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the "official" dish by Rip & Marsha Naquin-Delain Email: marsha@ripandmarsha.com
Giving Thanks With fall brings the chance to give thanks to all who have made our lives better as we come together on Thanksgiving Day. Whether you are able to celebrate with blood family, and, or our own adopted family of loved ones and friends, it is a time to enjoy the day before us. Here in the LGBT community, there will be many house parties serving turkey and all of the fixings, while many of us will join in the feast set forth by the different bars and clubs. And still, some of us will dine out to celebrate the day. Whatever you do jump in and participate! The dining landscape in the bars and clubs starts Nov. 27th at 1pm as Le Roundup serves up their annual buffet. Next at 2pm is the annual neighborhood potluck dinner at The Golden Lantern. It's followed at 3pm with GrandPre's potluck dinner. Then at 4pm you can head on over to The Double Play for their annual dinner, or head to Metairie for Four Seasons potluck dinner. If you choose to dine out, why not try The Country Club's Thanksgiving Feast both served in the restaurant or to geaux. And if that's not enough Thanksgiving for you, The Corner Pocket always presents their Thanksgiving dinner the Sunday after Thanksgiving which is Nov. 30th at 4pm.
World AIDS Day Dec. 1 Monday, Dec. 1 is World AIDS Day. Avita Pharmacy was originally started in 2003 with the mission to provide the best possible experience for those affected by chronic illnesses such as HIV/AIDS. Over the past 10 years Avita has done just that by offering unique services such as free medication delivery, copay assistance programs, benefit coordination, and prior authorization assistance. Avita proudly supports organizations participating in World AIDS Day! In addition to offering excellent pharmacy services, Avita believes in giving back. Avita partners with organizations combating the HIV/AIDS crisis daily. Every prescription filled at Avita today helps give back to the community tomorrow! Avita Pharmacy is available in Baton Rouge and New Orleans, Louisiana, Dallas/Houston and San Antonio, Texas and in North Carolina. Their 24 hour live pharmacist is at 888.AVITARX, or visit www.AvitaPharmacy.com for additional information.
28th Chevron Art Against AIDS Returns with New Venue Dec. 6 Presented by John Burton Harter Charitable Trust & Avita Pharmacy The largest art and civic event of the season kicks off the holidays at a new venue this year, the elegant Club XLIV on Champions Square at the Superdome. The 28th Annual Chevron Art Against AIDS Gala and Auction, with presenting sponsors John Burton Harter Charitable Trust and Avita Pharmacy, returns with not only a new venue, but also a broader variety of performers and auction items. The event is set for Saturday, Dec. 6th with the Patron Party at 7pm, and doors opening at 8pm. Club XLIV is located at Lasalle St., between Poydras and Girod (on the riverside of the Superdome). Ambush Magazine is a proud sponsor of this event for 28 years. More than 800 guests are expected to attend the event, which offers bidders
Art Against AIDS, Bourbon St. Classic, Holiday Shopping Guide issue out Dec. 2 DEADLINE: Tues., Nov. 25
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celebrazzi moments in gay new orleans history snap paparazzi/new orleans snap paparazzi/nola, metairie 4th winter wonderland 28th art against aids under the gaydar halloween new orleans thank you wear it out a community within communities
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a range of juried art pieces and other fine gifts. All proceeds from the ticket sales and auction benefit NO/AIDS Task Force, the Gulf South’s largest HIV/ AIDS agency that now operates as a division of CrescentCare. This year’s event features performances by Varla Jean Merman, Anais St. John, Rachel Fleetwood and Vieux Carre, Yisreal Treo and The Sirens of New Orleans. A number of fine restaurants are providing the culinary spread. Honorary chair Christian LeBlanc from The Young & The Restless and Culinary Arts Chair Poppy Tooker, hostess of NPR-affiliated radio show Louisiana Eats, have lead a gala committee that has created a very impressive bid list. In addition to original pieces by local and regional artists, the auction will include: > Vacation trips to Barbados, Antigua and Panama > A Fleetwood Mac guitar autographed by the band > Poker Face sheet music autographed by Lady Gaga > An autographed Cher album > A photo portrait of author Anne Rice by acclaimed photographer Steven Forster > Patron tickets to the 610 Stomper Suberball (plus limo service and a onenight stay at The Roosevelt Hotel) > A Jos. A. Banks Signature Collection men’s suit > Gift certificates to Commander’s Palace and Emeril’s, among many others. Artists represented at the event include David Harouni, Nathalie Dubois, Kimberly Norwood Robinson, Carlos Lopez and Stuart South. “This is the true kickoff event to the holiday gala season,” says NO/AIDS CEO Noel Twilbeck. “The event is not just an evening of art and elegance, it’s a reminder of how caring this community can be as we come together to serve the needs of those affected by HIV/AIDS. We are humbled to be part of such a noble cause.” For tickets, sponsorship/donation opportunities and additional information, please visit www.noaidstaskforce.com/events/ AAA or call 504.821.2601, ext. 256. For more than 30 years, NO/AIDS Task Force has been providing hope, care and compassion to thousands of men, women and families affected by HIV/AIDS in Southeast Louisiana. The Task Force acknowledges that the complications of HIV are not just physical, but mental, emotional and social as well. We offer a full spectrum of care at low to no cost, including services such as an HIV medical clinic, behavioral health services, medication support, a food pantry, home-delivered meals, housing, life skills and many others. NO/AIDS also reaches over 20,000 people every year through HIV prevention and education efforts. For more information, please visit
THE OFFICIAL MAG
Facebook.COM/AmbushMag Gulf South Entertainment/Travel Guide Since 1982 • Texas-Florida Official Gay Easter Parade Guide© Official Gay Mardi Gras Guide© Official Gay New Orleans Guide© Official Pride Guide© Official Southern Decadence Guide© AWARD WINNING:
Louisiana Excellence Award: Media & Internet/2014, New Orleans Print Media Award/ 2014, 25th NO/AIDS Task Force Humanitas Award/2013, New Orleans Print Media Award/ 2013, Krewe of Mwindo Media Honoree/2009, Krewe of Petronius Carnival Spirit of Gay Mardi Gras XLVIII Award/2009, Forum For Equality Acclaim Awards X Media Recipient/2008, NO/AIDS Task Force Prometheus “Torch of Truth” [media] Award/2001 OFFICE/SHIPPING ADDRESS: 828-A Bourbon St., New Orleans, LA 70116-3137 USA OFFICE HOURS: 10am-3pm Monday-Friday [Except Holidays] Email: ripna@ambushmag.com PHONE: 1.504.522.8049 ANNUAL READERSHIP OVER 1 MILLION: 260,000+ in print/780,000+ On-line CIRCULATION: Alabama-Mobile Florida - Pensacola Louisiana - Baton Rouge, Lafayette, Lake Charles, Metairie, New Orleans, Slidell Mississippi - Bay St. Louis, Biloxi Texas - Houston
STAFF: PUBLISHER/EDITOR R. Rip Naquin, New Orleans PRODUCTION DIRECTOR M. Marsha Delain, New Orleans GULF SOUTH/NEW ORLEANS AD SALES Rip Naquin • 504.522.8049 Frank Joseph, Paul Melancon THEATRE/PERFORMING ARTS CRITIC Brian Sands AD REPS/JOURNALISTS/PHOTOGRAPHERS Johnny Joseph Delgadillo, Frank Joseph, Charles Jenkins, Tony Leggio, Hubert S Monkey, Frank Perez, Rev. Bill Terry-New Orleans Bob Brunson, MIss Cie & John, Leon WeekleyMobile, AL National Advertising Rep: Rivendell Media 212.242.6863 Ambush Mag is published on alternate Tuesdays of each month by Ambush, Inc., R. Rip NaquinDelain, President. Advertising, Copy & Photo DEADLINE is alternate Tuesdays, 4pm, prior to publication week, accepted via e-mail only: marsha@ripandmarsha.com, except for special holidays. The Publisher assumes no responsibility for the claims of advertisers and has the right to reject any advertising. The inclusion of an individual's name or photograph in this publication implies nothing about that individual's sexual orientation. Letters, stories, etc., appearing herein are not necessarily the opinion of the Publisher or Staff of AMBUSH Mag. Subscription rate is $45 for 1/2 Year; $75 for 1 year. Sample Copy is $3 First Class Mail. ©1982-2014, AMBUSH, INC., ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. NOTHING HEREIN MAY BE REPRODUCED WITHOUT WRITTEN PERMISSION OF THE PUBLISHER INCLUDING AD LAYOUTS, MAPS and PHOTOS. AMgrant - AMbush Advertising Grant Donation
www.noaidstaskforce.org or call 504.821.2601 ext. 218.
2014 Fringe Fest Lineup features 82 Wild, Weird, Fresh & Original Shows The New Orleans Fringe Festival lineup for its seventh annual festival, Nov. 19 - 23, 2014, features an incredible 82 shows from all over the US and [continued on 8]
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celebrazzi
Dr. Joe Melcher and Julie Thompson accept $18,931.08 from Southern Decadence Grand Marshals XL Aubrey Synclaire, Reba Douglas and Chad Boutte for PFLAG-New Orleans, the total dollars raised minus expenses for the 43rd Annual Southern Decadence Celebration of Gay Life, Music and Culture. It is the largest charity donation in the history of Southern Decadence. A special charity check presentation show was hosted at the Home of Southern Decadence: The Golden Lantern. (www.SouthernDecadence.com)
Executive Director Vicki Weeks accepts $6,600 on behalf of Belle Reve from Southern Decadence Grand Marshal XXXIX Tami Tarmac and New Orleans Southern Decadence Inc.'s James Garner during a special charity check presentation show at the Home of Southern Decadence: The Golden Lantern. The $6,600 was a refund from the City of New Orleans sanitation department for the 42nd Southern Decadence in 2013, which brings the total charity donation to $10,601.88 for Belle Reve, the 2013 SD Charity.
The Southern Decadence Charity Check Presentation Show was hosted at the Home of Southern Decadence: The Golden Lantern presenting $18,931.08 to PFLAG-New Orleans and $6,600 to Belle Reve. (Photo: front-Presenting Sponsor Ambush Mag and www.SouthernDecadence.com's Rip & Marsha Naquin-Delain flank Platinum Sponsor: Harrah's New Orleans' Jeffrey Laws; back-Presenting Sponsor: The Golden Lantern's James Garner, SD Lt. Rikki Redd, SDGM XXXIII Regina Adams, SDGMs XL Aubrey Synclaire, Reba Douglas and Chad Boutte, SD parade captain Steven Mora, and Presenting Sponsor Oz's Persana Shoulders) (Photo by Steven Vaughan)
Sean Wildchild joins Oz host Persana Shoulders, international star Neon Hitch and Ambush Mag's Frankie Fierce as they celebrate at the "Official Neon Hitch Concert After Party" hosted at, and with a live performance at Dance Club of the Year Oz New Orleans. The concert was earlier in the evening at House of Blues. (www.OzNewOrleans.com)
Former Miss B-Bob's CoCo Elise joins newly crowned Miss B-Bob's 2015 Peachus Vancarteya, along with former Miss B-Bob's Jawakatema Davenport and Nadya Symone, Miss B-Bob's 1st Alternate Aubrey Synclaire and B-Bob's proprietor Jerry Ehlen after a great evening of pageantry at B-Bob's in downtown Mobile, Alabama. (Photo by Miss Cie & John)
The Golden Lantern hosted the Election Night Victory Party for Orleans Parish Criminal District Court Judge Section A Laurie White in New Orleans. White has held the Section A seat since 2007, taking over the term of retiring judge Charles Elloie. She won her first full term in 2008 unopposed. White plans on improving her court’s case management system, update the courthouse’s antiquated recordkeeping system and champion a re-entry program that includes women offenders. (Photo by Paul Melancon)
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the "official" dish ...from 4 abroad, presenting more than 300 performances at more than 30 venues in neighborhoods throughout the city. Tickets are available at www.nofringe.org and Mardi Gras Zone before the festival. During the Festival, buy tickets with cash or credit card at the Free-For-All Tent in Architect’s Alley in the Marigny or at Mardi Gras Zone. Tickets are also available at all Fringe venues. Tickets are $8 with the one-time purchase of a festival button ($3), a 6-show pass is $40, and an allaccess pass is $99. The Festival features 26 shows that were identified through a unique peer review process as high-quality, original, fringe-y theater. These “FringeManaged Venue” shows are presented in seven venues at offbeat theaters and unusual spaces: Shadowbox Theater, the Old Firehouse, the Old Ironworks, the Marigny Opera House, Mardi Gras Zone, Art Klub, and anchoring our growing Central City hub, Zeitgeist! Central City has four venues this year in Fringe! The Bring Your Own Venue (BYOV) option greatly expands the scope and flavor of the festival by encouraging artists to organize their own spaces all over New Orleans. Over 50 BYOV shows are presented at 30 venues such as the Allways Lounge & Theatre, NOCCA, the Common Ground Plant Nursery, Ashe Cultural Arts Center,
Byrdie’s, Kajun’s Pub and more. NEW this year: The First Annual New Orleans Fringe Procession of the Personal Saints is a volunteer-driven walking procession organized by the New Orleans Fringe Festival. New Orleans Fringe has commissioned several groups of artists to produce a core of personal saint-inspired mobile visual art to feature in the Procession. Participants can celebrate personal Saints like Blessed Saint Okra of the Produce Truck, Saint Elvis of the Vacated Building, Saint Fats of the Dominoes, Saint Kermit of the Swingers, Santa Barista of the Counter or Saint Mikey the Bartender Who Pours Us Very Strong Doubles. Groups and individuals can register to participate or simply come out on Saturday Nov. 22 and participate; both registration and participation is free! For more information and inspiration, visit www.nofringe.org Now in its fourth year, the Yard Art Tour (YAT4), a self-guided walking/ driving public art tour organized by the Fringe is a must. Before and after shows, audience can drift around the neighborhood looking at a bit of fun, wacky, poignant, pointed yard art. Back by popular demand are the YAT4 trading cards, which audiences can collect at each YAT4 site and trade for prizes like beer and Fringe merchandise. More information on the Fringe and all Festival events can be found atwww.nofringe.org. The Fringe is a
501(c)3 non-profit that was founded by local arts organizers to nurture fearless theater in New Orleans and to benefit artists, venues, neighborhoods and local businesses. Sponsors: Robert Rauschenberg Foundation, Louisiana Division of the Arts, Arts Council of New Orleans, City of New Orleans, New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Foundation, Bywater Neighborhood Association, Bernard Productions, NOLA Brewing Company, Old New Orleans Rum, WWOZ 90.7, OffBeat, New Orleans Tourism Marketing Corporation, Mardi Gras Zone, WWNO 88.9, NOLA.com and a host of local businesses and individuals.
22nd Red Party Benefits Food For Friends Nov. 22 @ Cafe Lafitte's Cafe Lafitte in Exile presents the 22nd Annual Red Party: KISS "The Bearded Lady Review" benefitting Food For Friends on Saturday, Nov. 22nd. Beginning at 9:30pm, the staff turnabout show will bring employees to the stage for their talent presentation followed by each auctioning off their own home-made "designer shaving kits" to the highest bidder. As a bonus, the top bidder gets to "KISS" the employee. Yes, a big fat "KISS!" The fun evening will bring Jeff Palmquist and Rip Naquin to the stage to emcee the festivities.
Red Party MCs Jeff Palmquist & Rip Naquin (Photo by Marsha Delain) Don't forget to buy your tickets for the incredible raffle with almost 100 prizes from your favorite Lafitte's employee. Tickets run $1 a piece or 6 for $5. Winner need not be present to win. Lafitte's, the oldest LGBT bar in North America, has set a goal of $5,000 for this 22nd fundraiser. Over the past 21 years, $95,039 has been raised for charity. Wouldn't it be great to break the $100,000 mark in 2014?!? It's all for a good cause, the Food For Friends program of NO/AIDS Task Force. Lafitte's is located at 901 Bourbon St.
Amon-Ra's 5th Girls Gone Broadway Nov. 23 @ Harrah's Theatre The Krewe of Amon-Ra celebrating their 50th Mardi Gras Ball in 2015, will present Amon-Ra's 5th Annual Girls Gone Broadway on Sunday, Nov. 23rd at Harrah's Theatre inside Harrah's [continued on 10]
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moments in gay new orleans history by Frank Perez E-mail: f.perez@sbcglobal.net Photo by: Larry Graham, GrahamStudioOne.COM
“Queer Pioneer Skip Ward” Growing up gay in the South has never been easy, which is why New Orleans has historically been a Mecca for LGBT+ folk wishing to escape small town closets all across the rural South. North Louisiana is about as Deep South as it gets— land of Baptists and Pentecostals: a desolate cultural hell-scape of ignorance, racism, and homophobia. It was, and, to some extent, still is, a very lonely place for LGBT+ people. Until recently, virtually all closet doors were cemented shut and life behind them was hopeless and dark. But in 1971, a man in Alexandria, Louisiana, came out of the closet and in so doing, raised a beacon of light and hope to untold thousands. Blanchard “Skip” Ward was born on September 17, 1920. After growing up in Alexandria, Ward joined the Navy and was graduated from NSU in 1950. After coming out as a gay man in 1971, he became an advocate for gay rights. In the 1980s, Ward became very involved in LAGPAC (Louisiana Lesbian and Gay Political Action Caucus), a political activist organization. Ward and his partner, Gene Barnes, began publishing a gay-themed newsletter and formed Le Beau Monde in 1981. Le Beau Monde was an
informal social group of gay people who met regularly to “explore the humanistic and spiritual aspects of being gay.” Spirituality had always been an integral part of Ward’s life. As a child, his grandmother instilled in him a strong mistrust of organized religion, especially Christianity. Ward eventually became a life-long Unitarian Universalist, and went on to co-found the Unitarian/Universalist Church’s Gay Caucus. Ward became associated with the Radical Faeries (a national organiza-
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Wonderland fundraiser benefiting Food For Friends is set for Sunday, Nov. 30 at Café Istanbul located at 2372 St. Claude Avenue in New Orleans. The Winter Wonderland is an annual event that is produced and directed by Misti Ates (Johnny Passion) along with her wife, Catherine Gaither. They consider this event their gift back to the New Orleans LGBT community. Each year they choose a charity to donate the proceeds (minus expenses) to from this event. NO/AIDS Task Force Food for Friends program is this year’s recipient. The VIP entrance will be set up as a movie premiere step and repeat complete with paparazzi, led by Hubert S. Monkeys. A photo booth has been donated by Show Time Rentals in Metairie to capture the memories of all who attend. Café Istanbul will be transformed into a beautiful Winter Wonderland. Dinner will be served from 5 to 7 and is catered by Chef Jerome Crosby. VIP guests will be entertained while they dine by pianist Ben Childress. Following Ben, Vanessa Carr and Derek Penton-Robicheaux of Esplanade Avenue will also entertain diners. Starting at 7pm the event will be opened for general admission and everyone will enjoy a concert with popular local band, AZ IF with lead vocalist Dana Lynn Dufrene. After the concert, there will be a presentation of the ICON Tribute Honor. This honor was created by Misti and Catherine to give recognition and thanks to the recipient for their many years of service to the LGBT community and will be presented as a surprise to the recipient. A*MED Ambulance,
New Orleans. The evening begins with dinner at 6pm followed by the show at 7:15pm. The upscale production brings the "Girls of Amon-Ra" to the stage with special guest performances by Elizabeth Bouvier, Cathy Fox, Natasha Sinclair, Monica Synclaire-Kennedy and Bootsie Deville. Donation is $35 with validated parking in the Harrah's garage.
American Bandstand brings "Glamazons" to the Stage Nov. 29 Mark those calendars for this year’s edition of Lords of Leather’s “American Bandstand,” the name for a hilarious and fun-filled evening of manly-men doing their best interpretations of the “Glamazons!” Come out at 8pm, Saturday night, Nov. 29 for the Lords’ annual turnabout show at Mag’s 940 on Elysian Fields Avenue. Guest hostess will be Elizabeth Bouvier and will special guest performers will be reigning Miss Louisiana Leatherette Mona del Rose, and former queens Summer Rayne, Countess C. Alice, and Bublz Champagne. Tickets will be $10 at the door.
4th Winter Wonderland Nov. 30 benefits Food For Friends @ Café Istanbul Johnny Passion’s 4th Annual Winter
tion for rural-based gender and sexual non-conforming spiritualists) and in 1994, he and Barnes acquired 12 acres of land in North Louisiana and called it Manitou Woods. It became a retreat space for spiritual communion and meditation. In 1987, Ward wrote, “I’m not sure where we should be going with our new-found spiritual consciousness. We are walking forth upon new ground, watered by streams of paganism, faerie spirituality, shamanism, and a revival of berdache spirituality.” The aforementioned quote is from a letter Ward wrote in response to a letter he received from a gay man in New Mexico who was curious about gay spirituality. This was just one of dozens of gay men who wrote Ward seeking advice. Ward took the time to respond to all of them and his letters, are beautiful expressions of wisdom and courage. A few excerpts. To a closeted man: “Still trying with women, you wrote. If it had worked for me, just screwing women, I’d not be gay today. Many have tried this. Sure, you can get married, have kids, etc., but you’ll never cease to look longingly at certain people of your own sex.” “I learned long ago that for me it is thoughtful, considerate, and kind to leave women alone. Why involve one of them in a hopeless relationship,
doomed to incompleteness. Women deserve someone who can love them unreservedly, unconditionally. And so do men!” To a man who had just come out of the closet in 1983 and was fearful of the consequences: “How can ignorant, but maybe well-meaning people threaten or hurt us anymore? Together we have no fear to tangle with wildcats. And we can climb Everest too, because we are learning the rewards of courage with its concomitant of prudence.” In all these letters of hope and encouragement, there are undertones of quiet confidence and profound wisdom delivered in a gentle fraternal spirit. In other letters, letters to politicians, Ward adopts a tone of moral indignation and challenges the bigotry and prejudice of U.S. Senators and Congressmen. Skip Ward was a voice—often the only voice—for thousands of gay people in the South who had chosen silence and invisibility. In speaking on their behalf, he also challenged them to find their own voices. In this regard, Skip Ward was a visionary who offered courage to a people that desperately needed it. He was ahead of his time. Skip Ward died in 2009. Part of his remains are buried in the Memorial Garden behind the Faerie Playhouse, the longtime home of Stewart Butler and his late partner Alfred Doolittle.
Inc. will be donating a vehicle in the memory of their family member, Donald Jaeger, to Food For Friends to help with their meal deliveries of those in need. A*MED has served the New Orleans area since 1996 and in addition to their donation they are also a Platinum Sponsor of this event. After the ICON presentation and donation by A*MED Ambulance, a variety drag show will begin around 9pm. A silent auction with many items donated from local business will be also going on throughout the event. Hosted by Johnny Passion and Oz’s very own Persana Shoulders, the show is filled with some of New Orleans most loved and talented performers starring Reba Douglas, Felicia Phillips, Countess C. Alice, Nicole Lynn Foxx, Princess Stephaney, Lana O’ Day, Giselle Trivianni, Aubrey Synclaire, Kookie Baker, Derrick Stevens, Josh Duffy, fire performance artist Kitty Flamebeaux, and Lady Magic. Winter Wonderland is sponsored by the following: Media Sponsor: AMBUSH MAGAZINE; Platinum Sponsors: A*MED Ambulance Service, Inc.; Gold Sponsors: Respacare of Louisiana, Chef Ron’s Gumbo Stop, Acme Lock; Silver Sponsors: Kenner Seafood, Sandi and Alisha Leonard-Gumpert, Sherri Hammet, Mina Hernandez and Nanette Owings; Bronze Sponsors: Four Seasons
Patio Bar and Cabaret, Pigeonhole Mini Storage, Showtime Rentals of Metairie, Daniel Day Home Improvements, Samiel Kalin, Mr. Binky’s of Harahan VIP tickets are sold out, but general admission tickets are available for purchase now or at door of the event. General Admission starts at 7pm. Contact Misti Ates at .504.292.3983.
State of LGBT Equality in Four Louisiana Cities Detailed in HRC Report WASHINGTON - The Human Rights Campaign (HRC), the nation’s largest lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) civil rights organization, released its third annual report assessing LGBT equality in 353 cities across the nation, including four in Louisiana. The 2014 Municipal Equality Index (MEI), the only nationwide rating system of LGBT inclusion in municipal law and policy, shows that cities across the country, including in Louisiana, continue to take the lead in supporting LGBT people and workers, even when states and the federal government have not. The average score for cities in Louisiana is 42 out of 100 points, which falls below the national average of 59. Baton Rouge: 22, Metairie: 15, New Orleans: 83, Shreveport: 47. “From Mississippi to Idaho, mid-size cities and small towns have become the single greatest engine of progress for LGBT
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the "official" dish ...from 10 equality—changing countless lives for the better,” said HRC President Chad Griffin. “In just three years, the number of municipalities earning top marks for their treatment of LGBT citizens has more than tripled. Simply put, in this country there is an ongoing race to the top to treat all people, including LGBT people, fairly under the law, and it’s time our state and federal laws caught up.” “In many municipalities, local leaders are taking important steps to provide LGBT people with the protections and security not available at the state or federal level. And because of this leadership, many cities and counties are emerging as welcoming communities where LGBT people are treated with the dignity and respect they’ve always deserved,” said Rebecca Issacs, Executive Director of Equality Federation. “Municipal victories are fueling the movement for equality in states across this nation. The Municipal Equality Index is a terrific tool to help spur those victories along and celebrate the cities who have worked so hard to get us to this point.” “Since the Human Rights Campaign began the MEI, Louisiana has seen a significant increase in equality for our citizens and that is reflected in this year’s scores. Forum for Equality is proud of the work we have accomplished at the local level, many times in partnership with organizations from across the state,” said SarahJane Brady, Forum for Equality Executive Director. “But it is also evident that there is much work to be done to achieve full and lived equality in the Pelican State and we are working to
fulfill those needs here every day.” Key findings contained in the MEI, issued in partnership with the Equality Federation, provide a revealing snapshot of LGBT equality in 353 municipalities of varying sizes, and from every state in the nation. The cities researched for the 2014 MEI include the 50 state capitals, the 200 most populous cities in the country, the four largest cities in every state, the city home to each state’s largest public university, and an equal mix of 75 of the nation’s large, midsize and small municipalities with the highest proportion of same-sex couples. Other findings contained in the 2014 MEI: * Cities in all regions of the country earned excellent scores, demonstrating that commitment to LGBT equality is not confined to parts of the country many people assume are most LGBT friendly; * 38 cities received perfect scores, even with this year’s more demanding criteria; that’s up from 11 in 2012, and 25 in 2013; * Cities continue to excel even without depending on state law: of cities that scored a perfect 100, 15 are in states that don’t have comprehensive relationship recognition or a statewide non-discrimination law; that’s up from eight cities last year, and just two in 2012 * 32 million people now live in cities that have more comprehensive, transgender inclusive non-discrimination laws than their state or the federal government; * The average city score was 59 points, with half of the cities researched scoring over 61 points. Eleven percent scored 100 points; 25 percent scored over 80 points;
25 percent scored under 44 points; and four percent scored fewer than 10 points. * Cities with a higher proportion of same-sex couples tended, not surprisingly, to score better, and the presence of openlyLGBT city officials and LGBT police liaisons also were correlated with higher scores. The MEI rates cities based on 47 criteria falling under six broad categories: -Non-discrimination laws -Relationship recognition -Municipality’s employment policies, including transgender-inclusive insurance coverage, contracting non-discrimination requirements, and other policies relating to equal treatment of LGBT city employees -Inclusiveness of city services -Law enforcement -Municipal leadership on matters of equality The full report, including detailed scorecards for every city, as well as a searchable database, is available online at www.hrc.org/mei.
Keliy Anderson-Staley receives 2014 Clarence John Laughlin Award The New Orleans Photo Alliance (NOPA) is pleased to announce that Keliy Anderson-Staley (Houston, TX) is the recipient of the 2014 Clarence John Laughlin Award. Anderson-Staley will receive the $5,000 award for her ongoing photographic series On a Wet Bough: Contemporary Tintype Portraits, an archive of tintype portraits made throughout the U.S., and
which explores diversity and identity. Anderson-Staley describes how the 19th century photo process impacts her work, “The portraits can be both a haunting reminder of the passing of time and a sign of our futile attempts to hold on to it. The faces, emerging from the liquid aberrations of the hand-poured chemistry on the tintype plates - each of which is unique - become ghosts, contemporary individuals inserted into the contexts of photographic history. Del Zogg, the 2014 CJL Award Juror and Manager of Works on Paper & Photography Collections at the Houston Museum of Fine Arts, selected Anderson-Staley’s work for her vision. “Her work presents people as photography intended: straight forward representations of people, all sitting for the camera while the artist selects those simple few seconds to present them as the individuals that they are.” NOPA received 128 entries this year and Del Zogg selected 13 finalists. Zogg also awarded three honorable mentions to photographers Anne Berry (Newnan, GA), Susan Burnstine (Los Angeles, CA) and Meghann Riepenhoff (San Francisco, CA). The Clarence John Laughlin Award was created by the New Orleans Photo Alliance in 2010 to support the work of photographers who use the medium as a means of creative expression. It honors the life and work of Clarence John Laughlin (1905-1985), a New Orleans photographer best known for his surrealist images of the American South. To learn more about the New Orleans Photo Alliance, please visit www.neworleansphotoalliance.org.
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Wednesday Show Night brings Entertainer of the Year Gia GiaVanni to the Oz stage
Bartender Kelton goes AHS Halloween @ Le Roundup
Deities & Demons Ball @ the Carver Theatre
Bartenders Michael & Rodney serving free shots for each Saints touch down @ GrandPre’s
Carol, Mary Kay, Marina & Wanda join Judge Laurie White Victory Party @ Golden Lantern
David & Jon Paul @ GrandPre’s Saints Game Day Sunday
The annual Odyssey Ball fundraiser @ New Orleans Museum of Art Crescent City Tour Booking Agency’s Frank & bartender Philip @ Double Play for Halloween
Hot men join Cheridon Comedy Award winner Persana Shoulders @ Show Club of the Year Oz
Kyle & Khryschian behind the bar @ Cafe Lafitte in Exile
snap paparazzi
Neon Hitch live on stage @ Oz following her HOB concert
Sexy Ichabod Crane & the Headless Horseman from Sleepy Hollow TV show @ Krewe of Boo Halloween parade
Dancers Eros & Posiedon @ Dance Club of the Year Oz
King Cake Queen XXII-Elect Aubrey Synclaire & LA’s Billy Francesca host Bourbon Pub & Parade Boys On Parade
Double-wings take over Jay & Jamie @ The Phoenix
SDGM XL Reba Douglas joins SD 2014 Check Presentation Show @ Golden Lantern
Bartenders Kevin & Joseph welcome you to Good Friends Bar
SD 2014 Check Presentation Show brought Rikki, Regina, Aubrey, Reba & Chad to the stage @ Golden Lantern
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La Scène Sociale (The Social Scene) ~ New Orleans ~ Photos by Frankie Fierce, Tony Leggio, Paul Melancon, Rip Naquin
Oz GM Greg Jones joins Neon Hitch for her official concert after party hosted @ Oz New Orleans
New Orleans Bears celebrate their Bears, Beads & Bubbles event
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paparazzi
Dominique headlines Dominique DeLorean Cabaret Show @ The Four Seasons in Metairie
Klorocks Bleachman stars in the Retro Review @ The Golden Lantern
Celebratin’ @ The Friendly Bar Hubert S Monkeys’ handler, Bengee & bartender Matthew @ Tulane Avenue Bar
Bartender Jon welcomes you to Le Roundup
Princess Stephaney stars in the Retro Review Fridays @ The Golden Lantern
Charles cooking it up @ Restaurant/Deli of the Year Quartermaster Frankenstein meets his bride @ The Double Play
Welcome to the Satyricon Garage Sale Good Friends bartender Nathan, Bourbon Pub bartender David with friend Matt
Jerry & Kenny cocktailin’ @ Cafe Lafitte in Exile Dale & Josh poses on The Phoenix pool table
Rafi on the bar @ The Corner Pocket
Frankie, bartender Scott, Kelly & Diane @ GrandPre’s
Dancers John & Austin @ The Corner Pocket Natasha Sinclair on stage @ The Four Seasons in Metairie
New Orleans’ Bears, Beads & Bubbles brings out all the sisters!
Bartender Adrien @ Tulane Avenue Bar with Hubert S Monkeys
Shelly, Charlene, Paul, Brigette & Mickey out on the town
Bartenders Jon & Coco hail from The Golden Lantern
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Vie Nocturne (Nightlife) ~ Metairie, New Orleans ~ Photos by Tony Leggio, Paul Melancon, Hubert S Monkeys, Rip Naquin, Jeremy Weinberg
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under the gaydar by Tony Leggio Email: ledgemgp@gmail.com Photo by: Larry Graham
Book of the Month For those people who do not know, I have a great fascination with the amazingly talented Judy Garland. So I was so excited to review my next book, Judy Garland On Judy Garland: Interviews and Encounters edited by Randy L. Schmidt. Judy Garland on Judy Garland is a narrative novel that tells the life story of the internationally famed star by piecing together interviews throughout her life from TV, radio and print mediums. Starting with a radio interview in 1935 on the Shell Chateau Hour when she was 12 to a radio interview in 1969 (the year she died) with Radio Denmark, Judy’s life is displayed in her own words from its highs to lows.
I have always been a huge fan, and this book solidified my feelings. Sympathy is what I come away most with for the legendary star that started her stage career in Vaudeville at the age of two and never stopped entertaining up until her death brought on by a drug overdose at the age of 47 in 1969. The reader gains insight on Judy’s entire life, her four marriages, her rise to stardom in movies, her comeback years later and her failed television series. Schmidt does an excellent job at weaving a storyline of Garland’s life without being too heavy handed. One appreciates all the time taken to dig through all her interviews to piece together this fascinating timeline of her career. Harassed by the media at an early age, you see how the star has always been great fodder for the tabloids. Readers get an in-depth look at her movies from The Wizard of Oz to A Star is Born. What makes this novel so unique is that Judy herself is telling her life story in her own words. Garland comes
through as a hard working performer who lived her life on stage in front of the public with her life on view and under scrutiny constantly. I especially enjoyed the interviews during her record breaking concert tours, when I think she seemed like she was the happiest. Her achievements and missteps are all laid out honestly by the star herself in this wonderful book that takes you “Behind the Curtain” in the life of the little girl who went to Oz.
Take A Walk On The Wild Side Ambush writer and New Orleans author Frank Perez has a new book out and will be hosting a signing on Thursday, Nov. 20th from 6 – 8pm at Café Lafitte’s In Exile. His recent book is entitled Treasures of the Vieux Carre: Ten Self-Guided Walking Tours of the French Quarter. This is the perfect gift for anyone on your list who comes to the city often to visit (or for locals who like being a tourist in their own city). Hint: get your Christmas gifts early. Frank is a knowledgeable and experienced tour guide who is also an accurate historian. His knack of combining the facts with legend has made him a popular with guests on his tours. He will also have copies of In Exile: The History and Lore Surrounding New Orleans Gay Culture and Its Oldest Gay Bar available for purchase (another great holiday gift). There will be complimentary food and a cash bar. Lafitte’s is located at 901 Bourbon Street.
Have Thanksgiving Dinner Early If you are looking for the perfect dinner date night or just want to go out with some friends for a bite, I know the perfect way to have a festive evening out and help out good cause. Come out and support Toby Lefort’s Thanksgiving Dinner with a Purpose supporting Food for Friends on Thursday, Nov. 20th from 6 – 9pm at the Bourbon Pub. Enjoy delicious Thanksgiving Food and help people less fortunate than you during this holiday season. The cost is only a $5 donation at the door or 5 canned goods for Food For Friends at the door. There will also be happy hour pricing through the party. The Bourbon Pub is located at 801 Bourbon Street.
Oh The Horror! Halloween may be over, but the horror hasn’t ended. Get ready to scream in delight at the Krewe of Petronius’American Horror Story Show and Costume Contest on Friday, Nov. 21st from 7 – 10pm. Come enjoy dastardly delights in a night of many decadent sights and a one of a kind show dedicated to all American Horror Story fans. The krewe encourages guests to wear your finest American Horror Story costume (from any season) for a chance at winning $100. There will also be a star-studded show starring Countess C. Alice, Miss Kayla Starr, Miss Kitty d’Litter, Miss Gia Malone, Miss Amaya Monroe and Miss Natalie Von Tesse. There is a $10 donation at the door and all credit cards are accepted. Paulie’s is located at 810 North Claiborne Avenue.
One Mighty Turkey! November is a month of gay carnival krewes as the Krewe of Armeinius presents Gobble Gobble (cute title) on Saturday, Nov. 22nd at their den from 7 – 10pm. Enjoy cocktails and great food while socializing with those in the krewe and the community. This event benefits the NO/AIDS Task Force which is another wonderful way to celebrate thanksgiving with one of the premier gay carnival krewes in the city. Coming off the success of Cocktoberfest, this event is sure to be a hot. Their den is located at 433 North Broad Street. Buy your tickets early for this event and the price is only $15 and $20 at the door.
Beers and Bells This Holiday Season There is a new event this year at City Park during Celebration in the Oaks entitled Jingle Bells & Beer on Saturday, Nov. 22nd from 7 -10pm. This inaugural holiday event was created for young adults and those young at heart. Spend an evening riding on all the rides within City Park’s amusement park, under the beautiful lights of Cel-
ebration in the Oaks. Craft beers will be available throughout the amusement park, and “munchies” will be provided from local food vendors and dancing to live music from local bands Gravy and Naughty Professor. This party is casual attire. Your admission includes: * Rides at the amusement park, including the miniature train and carousel. * Beer, soft drinks and water from a variety of local distributors * Food for all guests, provided by local restaurants, grocery stores and vendors. The cost is $35 FOCP members, $40 general public (in advance) and $45 general public (day of event).
Seeing Red If you have never been before make it a point to check out the 22nd Annual Red Party at Café Lafitte’s in Exile on Saturday, Nov. 22nd starting at 9:30pm. This event is always a hoot and benefits Food for Friends. Wear your red that night and come out and cheer on your favorite staff members at their Turn-A-Bout Show which features “KISS” and The Bearded Lady Review. Lafitte’s is located at 901 Bourbon Street.
Be A Broadway Baby One of the best gay krewe fundraisers is coming up on Sunday, Nov. 23rd as the glittering Krewe of Amon-Ra presents Girls Gone Broadway starting with at 6pm at Harrah’s theatre. There will be dinner with a show and silent auction. Tickets are $35. All proceeds go towards the krewe's 50th anniversary Mardi Gras ball on January 24, 2015. Ladies and gentlemen, this is an entertaining night at a fabulous location.
Enjoy a Palatial Dinner With the Thanksgiving holiday right around the corner, don’t hassle with dinner a few days before. Take a break from the prep work and dine out at Dickie Brennan’s Palace Cafe for dinner on Tuesday, Nov. 25th. When you do, 20% of your meal will benefit NO/ AIDS Task Force. This is an ideal way to eat well, save time and support those living with HIV/AIDS. Call 504.274.1958 for reservations today. Palace Café is located at 605 Canal Street.
It’s All An Illusion It has been many years since Tommy Elias and Oz brought Glitz to the city of New Orleans, that spectacular celebrity female illusionist show. Well get ready because Illusions is set to take the stage on Friday, Nov. 28th at Mags 940 for an amazing night of Celebrity Impersonators. The doors [continued on 22]
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under the gaydar ...from 20 open at 8pm with show time at 9:30pm sharp. Admission is $5 at the door or $40 VIP Tables (advance sales only). Table includes admission for 4 and a bottle of wine. You will be enthralled by this 90 minute drag production featuring the talents of Dolly, Tina, Wynonna, Reba, Selena (dead you know), Adele, Miley, Diana, Cher, Celine and a special guest emcee. In case you are one of the few people who do not understand what these shows are all about, this is an illusionist show, they are not the real stars, except for Selena who is back from the grave. Mags 940 is located at 940 Elysian Fields.
Walking In A Winter Wonderland Get ready to kick-off the festive holiday season at Johnny Passion’s 4th Annual Winter Wonderland on Sunday, Nov. 30th starting at 5pm. This year promises to the biggest and best celebration of them all. Cafe Istanbul will be transformed into a winter paradise. Johnny Passion and Catherine are also proud to announce the addition of the newly created ICON Tribute Honor. They will be presenting this Honor to the recipient as their way of recognizing this individual and saying “thank you,” and to add to the excitement this award is a surprise to the recipient. There will be dinner served from 5 to 7pm, catered by Chef Jerome Crosby, followed by a concert with local and popular band AZ IF with lead singer Dana Lynn Dufrene from 7 to 8:30pm. Then from 9 to 10:30, Johnny hosts a variety show starring some of the best of our New Orleans entertainers with co-emcee Persana Shoulders. Get your tickets fast before they are sold out. There will also be a silent auction and all monies collected will be donated to Food For Friends program of NO/ AIDS Task Force after expenses. Café Istanbul is located at 2372 St. Claude Avenue.
Art Against AIDS The holiday season kicks off once again with the 28th Annual Art Against AIDS on Saturday, Dec. 6th at Club XLIV, adjacent to the Mercedes Benz Superdome. Art Against AIDS gala has long been considered the kick-off to the holiday party season. Benefitting NO/ AIDS Task Force, this event brings together artists, businesses, cultural leaders and supporters of the Task Force to raise money for the services it provides the men, women, and families affected by HIV/AIDS in New Orleans. The event boasts an impressive silent auction, holiday ornaments and gift boutique, food from local restaurants and entertainment. Your donation benefits those in our community affected by HIV/AIDS. For more infor-
mation or tickets go to http:// www.noaidstaskforce.org.
Party Down With so many things happening the weekend before Halloween, people forget that there was still the following weekend left for parties. Even though the Halloween New Orleans celebration was over that did not signal the end of the festive holiday. On Wednesday, the networking event started by New Orleans Magazine Hobknobbers held their October event at the Hard Rock Café on Bourbon Street. The event included entertainment, food and a costume contest. It was fun for all and a great start up to the actual Halloween weekend. Hobknobbers over the last few months since its inception has quickly risen to one the most popular monthly networking events in the city. The following night was the big Halloween parade down the streets of the French Quarter and CBD. This year’s parade was bigger with more floats and dancing groups such as the Pussyfooters and the Rolling Elvises. I have never seen so many interpretations of Thriller in my life. My friends and I started the night off at Margarita Bergen’s art gallery on Decatur Street for a few pre-parade cocktails before making it to the main event. My favorite part of the parade was the sexy Ichabod Crane and Headless Horseman from the show Sleepy Hollow. Now there are so many head jokes I can say about a hunky man in search of head, but I will spare you. And then it was Friday and Halloween, third night in a different costume, talk about never getting glitter out of my hair. Glitter is like sand, you find it months afterwards. I started Halloween by going to a hospitality party at the Chicory. The party was held at the end of the workday as a sort of fun happy hour springboard to the weekend with libations and tasty nibbles. There was even a costume contest for those who dressed for work that day. After that event, I flew home and did a refresh and got ready for more parties that night. My friends Beaux and Barret scooped me up and we were off to two events in Metairie. And whoever says those people in suburbia do not know how to party have never met these people. The first stop of the night was Beaux’s co-worker Chris, whose party was delightful, small and intimate about a dozen or so people in creative costumes. I even managed to kick a little straight boy ass at beer bong, amateurs. It is alcohol and me, except I did not realize that the winner actually does not drink, it is the loser who cocktails, personally I think they have that backwards. Then we were off to the gorgeous home of Michael Shlenker and his hubby Don for their spooky soiree. Their party was already in full swing when we arrived. These two gentlemen have the best
bar area in a private home that I have ever experienced. They take home entertaining to a new level, Martha Stewart sit down. The highlight of the night was when the world wrestlers showed up and starting demonstrating certain choke holds on each other. Lots of half- naked men writhing around on the ground seems like a sizzling party to me. We ended the night at the Lords of Leather Halloween contest at the Phoenix before taking a late night stroll on the ever so popular Frenchman Street which was a complete zoo, but a fun menagerie. After navigating those waters I was ready for bed and an end to Halloween. But alas it seems I had not had enough of ghosts and goblins because on Saturday night I jumped right back in by going to see Musical of the Living Dead at Shadowbox Theatre. Picture Night of the Living Dead meets John Waters and you have this show full of bloody musical numbers and something called the splatter zone. The name says it all and after the play, I was covered in faux blood which made my costume even more realistic for my following stop which was the Deities and Demons Ball at the newly renovated Carver Theatre. Visionary artists Alex Grey and Allyson Grey presented this for lack of a better description Celestial Circus featuring one of the hottest electronic music line-ups such as David Starfire, Thriftworks, saQi, MiKHAL, Anna Langley, and Electric Dandelion. The night was a costumed ball that mixed all elements of art and fashion together in a unique blend that kept the Halloween spirit still partying. On Sunday, the New Orleans Bears had an afternoon gathering at Mags 940 called Bears, Beads and Bubbles. It was a relaxing way to sip champagne with this merry group of guys. I was onto the next week which was slightly more relaxed than the previous two but still managed to have a hot schedule starting on Wednesday when I went to see “Art” at the NOLA Playhouse located in the Bywater. I love all the new intimate theatre spaces popping up around the city. Although as plays go, Art is an acquired taste that I have not gotten yet. On Friday, I joined a group of lovely ladies for the New Orleans Museum of Art’s Odyssey Ball which is their gala fundraiser. It was a very fancy black tie party that was a mishmash of different things from a Harley Davidson biker bar area to a pinball arcade, to a K and B drugstore with a roller skating car hop and a Havana Cuba area. We stayed and danced the night away as a DJ from Los Angeles closed out the festivities. Saturday was even more laid back since I stayed close to home and just visited the Marigny and Bywater art galleries as they held their second Saturday of every month open houses.
Like Julia Street’s first Saturday events, these galleries feature open shows the second Saturday of every month. Sunday was a day of complete relaxation and movies on the couch (a rarity for me). Now that is how you end a week. That concludes my two weeks, I want to take a moment to give thanks for my family and friends and wish everyone a safe and happy Thanksgiving.
To Quote A Queen In honor of Thanksgiving and celebrate cooking in general, I thought I would select quotes from famous foodie Ted Allen. Many people remember Ted from the famous Bravo show Queer Eye for the Straight Guy. But he has a lengthy and impressive resume which includes not only being the food and wine connoisseur on theAmerican Bravo show but he has been the host of the TV cooking competition series Chopped since its launch in 2009. Since April 2014, he is also the host of another Food Network show, “America’s Best Cook.” He is a longtime contributing writer to Esquire magazine, the author of two cookbooks, and regularly appears on the Food Network’s show The Best Thing I Ever Ate and other television cooking shows. So sit back, pass the mashed potatoes and enjoy some quips from Ted Allen. “People who hardly ever cook at all, suddenly at the holidays, feel like it’s their responsibility to not only cook dinner for large groups of people suddenly, but to serve things that are fussy or fancy or formal. And I don’t think that’s what anybody really wants, especially if you’re not good at it.” (Feel free to send this quote to that certain someone in your circle of family or friends who truly cannot cook. Remember no shame in going to a restaurant and less headache). “Cooking for people is an enormously significant expression of generosity and soulfulness, and entertaining is a way to be both generous and creative. You’re sharing your life with people. Of course, it’s also an expression of your own need for approval and applause. Nothing wrong with that.” “For me, the kitchen is the most special room in the house. It’s a place for adventure - not drudgery, but discovery, sharing and showing off with friends, trying new ideas.” “My whole problem is that all of my favorite things at Thanksgiving are the starches, and everyone is trying to go low-carb this year, even a green vegetable has carbs in it.”
Next DEADLINE Tues., Nov. 25
504.522.8049 marsha@ripandmarsha.com
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wear it out by Johnny Joseph Delgadillo, Johnny Love E-mail: cuttingedgediva@yahoo.com
Southern Style Week... Was it a hit or a miss for New Orleans style? Andi Nicken's, a fashionista on the move in New Orleans has truly outdone herself this time. Not only did I write about her when she came out with her new book on style named New Orleans Style, I also went to many of the NOLA Fashion Week events she started years back with Nicholas Landry. Well since all of this has happened she has since started her own project for fashion designers called Southern Style Week.
Andi Nicken's @ Southern Style Week Southern Style Week is almost a carbon copy of what NOLA Fashion Week was but the difference is Andi Nicken’s has gone solo. Andi and Nick have dissolved NOLA Fashion Week and Andi has started a new fashion venture showcasing local designers and their collections. Designed much like a fashion week Andi has picked some of the best designers in Louisiana. I went last Thursday with my TV show crew to film the first episode of Big Easy Glam to begin airing within the next three weeks on NOATV/Cox Cable Channel. I have got to say with the exception of missing one of my favorite designers in New Orleans has to offer, Amanda DeLeon, I picked the best night to go because I got to see Andi’s collection, Hazel and Florange, along with three other fabulous shows. Yes people I got to see Project Runway designer from Season 9 and winner of Project Runway Allstars Season 2, Anthony Ryan, Matthew Mattingsworth Arthur who was also on Project Runway, and designer Noel Martin who is from Louisiana but now lives in New York where she has started her clothing collection and is doing well. So now you can understand why I feel as if I
was at the best night of the event. Oh yes. I did get to see Amanda DeLeon’s pieces up close which really made my night. She was selling sample pieces with the vendors the evening I went. What better than to see a designers work up close and personal. Andi Nicken’s had an entire week of fashion shows and parties along with a few workshops that all in all were “Fabulous.” Being that New Orleans is the fashion capital of the South I feel Andi has done one hell of a great job putting together a fabulous event. She picked a host of great venues to hold the shows. The night I attended the shows were at the Old New Orleans Rum distillery. Who would have thought. Ummmm..... Andi. Unconventional yes. Perfect for the quirky styles New Orleans designers show? Yes. All in all I believe Andi has a good product on her hands and if she continues I know it will be the best fashion event in the city. Besides I know if it goes on to a second season in 6 months I will be showing because I have good in site and feel the power. LOL! So for Southern Style Week SS2015 and Andi Nicken’s I give a huge BA BA BA BA BAM! With a twist of lime. Stay tuned for the next issue where I cover the winners of the Hair Ball 2014.
Anthony Ryan SS 2015
Matthew Arthur SS 2015 Womans
Hazel and Florange SS 2015
Matthew Arthur SS 2015 Mens
a community within communities by The Rev. Bill Terry, Rector St. Anna’s Episcopal Church, New Orleans Email: fr.bill@stannanola.org
Thanksgiving: Part I Pecos Bill, Paul Bunyan, Casey Jones, John Henry, Babe the Blue Ox and yes Thanksgiving. These are deep seated myths of Americana and they reflect what we want to say or wanted to say about ourselves. Within each myth are deep truths, some history, and good story telling. I know for a fact that the good people in Massachusetts sat down to a meal that included stuffed mirlitons, oyster dressing, bread pudding with Whiskey sauce, and perhaps a nice Native American corn soufflé. You know that a late arriving Pilgrim brought a jellied cranberry sauce by Seaside Sprits. They all ate, Native American and Pilgrim, in perfect harmony. Then the males adjourned to the rough hewn benches and watched lacrosse on the gaming fields whilst some fell asleep. The women both Native and Pilgrim alike hovered around the kitchen making fun of the men and talking about all manner of gift ideas for the upcoming Christmas feast soon to follow. Now that is history but what about the myth?
Anthony Ryan SS 2015 Mens
The myth is the idea that in America our founding ideal was harmony, gratitude to God for provisions, and a future of abundance. The other sighted he-
roes in the opening line each represent something that America had to say [continued on 25]
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community ...from 24 about herself. Rugged individualism, a nation set on harnessing nature, power and dignity, and well, Babe the Blue Ox – well, we like Smurfs and Cookie Monster, don’t we? So, myths tell a deeper story. Here are some other myths of Americana: “If you just got a job and worked hard enough you won’t be in poverty.” “All men are created equal.” (No wise cracks on this one folks) “All Americans have equal access under the Law.” Perhaps in this community, the LGBT community, you might hold some of these myths to be perhaps overstated? Have you gotten legally married in Louisiana yet? Oh no, really because you are of the same sex! Well I guess that myth applies to the straight folk only. Yep, it’s their myth not ours. Do you mean to tell me that we have some people under-qualified, under educated, and living in a culture of social dependency? So, maybe just getting a job is a myth for educated, employable, trained or skilled folk. Oh, so now you are telling me that while we say “All men are created equal” that women are barred from higher paying jobs, or promotions, or that certain people of color may not join certain social organizations, or krewes, or perhaps have full access to the capitalist economy that others may have? Well, I am not really sure we can go there. So, feeling filled with “Thanks” yet? Or are you by now ready to throw this article in the dust bin (an English phrase that I am fond of)?! A wonderful quiet and humble bartender was leaving her shift at the Friendly Bar last Friday. She turned around and gave her tips to one of us “It’s for the kids. It’s for your Sunday School” she said. THANKSGIVING. The Sunday night following a memorial was held for Buck and Elwood Richardson at the home of Stuart Butler. All manner of folk gathered and told stories and laughed and prayed and remembered and e m braced those t w o who are
now departed. THANKSGIVING. Twenty young men came to Dodwell House Community Center and in five weeks rebuilt a room that should have been demolished, installed an excellent wheel chair ramp, framed out code compliant bathrooms and roughed in some plumbing at no cost to what will be our Community in Communities – Community Center at no charge to us. THANKSGIVING. Jeff Mallon stopped me while I was at the Friendly Bar and asked if she was going to be invited to host the Dodwell House Extravaganza Fund Raiser. She asked me! THANKSGIVING. The Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence now call St. Anna’s Parish Hall a home for meetings and Abbess (I think) Mother Cath-i-ter has agreed to provide some entertainment for the Dodwell Extravaganza. THANKSGIVING. One of the most vulnerable children in Anna’s Arts Program now with us for 4 years stood in church last Sunday and recited the Creed from memory (Matthew and Luke instead of Smith and Wesson). THANKSGIVING. Friends, this THANKSGIVING litany can go on and on despite the failure or apparent failure of some of our American national myths. You see we are making our own Community myths that tell a far deeper story and a far deeper truth about who and what we want to be. But this myth is soundly couched in truth and action. Rejoice in becoming the authors of our Community Myth where there are safe places for LGBT organizations to meet in the open in a church. Rejoice in becoming the authors of our Community Myth where a young vulnerable boy can avoid the business of drug selling and rating the streets by embracing dignity, integrity, faith, and equality. Rejoice in becoming the authors of our Community Myth that efforts are made to insure that everyone needing a flu shot can get one for free if they need it. Rejoice in becoming the authors of our Community Myth that white, black, straight, gay, lesbian, transgender, questioning, you fit into our Community within Communities. In order to make these truths enduring myths about our community we need each other. We need each other to continue to break barriers of self segregation out fear and longing. We need each other to proclaim a Gospel of Love and Chastity and Charity. Yes, such can be done with wit, sarcasm, elegance, and even art. But proclaim we must. Just as Jesus proclaimed his Gospel we must take the work that He started and continue it. Even if you don’t buy into the true Christ and His message buy into what He was about reaching the unreached, working hard to insure inclusivity, and even at our own risk and then: GIVE THANKS AND REJOICE FOR THEN IT IS TRULY A HOLIDAY FOR THANKSGIVING.
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trodding the boards by Brian Sands
Email: bsnola2@hotmail.com
I’d Rather Be Rich at The Anthony Bean Theater through Nov. 23 Many theaters in New Orleans admirably produce new works on a regular basis; after all, as worthy as it is to revive classics and feature local premieres, original plays truly keep stages alive. The Anthony Bean Community just as preposterous if they were played Theater has especially dedicated it- by whites, Asians, Latinos or Martians. self to consistently presenting new plays On Vic Woodward and Dane and musicals; its production of Little Rhodes’ upscale set, Bean, as direcBit won the 2006 Ambie Award for tor, makes this go down as smoothly as Best Original Work. possible but he owed it to Roberts to So I’m tempted to give ABCT a help him shape the script more. pass on its current production I’d The actors are all game for this Rather Be Rich, a ridiculous would-be nonsense and do the best they can with comedy by Fred R. Roberts, Jr., that these silly characters. needed to go through a few more As Charity, Leah Rouege is cute drafts before it was ready for paying and bubbly while conveying a scheming customers. mind underneath her good looks. Dwight In it, Les and Charity, a young E. Clay makes Les a nice guy, if not the unmarried couple, are struggling finan- sharpest one around. cially. Then Les finds a bag full of Squeak Lindsey lives up to her money at the car wash he owns. Then name with her Betty Boop-ish voice he gets a letter telling him that a distant and does well as the designated dingrelative left him a LOT of money but a-ling. As the would-be scammers, only if he’s married. Then some con Kelishia King’s British accent comes artists turn up. Then...oh never mind. and goes while TJ Toups doesn’t even And did I mention Les’ best friend, attempt one, but otherwise they’re fine a veterinarian who lost his license when as the baddies you love to hate. a client pressed charges against him Playing a level-headed priest, cause he was pressing his privates too Jonathan Patterson is, refreshingly, the hard against her poodle during an op- only sane person on stage. eration? And the vet seems to feel that Other than Toups and Clay, who Les has to give him $10,000 for him to was a stand-out in ABCT’s recent proget his license back. Like I said, never duction of Two Trains Running, the mind. cast is comprised of relative newcomSuch shenanigans could certainly ers to the stage. Let’s hope they all go be the basis for a comic tale. But Rich on to bigger and better things. can’t seem to make up its mind as to whether it wants merely to be a sitcom New in New York or if it aspires to something more farciThough I can’t imagine anything cal, a tricky theatrical form to be able to much worse than I’d Rather Be Rich, pull off successfully. Either way, de- not all the new plays in New York are spite trying very hard and Robert’s that much better; I was disappointed well-written dialog, it is virtually laugh by the Pulitzer Prize-winning Disgraced free. In its five scenes, I counted one which I found to be trite and clicheand half chuckles. ridden. Even all this could be overlooked, But two star-studded revivals rebut Rich occasionally turns crass with mind us of what theater can be. a 180 degree shift in tone that makes it David Rabe’s Sticks and Bones seem like it was written, in part, by won the Tony for Best Play in 1972 and dirty-minded high school boys. Worse, remains a profound exploration of the parts of it simply don’t make sense and fall-out from America’s involvement in what could’ve been an explosive rela- Viet Nam. Not seen for many years, tionship that’s revealed at the end of The New Group is doing theatergoers Act One goes nowhere. a vital service by presenting it in a Small details are off, too. For ex- superb production starring Bill Pullman, ample, would a contemporary young Holly Hunter and Richard Chamberlain woman really describe a ring as “big as at off-Broadway’s Pershing Square Elizabeth Taylor’s”? Hasn’t Roberts Signature Center (through Dec. 14). heard of Beyoncé? The members of Rabe’s featured The one thing I can say about I’d family may be named after TV’s Nelson’s Rather Be Rich is that, despite being (Ozzie and Harriet and sons Rick and performed by a mostly African-Ameri- David) but it’s no sitcom they’re living in. can cast, there’s nothing in the script David has returned home from the war that necessarily identifies these char- blind but harboring memories of the acters as black and so they could be Vietnamese woman he found love with
there. His parents hope David can assimilate back into their comfy suburban existence; Ozzie optimistically proclaims “I’ll be glad when things get back to the regular way.” But David has seen too many horrors for him to go back to that “regular way” and Rabe sets up a profound existential quandary as to how we as a nation should respond. Forty years later, with soldiers returning from Iraq and Afghanistan suffering from PTSD, sadly, such questions still remain all too apt. Using quasi ad slogans (“nothing like a good ol’ smoke”) and the repetition of anodyne words (“home,” “fudge,” “groceries,” etc.), Rabe creates a seemingly “normal” atmosphere only to shatter it as the family’s racism, illplaced dependence on religion, and urge to live up to the “American dream” prevents them from actually dealing with the reality of their wounded son and brother. The script’s abrupt tonal changes reflect the disorientation society felt in the late 1960s while its underlying currents of angst and sadness ripple and echo through our souls. And much as we recoil from Sticks and Bones’ tragic ending, it seems pre-ordained. Director Scott Ellis made bold choices and expertly calibrated his production between a realistic and stylized approach, the surreal and the mundane, comedy and tragedy. He approaches Rabe’s nearly three hour long play as though it was a Mahler symphony, letting it spin out its tale according to its own momentum with volcanic eruptions of passion along the way. Still, though written with a beautiful lyricism throughout, some of it does begin to feel repetitious; 20-30 minutes could probably be trimmed at no loss. The entire cast commits to Ellis’ vision to devastating effect. As a prototypical “Mom,” Hunter finds untold layers of depth and compassion as she tries with endless servings of food and drink to suppress the cognitive dissonance she unknowingly feels. Pullman finds countless variations as he plows through long monologs about the past. In a devastating performance, he lays bare the corrosive effect when someone is forced to question all that he’s been taught to believe. Chamberlain has only a few scenes but is pitch-perfect as an unctuous man
of the cloth in a duel for David’s soul. Ben Schnetzer (David) and Raviv Ullman (a guitar-strumming, ever-chipper Rick) are both very good in less complex roles. Rabe has one of his characters observe, “Wounds acknowledged, healing’s begun.” 43 years later, the healing’s still just barely getting started. At the Brooks Atkinson Theater, healing comes in the form of letters passed between two upper-crust WASPs, one rich (Andrew Makepeace Ladd III), one even richer (Melissa Gardner). Love Letters covers 50 years of friendship, sex, romance, and loss with insight and humor; A.R. Gurney’s epistolary saga, first seen in 1989, remains a sturdy script and, in these tweeting times, comes off a bit back-to-thefuture-ish (tho Love Texts doesn’t have quite the same ring). Just starting their run (the cast changes every month or so), are Alan Alda and Candice Bergen. She has a throaty voice these days but looks great, while Alda has visibly aged but still sounds like M*A*S*H’s Hawkeye Pierce. As before, Love Letters is simply staged (by Gregory Mosher) with its cast of two sitting at a table mostly (but not entirely) reading from the script. Despite this, the two stars give fully formed performances. Bergen is by turns witty, bitchy and bitter, criticizing Andrew’s reliance on letter-writing (she’d prefer he’d call her) and summoning a tremulous bravado as she realizes that life has gotten the better of her. Alda reveals Andrew’s well-meaning, tender psyche, cognizant that he’s a bit uptight but trying to be upbeat about it. Gurney has not given Andrew the emotional range he’s given to Melissa, but Alda’s dry way with a line and ever-present concern allow him to overcome Andrew’s innate stuffiness, infusing him with a subtle warmth. Interestingly, as polished as Gurney’s words are—and those moments when the theater became hushed are a tribute to them—it’s his silences, when letters go unanswered, that are most likely to haunt your memory. Alda and Bergen continue through Dec. 5 followed by Stacy Keach & [continued on 30]
26 • The Official Mag© © : AmbushMag.com • Nov Nov.. 18-Dec . 1, 2014 • Of fic ial Gay Mar di Gras Guide© sinc e 1982 • GayMar diGras.c om
the legal corner by Attorney Troy A. Tureau Email: thelawprofessor@comcast.net
Filing for Chapter 7 Bankruptcy: A New Lease on Life! Let’s face it - life is tough. We hear often that, probably for the first time in our country’s history, we will not be better off financially than our parents. One thing is for certain: these are surely not the times of our parents. We live in the aftermath of the AIDS epidemic, the September 11th attacks, Hurricane Katrina and the worst financial crisis in global history since the Great Depression. Many of us are still struggling to get on our feet as a result of medical bills, financial ruin, the cost of rebuilding, astronomical tuition prices or just the enormous expense of trying to survive in today’s world. Yet, how many of us can still hear the words that our parents preached to us, ringing in our ears? “We pay our bills. Good people do not file for bankruptcy.” Well, it’s a shame you can’t see me right now because my hand is raised. Like many of you, I heard these exact words when I was growing up as a good ol’ Catholic boy in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. Well, I’m here to tell you (get ready for this): Our parents were wrong! (GASP!!! Clutch your pearls.) Good people do file for bankruptcy. I know because I filed for bankruptcy in 2009. As a young attorney, I was hit by a say, I filed Chapter 7 bankruptcy within triple whammy. In 2001 at the early days of our phone call. And sure age of 38, I had a heart attack. In 2004 enough, everything that my brother had my ex-partner, who was fighting mental told me ended up being true. I, too, illness, left shortly after I had brought began to receive offers for loans and my adopted infant son home from Gua- credit cards almost immediately after temala. And then in 2005 Hurricane my discharge. Katrina devastated our area. Spiraling Since then I have gone on to help down in depression, I could barely many clients file Chapter 7 bankruptcy function and found myself in financial and obtain the same type of relief that ruin. In disbelief I watched as the good I described above. (My best friend credit and the all the material things filed in 2010 and just closed on a new that I had worked so hard to achieve house!) Now, be forewarned that Chapbegan to slip through my hands. ter 7 bankruptcy is not for everyone. Through it all, despite the fact that You do have to meet certain requireCongress had passed the Bankruptcy ments which include monthly income Act specifically in order to help people levels being below a certain amount. just like me, I refused to even consider Also, certain types of debts are not filing for bankruptcy. Shame, stubborn eligible for discharge, including but not pride, guilt and feelings of being a limited to child support, alimony, and complete failure blinded me to the fact most student loans. But the good news that Chapter 7 bankruptcy could end is that, if you qualify, Chapter 7 bankthe nightmare that I was facing and give ruptcy can end wage garnishments, me a fresh start. That all changed when stop foreclosures and erase forever I received a call from my younger brother most debts such as credit cards and in 2009. loans. Additionally, filing will stop all of Like many of us living in these the bill collectors’ harassing phone calls times, my brother faced his own finan- and letters (they can actually be fined cial demons. He had started a suc- for contacting you once they receive cessful business years before and life notice) and unless you own major aswas great…until his business partner sets, you don’t lose any property. decided to try to steal the business Bottom line: don’t do what I did and from him. What ensued was a long, let pride and feelings of failure stop you expensive legal battle that had left him from looking into a possible solution to in serious debt. During his 2009 call, he your financial problems. Contact an let me in on a well-kept secret: he had attorney to see if Chapter 7 bankruptcy filed for bankruptcy a few years be- is right for you and, hopefully, start fore. After his confession, he went on rebuilding your credit and working toto tell me how things had begun to turn ward your long-term financial goals. around after obtaining his bankruptcy discharge. Almost immediately he be(These are the personal views of gan receiving offers for auto loans and Troy A. Tureau, and nothing therein is credit cards and began to reestablish intended to be legal advice of any kind. his credit. Before long he was back in I invite your comments and questions.) business, driving a new car and even went on to buy a new house. I was Troy A. Tureau, J.D., L.LM., Attordumbfounded! (And to think that I had ney at Law, Compass & Tureau, LLC, always considered myself to be the 3801 Canal St., Suite 301, New Orsmarter of the two of us.) Needless to leans, LA 70119,
thelawprofessor@comcast.net 504.308.1608. Born in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, Mr. Tureau obtained his Bachelor of Arts from Louisiana State University with a major in Broadcast Journalism and a minor in Political Science. He obtained his Juris Doctorate in 1992 from Loyola Law School, New Orleans, and his L.LM. in Environmental Law from Lewis and Clark Law school in 2008. He has been a member of the Louisiana State Bar Association since 1992 and is a partner at the New Orleans law firm, Compass & Tureau, LLC., which proudly serves the LGBT community. He is an Associate Professor at Ashford University, has held adjunct faculty positions at the College of The Desert and Kaplan University and is a frequent speaker on “Animal Law.” He is the author of many written works, both fiction and nonfiction, and is the founder of the recently launched LGBTlegalforms.com, the first LGBT downloadable legal form company in the world. He is married to his husband Michael of 10 years, and they are the proud parents of 12 year old Cole and their 4 year old Pekingese, Ginger.
Sout hernDec adenc e.c om • Nov. 18-Dec . 1, 2014 • Facebook.com/ AmbushMag • The Official Mag© © : AmbushMag.com • 27
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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
attorneys New Orleans, LA [504] Compass & Tureau, LLC, Troy A. Tureau , Attorney at Law, 3801 Canal St., Suite 301 504.308.1608, troy@compasstureau.com, www.CompassTureau.com
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 Lake Charles, LA [337] CRYSTAL'S, 112 W. Broad, 433.5457 Metairie, LA [504] FOUR SEASONS & PATIO STAGE BAR, 3229 N. Causeway, 832.0659, FourSeasonsBar.com 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 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 GRANDPRE'S, 834 N. Rampart St.,
267.3615, Facebook.com/grandpres 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 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 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
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 [is2114]
circuit/events 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, New Orleans, LA, sponsored by Ambush, GayMardiGras.COM Easter Sunday, April 5, 2015, 16th Official Gay Easter Parade, New Orleans, sponsored by Ambush, GayEasterParade.COM Sept. 2-7, 2015, 44th 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
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
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, 717 Toulouse St., 587.7782
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. [0714 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. [0814] CHATEAU LEMOYNE FRENCH QUARTER, 301 Dauphine St., New Orleans, LA 70112, Phone: 504.581.1303, http:// www.hiclneworleanshotelsite.com/gayhotelsnew-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: 1.800.367.5858, FrenchQuarterGuestHouses.com, email: Info@frenchquarterguesthouses.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 unforgettable 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. MAISON DE MACARTY BED & BREAKFAST, 3820 Burgundy St., New Orleans, LA 70117, PHONE: 504.267.1564, MaisonMacarty.com, email: kurt@maisonmacarty.com. Luxury gay
28 • The Official Mag© © : AmbushMag.com • Nov Nov.. 18-Dec . 1, 2014 • Of fic ial Gay Mar di Gras Guide© sinc e 1982 • GayMar diGras.c om
owned and operated bed and breakfast. 8 bedrooms with ensite baths, pool, sun deck and beautiful courtyard. Sleep, eat and play at Maison de Macarty,. Book it now! 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.
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]
media New Orleans, LA [504] AMBUSH Mag, Official Gay Easter Parade Guide, Official Gay Mardi Gras Guide, Official Gay New Orleans Guide, Official Gulf South Guide, Official Pride Guide, Official Southern Decadence Guide, 828-A Bourbon St., 70116-3137, 522.8049, AmbushMag.COM; email: marsha@ripandmarsha.com AMBUSHonLINE, 828-A Bourbon St., 70116-3137; 522.8049, ambushonline.com, email: marsha@ripandmarsha.com
museum/arts New Orleans, LA [504] BEAUREGARD-KEYES HOUSE, 1113 Chartres, 523.7257 CABILDO, 701 Chartres, Jackson Square, 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 GALLIER HOUSE, 1132 Royal, 523.6722 GERMAINE WELLS MARDI GRAS MUSEUM, 2nd Floor Arnaud's, 819 Bienville HERMANN-GRIMA HISTORIC HOUSE, 820 St. Louis, 525.5661 HISTORICAL PHARMACY MUSEUM, 514 Chartres, 524.9077 HISTORIC NEW ORLEANS COLLECTION, 533 Royal, 523.4662 LONGUE VUE HOUSE AND GARDENS, 7 Bamboo Rd, Metairie, 488.5488, MUSEE CONTI HISTORICAL WAX MUSEUM, 917 Conti, 525.2605 NEW ORLEANS MUSEUM OF ART, City Park, 1 Collins Diboll Circle, 488.2631 OGDEN MUSEUM OF SOUTHERN ART, 925 Camp St., 539.9600 OLD U.S. MINT, 400 Esplanade PRESBYTERE, 751 Chartres, Jackson Square ST. LOUIS CATHEDRAL, Jackson Square WORLD WAR 2 MUSEUM, 945 Magazine, 527.6012, http://nationalww2museum.org
music New Orleans [504] SKULLY'Z RECORDZ, 907 Bourbon St., 592.4666
organizations 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 BIG EASY STOMPERS, Country & Western line dancing. Weekly lessons and monthly Country & Western dance party, www.bigeasystompersneworleans.com, info@bigeasystompersneworleans.com BELLE REVE NEW ORLEANS, AIDS Residence for Families, PO Box 3305, 70177; 945.9455 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 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 NARCISSUS, PO Box 3832, New Orleans, LA 70177. Contact: 504.228.9441 KREWE OF PETRONIUS, PO Box 1102, Kenner, LA. 70063-1102, 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 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 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, 504.298.0061, 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 PFLAG/NO [Parents & Friends of Lesbians & Gays/ New Orleans], PO Box 15515, 70175; 895.3936, 392.0001, pflagno.org, info@pflagno.org PRIDE CELEBRATION in New Orleans 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 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 VOLLEYBALL NEW ORLEANS, PO Box 13306, 70185-3306; volleyballneworleans.com, postmaster@volleyballneworleans.com
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.
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, 371.5074 Gene's Po-Boys, 1040 Elysian Fields, 943.3861 Horn's, 1940 Dauphine St., 459.4676 Lil Vic’s Rosticceria, 719 Toulouse, 304.1238 Mona Lisa Restaurant, 1212 Royal St., 522.6746 Orleans Grapevine Wine Bar & Bistro, 720 Orleans, 523.1930, OrleansGrapevine.com Quartermaster: The Nellie Deli, 1100 Bourbon St. , 529.1416, QuartermasterDeli.NET Retrouvailles Bistro & Balcony Dining, 700 Bourbon St., 523.1485 The Ruby Slipper, 2001 Burgundy St., 525.9355
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 MR. BINKY'S BOUTIQUE, 107 Chartres St., 302.2095, MrBinkys.com PANDA BEAR, 415 Bourbon St., 529.8064 QT PIE BOUTIQUE - 241 Dauphine St., 581. 6633 RAB DAB CLOTHING AND GIFTS, 918 Royal St., 525.6662
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
photography
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New Orleans, LA [504] GRAHAM/STUDIO ONE NEW ORLEANS, by appointment, grahamstudioone.com
New Orleans, LA [504] Gay New Orleans Walking Tour, Crescent City Tour Booking Agency, (LGBT Business of the Year) 638 St. Ann St., 568.0717. follow Gay New Orleans Walking Tour @ Facebook.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
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restaurants Mandeville, LA [985] The Po-Boy Shack, 1703 N. Causeway Blvd., 626.1303 Metairie, LA [504] Chef Ron's Gumbo Stop & Pub, 2309 N. Causeway Blvd., 835.2022, GumboStop.com New Orleans, LA [504] 801 Royal, 801 Royal St., 581.0801, 801Royal.com Clover Grill, 900 Bourbon St., 598.1010, CloverGrill.COM
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book reviews by Frank Perez E-mail: f.perez@sbcglobal.net Photo by: Larry Graham, GrahamStudioOne.COM
Some Assembly Required, Rethinking Normal Arin Andrews. Some Assembly Required: The Not So Secret Life of a Transgender Teen. Simon & Schuster, 2014. ISBN: 978-1-4814-1675-7. 250 pages. Katie Rain Hill. Rethinking Normal: A Memoir in Transition. Simon & Schuster, 2014. ISBN: 978-1-4814-1823-2. 264 pages. Some Assembly Required and Rethinking Normal are coming-ofage stories written by two transgender teenagers. While each book stands on its own, they are best read as companion books because each one tells a different side of the same story—the friendship, love relationship and eventual break-up of the two authors. I normally avoid books written by teenagers or books for young adults but in this case, I was intrigued by the topic. What is it like growing up knowing you were born into the wrong body? How does that frustrating awareness compare with my own experience growing up gay? And how does it differ? I’m glad I read these books because my questions (and a slew of others I never considered asking) were answered.
Arin Andrews and Katie Rain Hill describe the journeys that led them to make the life-changing decision to undergo sex reassignment surgery. Both authors’ voices are sincere and authentic, and, at times, very witty. Their stories are captivatingly poignant and convey a wisdom and maturity quite unexpected in such young writers. Each book offers incredible insights into the emotional lives of transgender young people—not just the confusing realizations in childhood that they were born into the wrong bodies, or even the motivations to identify as the opposite sex, but also the challenges of transitioning. A wide range of topics are covered here, from coming out as transgender to making the decision to have surgery. Bullying, religion, dating, home-life, and first love are also ad-
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the more fossils you see and read about in its excellent displays, the more fascinating and amazing these science fiction-like creatures become. As with any good show like this, Pterosaurs leaves you wanting more preferably with the help of new discoveries. And, sure enough, in the final display is a neck vertebra fossil found in Romania just a few years ago. Further research needs to be done but it just might belong to a species of pterosaur more massive then any discovered so far. Can’t wait for Pterosaurs 2! The Butterfly Conservatory just reopened (through May 25) and unlike those scary pterosaurs, the spectacular butterflies flutter harmlessly around you, occasionally even touching down on your clothing. Knowledgeable docents add to this unique experience. Over in the Hayden Planetarium Space Theater, the half hour film Dark Universe is a good introduction to the structure and history of the universe, and its special effects seem to come right out of Star Wars or Interstellar. But if you’ve been following recent discoveries and theories in the field there’s not too much new, and narrator Neil deGrasse Tyson’s resonant voice can get a bit droney. Still it’s interesting and overall well-done. But all you geeks out there should really head to the Ethel Barrymore Theater for The Curious Incident of
Diana Rigg (Dec. 6-Jan. 9) and Anjelica Huston and Martin Short (Jan. 10-Feb. 15). Much as revivals can seem like reencountering a old friend, for anyone who grew up in New York, a visit to the American Museum of Natural History is like catching up with a pal from long ago. During a recent visit there, the Hall of North American Mammals, filled with all sorts of bears and critters with antlers, looked great, although the Asian Mammals and, to a lesser extent, African Mammals could use some sprucing up. Still, the rhinos and white-mantled colobus monkeys appeared as wonderfully “caught in the instant” as ever. I was there, however, for the current special exhibits and it doesn’t get much better than Pterosaurs: Flight in the Age of Dinosaurs (through Jan. 4) all about a group of ancient winged reptiles that were neither birds nor bats. From gigantic beasts the size of small planes to others that could fit in the palm of your hand, the exhibit explains that pterosaurs flew with their forelimbs since the bones of their fourth finger were extraordinarily long and supported a thin flap of skin which allowed them to soar. As you go through the exhibition,
dressed with courage and honesty. These books will appeal to the transgender community, those interested in learning what it’s like to be transgender, fans of memoir as a genre, and anyone who loves coming of age stories. Arin Andrews was graduated from high school in 2014. He enjoys hiking, camping, and motocross. Some As-
sembly Required is his first book. Andrews lives in Oklahoma. Katie Hill is a student at the University of Tulsa majoring in anthropology and sociology. She wrote this memoir while studying for exams, writing term papers, working part-time as a pharmaceutical technician, and advocating for LGBTQA rights. Rethinking Normal is her first book.
out front Max, Mr. Rubber Netherlands, Wins Mr. International Rubber 18 CHICAGO - Max, Mr. Rubber Netherlands, won Mr. International Rubber 18 at MIR weekend in Chicago, Illinois on Nov. 1, 2014. Max was one of ten contestants from across North America and Europe who came to Chicago to represent their regions at MIR. And, in a first, all top three places were won by contestants from outside the United States. The first runner-up was Franz, Mr. Rub Club of Germany, and the second runner-up was Alejandro, and independent contestant from Mexico. Chicago entertainer Teri
1st runner-up Franz, Mr. Rub Club of Germany; Mr. International Rubber 18 Max of the Netherlands; & 2nd runner-up Alejandro of Mexico Yaki was the emcee once again this year. The contest took place over two nights at the Center on Halsted in Chicago’s Boystown. The first part of the contest on Friday, Oct. 31, included the introduction of contestants; a step down speech by Andy “CosmicRoo” Coatham; rubber image and fantasy. Saturday’s portion of the contest included the question portion; “mystery bag;” and audience vote. Max will represent the rubber community at leather and fetish events for the next year. The official MIR Victory Party was held at Steamworks in Boystown. MIR19 will be held Nov. 6-8, 2015 in the Dog in the Night-Time, a wondrous coming of age show about an autistic/math genius teenager. Make sure you sit in the balcony to get the full effect of Marianne Elliott’s phenomenal staging. And don’t leave until the lights come up or you’ll miss a coda that’s like nothing I’ve ever seen. Did I say “all you geeks”? I meant “everyone.”
Chicago. For contestant information, MIR history, photo galleries, public transportation, sponsors and more, please visit the official MIR website at www.mirubber.com. Press inquiries can be sent to press@mirruber.com.
Art, Wine & Cheese Event features Floral Design Demo by Prof. Ralph Null, AIFD Nov. 20 NEW ORLEANS - The Lords of Leather will host a Floral Design Demonstration/Art Show with a silent auction on Thursday evening , Nov. 20th from 6 – 9pm at the Healing Center, 2372 St. Claude Avenue. Several local artists will be showing their work and special guest will be Professor Emeritus Ralph Null demonstrating some of his latest trends in Christmas and holiday season décor. Tickets are just $20 and are available from any krewe member and at the door that evening. Ralph Null is a native of Mississippi and is well known for his southern garden style of design. For twenty-five years Null directed the Retail Floral Design program at Mississippi State University. In 1992, he retired and was awarded Professor Emeritus. In his career, Mr. Null has received numerous awards and recognition. Mr. Null is an internationally recognized leader in floral arts and retail floriculture. During his floral career, he has presented 850 lecture demonstrations throughout the world. His style creates an excellent learning atmosphere that is both educational and enjoyable. His floral creations have graced White House state dinners, Presidential inaugurals, and the windows of Saks Fifth Avenue and Macy’s, Neiman Marcus catalogues, and have appeared in many national and international publications. He has exhibited and taught design classes in London, Oslo, Cape Town, Sydney, and Tokyo, as well as throughout the United States. His design presentations have been featured at the Smithsonian Institute, the Virginia Museum of Fine Art, the Minneapolis Art Institute, and the New Orleans Museum of Art. He has served as president of the American Institute of Floral Designers (AIFD) and is the immediate past CFO of the AIFD Foundation.
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32 • The Official Mag© © : AmbushMag.com • Nov Nov.. 18-Dec . 1, 2014 • Of fic ial Gay Mar di Gras Guide© sinc e 1982 • GayMar diGras.c om
Top Judge Jason Chambers @ Miss B-Bob’s Pageant
B-Bob’s owner Jerry & show director Miss Cie @ B-Bob’s Freak Show Halloween Party
Happy Birthday Valerie
Festive, Beautiful, Halloween ~ Mobile, Alabama ~ Photos by Miss Cie & John, Leon Weekley
Nicole DuBois hosting the Miss BBob’s pageant in Mobile
The Rivers Family @ B-Bob’s Miss Sophia Luccianni performing @ B-Bob’s
B-Bob’s Bartender Leon as Edward Mordrake @ B-Bob’s Freak Show Halloween Party
Festive Fridays @ B-Bob’s
B-Bob’s bartender Brenda as “The Bearded Lady” @ B-Bob’s Freak Show Halloween Party
Miss Cie with Rick & Monica Heart @ B-Bob’s Hello Boys... Hello Craig & Gina
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Welcome home Chris Newly crowned Miss B-Bob’s 2015 Peachus Vancarteya
Roll Tide at Flip Side Bar with Michael
B-Bob’s Queen Hostess Jawakatema Davenport
The beautiful Jawakatema Davenport @ B-Bob’s
With Queen Michelle @ Flip Side Bar, Mobile
B-Bob’s door-ladies Renita & Wendy showing support @ benefit soiree for Jack Pierre
Mobile Alabama Pride President Helen Nixon & Treasurer Virginia Allen showing support @ benefit soiree for Jack Pierre
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New Orleans ~ Photos by Hubert S Monkeys
Mr. Friendly Bar Crawl Celebrating Awareness: GrandPre’s, 700 Club, Rawhide, Corner Pocket, Good Friends, Oz, Bourbon Pub, Lafitte’s
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NEXT Ambush DEADLINE Wednesday, Feb. 13 504.522.8049 marsha@ripandmarsha.com Sout hernDec adenc e.c om • Nov. 18-Dec . 1, 2014 • Facebook.com/ AmbushMag • The Official Mag© © : AmbushMag.com • 35
36 • The Official Mag© © : AmbushMag.com • Nov Nov.. 18-Dec . 1, 2014 • Of fic ial Gay Mar di Gras Guide© sinc e 1982 • GayMar diGras.c om