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the "official" dish
Halloween New Orleans Presents Fall of The Pharaohs as it's 32nd Anniversary
by Rip & Marsha Naquin-Delain Email: marsha@ripandmarsha.com
Halloween is Upon Us It's come full circle and time for one of the hauntingly best times of year, Halloween!!! Ambush Magazine brings you the best action with top notch parties, costume contests, internationally acclaimed DJs, all star entertainment, and HOT dancers from around the world. Next to Southern Decadence and Mardi Gras, Halloween is THE holiday attracting huge crowds to The Big Easy! Dance Club and Show Bar of the Year, Oz, 800 Bourbon Street, brings you circuit great DJs Alain Jackinsky, Brett Henrichsen and Tony Moran Halloween weekend along with 16 hot dancers from across the USA dancing 12noon til. The club also host the Official After Party of Halloween XXXII on October 31st. Voted one of the top 10 gay bars worldwide, Bourbon Pub & Parade, 801 Bourbon Street, brings you "Dark Night" with DJs J Rock, Escape, Manny Lehman, and Sean Michael. Look for their Halloween Costume Contest October 31st at 12midnight with loads of cash, and Lipstixx on Parade Halloween Show Sunday with your weekend hostess King Cake Queen XXII Aubrey Synclaire. Over at the World of Wood Enterprises, Cafe Lafitte in Exile brings you Zombie Apocalypse Costume Contest October 31st at 9pm, with Flaming Halloween Paris is Burning Costume Contest at Good Friends Bar at 8pm, and then celebrate Release the Beast at Rawhide 2010. Neighborhood Bar of the Year, The Corner Pocket, 940 St. Louis, brings you Fall of the Pharaohs kicking off on Thursday, October 29th with their Wet Jockey Shorts at 10pm, and bringing over 25 boys dancing on the bar 6pm til dawn every night through the weekend. And don't forget Zingo on Sunday at 6pm. The Four Seasons, 3229 N. Causeway in Metairie, hosts Halloween Blast with the Rocky Horror Show on Friday at 10pm, followed by Nightmare On Causeway Show and Costume Contest on October 31st at 10pm.
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Golden Lantern, 1239 Royal Street, presents Halloween Shenanigans October 31st with Esplanade Avenue Band at 7:30pm, followed by Divas "R" Us Halloween Costume Contest with cash prizes at 10:30pm. Don't forget The Retro Review on Friday at 10pm, and Jubilee on Sunday at 5pm with Reba Douglas. Leather Bar of the Year, The Phoenix, 940 Elysian Fields, hosts Boneyard Halloween Weekend with Zombie Exhibitionist Beer Bust on Friday at 9pm, with Lords of Leather Costume Contest and Beer Bust on October 31st at 9pm. The Country Club, 634 Louisa, brings you Zombie Drag Brunch October 31st from 10am-3pm with $15 Bottomless Mimosas. The Double Play, 439 Dauphine, presents its Bewitching Hour Hallow's Eve Show with Big Momma Lavouge, Clorox Bleachman, Princesse Stephaney and Sherry on October 31st at 10:30pm. GrandPre's, 834 N. Rampart, kicks off with Scaryoke (Karaoke) Contest with prizes October 31st 6-10pm, followed by Spooktacular starring the Southern Barbitchuates at 10pm, then the Halloween Dance Party 10pm-4am with DJ Bryant featuring the 1am Halloween Costume Contest with $100 cash prize. And let's not forget B-Bob's, 213 Conti, in Mobile, Alabama presenting its 24th Halloween Party with Costume Contest October 31st at 11pm, followed by one of their famous 12:30am shows. Catch us online at www.AmbushMag.com, and
Pre-Thanksgiving issue out Nov. 10 DEADLINE: Tues., Nov. 3 6 12 14 14 16 16 18 20 23
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Gulf South LGBT+ Entertainment/Travel Guide Since 1982 828-A Bourbon St. • New Orleans, LA 70116-3137 • 504.522.8049 ripna@ambushmag.com
"Fall of The Pharaohs" presented by Avita Pharmacy is the 32nd Anniversary of Halloween New Orleans (HNO) four-day weekend. Considered one of the only volunteer run charities remaining in the U.S., 100 percent of the weekend’s proceeds are donated to Project Lazarus - a long-standing local support facility for people living with HIV/AIDS. The Lazarus Ball kicks off festivities Thursday, October 29th, 7:3010:30pm at Il Mercato, 1911 Magazine St. with Black Tie preferred attire. This year’s event will feature live entertainment provided by Boomtown Casino, local cuisine - including an oyster bar from Acme Oyster House, and a silent auction with items from local businesses, galleries, restaurants, and entertainment venues. Forty bottles of wine will be raffled off to one winner. HNO Glo in collaboration with Pride.com is set for Friday, October 30th, 9pm-2am, at Republic New Orleans, 828 S Peters St. A huge hit in 2014, the Neon party of Halloween New Orleans is back and rebranded as HNO Glo. Glow sticks, glow paint, glow harnesses...whatever! Just come in your best neon attire. It features international headliner/producer and 2014 “DJ of the Year” nominee - DJ Grind. "Fall of the Pharaohs" is the big night Saturday, October 31st, 10pm4am, at Contemporary Arts Center, 900 Camp St. Costume is required at entry. Sand, scarabs, skulls...this is where the golden fortune, fame, and power of Egyptian royalty collides with the dark and dead from it’s past. From the “Market Bazaar” to the temple wall of hieroglyphics, prepare to be immersed in a story of lust, betrayal, and revenge at the main Halloween event, "Fall of The Pharaohs." Doors open at 10pm (9pm for Hosts and Patrons). The Absolut Costume Contest begins at 10:30pm and ends just before the returning midnight show. Judges of the contest include comediennes Shawn Pelofsky and Jill-Michele Melean along with Grammy legend, Thelma Houston. Featuring up-and-coming DJ Blacklow and New Orleans own, DJ Joe Gauthreaux, the after-party continues at official bar sponsor, Oz with DJ. Disco Brunch & Second Line closes out the weekend Sunday, November 1st, 1-4pm at House of Blues New Orleans, 225 Decatur St. Rally the troops at the end of Halloween weekend for one last hurrah. Great fried chicken, comedy, and dancing down Bourbon Street - the Sunday brunch
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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:
Saints & Sinners Literary Festival Hall of Fame/2015, 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 Paul Melancon THEATRE/PERFORMING ARTS CRITIC Brian Sands AD REPS/JOURNALISTS/PHOTOGRAPHERS Tony Leggio, Hubert S Monkeys, Felicia Phillips, Frank Perez, Rev. Bill Terry-New Orleans MIss Cie, Leon Weekley-Mobile, 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. ©1982-2015 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
and second line returns to House of Blues. If you strut your stuff on stage for the Saturday night costume contest, you might get an award for it on Sunday. (Categories include: Pharaoh’s Choice, Best Group Costume, Best On Stage Performance, Best Individual Costume, Hott Mess Award, People’s Choice). The brunch features a performance with meet and greet by Iconic Disco/ Dance/R&B legend and ally to the LGBTQ community - Thelma Houston, [continued on 8]
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celebrazzi
Wood Enterprises' GM Tim Wilson and CFO Gary Agee join "NCIS New Orleans" star Shalita Grant, along with Wood Enterprises' Office Manager Katherine Stretch and Clover Grill GM Errol Rizzuto following an "NCIS" episode shoot at the world famous grill in New Orleans.
Bar Baron Jerry Ehlen joins friends and patrons celebrating the 24th Anniversary of B-Bob's in downtown Mobile, Alabama.
Armeinius Fräulein Schwula Schwein joins Beer Drinking Champion Frank for the Krewe of Armeinius' annual CocktoberFest celebration at the krewe's den in NOLA.
Amon-Ra Captain Deja DejaVue and Queen Amon-Ra L Opal Masters find their Boo at Krewe of Amon-Ra's "Find Your Boo" celebration at The Corner Pocket in New Orleans.
Friday Night Before Mardi Gras raised nearly $3,000 at the Twisted Tea Party on October 3rd in New Orleans. This was the group’s second big party (of three) that lead up to the 2016 Masquerade Ball, Once Upon a Twisted Time, that will be held on Friday, February 5 at The Cannery in Mid-City.
Oz bartender Matt, GM Greg Jones, bartender Brad and VJ Kyle D welcome you to Halloween as the Official Bar Sponsor of the 32nd Halloween New Orleans circuit party weekend benefiting Project Lazarus.
Wood Enterprises' CFO Gary Agee and GM Tim Wilson join "NCIS New Orleans" star Zoe McLellan, along with Wood Enterprises' Office Manager Katherine Stretch and Clover Grill GM Errol Rizzuto following an "NCIS" episode shoot at the world famous grill in New Orleans.
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the "official" dish ...from 4 and is hosted by comedienne and Atlantis Cruise queen, Shawn Pelofsky. After you fill-up, laugh, sing and dance, follow the sound of New Orleans jazz as you walk in the HNO Second Line - a unique local tradition that marches down Bourbon Street and ends at Oz New Orleans. For more information and to purchase tickets, visit www.halloweenneworleans.com. Ambush Magazine is a proud sponsor of Halloween for almost 30 years.
Narcissus Celebrates Halloween Oct. 30 The Krewe of Narcissus is throwing it's Halloween bash Friday, Oct. 30th, 8pm-12midnight. Put on your costume for an old fashioned dance party at the krewe's Boogie Nights party. Hosted at Mags 940, 940 Elysian Fields in New Orleans, the event features a DJ, Halloween Costume Contest, Ghoulish Buffet and more for a night out on this festive Halloween weekend. Door donation is $10. Funds raised benefits the krewe's 2nd bal masque in 2016. For more on the krewe see Krewe of Narcissus on Facebook.
Lords of Leather "Art, Wine & Design" Nov. 5 “Art, Wine & Design” will be the theme of the Lords of Leather’s second annual such event on Thursday, November 5 from 7 – 10pm. ( Exact location in Harahan will be printed on your ticket.) Come out and join the krewe as they enjoy an evening of music, food, wine, art and socializing. Local artists will be displaying and selling their work as will a local jewelry maker. Musical entertainment will be provided by none other than this year’s “ Miss Louisiana Leatherette” - the talented and beautiful Vanessa Carr. Complimentary food (jambalaya) and drinks will be served to guests and a silent auction will be held for a variety of items such as artwork, floral arrangements and wine. Remember, Thanksgiving and the holidays are fast approaching and you can always use a bottle of wine or an arrangement for your dinners and parties. Tickets are $20 and are available from any krewe member or by contacting Terry at 504.313.8508. For more information, please visit our website www.lordsofleather.org.
Alan Robinson to be Honored at 1st Annual Oracle Gala Nov. 14 The late Alan Robinson, long-time New Orleans gay activist and former owner of the Faubourg Marigny Bookstore, will be honored by the LGBT+
Archives Project of Louisiana at its first annual Oracle Gala, to be held Saturday, November 14, at the Healing Center in New Orleans. The event will be MCd by Michael Sullivan and will feature live musical entertainment, dinner, a silent auction, and a tribute to Robinson. All proceeds benefit the LGBT+ Archives Project of Louisiana, a non-profit organization dedicated to the preservation of local LGBT+ history. More information is available on the Archive Project’s Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/ at lgbtarchivesla?fref=ts. Tickets are $40 for Archive Project members and $50 for non-members and can be purchased at http:// oraclegala.eventzilla.net/web/ event?eventid=2139078775.
Krewe of Apollo Brings Well-Strung to Baton Rouge Nov. 20 Well-Strung have quickly gained national and international attention for their unique mash-up of string quartet and boy band. The Krewe of Apollo brings the quartet to Theatre Baton Rouge Nov. 20 at 8pm. Located at 7155 Florida Blvd., tickets are available at heatrebr.org or 225.924.6496. Visit www.apollobatonrouge.com for more information. The foursome features classical musicians who sing, and in their all new show “POPssical” they put their own spin on the music of Mozart, Beethoven, Ravel, U2, Miley Cyrus, One Direction, Madonna and more. The production was directed by Donna Drake, is written by the quartet, and includes musical arrangements by Well-Strung, Dana Levinson and Bruce Carter. The four group members are Edmund Bagnell (first violin), Christopher Marchant (second violin), Daniel Shevlin (cello) and Trevor Wadleigh (viola). Well-Strung’s new CD entitled POPssical is scheduled for a fall release. Follow WellStrung at www.well-strung.com.
Louisiana Race for Governor & Lt. Governor Head to Runoffs Nov. 21st; F.Q. Tax Passes The race for Louisiana Governor and Lt. Governor are just two of the races headed to a runoff November 21st. Democrat John Bel Edwards with 40% of the vote goes head to head for Governor against Republican David Vitter with 23% of the vote. After 8 horrible years under Gov. Bobby Jindal who practically destroyed the state, Ambush Magazine is proud to continue its endorsement of John Bel Edwards, the only candidate we feel will put Louisiana first. A vote for Vitter is a vote for 4 more years of Jindal, and his failed policies.
Democrat Kip Holden with 33% of the vote for Lt. Governor goes against Republican Billy Nungesser with 30% of the vote. Ambush endorses Kip Holden in view of his successes as Mayor of Baton Rouge. Additionally, French Quarter voters overwhelmingly approved the addition of almost a quarter of a cent in sales tax to every dollar spent in a shop or restaurant in the French Quarter. Expected to generate around $2 million, the tax will pay for a dedicated detachment of more than 30 State Troopers through 2020 on the streets of the historic neighborhood. We need to get the LGBT+ vote out on November 21. Only you can make a difference!
World-Renowned Dance Theatre of Harlem Makes Return to NOLA The New Orleans Ballet Association (NOBA) presents the classically American Dance Theatre of Harlem (DTH) for the first time since 2001 on Saturday, November 21, at 8pm at the Mahalia Jackson Theater of the Performing Arts. Founded by pioneering artist Arthur Mitchell, the first AfricanAmerican principal dancer with New York City Ballet, DTH has made a bold statement in the world of ballet and continues to break boundaries and transform lives. Under the helm of longtime DTH prima ballerina Virginia Johnson, this world-renowned ballet company makes its triumphant return with a bold and innovative program of new works and treasured classics. The program opens with New Bach (1999) by DTH Resident Choreographer Robert Garland and set to music by J.S. Bach. The dynamism of New York City Ballet Founding Director George Balanchine’s neoclassical ballet was instilled in DTH by Mitchell, and Garland captures its essence with this large company work that showcases the fast-paced style infused with popular dance vernacular. The program will also feature In the Mirror of Her Mind (2011) by former Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater dancer Christopher Huggins. This piece explores the journey of one woman as she reflects on the loves and losses of her lifetime. This beautiful quartet is “filled with sumptuous partnering executed with daring and precision.” (Out and About NYC) The masterwork Dancing on the Front Porch of Heaven (1993) was created by one of the most innovative contemporary choreographers of the past half-century, Ulysses Dove. Set to the chimes and rich textures of Arvo Pärt’s Cantus in Memory of Benjamin Britten, the piece is inspired by the loss of 13 of Dove’s close relatives and friends, including his father. In Dove’s own words, he set out to “tell an experience in movement, a story without words, and create a poetic monument
over people I loved.” Darrell Grand Moultrie’s Vessels (2014), set to music by Ezio Bosso, is a dynamic tour de force that draws on the energy and artistry of a new generation of DTH artists. “It’s as unfussy as it is lovely, a reminder that the human form is as powerful in stillness as it is in unbridled motion.” (Washington Post) Dance Theatre of Harlem, considered “one of ballet’s most exciting undertakings” (The New York Times, 1971) was founded in 1969 by Arthur Mitchell and Karel Shook shortly after the assassination of Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Mitchell was determined to start a school that would offer young children the opportunity to learn about dance and the allied arts, especially for those in the Harlem community where he was raised. “Arthur Mitchell’s dream was always about creating opportunities and showing that it was not just about black dancers ‘fitting in,’ but demonstrating that we had something to bring to the stage as individuals,” says DTH Artistic Director Virginia Johnson. Forty-six years later, this acclaimed multicultural dance institution continues an extraordinary legacy of providing opportunities for creative expression and artistic excellence. The company tours nationally and internationally with an eclectic and demanding repertoire. Arts education and community engagement have always been a key component of the DTH mission. The Dance Theatre of Harlem School trains more than 500 young people per year in winter and summer sessions, from preballet to professional students. The company engages communities on tour and in the New York metropolitan area through Dancing Through Barriers, a comprehensive arts education platform that provides access to the life-changing power of the arts. Tickets for Dance Theatre of Harlem range from $24 to $129 and can be purchased through the New Orleans Ballet Association Box Office at 504.522.0996 or www.NOBAdance.com, and through Ticketmaster at 800.745.3000 or www.ticketmaster.com. Subscriptions for NOBA’s 2015-16 season and discounted tickets for groups of 10 or more, students and seniors are available. Events available: Thursday, November 19, 10:30am-noon at The Chevron Studio, Lyons NORDC Center Free master class by DTH Resident Choreographer Robert Garland for intermediate/advanced dancers ages 14 and up. Registration will be held at the door beginning at 10am, and the class is filled first come, first served. Friday, November 20, 10am at Mahalia Jackson Theater* Lecture/demonstration for K-12 students [continued on 10]
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the "official" dish ...from 8 Tickets are $5 for school groups, and advance reservations are required. Friday, November 20, 7pm at Cook Auditorium, Dillard University campus* In partnership with Dillard University, NOBA presents a lecture led by university President Walter Kimbrough and DTH Artistic Director Virginia Johnson about the legacy of DTH, including performance and archival video/ photography. *Guest artists at the November 20th events taking place at Mahalia Jackson Theatre and Dillard University include advanced, local students ages 15-18 of the nationally award-winning NORDC/NOBA Center for Dance, a 23-year partnership of the New Orleans Recreation Development Commission (NORDDC) and NOBA that provides year-round tuition-free instruction to 1,750 participants ages 3-80+ at eight NORDC Centers and Tulane University. The performances culminate a five-month residency of weekly technique training with DTH artists Kellye Saunders and Donald Williams, and choreography workshops by Garland, whose works the students will perform alongside the DTH dancers. “In collaboration with NOBA, I get to combine my two loves – the DTH Company and young people,” says Garland. “This unique opportunity is what DTH is all about – providing access and opportunity through experiences that engage youngsters in the art form of dance as a performer or audience member. What a winning combination!” This residency is made possible by the Chevron Master Artist Series, through which local youth receive unprecedented opportunities to train and perform with some of the top names in the dance world. Past engagements have included Parsons Dance, Complexions Contemporary Ballet, Limon Dance Company, Ballet Hispanico and more. Dance Theatre of Harlem is sponsored by Entergy and Chevron. Hotel accommodations are provided by Sheraton New Orleans Hotel. Follow @nobadance on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter.
FNBMG Raises $3,000 at Twisted Tea Party Friday Night Before Mardi Gras raised nearly $3,000 at the Twisted Tea Party on October 3rd. This was the group’s second big party (of three) that lead up to the 2016 Masquerade Ball, Once Upon a Twisted Time, that will be held on Friday, February 5 at The Cannery in Mid-City. The Twisted Tea Party was a true “Adventure in Wonderland,” complete with drag performances by Alice, the Red Queen and the White Queen. Special tea-themed cocktails were served
and a number of artists contributed to outstanding decor that transformed the bar into Alice’s madcap world. A live auction included fine wine, gift cards and a custom wig from Fifi Mahoney’s. Friday Night Before Mardi Gras raises money for LGBTQ nonprofits in New Orleans, with an emphasis on those organizations and services that impact the health and well-being of our community. Nonprofits impacted have included NO/AIDS Task Force, NOAGE, Food for Friends, Youth BreakOut and the Louisiana Equality Foundation. For more information or tickets to the 2016 Masquerade Ball, v i s i t www.fridaynightbeforemardigras.com.
Anteros Cruises Introduces the World’s First Dedicated LGBT Cruise Line MIAMI – Anteros Cruises LLC is pleased to introduce the world’s first dedicated LGBT cruise line, scheduled to commence sailings in April 2017. Anteros Cruises celebrates recent victories in LGBT rights with first-of-itskind, year-round, yacht-like cruise line catering to the LGBT community. Delivering on the brand’s promise of being “as inclusive as it is exclusive” Anteros Cruises is reinventing the cruise experience and inviting not only the LGBT community, but also their friends, Recognizing and celebrating diversity within the LGBT community has designed every aspect of the cruising experience so that LGBT travelers can be themselves, without judgment. From celebrity-designer interiors and stylishly-sophisticated soft goods, to unparalleled personalized service delivered by a meticulously trained crew, Anteros Cruises will feature a higher than usual staff-to-guest ratio. On board, guests will enjoy world-class cuisine, signature amenities, and as much or little internet connectivity as they desire. Everything about the Anteros cruising experience has been customized, including exciting shore excursions at every destination. In addition, itineraries are being coordinated with LGBT-oriented events such as PRIDE celebrations to make the most of each port-of-call. “Every aspect of the Anteros Cruises experience is designed with LGBT community members in mind. Our number one priority is making our guests feel comfortable, relaxed, and open, so they can be themselves while enjoying our luxury yacht-like cruise experience,” said David Huang, Director of Anteros Cruises. “We are thrilled to present this novel, overdue concept in travel dedicated to the LGBT traveler, featuring itineraries to popular as well as off-the-beaten-path ports that are designed to make the LGBT traveler feel completely welcome and catered to every step of the way.”
“We believe that being yourself and enjoying yourself should flow together, so we have created a worldclass cruise experience that celebrates the finer things without forgoing the most important thing, the openness for LGBT travelers to be who they are without judgment,” continued Huang. With an intimate, yacht-like ship which can access small ports in exotic destinations, Anteros will offer premium itineraries and service across a wide range of price points to deliver on its promise of inclusivity. Sailings will be presented on a year-round basis with itineraries ranging from 5-14 days. Cruising the Mediterranean during summer and fall months, the 400-passenger ship will make Barcelona and Piraeus (Athens) its homeport. Caribbean homeports during winter months will include St. Maarten and Colon, offering an amazing range of destinations for guests to continue exploring the open seas with Anteros Cruises. “In the coming weeks, we look forward to presenting the world with even more exciting details about Anteros Cruises – the first dedicated LGBT cruise line,” said Huang. “Stay tuned for much more to come!” For additional information about Anteros Cruises, visit www.AnterosCruises.com. Anteros Cruises is the world's first dedicated LGBT cruise line featuring sophisticated itineraries to exotic ports in the Mediterranean and the Caribbean. With an intimate, 400-passenger luxury yacht-like ship, every aspect of the Anteros Cruises experience is designed with the LGBT community in mind. Anterors’ mission is to deliver relaxing vacations to explore culturerich destinations set in a judgment-free environment to be enjoyed with family and friends. For additional information about Anteros Cruises, visit AnterosCruises.com.
Imperial Courts Celebrate 50th Anniversary In 1961, World War II Veteran Jose Julio Sarria became the first openly gay candidate to run for public office in North America. Though he did not win that election, four years later he did win, and was crowned with the title of Empress I of San Francisco. Now, 50 years later the International Imperial Court System has grown into court chapters in over 68 cities throughout the United States, Canada, Mexico, and is one of the oldest LGBTQ organizations in the world. On October 23rd in Portland, Oregon, LGBTQ royalty from all over North America and Mexico gathered to celebrate the Golden Jubilee Gala State Dinner at the historic Sentinel Hotel in downtown Portland. Some of the VIPs in attendance included: • Dustin Lance Black (Academy Award winner for best Original Screenplay, Milk) • Rev. Troy Perry (founder of the
Metropolitan Community Churches) • Judy and Dennis Shepard (founders of the Matthew Shepard Foundation) • Cleve Jones (founder of The NAMES Project/AIDS Quilt) • Hon. Toni Atkins (Speaker, California State Assembly) • Hon . Michael Connolly (member, Provincial Assembly of Alberta, Canada) • Jim Obergefell (lead plaintiff , U.S. Supreme Court Marriage Equality Case) • Russell Roybal (Deputy Director, National LGBTQ Task Force) • Hon. Todd Gloria (former Mayor, San Diego, CA) • Stewart Milk (Co-Founder of Harvey Milk Foundation • ....and many, many more! Presiding over this historic 50th Anniversary Celebration was Jose Julio Sarria heir and successor, Queen Mother I of the Americas, Her Most Imperial Majesty Empress Nicole the Great. Nicole Murray Ramirez has been a Latino/Gay rights activist himself for over 45 years and is a City Commissioner who has served and advised the last seven mayors of San Diego, CA. The Imperial Courts have been often called “the gay Shriners or Elks” of the Americas and have been raising millions of dollars for countless causes and organizations within and outside of the LGBTQ community for five decades. In the 1960s and 1970s Imperial Court chapters throughout America were sometimes the only LGBTQ organization in existence and helped to build LGBTQ community centers, Pride parades, and organizations in their individual cities. One of the first LGBTQ Student Scholarships started in the International Imperial Court System in 1979, and now over 40 Court Chapters have an ongoing Student Scholarship Program. At the Gala in Portland, Oregon, Queen Mother I of the Americas, Nicole the Great officially announced the establishment of the International Jose Julio Sarria LGBTQ Scholarship Program with an over $85,000 endowment. Jose Julio Sarria passed away in August 2013 at the age of 91. Queen Mother I of the Americas, Nicole the Great, along with her International Imperial Court Council, with the help of then Supervisor Bevan Dufty, successfully lobbied the city of San Francisco to name a street in honor of Jose Julio Sarria. The Imperial Courts have raised funds to fight Anita Bryant and other’s homophobic campaigns, National LGBTQ March on Washington, and countless LGBTQ Civil Rights causes and social service organizations, as well as acting as leaders in HIVIAIDS fundraising and support since the 1980s. One of the most notable recent success stories of the International Imperial Court System was the seven year letter writing campaign organized and led by Nicole Murray Ramirez and her nobles to get the U.S. Postal Department to issue a postage stamp in honor of Harvey Milk. Queen Mother I of the Americas, Nicole the Great and other gay royalty were at the White House Ceremony officially unveiling the Harvey Milk Stamp. The Imperial Courts are now leading campaigns for a Bayard Rustin Stamp
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the "official" dish ...from 10 with support from the National LGBTQ Task Force, and for a Navy Vessel to be named after Harvey Milk. “A community, indeed a civil rights movement that doesn’t know where it came from really doesn’t know where it is going,” stated Nicole, reflecting on the historic importance of the Golden Jubilee Celebration. In fact, the historic Stonewall Inn in New York City is the official “Palace” of Queen Mother I of the Americas, Nicole the Great and the International Imperial Court System, honoring them with a picture of the monarch and royal seal prominently displayed inside. It is important to note that the membership of the International Imperial Court System is not made up of only drag queens, but also women, bisexuals, heterosexuals, gay men, and transgendered individuals. The membership is open to all. “Indeed, from a seed planted in San Francisco in 1965 has grown a vibrant and royal oak tree with branch es across Canada, the United States of America, and Mexico,” stated Queen Mother I of the Americas, Nicole the Great. “We are celebrating over 50 years of noble deeds that have helped to benefit so many, and helped build our modem day LGBTQ community and equality movement.” For further information on the International Imperial Court System please visit: www.impcourt.org.
the real cheese by Felicia Phillips Email: fphillips1011@gmail.com Photo by Hubert S Monkeys
Seeing Double or Maybe Triple @ The Country Club Many of my past columns have been accounts of the escapades and local characters that I experience during a typical Friday or Saturday night. Upon changing jobs and schedules that have my weekends now being during the week I feared things would get rather mundane, and for the first few weeks of bartending at GrandPre’s, I actually just stayed home and caught up on my favorite shows . That was until I decided to head to my home bar for an early evening cocktail one recent Tuesday, mind you I well planned on a single cocktail, a little chit chat with the regulars and back home, well choosing gin changed those best laid plans. While enjoying my cool and refreshing adult beverage, I noticed an uplifting post from Robby Robinson about an event he was attending, I skimmed thru events that were posted on my Facebook and found the Drag Dinner at The Country Club was soon to start and had both Reba Douglas and Jawakatema Davenport as special guests with the omnipotent Persana Shoulders as emcee. This was all well and good but when I saw the mention of‘Bottomless wine’ I knew my mission had started. I was quick to decide that if the night was to involve wine and bottoms the best thing to do was message
Bradley Latham who responding nearly instantly that he was mere blocks away and to be outside ready to fly! No sooner did I get out the door was he barreling up in his vintage car, which gave me flashbacks to the 80s drinking Zimas in the back seat, in my best Pat Benatar wig while explaining to whatever straight boy of the evening I was entertaining, how ‘girls’ just wanna have fun! I had to date never been to this venue and upon arriving I was amazed and impressed. The place is huge and very well done. It was already packed, people at all the tables, which was fine because it meant that we would be at the bar where many notables were already gathered around. Robby, Carlos, the cute as Christmas Jaron Alexander Austin, stylish young man that he is, and Corynne Deville who must have teleportation powers because she is at every show, everywhere, sometimes I swear at nearly the same time! So I have to find out about how these bottomless wines work. I’m thinking I’ll just pay Bradley ten bucks, he will take off his pants and some older generous gentleman would buy us wine all night. I think I had that confused with another night, another young man, at another place, which you can catch me or Opal Masters calling Zingo at! But that’s for another column. Anyway back to this wine deal it was fabulous. I had not even realized I was drinking as every time I blinked my glass was full. The bartender must have learned Corynne’s secret because everyone’s was refilled in seconds. I then see something that shocked me, Persana eating a plate of food! I’ve never seen her have time to eat, and really thought she maybe had an assistant give her an IV of vitamins, minerals and champagne once a day. She finishes and begins the show, pumping up the patrons for a festive evening. Out comes the star of the show, and let me tell you this entertainer is just that, a star, the unbelievably talented Nicole Lynn Foxx, one of the youngest I know. I can honestly say one of the best I have seen in my many years and I’ve seen the best. She is a natural that has the potential for success that shows no bounds. Next up the one and only Reba Douglas who brought a taste of her Jubilee show to the joint and took us all up yonder
and the crowd went wild. Unexpectedly, she consumed no fireball shots and got no one naked, a rare night it was. Finally, filling in for Jawakatema who apparently fell ill after attempting to prove that an all you can eat buffet is no match for her was the large and in charge Athena Jewelle, who put some Aretha on them. They weren’t ready, she even did the ‘stank leg’ that’s something you just have to see in person. After the most enjoyable show and abundance of wine, Persana took me on a tour of the place that I had heard so much about. Now I knew they had a pool, but I had no clue it was the size of a small country! I expected Esther Williams and a hundred bathing beauties to come up out the water for the finale with sparklers shooting out their headpieces! Maybe this happens during Drag Brunch as Monalot Fontaine is old school, and Gia GiaVanni and Coca Mesa are big on production, which speaking of, be sure to catch their Southern Barbitchuates show which also has cast member Sable Nicole Starr on Halloween night. I got a taste of what’s in store when I caught some of the Dead Divas production, the makeup, costumes and numbers were phenomenal. Now back to that Tuesday, I’m seeing double or maybe triple by the time we leave, so I’m not sure how many of us were in the car but we safely ended up at The Golden Lantern. Wilhamenia is holding court outside leading me to switch from red wine to Pinot Grigio! I’m pretty sure Reba and I spent most of our time trying to talk the clothes off bartender Drew, and our clothes whisperer talents weren’t working. However, we did meet a young fellow that looked like he could have been an extra in a Lord of the Rings sequel or prequel, that may or may not have flashed us. I knew by now that Tuesdays could be just as eventful and entertaining as Saturdays. After all this is New Orleans. Days and times are just formalities, so I pulled myself together and ventured toward home. Some of you may know that I live near a favorite undisclosed location and though I will end this week's story here, I will give a hint at a future continuation of my first weeknight escapade by saying that as I came upon the undisclosed location, I was whisked away by friends, well known wonderful friends, to experience Technique Tuesdays, I’m not sure if I was over the rainbow or if I ventured thru the looking glass but my oh my too bad that I have a word limit on this column! And that’s The Real Cheese! Till next time dahlins, I’m Felicia Phillips, The Cheese Queen of New Orleans.
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moments in gay new orleans history by Professor Frank Perez E-mail: f.perez@sbcglobal.net Photo by: Larry Graham, GrahamStudioOne.COM
“Alan Robinson to be Honored at 1st Annual Oracle Gala” Alan Robinson arrived in New Orleans in 1975. He had been a student activist at the University of Illinois, where he studied anthropology, and he planned to get involved in gay activism in New Orleans. But the New Orleans Robinson moved to was not exactly a hot bed of LGBT+ activism. The gay community, although fairly sizable, was still deeply closeted in 1975. The Up Stairs Lounge arson had occurred just two years earlier and the anguish of the tragedy, including the horrific and hateful public reaction to it, was still fresh. In the days after the fire, the Reverend Troy Perry, founder of the Metropolitan Community Church, and other activists came to New Orleans to chastise the local gay community for its apathy, only to be called “carpetbaggers” and “outside agitators.” In other cities, the gay liberation movement engendered by the Stonewall rebellion in 1969 was gaining momentum but it never really caught on in New Orleans. A chapter of the Gay Liberation Front (GLF) had been organized in New Orleans in 1970, and the group even marched on City Hall demanding an end to police harassment and published a newsletter called the Sunflower, but by 1971, the group was moribund. Motivated by Roe V. Wade and the proposed Equal Rights Amendment, lesbians tended to be more politically active than gay men in the early 1970s, but they were fighting for women’s rights, not necessarily gay rights. There was also the short-lived Gay People’s Coalition (GPC). The GPC published a newsletter called the Causeway, which was edited anonymously by a Tulane student named Bill Rushton, who also edited the Vieux Carre Courier, an alternative newspaper focused on the French Quarter. An editorial from the January, 1974, edition of Causeway declared, “There are enough gay men and women in N.O. who are able to do anything they wish—be it swinging an election or electing a gay city councilman.” This clarion call, while certainly true, fell on deaf ears. In familiar fashion, the GPC and Causeway soon faded away. Later in 1974, former Baptist minister Mike Stark founded the Gay Services Center (GSC), which initially enjoyed a flurry of activity, including the publication of a newsletter called The Closet Door, but, in a familiar pattern, the group did not last long. It was at the GSC that Alan Robinson met Bill Rushton, both of whom were volunteers at the Center. Robinson and Rushton began dating and in 1975, they, along with Ann Gallmeyer, founded the Gertrude Stein Society (GSS). The GSS assembled a mailing list, published a newsletter (Gertrude’s Notes), and hosted a variety of social and political events, the most amazing of which was a gay themed television talk show, Gertrude Stein Presents. In one episode, Rushton interviewed Christine Jorgensen, whose sex change in 1951 had shocked the world. Then in 1977, former beauty queen and anti-gay crusader Anita Bryant arrived in New Orleans to perform in concert. It was the homophobic singer’s first public appearance after her successful campaign to overturn a gay rights ordinance in Miami. Under the leadership of Robinson and Rushton, the GSS organized a coalition of existing groups (HERE stood for Human Equal Rights for Everyone) to stage a protest. To everyone’s astonishment, it was wildly successful. Several thousand protesters showed up in Jackson Square and then marched to the Municipal Auditorium where Bryant was performing. It was the first significant demonstration on behalf of LGBT rights in New Orleans. In 1978, the Pink Triangle Alliance commemorated the first anniversary of the Anita Bryant protest with another rally in Jackson Square—an event that gave birth to Gayfest, which evolved into the annual Pride celebration. In 1980, Alan Robinson helped to found a new organization that would be fully
dedicated to using the political process to advance the cause of lesbian and gay equality. For the next 25 years, he Louisiana Lesbian and Gay Political Action Caucus (LAGPAC) became a powerful voice for the LGBT community and demonstrated to the gay community that it could, in fact, make a difference. The group’s signature achievement was the 1991 passage of the non-discrimination ordinance by the New Orleans City Council. In 1988, Robinson bought the Faubourg Marigny Bookstore, which had been opened ten years earlier by Tom Horner. At the bookstore, Robinson brought in more titles and hired a staff. He also began hosting signings for gay and lesbian authors visiting New Orleans. In addition to promoting LGBT authors, Robinson also founded, along with Uptown bookseller Mark Zumpe, the New Orleans / Gulf South Booksellers Association. The late Alan Robinson will be honored by the LGBT+ Archives Project of Louisiana at its first annual Oracle Gala, to be held Saturday, November 14, at the Healing Center in New Orleans. The mission of the LGBT+ Archives Project is to promote and encourage the protection and preservation of materials that chronicle the culture and history of Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, & Transgender Community in Louisiana The Oracle Gala will be MCd by Michael Sullivan and will feature live musical entertainment, dinner, a silent auction, and a tribute to Robinson. All proceeds benefit the LGBT+ Archives Project of Louisiana, a non-profit organization dedicated to the preservation of local LGBT+ history. More information is available on the Archive Project’s Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/lgbtarchivesla?fref=ts. Tickets are $40 for Archive Project members and $50 for non-members and can be purchased at http://oraclegala.eventzilla.net/web/ event?eventid=2139078775.
book review War of the Foxes Richard Siken. 2015. Copper Canyon Press. ISBN: 978-1-55659477-9. 66 pages. $17.00. by Frank Perez “I cut off my head and threw it in the sky. It turned / into birds. I called it thinking. The view from above— / untethered scrutiny. It helps to have an anchor / but your head is going somewhere anyway.” Thus begins “Landscape With Fruit Rot and Millipede,” a poem from Richard Siken’s War of the Foxes. Cerebral and sublime, War of the Foxes is a beautifully written exploration of artistic creation and representation—a compelling and provocative meditation on aesthetics, poetics and artistic creation in general. In an interview with Kristina Marie Darling about his new book, Richard Siken observed, “The poems in War of the Foxes address the problems of representation in three arenas: painting, fable, and math. All three attempt to make languages out of symbols, representations used to describe the world. And all three succeed and fail in different ways. I wanted to explore the Socratic Method of question and answer, the Scientific Method of hypothesis and measurement, and the Poetic Method of association and analogy.” Those familiar with Siken’s last collection of poetry, Crush, will find War of the Foxes is not Crush 2. The poet has evolved and readers who were overwhelmed with the raw and personal emotions of Crush may, I repeat may, be disappointed with the larger, more abstract themes developed in War of the Foxes. In a sense,
the major theme of Foxes is an existential one; namely, the role of artistic creation in the making of meaning— and the value of artistic endeavors generally, a question that speaks to the self-doubt of every poet or painter (Siken is both). In this regard, War of the Foxes will resonate with creative types, as well as those given to pondering philosophical questions. Richard Siken’s poetry collection Crush won the 2004 Yale Series of Younger Poets prize, a Lambda Literary Award, the Thom Gunn Award, and was a finalist for the National Book Critics Circle Award. His poems have appeared in The Iowa Review, Conjunctions, Indiana Review and Forklift, Ohio, as well as in the anthologies The Best American Poetry (2000) and Legitimate Dangers. He is a recipient of a Pushcart Prize, two Arizona Commission on the Arts grants, two Lannan Residencies, and a fellowship from the National Endowment for the Arts. He lives in Tucson, Arizona.
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a community within communities by The Rev. Bill Terry, Rector St. Anna’s Episcopal Church, New Orleans Email: fr.bill@stannanola.org
All Hallows Eve Each year the frights get scarier, the costumes briefer, and the hoards simply grow as we are the NUMBER ONE VENUE FOR HALLOWEEN in the U.S. Yet, in all of that frivolity and fun there is a deeper and long forgotten purpose to it all. No not Elvira, no not “Bell Book and Candle” nor even “Wicked!” It does not seek gothic costuming or seduction of all manners; neither is the principal color orange or black. It is a time during two days of contemplation to grab a hold of the past, to embrace the bygone, and to remember with dignity our heritage. Not our heritage found in social changes, nor the whim and whimsy of cultural evolution but rather in our humanity. In some, but not all Christian traditions, it is the Feasts of All Saints and All Souls. These particular feasts are strongly held in Latin America also called Day of the Dead or Día de Muertos – you know all of those creepy skeleton figures! Have you tried to explain a New Orleans First and then Second Line to someone? It isn’t easy. I recently tried to explain that in some ways we, in New Orleans, understand death a bit differently. I suppose we take “any excuse for a party” to the limits! But it’s true. I will never forget the joy and passion, the sadness and bravado, of Marcy Marcell’s funeral. Flamboyant would be a word that comes to mind but then again wasn’t SHE flamboyant. And so we have All Soul’s Day. What many think of as All Saints Day is actually All Souls Day. It is the day AFTER All Saints Day. It is a more personal day of remembering and celebrating our own loved ones. One of the things that our Gay Community has to offer is the reminder that we call funerals “A celebration of Life!” I like that. I have seen and heard of many Celebrations of Life. The focus is less on our own merits and sadness and more on the life lived of the person who has passed on. It says, “This person has worth and is worthy of being remembered.” So we set aside a day of Joy celebrating the lives of our loved ones – All Souls Day. That day is two days after Halloween. Halloween is a contraction of the words All Hallows Eve. Hallow means to reverence and respect it pointed toward All Saints Day. As some, likely not many, may still do a trek to the cemetery or as we say “cemeteries” is in order. We sit with our loved ones or even with generations of family and perhaps bring some flowers. It used to be a day to white wash tombs. Back in the day families would
join in our necropolis and have picnics and lunches and such. What a fantastic way to look the specter of death in the face and laugh at it. Why because for the better part many if not most of us believe in or hope for some sort of life after our bodies give out. Christianity certainly does not have the sole claim on such ideas. Pharos’s were pragmatic and took along supplies for the adventure. Some Japanese actually venerate past generations as gods or demi-gods. No there is not a singular claim to afterlife. I think in some way such thoughts say that we have more purpose than just to live in this world on this earth in this town in this house with these friends – a cosmic relevance dances around afterlife. So what do you believe my friend? Are we part of some biological cycle? Are we just around for a time and then return, maybe recycled, back to primary elements? Or do we carry our persona and personalities with us into some special “next place?” I for one both as a priest and as just a regular person want so much to believe that we all mean something more than our pieces parts and biodegradable selves. I want so much and do believe that we have a place that is beyond our biology. Purpose is what it is all about. I suppose one of the attractions for me, a late blooming Christian, to this faith that gives us All Saints and All Souls days is that my religion says we have purpose. It seems that this Jesus fellow is quite convinced and so am I that: a. We have a creator that has a mind and that mind wants a relationship. b. We have experiences, hopes, dreams, and aspirations and above all LOVE. c. We are therefore both mind AND body because our bodies help us to fully participate in those experiences. d. Finally, all of this means that we are individual persons that are each the Apple of our Creators eye. We are loved and beloved and so we have purpose that exceeds this mortal journey. Jesus said, “Do you not know that even the hairs upon your head are numbered and counted by the Father.” In my case the numbers are getting fewer but what is significance is that Jesus is trying to tell us that this “Father” knows us so intimately and knows each of us and yearns for relationship. BOTTOM LINE IS THAT WE HAVE PURPOSE AND WORTH. I suppose that is what I find so humbling that even in the “Communion of Saints” right along-
side of Peter or Mother Teresa or Harvey Milk or even Marcy Marcell, I am loved and valued as much. So are you that is the point. So, after the libations are done and edgy costumes find their places in boxes and closets and before the pumpkins draw fruit flies take a moment to
consider All Saints and All Souls days. All Saints reminds us of the care takers of a faith and reminds that even with them we have purpose; All Souls gives us special time to raise a toast, say a prayer, and to remember those we love and those that we are connected to. We have purpose. CELEBRATE!
matters of health AHF Commends SCRUFF Mobile Dating App For Free STD Testing Ads LOS ANGELES — Following the explosion of international media attention on a provocative Los Angeles billboard campaign launched in September by AIDS Healthcare Foundation (AHF) to draw attention to the risk of mobile dating app users contracting STDs like gonorrhea and chlamydia, the organization applauded SCRUFF, one of the largest location-based dating apps for gay men, for its statements in support of incorporating STD prevention and treatment messaging into its popular platform. During an October 2nd Huffington Post Live webchat featuring Whitney Engeran-Cordova, Senior Director, Public Health Division for AIDS Healthcare Foundation, SCRUFF Founding Partner and Chief Product Officer Jason Marchant said, “We at SCRUFF feel that we definitely have a social responsibility to do what we can to make our users informed not only of potential risks but also of the resources that are available to them, be it for testing, prevention, treatment or support—be it for HIV or any other STIs.” SCRUFF, which claims more than 7 million LGBT users worldwide, offers free, geotargeted in-app advertising for non-profit organizations to reach the LGBT community through its BenevolAds program, accessed at ads.scruff.com. “I would invite AHF to sign up for BenovolAds and if they want to create ads that focus on informing people about the resources that are available to them we’re happy to run their ads for free,” offered Marchant during the webchat. “When other popular mobile dating apps were firing off legal notices or moving to shut down our STD prevention messaging in a knee-jerk reaction to our billboards, SCRUFF is to be commended for taking the more prudent approach by acknowledging the importance of encouraging STD prevention and awareness to their millions of users,” said Whitney EngeranCordova, Senior Director, Public Health Division for AIDS Healthcare Foundation. “We are pleased that conversations have begun to discuss how dating apps can be constructive partners in helping educate and connect their users to sexual health screening. Regular testing makes hooking up safer, and, hopefully more enjoyable. There is no shame in knowing your status. Nor should there be any trepidation or shame in asking someone their status.” As a catalyst for the billboard campaign (which drives viewers to www.FreeSTDCheck.org), AHF looked to one study by the Rhode Island Department of Health, which in May reported that cases of syphilis, gonorrhea and HIV rose sharply between 2013 and 2014 and said that high-risk behaviors such as “using social media to arrange casual and often anonymous sexual encounters, having sex without a condom, having multiple sex
partners, and having sex while under the influence of drugs or alcohol” have become more common in recent years. According to a study by Beymer et al. (2014), gay men who are meeting on location-based dating apps are at greater risk for gonorrhea and chlamydia than those who meet in-person or on the internet. In addition, a lengthy September 2015 Vanity Fair article entitled “Tinder and the Dawn of the ‘Dating Apocalypse’” explored the role mobile dating apps are increasingly playing in encouraging casual sex among young adults. AHF will soon be expanding the billboard campaign to other cities in the U.S. AHF’s Wellness Centers provide free testing for sexually transmitted diseases, including chlamydia, gonorrhea, syphilis, and HIV. To find the nearest location for STD screening and treatment, visit www.freestdcheck.org AIDS Healthcare Foundation (AHF), the largest global AIDS organization, currently provides medical care and/or services to over 488,000 individuals in 36 countries worldwide in the US, Africa, Latin America/Caribbean, the Asia/Pacific Region and Eastern Europe. To learn more about AHF, please visit their website: www.aidshealth.org, find them on Facebook: www.facebook.com/ aidshealth and follow them on Twitter: @aidshealthcare and Instagram: @aidshealthcare.
Pre-Thanksgiving DEADLINE: Nov. 3 504.522.8049
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paparazzi
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Krewe of Armeinius Annual CocktoberFest @ Armeinius Den ~ New Orleans ~ Photos by Tony Leggio, Rip Naqin
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Krewe of Amon-Ra “Find Your Boo” @ The Corner Pocket ~ New Orleans ~ Photos by Tony Leggio, Rip Naquin
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trodding the boards by Brian Sands
Email: bsnola2@hotmail.com
Faustus at the Old Marquer Theatre through Oct. 31
Assiduously adjusting various knobs and tapping away at a computer keyboard, Spigelman combines primal emotions with intellectual cunning as Lucifer’s oily factotum. Willing to do unspeakably nasty things for his master, Spigelman memorably portrays Mephistopheles as a powerful cog in Satan’s machinery, like a mid- to high-
ranking Nazi just following orders. Snaking, slithering, moving like robots and playing all the secondary characters, Hebert Benjamin, Brian Coogan, Hannah Culwell, Kristen Gremillion, and Richard Mayer comprise the “ensemble of the damned,” the hardest working— [continued on 26]
Just in time for Halloween, Lux et Umbra, the resident company at The Old Marquer Theatre, has brought Christopher Marlowe’s Doctor Faustus to exhilarating life. Jon Greene, making a noteworthy New Orleans directorial debut, provides a visually & aurally stunning mise en scène and generally well-thoughtout adaptation of this grand, Elizabethan work. Upon entering the theater, the audience is confronted by the cast standing, draped in sheets, whispering, well, it’s hard to say exactly what, but it certainly raises the spookiness quotient. Mephistopheles (Evan Spigelman) enters and, one by one, removes the sheets starting a performance which thus seems to be a retelling of a classic tale occurring in a haunted house or some madman’s lair. (The press release describes the set-up as “players...who force Faustus to relive his downfall time and again” a small but telling difference. If I didn’t quite get that perspective, in no way did it diminish my enjoyment.) The story is a fairly simple one—Dr. Faustus wants power and knowledge, even more than he already has; Dr. Faustus gets more power and knowledge courtesy of a pact with Lucifer; Dr. Faustus uses his extra power and knowledge, though not always in the wisest of ways; and Dr. Faustus loses his power and knowledge, as well as his soul to Lucifer’s realm down below. With wild imagination, set and lighting designer Shawn Ramagos has transformed the Old Marquer into a detailed vision of indusHannah Culwell, Matt Standley and Hebert trial/gothic chic, a Benjamin in Faustus place of exposed light bulbs and a palpable sense of decay. Except for Mephistopheles’ snazzy outfit, A Reiley Morgan’s raggedy costumes convey the ensemble’s enslavement to Lucifer and, with Rebecca Elizabeth Hollingsworth’s ghoulish make-up, add to the spectral air. Greene utilizes all of his colleagues’ contributions to the max, none more so than those of Glenn Aucoin II whose onstage sound mixing supplies a cornucopia of wind, music, bells and all sorts of other sonic insinuations. Wisely cutting down Marlowe’s epic work to a manageable 95 minutes (and the title to just Faustus), Greene segues from scene to scene with a masterly fluidity, overcoming, for the most part, the static nature of the script which he enlivens with simple but magical stagecraft. Only in retrospect did I feel that Greene could have varied his pacing a bit to allow an audience to enjoy even more Marlowe’s magnificent language; if “Was this the face that launch’d a thousand ships” and “Que sera, sera” came through, the full impact of other passages was occasionally sacrificed for the show’s momentum. As Faustus, Matt Standley gives an accomplished performance using his sonorous baritone voice to fine effect when called upon to sing. Standley is an innately likable actor which served him well as the sympathetic restaurant critic in A Truckload of Ink. Here, especially at the start, he could have brought out more of Faustus’ drive and desperation, his pomposity and blistering intelligence; after all, this is a role once played by Orson Welles on Broadway. Still, Standley gains in stature as the play progresses and he makes Faustus’ final descent into Hell truly tragic.
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under the gaydar by Tony Leggio Email: ledgemgp@gmail.com Photo by: Larry Graham
Book of the Month Once again another blockbuster youth book series is heading for the big screen following in the footsteps of The Hunger Games, Divergent and the awful Twilight (both novels and movies). And if the movie is anything like this novel, then we are in for a real treat. My book of the month for October is the science fiction thriller The 5th Wave by Rick Yancey. What I admire about this book most is it’s difficulty to classify it into one genre, although Sci-Fi is the predominant theme. It has elements of romance, mystery, science fiction, thriller and coming of age all rolled into one tidy package. The characters are likable, but most of all believable. And the plot has enough twists and turns to keep you guessing with each page. The basic premise is simple; the earth comes under attack from alien beings wiping out most of the planet’s population through a series of cataclysmic waves of destruction. The book focuses on the last and most
trodding the boards ...from 24 and most effective—back-up group I’ve ever seen. Their superbly choreographed metamorphosis from one Deadly Sin into another is one of the show’s highlights and something you won’t soon forget. In addition to a too-little seen classic, Faustus offers a chance to enjoy a new and exciting talent. Greene has done something that few of our other local directors seem capable of doing—reinterpret a canonical work with a unique and potent vision. At its end, I felt like I had just gotten off a thrilling amusement park ride and wanted to get right back on it again. That’s a good omen for whatever Greene’s next production will be.
Songs That Won the War at the WWII Museum’s BB’s Stage Door Canteen through Nov. 25 We’re told at the start of Songs That Won the War, the terrific new entertainment at the WWII Museum’s Stage Door Canteen, that “popular songs had an important part in building morale.” If that initially provokes a raised eyebrow and an “Oh, really?”, by the end, the show convinces any doubters just how integral music was to winning
deadly wave the survivors of this holocaust have to face. At the center of the storyline is (at least for this novel) is 16year-old Cassie Sullivan as she tries to survive in a world devastated by the waves of alien invasion that have already decimated the population and knocked humankind back to the Stone Age. As one of Earth’s last survivors, Cassie is left with just herself and has to learn the hard way to trust no one. Throughout Cassie narrates the whole story as she writes it in her journal. The Waves were planned attacks used by the Others in their attempt to take over planet Earth. But later in the novel it switches to another character Ben Parish or Zombie. That viewpoint form both central characters make for an interesting perspective on how they view the other people around them. I do not want to give away too much of the plotline, but suffice to say, I highly recommend this novel. It is great escapism and a thrilling read. The characters are witty, rich and vividly portrayed on the pages. Yancey’s descriptive of all the characters both main the war. Sure, you’re probably familiar with Boogie Woogie Bugle Boy and Lili Marlene, but Writer/Director Victoria Reed has unearthed a bunch of great songs, most not heard at the Canteen before, with such titles as We’re Going to Hang out the Washing on the Siegfried Line and Milkman, Keep Those Bottles Quiet. Starting with What Do You Do in the Infantry?, Songs That Won the War is intelligently crafted and, appropriately for its museum setting, offers historical tidbits that enhance our appreciation of the numbers. For example, the Germans thought The Lambeth Walk was Jewish propaganda because it had “Oy” in its refrain (oy!). And if The Victory Belles perform Comin’ In On a Wing and a Prayer a capella it’s because it was originally done that way due to a 1943 musicians’ strike. Wisely, Reed doesn’t overdo such factoids but lets the songs speak for themselves. And speak (sing?) for themselves they do, some with beauty and elegance, others with bouncy wit, all of which still holds up 70+ years later. Andrea Pizza, Sara Benjamin and Mandi Ridgdell, each with 1940’s movie star looks, are the Belles for Songs and they’re one of the strongest groupings to yet appear on the Canteen stage. Their voices harmonize superbly, casting a hypnotic spell over the audience during I’ll Be Seeing You. Ridgdell leads a beautiful rendition
and ancillary is wonderful. And his action sequences keep you glued to the page. I am excited to read the following novels in the series as well as see the motion picture. For more information on Rick Yancey and The 5th Wave, go to www.rickyancey.com.
Hot Happenings Halloween is here, with all its devilish delights. Grab your trick or your treat and enjoy some of the hot happenings below. And don’t forget to [continued on 32] of White Cliffs of Dover and delivers a gorgeous A Nightingale Sang in Berkeley Square. In a medley of Paristhemed songs, Benjamin sings stirringly and renders the French lyrics impeccably. (Turns out she lived in France growing up in a military family.) Pizza’s winning performance of He’s 1A in the Army & A1 in My Heart, among others, revealed a talent that I hope we’ll see more of. All three come together to make Rosie the Riveter a rousing stand-out in a show that rolls smoothly along for its entire 65 minutes, each number highly polished without ever becoming cruise ship plasticky thanks to the Belles’ warmth and charm. With a mere three performers, Reed creates lovely stage images, and her simple but expansive staging takes advantage of the entire auditorium. Heidi Malnar’s astute choreography precisely evokes the period’s style as do the fabulous costumes by Reed and Judy Claverie that encompass casual and evening wear as well as WWII work outfits. Reed orchestrates just the right amount of audience interaction, and the Belles are adorable as they play to the WWII veterans in the front row, dancing with them and leaving red lipstick kisses on their foreheads. The three vets who were at the show I saw seemed to enjoy themselves immensely. Songs That Won the War concludes with Irving Berlin’s White Christmas which, as an anthem of WWII, we’re told was considered a song of peace and is, of course, still hugely popular. Sadly, it made me realize how few war songs have been written in the last 12 years; I found one website that listed 27, none popular hits. Though no war is good, at least World War II gave us some lasting cultural gems. Songs plays on Wednesday afternoons and is preceded by a delicious buffet. As a tribute to our French and English allies, it features coq au vin and shepherd’s pie, each excellent and imbued by subtle seasonings. They’re accompanied by a mixed green “Victory Garden” salad with champagne vinaigrette, a tasty combo of carrots and asparagus, a fine rice pilaf that’s even better when drizzled with the coq
au vin’s mushroom sauce, and a scrumptious sweet potato bread pudding.
Varla Jean Merman’s Big Black Hole Like a comet that swings by earth annually, Varla Jean Merman alights in New Orleans about once a year with a solo show and how fortunate we are that she does. She recently invaded Mag’s Cabaret with her newest extravaganza Varla Jean Merman’s Big Black Hole, a homage to all things in our Milky Way and beyond. Scrupulously researched (“I watched National Geographic...for two hours.”) and filled with terrible puns and double entendres (“I’m not openly gay,” she says wearing a giant sun outfit, “I’ll come out tomorrow.”), Varla’s Big Black Hole lit up a big ol’ grin on my face for its full 65-minute orbit. Pay no attention to Varla’s scatterbrained persona. She’s one smart asteroid. Or at least her alter ego, Jeffery Roberson, is who wrote Black Hole with Jacques Lamarre and filled the show with canny references ranging from No Fly lists to rest stops in Gonzales. Like previous Varla outings (Under A Big Top, Varla Jean Merman Loves a Foreign Tongue), Big Black Hole is no mere random collection of shtik, but a brilliantly thought out series of variations on her astronomy theme. There’s the tribute to Pluto (“I am what I am/ Though I may not be a planet”), a Jane Jetson outfit (among a series of stunning costumes including a spot-on Princess Leia), a rendition of What a Wonderful World a la Satchmo and Liza, and video in which a cheese-guzzling Varla goes head-to-head with Star Trek’s William Shatner. There’s so much to adore Varla for. How she self-confidently makes fun of herself (and occasionally Bianca). How she lovingly abuses her audience (including a front row twink who had never seen her before). How she’ll do anything for a laugh from playing the flute to climbing a rope to the ceiling. And how she assumes her audience is smart enough to know that when she talks about a “Jew writing Christmas songs” she’s referring to Irving Berlin and White Christmas (and if you don’t know that then you really need to see Songs That Won the War). Cute and hunky co-pilot Gerald Goode sings backup, accompanies Varla on the piano, and adds to the show’s lift. Commander Michael Schiralli directs with his usual flair keeping the flight tight and the laughs flowing. There’s talk that Varla Jean Merman’s Big Black Hole may make a return appearance. I’m not sure about the laws of physics as they apply to comets, but if it does, don’t wait to get tickets or you’ll wind up lonely and disappointed on Uranus.
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chop chop by Rip & Marsha Naquin-Delain Email: marsha@ripandmarsha.com
Chargrilled Oysters: Plump Louisiana oysters topped with Parmesan butter cheese filling & grilled to perfection @ Royal House Oyster Bar, 441 Royal St.
Dining in The Big Easy for Halloween There are so many wonderful festivities to join this 32nd Halloween in New Orleans. But don't forget the incredible culinary array available to you not only in the French Quarter, but the Marigny and Bywater, and out in Metairie, as well. Ambush recommends these great eateries to curb any hunger desires you may have, and of course, many serve up cocktails, a must have in The Big Easy.
Metairie Restaurant Guide
New Orleans Muffuletta @ Restaurant/Deli of the Year Quartermaster: The Nellie Deli, 1100 Bourbon St.
Chef Ron's Gumbo Stop & Pub, 2309 N. Causeway Blvd., 835.2022, GumboStop.com, is a quaint eatery serving five different gumbos, New Orleans favorites, house specials, specialty sandwiches, daily specials, appetizers and desserts all prepared by award winning Chef Ron Iafrate. Open Mon-Sat. 11am-9pm, closed Sunday.
New Orleans Restaurant Guide The Bombay Club, 830 Rue Conti, w w w. b o m b a y c l u b n e w o r l e a n s . c o m , 577.2237. The Bombay Club is host to an eclectic menu of British-Cajun fare, quality craft cocktails & unique martinis. Enjoy live music showcasing the most talented jazz musicians in New Orleans. Dining hours 410pm Sun.-Thur., 4-11pm Fri.-Sat. Broussard’s Restaurant & Courtyard, 819 Rue Conti, 581.3866, http:// broussards.com. A favorite fixture in New Orleans for nearly 100 years, Broussard’s
Shrimp, Andouille & Stoneground Grits @ The Country Club, 634 Louisa St.
is located in the heart of the French Quarter, featuring classic French and Creole food, old architecture, and tradition. Dining hours 5:30-9pm Tues.-Thurs. & Sun., 5:30-10pm Fri.-Sat., 10:30am-2:30pm Sunday Brunch. Clover Grill, 900 Bourbon St., 598.1010, CloverGrill.COM, is open 7 days, 24 hours. and features breakfast including build your own omelettes. But let’s not forget their fab burgers grilled right under a hub cap and then there’s all those sandwiches, sides, desserts and shakes. Country Club Restaurant, 634 Louisa St., 945.0742, TheCountryClubNewOrleans.COM. The chef has paid attention to detail and ingredient, and focused on a more contemporary menu at an even more affordable price point. Still the best food, but at even more unbelievable value! Serving 7 days 11am10pm and Sunday Brunch 11am-3pm. Deanie's Seafood, French Quarter: 841 Iberville, 581.4141; Bucktown: 1713 Lake Ave., Metairie, 831.1316; Deanies.COM. Featured on the Travel Channel’s “Man v. Food,” Deanie’s signature BBQ Shrimp served the New Orleans
Bayou Scampi (shrimp sauteed in wine, garlic & fresh tomatoes with jazzmen rice) @ Chef Ron's Gumbo Stop, 2309 N. Causeway Blvd., Metairie
Smoked Corn Panna Cotta with LA Lump Crab, Shaved Asparagus, Pickled Radish & Cajun Caviar @ Feelings Cafe, 2600 Chartres
[continued on 30] BBQ Shrimp & Waffles: Toasted garlic, poblano pepper jelly, and hopitoulas cream @ Kingfish Kitchen & Cocktails, 337 Chartres
Boudin Scotch Eggs - soft cooked egg wrapped with Cajun boudin, served on a nest of braised collard greens @ The Bombay Club, 830 Conti St. World Famous Hamburger @ Clover Grill, 900 Bourbon St. Filet Mignon Broussard - jumbo lump crab meat stuffed Portobello mushroom cap, grilled asparagus, Yukon Gold mashed potatoes with mustard cream glaze @ Broussard's, 819 Rue Conti
Special Combo Pizza (pepperoni, Italian sausage, ham, onions, mushrooms, green peppers & black olives with jalapenos & anchovies optional) @ Mona Lisa Restaurant, 1212 Royal St.
Stuffed Bell Pepper Special with Mac & Cheese, Potato Salad, Peas & Texas Toast @ Ilys Bistro, 1040 Elysian Fields Ave.
Sloppy Roast Beef Po-Boy @ Gene's Po-Boys, 1040 Elysian Fields Ave.
Oysters Earl (fresh Gulf oysters baked with aged asiago cheese & applewood smoked bacon) @ Orleans Grapevine Wine & Bar Bistro, 720 Orleans
BBQ Shrimp @ Deanie's Seafood, French Quarter: 841 Iberville; Bucktown: 1713 Lake Ave., Metairie
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chop chop ...from 28
11am-1pm; lunch and dinner 11am-close.
way--jumbo head-on Louisiana Shrimp served in our unique blend of seasonings with a crusty baguette. For 50 years Deanie's has been serving huge portions of the best boiled, broiled and fried seafood in New Orleans. Feelings Cafe, 2600 Chartres, 945.2222, www.FeelingsCafe.com. In the summer of 1979, a café named FEELINGS opened on Royal Street. Because of its success, one year later it moved to its present location, a location filled with history. The location is part of the first plantation land granted for private ownership by the first New Orleans settlers. In 1795, Nicholas D’Aunoy purchased the plantation and the land was incorporated into the Faubourg of Bernard Marigny, creating the present historical neighborhood of Faubourg Marigny. Under new ownership in 2015 we strive to maintain the historical and romantic nature of the restaurant while redesigning our menu to reflect a contemporary take on New Orleans cuisine. Brunch Sat. & Sun. 11am-3pm, dinner Tues.-Sat. 5-10pm, live music Fri. & Sat. until 11pm.
Kingfish Kitchen & Cocktails, 337 Chartres St. 598.5005, www.KinfishNewOrleans.com,"brings customers back to the Huey P. Long era with vintage-inspired cocktails & unique Creole and Southern dishes. Join us for dinner, or meet up with friends to relax at our cocktail bar.” Mona Lisa Restaurant, 1212 Royal St., 522.6746, features Italian specialties including salads, pizzas, sandwiches and both lunch and dinner entrees. Open Mon.Thurs. 5-10pm, Fri.-Sun. 11am-10pm.
Gene's Po-Boys & Daquiris,1040 Elysian Fields Ave., 943.3861, www.genespoboys.com, is famous for its New Orleans style po-boy sandwiches chockful of ingredients. Open 24 hours. Ilys Bistro, 1040 Elysian Fields Ave., 947.8341, www.Facebook.com/ILYSBistro, offers home cooking and friendly service, serving breakfast, lunch and dinner featuring plates, poboys, and daily specials. Breakfast Mon.-Sat. 6am-11am & Sun.
Orleans Grapevine Wine & Bar Bistro, 720 Orleans, 523.1930, is located in a beautiful renovated 1809 building offering a pleasant atmosphere, extensive wine list with 200 selections, and delicious food including soups, salads, appetizers, entrees and house made desserts that will delight any palate. Open daily at 4pm serving dinner Sun.-Thurs. 5-10:30pm, Fri.Sat. 5-11pm. Quartermaster: The Nellie Deli, 1100 Bourbon St., 529.1416, www.QuartermasterDeli.net, voted Restaurant/Deli of the Year, is open 24 hours 7 days. Serving breakfast, lunch, dinner and late night menu, the deli offers free delivery. Royal House Oyster Bar, 441 Royal St., 528.2601, www.RoyalHouseRestaurant.com, is a casual classic, offering fresh-shucked oysters and fresh local seafood in a setting that follows the best traditions of dining in the heart of New Orleans’ French Quarter.
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under the gaydar ...from 26 have a Happy Halloween (cue the eerie music). Tuesday, October 27 – Sunday, November 1, 2015 Is anyone looking for a shoe or maybe a prince? Rodgers + Hammerstein’s Cinderella is the Tony Award-winning Broadway musical from the creators of The Sound of Music and South Pacific that’s delighting audiences with its contemporary take on the classic tale. This lush production features an incredible orchestra, jawdropping transformations and all the moments you love — the pumpkin, the glass slipper, the masked ball and more — plus some surprising new twists! Be transported back to your childhood as you rediscover some of Rodgers + Hammerstein’s most beloved songs, including “In My Own Little Corner,” “Impossible/It’s Possible” and “Ten Minutes Ago,” in this hilarious and romantic Broadway experience for anyone who’s ever had a wish, a dream... or a really great pair of shoes. For tickets or more information, go to www. saengernola.com. Thursday, October 29 – Sunday, November 1, 2015 Halloween New Orleans is once again upon us in all of its spooky and lusty glory with the title: The Fall of the Pharaohs. This benefit weekend helps Project Lazarus. Journey with us into the Pyramid of the Pharaohs where you’ll experience the luxuries of Egyptian royalty and uncover the horrifying secret crypt where the dead are laid to rest. Will you follow the path of the rich or the path of the dead? The four day event includes the Lazarus Ball at Il Mercado on Thursday, the Neon Party at Republic on Friday, the Main Event at the Contemporary Arts Center on Saturday and ends with Brunch and a second line on Sunday at the House of Blues. For tickets or more information, go to www.halloweenneworleans.com. Saturday, October 31, 2015 NOAGE (New Orleans Advocates for GLBT Elders) is hosting a coffee conversation, led by Rebecca Stilling, LCSW, on the ways we care for ourselves now to maximize quality of life both now and as we age into our futures from 10-11:15am at the New Orleans Healing Center (2372 St. Claude Ave., Room #250). A talk about self-nurturing and self-compassion as well as self-guidance and discipline for healthy living now and for our older selves. Refreshments will be provided. Rebecca Stilling, LCSW, is a clinical social worker, in private practice since 1985. Rebecca is a poet, a traveler, a nature lover and a fitness enthusiast. Her friends have teasingly described her as a “health nut.” She has been with her partner for 40 years. As a born and raised New Orleanian, she appreci-
ates the place of home and family, whether of birth or choice, in the psyche. She has focused much of her life’s work on trauma and resilience. She practices an eclectic, Humanistic and Existential style of therapy with an additional focus on holistic self-care practices. Saturday, October 31, 2016 The Country Club awaits all who dare to eat Brunch. Join them for their 7th annual Zombie Drag Brunch! Enjoy a fabulous brunch menu, $15 Bottomless Mimosas and a very special show with scary drag and spooktacular numbers by the lovely Southern Barbitchuates. Call today to make your reservations at 504.945.0742. The Country Club is located at 634 Louisa Street. Saturday, October 31, 2016 Are you ready for GrandPre’s Hellarious Halloween! Enjoy performances, prizes, woeful dancing and depraved fun. Begin with disturbing karaoke at 6pm. Appear by 8:30 to register for their unnervingly karaoke contest starting at 9 with prizes. At 10pm, The Southern Barbitchuates perform with Gia GiaVanni, Sable Nicole Star, Moanalot Fontaine and Coca Mesa. Next up is DJ Bryant as he cranks the infernal dirges from 11:30 until you crumble and die. At 1am there will be a Halloween costume contest. Register by 12:30am. The lone winner will take away $100 in cash. GrandPre’s is located at 834 North Rampart Street. Wednesday, November 4, 2015 Take a ride just down the road and catch the Annual 2015 Miss B-Bob’s Pageant at B-Bob’s in Mobile, Alabama starting at 9pm. There are 4 Competitive Categories: Presentation - Queen of Queens; Talent; Evening Gown and Question & Response (during Evening Gown). They will be honoring Peachus Van Carteya, Miss B-Bob’s 2014. Also, they will be celebrating Jawakatema Davenport’s 5 year Anniversary of being a “Title-Holder!” Entertainers will include: Armani Davenport – 2006, Jawakatema Davenport – 2010, Nadya Symone – 2011, CoCo Elise – 2012. Your hostess and emcee for the evening will be Miss Gay America 2006 Nicole Du Bois. Admission fee is $12. The contestant entry fee is $125. Winner receives $500, crown and sash; 1st Runner Up receives $125. B-Bob’s is located at 213 Conti Street. Friday, November 6, 2015 Come out and support the Drop In Center as they kick off their Winter Warmers clothing drive for homeless youth in the New Orleans Areas at Café Istanbul (2372 St. Claude Avenue) starting at 5:30pm. The party will be filled with excellent food, entertainment, and a full open bar - all included in the ticket price! 100% of proceeds to benefit New Orleans Homeless youth. The Drop In Center in New Orleans has
been serving homeless youth since 1991. Tickets are $27. For tickets go to http://www.eventbrite.com/e/dropin-centers-winter-warmers-kickoffp a r t y - t i c k e t s 18562751690?aff=efbneb. Friday, November 6, 2016 Bar Redux and Lana O’Day present “Little Sunshine of the Bywater” sponsored by RA Missing People (ramissingpeople.org). Bar Redux (801 Poland Avenue) will host this unique contest/show from 8-11pm. This special event hosted by Lana O’Day, is part of Bar Redux’s five night lineup for the Feaux/Real Fest. Some of the city’s finest entertainers will take part in this fun contest to see who will win the $100 cash prize. There will be two categories, judged by a panel of local favorites. It’s going to be a fun night, so come out for a few cocktails and a great show. There is a $10 cover, but don’t forget some $1s to show the girls some love. If you’re interested in taking part of this contest, please contact Lana O’Day on Facebook. The two categories will be: Talent - Perform anything your heart desires that will show case your best talents... keep it 5 min or under and Model - You are asked to put together your most glamorous outfit that you will model for the judges and audience... think Old Hollywood. Friday, November 6, 2016 Come out at 10pm to The Four Seasons in Metairie (3229 N. Causeway Blvd.) for the performers of Exotique as they play a mind game on you and pull out all the Gender Bender stops! Your cast includes Taze-Ya Ballz aka John Joseph Delgadillo, with host: Countess C. Alice aka Daryl Dunaway, and permanent cast members: Pussy Hertz, Ilaynnah Eve DeLorean, and Karli La Korre with guest star Misti Ates. Also remember the half time dance off where the winner gets two free drinks at the back bar during the show. Saturday, November 7, 2016 Halloween may be over, but you still can howl. Join the 37th Annual Howling Success Patron Party & Gala at the Hyatt Regency’s Celestin Ballroom (601 Loyola Avenue). Go back in time as they embrace the night with a 70's feel. Howling Success is the area’s most unique fundraiser and the largest tribute to the more than 33,000 animals that come through there doors every year. Details of the event: The Patron Party will be from 7pm - 8:30pm, The Gala will be from 8:30pm – midnight. Entertainment: Patron Party Band: Anaïs St. John, Gala Band: The Wiseguys, plus specialty performances by: Bryon Bellew & Jenae Pavone and Paul Nelson & Celeste Pfefferle with Club Silhouette And Mardi Gras dance troupe, The Disco Amigos. Attire: Get Groovy with Black Tie or Cocktail At-
tire. Or come in your favorite 1970’s outfit! For more details about the event or to purchase tickets or tables, please go to www.la-spca.org/ howlingsuccess. Saturday, November 14, 2015 It’s time to celebrate one of the city’s premiere gay celebrities Solitaire for her birthday bash at The Four Seasons Bar (3229 N. Causeway Blvd.) starting at 8pm. It shall be a night of top notch entertainment by Queens, Kings, Burlesque and live performances. The Burlesque beauty Christy LaRitz will be taking the stage to tantalize and tease you with her seductive style. Other entertainers include Derek PentonRobicheaux, Sir New Orleans Pride 2015 Jack Inman, Lana O’Day, Felicia Phillips, Summer Rayne, Mr. New Orleans Pride 2015 Johnny Fradella, Miss New Orleans Pride 2015 and GAA Entertainer of the Year Gia GiaVanni, Countess C. Alice and Gabi DiVine. There will be food and birthday cake and hot bartenders serving up your favorite refreshing beverages. Solitaire is asking that you not bring her gifts but instead please bring unwrapped toys for the kids at Children’s Hospital. The money raised will be divided equally between New Orleans Pride and purchasing more toys for the kids. Saturday, November 14, 2015 commUNITY® Speak Out - Addiction and the LGBTQ+ delves into a huge problem within the gay community. Join Brandiilyne Magnum-Dear, from the documentary, Real L Word Mississippi, and pastor of Joshua Generation MCC in Hattiesburg, Ms, as she talks about addiction and the associated issues that face the LGBTQ+ community. The discussion begins at 3pm at the New Orleans Healing Center, second floor classroom 250 (2372 St. Claude Ave.). If you plan to attend, please R.S.V.P. at the ticket link site provided as space is limited. https:// www.eventbrite.com/e/communityspeak-out-addiction-and-the-lgbtqcommunity-tickets-18965181368
Party Down So Halloween is upon us, but as the witching hour draws near, there were plenty of events and parties leading up to things. My two weeks had so much going on like beer wenches, live chickens, hot men and Vegas baby! Because of my heavy work schedule the only day I went out in NOLA on the first week was Friday for an early celebration of my birthday with an intimate dinner at Morton’s Steakhouse with my mom then out with some friends afterwards. The food at Morton’s is always exceptional as is the service, but it was the after dinner shenanigans that wore me out. We started at the Four Seasons catching Dominique DeLorean’s fabulous show. Her girls turned it out [continued on 34]
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under the gaydar ...from 32 doing all their number sin full costume getting a head start on the Halloween mayhem. After several shots, we were off to the Quarter hitting the Corner Pocket for some boy/bar action. Lisa Beauman really knows how to keep an audience engaged as she parades her stable of male lovelies out for display. After frolicking with the guys there, we turned up at Oz to dance what was left of the early morning away. I have to say, as I get older, a night out on the town like that turns into a day on the couch. Oh well it was worth it. On Sunday, I was off to a trade show for my company in Las Vegas. Since all my work events did not start till Monday morning, I had all day in Sin City to play on my birthday, talk about the ultimate birthday gift to me. So I landed in Vegas at 8am in the morning and I was off. I got settled at my hotel, The Mirage in the center of the Vegas Strip and began with a champagne brunch at Café Americano in Caesar’s Palace. The restaurant has an open and airy feel, great prices and serves up American fare with a Latin twist. The food was just incredible and the several glasses of champagne got my day drinking started. I was off to the Forum Shops next for a little retail therapy. This upscale mall connected to Caesar’s has everything your little heart desires including an unbelievable three story H & M. The mall also has one of the best free shows on the strip, the animatronic Fall of Atlantis. It is a fire and smoke extravaganza that plays every hour on the hour. It is hokey, but I love to go and see it every time I visit. Next, I went to New York icon eatery Serendipity 3’s sister restaurant in Vegas. They are known for their Frozen Hot Chocolates that you can get with or without alcohol. Can you guess which one I chose? These cocktails are sinfully delightful. The restaurant has a fun diner feel, but it’s main feature is the larger than life thirty foot Tiffany Lamp in front of it. Continuing my adventure, I went to the High Roller next which is the 550-foot-tall Ferris Wheel. Measuring 520 feet in diameter, the High Roller eclipses both the London Eye and Singapore Flyer. Facing north and south (parallel to Las Vegas Boulevard), the wheel takes 30 minutes to complete one full revolution and features 28 glass-enclosed cabins with broad views of the famed resort city. Each spherical cabin can hold up to 40 people. There are benches on either side of the cabin, with plenty of floor space in between. I upgraded to the open bar car which serves unlimited cocktails for your thirty minute ride. Talk about slamming drinks at the top of the city, now that is what I call fun. After changing and gambling a little, I was off to dinner at Giada’s Restaurant located in the Cromwell Hotel. EmmyAward winning celebrity chef Giada De Laurentiis opened her first-ever restaurant, GIADA a little over a year ago and it is still hard to get reservations. This
charming Las Vegas restaurant boasts huge retractable windows and has breathtaking views of the Bellagio fountains and Caesars Palace. The menu consists of Italian cuisine with refreshing, Californian influences. Menu items include lemon spaghetti, chicken cacciatore, marsala herb chicken meatballs, rosemary focaccia and lemon flatbread and vegetable Bolognese rigatoni. GIADA adds a lighter touch to her dishes, all while staying true to classic Italian recipes. The food and cocktails were awesome and the perfect beginning to the night. Next I went to see the show Absinthe. I have seen many Vegas shows, but this by far is my favorite. It is like a mash up of burlesque, Cirque du Soleil and naughty soft porn all rolled up into one entertaining package. I mean this show is super sexy. “Absinthe” is a critically acclaimed acro-cabaret variety show. The show is performed in the round with unobstructed sightlines and in intimate proximity of the world-class artists performing amazing feats of strength, balance, danger and unfathomable flexibility. You are inside a circus tent which gives it it’s unique feel. My favorite performance was the sexy priest and nun skating act, simply unbelievable. After the show, I called it a night, what an incredible day. The following day, I started my convention which is the IMEX show. IMEX America is one of the largest events in the country with destinations all over the world promoting their cities or services to the meetings industry. So after working all day, I went to the first of many receptions at Omnia Nightclub in Caesar’s Palace. This club like many of the other ones is over the top opulent. Lots of private seating areas, dance floors and multi levels. They also have a spherical snakelike contraption above the dance floor that rotates and forms different shapes while you dance underneath, pretty cool. They have a great view of the Vegas strip and while I was there that evening, I got to see a celebrity tennis match right below us that was going on. Elton John, Billie Jean King, Andre Agassi, Stefi Graf, Martina Navratilova and Andy Roddick were all there, talk about star sightings. On Tuesday, I spent the first of my three days promoting my company and the city of New Orleans in the New Orleans Convention and Visitors Bureau Booth. That evening, I started the night with a reception at Tao Nightclub in the Venetian. This club is a spiritually Zen cool dance experience. Then I was off to dinner with a friend at Mon Ami Gabi in the Paris Hotel. This incredible French Bistro that has several locations around the country brings French cuisine to a delicious new level. The onion soup, escargot and steaks are to die for. Talk about a memorable meal and in the Paris setting (even though it is fabricated), I felt like I was transported to the city of love. After dinner, we jumped to Manderlay Bay to go to the House of Blues Foundation Room. This private members only club has one of the most amazing views of the entire las Vegas strip and also the hottest bartenders. After several martinis and a little gambling when I returned myself back to my hotel, I poured myself in bed to face another day.
Wednesday was just as action packed, in the booth all day then a night of fun. I started with dinner with some other hospitality people from New Orleans at Japonais in the Mirage Hotel. This restaurant ranks as one of my most memorable dining experiences in a Japanese eatery. Their tempura Brussel sprouts are literally heaven and the Wagyu beef cooked on a hot stone is simply superb. This restaurant is not to be missed. After dinner, we then went to a late night party at the Drais Nightclub in the Cromwell Hotel. The Drais is one of those fantasy clubs that when you are there you feel like you are on a movie set. Located on the rooftop of the Cromwell, this place combines a beach club and nightclub together with dance floors in the swimming pool, multi levels for private seating and dancing, infinity hot tubs in cabanas that align the two huge pools and dancers that perform acrobatic dance routines nightly. They have this cool feature that shoots white confetti while you are dancing, and then jet blasts come from below and push up the confetti from the floor to give the effect that you are dancing in a snow globe. Now this is way awesome. We partied and danced until the wee hours of the morning before I headed back and called it a night. My final day in Vegas was again at the booth, but before I left the city, I was able to have one final fantastic meal at a place in the Venetian called I Love Burgers. Now this is one of the ultimate burger joints that create gourmet burgers that are mouthwatering (and pretty great onion rings also). They even have a stamp saying I (heart sign) burgers on their buns. I was exhausted as I took the late flight back to NOLA. One thing about Vegas, you either go big or you stay home. I returned back to NOLA on Friday at the wee hours of the morning and back to work. That night, I took some clients on a riverboat dinner cruise on the Natchez. If you have not been, this is truly one of the magical ways to enjoy our city. The food is down home New Orleans cuisine and the view of the city both Eastbank and Westbank is just splendid. The breeze is nice and their jazz band on board is tight. Their music is worth the price of admission alone. Next I took them to Frenchman Street; it has been a while since I have maneuvered that madness. All I have to say, is Frenchman is no longer for the locals. I swear it had a bigger crowd than Bourbon Street. We settled on a club I had actually never been before called Bamboula’s, one of the very few without a ridiculous cover charge. They had fun, danceable music, great drink prices and a lively atmosphere without the pretention. Highly recommend stopping there the next time you venture to Frenchman. The following day, I played tourist with my clients and took them to a swamp tour followed by a plantation tour with lunch. It has been a while since I have done those things and I have forgotten how much fun they are. We saw lots of alligators and wild life at the Cajun Pride Swamp Tour and the weather was perfect. Then we went to Houmas House for
a tour of their gorgeous mansion and gardens before an outstanding meal at their Lafitte’s Landing Restaurant. I always tell people to be a tourist in their own city, New Orleans has some wonderful culturally rich things you can only find here, so take advantage of them. After leaving my clients, I did a Superman style change into the German Beer Wench from hell thanks to the makeup expertise of Countess C Alice. I attended and performed at the always fun Cocktoberfest hosted by the Krewe of Armeinius at their den on Broad Street. As always the event was a huge success with beer drinking contests, sausage eating contests, a live chicken drop contest, silent auction and drag show. Everything you could ever want in an off kilter Octoberfest Party. On Sunday, I changed back into my normal self and took my clients to the New Orleans School of Cooking which is a funny and educational class about Louisiana cuisine. You learn how to make jambalaya, gumbo, bread pudding and pralines; all the New Orleans staples. Another one of those touristy things that is fun for locals. After finishing with work, I was able to pop in to see the Krewe of Amon-Ra’s Find Your Boo Fundraiser at the Corner Pocket. They had food, lots of dancing boys and a spooky song themed show starring Opal Masters, Deja Déjà-Vue and Clorox Bleachman. Half naked boys and drag queens, I cannot think of any better way to end my two weeks. Until next time, have a great time trick or treating.
In Other Gay News The NO/AIDS Task Force announced some big news about their annual fundraiser Art Against AIDS Gala to be held on Friday, December 4. Not only is it being held on a Friday, but they have also announced their headline talent. Mr. Randy Roberts, one of America’s top female impersonators and headliner at the Crystal Room Cabaret at Key West’s Le Te Da, will be a featured performer this year. You may remember him from America’s Got Talent. Roberts has been performing for more than 30 years. Due to his spot-on impersonations of icons like Cher and Bette Midler, he has captivated audiences for decades. His impersonation roster of famous ladies includes Mae West, Joan Crawford, Joan Rivers, Carol Channing, Ann Miller, Phyllis Diller and more! He has performed in New York, Las Vegas, Atlantic City, Atlanta and even internationally. He also joined the cast of the critically acclaimed independent film, Any Day Now, starring Alan Cumming. The film has captured 11 film festival awards. Tickets for the gala begin at $75 which includes the show, food and drink and music. All proceeds benefit the programs and services of NO/AIDS Task Force. For tickets or more information, go to www.noaidstaskforce.org.
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New Orleans, LA [504] Troy A. Tureau, J.D., L.LM., Attorney at Law, Tureau Legal, 4631 S. Carrolton Ave., New Orleans, LA 70119, 504.308.1608 thelawprofessor@comcast.net
bars Mobile, AL [251] B-Bob's Downtown, 213 Conti St., 433.2262, B-Bobs.COM Flip Side Bar & Patio, 54 S. Conception St., 431.8819, FlipSideBarPatio.COM GABRIEL'S DOWNTOWN, 55 South Joachim St., 432.4900 THE MIDTOWN PUB, 153 Florida St., 450.1555 Pensacola, FL [850] EMERALD CITY, 408 E. Wright St., 433.9491, EmeraldCityPensacola.COM THE ROUNDUP, 560 East Heinberg St., 433.8482 Baton Rouge, LA [225] GEORGE'S, 860 St. Louis, 387.9798, SPLASH, 2183 Highland Rd., 242.9491, SplashBR.COM Lake Charles, LA [337] CRYSTAL'S, 112 W. Broad, 433.5457
New Orleans, LA [504] MARY'S FRENCH QUARTER HARDWARE, 732 N. Rampart, 529.4465
Houston, TX [713] NEON BOOTS DANCEHALL & SALOON, 11410 Hempstead Hwy., 677.0828, www.neonbootsclub.com
bookstores
New Orleans, LA [504] DR. MICHAEL LECHLEITER, D.C., 1526 Magazine, 566.1833 [is1515]
circuit/events Oct. 29-Nov. 1, 2015, Halloween 32, benefiting Project Lazarus, New Orleans, LA, sponsored by AmbushMag.COM, HalloweenNewOrleans.com Dec. 26, 2015-Jan. 1, 2016, Gay New Year's in New Orleans, New Orleans, LA, GayNewOrleans.com Feb. 5-9, 2016, 67th Official Gay Mardi Gras, New Orleans, LA, sponsored by Ambush, GayMardiGras.com Easter Sunday, March 27, 2016, 17th Official Gay Easter Parade, New Orleans, sponsored by Ambush, GayEasterParade.com Aug. 31-Sept. 5, 2016, 45th Official Southern Decadence Celebration of Gay Life, Music & Culture, end of Summer Blowout including the Southern Decadence Parade & loads of activities, bringing over 180,000 revelers to New Orleans, LA, sponsored by Ambush & SouthernDecadence.com
costumes
French Quarter/Faubourg Marigny/Bywater
attorneys
Biloxi, MS [228] CLUB VEAUX, 834 Howard Ave., 207.3271
chiropractic
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Slidell, LA [985] BILLY'S, 2600 Hwy. 190 West, 847.1921
New Orleans, LA [504] FAB - Faubourg Marigny Art & Books, 600 Frenchmen St., 947.3700
ST. PHILIP
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St., 522.2666 Kinky Straight, 907 Iberville, 475.5901 Mickey Nolan's Salon, 717 Toulouse St., 587.7782 Two Guys Cutting Hair, 2372 St. Claude Ave., Suite 125, appointments: Adikus 215.519.5030, Trent 504.239.2397
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RAWHIDE 2010, 740 Burgundy St., 525.8106, Rawhide2010.COM TROPICAL ISLE: Home of the Hand Grenade, 721 Bourbon St., 529.4109, TropicalIsle.COM VOODOO LOUNGE, 718 N. Rampart, 265.0953
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 THE BLACK PENNY, 700 N. Rampart 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 OZ NEW ORLEANS, 800 Bourbon, 593.9491, OzNewOrleans. COM PHOENIX/EAGLE, 941 Elysian Fields, 945.9264, NewOrleansPhoenix.COM
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
galleries New Orleans, LA [504] CASSELL-BERGEN GALLERY, 1305 Decatur St., cassellbergengallery.com, 504.524.0671
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
groceries/delis New Orleans, LA [504] QUARTERMASTER DELI, THE NELLIE DELI, 1100 Bourbon, 529.1416
hair salons New Orleans, LA [504] Head Quarters Hair Salon, 906 Bourbon
lodging/accommodations New Orleans [504] AARON INGRAM HAUS, 1012 Elysian Fields, New Orleans, LA 70117, PHONE: 504.949.3110, www.ingramhaus.com/xqey, e-mail us at ingramhaus@yahoo.com. Condos with queen-size 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. [0715] BLUES60 GUEST HOUSE, 1008 Elysian Fields Ave. New Orleans, LA 70117, Phone: 1.504.324.4311, www.blues60guesthouse.com, info@blues60guesthouse.com. The Blue60 Guest House with 5 suites provides a peaceful retreat in the center of the Faubourg Marigny, just blocks from the French Quarter and Frenchman St. [1115] 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, www.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. [0815] 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.” [0915] 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. 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. Experi-
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ence 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 [is2515]
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 Or-
leans, 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 BreakOUT! builds the power of youth ages 13-25 in New Orleans to end the criminalization of LGBTQ youth of color, 504.252.9025, 1001 S. Broad St. #119, NOLA 70125, @youthbreakout, www.youthbreakout.org, COMMUNITY ACTION NETWORK, a project of the NO/AIDS Task Force which works with the gay community to implement HIV prevention activities, 507 Frenchmen St., 945.4000, noaidstaskforce.com COPS 8 (Citizens' Organization for Police Support in the 8th District), 840 N. Rampart St., #51, 70116; 588.COPS (2677), cops8.org FOOD FOR FRIENDS, 944.6028 FORUM FOR EQUALITY, 336 Lafayette, Suite 200, 70130; 947.2981, ForumForEquality.COM FRIDAY NIGHT BEFORE MARDI GRAS (FNBMG), PO Box 791376, New Orleans, LA 70179-1376; 733.3311, fridaynightbeforemardigras.com, fnbmg@cox.net GAY APPRECIATION AWARDS, 828-A Bourbon St., 70116-3137; 522.8049; AmbushMag.COM/GAA GAY 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 HAART (HIV/AIDS Alliance Region Two, Inc.), 4550 North Blvd. Ste. 250, Baton Rouge, LA 70806, 225.927.1269, www.haartinc.org, offers a complete continuum of care to people living with HIV/AIDS including housing, primary care, medications, case management, and an array of supportive services. In addition HAART provides HIV prevention education and FREE testing to the Baton Rouge area. HALLOWEEN IN NEW ORLEANS, INC., PO Box 52171, 70152-2171; halloween neworleans.com/ambush 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, www.kreweofpetroius.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 LGBT+ Archives Project of Louisiana, 1308 Esplanade Ave., New Orleans, LA 70116, 504.475.7911, www.lgbtarchivesla.org LORDS OF LEATHER, 1631 Elysian Fields, #161, 70117, www.lordsofleather.org Louisiana Equality Foundation, serving the Louisiana LGBT Community through education, activism, and awareness. www. l o u i s i a n a e q u a l i t y f o u n d a t i o n . o r g , info@louisianaequalityfoundation.org 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, 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 PHARMACY, offers personalized, convenient care to those affected by chronic illnesses. Avita offers free delivery, co-pay assistance, benefit coordination, and refill reminder calls as well as access to a pharmacist 24/7. Every prescription filled today helps Avita give back to the community tomorrow. www.avitapharmacy.com New Orleans, LA [504] AVITA PHARMACY, offers personalized, convenient care to those affected by chronic illnesses. Avita offers free delivery, co-pay assistance, benefit coordination, and refill reminder calls as well as access to a pharmacist 24/7. Every prescription filled today helps Avita give back to the community tomorrow. www.avitapharmacy.com MUMFREY'S PHARMACY, 1021 W. Judge Perez Dr., Chalmette, LA 70043, 504.279.6312, www.MumfreysPharmacy.COM. Supporting & serving the LGBT Community for over 20 years. Local pharmacy offering personalized family-like service, automatic refills & free metro wide confidential pickup & delivery. Also offering shipping for out-side our delivery area. When you call us you speak to a person, not a machine. See our ad.
photography New Orleans, LA [504] GRAHAM/STUDIO ONE NEW ORLEANS, by appointment, grahamstudioone.com
plastic surgery New Orleans, LA [504] New Orleans Center for Aesthetics and Plastic Surgery, Parker A. Velargo, M.D., Dr. Russell Hendrick, Jr., M.D., 2633 Napoleon Ave., Ste. 920, www.plasticsurgerynola.com, 504.533.8848
restaurants
The Bombay Club, 830 Rue Conti, 577.2237, www.bombayclubneworleans.com Broussard’s Restaurant & Courtyard, 819 Rue Conti, 581.3866, http://broussards.com Clover Grill, 900 Bourbon St., 598.1010, www.CloverGrill.com Country Club Restaurant, 634 Louisa St., www.TheCountryClubNewOrleans.com, 945.0742 Deanie's Seafood, French Quarter: 841 Iberville, 581.4141; Bucktown: 1713 Lake Ave., Metairie, 831.1316; www.Deanies.com Fatoush Mediterranean Grill, Coffee House & Juice Bar, 2372 St. Claude Ave., #130, FatoushRestaurantNOLA.com, 371.5074 Feelings Cafe, 2600 Chartres, 945.2222, www.FeelingsCafe.com Gene's Po-Boys & Daquiris, 1040 Elysian Fields Ave., 943.3861,
www.genespoboys.com Ilys Bistro, 1040 Elysian Fields Ave., 947.8341, www.Facebook.com/ILYSBistro Kingfish Kitchen & Cocktails, 337 Chartres St. 598.5005, www.KinfishNewOrleans.com Little Vic’s Rosticceria, 719 Toulouse, 304.1238, www.littlevics.com Mona Lisa Restaurant, 1212 Royal St., 522.6746 Orleans Grapevine Wine Bar & Bistro, 720 Orleans, 523.1930, www.OrleansGrapevine.com Quartermaster: The Nellie Deli, 1100 Bourbon St. , 529.1416, www.QuartermasterDeli.net
Royal House Oyster Bar, 441 Royal St., 528.2601, www.RoyalHouseRestaurant.com
real estate New Orleans, LA [504] New Orleans Relocation, Realtors — gayowned boutique real estate agency for locals and newcomers. 504.273.0088 www.NOLArelo.com
retail/shopping New Orleans, LA [504] BOURBON PRIDE, 909 Bourbon, 566.1570 COK (Clothing or Kinkl), 941 Elysian Fields, 945.9264 CUIR, 708 Toulouse St., 249.5603 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
services New Orleans, LA [504] ABC Title Services, www.abctitle.com
theatres New Orleans, LA [504] CAFE ISTANBUL, 2372 St. Claude Ave., #140, 504.974.0786, CafeIstanbulNOLA.COM
tours 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 Royal Tours New Orleans, 507.8333, 888.537.4750, www.RoyalToursNewOrleans.com
Metairie, LA [504] Chef Ron's Gumbo Stop & Pub, 2309 N. Causeway Blvd., 835.2022, GumboStop.com New Orleans, LA [504] Addiction Coffee House, 909 Iberville St., 475.5900, www.addictioncoffeehouse.com
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Dominique DeLorean’s Smash Cabaret @ Four Seasons ~ Metairie, Louisiana ~ Photos by Tony Leggio
paparazzi
2nd NOLA Leather to Geaux ~ New Orleans ~ Photos by Hubert S Monkeys
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m obile paparazzi
John & Gary with NOLA's Aubrey Synclaire @ B-Bob’s
B-Bob’s Celebrates 24th Anniversary ~ Mobile, Alabama ~ Photos by Miss Cie
Hello Patrick Hello Eric
Order of Pan Party with Wright & Brenda
The Order of Pan Party
Osiris Saints & Sinners with Lee & Venus Hello Boys
Happy Birthday Valerie
Miss Cie with Seth & King Stevie
Flip Side Patio Bar with Miss Cie
Seth & the Boys of B-Bob’s
Hello Weston & Sis
B-Bob’s Jerry Ehlen & Colt’s Seth Fornea @ B-Bob’s Hello Trevor & Zach
Aubrey Synclaire & Venus @ B-Bob’s
Happy 24th Anniversary B-Bob's with Bar Baron Jerry Ehlen
DJ Leroey @ B-Bob’s
Hello Miss Delta
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paparazzi
Jean Pierre & John Michael doing martinis @ Lafitte’s Chris Morton invites you to stop by B Mac’s for a drink
Adikus & Trent welcome you to Two Guys Cutting Hair
Robert, David, Luke & Garth cocktailing @ Lafitte’s Jeb, Doug, Colby, bartender Jeff & Jake @ Cafe Lafitte in Exile
Bartender Bryan serving up wine @ The Country Club Coca doing Celia Cruz @ GrandPre’s for Halloween Southern Barbitchuates Show
Bartenders Wayne & Josh ready to serve you @ Bourbon Pub & Parade
Halloween eyes from Golden Lantern bartender Marsha Bartender Matt welcomes you to Dance Club of the Year Oz Gia doing Judy Garland during Halloween Southern Barbitchuates Show Kurt & bartender Eric @ Leather Bar of the Year Phoenix Jacob & Mike behind the counter @ Clover Grill
Rip, Marty, Marsha, Olive & Koo do Cheesy Thursdays @ GrandPre’s
Danny, Mark & Kent do Happy Hour @ Good Friends
Isaac, Shane & Gerald spending an evening @ Rawhide
Gene & Ivan cocktailing @ Cutter’s
Bartender Jeff serving up OktoberFest to authentic Germans @ Lafitte’s
Bartenders Nic & Roman looking for witches @ Lafitte’s
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The Social Scene ~ New Orleans ~ Photos by Paul Melancon, Rip Naquin
Friday Night Before Mardi Gras’ Twisted Tea Party
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