), bellmen, maids, store clerks, and the list goes

on. Take a moment to acknowledge them with kind words of gratitude, and most of all generous tips. Also be sure to bonus those in your life that enhance it like your stylist at the salon or your fitness instructor. Remember those who are always helping and regularly aid your life but you may not even know that well, such as your mail carrier, bank teller, coffee shop counter person or event hat special bartender that recalls your favorite beverage every time you enter. Even if you are strapped for cash this time of the year, a card or homemade treats can also be just as good as a monetary tip. It sincerely goes a long way anytime you let people know that they are appreciated. So what is the proper amount to tip those certain people in your life? I thought this guide would prove helpful. Live in help: One week of pay plus a gift Babysitter: One evening’s pay plus a gift from your child or children Housekeeper/cleaner: One week’s pay and a small gift Nursing Home Employees: A gift that can be shared by the entire staff Barber or Stylist: The cost of one haircut or salon visit or a gift for each person who normally works on you Personal Trainer or Massage Therapist: The cost of one session or a gift Pet Groomer or Dog Walker: The

cost of one session or a gift. Personal Caregiver: Between one week to one month’s salary. Mail Carrier: Any gift or tip has to be under $20, due to federal United States Postal Services regulations. Trash Collectors: $10 to $30 each. Handyman: $15 to $40 Teacher: Small card from you and a gift from your child. Yard or Garden Worker/Landscaper: $15 to $50 Newspaper delivery person: $5$10 for weekend delivery $15-$30 for daily delivery Garage Attendants: $10-$30 or a small gift. As always, most people prefer cash, but any sort of present on your part is appreciated. And I wish all the readers of Ambush a safe holiday and a very Merry Christmas, Channukah, Kwanzah or drunken day off, whatever you subscribe to. If you have an event or news item you would like me to cover in this column, please contact me at tonymgp@hotmail.com.

Am bush 30t h A n n i ve r s a r y De a d l i n e : T u e s d a y, De c . 2 7 t h Ca l l 5 0 4 .5 2 2 .8 0 4 9

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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.

Chicken Salad Croissant @ The Decadence Shoppe, 806 N. Rampart St.

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. 11am-9pm, Sat.-Sun. brunch 11am-3pm.

Taco Salad with Ground Beef, Tomatoes, Olives, Mozzarella, Red Onion and Sour Cream over Romaine Lettuce in a Flour Tortilla Shell with Smoked Paprika Vinaigrette @ The Country Club, 634 Louisa St.

Cajun Cafe Market, 1100 N. Peters in the French Market, 905.3212, offers local Cajun specialties where you can dine in or take out. Great selection of Louisiana products available here. Open 10am-6pm. Candy Bar, 908 Bourbon, 504.52.CANDY, is an upscale dessert & specialty food store, open Tues.-Sun. with weekends 24 hours. Best in desserts, snacks, cheeses, crackers, candies, NY bagels & knishes, smoked meats, po-boys, wraps & sandwiches. PLUS PLUS PLUS many organic, all natural & gluten free items, also DOG TREATS.

Roast Beef Special @ Frady's One Stop Grocery & Deli, 3231 Dauphine New Orleans Muffuletta (generous helping of ham, salami, provolone and olive salad) @ Restaurant/Deli of the Year Quartermaster: The Nellie Deli, 1100 Bourbon St.

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. Country Club Restaurant, 634 Louisa St., 945.0742, TheCountryClubNewOrleans.COM. The chef has paid 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.

Garlic Shrimp Pasta (jumbo shrimp with garlic butter sauce over angel hair pasta) @ Louisiana Pizza Kitchen, 95 French Mkt Pl

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. Frady's One Stop Grocery & Deli, 3231 Dauphine St., 949.9688, has both groceries and a fantastic deli whipping up local favorites each day on special. Open Mon.-Fri. 7:30am-6pm, Sat. 9am-3pm, closed Sun. 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. Matassa's Market, 1001 Dauphine St., 512.8700, a full service grocery and deli serving great food, fine wine and spirits with free delivery. Open Sun.-Wed. 6am-9pm, Thurs.-Sat. 6am-10pm.

Gourmet Sliders with Onion Rings @ 700 Club Restaurant, 700 Burgundy

Special Combo Pizza (pepperoni, Italian sausage, ham, onions, mushrooms, green peppers & black olives with jalapenos & anchovies optional) @ Mona Lisa Restaurant, 1212 Royal St.

Mona Lisa Restaurant, 1212 Royal St., 522.6746, features Italian specialties including salads, pizzas, sandwiches and both lunch and dinner entrees. Open Mon.-Thurs. 5-10pm, Fri. Sun. 11am-10pm. Orleans Grapevine Wine & Bar Bistro, 720 Orleans, 523.1930, is located in a beautiful renovated 1809 building offering a pleasant atmosphere, extensive wine list with 200 selections, and delicious food including soups, salads, appetizers, entrees and house made desserts that will delight any palate. Open daily at 4pm serving dinner Sun.-Thurs. 5-10:30pm, Fri.-Sat. 5-11pm. 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. Royal House Restaurant, 441 Royal St., RoyalHouseRestaurant.COM, 528.2601. This casual dining New Orleans Restaurant has delectable delights created by its renowned Louisiana executive chef. Step into this dining paradise and be swept away by the romantic lighting, the smell of fresh steamed seafood in the famous crawfish boil, raw oysters at one of the city’s largest oyster bars. Sip on a glass of wine or a true New Orleans cocktail with any of their specialty drinks. Let great southern hospitality and casual yet romantic atmosphere help you escape! Open 11am-11pm Sun.-Sat., 11am-12midnight Fri.-Sat.

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King Amon-Ra Jerry & Kenny with Good Friends Blake @ Wood Enterprises Employee Xmas Party

Scott, Jose & Club LAX’s Toby @ Bourbon Pub Parade Christmas Party

Celebrating @ Bourbon Pub Parade Christmas Party

Live @ Country Club Holiday Party

Lafitte’s bartender Brandon & manager John @ Wood Enterprises Employee Xmas Party

All party goers got a chance to sit on sexy Santa’s lap @ Country Club Holiday Party

Bourbon Pub Parade Christmas spirit

The Immortal Preview for FNBMG during Art Against AIDS @ NOMA

Coca Mesa & Monalot Fontaine @ Country Club Holiday Party

New Lafitte’s DJ Chris & Mary’s Ace Hardware’s Sherran @ Wood Enterprises Employee Xmas Party

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Society Page’s Trux & Orlando @ Bourbon Pub Parade Christmas Party

Opal, Michelle & Darwin @ Art Against AIDS

Bourbon Pride’s Josh @ Wood Enterprises Employee Xmas Party

Chuck, bar manager Drew & Michele @ Country Club Holiday Party

Jerry @ Blake @ Bourbon Pub Parade Christmas Party

Rusty, Anthony & Lester @ Country Club Holiday Party

Good Friends manager Neel & La Mina Sterling’s Poncho @ Wood Enterprises Employee Xmas Party in The Balcony Bar

DJ Myke & partner Max @ Wood Enterprises Employee Xmas Party

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Holiday Parties ~ New Orleans ~ Photos by Ambush, Tony Leggio, Paul Melancon

Lee & Dante @ Country Club Holiday Party

Owner Sandy Sachs & partner Susan Reyes @ Bourbon Pub Parade Christmas Party

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on the prowl by Rory Wright Email: rorywrightinnola@hotmail.com

A Very Beary Christmas...

lot of members of our community are known to be collectors of some kind of object or art. It seems bred into our DNA, but; Ricky Lenart, has taken collecting to a level unsurpassed locally. His Teddy Bear House in New Orleans is an amazement and is both entertaining and used for charities every year. I met up with Ricky last Friday evening on a night that was promoted and designated as “Bear’s night out.” He and his partner were hosting a Christmas party that crisp and cold December evening with their l-shaped swimming pool all heated and warm and the back yard decked out for a celebration. The view from the front yard was spectacular and I could see all of the bear collections in the lit windows. He greeted me at the door with a smile and invited me in for an informal tour of the bears. I asked him how he had gotten started collecting what is now over ten thou-

Ricky Lenart sand bears and bear related collectibles. “Back in 1976, a friend of mine decided to buy me a bear as a gift and others started to give me bears, but prior to that in high school and college, I was called Rickybear or Rickypoo as nicknames and so it kind of got started that way. I guess it was just a sort of endearment, but then everyone got serious about it. I worked at the World’s Fair Christmas store and the collection of bears has really exploded since I moved here in 1984. I was working in Knoxville and they asked me to move to Vancouver, Canada, but my partner was here in New Orleans so I said no and moved here instead. At first it was just family and friends sending me bears. Back in 1976 during the disco era, I had about 25 bears, people started sending me disco bears, so it started kind of slowly and then after awhile it just got crazy!” (Laughter).

I asked about where he came from originally. “I was born in Detroit, Michigan but I fell in love with New Orleans. I met my partner, Cornel Jeansonne here so I moved here and we have been together over 26 years now.” He explained how the bear tours got started. “we moved to this house 21 years ago and have done the bear tours for charity for years now. We decided to do it up big this year because the house itself is one hundred years old this year. Also this year I made it to over ten thousand bears. In fact a lady came by yesterday and donated over a hundred bears that had been in her mothers collection, and her mother had passed on in 2005. She found out about the tours and dropped all of them off. And I got a call last week from a production company from New York who are coming to do a video of the Bears for German television so we seem to be getting on the radar after all these years. The fundraising tours are presented by the Krewe Of Armeinius of which they are members and Ricky has been king. This year 8 non profit groups will be led through the bear

stuffed bear cub. He put it in his shop window and called it “Teddy’s Bear.” The toy became an immediate success and is the origin of todays teddy bear. The company that manufactured them sold over one million teddy bears in 1903, and it has continued to be a children’s favorite ever since. Each room has a theme and some of them are just packed with collectibles. There is a classic Christmas room, a Mardi Gras room, Goldilocks and the three bears, a Sherlock Holmes style study and much more. There is more to see than is possible to put in the article. One of the children’s favorites is the bubble bathroom full of bears. I asked about what occurred during Hurricane Katrina. “It seems like everyone got some kind of damage from Katrina, but we were fortunate that the flooding stopped about six block’s from our house. We had roof damage and the pool was a mess but all of the bears survived!” He continued: “People have been leaving notes and dropping of thank

you's for the Christmas display and all the bears. I asked if every room in the house had bears. “Oh yes, we started preparing for this years tours this last May, so it has expanded quite a bit. We are doing tours all throughout December for various charities and on December 30th we are doing an event for the West Bank Arts Guild. Any one or group interested can call me at 504. 897.1302 or just stop by th house at 1525 Dufossat Street in New Orleans. You can also access the tour information online at teddybeartour.webs.com.

Santa Appears in City Park

n December 10th, Victor (Bear) Vest, who was interviewed in the last issue of Ambush, arrived as Santa by police escort to the delight of hundreds of small children, and assisted by other members of the New Orleans Bear and Bear Trapper Social Club he listened to children’s toy requests, handed out candy canes and it should be noted that this is the sixteenth year that Victor (Bear) Vest has volunteered as Santa.

house. According to the Krewe of Armeinius, the house was built originally in 1911 by the Reverend B.K. Weed, an Episcopal Priest who ministered in the prison system and his wife, Lucy Peachy Evans. It was built in the Colonial Revival Style which was very popular at that time. The house was sold to his son, Dr. John Weed and his wife Alice Lemann in 1950. It remained in the Weed family until 1991 when it was sold to to the current owners Cornel Jeansonne and Ricky A. Lenart. The term Teddy Bear actually has a history that is little known to those who may have a teddy bear or two. The term comes from one of President Theodore Roosevelt’s hunting trips to Louisiana and Mississippi in 1902. While he was hunting in Mississippi, he came upon an older American black bear and he refused to shoot it. It soon became the topic of a political cartoon. Morris Michton, a Brooklyn store owner saw the cartoon and created a little

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travel

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GaGa’s Motorcycle Window @ Barneys New York

GaGa’s Workshop in Barneys

Construction @ Ground Zero

GaGa’s Boudoir Window made all out of hair @ Barneys Harry Winston

Radio City Music Hall GaGa’s Workshop in Barneys

Tiffany’s

Time Square

Close up of GaGa’s Boudoir

Spectacular Bergdorf Goodman Window

NBC Studios

GaGa’s Crystal Cave Window @ Barneys

Bloomingdale’s Xmas Animated Windows

GaGa’s Workshop in Barneys

Hershey’s Time Square Another fabulous Bergdorf Goodman Window

Macy’s nostalgic Windows

Statue of Liberty

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Rip & Marsha’s New York City Holiday Getaway ~ Photos by Rip Naquin

Rockefeller Christmas Tree

LEFT: The highest bid in the Elizabeth Taylor Auction at Christy's was for the 16th century pearl which sold for $11.8 million. The value estimate was $2-$3 million. The pearl, known as La Peregrina, has been seen in artwork by Rip & Marsha Naquin-Delain for centuries and was even painted by Email: marsha@ripandmarsha.com 17th century Spanish artist Velazquez. The pearl was once owned by Mary Tudor and later by Spanish queens Glitz & Glamour in The Big Apple ot in our wildest dreams could we have ever imagined the glitz and Margarita and Isabel. Taylor’s twoglamour we would experience on our holiday trip to New York City. time husband Richard Burton bought Even though our trip was off to a rocky start, since our plane had to the pearl in 1969 at auction for $37,000. circle a couple of times above JFK before landing. Once we finally landed we Taylor commissioned Cartier to design found out it was rush hour in Manhattan, so instead of a ruby-and-diamond necklace mount a 45 minute trip in, it took us almost an hour and 45 for the piece. Another Burton gift, a 33.19 carat diamond ring, minutes, getting us to the Belvedere Hotel by 6pm. fetched $8.8 million. A gold and gem bracelet valued at up The Belvedere was the same hotel we stayed in to $35,000 sold for $270,000 and an ivory and gold necklace when we were here back in 2004. Rooms have a mini fetched more than 100 times its estimate of selling for $314,500. kitchenette with fridge and microwave. After getting Another buyer paid $600,000 for a diamond and sapphire ring given to Taylor by Michael Jackson. Marc Porter of [continued on 30] Christie’s calls the high bids “a testament to the love of Elizabeth Taylor.” Another highlight was the Taj Mahal diamond, a 40th BELOW: One of our favorites in The Crown Jewels birthday present from Burton, which sold for $8.8 million. of Hollywood: The Elizabeth Taylor Collection preSource: www.hollywoodreporter.com. sented by Christy's New York was a suite of diamond,

travel feature

emerald and ruby jewelry by Massoni. Comprising a necklace, centering upon a pair of pavé-set diamond yellow and white gold monkeys, enhanced by circularcut ruby eyes, perched atop a bunch of bananas, joined to a series of similarly-set frolicking monkeys, enhanced by circular-cut diamond and gold stylized foliate motifs, accented by carved emerald leaves and twisted gold rope, joined to a gold pineapple clasp; and a pair of ear pendants en suite, mounted in yellow and white gold. Formerly from the Collection of the Baron and Baroness di Portanova, it was a gift from Micheal Jackson purchased from Christy's New York in 2000. Value estimate $60-$80,000, sold for $290,500.

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Buzzy’s Boys & Girls Fish, Oz’s Dusty Debris & David @ Buzzy's Turn-A-Bout

Armeinius fundraiser @ The Teddy Bear House Lafitte’s Wilhemina & Ninth Circle’s Wayne bartend for Buzzy’s Turn-A-Bout

Tami Tarmac’s Cougar Caberet premiere show @ Tubby’s Golden Lantern with Bubbles Champagne, Bootsie DeVille, Tami Tarmac & Gizelle Bouvier

Nick & Ruthie join Art Against AIDS @ NOMA

Cheryl, TJ & Barbara @ Art Against AIDS The Teddy Bear House tour benefits Armeinius

Buzzy’s Turn-A-Bout MC Frankie Fierce of Oz fame

Owners Tim & Ricky open their Teddy Bear House as Armeinius fundraiser

Lauren Brown & Elizabeth Bouvier @ final show of FourPlay @ JohnPaul’s

Jeff & Steven @ Art Against AIDS

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Tony, Ted & Jerry @ Art Against AIDS Legendary Teryl-Lynn Foxx performs for Buzzy’s Turn-A-Bout

Raven Kennedy in Buzzy’s Turn-A-Bout

Armeinius fundraiser @ The Teddy Bear House

Armeinius Capt. Bruce & AmonRa’s Ronnie @ Teddy Bear House fundraiser

Queen Amon-Ra Tami Tarmac in final FourPlay show

Dominique DeLorean in final FourPlay show

Celebrating @ Art Against AIDS

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Holiday Fun & Fundraisers ~ New Orleans ~ Photos by Ambush, Tony Leggio, Paul Melancon

MC Rusty Laroux, bar baron Michael Cookmeyer & 1st Miss Michael’s On The Park Tutu Cox

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travel feature ...from 27 settled in we went to the shop downstairs to get a couple of umbrellas since it was pouring down raining. From there it was out the door heading down 48th to 7th to get a few supplies from the corner deli and grocery - milk, mouthwash and such. After dropping that off in our room, it was out again in the opposite direction to 8th Avenue to the liquor store for some box wine. Once that was done it was time for dinner. Since it was so nasty out we decided to try Mont Blanc, a few doors down from the Belvedere. What a great choice. After a couple of dirty martinis, we had delicious escargot in garlic butter, veal cordon bleu with the best marsala sauce we've ever tasted, and sauteed scallops and shrimp. The black cherry sundae finished us off for first day. Next day we headed to Time Square and Rockefeller Plaza. Rockefeller Center was absolutely beautiful with the angels and giant toy soldiers, and OMG, the Christmas tree was a site to behold! A short walk across the street brought us to Saks 5th Avenue. The Saks Windows were somewhat disappointing, but picked up a pair of cashmere lined soft leather gloves at 30% off inside. Then it was time for a quick bite to eat. We decided on Friday's thinking it'd be a spot for a cheap bite to eat. No way-$18.95 and up for burgers with $3.99 ice tea. Guess they were getting us ready for the Elizabeth Taylor Collection at Christy’s. We had tickets for 1:15, but the lines were moving along well, so we only had to wait about a half hour to get in. Thinking they'd rush us through, we planned on buying tickets to come back in a couple of days. No rushing, they let us take our time spending over 2 hours browsing the incredible treasures of Liz. It truly was "The Crown Jewels of Hollywood! "It was stunningthe jewels, clothes, purses, shoes, boots, paintings, art objects, furnishings-just incredible! We cannot figure where in the world Elizabeth stored all of the jewels, clothes, shoes and purses. When one brought Elizabeth a gift that was not fantastic jewelry, she desired handbags and purses, and there were hundreds! After our tour, we headed back to the hotel for some rest since our hoofs were sore and worn out. Once we woke up from our nap, it was out the front door of the Belvedere and a couple of more doors down to Sombrero Mexican Restaurant where we had eaten on our last trip. It was quite good and very inexpensive. Then it was time for Naked Boys Singing at New World Stages on 50th Street, a short walk from the Belvedere. We had read where there was a lounge on site for cocktails, so we got there an hour or so before the performance. It was quite nice to unwind in

the Time Out Lounge, almost felt like we were slung up on a bar in New Orleans. It was show time and they did not disappoint! It brought back memories of our dear departed Donnie Jay's production of the same play some years back in NOLA. It made us realize what a gifted individual our Donnie Jay actually was. After the play it was back to the Time Out and cocktails with bartenders Dakota West and Daniel Armando. It was Karaoke time and a very hot Patrick Kuzara led the live action on stage. Next day it was a cab ride to Bloomingdale’s. The animated windows were quite pretty. Here we lucked out since Marsha found a leather hand bag from new designer Liebeskind Berlin at 50% off, and we found a couple of gifts in the Waterfront department on... sale, can y’all imagine. Both Waterford and Baccarat were 35-45% off. We've never seen either on sale before. Next it was a short walk to Barneys and the fab GaGa widows-the one made out of hair was not to be believed! Then the GaGa Workshop inside blew our minds! Here you were encouraged to take pics as you shopped-the displays were true GaGa outrageous! Thought about NOLA’s own Lady GaGa, Dusty Debris, who would have gone wild here! Picked up a few gifts, but nothing on sale in this workshop. But we understand some of the proceeds benefit the stop bullying campaign. Next it was the Bergdorf Goodman Windows which were to die for!!! Definitely a crew of gay elves had to have created these magnificent creations. The intense design in each window would equal the king, queen, captain and ball lieutenant of your favorite Mardi Gras krewe, all in one window, just spectacular! Inside the store was just as beautiful. Later in the day it was off to see Radio City Music Hall’s Christmas Spectacular, and that it was, more amazing than can be believed and what a huge change from 2004. The Rockettes were even more spectacular than ever and there were even two 3-D portions to the production which were mind boggling! Really enjoyed the double decker bus with the Rockettes on board traveling through the entire city with views of all the favorite New York destinations. Did a little shopping in the gift shop before heading back to the Belvedere. Decided to have dinner at Brasserie Pigalle at 48th and 7th. Got to try a Brazilian dish with three sausages in our research on foods to serve at the King Cake Coronation, Carnival in Rio, and the beef bourguignon was wonderful. Next day it was off to Macy’s. The windows here were nostalgic, inside was like Mardi Gras day on Bourbon Street, almost unbearable, but did get to pick up 3 more gifts. Back to Time

Square where there were hundreds if not thousands of boy and girl Santas everywhere which we found out later was the annual Santa Run packing all the bars. Picked up a few gifts at Phantom of Broadway shop before taking in the Brazil Grill near our Belvedere Hotel, which was not very good. It did help with more interpretations of Brazilian dishes for the King Cake Queen Coronation from their menu. On Sunday, our last day we decided to do a private VIP limo tour to take us around Manhattan. We really did not want a limo, so our concierge guided us to a limo service that also provided luxury town cars at a cheaper rate. We were astounded when we found out it would only be $60 an hour including tax and tip with a 3-hour minimum. It was a custom tour, so we told our driver we wanted to take pictures and see the Statue of Liberty, Ground Zero, the Brooklyn Bridge, United Nations, drive through Central Park, up 5th Avenue stopping at Rockefeller Plaza to shop and Radio City Music Hall. Our driver Matthew was great showing us everything we desired and driving along the Hudson River bank on one side of Manhatten, showing us where the flight landed in the Hudson, the Chelsie Pier, through the financial district and up the other river bank back to Central Park. On our way to Ground Zero, he told us that he was there at 7am on Sept. 11th to pick up a businessman on the 87th floor of Tower 1 to take to JFK. By the time they were almost to the airport, they saw the second plane hit the second tower. He said he was lucky he was in Queens, since all streets in and out of Manhatten were closed, so at least he could go home. Everyone else had to stay where they were. What a close call for this man. Once we got to Rockfeller Plaza it was off to the Christmas tree to make our final wishes on our last full day in the Big Apple. Later that night it was the last dinner of our NYC trip at Churrascaria Plataforma, recommended by our driver Matthew, which he said was one of the top dining experiences in NYC. It ranks up there with fab meals we've experienced in Rome, Paris, Athens and Barcelona. We arrived at 4pm, and started with a couple of dirty martinis made with LIV (Long Island Vodka) which the maitre d recommended. It is by far the smoothest vodka we've ever experienced. They were so good, we had a couple of more rounds while they changed the salad, appetizer bar for dinner. Glad we waited, because in addition to authentic Brazilian salads and appetizers, they served fresh sushi, shrimp and marinated calamari. The Brazilian Rodizio dinner (one price, $39.95-lunch, $59.95 dinner) starts with the salad, appetizer bar. On your table was a list of side dishes. You could check each one, or select only the ones you wanted, which the serv-

ers will bring out and as much as you want of them. We had been forewarned not to overdo the salad, appetizer bar or the sides, because you would fill up and not experience the real reason your were here. Churrascaria (choorah-scah-REE-ah) is the name used to describe a restaurant that serves meat, mostly grilled, and Rodizio is a method of serving different cuts of meat that originated in the south of Brazil in the early 1800s. The concept is to serve a wide variety of different cuts of beef, pork, lamb, chicken, etc., in succession, to each diner individually right at their table, thus there is not a traditional menu. The restaurant features a fixedprice continuous tableside service. There was a disk on your table, one side red, one side green. When you wanted the meats, you turned the disk to green. If you can't keep up, turn it to red until you're ready to start up again or quit for good. Once we turned it to green, OMG, first came prime rib which the server sliced right off of the skewer and you had to grab it with the tongs provided to each diner, then it was top sirloin, pork tenderloin, sausage, chicken, bacon wrapped filet mignon, and more, and more, and more. The pièce de résistance was a cart rolled around to each table with an entire suckling pig which practically melted in your mouth. To say it was delectable is an understatement, but this dining experience completed our research on foods for the Carnivale in Rio King Cake Queen Coronation of KCQ Nicole DuBois. Puts the Brazil Grill to shame.

Churrascaria Plataforma Top Sirloin Skewer Having our last cup of NYC coffee on Monday, it was time to start packing and get back to reality. We did miss home in NOLA, and our paper route. Besides if our flight was not delayed we had two big Christmas parties that night! On our last stroll, we stopped in at Hershey's Time Square. The smell practically knocked you over. It is a chocolate lovers paradise! The trip was one of our all time favorites. Christmas is definitely the time to see The Big Apple in all its glory!

30 • The Official Mag: AmbushMag.COM • Dec . 20, 2011-J an. 2, 2012 • Of fic ial Gay Mar di Gras Guide • GayMar diGras.COM

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trodding the boards by Brian Sands

Email: bsnola2@hotmail.com

Theater (and More) in Berlin and Prague

owadays, theater afficionados who enjoy traveling to foreign lands should not deny themselves the opportunity to see productions in other languages. Theater companies around the world, and especially in Europe, have come to realize that potential audience members not fluent in the local language may still want to attend a show and, with English the dominant world lingo, have made accommodations. A recent visit to Berlin and Prague demonstrated how easy it is to partake of those trodding the boards elsewhere. My friend Hans, a German actor, had recommended a number of theater companies in Berlin that were worth checking out. I looked at their websites to see what would be playing when I would be in town. (Note: Other than a few big commercial productions like The Lion King, Tarzan or Blue Man Group, most European theaters still employ the repertory system with virtually a different show every night.) Much as I had hoped to see A Streetcar Named Desire at the Berliner Ensemble (though I later heard that it was not supposed to be a very good production), it wasn’t playing when I was in town. For my designated theater night, after eliminating the shows that didn’t appeal to me (sure, I’ll go see Chekhov in Moscow, but in Berlin, nein), I settled on Die Tauben (The Pigeons), a comedy by a young playwright at the respected Schaubühne in part because it would be done that evening with English surtitles. Arriving at the theater on the chic Kurfürstendamm, not far from many designer boutiques, I discovered that it had opened in 1928 as a movie theater but has been home to stage productions since the 1970s. Die Tauben is performed in the main theater (there is also a small studio theater tho I was told the two can be combined). Entering it, the audience discovers the cast of eight sitting on a large, bright red sectional sofa— very ’70s—and a giant Christmas tree dominating the space. What followed was a wacky absurdist comedy with serious undertones. Husband/father Robert wants to begin life anew and disappears only to return in disguise as his half-brother François who goes on to seduce Robert’s wife Gerlinde. Robert’s friend Holger is bullied by Heidrun where he works, a company owned by Robert, but Robert’s disappearance allows

Holger to get the upper hand against his tormentor while still having to deal with his wife Natalie who’s having an affair with his psychiatrist. And then there’s the safecracker having a fling with Robert’s son. With its dream-like logic, Die Tauben was a little too arch for my taste, its crazy characters changing only slightly in the course of the play. Yet it well-reflects the current zeitgeist of insecurities at home and at work, and our desire to escape from them and start over again. Still, I could’ve done without the interspersed songs, especially an overlong And I’m Telling You I’m Not Going, and the parody of fancy-shmancy restaurant dishes seemed a bit dated. Director Marius von Mayenburg and the cast well-served the antic spirit of the script even when it demanded gratuitous (simulated) oral sex. Urs Jucker made Robert a gentle Master of the Universe who wants something more fulfilling while his François was benignly funny. Judith Engel’s Gerlinde was quite touching in her simple desire to visit Italy. Best of all was Robert Beyer’s Holger, an explosion of humiliation and frustration who nonetheless decides to remain with his wife. Some of the other actors, notably Cathlen Gawlich (Heidrun) and Eva Mackbach (Natalie), however, too often confused loudness with intensity. The surtitles were projected above the stage and while they could have been a bit darker and easier to read, they allowed me to be fully involved with the show. While I wish Die Tauben had better, funnier lines, it was no fault of the translation as there didn’t seem to be too many laugh-out-loud moments from the audience, a full house which nonetheless seemed to thoroughly enjoy the production. And despite my reservations, it did a leave me with a tartly melancholic afterglow as I returned to the street. Trust, a dance/word piece about modern day angst, will have English surtitles on December 22 but with a repertory of 35 productions including such classics as Measure for Measure, Antigone, Marlowe’s Edward II and a stage version of The Talented Mr. Ripley, there’s bound to be something worth taking a chance on. And tickets range from just $15-60. In Prague, I knew I wanted to visit the Estates Theater, where Don Giovanni had its world premiere and, also, where Amadeus was filmed. The theater underwent a major restoration from 1985 until 1991, and it’s now just as it was in Mozart’s times, all powder

The Estates Theatre, one of the oldest in Europe (Photo: Brian Sands) blue & gold inside with cherubs adorning the box seats and a spectacular ceiling from which a magnificent chandelier hangs. My timing was wonderful as Robert Wilson’s production of Karel Capek’s The Makropulos Case would be playing when I was there. How to follow it in Czech, though? Thanks to Amazon.com I got a translation of the play, read it before going overseas, and made it through the first two acts again just before the performance. All that was unnecessary as it turns out the Estates Theater now has surtitles in English—in fact, they seemed to use the translation that I had been reading! In any language, suffice to say, this was one of the greatest evenings I have ever spent in a theater. Capek is better known for his R.U.R. (which introduced the word “robot” into the English language) and you’re more likely to see Janacek’s opera version of The Makropulos Case than the play. But the Texas-born Wilson has taken this relatively minor play about a 300 year old woman who hopes to get the secret formula that will allow her to live another 300 years and, with his idiosyncratic style, made it a vital, mustsee production that resonates with our still-current desires to remain everyouthful and live forever. And when Makropulos raises the question as to whom will decide who will get to have extra years, the ghosts of the Nazis and their Master race theory are hauntingly evoked. On Ann-Christin Rommen’s ingenious set, from which piles of books rise to the sky, Wilson creates spellbinding stage images with the help of AJ Weissbard’s stunning lighting and Jacques Reynaud’s personality-defining costumes. But Wilson is as much substance as style as, aided by Ales Brezina’s jaunty and endlessly captivating musical underscoring, he captures the disorientation that comes from

dealing with lawyers as well as the vanity of theater people. Most importantly, he acutely distills the essence of the play, the conflict between one’s eventual boredom with life versus one’s fear of death. Behind their clown-white makeup, the cast was perfectly in synch with Wilson’s vision that does away with naturalistic acting, yet each member of the company gives an individually compelling performance, none more so than 86-years-young former opera singer Sona Cervená who provides Emilia Marty (aka Elina Makropulos) with not only the requisite charisma and diva-hood but, at the end, true pathos. What a marvelous capstone to a successful career. If Wilson’s direction is, at times, a trifle excessive, it is always interesting. I’m not sure how much the tony but conservative audience enjoyed the show but for any theater lover it’s required viewing. But even if Makropulos Case is not playing when you’re in Prague, make sure you see something at the Estates Theater.

Sona Cervená in The Makropulos Case (Photo: Lucie Jansch) Of course, if you can’t make it to the theater in Prague, you can see some of the world’s most famous theater posters at the Mucha Museum (Panská 7) where many of the great Czech artist’s sublime art nouveau creations that heralded Sarah Bernhardt are on display. In addition to the theater posters are his designs for the Belle Epoque era as well as photos of his pal the artist Paul Gauguin (in one, playing the piano wearing only a jacket and nightshirt) along with various mistresses of Mucha’s. There is an excellent half hour film in English that gives a complete overview of his life plus a small recreation of his studio along with other works of his spanning back to his earliest days. Afterwards, head over to the Obecni Dum, the City Hall that Mucha designed, for a yummy bite to eat at the café there.

32 • The Official Mag: AmbushMag.COM • Dec . 20, 2011-J an. 2, 2012 • Of fic ial Gay Mar di Gras Guide • GayMar diGras.COM

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34 • The Official Mag: AmbushMag.COM • Dec . 20, 2011-J an. 2, 2012 • Of fic ial Gay Mar di Gras Guide • GayMar diGras.COM

GayNew Orleans.COM • Sout hernDec adenc e.COM • Dec . 20, 2011-J an. 2, 2012 • The Official Mag: AmbushMag.COM • 35

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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

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. KREWE OF ARMEINIUS, PO Box 56638, New Orleans, LA 70156-6638, info@kreweofarmeinius.org, 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 Lesbians & Gays/ New Orleans], PO Box 15515,

36 • The Official Mag: AmbushMag.COM • Dec . 20, 2011-J an. 2, 2012 • Of fic ial Gay Mar di Gras Guide • GayMar diGras.COM

70175; 895.3936, 392.0001, pflagno.org, info@pflagno.org PRIDE NEW ORLEANS CELEBRATION NOLAPride.ORG PROJECT LAZARUS, A Residence for PWAs, PO Box 3906, 70177-3906; 949.3609 REGIONAL AIDS INTERFAITH NETWORK [RAIN], 523.3755 Softball: NOLA SOFTBALL LEAGUE, nolasoftball.com 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

pharmacy New Orleans, LA [504] & Baton Rouge, LA [225] AVITA DRUGS SPECIALIZED PHARMACY, free discrete delivery serving Louisiana, Mississippi & Texas. Certified pharmacists caring for HIV/AIDS, new-to-market & hard-to-find medications including Serostim. Local pharmacy that supports the LGBT community. www.AvitaDrugs.COM. 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

Country Club Restaurant, 634 Louisa St., TheCountryClubNewOrleans.COM, 945.0742 The Decadence Shoppe (coffehouse & cafe), 806 N. Rampart, 529.8874, DecadenceShoppeCafe.COM Frady's One Stop Grocery & Delicatessen, 3231 Dauphine St., 949.9688 Krystal, 116 Bourbon @ Canal, 523.4030 Louisiana Pizza Kitchen, 95 French Market Pl., 522.9500 Matassa's Market, 1001 Dauphine St., 512.8700 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 Royal House Restaurant, 441 Royal St., RoyalHouseRestaurant.COM, 528.2601 Who Dat Coffee Cafe, 2401 Burgundy St., 872.0360

retail/shopping Metairie, LA [504] SUZETTE'S, 4636 W. Esplanade, 888.7722, Suzettes.COM New Orleans, LA [504] BOURBON PRIDE, 909 Bourbon, 566.1570 BUNGALOWS, 719 Royal St., 522.9222 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 RAB DAB CLOTHING AND GIFTS, 918 Royal St., 525.6662 Q T PIE, 241 Dauphine St., 581.6633

spas New Orleans, LA [504] CLUB NEW ORLEANS, 515 Toulouse, 581.2402, www.the-clubs.com PLANET BEACH: A CONTEMPO SPA, 301 Burgundy, 525.8266, PlanetBeach.COM SPA ATLANTIS, 740 Gravier, 566.8088, SpaAtlantis.NET

tattoos New Orleans, LA [504] AART ACCENT NEW ORLEANS, 1041 N. Rampart St., 581.9812

theatres

New Orleans, LA [504] PIPES "R" US PLUMBING, “Let us PEEP in your pipes”, 140 N. Carrollton Ave., Office 504.866.2730, Fax 504.484.0907, PipesRUsNewOrleans.COM RAMSEY PLUMBING, repairs, repipe, sewer & drain cleaning, water heaters, disposals, 296.6865

New Orleans, LA [504] 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

real estate agents

travel

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

New Orleans, LA [504] Adventures Actually, Kate Alexander, 220.5503, AdventuresActually.COM

restaurants New Orleans, LA [504] 700 Club Restaurant, 700 Burgundy, 561.1095, 561.1098, 700ClubNewOrleans.COM Bywater Restaurant, Deli & BBQ,3162 Dauphine St., 944.4445 Cafe Amelie, 912 Royal St., 412.8965 Cajun Cafe Market, 1100 N. Peters in the French Market, 905.3212 Candy Bar, 908 Bourbon, 504.52.CANDY Clover Grill, 900 Bourbon St., 598.1010, CloverGrill.COM

websites GAY AMERICA, GayAmerica.COM GAY BARS, GayBars.COM GAY PENSACOLA, GayPensacola.COM OFFICIAL GAY EASTER PARADE, GayEasterParade.COM OFFICIAL GAY MARDI GRAS, GayMardiGras.COM OFFICIAL GAY NEW ORLEANS, GayNewOrleans.COM OFFICIAL SOUTHERN DECADENCE, SouthernDecadence.COM

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GayNew Orleans.COM • Sout hernDec adenc e.COM • Dec . 20, 2011-J an. 2, 2012 • The Official Mag: AmbushMag.COM • 37

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38 • The Official Mag: AmbushMag.COM • Dec . 20, 2011-J an. 2, 2012 • Of fic ial Gay Mar di Gras Guide • GayMar diGras.COM

Occupy, Drag Bingo, Drink & Drown ~ Pensacola, Florida ~ Photos by Lauren Mitchell

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Bartender Vaughn & Robert @ Society Page

Cocktailing @ Society Page

Miss Tubby’s Golden Lantern 2011 Mercedes Ellis Loreal does her final number as queen

Art Against AIDS sponsor Ambush’s Rip & Marsha @ NOMA

David, GM Tommy, Carl & Jonathan welcome you to Oz

Enjoying cocktails @ Bourbon Pub

Deity Arts’ Greg, Tim & Dee @ Wayne’s annual Toy Drive @ the Phoenix for St. Anna’s

Ambush Rep Paul, Marsha & Michelle @ Oz following Art Against AIDS

Bar Baron Michael Elias in front of The Corner Pocket tree

Jessica Vanderhurst, Cowboy bartender Andy & SDGM Tiffany @ Tubby’s Golden Lantern

Bartender of the Year Lance Pippin welcomes all to Miss Tubby’s Golden Lantern

Catering d’Orleans Chris & Andrew serve it up during Art Against AIDS @ NOMA Wayne’s annual Toy Drive for St. Anna’s this year @ the Phoenix

NO/AIDS Task Force’s Ked & Chad with Odyssey House’s Rebecca @ Art Against AIDS

Jacob & Raye of NO/AIDS Task Force @ Art Against AIDS

One of the hot Men of Oz on the bar @ Dance Bar of the Year Oz

Bourbon Pub Parade’s Marc & Cowboy Dave

Phoenix bartender Don & partner Tim @ the Phoenix

Bartender Ted slinging cocktails @ the Phoenix

40 • The Official Mag: AmbushMag.COM • Dec . 20, 2011-J an. 2, 2012 • Of fic ial Gay Mar di Gras Guide • GayMar diGras.COM

City Scene ~ New Orleans ~ Photos by Ambush, Paul Melancon

Sire Ursus Nathan Martin @ Tubby’s Golden Lantern

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Clubs, Krewes, Fundraisers ~ New Orleans ~ Photos by Ambush, Tony Leggio, Paul Melancon

Jay, Queen Amon-Ra Tami, Maybelline, Paul & Gizelle join Amon-Ra’s Gumbo Cook-off @ Tubby's Golden Lantern

JohnPaul’s bartenders Grant, Bobby & Robert @ Winter Wonderland Pride fundraiser

Lord Consort Pat & George join Lords of Leather Art Auction @ JohnPaul’s

Phoenix Bar Baron Clint in front of the Phoenix’s 3 trees

Michael @ Richard join Trash Disco @ Cafe Lafitte in Exile

Blanche & Princesse do Oz Dingo on Sunday

All the gumbo chefs in Amon-Ra’s Gumbo Cook-off @ Tubby's Golden Lantern

Pride Grand Marshal Johnny Passion hosts Winter Wonderland Pride fundraiser @ JohnPaul’s Lance & Michael @ Lords of Leather Art Auction

Michael & Doug join Amon-Ra Gumbo Cook-off

Bartender Blake & Gerard @ Oz Dingo

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Gar & Joann in Amon-Ra birthday pub crawl @ Tubby’s Golden Lantern

Mr. Louisiana Leather 2012 David Butler with other Lords of Leather members @ their Phoenix Beer Bust

Oz host Persana Shoulders & Dominique DeLorean @ Winter Wonderland fundraiser

Queen Petronius Bootsie DeVille & Countess C Alice @ Pride fundraiser

A friend & Pride Grand Marshal Chris Leonard @ Winter Wonderland fundraiser

Danny & Michael @ Lords of Leather Art Auction

Randy & Kenny join Petronius Pingo @ Kajun’s Pub

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42 • The Official Mag: AmbushMag.COM • Dec . 20, 2011-J an. 2, 2012 • Of fic ial Gay Mar di Gras Guide • GayMar diGras.COM

Holidays, Anniversaries, Birthdays ~ Mobile, Alabama ~ Photos by Cieanne & John

Judson’s Holiday Madness

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papar azzi Travis & Crayton enjoying the B-Bob’s Burlesque Show

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Justin enjoying holiday cheer @ B-Bob’s

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Miss Tori Mattison & Miss Davenport performing at B-Bob’s Burlesque Show

Happy Anniversary Cory & Chad

Dennis & Asher @ B-Bob’s

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44 • The Official Mag: AmbushMag.COM • Dec . 20, 2011-J an. 2, 2012 • Of fic ial Gay Mar di Gras Guide • GayMar diGras.COM