Ambush magazine volume 32 issue 05

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AHF Healthcare Centers aim to THE OFFICIAL MAG decrease the number of new HIV/AIDS diagnoses by providing free HIV testing so people can be aware of their status; immediate linkage into care – regardFacebook.COM/AmbushMag less of ability to pay – for those who Gulf South Entertainment/Travel

by Rip & Marsha Naquin-Delain test positive; and support through on- Guide Since 1982 • Louisiana-Florida Email: marsha@ripandmarsha.com going follow-ups to ensure adherence Official Gay Easter Parade Guide to a health regimen that will ultimately Official Gay Mardi Gras Guide Official Gay New Orleans Guide End of Mardi Gras Heralds in extend life expectancies and reduce Official Southern Decadence Guide the risk of transmission.

"The Reason for the Easter Season" OFFICE/SHIPPING ADDRESS: According to the Louisiana Office Even though the excitement of Mardi Gras ended on a wet, cold note Mardi 828-A Bourbon St., New Orleans, LA 70116-3137 of Public Health, there were 17,735 USA Gras Day, March 4th, it was a run with some outstanding weather many days. documented cases of people living with OFFICE HOURS: 10am-3pm It brought a much needed boost to the local economy, as we move into even more Monday-Friday [Except Holidays] HIV in Louisiana in 2011, of whom celebrations with all of the St. Patrick's Day, and of course, Easter festivities upon Email: marsha@ripandmarsha.com 9,650 (54%) had progressed to AIDS. PHONE: 1.504.522.8049 us. The Gay Easter Parade is chock full of event-fundraisers celebrating the AHF opened its first Louisiana reason for the Easter Season benefiting Food For Friends. The parade minus ANNUAL READERSHIP OVER 1 MILLION: Healthcare Center in Baton Rouge in 260,000+ in print/780,000+ On-line expenses benefits Food For Friends program of the NO/AIDS Task Force.

CIRCULATION: June, and the staff of that clinic will also Sponsored by Ambush Mag, the parade has raised over $171,101 for charity Alabama-Mobile operate the Gretna clinic. AHF’s cenFlorida - Pensacola the past 12 years. ters offer opportunities for services in Louisiana - Baton Rouge, Lafayette, Lake Easter Grand Marshals XV Todd Blauvelt and Stuart Nettles leads this years Charles, Metairie, New Orleans, Slidell the public health regions that have been festivities and parade.

Mississippi - Bay St. Louis, Biloxi most impacted by new HIV infections Texas - Houston The 4th Sponsorship Party is up first on Sunday, March 16th, 3-5pm, at STAFF: according to the 2011 report, which are Cutter’s, 706 Franklin. This year it is under the direction of GEP Boards Steve PUBLISHER/EDITOR New Orleans, Baton Rouge, and R. Rip Naquin-Delain, New Orleans Patrick and Darwin Reed. If you become a sponsor, you will receive complimenShreveport.

PRODUCTION DIRECTOR tary well cocktails and domestic beer courtesy of EGMs XV Todd and Stuart, M. Marsha Naquin-Delain, New Orleans “Even though we are just across buffet courtesy of Cutter’s; and a special surprise gift courtesy of GEP Board of GULF SOUTH/NEW ORLEANS AD SALES the river from New Orleans, the lack of Rip Naquin-Delain • 504.522.8049 Directors. You will also have a chance at the Surprise Auctions. Sponsorships are primary care providers specializing in NEW ORLEANS AD SALES available at Presenting ($2,500), Platinum ($1,000), Gold ($500), Silver ($250), Paul Melancon 504.357.8440 HIV care in Gretna can have a devasor Bronze ($100). For forms, visit www.GayEasterParade.com/images/ THEATRE/PERFORMING ARTS CRITIC . tating impact on people living with the Brian Sands GEPSponsorForm.pdf or pick one up at the party. virus here,” said AHF Gretna Healthcare AD REPS/JOURNALISTS/PHOTOGRAPHERS The second event is the 6th Eggstravaganza hosted by GEP Boards Opal Frank Joseph, Charles Jenkins, Tony Leggio, Center provider Leah Cullins, FNP. Masters and Darwin Reed on Saturday, March 22nd, 7-10pm, $10 donation, at Frank Perez, Arthur Severio, “The new clinic offers both expert care Rev. Bill Terry-New Orleans Michael’s On The Park, 834 N. Rampart Street. The buffet, courtesy of Michael's and the opportunity for walk-in HIV Bob Brunson, MIss Cie & John, Leon WeekleyOn The Park, begins at 7pm. The show and auctions begin at 8pm with MCs Opal Mobile, AL testing, which are two of the biggest Masters and Antoinette Chardonnay. You can also look for performances by Lauren Mitchell-Pensacola, FL factors in controlling HIV/AIDS in any National Advertising Rep: Queen Amon-Ra XLVIII Deja Deja-Vue’, EGM XII Elizabeth Bouvier, Sidney region.”

Rivendell Media 212.242.6863 Williams, Little MM, and more, plus male dancers Ronnie and Andy from Alpha Ambush Mag is published on alternate TuesAHF operates more than 20 Male Entertainment. There are fabulous auctions including: “Drown A Drag days of each month by Ambush, Inc., R. Rip NaquinHealthcare Centers throughout the Delain, President. Advertising, Copy & Photo DEADQueen,” Shower Dancers, Jewelled Silver Bunny Limoge (donated by EGM IV United States – in Florida, California, LINE is alternate Tuesdays, 4pm, prior to publication Electra City and EGM XI Tittie Toulouse, direct from Ho Chi Minh City, formally Georgia, Ohio, Texas, Louisiana, Mis- week, accepted via e-mail only: Saigon, Vietnam), Porn DVD Basket, Jewelry, plus 50/50 raffle and more. except for special holisissippi, New York, Nevada, and Wash- marsha@ripandmarsha.com, days. The Publisher assumes no responsibility for The remaining fundraisers follow. ington, D.C. – and many more in the the claims of advertisers and has the right to reject 13th Super Star-Studded Drag Extravaganza will be held Saturday, March countries where AHF works throughout any advertising. The inclusion of an individual's name 29th, 8-10pm, at Oz, 800 Bourbon Street. This event is under the direction of GEP photograph in this publication implies nothing Asia, Africa, Europe, and Latin America. or about that individual's sexual orientation. Letters, Boards Rip and Marsha Naquin-Delain.

More information about Healthcare stories, etc., appearing herein are not necessarily 15th Purple Party Easter Grand Marshals Reception, hosted by the GEP Center services and locations can be the opinion of the Publisher or Staff of AMBUSH Mag. Board of Directors will be held on Saturday, April 5th, 8-10pm, at The Double Play, Subscription rate is $45 for 1/2 Year; $75 for 1 year. found at www.hivcare.org.

Sample Copy is $3 First Class Mail.

439 Dauphine St. ©1982-2014, AMBUSH, INC.,ALL RIGHTS RE12th Spring Fever Extravaganza, under the direction of GEP Boards Electra SERVED. NOTHING HEREIN MAY BE REPROCity and Tittie Toulouse is set for Saturday, April 12th, with 7pm VIP Reception, Rise of the Leprechauns DUCED WITHOUT WRITTEN PERMISSION OF THE PUBLISHER INCLUDINGAD LAYOUTS, MAPS and 8-10pm show and auction, at Carl Mack Presents, 535 Marigny St. and PHOTOS. AMgrant - AMbush Advertising Grant 5th Bunnies in the Big Easy, under the direction of Tony Leggio and Rona sets Tone for CWB XV Donation The 15th annual Crack Whore Ball Conners, is set for Good Friday, April 18th, 7-9:30pm, at Bourbon View, 501 (CWB) celebrates the Rise of the LepBourbon St. cal, mental, and emotional effects that This year both the Pre-Parade and Post-Parade parties will be hosted by rechauns Monday, March 17th at Oz, infectious diseases inflict on communiMichael's On The Park, 834 N. Rampart. The Pre-Parade Party is set for 3pm. 800 Bourbon Street. The ball benefits ties worldwide.

The Post-Parade Party following the end of the parade will feature an Easter New Orleans Society for Infectious DisThe annual ball gives service industry buffet. The new parade route is 834 N. Rampart to St. Ann, St. Ann to Bourbon, eases Awareness (NOSIDA) which actively promotes awareness of the physi[continued on 8] Bourbon to Esplanade, Esplanade to Royal, Royal to St. Louis, St. Louis to N. Rampart, N. Rampart ending at 834 N. Rampart.

Pre-Easter issue out March 25 The parade showcases the fashion and creativity of the entire LGBT >DEADLINE: Tues., March 18 community with gentlemen in summer suits/tux with hats, and ladies in Easter suits/dresses with Easter hats.

15th gay easter parade 23 celebrazzi 6 Carriage, wagon, and trolley prices are not yet confirmed. As soon as they mobile paparazzi 25 obituary/pat "estelle" ritter 8 are, you will be able to get your parade form at www.GayEasterParade.com. classifieds 26 baton rouge paparazzi 8

the "official" dish

inside

New HIV Healthcare Center Offers Expert Care in Gretna Healthcare Foundation (AHF) opened its newest domestic Healthcare Center in Gretna, Louisiana in January. The facility offers advice from HIV experts and opportunities for client-centered, specialized treatment and care for people living with HIV/AIDS at 2600 Belle Chasse Highway, Suite 204, 225.397.1470.

Hours are Tuesdays 8am-3pm.

under the gaydar gep 4th sponsorship party gep 6th eggstravaganza gay mardi gras bead toss paparazzi lords of leather, bourbon st. awards a community within communities

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trodding the boards pensacola paparazzi moments in gay new orleans history ambush paparazzi/new orleans celebration of life/maggie marrero ambush paparazzi/nola, slidell

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

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celebrazzi

The Lords of Leather Bal Masque XXXI: Tales & Adventures culminated with the presentation of Lord King XXXI Terry Conerly and Lord Consort Don Bordelon in grand fashion as the Lords always do. Emceed by Darwin S. and Bianca Del Rio, the charity number during the ball performed by Elizabeth Bouvier and Rhonda Roget raised $1,947 for St. Anna’s Food Pantry at Frederick J. Sigur Civic Center in Chalmette, Louisiana. (www.LordsOfLeather.com)

Ben Bourgeois as "The Brothers Grimm" from the 31st Lords of Leather Ball won the 50th annual Bourbon Streets Awards in both the Best Overall ($1,000) and Best of Show ($500) categories hosted by Oz and Ambush Mag on Mardi Gras March 4th outside of Oz in the 800 block of Bourbon Street.

"Star Wars" won Best Group ($500) at the 50th annual Bourbon Street Awards.

Best Drag ($500) went to Ab Fab's faux Patsy and Edie at the 50th annual Bourbon Street Awards.

King Petronius LIII Eunice and Queen Petronius LIII Theresa brought to a glamorous close the Krewe of Petronius Bal Masque LIII: Fill in The Blank at Frederick J. Sigur Civic Center in Chalmette, Louisiana. (www.KreweOfPetronius.org)

Matt Hester (above) as "Frankenstein" from the 31st Lords of Leather Ball won Best Leather ($500) in the 50th annual Bourbon Street. Awards.

Michael Elias (below left) joins brother Tommy Elias and partner Carl Geleno celebrating at Oz following the 50th annual Bourbon Street Awards where Tommy was presented a mayoral proclamation for his outstanding dedication to the City of New Orleans and the Gay Community dedicating Mardi Gras, March 4th as Tommy Elias Day in New Orleans.

King Cake Queen XXI: Barbara Ella, The Borghese Queen, led the 27th annual Official Gay Mardi Gras Bead Toss on Mardi Gras March 4th from the Ambush Mansion balcony on Bourbon Street. She is joined by Aunt Sally, Mom Phyllis, KCQ XVII Opal Masters, and Krewe of Queenateenas' Co-Captains Marsha & Rip Naquin-Delain. (www.GayMardiGras.com/KCQ/2014kcq.htm)

Mark and Collette Ambrose are joined by Chuck Turner and Candise Holman as they celebrate the life of New Orleans' icon Maggie Marrero at Le Roundup.

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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.

baton rouge papar azzi

Lords of Leather Rush Party March 16 Do you want to be part of a creative and community-building organization where your talents and skills are appreciated? Surely you do. Come check out to the Lords of Leather Rush Party on Sunday, March 16th from 3-5pm at the Phoenix Bar, 941 Elysian Fields Ave. Find out what being a member of this fun-loving Mardi Gras krewe can do for you.

Information and applications will be available at the party or you may find details on www.lordsofleather.com . An open bar (well drinks and domestic beer) and food will be provided as you mingle with current members. "We look forward to seeing you there."

obituary

SDGMs XXIX Pat Ritter, Bianca Del Rio & Rick Thomas (Photo by Larry Graham)

Pat "Estelle" Ritter July 9, 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. (www.SouthernDecadence.com) Visitation is Monday, March 17th 11am followed by a Memorial Tribute at 12noon at Schoen Funeral Home, 3827 Canal Street, New Orleans.

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Turn-A-Bout @ George’s ~ Baton Rouge ~ Photos by Jeff Palmquist

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www.tennesseewilliams.net for details on all-day, single-event, multiple-event or VIP tickets.

Easter Is In The Air The Gay Easter Parade has posted its schedule of events this year and it is shaping up to be a great season. In addition to the Sponsorship Party at Cutter’s on Sunday, March 16th, 3-5pm, and the Parade itself on Easter Sunday, April 20th, 4:30pm, there are month long events to put some spring in your step. The first is 6th Annual Eggstravaganza on Saturday, March 22nd at Michael's On the Park from 7-10pm. The following week Saturday, March 29th, is the 13th Annual Super Star Studded Drag Extravaganza at Oz from 8-10pm.

Next up on Saturday, April 5th is the 15th Annual Purple Party from 8-11pm at Double Play.

Rounding out the events are 12th Spring Fever Extravaganza at Carl Mack Presents on Saturday, April 12th from 7-10pm and on April 18th, Bunnies in the Big Easy from 7 – 9:30pm at Bourbon Vieux. For more information on all the events for the Gay Easter Parade, go to www.GayEasterParade.com.

At His Sordid Best!

under the gaydar

by Tony Leggio Email: ledgemgp@gmail.com Photo by: Larry Graham, GrahamStudioOne.COM

Rush Week

Bartender of the Month My bartender for the month of March has been a mainstay in the gay community for many years. He is wellliked by both co-workers and customers and he has a substantial following of loyal patrons. Recently he was on the cover of NOLA Baby & Family Magazine with his partner and son. I am talking about the totally loveable David McElveen from the Bourbon Pub & Parade.

David is the epitome of the nice guy. He is pleasant, engaging and creates an atmosphere of warmth around his corner of the Pub. Whenever he is working his area always stays crowded. Personality goes far when you are a bartender. Your livelihood relies on how likeable you are that is why it boggles my mind that there are rude people behind the bar.

Famous playwright and actor Del Shores is returning to the Crescent City with his show “My Sordid Best” on Thursday, April 3rd at the Allways Lounge. Written, performed and produced by Shores, this one-man show contains some of his best stories, as well as new material he has gathered. Shores is best known for the television series and movie Sordid Lives.

There will also be an introduction by Emerson Collins, star of Southern Baptist Sissies. Tickets are $20 and the show starts at 8pm. The Allways Lounge is located at 2240 St. Claude Avenue. For tickets, go to www.delshores.tix.com.

Downstairs at the Pub stays busy, so trying to maintain the energy level constantly can be a difficult task, but David manages to stay focused, amiable and quick. You rarely see a centered person behind the bar who not only takes pride in his job, but remains enthusiastic at all times. This security and love of his job and his customers shine through making his an easy choice as one of the top bartenders of the month. Also his newly fashioned mustache are making him seventies porn star sexy.

Joking aside, David brings a level of professionalism and fun to his job. His speed at making cocktails for the throngs of guests while keeping them laughing is one of his strongest abilities. Make sure you check him out behind the bar soon. The Bourbon Pub & Parade is located at 801 Bourbon Street.

A Scholarly Event

The Historic New Orleans Collection and the Tennessee Williams/New Orleans Literary Festival is presenting The Tennessee Williams Scholars Conference, directed by Robert Bray, professor of English at Middle Tennessee State University and editor of the “Tennessee Williams Annual Review,” co-published

by MTSU and THNOC. This prestigious gathering will take place on Friday, March 21st from 9:15am to 4:15pm at the Williams Research Center, 410 Chartres St., in the French Quarter.

THNOC returns as the host of the annual Tennessee Williams Scholars Conference, where literary and theater experts share their insights on the creative work of the great American playwright. Scholars from several universities will present abstracts on a variety of Williams-related topics and discuss their findings with the audience. The conference will also feature a panel discussion on Williams and Truman Capote, a discussion about writers and artists who influenced Williams and a discussion of Williams’s lucrative but ambivalent relationship with his Broadway and Off-Broadway productions.

The admission to the scholars’ conference is $20. Tickets Bartender of the Month David must be purchased through the Tennessee Williams/New OrMcElveen @ Bourbon Pub & Parade leans Literary Festival. Call 504.581.1144 or visit

Want to be a part of a time honored tradition, meet great people and strut your stuff on stage! Two notable krewes are holding their rush parties very soon, and interested parties should check them out.

Amon-Ra, an outstanding gay carnival krewe is holding their annual rush party on Sunday, March 23rd from 25pm at the Queen’s Head Pub upstairs at Good Friends Bar. Now is your opportunity to join a krewe that is known for its elegance and grace on the stage with elaborate costumes. For more information, go to www.KreweOfAmonRa.com.

The Mystic Krewe of Satyricon, known for its entertaining tableaus is hosting their rush party on Sunday, April 6th from 2-5pm at the 700 Club. For more information on this krewe, go to www.mystickreweofsatyricon.com.

Provincetown Meets NOLA At The Tennessee Williams Festival The Tennessee Williams New Orleans Literary Festival takes place this month March 19 -23. But this year there is an extra bonus for fest goers when the Provincetown Tennessee Williams Festival joins forces with its New Orleans counterpart to bring two much heralded theatrical productions to the Crescent City.

This is a wonderful opportunity for Williams’ enthusiasts to get a sample of what the Provincetown Festival has to offer. Both “The Hotel Plays” and “Gift of An Orange” were produced in Provincetown to rave reviews and many of the actors who were in the original shows there are reprising their roles for New Orleans audiences.

Both plays will be performed at the historic Hermann-Grima House. The first theatrical offering is [continued on 12]

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under the gaydar ...from 10 The Hotel Plays. Williams set many of his plays in hotel rooms and boarding houses: which he considered way stations between life and death, dream and reality. The Provincetown Tennessee Williams Theater Festival brings three short plays by Williams set in such rooms. This is a unique room to room to experience to meet Williams’ vivid characters up-close and personal.

The three works being performed are Green Eyes, The Traveling Companion and Mr. Paradise.

Green Eyes is often thought of as the kinkiest play Tennessee Williams ever wrote (so you know I will love it).

The erotic thriller takes place after a drunken wedding night in the French Quarter. Jami Paige reprises her dazzling performance with Matt Rein. When Williams wrote Green Eyes or also entitled No Sight Would Be Worth Seeing in 1970, the sexual revolution was in full swing in America. The country was in turmoil and so was Williams’ private life. In this play, rough sex brings about spiritual awakening in an intense mixture of anger, fear and desire.

The Traveling Companion features actor Jeremy Lawrence in an intense debate in a hotel room between a younger man (Beaux, an inexperienced hustler full of sexual potency) and an older man (Vieux, a neurotic insecure writer). Even before the death of his longtime companion Frank Merlo in 1963, Tennessee Williams was rarely without an “additional” assistant,” “secretary” or “companion” of some kind, many time more than one. The play exposes Williams’ feeling that there are always business like transactions to be made in every kind of love relationship.

In Mister Paradise, a young socialite’s daughter seeks out and finds and obscure writer named Paradise in a run-down French Quarter rooming house after becoming obsessed by his long forgotten poems.

There will be five performances of this unique theatrical offering. The Hotel Plays opens Wednesday, March 19th at 6:30pm which includes a special gala fundraiser and reception. Other shows include: Thursday, March 20th at 4pm, Friday, March 21st at 8pm, and Saturday, March 22nd at 2pm and 6pm.

The second play is “Gift of An Orange” which is about a hitchhiker down on his luck who falls off the beaten path and stumbles into the world of a voluptuous Voodoo priestess.

Performances will be Thursday, March 20th at 2pm, Friday, March 21st at 4pm, Saturday, March 22nd at 4pm and Sunday March 23rd at 11am.

Tickets are $30 for The Hotel Plays and $25 for Gift Of An Orange.

For tickets or more information, call 504-581-1144 or go to http://

tennesseewilliams.net.

Also for more information on the Provincetown Tennessee Williams Festival, go to http://twptown.org. The festival will take place this year September 25 – 28, 2014.

Party Down Well Mardi Gras 2014 has come and gone and what an amazing ride it was this year. It was an eddying effect of parades, parties and pecs. There is nothing like Mardi Gras in New Orleans, especially in the gay community.

So keep your hands inside the car at all times and let’s get started on this roller coaster ride.

I began my two weeks by going to two business networking events at the newly opened downtown haute bowlerama called Fulton Alley on Wednesday and Thursday. Fulton Alley takes bowling to a new upscale level. Designer shoes, craft cocktails, incredible food, bowling balls fitted to your exact finger specifications and the latest in technological scoring all await you at this incredible venue located on Fulton Street right by Harrah’s Casino.

On Thursday, I also went to the Chicory’s new venue space directly across the street from Fulton Alley called The Gallery. With this place’s location and versatility, The Gallery is sure to be popular with brides and corporate clientele alike. Both venues put their best foot forward to show off to the hospitality community.

On Saturday, Mardi Gras officially kicked into high gear for me when I attended the Petronius Ball. I was fortunate enough to be asked along with my friends, Beaux, Barrett, Brent and Josh to escort the fabulous Larry Anderson onto stage. He looked divine as a cross between Mame and Hello Dolly. Situated upon an electric wheelchair, he zinged around the floor like an expert. After the opening number I was able to return to my seat to enjoy the remainder of the ball. What a great evening, Petronius should be proud of their show. Special costumes of the night were the Water Meter and the Lotus Flower.

I braved the bad weather and rain to attend the Barkus VIP Parade Party on Sunday at the Queen's Head Pub upstairs at Good Friends. There were lots of local celebrities like Angela Hill and Margaret Orr keeping people’s spirits high. And the food was delicious and it did not hurt to have flowing libations to keep your mind off the weather. But even though humans thought the forecast was soggy, our four legged friends did not mind getting wet. They just shook it off, literally.

After, I decided to meander my way through the celebrators at the different gay bars in the Quarter, stopping at Oz, Pub, Lafitte’s and them making it to my neck of the woods and Mags 940 and Phoenix before laying it down.

The following week started with

again confronting the unusually cold weather to attend the Nyx and Druids Parade Party at the Hotel Intercontinental. This grand hotel on St. Charles Avenue hosted a client/hospitality party with delectable cuisine, cocktails to keep us warm and access to their spacious stands. They even supplied blankets for us to snuggle up with. The elements we will brave for a glittered purse is mind boggling.

The following day, I was back on the Uptown parade route at Contessa Breaux’s St. Charles Mansion for her Muses party. My friends and I enjoy this event so much mostly because it is a great opportunity for us to catch up during this busy season. There were crazy amounts of vodka mixed drinks as we enjoyed the parades. Muses, as always was wonderful and I went home with two fabulous shoes. Chaos brought the action with their satirical floats that skewered everyone from the City Council to our mayors, both past and present. And then there was Babylon, well yes, crickets. Sort of like Druids the previous night, they make great lead in parades for the ones you want to really see. Sort of like how they do it on TV, by putting mediocre shows before the hit ones praying you watch them also and not just come outside for the main attraction. It seems to be working.

The next evening, my friends and I attended the Friday Night Before Mardi Gras Ball at the Audubon Tea Room.

This festive Carnival fundraiser is one of the highlights of the season. It is a very upscale costumed dance party with award-winning delicacies and an open bar. The entertainment started immediately as you entered the room and the dance floor stayed crowded the entire night which is always a good sign of a successful event. There was a great silent auction, and a costume contest in which Elizabeth Bouvier, Barbara Ella and I won for best group as the cast of Absolutely Fabulous.

Saturday, the celebration continued with the Endymion Extravaganza at the Louisiana Superdome. If you have never attended a ball for one of the Super Krewes (Bacchus, Orpheus and Endymion) then put it on your bucket list. The grandeur and sheer spectacle of the event is just massive.

The floats come into the Superdome and basically bombard the guests with beads while bands play dance tunes, so basically it is like you are at a disco with interactive fun. It is strictly formal which makes it an interesting clash of dignity and chaos. My friend Alexandra Kern, the daughter of Blaine and Tammy Kern Jr. was the Queen of Endymion and her costume was simply breathtaking. One of the perks of knowing royalty is being in the “courtyard area” of the ball, which is right in front of the main stage and where you catch the most throws. But it is after the floats pass when the real fun begins. Carrie

Underwood took to the stage and brought the house down playing all her hits. I also got to get close to both grand marshals Norman Reedus from the Walking Dead and Ian Somerhalder from the Vampire Diaries. Both these men were scorching hot in very divergent ways, one pretty boy gorgeous and the other dirty bad boy sexy, you can decide who was who.

Without missing a beat on Sunday, my friends and I rallied for the Lords of Leather Ball. I would like to thank you Pat and Ben for the great table seats.

First off let me go on record as saying I enjoyed all the gay carnival balls this year. I personally know all the hard work and preparation it takes to put on one of these shows. So no matter what krewe you are with, you did a phenomenal job. But I want to give a special shout out to the Lords of Leather; they took the entertainment meter and turned it up full blast. From Bianca on the stage who ran the show, kept it funny and moving to the opening Aladdin number for Gary and Elizabeth Bouvier and dancers performing “Anything Goes” from Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom, the entire show was energetic and well-rehearsed. (Other krewes take a note from Lords. You are putting on a show; you need to rehearse a lot.

The show is just as much for your audience as it is for you, please keep us entertained.)

Lundi Gras was turned into a Monday Funday. It is rare that I can claim virgin status to many things anymore, but I popped my cherry when I attended the Fat Monday Luncheon for the first time. It was so much fun. I got to meet many new men (and women) who are in our gay community. The event celebrated 65 years and was held at Arnaud’s Restaurant. Fun interactive activities like the chandelier decorating contest and the specialty awards kept the mood light and festive. The food, service and company was just top drawer as the festivities began with a cocktail reception, then second line to luncheon for a three course meal and ended with a parade through the streets of the Quarter to the Queen's Head Pub at Good Friends. After playing there, Beaux, Barrett and I stopped at a few places in the French Quarter before attending Albert Carrey’s Orpheus/RuPaul’s Drag Race Viewing Party. Great job Bianca for making past the first two rounds of eliminations.

Fat Tuesday “Came in Like a Wrecking Ball” for me, already exhausted and wiped out from all the fun the nights before. But like a “Super Trooper” I pulled it together and made it out on the streets for 10am (I promise no more references to pop hits).

Jeff (aka Elizabeth Bouvier) and I dressed as Patsy and Edina again from Ab Fab. That is one gay costume that [continued on 22]

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27th Gay Mardi Gras Bead Toss led by King Cake Queen XXI Barbara Ella @ Ambush Mansion ~ New Orleans ~ Photos by Tony Leggio, Darwin Reed

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50th Annual Bourbon Streets Awards sponsored by Oz & Ambush Mag on Mardi Gras ~ New Orleans ~ Photos by Jeremy Weinberg

Lords of Leather Bal Masque XXXI: Tales & Adventures @ Sigur Civic Center ~ Chalmette, LA ~ Photos by Hubert S. Monkeys, Tony Leggio, John Zeringue

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a community within communities

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

That Wonderful time of year - LENT! Crazy isn’t it, “That wonderful time of the Year – Lent!” Perhaps, but what other season offers so much for the body, mind, and spirit? Lent a time of fasting!

Fasting does not necessarily mean to lose weight. Fasting is primarily an act of willing abstinence or reduction from [fill in the blank]. How about fasting from gossip? Or perhaps fasting from anger, sloth, envy, greed etcetera?

Lent sets aside, in a very intention way, time for self evaluation and contemplation; perhaps it is time to pray. Is your prayer life consistent? Is your prayer life focused? Have your prayers become dry and repetitive? Do you even pray or have you given up? Lent is the time to consider these things. If prayer is not one of your things, never has never will be, perhaps there are other self evaluations that you can, should, or perhaps must undertake.

Perhaps it is a time for reconciliation.

The liturgical form of reconciliation used to be called “Confession.” It remains one of seven sacraments traditional to many Catholic and Protestant denominations. But beyond a sacrament lays a vast horizon of possibilities on personal levels. Have you hurt someone or has someone hurt you. You know that hurt! The one that sticks with you and even though you “move on” or “push IT away” it never quite leaves.

Those hurts that remain raw and surface during times of stress or perhaps

under the gaydar ...from 12

door to the Pub for some more gaiety.

After dancing and merriment, we started to make our way back to the Marigny, but had a truly interesting stop. We found these six handsome studs hanging out of a window of a house they rented trying to offer girls free tequila shots. Now they were not prepared for rolled up on them when Elizabeth and I arrived on the scene. After downing two shots of tequila and rum each, they invited us in and next thing we knew we were challenging them to a game of beer pong. These guys were part of a professional hockey team in town for one of their bachelor parties. Being hot, young and smart asses they wanted to up the ante for the game and jokingly asked to make it strip off.

Before they knew it they were ALL (six men in total) in their underwear and Elizabeth and I had yet to take a ring off one of our fingers. Foolish boys need to know better than to challenge Elizabeth Bouvier and me to a game that involves drinking. Seriously it was like shooting fish in a barrel. After a few hours of drinking fun, we left these young men with great memories to take back home (the same can be said for all parties involved).

With final stops at Phoenix and Mags 940, I got myself home before midnight. I hope everyone had a great carnival, and until next year keep enjoying life to the fullest and never “cease to love.’

never goes out of style. We went to my friend Laura’s party to lay the foundation of some good comfort food like fried chicken, baked macaroni and biscuits, and bloody marys. Then we moved to John Ramsey and his partner Dewey’s soiree at Marigny B and B for a little twirl. We refueled out engines with more go-go juice (vodka) then traipsed into the French Quarter.

We next entered ourselves into the Bourbon Street Awards, and bless Oz’s hearts; they did a fine job of keeping the show moving in the inclement weather.

We appreciate all they do for our community. Greg, Persana, Stephen, Adrian, Glenn, Blanche, Bianca and the entire staff made and produced a spectacular show for locals and visitors alike even with obstacles. We even won the Best Drag Category (yes there were slim picking this year, but a win is a win!) After, we went to the Ambush headquarters for the Gay Mardi Gras Bead Toss. King Cake Queen Barbara Ella looked extremely regal on the balcony. She did the gay community proud by tossing beads to the wet throngs below. And Rip and Marsha, your red beans and rice were to die for.

I am not sure what I enjoyed more, hanging out with great people on Mardi Gras, or watching the other queens jockeying for position to be the next to wear the crown. It truly was an afternoon of Royalty and Intrigue. All kidding aside, Rip and Marsha have created this wonderful tradition that is not only fun, but a part of the fabric of the day that people look forward to every year.

After tossing a few beads, Jeff and I went to Randy and Brian’s party next

Tony’s Tidbits of Wisdom Mardi Gras is over and we are rapidly moving towards our next big holiday Easter, with a brief stop at St. Patrick’s Day. The Easter season is

during times of conflict such reminds of THAT hurt, those are the hurts that we can begin to deal with at this time of year.

Step one: even though it be painful perhaps acknowledge boldly that you are in pain. Recognize that intangible anger that is the expression of deep hurt. Then name it and claim it. Step one is about recognizing in purity the hurt and subsequent anger or longing that has resulted from hurt.

Step two: share the pain with a clergy person or intimate friend that is trusted. Don’t seek to ‘fix it.’ Simply identify the source of hurt, the person who you hurt or hurt you and vocalize it.

Not a tantrum just a statement.

Acknowledgement is one of the most profound ways to unburden yourself and to clinically, emotionally, and intellectually begin the healing process.

Step three: offer amends. To offer amends is to forgive or ask forgiveness. This may be one of the harder steps. You run the risk of being rejected or more rebuked. Yet, if in a quiet and non-defensive, non-anxious way you offer or ask for forgiveness the hurt is another one of my favorite holidays for many reasons but the top one is all the celebrations surrounding the Gay Easter Parade. This year there will be lots of events to keep you hopping (yes, bad pun intended). I have been a proud member of the Board for the Gay Easter Parade for years and have enjoyed raising funds for Food For Friends.

All monies raised after parade expenses go to the NO/AIDS Task Force’s Food For Friends, which has recently installed their state-of-the-art kitchen.

These funds help bring new clients to this much needed agency. In Ambush, you will see a listing of many events in support of the holiday and the cause. I implore you to become a sponsor and support as many of the events as you can. This year’s Gay Easter Parade Sponsorship Party will be held on Sunday, March 16th from 3 to 5pm at Cutter’s at 706 Franklin Avenue.

The entire month long celebration culminates with the Gay Easter Parade and a very grand carriage ride through the French Quarter on Easter Sunday, April 20th, 4:30pm.

Each of these events is different and offer guests various fun things to experience. Whether it is the Purple Party at The Double Play or Bunnies in the Big Easy at Bourbon Vieux, giving to a cause has never been so enjoyable. So check out Ambush and see on the Bunny Trail.

To Quote A Queen Since St. Patrick’s Day is right around the corner, I thought we would celebrate early with two great quotes from Irish-born comedian and late night talk show host on BBC Graham Norton.

Graham’s witty repartees with guests

diminished. It is true that in this process of reconciliation THE hurt no longer has control over you. Even if the result of forgiving/forgiven is not what you ask for it is done. Once done, hurt loses control. You start to become healthy.

Step four: let it go. At this point you have named the hurt, you have claimed the feeling, you have made amends (at least on your side of the story) and now it is time to let it go.

Sometimes a form of action helps us to make concrete this self-help process.

Light a candle in your living room and tell yourself that when it goes out the dross, the hurt is forever gone. Go to the river and toss in a pebble symbolizing the removal of burden from your heart. If you cry, catch a tear on a napkin and then burn it in a final offering. No don’t do double shots or jello shots – it will do no good.

Lent is also a season for a moral and spiritual inventory. Where is your life focused? How do you spend your time? What works of mercy and justice do you ignore or put off? Christian, nonChristian, atheist we all likely have a moral compass and moral core. I know this to be true because I had the privilege of attending the Mystic Krewe of the Lords of Leather Ball. What a fine time it was filled with laughter, bawdiness, and shrouded with kindness. So, in the midst of all the fun and frivolity was compassion (a collection for a charity) and fellowship. The Christian scripture says, “knock and the door will be opened unto you” and “seek and ye shall find” and in doing so become a new, joyful, and transformed member of our community within communities.

Lent is a time to consider how we have fallen short in our spiritual, ethical, and moral lives. It is a time to identify these shortcomings or obstacles to grace and then lay the ground work for addressing them. LENT a season of many possibilities, fasting, prayer, and reconciliation, so embrace the Season and don’t let this be the season to simply lose those extra pounds or cut back on sweets (don’t blame over eating on Lent). Use it as a time to become a new person. and monologues have given lots of great fodder for quote aficionados. It was hard to choose just one so here are three fun ones to enjoy.

“I am camp. Lots of gay men can’t cope with their campiness. They are in denial about it.”

“The great thing about being gay and out is that the papers couldn’t care less about your love life.”

“The higher your profile becomes, the more aware you are that people out there may hate you.”

If you have an event, story or idea, you want covered, contact me at ledgemgp@gmail.com.

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Happy Mardi Gras with Timothy & King Stevie

Mardi Gras Time ~ Mobile, Alabama ~ Photos by Miss Cie & John, Leon Weekley

Miss Cie & Gina with Mr. Mardi Gras Nick

Miss Cie & Whitney @ Order of Osiris Ball

Some of the B-Bob’s Mardi Gras Staff

Pam & Cathy with Ronnie @ Flip Side DSD Pirates Kevin, Tyger & Coby with Jawakatema & Leon Queen Michelle & Wright...

The beautiful Rachel Meredith @ B-Bob’s

Toni Dee & Timmy @ B-Bob’s

Leon, Corey & Erick hanging out @ B-Bob’s

mobile

Bob serving it up @ Flip Side

paparazzi

Miss Venus Shante DaVis @ B-Bob’s

Jenna & Tamica singing their hearts out @ Flip Side karaoke @ 219 Joe Cain Tradition

The beautiful Jawakatema Davenport

Leons celebrates Matt’s birthday

Mark & Eric...

Amber Douglas with Josh & Marcus

Brenda, the B-Bob’s Jagermeister Fairy

Mike (r) hanging with Gabriel’s owner Carl Eccles

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CANAL STREET

100 IBERVILLE

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300

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600

RAMPART

ST. LOUIS

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DECATUR

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800 DUMAINE

900 ST. PHILIP

1000 URSULINES

1100 GOVERNOR NICHOLLS

1200 BARRACKS

1300

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 LUCKY PIERRE'S, 735 Bourbon St., 586.1836, LuckyPierresNOLA.com MICHAEL'S ON THE PARK, 834 N. Rampart St., 267.3615, MichaelsOnThePark.COM NINTH CIRCLE, 700 N. Rampart, 252.4558 OZ NEW ORLEANS, 800 Bourbon, 593.9491, OzNewOrleans. COM PHOENIX/EAGLE, 941 Elysian Fields, 945.9264, NewOrleansPhoenix.COM RAWHIDE 2010, 740 Burgundy St., 525.8106, Rawhide2010.COM RAINBOW ROOM, 632 Bourbon St., enter thru Fishbowl, 994.1036, Facebook.COM/ rainbowroomonbourbon TROPICAL ISLE: Home of the Hand Grenade, 721 Bourbon St., 529.4109, TropicalIsle.COM 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

New Orleans, LA, sponsored by Ambush, GayMardiGras.COM

Houston, TX [713] NEON BOOTS DANCEHALL & SALOON, 11410 Hempstead Hwy., 677.0828, www.neonbootsclub.com

New Orleans, LA [504] QUARTERMASTER DELI, THE NELLIE DELI, 1100 Bourbon, 529.1416

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bathhouse New Orleans, LA [504] Club New Orleans, 515 Toulouse, 581.2402, www.the-clubs.com RT PA M RA

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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

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 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 Feb. 13-17, 2015, Official Gay Mardi Gras,

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 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.

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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

GayMardiGras.c om • Sout hernDec adenc e.c om • Marc h 11-24, 2014 • Facebook.COM/ AmbushMag • The Official Mag: AmbushMag.COM • 27

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.

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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

trodding the boards

by Brian Sands

Email: bsnola2@hotmail.com

New in New York It may be cold, snowy and slushy up North but that hasn’t stopped new theatrical offerings from flowering in the Big Apple.

If you’re going through Mardi Gras withdrawal and plan to be in Manhattan in the next few weeks, do not miss Queen of the Night where a Carnival spirit prevails at the legendary Diamond Horseshoe (Paramount Hotel, 235 W. 46 St.) that has been beautifully restored for the occasion.

As the title implies, there’s a certain Magic Flute connection but don’t strain too hard to figure out the plot; “Love conquers all” pretty much sums it up.

Rather, enjoy the spectacle of this extravaganza that encourages audience members to dress up and interact with the performers. You may become part of a daredevil stunt. You may be

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

taken to a fancy boudoir where a young lady is luxuriating in a bubble bath. Or you may be introduced to the Queen herself, as I was, with her silent stare (though, later, when I asked what I could do for her, she replied “Indulge yourself.”)

Even if you’re more the sit-backand-watch type, the acrobatics on display are sure to seduce you. While I’ve certainly seen enough Cirque du Soleil shows and their progeny, the pleasure at Queen comes from the theatrical gymnastics being done, if you obtain a ringside seat, literally inches from you.

This opportunity to observe such physical prowess “up-close and personal” bought a gigantic smile to my face—it was like magic without the legerdemain, a thrill to see such extraordinary abilities on display.

Director Christine Jones, known primarily for her Tony Award-winning stage designs, has done a marvelous job of keeping the show’s momentum going and insuring there’s always something beguiling, exciting or both to captivate your attention. Fashion designer Thom Browne’s costumes exude a sexy elegance in keeping with the setting.

While the whole cast is top-notch, with Julien Silliau especially breathtaking on the German wheel, the visceral pleasure of Queen comes from the corps of dancers/gymnasts/acrobats, each and every one of whom is engaging, friendly, charming, sexy, and dedicated to your having an absolutely wonderful time. They are a diverse group, probably the hardest-working chorus on Broadway, and each deserves singular praise.

Also deserving high praise is Executive Chef Jason Kallert’s menu. For starters, his black truffle polenta arancini are addictive. My table had the smoked short ribs with roasted marrow bones and kale salad but you’re encouraged to trade your food with other tables so I tasted the suckling pig and mushroom paella as well. All were delicious (there’s also lobster which I passed on) even if the paella was a bit too salty. And the chocolate-hazelnut cake which cast members spoon feed you was scrumptious. Ditto for the specialty cocktails.

My favorite? A toss-up between the Honeycomb Kid and the Queen’s Bush.

Queen of the Night is the type of show where you might wind up underneath your table as it is forcefully cleared.

Or you might find a cute cast member sitting on your lap. But in addition to the lavishness, there are simple but lovely effects like a snow storm that materializes out of thin air.

For all that you get, Queen of the Night just might be the most reasonably priced ticket in New York. Unless it’s extended again, you have only until April 6 to experience its magic.

The “Bacharach” in What’s It All About? Bacharach Reimagined is the legendary composer Burt and, while this New York Theatre Workshop production has closed, I suspect you might eventually see it here on tour or in a local production. Either way, it’ll be worth checking out.

Kyle Riabko conceived this project (with David Lane Seltzer), got Bacharach’s blessing, and did new musical arrangements for its 20+ classic pop songs. The result is not just a stroll down memory lane but, rather, mini-monologs for the emo generation.

Riabko added xylophone, ukulele and mandolin into the musical mix as well as gave some songs more of a hard rock feel; the cast of seven singer/ musicians, all highly talented, really jammed on Do You Know the Way to San Jose. While What the World Needs Now Is Love and I’ll Never Fall in Love Again were other favorites, for my money Riabko could’ve gone even further with his reimaginings a la Cyndi Lauper’s reggae version of Girls Just Want to Have Fun. Steven Hoggett’s simple but very effective direction has moments that hint at deeper emotions without spelling them out. This is especially true for the songs that allow for more elaborate stagings which I preferred to the quieter, more static numbers.

Scenic designers Christine Jones (see above) and Brett J. Banakis placed rugs on the walls, guitars in the air and assorted lamps all over the floor to create the feel of a recording studio mashed up with a 20something’s pad.

Clive Goodwin and Japhy Weideman’s son et lumière display at the start of the show was audaciously fine.

Intelligently done, What’s It All About? made for a very enjoyable jukebox show. And the post-bows lagniappe, when the cast went out in the street to do Raindrops Keep Fallin’ on My Head on ukes, was an absolute delight.

Murder for Two at New World Stages (340 W. 50 St.), however, is only an occasional delight. In this musical, aspiring Officer Marcus poses as a full-fledged detective to solve a murder at a country home. The twist? All the suspects, male and female, young and old, all with credible motives, are played by one actor.

It’s a fun idea and Kellen Blair’s cute lyrics are well-done. But Joe Kinosian’s music is workmanlike without a single tune that lingers in your mind after the curtain comes down.

The book, on which they collaborated, doles out exposition in a lumpy manner and can never seem to decide if it wants to be a true mystery or a meta [continued on 29]

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trodding the boards ...from 28

Mardi Gras @ Emerald City ~ Pensacola, Florida ~ Photos by Lauren Mitchell

one with too many knowing winks at the audience.

I usually like this sort of thing but Murder has too much the feel of an improv as though the authors wondered “What other wacky plot devices/ characters can we fit in?” There’s simply not enough true laughs or high points, despite Scott Schwartz’s antic direction, until the very end when Murder finally comes to full-throttled theatrical life.

pensacola paparazzi

Brett Ryback as Marcus and Kinosian, who is now playing “The Suspects”, are both very gifted actors as well as excellent pianists. (Yup, they’re the sole musicians here, too.) When their four hands are at the keyboard, as in A Friend Like You, Murder becomes a treat. Otherwise, it’s mostly a whocares-whodunit.

Over at the Metropolitan Opera, it seemed like two different people, rather than a single team, did Antonín Dvorák’s Rusalka.

Conductor Yannick Nézet-Séguin offered a sensitive and impassioned

account of this tender, playful and evocative score. He gave it symphonic thrust and urgency, emphasizing its darker hues.

Otto Schenk’s production of this fairy tale similar to The Little Mermaid, however, was very traditional with wood sprites and water gnomes, princes and princesses scampering around like you’d find in a classic Disney movie.

I had mixed feelings about this.

Such an approach is not bad and even understandable for a rarely produced work (that said, New Orleans Opera will be doing it next season); it certainly captured the libretto’s dramatic power.

But after four revivals since its 1993 Met debut, it may be time for a more contemporary and incisive directorial interpretation.

Renée Fleming led the cast, bringing superb dynamic shading to her singing and noble suffering to her portrayal of the title character. Fleming employs emotional intensity rather than shear power, which is commendable, but it does make her a tad difficult to hear in a few instances. Still, she gave a fervent, dreamy account of the score’s best known aria, Song to the Moon.

Rusalka presents the ironic situation of its leading lady being silenced as the water nymph gives up her voice to become mortal. One kinda wishes Fleming would stomp her feet or use charades or do something to communicate with her Prince instead of standing by and looking so woebegone when the scheming Foreign Princess comes on the scene.

Emily Magee as that calculating Princess had some patchy high notes at the start but then relaxed to achieve a true dramatic intensity through her vocal prowess. Similarly, Piotr Beczala’s strong voice could’ve used a little more personality at the start but he came into his own in the final scene when the Prince gives up his life to prove his love for Rusalka.

The Met’s season continues with three more performances (March 12, 15 & 20) of the fantastic The Enchanted Island featuring Placido Domingo. Other productions worth checking out include Wozzeck, La Sonnambula, and Arabella.

Spring into Spring As theater picks up again after the Mardi Gras break, the big news is the annual Tennessee Williams Festival.

In contrast to last year’s rather thin slate of dramatic offerings, with the reopening of Le Petit, the Fest has two marquee productions this year plus a whole lot more.

Southern Rep presents The Night of the Iguana, Williams’ south of the border tale of love, lust and redemption. Phil Karnell directs Aimée Hayes (Hannah), Troi Bechet (Maxine) and Mike Harkins (Rev. Shannon) at The Art Klub (527 Elysian Fields).

Having already had Anthony Bean’s all-black version of Cat on a Hot Tin Roof uptown, it’s now The NOLA Project’s turn at Le Petit. James Yeargain (Brick), Cecile Monteyne (Maggie), Randy Cheramie (Big Daddy), and Yvette Hargis (Big Mama) confront greed, sins of the past, and mendacity under Beau Bratcher’s direction.

Three short, more obscure works (Green Eyes, The Traveling Companion, and Mr. Paradise) make up the Hotel Plays. Williams set many of his plays in hotel rooms and boarding houses using them as way stations between life and death, dream and reality. Audiences will gather at the historic Hermann-Grima House (820 St. Louis St.) and proceed from room to room to experience Williams in intimate surroundings.

The Hermann-Grima House also hosts Charlene A. Donaghy’s play Gift of an Orange which is set in the wilderness of the Louisiana bayou and inspired by Williams’ 1936 short story, Gift of an Apple.

Judith Chapman returns to the Festival in Rick Foster’s Vivien about Vivien Leigh. This one-woman show at Le Petit takes us on a journey into the triumph and madness of the two-time Oscar-winning star.

The University of New Orleans Department of Film and Theatre presents Father by Frederick Mensch, winner of the Festival’s 2013 One-Act Play Contest. In Father, Peter and his sister Vicki are the only mourners at the wake of their estranged, abusive father. They share memories of an unhappy childhood but are forced to confront the possibility that their father may have changed when they learn of his unlikely, late-in-life friendship with a young, amiable funeral home director. Father will be done at the Hotel Monteleone’s La Nouvelle Ballroom (214 Royal St.) on March 23 at noon.

On March 22 at 4pm, also at the Monteleone, will be A Conversation With Diane Ladd, the Oscar- and Emmy-nominated actress. Should be a “wild at heart” time!

Elsewhere this month, The Center of Performing Arts in Covington (201 N. Colombia St.) presents The Beauty Queen of Leenane (Mar. 21-Apr. 4).

This dark Irish comedy by Martin McDonagh gives a view into the lives of Mag and Maureen, a mother and daughter whose favorite pastime is to irritate the living daylights out of each other.

And if you missed What’s It All About? but still crave a Bacharach fix, head to the Mid-City Theatre for Running With Scissors’ BACHARACH & BINGO! which promises a swinging night, a host with the most (Jack Long), Hollywood gossip, a talented crew of crooners (Sean Patterson, Lisa Picone, Dorian Rush, and The Kentucky Sisters) and even a few rounds of Bingo with nifty prizes. Who says Lent has to be dull?

GayMardiGras.c om • Sout hernDec adenc e.c om • Marc h 11-24, 2014 • Facebook.COM/ AmbushMag • The Official Mag: AmbushMag.COM • 29

moments in gay new orleans history

by Frank Perez E-mail: f.perez@sbcglobal.net

“Ricky Everett Recalls the Night he Escaped the Upstairs Lounge Fire” I recently had the opportunity to meet and interview Ricky Everett, a survivor of the Upstairs Lounge fire in 1973. Here are his recollections of that fateful night.

FP: What was it like visiting the site of the fire for the first time in 40 plus years?

RE: It was the first time I’ve walked in that vicinity since then. I usually just don’t go anywhere near it. It was a good experience for me. I thought it would be really freaky and depressing and actually, I’ve kind of come out of that thanks to Sheri Wright. I’ve been working with her and her documentary.

I’ve talked about it a lot to different people and it’s kind of helped me to overcome the emotional part of it that I’ve been going through for years—not able to talk about, not wanting to talk about it. So it was a good experience going back. I was able to meet with you and other people and go through where the Upstairs Lounge used to be and point out how it was laid out and answer different questions that different people had so for the most part, I think it was really good for me. It completed a healing process for me. I thought it would be a depressing thing to go through, reliving all that, but it was actually very positive, it was a good thing.

FP: Were you living in New Orleans in 1973?

RE: Yeah.

FP: Did you grow up in New Orleans?

RE: Yeah. I lived on the West Bank and went to West Jefferson High School and as I got out on my own in my early twenties I moved over to the East Bank and lived there until ... well, I don’t even remember what year it was, maybe 1998, 2000. The partner I had at the time—he and I moved up to the North Shore in Covington and lived there. He died in 2003 and then, of course, 2005 rolled along with Katrina and that destroyed everything for me as far as a job and so I moved on to Dallas. I knew I was supposed to because the Lord was leading me to come here for many years and be involved in Grace Fellowship Ministry here in Dallas and I’ve been here ever since.

FP: When you were living in New Orleans prior to the fire, was the Upstairs Lounge your primary bar?

RE: Like everybody else, I went to several bars in the French Quarter.

The Upstairs was more like a homebase for me and for many others from what I understand. The Upstairs was the first bar I’d go to. I’d have one or

two drinks and talk with Buddy Rasmussen (the bartender) and other people I was acquainted with and hang out for a little while and then kind of drift off to check out the other local bars in the area. And usually, before I’d go home, I would always stop off again at the Upstairs and just kind of say goodnight to whoever was there and then head on home. It was kind of a family atmosphere unlike all the other bars. Other people have said the same thing. The Upstairs was a really great place to meet people, not for cruising, well there was cruising of course but primarily the Upstairs was a good social meeting place. People would go there to have fun and good times. It was a good clean bar and well established and professionally run by Phil, the owner, and Buddy Rasmussen, the manager. And they did a very good job.

They were clean. It was an all around fun place with a family atmosphere.

FP: Let’s talk about the night of the fire.

RE: I was a member of MCC, which met on Magazine Street. And Bill Larson, who was a very, very close and dear friend of mine was acting as the pastor. That day after church services—I’m not sure exactly what time it was but early in the afternoon, it must have been right after church, Bill Larson, myself and a friend of mine, Ronnie Rosenthal, who was from Smyrna, Georgia was visiting me. At the time he was kind of like a long distance boyfriend. The four of us—there was a fourth person but I can’t remember who it was—we had lunch at the Fatted Calf in the French Quarter. While we were eating I had this horrible feeling that I couldn’t get over and I looked at Bill and I said, “Bill, I don’t know why but I have a really bad feeling you’re going to die.”

And he looked at me and shook his head and said, “Yeah, I know.” And so, I wanted to bring that in because that’s what started that day in the French Quarter.

After we ate, we went over to the Upstairs and joined the beer bust and had a good time with everybody. I don’t know exactly what happened with Mr. Nunez. There’s apparently more than what I had thought. I knew he had been thrown out of the bar and had made angry threats to come back and burn the place down.

We were having a good time and

Ricky Everett the beer bust came to an end and quite a few of us remained there and we were relaxing and socializing. And then someone opened the door of the bar upstairs and flames came rushing in. It was very mind-boggling. I was sitting in the middle section of the bar where the dance floor was and they had tables and chairs where people could sit and talk. I was closer to the door, the large square archway and as you would go into that section of the bar I would be on the right-hand side. My back was kind of turned toward the door. I turned to look and the flames were rushing straight across the bar from the door at the stairwell to the Chartres Street side of the building. The cloth that was hanging above the bar for decorative purposes caught fire and oddly enough the carpeting actually raised up off the floor and flames went under it and that caught fire. Everything happened so quickly.

Before the flames had a chance to shoot across the bar, Buddy Rasmussen, who was tending bar, leaped over the bar and headed to the middle section and grabbed me by my arm and pulled me up out of my chair.

I was just dumbfounded. He led me and somebody said about twenty other people out through the back door by the little theatre in the third section and onto the rooftop. I’ve seen a blog on a LGBT website by a man named Mr. Bill—I can’t remember the full name— that said that wasn’t true, that it was Courtney Craighead who led people out of the bar and not Buddy. It said Buddy was the one who opened the door and it was Courtney who led people out of the theatre. That was not so. Mr. Bill said in his blog that he was a very close friend of Courtney’s and of course being a member of MCC, I’d known Courtney for many, many years and I can’t imagine why he would say that. At any rate, the blog went on to say that it was Courtney that led us out, but it wasn’t. It was Buddy Rasmussen.

To my remembrance, and of course

time and the confusion of everything that went on, I really remember Courtney actually leaving the bar before the fire. However, (unintelligible) Villere was pointing out to me that Courtney was interviewed by (unintelligible) the fire department at Charity Hospital where he was saying he was the fourth or fifth person that Buddy led out of the door. However, I kept wondering about that. I know Buddy led me out of the bar but I couldn’t tell you if I was the first person out the door or the last person out the door, much less the fourth or fifth person going out the door. It happened so fast and I don’t know how he could remember so well that he was the fourth or fifth person to be led out. It was amazing.

At any rate, we were out on the roof and there was a window to a bedroom in the building next door. I think it was Buddy that opened the window and we went through there and down a flight of stairs to the street. At the time, Mitch Mitchell and I were standing next to each other and started wanting to find (unintelligible). I lost track of Ronnie, a friend of mine, when we were coming out of the bar. He was supposed to be behind me and I turned to look behind me and I didn’t see him and I panicked. When Mitch went back into the bar I went in with him and Mitch just vanished off into the flames. I couldn’t even see him and by that time I was totally surrounded by these flames. One of the main points of my story is that I was standing in the middle of that and the Fire Department estimated the fire reached 2,000 degrees and it melted a steel padlock that was hanging on their liquor door in their storage area and the little tables we sat at that had steel columns. Those were all melted. And at that very moment it seemed like it all just happened all at one time. At that moment standing in there I felt the presence of God covering me. It was a (unintelligible) spiritual feeling or healing. It was a physical feeling, something covering me, like a blanket from head to toe and I knew it was God. At that moment, I knew Ronnie had gotten out and that Bill had died in the fire and so I turned and walked out of the bar out onto the rooftop and I gotta say I didn’t have one burn or singed hair and I was standing in those flames. That was my miracle.

I think it’s so important that people know that not to make me seem so special because we’re all special people in the eyes of God. He loves us all. At the time and even to this day the quote unquote religious people claim that we’re gonna burn in hell and at the time people were saying the reason the bar burned down was because of homosexuality. If that were so, then I would have burned also. I am a homosexual.

I know the love of God. He created us.

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Mardi Gras Highlights ~ New Orleans ~ Photos by Frankie Fierce, Marshall Harris, Paul Melancon, Jeremy Weinberg 32 • The Official Mag: AmbushMag.COM • Mar c h 11-24, 2014 • Of fic ial Gay East er Parade Guide • GayEast erParade.c om

big easy

New Orleans' Icon Maggie Marrero’s Celebration of Life @ Le Roundup ~ Photos by Paul Melancon

paparazzi

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All Over The Place ~ New Orleans, Slidell ~ Photos by Kerry Hutchinson, Tony Leggio, Charles Jenkins 34 • The Official Mag: AmbushMag.COM • Mar c h 11-24, 2014 • Of fic ial Gay East er Parade Guide • GayEast erParade.c om

NEXT Ambush DEADLINE Wednesday, Feb. 13 504.522.8049 marsha@ripandmarsha.com

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36 • The Official Mag: AmbushMag.COM • Mar c h 11-24, 2014 • Of fic ial Gay East er Parade Guide • GayEast erParade.c om