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the "official" dish by Rip & Marsha Naquin-Delain Email: marsha@ripandmarsha.com
Putting the "Thanks" in Thanksgiving The holidays are upon us as we approach Thanksgiving. This is a time when many of us join with our blood families or our LGBT families to give thanks for the wonderful things that have come our way this year. However, many have not been so lucky, and for those, this may be a holiday filled with disappointment, discouragement and distress. But don't let Thanksgiving get you down! Many of the bars and clubs host holiday buffets dedicated just for the folks who need it the most. How great it is to join the staff, and many times customers, of these businesses who bring in their favorite dishes to share with you, the LGBT community. There are fundraisers, shows, and special entertainment as well, along with some of the hottest dance clubs in the country. As you flip through this 48 page edition, let Ambush be your Thanksgiving guide. You not only get 31 pages in ads, there are over 130 photos of the hottest action, and much to read from our extensive array of columnists. At 31 years and counting, Ambush remains the only LGBT regional publication serving New Orleans, and the Gulf South since 1982.
21st Red Party MC... Houston's own Kofi The spectacular 21st Red Party: Kickin' in Red is set for Saturday, Nov. 23rd at Cafe Lafitte in Exile benefiting Belle Reve. Houston's own Kofi, a famous drag diva who has traveled the United States representing the Gulf South, will MC this year's event. A whopping $91,472 has been raised for charity over the past 20 years. Beginning at 9:30pm, the annual turn-a-bout show brings to the stage members of the staff as you've never seen them before. And this year after each performance, they will each auction off their own red high heel creation. MC Houston's Kofi The Red Party, under the direction of Bartender of the Year Jeff Palmquist, has one of the best parade of prizes of any raffle held in the French Quarter. Jeff has set a goal of $8,600 so the Red Party can pass the $100,000 mark for charity. Make sure and get your raffle tickets from your favorite staff member. All raffle sales, auction proceeds, donations, and stage performance tips goes to Belle Reve. Visit www.Lafittes.COM for more information.
4th Bourbon Street Classic Nov. 29-Dec. 1 The New Orleans Softball League (NSL) will host the 4th Bourbon Street Classic, a 2-day softball tournament in New Orleans Nov. 29th through Dec. 1st. This will bring over 30 teams from across the United States and Canada to play in a North American Gay Amateur Athletic Alliance (NAGAAA) Softball Tournament. The Classic brings in around seven hundred people, and the participation of several bars and local businesses. Ambush Mag is a proud sponsor. The first event begins on Friday, Nov. 29th as Tournament Sponsor, Good Friends Bar and Queen’s Head Pub, hosts the registration party from 6pm10pm. Players will register and receive backpacks loaded with items from sponsors and supporters from around the city. Player and non-players are invited to the party. Discounted drink prices along with other fun will make for a great night. Games begin on Saturday morning. Details will be posted online at www.nolasoftball.org or www. bourbonstreetclassic.org as soon as final brackets are confirmed. Saturday evening from 6pm-10pm,
Phoenix Bar and Ketel One Vodka will host a block party with vendors, discount drink prices, and other activities. All are encouraged to attend. Game play resumes on Sunday with a full day of games until champions emerge in each division. Sunday evening from 6pm-10pm, NOLA Softball League will host the Banquet and Awards Ceremony at the Bourbon Orleans Hotel. Players with wristbands will be admitted free. Nonplayers may pay $35 to attend this event. Buffet style food and a cash bar will be provided. Trophies will be awarded to winning teams from each division.
After the Banquet and Awards Ceremony, all are invited to the Tournament After-Party sponsored by the Bourbon Pub and Parade. Wristbands will allow admittance to the party for free. "The Bourbon Street Classic is proud to welcome teams to our great city. The NSL Board of Director’s would like to thank everyone that made this tournament happen and a special 'thank you' to all of the sponsors." NOLA Softball League (NSL) is a non-profit organization that was created to foster a positive environment for recreation and socializing through amateur slow-pitch softball. The NSL is a member in good standing of the North American Gay Amateur Athletic Alliance (NAGAAA). NAGAAA serves as the national governing body for its member cities, which now includes over three-dozen alliance members throughout North America. Various member cities sponsor national invitational softball tournaments throughout the year. NAGAAA also sponsors the annual Gay Softball World Series in a host city, which is different annually. While being a member of the NAGAAA, the league is also a member of American Softball Alliance (ASA) where the league follows the rules and regulations of softball.
Barbara Ella to Reign as King Cake Queen XXI of Gay Mardi Gras 2014 That's right, Barbara Ella has been chosen by Krewe of Queenateenas' Co-Captains Rip and Marsha NaquinDelain to reign as the 21st King Cake Queen of Gay Mardi Gras. The new queen kicks off 2014 festivities celebrating Rome, Royalty & Intrigue reigning as "The Borghese Queen." The King Cake Queen is chosen from those revelers participating in the previous year’s Gay Mardi Gras Bead Toss at Ambush Headquarters, and the individual exhibiting the most enthusiasm and expertise in bead toss techniques is chosen to reign as KCQ. "The Borghese Queen" will be presented to Carnival Society at the 21st King Cake Queen Coronation on Sunday, Feb. 16, 2014 which is by invitation only. On Mardi Gras Day, March 4, 2014,
THE OFFICIAL MAG
Facebook.COM/AmbushMag Gulf South Entertainment/Travel Guide Since 1982 • Louisiana-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 CIRCULATION: Alabama-Mobile Florida - Pensacola Louisiana - Baton Rouge, Lafayette, Lake Charles, Metairie, New Orleans, Slidell Mississippi - Bay St. Louis, Biloxi Texas - Houston
STAFF: PUBLISHER/EDITOR R. Rip Naquin-Delain, New Orleans PRODUCTION DIRECTOR M. Marsha Naquin-Delain, New Orleans GULF SOUTH/NEW ORLEANS AD SALES Rip Naquin-Delain • 504.522.8049 NEW ORLEANS AD SALES Paul Melancon 504.357.8440 THEATRE/PERFORMING ARTS CRITIC Brian Sands AD REPS/JOURNALISTS/PHOTOGRAPHERS Blanche-Alabama Frank Joseph, Charles Jenkins, Tony Leggio, Frank Perez, Arthur Severio, Rev. Bill Terry-New Orleans Bob Brunson, MIss Cie & John, Leon WeekleyMobile, AL Lauren Mitchell-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 NaquinDelain, 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. ©1982-2013, AMBUSH, INC.,ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. NOTHING HEREIN MAY BE REPRODUCED WITHOUT WRITTEN PERMISSION OF THE PUBLISHER INCLUDINGAD LAYOUTS, MAPS and PHOTOS. AMgrant - AMbush Advertising Grant Donation
King Cake Queen XXI Barbara Ella will headline the 27th Official Gay Mardi Gras Bead Toss from World famous [continued on 8]
Art Against AIDS/Holiday Shopping Guide issue out Dec. 3 >DEADLINE: Tues., Nov. 26th
inside
celebrazzi houston paparazzi snap paparazzi/nola, metairie moments in gay new orleans history snap paparazzi/nola, metairie king cake queen xxi barbara ella mobile paparazzi, reVIEW ambush paparazzi/new orleans ambush paparazzi/nola, metairie a community within communities
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spotlight features baton rouge under the gaydar trodding the boards classifieds pensacola paparazzi art against aids
AD INFO: Call 504.522.8049 marsha@ripandmarsha.com
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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Halloweens in New Orleans and Project Lazarus hosted the Halloween Thank You Party in honor of host, patrons and benefactors for making the 30th anniversary so successful at the Marigny Opera House in New Orleans. Project Lazarus Executive Director Kim Moss announced that Halloweens in New Orleans would be the recipient of the Pawell-Durocher Award 2014, the highest honor given to an individual or organization making such a huge impact on Project Lazarus. (Halloween VP Finance Trey Woodside, Zach Hunt, Project Lazarus Chairman Bruce Gallassero, Project Lazarus Executive Director Kim Moss, Ryan Cochran, John Ramsey, Brent Meche, Halloween VP Marketing Dustin Woehrmann, Halloween Chairman Ryan Wentworth, Jon Sloan, Renee Rolland) (www.HalloweenNewOrleans.COM) (www.projectlazarus.net)
LGBT+ Archives Project of Louisiana held it first public meeting with a panel of experts which was an informative and eye-opening experience at the Marigny Opera House in New Orleans. Some of the distinguished speakers included LGBT historian Roberts Batson, Tulane’s Louisiana Collection archivist Lee Miller, Tulane Professor of Architecture Eugene Cizek, moderator and Deveney Communications CFO Chris Costello, New Orleans LGBT Community Center cochair Sebastian Rey, author and Gay New Orleans Walking Tour’s Frank Perez, Tulane University Ph.D. Candidate in History Josh Goodman, attorney/feminist activist Clay Latimer, and attorney/activist Mark Gonzalez. (www.lgbtarchivesla.org)
The hysterical Golden Lantern Turn-A-Bout Show was a hit bringing out the staff as you've never seen them before raising $640 for Southern Decadence 2014. (Photo: front row-Monique Michaels, Tiffany Alexander, bar baron James Garner, Rikki Redd, Aubrey Synclaire, Tami Tarmac; back row-Sasha Wood, Juanita Alexander, Holly Tart, Clammy Clitoris, Sharon Teretes)
Miss B-Bob’s 2011 Nadya Symone joins newly crowned Miss B-Bob’s 2013 Sindy ObSinity, Miss B-Bob’s 2012 CoCo Elise, and Miss B-Bob’s 2010 Jawakatema Davenport following competition at B-Bob's in Mobile, Alabama. First runner-up was Mobile's Rachael Meredith and second runner-up was New Orleans' Aubrey Sinclaire. Now in its 15th year, Miss B-Bob’s Emeritus is B-Bob's Show Director Miss Cie. (www.B-Bobs.COM)
celebrazzi This beautiful piece from the November Art Show of Kelly Israel was added to the Ambush Art Collection. The show hangs through the end of November at Cutter's in New Orleans. Cutter's annual October "Art in the Hood" show last month raised a whopping $7,578.16 for the William Fanning Foundation (Buzzy's Boys & Girls). Of that amount a generous yearly donation of $5,000 came from TJ Maxx. Since 2003, "Art in the Hood" has raised over $50,078 for charity. Visit www.BuzzysBoysAndGirls.ORG for more information on the organization.
Marigny Opera House founders Scott King and Dave Hurlbert join associate director Spencer Doyle hosting several important parties and plays in New Orleans. The former Holy Trinity Church is now a "church of the arts," and is available for plays and private events. (www.MarignyOperaHouse.ORG)
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the "official" dish ...from 4 Ambush Headquarters balcony, 828 Bourbon Street, beginning at 2pm.
Barbara Ella King Cake Queen XXI-Elect For those of you who do not know the new queen, Barbara Ella was born on a very late night in May of 2008. Originally from Indiana, Barbara moved to New Orleans in July of 2007. After her conception, Barbara performed her first professional show with her great friend Elizabeth Bouvier for Liz’s birthday show. Since that show in 2008, Barbara was named Miss Elysian Fields and was the recipient of the Marsha Delain Award of Excellence. For many years Barbara could be seen and heard hosting Karaoke and special events at Café Lafitte in Exile and Good Friends Bar. She also was a regular with Four Play and The Ladies of Oz. After a brief exodus from New Orleans, Barbara returned once she realized "she drank the water and the city was in her blood." Presently Barbara performs once a month at 4 Seasons in Metairie with the Crescent City Divas, and is on the Board of Directors of the Krewe of Amon-Ra. Her alter ego recently accepted the position of costume and design teacher for a local school, which keeps her very busy. She would like to "thank Rip and Marsha for always being so gracious, Elizabeth Bouvier for always being there, Tony Leggio for his support, her family, and the entire City of New Orleans for allowing her to just be herself." For more information on the Krewe of Queenateenas or the King Cake Queen Royalty Club, see page 29 or visit www.GayMardiGras.COM/KCQ or www.Facebook.COM/
KingCakeQueens.
Award Winning Filmmaker Robert Camina Returns to New Orleans with Production of “Upstairs Inferno” Dallas, TX - Production resumes in December in New Orleans on the eagerly anticipated documentary, “UPSTAIRS INFERNO.” The full length film chronicles the tragic 1973 fire at the UpStairs Lounge. The film, which was announced in June, has already received attention in publications around the world and is on track to be the most comprehensive full length film on the subject. (www.upstairsinferno.com) ”UPSTAIRS INFERNO” is directed by award winning filmmaker, Robert L. Camina. Camina’s previous documentary, “Raid of the Rainbow Lounge” recounted the widely publicized and controversial June 28, 2009 police raid of a Fort Worth,Texas gay bar that resulted in multiple arrests and serious injuries. The film, narrated by TV icon Meredith Baxter, continues to engage sold-out audiences across the country! Over the past 15 months, the documentary has screened over 35 times, including 29 mainstream and LGBT film festivals across the United States, Mexico and Canada. The film has won several awards including 5 “Best” Film and 3 “Audience Choice” Awards. The film also received attention from the Department of Justice and a division of the U.S. State Department. In addition, through the film’s growing relationship
with the White House, Camina was invited to the White House in June 2013 for the LGBT Pride Month reception, where he had the opportunity to shake hands with President Obama and meet with his staff who requested additional s c r e e n e r s . (www.RaidoftheRainbowLounge.com) “It is crucial to acknowledge, preserve and honor our history as Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender (LGBT) people. The LGBT dialogue has changed so much in the past few years. As popular attitudes shift on LGBT issues, we risk losing the stories of the struggles that got us where we are today. It’s our responsibility to honor the memories of those who came before us, including those who died at the Up Stairs Lounge” says Camina. “The men and women who experienced this tragedy paved the way for the freedoms enjoyed by the New Orleans LGBT community of today, as well as the overall LGBT movement. “UPSTAIRS INFERNO” intends to honor their forgotten stories.” Camina’s full length film aims to tell the story primarily through emotional interviews of survivors, families of victims and key players involved with the aftermath. “With access to a new leads, the film is pursuing untold avenues of the story! This film will take us on a journey that will educate, enlighten and hopefully lead us to new revelations and possibly some closure”, says Camina. ”UPSTAIRS INFERNO” Anticipated release: 2014 Estimated run time: 70-80 minutes. Directed and produced by Robert L. Camina.
6th New Orleans Fringe Festival Features Diverse & GenreBending Shows
Robert L. Camina
The New Orleans Fringe Festival announces the lineup for its sixth annual festival, November 20 - 24! The Fringe features an incredible 77 shows from all over the US (and abroad) performing at 30 venues throughout the city, primarily in the Marigny and Bywater. Tickets are available at www.nofringe.org and Mardi Gras Zone before the festival. During the Festival, buy tickets with cash or credit card at
the Free-For-All Tent in Architect’s Alley in the Marigny or at Mardi Gras Zone. Tickets are also available at all Fringe venues. Tickets are $8 with the one-time purchase of a festival button ($3), a 6-show pass is $40, and an allaccess pass is $99. There’s a lot to love this year for LGBTQ audiences! Shows like “Gayland,” which presents a world in which almost everyone is gay, evangelical lesbian conservatives hold power, and the marginalized ungays are agitating for the right to marry. From Dallas, Texas, “John Michael and The Order of The Penix” is an adult-themed one-man odyssey; Theaterjones.com testifies this monologist “leaves the audience breathless, mesmerized and laughing loudly.” And local outfit The Elm Theatre remounts “Butt Boy and Tigger,” an outrageous ride through the world of online chatting, where lines between fantasy and reality become blurred and things get out of hand in more ways than one! Two boys leap from one over the top underpants-bursting adventure to the next, until one asks the unthinkable... “Can we meet?” The Festival features 24 shows that were identified through a unique peer review process as high-quality, original, fringe-y theater. These “FringeManaged Venue” shows are presented in six performance venues at offbeat theaters and unusual spaces: Shadowbox Theatre, Mardi Gras Zone Warehouse, Den of Muses, Marigny Opera House, Backyard Ballroom, and the Old Firehouse. The Bring Your Own Venue (BYOV) option greatly expands the scope and flavor of the festival by encouraging artists to organize their own spaces throughout the city. Over 50 BYOV shows are presented at 30 venues such as Zeitgeist, the Allways Lounge & Theatre, Art Klub, Mudlark Public Theatre, Byrdie’s, JohnPaul’s and more. Central City has five venues this year in Fringe! NEW this year: FREE shows along the parade route at our “Parade HotSpots” starting at 1pm on Saturday November 23, and parade starts at 2pm. FREE Family Fringe featuring “Makers” (inventors) and many free performances for kids. NEW Box Office location and Free-For-All Tent in [continued on 12]
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houston
paparazzi
Rodney Myers & Jim Daily
Carol Wyatt & friends
David Cunningham in the Esquire Room
Line Dancing to a packed house
Weekly Dance Lessons with Don Curran
Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles
Touch Football anyone?
Minnie Pearl made a visit on Halloween
Michael, Debbie & Melissa Minnie Pearl & Craig Real Cow ...Cowboys for Halloween
Steven Tilotta Debbie & Jim Moore on Halloween
Debbie Storrs with “Miley Cyrus” Taking Flight for Halloween
Dancing the Cotton Eyed Joe
DJ Lorenzo
Neon Boots???
Tammi as “Pepe LePew” boot shining
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Hot! Hot! Hot! @ Neon Boots ~ Houston, Texas Baton Rouge, Louisiana ~ Photos by Brad Benedict
Two-Steppin’
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donating an item for the live auction, please contact Novice Sister AuJus at PR@thebigeasysisters.org.
“Feelin’ Dizzy?” or is it “Dizzny?” Come find out which it is on Saturday, Nov. 30 when the Lords of Leather present their annual “American Bandstand” turnabout show at Mag's, 940 Elysian Fields. These burly, leather-wearing men will don some “gay apparel” and entertain the audience with their own special versions of “Dizzny” heroines and princesses. You are assured of seeing some of the traditional movie and musical characters in an entirely new light during this performance. Showtime will be at 8pm. The Lords will welcome special guest entertainers Elizabeth Bouvier and Miss Louisiana Leatherette 2013 Countess C. Alice to the stage that night. And, since that weekend (Thanksgiving) is the beginning of the Holiday Season, the Lords will conduct a Holiday Wreath Auction featuring some of their members’ own fabulous creative talents. It’s a great opportunity to decorate your home or business with something beautiful and original. Tickets for this unforgettable event are available from any Krewe member for a $10 donation and will also be available at the door. So remember, “when you wish upon a star….sometimes the dream becomes a nightmare!”
the "official" dish ...8 Architect’s Alley in the Marigny (behind Mardi Gras Zone). Just us for Peep Show Previews, November 20-21 57pm. Now in its third year, the Yard Art Tour (YAT3), a self-guided walking/ driving public art tour organized by the Fringe, is still accepting submissions. Before and after shows, audience can drift around the neighborhood looking at a bit of fun, wacky, poignant, pointed yard art. To submit your art, visit www.nofringe.org. More information on the Fringe and all Festival events can be found at www.nofringe.org.
Scholarships Available for LGBT Students & Straight Allies The New Orleans Chapter of Parents, Family, and Friends of Lesbians and Gays is accepting applications for scholarships for the 2014-2015 school year. The scholarships recognize outstanding Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender students and encourage continuing education for self-identified LGBT students, and help these students foster a positive image of LGBT people in society. Most of the scholarships are $1,000, but some are for more, and there is one four-year scholarship for $10,000. To be eligible, the applicant must: a) self-identify as Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, or Transgender; b) be 17 years old or older as of April 15, 2014; c) be a resident of Louisiana; and d) be planning to attend (or attending) a postsecondary educational institution. The application must be submitted by February 14, 2014 and supporting documents must be mailed and post-marked by the same date. For the second year the organiza-
tion is sponsoring a $1,000 scholarship referred to as “Straight for Equality.” Individuals who do not identify as LGBT but are advocates for and supportive of LGBT issues are eligible. Applications and detailed information about the scholarships can be found at www.pflagno.org, or by sending an e-mail to scholarship@plfagno.org. The PFLAG New Orleans Scholarship Fund has awarded more than $500,000 to more than 450 students since 1989. All applicants will be notified of results by April 15, 2014. Recipients must be present at the awards ceremony to accept the scholarship in person. The ceremony is Saturday evening, May 10, 2014, at the Homer Hitt Alumni Center of the University of New Orleans. Interested persons may make donations to the scholarship fund by sending a check payable to: PFLAG New Orleans Scholarship Committee, PO Box 15515, New Orleans, La. 70175. Additional information about making a donation can be obtained by sending an e-mail to scholarship@pflagno.org. PFLAG New Orleans was founded in 1982 and is affiliated with the national PFLAG organization. PFLAG promotes the health and well-being of LGBT persons, their families and friends through: support, to cope with an adverse society; education, to enlighten an ill-informed public; and advocacy, to end discrimination and to secure equal civil rights.
Local Queer Nuns raise over $200 for HIV/AIDS Awareness The Big Easy Sisters: The Sisters of the Muddy Waters have been busy the last few weeks! The once monthly Beer Bust at The Phoenix raised $115 at the October event, held on the 25th of the month. The following weekend, faces were donned again in a Halloween spirit for an event commemorating Day of the Dead, or El Día de los Muertos. This event was held at Mag’s 940, and provided a space for individuals to mourn the loss of a loved one or friend, and be offered a prayer and blessing by The Sisters. This event raised $115 as well. Coming up in the next month, The Big Easy Sisters will be fundraising with our monthly Beer Bust at The Phoenix, 941 Elysian Fields, on Friday, November 22nd. The event will be held on the back patio. A $5 donation gives you bottomless beer from 9pm-Midnight. Light refreshments will also be provided. On Saturday, December 14th, at Paulie’s Restaurant & Bar, 810 N. Claiborne, at 8pm, Novice Sister AuJus will host “The Big Easy Sisters’ Christmas Extravaganza: A Not-SoSilent Night.” Seating for a holiday themed dinner will begin at 8pm, with entertainment beginning at 9:30pm. Be ready for a live auction with auctioneer Tony Leggio, and performances from some of New Orleans’ best entertainers. To inquire about
Lords of Leather Teddy Bear House “Gay Night” Party Can you imagine a party filled with 12,000 “Bears” and a few “Leathermen” mixed in? Sounds like a good time for most of us, right? Well, it will be. Find your way to the Lords of Leather “Gay Night at the Teddy Bear House” Holiday Party on Friday, Dec. 20th from 7-10pm. Come see a spectacular sight and enjoy some holiday cheer with members of our community. The residence of Ricky Lenart at 1525 Dufossat Street (just off St. Charles Avenue) will be decorated with thousands of teddy bears, showcased inside and out by lights and music. Santa’s Sexy Elves will be there serving food and drinks to guests both naughty and nice. The Lords will also auction off some original member-decorated teddy bears for you to take home – they might make a great, last-minute gift for someone on your Christmas List. Tickets are available for $25 from krewe members and also at the door.
Public Tours of the Teddy Bear House Mr. Ricky Lenart has graciously invited the Lords of Leather to lead public tours of the home on Saturday, Dec. 21st from 5-10pm and on Sunday, Dec. 22nd from 11am-7pm. Each room on all three floors is themedecorated and kids young and old will enjoy the accompanying narration. Background lighting and music complete the scene as you pass from room to room and around the house from the outside. Admission for kids will be $5 and adults will be $10. Tickets are available from krewe members in advance and will be available at the house on tour day.
Small Business Saturday, Nov. 30 According to Wikipedia, Small Business Saturday is an American shopping holiday held on the Saturday after Thanksgiving during one of the busiest shopping periods of the year. First observed on November 27, 2010, it is a counterpart to Black Friday and Cyber Monday, which feature big box retail and e-commerce stores respectively. By contrast, Small Business Saturday encourages [continued on 16]
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Guest Felicia Faraday’s 1st time on stage in Crescent City Divas Greta WeaPON, aka Wayne, slings cocktails for Golden Lantern Turn-A-Bout
Sasha Wood, aka Jason, in Golden Lantern Turn-A-Bout
Clammy Clitoris aka Josh in Golden Lantern Turn-A-Bout
King Cake Queen XXI-Elect Barbara Ella in Crescent City Divas @ 4 Seasons in Metairie
Reba Douglas headlines new Jubilee! Dragging for Jesus @ Golden Lantern
Queen Amon-Ra Deja Deja-Vue’ in Jewel Box Revue @ Michael’s
Natasha Sinclair in Crescent City Divas @ 4 Seasons Holly Tart, aka Steven, in Golden Lantern Turn-A-Bout
Kookie Baker in Jubilee! Dragging for Jesus @ Golden Lantern
Amon-Ra Bunny Reject Cookie St. Ann in Jewel Box Revue @ Michael’s
Countess C. Alice in Crescent City Divas @ 4 Seasons Sharon Teretes, aka Brandon, in Golden Lantern Turn-A-Bout
Electra City in Jubilee! Dragging for Jesus @ Golden Lantern
Special guest Elizabeth Bouvier in Jewel Box Revue @ Michael’s
Dingo’s Blanche Debris with Oz GM Greg
Juanita Alexander, aka Jon, with Dad in Golden Lantern Turn-A-Bout
Crescent City Divas show director Lauren Brown @ 4 Seasons
Athena Jewelle & Miss Gay New Orleans America Monica Synclaire-Kennedy @ 4 Seasons
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Spectacles de Travestis ~ New Orleans, Metairie ~ Photos by Rip Naquin
Opal Masters headlines the Jewel Box Revue @ Michael’s On The Park
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moments in gay new orleans history by Frank Perez E-mail: f.perez@sbcglobal.net
“George Dureau” On the morning of September 26, 2013, the building next to Sbisa’s on Decatur Street in the French Quarter caught fire. The legendary restaurant had reopened only a few weeks prior and as word of the fire quickly spread, owner Bob Barton began to receive a number of frantic calls, all them asking not if he was safe or if the restaurant was okay, but rather if the large George Dureau painting hanging over the bar had been saved. The magnificent triptych, spanning the length of the mirror behind the century old mahogany bar, is a Dureau classic and depicts previous owners of the café as well as staff members and friends of the artist, who also is also portrayed. Dureau regularly held court at Sbisa’s in the 1980s. The restaurant and bar was also a favorite haunt of gay Quarterites. Sbisa’s today looks much as it did when it opened in 1899. The building in which the restaurant is housed was built in 1820 and was originally used as a ship chandler that serviced the multitudes of boats docking at the river. For a time it was also a bank and then a bar catering to sailors with a brothel conveniently located upstairs. Like Sbisa’s, George Dureau is vintage New Orleans. Born and raised in the city, Dureau earned a B.A. in Fine Arts from L.S.U. before serving in the U.S. Army. He studied architecture briefly at Tulane University before devoting himself fully to his art. Known primarily for his studies of the nude male figure and his black and white photographic portraits, Dureau has had exhibits in Paris, London, and several cities around the United States, including, of course, New Orleans at the Arthur Roger Gallery. Although he is perhaps best known for his photography, Dureau has always considered himself first and foremost a painter. Often, the portraiture photographs were studies that would eventually make their way onto canvas. For subjects, Dureau looked to the classic male nude but not necessarily to the chiseled perfection associated with ancient Greek statuary. Rather, Dureau often, though not exclusively, photographed homeless youths, amputees, the obese, and others who do not conform to traditional standards of beauty. Many of his subjects were African-American men. By depicting these men frankly and without judgment, Dureau’s genius was in capturing the essential beauty, dignity, and humanity of his subjects despite their being marginalized by mainstream so-
ciety. In a review of a Dureau’s exhibit in New York entitled “Black 1973-1986,” New York Times art critic Roberta Smith writes of Dureau’s portraits, “They have long been known for their undeniable, often homoerotic sensuality and for emphasizing the persistence of male beauty regardless of race or physical imperfection: many of the subjects are black; some are dwarfs or amputees. . . . Mr. Dureau’s photographs share an emotional realism and a sense of intimacy between artist and sitter.” This intimacy between artist and model was carefully cultivated by Dureau, who would spend hours walking the French Quarter with his subjects greeting friends and acquaintances and stopping occasionally for cocktails or nosh. He made an honest effort at getting to know his models. Some became lovers. Longtime Dureau friend Mark Seale recalls meeting the artist for the first time in 1972, “I was thinking about buying a building on Dauphine Street near the dog park. The real estate agent was about to show me the place but warned me that the resident refused to leave. When we went into the bedroom, there was a naked guy in the bed and George was painting him. Not a picture of him, but actually painting his naked body. George just stopped and stared at us.” Egalitarian in both outlook and disposition, Dureau once told Jack Fritscher in a 1991 interview, “My house is a kind of genteel colony of the underclass.” Fritscher interviewed the artist for his classic book, Mapplethorpe: Assault with a Deadly Camera. The two photographers became friends in the 1970s and
Dureau became something of a mentor to Mapplethorpe. (The full text of Fritscher’s interview with Dureau is available at www.jackfritscher.com). Dureau’s paintings are almost always representational and often narrative. Typically, the paintings draw inspiration from classical mythology and convey a playful, whimsical tone. Describing Dureau’s use of the men in his photographs as models for the paintings, D. Eric Bookhardt observes, “In his paintings, they appeared as otherworldly creatures ranging from angels to centaurs in scenes rendered like bawdy, baroque interpretations of classical mythology in which Dureau himself often turns up as a satyr. But in
his photographs . . . they appear as they really are yet as most of us would never see them, relaxed yet vulnerable, comfortable in the presence of someone who saw and appreciated their unique beauty and authenticity. It was Dureau’s singular genius to be able to meld Charles Baudelaire’s poetic otherworldliness with Walt Whitman’s utopian American egalitarianism in singularly striking images that reflect something of the soul of his city.” George Dureau is currently suffering from Alzheimer’s disease and is living in a nursing home. Earlier this year, a group of his friends held an auction of his personal effects to help pay for his care.
the "official' dish ...from 12
PANDA BEAR, 415 Bourbon St.; RAB DAB CLOTHING AND GIFTS, 918 Royal St.; SECOND SKIN LEATHER, 521 St. Philip; and XXX SHOP EROTIC BOUTIQUE, 1835 N. Rampart St.
holiday shoppers to patronize brick and mortar businesses that are small and local. In 2010 the holiday was conceived and promoted by American Express via a nationwide radio and television advertising campaign. That year Amex bought advertising inventory on Facebook, which it in turn gave to its small merchant account holders, and also gave rebates to new customers to promote the event. American Express publicized the initiative using social media, advertising, and public relations. At least 41 local politicians and many small business groups in the United States issued proclamations concerning the campaign,[4][5][6] which generated more than one million Facebook “like” registrations and nearly 30,000 tweets under the Twitter hashtags #smallbusinesssaturday (which had existed since early 2010) and #smallbizsaturday. The Twitter hashtag #SmallBusinessSaturday has existed since early 2010 and was used to promote small businesses on any Saturday (not solely that Saturday between Black Friday and Cyber Monday). The hashtag is used in a manner similar to #FollowFriday to highlight favorite local businesses.
So don't forget our own LGBT small businesses on Saturday, Nov. 30th including: BOURBON PRIDE, 909 Bourbon; HIT PARADE, 741 Bourbon St.; MARY'S FRENCH QUARTER KITCHEN & BATH, 732 N. Rampart;
"Art In The Hood" Passes $50,000 Mark for Charity @ Cutter's The annual "Art in the Hood" October exhibition raised a whopping $7,578.16 for the William Fanning Foundation (Buzzy's Boys & Girls) at Cutter's in New Orleans. Of that amount a generous yearly donation of $5,000 came from TJ Maxx. Since 2003, "Art in the Hood" has raised over $50,078 for charity. Donated works of art are sold with all proceeds benefiting Buzzy's Boys & Girls. Although artwork is sold throughout the month leading up to the end of the month buffet and auction gala, that night auctioneer Kevin Limberg auctions off those pieces that are still available to the higest bidder. Additionally, the scrumptious buffet garnered another $5 per person. TJ Maxx, for the fourth year in a row, donated $5,000 to the worthy charity. Congratulations to the men of Cutter's: Mac McAll, Dudley LeBlanc and Jimmy Kilgour on a job well done. Named to honor the significant work of William J. “Buzzy” Fanning, Buzzy’s Boys & Girls is a 501(c)3 fundraising organization based in New Orleans which works with local HIV/ AIDS support agencies such as the NO/AIDS Task Force, the FACES (Family Advocacy, Care and Education Services) program at Children’s Hospital, and the HOP Clinic (HIV Outpatient Clinic) to serve people in the New Orleans and surrounding areas living with HIV/AIDS. The organization accepts requests from licensed social workers at these and other agencies for help with the medical and other needs of their clients. Visit www.BuzzysBoysAndGirls.ORG for more information on the charity.
DEADLINE Nov. 26th 504.522.8049 marsha@ripandmarsha.com
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Persona & Raven do Oz Dingo while Blanche is in Rome Miss Gay America 2014 Jessica Jade @ Bourbon Pub & Parade
Enjoying brunch @ The Ruby Slipper/Marigny
Tulane University Curator of Books & Records’ Susan Tucker addresses LGBT+ Archives Project meeting @ Marigny Opera House
Joining Glazer’s Saints Tailgating Party Miss Gay Louisiana America Mercedez Ellis Loreal @ Bourbon Pub & Parade
Miranda serving smiles @ The Ruby Slipper/Marigny
Tulane’s Louisiana Collection archivist Lee Miller addresses LGBT+ Archives Project meeting Jerry serves cake @ his birthday party in his State Street home
Dustin & Ryan join Halloween Thank You Party @ Marigny Opera House
Bartender JR welcomes you to Cutter’s Blake & Jeff join Jerry’s Birthday Party @ his State Street home
John & John @ Marigny Opera House for Halloween Thank You Party
Miss Gay Louisiana America 2006 Maya McNeil @ Bourbon Pub & Parade
Perfume rep Kimberly & Chuck celebrate Chuck’s new hip @ 4 Seasons in Metairie
Carlos & Gregory @ Carlos' art show in Gallery Orange on Royal Street
Miss Gay Louisiana America 2008 Anastacia Davenport @ Bourbon Pub & Parade
Miss Gay America Jessica Jade @ Bourbon Pub & Parade
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La Scène Sociale ~ New Orleans, Metairie ~ Photos by Charles Jenkins, Tony Leggio, Rip Naquin
Manager Joe welcomes you to The Ruby Slipper/Marigny
Project Lazarus’ Kim & Steve @ Halloween Thank You Party @ Marigny Opera House
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reVIEW... by Blanche Email: ambushreview@aol.com Photo by Larry Graham, GrahamStudioOne.COM
Nightlife & Miss B-Bob’s Pageant ~ Mobile, Alabama ~ Photos by Miss Cie & John
Walk on the Wild Side...
Princess Judy...
Miss B-Bob's 1st Runner-up Rachael Meredith @ B-Bob’s
Brian, Jayme & Michael @ B-Bob’s
Beautiful Jack, bartender @ Flip Side
mobile
paparazzi Lee & Corey @ B-Bob’s
Special guest Monica Heart from Pensacola @ B-Bob’s
Lou Reed (1942-2013), American musician, singer and songwriter passed on October 27. He was also a major influence on generations of artist and musicians. Martin Scorsese called him “the sound of New York City from the sixties through the eighties.” REMs Michael Stipe said he was “the first queer icon of the 21st century, 30 years before it began.” Lou Reed never achieved great commercial success...”Walk On The Wild Side” was his biggest hit. He was guitarist, vocalist and principal songwriter for The Velvet Underground, also a commercial failure but artistic success. “The Velvet Underground & Nico,” their first album, is listed by Rolling Stone Magazine as the 13th most influential album of all time. He was “outside of society” and he didn’t care if you “got it” or not ...a lot of people got it ...Billy Idol, David Bowie, Debbie Harry, Chris Stein, Beck, Michael Stipe, Iggy Pop, the New York Dolls, Freddie Mercury and Queen, Mark Bolan, Brian Eno and Roxy Music, Patti Smith, Television, the Sex Pistols, Grace Jones, the B-52s, Depeche Mode, the Smiths, the Replacements, Jane’s Addiction, Nirvana, Peaches, Scissor Sisters, Lady Gaga, among others were influenced by his non-mainstream approach to music. “Walk On The Wild Side,” “Satellite of Love,” “Sweet Jane,” “Perfect Day,” “Coney Island Baby,” “Vicious,” “Street Hassle” and “Heroin” are all classic Lou Reed songs. 1975s album, CONEY ISLAND BABY is still perfect wake-up music. Lou is survived by his wife, Laurie Anderson.
The Gov's Reality Show Cancelled Dustin & Timothy Newly crowned Miss B-Bob’s 2013-14 Sindy ObSinity
Miss B-Bob’s 2012-13 CoCo Elise
Miss Cie with Nicole DuBois @ B-Bob’s
I’m not a big fan of reality television but The Governor's Wife caught my attention. It is the story of Trina Edwards, the 35 year old wife of former Louisiana Governor Edwin Edwards, age 86. They were married after Edwards spent 8 1/2 years in federal prison on bribery and racketeering charges related to riverboat gambling licenses. I suppose you either love or hate Edwards, but this is great reality television. Trina has two sons, Logan and Trevor, ages 16 and 14. She has two stepdaughters, Anna, age 63 and Victoria, age 61. These are facts, not some writers imagination. Add to this a baby on the way (actually born in August) and you have more than enough reality to go around. Anna is the nicer of
the two wicked stepdaughters ...she has a Lauren Bacall look about her. Victoria is an “actress and dancer.” She wears way too much makeup and smokes electronic cigarettes constantly ...she could be a punk rock singer or a silent film star. It all makes for some campy television. The Governor's Wife premiered on Oct. 27 and had it’s season finale on Nov. 10. A&E had ordered 12 episodes. The A&E network, with little fanfare or notice, has apparently canceled the show after six episodes. While the initial show had respectable ratings, it got dismal ratings after that. The last four episodes were aired on Sunday, Nov. 10 between the hours of 10am and noon. The show was originally scheduled to air at 10pm on Sundays, but the networks schedule now has re-runs of Duck Dynasty in that time slot. It is a shame, the show had a “real” cast of characters... the “charming” former governor, the “I’m not a gold digger” younger wife and her kids, and the stepdaughters, Anna and Victoria. I always liked Governor Edwards, unlike most politicians he was honest about what he was going to do. Trina comes across as sincere and if she makes the former governor happy, who am I to judge. The real stars would have to be Anna and Victoria ...they have Blanche and Baby Jane quality about them ...and Victoria certainly has the clothes and makeup.
Daughters Victoria & Anna with Mom Trina (the Gov's wife)
Speakiong of Baby Jane... Whatever Happened to Baby Jane, the movie starring Bette Davis and Joan Crawford, was based on a book by the same name written by Henry Farrell. A brand new edition of the book is out with some additions. Included in the new release is Farrell’s biography, written by Mitch Douglas ...3 of Farrell’s short stories, in print for the first time ...and information on the famous Davis/Crawford feud. It comes from Grand Central Publishing. There is also talk of a West End/ Broadway version of Baby Jane. It will not be a musical.
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ambush
paparazzi
Jeff, Frank & friends doing Halloween @ The Double Play
Jack celebrating Halloween @ Voodoo
Brittney & Transgender of the Year Chi Chi @ Le Roundup
Celebrating Halloween @ Petronius Bash Halloween @ Le Roundup
Bartender Wayne is lovely in Oz Horror Turn-A-Bout
Dancer Piler, bartender Aaron & Dancer G-Man @ Rainbow Room Paul (r) brings out the best in people
Dancer Jacob welcomes you to Rainbow Room
Welcome to the Krewe of Petronius Halloween Bash
Club Kids ready for Halloween @ Oz
Barrett, Terry & Beaux @ Petronius Halloween Bash
Lauren, Danny & Gary @ Petronius Halloween Bash
All smiles @ Petronius Halloween Bash
Queen Amon-Ra Leonard & Jim @ Petronius Halloween Bash
Queen Petronius Lanacayne & her subjects @ Petronius Halloween Bash
The Bearded Oysters @ LaFette Louisianne fundraiser
The Ladies @ Petronius’ Halloween Bash: Barbara, Laura, Princess, Countess & Antoinette
The Cast of La Familia led by Lesbian of the Year Johnny Passion
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Halloween Wrap-up ~ New Orleans ~ Photos by Tony Leggio, Paul Melancon
Halloween bartender Urban @ The Double Play
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La Scène des Clubs ~ New Orleans, Metairie ~ Photos by Charles Jenkins, Tony Leggio, Paul Melancon
paparazzi
Cute young dancer Eric wet down in The Corner Pocket’s recent Wet Jockey Shorts Contest
Catch bartender Bryan @ The Phoenix
Welcome to the Lords of Leather Beer Bust @ The Phoenix Rawhide manager Richard welcomes you
Oz GM Greg & manager Glenn @ Oz Jeff welcomes you to Cafe Lafitte in Exile
Catching the Saints Game @ Michael’s On The Park
Dancers Jonathan, Tristan & Slater enjoying the moment @ The Corner Pocket
DJ Tim Pflueger hails from Dance Club of the Year Oz Rikki Gee doing Kafe Karaoke @ Cafe Lafitte in Exile
Cocktailin’ @ Voodoo Bar
Host Lisa Beaumann with dancer Eric @ Corner Pocket’s recent Wet Jockey Shorts Contest
Philip & Max join Sunday’s Trash Disco @ Lafitte’s
Jeff, aka Varla Jean, slings cocktails @ Good Friends Bar Big Al @ Ninth Circle
Bartender Sebastian welcomes you to 4 Seasons in Metairie
Bartender Shayne @ The Outback Bar/4 Seasons in Metairie
MC Tony & Fireman Rick @ Fireman Calendar release party @ Decatur Street headquarters
Miss MASCARa Charlie Bear doing a pirouette @ Rawhide
Ninth Circle bartender Justin
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a community within communities
spotlight feature
by The Rev. Bill Terry, Rector St. Anna’s Episcopal Church Email: fr.bill@stannanola.org
by Frank Perez E-mail: f.perez@sbcglobal.net
Thanksgiving? It may have started with some corn a few Native Americans and perhaps a Puritan or two but boy has it changed: Thanksgiving. Sometimes we think that Thanksgiving is all about Fall colors, dried grounds as center pieces, pumpkin pie, and turkey. The wonder of Thanksgiving is not in the food; it is not in the center piece; it is not in the corn bread vs. herb dressing controversy; nor even in stuffed peppers or mirlitons. It is in the gathering. From my vantage point, especially in LGBT community, there is a form of Thanksgiving every weekend and often on weeknights. Go to the Friendly Bar, Golden Lantern, Mag’s, Kajun's Pub, The Pub, The Phoenix, our city is riddled with venues that we call our neighborhood bars; Thanksgiving. Dozens upon dozens set a pattern to their local watering hole several nights a week. More often than not driven by a desire to gather, see, be seen, and to share life. Not that there aren’t straight bars that provide the same. When I lived in Dallas mine was a small bar called Vinnie’s in a small strip mall on Mockingbird near Stemmons Freeway. Each evening about a dozen of us would gather and tell stories, gossip, basically fellowship over our favorite concoction. But there seems to be a bit more, I don’t know, zest in the litany of pubs and bars that I listed. Something else is going on there that does not go on in the typical straight watering hole. Longing, desire, hope, and friendship seem a bit more on point. Take these words with as many meanings as you wish. The multiple meanings simply say there are multiple motivations. Bars in our community, LGBT Community, host “Celebrations of Life” a bit more than elsewhere; Bars have become venues for clandestine worship, certainly more than elsewhere; Bars have been safe havens and beacons of hope, certainly more than elsewhere. For our community names like Stonewall and Upstairs Lounge carry the same weight as other national icons like the Statue of Liberty. Isn’t it ironic that the same pattern was true for the Revolutionary Forefathers? Fraunces Tavern in NYC was the founding place for what would be known as the U.S. Marines; The Maryland Inn and her fine bar was the venue where the Treaty of Paris was ratified officially ending the American Revolution. The café of Paris was the place of subversive thought during the 1920s and 30s. Why, the Green Dragon Tavern was the central meeting place of
December 1 is World AIDS Day The Sons of Liberty with the likes of the Adams and Paul Revere. Even legend bars play a role in liberty, Rick’s Bar in Casa Blanca is no small head nod to watering holes and gathering spots. So, the provenance of places like the Upstairs Lounge and the Stonewall come from good stock; Thanksgiving. Thanksgiving is about gathering. In recent polls Americans rank Thanksgiving as one of the most cherished holidays over Christmas, Easter, and close to Halloween. Thanksgiving, does not make demands to run credit cards, nor does it point to an exhaustive schedule of “Holiday Parties.” It does not demand a mailing list of Season’s Greetings nor does it demand just the right bonnet or white shoes as the stylish epicenter of fashion. It simply is. Thanksgiving is a time of gathering and eating and story telling and caring about one another. The greatest burden of Thanksgiving is in figuring a graceful way to say goodbye so that the nap of a lifetime is seamless. Perhaps it is time, on occasion, to look around at where you are and to give thanks for those present to you. Perhaps it is time to no longer take for granted your favorite community gathering spot. For much of “the community” these spots remain safe havens and places of common experience. Maybe we should borrow the British phrase Common House as a name for our most cherished watering holes. If you are now reading this article in dim light with throbbing sound or clatter of a dozen conversations going on at once; well perhaps you are in a place of Thanksgiving. The true centralities of Thanksgiving are those that surround your life and make it more than a solitary island. Thanksgiving is about people. As for my observations as a priest: when Zacchaeus, the tax collector, hailed Jesus he said let’s eat some food. When Jesus sought out Matthew, also a tax collector and thus despised by his people, he met him where it mattered over a meal. According to our belief, after the Resurrection, Jesus most profound recognition was when, during a meal. “When [Jesus] was at the table with them, he took bread, gave thanks, broke it and began to give it to them. Then their eyes were opened and they recognized him, and he disappeared from their sight. They asked each other, ‘Were not our hearts burning within us while he talked with us on the road and opened the Scriptures to us?’”
December 1st marks the 25th annual World AIDS Day. Since its inception in 1988, World AIDS Day is an opportunity for people around the world to raise awareness about HIV / AIDS, to support those living with HIV, and to remember those who have succumbed to the disease. The idea for the annual day began with James W. Bunn and Thomas Netter, who in 1987, worked for the Global Programme on AIDS at the World Health Organization in Geneva, Switzerland. Each year around the world, government and AIDS service organizations collaborate to sponsor and coordinate a series of events to bring attention to the pandemic. As of this writing, events in the New Orleans area are still being planned. One event is St. Mark's UMC World AIDS Day Service of Remembrance set for 5pm at 1130 N. Rampart St. where all are welcome. In previous years, local events have included HIV testing at area universities and other venues, commemorative services at houses of worship, and fundraising concerts and auctions. Last year, the light show on the Mercedes Benz Superdome went red in honor of World AIDS Day. According to 2012 statistics from the Louisiana Department of Health and Hospitals, a cumulative total of 32,904 persons have been reported with HIV infection in Louisiana, including 333 children. The cumulative number of deaths among persons diagnosed with HIV/AIDS is 14,057. As of September 30, 2012, 18,493 persons are living with HIV infection in Louisiana; of these, 10,123 have an AIDS diagnosis. Statewide, 29% of new HIV diagnoses and 28% of new AIDS diagnoses are among women. HIV continues to disproportionately affect African Americans in Louisiana. In 2011, 74% of persons newly diagnosed with HIV and 76% of persons newly diagnosed with AIDS were African American. Worldwide, 34 million people are living with HIV infection. The theme of World AIDS Day 2013 is “Getting to Zero,” thus underscoring the UNAIDS vision of achieving “zero new HIV infections, zero discrimination, zero AIDS-related deaths.”
LGBT+ Archives Project of Louisiana Holds its First Public Meeting The LGBT+ Archives Project of Louisiana held its first public meeting on November 8 at the Marigny Opera House. About 60 people attended the inaugural meeting to learn more about the project. Speakers included Gene Cizek, Joshua Goodman, Lee Miller, Larry Bagneris, Frank Perez, Roberts Batson, Clay Latimer, Mark Gonzalez, Sue Tucker, and Sebastian Rey. The meeting was moderated by Chris Costello. Topics discussed ranged from what archivists do and their importance to researchers to the costs of the archiving process. Several examples of archival material were on exhibit before and after the meeting. The mission of the LGBT+ Archives Project of Louisiana is to promote and encourage the protection and preservation of materials that chronicle the culture and history of the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender Community in Louisiana. Purposes of the project include: educating the community on the importance of ensuring that LGBT+ historical materials are Now look to your left, look to your archived and made available for future right, perhaps in front of you, perhaps generations to access, research, and behind you. Filter out the noise and give study; promoting the proper maintethanks for those who are a Community nance and preservation of historical within Communities. For it is in this [continued on 35] fellowship that we give thanks.
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baton rouge, the capital city Baton Rouge's HAART to Host World AIDS Day "Red Ribbon Social" on Dec. 1 Since its inception on Dec. 1, 1988, World AIDS Day has become one of the most recognized health days across the globe. World AIDS Day is held on December 1st each year and is seen as an opportunity for people worldwide to unite in the fight against HIV, show their support for people living with HIV and to commemorate those who have died. The Baton Rouge organization HAART will recognize World AIDS Day by hosting an awareness event titled, “The Red Ribbon Social.” The Social will showcase art and music as a medium for HIV/AIDS Awareness. It will be held at the Belle of Baton Rouge Atrium from 10:30am to 1pm Dec. 1st and will feature HAART’s 3rd annual HIV/AIDS awareness poster art contest along with a gospel and blues show. HAART‘s collaboration with three design classes from Baton Rouge High, BRCC and LSU gives students the opportunity to design an HIV/AIDS prevention and awareness poster for the agency. The posters will be on display at The Red Ribbon Social and attendees will have the opportunity to vote on their favorite. The winning poster will be announced at the event and will be named the official HAART Prevention/Outreach Poster for 2014. Avita Drugs Pharmacy, a sponsor of the event, is awarding two $500 scholarships to the first place winners. In addition to the poster art contest, HAART has organized a gospel & blues performance featuring Gospel Unlimited, Rapper AV Mitchell, and The Neal Brothers. A home-style brunch with bottomless mimosas will be served. Tickets can be purchased for $40 at www.haartinc.org. HAART and Avita Drugs Pharmacy invite the Baton Rouge community to join them for this World AIDS Day event. As one of the three largest AIDS organizations in Louisiana, HAART seeks to improve the Baton Rouge community through health and wellness education, and the provision of comprehensive quality services. HAART strives to assist those infected and affected by HIV/AIDS in Baton Rouge community, which is #1 in the US for new AIDS cases.
spotlight feature ...from 34 LGBT+ materials; providing an information directory of archival resources where LGBT+ historical materials may be deposited or accessed for research and study; indexing, publishing, and maintaining a current list of locations of archived historical LGBT+ materials; and developing financial resources to assist in the preservation and availability of certain LGBT+ collections. The LGBT+ community of Louisiana, and particularly New Orleans, has a lengthy and rich history that deserves to be preserved and studied. Too often, materials chronicling this history do not find their way into archival repositories. The archive project aims to educate the public about all aspects of the archival process, and provide information about the collecting strengths of various archives. By indexing existing collections of LGBT+ related materials, the project will also help researchers more easily find information. At this time, the project idea is still in the formative stages. Since June 2013, a small but dedicated group of about a dozen local citizens have been studying how an organization such as the archive project might serve the aforementioned mission statement. Having established a general direction for the project, the planning group held the November 8 meeting to gather input from the larger community before establishing a formal organizational structure.
For those interested in joining or learning more about the LGBT+ Archives Project of Louisiana, please visit the group’s Facebook page or website at www.lgbtarchivesla.org.
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under the gaydar by Tony Leggio Email: ledgemgp@gmail.com Photo by: Larry Graham, GrahamStudioOne.COM
See Red!
Book of the Month Self Help Books are flooding the market, but one thanks to Oprah and her book club, has become a worldwide phenomenon. Well, my column is not about that one, The Secret which has spawned a movie and has been printed in several languages. It is about another one that has been out for several years called The Answer. At first I thought this book might be a sarcastic retort to its predecessor, but what I found was an insightful novel that goes beyond the first book to help readers understand their full potential. Like the first book, The Answer is based on faith, but not only religious faith, faith in one’s own powers and capabilities. The Answer helps people achieve their goal in a more tangible way then just to see it, believe it, put it out to the universe and then it will come to you. That is all well and good, but believing you are going to lose weight is no good unless you start exercising, or getting that promotion is not good unless you start working harder. Whereas this novel has mainly a
has ever struggled in business, or cannot seem to find their niche will relate to it. I highly recommend this novel and its teachings are nothing extraordinary but extremely relevant. For more information on The Answer, go to www.johnassaraf.com.
business focus, all the principles and ideals apply to peoples’ personal lives. Written by John Assaraf and Murray Smith, both of whom came from substandard backgrounds to achieve greatness, bring a sense of realism to the teachings inside. Asaraf was also prominently featured on the DVD and the book The Secret. I will just give you a tidbit of some of its understandings and one of my favorite chapters in the book, The Law of Attraction. It goes way beyond the birds of a feather saying. If you want something bad enough then you have to believe you will get it and repeat that to yourself every day. Exude the confidence that you will get what you want and go after, just do not harm others (that is an entirely other book on karma). This newfound confidence will give you the strength to go after your goals and achieve them, no matter what the obstacles; nothing is too great for you to overcome. After you read this book, lend it to others, or give it as a gift. Anyone who
Café Lafitte’s in Exile presents its 21st Annual Red Party on Saturday, Nov. 23rd. And if you have not been before you are in for a treat. Red is the color of the night with the theme “Kickin’ In Red.” The staff of the bar does a turnabout, which is basically when people who normally do not do drag don their gay apparel – wigs, heels, etc., and take to the stage with some hilarious results. All the proceeds from the funds raised go to Belle Reve. Each bartender will auction off their own red shoe creation. There will be great prizes and you can get raffle tickets from your favorite bartender. The festivities kick off at 9:30pm. Lafitte’s in Exile is located at 901 Bourbon Street. I hope to see everyone there to support this great cause and make sure to wear red!
Why Walk? The National Kidney Foundation is holding their annual Kidney Walk on Sunday, Nov. 24th. Registration be-
gins at 8am at Audubon Park, Shelter #10 with the walk starting at 9:30am. This is such a deserving charity and with the gorgeous weather, a perfect way to spend a Sunday morning. Kidney Walk is the nation’s largest walk to fight kidney disease. Held in nearly 100 communities, the event raises awareness and funds lifesaving programs that educate and support patients, their families and those at risk. With the increase in diabetes and high blood pressure — two major kidney disease risk factors — kidney disease is on the rise. They are working to reach the 1 in 3 American adults at risk with important prevention messages before it’s too late. Each year, more than 75,000 walkers join the NKF to raise over $8 million to help kidney patients and their families. Your participation in the events has never been more critical. More than 80 cents of every dollar donated directly supports programs and services, including: Educating Americans through multimedia public awareness initiatives about kidney disease and ways to reduce their risk. Empowering those at risk to take action at free, local kidney health screenings. Supporting kidney patients, organ donors, and their families - online [continued on 37]
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under the gaydar ...from 36 at www.kidney.org, on the phone tollfree at NKF Cares (1.855.653.2273), and through personal peer-mentoring. Advocating as the voice of the kidney patient in Washington DC to address the organ donor shortage, fund more kidney research, and defend
Medicare coverage for kidney disease. Sharing the latest treatment information and practices with healthcare providers so patients get the best possible care. The National Kidney Foundation is an accredited 501(c)(3) charity. All donations are tax-deductible to the extent allowed by law. For more infor-
mation, go to www.donate.kidney.org or call 504.861.4500.
Be A VIP One of the hottest clubs it he city is giving you the chance to never wait in a line again. Oz is holding their Annual VIP Card Social on Saturday, Nov. 23rd from 8-10pm. There will be a
special one night only sale for locals for $150 which is a $50 savings. Ladies and gentlemen, the holidays are upon us and what better gift to give somebody then the gift of Oz. Seriously, this is the perfect present to give your partying friends and you save money. The Oz New Orleans [continued on 38]
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under the gaydar ...from 37 2014 VIP Card gets you: priority entrance and no cover (worth its weight in gold 24/7 – 365 days a year including major holidays). This means no waiting in line ever again during Mardi Gras, New Year’s Eve, Southern Decadence and Halloween. Make it a point to get yours today.
Bark! The Holidays Are Here Be a part of the first annual holiday dog walk with Santa Paws NOLA. Join LA-SPCA, ACCENT on Arrangements, and Christmas in the District for their first annual holiday-themed pet costume contest and parade on December 1st in New Orleans’ Historic Warehouse District. The party will start at Heritage Park at 2pm where people will be able to register, enjoy drinks, and participate in pet friendly activities. The parade will line up in front of Heritage Park at 3pm at which time the costumed pets and owners will second line down Convention Center Blvd to Convention Center Plaza where the festivities will continue until 5pm. Santa Paws himself will be waiting to take pictures, and where you and your pet can enjoy this new holiday tradition. And even if you don’t have a furry friend to keep you warm this
holiday season, there is no need to worry. The LA-SPCA will be on hand to help you find out what you need to do to adopt one of their cute pets today. What a great Christmas gift to give someone. Additionally, Santa Paws NOLA will take place within the setting of “Christmas in the District,” a brand new holiday-themed large-scale lights display celebrating the culture and history of New Orleans. This one-of-a-kind holiday environment will display over 70 trees and almost a mile of animated lighting effects synchronized to music. The cost is $15. For more information, go to Santa Paws NOLA on Facebook.
Young At Art I am so excited, because one of the hottest events in town is coming up and it always heralds in the start of the official holiday party season. Art Against AIDS is an exquisite gala event and art auction that will be held at the New Orleans Museum of Art on Saturday, Dec. 7th. This year’s theme, “Young at Art” is a highlight of a year-long celebration of art programs for our clients generously sponsored by Chevron. For more than a quarter century, Art Against AIDS, started by Arthur Roger as a sale of ornaments displayed in his gallery, has been a kickoff to the holiday season, raising more than $2 million for AIDS awareness and
services for people affected by HIV and AIDS. The Honorary Co-Chairs, artists Sarah Ashley Longshore, and David Harouni, invite guests to an evening of great entertainment with headliner band “The Honorable South,” burlesque performances including cast members of “Broadway Bares,” dance routines by “The Sirens of New Orleans,” food donated by local restaurants and caterers, a stellar silent auction of art, a Holiday Boutique and dancing under the stars to the music of DJ Robbie Martin! Tickets for this event are on sale now and are expected to sell out quickly. Become a Patron and enjoy an evening of food, libations, and music provided by the St. Michael’s Special School Bell Choir. The Patron party will be held, Wednesday, Nov. 21st from 6-9pm at the Louisiana Children’s Museum. Art Against AIDS gala tickets start at $85; Patron ticket levels ranging from $200 to $1,000. Tickets can be purchased by calling 504.821.2601 ext. 216, online, or in person at the Task Force’s main offices at 2601 Tulane Avenue, 5th floor. Purchase your tickets today!
Party Down Even though the big Halloween weekend was over, my two weeks ramped up with lots of events and fun times before and after Halloween. On
Tuesday, the Mystic Krewe of Satyricon hosted the Well Strung Concert at Café Istanbul. These hot men performed at one of the Halloween XXX events and continued their entrancement of New Orleanians with a follow up performance. The following day, I had an enjoyable evening with friends at a dinner party at Frank Pizzolato’s home. There is always something extra special about intimate dinner gatherings, when you can actually talk and get to know others in a more relaxed setting. Frank even brought out the good china for us, talk about making the night special. Thursday, I returned to the chaos of the holiday and went out in full costume for Halloween night. Reprising my character of Madame LaLaurie, Chris, Barrett, Laura, Beaux and I went to the Petronius costume contest and show at Mag's 940. Dressed as Madame LaLaurie, Marie Laveau and the Supreme, Laura, Chris and I took to the stage doing “Girls Just Want To Have Fun” backed up by a horde of male zombie dancers. Talk about a festive night with the krewe, congrats on a great event. Then we went to Oz for the costume contest at midnight hosted by the vivacious Blanche Debris and Persana Shoulders. Chris and I came in second scoring $100 and some lube. [continued on 39]
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under the gaydar ...from 38 Just what I needed. We danced the night away and partied at all the bars in the Quarter, Marigny and Frenchman Street til the wee hours in the morning before calling it a night. You need stamina to survive a holiday in the Crescent City. Halloween wiped me out, so I did not come out of my man cave until Saturday, when I went to the Gallery Walk on Julia Street, then the LaFete Louisiane Cultural Benefit at this very cool space on Magazine Street. The location was actually a parking garage that had been transformed into this unique party place. They had a great auction, some awesome talent and something I had never seen before at an event. There was a silent disco, which was so memorable. The DJ spun for about thirty minutes for the crowd; then those who wanted to dance and listen to him was given headphones that they wore so only those wearing them could hear his music. People danced to the beats and for those watching, their moves became like performance art, because only they could hear the music. It was fun trying to guess what song they were dancing to, some were easy like Thriller, but the best was watching people move to “I Will Survive.” It is a testament to a great event when you have people talking about it weeks afterwards. The following week, was one of plays, I went to the press screening of Hair at Le Petit on Wednesday. This is such an entertaining musical and the cast were very interactive with the audience. I felt the love from the stage all the way in my seat. Then on Thursday, I went to this experimental theatre piece called Nocturnes I – III at a renovated spot on St. Claude. I am fascinated by space travel and what lies beyond the stars so I enjoyed the show tremendously. On Friday, I was honored to em- hand to give tours of the facility. It was cee the Firemen Calendar release party great to see the actual people and held at their New Orleans headquar- place that your monies go in support of. ters on Decatur Street in the Quarter. We got to meet some of the residents There were some scorching men on and hear their heartbreaking stories. stage this night as sixteen men showed Lazarus House is truly a sanctuary for off their attributes that helped them get people. I cannot urge people enough to to be a man in the calendar. Emcee a become a supporter of Halloween New Fireman Calendar release party; check Orleans and this needed place. that off my bucket list. After Beaux and Afterwards, we sped down to the I met up, we went to a good friend, Superdome for some intense tailgating Jerry McGovern’s birthday party at his party. That is what I love about New very gay house Uptown. It is a gor- Orleans; the Saints game is really just geous inviting home, but there is defi- secondary and everyone comes out for nitely no mistaking it is owned by a the party. Honestly, we did not even homosexual. Anytime a man has two or have tickets; we were just there for the more pieces of art with Audrey Hepburn party which was sponsored by Glazer’s. or Marilyn Monroe, it is safe to assume In fact most of the people at the party he is gay. Drinks flowed as we cel- were not planning to go to the actual ebrated another year of his fabulosity. game, but everyone wanted to be in the Saturday I went to Carlos Lopez’s midst of the action, which was wild. art opening at Gallery Orange on Royal There were full bars, food, music, double Street. Carlos does some incredible decker RV’s and Hooter Girls. Got to still life paintings and this show fea- love the straight people; nothing says tured one of Louisiana’s bounties, oys- football like wings and breasts. We ters. He even designed some gor- played there until just before game geous jewelry that incorporated the time, then headed into the Quarter theme that any local or visitor alike where we caught the tail end of bingo at would be proud to wear. If you have an Oz. Stopping a few places along the opportunity to check out his show, way, Lafitte’s, Good Friends and 700 please do. Carlos and his partner Greg Club, I took myself home and rested Vogel are huge supporters of the gay after a tiring weekend. community. Sunday was a day of thanks and Tony’s Tidbits football. Beaux, Barrett and I went to the Halloween XXX thank you recep- of Wisdom The holidays can be a stressful tion at the Marigny Opera House. This nice afternoon soiree was thrown for time of the year so I believe in doing hosts, benefactors and sponsors of everything possible to make your life this year’s successful event. There easier during the hustle and bustle of were people from Lazarus House on the season. Well, there is one way to
trodding the boards by Brian Sands
Email: bsnola2@hotmail.com
New in New York If you should find yourself heading up to New York for the holidays and have had your fill of the Rockettes and Christmas tree lightings, never fear, as always, there are many new opportunities for entertainment and culture in the Big Apple. Having been extended until Dedo this and help support a great cause at the same time. The NO/AIDS Task Force is once again doing their pie sale right before Turkey Day. Food For Friends will be selling pies for the Thanksgiving Holiday to help raise much needed funds for their home delivered meals and food pantry programs. They delivered over 39,000 meals in 2012 to homebound clients and distributed 125,000 pounds of groceries through the pantry. Unfortunately due to cuts in federal funding, only 20% of the cost of the home delivered meals program is covered. By purchasing pies from Food For Friend this holiday season, you will ensure that others do not sit down to an empty table on Thanksgiving. The money raised from the sale of just one pie can ensure that three people will not go hungry on this very important family centered holiday. Their clients are family. Each pie purchased means you are giving Food For Friends clients a meal to give thanks for.
cember 1, do try to see Fun Home at The Public Theater. This wondrous new musical is based on Alison Bechdel’s graphic memoir. It’s not giving anything away to say the gist of it is captured in her statement “Dad and I both grew up in the same small Penn[continued on 42] Food For Friends new kitchen is now open at 2903 Jefferson Avenue and will be baking pies in their own kitchen for the first time for the 6th Annual Food For Friends Holiday Pie Sale. They have an array to choose from - apple, pecan and pumpkin pies for your Thanksgiving feast. Each pie is only $15. The pie pick up dates are from 10am to 6pm on Tuesday, Nov. 26 and Wednesday, Nov. 27. If you purchase five pies or more, they will deliver to you if you are located in Jefferson or Orleans Parishes. To get your order form either email glen@noaidstaskforce.org, go online to www.noaidstaskforce.org or call 504.821.2601 ext. 254. Nothing could be sweeter for the holidays then buying these scrumptious pies for your holiday dinner and helping the NO/AIDS Task Force at the same time. If you have an event, story or idea, you want covered, contact me at ledgemgp@gmail.com.
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Mandeville LA [985] Shirley "Toni" McCord, CPA, #4 Sanctuary Blvd., Suite 304, 985.727.7797, www.tmccordcpa.com Metairie, LA [504] Shirley "Toni" McCord, CPA, 3925 N. I-10 Service Rd., Suite 215, 504.888.8333, www.tmccordcpa.com
alterations New Orleans, LA [504] Mr. Curtis Alterations, 529.3428
attorneys New Orleans, LA [504] Littlefield Law LLC, Attorney R. Kelp Littlefield, 639 Loyola Ave., Suite 1820, 504.525.1328 Tureau Legal, Troy A. Tureau , Attorney at Law, 8303 Pritchard Place, 70118, 504.602.9511, thelawprofessor@comcast.net
bars Mobile, AL [251] B-Bob's Downtown, 213 Conti St., 433.2262, B-Bobs.COM Flip Side Bar & Patio, 54 S. Conception St., 431.8819, FlipSideBarPatio.COM
bathhouse New Orleans, LA [504] Club New Orleans, 515 Toulouse, 581.2402, www.the-clubs.com
book stores New Orleans, LA [504] FAB - Faubourg Marigny Art & Books, 600 Frenchmen St., 947.3700 RT PA M RA
chiropractic New Orleans, LA [504] DR. MICHAEL LECHLEITER, D.C., 1526 Magazine, 566.1833 [is2313]
circuit/events
French Quarter/Faubourg Marigny/Bywater
accounting
CUTTER'S, 706 Franklin, 948.4200 THE DOUBLE PLAY, 439 Dauphine, 523.4517 THE FRIENDLY BAR, 2301 Chartres, 943.8929 GOLDEN LANTERN, 1239 Royal, 529.2860, Facebook.COM/GoldenLanternBar GOOD FRIENDS BAR, 740 Dauphine St, 566.7191, GoodFriendsBar.COM KAJUN'S PUB, 2256 St. Claude Ave., 947.3735, KajunPub.COM LE ROUNDUP, 819 St. Louis, 561.8340 MICHAEL'S ON THE PARK, 834 N. Rampart St., 267.3615, MichaelsOnThePark.COM NINTH CIRCLE, 700 N. Rampart, 252.4558 OZ NEW ORLEANS, 800 Bourbon, 593.9491, OzNewOrleans. COM PHOENIX/EAGLE, 941 Elysian Fields, 945.9264, NewOrleansPhoenix.COM RAWHIDE 2010, 740 Burgundy St., 525.8106, Rawhide2010.COM RAINBOW ROOM, 632 Bourbon St., enter thru Fishbowl, 994.1036, Facebook.COM/ rainbowroomonbourbon TROPICAL ISLE: Home of the Hand Grenade, 721 Bourbon St., 529.4109, TropicalIsle.COM VOODOO BAR, 718 N. Rampart, 265.0953 Slidell, LA [985] BILLY'S, 2600 Hwy. 190 West, 847.1921 Biloxi, MS [228] CLUB VEAUX, 834 Howard Ave., 207.3271 Houston, TX [713] NEON BOOTS DANCEHALL & SALOON, 11410 Hempstead Hwy., 677.0828, www.neonbootsclub.com
GABRIEL'S DOWNTOWN, 55 South Joachim St., 432.4900 THE MIDTOWN PUB, 153 Florida St., 450.1555 Pensacola, FL [850] EMERALD CITY, 408 E. Wright St., 433.9491, EmeraldCityPensacola.COM THE ROUNDUP, 560 East Heinberg St., 433.8482 Baton Rouge, LA [225] GEORGE'S, 860 St. Louis, 387.9798, HOUND DOGS, 668 Main St., 344.0807 SPLASH, 2183 Highland Rd., 242.9491, SplashBR.COM Lafayette, LA [337] BOLT NIGHTCLUB, 116 E. Vermillion, 524.1380 Lake Charles, LA [337] CRYSTAL'S, 112 W. Broad, 433.5457 Metairie, LA [504] 4-SEASONS / PATIO BAR, 3229 N. Causeway, 832.0659, 4seasonsno.com CLUB LAX, 2301 N. Causeway, 834.7979 New Orleans, LA [504] 700 CLUB, 700 Burgundy, 561.1095, BIG DADDY'S, 2513 Royal, 948.6288 BOURBON PUB & PARADE, 801 Bourbon St., 529.2107, BourbonPub.COM CAFÉ LAFITTE IN EXILE, 901 Bourbon Street 522.8397, Lafittes.COM CORNER POCKET, 940 St. Louis, 568.9829, CornerPocket.NET COUNTRY CLUB, 634 Louisa St., TheCountryClubNewOrleans.COM, 945.0742
Dec. 27, 2013-Jan. 1, 2014, Gay New Year's in New Orleans, New Orleans, LA, GayNewOrleans.COM Feb. 28-Mar. 4, 2014, Official Gay Mardi Gras, New Orleans, LA, sponsored by Ambush, GayMardiGras.COM Easter Sunday, April 20, 2014, 15th Official Gay Easter Parade, New Orleans, sponsored by Ambush, GayEasterParade.COM May 23-26, 2014 Memorial Day Weekend, Pensacola, FL, sponsored by Ambush, GayPensacola.COM Aug. 27-Sept. 1, 2014, 43rd Official Southern Decadence Celebration of Gay Life, Music & Culture, end of Summer Blowout including the Southern Decadence Parade & loads of activities, bringing over 150,000 revelers to New Orleans, LA, sponsored by Ambush & SouthernDecadence.COM Oct. 23-26, 2014, Halloween 31, benefiting Project Lazarus, New Orleans, LA, sponsored by AmbushMag.COM, HalloweenNewOrleans.COM
costumes New Orleans, LA [504] QT PIE BOUTIQUE - 241 Dauphine St., 581. 6633
florists Baton Rouge, LA [225] FOUR SEASONS FLOWERS & GIFTS, 3482 Drusilla Ln., Drusilla Shopping Center, 924.1386, 1.800.237.5381
framing New Orleans, LA [504] ANGLE CUSTOM FRAMES, 4422 Magazine St., 269.3726
galleries New Orleans, LA [504] Court Yard Gallery, 1129 Decatur, 330.0134
guides America Damron Travel Guide, 800.462.6654, www.damron.com Gulf South/United States AMBUSH Mag, 828-A Bourbon St., New Orleans, LA 70116-3137; 504.522.8049, AmbushMag.COM; marsha@ripandmarsha.com International GayBars.COM, 828-A Bourbon St., New Orleans, LA 70116-3137; 504.522.8049, marsha@ripandmarsha.com
groceries/delis New Orleans, LA [504] QUARTERMASTER DELI, THE NELLIE DELI, 1100 Bourbon, 529.1416
hair salons New Orleans, LA [504] BOBBY BLUE CONTEMPORARY BARBER & BEAUTY PARLOR, 906 Bourbon St., 527.5100 FEE & ARTS REVIVAL STUDIO, 834 Chartres, 917.318.4300 HEAD QUARTERS HAIR SALON, 900 Rue Dauphine, 522.2666 MICKEY NOLAN'S SALON, 815 Toulouse St., 587.7782 SALON D'MALTA, 1233 Decatur, 565.5555, SalonDMalta.COM
hardware New Orleans, LA [504] MARY'S FRENCH QUARTER HARDWARE, 732 N. Rampart, 529.4465
lodging/accommodations New Orleans [504] AARON INGRAM HAUS, 1012 Elysian Fields, New Orleans, LA 70117, PHONE: 504.949.3110, E-mail us at ingramhaus@yahoo.com. Condos with queensize beds, private entrances; located only six blocks from Bourbon Street and walking distance to most New Orleans attractions. Several favorite bars are within one block. [0713] BURGUNDY BED AND BREAKFAST, 2513 Burgundy St., New Orleans, LA 70117, PHONE/FAX: 504.942.1463, Toll Free (Continental US only): 1.800.970.2153, theburgundy.com, E-mail us at theburgundy@cox.net. Gay owned and operated in newly renovated 1890's double. Four guest rooms with private baths, guests' parlor and "halfkitchen", courtyard and half-open tubhouse with spa (hot tub/whirlpool). Clothing optional in sunbathing and hot tub area. Walking distance to French Quarter. Immediate vicinity of gay and lesbian bars/venues. [0813] Chateau LeMoyne French Quarter 301 Dauphine St., New Orleans, LA 70112, Phone: 504.581.1303, http:// www.hiclneworleanshotelsite.com/gay-hotelsnew-orleans. Enjoy a stay enriched with the culture and history of New Orleans at Chateau LeMoyne. Our historic building features all the best of old-time architecture and our prime location allows guests to stay just steps from the French Quarter, while still at enough distance to enjoy a peaceful night’s rest. Versatile guest accommodations include charmingly appointed suites and cottages, while on-site amenities include drinks and dining, a scenic courtyard area and pool, and meeting and event space. When you’re ready to explore, top New Orleans attractions are only moments away. We look forward to
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welcoming you to the “Big Easy.” THE FRENCH QUARTER GUEST HOUSES, 1005 St. Peter, New Orleans, LA 70116, Phone: 877-681-5087 frenchquarterguesthouses.com. Email: info@stpeterhouse.com. Four meticulously restored boutique Inns located in the heart of the French Quarter’s most popular LGBT neighborhood. Each building’s individual character and charm provides an unforgettably authentic French Quarter experience! FRENCH QUARTER SUITES HOTEL, 1119 North Rampart St, New Orleans, LA 70116, Phone 504.524.7725, Toll Free: 800.457.2253,FrenchQuarterSuites.COM. Email us at Reservations@bpmhotels.com. Official Host Hotel of OZ New Orleans. A locally owned and operated French Quarter hotel that has been beautifully transformed into spacious multi-bedroom suites. Several historical townhouses are also available to accommodate larger groups of up to 26. Just 3 blocks from Bourbon St., free WiFi, swimming pool, and continental breakfast included. Off street parking is available. MARIGNY MANOR HOUSE, 2125 N. Rampart St., New Orleans, LA 70116, PHONE: 504.943.7826, Toll Free: 877.247.7599, marignymanorhouse.com, E-mail us at info@MarignyManorHouse.COM. 1840’s Grand Greek Revival guest house, large spacious bedrooms, private baths, antique 4 poster queen beds, wireless internet access, tv/vcr/dvd/cable, telephone, complimentary continental breakfast and off street parking. [0114] NEW ORLEANS COURTYARD HOTEL, 1101 North Rampart St, New Orleans, LA 70116, Phone 504.522.7333, Toll Free: 800.457.2253, NOCourtyard.COM. Email us at Reservations@bpmhotels.com, Official Host Hotel of OZ New Orleans. A 19th century home that has been historically restored and transformed into a locally owned and operated hotel. Experience the rich history and hospitality of New Orleans at an affordable price. Just 3 blocks from Bourbon St, free Wi-Fi, swimming pool, and continental breakfast included. Off street parking is available. BON MAISON GUEST HOUSE, 835 Bourbon St., New Orleans, LA 70116, 504.561.8498 BOURGOYNE GUEST HOUSE, 839 Bourbon St., New Orleans, LA 70116, 504.524.3621
marketing & printing New Orleans, LA [504] SIR SPEEDY, 343 Carondelet, 586.9812, 586.9817, offering printing and marketing services including web design and hosting. info@sirspeedyneworleans.com, sirspeedyneworleans.com
massage New Orleans, LA [504] RIGHT TOUCH MASSAGE -- Christopher - Full body therapeutic massage (Swedish/Deep Tissue); heated table; private studio; tropical garden; Faubourg Marigny Area, French Quarter. Upgrade (Salt Scrubs Bodywork & Thai/Sport Stretching massage). Call/text 504.458.5996 / For pictures http://www.christophernola.com. License #LA4553 [is2613]
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 10am5pm 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 10am-4:45pm LONGUE VUE HOUSE AND GARDENS, 7 Bamboo Rd, Metairie, 488.5488, Mon-Sat 10am4:30pm, 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, Tues-Sun 10am-5pm OGDEN MUSEUM OF SOUTHERN ART, 925 Camp St., 539.9600 OLD U.S. MINT, 400 Esplanade, Tues-Sun 10am-5pm PRESBYTERE, 751 Chartres, Jackson Square, Tues-Sun 10am-5pm ST. LOUIS CATHEDRAL, Jackson Square, Mon-Sat 9am-5pm, Sun 1:30-5pm
music
media
New Orleans [504] SKULLY'Z RECORDZ, 907 Bourbon St., 592.4666
New Orleans, LA [504] AMBUSH Mag, Official Gay Easter Parade Guide, Official Gay Mardi Gras Guide, Official Gay New Orleans Guide, Official Gulf South Guide, Official Pride 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
organizations
museum/arts Baton Rouge, LA [225] LOUISIANA ARTS AND SCIENCE CENTER / RIVERSIDE MUSEUM, 100 S. River Road, 344.5272 LOUISIANA GOVERNOR'S MANSION,
Mobile, AL ALABAMA PRIDE FEST, MobileAlabamaPride.COM 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 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 BROTHERHOOD, INC., To decrease the spread of AIDS and HIV among African Americans, 1661 Canal St., Suite 3230, 70112; 566.7955 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 GAY EASTER PARADE, 828-A Bourbon St., 70116-3137, 504.522.8049, info@gayeasterparade.com, GayEasterParade.COM GAY MARDI GRAS, 828-A Bourbon St., 70116-3137, 504.522.8049, GayMardiGras.COM GAY NEW ORLEANS, 828-A Bourbon St., 70116-3137, 504.522.8049, GayNewOrleans.COM HALLOWEEN IN NEW ORLEANS, INC., PO Box 52171, 70152-2171; halloween neworleans.com/ambush HATE CRIMES NATIONAL HOTLINE, 206.350.HATE (4283), National Domestic Violence Hotline at 800.799.SAFE (7233), Hate Crimes Hotline at the U.S. Commission on Civil Rights 800.552.6843
KREWE OF AMON-RA, PO Box 7033, Metairie, LA 70010, KreweOfAmonRa.COM KREWE OF ARMEINIUS, PO Box 56638, New Orleans, LA 70156-6638, kreweofarmeinius.org KREWE OF MWINDO, PO Box 51031, 70156; 913.5791, KreweOfMwindo.ORG, krewe@kreweofmwindo.org KREWE OF PETRONIUS, 1701 Frenchmen St., New Orleans, LA. 70116 KreweOfPetronius.ORG, petronius1961@cox.net KREWE OF QUEENATEENAS / KING CAKE QUEEN ROYALTY CLUB, 828-A Bourbon St., 70116-3137, 522.8049, GayMardiGras.COM/KCQ KREWE OF URSUS, kreweofursus@aol.com LaCARP [Louisiana Community AIDS Research Program], 584.1971 LA-LIFT, Social Club for Lesbians, age 50+, who have fun together on weekends. E-mail: armyvet20@webtv.net LAMBDA CENTER, 831 Elysian Fields Ave., 70117 LEAGUE OF WOMEN VOTERS OF NEW ORLEANS, 234 Loyola, Suite 421, 70112; 581.9106 LORDS OF LEATHER, P.O. Box 770435, New Orleans, LA 70117-4035, LordsOfLeather.COM Metropolitan Community Church of New Orleans , Interim Pastor Gail Minnick , Service time: Sundays 5pm, 1333 South Carrollton Ave., New Orleans, LA 70118, 504.270.1MCC, www.MCCNewOrleans.COM, Pastor @MCCNewOrleans.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, 2443 Halsey Ave., New Orleans, LA 70114, 504.906.7990 Todd J. Blauvelt / Secretary, krewe.of.satyricon@gmail.com, MysticKreweOfSatyricon.COM NEW ORLEANS BEAR AND BEAR TRAPPER SOCIAL CLUB, P.O. Box 57756, New Orleans, LA 70157-7756, 504.452.3564, theneworleansbears.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 PEOPLE OF SUBSTANCE, INC. (POS), 7210 Arbor Dr., 70126, 244.1920, posnola.com PFLAG/NO [Parents & Friends of Lesbians & Gays/ New Orleans], PO Box 15515, 70175; 895.3936, 392.0001, pflagno.org, info@pflagno.org PRIDE NEW ORLEANS CELEBRATION NOLAPride.ORG PROJECT LAZARUS, A Residence for PWAs, PO Box 3906, 70177-3906; 949.3609 REGIONALAIDS INTERFAITH NETWORK [RAIN], 523.3755 RENEGADE BEARS OF LOUISIANA, PO Box 3083, New Orleans, LA 70177; renegadebearsoflouisiana@gmail.com SOFTBALL LEAGUE – Great fun for all skill levels, beginner to advanced. Visit nolasoftball.com for full details and find us on Facebook. SOUTHERN DECADENCE, 828-A Bourbon St., 70116-3137, 504.522.8049, SouthernDecadence.COM ST. ANNA'S EPISCOPAL CHURCH, 1313 Esplanade Avenue New Orleans, LA 70116 947.2121, stannanola.org 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] PHILADELPHIA CENTER, PO Box 44454, 71134-4454; 222.6633
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trodding the boards ...from 39 sylvania town. And he was gay, and I was gay, and he killed himself, and I became a lesbian cartoonist.” Yet the journey that book writer/ lyricist Lisa Kron and composer Jeanine Tesori lead us through to get to that resolution is remarkable. Kron, who first came to fame as a member of the Five Lesbian Brothers, brings out both humor and family tension with an incredible empathy and understanding for what each of the characters is going through. What could turn melodramatic instead always has the authentic sheen of life lived. Kron’s lyrics are witty but also probing as in a late second act lament for Alison’s mother, brilliantly sung by Judy Kuhn. In what’s probably a first, twelve-year-old Alison (there’s also an adult and college age version of her each played by a different actress) gets to sing about her crush on a deliverywoman; Sydney Lucas, superb throughout, renders this number with utmost panache. I often wish modern musicals’ scores would contain more hummable songs. While that does apply to Fun Home, Tesori’s score so richly and YWCAAIDS MINORITY COMMUNITY OUTREACH, 700 Pierre Ave., 71103; 226.8717
pets New Orleans, LA [504] DR. MIKE'S ANIMAL HOUSE, 1120 N. Rampart, 523.4455
pharmacy 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.AvitaPharmacy.COM. New Orleans, LA [504] MUMFREY'S PHARMACY, 1021 W. Judge Perez Dr., Chalmette, LA 70043, 504.279.6312, www.MumfreysPharmacy.COM. Supporting & serving the LGBT Community for over 20 years. Local pharmacy offering personalized family-like service, automatic refills & free metro wide confidential pickup & delivery. Also offering shipping for out-side our delivery area. When you call us you speak to a person, not a machine. See our ad.
photography New Orleans, LA [504] Arthur Severio Photography, 834 Chartres, New Orleans, LA 70116, 917.318.4300, ArthurSeverio.COM GRAHAM/STUDIO ONE NEW ORLEANS, by appointment, grahamstudioone.com
real estate New Orleans, LA [504] Gay-Owned Agency — New Orleans Relocation LLC, Mark Boline, Realtor/Broker, mark@nolarelo.com, 504.273.0088, 1027 Touro Street, New Orleans, LA 70116. Visit NOLArelo.com to search all NOLA properties for sale. Latter & Blum INC/French Quarter, Steve Richards, LGBT Realtor, 712 Orleans @ Royal, Cell: 504.258.1800, Office: 504.529.8140,
variedly conveys the underlining emotions of Kron’s lyrics, that I didn’t mind that the melodies didn’t linger; I suspect they might with repeated listenings. Using a rotating stage, Director Sam Gold shifts scenes imaginatively and with cinematic flair, often having more than one action occurring on stage yet always clearly delineating them. While the entire cast is exceptional, Michael Cerveris, Tony winner for Assassins and part-time resident of Treme, gives what might possibly be his finest performance in an already distinguished career. As a high school English teacher, proprietor of the family funeral home and closeted gay man, Cerveris balances with perfect precision endearing bonhomie, persnickety perfectionism, eruptive anger, and tidal waves of longing and desperation under a seemingly placid surface. There’s talk of Fun Home moving to Broadway. It should, but don’t take the risk that this groundbreaking production won’t. Already breaking ground on Broadway is Matilda at The Shubert Theatre. This Royal Shakespeare Company production transfers Roald Dahl’s book to the stage with boundless invention. Working with the fantastic set and Website: www.SteveRichardsProperties.com, Email: SRichards@LatterBlum.com LATTER & BLUM, Agent Brian M. Pawlowski, brianrealtor@aol.com, Agent Stace McDonald, stacerealtor@aol.com, 840 Elysian Fields, 451.2495
restaurants Mandeville, LA [985] The Po-Boy Shack, 1703 N. Causeway Blvd., 626.1303 New Orleans, LA [504] Borracho @ Kajun's Pub, 2256 St. Claude, 267.6108. Clover Grill, 900 Bourbon St., 598.1010, CloverGrill.COM Country Club Restaurant, 634 Louisa St., TheCountryClubNewOrleans.COM, 945.0742 Deanie's Seafood, French Quarter: 841 Iberville, 581.4141; Bucktown: 1713 Lake Ave., Metairie, 831.1316; Deanies.COM Fatoush Mediterranean Grill, Coffee House & Juice Bar, 2372 St. Claude Ave., #130, FatoushRestaurantNOLA.COM, 504.371.5074 Gene's Po-Boys, 1040 Elysian Fields, 943.3861 Krystal, 116 Bourbon at Canal, 523.4030 Lil Vic's Rosticceria, 719 Toulouse, 304.1238 Louisiana Pizza Kitchen, 95 French Market Pl., 522.9500 Mona Lisa Restaurant, 1212 Royal St., 522.6746 Organic Banana, 1100 N. Peters, Bay 27, 587.7903 Orleans Grapevine Wine Bar & Bistro, 720 Orleans Quartermaster: The Nellie Deli, 1100 Bourbon St. , 529.1416, QuartermasterDeli.NET The Ruby Slipper, 2001 Burgundy, 525.9355, TheRubySlipperCafe.Net
retail/shopping New Orleans, LA [504] BOURBON PRIDE, 909 Bourbon, 566.1570 HIT PARADE, 741 Bourbon St., Facebook.COM/HitParadeNOLA MARY'S FRENCH QUARTER KITCHEN
costume designer Rob Howell, Director Matthew Warchus transforms the Shubert into a battleground between the forces of ignorance and enlightenment, and entrances the audience in the process. Matilda, a bookish and vastly intelligent girl, is rejected by her dunderhead parents who venerate money, stupidity and crassness. As she challenges them and Miss Trunchbull, the horrible headmistress of her school, she engages them in an epic battle of dark vs. light. The result may be predictable but the path to get there is filled with visual splendor and lots of fun. Dennis Kelly’s book could’ve been trimmed a wee bit but otherwise creates a delightful lot of classmate allies for Matilda, neither snarky malcontents nor goody-two-shoes. Tim Minchin’s songs amuse and charm; When I Grow Up is still enjoyably running through my mind. Can’t wait to listen to the original Broadway cast CD! Of the four rotating Matilda’s, I saw Oona Lawrence, pint-sized but with the pipes of a pro and a suitably serious mien; you really do believe she has magic in her veins. As her nogoodnik father, Gabriel Ebert, he of rubberlimbed dexterity, amply deserved his Tony Award for Best Featured Actor in a Musical. Chris Hoch, newly installed as Trunchbull, delights in his malignity as the kind of schoolteacher who’ll & BATH, 732 N. Rampart, 529.4465 PANDA BEAR, 415 Bourbon St., 529.8064 QT PIE BOUTIQUE - 241 Dauphine St., 581. 6633 RAB DAB CLOTHING AND GIFTS, 918 Royal St., 525.6662 SECOND SKIN LEATHER, 521 St. Philip, 561.8167 XXX SHOP EROTIC BOUTIQUE, 1835 N. Rampart St., 232.3063
spas New Orleans, LA [504] Club New Orleans, 515 Toulouse, 581.2402, www.the-clubs.com Planet Beach, A Contempo Spa, 301 Burgundy St., 525.8266, PlanetBeach.COM Skin Science, 3213 17th St., Metairie, LA 70002, 504.309.7048, SkinScienceLLC.COM
theatres New Orleans, LA [504] ALLWAYS LOUNGE & THEATRE, 2240 St Claude Ave., TheAllwaysLounge.NET CAFE ISTANBUL, 2372 St. Claude Ave., #140, 504.974.0786, CafeIstanbulNOLA.COM MAHALIA JACKSON THEATRE OF PERFORMING ARTS, 801 N. Rampart, Armstrong Park, mahaliajacksontheater.com, 525.1052 MID-CITY THEATRE, 3240 Toulouse, 488.1460, MidCityTheatre.COM NEW ORLEANS FRINGE FESTIVAL, NOFringe.ORG Slidell, LA [985 CUTTING EDGE THEATER, 742 Robert Blvd., 649.3727, CuttingEdgeTheater,COM
tours New Orleans, LA [504] Creole Queen Paddlewheeler, 1 Poydras @ Riverwalk, 529.4567, CreoleQueen.COM Gay New Orleans Walking Tour, Crescent City Tour Booking Agency, 638 St. Ann St., 568.0717. follow Gay New Orleans Walking Tour @ Facebook.COM
haunt you for the rest of your life. And all the kids in the show are a joy to behold. There’s a good deal of joy over at the Walter Kerr Theatre where A Gentleman’s Guide to Love & Murder recently opened. And why not? Someone’s getting away with murder. Inspired by the same novel as the classic British movie Kind Hearts and Coronets, Gentleman’s Guide uses the film’s device of having all the victims (don’t feel too bad for them; they’re a bunch of snooty British aristocrats who have denied the hero, Monty, of his birthright) played by the same actor. Rather than the cinema’s Alec Guinness, here it’s Jefferson Mays, Tony winner for I Am My Own Wife, in another splendid turn. Deftly directed by Darko Tresnjak, using Aaron Rhyne’s ingenious projections, Gentleman’s Guide looks great thanks to Alexander Dodge’s music hall set, Linda Cho’s Edwardian costumes, and Philip S. Rosenberg’s colorful lighting. Yet while this cute and pleasant enough show is hard not to like, it is equally difficult to love. It chugs along for over two and a half hours (the movie ran 1 3/4 hours) with some agreeable, but hardly memorable numbers. Robert L. Freedman & Steven Lutvak’s lyrics are well-crafted but all of Lutvak’s tunes have the same music hall feel, accomplished, yes, but none that raise the show’s temperature. Freedman’s book is equally pleasant but would’ve benefitted from an infusion of Oscar Wildean wit. Bryce Pinkham’s Monty, timid by nature, is kinda wallflowery in the first act before turning into a cad in Act Two. It’s a well-done performance, though by its nature doesn’t leave much of an impression. The ingenues do, however. Lauren Worsham, as Monty’s distant, brainy cousin, is a pleasingly atypical love interest; you find yourself rooting for her. Lisa O’Hare’s Sibella, who’s terribly fond of Monty but expects her men to have money, is suitably sexy and with her throaty voice (even when singing!) conjures up memories of the divine Joan Greenwood, the Sibella on screen. While my seat on the side aisle was fine, a center section view is slightly preferable. Still, the best place to see Gentleman’s Guide, may be backstage to watch how Mays lightningquickly changes from one Lord into another! Another transformation can be seen a few blocks away at Discovery Times Square, one of life to death and, miraculously, back to (almost) life again. At Body Worlds: Pulse, through plastination, a process invented by German anatomist Gunther von Hagens in 1977, cadavers are stripped of skin and then preserved so that muscles, [continued on 43]
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trodding the boards ...from 42 bones and organs can be seen. Strange? Yup. But once you get past the “ick” factor, it’s a fascinating exhibit. About a dozen of these, um, statues dominate the show. In some cases they are whole, in others they have been sliced or taken apart in various ways so you can get an even better view of the body’s inner workings. Mostly men, there are a few women, including a pregnant woman whose fetus can also be observed. (Don’t worry; apparently all of these came from people who donated their bodies for such preservation and display.) The first presentation of a man holding his own skin, the body’s largest organ, is probably the weirdest. After that, looking at such poses as Tai Chi Man or Javelin Man, though it is almost hard to believe what you’re actually seeing, you kinda get used to the displays whose colors bring to mind raw bacon. Except, that is, for The Smoker whose lungs have turned black. What then becomes even more interesting is the accompanying exhibition that features nearly every part of us. From our ears’ ossicles, the three smallest bones in the human body, to male and female genitals, Body Worlds may not be for the faint of heart but as it goes along organ by organ it becomes one of the most educative experiences I’ve had in a long time. A brain with all its nerve fibers hanging down appears almost like a jellyfish. By dying the arteries in the skull bright red, we see the incredible network of them that sustains our brain; 10 seconds without oxygen and you’re in big trouble. And who knew what the
placenta of identical twins looked like? As it turns out, Body Worlds is more scientific than lurid, though its entreaties to eat right, exercise and avoid stress, valid as they are, do take on the tone of an elementary school health program after a while. A neighboring exhibit (there’s a separate admission price however) provides some relief after the intensity of Body Worlds. The Art of the Brick features sculptures by Nathan Sawaya made from Lego bricks. The first few rooms offer recreations of famous paintings like Whistler’s Mother, Munch’s The Scream and Klimt’s The Kiss. Very cool as are sculptures like Michelangelo’s David and Degas’ Little Dancer. Then we get into Sawaya’s own creations. They’re certainly impressive achievements, but their underlying philosophy was a little too precious, with their inspirational touchy-feely messages, for me. Best to stick to Body Worlds for an experience you’ll never forget.
parents, he forgets to tell them one very important detail, that Les is Black. (Byrdie’s, 2422 St. Claude Ave.) In Chard Gonzalez Dance Theatre’s Suck You and Your Little Archetype, Too you get to choose whether you’ll be a participant or voyeur in this “vampire ritual”. Vampira, Draculette, and Muffy the Vampire Player will be there plus The Lizard of Odd, Dorky Gayle, and the Wicked Bitches of the West. And blood, but it’ll probably be fake. (NOCCA Courtyard, 2800 Chartres St.) Happenstance Theater’s Cabaret Macabre is a series of dark, comic vignettes inspired by the illustrations of Edward Gorey. Live music and physical comedy combine in a theatrical collage of Victorian nightmares, gothic romance, dangerous croquet, and perils of the deep. (Marigny Opera House, 725 St. Ferdinand St.) Puppets, people and a live band collide in Rails, a dark comedy which follows honest, reliable, and a bit slouched Wilbur Burland as he uncovers crooked dealings and battles a
New Orleans Fringe Festival at Various Venues It’s back! For a sixth time, New Orleans Fringe Festival will offer five fabulous days stuffed with theater, dance, circus arts, spoken word, puppetry, burlesque, etc., etc. Here’s a brief look at some of the shows coming our way. Actor/comedian Les Kurkendaal’s one man show Christmas in Bakersfield is an updated version of Guess Who’s Coming to Dinner? because when Mike brings boyfriend Les home to meet his very right wing Caucasian
Les Kuykendall in Christmas in Bakersfield
mysterious femme fatale. (Siberia, 2227 St. Claude Ave.) 50 HEARTBREAKS (AND I’M STILL IN LOVE WITH YOUkraine) is a dance-theater show that weaves together a collage of kitschy dances set to 1960s breakup songs, mournful Ukrainian ballads, stop-action animation, old family photographs, cardboard paintings, and gruesome history lessons to tell a story of a family split apart during WWII. (Old Firehouse, 720 Mandeville St.) Miri Hunter Haruach stars in Grandmothers of the Universe which follows one woman’s journey as she explores her multicultural identity that includes Native American, African American, Yemenite, and European ancestry. (The Shadowbox Theatre, 2400 St. Claude Ave.) Plus there’s OBSCURA: A Magic Show, Christian Cagigal’s evening of sleight of hand, dark fables and strange happenings (Mardi Gras Zone Warehouse on Architect St.); Speed Killed My Cousin, a new play about an African-American female soldier who returns from Iraq with post-traumatic stress disorder (Ashé Cultural Arts Center, 1712 Oretha Castle Haley Blvd.); and The Rendez-Vous, Krin Haglund’s solo-show cocktail of aerial feats, acrobatics, a Cyr wheel, inappropriate characters, all inspired by Haglund’s love of the 1920s, Dorothy Parker, Kermit the Frog, and the limitless poetic potential of the circus. (Den of Muses, Architect Street (Lakeside)) WOW! Start your engines and get ready to be exhilarated, excited, exhausted and maybe even exfoliated. After all, it’s the Fringe—anything can happen!!
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The Rea featured
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Emerald City Employee Turnabout & More! ~ Pensacola, Florida ~ Photos by Lauren Mitchell
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