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the "official" dish by Rip & Marsha Naquin-Delain Email: ripna@ambushmag.com
Easter Season Ends on a Successful Note As of press time, it appears Easter Season will end as a success for the 17th Gay Easter Parade benefiting Food For Friends. The last fundraiser Bunnies in the Big Easy on Good Friday, and the parade on Easter Sunday did not make it into this issue due to print deadlines. All of the exciting details and photos will be in the next issue of Ambush Magazine including the complete 2016 financial report. This Easter Season could not have been accomplished without the help of the entire LGBT+ community. A special salute to Easter Grand Marshals XVII Ken GrandPre and Monica Synclaire-Kennedy, and the entire board of the Gay Easter Parade including Electra City, Tittie Toulouse, Opal Masters, Darwin Reed, Tony Leggio, Steve Patrick, Rona Conners, Rip Naquin and Marsha Delain for their tireless efforts. And of course, none of this would have been possible without the parade's generous sponsors: PRESENTING: Ambush Magazine; PLATINUM: James Garner & EGM XVII Monica Synclaire-Kennedy/The Golden Lantern; GOLD: In Honor of EGM XIII Darwin Reed and EGM VII Opal Masters Wedding, EGM XII Gary Vandeventer, Wedon Brown & Troy Quint/Something Different NOLA, Noel Twilbeck & Glen Kahrman, EGM VIII Michael Elias & EGM XIV Tommy Elias/The Corner Pocket, EGM XVII Ken GrandPre/GrandPre's, Joann & Lisa Guidos/Kajun's Pub, Scott Vincent & Scott McRae, John Groth; SILVER: Krewe of Amon-Ra, Dwain Hertz & Eugene Theriot/Gene's Po-Boys, Mystic Krewe of Satyricon, EGM XV Todd Blauvelt, EGM XV Stuart Nettles & EGM IX Safonda Peters, Bradley Latham, Daniel Morvant & Jon Taylor, Jeff Bater & Tim Irving, EGM XIII Rhonda Roget & David Roget, Wood Enterprises, Persana Shoulders, Jeffrey Palmquist & Coca J. Mesa; BRONZE: GrandPre's Saints Games Fundraiser, Four Seasons Turnabout Show, Paul Melancon, Michael Bingham, Bryon Anderson & Jimmy Mondoro, Butch & Cindy Peno, Robert Cook & John Zeringue, EGM II Larry Bagneris, Jr, EGM X Tony Leggio, In Memory of EGM X Marcy Marcel, EGM XIV Starr Daniels & Justin Moffatt, EGM XVI Misti Ates/Johnny Passion, Sam Stewart, June Pennick, Charles Click, Peter & Frank Abbruscato, Philip A. Palumbo/Felicia Phillips, Jeremy Weinberg, Lee Worrells, Anonymous, Helene Berot, NOLA Softball League, Bootsie DeVille, Orlando Aloe, New Covenant Church NOLA, R&M/In Memory of Allen Miller, Queen Petronius LV Kitty D'Litter; and VENUE/In-Kind: Corner Pocket, Double Play, EGM XVI Deja Deja-Vue’, Four Seasons, GrandPre's, House of Blues/Voodoo Garden, Oz New Orleans, Larry GrahamGrahamStudioOne.com.
14th Spring Fever Extravaganza raises $2,394 @ Four Seasons in Metairie Gay Easter Parade Board of Directors Electra City and Tittie Toulouse hosted the 14th Spring Fever Extravaganza at their club, Four Seasons in Metairie. The annual event raised $2,394 for the Gay Easter Parade benefiting Food For Friends, a vital agency of the NO/AIDS Task Force. It raised $2,194 from the event and $200 in sponsorships. The evening brought Easter Grand Marshal XVII Monica Synclaire-Kennedy, EGM IV Electra City, EGM XI Tittie Toulouse, Miss Gay Louisiana USofA Dominique DeLorean, Queen Petronius LV Kitty D'Litter, Countess C Alice and Taze-Ya Ballz to the stage. Easter Grand Marshal XVII Ken Grand Pre joined the festivities as well as Food For Friends director Glen Kahrman and NO/AIDS Task Force CEO Noel Twilbeck. Kahrman addressed the crowd thanking the Gay Easter Parade for being the largest contributor to the Food For Friends program each year donating over $230,000 for 13 years. In 2015 Food For Friends distributed over 40,000 home delivered meals, 190,000 pounds of groceries, and 9,500 bags of groceries. The event raised 370.00 in door donations, 204.00 in egg raffles, 422.00 in
Gay Easter Parade Highlights/Spring issue due out April 12 DEADLINE: Tues., April 5
inside
celebrazzi/new orleans moments in gay new orleans history spotlight features commentary the real cheese 14th spring fever paparazzi 8th extravaganza paparazzi 17th purple party paparazzi under the gaydar mobile paparazzi
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stage performance tips; and from auctions: 188.00 from Basket Of Love with Dominique DeLorean, 45.00 for Wine Basket from Jake, 60.00 for Republic Skyy Basket from Philip, 20.00 for Grecian Painting from Dakota, 35.00 for GrandPre Basket from Ellen Miller, 60.00 for Bud Light Cooler from Lee, 155.00 for Large Basket from Ellen Miller, 130.00 for Large Basket from Lee, 30.00 for Patio Umbrella from Ellen Miller, 70.00 for Rona Conner's Faux Faberge' Egg from Jason, 45.00 for Candle Basket from Anna Marie, 50.00 for Cork Wreath from Tim & Jeff, 45.00 for Coffee Basket from Ned, 210.00 for Chef Ron's Gumbo Shop Certificate from Jeff, and 55.00 for Bud Light Cooler from Ellen Miller for an event subtotal of 2,194.00; and 100.00 in Bronze sponsorships from Queen Petronius LV Kitty D'Litter, and In Memory of Allen Miller from Rip and Marsha for a grand total of 2,394.00.
8th Eggstravaganza raises $3,102 @ GrandPre's Gay Easter Parade Board's Opal Masters and Darwin Reed hosted the 8th Eggstravaganza at GrandPre's in New Orleans raising $3,102 for the Gay Easter Parade benefiting Food For Friends. The festive evening saw performances by Philip Anthony and Easter Grand Marshal XVII Ken GrandPre as Lana Luscious doing Sonny and Cher, EGM XVII Monica Synclaire-Kennedy, Clorox Bleachman, EGM XIII Rhonda Roget, Jim May and Deja Deja-Vue', and Savana Summers. Food For Friends Director Glen Kahrman and NO/AIDS Task Force CEO Noel Twilbeck joined the festivities. The event raised 615.00 from door donations, 521.00 from stage performance tips, 65.00 from jello shots, 119.00 from 50/50 Raffle, 119.00 from 50/50 Raffle winner Scott; and from auctions: 90.00 for Drown A Drag Queen EGM XVII Lana Luscious (Ken GrandPre), 200.00 for Picnic Basket from Donna, 350.00 for Mardi Gras Basket from James Garner, 400.00 for Romantic Getaway from Kevin Limberg, 100.00 for Malibu Pineapple Basket, 150.00 for Rona Conners Faux Faberge' Egg from Donna, 170.00 for Bud Light Sign from Michael Elias, 60.00 for King's Basket from Grand Reveler II Will Antil, 50.00 for Ladies Basket from King Cake Queen XXII Aubrey Synclaire, 50.00 for Yellow Bunny Basket from Donna, and 40.00 for Candle Basket from Krystal for a grand total of 3,102.00.
17th Purple Party raises $3,555 @ Double Play The Gay Easter Parade Board of Directors hosted the 17th Purple Party Easter Grand Marshals Reception and celebrating the 45th Anniversary of Chuck and Bill at The Double Play in New Orleans. The event raised $3,555 for the Gay Easter Parade benefiting Food For Friends with $3,305 from the event and a Silver $250 sponsorship. Emceed by GEP Board's Tony Leggio and EGM XVII Ken GrandPre, the event brought to the stage EGM XII Monica Synclaire-Kennedy, Angel, Coca J Mesa, Savana Summers, Deanna, and EGM V Princesse Stephaney. The highlight of the event was when New Orleans Human Relations Commission Executive Director Larry Bagneris presented a mayoral certificate to Easter Grand
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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
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Marshals XVII Ken GrandPre and Monica Synclaire-Kennedy. Food For Friends director Glen Kahrman and NO/AIDS Task Force CEO Noel Twilbeck joined the festivities. The event raised 660.00 from door donations, 331.00 from egg raffles, 424.00 from stage performance tips, 157.50 from 50/50 Raffle, 57.50 from 50/50 Raffle winner, and from auctions: 40.00 for Easter Basket from Hoyle Byrd, 90.00 for Bud Light Cooler from Philip, 225.00 for Grey Goose Basket from Gene Theriot, 150.00 for Candle Basket from Elizabeth Bouvier, 285.00 for Bunnies Only Basket from Gene
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Bunny Boys Trey and Nick join Easter Grand Marshals (back) XIV Starr Daniels, XV Stuart Nettles, XII Gary Vandeventer, XI Chuck Turner, II Larry Bagneris, Jr., XII Elizabeth Bouvier, XVII Ken GrandPre, and X Tony Leggio; (front) XIII Rhonda Roget, XI Tittie Toulouse, IV Electra City, IX Safonda Peters and IX Orlando Aloe for the 17th Purple Party Easter Grand Marshals Reception. Hosted at The Double Play in New Orleans, the event also celebrated proprietors Chuck Turner and Bill Miller's 45th anniversary. The annual party raised $3,555 for the 17th Gay Easter Parade benefiting Food For Friends. Photo by Hubert S Monkeys. (www.GayEasterParade.com)
celebrazzi Monica Synclaire-Kennedy and Ken GrandPre receive mayoral certificates in recogniction of their reign as this year's Easter Grand Marshals XVII from City of New Orleans Human Relations Commission Executive Director Larry Bagneris. The presentation highlighted the 17th annual Purple Party Easter Grand Marshals Reception at The Double Play in New Orleans. Photo by Hubert S Monkeys. (www.GayEasterParade.com)
Gay Easter Parade Board of Directors Electra City and Tittie Toulouse are joined on stage by NO/AIDS Task Force CEO Noel Twilbeck for the 14th Spring Fever Extravaganza hosted at their club, Four Seasons in Metairie. The annual event raised $2,394 for the 17th Gay Easter Parade benefiting Food For Friends, a vital service of the NO/AIDS Task Force. According to Twilbeck, the Gay Easter Parade is the largest funder of Food For Friends each year. Photo by Hubert S Monkeys. (www.GayEasterParade.com)
Gay Easter Parade Board of Director Opal Masters joins Easter Grand Marshal XVII Ken GrandPre after leaving the shower for the "Drown A Drag Queen" auction during the 8th Eggstravaganza. Hosted at GrandPre's in New Orleans, the annual event raised $3,102 for the 17th Gay Easter Parade benefiting Food For Friends. The event was co-hosted by GEP Board's Darwin Reed. Photo by Darwin Reed. (www.GayEasterParade.com)
Krewe of Amon-Ra's annual Playboy Bunny Reject contest brought Clorox Bleachman, Juliet Antoinette, 2015 winner Taze-Ya Ballz, 2016 winner Miss July Barbara Ella (King Amon-Ra LI), contestant Miss June Nikki Monroe, contestant Mr. August Trey Schlong, Electra City, and (front) Coca J Mesa to the stage at Oz New Orleans. Not pictured was contestant Miss December Tittie Toulouse. The hysterical afternoon raised funds for the krewe's 52nd Mardi Gras Ball on February 4, 2017. Photo by Darwin Reed. (www.KreweofAmonRa.com)
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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
“Pioneers of Gay Carnival: A Conversation with the Legends” Much of gay history is essentially invisible except for criminal police records and psychiatric medical files. Whatever journals, diaries, letters or photographs our forebears maintained have, for the most part, been lost to history. In many respects, the gay history of New Orleans is similar to those of other cities, which is to say ours is a history of oppression and silence. But in some ways, New Orleans’ gay history is incredibly unique; specifically, the Up Stairs Lounge arson, Southern Decadence, and Gay Carnival are three areas that make our history truly distinctive. While economists and city bureaucrats have studied Southern Decadence and writers and filmmakers are beginning to explore the Up Stairs Lounge fire, Gay Carnival, an incredibly rich historical and complex phenomenon has gone largely unexamined by scholars and researchers. Fortunately, that is beginning to change. “Pioneers of Gay Carnival: A Conversation with the Legends,” a panel discussion, will take place at the Old US Mint on Sunday, April 3, at 2pm. The event is free and open to the public and is being cosponsored by the LGBT+ Archives Project of Louisiana and the Louisiana State Museum. Discussion topics will address gay culture in New Orleans, gay carnival and the formation of gay krewes, organization
of gay groups and AIDS, and gay presence in traditional krewes. Howard Smith, a writer and photographer, will moderate the panel, which will include those who participated in the development of gay carnival in New Orleans. Panelists include: Bill Woolley—founded the Mystic Krewe of Celestial Knights and was a founding member of Petronius, the oldest surviving gay krewe; William Crotty—first king of the Mystic Krewe of Celestial Knights; George Wilson—founded the Krewe of Olympus; Michael Moreau—costume designer for and founding member of the Krewe of Amon-Ra; Lou Bernard—helped found the
spotlight features 33rd French Quarter Fest Kicksoff Festival Season in New Orleans April 7-10 French Quarter Festivals, Inc. proudly announces final details regarding the 33rd annual French Quarter Festival presented by Chevron. The event will take place April 710, 2016. Attendees can expect New Orleans’ finest restaurants at ‘The World’s Largest Jazz Brunch’; music from over 1,700 world-class, local musicians; and four days of fascinating, unique special events like Let Them Talk: Conversations on Louisiana Music, Whitney Bank Film Fest at French Quarter Fest with Timecode: NOLA, and the Chevron Children’s Headquarters and STEAM Zone. French Quarter Festival presented by Chevron was named 2015 “Best Large Festival” in New Orleans by OffBeat Magazine and the “one thing to do in Louisiana” by the Huffington Post. With over 1,700 local musicians, it is considered the largest showcase of Louisiana music in the world and one of the largest events in Louisiana behind Mardi Gras, with an average economic impact of $200 million.
the "official" dish ...from 4 Theriot, 600.00 for Royal Carousel Egg from Wedon Brown, 160.00 for Bud Light Cooler re-auction from Hector, and 125.00 for Jagermeister Basket from Chuck Turner for an event sub-total of 3,305.00, and a 250.00 Silver sponsorship from Jeffrey Palmquist & Coca J. Mesa for a grand total of 3,555.00.
Friends of Frank Perez Cookout Benefit March 30 @ Lafitte's The Sally-FLY's of Southern Decadence fame are hosting a special cookout benefit for Frank Perez since a bad fall landed him in the hospital for two months. He has just returned home. The Sally-FLY Frank Perez Cookout Benefit is set for Wednesday, March 30th beginning at 5pm at Cafe Lafitte in Exile.
Frank Perez Enjoy grilled cheeseburgers with all the fixins by grill master Sally-FLY Jeff Palmquist, Sally-FLY's Rip and Marsha's
Krewe of Olympus; Wendell Stipelcovich—founded the Krewe of Armeinius; Albert Carey—early and current member of Krewe of Armeinius; Don Bury—founded the Lords of Leather; Russell Talluto—king and early member of the Mystic Krewe of Apollo; Gary Martin—founded the Krewe of Polyphemus; Michael Hickerson—founded the Krewe of Polyphemus and the Krewe of Mwindo, the first all-black krewe; Diane Dimiceli—founded the Krewe of Ishtar, the only lesbian krewe in New Orleans. “We expect a packed house at this once-in-a-lifetime event, which is free and open to the public, bringing together the founders and early members of a number of the city’s gay carnival krewes, many of which are still active and others which are long defunct. The information they have to share is of invaluable historical importance, and the Louisiana State Museum is proud to bring these pioneers together for this personal look into one crucial and colorful aspect of our celebration of carnival.” observed Wayne Phillips, Curator of Carnival Collections and Curator of Costumes and Textiles for the Louisiana State Museum. Panel moderator Howard Smith is the author of Unveiling the Muse: Gay Carnival in New Orleans, forthcoming from the University Press of Mississippi. The book will feature a foreword by Henri Schindler. Smith’s work has appeared in numerous publications, including Arthur Hardy’s Mardi
The Very Best Live, Local Music Across 23 Stages, French Quarter Festival Welcomes Smokefree NOLA to Jackson Square, Over Two Dozen New Artists Making their Festival Debuts Year after year, French Quarter Festival is voted ‘locals’ favorite’ while also attracting a tremendous out-of-town audience. A huge part of the appeal is that attendees get a true, authentic New Orleans experience - a broad range of Louisiana artists and a diverse variety of musical styles and genres. Since 1984, French Quarter Festival has been committed to featuring New Orleans’ finest artists on stages all over the French Quarter. The tradition continues in 2016 with the return of 23 stages including two stages that launched last year: the Spanish Plaza Stage sponsored by The Outlet Collection at Riverwalk with Harrah’s New Orleans and the Omni Royal Orleans Stage located at 500 Royal Street. award winning potato salad, Ambush's Paul Melancon's baked beans, Lulu's deviled eggs, Felicia Phillips chips and dip, Dr. Mac's sensational dessert bars, and SallyFLY's Solitaire's fab bread pudding with whiskey sauce. All of this and more for a mere $5 a burger plate. There will also be a 50/50 raffle, and silent auctions. Frank is the proprietor of Crescent City Tour Booking Agency, President of the LGBT+ Archives Project of Louisiana, and a columnist for Ambush Magazine. Stay after, and enjoy Kafe Karoake from 9pm until. Lafitte's is located at 901 Bourbon Street.
Gras Guide, New Orleans Magazine, Les Beaux-Arts and The Journal of Images and Culture. The forthcoming anthology, My Gay New Orleans, will include his short story “Gilbertine Liveaudais.” Smith’s photography is part of the permanent collection of the New Orleans Museum of Art and in the archives of the Getty Center and has been exhibited at the Contemporary Arts Center, Los Angeles County Museum of Art and elsewhere. Smith is a former instructor in the Art History Department at the University of Southern California and currently serves as art director for the university’s library system. Smith will serve as co-curator with Phillips for the 2019 Louisiana State Museum exhibit on the history and artistry of gay carnival in New Orleans, with a focus on the artists who contributed to its design, featuring never-before-exhibited original artwork, costume sketches, poster designs, unique commemorative documents and commissioned paintings. Since the 1980s, the Louisiana State Museum has incorporated gay carnival artifacts The mission of the LGBT+ Archives Project of Louisiana is to promote and encourage the protection and preservation of materials that chronicle the culture and history of Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, & Transgender Community in Louisiana. The Louisiana State Museum will have a small selection of its gay carnival collection on display at “Pioneers of Gay Carnival: A Conversation with the Legends.” Attendees are also encouraged to bring their own memorabilia of gay carnival for display before and after the panel discussion. The Louisiana State Museum will oversee the display. Festival organizers welcome new Jackson Square stage sponsor Smokefree NOLA. The organization will transform Jackson Square into a smoke-free environment all four days of festival. At the Smokefree NOLA Jackson Square Stage, fans can enjoy James Andrews, John Boutté, PresHall Brass, Jeremy Davenport, Delfeayo Marsalis, Ellis Marsalis, Davell Crawford, Shannon Powell, Lena Prima, Paul Sanchez, and many more significant New Orleans musicians. The 2016 French Quarter Festival presented by Chevron brings more than 1,700 local artists and over two dozen new acts. On Locals’ Lagniappe Day, Thursday, April 7, Cowboy Mouth will make their debut on the riverfront Abita Beer Stage. The Louisiana natives have played more than 2,500 concerts, sold more than 500,000 albums, and performed with artists like Bo Diddley. Blues musician Sonny Landreth also makes an April 7 debut on the riverfront Tropical Isle Hand Grenade Stage. Slide-guitarist Landreth has been called “the King of Slydeco” and plays with a strong zydeco influence. A frequent performer at Eric Clapton’s Crossroads Guitar Festival with over a dozen albums, Clapton has called him ‘one of the most advanced guitarists in the world’. Buckwheat Zydeco can claim the three largest selling Zydeco albums of all time. The musician tours the world nonstop, and has gigged with everyone from U2 to Eric Clapton to the Boston Pops. He makes his debut on the Abita Beer Stage Sunday, April 10. Also debuting April 10 is soul singer Jean Knight, whose sassy, funk classic “Mr. Big Stuff” was one of the largest-selling
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8 • The Official Mag© © : AmbushMag.com • Mar c h 29-April 11, 2016 • Of fic ial Gay East er Parade Guide • GayEast erParade.c om
commentary by Frank Perez E-mail: f.perez@sbcglobal.net Photo by: Larry Graham, GrahamStudioOne.COM
The Elephants are Coming Home to Roost For those of you who may not know, I recently underwent spinal cord surgery after taking a nasty spill down a staircase. I spent a few months in the hospital. The surgery was successful and I anticipate a full recovery. I am now convalescing in the warmth and comfort of my French Quarter apartment overlooking the intersection of Royal and St. Ann Streets. While I was in the hospital I tried to read as much as I could but all the medication made concentrating difficult. I watched more television than anything, mostly CNN. My hospital stay coincided with the rise of Donald Trump, which I watched at first with passing curiosity, then increasing interest, and finally a gloating gratitude. Gratitude because it dawned on me that I was witnessing the gradual implosion of the Republican Party. The joy I felt at this phenomenon was tempered only by the fact that hospitals don’t serve popcorn. Despite his incredible success, the GOP establishment hates Trump. Why? It’s not because they disagree with him—on the contrary, Mitch McConnell and Paul Ryan agree with Trump more than they care to admit—but rather because he is not one of them. He never has been. The Republican establishment condemns Trump’s bigoted, Islamophobic, misogynistic, homophobic and racist rhetoric as loathsome but even a cursory review of the GOP platform clearly reveals the Republican Party endorses the very policies and prejudices he espouses.
spotlight feature ...from 7 singles ever released by the legendary Stax label. Other debuts include Amy Nicole & Zydeco Soul, Andre Bohren, Andy J Forest Trio, Bad Penny Pleasuremakers, Caesar Brothers Funk Box, Cha Wa, Chance Bushman & The Ibervillianaires, Charlie Halloran and the Quality 6, Charlie Wooton Project, Daniele Spadavecchia & Sicilian Swing, Dex Daley & Jam-X, Goat in the Road (Comedy Troupe), Little Maker, MainLine, Mason Ruffner, Pascal Valcasara Quartet, Sarah Quintana & the Miss River Band, T’Canaille, Thais Clark & her JAZZsters, The Batture Boys, featuring Tommy Malone and Ray Ganucheau, The Salt Wives, and Wes Raymond &The SOUL Factory.
Tributes to Allen Toussaint: Special Events to Honor the Beloved Performer Allen Toussaint, one of the most influential figures in New Orleans R&B, unexpectedly passed away in November 2015. Earlier that year, French Quarter Festival was honored to feature the celebrated songwriter, record producer, and musician throughout the 2015 French Quarter Festival - with a performance on the riverfront Abita Stage, participation in the Festival’s Let Them Talk symposium to talk about his life and career, and his attendance at the Festival’s Film Fest, where a new film about him was screened. Toussaint was also the 2015 ‘Face of the Festival’, with his photograph gracing the French Quarter Festival publicity and advertising campaigns. In 2016, three special events will honor him. On Sunday, April 10, the festival’s Let Them Talk: Conversations on Louisiana Music symposium will present From Southern Nights to Hall-of-Fame Heights: Remembering Allen Toussaint. During this panel, Grammy-winning record producer Scott Billington and an all-star panel - including another Grammy-winner - the great Irma Thomas; award-winning music journalist and biographer Ben Sandmel; and bassist Roland Guerin - a long-time member of Allen Toussaint’s band - will share Allen Toussaint stories and memories.
At 11am on Friday, April 8 at Whitney Bank Film Fest at French Quarter Festival with Timecode: NOLA, the film A Tribute to Toussaint will be screened to celebrate the life of the late musician, composer, producer, and humanitarian. Additionally, the 2016 Film Fest will be dedicated to the beloved performer. On Friday, April 8, 2016, an official after-party hosted by the House of Blues will honor Allen Toussaint. This special event will be a fundraiser, with proceeds benefiting Toussaint’s foundation - New Orleans Artists Against Hunger and Homelessness (founded by Allen Toussaint & Aaron Neville in 1985). Performers include The Allen Toussaint Band, Leo Nocentelli (The Meters), Big Sam (Big Sam’s Funky Nation), James Andrews, Walter “Wolfman” Washington, Davell Crawford, Robin Barnes, and more. Doors open at 8pm for the 9pm show. Tickets range from $35-$70 and are available at http:// www.houseofblues.com/neworleans/ or the House of Blues Box Office at 225 Decatur Street, New Orleans (504.310.4975).
A Showcase of New Orleans’ Finest Cuisine In a city famous for its wealth of delicious, decadent, and unique food, French Quarter Festival gives attendees a taste of the best of the best at the ‘The World’s Largest Jazz Brunch’. Over 60 vendors feature classic New Orleans dishes as well as cuisine from the finest chefs in the region. In 2016, French Quarter Festival welcomes vendors Andrea’s Restaurant, Big Cheezy, The Blue Restaurant and Oyster Bar, Dirty Dishes, Diva Dawg, Kingfish Kitchen and Cocktails, Miss Linda The Yakamein Lady, Petite Rouge Café Camionette, The Rum House, and Whoodoo BBQ with menu items that range from Eggplant Crab Cake Meunière to Dirty Mac ‘n Cheese, Gumbo Dawg, and Fried Pork Chop Sandwiches. In order to maintain the authenticity and quality of the cuisine, the Jazz Brunch Committee evaluated each new vendor to ensure they meet specific criteria for participating. A number of restaurants have been with the festival since its beginning in 1984:
Some have questioned whether Trump actually believes his own inflammatory campaign rhetoric. He is, after all, intelligent. And he has managed to succeed in the second most liberal city in the country (hats off to San Francisco for taking top honors in that category). Trump himself has freely admitted his cozy relationship with Democratic politicians. He breezily explains away such relationships as routine for a shrewd businessman. So does he really believe his own oratory? Or are his bombastic comments insincere strips of red meat carefully cut for his supporters? And just who, exactly, are these Trump supporters? Pollsters and researchers are quick to point out that many (though certainly not all) of his supporters are poor and uneducated. In other words, the Republican base, especially in the South. Trump would not be doing as well as he is in the Republican primaries if the Republican Party base was not filled with ignorant rednecks. That says just as much about the Republican Party as it does about Trump. And therein lies the delicious irony of Trump’s success. For decades the GOP has advanced an agenda that rejects science, undervalues education, exploits Christianity, affirms racism, enriches the 1%, and more than anything else, stokes fear and anger among the electorate. So successful have they been in their propaganda and manipulation that poor and middle class white voters consistently vote Republican, even if it is against their own best interests. From Reagan to Bu$h & Co., the formula was the same: during an election year, stir up the right with—take a pick—abortion, marriage equality, immigration, ebola, socialism, etc. and make that issue an imminent threat. Never discuss the real issues that actually affect people’s lives (income inequality, the cost of health care,
the failed war on drugs, etc.). And try, as hard as it may be, to not comment on “legitimate rape.” Do talk about family values, even if you are indulging a diaper fetish with hookers or having gay sex on the down-low in airport bathrooms. The hypocrisy and absurdity of it all never mattered. The formula was incredibly effective and the entrenched GOP politicians had a stranglehold on their own power. In short, it worked. Until “The Donald” threw his hat in the ring. Because he is financing his own campaign, Trump is unfettered by the need to be diplomatic and politically correct. By saying what the establishment believes in vulgar and course terms, Trump has brilliantly usurped the Republican base. And now the GOP bigwigs do not know what to do. Ted Cruz, who is just as terrifying as Trump if not more so, has offered himself as an alternative. But Cruz’s fellow senators can’t stand him. It really says something when a group of colossal assholes think you’re an even bigger asshole. And that leaves poor John Kasich, the only Republican candidate who could possibly win a general election. For this reason, he doesn’t stand a chance. The Republican National Convention is slated for July and the upper echelons of the GOP are worried. They are already plotting ways to deny Trump the nomination. Speculation is rampant that the convention will be brokered or contested. And great is the fear that if Trump is rebuffed, he will run as a third party candidate, thus throwing the election to the Democrats. There are even whispers that the GOP may be irrevocably ripped apart. One can only hope. No one—not even Wolf Blitzer—knows for certain what will happen at the GOP convention. As for me, all I know is that I will be stocked up on popcorn before it starts.
Desire Oyster Bar, Court of Two Sisters, Pat O’Brien’s, Trey Yuen, Tujague’s, and Vaucresson Sausage. Other festival favorites return for 2016, including Antoine’s, Bennachin, Dickie Brennan’s Bourbon House, Galatoire’s, GW Fins, House of Blues, Jacques-Imo’s, K-Paul’s, Lasyone’s Meat Pies, Love at First Bite, Mrs. Wheat’s, Muriel’s Jackson Square, Praline Connection, Restaurant R’evolution, Ruth’s Chris Steak House, Three Muses, and more. Also returning is the NOLA.com Eat, Drink, Café picnic area located at Woldenberg Riverfront Park. In addition, the official schedule includes a tribute to beloved Chef and festival restaurant vendor, Chef Paul Prudhomme.
In addition, THNOC has established the Paul M. Haygood Fund to honor the founder of the decorative arts database and fellowship program, which will become known as the Classical Institute of the South at The Historic New Orleans Collection. “The Historic New Orleans Collection is honored to continue the work of the Classical Institute of the South, which traditionally brings together the Louisiana State Museum, New Orleans Museum of Art, LSU Museum of Art and other area museums to assist in accomplishing its goals,” said Priscilla Lawrence, executive director at THNOC. “Preserving social history by recording the material culture of the Gulf South is an integral part of The Collection’s mission.” The CIS operates as an online database for the decorative arts and offers summer fellows opportunities for field research to document material objects in private collections in Louisiana, Mississippi and Alabama. The information gathered provides researchers and the public access to a wealth of previously unexplored treasures. These endeavors complement THNOC’s long-running commitment to decorative arts scholarship, exemplified in the award-winning book “Furnishing Louisiana: Creole and Acadian Furniture, 1735–1835” and the research database connected to that publication. “The Classical Institute of the South expands our knowledge of southern mate-
New for 2016: The official festival app, developed by GE Digital, is now integrated with Google maps, allowing attendees to easily pinpoint vendor locations and travel times. The app includes a new search function that will allow fans to search for favorite foods by name in addition to name and location. For more information about French Quarter Festivals, Inc. or any of these events, call 504.522.5730 or visit www.fqfi.org.
THNOC to incorporate the Classical Institute of the South The Historic New Orleans Collection has expanded its research operations to include the Classical Institute of the South.
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the real cheese by Felicia Phillips Email: fphillips1011@gmail.com Photo by Hubert S Monkeys
Stop the Madness My day job is that of a bartender and as one I know the two things that should never be discussed in a bar; religion and politics. I have broken that golden rule on occasion and I must admit with the current political circus that is going on it has become a hard rule to keep, mainly because I have a brain and a heart. As a columnist for a LGBT magazine most of my writings are whimsical satire, or just dishing dirt in a humorous and hopefully never malicious manner. That being said the antics that we have all been witness to give the writers at SNL enough material to last a generation, so of course I could take the time to throw out many of the jokes that are ripe for the picking. Like how Ted Cruz actually looks like a young grandpa Munster, or that with his skin tone, Trump would be a better leader of the Oompa Loopa’s than of the American people, or that with all his money he could surely afford at least one good wig! But in good conscience I know how serious of a situation we as a people are facing and it’s more than surreal as I have good friends and some family that are supporting this insanity. I love them just the same and can only say bless their hearts and offer to help do fundraisers if they decide to seek treatment for their obvious mental issues. So in this edition of the cheese I will try to not focus on either party or any one person running. I will tell you all I have voted for both Democrats and Republicans and am a registered independent, and I have no shame in saying I do feel the Bern, and this time not from having an STD. I will instead try to bring to light what I see is as now being openly exposed, and that is the fact that racism, bigotry and pure hatred of differences between people of all races, religions, sexual orientations and genders is still very much alive. After the civil rights victories of the sixties for a good long time things seemed to be progressing, albeit slowly to the next human rights battles, whether it be the disabled, immigrants, or closer to home, the LGBT community. As with any wound it takes time to heal and first the wound must scab over, I think for the last several decades when it comes to the wound of bigotry it has just been scabbed over, at least not bleeding or infected but not yet truly healed. I did not vote for Barack Obama, and it had nothing to do with his race, but once he was elected and I listened to his acceptance speech that brought tears to my face I was filled with the hope that the day had finally come that would change even the most hate filled hearts for good. Though I still believe it was a huge step in the right direction, what it did was rip the scab off, as people who had suppressed their deep instilled bigotry started using politics as a mask for their hate. Never saying they were against anything the president did merely because he is a man of color, when of course that is exactly the reason. Fast forward to the day Obama came out in support of gay marriage, I was run-
ning the shop which is now Bourbon Pride, I often stood in the doorway watching and listening to the tourists that passed by. Up until that day I can say that I had experienced nothing anti-gay, other than the occasional person that would come in not realizing we were a gay business, the sex toys never bothered them, but when they would see gay pride merchandise they would usually say, oh I didn’t know this was that kind of shop. In fact, many straights came to show support for gay friends and family members by making purchases. But on that day for the first time since I was a teenager I heard the word faggot used in the worst way and more than once. The worst I heard, word for word was ‘that F@#king N*gg#r is going to let the faggots have everything now. I knew then the old wound was going to get much worse before it got better. So today when I started to write this column I thought about the dribble that Trump and Cruz and others have been spewing, especially about overturning the Supreme Court’s decision that legalized same sex marriage and wondered if the owners or employees of the shop had experienced anything that they would consider to be blatant homophobia or even just an air of LGBT bigotry. Bourbon Pride co-owner Joseph Hart was quick to respond and what he told me literally made me sick. He verified that not only was it still going on but that it was much worse. In his words he said that not a day goes by that he or partner Josh, or their employees are not called fags or some other slur, but he just last week was called a faggot and spit on standing in that same door that I merely overheard a drunk’s hate filled rant. He recounted a story of two older ladies being in the shop during a busy time who asked him to use his smart phone to look up something for them, when he said he was busy at the moment they responded, yea that’s what’s wrong with your kind, if we were two hot guys you would stop everything to help us, F you faggot and left! But the most horrific thing he told me was that last Mardi Gras two guys from OKC came into the shop that was filled with customers and pulled guns, threatened to kill people just for being gay! Thank God the NOPD was quick to respond and they were arrested and charged with multiple felonies. But just to prove how things are so surreal, the perps tried to sue the shop! Figure that one out, sounds like Trump, opps I promised I wouldn’t get political so I digress. Hopefully anyone who reads this will understand what I’m trying to convey. The current political arena is breeding this kind of mentality and we cannot let it prevail, so in the words of my friend Ramon Rivera, ’STOP THE MADNESS!’ And hopefully appealing to those of you still have hope in the Republican Party, at least when it comes to demagogues remember the words of Nancy Reagan….JUST SAY NO!! I promise next issue will be back spilling tea and just telling you about passing a
book review Stealing America: What My Experience with Criminal Gangs Taught Me about Obama, Hillary, and the Democratic Party by Frank Perez Dinesh D’Souza. Broadside Books, Harper Collins Publishers. 2015. 349 pages. I normally don’t review political books; typically, the books I review in this space have LGBT or New Orleans subject matter. Stealing America has neither. Rather, this tome is a long and drawn out attack on President Obama, Secretary Clinton, the Democratic Party, and the left in general. It was painful to read. A very conservative friend insisted I read it and since it is an election year, I obliged him. Know your enemy, I thought to myself. D’Souza conceived of the book while he was “doing time” in a half-way house for campaign finance violations. No stranger to right-wing conservative ideology—he once asserted that liberals caused the terrorist attacks on 9/11—D’Souza essentially argues that Barack Obama and Hillary Clinton (and by extension, the Democratic Party) are guided by the same criminal impulses and principles that govern thugs and street gangs. The book opens with a recounting of D’Souza’s illegal campaign contribution and subsequent trial and sentence (eight months in a half-way house). The author maintains his prosecution and unusually stiff penalty were retribution by the Obama administration for his 2010 book, The Roots of Obama’s Rage, and his 2012 documentary film, 2016: Obama’s America. While in the half-way house, D’Souza encountered hardened criminals, especially gang members, and it is these people with whom he compares Obama and Clinton. These comparisons are strained at best and ridiculous at worst. The primary flaw in D’Souza’s thinking is his conflation of redistributing wealth with theft. He also fundamentally mischaracterizes, and thus misunderstands, a key influence in both Obama’s and Clinton’s lives—the Chicago based pioneer of community organizing, Saul Alinsky. Alinsky’s name is anathema to many conservative pundits, who assume he was a dark lord of the commie-left Sith. In reality, Alinsky’s works have been used as training materials for none other than Dick Armey’s FreedomWorks, which was used to train Tea Party candidates. But the chief error in D’Souza’s argument is his assumption that liberals are driven by corrupt motives.
spotlight features ...from 9 rial culture because it maintains the history of objects in private collections and allows us to share them online so anyone can see them,” said Lydia Blackmore, curator of decorative arts at THNOC and former summer fellow at the CIS. “It is a great opportunity to develop our research and preservation efforts in that area.” After establishing the CIS, Paul Haygood approached THNOC about carrying the initiative into the future. His untimely death in 2015 precipitated THNOC’s move. Matthew Thurlow, executive director of the Decorative Arts Trust and former chair of the CIS board of directors, will lead an advisory committee to aid in the CIS’s new role at THNOC. The Paul M. Haygood Fund will support these efforts. “This development reinforces a wellestablished and highly valued relationship between the CIS and THNOC, two organizations that have collaborated since the CIS’s inception under the direction and vision of our late founder and chairman,” said Thurlow. “We are honored to have the opportunity to continue working with THNOC’s talented leadership and staff, while bringing noteworthy examples of the Gulf South’s rich material culture history to light.” To manage the database and the fellowship program, THNOC will hire a fulltime CIS coordinator and research curator. Applications for this position, as well as the summer fellowship program, are now posted on THNOC’s website. Founded in 1966, The Historic New Orleans Collection is a museum, research center and publisher dedicated to the study good time! Till then dahlings, I’m Felicia Phillips, The Cheese Queen of New Orleans...
and preservation of the history and culture of New Orleans and the Gulf South. For more information, visit www.hnoc.org or call 504.523.4662.
"Straight Outta New Orleans" Set for April 9 Local photographer Arthur Severio’s debut exhibit, “Straight Outta New Orleans,” will be held on April 9 from 11am to 1pm at the artist’s French Quarter studio at 834 Chartres Street. The exhibit will showcase some of the things people love about New Orleans and feature some color and some black and white photographs of recent works, including photos from the Allan Touissant memorial. Severio, a long-time New Orleans fixture and performer, studied portraiture at The New York Institute of Photography.
Lords of Leather Crawfish Boil Join the Lords of Leather on Friday, April 29 for their annual crawfish boil. Starting at 6pm the Lords will serve up your favorite springtime seafood along with all the “fixins” for just $10 at the Phoenix Bar, 941 Elysian Fields Avenue. Afterwards the Lords will hold their 5th Friday in April Beer Bust on the patio until midnight. Ten dollars gets you all the beer or soda you can swallow plus snacks (in case you’re still hungry). Jello shots will be available too. So come out and enjoy a great Louisiana springtime tradition and get yourself some “mudbugs” and beer!
Next Deadline Tues., April 5th - 504.522.8049
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14th Spring Fever Extravaganza raises $2,394 for Gay Easter Parade/Food For Friends @ Four Seasons ~ Metairie, LA ~ Photos by Hubert S Monkeys
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8th Eggstravaganza raises $3,102 for Gay Easter Parade/Food For Friends @ GrandPre's ~ New Orleans ~ Photos by Darwin Reed
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17th Purple Party raises $3,555 for Gay Easter Parade/Food For Friends @ The Double Play ~ New Orleans
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~ Photos by Tony Leggio, Paul Melancon, Hubert S Monkeys
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under the gaydar by Tony Leggio Email: ledgemgp@gmail.com Photo by: Larry Graham
Bartender of the Month We are so spoiled in the Crescent City when it comes to bartenders, we have so many great people working in this industry. They understand key aspects of their job like customer service, speed and just how to make a great drink. I especially am enthusiastic when I meet someone who not only has those three qualities, but embodies Southern Hospitality perfectly even if they are not originally from here. My choice for bartender of the month for April is Cullen Lawlor from Cafe Lafitte in Exile. Originally from Boston, Lawlor has spent a little over three years in our fair city and has worked at Lafitte’s for over a year. He moved to the city because of family and fell in love with it. Cullen is one of those master bartenders who works his bar professionally and with style. He is funny, amicable and definitely easy on the eyes. But as we all know looks is what gets people’s attention, but substance keeps them coming back for more. And this young man has plenty of that. A favorite with locals and visitors, he works his downstairs corner of the bar efficiently. He loves making upscale drinks like Cosmopolitans, Manhattans and Martinis. Add to his proficiency at these craft cocktails, his fervor and promptness with service are also among his attributes. He enjoys bartending because he loves the environment, he makes his own hours and he gets to wear costumes from time to time especially in New Orleans. When he is out and about having drinks, his favorite libation of choice is vodka, soda with lime. Cullen has also created his own specialty shot entitled the Screaming Bachelorette (god we have a lot of those in town at any given time). It is like a twist on a Lemon Drop that has Pineapple Juice, Malibu Rum, Midori and Lime Juice. So come out to Lafitte’s in Exile (901 Bourbon Street) and say hi to Cullen. I am sure he can create a concoction that will make you scream even though you are not a bachelorette.
Hot Happenings With the Spring holidays over, we turn now to Festival season. French Quarter Festival, Jazz Fest and an array of other celebratory events will keep our calendars full this April. Here are just some of my top picks of things to do. Friday, April 1 – Sunday, April 3, 2016 The 2016 Saints and Sinners (SAS) LGBT literary conference will feature a diverse array of artistic and educational offerings in its 2016 program with guest speakers including Dorothy Allison, Alexander Chee, Jewelle Gomez and Andrew Holleran. The annual conference, which runs concurrently with the The Tennessee Williams/New Orleans Literary Festival, will take place at the Hotel Monteleone. SAS weekend pass holders will enjoy a “Glitter with the Literati” welcome recep-
Barterder of the Month Cullen Lawlor @ Cafe Lafitte in Exile tion on Friday, April 1 at the historic Gallier House in the French Quarter. Panel discussions, a reading series sponsored by the J.B. Harter Trust, and the Seventh Annual SAS Short Fiction Contest Book Launch Party will round out the conference events. Featured writers: Author and humorist Fay Jacobs will present Aging Gracelessly: 50 Shades of Fay, her critically acclaimed one-woman performance sharing stories from the LGBT community on tackling life, liberty, and the aging process. Not Just Another Face will pair stories and poetry with photographs of go-go dancers taken by San Francisco artist Dot (Tom Schmidt). Featuring the collection of nonfiction narratives, Crooked letter I: Coming out in the South, will allow contributors to discuss the project as well as their experiences with sexual identity in Southern society. The three-day event also includes noted speakers such as: • Dorothy Allison, author of Bastard Out of Carolina, a National Book award finalist, and the novel Cavedweller • Alexander Chee, author of The Queen of the Night and Edinburgh • Michael Thomas Ford, award-winning author of more than 60 books including the forthcoming Lily • Jewelle Gomez, double Lambda Literary Award-winning author of the vampire series The Gilda Stories, which is celebrating its 25th anniversary • Aaron Hamburger, author of Faith for Beginners and the story collection The View From Stalin’s Head • Andrew Holleran, chronicler of gay life in his prolific journalism, novels, memoirs, nonfiction, and plays • Michele Karlsberg, publicity and marketing expert • Sassafras Lowrey, 2013 Lambda Literary Emerging Writer Award winner and author of Lost Boi and Leather Ever After • Mark Merlis, Ferro-Grumly awardwinner and author of JD and An Arrow’s Flight • Felice Picano, acclaimed author
of over 30 books of poetry, fiction, memoirs, nonfiction, and plays • J.M. Redmann, Lambda Literary winner for her mystery series featuring New Orleans PI Micky Knight Conference pass holders will receive 20% off all Tennessee Williams/New Orleans Literary Festival events, including special events such as the Tennessee Williams Tribute Reading at Jaxs on on the River featuring celebrities and authors: interviewer and raconteur extraordinaire Dick Cavett; Pulitzer Prize-winning playwright, Beth Henley; and actresses Estelle Parsons and Mary Badham, among others. Founded in collaboration with NO/AIDS Task Force, Saints and Sinners (SAS) began as a creative outlet to showcase the LGBT literary community and offer HIV/ AIDS information. Since 2003, Saints and Sinners Literary Festival (www.sasfest.org) brings together the who’s who of the LGBT literary world. The Festival features panels and master classes by authors, editors, and publishers for emerging writers and LGBT literature fans. For more information or tickets, go to www.tennesssewilliams.net. Friday, April 1, 2016 Join the Big Easy Sisters for Sisteroke at Tulane Avenue Bar (3813 Tulane Ave.) from 7 – 9:30pm. This fun evening will be here now the first Friday of every month! Come sing w/ the Big Easy Sisters and then stay after to see Vanessa Carr perform. Friday, April 1 – Sunday, April 17, 2016 The Tennessee Williams Theatre Company of New Orleans in Conjunction with The Tennessee Williams/New Orleans Literary Festival Presents Two WORLD PREMIERE Tennessee Williams Plays & A Rarely Produced Gem in Tennessee Williams: Weird Tales. The show is a trio of surprising one-act plays including the world premieres of Ivan’s Widow and The Strange Play. Ivan’s Widow (c.1982) is the story of young woman who can’t face her husband’s death and turns to a psychotherapist whose intentions are not entirely benign. In The Strange Play (c.1939) a woman’s entire life flashes before our eyes as a macabre spectacle in a French Quarter courtyard. Steps Must Be Gentle (c.1980) features poet Hart Crane and his mother Grace returning from the dead to spar one last time at the bottom of the ocean. It’s a delightful night of theater, showcasing the side of Williams that is fanciful, visionary, musical, heartbreaking, and steadfastly poetic. Tennessee Williams: Weird Tales is Co-Directed by Augustin J Correro and Nick Shackleford and features Maggie Eldred, David Williams, Emily Russell, Alexandra Kennon, John Giardina, Christopher Grim, and Andrew King. All Shows are at 8pm. Performances are April 1-17, Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays. Opening Weekend Ticket Sales Partially Benefits the Tennessee Williams/New Orleans Literary Festival. The show takes place at 6200 St Charles Avenue. Tickets: (Patrons Age 16 & Above Recommended/Adult Theme) $25 (General Admission); $20 (Student/Senior); $20 (Theatre Professionals); $50 (Opening Night General Admission Includes Champagne Toast and Signed Souvenir Poster); $35 (Opening Night Student/Senior/Theatre Professionals - Includes Champagne Toast and Souvenir Poster); $15 (Preview Performances March 29-31). For more information visit the
website www.twtheatrenola.com, or call at:504.264.2580. Saturday, April 2, 2016 Bridge House/Grace House is proud to invite you to attend the Cochon Cotillion 20. Honoring as their royalty will be King James Carville and Queen Mary Matalin. This legendary event is a true parody of traditional black-tie galas and of the more customary Mardi Gras Balls. For this very special 20th anniversary, the illustrious and prestigious former royalty will participate as well. It is a virtual who’s who of New Orleans finest citizens! The event will be at Blaine Kern’s Mardi Gras World (Eastbank, 1380 Port of New Orleans Place) from 7 – 11pm. Along with their amazing royal guests there will be a marvelous party with a live band, a mini Mardi Gras parade, celebrity emcees, awesome food from local restaurants, libations, a large silent auction and a raffle. This will be the first ball of the 2017 Carnival season and promises to be terrific fun! For one night, guests will be able to unwind and party as only New Orleanians can. THE premier fundraising event for Bridge House/ Grace House, where not only will everyone have an amazing time, but crucial funds will be raised. For tickets and more information, go to www.bridgehouse.org. Sunday, April 3, 2016 The Louisiana State Museum presents a panel discussion addressing topics of gay culture in New Orleans, gay carnival and the formation of gay krewes, organization of gay groups and AIDS, and gay presence in traditional krewes. Howard Smith, author of the forthcoming book “Unveiling the Muse: Gay Carnival in New Orleans,” will moderate the panel which includes those who participated in the development of organized gay carnival in New Orleans. The discussion will take place at the Old US Mint (400 Esplanade Avenue) from 2- 4pm. Guests include Bill Woolley, Bill Crotty, George Wilson, Mike Moreau, Lou Bernard, Albert Carey, Don Bury, Russell Talluto, Gary Martin, Michael Hickerson, Diane Dimiceli, and Wendell Stipelcovich. A small selection of the museum’s gay carnival collection will be on display. Attendees are encouraged to bring their own memorabilia of gay carnival for display before and after the panel discussion. The LGBT+ Archives Project of Louisiana will be co-sponsoring this FREE event. For more information visit LouisianaStateMuseum.org. Sunday, April 3, 2016 Brunch Fest NOLA, benefiting the animals of the Louisiana SPCA takes place at City Park, in front of the New Orleans Museum of Art. This FREE admission pet friendly fest features live music: The Messy Cookers Jazz Band, Shades of Praise Gospel Choir, and KinFolk Brass Band. Dress in your most festive brunch attire or costume and enjoy brunch-inspired restaurants, breakfast style cocktails, beer and wine, see LA/SPCA adoptables, shop unique fest vendors and much more! There’s even the premiere Best Bloody Mary in NOLA Contest! To enter as a Professional or an Amateur, visit www.la-spca.org/ brunchfestcontest for official rules and to sign up. More info can be found at www.laspca.org/brunchfest. Outside food and beverage prohibited.
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under the gaydar ...from 18 Sunday, April 3, 2016 Please join Lambda Legal’s New Orleans Leadership Committee for their 3nd annual Crawfish Boil. The $50.00 ticket price includes: crawfish box, and two drinks (domestic, Abita, or sangria). Come learn more about recent legal victories and how you can help Lambda Legal make the case for Equality. Advanced ticket purchase is required. For tickets and more information, go to www.lambdalegal.org. Tuesday, April 5 – Sunday, April 10, 2016 As part of their 50th Anniversary Season, the critically acclaimed and awardwinning Roundabout Theatre Company is proud to present, direct from Broadway, the national tour of Sam Mendes (Spectre, American Beauty) and Rob Marshall’s (Into the Woods and Chicago, the films) Tony Award®-winning production of CABARET, as part of the East Jefferson General Hospital Broadway in New Orleans 2015 - 2016 season. Randy Harrison, best known for his portrayal of Justin in the Showtime drama “Queer as Folk,” will step into the role of the Emcee while Andrea Goss, a veteran of Roundabout’s CABARET on Broadway will return to the role of Sally Bowles. Joining them are Shannon Cochran (August: Osage County) as Fraulein Schneider, Alison Ewing (Cabaret/Broadway,) as Fraulein Kost, Mark Nelson (Picasso at the Lapin Agile) as Herr Schultz, Ned Noyes (You Can’t Take It With You) as Ernst Ludwig and Lee Aaron Rosen (The Normal Heart) as Clifford Bradshaw. John Kander, Fred Ebb and Joe Masteroff’s Tony-winning musical features some of the most memorable songs in theatre history, including “Cabaret,” “Willkommen” and “Maybe This Time.” CABARET is set in the infamous Kit Kat Klub, where the Emcee, Sally Bowles and a raucous ensemble take the stage nightly to tantalize the crowd––and to leave their troubles outside. Tickets for CABARET start at $30 and will be available at the Saenger Theatre Box Office, BroadwayInNewOrleans.com, all Ticketmaster outlets and by calling 800.982.2787. Wednesday, April 6, 2016 Join the April commUNITY® speak out as they host BreakOUT who seeks to end the criminalization of lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and questioning (LGBTQ) youth to build a safer and more just New Orleans. BreakOUT builds on the rich cultural tradition of resistance in the South to build the power of LGBTQ youth ages 13-25 and directly impacted by the criminal justice system through youth organizing, healing justice, and leadership development programs. Come learn and see how you can get involved. The event takes place at 741 Bourbon St. from 7 – 8pm. RSVP as seats are limited - https:// www.eventbrite.com/e/community-speakout-breakout-tickets-23010570235. Saturday, April 9, 2016 A celebration of the culture of New Orleans with photographs by Arthur Severio will take place on French Quarter Fest Saturday at Fee and Arts Revival Studio (834 Chartres St.) from 11am – 1pm. This show is entitled Straight Outta New Orleans.
Sunday, April 10, 2016 Join HRC for their first ever “Family Day” at New Orleans City Park from 2 – 5pm. Bring your family and friends out for a casual day of hanging out with the New Orleans Steering Committee to meet and celebrate our wonderful community! HRC Family Day Festivities will take place at Shelter #1, this covered, open-air structure is located near the Carousel Garden Amusement Park on Stadium Drive, and is equipped with picnic tables, on-site restrooms and lights. There is ample parking nearby. Special thanks to our sponsor, Delaney & Robb Attorneys at Law, for helping to make this happen and for always being a wonderful partner with HRC! Wednesday, April 13, 2016 Live Nation presents the Divas of Drag at the House of Blues (225 Decatur Street) starting at 8pm. LRI Talent & Management, FauxReal Entertainment and sbgProductions have teamed up with Live Nation Entertainment to present the DIVAS OF DRAG. This tour stars reality television’s most popular drag queens including Latrice Royale, Alyssa Edwards, Trixie Mattel, Mimi Imfurst, Milk, Jujubee, Yara Sophia, Kennedy Davenport, Laganja Estranja, Gia Gunn, Mystique Summers, Roxxxy Andrews, Stacey Lane Matthews, Tatianna, and Penny Tration. Vicky Voxx and Wendy Ho. In DIVAS OF DRAG seventeen of America’s biggest drag superstars will kick, split, lipsync and sing their hearts out in the biggest most fabulous drag revue ever! For tickets go to http://www.houseofblues.com/ neworleans. Friday, April 15, 2016 Summer is approaching, and that means it’s time for “Sippin’ in Seersucker,” an evening of Southern art, cocktails, live music, delicious cuisine, fashion and shopping. A benefit for the Ogden Museum of Southern Art, Sippin’ is in its twelfth year of collaboration between the Museum and the Shops at Canal Place. Attendees are encouraged to don seersucker and celebrate the start of the summer social season in style. Enjoy an evening of light bites, Southern cocktails, shopping specials, entertainment from some of the city’s best performers, and deluxe raffles. The evening will culminate in a seersucker sartorial contest judged by L. Kasimu Harris and Tracee Dundas! The event is from 6 - 9pm at The Shops at Canal Place (333 Canal St.). Dress: Southern cocktail; Seersucker, preferred! Entertainment: Live music from Luke Winslow King & Smoking Time Jazz Band. Contest: Best seersucker ensembles—the winners get a special prize! Raffle: Gift packages ranging from handmade craft items from the Center for Southern Craft & Design, to beer and wine packages that will satiate your cravings for months. Food: Refreshments will be provided by some of the city’s best restaurants! Libations: Open bar included with ticket. Shop: The Shops at Canal Place will have special sales promotions; Parking: Complimentary provided by the Berger and Ogden Families. Tickets: Advance tickets: $30 members and $50 non-members. Tickets at the door: $40 members and $60 non-members. Information and to order tickets: www.ogdenmuseum.org/events/sippin or call (504) 539-9650. Saturday, April 16, 2016 The Krewe of Armeinius cordially in-
vites you to the 2016 Glitter and Be Gay at 433 N. Broad Street welcoming all Krewes and Gay Organizations, specifically encouraging all Royalty and Officers to wear their Crowns, Pins, Sashes and Mantles of Authority. All guests are requested to wear dress attire. Music and beautiful decorations and fabulous pieces of art will make this a night to remember and an event not to miss. They are asking for a $25.00 donation to attend. An amazing array of gifts will be auctioned by silent auction that will start closing at 9:30pm. The event time is 7 – 10pm. Saturday, April 16, 2016 Shining A Light on Anna’s Place NOLA: The 6th Annual Dodwell House Extravaganza will be from 7 – 10pm at St. Paul’s Episcopal School (6249 Canal Boulevard). The evening will feature local cuisine and beverages, The Tom Cats, The Treme Choir, Live and Silent Auctions, Original Artwork by Nurhan Gokturk and the event is hosted by Tony Leggio and Elizabeth Bouvier. Tickets start at $100 and can be purchased at https://stannanola.com.
Party Down By the time you read this Easter has already hopped down the Bunny Trail and we are onto Festival season. Music, food and culture are in our future for the month of April, so get ready. My two weeks prior to Easter was full of exciting fundraisers, parades, parties and a little luck of the Irish, so let us get started. My week started off on Tuesday with dinner with mom at one of my newest restaurant discoveries, Marcello’s Restaurant and Wine Bar. I am obsessed with this place. We went to the one in Metairie, but they also have locations in the New Orleans Central Business District and Lafayette. Born in Sicily and raised in New Orleans, the founders use the freshest ingredients that reflect authentic Sicilian cuisine with a touch of Northern Italy. But my favorite part is their wine selection. Their wine concept is giving guests the choice to browse their racks and make their selection from their value priced wines. The wine pricing is slightly above wine boutique prices, but far below traditional restaurant wine list mark-ups. And the food and service is exquisite, definitely a must try restaurant. The following day, I went to see Book of Mormon at the Saenger Theatre. But before that a friend and I went to happy hour at the Bombay Club. Hands down this is one of the best happy hours in the city. From 4 – 8pm they serve three dollar wine and appetizers. And this is not just any regular bar apps. This is incredible gourmet light bites and good wine selections. You can literally have an early light diner with drinks for under $25, amazing! Book of Mormon was another home run for the Saenger. It was funny, clever and risqué. But I must be jaded because people were warning me I was going to find several things in it that were offensive. The fact that nothing in the show offended me made me cringe. On Thursday, I celebrated my friend Barrett’s birthday with dinner at Superior Grill which is still one of the best social places to have a margarita in the city. Friday, I kicked off the weekend at the Four Seasons with their Spring Fever Fundraiser for the Gay Easter Parade. It was a great evening in the patio with wonderful enter-
tainers. It is always good to see the community come together for a good cause and all these Easter events are just downright fun, each one a little different than the other. After, I returned back to NOLA to catch the drag show at the Double Play. In case you have not been lately, the whole vibe and crowd has changed. Saturday I went to Contessa Breaux’s new Uptown home right off of Magazine Street to catch the Irish Parade. I love this parade mostly because it is all families and friends who line the streets having fun, drinking and enjoying the good cheer. And even though we were not on the Avenue, I like this new route. And anytime I get a chance to attend one of Contessa Breaux’s soirees I feel honored. The lady knows how to host a party. After the parade, I went home did a quick costume change and then was off to GrandPre’s for the Gay Easter Parade Eggstravaganza fundraiser. It was packed in the bar as we enjoyed auctions and performers and even got a chance to witness Ken GrandPre with Philip Anthony bring Sonny Bono back from the dead. And Ken’s Cher was just special. All and all another great Easter event that all leads up to the main event. Sunday was Amon-Ra’s Playboy Bunny Reject event at Oz. This is always a popular fundraiser for the krewe. This year’s contestants gave it their all with Barbra Ella being victorious and obtaining bragging rights as the winner of this year’s grand prize. Next, I stopped at Halloween New Orleans Host thank you party at Lazarus House. Yes, we have started the Halloween New Orleans fundraisers. You ever feel like our holidays just blend right into one another. It was a lovely afternoon to hang out at the facility where all the monies raised from Halloween New Orleans goes to. It was nice taking a tour and seeing all the good things being done by this organization. On Tuesday the next week, I went to dinner at one of my favorite new restaurants in the city, Fogo de Chao. Now I know it is a chain, but we desperately needed a good Brazilian steakhouse in NOLA. Fogo’s food and service was impeccable. Located in the JW Marriott, my mom and I were with a group celebrating a friend’s birthday. All I have to say is non-stop meat, cute exotic waiters and tasty Caipirinhas made for a beautiful dining experience. Definitely check this place out. St. Patrick’s Day on Thursday was filled with the luck of the Irish in the Marigny. I caught the parade at the corner of Franklin Avenue and Royal enjoying cocktails at Cutter’s and Big Daddy’s. The parade with lots of green and drunk men who liked to kiss, perfect combinations. It was a pleasant night and the music in the parade, people’s demeanor made it almost surreal. Dancing, drinking, conversing with friends, isn’t that what our city is all about. After the parade, my friends and I went over to Kajun’s Pub for an incredible margarita served by Chris Wecklein, actor and singer extraordinaire. That capped off the night with a homemade true Irish meal made by Gary, Laura Tennyson’s talented chef husband, at their Marigny home. Now this is how you celebrate good fortune. Saturday was quite the day, one of reflection as we said good bye to a dear friend of the community, John Brown. His death was sudden and sent shock waves in the community, but as so many things in life,
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under the gaydar ...from 20
Spring Fever with Judson & Elizabeth Hello Boys @ B-Bob’s
m obile paparazzi Hello Rob Felicity Lane, Amber Douglas & Miss Cie @ B-Bob’s Hello Joel & Company
Blu-Ray Review: The Danish Girl I had wanted to see this movie for the longest time and missed it in theatres so I was very thrilled when I was asked to review the Blu-Ray release of the film. The Danish Girl is a 2015 British biographical romantic drama film directed by Tom Hooper, based on the 2000 fictional novel of the same name by David Ebershoff and loosely inspired by the lives of Danish painters Lili Elbe and Gerda Wegener. The film stars Eddie Redmayne as Lili Elbe, one of the first known recipients of sex change surgery and Alicia Vikander as Gerda Wegener who won the Academy Award for Best Supporting Actress. Rounding out the cast is Matthias Schoenaerts as Hans Axgil and Ben Whishaw as Henrik. Beautiful is the one word that best sums up this entire movie from the gorgeous cinematography to the acting. Redmayne was a tour de force in this portraying a tortured soul. It gave a deeper understanding of the pain, heartache and confusion people in the transgender community and their families face on a daily basis. Even though the movie takes place in Copenhagen in the 1920’s, the underlying theme and characters are relevant even more so today. The chemistry between Redmayne and Vikander was so intense, it is hard to take your eyes off them, and their performances are so riveting. Also as a bonus feature on the DVD is The Making of The Danish Girl which is extremely interesting. This Blu-Ray is definitely one to add to your movie collection.
Hello Michael & Marshal Hello Weston & Cory
Hello Lee & Jeremy
Hello Travis
Hello Miss Kirby
Welcome Home John
Hello Boys of Spring
Hello Adam
Interview: Joey Khoury Recently I got to catch up with actor and musician Joey Khoury who is coming to New Orleans with the Broadway Across America latest show Cabaret. He is considered a Swing. If you are like me, I was not exactly sure what this meant, so let’s consult my favorite source, Wikipedia. A swing is a performer whose job is to play one or more roles in the acting ensemble of a show—usually a musical—when someone else is out. These dedicated professionals
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Happy Easter Brandy
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Spring Fever ~ Mobile, Alabama ~ Photos by Miss Cie
changes happen fast. We need to rejoice in this short dance we have on this Earth and cherish each day. It was heartwarming to see all the people who came out to show their love on Saturday at John’s memorial. I would like to think that Cowboy, as he was known to many people is at peace. Thank you for making my life richer. That evening was the Purple Party at Double Play that I emceed along with Ken GrandPre. What a turnout to celebrate the Gay Easter Parade (and my favorite color). We had a great turnout, a fun show, amazing auction and a delicious buffet thanks to Chuck, Bill and Big Mama. Big Mama has a multitude of talents, who knew cooking was one of them. Afterwards, I made a brief cameo appearance at the Corner Pocket to say hello to the boys on the bar, before having a nightcap at the Phoenix before calling it a day. On Sunday knowing I had a crazy week in store for me for Easter, I chose a day of rest on the couch. And in my world, I need those days to keep my sanity. Until next time, keep your cottontail clean.
trodding the boards by Brian Sands
Email: bsnola2@hotmail.com
The Glass Menagerie at Le Petit Théâtre du Vieux Carré through April 3 At the opening night of The Glass Menagerie at Le Petit, I sat next to a lady who, though a semi-regular theatergoer, had never seen this play, Tennessee Williams’ first major success. At intermission, she was enjoying it; by the end, it had left her teary. For those of you who are likewise unfamiliar with Menagerie, read no further and do plan to see this solid, traditional interpretation of Williams’ script. On the other hand, for those of you who have seen this potentially haunting, lyrical work—and I’ve seen it at least five times, twice on Broadway, the others locally–this is
under the gaydar ...from 22 learn literally dozens of different parts or “tracks” (a series of minor characters played by a single chorus member in successive scenes). They stand ready at each performance to step in for whoever is unable to go on, whether due to illness or vacation, or for any other reason. Sometimes, the missing performer is an understudy who gets called upon to cover for an actor in a principal role, which in turn leaves an empty spot in the chorus line that a swing is on hand to fill. Khoury will be playing one of the Kit Kat Boys but is also the understudy for the coveted role of Emcee. Originally from Kaysville, Utah and now living in New York for the past ten years, Khoury’s credits include New York: Altar Boyz (where he was also in a swing role), Radio City Christmas Spectacular; National Tours: Altar Boyz (1st National), Radio City Christmas Spectacular (Arena Tour). Regional: The Pirates of Penzance (Frederick), Fiddler on the Roof (Motel), Little Shop Of Horrors (Seymour). TL: How long have you been with this tour? JK: We actually have just started the tour about two months ago. We were rehearsing in New York and I play one of the Kit Kat Boys as well as being the Swing, so I know many of the smaller roles. But I am the understudy for the emcee. TL: What makes this production different? JK: We are doing the Sam Mendez/ Alan Cummings 1998 Roundabout version of Cabaret. So this is a musician driven show. Almost every person on the stage is an actor, musician, singer and dancer.
Joey Khoury Everyone in the ensemble plays an instrument. This show starts with a musician base and basically everyone knows the entire score. TL: That must have been difficult, what instrument do you play? JK: I played the clarinet for about 7 or 8 years back in school, but had to pick it back up. I never thought I would be part of the orchestra. Our orchestra is not in a pit, we are all on stage. It makes you stay on your toes, because if someone is out, the others all have to fill in. It makes for a cohesive working situation, everyone does everything altogether. Our band is one of the greatest ensembles. TL: Before Cabaret, what was one of your favorite shows you have done? JK: Altar Boyz, it was perfectly written and put together. When we were doing it, we knew it would be a hit. I also was swing here knowing all the five character’s roles and songs. TL: Have you ever been to New Or-
hardly an essential production. Though I have reservations about the performances (more on that below), my greatest concern is Director Maxwell Williams’ approach. As was the case with Our Town, his Le Petit debut last fall, Williams brings not a single original thought to this Menagerie, no compelling vision or new perspective on this classic; his version would not have been out of place 10, 20, 30, 40, 50, or 60 years ago despite the immense changes our society has experienced in those years. I’m not advocating experimentation for the sake of experimentation. But by changing the time frame or the setting or the staging possibilities, a director can reveal fresh insights into the script. For example, an updated production currently in the repertory of a major theater in Hamburg has the Wingfields living in a trailer and the “old records” that Laura plays are ‘70s/’80s pop hits; though I’ve only seen a brief preview of it, this production seems to be a revivifying, and ultimately moving, approach for our times. I suspect as Artistic Director of Le Petit, M. Williams may have a mandate from his “powers-that-be” to not push the stylistic envelope too far (of course, I may be completely wrong about this). But if we here in T. Williams’ spiritual home can’t expect an ongoing engagement and vibrant converleans before? JK: No never and looking forward to it. I am excited to be there over French Quarter Festival. All that great music in the streets for free. I think New Orleans is one of the only American cities that has its own culture and I am excited about being a part of that. It was the city I was most thrilled about going to on this tour. TL: Who knows the emcee may have too many hurricanes and you may get your big break in NOLA? JK: Well the Kit Kat Club is kind of a seedy bar, so it may help that we are all little bit hungover. TL: Why should we come out to see this show? JK: because underneath the poppy show tunes, it is a story about Germany in 1931 at the beginning of World War 2. It tells the story of that time period. It lures you in with these amazing numbers and the seediness and then the reality of the horror hits you finally of what is happening. I also believe this show is unfortunately mirroring what is happening in politics today. It is totally relevant. It just is a really spectacular show.
sation from interpreters of his work, then our theater will simply stagnate in a way that I think Tenn, who was continually trying out new forms, would disapprove of. All this might have been moot if Williams had given us a production that was, even if conventional, pitch perfect. This one is not. Scenes in the first act often don’t end gracefully but rather just stop. Line readings do not always give Williams’ words their full due; for example, Amanda’s “Betty? Who’s Betty?”, three of the most existentially shattering ones ever written, and given magnificent resonance by Gwendolyne Foxworth in Anthony Bean’s production last year, were here rushed. Jeff Cowie’s set is lovely, if perhaps a touch too genteel for the financially-challenged Wingfields, its open confines giving way to the theater’s brick back wall. The lighting by James Bevins sometimes dims to allow a focus on one of the characters, an apt choice that could’ve been developed further. Kevin O’Donnell’s original jazzy music is very nice and provides an appropriate subcutaneous anxiousness, but it doesn’t quite match the period of the set or Julie Winn’s costumes. As Amanda, Annalee Jefferies gives an accomplished performance, tossing off this former Southern belle’s casual racism and girlish charm, but at the first performance, she had yet to get all the nuances that Williams had written into the role. Unlike Foxworth’s or Lyla Hay Owen’s unforgettable performances, when Jefferies makes telephone calls to try to sell magazine subscriptions, we don’t get the complete, bone-deep admixture of charm, steeliness, desperation, and an innate patricianness that came forth from these two actresses; that the director has Jefferies standing behind a couch rather than sitting at a table or desk doesn’t help. The virtually foolproof Gentleman Caller scene is well done by Lucy Faust and Kevin Rothlisberger. Faust has the proper look for Laura, attractive without being beauty-pageant-queen-esque, and acts the part intelligently, but her clarion voice is not quite right for someone who’s “terribly shy and lives in a world of her own.” Rothlisberger’s Jim O’Connor has a warm mid-Western appeal but, as a former B.M.O.C., his wattage could’ve been amped up a bit especially when Laura reminds him of his halcyon days. The only wholly weak link, however, is Curtis Billings as Tom Wingfield. This is certainly a challenging role as an actor has
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St., 522.2666 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
hardware New Orleans, LA [504] MARY'S FRENCH QUARTER HARDWARE, 732 N. Rampart, 529.4465
lodging/accommodations New Orleans [504] AARON INGRAM HAUS, 1012 Elysian Fields, New Orleans, LA 70117, PHONE: 504.949.3110, 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] 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. Experience the rich history and hospitality of New Orleans at an affordable price. Just 3 blocks from Bourbon St, free Wi-Fi, swimming pool, and continental breakfast included. Off street parking is available.
marketing & printing New Orleans, LA [504] SIR SPEEDY, 343 Carondelet, 586.9812, 586.9817, offering printing and marketing services including web design and hosting. info@sirspeedyneworleans.com, sirspeedyneworleans.com
New Orleans, LA [504] Head Quarters Hair Salon, 906 Bourbon
24 • The Official Mag© © : AmbushMag.com • Mar c h 29-April 11, 2016 • Of fic ial Gay East er Parade Guide • GayEast erParade.c om
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 Orleans, 1.800.99.AIDS[2437]-9 toll free statewide AIDSLaw of Louisiana, 3801 Canal St., Suite 331, 568.1631, AIDSLAW.org ALCOHOLICS ANONYMOUS, 838.3399 BIG EASY STOMPERS, Country & Western line dancing. Weekly lessons and monthly Country & Western dance party, www.bigeasystompersneworleans.com, info@bigeasystompersneworleans.com BELLE REVE NEW ORLEANS, AIDS Residence for Families, PO Box 3305, 70177; 945.9455 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
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] Latter & Blum, Steven Vaughn Realtor, Cell 504.810.4646, Office 504.948.3011, St e v e n Va u g h a n P r o p e r t i e s . c o m , Svaughan@latterblum.com 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 LEATHER VOODOO, 708 Toulouse St., 249.5603 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
restaurants Metairie, LA [504] Chef Ron's Gumbo Stop & Pub, 2309 N. Causeway Blvd., 835.2022, GumboStop.com New Orleans, LA [504] Angeli on Decatur, 1141 Decatur St., 566.0077 The Bombay Club, 830 Rue Conti, 577.2237, www.bombayclubneworleans.com Broussard’s Restaurant & Courtyard, 819 Rue Conti, 581.3866, http://broussards.com Cheezy Cajun, 3325 St. Claude Ave., 265.0045, www.TheCheezyCajun.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 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,
Advertising Info 504.522.8049 ripna@ambushmag.com
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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
EXTRAVAGANZA! Extravagance, allure, treasures await! From leather to lamé it is our hope that readers of this fine and noble screed will become, with us, a community within communities. Since starting this column it has been a constant theme, one of a few, that each division within our community has a potential to galvanize the greater community by reaching out, beyond its borders, beyond its comfort zones. Such is it with “The Community” that our friends in the LGBTQ reach out to Anna’s Place NOLA. Anna’s Place is a grass roots outreach organization to families that are on the margins, children that have little to their names, and to high risk youth. Anna’s Place feed families and households in dire situations. Who reaches out to who? LEATHER, yep Bears, Trappers, and some of the best Drag Queens we’ve seen. Yes, they reach out to provide for the kids and for those in need. Those pubs where everybody knows your name collect food for Anna’s Place Food Pantry. This past week we were gifted with over 25 Easter Baskets collected in one of the dark dens that are a main stay of The Community. So who reaches out to who? I was recently asked to help with a memorial for a beloved bartender who passed. It was an honor so to do – to send off Cowboy well. I have done more than my fair share of memorials and funerals in bars. Fear or resentment is what keeps many in the community from comfortably attending a church funeral. I suppose it is equally true that it would be hard to do a drag show at the altar … that said I wear some pretty awesome lace sort of High Church drag I guess. So, my friends the truth is that we are reaching out to each other in mutual affection and perhaps in mutual need. Some ground work has been laid for this next piece. That piece is an invitation to The Community to join together at the Annual Dodwell Extravaganza. For a few years now our Hosts have been Tony Leggio and the divine Miss Bouvier. This year invitations to various social and civil clubs centered around LGBTQ community are being sent out as we speak. We want our supportive gay community to rally this year and join in the fun. We want this very supportive community to step out a bit and engage for the great good. This year great art pieces will be auctioned off – we know you like art (wink wink), a collectors Rex piece will be auctioned off, Muses Shoes will make an appearance, and yes the divine Miss Elizabeth Bouvier will help raise the stakes for the live auction. How about swing and Cotton Club? The Tomcats will be playing with a 15 piece band raising the roof. Staging and much decorating by a professional set dresser (yep gay) will present a fabulous venue. More yes, friends more. We are partnering with The Society of St. George a group dedicated to “buffoonery and faux pageantry” to raise a toast to Queen Elizabeth II. Perhaps bagpipes and kilts might be in the offing but certainly white dresses and
blue sashes will waltz about. Children of the Treme from Anna’s Place music program will add to the atmosphere with pieces from Oliver as the Treme Community Chorus sings those great tunes from The HMS Pinafore! All are welcomed and invited from Leather to lame to swing kids to Royal imposters. The bar will be manned by a
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trodding the boards ...from 23 to be both the older Tom looking back and his youthful 21-year-old self yearning to break free of his family; Anthony Bean tackled this by using two actors for the part. Billings offers none of the necessary lyricism or poetry for Tom’s opening lines, and fails to differentiate between the two aspects of the role. But the most egregious shortcoming of the performance, for which Director Williams must take some of the blame as well, is the utter lack of any gay subtext to it. When Billings repeatedly says that he’s “going to the movies” as an excuse to get out of the house, if you didn’t know that this character was modeled on Williams himself, you could be forgiven for thinking that St. Louis really did have midnight screenings back then. Even Jefferies hints, in a way only a mother can, that Amanda knows the real reason Tom is heading out of the apartment. For Billings and M. Williams to present Tom so asexually declaws and virtually castrates part of his essence thus denying this authorial stand-in a crucial part of the character’s personality. To be sure, intermittently, flashes of real drama spark between Jefferies and Billings, and the entire cast finds the humor with which Williams leavened the seriousness (though often I was puzzled as to why the audience was laughing at moments where I could discern nothing comic). And the ensemble is to be commended for staying in the moment as a second line parade passed by Le Petit with its music spilling into the theater. But overall, I was left frustrated by a feeling of déjà vu when I was hoping to experience the thrill of artistic discovery. At least next season this will likely not be an issue as Le Petit will be presenting local premieres of three contemporary plays.
New Orleans Ballet Association through May 7 The New Orleans Ballet Association and The NOCCA Institute recently presented the Malpaso Dance Company from Cuba for a three performance engagement at NOCCA. Based in Havana, Malpaso is “committed to bringing Cuban contemporary dance into the 21st Century by collaborating with top international choreographers
and nurturing new voices in Cuban choreography.” Led by Artistic Director Osnel Delgado, Malpaso is certainly achieving these goals. The program began with 24 Hours and a Dog (2103) choreographed by Delgado and using jaunty modern jazz music by Grammy Award-winning Cuban-American composer Arturo O’Farrill, along with wonderful selections by Astor Piazzolla and Abelardo Valdes. If you didn’t know the title or hadn’t read that the Overture translated into “24 hours in the life of a dog” (or even if you did), however, you could’ve been forgiven for not grasping that this was a canine tale rather than one of humans. Delgado furnished a ravishing pas de deux (for some reason titled “Almendro” or “Almond”), another passage that evoked a palpable sense of fear, and stylized movements from life, like push-ups or the looking at one’s watch. All the dancing of the ninemember troupe was of the highest caliber with distinctive individual movements throughout. Yet I felt, to some extent, as though I had seen it all before, as though Malpaso could be any other contemporary dance company. Would it be fair to say that their “Cuban-ness” was missing? This was confirmed by the second selection, two excerpts from Bad Winter (2012) by Trey McIntyre, a choreographer who has worked with the company before. A comic solo to Pennies from Heaven was followed by a sensually lyrical duet for lovers yet you could see the same choreographic vocabulary as Delgado had used in 24 Hours. Only in Ronald K. Brown’s Why You Follow (2014), with its African-inspired choreography and music, did we get something different, and truly interesting, a melding of Katherine Dunham, ballet and modern influences that evolved throughout the piece. NOBA’s season concludes at the Mahalia Jackson Theater with the exciting Hubbard Street Dance Chicago (Apr. 2) and Che Malambo (May 7) whose allmale company of 14 gauchos from Argentina promises precision footwork, drumming, singing and whirling boleadoras (lassos with stones on the end)!
Have Strings, Will Swing! at Café Istanbul If you missed Aaron Weinstein at Café Istanbul recently, and most people did, don’t make the same mistake the next time this dazzling jazz violinist with the drollest sense of humor since Benny Goodman is in town. Appearing in a blue pin-striped suit & snazzy bow tie and looking a bit like Peewee Herman’s slightly more normal & dour cousin, Weinstein carries on the legacy of Stephane Grappelli. And, yes, he’s that jawdroppingly good as he fiddles through such Great American Songbook classics as Ain’t Misbehavin’, Pennies from Heaven and I Want to Be Happy (described as having a “disconnect between its bouncy melody and dark lyrics dealing with co-dependency”). Weinstein’s very dry wit may comprise only about ten percent of his act, but his pseudo-intellectual babble introduction for a Gershwin medley had me laughing so hard I nearly choked. Jazz violin virtuoso ain’t enough for you? Weinstein also played a mean mandolin for jazzy takes on Over the Rainbow and It’s Only a Paper Moon.
Young Weinstein’s breathtaking musicianship was matched by his superb accompanist, pianist Joe Ashlar who shined in his solos. And special guest Ingrid Lucia added a soigné presence and fine song stylings reminiscent of an earlier era. As an encore, Weinstein performed an amazing version of Mister Rogers’ Neighborhood Theme Song by sliding his violin between his bow’s (detachable) hairs and its stick. Is it any wonder he had his crowd absolutely transfixed?
Coming Soon The Tennessee Williams Festival celebrates its 30th anniversary March 30April 3 with its usual wide range of theatrical, literary, and cultural offerings. Theatrically speaking, in addition to Le Petit’s Glass Menagerie, Southern Rep is presenting Orpheus Descending at UNO’s Robert E. Nims Theatre; The Tennessee Williams Theatre Company of New Orleans offers Tennessee Williams: Weird Tales, world premieres of The Strange Play and Ivan’s Widow along with Steps Must Be Gentle at Metropolitan Community Church (6200 St. Charles Ave.); and there’s a reading of the one-act Something Unspoken, which has an underlying lesbian theme, at Gallier House (1126 Royal St., March 31 & April 1). I enjoyed Claudia Baumgarten’s performance as Dorothy Parker at the 2014 Fringe Festival; for Williamsfest she’ll be bringing back Wit & Wrath: The Life and Times of Dorothy Parker to Le Petit on April 1. Also at Le Petit April 1 & 2, is He Knew He Would Say It—But Could He Believe It Again? which was created from Williams’ poems, fragments of his plays, & journal entries and focuses on the search for love between men. It features Jeremy Lawrence who I found touching and noble in The Traveling Companion two years ago. There’ll be plenty of star wattage March 31 at The Jaxson on the River (620 Decatur St.) for the Tribute Reading to Tennessee Williams the Poet, an evening’s worth of Williams’ sparkling poetry culled from his plays, stories, poems, essays, and letters. Dick Cavett will lead a distinguished group of readers including playwrights Beth Henley (Crimes of the Heart) and Lisa D’Amour (Detroit); authors Dorothy Allison (Bastard Out of Carolina) and Jewelle Gomez (The Gilda Stories); and actors Austin Pendleton (What’s Up Doc?, Fiddler on the Roof), Estelle Parsons (Bonnie and Clyde) and Mary Badham (To Kill A Mockingbird). Can’t get enough of Estelle Parsons? Then don’t miss a conversation with this Oscar-winner on April 2 in the Hotel Monteleone’s Queen Anne Ballroom. And you’ll get two great interviewers and raconteurs for the price of one at Hollywood Happy Hour when Dick Cavett is interviewed by Rex Reed also on April 2 at Le Petit. I suspect we’ll be talking about this chat for ages! And for a little extra Tennessee, Second Star Performance Collective presents Two for Tennessee:2016, the world premiere of two one-act plays. Brick by Jon Broder is a comedic take on the unwritten scene between Brick and his best friend in Cat on a Hot Tin Roof. Solitary by Stephanie Garrison explores the relationship between Tennessee Williams and his sister Rose through the lens of gothic horror. (March 30-April 2, NOCCA’s Nims Black Box Theatre, 2800 Chartres St.)
26 • The Official Mag© © : AmbushMag.com • Mar c h 29-April 11, 2016 • Of fic ial Gay East er Parade Guide • GayEast erParade.c om
matters of health by Jack Carrel, MPH
Barriers to Healthcare
real estate
According to a number of studies in a recent edition of the American Journal of Public Health, the LGB community is more likely to encounter barriers to accessing healthcare than the general community. In one study, James Dahlhamer and colleagues found that compared to straight individuals, LGB individuals were more likely to delay or not receive care due to costs. Bisexuals were also likely to delay care for issues other than cost. Gay and bisexual men had more trouble finding healthcare providers than did straight men. Bisexual women were more likely than lesbians to report three of the five barriers to care the researchers asked about on the survey.
Bisexual Health Awareness Month March is Bisexual Health Awareness Month. The the Human Rights Campaign ( HRC ) Foundation, the educational arm of HRC, in partnership with BiNet USA, the Bisexual Organizing Project, and the Bisexual Resource Center, released a guide to help bisexual people of all ages who are contemplating the important step of coming out. “A Resource Guide to Coming Out As Bisexual” features the inspirational words of bisexual people who have come out and found community and fulfillment, as well as advice about the risks and rewards of coming out, and strategies for navigating real life coming out situations - from telling family and friends, to assessing whether a workplace would be supportive and safe. “This guide is important for our bisexual+ community. Historically, there has been little information or support available outside of our community for those who attracted to more than one gender. This guide will reach a larger audience through HRC’s platform, and help individuals accept themselves and live openly. It will also help educate the world on the diversity of the bi+ community and the issues we face,” said
community ...from 26 wonderful crew of daffodils and daisies. Food will be provided by great eateries and local chefs. We need your support, we want your support, and we want to make – for real for one night a year A Community of Communities. Here is the information: Saturday April 16th From 7pm until 10pm Attire: Fun Location: St. Paul’s Church, 6249 Canal Blvd. Venue: In the gym (but divinely decorated) Tickets: $50/person Tables available Go to www.dodwellhouse.org for your online tickets. Help us help the community and in helping the community we all get a little better.
Lynnette McFadzen, Secretary, BiNet USA Board of Directors. The Resource Guide for Coming Out As Bisexual can be found at http://hrc-assets.s3-website-us-east1.amazonaws.com//files/assets/resources/ BisexualGuide-March2016-Final.pdf To find competent medical providers, please consider visiting the website of the Gay and Lesbian Medical Association at http://www.glma.org/ For more information about Bi Health Awareness Month, visit the Bisexual Resource Center at http://www.biresource.net/
1005 Barracks St. New Orleans French Quarter living at its best! Twostory townhouse-style condo ready for occupancy after a total renovation. Features include a large street-side balcony, new appliances, new electric, new plumbing, hardwood floors, two full baths, open floor plan, spacious master suite, washer/dryer in unit, and much more. Small, boutique condominium with only 8 units is maintained in excellent condition with ample insurance & reserves. The large pool and lush courtyard make it perfect! OPEN HOUSE – SATURDAY, 4/9, 11-2. New Orleans Relocation, Realtors, Mark Boline, 504.273.0088, www.NOLArelo.com
Transgender Community Challenged to Find Competent Hormone Therapy In a recent survey of physicians, it was found that endocrinologists are often uncomfortable treating transgender individuals. Endocrinologists are often key healthcare providers for people who are transgender. They specialize in the endocrine system, which regulates the body’s hormones, and they may prescribe sex hormones like testosterone and estrogen to help transgender patients develop the physical characteristics tied to their gender identity. About a third of endocrinologists are unwilling to care for patients who are transgender, and less than half say they feel at least somewhat competent in providing that care, said Dr. Michael Irwig, who surveyed the doctors at an endocrinology meeting last year. Only 41 percent of participants felt at least somewhat competent in providing care to transgender people. And only 63 percent said transgender patients could be seen at their practice.
Fruit Fondle to Raise Awareness Performers seductively fondle watermelons and oranges while singing a choral rendition of Nine Inch Nails’ 1994 song “Closer.” Sounds kinda crazy huh? But that is what happens in a new sexual health video that is getting a lot of attention. Claude, an online sexual health resource and art project based in Australian created the video to educate Lesbians on how to protect themselves from STDs. To check it out go to https://vimeo.com/157020994.
New Injection Could Replace Daily PrEP In a recent article in the Journal of Antimicrobial Chemotherapy, Dr Marina Kovarova, the study’s lead author reported that a new injection could protect against HIV infection for up to two weeks, replacing the need for twice-daily prevention pills, experts have revealed. Vaginal transmission accounts for the majority of new HIV infections across the world. But, forms of PrEP such as vaginal gels and rings, designed to prevent transmission in this way, have proved ineffective. Experts have pointed to problems with women adhering to the treatment, as the main reason for the poor efficacy. In an effort to minimize obstacles to adherence, and prevent vaginal HIV transmission, a team of scientists from the University of North Carolina School of Medicine alongside collaborators from Merck, looked for novel treatments. They found a new long-acting formulation of the HIV drug raltegravir proved to work in animal models.The team found that two weeks after a single injection of raltegravir, animals were found to have the same levels of the drug in their system as humans who take PrEP orally twice a day.
2314-2316 North Miro St. Priced $135,000 (multi-family). Latter & Blum, Steven Vaughan Realtor®, 504.810.4646, svaughan@latterblum.com, www.Latter-Blum.com
Am bush DEA DL I N E Tues., April 5th
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Amon-Ra Playboy Bunny Reject Contest @ Oz~ New Orleans ~ Photos by Tony Leggio, Darwin Reed
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Dr. Neil Nixdorff & Katie Pfohl celebrate their St. Patrick’s Day Wedding with Dr. Richard Mihans, the couple’s baby Jackson & Josh Aldridge @ Lafitte’s
Zingo with Niki, Opal & Brandon @ The Corner Pocket
Southern Belle Revue @ The Double Play
Lafitte’s manager Ace & Wood Enterprises GM Tim @ Lafitte’s
Rawhide bar crawl @ Good Friends Bar
Rawhide bar crawl @ Rawhide
Gregory of Mr Gregory’s, Vince Santos & Black Penny’s Burt @ The Black Penny
Halloween Host Thank You Party @ Lazarus House
Rawhide bar crawl @ Lafitte’s
Rawhide bar crawl @ The Page
Clorox Bleachman & Dwain Hertz @ Oz Rawhide bar crawl @ The Golden Lantern
Celebrating St. Patrick’s Day Rawhide bar crawl @ Rawhide Bartender Jeff, Marsha & Charlie Bear cocktailin’ @ Lafitte’s
Felicia, EGM Monica & Kyle do Zingo @ The Corner Pocket
Jimmy, Mac & Dudley celebrate Cutter’s 10th Anniversary on St. Patrick’s Day
Frank Perez & Stanley’s Bill Shupe @ Cafe Lafitte in Exile
Southern Belle Revue @ The Double Play
Rawhide bar crawl @ GrandPre’s
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The Social Scene ~ New Orleans ~ Photos by Tony Leggio, Paul Melancon, Rip Naquin, Jeremy Weinberg
Hot bartenders Cameron & Matt ready for you @ Oz
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