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the "official" dish by Rip & Marsha Naquin-Delain Email: ripna@ambushmag.com
29th GAA Gala brings 24 Winners to the Stage; Raises $2,739 for Southern Decadence 2016 To say the 29th Gay Appreciation Awards (GAA) Gala at Oz New Orleans was a phenomenal success is an understatement! The inaugural “Walking The Red Carpet” hosted by Southern Decadence Grand Marshals XLII Felicia Phillips aka Philip Anthony, Anthony Leggio, Jeffrey Palmquist and Derek PentonRobicheaux was a hit! The production numbers by Top 5 Show Club of the Year Finalists: Bourbon Pub & Parade, The Corner Pocket, Four Seasons, The Golden Lantern and Oz were astounding! Last year’s Entertainer of the Year Gia GiaVanni just brought the evening to a climax with her incredible mix! Emcees Lisa Beaumann and Miss Continental Elite Teryl-Lynn Foxx kept this “Broadway on Bourbon Street” lively and sassy. The evening raised 1,200.00 in Award: New Orleans Gay Men's ChoVIP Tables, 1,360.00 in door dona- rus tions, 179.00 in stage tips for a 2,739.00 Restaurant/Deli/Coffee House of sub-total, minus 320.00 for plaques, the Year: The Clover Grill leaving a grand total of $2,419 for Dance Club of the Year: Oz New Southern Decadence 2016 benefiting Orleans its charities: New Orleans Advocates Bartender of the Year was a tie: for GLBT Elders (NOAGE) and Animal Ashlee Logan/The Corner Pocket and Rescue New Orleans (ARNO). Jeffrey Palmquist/Cafe Lafitte in Exile The gala honored 29th Lifetime DJ of the Year: Tim Pflueger/Oz Achievement Award recipient Brenda Leather Bar of the Year: Phoenix Laura for her outstanding service for, Cheridon Comedy Award: and efforts on behalf of the LGBT+ Persana Shoulders community. Congratulations to all of Fly Fashion Glamour Award: the winners and Top 5 Finalists voted Connie Hung online by the readership of Ambush LGBT Business of the Year: Magazine. Thanks to all in attendance Crescent City Tour Booking Agency who autographed the giant fleur de lis Leather Person of the Year: Mr. sculpture donated by Kern Studios which Louisiana Leather Tim Goodman will be delivered to Pulse Nightclub in Transgender of the Year: ChiOrlando by New Orleans Tourism and Chi Rodriquez New Orleans LGBT Hospitality AlliLesbian of the Year: Misti Ates ance. Gaither The 2016 winners include: Gay Man of the Year: Tony Leggio Circuit Party/Event of the Year: Marcy Marcell Entertainer of the Southern Decadence 44 Year: Connie Hung, Hair Salon of the Year: Two Guy For additional information, visit Cutting Hair www.AmbushMag.com/gaa. Gay Mardi Gras Ball of the Year: Krewe of Amon-Ra Oz Turnabout & Buy A Neighborhood Bar of the Year: Boy Auction Benefits The Corner Pocket Buzzy Fanning AIDS Award: NO/ Southern Decadence; AIDS Task Force plus White Linen Wknd. Bitch of the Year: Persana ShoulJoin the staff and management of ders Oz New Orleans on Thursday, August Show Club of the Year: Oz New 4 as they host their annual Employee Orleans Turnabout & Buy A Boy Auction to Donnie Jay Performing Arts
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Pre-Southern Decadence issue due out August 16 DEADLINE: Tues., Aug. 9
celebrazzi a community within communities lez talk 29th gaa paparazzi/new orleans 29th gaa paparazzi/new orleans halloween 33 under the gaydar 45th southern decadence trodding the boards amon-ra, lords pics/new orleans
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classifieds 24-25 real estate 25 spotlight/bleather weekend 26 mobile paparazzi 26 sd paparazzi/new orleans 28 matters of health 29 ambush paparazzi/new orleans 30 moments in gay new orleans history 31
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benefit the official charities of Southern Decadence! Catch all your favorite Oz employees as they get in drag and perform for you! And while you’re enjoying some fabulous entertainment, sexy studs in the community will be stepping up to the auction block to be sold to the highest bidder. Exclusive dinner packages furnished by some of New Orleans’ most exciting culinary destinations are included with each boy. A 50/ 50 raffle will be held throughout the evening. There is a $10 cover at the door with doors opening at 8:30 pm; show starts at 9 pm. Experience the magic in the land of dance as Oz celebrates Southern Decadence XLV! White Linen weekend is coming soon, and Oz is celebrating by bringing back its annual WHITE PARTY! On Saturday, August 6, join Oz as patrons and the whole city dresses in their finest white and party at New Orleans’ Premier Gay Dance Club! Hosted by Persana Shoulders, special guest headliner is DJ Roland Belmares, who will surely get y’all dancing all night long! Drink specials and the sexy Men of Oz dancing on top of the bars are sure to get your mouth watering! YOU DON’T WANT TO MISS THIS! Experience the magic in the land of dance! Oz is located at 800 Bourbon Street. (www.OzNewOrleans.com)
Four Events Bring in $5,422 for Southern Decadence 2016 Southern Decadence Grand Marshals XLII Tony Leggio, Felicia Philips, Jeffrey Palmquist and Derek-Penton Robicheaux offer thanks to all who continue to support the fundraising efforts for Southern Decadence. Four more fundraisers have brought in 5,422.00, and after expenses of 1,319.85, a total of 4,102.15 was raised for the 2016 celebration benefiting NOAGE and ARNO. The Sister Sunday Social: Brunch & Jukebox Drag Show hosted by The Friendly Bar was under the direction of Steve Tregre and Marty Curtin. It raised 705.00 for Southern Decadence. The bar donated the items for the buffet which were prepared by Steve Tregre, Koo Gaffney and others. The 1st Southern Decadence Grill Off hosted by The Page was under the direction of The Page's Willie Mackie and Bobby Waggstaff, and Ambush's Paul Melancon. The event raised 400.00 in taste/judging tickets, 150.00 for the 50/50 raffle for a 550.00 subtotal, minus 75.00 raffle winner, leaving a total of 475.00 for SD 2016. The Coming Home: Decadence Takes Biloxi hosted by Just Us in Biloxi was under the direction of Bill Hincks and Southern Decadence Grand Marshal XLII Derek-Penton Robicheaux. It raised 200.00 in advance tickets, 1,335.00 indoor tickets and donations,
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Facebook.COM/AmbushMag Gulf South Entertainment/Travel Guide Since 1982 • Texas-Florida Official Gay Easter Parade Guide© Official Gay Mardi Gras Guide© Official Gay New Orleans Guide© Official Pride Guide© Official Southern Decadence Guide© AWARD WINNING:
Saints & Sinners Literary Festival Hall of Fame/2015, Louisiana Excellence Award: Media & Internet/2014, New Orleans Print Media Award/ 2014, 25th NO/AIDS Task Force Humanitas Award/2013, New Orleans Print Media Award/ 2013, Krewe of Mwindo Media Honoree/2009, Krewe of Petronius Carnival Spirit of Gay Mardi Gras XLVIII Award/2009, Forum For Equality Acclaim Awards X Media Recipient/2008, NO/AIDS Task Force Prometheus “Torch of Truth” [media] Award/2001 OFFICE/SHIPPING ADDRESS: 828-A Bourbon St., New Orleans, LA 70116-3137 USA OFFICE HOURS: 10am-3pm Monday-Friday [Except Holidays] Email: ripna@ambushmag.com PHONE: 1.504.522.8049 ANNUAL READERSHIP OVER 1 MILLION: 260,000+ in print/780,000+ On-line CIRCULATION: Alabama-Mobile Florida - Pensacola Louisiana - Baton Rouge, Lafayette, Lake Charles, Metairie, New Orleans, Slidell Mississippi - Bay St. Louis, Biloxi Texas - Houston
STAFF: PUBLISHER/EDITOR R. Rip Naquin, New Orleans PRODUCTION DIRECTOR M. Marsha Delain, New Orleans GULF SOUTH/NEW ORLEANS AD SALES Rip Naquin • 504.522.8049 Paul Melancon THEATRE/PERFORMING ARTS CRITIC Brian Sands AD REPS/JOURNALISTS/PHOTOGRAPHERS Misti Ates, Tony Leggio, Hubert S Monkeys, Felicia Phillips, Frank Perez, Rev. Bill Terry-New Orleans MIss Cie, Leon Weekley-Mobile, AL National Advertising Rep: Rivendell Media 212.242.6863 Ambush Mag is published on alternate Tuesdays of each month by Ambush, Inc., R. Rip NaquinDelain, President. Advertising, Copy & Photo DEADLINE is alternate Tuesdays, 4pm, prior to publication week, accepted via e-mail only: marsha@ripandmarsha.com, except for special holidays. The Publisher assumes no responsibility for the claims of advertisers and has the right to reject any advertising. The inclusion of an individual's name or photograph in this publication implies nothing about that individual's sexual orientation. Letters, stories, etc., appearing herein are not necessarily the opinion of the Publisher or Staff of AMBUSH Mag. Subscription rate is $45 for 1/2 Year; $75 for 1 year. Sample Copy is $3 First Class Mail. ©1982-2016 AMBUSH, INC., ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. NOTHING HEREIN MAY BE REPRODUCED WITHOUT WRITTEN PERMISSION OF THE PUBLISHER INCLUDING AD LAYOUTS, MAPS and PHOTOS. AMgrant - AMbush Advertising Grant Donation
199.00 in raffles; auctions-360.00 NOLA Hotel Package, 179.00 Just Us Lounge Hour Package, 250.00, Planet Beach Package for a 2,514.00 subtotal; minus expenses: 485.00 band, 751.90 shuttle bus, 7.25 TicketLeap fees; leaving a 1,269.85 for SD. Southern Decadence S'ingo hosted at Cheezy Cajun was under the direction of Quistadors' Cam Zimmerman. The event raised 391.00 in S'ingo card donations, 81.00 for 50/50 raffle, 81.00 for 50/50 raffle winner donation, 100.00 Cheezy Cajun 10% food/liquor sales donation; and 1,000.00 Irish Channel [continued on 8]
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celebrazzi The exciting 29th Annual GAA Gala came to a climax with the presentation of the 29th Lifetime Achievement Award to Brenda Laura (center) at Oz New Orleans. Laura's outstanding service for, and efforts on behalf of the LGBT+ community led to her unanimous selection by the Gay Appreciation Awards Board of Directors Rip Naquin, Marsha Delain, Lisa Beaumann and Teryl-Lynn Foxx. The gala brought in $2,739 for Southern Decadence 2016 and its charities: New Orleans Advocates for GLBT Elders (NOAGE) and Animal Rescue New Orleans (ARNO). Emcees Lisa Beaumann and Teryl-Lynn Fox presented 24 awards to the capacity crowd! The readership of Ambush Magazine voted online selecting the Top 5 Finalists in 21 award categories with the top vote-getter as the winner in each category. Photo by Darwin Reed. (www.AmbushMag.com/GAA)
Southern Decadence Grand Marshals XLII Derek Penton-Robicheaux, Felicia Phillips, Jeff Palmquist and Tony Leggio emceed the first "Walking The Red Carpet" ceremony at the 29th Gay Appreciation Awards Gala. Hosted at Oz New Orleans, they chose the winner of the first ever Red Carpet Oscar Award.
The Page's Willie Mackie and partner Krewe of Mwindo's Bobby Mackie added their signatures to the giant fleur de lis, donated by Kern Studios, on display at the 29th GAA Gala at Oz New Orleans along with several hundred others. New Orleans LGBT Hospitality Alliance hosted the signing to be presented to Pulse in Orlando.
Friendly Bar's Steve Tregre joins Marty Curtin for the annual Southern Decadence Sister Sunday Social: Brunch & Juke Box Drag Show which raised $705 for Southern Decadence 2016 at The Friendly Bar in New Orleans. Southern Decadence Grand Marshals XLII Felicia Phillips, Jeffrey Palmquist and Tony Leggio joined the festivities bringing a bevy of beauties to the stage for a sometimes hysterical afternoon of entertainment. The Friendly Bar donated the food for the event which was prepared by Steve Tregre, Koo Gaffney and others including shrimp mold, jambalaya, red beans and rice, and queso. Photo by Rip Naquin.
The 1st Southern Decadence Grill Off pitted Southern Decadence Grand Marshal XLII Jeffrey Palmquist against The Page's Willie Mackie at The Page in New Orleans. Willie Mackie would be named Champion by the tasters/voters there bringing in $550 for Southern Decadence. In addition to two cases of giant chicken legs donated by The Page, the buffet included Bobby Mackie's potato salad and dirty rice, Paul Melancon's baked beans, Errol Rizzuto's mac and cheese, and Jeff Palmquist's grilled garlic French bread. Photo by Rip Naquin: SDGM XXVII Errol Rizzuto, SDGM XLII Jeff Palmquist, The Page's Willie Mackie, SDGMs XLII Derek Penton Robicheaux & Felicia Phillips.
Southern Decadence Grand Marshal XLII Jeffrey Palmquist and his Quistadors turned out en masse for Southern Decadence S'ingo raising $1,653 for Southern Decadence at Cheezy Cajun in New Orleans. Quistadors' event chair Cam Zimmerman presented a $1,000 Gold sponsorship from Irish Channel Funding, LLC. Photo by Quistador Rip Naquin: Quistadors' Will Antill & Kevin Petefish, Cheezy Cajun's Michael Ducote, Quistador Lulu Blackwell, SDGMs XLII Derek Penton-Robicheaux & Jeff Palmquist, Quistadors Coca Mesa, Cam Zimmerman, Errol Rizzuto & TJ Kinzel, SDGMs XLII Felicia Philips & Tony Leggio, and Quistadors Marsha Delain & Frank Perez.
Coming Home: Decadence Takes Biloxi brought in $2,514.00 for Southern Decadence 2016 at Just Us Lounge in Biloxi, Mississippi. Koo Gaffney, Michael Bingham, Tony D and Marty Curtin joined Southern Decadence Grand Marshals XLII Derek Penton-Robicheaux, Jeffrey Palmquist and Tony Leggio for delicious BBQ, a wonderful band, and great entertainment. Photo by SDGM XLII Tony Leggio.
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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
Tears The political conventions have been entertaining to say the least and they seem to be only a comic relief from the trauma that the world is experiencing. Sometimes I must admit that I just don’t feel traumatized. Sometimes I think that such horrors are so far away even Baton Rouge far. My life is mostly driving from the Lakeview area to the Tremé. I spend several hours around a great bunch of folks doing mostly good work. On occasion, before heading home, my wife and I may stop in at one of the local watering holes to check in with friends, have a cocktail, and just relax. If the worlds hurt are brought up it is usually in an almost abstract way. I have yet to go out and about and see
any real tears shed except perhaps during gatherings where the social pressure, ambiance, and milieu lend themselves to tears- like candlelight vigils and such. I suppose that is why, when I see a very angry woman hollering in cameras at a demonstration I can glibly think she is overreacting. That is why when I listen to the political rhetoric I can keep a safe and emotional distance and allow myself to be taken away with a novel or video that is fantasy at its best (yes, I love Game of Thrones). I know as sure as the sun will rise that when I go home my four dogs will greet me, my
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www.southerndecadence.com/2016/ NOSouthernDecadenceSponsors.pdf.
Funding, LLC Gold sponsorship; for a 1,653.00 total for SD. Official Southern Decadence Sponsors to date include Presenting-Ambush Magazine, www.SouthernDecadence.com, SKYY Vodka; Platinum-Bud Light, Mike's Hard Lemonade, Gay Appreciation Awards, Crescent City Tour Booking Agency, The Golden Lantern, Elizabeth Bouvier & Gary Vandeventer, SDGM XLII Jeffrey Palmquist & Coca J. Mesa; Gold-Bourbon Pub & Parade, Misti Ates Gaither (Johnny Passion) & Catherine Gaither, Irish Channel Funding, LLC, The Cheezy Cajun; Silver-Four Seasons & Patio Stage Bar, Cafe Lafitte in Exile, New Orleans Tourism Marketing Corp., GrandPre's, Rolling Elvi Inc./Jailhouse Rockers, Dr. Mac (Robert McWhirter); Bronze-Quartermaster: The Nellie Deli, A*Med Ambulance Service, Tulane Ave Bar; and Pearl-Dawn Leggio, SDGM XXVII Errol Rizzuto, June Pennick, Alexis Grace, Cam Zimmerman, Bonita Folse/ Solitaire, Fabulous Flowers LLC, Jay Crockett. You to can become a sponsor of the largest LGBT celebration in Louisiana today! All funds raised minus expenses will benefit the official 2016 Southern Decadence Charities: New Orleans Advocates for GLBT Elders (NOAGE) and Animal Rescue New Orleans (ARNO). There are several levels of sponsorship available including $5,000 Presenting, $2,500 Platinum, $1,000 Gold, $500 Silver, $250 Bronze, and $100 Pearl. Sponsorship forms are available at
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Upcoming Southern Decadence Fundraisers WEDNESDAY, August 3rd... 5-8 pm, Burgers and Dogs For Southern Decadence, Krewe du Royale Revelers’ Grand Reveler II Will Antill and Lord of Misrule Frank Perez will be grilling up juicy hamburgers and delicious hot dogs as well as serving up scrumptious potato salad and other fixin’s. $10 gets you an amazing meal and benefits Southern Decadence, whose official charities are NOAGE and ARNO. ARNO is Animal Rescue New Orleans, the city’s only no kill shelter. NOAGE stands for New Orleans Advocates for GLBT Elders. None of us are getting younger and we all like pets. And we certainly like to eat! So come join us and support Southern Decadence! @ The Double Play THURSDAY, August 4th... 9 pm until, Oz Southern Decadence Employee Turnabout & Buy-ABoy Auction hosted by Persana Shoulders benefiting Southern Decadence 2016 and its charities with SDGMs XLII Derek Penton-Robicheaux, Felicia Philips, Jeffrey Palmquist and Tony Leggio; catch all your favorite Oz Employees get in drag and perform for you, plus the hot, hot, hot Buy-A-Boy Auction where sexy studs step up to the auction block to be sold to the highest bidder which includes exclusive dinner packages for 2, credit cards accepted as well as phone bids at 504.300.9525 during auction, doors open 8:30 pm, $10 door donation, 50/ 50 raffle, Official Southern Decadence Posters signed by the grand marshals for $10 & more @ Oz New Orleans
FRIDAY, August 5th... 7-9 pm, Hooray for Hollywood Hereafter, arrive in style dressed as your favorite dead celebrity or historical figure, enjoy hors d’oeuvres & a fabulous show, studded with stars of yesteryear, benefiting Southern Decadence 2016 charities, $10 door donation @ GrandPre’s SUNDAY, August 7th... 1-6 pm, Southern Decadence Rummage/Tag Sale... Now is the time to start looking around your home and clearing out those closets, time to move those unwanted items and make room for new STUFF!!! Costumes, clothes, appliances, furniture, knick-knacks… U NAME IT!!! Donate it! Sell it! BUY SOME NEW STUFF!!! All proceeds benefit Southern Decadence 2016 and its charities ARNO (Animal Rescue New Orleans) and NOAGE (New Orleans Advocates for GLBT Elders). Contact Rawhide Manager Derek Wasawho or SDGM XLII Jeffrey Palmquist at Café Lafitte for more information or to make a donation! @ Rawhide 2010 WEDNESDAY, August 10th... 10 am-12 noon, The French Quarter: A History of Decadence, this Southern Decadence fundraiser is a leisurely stroll through the French Quarter with local historian Frank Perez. The focus is on how New Orleans’ flagship neighborhood has been a natural home for decadence, sexual and otherwise, for 300 years. Cost is $30, half of which will benefit Southern Decadence. The official charities of SD this year are ARNO (Animal Rescue New Orleans) and NOAGE (New Orleans Advocates for GLBT Elders). No reservations needed, meet @ Cafe Lafitte in Exile FRIDAY, August 12th... 8-10 pm, Decadence Gets Dirty with hosts Rikki Gee & DJ Ping, seven lipsync duo teams will portray the Seven Deadly Sins with a drag queen dressing a leather man, and a leather man dressing a drag queen with each Sin represented with a gift basket to be auctioned off by each team, for information contact Adikus Sulpizi @ The Phoenix
Miss Louisiana Leatherette 2017 Aug. 20 @ Oz Vanessa Carr Kennedy crowns her successor as Miss Louisiana Leatherette 2017 is sashed on Saturday, August 20 at 8 pm at Oz, 800 Bourbon Street. The Lords of Leather’s 15th annual camp drag contest will once again feature some of the area’s most outrageous entertainers poking fun at gay leather pageantry. The contest is open to all: gay, straight, transgendered, male, female, bisexual and those in transition…you get the message, ANYBODY! Contestants will be judged on four categories: Parish costume – a creative interpretation representing a Louisiana parish of the contestant’s choosing. Talent – a maximum four minute stage
performance. Fetish Wear – a fetish wear presentation aka “swimsuit” segment. Formal – evening wear in the spirit of the contest, suitable for the awards ceremony. The winner will be awarded a $100 cash prize, crown, sash and trophy. Applicants must complete an application with the non-refundable $25 entry fee by 7 pm August 20. Applications can be downloaded from the Lords of Leather website: www.lordsofleather.org under “Events”. For more information please contact Gary Vandeventer at IntMrDrummer2001@aol.com. A $10 donation will be asked at the door the night of the contest. For more information on all Lords events please see www.lordsofleather.org.
Mr. Louisiana Leather 2017 Contest Sept. 3 @ Hi Ho Lounge The Lords of Leather will be once again holding the Mr. Louisiana Leather Contest during Southern Decadence. Any male, 21 or older may enter. Contestants will be judged in four categories: interview, street wear representing his leather lifestyle/fetish, jockstrap, and a 90 second speech on a subject of his own choosing. Medallions, trophies and cash awards will be presented to the winner and first runner-up. The winner will receive a custom leather sash, trophy, engraved medallion and a cash award toward his expenses to compete in International Mr. Leather in Chicago Memorial Day 2017. The contest will be held on Saturday, September 3 at 8 pm at Hi Ho Lounge, 2239 St. Claude Avenue. The Lords will be hosting additional events throughout the Southern Decadence weekend at the Phoenix Bar. In 1989, the Lords sponsored a contest for Mr. New Orleans Leather. In 1993 the contest grew to encompass the geographic area of the state by evolving into the Mr. Louisiana Leather Contest. The title is nationally recognized and acknowledged by the leather community worldwide. For more information please contact Lord Troy Powell at 504.329.8381.
PFLAG New Orleans to Host Southern Regional Conference The New Orleans Chapter of PFLAG will host a regional conference for chapters from several neighboring states on Saturday, October 1. The theme is “The New Faces of PFLAG”. There will be a number of one hour workshops on topics such as how to support transgender youth and their families with emotional and medical issues; working with older GLBT persons; issues of faith; how to utilize social media effectively for your organization, etc. The keynote speaker will be Jody Huckabee, the Executive Director of PFLAG National, and a native of Louisiana. Anyone who is interested in learning more about issues related to the LGBT+ community is invited and encouraged to attend. The Early Bird registration fee is $35 before August 15th, and $45 after that date. Conference registration information and forms can be accessed at: www.pflagno.org. The conference will be held at The First Unitarian Universalist Church on S. Claiborne. A continental breakfast and lunch will be provided. The Conference is being partially underwritten by generous donations from Crescent Care and Avita Drugs.
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lez talk by Misti Ates Gaither Email: Mistimichelleates@gmail.com
Tittie Toulouse Since Southern Decadence is just around the corner, I decided to interview one of our past Southern Decadence Grand Marshals. Tittie (no middle initial) Toulouse was Southern Decadence Grand Marshal XXXV in 2009, the year that Southern Decadence “Blew Back” after being cancelled in 2008 due to Hurricane Gustave. But, before I elaborate on that colorful year with bars adorned in black, silver and red, I want to take you back in time and tell you all about a drag queen who was first known as Cuddles. Cuddles came to life and was thrust into the spotlight at the 1997 Amon-Ra Sister Sunday Social to raise money for the krewe. As she entertained the audience with "Stay with Me" from "The Rose," there was a buzz amongst the crowd, that indeed a star was born that day. Those were the days when drag was more of a camp and comedic presentation unlike most of the pageantry productions of today. You might say, Cuddles was full of camp back then. It was at the Sister Sunday Social, Electra City and Cuddles performed their first duet together the Tittie Toulouse song “Class” from the musical, "Chi& Misti Ates Gaither cago." Cuddles and Electra City were not only partners on stage, but also in show. It was there that I first made my acquaintance with Miss Toulouse. I life. Cuddles performed in various ven- had just started out producing my own ues for a few more years, but then events and performing as Johnny Pasdecided in 2001, it was time for a name sion. I was standing with the missus by change. One of the important things the bar, of course, when I was tapped about becoming a drag queen is the on the shoulder and was told that Tittie decision of the perfect name that will Toulouse wanted to meet me. I renot only define your personality, but will member thinking, “oh wow, this is the also stick in people’s minds. So, it was big time.” I wasn’t even aware Tittie one night at The Golden Lantern, while knew who the hell I was. So, I went in chatting with a straight couple, Cuddles the dressing room and there she was. revealed she was wanting to change We spoke briefly and I told her, that I her drag name. She wanted to be was sorry she was retiring because I named after a street in New Orleans. had wanted her to perform in my upAfter much discussion, the name Tittie coming fundraiser. I remember like it Toulouse was bestowed upon Cuddles. was yesterday, Tittie saying to me, Tittie Toulouse took off and became a “well, if you’re any good, I might think drag star in New Orleans. In 2001, she about it.” I responded with, “well, if won the prestigious title of Hooker YOU are any good, I might let ya.” She Queen of New Orleans at Moulin Rouge laughed and I smiled back at her and which is now Mag’s. Amon-Ra made from that night, a friendship was born Tittie Toulouse their queen in 2002. In that has lasted even to this day. Tittie Toulouse’s retirement lasted 2008, Tittie was chosen along with Paloma to reign as Southern Deca- only for just a little while. She was dence Grand Marshals XXXV. Unfor- called out of retirement that same year, tunately, due to Hurricane Gustave, to serve as Gay Easter Parade's EasSouthern Decadence was cancelled ter Grand Marshal XI with Chuck Turner. that year. Tittie Toulouse was not Since that time, she has not stopped about to let the weather get everyone performing nor has mentioned the word down. She came back with a ven- retirement. Well, not in front of people. geance the following year still reigning You might say that 2014 was, “The as SDGM. Showing her quirky sense Year of the Tittie.” That year, Tittie and of humor, the theme “This year, they Electra City were legally married in BLOW back” was chosen and the offi- New York City. They were also both selected as New Orleans Pride Grand cial song was “Stormy Weather.” In 2010, after almost 13 years of Marshals. The year 2014, also beperforming, Tittie Toulouse decided she came a poignant and special year as was at the end of the road in performing she and Electra purchased The Four and had taken her last bow. So, like Seasons Bar from Chuck and Bill. The Cher before her, Tittie wanted to go out bar has always held a special place in in grand style and have a retirement Tittie’s heart as it was where she met
communities ...from 8 wife will be there, and my easy chair will be bruised but comforting. My drive home along Esplanade to City Park is lovely and the only care I have is a velocopedist rocketing by without warning on a cross street. Otherwise all is well and all things shall be well. Life goes on right? I suppose that for many the Pulse shootings are a bit of a memory. When was the last time you actually thought of that night? Black men being shot, that still gets a little air play but its fading. Officers shot and killed, that may take some time but it may fade as well. Then again, I am not a police officer that goes on patrol each night. I am not a black teenager walking home after dark held to be suspicious just because I am black. I am not an aid laying down in the street saying, “don’t shoot it’s just a toy truck” worrying about a mentally ill patient that is surrounded by police who are nervous themselves. I don’t live in poverty so I really don’t worry about the next meal, or making my kids happy with new shoes, or paying the rent or trying to figure what is more important to pay for water or electricity or any of the foregoing because I can maybe afford only one of them. Then, because part of what I do is work with children some of whom are in that situation, you know –poverty I get smacked. Sitting in a room with a group of kids say about 13 years old one says, “It seems like if one black dude does something people think all black people are like that.” Or a little pixie of a black girl says, “God just make us all love each other. From my heart God I want you to love all of my family and my friends and all of the people.” Or, I stand and watch 35 children many of whom are from poor folks playing cello, trombone, trumpet, violin with such pride. Yep, it is “Twinkle twinkle little star” mostly on key but with pride. I get smacked. From ages 5 to 14 I know that these children’s lives are forever changed because of this little church program. I know that out of this score plus ten children none, surely none, will end up on St. Anna’s Murder Board. It was a day this past Sunday. Many of the congregation stayed and the church her soul mate, Electra City in 1994. The bar has become a hot spot for drag shows boasting of performances by some the girls from RuPaul’s Drag Race. Not too many drag performers can say they have had an illustrious drag career as Tittie Toulouse. In my opinion, anyone can get up on stage and perform. But, when you can hold the audience’s attention and have them ask for an encore, that is the difference between being a drag performer and being a drag star. Tittie Toulouse will always be a drag star.
was filled with parents and instructors and by standers. It was Anna’s Place NOLA end of Camp show. These children showed strength as they danced African dance, sang Zulu Hymns, played bits of classical music and of course “Twinkle twinkle little star.” The crowd was black, brown, white, gay and straight. The good part this year was that the children moved quickly from one piece to the next without the usual chaos. Knowing that I’d be going home soon and looking forward to my late Sunday nap I stayed to open with prayer and close with prayer. Well that little five year old did a fine job and got us all ready; you know “God in my heart just love us all.” I’d been hearing out of tune instruments and listening to pounding dance steps for four weeks so no surprises. I had been a disciplinarian to many of these kids. I had been the “enforcer.” The African drums began to beat and the kids ran and danced and sang and…. there I was hiding in a corner weeping. My life as I know it is changed once again. I will likely drive down Esplanade and enjoy the moment. I’ll still check in at some of my favorite pubs. News items will fade and the violence that so surrounds us will be overwhelming and then compartmentalized. But I will from time to time hide in a corner and weep. Compassion comes at the most inconvenient times for many of us. It is awkward and something maybe to be hidden, and so we stand in a corner or in the dark and weep. My tears in this case are complicated. They are tears for the possibilities that these children offer. They are tears because as a priest I am sure that this is what church should look like and be. They are tears that express my deep sorrow for lives lost because of all of the bad things that happen in this world. They are tears of gratitude for teaching me, reminding me, and making me human. I have one regret to share about that day, the day of the shape singing children of the Tremé, that is that I neglected to be more diligent in inviting you to join me to find a quiet corner in that noisy room to weep with me. I regret that leather boys and bears weren’t there; or that crusty bartender or hunk bartender or Queen of the cocktails bartender in most of my favorite spots couldn’t be there. I would have liked to have you all to have shared that moment in time when there was real hope, healing, and possibilities in the midst of a world gone nuts. Next year, be ready, you will be invited and I hope that you will join me for a good cry, perhaps in quiet, perhaps in public. “Then she knelt behind him [Jesus] at his feet, weeping. Her tears fell on his feet, and she wiped them off with her hair. Then she kept kissing his feet and putting perfume on them.” Tears, for all that is possible.
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The Corner Pocket wins Neighborhood Bar of the Year
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Chi-Chi Rodriquez wins Transgender of the Year
Misti Ates Gaither wins Lesbian of the Year
Persana Shoulders wins Bitch of the Year
Tim Goodman wins Leather Person of the Year
NO/AIDS Task Force wins Buzzy Fanning AIDS Award
Tony Leggio wins Man of the Year Oz wins Show Club of the Year Crescent City Tour Booking Agency wins LGBT Business of the Year
Two Guys Cutting Hair wins Hair Salon of the Year Krewe of Amon-Ra wins Gay Mardi Gras Ball of the Year
David Forth & Ronnie White win Red Carpet Oscar Award
The Clover Grill wins Restaurant/Deli of the Year
Connie Hung wins Fly Fashion Glamour Award
Persana Shoulders wins Cheridon Comedy Award
Tim Pflueger wins DJ of the Year
Southern Decadence 44 wins Circuit Party/Event of the Year
Ashlee Logan & Jeff Palmquist tie for Bartender of the Year
Oz wins Dance Bar of the Year
Connie Hung wins Entertainer of the Year
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29th Gay Appreciation Awards Gala Presents 24 Winners, Raises $2,739 @ Oz ~ New Orleans ~ Photos by Hubert S Monkeys, Darwin Reed
Phoenix wins Leather Bar of the Year
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snap Four Seasons Production #
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Bourbon Pub & Parade Production #
Outgoing Entertainer of the Year Gia GiaVanni
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~ New Orleans ~ Photos by Hubert S Monkeys, Rip Naquin, Darwin Reed
Gay Appreciation Awards Top 5 Show Club of the Year Finalists, Entertainer of the Year & Walking The Red Carpet @ Oz
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under the gaydar by Tony Leggio Email: ledgemgp@gmail.com Photo by: Larry Graham
Hot Happenings We are nearing the ultimate summer event, Southern Decadence and the fundraisers and parties are happening at a frenzied pace. Here are just a few things to do! Wednesday, August 3, 2016 Grand Reveler II Will Antill and Lord of Misrule Frank Perez of the Krewe du Rue Royale Revelers will be grilling up juicy hamburgers and delicious hot dogs as well as serving up scrumptious potato salad and other fixin’s at The Double Play (439 Dauphine) 5-8 pm. $10 gets you an amazing meal and benefits Southern Decadence, whose official charities are NOAGE and ARNO. ARNO is Animal Rescue New Orleans; the city’s only no kill shelter. NOAGE stands for New Orleans Advocates for GLBT Elders. None of us are getting younger and we all like pets. And we certainly like to eat! So come join us and support Southern Decadence! Thursday, August 4, 2016 Join Oz New Orleans as they present Oz's annual Southern Decadence Employee Turnabout & Buy-ABoy Auction: Dinner’s on Us! - to benefit the official charities of Southern Decadence! The event is hosted by Persana Shoulders and is done as a celebration of Southern Decadence Grand Marshals XLII Derek Penton-Robicheaux, Felicia Phillips, Jeffrey Palmquist, and Anthony Leggio. At the Oz Employee Turnabout, you will be able to catch all your favorite Oz employees as they get in drag and perform for you in a fabulous show! Bartenders? Security? DJs? They’re all getting up in this gig, hunty, and you better believe it! At the Buy-ABoy Auction: Dinner’s on Us, studs in the community are stepping up to the auction block to be sold to the highest bidder! Everyone loves a great dining experience, especially with good company and with the added bonus of a great cause. (Sounds priceless!) Exclusive dinner packages for two have been furnished by some of New Orleans most exciting culinary destinations. CREDIT CARDS ACCEPTED FOR BIDDING! PHONE BIDS ARE ALSO ACCEPTED! CALL 504.300.9525 DURING THE AUCTION TO BID! Doors open at 8:30 pm, the show starts at 9 pm. The cover is $10. Oz is located at 800 Bourbon Street. Friday, August 5, 2016 Arrive in style dressed as your favorite dead celebrity or historical figure and enjoy hors d’oeuvres and a
fabulous show, studded with stars of yesteryear at the Hooray for Hollywood Hereafter event at GrandPre’s (834 North Rampart). There is a $10 donation requested, with proceeds benefiting Southern Decadence charities. A devilishly good time is guaranteed! The show is from 7 – 9 pm. Friday, August 5, 2016 NOLA-PAH’s monthly beer bust at the Phoenix Bar in New Orleans (941 Elysian Fields) is from 9 pm to midnight. For $10 you get all you care to drink beer. This month’s theme is Bright and Tight, so come pup out in your neon gear, or just an old shirt from the 80’s!
free to bring your suggestions. This’ll be an all age’s event with both adult and youth friendly games welcome. Did they mention there is a Poke’ Stop AND Gym very nearby? The event is hosted by Sable Switch. Sunday, August 7, 2016 Southern Decadence Rummage/ Tag Sale will be held at the Rawhide 2010 (740 Burgundy Street) from 1 – 6 pm. Now is the time to start looking around your home and clearing out those closets, time to move those unwanted items and make room for new STUFF!!! Costumes, clothes, appliances, furniture, knick-knacks… U NAME IT!!! Donate it! Sell it! BUY SOME NEW STUFF!!! All proceeds benefit Southern Decadence 2016 and its charities ARNO (Animal Rescue New Orleans) and NOAGE (New Orleans Advocates for GLBT Elders). Contact Rawhide Manager Derek Wasawho or SDGM XLII Jeffrey Palmquist at Café Lafitte for more information or to make a donation!
Saturday, August 6, 2016 Whitney White Linen Night 2016 will launch the Contemporary Arts Center’s milestone 40th Anniversary Season. This annual event is a fundraiser for the CAC. In addition to being at the center, the party where guests dress all in white linen takes place on the Julia Street Arts District. “A Building with a View”: Experiments in Anarchitecture is the CAC’s Exhibition Opening Reception from 5:30-9:30 pm.
Monday, August 8, 2016 Join the Bourbon Pub and Parade (801 Bourbon Street) for their Oh What a Drag - Turnabout XXIV with the theme The Princesses of Pop. Come see your favorite employees, bartenders and performers all on stage as their favorite pop princess benefiting Food For Friends - NO/AIDS Task Force. There will be a “RAPID” live and silent auction and 50/50 raffle, suggested donation at the door $5 and Happy Hour Cocktail Prices all night long!
Saturday, August 6, 2016 White Linen weekend is coming soon, and Oz (800 Bourbon Street) is celebrating by bringing back their annual White Party! Join the staff of Oz and the whole city as they dress in their finest white and party at New Orleans’ Premier Gay Dance Club wish just won Dance Bar of the Year again at the Gay Appreciation Awards! Hosted by Persana Shoulders; there will be a special guest headliner, DJ Roland Belmares to keep you dancing from 10 pm to 4 am. Drink specials and the sexy Men of Oz dancing on top of the bars are sure to get your mouth watering!
Wednesday, August 10, 2016 The French Quarter; A History of Decadence is a Southern Decadence fundraiser that is a leisurely stroll through the French Quarter with local historian Frank Perez. The focus is on how New Orleans’ flagship neighborhood has been a natural home for decadence, sexual and otherwise, for 300 years. Cost is $30, half of which will benefit Southern Decadence. The official charities of SD this year are ARNO (Animal Rescue New Orleans) and NOAGE (New Orleans Advocates for GLBT Elders). The event is from 10 am to noon and leaves from Café Lafitte’s in Exile (901 Bourbon Street).
Saturday, August 6, 2016 LGBTQ GAMERS COME OUT to the debut of the Nola Gaymers at the LGBTQ Community Center (2727 North Broad Street) from 1 – 8 pm. Come visit the center, socialize, game and generally geek out as we host the launch of this brand new social and community group. They will have board games, card games, and console games on hand. But they strongly encourage you to bring out your own favorite games. Xbox and PS3 consoles will be on site! The Nola Gaymers will also be talking about future events both in and outside the center so feel
Thursday, August 11, 2016 The Carnival Kings presents NOLA’s Got Talent; The Final Round at the Four Seasons Bar (3229 N. Causeway Blvd) starting at 10:30 pm (doors are at 9:30 pm). This is the end of Cycle 1 and they are ecstatic to announce our Finalists for our 1st ever Big Competition Finale! The Prize? Becoming a crowned member of the New Orleans Carnival Kings! The Finalists are Kris Gin, Shawn Austen, Nikki Sweet, Colin Backster, Sasinoah Carrion , Hunter Down, CATastrophe, Sean Von Dyke, Sai Rynn and Thomas Jones. Who will be the 3 lucky winners? There
is a $3 Cover. Thursday, August 11, 2016 Welcome to the T.M.I. Talk Show! A live monthly theater show where they invite guests and audience to “overshare” personal stories and real talk about taboo subjects while they entertain you with drag, comedy and variety acts! Hosted by LibeRaunchy the BeauxQueen and Eureeka Starfish, ring girl Miss Adrienne and featuring special guests, Mx Mystik (draguate of Cycle 4 of the New Orleans Drag Workshop) and Taze-Ya Balls! Plus prizes and surprises! Only $8 cover (entry plus cupcake and art prizes)! Doors open at 8:30. This is an hour-long show, so it starts promptly at 9 pm sharp! La Nuit Comedy Theater is located at 5039 Freret Street at the corner of Soniat and Freret Street across from the Dat Dog! Friday and Saturday, August 12 and 13, 2016 Get ready for Mr. Rawhide Leather 2017 put on by Rawhide 2010 (740 Burgundy Street). On Friday, the Meet and Greet starts at 8 pm, and on Saturday, the contest begins at 9pm. Saturday, August 13, 2016 Glamourous premiers at AvantGarden District (2901 Tchoupitoulas Street) starting at 9pm to 11pm. Star headliners include Eureeka Starfish, Nicole Lynn Foxx, Liberaunchy and Bellagio Showers. There is a $10 cover. Tuesday, August 16, 2016 Join the New Orleans Magazine and New Orleans Hotel Collection for the only Sake Pub Crawl in town! Visit five French Quarter bars and enjoy free sake tastings served by celebrity bartenders. Sip Asian-inspired drinks specials featuring Big O Ginger Liqueur and if you visit all five bars, you’ll be entered to win great prizes including hotel stays. Start at any of the featured bars to pick up your Sake Hop Passport. Tickets are $10. For more information or tickets, go to www.myneworleans.com.
Party Down It has been a hectic two weeks of Decadence fundraisers, Award Ceremonies, Movie Premiers and Tales of the Cocktail. Let’s begin with the first of many fundraisers that happened these two weeks. On Thursday, Jeffrey Palmquist and Coca Mesa hosted Southern Charm Meets Southern Decadence. It was a lovely night at their quaint French Quarter home and lush courtyard with pool. There was an open bar, passed hors d’oeuvres, live music, and of course, a group of very charming pool boys splashing about for your entertainment. This was one sexy night as guests were greeted at the entrance with Skyy 42 shots. The [continued on 20]
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trodding the boards by Brian Sands
Email: bsnola2@hotmail.com
The Illusion at Tulane’s Lupin Theater thru Aug. 6 Entering Tulane’s Lupin Theater, because of the masking effect of theatrical artifice, one is challenged to make out fully all the contours of Nicole Watts’ set. The lights then go down and when they come back up again, dimly, we are in the sorceress Alcandre’s craggy cave with some illuminated niches holding jars containing, well, who-knows-what. Pridamant (Silas Cooper), a bourgeois lawyer, enters and asks for Alcandre’s help in locating his son whom he had driven out of their home some years ago. It’s a fantastic beginning for a fantastical tale. The Shakespeare Festival at Tulane is to be commended for its ongoing repertory expansion beyond the Bard. But as Tony (Angels in America) Kushner’s adaptation of Pierre Corneille’s 17th century play L’Illusion Comique continues, what starts out as an unusual and intriguing thriller winds up as a bit of a shaggy dog story. Corneille described the play as “a strange monster” as it ranges over several theatrical genres and ignores the classical unities, things not done in under the gaydar ...from 18 dance band played some great tunes while the guests mingled and played with all the pool boys, I mean toys, sorry. The food was outstanding and prepared by Wilhemina, chef to the stars. I have to admit, being SD Grand Marshal is tiring but sooo much fun! On Saturday, I did something I haven’t done in a long time; attended Drag Brunch at The Country Club and it was fantastic. The food, service (Tony was our waiter) and show was superior and if I may say had improved since my prior visit. Moanalot, Coca and Gia gave it their all to the delight of patrons. Burt was also kind enough to give my clients and me a tour to see all the fabulous renovations and changes they have made. If you haven’t been to The Country Club in a while (sadly like I) then you are in for quite a treat. From the fun atmosphere to the delicious food, you will not be disappointed. On Sunday, more fundraisers, the first was for Southern Decadence at the Friendly Bar. Marty and Koo hosted SD Sister Sunday Social: Brunch and Jukebox Drag Show. The event brought out quite the crowd of supporters to enjoy good food and an afternoon of lively entertainment. The show was an eclectic mix of performers who raised a lot for the Southern Decadence charities. I especially loved it when Marsha Delain joined the stage for a group number. The day ended with a rousing “We Are Family” number with everyone
John Bostic & Lyndsay Kimball in The Illusion the 1600s. Kushner has streamlined the original five acts down to two, but keeps much of Corneille’s philosophizing about life and love leading to some overly verbose passages, especially in the first act. When Corneille/Kushner and director Chaney Tullos work their theatsecond lining around and even behind the bar. Now that is how you do a sister social! The next week was one of work from morning to night. Tales of the Cocktail was in town and they had me running like a crazy man doing lots of their events. I did manage to attend two opening events on Wednesday as a guest. The first was at the Ace Hotel. The ballroom had been transformed into a lush garden/forest setting with different wood gods in each room and of course different cocktails served throughout. There was even a cute takeaway idea for the night, a pencil thin tube swizzle stick that was also a vase was added to the cocktail with a single sprig of baby’s breath in it. Clever way to dress up a drink, someone had been on Pinterest. Then we moved over to the Orpheum Theatre for the after party with lots more alcoholic beverages. You even got served cocktails form inside a nose, very interesting. Cute takeaway from this party was the vodka jelly fish oversized candies. Now I need to make these at home, they were divine. On Thursday, it was my day to work late night at the Bacardi Portfolio party at the Sugar Mill. They threw an old fashioned block party complete with four homes built from scratch for the party. These were full on homes that looked like something out of a movie set with backyards, kitchens, bathroom and bedrooms. There was also over the top entertainment through-
rical magic involving scene changes and seeming character transformations, The Illusion’s mystery holds the audience in rapt attention. But the visions that Alcandre conjures up showing Pridamant’s son’s adventures require greater stylistic variety and, more importantly, an urgency in both action and the conveyance of the words’ underlying emotions that often eludes this production. If there is a tendency towards mere declamation (particularly from Michael A. Newcomer as the son), Lyndsay Kimball, as a wily maidservant, speaks the poetry effortlessly while nimbly revealing thoughts and feelings. Cristine McMurdo-Wallis makes a properly stern and intimidating Alcandre, while John Bostic as Matamore, the son’s employer and would-be romantic rival, after a merry comic turn in the first act turns serious to bring out his character’s pathos in the second. As the highborn object of multiple males’ attention, Devyn Tyler is charming, as she was in the recent Two Gentlemen of Verona, though she
could have found a little more nuance in her lines; that said, it could be Corneille/ Kushner’s wordiness at fault. Chivas Michael, playing the sorceress’ deaf/ mute Amanuensis, silently expresses the indignity of servitude and, transformed, becomes an unyielding father. Hope Bennett provides rich and sumptuous costumes. Martin Sachs’ lighting is dark and moodily effective as is Kevin O’Donnell’s sound design. Tullos, who also serves as the SF@T’s Director of Operations, makes a solid mainstage Festival debut with The Illusion. If the production doesn’t bring out all the script’s magic, it is still a welcome opportunity to see a rarely produced classic full of the fanciful romance of summer.
out the night. It goes without saying there was copious amounts of adult beverages. Friday, after working a grueling day, I came home and transformed into Edina Monsoon for the Ab Fab Premiere at Canal Place. With my cohort in crime Elizabeth Bouvier as Patsy Stone, we donned the outfits and attended the birthday party of Valerie Hart who bought out one of the theatres for our private event. It was all arranged by the lovely Coca Mesa, as we were her present. We cut up and had a blast; we ended up meeting old friends and making tons of new ones. Elizabeth and I even stumbled into the gym adjacent to the theatre to the horror of these muscle queens who looked at us with contempt. I just smiled and said honey if you were all that, you sure as shit would not be at a gym on a Friday night working out. It’s called friends, get some. Back to the movie, go see Absolutely Fabulous, all your old characters are back and there are tons of star cameos. After the movie, Elizabeth and I lived up to our characters and rolled into The Corner Pocket a hot Ab Fab mess. I would love to tell you more about the night, but I pretty much forgot most of it. So nothing bad happened. On Saturday, I actually attended the daytime events at Tales of the Cocktail. It was an array of tasting rooms and cocktails. One of the themed rooms was an old bordello where Princesse Stephaney was hired to play the madam. I love this convention every year even though they work me to death; it is so well worth it. That night, I attended the Gay Appreciation Awards at Oz. Lisa Beaumann and Teryl-Lynn Foxx were excellent emcees and all the bars nominated for
show club of the year brought the house down with their numbers. I especially enjoyed The Corner Pocket’s rendition of “Hey Big Spender” and the Four Season’s "Kinky Boots" homage. I even was lucky enough to be awarded the Gay Man of the Year Award. I am so humbled by this accolade and I appreciate everyone who voted for me. After a quick stop at Lafitte’s in Exile for a drink, a few of us went back to the Marigny to catch Regina Adams and Princesse Stephaney in the Golden Age Review at Mags 940. I love this show and the girls did an excellent job as always livening up the crowd. I ended my two weeks in the Redneck Riviera, Biloxi Mississippi. A group of us boarded the bus from here to go to the Just Us Lounge for a Southern Decadence fundraiser in honor of local boy and co-grand marshal Derek Penton-Robicheaux. Lynn Koval, the owner of Just Us Lounge, welcomed our group with open arms and brought a huge crowd to the event. There was a delectable home-cooked meal of BBQ, collard greens, and potato salad. The ribs were to die for. The party was in full swing with the talented band Rewind 228, which reunited the great talents of Lady Patrice Pickett and Johnny Fung. Following the band was a drag show starring Estelle Suarez, Toni D, Nicole DuBois, and Mercedes Alexander. It was quite the day, we even were able to jaunt off to the casino unnoticed for an hour to get my slot machine fix in. We raised a lot of money and had an enjoyable time, and big hugs out to our friends on the Mississippi Gulf Coast. Also a tremendous shout out to Marty and Koo for attending along with Olive, SDGM XV. Until next issue, have fun and stay decadent.
The Rose Tattoo at Dillard’s Samuel Dubois Cook Theatre thru Aug 7 With The Rose Tattoo, The Tennessee Williams Theatre Company of [continued on 23]
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Lords of Leather Luau & Pool Party
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Amon-Ra & Lords of Leather Fundraisers ~ New Orleans ~ Photos by Tony Leggio, Jeremy Weinberg
Amon-Ra's Burgers & Buns @ Good Friends Bar
trodding the boards ...from 20 New Orleans begins to fulfill its promise. Although the world premiere of two of Williams’ one-acts earlier this year was impressive, as it launches its second season, TWTCNO now tackles a major Williams play for the first time. If Tattoo is not wholly successful, it blossoms with clear purpose and a large, healthy dose of imagination. For those not familiar with the play or the film, which featured Anna Magnani’s Oscar-winning performance, The Rose Tattoo tells the story of Serafina delle Rose, an Italian-American widow in Mississippi who, after her husband’s unexpected death, has withdrawn from the world; concurrently, her teenage daughter is dealing with the first desires of sexual and romantic longing. Augustin J Correro’s production is messy, literally and metaphorically. By the end of it, flower petals, crockery, bouquets of roses, and god-knowswhat-else are strewn across the stage. As well, a bevy of local townswomen traipse around, peering in on the widow Serafina from all sides, while kids whiz by and a goat bleats throughout. But this is how it should be for a play that’s a messy blend of comedy and seriousness, one that almost has the feel of an old Sicilian fairy tale overlaid with some unsettling social commentary, and one in which a major character doesn’t arrive until well into the second act. Early on, in a lovely image, Correro drops black rose petals from above after Serafina’s husband is killed, and he leaves us with a final, highly satisfying coup de théâtre. At times, though, Correro seems to have too many ideas for his own good or, rather, they come off a bit fuzzily. While having an actress embody the Virgin Mary, a personification of the statue Serafina keeps, aptly comments on Serafina’s religious devotion, I don’t think it’s quite right using the same actress who portrays the blackjack dealer whom Serafina fears had an affair with her husband. Sure, Correro is referencing the Madonna/ whore complex that informs a number of Williams’ characters, yet I doubt Serafina herself would ever visualize
the Virgin with the physiognomy of her rival. Still, better to have too many ideas, especially interesting ones, than not enough. Correro adds some nice touches to show the passing of time; if they and other stage business inflate the show’s running time, this is an overall well-paced revival. It’s Correro’s work with his actors, though, that gives me pause. He’s elicited a range of styles from them— naturalistic, stylized and even cartoony. That’s all okay; portraying the local people as caricatures is valid as it heightens the small town hypocrisy that Williams abhorred. I just wish he had guided his principals to probe the text more deeply to make every word count (my feeling about The Illusion’s Tullos as well). As it is, Lillian J. Small as Serafina and Mike Spara as Alvaro Mangiacavallo, a truck driver who rekindles the warmth in her heart, certainly get the broad contours of their roles but were they to evoke more specifically their desperate emotional yearning, they would enrich what are already substantial performances. Spara, well known for his improvisation work around town, distinctly brings out the humor in Mangiacavallo— more than once, Serafina calls him a “clown”—but only hints at the lusty earthiness that reminds Serafina of her husband and so draws her to him. Small ably convinces that the spark has gone out of this youthful widow (Serafina was only 14 when first married); if she doesn’t give us the bonedeep, Italianate soulfulness of Magnani, well, who can? (The same observation was made about Marisa Tomei’s recent Serafina at the Williamstown Festival.) In their dance of two lonely souls trying to come together, Small and Spara do have moments when they connect deeply; I just wish there had been more of them. I suspect there will be as they grow into their roles throughout the rest of the show’s run. For now, one of the best scenes is when Serafina interrogates the wellmeaning sailor Jack Hunter (Matthew Raetz) about his intentions toward her daughter Rosa. Correro steers Small and Raetz to achieve just the right [continued on 26]
GayNew Orleans.c om • NOLAPride.org • August 2-15, 2016 • Facebook.com/ AmbushMag • The Official Mag© © : AmbushMag.com • 23
VOODOO LOUNGE, 718 N. Rampart, 265.0953 Slidell, LA [985] BILLY'S, 2600 Hwy. 190 West, 847.1921 Biloxi, MS [228] CLUB VEAUX, 834 Howard Ave., 207.3271
bookstores New Orleans, LA [504] FAB - Faubourg Marigny Art & Books, 600 Frenchmen St., 947.3700
chiropractic New Orleans, LA [504] DR. MICHAEL LECHLEITER, D.C., 1526 Magazine, 566.1833 [is1516
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Aug. 31-Sept. 5, 2016, 45th Official Southern Decadence Celebration of Gay Life, Music & Culture, end of Summer Blowout including the Southern Decadence Parade & loads of activities, bringing over 180,000 revelers to New Orleans, LA, sponsored by Ambush & SouthernDecadence.com Oct. 27-Oct. 30, 2016 Halloween 33, benefiting Project Lazarus, New Orleans, LA, sponsored by AmbushMag.COM, HalloweenNewOrleans.com Dec. 26, 2015-Jan. 1, 2017 Gay New Year's in New Orleans, New Orleans, LA, GayNewOrleans.com Feb. 24-28, 2017, 68th Official Gay Mardi Gras, New Orleans, LA, sponsored by Ambush, GayMardiGras.com Easter Sunday, April 16, 2017, 18th Official Gay Easter Parade, New Orleans, sponsored by Ambush, GayEasterParade.com
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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]
New Orleans, LA [504] CASSELL-BERGEN GALLERY, 1305 Decatur St., cassellbergengallery.com, 504.524.0671
Mobile, AL [251] B-Bob's Downtown, 213 Conti St., 433.2262, B-Bobs.COM Flip Side Bar & Patio, 54 S. Conception St., 431.8819, FlipSideBarPatio.COM GABRIEL'S DOWNTOWN, 55 South Joachim St., 432.4900 THE MIDTOWN PUB, 153 Florida St., 450.1555 Pensacola, FL [850] EMERALD CITY, 408 E. Wright St., 433.9491, EmeraldCityPensacola.COM THE ROUNDUP, 560 East Heinberg St., 433.8482 Baton Rouge, LA [225] GEORGE'S, 860 St. Louis, 387.9798, SPLASH, 2183 Highland Rd., 242.9491, SplashBR.COM Lake Charles, LA [337] CRYSTAL'S, 112 W. Broad, 433.5457 Metairie, LA [504] FOUR SEASONS & PATIO STAGE BAR, 3229 N. Causeway, 832.0659, FourSeasonsBar.com New Orleans, LA [504] 700 CLUB, 700 Burgundy, 561.1095, BIG DADDY'S, 2513 Royal, 948.6288 THE BLACK PENNY, 700 N. Rampart
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
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New Orleans, LA [504] QT PIE BOUTIQUE - 241 Dauphine St., 581. 6633
Baton Rouge, LA [225] FOUR SEASONS FLOWERS & GIFTS, 3482 Drusilla Ln., Drusilla Shopping Center, 924.1386, 1.800.237.5381
BOURBON PUB & PARADE, 801 Bourbon St., 529.2107, BourbonPub.COM CAFÉ LAFITTE IN EXILE, 901 Bourbon Street 522.8397, Lafittes.COM CORNER POCKET, 940 St. Louis, 568.9829, CornerPocket.NET COUNTRY CLUB, 634 Louisa St., TheCountryClubNewOrleans.COM, 945.0742 CUTTER'S, 706 Franklin, 948.4200 THE DOUBLE PLAY, 439 Dauphine, 523.4517 THE FRIENDLY BAR, 2301 Chartres, 943.8929 GOLDEN LANTERN, 1239 Royal, 529.2860, Facebook.COM/GoldenLanternBar GOOD FRIENDS BAR, 740 Dauphine St, 566.7191, GoodFriendsBar.COM GRANDPRE'S, 834 N. Rampart St., 267.3615, Facebook.com/grandpres KAJUN'S PUB, 2256 St. Claude Ave., 947.3735, KajunPub.COM OZ NEW ORLEANS, 800 Bourbon, 593.9491, OzNewOrleans. COM THE PAGE, 542 N. Rampart St., 875.4976 PHOENIX/EAGLE, 941 Elysian Fields, 945.9264, www.phoenixbarnola.com RAWHIDE 2010, 740 Burgundy St., 525.8106, Rawhide2010.COM TROPICAL ISLE: Home of the Hand Grenade, 721 Bourbon St., 529.4109, TropicalIsle.COM
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!
guides AMBUSH Mag, 828-A Bourbon St., New Orleans, LA 70116-3137; 504.522.8049, AmbushMag.COM; marsha@ripandmarsha.com
groceries/delis New Orleans, LA [504] QUARTERMASTER DELI, THE NELLIE DELI, 1100 Bourbon, 529.1416
hair salons New Orleans, LA [504] 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
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.co
organizations FOOD FOR FRIENDS, 944.6028 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
24 • The Official Mag© © : AmbushMag.com • August 2-15, 2016 • Of fic ial Sout her n Dec adenc e Guide • Sout her nDec adenc e.c om
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 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 NO/AIDS TASK FORCE, 2601 Tulane Ave., Suite 500, 70119; 821.2601; NOAIDSTaskForce.COM PRIDE, NOLAPride.ORG 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
pharmacy Avita Pharmacy, offers personalized 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 pharmacy 24/7. www.avitapharmacy.com. Locations: Baton Rouge, LA, 5551 Corporate Blvd, Suite 102, Tel: 225.924.9130 or 888.792.8482, 70808; New Orleans, LA , Tulane Tower, 2601 Tulans Ave., Suite 445, Tel: 504.822.0131 or 877.424.2930, 70119; New Orleans, LA, Marine Building, 3308 Tulane Ave., Suite 102, 70119, Tel: 504.309.2557 or 844.309.2557. 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
restaurants Metairie, LA [504] Chef Ron's Gumbo Stop & Pub, 2309 N. Causeway Blvd., 835.2022, GumboStop.com New Orleans, LA [504] 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, 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
REAL ESTATE
Royal House Oyster Bar, 441 Royal St., 528.2601, www.RoyalHouseRestaurant.com Stanley, 547 St. Ann St., 587.0093, www.StanleyRestaurant.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 Gay Real Estate, www.GayRealEstate.com, 888.420.6683
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 Formal Connection, 299 Belle Terre Blvd. LaPlace, LA, 985.652.1195 Milavo, www.milavospray.com
theatres
1224 Piety Street, New Orleans Bywater Historic District, $149,000. Great starter home on deep lot! - Mark Boline, Broker/Realtor,New Orleans Relocation, LLC, 505.655.2233, www.NOLArelo.com.
526 Burgundy St., New Orleans Beautiful historic charm,totally renovated French Quarter Single with separate guest quarters. Main house features 2 bedrooms with walkin closets, 2.5 baths, living room, dining room, kitchen and laundry room. Guest house with separate entrance features 1 bedroom, 1 bath plus living room. Total living area 1927sq. ft., includes the 390 sq. ft. guest house. Nice brick courtyard for outdoor entertaining. $899,500. Latter & Blum, Steven Vaughan Real-
t o r ® , 5 0 4 . 8 1 0 . 4 6 4 6 , svaughan@latterblum.com,www.LatterBlum.com.
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
Ambush Advertising ripna@ambushmag.com 504.522.8049
GayNew Orleans.c om • NOLAPride.org • August 2-15, 2016 • Facebook.com/ AmbushMag • The Official Mag© © : AmbushMag.com • 25
spotlight feature: mobile The Summer Games are here, but not all of the action is in Rio! Save yourself a plane ticket and put aside the mosquito netting, because Bear Games is coming to Mobile Bleather Weekend 2016! August 5 and 6 marks the 8th Mobile Bleather Weekend, billed as “The South’s Premier Bear/Leather/Levi Event”. Four bars in Mobile unite to present a weekend filled with contests, music and socializing, all centered around a theme. And because all eyes will be on Rio this August, Bear Games was a natural fit... especially during the 21st Annual Mr. Gulf Coast Bear Contest! Friday kicks off with Opening Cocktails at 6:30 pm at Gabriel’s Downtown. Stop by, have a beer and mingle with the early arrivals. Gabriel’s provides the warm up for a brand new event for Bleather... the circuit dance party “Bearracuda” with DJ Ryan Jones in from L.A. to pump the party! BBob’s is the host bar for Bearracuda, with admission just $6 before 10 pm, $8 after. Bearracuda is already a hot ticket in London, Vancouver, Atlanta, San Francisco, Sydney, NYC and New Orleans to name a few. Mobile Bleather Weekend 2016 marks Bearracuda’s premier in the port city with support from Growlr. Looking for late night adventure? The Midtown Pub’s got it, with TMP’s Annual Notorious Black Party. The lights go low as DJ Scottie makes things go “thump” in the night. It’s over when it’s over, so don’t just come and go - stay a while! Summer afternoons can get hot in Mobile, so take the edge off by grabbing a cool beverage and a warm sack. It’s Corn Hole and Cocktails at Flip Side Bar & Patio! No pressure here, just a friendly game of toss that puts you mood for the Bear Games to come. The center piece of Mobile Bleather Weekend is the annual Mr. Gulf Coast Bear contest. But before that hot mess is the annual Mr. GCB Contestant’s Party at 6 pm at Gabriel’s Downtown. This year’s gathering will be hosted by the men from NOLA Leather to Geaux, providing some nibbles and a look at their 2017 run. This is also a good chance for late entries to sign up for... ...The 21st Annual Mr. Gulf Coast Bear Contest! This year’s pageantry takes on a sporting theme as we celebrate the Summer Games (we can’t use the “O” word) in Bleather style! Bear Games will give you an irreverent taste of Rio 2016 as our contestants display their competitive side in bear wear, bear image, and the ever popular “Less Is More” portion of the show. As always, Louisiville’s own A.J. McKay will unleash his potty mouth and unique world view on the contestants and the crowd. Contestants will “pass the boot” during the contest to benefit AIDS Alabama South, Mobile’s HIV/AIDS help agency. There’s a nice cash prize for the winning bear, a fab sash and adoration from everyone! Of course, the spectacle is followed by another, B-Bob’s Famous Floor Show, which happens after we clean up the mess. Mobile Bleather Weekend 2016 comes to a squeaky clean end with another new event... Gabriel’s Big Bleather Foam Party! It is exactly what the name implies, with Gabriel’s famous patio converted to a frothy dance emporium. Pay a small membership fee and you can dance till dawn! Throughout the weekend, we’ll be giving you the opportunity to win a $100 gift card for a delicious meal at either Felix’s Fish Camp or The Blue Gill, both on the
Mobile Bay Causeway, plus a manly gift basket featuring items from Mayo’s Barber Shop in Midtown. It’s all to benefit AIDS Alabama South. Remember, there is no run fee for Mobile Bleather Weekend. Just come and have a great time. For more information, visit the event website, http:// www.mobilebelatherweekend.com/ and look for our special code for a $50 room rate at our host hotel, Quality Inn Downtown. "As always, a special thanks to Ambush Magazine for their support. We’ll see you in Mobile for Mobile Bleather Weekend 2016, August 5, 6 in Beautiful Downtown Mobile, Alabama!"
trodding the boards ...from 23 balance between comedy and drama. With his pretty boy looks and willing yet tentative attitude towards Rosa, Raetz leaves little doubt that his propriety when it comes to premarital whoopee with her is as much because of inchoate gay tendencies as it is to honor his vow to Serafina. While his properness may have been played straight back in the 1950s, Williams himself hints at the subtext by having Hunter state that his ship is heading to “Buenos Aires, Rio and San Francisco.” I detected a slight, and not inappropriate, twinkle in Raetz’s eye when he mentioned the last city. As Rosa, Linnea Gregg makes a suitably dramatic teenager, headstrong like her mother; a little more of the tender ache of the heart that the text suggests is all that’s missing. Michael Sullivan winningly delivers two different types of authority figures, a too slick priest and, more broadly, a nasty salesman who undoubtedly would be a Trump supporter. Destani Smith embodies the classiest blackjack dealer you’ll ever see and contributes an otherworldly demeanor as the Virgin. Yet it is Mary Pauley in the small but significant role of Assunta, Serafina’s confidant, who provides this Tattoo’s most memorable moment. It’s a minor but telling one. Serafina has needlessly insulted her friend. Pauley replies with a twisting clap of her hands as if to say “Bah! I’m done with you” and exits. Pauley may not have much stage time but with her stooped walk, feminist/ hippie-ish costume, curly grey wig, subtle facial expressions, and gestures
m obile paparazzi
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26 • The Official Mag© © : AmbushMag.com • August 2-15, 2016 • Of fic ial Sout her n Dec adenc e Guide • Sout her nDec adenc e.c om
Kickin' Cancer's Butt, Pride Car Wash, Flip Side & B-Bob's ~ Mobile, Alabama ~ Photos by Miss Cie
“BEARRACUDA” Joins BEAR GAMES at 8th Mobile Bleather Weekend 2016 Aug. 5 & 6
GayNew Orleans.c om • NOLAPride.org • August 2-15, 2016 • Facebook.com/ AmbushMag • The Official Mag© © : AmbushMag.com • 27
Sister Sunday Social: Brunch & Jukebox Drag Show raises $705 for Southern Decadence @ The Friendly Bar ~ New Orleans ~ Photos by Rip Naquin
paparazzi
28 • The Official Mag© © : AmbushMag.com • August 2-15, 2016 • Of fic ial Sout her n Dec adenc e Guide • Sout her nDec adenc e.c om
1st Southern Decadence Grill Off raises $550 @ The Page for Southern Decadence ~ New Orleans ~ Photos by Paul Melancon, Rip Naquin
ambush
matters of health by Jack Carrel, MPH
Health Status Linked to Sexual Orientation A study published in a recent issue of JAMA Internal Medicine not surprisingly found that LGBTQ adults are more likely to have psychological and physical health issues that straight people. The data is from the National Health Interview Survey. The results showed that gay and bisexual men were more likely to describe suffering from severe psychological distress, drink heavily and smoke than heterosexual men. Severe psychological distress was reported by 6.8 percent of gay and 9.8 percent of bisexual men, and only 2.8 percent of straight men. Also, 11 percent of bisexual women reported psychological issues and substance abuse problems, versus 5 percent of lesbian women and 3.8 percent of heterosexual women. Study authors theorized that the stigma and bias that the LGBT community faces and the chronic stress that results, can seriously impact health and that health care providers should keep this in mind to ensure equitable health care for all their patients.
HIV Seroconversion is Rare if PrEP is Used Consistently In a study presented at the recent American Society for Microbiology Microbe, researchers reported that new HIV infections were at a low rate of about 1 per 100 person-years among people who took daily Truvada for PrEP, with infections mostly in participants who stopped taking PrEP. The study was an analysis of more than 30 studies and demonstration projects presented last month at the ASM Microbe 2016 conference in Boston. trodding the boards
...from 26 like this one, she fully conjures up Assunta’s personality. Jerry Johnson’s scenic design, including a wall of shutters and a large rose hovering over the stage, adds lyrical grace to the production as does Missy Martinez’s variously hued lighting. The cast does have to do a better job, however, of projecting lines from offstage; the scenery seems to muffle them and I wasn’t the only one who had trouble understanding them. The last Rose Tattoo I saw was at Le Petit in 2003. It was a fairly traditional production and utterly unmemorable. Leaving this Tattoo, I was pleased to have experienced not only a wonderfully messy version of Williams’ odd Gulf Coast dramedy of love and redemption, but what I hope will be The Tennessee Williams Theatre Company of New Orleans’ ongoing blooming into artistic maturity.
PrEP Use is Rising Fast in US More than 49,000 people in the US have filled prescriptions for Truvada for pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) at retail pharmacies, according to the results of a survey by Gilead Sciences presented at the ASM Microbe conference. Among those PrEP users, most were white gay men; Blacks used PrEP much less often, despite having the highest rates of HIV infection. At a conference in 2013 Gilead researchers presented findings from a survey of 55% of US pharmacies showing that fewer than 1300 Truvada prescriptions were written in 2012 for people who did not already have HIV or hepatitis B. About half of these PrEP recipients were women.
Factors Affecting Cervical Cancer Screening A recent study published in the Journal of Clinical Nursing reported factors that impact cervical cancer screening among lesbian and bisexual women and transgender men, which can affect health outcomes. Some of the factors overlap with the general female population but some are specific to LBT individuals. Patients who were screened routinely felt more welcome in the health care setting, while nonroutine screeners reported more discrimination related to their sexual orientation and gender expression. Routine screeners were also more likely to ‘out’ to their provider. “Our research findings add to the growing body of literature that suggests unwelcoming healthcare environments is a major contributing factors to lack of preventive screening among LGBT people,” said Dr. Michael Johnson, lead author of the study. “The healthcare landscape needs to be more affirmative and inclusive for LGBT people, and this can only be achieved if each healthcare professional, especially nurses and providers, educate themselves on how to provide better care to LGBT people.”
Birth Control App Wants To Reduce the 3 million Unintended Pregnancies In The US You might be saying why is there an article about birth control in an LGBT column? Well, did you know that pregnancy rate for LBT teenagers is two to seven times greater than their heterosexuals? Given the challenges LGBT individuals have seeking appropriate health care, you can imagine the discussion around birth control can be challenging. To try to make birth control more accessible, a health care company has developed an app. NURX developed a website and app started by two male entrepreneurs based out of San Francisco, who want to ensure that healthcare is more accessible, and
not just a service set aside for those in a certain financial bracket.Hans Gangeskar and A. Edvard Engesaeth (who is an MD) are the co-founders of Nurx, which allows women with insurance to get birth control free, and noninsurance customers to purchase it for $15. The best part is that it is delivered to a customer’s house. They have a team of medical doctors who can answer any questions. The site also offers PrEP. The downside? At the moment, it’s only available in California and New York but….who knows what could happen in Louisiana! To check out the program, go to www.nurx.com
Transgender People Worldwide Face Challenges for Health Care The influential medical journal, The Lancet, recently published a series of papers highlighting health issues in the transgender community. This is the first time such a journal has devoted a series to transgender health. Some of the data presented in the studies included transgender women, who often face job discrimination and turn to sex work, have a 49 times greater risk of HIV. Transgender people are also frequent victims of violence, with researchers documenting 2,115 killings between 2008 and April 2016. One paper in the series notes that many regions still have laws or policies that threaten transgender health, such as the 17 European countries that impose sterilization on people seeking gender reassignment. Studies showed there are an estimated 25 million transgender people globally. Transgender people suffer high rates of depression - up to 60 percent - due to stigma, discrimination and abuse, jeopardizing their physical and mental health. Jack Carrel, MPH has worked in HIV, STD, and LGBTQ health for over 30 years. Currently he is a doctoral student at Walden University, a consultant in grant writing. He can be reached at jackcarrel@gmail.com.
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Newly crowned Miss Gay Louisiana America Imani Nye Black in her first walk at Oz
ambush
paparazzi
Patrons living for the new photo booth @ Oz New Orleans
GAA Award Winning Ladies of Oz @ Show Night
YouTube sensation Todrick Hall @ Oz after his House of Blue’s show: Straight Outta Oz!
Cutter's Mac "Goes Pink" to Harass Miss Love @ Cutter's
Piglette's Rip & Marsha "Goes Pink" to Harass Miss Love @ Cutter's
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Coming Home: Decadence Takes Biloxi raises $2,514 @ Just Us Lounge for Southern Decadence ~ Biloxi ~ Photos by Koo Gaffney, Tony Leggio
Southern Decadence S'ingo raises $1,653 @ Cheezy Cajun for Southern Decadence ~ New Orleans ~ Photos by Rip Naquin
La Scène Sociale
moments in gay new orleans history by Professor Frank Perez E-mail: f.perez@sbcglobal.net Photo by: Larry Graham, GrahamStudioOne.COM
“History is Put to a Vote” Even though the Republican and Democratic conventions are behind us, the political rhetoric is just starting to heat up. Facebook and other social media are still “feeling the Bern” from the Bernie-Busters. Hillary is trying to ignore her haters and the Donald is proving himself more than capable of topping the last outrageous thing he has said. Libertarian Gary Johnson and Green Party candidate Jill Stein continue to register trace elements of support in the polls. Yet other candidates of minor parties are floundering at the back of the pack. The election is November 8. I see the election through a historical lens; more specifically, as a referendum on the strides we have made in the last several years. Many of the victories we have won—repeal of DOMA, the invalidation of Proposition 8, marriage equality, etc.—have been won in the court system. Our next president will likely appoint two to four Supreme Court Justices and hundreds of federal judges to the lower courts. That matters because court decisions can be reversed. The landmark Supreme Court case Brown vs. Board of Education (1954), which outlawed racial segregation, reversed Plessy vs. Ferguson (1896), a case that originated in New Orleans
when Homer Plessy refused to disembark the “white” streetcar and board the “colored” one. The Supreme Court ruled against Plessy, thus establishing the legal principle of “separate but equal.” A short 48 years later, a different Supreme Court summarily reversed a previous Supreme Court’s decision. It has happened many times and it can happen again. That is why this election is so important for LGBT+ people. Of all the parties on the November 8 ballot, there is one party that has codified its homophobia in its official platform. Gregory Angelo, President of the Log Cabin Republicans (a group of gay republicans—yes they do exist,
even though the phenomenon is difficult to fathom, kind of like Jews for Hitler), observed of the 2016 Republican platform, “It’s the most anti-LGBT platform in history.” In brief, the platform: *supports legally re-defining marriage as between one man and one woman *supports conversion therapy (ie— praying the gay away and turning homosexuals straight) *supports a ban on gay couples adopting *supports “religious freedom” legislation which would allow discrimination *supports anti-transgender legislation regarding bathrooms Yes, for the first time ever a major political party has included a plank in its platform regarding where people can take a piss. And the language endorsing conversion therapy was drafted by Louisiana’s own Tony Perkins, President of the Family Research Council. If Donald Trump wins the presidency, his judicial nominees will roll back our rights and freedoms. Think of the Wizard of Oz in reverse. Dorothy and her fabulous shoes are forced to leave the colorful and magical land of Oz to return beyond the rainbow to the hum-drum, black and white desolation of Kansas, the closet if you will. The closet is exactly where the
Republican Party would like us. That is why they are saying, “Pay no attention to that man behind the orange skin.” But we have to pay attention, lest we return to a time long thought gone, where police raids of gay bars are de rigueur and we have to lead doublelives—a time where we have to refer to each other as “Friends of Dorothy.” That is why it is imperative Donald Trump be defeated in November. The old cliché may be tired but it is still true—those who don’t know history are doomed to repeat it. Our history is marked by silence and invisibility. That’s not a place I care to return to.
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