Ambush magazine volume 34 issue 23 by Ambush Publishing

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the "official" dish by Rip & Marsha Naquin-Delain Email: ripna@ambushmag.com

Ambush Magazine Endorsements include Hillary Clinton for President, Vote Nov. 8 The upcoming November 8th election may very well be the most important one in the lives of the LGBT+ community and the community at large for the next 25 years. There is so much at stake especially the fact that the next President will possibly appoint 2 to 3 or more justices to the Supreme Court of the United States. Those selections will guide the course either maintaining the victories won or head in the direction of complete reversals. That then brings us to both houses of Congress which may change the balance of power. The Senate has a better chance of success, so your vote in this election is as important as life itself. Ambush Magazine makes the following endorsements: President - Hillary Clinton, Timothy Kaine Louisiana US Senate - Foster Campbell Louisiana US Rep (1st District) - Lee Ann Dugas Louisiana US Rep (2nd District) - Congressman Cedric Richmond Orleans Parish Judge 4th Circuit Court of Appeal - Judge Laurie White Vote Tuesday, Nov. 8. It is easy to find your voting locations @ https:// voterportal.sos.la.gov/.

"The Devil Wears Leather" sets tone for 24th Red Party Nov. 19 with Naughty or Nice Auction Revelers from across the South will head on over to the oldest LGBT+ bar in North America for the 24th Red Party Saturday, Nov. 19. "The Devil Wears Leather" will set the tone for Cafe Lafitte in Exile's annual staff turnabout show. The event features live drag performances, raffles, and an auction, all benefiting the Food For Friends program of the NO/AIDS Task Force (now Crescent Care). This year the staff will be auctioning off a leather item of their choice whether it be naughty or nice. And knowing some of the staff, it's sure to be quite naughty! Veteran bartender and reigning Southern Decadence Grand Marshal XLII Jeffrey Palmquist, in his tenth year hosting the event, says, “The Red Party is a great way for our community to give back to the less fortunate. It’s a lot of fun too.” The Red Party was the brainchild of former Lafitte’s Manager, the late Robin Malta. One afternoon in 1992, Malta was holding court in the bar and came up with the idea. The group of friends at the bar (which included Errol Rizzuto, Big Rick, the late Miss Fly and others) liked the idea and began brainstorming. That first year raised over $10,000. The annual party has raised a total of $102,182 over the past 23 years. Charities that have benefited from the Red Party include Belle Reve, Food for Friends, In This Together, W.E. Have a Heart Fund, and others. Not all of the

inside

Thanksgiving issue due out Nov. 22 DEADLINE: Nov. 15

hno 33: lazarus ball paparazzi a community within communities moments in gay new orleans history book review celebrazzi hno 33: the main event paparazzi 5th annual winter wonderland big easy paparazzi/new orleans 30th art against aids halloween paparazzi/new orleans

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spotlight feature/michael chioldi trodding the boards classifieds under the gaydar real estate mobile paparazzi ambush paparazzi/new orleans

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designated charities have appreciated the Red Party’s donation. Rizzuto recalls, “One year Robin had dedicated the proceeds to be donated to babies with HIV and when he tried to give the money to the given charity they refused it because it was from gays.” This year’s Red Party will be emceed again by Palmquist and Ambush Magazine's Rip Naquin. For more information on Cafe Lafitte in Exile, visit www.Lafittes.com.

Johnny Passion's 5th Winter Wonderland benefits St. Anna's Episcopal Church & Food For Friends @ Eiffel Society Join a night of holiday magic celebrating the true reason of the season. Misti and Catherine Gaither are proud to announce their 5th annual Winter Wonderland which will be a fundraiser for both St. Anna’s Episcopal Church and NO/AIDS Task Force, Food For Friends program at Eiffel Society, 2040 St. Charles. The night will also honor Princesse Stephaney as she is presented the 2nd annual ICON Tribute Award in recognition for her many good works throughout the LGBT+ community. The event will begin with doors opening at 5pm with a catered dinner from Semolina’s served for VIPs only from 5 – 6pm. The venue will be decorated as a beautiful Winter Wonderland. During dinner the VIPs will be entertained with music from pianist, Ben Childress. As a VIP, you will walk in to the venue on the red carpet like a Hollywood star and have your picture taken by our paparazzi consisting of several well known local photographers. Tickets are already selling very fast and must be purchased BEFORE the event. VIP tickets are $40.00 each which includes dinner. There are also sponsorship levels still available. VIP tickets will be the only way to guarantee you a seat during this event. Contact show producer, Misti Gaither at 504.292.3983 or inbox on Facebook to reserve your VIP tickets now!! There is a very limited number of VIP tickets remaining for purchase. After dinner, general admission will begin for the event at 6:30pm. You will be entertained by a top notch variety drag show, that is filled with several of our area’s most loved and talented performers, during which will be the award presentation to Princesse Stephaney. Local Artist, Cheryl Grace has painted a nine (9) portrait series of Princesse Stephaney called “Another Pretty Face”. All of the paintings will all be on display during the event and for sale. Cheryl has generously donated one of her of paintings of Princesse for auction. She will also donate a portion

THE OFFICIAL MAG

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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

from the sale of her other remaining paintings of the series. The paintings are beautiful and portray Princesse in some of her most ICONic looks. There will also be a silent auction that will be filled with wonderful items so you will be able to complete your holiday shopping list.

Lords’ “The Diva in Me” Show Nov. 26 It’s almost time again for the Lords of Leather’s annual turnabout show – American Bandstand. This year’s theme

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HNO 33: The Lazarus Ball benefiting Project Lazarus @ Il Mercato ~ New Orleans ~ Photos by Darwin Reed

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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

The Seasons of Change: Part 1 Tipple a glass of Sherry with me or perhaps a delight dry Martini and let’s talk about the changing seasons. Change can often become unsettling, yet, change is inevitable so our cosmos and community seems. When the fall season comes, usually, there are noted changes but maybe not so much this year. It’s still far too hot to be fall yet there you have it the shadows are still getting longer and the days shorter. Institutions embrace change in their calendars. Schools generally are a fall, winter, and spring affair with summers off… seasonal. Our social calendars start to check in during the fall. Some start getting serious about the future balls and extravaganza’s to come even though they are months off…seasonal. Likewise, the church which resists change so much also embraces chance as a way to tell its story. My hope is to tell the church story of seasonal change alongside of our own stories of change. There is, I believe, a synchronicity between the two. Often the church sets the stage to tell the story of our lives, hopes, and memories. So, the best starting place is, I think, to start with memories: our history and our past and those that played a role in that same past. For the church we have established All Saints Day and All Souls Day. They have a long and honored tradition that was shaped in some form from Celtic Pagan ritual. These days are November 1st and 2nd and follow “All Hallows Eve” or Halloween. Trick or Treating actually started with people wandering about on All Hallows Eve asking for food in return for praying for the departed. Some would dress up called Mums or Mimes from which the Mummers got their name. So, costumes and candy replaced food for prayers and Mums who would pray as well. This All Saints Day we remember the saints and examples of our faith and culture that represents for us Christ-like behavior and examples. At Saint Anna we name folks like Dr. Martin Luther King, Aelred of Rievaulx (Patron of LGBTQ), St. Joseph and the other usual suspects. What we also remember are martyrs of our common life: Emmett Till, Mathew Shepherd and others who died either because of who they were or what they were doing. These are important times, Christian or secular, it is time to remember in a formal way those who died. Because when we do so we are made alive and so are they. Their deaths are not in vain but are remembered. And if they are remembered they have an effect on our lives today. When we think of the Holocaust we say “Never Again” and such is imprinted on the tombs of unknown victims in the camps. “Never Again” for Matthew Shepherd and Emmett Till. Do you know their stories? Look them up and then perhaps you will say “never again.” Such is the usefulness of our Día de Muertos, All Saints Day. It is a time to remember the victories and defeats of our human condition. If we do not speak for the dead who will speak for them? So, this season begins Fall a time of long shadows and change. There is another day a bit more intimate but less known. It is called “All Souls Day.” It is a day that we quietly remember our own families. All Saints and All Souls are often combined. If you are from New Orleans you may remember families going to the cemeteries around town and cleaning up and even white washing their family graves. What we experience is not a lot different than a celebration of life! I have

been to a few of those in local pubs and it is usually a great out pouring. I understand that the one for our good friend George was wonderful and it was at the Friendly Bar. Outside are bricks with names of our friends who have gone on to what we hope are bigger and better things. It is during this time that we might also want to remember the Upstairs Lounge fire. Yes, the church and so many others behaved badly. It was a difficult time. Yet, today it is somewhat different. We still remember and we should, “never again” and we will add “we love you.” So, the seasons change and so do we. So the history of our community both the greater community and the communities within the larger one should remember our collective and individual histories. Do it in church or do it in more informal settings. I believe that the form and structure of worship or liturgies of remembrance are powerful things. They bring a sacredness to a public gathering that speaks volumes about where are heart is and where our hopes lay. I know that throwing wreaths into the River is sacred as is a brick in the sidewalk and party at the pubs and clubs. But honestly, they are about our humanness and not our sacredness. Our history is sacred it is holy. Our brothers and sisters who have loved and been loved, those who sought love, those who fought for love, and those who simply were should remain in the present in unique ways. No matter how you think of it our histories are important both our personal histories and our community histories. Paraphrasing Paul’s letter to Timothy, “We have fought the good fight, we have run the good race, we must keep faith that the future will be better, more loving, and finally find itself in holiness.” Our next topic: Expectations for the future or “What is Advent all about?”

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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

The Phoenix Rises from the Ashes of Smoky Mary In 1982, Jamie Temple and George Cossitt opened the Phoenix, a Levi / leather bar at 941 Elysian Fields Avenue in the Marigny. In the 34 years the Phoenix has been open, it has gained an international reputation as one of the nation’s premiere leather bars. For much of the 20th Century, the building that houses the Phoenix was a hardware store before it was purchased by pioneering lesbian / women’s activist Charlene Schneider, who turned the space into a restaurant called Smoky Mary’s. The name was reminiscent of the railroad line that ran from the river-front down Elysian Fields all the way to the Milneburg area on Lake Pontchartrain. The Pontchartrain Railroad, aka Smoky Mary, operated from 1831—1932. Schneider also owned the bar across the street at 940 Elysian Fields. Charlene’s opened in 1977 and over the next 22 years, would earn a prominent place in the pantheon of legendary New Orleans bars. Bars often take on the personality of their owners, and Charlene’s was no exception. Saundra Boudreaux, a regular in the 1980s, recalls, “Charlene cared about her girls, they were family” and “She always made us feel loved and safe.” The notion of Charlene’s being a “safe space” is a recurrent theme in many women’s memories of the bar. At the time, Charlene once recalled, “women’s bars were like boxing rings.” The late Toni Pizani remembered, “She worked toward giving women a better space.”

book review Voodoo Rush Chris Manno. White Bird Publications, 2016. ISBN: 978-163363-205-9. 279 pages. by Frank Perez Chris Manno’s latest offering is an exciting page-turner that adventure-thriller readers are sure to love. History, technology, and Voodoo are all here, along with an array of colorful characters that are a joy with which to spend a few hours. This locally set novel is about a deadly drugs-for-guns deal gone wrong and features rival gangs, rogue DEA agents and an elite hacker squad pitted against each other in a flash-fire that stretches from New Orleans to the Caribbean and back. Desperate men, bold women and a thread of Voodoo weave a vivid tapestry of heartpounding action and tense adventure. The novel opens in the Lafitte swamp,

just south of New Orleans, before moving to the city and then the Caribbean. Locals may find some of the tropes a bit tired but they don’t detract significantly from the story. The strength of the book is its plot. If you are looking for some locally set escape reading, this book is it. Chris Manno is a freelance writer and cartoonist. His writing is published in Airways Magazine, Mashable.com, CondeNast Traveler and other periodicals. His novel East Jesus (White Bird Publications, Austin, Texas) was published in the Spring of 2016, and his most current cartoon collection, “Rude Late Night Cartoon” is available on Amazon.com. He earned his undergraduate degree in English from the Virginia Military Institute and his Ph.D. in English from Texas Christian University. In addition to flying a full schedule as an airline captain for a major carrier, he teaches writing at Texas Wesleyan University.

the "official" dish ...from 4 is “The Diva in Me”. Come out to Oz at 800 Bourbon Street on Saturday, Nov. 26 at 8pm to catch this version of the “manly men” doing their best impersonations of their favorite female entertainers. Local diva Elizabeth Bouvier will host the show and as always there will be a surprise or two for the audience. Tickets are just $15 and will be available at the door and in advance from krewe members.

30th Anniversary Art Against AIDS Dec. 3 The 30th Anniversary Art Against AIDS is set for Saturday, Dec. 3 at Club XLIV on Champions Square at the Mercedes Benz Super Dome. The Patron Party is 7 to 8pm with the gala running

Dame Edna

After Smoky Mary’s closed, it became a short-lived lesbian bar called Clark’s Gable until Temple and Cossitt bought the place in 1982 and redubbed it the Phoenix. In 1991, they remodeled the apartment above the bar and opened the Men’s Room Bar, now called the Eagle. In 1995, a leather boutique, COK (Clothing or Kink), was added downstairs. Catering to the leather community, the store offers everything from harnesses to boy butter. Founding owner Jamie Temple, originally from New Jersey, came to New Orleans to attend the University of New Orleans and after college decided to stay in the city. He is one of the co-founders of the NO/AIDS Task Force (now Crescent Care) and in 1991 served as Southern Decadence Grand Marshal XIX. Today, reminiscing on those years, Temple says, “My memories of owning the Phoenix are quite positive. I always thought of it as a neighborhood bar first and foremost. A mini community center, of sorts you might say. We were at first afraid folks wouldn’t follow us across Elysian Fields. Boy, were we ever wrong! We named it after my husband’s home town. We thought it sounded better than the Newark (my Jersey roots).” Temple and Cossitt sold the bar two weeks before Hurricane Katrina to Bobby Connell. Current owner Clint Taylor bought the bar in 2011. The Phoenix is strongly associated with Southern Decadence because of its multiple night street party and other indoor festivities. The Phoenix is home to pigs and pups and bears all year around but they come out en masse on Labor Day weekend.

On Wednesday, September 2, 1998, the Phoenix became one of the last gay bars in New Orleans to be raided by the police. To kick off Decadence weekend, the bar was hosting “Underwear Night” and many of the patrons had checked their clothes at the door. According to media reports at the time, an unnamed “concerned citizen” had filed a complaint with city officials and the police department citing unsafe sexual activity in the upstairs bar, which according to the complaint, was “extremely out of control on weekends after midnight.” A statement issued by the New Orleans Police Department stated undercover vice squad officers “observed males engaging in oral copulation, anal intercourse, digital anal intercourse, as well as mutual masturbation.” Of the fourteen people arrested, thirteen were charged with violating obscenity laws and the management was booked for “Allowing Sexual Acts on the Premises of Alcohol Beverage Outlet.” Witnesses report the police were very rude and made homophobic jokes during the raid. Police spokesman Lieutenant Marlon Defillo issued a public statement describing the raid and releasing the names and addresses of those arrested. Over the course of its 34 year history, the Phoenix has served as the home bar for a variety of clubs and organizations, a few of which include the Knight d’Orleans, the Lords of Leather, the Renegade Bears, and, more recently, NOLAPAH (New Orleans Pups and Handlers). Gay male leather culture dates back to the 1940s and evolved out of the motorcycle club movement, which became popular in California in the 1950s.

from 8 to 11pm. Michael L. Walters as Dame Edna will blow into town for Art Against AIDS with the force of a Cat 5 hurricane… Hurricane Katrina kept the original Dame Edna from performing in New Orleans over 11 years ago. So this is a show you definitely won’t want to miss! Sequins blaze and punchlines fly as renowned vocalist and stage actor Michael Walters presents an uncanny impersonation of Dame Edna that critics and stars alike have lauded for nearly 18 years! www.Totaltheatre.com raves, “The closest thing to enjoying Dame Edna’s outrageous comedy on Broadway is to laugh ’til you cry over Michael Walters as Dame Edna!” On top of that, Walters lends his booming baritone voice to jawdropping Broadway classics which the wife of late Broadway legend Robert Goulet calls “Beyond Impressive!” You’ve never seen or heard Dame Edna quite like this! Join NO/AIDS Task Force as they bring together both visually stunning and spectacular performing arts all under the roof of Club XLIV on Champions Square at the Superdome. Event Chair is Tim Fields with Honorary Auction Chair Lucille McDonnell; and Auction Chairs: Kimberly Norwood Robinson, Colleen Keogh, Andrea Sabillon Halstead and Jake Thomas. Tickets include: AAA Single Patron Ticket $250.00 AAA Double Patron Ticket $500.00 AAA Abstract Ticket $1,000.00 (4 Tickets)

AAA Gala Ticket $100.00 AAA Gala Ticket (35-under) $50.00 Visit http://www.noaidstaskforce.org/ events/aaa/ to purchase tickets.

Original Cafe Sbisa features Jazz Brunch Saturday & Sundays Long time Quarterites and visitors alike will be happy to know that the original Cafe Sbisa (established 1899) is back under the direction of the Napoli Family headed up with proprietors Craig Napoli and Chef Alfred Singleton. Craig is the son of the late Charles Napoli, and his son David is also on staff at the popular eatery at 1011 Decatur Street in New Orleans. Jazz Brunch is every Saturday and Sunday from 11am until 2:30pm served with "bottomless" champagne and mimosas. Enjoy dining under the giant famous "George Dureau" above the bar in the first floor dining room. All your favorites are available ...Crabcakes and Eggs, Eggs Sbisa, Eggs Benedict, Crawfish and Andouille Omelette, Grillades and Grits, New Orleans BBQ Shrimp, Pain Perdu, and more. The restaurant also serves dinner nightly 5:30pm until 10pm. For reservations or information, call 504.522.5565 or visit www.cafesbisanola.com.

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celebrazzi

Amon-Ra Emperor and Empress I Darwin Reed and Opal Masters celebrate with Oz proprietor's Madeline Schwartz and Cindy Lou Simpson at the annual Lazarus Ball hosted by HNO 33 (Halloween New Orleans). The Thursday evening ball kicked off Halloween weekend at Il Mercato in New Orleans benefiting Project Lazarus. Oz is the generous liquor sponsor each year making HNO possible. (www.HalloweenNewOrleans.com) (www.OzNewOrleans.com)

Above: The First Lady of Mobile, Miss Cie welcomes New Orleans' Stephen Valiente and Biloxi's Nicole DuBois to B-Bob's in Mobile, Alabama. Left: Thousands joined "Pirate's Revenge" The Main Event hosted at the CAC (Contemporary Arts Center) celebrating the largest event of the 33rd Halloween In New Orleans benefiting Project Lazarus Saturday, Oct. 29. The festive parade of costumes dazzled the crowds with the Best Overall Costume award going to the Rainbow Parrot Pirates. Other awards and winners included Hot Mess: Audrey Hepburn “Breakfast at Tiffany’s”, Best Individual: Captain Hook & Peter Pan, Best Group: Willy Wonka, and Best Group Performance: The Sexy Gay Jean Lafittes. The awards were presented at The Queen's Tea aboard the paddlewheeler Creole Queen on Sunday. (www.HalloweenNewOrleans.com) Below: Long-time Media Sponsor Ambush Magazine helped kick off the festivities at The Lazarus Ball hosted on Thursday, Oct. 26 at Il Mercato with some of their close friends. Benefiting Project Lazarus, Halloween New Orleans 33 has donated over 4.5 million dollars to this worthwhile charity. Guests enjoy culinary delights, dancing and the incredible auction which makes tickets to this event so sought after. Those in attendance included Southern Decadence Grand Marshal XLII Jeffrey Palmquist and partner Coca J. Mesa, King Cake Queen XXII Aubrey Synclaire, Ambush's Rip Naquin and Marsha Delain, and Amon-Ra's Emperor and Empress I Opal Masters and Darwin Reed. (www.AmbushMag.com)

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paparazzi

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HNO 33: The Main Event @ CAC with Host Persana Shoulders benefiting Project Lazarus ~ New Orleans ~ Photos by Darwin Reed

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Armeinius' OktoberFest

GrandPre's

big easy

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New Orleans ~ Photos by Tony Leggio, Paul Melancon, Darwin Reed

Amon-Ra's Halloween Party

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Oz New Orleans (Photos by Adrian Claveria)

Rawhide 2010

The Ladies of Oz in Halloween Show (photo by Roy Guste)

HNO Glow Party after party at Oz

DJ Max Rodriguez & DJ Kyle D for Halloween Sunday Funday

Clover Grill Oz gogos: Sam Lamar & Rikk York

The Phoenix

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Good Friends Bar

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Halloween Weekend ~ New Orleans ~ Photos by Paul Melancon, Rip Naquin

Persana Shoulders with the top costume picks for the Oz Halloween Costume Contest

Cafe Lafitte in Exile

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spotlight feature New Orleans Opera’s Macbeth is Engaging ...and Engaged Speaking to baritone Michael Chioldi, with his friendly manner and easy laugh, Macbeth, the murderous General and doomed future King of Scotland, would be one of the last operatic title characters to come to mind. Yet this rising star will be singing the lead in the New Orleans Opera’s production of one of Verdi’s early successes on November 11 and 13 at the Mahalia Jackson Theater of the Performing Arts. Praised for his “warm, rich tone” (Opera News) and “deeply communicative phrasing” (The Baltimore Sun), and rapidly becoming one of the most sought-after dramatic baritones of his generation, this is a performance you won’t want to miss. Chioldi is no stranger to New Orleans. “I was here last year for Lucia di Lammermoor,” he said, “and when they asked me back for Macbeth I was so thrilled.” Lucia occurred a week after Carnival last year. It was Chioldi’s first time in the city. “I loved that there were beads everywhere after Mardi Gras.” That’s not the only thing the youthful Pennsylvania native loved. “I love the restaurants and the vibe of the city. Plus seeing the influence of when the Spanish were Michael Chioldi here and when the French were here as well as the Creole history. And the live music.” He continued, “It’s so alive here. You don’t get that in too many other places. I love going into a place, sitting down and hearing live music while you’re eating.” It wasn’t always like that for Chioldi. He was raised in the coal-mining, steelworking town of Avonmore, 30 miles east of Pittsburgh, population 300. “I was just a country bumpkin,” he said modestly. “The building I now live in in New York has more people than the town I grew up in,” he added with a chuckle. ...and singing Macbeth It was a quintessential small town upbringing. “Pittsburgh was the ‘big city’ and Christopher Mattaliano has taken a very I didn’t get there till I was 15 or 16,” Chioldi interesting concept that Lady Macbeth is being controlled by the witches. So it’ll be observed. He sang in his church choir and the traditional sets and costumes but a modern show choir in high school. “I thought I was interpretation which I think is great espegoing to become a doctor but one thing lead cially with its emphasis on the supernatural to another and I just fell into it.”So much for given New Orleans’ rich history of voodoo and the darker side of things. All you have career planning. Chioldi followed college at West Vir- to do is go for a walk around Jackson ginia University with graduate studies at Square with its tarot card readers and you Yale. Within two years of leaving New see that element is still here in the modern Haven, he was singing at the Metropolitan world.” It’s not difficult to find other parallels Opera. His debut there was in Andrea Chénier between Verdi’s version of Shakespeare’s in a production starring Luciano Pavarotti. tragedy and our current age. A week ahead “He was just the warmest person ever to of presidential voting, Chioldi stated, “With me,” Chioldi said of the late great tenor. this crazy election you really see the thirst “You didn’t speak to him till he spoke to you. for power just as with Macbeth and Lady Being a young Italian-American, he looked Macbeth. But they wind up way over their out for me and on opening night invited me heads.” Let’s hope the same won’t go for over to sit at his table. He was so supportive our new President. Chioldi has a powerful yet supple voice of me.” Chioldi has since gone on to sing that can get into the upper reaches of the leading roles around the world in operas by baritone range. That and a romantic insinuVerdi (Rigoletto, La Traviata, Il Trovatore, ation akin to a tenor’s will serve him well in Don Carlo), Puccini (Madama Butterfly, Macbeth. “Early Verdi requires baritones Tosca, La bohéme), and Strauss (Salome) to sing pretty high,” said Chioldi. “I like singing in that range.” among others. If Chioldi is now focusing on the classic Macbeth has been a kind of calling card for him. “This will be my sixth produc- operatic canon (he goes directly from NOLA to Guadalajara to sing his first Iago in tion of it in two years.” Asked how this production will differ Verdi’s Otello), earlier in his career he was from the others, Chioldi replied, “Director known for doing 20th century works (Billy

Budd, Nixon in China, The Consul). He’s pleased to have “worked with some really great composers.” Among them is Anthony Brandt who, by some cosmic coincidence, is a high school and college friend of mine (I swear I didn’t know of the connection when this interview was first planned!). In 2008, Chioldi premiered the role of Man in Brandt’s one-act opera The Birth of Something which has a libretto by Pulitzer Prize finalist playwright Will Eno. Brandt commented “Michael’s voice is stunning and his exceptional artistry and musicianship enable him to tackle roles both familiar and brand new.” Reviewing Brandt’s achingly romantic score, the online AllMusic site noted that “Chioldi handles the treacherous vocal lines with strength, security, and conviction.” But perhaps Chioldi’s most significant production will be coming up December 10 at Trinity Church in New York when he marries Scott Hill, his partner of 5½ years. “He’s 17 years younger than me.” Chioldi said smilingly. “We met in DC. When I saw him I knew I was going to spend the rest of my life with him.” Hill has a slightly different perspective. “Before I ever met Michael in person, I saw him perform the title role in the Washington National Opera’s production of Hamlet. I

thought he was the most beautiful straight man I had ever seen,” Hill wrote in an email. “He would later walk into the first day of rehearsal for a show I was working on back when I was a stage manager and, to my delight, I found out that I was wrong about his sexuality,” Hill continued. “He is so charismatic and fun and I am pretty shy, so it took a good bit of work for us to get to know each other. Once we did, we quickly found our way into this amazing relationship. I cannot wait to call him my husband!” Chioldi shared with me how the wedding ceremony will end, “We’re going to have the whole crowd sing the ‘Hallelujah Chorus’.” Knowing how many of his talented colleagues will be in attendance, Chioldi opined, “it’s going to be awesome.” Recalling the audience at Lucia, Chioldi said, “I’m just glad that the gay community is coming out to support opera in this town. That’s really cool.” After seeing Chioldi in Macbeth, stick around afterward to say “Hello” to him. If you do, you’ll meet a man who considers himself “so lucky and fortunate and blessed that I found my passion early in life and have been able to pursue it.” I wonder if anyone in Avonmore prophesied that when Michael Chioldi brought its population up to 301.

trodding the boards by Brian Sands

Email: bsnola2@hotmail.com

Steve Grand at Cafe Istanbul After Steve Grand went up on the lyrics of a song for the third time (out of his first seven numbers), I thought “Is he nervous because he’s making his New Orleans debut?” It wasn’t because he had partied in this party town, because he later stated that he’s been sober for a year now. Perhaps he was a bit tired as he had had a very early flight here that morning. Whatever the cause, after that third time he became much more focused and delivered a flawless and highly enjoyable cabaret act at Cafe Istanbul recently. (I later heard that something similar occurred the next night at his second performance so maybe it’s just a bit of shtik that’s part of his act to make him seem down-to-earth. Hmmm...) Grand came to national prominence three years ago when his music video AllAmerican Boy was released. He became the “first openly gay male country musician” to attract mainstream attention in the U.S., a label, like all such labels, he would probably prefer to avoid as he told me a few weeks ago during an interview. But while his cute-as-a-button looks and washboard abs might have gotten him modeling gigs (go ahead and google), onstage he consciously plays against his coverboy physiognomy. Rather than being a gay, say, Smokey Robinson or Rod Stewart, Grand comes across as a selfproclaimed “big goofball.” Which is fine. Sporting a scruffy black beard and a 1,000-watt smile, Grand is completely open. There may be some self-censorship be-

tween his brain and mouth, but not a lot. So when looking back he addresses his younger self as “you stupid little bottom,” his natural charm makes it sound adorable. Grand regaled his audience with a tale of how he was scared of puking on his idol Elton John when he once met him (’cause of food poisoning), and said with disarming sweetness “When I open my mouth sometimes dumb things come out ’cause I’m stubborn and learn things the hard way.” However he learned to play the piano, throughout his set, Grand displayed impressive technique, encompassing styles from honky-tonk to an expansive jazziness. If Grand’s original songs often tell of relationships that don’t end well, musically they exhibit a wide scope. At Cafe Istanbul, he gave Stay a funkier groove than on his CD as he implored a lover to “not get mad/ And stay with me/Under the covers.” In Time, a beautiful ballad, he expressed complex emotions about a troubled relationship. Country or not, he tore up the keys on All-American Boy, giving it a barrelhouse rendition. And Don’t Let The Light In, written just before he gave up drinking, is a

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under the gaydar by Tony Leggio Email: ledgemgp@gmail.com Photo by: Larry Graham

Hot Happenings Halloween has ghosted right pass us and now we look toward November and preparing for the big Turkey Day. There is so much to see and do this holiday season in the Crescent City, here are just a few of the hot happenings.

trodding the boards ...from 22 tender plea for abstinence and features a lovely melody; it will appear on his next CD and could be another big hit for Grand. Covers ranged from contemporary hitmakers like Katie Perry, Taylor Swift, One Direction and the Justins (Timberlake and Bieber) to “oldies” such as Journey, the Beatles and, of course, Sir Elton. Grand displayed a soulful, deep connection with John Denver’s Take Me Home, Country Roads which he once sang around a Boy Scout campfire when he had a crush on one of the counselors. He brought a penetrating interpretive skill to James Taylor’s classic Fire and Rain, the one song he and his Dad, who “has the emotion of a brick wall,” can bond on. At one point, Grand described himself as an “old 26-year-old whose face has been beaten up by life.” I beg to disagree. His face is just fine and he still has a whole lot of living to do. Including, I hope, a return visit to New Orleans.

Curtains Up! Halloween may have passed but there are some treats running and about to open that you’d be a turkey not to give thanks for. The incomparable Lady Bunny returns to New Orleans on Saturday, November 19, at 8pm in Trans-Jester at Cafe Istanbul. In addition to new parodies of Adele, Rent and Bruno Mars punctuated by zany Laugh-In style zingers, this tour de force comedy spectacular promises to include some insightful social commentary. (Well, Bunny thinks it will be insightful.) Trashing the current overemphasis on political correctness, Bunny will break down some of the latest buzzwords that we’re supposed to remember for every occasion as we “evolve.” Bunny may avoid politics in this performance—because we’ll need a break after this toxic election—but she doesn’t shy away from gender politics and the new pronoun we’re forced to learn every time Will Smith’s son puts on a dress. And after Caitlyn Jenner reached out to Republican presidential candidate Ted Cruz to become his “trans ambassador”, Bunny feels that it’s time to address that car crash. I can’t wait to see Bunny doing Cait’s twisted version of My Favorite Things. In Trans-Jester, Bunny will even dish something out for us theater queens with a finale featuring classics from both Gypsy and Follies. Speaking of theater queens, John Cameron (Hedwig) Mitchell de-

scribes Trans-Jester as “A scream for sanity from the nastiest, most big-hearted comic performer around.” The last time I saw Bunny here at OZ, she was performing with her arm in a cast. Who knows what she’ll be wearing this time! After the show, head over to Mag’s 940 on Elysian Fields for a party hosted by Vinsantos and Bebe Scarpinato (“America’s oldest granny tranny stripper”). They’ll be performing along with a couple of horse-hung (so I’ve been told) dancers. Johnny Dynell is DJing along with Lady Bunny. All this is FREE if you come to the show; otherwise a mere $5 will get you in. Further down St. Claude Avenue, The Company, St. Bernard’s budding community theater, will present that delightful maneating plant musical Little Shop of Horrors November 17-20 at the newly-opened Valiant Theater and Lounge (6621 St. Claude) in Arabi. Run by Richard Mayer, formerly of the Old Marquer/Shadowbox Theater, I’m looking forward to eclectic and adventuresome programming there. Also on St. Claude, after a solid House of Bernarda Alba earlier this year, In Good Company returns with Eric (Treme) Overmyer’s On the Verge, or The Geography of Yearning in which three Victorian lady explorers traverse time and space thwacking their machetes through the wilderness of unexplored Terra Incognita, primed for adventure with the help of quippy dialogue. Playing through November 19 at the New Orleans Art Center (3330 St. Claude Ave.), this production features Sarah Carlton, Sherri Marina, Cammie West, Evan Spigelman, and an original musical landscape by Ratty Scurvics. Others shows currently running include– —Mark St. Germain’s successful offBroadway play Freud’s Last Session making its regional debut at Le Petit through November 20. In it, Sigmund Freud, father of psychoanalysis, and C.S. Lewis, Oxford professor & prolific author, clash about love, sex, the existence of God, and the meaning of life in a meeting of two brilliant minds who eventually find they have more in common than they could have possibly imagined. —Dangerous Birds (if Agitated), a collection of three one-acts (The Gnädiges Fräulein, The Pronoun “I”, and Sunburst) put on by The Tennessee Williams Theatre Company of New Orleans in the patio of Phillips Bar (733 Cherokee St.). Appearing until Nov. 20, this al fresco presentation focuses on strange & power-

Thursday, November 10, 2016 Join The Lords of Leather for their annual Evening of Art & Spirits at the beautiful Bywater Maison Macarty (3820 Burgundy) from 7 – 10pm. For your donation of $20, you receive entry into the event where you can buy artistic creations of local artists, photographers, and jewelers. We will serve light snacks, and, wine, beer, vodka, and whiskey drinks. Immerse yourself in an evening of relaxation, creativity, and beauty. Thursday, November 10, 2016 Rue Royale Grand Reveler II, Will Antill, invites you to join the LGBT+ Archives Project for an evening at the Double Play (439 Dauphine Street) from 5 – 8pm. ful women and the men whose affections they command. —Mothers and Sons, Terrence McNally’s play about a stern and uptight mother who unexpectedly visits her dead son’s former lover, now married to another man, 20 years after the son passed away from AIDS. Theatre Lab NOLA makes its debut with this production upstairs at Trèo Cocktail Bar (3835 Tulane Ave.) which plays through Nov. 21. I was disappointed when I saw Mothers and Sons on Broadway two years ago; let’s hope this version, starring Yvette Hargis & Lary Hesdorffer, will cause me to change my mind. —Grounded, George Brant’s portrait of an Air Force pilot whose unplanned pregnancy ends her flying career but earns her a position in the “Chair Force” piloting a drone in Iraq from her base in the Nevada suburbs. Southern Rep’s season continues as Kerry Cahill stars in this one-woman journey into the heart of darkness at Loyola University’s Lower Depths Theatre through November 27. —Funny Girl, the story of beloved comedienne Fanny Brice from her beginnings on NYC’s Lower East Side to stardom with the Ziegfeld Follies. Butch Caire directs the show that made Barbra a star, and gave us People and Don’t Rain on My Parade for the Jefferson Performing Arts Society. It continues at their state-of-the-art facility in Metairie until November 13. —Zombie Prom! The Musical, a campy social romp set in America’s atomic age, for those of you who are suffering from Halloween withdrawal. When Toffee, the most well-loved student at Enrico Fermi High School, breaks up with bad-boy Jonnywithout-an-H Warner, he speeds off on his motorcycle straight into the nuclear power plant. What happens next??? Find out at Playmakers in Covington (19106 Playmakers Road) through Nov. 13. Three new shows are opening soon– —Tour Detour concerns a son who,

The evening will include a delicious dinner buffet and an amazing silent auction. All proceeds benefit the LGBT+ Archives Project of Louisiana. Celebrity guest appearances by KDRRR Grand Reveler I and SDGM XLII Jeffrey Palmquist and KDRRR Lord of Misrule Frank Perez. Come get your grub on and help get our history out of the closet! Cost is $10. Thursday, November 10, 2016 Welcome to the T.M.I. Talk Show! A LIVE monthly drag theater show where we invite our guests and audience to “overshare” personal stories and real talk about taboo subjects while we entertain you with drag, comedy and variety acts! Hosted by LibeRaunchy the BeauxQueen and Eureeka Starfish and featuring special guests, Ella Vation, draguate of the New Orleans Drag Workshop, and Stanley Roy “Fantasy”, singer/songwriter extraordinaire! There are prizes and surprises! Only $8/pp = entry plus cupcake and art prizes! Doors open at 8:30! *This is an hour-long show, so

[continued on 25] prior to traveling to Afghanistan for his fourth tour of duty as an Air Force explosives ordnance technician, visits his father, whom he hasn’t seen in more than 20 years, at a central Louisiana prison where he’s serving a life sentence. Veteran actor Harold (Married with Children and An Officer and a Gentlemen) Sylvester will star in this world premiere by Harold Ellis Clark along with Ambie Award nominee Kenneth Brown, Jr. John Grimsley directs this Ashè Cultural Arts Center and HEC Communications coproduction which runs November 11-20 at the Ashè Power House Theatre (1731 Baronne St.). —In Leaving Cottonwood, two strangers meet after separate tragedies force them from their homes late one night. Graham Burk, Hayden Guthrie, Levi Hood, and Wendy Miklovic comprise the cast of Anita Vatshell’s new play which Generate INK is premiering at The Fortress of Lushington (2215 Burgundy St.) for a six night run, November 10-19. —A Kingdom, A Chasm imagines a devastated future in which three unlikely companions must sustain a “community” in the ravaged wilderness that was once New Orleans. Inspired, in part, by the mad tea party in Alice in Wonderland and Beckett’s Waiting for Godot, this original show, set in a massive Lincoln towncar, uses absurd humor and exuberant physicality to explore the tenuous compassion that holds humans together in spite of it all. A Kingdom, A Chasm is directed by Jennifer Sargent whose Canarsie Suite at the 2009 New Orleans Fringe Festival I found to be “fun, silly and theatrically inventive.” Owen Ever, Cameron-Mitchell Ware, and Lisa Shattuck will appear in Vagabond Inventions’ AK,AC at The Art Klub (1941 Arts St.) from November 10th to 20th. All that should keep you stuffed until Thanksgiving!

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we start promptly at 9pm sharp. La Nuit Comedy Theater is located at 5041 Freret Street.

Sunday, November 13, 2016 Scorpio Boys Entertainment Presents ‘Big Easy Boylesque’ at The Four Seasons (3229 N. Causeway Blvd) at 8pm. It’s will be a night of reveals, sexy men, and more fun that you can shake a stick at. There is a $3 Cover.

Friday, November 11, 2016 Dress as your favorite Pop Culture icon and join us at the 38th Annual Howling Success Patron Party & Gala at the Hyatt Regency (601 Loyola Avenue) as they celebrate Pop Culture in style to help support the animals of Louisiana SPCA. Howling Success is the area’s most unique fundraiser and one of our largest tributes to the more than 43,000 animals that come through our doors every year. The Patron Party will be from 7- 8:30pm with the gala from 8:30pm – midnight. There will be fabulous food from area restaurants, open bar, marvelous silent auction, specialty acts & live music. For more details about the event or to purchase tickets or tables, please go to www.la-spca.org/howlingsuccess. Saturday, November 12, 2016 Get ready for the 2nd big Friday Night Before Mardi Gras event for the 2017 Mardi Gras year. This year ’s theme, “Hollywood....Gone Bad” will leave you feeling naughtier than ever! Your $20 ticket for this event includes an open bar with 2 specialty pop-up bartenders, open pool, 4 local food pop ups, Drag Queens, a raffle, dancing and more! The event takes place at Maison Macarty Bed and Breakfast (3820 Burgundy St) from 6 – 9pm. Tickets are also available at the door so bring your friends! Cash, credit cards, or checks accepted. Rain or shine... The bar area is covered! For more information, go

Saturday, November 19, 2016 Get ready for biggest blue light boy special in New Orleans history! The Big Easy Sisters, in Association with New Orleans Pride, invite you to Boys For Sale: A Bachelor Auction with Host Varla Jean Merman. Join the Varla Jean Merman and The Big Easy Sisters at the Four Seasons (3229 N. Causeway Blvd.) from 8 – 10:30pm for one hell of a “fire” sales as New Orleans’ most eligible bachelors are auctioned off with all proceeds benefiting New Orleans Pride and anti LGBT bullying initiatives in the New Orleans area. Sunday, November 20, 2016 The Krewe of Petronius will be hosting a FABULOUS all you can eat buffet at The Four Seasons Bar (3229 N. Causeway) from 6 – 8pm. The Krewe of Petronius buffet will leading into the AMAZING The Witching Hour at Four Seasons Show with talents provided by K.o.P members Kitty D’Litter Towner Blake Hagan Laveau Contraire and MORE! $10.00 Donation at the door.

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Tuesday, November 22 – Sunday, November 27, 2016

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under the gayday ...from 25 The New Orleans Theatre Association proudly presents the New Orleans premiere of DR. SEUSS’ HOW THE GRINCH STOLE CHRISTMAS! THE MUSICAL at The Saenger Theatre (1111 Canal Street). Hailed by The New York Times as “100 times better than any bedside story,” this extended holiday run of a classic musical will enchant adults and children alike as part of the East Jefferson General Hospital Broadway in New Orleans 2016 – 2017 season. Tickets for THE GRINCH start at $26.25 and will be available at the Saenger Theatre Box Office, BroadwayInNewOrleans.com, all Ticketmaster outlets and by phone at (800) 982-2787. Friday, November 25, 2016 You are cordially invited to NOAGE’s Second Annual Gala themed “NOAGE Goes to Vegas!” The event takes place at Rosy’s Jazz Hall from 7 – 10pm. There will be live entertainment, music, food, and drinks. There will also be lots of Vegas-style games, including card games and Roulette! Dress up as your favorite Vegas stars! - Elvis, Charo, Liberace, Britney, Celine, Frank, Dean, Sammy, Bette, Phyllis, Donny and Marie, Steve & Eydie, ....the possibilities are endless! (Costuming is encouraged, but not required.) All funds raised will benefit NOAGE, ensuring that we can continue providing great programming and services for LGBT+ older adults. Tickets are $40 each. To order tickets go to www.noagenola.org. Sunday, November 27, 2016 Come be a part of Johnny Passion’s 5th Annual Winter Wonderland at the Eiffel Society (2040 St. Charles Ave). All proceeds after expenses to be split between Food For Friends and St. Anna’s Food Pantry. VIP guests will enjoy a delicious catered sit down dinner while being entertained by local musicians. The venue will be decorated with beautiful winter holiday decorations. There will also be a red carpet entrance complete with paparazzi and a step and repeat background. After dinner, there will be a variety show filled with local celebrities and entertainers. To reserve your table or tables NOW, contact Misti Gaither via Facebook.

Book of the Month: November As most people know, I am a huge Absolutely Fabulous fan, so when I received a signed copy of Jennifer Saunder’s autobiography from some friends as a gift, I was ecstatic. Her autobiography, Bonkers: My Life In Laughs is an upbeat account of her life from childhood, school reports, past performances and the major events. I loved this novel, it is witty, poignant and inspirational. You will enjoy all of her life’s highlights from Ab Fab to Shrek. There is also a healthy dose of name-dropping which is fabulously hysterical. As you can imagine, I enjoyed reading about the inception of AbFab and Jennifer’s descriptions of her co-stars. You get insight to her family and her loving tribute to her deceased father. From her family life with her husband and three daughters to her battle with cancer (which she has overcome), Jennifer’s light shines brilliantly through. Comedy is still definitely a man’s world,

but getting an intimate glimpse on how famous comedienne’s made their way to the top is interesting. Jennifer’s many collaborations in film, television and theatre are spotlighted throughout the book. She also goes into detail about the people who have shaped her life especially Dawn French. Whether you are an avid fan like I am or not, Bonkers is a great read about a fantastic actress who I look forward to seeing more of in the future.

Party Down My two weeks leading up to Halloween was a ghoulishly fun mix of pirates’ booties, sexy zombies, live chickens, Olivia Newton-John and Vegas baby! There is so much to tell you so let’s get started with my trip to Las Vegas for work. I took Southwest’s direct flight at the crackle of dawn and landing in the other Sin City at 8am so I had the entire day to play. I got checked into one of my favorite casino/hotels on the strip, The Mirage. I love this place from the restaurants to the attractions, it has it all. Another major selling point it is pretty much centrally located with easy access to lots of things. I dropped my bags in my room, met up with my friend Jeremy and we were off on a fabulous shopping spree. We started at the shops located in Planet Hollywood then made our way to the Forum Shoppes in Caesar’s Palace. To me Vegas is synonymous with shopping, whether high end shops, unique boutiques or chain department stores, this city has something for everyone. After my foray into binge shopping; we went to brunch at Mon Ami Gabi in the Paris hotel. This classic French bistro is an upscale chain found in Chicago, Vegas and DC. The food is spectacular especially the crepes and the onion soup. The staff is attentive and the cocktails are delicious. It is one of my favorite restaurants on the strip. I took a little break after lunch to relax and get some work done before meeting back up for dinner where we went to an experience like I have never been to before. Move over Hooters, there seems to be new restaurant in town with almost the same ilk. Toby Keith’s I Love This Bar and Grill was set to open in New Orleans but never came to fruition, so when my friend joked about going there for dinner, I said why not. And guess what it was actually pretty fun and the home-cooking style food was wonderful. Now I do have to say it was an experiment in unusualness, since the waitresses (who were all very polite and hard-working) wore assless chaps with frilly underwear. We now know what part of the body Toby is fond of. There was a stripper pole by some of the bar tables, but the beer was served in mason jars (now that is kind of awesome). I have to say, all things considered, this was not a disappointing meal. After dinner cocktails were on call so we went to Fizz Champagne Bar. One of the club’s managing partners is David Furnish, civil partner of Sir Elton John. The place has a very upscale vibe and their chandelier is pretty breathtaking, but prepare yourself the cocktails are pricey which is about $19 per drink. They even have a drink that is $2,500. Now I am big on frivolous spending, but that is a little too much for my taste. Afterwards, I thought a complete change of scenery was in order, so since it was the Halloween season, I conned my friends into

joining me at the Zombie Escape Haunted House at the Linq Hotel and Casino. We went near its closing so it was cool we were the only ones in the compound like maze they set up. It was pretty intense and there were zombies jumping at you from every angle. I had to admit there were some good scares, but near the end, I ran into this zombie who was shirtless, smeared with blood and had long flowing hair. I was smitten, so after he jumped out at the group, I took the opportunity to give him my dig to see if he wanted to meet up later. Don’t judge, you know you have met guys in worse places. The rest of the night is one of what the saying What Happens in Vegas stays in Vegas. On Monday, my meetings started until noon, then I was able to break away and have lunch at the always good Wolfgang Puck California Pizza Kitchen in The Mirage. The food is consistently good and they always have new creative salads and pizzas to choose from. That evening, was a special treat because my company had private busses take us to the president’s palatial home in the desert for a cocktail reception. The adobe style mansion had an entrance courtyard, three fireplaces (two outdoor and one indoor), a pool, Jacuzzi and a spacious backyard that looked like it was right out of Home and Garden. We had a suburb dinner, then was transported back to the strip, where a few of my friends and I hopped in a car and went to the House of Blues Foundation Room at Mandalay Bay. We had bottle service (which is literally all the clubs do in Vegas) and drank very nice champagne well into the next morning. The Foundation Room at the House of Blues in Vegas boasts one of the most spectacular rooftop views of the strip. Their laid back, sexy vibe was the perfect way to finish off a great day. On Tuesday, I was on the trade show floor all day promoting the city of New Orleans to groups interested in booking our city. After, my company hosted a party for current and potential clients at Tao, the hot nightclub in the Venetian. The club is a very Zen, but hip place. So it was a pretty amazing way to start off the night connecting with possible clients, seeing current ones all while having lots of libations. From the party, I met up with some friends at truly one of my favorite restaurants in Vegas, Japonais. This trendy restaurant that is in New York provides a menu of classic Japanese cuisine with an American twist. My favorite dish at the restaurant is their awesome tempura Brussel sprouts. I honestly would fly to Vegas just to have that dish. After the wonderful meal, I gambled a little bit before bed. I love to gamble unfortunately this trip did not prove very fruitful, I left my heart and $150 in their fare city. The next day, I again spent it on the trade show floor all day, but afterwards, I met up with some friends and we went to see the incredible Olivia Newton John at the Donny and Marie Theatre in Vegas. OMG, I love her! She did all her hits from Xanadu and Grease as well as her rock and roll and country tunes. She ended with the heartfelt I Honestly Love You and my heart just melted. We capped off the night by going to the Hash House A Go Go in the Linq Hotel. It is hard to describe this slice of Americana fabulosity. The décor is farmer chic with cow hide chairs and metal fittings. Come hungry because the portions are huge, even the small portions could feed an army. Thursday, I was at the booth all day

and took the red eye flight back to NOLA. I was home just in time for the weekend’s festivities starting with the Krewe of Armeinius fundraiser Cocktoberfest at their Mid-City den on Saturday. Once again the Krewe hosted an exemplary event that had great food, lots of cocktails, good entertainment and a nice silent auction. It was a splendid evening to hang out with friends and my auction wins helped start my holiday shopping. Sunday was the last of the host parties leading up to the big holiday weekend. The party was held once again at Jim Mounger’s home Uptown on Nashville. Jim always graciously hosts this party which I enjoy attending every year, so I can marvel at his art collection, which is probably one of the best in the city. The man has well-appointed taste in art. My next week’s event started on Tuesday night when I attended the premier of The Illusionist with Jeff Mallon at the Saenger Theatre. I was never a big magic person, but this was an entertaining show that incorporated comedy, suspense and a little sexiness. The magicians ranged from the outrageously flamboyant to the hip, smoldering sensual types including a mind reader, a martial arts expert, an escape artist. The Halloween New Orleans event started on Thursday with the Lazarus Ball at Il Mercato, the beautiful venue located on Magazine Street. The food, silent auction and live band made the night memorable. I love this dressy affair because it gives hosts a chance to mix and mingle in a more quietly refined space. And it is a great place to get your drink started for the weekend. My jet lag from the week before caught up with me so I missed Friday’s event at the Civic Theatre for some much deserved rest, but I bounced back with a vengeance for their Saturday event at the Contemporary Arts Center. My group and I were in fabulous pirate drag and went as The Real House Wenches of the Caribbean. The decorations this year were astonishing, especially the cave photo Opp and the pirate ship stage. Ralph Brennan’s Catering did the food in the Host Lounge so it was delectable as expected. Congrats to the team who put on the event, it was very festive. Sunday was a more laid back day on the Creole Queen. I am so happy they returned to the boat because it allows the out-of-towners to enjoy something touristy while they are in town and gets them out of the bars for a few minutes. Besides, I cannot describe the feeling of dancing on the top deck of the boat to hot dance tracks as the city sails past you. When we left the boat, HNO organized a second line parade for the guests to the corner of St. Ann and Bourbon, once again giving them another unique New Orleans experience. After a few cocktails at the bar, I dragged my tired butt home to crash. Halloween fell on Monday so I thought I would include that in my two weeks. Halloween was more relaxed. My friends and I attended Michael Shlenker and Don Schwenn’s house party at their home right by Metairie Cemetery. They had a red velvet brain cake, open bar with specialty cocktails and lots of neighbors celebrating the holiday. It was the perfect way to cap off my two weeks. Now that Halloween is over, there is no need to stay wicked, so in celebration of the next holiday, go out and stay thankful that we live in one of the most amazing cities in the world.

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Halloween, Birthdays & more... ~ Mobile, Alabama ~ Photos by Miss Cie

m obile paparazzi

The Corner Pocket

The Golden Lantern

ambush

paparazzi The Page

The Double Play

Kajun's Pub

Mag's 940

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le grand facile ~ New Orleans ~ Photos by Paul Melancon, Hubert S Monkeys, Jeremy Weinberg

Bourbon Pub & Parade

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