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the "official" dish by Rip & Marsha Naquin-Delain Email: marsha@ripandmarsha.com
Your Gay Mardi Gras Guide
27th Official Gay Mardi Gras Bead Toss Led by King Cake Queen XXI Barbara Ella March 4 King Cake Queen XXI Barbara Ella will lead the 27th Annual Official Gay Mardi Gras Bead Toss celebrating Rome, Royalty & Intrigue on Mardi Gras, March 4th at 2pm ish. Hosted on the world famous Ambush Mansion balcony at 828 Bourbon Street, "The Borghese Queen" will lead the Krewe
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
The big weekend is finally here as New Orleans and the Gulf South braces OFFICE/SHIPPING ADDRESS: for Mardi Gras 2014! As your official Gay Mardi Gras guide, Ambush brings to 828-A Bourbon St., New Orleans, LA 70116-3137 you the excitement which makes this holiday wild. From world class DJs, mega USA star entertainers and contests at Oz, and the Bourbon Pub & Parade in New OFFICE HOURS: 10am-3pm Monday-Friday [Except Holidays] Orleans; to even more contests of every kind at Email: marsha@ripandmarsha.com Cafe Lafitte In Exile, Good Friends Bar, Lucky PHONE: 1.504.522.8049 Pierre's, Corner Pocket, and Kajun's Pub; plus ANNUAL READERSHIP OVER 1 MILLION: more shows at The Golden Lantern, Michael's On 260,000+ in print/780,000+ On-line CIRCULATION: The Park, and Rainbow Room; it's a non stop Alabama-Mobile holiday. But don't forget all of the club action at the Florida - Pensacola Phoenix with the Lords of Leather, Renegade Louisiana - Baton Rouge, Lafayette, Lake Charles, Metairie, New Orleans, Slidell Bears of Louisiana, and Big Easy Sisters; and the Mississippi - Bay St. Louis, Biloxi New Orleans Bears at Mag's; plus Rawhide's Texas - Houston STAFF: famous Mardi Gras Blackout Party. And there's PUBLISHER/EDITOR ever more parties at The Club New Orleans, R. Rip Naquin-Delain, New Orleans Country Club, Double Play, Le Roundup, Voodoo PRODUCTION DIRECTOR M. Marsha Naquin-Delain, New Orleans Bar, and Tropical Isle. On top of that practically GULF SOUTH/NEW ORLEANS AD SALES every bar has hot dancers all weekend long. Rip Naquin-Delain • 504.522.8049 But you have to keep up your strength so make NEW ORLEANS AD SALES Paul Melancon 504.357.8440 time to eat at our favorites: Borracho, Clover Grill, THEATRE/PERFORMING ARTS CRITIC Country Club, Fatoush, Mona Lisa, Orleans GrapeBrian Sands King Cake Queen XXI Barbara Ella, "The Borghese Queen" vine, and Quartermaster, The Nellie Deli. And when AD REPS/JOURNALISTS/PHOTOGRAPHERS Frank Joseph, Charles Jenkins, Tony Leggio, in New Orleans you have to go shopping at Bourbon Pride, C.O.K. (Clothing or. of Queenateenas tossing thousands of Frank Perez, Arthur Severio, Kink), Hit Parade, Mary's French Quarter Kitchen & Bath, Panda Bear, QT Pie, Rev. Bill Terry-New Orleans beads to the throngs below following Rab Dab, Second Skin, Skully'z Recordz, and XXX Shop Erotic Boutique. Bob Brunson, MIss Cie & John, Leon Weekleythe 50th Annual Bourbon Street Awards. Mobile, AL Get great hair styles at Bobby Blue, Head Quarters, and Salon D'Malta. And The exclusive party brings 10 guests Lauren Mitchell-Pensacola, FL for your health needs there is Avita Drugs Specialized Pharmacy and Mumfrey's National Advertising Rep: of the queen together with 40 guests of Pharmacy. If you're looking for real estate check out Latter & Blum's Stace Rivendell Media 212.242.6863 Queenateenas' Co-Captains Rip and Ambush Mag is published on alternate TuesMcDonald, and Steve Richards. Ambush has it all. Marsha Naquin-Delain for the festivi- days of each month by Ambush, Inc., R. Rip Naquinties including several members of the Delain, President. Advertising, Copy & Photo DEADLINE is alternate Tuesdays, 4pm, prior to publication King Cake Queen Royalty Club. Guests week, accepted via e-mail only: Oz & Ambush Mag host 50th Annual Bourbon will enjoy an open bar and scrumptious marsha@ripandmarsha.com, except for special holiStreet Awards Worth $3,000 in Cash Prizes Mardi Gras red beans and rice with an days. The Publisher assumes no responsibility for The 50th Annual Bourbon Street Awards show, the ultimate costume contest, assortment of other culinary delights, the claims of advertisers and has the right to reject advertising. The inclusion of an individual's name is set for Mardi Gras day, March 4th at 12noon. Johnny Chisholm and Oz New and of course, Antoine's cream cheese any or photograph in this publication implies nothing Orleans, as well as Ambush Mag brings about that individual's sexual orientation. Letters, filled King Cake. stories, etc., appearing herein are not necessarily us this fantastic contest. Award catThe co-captains will be watching the opinion of the Publisher or Staff of AMBUSH Mag. egory prizes are worth a total of $3,000! closely to see which guest exhibits the Subscription rate is $45 for 1/2 Year; $75 for 1 year. Categories include: Best Drag, Best most enthusiasm and expertise in bead Sample Copy is $3 First Class Mail. ©1982-2014, AMBUSH, INC.,ALL RIGHTS RELeather, Best Group and Best of Show toss techniques. That person will reign SERVED. NOTHING HEREIN MAY BE REPROwith 1st, 2nd and 3rd places in each next year as queen, the only qualifica- DUCED WITHOUT WRITTEN PERMISSION OF category. First place in each category THE PUBLISHER INCLUDINGAD LAYOUTS, MAPS tion to become King Cake Queen. and PHOTOS. AMgrant - AMbush Advertising Grant wins $500 cash. The Best Overall CosThe King Cake Queen Royalty Club Donation tume, the grandest award of all, garincludes: ners a whopping $1,000 cash prize. KCQ II & KCQ Emeritus: Jewel of Douglas/1997 Celebrity emcees will feature the the Nile, Jay A. Loomis/1995 KCQ V: The She Devil, Elizabeth talents of current RuPaul Drag Race KCQ III: The Rainbow Queen, the Simms/1998 Contestant Bianca Del Rio and Oz’s late Smurf Murphy/1996 own Blanche Debris. [continued on 6] KCQ IV: Pearl of the Sea, Reba In 2009, for the first time in 23 years, the contest actually took place St. Patrick's Day/MG Highlights issue out March 11 back on Bourbon Street. Since 2002, >DEADLINE: Wed., March 5 Oz New Orleans has presented the contest on St. Ann at Bourbon. 2009 easter feature 30 obiturary/pat "estelle" ritter 6 saw the contest outside Oz on Bourbon Street down from Ambush headquarters 15th gay easter parade 32 49th amon-ra ball paparazzi 10 at 828 Bourbon. The awards were previously held outside of Cafe Lafitte in Exile king cake queen coronation pics 34 12th satyricon ball paparazzi 12 on Bourbon until 1985 when it was moved to the corner of Burgundy and St. Ann king cake queen coronation pics 36 celebrazzi 14 outside of Rawhide in 1986. under the gaydar 38 gay new orleans history, carnival feat. 16 a community within communities 40 king cake queen coronation pics 22 The parade of costumes will originate down Bourbon at Dumaine passing trodding the boards 41 king cake queen celebrazzi 24 both Cafe Lafitte in Exile and Clover Grill, the original site of the awards, heading ambush paparazzi/nola, slidell, met. 44 gay mardi gras proclamation 25 past Ambush headquarters towards Oz at 800 Bourbon. ambush paparazzi/new orleans 46 circuit spotlight 26 The Bourbon Street Awards, now entering its fifth decade, has hosted some 50th bourbon street awards 47 classifieds 28 of the most exciting and extravagant Mardi Gras costumes ever seen. The 50th Gulf South Entertainment/Travel Guide Since 1982 Annual Bourbon Street Awards will be “The Best Free Show of Mardi Gras.” 828-A Bourbon St. • New Orleans, LA 70116-3137 • 504.522.8049 marsha@ripandmarsha.com
inside
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the "official" dish ...from 4 KCQ VI: The Czarina, the late Christine Cheridon/1999 KCQ VII: Sex Goddess, Stephanie Williams/2000 KCQ VIII: The Peacock Queen, Phyllis Denmark/2001 KCQ IX: The Freedom Queen, Lisa Beaumann/2002 KCQ X: The Voodoo Queen, TerylLynn Foxx/2003 KCQ XII: The Amazon Queen, Savanna DeLorean/2005 KCQ XIII: The Diamond Queen, Raven Kennedy/2006 KCQ XIV: The Fantasy Queen, Princesse Stephaney/2007 KCQ XV: The Fleur de Lis Queen, Marsha Naquin-Delain/2008 KCQ XVI: The Grandee Queen, Tami Tarmac/2009 KCQ XVII: The Parisian Queen, Opal Masters/2010 KCQ XVIII: The Chrysthemum Queen, Rona Conners/2011 KCQ XIX: The Samba Queen, Nicole DuBois/2012 KCQ XX: The Platinum Queen, Dusty Debris/2013 Visit www.GayMardiGras.com/ KCQ for additional information.
obituary
Gay Mardi Gras Season in Full Swing From fabulous balls and parties, to spectacular events, it's here for all to enjoy. All of the balls are by invitation with balcony seats available for purchase when available. (www.GayMardiGras.com) The remaining schedule includes: Friday, Feb. 28th ~9pm-12midnight, Friday Night Before Mardi Gras Extravaganza XV, Audubon Tea Room, New Orleans ~9pm-2am, Lords of Leather presents Night of the Black Mask Beer Bust, Phoenix/Eagle, Elysian Fields @ N. Rampart, New Orleans Saturday, March 1st ~9pm, Krewe of Armeinius Bal Masque XLVI, Frederick J. Sigur Civic Center, Chalmette Sunday, March 2nd ~8pm, Lords of Leather Bal Masque XXXI, Frederick J. Sigur Civic Center, Chalmette MARDI GRAS (Fat Tuesday), March 4th ~12noon, 50th Annual Bourbon Street Awards, Oz, Corner of St. Ann at 800 Bourbon St. ~2pm - 27th Annual Official Gay Mardi Gras Bead Toss led by King Cake Queen XXI of Gay Mardi Gras Barbara Ella, Ambush Headquarters Balcony, 828 Bourbon St.
Lambda Legal Files Federal Lawsuit Against Louisiana Insurers for Dumping People with HIV including BCBS
Pat "Estelle" Ritter July 7, 1956-Feb. 19, 2014 Rest in peace Pat “Estelle” Ritter, 2001 Southern Decadence Grand Marshal XXIX who passed away unexpectedly on Feb. 19, 2014. He led the 28th Southern Decadence Parade with CoGrand Marshals Bianca Del Rio and “Big” Rick Thomas. It was the first and only time three grand marshals have led the parade celebrating their theme - “Menage a Trois;” with colors - purple, pink and red; and “Lady Marmalade” as the chosen song. (Photo courtesy of www.SouthernDecadence.com) The family is in the process of making arrangements for a memorial and celebration of life to occur after Mardi Gras. Ambush will keep you posted.
Lambda Legal filed a federal class action discrimination lawsuit in U.S. District Court for the Middle District of Louisiana against BlueCross BlueShield of Louisiana (BCBS), which will no longer accept the federally-funded premium subsidies that enable low-income Louisianans living with HIV to purchase health insurance. Two other insurers included as defendants—Louisiana Health Cooperative and Vantage Health Plan—are also following the lead of Louisiana’s largest insurer, BCBS. Lambda Legal is seeking an emergency injunction to force all three defendants to accept the premium payments and to provide health insurance until the lawsuit is heard. “The situation is urgent. Refusing federal funds that provide life-saving care to people living with HIV could potentially affect thousands of lowincome Louisiana residents,” said Scott Schoettes, HIV Project Director at Lambda Legal. “This discriminatory policy keeps low-income people living with HIV off of BlueCross BlueShield’s insurance rolls, perpetuating the deliberate insurance industry practice of denying coverage to those living with HIV that the Affordable Care Act was designed to reverse. Continuous coverage is critical for people living with
HIV. The health care crisis these insurers have created must be stopped.” Lambda Legal filed today’s lawsuit on behalf of John East, a part-time worker in the hospitality industry, and other low-income Louisianans living with HIV. East, a 59-year-old New Orleans man insured by BCBS for nearly 30 years, learned in mid-January that BCBS would no longer accept the federal Ryan White subsidies for which he qualifies. Without the subsidies, East will not be able to afford his medical care and HIV medications. Lambda Legal’s lawsuit follows earlier efforts— including complaints filed with the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Office of Civil Rights—to persuade the insurers to continue accepting federal Ryan White premium subsidies. The New Orleans AIDS Task Force is assisting in this advocacy. “I couldn’t believe it when I was told BCBS would no longer accept my Ryan White insurance subsidies,” East said. “What am I supposed to do now? I’ve been with BCBS for 29 years. I paid my premiums that whole time, and now they are finding a way to dump me just because I’m living with HIV. I need these medications to stay healthy, so that I can continue to work and contribute to my community.” The Louisiana Ryan White Health Insurance Program is a federally-funded program that functions as the payer of last resort, helping low-income individuals living with HIV purchase health insurance they could not otherwise afford. Beginning this month, BCBS of Louisiana abruptly stopped accepting Ryan White premium subsidies, from current policyholders and new enrollees alike. Lambda Legal sent a letter to BCBS of Louisiana on January 27, 2014, asking that the insurance provider reverse its policy change and resume accepting Ryan White premium subsidies or explain the rationale for its abrupt and harmful policy shift. Lambda Legal requested a response by January 30, 2014, but BCBS of Louisiana never responded. Lambda Legal attorneys Kenneth Upton, Scott Schoettes and Susan Sommer are handling the case, joined by pro-bono co-counsel Jeffrey J. Bushofsky, Timothy R. Farrell, Amanda R. Phillips, and Anthony C. Biagioli of Ropes & Gray LLP; and Harry Rosenberg of Phelps Dunbar LLP. AIDSLaw of Louisiana is also assisting with advocacy in this matter. The case is East v. BlueCross BlueShield of Louisiana.
Hattiesburg Passes Resolution Recognizing LGBT Residents Hattiesburg, Mississippi unanimously passed a resolution recognizing the dignity and worth of all city residents – including those who are lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender
(LGBT). Hattiesburg is the second Mississippi municipality to pass such a resolution in the past month, with the city of Starkville taking similar action last month. Human Rights Campaign President Chad Griffin issued the following statement: “Amid a growing number of victories for equality across the country, city leaders in Hattiesburg tonight chose to send a powerful message to their residents that all people are worthy of dignity and respect. When local leaders like Mayor Johnny DuPree and members of the city council affirm the inherent value of LGBT people, they are affecting profound change that will improve lives. While we still have work ahead of us, there’s no question that equality is marching forward and attitudes are changing in Mississippi faster than we’ve seen ever before.” “Hattiesburg is a community that is strongest when all of our residents feel they can live openly and safely,” said Hattiesburg Mayor Johnny DuPree. “We draw our strength from our diversity – our different backgrounds, our different talents, our different passions. I’d like to thank the city council for joining me tonight in making this very important resolution a reality.” Public opinion on equality in Mississippi is far ahead of law in the state. A poll conducted last summer found that nearly 60 percent of Mississippians under the age of 30 support marriage equality, while 64 percent of residents back workplace non-discrimination protections for LGBT employees. The Human Rights Campaign is America’s largest civil rights organization working to achieve lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender equality. By inspiring and engaging all Americans, HRC strives to end discrimination against LGBT citizens and realize a nation that achieves fundamental fairness and equality for all.
NFL Draft Prospect Michael Sam Announces "He Is Gay" GLAAD, the nation’s lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) media advocacy organization, responded to Southeastern Conference (SEC) Division I football player Michael Sam’s announcement that he is gay. ”By rewriting the script for countless young athletes, Michael has demonstrated the leadership that, along with his impressive skills on the field, makes him a natural fit for the NFL,” said GLAAD President Sarah Kate Ellis. “With acceptance of LGBT people rising across our coasts — in our schools, churches, and workplaces — it’s clear that America is ready for an openly gay football star.” Sam was a defensive end for Mizzou
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Krewe of Amon-Ra Mardi Gras Ball XLIX: A Year Through The Eye of Amon-Ra @ Sigur Civic Center ~ Chalmette, LA ~ Photos by Rip Naquin
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Krewe of Satyricon Bal Masque XII: Bal d’Amour @ Sigur Civic Center ~ Chalmette, LA ~ Photos by Carlos Gonzalez, Frankie Fierce, Tony Leggio
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Internationally famous DJ Aron joins bar baron Johnny Chisholm and Cy Whitney in the booth at world famous Oz New Orleans, winner of Dance Club and Show Bar of the Year (www.OzNewOrleans.com). (Photo by Rip Naquin)
celebrazzi
The 49th Krewe of Amon-Ra Mardi Gras Ball culminated with the presentation of Queen and King Amon-Ra XLIX Pete Eschete and David Richerson at the Frederick J. Sigur Civic Center in Chalmette (www.KreweOfAmonRa.com). (Photo by Rip Naquin)
The presentation of King Satyricon XII Christopher Santilli and his Consort Brick Bishop brought the 12th annual Krewe of Satyricon Bal Masque XII to a close at the Frederick J. Sigur Civic Center in Chalmette (www.mystickreweofsatyricon.com). (Photo by Carlos Gonzalez)
The Lords of Leather annual Royalty Party saluting the reigning royalty of gay carnival krewes was held at Kajun's Pub catered by Borracho (www.LordsOfLeather.com). (Photo: King Cake Queen XXI Dusty Debris, King & Queen Amon-Ra XLIX David Richerson & Pete Eschete, King Satyricon XI Todd Shaffer, Lord King & Consort XXX Pat Johnson & Joey Landry, and King Petronius LII Lee Worrells) (Photo by Rip Naquin)
The Krewe of Armeinius hosted a very successful French Quarter Patio Tour as its final fundraiser for their upcoming Bal Masque XLVI on March 1st (www.Armeinius.org) (Photo by Frankie Fierce)
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moments in gay new orleans history by Frank Perez E-mail: f.perez@sbcglobal.net
“The Krewe of Yuga” The Shrove Tuesday celebration now known as Mardi Gras was brought to New Orleans by 18th Century French explorers and celebrated in southern Louisiana as early as 1699. The holiday, which has its roots in Roman Catholicism (and even deeper roots in the pagan Bacchanalia of classical Rome), has always been celebrated in New Orleans but it wasn’t until 1838 that the first parade occurred. This consisted of a walking procession of masked figures. Float parades were introduced in 1857. In that year, Mardi Gras in New Orleans was on the verge of extinction. The annual celebration had become a drunken, chaotic, and increasingly violent street party. The revelry and disorder that characterized the day offended puritanical American sensibilities and there was serious discussion of permanently canceling the event. A group of businessmen then suggested that instead of canceling Mardi Gras, a sense of order should be imposed upon the celebration. They proposed a float parade with a theme and masked riders. Thus, the Mistick Krewe of Comus was born, and with it, the custom of float parades on Mardi Gras. The idea of imposing order on a day defined by disorder and misrule violated the essential spirit of Mardi Gras; nevertheless, the float parade was a practical solution that proved very popular. Today, there are numerous float parades throughout the New Orleans area in the weeks leading up to Mardi Gras. Thus, Comus inaugurated the modern incarnation of Mardi Gras.
carnival feature King Cake Queen XXI Barbara Ella Heralds in Third Decade of Glamour at Coronation 2014 What an incredibly beautiful evening in the French Quarter as "The Borghese Queen," Barbara Ella, heralded in the third decade of glamour at the 21st King Cake Queen Coronation. Hosted at the Ambush Mansion, King Cake Queen XXI Barbara Ella greeted some 237 invited guests for the society bash of the season on Bourbon Street celebrating Rome, Royalty & Intrigue. From Carnival Royalty and celebrities to A-listers and community leaders, it was especially wonderful to have so many loving committed couples (in view of the huge strides made in marriage equality) enjoy socializing with old friends while making new ones. The camaraderie in a party atmosphere leads to more cooperation on those issues and causes which makes the LGBT+ community into the viable, influential one it enjoys today. This is the only time during the year that the mansion is open for a huge soiree where guests mingle in the first floor Ambush Mag offices, the patio, and second floor private quarters of Krewe of Queenateenas' Co-Captain's Rip and Marsha Naquin-Delain featuring Belle Lain's Magnolia Bar, formal Victorian Parlor, dining room, and world famous Ambush balcony. On the way to the second floor guests travel up the sweeping spiral staircase showcasing the portraits of the King Cake Queen Royalty Club, many by renowned photographer Larry Graham. Many first time guests marvel at the Ambush art collection, antiques from Marsha's grandmothers estate in Baton Rouge, and hundreds of collectibles featuring objects d’art throughout the home. One of the favorites is the etched French crystal illuminated Erte' on the fireplace, while the two gilded Faberge' eggs in gold, diamonds, rubies and emeralds are another. The mannequin in the parlor displays Marsha's King Cake Queen XV coronation gown and queens collar by Opal Masters with her KCQ crown as "The Fleur de Lis Queen." And then there's the altar in the parlor laden with religious treasures from the couples travels in Europe, and here in America. Queen Barbara Ella designed and made her own coronation gown replicating a flowing gown from a Borghese portrait in Rome (photo on page 17). After greeting guests in the receiving line for almost an hour, the city's Human Relations Commission Executive Director Larry Bagneris presented the queen with a Certificate of Recognition stating "I, Mitchell J. Landrieu, Mayor of the City of New Orleans, do recognize Barbara Ella in honor of the King Cake Queen Coronation and your reign as Queen XXI of the royal court. Barbara Ella is the first King Cake Queen to receive a mayoral proclamation. Next was the King Cake Queen gift exchange where the former queens present a gift to the new queen, and the reigning queen presents a gift to the former queens, which this year was a beautiful cameo bracelet. The last official function of the evening was when Frankie Fierce's 30th
101 years after the Mistick Krewe of Comus first rolled through the streets of New Orleans, another Krewe would transform Carnival yet again. In 1958, a group of gay men formed the Krewe of Yuga as a spoof of Comus and the other old-line mainstream krewes. The name itself hinted at the satirical nature of the group. KY jelly, the personal lubricant, had been introduced to the marketplace in 1904. Also the name of the krewe is sometimes pronounced “you-gay,” although “you-guh” is the more common pronunciation. Connotations of homosexuality with the word gay date back to the 1940s. During Yuga’s first few years, the krewe met in member’s homes. About fifteen men attended the first “ball,” where they enjoyed cocktails, king cake, and elected a Queen. These men were older and well established and gathered simply for the purpose of making fun of their Uptown neighbors in the older, traditional krewes. By 1962, interest in the Krewe of Yuga had caused its membership to grow and necessitated a larger meeting space. The krewe chose a day school / nursery called The Rambler Room off Veterans Boulevard in Metairie. A week before the Yuga Ball, the newly minted Krewe of Petronius (founded in 1961) had used the same location for its debut Ball. On Saturday, February 24, the Jefferson Parish police department raided the Yuga Ball and arrested nearly 100 men, most of whom were in drag. About fifteen minutes into the tableau, policemen with bullhorns burst into the room and announced, “No one is to leave this room!” Among those arrested was Carlos Rodriguez, who, a Birthday Party & Charity Fundraiser sponsor Ambush Mag's Rip and Marsha Naquin-Delain joined Frankie Fierce as he presented a check in the amount of $4,531.85 to Buzzy's Boys and Girls' Steve Tregre, the total proceeds of the event hosted at Oz. And then the party continued. The queen traveled to the mansion's balcony adorned in brilliant red, purple and gold with Adam and Steve (the mannequins) dressed in black slacks, red shirts, white dinner jackets and red/ white Venetian masks. The culinary delights prepared by the Naquin-Delain's were delish including the "Borghese" gumbo with smoked goose, wild duck, turkey and sausage in the office on the first floor serving the remainder of "Banchetto di Carnevale," translation for feast of carnival, in the second floor dining room. It included Venison & Veal Ousso Bucco with Italian egg noodles, Meatballs Cacciatore, Eggplant Caponata with cream cheese, Stuffed Artichoke Casserole with crabmeat, Antipasto Salad featuring elk salami, provolone, prosciutto, swiss & bison mortadella with Ditalini, Goat Cheese Pyramid with figs & pancetta, and Cream Cheese King Cake.
week earlier, had been presented as the first Queen of Petronius in the same hall. Escaping arrest were Bill Wooley and Elmo Avet, two founding members of Petronius who would go on to shape the phenomenal development of gay carnival. When news of the raid reached the French Quarter, Dixie Fasnacht, owner of Dixie’s Bar of Music, gave Carl Escovitch, who was sitting in the bar at the time, a wad of cash and told him to go bail out all those who had been arrested at the ball. The Krewe of Yuga folded after the raid but the idea of gay carnival krewes lived on and continues today. The history of gay carnival is fascinating but poses problems for gay historians. As the ill-fated Yuga Ball demonstrates, being gay was not something people wanted to document in those days. As a result, pictures, journals, diaries, letters, audio or visual recordings and other primary sources are scarce, especially from the early years. About all that remains from the early years of gay carnival are the memories of those still alive along with ball programs and invitations. Of all the gay krewes that have come and gone, Yuga is the most difficult to research because there is so little documentation of it, which makes the invitation pictured (on page 17) such a treasured artifact. Last year Carnival historian Arthur Hardy donated a box of gay carnival materials to the State Museum. Among the items donated were ball programs and invitations from Amon-Ra, Lords of Leather, Mwindo, Olympus, Perseus, Petronius, Armeinius, Celestial Knights, David, Ishtar, Queenateenas, Satyricon, and Apollo. There was also a poster from 1965 advertising the second annual Bourbon Street Awards. As interesting and important as these items are, Curator of Carnival Collections Wayne Phillips’ heart must have soared when he laid eyes on an original invitation to the Krewe of Yuga Ball that was raided. The invitation was designed by Stewart K. Gahn, who went on to be a costume designer for Bacchus. Gahn had a successful career as a design artist and advertising executive for a number of business concerns, including Pontchartrain Beach, Goldman Printing, Kirschman Furniture Store, Sears and D.H. Holmes. He also served as President of Vieux Carre Patio Planters, on the Board of Vieux Carre Theatre Du Vieux Carre and Property Owners and Resident and Associates of the Vieux Carre. He died in 2009. The State Museum began collecting gay carnival artifacts in the 1970s and is always looking for more. The State Museum also has an ongoing exhibit at the Presbytere in Jackson Square called “Mardi Gras: It’s Carnival Time in Louisiana,” which features two costumes from gay balls of years past—Merlin from the 1984 Petronius Ball and Seahorse from the 1992 AmonRa Ball.
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(above-see moments in gay new orleans history on page 16)
KCQ XXI Barbara Ella Coronation Night Formal Dining Room Ambush Mansion (photo by Rip Naquin) (see page 16)
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the "official" dish ...from 6 Tigers of the University of Missouri. He graduated in December and is currently a highly-touted prospect in the National Football League (NFL) draft. He becomes the first publicly gay athlete in any of the Big 4 sports drafts. In interviews with The New York Times and ESPN, the football player stated: “I am an openly, proud gay man.” In December 2013, The Associated Press named him the SEC’s Defensive Player of the Year. He was also selected as one of ten unanimous firstteam all-Americans. He led the SEC in both sacks and tackles-for-loss and resides in the top 10 nationally in Division I in those categories. He is originally from Hitchcock, Texas. Sports journalist Cyd Zeigler stated to GLAAD: “Every NFL draft expert has Sam being selected in the first to fifth round of this year’s NFL draft.” Before his announcement, Michael Sam’s publicist Howard Bragman introduced to him to athletes including openly gay former NFL players Dave Kopay and Wade Davis Jr., openly gay NBA player Jason Collins, openly gay former Major League Baseball player Billy Bean, as well as outspoken straight allies and former NFL players Brendan Ayanbadejo and Chris Kluwe. This is the fifth professional athlete that Bragman has taken out of the closet,
along with more than a dozen celebrities. Outsports.com has also published an exclusive behind-the-scenes look at how his announcement came about. Sam is the latest high-profile athlete to come out as LGBT with others including the NBA’s Jason Collins, the WNBA’s Brittney Griner, WWE’s Darren Young, UFC’s Liz Carmouche, MMA’s Fallon Fox and Major League Soccer’s Robbie Rogers. ”Michael is first and foremost a talented football player, and his humility and heart will reshape the way that Americans think about LGBT people and the sports world,” said Wade Davis, Jr., a gay former NFL player and Executive Director of LGBT sports organization You Can Play. “His story sends a message to LGBT young people, especially young black men, that you are free to show up in the world as your authentic self and others will embrace you. When I came out after playing in the NFL, I felt the support from fans, teammates and the league and I know he will be embraced and continue to inspire.” In an NFL document released in April 2013, the NFL defined its equal employment opportunity policy as: “It is the policy of the National Football League to provide equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national
origin, age, disability, sexual orientation or other status protected by applicable federal, state or local law.” In the document, NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell also stated: “The NFL has a long history of valuing diversity and inclusion. Discrimination and harassment based on sexual orientation is not consistent with our values and is unacceptable in the National Football League.” The NFL added sexual orientation to its list of protected classes in September 2011. The NFL has also demonstrated its commitment to inclusion by participating in GLAAD’s annual anti-bullying campaign, Spirit Day. For the past two consecutive years, the NFL has ‘gone purple’ online in a stand against bullying and to show its support for LGBT youth. In December 2013, You Can Play and the NFL announced the ‘High Five Initiative’ an “effort to create meaningful connections between LGBT youth and leaders within the professional sports community.”
C.O.K. Features Hand Sculpted Mask for Mardi Gras If you still have not decided what you are going to wear for Mardi Gras or to any of the Mardi Gras balls, then you should stop by the Phoenix Bar, 941 Elysian Fields.
They are selling handmade leather masks by local artists from fun to fantasy that would be perfect for any costume. Prices range from $30 on up to $100. If you do not see a mask that you like you can also have one custom made to match your costume. Stop by the C.O.K. store located inside of the Phoenix. Also new at C.O.K. exclusive to Louisiana is Colt Underwear, as well as a large selection of Andrew Christian Underwear. DVDs are as low as $5. Check out all of the fetish wear and accessories, and other adult novelties. Store hours Tuesday, Thursday and Sunday 6pm-12midnight. Friday & Sat. 6pm-2am. Open at 1pm the weekend of Mardi Gras.
Lords Host 3 Events Mardi Gras Weekend Night of the Black Mask: Start your Mardi Gras weekend on Friday, Feb. 28th with the Lords of Leather at their annual “Night of the Black Mask” [continued on 20]
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Party. This traditionally incognito (black mask strongly encouraged) event kicks off at 9pm at the Phoenix, 941 Elysian Fields Avenue. A $5 beer bust will be held until midnight on the patio, with black lights complementing white jockstraps and leather; the rest of the evening is as mysterious as you want it to be. So dig out that mask, disguise yourself and celebrate the big weekend with the Lords. Lords of Leather Bal Masque XXXI: Ball Captain XXXI Gary Vandeventer and the Mystic Krewe of Lords of Leather cordially invite you to join them at their spectacular edition of Bal Masque XXXI - “Tales and Adventures” to be held on Sunday, March 2nd. This Mardi Gras season’s final ball takes place at the Frederick J. Sigur Civic Center in Chalmette with doors opening and social hour beginning at 7pm and the tableau starting at 8pm. Emcees for the evening will again be the entertaining duo of Bianca del Rio and Darwin S. Ball gowns/leather are requested for ladies, black tie/formal or leather attire for men. Full tables for ten are available for $500, individual table seats are $50 and balcony seats are $15. See www.lordsofleather.com to purchase tickets in advance. Tickets will also be available at the door. Lundi Gras Party: Get an early start on your Mardi Gras festivities by joining the Lords of Leather on Lundi Gras. On Monday, March 3rd the Lords will host “A Roman Holiday – a Night with the Gladiators” at the Phoenix, 941 Elysian Fields Avenue. Bring your friends and visitors from out of town for a truly local Mardi Gras experience as only the Lords and the Phoenix can offer. For just a $20 wristband, one gets all the domestic beer and well drinks one can drink from 6pm until 9pm in the Eagle upstairs bar. Optional free “coat” check will be available as well for those who are “overdressed.” So come early and “when in Rome, do what the Romans do” and meet some hot men for some Mardi Gras memories.
Girl Scout Cookies @ The Phoenix Feb. 28 Words that you never thought you would hear in the same sentence is Girl Scouts and the Phoenix Bar, 941 Elysian Fields. But for a limited time these two will come together (sort of). Clint Taylor who is the owner of the Phoenix has a daughter who is in the Girl Scouts. She has set herself a goal of selling 500 boxes of Girl Scout Cookies. Beginning on Friday, Feb. 28th there will be eight varieties of cookies that will be available at the bar, including some of your favorites such as Thin Mints, Trefoils and Do Si Dos. The boxes are $4 each and will be available
for a limited time only. Stop by the bar and get your cookies or call 504.460.7655 for further details.
New Orleans Bears sets Feb.-March Events The New Orleans Bear and Bear Trapper Social Club welcomes all to their upcoming events. On Friday, Feb. 28th, they host Muscle Bear Lube Wrestling at Mag’s beginning at 8pm. It is $5 at the door with a $5 beer bust. Wrestling winners take home 1st prize $150, 2nd Prize $100, and 3rd Prize $50. It's Bears, Beads and Bubbles at Lazarus House on Lundi Gras, March 3rd at 2pm. A celebration of all things Gay Mardi Gras, it features a champagne reception with hors d’oeurvres wtih the theme SlumBear (pajama party). Their 1st Friday Beer Bust is at the Phoenix on Friday, March 7th @ 9pm with a $5 beer bust including hot dogs and chips. The Bears' Appreciation Party is set for the Friendly Bar on Saturday, March 15th at 3pm. St. Anna’s Food Bank and Buzzy’s Boys & Girls is hosting a party to show their appreciation for the Bears continued support of their organizations. The 3rd Friday Beer Bust is at Rawhide on Friday, March 21st at 7pm with a $5 beer bust. Hamburgers and hot dogs will be available for a small fee.
CWB XV @ Oz Benefiting NOSIDA on March 17 The 15th annual Crack Whore Ball (CWB) is set for Monday, March 17th at Oz, 800 Bourbon Street celebrating Rise of the Leprechauns, this year’s theme. The ball benefits New Orleans Society for Infectious Diseases Awareness (NOSIDA) which actively promotes awareness of the physical, mental, and emotional effects that infectious diseases inflict on communities worldwide. The annual ball gives service industry personnel and their friends the opportunity to relax and party since most worked through Carnival. The highlight of the evening is when Irish Mike announces the new Crack Whore Queen at the stroke of midnight. Then there’s the presentation of the monies raised at the ball to NOSIDA. The $40 ticket includes open premium bar from 9pm-1am. Tickets are limited. Get your tickets from a past Crack Whore Queen or at Voodoo Bar, 718 N. Rampart. Past Crack Whore Queens include 1 unknown, 2 Kabrina Watson, 3 Genevieve, 4 Janice Goodbee, 5 Wade Burnham, 6 Rip and Marsha Naquin- Delain, 7 Aletha Bryant, 8 the late Wendy Byrne, 9 Chris Morton, 10 Frankie Fierce, 11 DL Broadway, 12 Sabrina, 13 Duane Parrish, and 14 Johnny Eubanks.
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Royalty & Celebrities join 21st King Cake Queen Coronation of Barbara Ella @ Ambush Mansion ~ New Orleans ~ Photos by Darwin Reed
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The 21st King Cake Queen of Gay Mardi Gras Coronation brought some 237 invited guests to salute "The Borghese Queen," Barbara Ella at the Ambush Mansion in New Orleans. Almost all of the krewes were represented by royalty and members including Amon-Ra, Armeinius, King Arthur, Lords of Leather, Petronius, Satyricon, and of course, the Krewe of Queenateenas' King Cake Queen Royalty Club. Celebrating this year's theme: Rome, Royalty & Intrigue, guests mingled throughout the evening with open bar and culinary delights. Members of the King Cake Queen Royalty Club (right) in attendance included King Cake Queen Emeritus Jay A. Loomis, King Cake Queen V Elizabeth Simms, King Cake Queen XIII Raven Kennedy, King Cake Queen XIV Princesse Stephaney, reigning King Cake Queen XXII Barbara Ella, KCQ XV Marsha Naquin-Delain, King Cake Queen XVII Opal Masters, and King Cake Queen XX Dusty Debris. For more info, visit www.GayMardiGras.com/KCQ.
celebrazzi
Krewe of Queenateenas' Co-Captains Rip and Marsha Naquin-Delain join the chosen one, Barbara Ella adorned as "The Borghese Queen" celebrating the 21st King Cake Queen of Gay Mardi Gras Coronation at the Ambush Mansion. (Photos by Darwin Reed)
New Orleans Human Relations Commission Executive Director Larry Bagneris, Jr. joins Queenateenas' Co-Captains Marsha and Rip Naquin-Delain as he presents the first mayoral certificate of recognition to a King Cake Queen, this year King Cake Queen XXI Barbara Ella from Mayor Mitchell J. Landrieu.
Frankie Fierce's 30th Birthday Party & Charity Fundraiser sponsor Ambush Mag's Rip and Marsha Naquin-Delain join Frankie Fierce as he presents $4,531.85 to Buzzy's Boys and Girls' Steve Tregre at the KCQ Coronation.
Marsha Naquin-Delain joins Judge Nadine Ramsey, King Cake Queen XXI Barbara Ella, and Rip Naquin-Delain. Judge Ramsey has been endorsed by Forum For Equality and Ambush Mag in the run-off election for City Council District C on March 15 in New Orleans.
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circuit spotlight HOMETOWN DJ Joe Gauthreaux Spins for Mardi Gras at Oz by Jason Warner New Orleans born-and-bred DJ Joe Gauthreaux has made a name for himself on the international level, weaving his tribal, EDM, progressive house and commercial vocal anthems at gay clubs all over the world. Inspired by DJs Chus and Peter Rauhofer and Brazilian producers like Mauro Mozart, Enrry, and Rogerio Lima, Gauthreaux says his goal is to keep his sound fresh and the floor’s momentum pumping. “The worst thing a DJ can do is get stuck in a certain sound for too long,” he says. “Music is constantly changing and evolving. If you don’t change with it, you’ll get left behind. Joe Gauthreaux spins for Mardi Gras at Oz Sunday, March 2. Welcome back home, Joe! How are you handling the cold winter months in New York City? I absolutely hate it! I had a feeling this winter would be bad because the last couple have been relatively mild, but I didn’t think it’d be this cold. The only time I see the sun is when I travel somewhere that hasn’t succumbed to the polar
Joe Blue Records (by ELI HUE PHOTOGRAPHYsm)
Get your One Mighty Grove on! Johnny Chisholm’s ONE MIGHTY WEEKEND of afternoon pool and latenight dance parties is the undisputed signature event series of the gay party holiday at Walt Disney World in Orlando, Florida. The weekend is packed with internationally top-rated DJs and entertainment. This year, in addition to your seasoned favorites, One Mighty Weekend is introducing several new DJ talents. Mark your calendar now for the Thursday through Sunday, June 5-8, extravagant party weekend. The Buena Vista Palace, located inside the Walt Disney Resort, continues to reign supreme as the splendid host hotel and home of the highly anticipated daily afternoon Reunion Pool Parties. These parties are known to feature the hottest bodies and most lively and animated dance music. This year’s “fun in the sun” provides you an incredible line-up of fantastic DJs you’ve come to expect from One Mighty Weekend — including 2013 Best Up-andComing DJ of Year from the Just Circuit Awards, DJ Shane Stiel on Friday, June 6. D J Lydia Sanz of Barcelona gets the pool and the balls bouncing at noon for the Saturday Reunion Pool Party. This house and techno specialist is joining OMW in conjunction with Circuit Festival. DJ Phil B. returns Sunday to One Mighty Weekend to wrap up the Reunion Pool Parties with his unique stylings. Your night-time entertainment kicks off Thursday, June 5 with IGNITE! DJ/ Producer Wayne G (UK) begins the night with his eclectic mix of styles
Reunion Pool Party
ducers Rosabel; comprised of DJ/Producer Ralphi Rosario and DJ/Producer Abel Aguilera, these two dance chart topping DJs will take control of the dance floor all night long. DJ Dani Toro of Barcelona opens the final Magic
followed by the everpopular DJ R o l a n d Belmares. Downtown Disney’s House of Blues, hosts the event which starts at 9pm. Always a high point of the weekend, the Magic Magic Journeys Journey’s after parties will once again be held at Journeys on Sunday night. As the night Arabian Nights. This year’s DJ lineup heats up, world renowned DJ/Producer can only be described with two words: Joe Gauthreaux of New York sets fire Fantastic and Incredible. Take notice: to the dance floor until well after sunThese parties will begin at 11pm each rise. Shuttle service will be available from the Buena Vista Palace to Arabian night — earlier than past years. Friday, you will be introduced to Nights each night of Magic Journeys. "It is perhaps with a touch of sadMontreal, Canada’s DJ/Producer Alain Jackinsky, who, with his unique sound, ness that we must announce the end of brings a unique freshness to the DJ an era: One Mighty Weekend 2014 is scene. Your the last time Magic Journeys will be Magic Journey held at Arabian Nights. Arabian Nights then continues is closing so don’t miss your chance to with the Brazil- experience the 'Last Dance' at Magic ian flare of DJ/ Journeys at this classic location. We’ll P r o d u c e r bring you an exciting new venue for Gustavo Scor- Magic Journeys in 2015." The One Mighty Weekend Welpio of Rio de J a n e i r o . come Center at The Buena Vista PalS a t u r d a y ’ s ace first opens at 10am Thursday, and Magic Journey then at 10am each day throughout the begins and ends weekend. It’s your one stop to purwith Miami- chase daily tickets or weekend passes based Grammy and gather information about the events. There are limited rooms still availAward Nominated, DJ/Pro- able at the Buena Vista Palace, so
vortex. Do you miss living in New Orleans? Sometimes I do. I miss living in the French Quarter and knowing my neighbors and all of the people at Oz. When you work at a club every week, it almost makes you feel like you have a real job. Has moving to NYC helped your career? Most of my gigs are on the east coast, so it’s made travel so much easier. Plus I’m working on my own music these days and there are so many talented people here that I get to collaborate with. We’re obsessed with your podcast remix shows. What artists are you working with these days? First, thank you for downloading my podcast. I really appreciate that. Right now I’m focusing on writing my own material more than remixing other people’s work. That’s been a really exciting thing that’s happened over the past year. But I have a new remix coming out by an up-and-coming artist Aiden Leslie called “Nobody Said.” It’s a pumping peak hour big room mix. Lucky for us, you have remained a staple at Oz nightclub for many years. What keeps you coming back? Well, of course, I love the crowds in New Orleans as they’re always crazy and fun. But it’s my relationship with Oz owner Johnny Chisholm that keeps me there. I’ve worked for him since 1996. That’s almost 20 years! We’ve been through thick and thin together and it’s something I wouldn’t trade for anything. As you know, Mardi Gras weekend is one of the biggest festivals in New Orleans. Will you be in the parade? You never know, I am pretty low on beads right now! Where can we catch you hanging out? The great thing about Mardi Gras is there are so many parties, you never know where you’ll end up. It’s all really fun. I haven’t been in a few years so I’m really excited. Any other big parties lined up in the next few months? I’m pretty busy these days. I have my residency at Viva in New York City, Winter Party in Miami, and Arabian Nights for Gay Disney. I also have some big gigs in Bangkok, Sydney, Zurich and Mexico City lined up later in the year. So yeah, lots going on. Makes me really happy. Visit www.djjoeg.com. book your room now and don’t miss the chance to “Stay where you Play!” Purchase tickets and find event and hotel information at www.OneMightyWeekend.com. The latest stats can also be found on our One Mighty Weekend Facebook page.
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bathhouse New Orleans, LA [504] Club New Orleans, 515 Toulouse, 581.2402, www.the-clubs.com RT PA M RA
French Quarter/Faubourg Marigny/Bywater
accounting 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
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 LOUIE'S @ CONGO SQUARE, 700 N. Rampart, 252.4558 LUCKY PIERRE'S, 735 Bourbon St., 586.1836, LuckyPierresNOLA.com MICHAEL'S ON THE PARK, 834 N. Rampart St., 267.3615, MichaelsOnThePark.COM 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 TULANE AVENUE BAR, 3813 Tulane Ave., 488.1400 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
body rubs New Orleans, LA [504] Cum & Get A Rub Down-Good looking, middle age (but look younger), white guy, available for full body rub downs, servicing the FQ, DT hotels, guest houses, B&Bs, the Marigny & Bywater. Your place only, late night availability too, seniors welcome. Call Allen @ 504.250.8356. [is114]
book stores New Orleans, LA [504] FAB - Faubourg Marigny Art & Books, 600 Frenchmen St., 947.3700
chiropractic New Orleans, LA [504] DR. MICHAEL LECHLEITER, D.C., 1526 Magazine, 566.1833 [is114]
circuit/events 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 Dec. 26, 2014-Jan. 1, 2015, Gay New
Year's in New Orleans, New Orleans, LA, GayNewOrleans.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, 269.3726
guides America Damron Travel Guide, 800.462.6654, www.damron.com Gulf South/United States AMBUSH Mag, 828-A Bourbon St., New Orleans, LA 70116-3137; 504.522.8049, AmbushMag.COM; 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 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
health New Orleans, LA [504] New Orleans Urgent Care, 201 Decatur St., 700 Magazine St., 552.2433, NewOrleansUrgentCare.com
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-hotels-
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new-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 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 [is2614]
522.8049, AmbushMag.COM; email: marsha@ripandmarsha.com AMBUSHonLINE, 828-A Bourbon St., 70116-3137; 522.8049, ambushonline.com, email: marsha@ripandmarsha.com
museum/arts Baton Rouge, LA [225] LOUISIANA ARTS AND SCIENCE CENTER / RIVERSIDE MUSEUM, 100 S. River Road, 344.5272 LOUISIANA GOVERNOR'S MANSION, 1001 Capitol Access Rd., 342.5855 LOUISIANA STATE ARCHIVES, 3851 Essen Ln. LOUISIANA STATE CAPITOL, State Capitol Dr. LOUISIANA STATE UNIVERSITY HILLTOP ARBORETUM, 11855 Highland Rd., 767.6916 LOUISIANA STATE UNIVERSITY RURAL LIFE MUSEUM, I-10 at Essen Lane, 765.2437 LSU MUSEUM OF NATURAL SCIENCE and MUSEUM OF GEOSCIENCE, LSU Campus, 388.2855 MAGNOLIA MOUND PLANTATION, 2161 Nicholson Dr., 343.4955 OLD ARSENAL MUSEUM, State Capitol Complex, 342.0401 OLD BOGAN FIRE STATION, 427 Laurel St., 344.8558 OLD GOVERNOR'S MANSION, 502 North Blvd., 344.5272 OLD PENTAGON BARRACKS, State Capitol Dr. at River Road, 342.1866 OLD STATE CAPITOL, 100 North Blvd. at River Road, 342.0500 or 342.4479 USS KIDD/NAUTICAL HISTORICAL CENTER, Government St. at River Rd., 342.1942 New Orleans, LA [504] BEAUREGARD-KEYES HOUSE, 1113 Chartres, 523.7257, Mon-Sat 10am-3pm CABILDO, 701 Chartres, Jackson Square, Tues-Sun 10am-5pm CAC [Contemporary Arts Center], 900 Camp St., 528.3805, cacno.org EDGAR DEGAS HISTORIC HOME, 2306 Esplanade Avenue, tours by appointment: 504.821.5009, the house tour lasts one hour, is led by a great-grand-niece of Degas, and includes the award-winning documentary video, Degas in New Orleans: A Creole Sojourn 1850 HOUSE, 523 St. Ann, Tues-Sun 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,
organizations Mobile, AL ALABAMA PRIDE MobileAlabamaPride.COM
FEST,
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, 1631 Elysian Fields, #161, 70117, www.LordsOfLeather.com
Metropolitan Community Church of New Orleans, services at 10am, 6200 St Charles Ave., New Orleans, LA 70118; 504.270.1MCC www.mccneworleans.org 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
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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 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] Latter & Blum INC/French Quarter, Steve Richards, LGBT Realtor, 712 Orleans @ Royal, Cell: 504.258.1800, Office: 504.529.8140, 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 Mona Lisa Restaurant, 1212 Royal St., 522.6746 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
easter feature Todd Blauvelt & Stuart Nettles to lead 15th Gay Easter Parade as Easter Grand Marshals XV The Gay Easter Parade Board of Directors is proud to announce the selection of Todd Blauvelt and Stuart Nettles as Easter Grand Marshals XV. Chosen for their outstanding contributions and support of the parade, the two men will lead the 15th Annual Official Gay Easter Parade Easter Sunday, April 20 at 4:30pm benefiting Food For Friends. The board of directors includes Rip and Marsha Naquin-Delain, Electra City and Tittie Toulouse, Darwin Reed and Opal Masters, Rona Conners, Tony Leggio and Steve Patrick. (www.GayEasterParade.com) The board met mid October to make the grand marshal selections and have set the events/fundraisers for 2014. The parade minus expenses benefits Food For Friends program of the NO/AIDS Task Force. Sponsored by Ambush Mag, the parade has raised over $171,101 for charity the past 12 years. The 4th Sponsorship Party will be hosted on Sunday, March 16th, 3-5pm, at Cutter’s, 706 Franklin. This year it is under the direction of GEP Boards Steve Patrick and Darwin Reed. 6th Eggstravaganza hosted by GEP Boards Opal Masters and Darwin
Reed is set for Saturday, March 22nd, 7-10pm, at Michael’s On The Park, 834 N. Rampart St. 13th Super Star-Studded Drag Extravaganza will be held Saturday, March 29th, 8-10pm, at Oz, 800 Bourbon Street. This event is under the direction of GEP Boards Rip and Marsha Naquin-Delain. 15th Purple Party Easter Grand Marshals Reception, hosted by the GEP Board of Directors will be held on Saturday, April 5th, 8-10pm, at The Double Play, 439 Dauphine St. 12th Spring Fever Extravaganza, under the direction of Electra City and
3pm. The Post-Parade Party following the end of the parade will feature an Easter buffet. The parade showcases the fashion and creativity of the entire LGBT community with gentlemen in summer suits/tux with hats, and ladies in Easter suits/dresses with Easter hats. Sponsorships are available at Presenting ($2,500), Platinum ($1,000), Gold ($500), Silver ($250), or Bronze ($100) levels. For forms, visit www.GayEasterParade.com/images/ GEPSponsorForm.pdf. Carriage, wagon, and trolley prices are not yet confirmed. As soon as they are, you will be able to get your parade form at www.GayEasterParade.com. EGM XV Todd Blauvelt: A veteran of the United States Air Force Reserve and a 1982 graduate of the New Orleans Center for Creative Arts, Visual Arts department, Todd J.Blauvelt is a charter member of the Mystic Krewe of Satyricon. Through the years Todd has served on the krewe’s board of directors as Ball Lieutenant, Function Lieutenant and Secretary as well as reigning as King Satyricon IV in 2006 and Queen Satyricon XI, Aida Cockswell, in 2013.
retail/shopping New Orleans, LA [504] BOURBON PRIDE, 909 Bourbon, 566.1570 COK (Clothing or Kinkl), 941 Elysian Fields, 945.9264 HIT PARADE, 741 Bourbon St., Facebook.COM/HitParadeNOLA MARY'S FRENCH QUARTER KITCHEN & BATH, 732 N. Rampart, 529.4465 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, www.XXXShopp.com
spas New Orleans, LA [504] Club New Orleans, 515 Toulouse, 581.2402, www.the-clubs.com
theatres New Orleans, LA [504] CAFE ISTANBUL, 2372 St. Claude Ave., #140, 504.974.0786, CafeIstanbulNOLA.COM JOY THEATER, 1200 Canal St., 208.1180, TheJoyTheater.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] Gay New Orleans Walking Tour, Crescent City Tour Booking Agency, 638 St. Ann St., 568.0717. follow Gay New Orleans Walking Tour @ Facebook.COM
Easter Grand Marshals XV Todd Blauvelt & Stuart Nettles (Photo by Darwin Reed) Todd is a 42 year resident of Algiers Tittie Toulouse is set for Saturday, April 12th, with 7pm VIP Reception, and 8- with roots in Stratford and Lordship, 10pm show and auction, at Carl Mack Connecticut and he attended O.P. Walker Sr. High. Presents, 535 Marigny St. Shortly after coming out publicly in 5th Bunnies in the Big Easy, under the direction of Tony Leggio and Rona 1988, he enrolled at the University of Conners, is set for Good Friday, April New Orleans in the department of 18th, 7-9:30pm, at Bourbon View, 501 Drama and Communications and soon became the Co-President of the Gay Bourbon St. This year both the Pre-Parade and and Lesbian Alliance, as well as, SenaPost-Parade parties will be hosted by tor for the College of Liberal Arts. In his Michael's On The Park, 834 N. Ram[continued on 31] part. The Pre-Parade Party is set for
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easter feature ...from 30 two-term tenure as Co-President, Todd scheduled monthly seminars for the student body membership to include PFLAG, LAGPAC, New Orleans Gay Pride, the Forum For Equality, the Log Cabin Society, the NO/AIDS Task Force, LEGAL, the LGBT Community Center, the New Orleans March on Washington Committee, the Louisiana Stonewall 25 Committee and more. Most notably, Todd invited Mayorial candidates Marc Morial and Donald Mintz to address the students and faculty alike during their campaign for Mayor of New Orleans in 1994. Mintz declined,however, Morial did not and addressed a standing room only crowd to the amazement of the University’s administration at the University Center on campus. Todd was instrumental in bringing UNO-GALA out of the closet and into plain sight on campus and throughout the community at large as exampled by volunteering with the WYES membership drive’s on air, phone lines, and surpassing the college Republican’s as the largest student organization on campus. Through community fundraising, Todd was able to lead a group of students to the March on Washington in 1993 and Stonewall 25 in 1994. From his involvement in these historic events Todd became involved with New Orleans Gay Pride in 1993 and held a board position as student liaison. Todd returned to the board of Gay Pride in 2003 and was chairman of the board in 2006. Following Hurricane Katrina, Todd and the board staged a two day event at Washington Square Park including free chicken for everyone and entertainment by Charmaine Neville, the Revealers, Lisa Lynn and more, and the event was free and open to the public. Todd secured McDonalds Corportion as a major sponsor who partnered with PFLAG to set up a kids section for partners with families and likened the event to a “Family Picnic.” He also initiated contact with comedienne Grace Fraga to entertain and help raise funds for the community’s Gay Pride Festival. While working as the Assistant Operations Manager, and later as the Assistant Sales Rep of Louisiana and Mississippi for Esprit de Corp and Esprit Sport, Todd led their NO/AIDS Walk team annually and set up blood drives for the Louisiana Blood Bank at the company’s St. Charles Avenue Outlet Store. After leaving the retail / wholesale ready to wear line, Todd entered into the service industry where he opened two restaurants for Fashion Cafe, one in Jakarta and the other in Mexico City as their international corporate bar trainer.Todd has worked as a bartender at MRB and the Golden Lantern, and as Front of the House Manager for Cafe Pontalba and Petunias, and is currently the Banquets Coordinator for Dickie Brennnan’s Palace Cafe. Riding in the Gay Easter Parade for the first time in 2004 with then King and Queen Satyricon II, the late David Boyd and Bianca Del Rio, was a blast and an exhilarating thrill. Todd has participated in the parade since that day and is thrilled to return as a gold level sponsor this year and reign as your Easter Grand Marshal XV along with Stuart Nettles. "Todd hopes you all come out in support of the Gay Easter Parade and our fundraising effort to reach our goal of $30,000 for Food for Friends. Todd shares a sense of accomplishment for his efforts in our LGBT fight for freedom and is humbled by the efforts and struggles of those who came before, and oh so proud of our community’s youth who continue to carry the torch."
EGM XV Stuart Nettles: After growing up in Lafayette, LA, Stuart Nettles moved to New Orleans in 1984. He has been working for a major hospital the past 19 years, currently holding a position as a Revenue Cycle Senior Rep III. Through working for the hospital, he has been Team Captain for American Diabetes Association and American Cancer Society raising money for those charities. Stuart has been on the committee for Relay for Life for the American Cancer Society for the past 6 years. Several years ago, he won an award for the largest group and best decorated second line umbrella. Involved with the Friday Night Before Mardi Gras Extravaganza from the beginning, he is a host, and joined the board as a member this year. Attending the Gay Easter Parade functions and fundraisers since the beginning, he has also ridden in the parades. "I have been with my partner Ron (Safonda Peters) for 29 years where we have been active with the Krewe of Amon-Ra. Even though I am not a member, I have assisted
with raffle ticket sales, helping with a variety of functions, and helping with the Mardi Gras balls including decorating sets as well as being in some of the balls." "I am honored in being chosen as Easter Grand Marshall XV and am looking forward to raising lots of money for Food for Friends with Todd Blauvelt."
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Celebrities & A-Listers join “The Borghese Queen” Barbara Ella for 21st KCQ Coronation @ Ambush Mansion ~ New Orleans ~ Photos by Darwin Reed
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36 • The Official Mag: AmbushMag.COM • Feb. 25-Mar c h 10, 2014 • Of fic ial Gay Mar di Gras Guide • GayMar diGras.COM
A-Listers & Community Leaders celebrate 21st KCQ Coronation with "The Borghese Queen" Barbara Ella @ Ambush Mansion ~ New Orleans
Photos by Darwin Reed
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under the gaydar by Tony Leggio Email: ledgemgp@gmail.com Photo by: Larry Graham, GrahamStudioOne.COM
Get in on the Tale End The Lords of Leather hosts one of my favorite Gay Mardi Gras balls on Sunday, March 2nd at the Frederick J Sigur Civic Center located at 8245 W Judge Perez Drive in Chalmette. This year’s theme is Tales and Adventures which leaves the possibilities for costumes endless. This organization has fun with everything they present and this year will be no exception. The Lords is the only leather oriented Mardi Gras krewe in the world and they incorporate leather in almost all of their costumes. For tickets or information on Bal Masque XXXI, go to www.lordsofleather.com.
And the Balls Keep Rolling Along The Krewe of Armeinius is presenting their annual ball on Saturday, March 1st entitled Bal du Blanche at the Frederick J Sigur Civic Center located at 8245 W Judge Perez Drive in Chalmette. With a title like that you know it will be a fascinating evening (or a hot mess, could go either way). Just kidding, Armeinius always delivers a show with outstanding costumes and everyone’s favorite trashy diva Bianca del Rio. Bianca can currently be seen on RuPaul’s Drag Race and rumor has it she may be made queen of the ball this year. Whether she is or isn’t, you are assured to have a dramatic evening. Doors open at 7pm and tableau starts at 8pm. For tickets or more information, go to www.armeinius.org.
Book Signing I am so excited to announce the release of Steve Patrick’s newest novel The Murder of Wednesday’s Children. His sophomore work is published
by Silver Knight Publishing LLC. His first book The Mysteries of Jack the Ripper received rave reviews and his next book is sure to be another hit. Follow amateur sleuths Archer Reed, Ione Wallace and Tango the Greyhound as they discover murder and intrigue at the summer home of a wealthy industrial tycoon on Mantioch Island. I am huge fans of the Thin Man murder mysteries and this novel seems to be in the same vein. So get a copy of Patrick’s new book at his book-signing on Saturday, March 8th from 1- 4pm. The event will take place at his home on 417 Incarnate Word Drive in Kenner. For more information or to pre-order your book, call 504.913.5741 or email at nspatr@cox.net.
Party Down During Mardi Gras season there is very rarely any down time for rest and relaxation and these last two weeks prove this point. On Monday, I attended the “Show Your Colors New Orleans” event at the private room upstairs at Annunciation restaurant sponsored by BOLS Amsterdam and Galliano. Four bartenders were creating specialty cocktails for guests to sample. Most of the attendees were members of the New Orleans Bartenders Guild, who knew we had one in the city. But I am joining it right away. They have these monthly events and I was lucky enough to get invited to this one. The bartenders mixed some great cocktails with my favorite being the Orange Julius Caeser made with white rum, Bols Yogurt, Vanilla Syrup, Lime Juice and Bitterman’s Orange Cream Citrate. After a few of those, everyone was repeating “All Hail Caesar.” It was a theatrical Tuesday as I went to see A Moon for the Misbegotten at the Irish House on St. Charles Avenue. This is a great venue to have a dinner theatre with the many choices of beers and top notch cuisine by Chef Matt Murphy. This play by Eugene O’ Neill was staged by the Inner Compass Theatre is done in four acts and is a sequel to O Neill’s other play A Long Day’s Journey into Night. Now older the main character from Long Day’s Journey, Jim Tyrone played by Casey Groves, is still a raging alcoholic with little friends. Not exactly light fare, but this play to me has more comedic overtones to it than its predecessor. Thank goodness because plays about raging alcoholics can be such buzzkills when you are drinking. I always love discovering new
happy hours in the city and on Wednesdays, you need to try Dominique’s on Magazine. Every Hump day, this trendy new eatery offers $5 cocktails and small bites. The patio is perfect for hanging out when the weather is nice. Thursday, my friend Beaux and I went exploring in Mid-City checking out NOLA’a newest gay bar to the area, the Tulane Avenue Bar. Congratulations to Mid-City on their first gay bar and what a very cool place. It is intimate and beautifully decorated. That night, the owners, Pedro Antunes and Bertrand Washington, were on hand to greet guests and make some tasty martinis. They talked to me about all the plans to expand the venue creating a destination for both locals and visitors alike. They also have drag shows on Saturday nights, so check them out. Friday was a day of celebration starting with the 30th Anniversary Party for the NO/AIDS Task Force. Thirty years ago, the NO/AIDS Task Force began humbly in the Crescent City at the height of the AIDS crises; and since then the dedicated men and women on their team have given hope, dignity, courage and even life to those people afflicted with HIV and AIDS. On February 7th, a sold-out audience celebrated their achievements and learned about what is next on their horizon during their soiree at Westin Hotel located adjacent to Canal Place. Bryan Batt emceed the evening’s festivities which included a three course meal, a slide show of the last thirty years of events and gracious toasts. But the evening was all about the observance of this respected organization and its staff. The night started with a reception followed by a three course meal with a presentation. The Gay Men’s Chorus serenaded guests as they entered the ballroom. Bryan kept things lively and fun as the party progressed ending with everyone kicking up their heels and dancing the night away. Next, Princesse Stephaney and I took our leave and went to the Contemporary Arts Center’s SweetArts 2014 Ball. This was the unveiling of their new exhibit “30 Americans” as well as being one of the biggest fundraisers their museum holds annually. Guests were received by an acrobat pouring champagne from above. The progressive party was on all three floors each with new art to view as well as different local restaurants and craft cocktails. The third floor was the happening scene as everyone hit the dance floor to shake their moneymakers to old school dance hits. What a fabulously fun night. Friday was fun, but Saturday topped it with two spectacular Mardi Gras parties and club hopping. The night began with the Endymion Queen’s Party held at the New Orleans Film and Event Studio. Guests were greeted at the entrance by stiltwalkers, models in champagne dresses and the Brazilian band Casa Samba. Alexandra Kern,
the Queen, looked absolutely radiant as she greeted her guests. The venue was a party scene with different rooms providing different vibes. Anais St. John performed in the reception area as people nibbled on passed appetizers, before they were second lined into the main room where there was a DJ, go go dancers and plenty of atmospheric entertainment like psychic readers and caricature artists. The food was catered by the Hyatt’s off-premise catering division 1718 and was simply splendid. There was an incredible vibe throughout the night as the party culminated in Alexandra’s coronation. All hail Queen Alexandra, I cannot wait to see you in the parade. Following that event, we traveled across the city to Chalmette to catch the after party of the Krewe of Amon-Ra’s ball. By the time we arrived, everyone was in a jovial mood after a wonderful tableau. There dance party was crazy fun and well attended. But the party did not end there. The Quarter was our final destination of the night, stopping at Lafitte’s and Oz. I am going to have to get my body back into Mardi Gras party status because the next day was rough, but I managed to make it briefly to the Lords of Leather’s Royalty Party at Kajun’s Pub. They auctioned off many creative Mardi Gras décor. I swear if I get one more Carnival wreath, I am going to move to a new house with more doors. The next week’s fun started on Wednesday with The Skin Horse Theatre’s re-imaging of Shakespeare’s Macbeth. This talented group produced a surreal vision of madness, murder and power. The play opens with the entrance of the three witches played with maniacal glee by Ellery Burton, Pandora Gastelum and Monica Gilliam. Eerily attired and with fixed stares in their eyes, they usher in the action and sit at the sidelines introducing the actors. The play was staged at the Tigerman’s Den located at 3113 Royal Street. The venue lends itself to a creepy atmosphere with the bare, wooden interior and makeshift lighting, perfect for this show. On Thursday, I went to two totally different events. The first was the opening of Style House hair salon located at the corner of North Rampart and Esplanade Avenue. This was definitely a very chic soiree, with hair models with stunning dos, exceptional cocktails and lots of good-looking people. It is great to see all the new businesses opening up in the city, good luck to them in their new location. Afterwards, I went to Gigi Zachau’s Queen’s Party at the home of Michael Shlenker and Don Schween. Gigi celebrated her “almost” reign in style with friends at one of the coolest houses I have ever been to. Their home is specifically designed as a party house complete with a bar that rivals most taverns in the city. Gigi, [continued on 40]
38 • The Official Mag: AmbushMag.COM • Feb. 25-Mar c h 10, 2014 • Of fic ial Gay Mar di Gras Guide • GayMar diGras.COM
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a community within communities
by The Rev. Bill Terry, Rector St. Anna’s Episcopal Church Email: fr.bill@stannanola.org
Mardi Gras FAT FAT FAT Tuesday, corpulent fun, a bacchanal to end all bacchanals. Costumes that are racy and discreet, brazen and bawdy, sweet and petite. Mardi Gras. It is time for the fantastic fun of a day of revelry and libation. Young, old, middle aged, there is usually something for everyone. I suppose for this city it is the big blowout before we all go on a diet, quit cigarettes, start exercising, lose ten pounds, and destroy the credit cards and other “Lenten disciplines.” As a native I remember Mardi Gras quite differently. The Krewe of Carrollton
rolled down Carrollton Ave. The Krewe of Comus rolled down Bourbon Street as the closing act. The French Quarter did not “close.” But then again the Quarter had half the t-shirt shops, door men stood at clubs for a peek inside, four or five jazz venues and Frenchmen Street was still residential. It was the days of the Upstairs Lounge and Charmaine’s Bar. It was a town when the Half Fast Marching Club actually walked and no one knew where the “real” parade route for Zulu was headed. Ah the golden age. That same age in which little Ruby
under the gaydar ...from 38 you looked lovely and once you have a tiara, no one can take it away. Well, unless you do a porn shoot or something. Love was in the air this Valentine’s Day as the Mystic Krewe of Satyricon presented their 12th annual Bal Masque aptly titled Bal d’ Amour. All kinds of love were shown by the krewe as the tableau came out in creative and fun costumes. I was also honored to receive an award of thanks from this great group of men and women. Keep up the good work and all hail King Chris Santilli. Parades started on Saturday with Krewe du Vieux and the excitement of Carnival was upon us. I have never seen so many parties and people in costumes so early in the season like that night. I went to my friend Laura Tennyson’s house for her annual party which is just a stone’s throw from the parade route. This year’s parade theme was exceptionally biting leaving no one unscathed from the Dick Dynasty Krewe to the Olympics, Club Opp and everyone’s favorite corrupt ex-mayor Ray Nagin. They did a commendable job in kicking off the parade line-up in style. Sunday was a Dog Day Afternoon literally. There is a happening little dog park uptown on Louisiana near Tchoupitoulas where I brought Rose to mix and mingle with some other four legged friends. I never really went to dog parks before, but they are quite the social setting. Some friends met me there, and then afterwards we went to Dat Dog on Magazine Street’s outside patio for lunch, which is very dog friendly. That evening was night of Royalty, Rome and Intrigue as we celebrated the coronation of Barbara Ella as King Cake Queen XXI, "The Borghese
Coronation Portrait of King Cake Queen XXI Barbara Ella (photo by Larry Graham)
Queen." The action took place at Ambush Headquarters to a standing room only crowd of well-wishers. There was food and drink fit for a king (and lots of queens) as guests toasted the reign of the newest drag bon vivant to grace the Ambush Mansion walls. That concludes my two weeks of merriment, have a safe and enjoyable Mardi Gras!
Tony’s Tidbits of Wisdom Recently the Mystic Krewe of Satyricon had their Bal Masque on Valentine’s Day at the Sigur Civic Center in Chalmette. The theme was all about love and in honor of love, their collection that evening was for Forum For Equality who just recently with four couples, filed a lawsuit challenging the state’s constitutional ban on recognizing same-sex marriages legally per-
Bridges and ten others 54 years ago desegregated New Orleans Public Schools to howling parents chagrin. The first Gay Mardi Gras krewe was the Krewe of Yuga or “KY.” This krewe was formed to satirize the straight, aristocratic Mardi Gras traditions in 1958. In 1962, the Krewe of Yuga threw its first ball at a badly chosen sight, a private children’s school. No sooner had the tableau begun with Queen and Maids expectantly waiting the adoration of the spectators when police cars roared up and the ball was raided. Doors were locked and people were unceremoniously hauled to jail. Ah, the golden age. In those days many in the LGBT community stayed in the closet. There was nothing new about gay men in New Orleans. They had been silently acknowledged, you know, the bachelor men that moved to the French Quarter. Guys like Tennessee Williams would sojourn to this dowager-Queen City formed outside the state. I commend them on their commitment to help everyone in the state be treated fairly and pardon the pun “with love.” Their lawsuit charges that Louisiana’s refusal to recognize samesex marriages violates the US constitutional guarantees of equal protection and due process. This lawsuit also says that state officials infringe the couples’ First Amendment rights by requiring them to claim that they are unmarried on state tax returns. The basis of the equal protection violation claim is that Louisiana recognizes marriages legally performed elsewhere, including marriages that cannot be entered into inside the state, such as marriages between first cousins (what are we back in the days of the Tudors) or common-law marriages. Louisiana singles out only same-sex marriages for unequal treatment, a violation of the constitutional guarantees of equal protection and due process. For more information on their actions and how to support this cause, go to www.forumforequality.org.
To Quote A Queen In honor of Mardi Gras, I thought a quote from well-known playwright Oscar Wilde would be appropriate. Wilde wrote some incredible plays and poetry throughout his lifetime, but it is his scandalous and overtly decadent lifestyle that kept tongues wagging. Please enjoy two memorable quotes from this brilliant artist that lends itself to the Carnival season. The first should be thought of as the beginning of Mardi Gras day and the second at the end. Have a great time! “The only way to get rid of a temptation is to yield to it. Resist it, and your soul grows sick with longing for the
and discover who they really were. One did not say they were gay it was simply understood. That was then and this is now. Now some old timers might grumble that “it’s all commercialized!” Perhaps, but today we have the great Drag Queen contest and no one gets arrested; at least not for being gay. Today the Public School system while in disrepair is fully integrated as far as public access goes. Yes, it has its issues but none the less fully integrated. Today in addition to Mardi Gras we have Decadence, Gay Pride, and Essence Festival. No my dear we are still not quite there. Other issues need to be settled like decriminalization of marijuana use; legal same sex marriage in Louisiana or at least the recognition of civil unions in other states as legitimate. Turbulent times perhaps reflected most sarcastically with Krewe du Vieux foisting political and social critique upon us as only such a parade can. The laconic days of the 1950s and 60s are gone. Some of which many of us sorely miss. But, the 21st century has given us many gifts of social justice, equality, and hope. It is hard to sort all that out, it truly is, it’s confusing sometimes because as a community we want so desperately to think of a golden age. Perhaps this IS the Golden Age, at least for some, and I am not talking about “the One per cent.” I am talking about you and me. In the middle of this confusing, rapid paced, age of technology there are glimmers, more than glimmers, bright stars of hope and equality. Jesus said, “The kingdom of God is near and at hand.” It always has been in the hearts of people like Stewart Butler, about to receive an ACLU Award, or, perhaps in the heart of A.P. Tureaud and Nelson Mandela and Archbishop Desmond Tutu. The Kingdom of God that Jesus spoke of knows no shame in being who we are created to be nor to celebrate our common life. The Kingdom of God is an on-going process drawing us closer to “the beloved community” of hope and hospitality. So, party hard on Mardi Gras, last flash of the flesh. Be safe, be thankful, that today you can be who you are in the streets of New Orleans. Maybe not in Sochi but certainly in New Orleans – we have at least that going for us. Then make your humble supplication to the creator and sustainer on Wednesday thanking him/her for all the current, past, and future blessings that we are imbued with. For it is after all, “the sacrament of the present moment.” things it has forbidden to itself.” “We are all in the gutter, but some of us are looking at the stars. “ If you have an event, story or idea, you want covered, contact me at ledgemgp@gmail.com.
40 • The Official Mag: AmbushMag.COM • Feb. 25-Mar c h 10, 2014 • Of fic ial Gay Mar di Gras Guide • GayMar diGras.COM
trodding the boards by Brian Sands
Email: bsnola2@hotmail.com
The Kingfish at The Joy Theater John McConnell has been inhabiting the part of Huey P. Long in the oneman show The Kingfish for 27 years. After all that time, he wears the role like a custom-tailored seersucker suit. The Kingfish: The Life & Times of Huey P. Long recently returned to New Orleans for a brief run at The Joy Theater where its streamlined single set fit perfectly. Larry L. King & Ben Z. Grant’s script has Long looking down from Heaven after his assassination to relate the highlights of his life and share his philosophy. Though a somewhat stagy framing device, it efficiently gives Long/McConnell a free rein to show off
interests of Big Oil. Just like Jindal, right? Huey P. was larger than life and had an ego to match, and McConnell, who bears an amazing resemblance to Long, follows up a detailing of the Kingfish’s accomplishments with a wink to the audience saying that he’s “being as modest about them as circumstances permit.” As King & Grant portray him, Long was quite the wit, getting a laugh by observing how there were “So many people who knew me who’d loved to kill me and a stranger did.” What their script could’ve used more of, however, was Long’s ruthlessness which led to Franklin Delano Roosevelt once saying of Long that, along with General Dou-
John McConnell in The Kingfish: The Life & Times of Huey P. Long glas MacArthur, “he was one of the two a style and an approach to politics that most dangerous men in America.” took him from small town Louisiana to In McConnell’s assured perforthe national stage, a fascinating story mance, Long comes off as both a very that never grows old. polished and engaging rascal (“a Tom Long brought a populist streak to Sawyer in a toga”), and a compelling government as he built roads, hospi- and rousing speaker who bent the rules tals, mental asylums and “156 bridges” “a little bit.” A man of the people who throughout the state, claiming that, with quoted Shalespeare, it’s clear that Long these results, he was “proud to have was no fool, an epithet that he tosses raised taxes.” Can you imagine any in the direction of his brother Earl. politician saying that today? For that matter, Long fought hard against the [continued on 42]
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trodding the boards ...from 41 Though there was a technical glitch at the start of Act Two the night I saw it (vintage photos and Randy Newman songs covered well), the rest of the show ran like a well-oiled machine with smooth transitions between its various sections, a tribute to Perry Martin’s still effective direction. The Kingfish does become a bit redundant in its second act as Long continues to pontificate; by then, an audience knows how he feels. Though we get some examples of how tough he was with his colleagues and adversaries, it comes off as a little simplistic here. For a more nuanced overview of how Long came to power and how he used it, another viewing of All the King’s Men might be in order. Or for a more recent variation, check out New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie and the Fort Lee bridge scandal. When it comes to how political rewards and punishments are meted out, some things never change.
New Orleans Ballet Association at Mahalia Jackson Theater through May 10 In his pre-performance comments, Artistic Director Jacques Heim portrayed his company, Diavolo, as a combination of ballet, modern dance, acrobatics, gymnastics and everyday movement that have been tossed together “like a salad.” If I wasn’t sure what exactly that meant, by the end of the evening I had discovered what an apt description it was. The program was divided into two sections. The first featured four short pieces. The second was given over to Fluid Infinities which was commissioned by the Los Angeles Philharmonic Association and had its world premiere six months ago in the Hollywood Bowl. New Orleans is fortunate to have been one of the first cities to experience this magnificent dance work. The curtain rises on what looks like the expanded foil on one of those old Jiffy Pop popcorn pans. But the “foil” is soon drawn away to reveal a large, curved metallic skin with holes throughout its surface. This dome evokes the craters of the moon, a honeycomb of bees, a skull, a starship or even a rotting melon rind. Whatever it is, and it might be all of these, it is visually dazzling as it moves and rotates with perfect coordination. To the pulsing rhythms of Philip Glass’ Symphony No. 3, the Diavolo dancers ascend the dome, disappear through its holes and return on its underside in this demanding work conceived by Heim and choreographed with precision by the eleven member company. There is a sense of conquest, of
awe, of discovering the unknown, and of struggle as dancers, singly and jointly, explore this brave new world. Shadows and reflections, courtesy of John E.D. Bass’ ingenious lighting, add extra dimensions to this already many-layered opus. I found it all elegant and stylish, moving and deeply involving. Fluid Infinities is mysterious and ambiguous, not in a confusing manner but, rather, in an astutely artful way which allows different associations to be evoked in the mind of each viewer. And the live performance of Glass’ music by the Louisiana Philharmonic Orchestra (LPO) brought an added immediacy to the evening. Conductor Glenn Langdon propelled the score forward bringing out its rumbling basses to marvelous effect. By contrast, I felt that the works in the program’s first half were neither as intellectually challenging nor as emotionally engaging, fun to watch but a bit repetitious after a while, their underlying ideas beaten to death. D2R, which used dancers in a human pachinko machine, had a gripping intensity and a powerful ending though there was a certain redundancy to its variations. Knockturne’s very French, lyrical tenderness could not prevent this love duet involving two dancers and a door from becoming visually static before its six minutes were up. Bench, all silly fun as dancers competed for its namesake object, was well done but, like D2R, its variations were all too similar. And if Humachina provided one of the evening’s most stunning images, with three dancers standing astride the curved edge of upright quarter circles suddenly appearing as though out of nowhere, the rest of it could’ve used more such “Wow!” moments. In all fairness, a few people I spoke to afterward preferred the first part of the evening to the second. I, however, could see Fluid Infinities an infinite amount of times without ever tiring of it. NOBA continues its season with The Joffrey Ballet (March 29) and Parsons Dance (May 10) which will feature a world premiere with music by New Orleans’ own Allen Toussaint. Can’t wait!
New Orleans Opera Association at Mahalia Jackson Theater through April 6 New Orleans Opera Association continued its season of rarities with Massenet’s Cinderella (Cendrillon) which was given its American premiere in New Orleans in 1902 and deserves to be better known for its luscious score. G. Alan Rusnak’s simple but effective sets allowed the focus to stay on the music and performers where it belonged. Hypnotic and beguiling, full
of long phrases, Massenet’s composition was sung superbly by an impressive cast. Judith Gauthier was most affecting as the poor girl who winds up a princess. Her crystal clear voice aptly conveyed longing, joy and innocent love as well as the score’s more somber moments when, in this version of the tale, she decides to run away and die all alone. Marie Lenormand cut such a convincing figure as Prince Charming that I thought she was a man...until she began to sing. Lenormand touchingly brought out the Prince’s melancholy which transformed into joy immediately upon seeing Cinderella. Lenormand and Gauthier’s passionate duets were some of the performance’s highlights. Properly following the libretto, Luretta Bybee never allowed Mme. de la Haltiere, the classic nasty stepmother, to become a complete gorgon. Rather, without overdoing it, she came off as an imperious, social climbing, haute bourgeoise who happens to sing with a subtle comic edge. Veteran baritone François Le Roux’s sensitive voice was well-suited to the hen-pecked husband yet loving father of Cinderella who finally shows some backbone. As the Fairy Godmother, Kathryn Lewek sang gorgeously, each of her notes falling like perfectly formed drops of rain. As always, conductor Robert Lyall led the LPO commandingly, bringing out the delicacy of Massenet’s music and getting its essential “French-ness” just right. For this outing, the flute and piccolo section was especially outstanding. Lyall, along with director Jose Maria Condemi, wisely kept a brisk pace yet allowed the more contemplative moments room to breath. Condemi’s staged the opera straightforwardly which was fine, though the slapstick routines Condemi devised for the stepsisters, while not inappropriate, could’ve been sharper and more imaginatively done. Taken from the same fairy tale that inspired the Disney movie, it was no wonder that the matinee audience was filled with little girls, one who wondered out loud in the first act “When’s Cinderella going to come on?” For that matter, despite Massenet’s beautiful music, I half-expected to hear one of Rodgers and Hammerstein’s songs pop up from their version of the tale. Silly me. For those who want to know what Rent sounded like before it was transplanted to the East Village, NOOA returns on April 4 and 6 to conclude the season with Puccini’s classic La Bohème.
Sutton Foster Broadway@NOCCA Sutton Foster returned to New Or-
leans in January for her second goround of Broadway@NOCCA and she was again delightful. Even more importantly, Seth Rudetsky returned to host this series returning it from the pure cabaret of Charles Busch’s and Alice Ripley’s visits to the more fun and frothy cabaret/interview format. As before, Rudetsky led Foster through interesting career moments to get her take on how she got to where she is today. Apparently she learned how to yodel for Young Frankenstein only after she told the producers she knew how. She then gave a demonstration of her yodeling technique that showed how well her chutzpah paid off. Chutzpah, though, is not the word you typically associate with Foster. She’s less “diva” and more “girl next door” which made her so perfect as the lead in Thoroughly Modern Millie for which she got her first Tony Award. And if she’s not a natural Reno Sweeney she sounded great singing I Get a Kick Out of You and, hey, she did win her second Tony for that role in Anything Goes. In the course of the evening, we found out how she was able to play Éponine on Broadway in Les Misérables, a role that typically went to a shorter woman (after ten years, they were more open to diversity in the cast) and what it was like performing at the Kennedy Center Honors for Shirley MacLaine (Fun!). We also learned that she’s pals with Lea Salonga, a Tony winner for Miss Saigon, who regularly beats her at Words With Friends. And that Foster auditioned for the movie version of Les Miz but didn’t get it. Which is a shame because her version of I Dreamed a Dream was absolutely wonderful. What a pleasure to see a pro dig into a song like that and make it seem so effortless. When asked by a NOCCA student for advice, Foster said to avoid unfamiliar songs when auditioning but to blur gender lines with songs written for the opposite sex. Her fantastic versions of Hey There, Oklahoma! and Being Alive made a strong case for this. I left with just one tinge of regret. Singing songs from some of the many roles she could play (Nellie Forbush’s A Cockeyed Optimist (“I am a cockeyed optimist,” she declared.); Charity Hope Valentine’s If My Friends Could See Me Now; Fanny Brice’s Don’t Rain On My Parade—a WOW-zer even without any rehearsal!), it seems unlikely that Foster will soon have a crack at creating a new role of her own as such icons as Mary Martin, Ethel Merman and Carol Channing regularly did. Even her forthcoming return to Broadway will be in a revival (Violet). So would someone please write Sutton Foster a musical she can call her own?! Stay tuned for announcements of future events in the Broadway@ series which in just over a year has become an invaluable part of the New Orleans theater scene.
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NEXT Ambush DEADLINE Wednesday, Feb. 13 504.522.8049 marsha@ripandmarsha.com Sout hernDec adenc e.COM • Feb. 25-Marc h 10, 2014 • Facebook.COM/ AmbushMag • The Official Mag: AmbushMag.COM • 43
Dancers Lou & Brian @ The Corner Pocket
Lords of Leather welcomes you to Lords Royalty Party @ Kajun’s Pub
Satyricon joins Lords’ Royalty Party @ Kajun’s Pub
ambush
paparazzi Amon-Ra join Lords’ Royalty Party @ Kajun’s Pub Lauren Brown & Nathen aka Felicia Faraday @ 4 Seasons’ Crescent City Divas in Metairie
Michael & Tone on the bar @ The Corner Pocket
Lana O’Day & partner Giselle Trivianni @ 4 Seasons’ Crescent City Divas
Mwindo joins Lords’ Royalty Party @ Kajun’s Pub Oz host Persana Shoulders with Palm Springs’ John Vignone @ Oz
Don & Hank welcome you to Armeinius' French Quarter Patio Tour
Welcome to North Shore Divas @ Billy’s in Slidell
Dominique DeLorean in North Shore Divas @ Billy’s
Birthday boy Chris Brannon celebrates his big day @ Oz
Amon-Ra, Petronius & Queenateenas' Royalty @ Kajun’s Pub Patrick, Earl, June, Brent, Kyle, John, Andrew & Josh @ Armeinius’ F.Q Patio Tour
All smiles @ Armeinius’ French Quarter Patio Tour
Dancer Poseidon joins the dare @ Oz’s Deals, Dares & Dancers
Queenateenas’ King Cake Queens join Lords’ Royalty Party @ Kajun’s Pub
Hot men join Deals, Dares & Dancers Fridays @ Oz
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The Club Scene ~ New Orleans, Metairie, Slidell ~ Photos by Frankie Fierce, Charles Jenkins, Tony Leggio, Chuck Hinkley, Paul Melancon, Jeremy
Bar Baron’s Pedro & Bertrand with Events & Promotions' Kerry & Tyriq welcome you to the all new Tulane Avenue Bar
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ambush
paparazzi
The Welcome Team @ Bourbon Pub & Parade Bartenders pub crawl lands @ Michael’s On The Park Jimmy Lee & Dr. George after the Amon-Ra Ball @ Lafitte’s
Bartender Tom @ the Phoenix Butch Aletha tops Bartender of the Year/Bottom of the Year Jeff @ Cafe Lafitte in Exile
Nan & Mina join the Jewel Box Revue @ Michael’s On The Park
Bartenders Joseph & Shon welcome you to Good Friends Bar
Bill & Philip @ Golden Lantern
Darwin, Chuck, Bill & Opal @ The Double Play
Double Play’s Chuck & Wood Enterprises’ Chris @ Double Play
Eric behind the bar @ the Phoenix
Cocktailing @ Golden Lantern with bar baron James
Rawhide 2010’s friendly manager Richard
Bartender Tattoo & manager Brian @ Rainbow Room
Roger & Glenn cocktailing @ Voodoo
Little Dick & Big Charlie Bear @ Rawhide 2010 Meat Night
David @ Voodoo Bar
Andrew Christian underwear model Chris with Bourbon Pride’s Josh @ Bourbon Pride
Shon & Dexter cocktailing @ Le Roundup
46 • The Official Mag: AmbushMag.COM • Feb. 25-Mar c h 10, 2014 • Of fic ial Gay Mar di Gras Guide • GayMar diGras.COM
Nightlife in The Big Easy ~ New Orleans ~ Photos by Frankie Fierce, Tony Leggio, Paul Melancon
Dancer Carmine welcomes you to Rainbow Room
Sout hernDec adenc e.COM • Feb. 25-Marc h 10, 2014 • Facebook.COM/ AmbushMag • The Official Mag: AmbushMag.COM • 47
48 • The Official Mag: AmbushMag.COM • Feb. 25-Mar c h 10, 2014 • Of fic ial Gay Mar di Gras Guide • GayMar diGras.COM