Ambush Magazine Volume 36 Issue 20 by Ambush Publishing

THE OFFICIAL GAY MAGAZINE OF THE GULF SOUTHâ&#x201E;¢

A Biweekly Publication Celebrating LGBTQ Life, Music & Culture Since 1982 VOLUME 36 ISSUE 20

TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 25, 2018

www.AMBUSHMAG.com

Gay History, National Bullying-Prevention Month & Pre-Oktoberfest

Who Will You Be?

FABULOUS c o m e o ut y a l p ! o t . FALL  Live Shows Play Girlz

The Music of

Senator Ken Fridays 7:30–9:30pm

hosted by Gia GiaVanni

Fridays 10–11:30pm

The Music of the

Vanessa Carr Band Saturdays 7:30–9:30pm

Divas R Us starring Monica Synclaire-Kennedy

Saturdays 10–11:30pm

The Half-Assed Straight Boys Sundays 3–9pm

Help us raise funds for Winter Wonderland! $ 12 0

Platinum Sponsor

Best L GBTQ

Bar

Golden

The Official Home of Southern Decadence.

Jubilee: Dragging for Jesus with Reba Douglas Sundays 5–7pm

Best Happy Hour

in the Quar ter!

THE

Lantern

1239 Royal St. New Orleans • facebook.com/GoldenLanternBar

HAPPY HOUR 8AM – 8PM DAILY

N E V E R A C O V E R AT THE GOLDEN LANTERN

THE “OFFICIAL” DISH by TJ ACOSTA, PUBLISHER

Dear Ambush Nation, Now that you have recovered from your Southern Decadence hangover, it’s time to think about all the fun and excitement the next few months will bring. In New Orleans and along the Gulf South, there is always something to do. It’s amazing how fast time flies and before you know it, you’ll have invites to more Christmas parties then you care to attend. Before we get to Christmas, though, a lot of other fun things will come up for you to enjoy. Halloween in New Orleans always treats us to a fun time and this year will be no different with the HNO weekend lineup of parties October 26 - 28. This year Ambush will publish the Official Gay Halloween Guide with a complete list of parties and events at all your favorite bars along the Gulf South. Several groups and organizations are also having fundraisers for multiple charities. I’m listing some below so be sure to mark your calendars! CHEVRON NEW ORLEANS WALK TO END HIV

The Chevron New Orleans Walk to End HIV with presenting sponsor Avita Pharmacy will be held in Crescent Park. The walk is on Sunday, September 30, with registration beginning at 8 am and the walk starting at 10 am. This year Big Freedia, the Queen of Bounce, will perform at the walk. The Walk benefits CrescentCare and its NO/AIDS Task Force Division along with other AIDS Service Organizations around the state through the Walk Share Grant Program. You can sign up at www.noaidswalk.com to raise funds online. If you’re interested in being a volunteer, you can sign up online or call 504-821-2601 ext. 215. MARK YOUR CALENDARS The Forum for Equality Acclaim Awards Gala is being held on Saturday, October 13, at the InterContinental New Orleans. Louisiana Governor John Bel Edwards will be the recipient of the 2018 Acclaim Award. The Gala will feature a silent auction, open bar, dinner and entertainment and is the largest annual fundraiser for the Forum for Equality. For more information go

Inside this Issue of Ambush Opinion: New Orleans Southern Decadence, Inc. 2018 Accounting

Book Review: Rising Out of Hatred: The Awakening of a Former White Nationalist

Snap: 2018 Forum for Equality Acclaim Awards Patron Party

Tricentennial Profiles in History: Judah Touro

Snap: New Orleans Pride Coronation of the 2019 Royalty

Snap: Saturday Night at Oz New Orleans Under the Gaydar: New Orleans Hot Happenings

9 10-15

Under the Gaydar: Mobile Hot Happenings

Opinion: History and the Big Picture

Gay History: Decadence Past: An Interview with 2010 SDGMs Julien Artressia and Toby Lefort

VCPORA Turns 80

Snap: The Corner Pocket

You’ll Never Walk Alone

Snap: Oz New Orleans

Mystic Krewe of Apollo New Orleans Resurrected

The Spectrum Center presents Pine Belt Pride

Snap: Girls Gone Broadway

Snap: TONY’s Bon Appétit Dinner At His House

Party Down

Snap: Bon Appétit Dessert and Champagne Afterparty

Trodding the Boards

26-27

The Sting of Favoritism

A Community within Communities: Vigilance

LGBT Owned & Friendly Business Directory: 30-31 3 Steps to Handle Market Volatility as You Approach Retirement

Saints edge Falcons in wild OT shootout

LSU to unveil Billy Cannon statue to be Sept. 28

Gulf South LGBTQ Entertainment & Travel Guide Since 1982 New Orleans, Louisiana info@ambushpublishing.com

to www.forumforequality.org/2018-acclaim-awards-gala Belle Reve Nola’s Silver Anniversary Brunch & Tea Dance will be on Sunday October 14th from 12 noon to 4 pm at the Audubon Tea Room. Tickets start at $70 and can be purchased at www.bellerevenola.org. Belle Reve New Orleans provides permanent and transitional housing along with full support services to adults and families living with HIV. On October 20th the Gulf Coast Equality Fest takes place in Biloxi, MS. The event is a great way to celebrate diversity and equality with our friends in Mississippi. They will have live music, food, vendors, kids activities and raffles. For more information go to GulfCoastEqualityFest.org New Orleans Advocates for GLBT Elders (NOAGE) will hold its 4th Annual Gala on Friday November 16th from 7 to 10 pm. The theme for this years Gala is “Under the Sea” and will be held at the Audubon Aquarium of the Americas. NOAGE is committed to ensuring that all LGBT older adults can live their best lives with dignity, respect, and good health. For more information, contact NOAGE at info@ noagenola.org The 32nd annual Art Against Aids gala is a fundraiser of CrescentCare to help support men, women and children living with HIV/AIDS in the New Orleans Community. This year’s event will take place on World AIDS Day, December 1 at Club XLIV - Superdome. Art Against AIDS began with local art students making holiday ornaments to sell and raise money. Today, the gala features some of the finest art and food the city has to offer. Be on the lookout for more information in the coming weeks. For more information email Chris.leonard@crescentcare.org

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Print rates start as low as $96 per issue! sales@ambushpublishing.com

Gulf South Entertainment/Travel Guide Since 1982 • Texas-Florida ANNUAL READERSHIP OVER 1M+ 260,000+ Print/780,000+ Online Official Gay Easter Parade Guide© Official Gay Mardi Gras Guide© Official Gay New Orleans Guide© Official Pride Guide© Official Southern Decadence Guide©

LETTER TO THE EDITOR info@ambushpublishing.com CIRCULATION

Alabama - Mobile; Florida - Pensacola; Louisiana - Baton Rouge, Lafayette, Lake Charles, Metairie, New Orleans, Slidell, Monroe, Alexandria; Mississippi - Bay St. Louis, Biloxi

PUBLISHER TJ Acosta EDITOR-IN-CHIEF Reed Wendorf SENIOR EDITOR Brian Sands CONTRIBUTORS Brian Sands, Crescent City Sports, Frank Perez, Jim Meadows, Pastor Allie Rowland, Persana Shoulders, Rev. Bill Terry, Rodney Thoulion, Scot Billeaudeau, Shane Womack & Tony Leggio LOCAL ADVERTISING sales@ambushpublishing.com Reed Wendorf Shane Womack Jim Tomeny NATIONAL ADVERTISING Rivendell Media (212) 242-6863 Ambush Magazine is published on alternate Tuesdays of each month by Ambush Publishing. Advertising, Copy & Photo DEADLINE is alternate Tuesdays, 5pm, prior to publication week, accepted via e-mail only: info@ambushpublishing.com. 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 Magazine. ©1982-2018 AMBUSH PUBLISHING LLC, ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. NOTHING HEREIN MAY BE REPRODUCED WITHOUT WRITTEN PERMISSION OF THE PUBLISHER INCLUDING AD LAYOUTS, MAPS & PHOTOS.

4 · The Official Gay Magazine of the Gulf South: www.AmbushMag.com · September 25 - October 8, 2018 · Official Southern Decadence Guide · www.SouthernDecadence.com

LETTER TO THE EDITOR

New Orleans Southern Decadence, Inc. 2018 Accounting

I would like to clear up some questions that have been raised publicly and privately regarding New Orleans Southern Decadence, Inc., the organization started by Rip Naquin, Marsha Greeson & myself. Back in 2013, I was approached by Rip, Marsha, and Richard “Tami Tarmack” Hullander. They invited me to join the Board of Directors of the newly formed New Orleans Southern Decadence, Inc. I was happy to do so out of my dedication to my community and the continued success of Southern Decadence. The Board was comprised of three members Rip, Marsha and myself. Upon Rip’s illness, I began to take a more active oversight role as Rip had been principally responsible for running the corporation. Sadly, as most know, we lost Rip and later Marsha in 2017. At that time, I assumed all duties for the corporation. After meeting with accountants and attorneys, I discov-

ered that taxes should have been filed for each year as the corporation, while a nonprofit under Louisiana law, never received a 501(c)(3) exemption from the Internal Revenue Service. While no taxes were due as we had given all the money to various charities throughout the years, tax returns were still required by the IRS. Utilizing remaining funds on hand, I hired an accountant to file the returns for 2013 and 2014. The accountant charged $1,250.00 per return. Because there were insufficient funds to pay the accountant to file for 2015 and 2016, I personally paid these expenses out of my own pocket. Also, I deposited $100.00 to keep the checking account open, again out of my own pocket. 2017 was a difficult year due to the loss of Rip and Marsha, but the Grand Marshals and I pulled it together with the help of Parade Captain Steven Mora.

In May 2018, the new Grand Marshals decided to create their own oversight committee. Money raised through New Orleans Southern Decadence, Inc.—from January thru May of 2018—is required to be reported to the government. The Golden Lantern raised a total of $1,706.00 and Oz raised a total of $1,449.00 at this year’s announcement party. This $3,155.00 is all the money raised by New Orleans Southern Decadence, Inc. in 2018. With these funds, the 2017 tax returns were filed at a cost of $1,250.00 leaving a balance of $1,905.00. 2018 taxes will be filed at the appropriate time at a cost of $1,250.00 leaving $655.00. The federal government charged $600.00 for the delay in filing taxes leaving $55.00. The yearly corporation filing fee for the state is $10.00 leaving $45.00. Regions bank requires a $2,500.00 balance to avoid monthly bank charges

and closure of an account, as such we are incurring bank charges as well. I have explained this situation to numerous present and past Grand Marshals as well as the Southern Decadence Oversight Committee, the organization formed by the 2018 Southern Decadence Grand Marshals. Some get it and others cannot seem to comprehend where the money was spent. However, I wanted to explain myself publicly and show that all funds have been accounted for and were spent for legitimate purposes. Thank you for the opportunity to clarify. James Garner Owner of the Golden Lantern Want to share your opinion? Submit your own Letter to the Editor to info@ ambushpublishing.com for consideration.

BOOK REVIEW Rising Out of Hatred: The Awakening of a Former White Nationalist Frank Perez frankearlperez@gmail.com Rising Out of Hatred: The Awakening of a Former White Nationalist. Eli Saslow. Doubleday, 2018. 289 pages. Shortly after Barack Obama was elected President in 2008, a group of white nationalists secretly gathered in Memphis, Tennessee, to discuss “taking our country back.” The keynote speaker at the conference was 19-year-old Derek Black, who boldly declared, “The Republican Party has to be either demolished or taken over,” he said. “I’m kind of banking on the Republicans staking their claim as the white party.” In the rearview mirror of Trump’s America, it’s now clear just how prophetic young Derek Black was.

In 2008, Black was already wellknown in right-wing circles. His father had started an immensely popular white nationalist website and his mother had once been married to David Duke. By age 19, Black had his own radio show espousing racist and xenophobic blather and he won a seat on his local Republican Party Executive Committee. Because he was home-schooled, young Derek was able to travel all over the South with his father attending Klan rallies and neo-Nazi meetings. He had been trained his whole life to hate, to make America great again. But then he went to college. And so began the transformation of a racist pariah into an advocate for multiculturalism and tolerance. It’s a fascinating

story and Saslow has captured it with dignity and optimism. Rising Out of Hatred tells the story of how white-supremacist ideas migrated from the far-right fringe to the White House through the personal saga of one man who eventually disavowed everything he was taught to believe, at tremendous personal cost. With empathy and narrative inquisitiveness, Eli Saslow asks what Derek’s story can tell us about America’s increasingly divided nature. This book helps us understand the American moment and one another. Rising Out of Hatred: The Awakening of a Former White Nationalist is the personal journey of a young man and serves as an excellent (and nec-

essary reminder) that public education is a powerful force for human decency and social justice. It also offers valuable lessons on how to effectively confront racists. Eli Saslow is a staff writer for the Washington Post and a contributor to ESPN The Magazine. He has won a Pulitzer Prize for explanatory reporting and a George Polk Award for national reporting and has been a finalist for the Pulitzer Prize in feature writing. His works include Ten Letters: The Stories Americans Tell Their President and American Hunger: The Pulitzer Prize-Winning Washington Post Series. He lives in Takoma Park, Maryland, with his wife and two daughters.

Jake A. Thomas, Producer, Co-Host Kitty Fouche. Gratuities benefiting Crescent Cares Food For Friends Program A celebration featuring current reigning Apollo Queens and Queens from local Gay Carnival Krewes, Miss Apollo title holders, and special command performances. Mystic Krewe of Apollo de New Orleans Production in conjunction with Apollo Invades New Orleans Weekend. 6 · The Official Gay Magazine of the Gulf South: www.AmbushMag.com · September 25 - October 8, 2018 · Official Southern Decadence Guide · www.SouthernDecadence.com

SNAP PAPARAZZI Out & About with Ambush AT THE 2018 FORUM FOR EQUALITY ACCLAIM AWARDS PATRON PARTY HOSTED AT THE HOME OF MARTY BRANTLY & MIKE HOLLIS

www.GayMardiGras.com 路 www.GayEasterParade.com 路 September 25 - October 8, 2018 路 The Official Gay Magazine of the Gulf South: www.AmbushMag.com 路 7

TRICENTENNIAL PROFILES IN HISTORY Judah Touro

Frank Perez frankearlperez@gmail.com

Judah Touro

Near the end of the War of 1812, in the lead-up to the Battle of New Orleans, a young soldier was carrying ammunition to Andrew Jackson’s troops downriver when the British opened fire on him. Judah Touro was hit in the leg by a twelve-pound cannonball. The injury was severe and, at a nearby field hospital, Dr. Kerr determined the wound to be incurable and probably fatal. Touro’s friend and fellow soldier, Rezin Davis Shepherd, brought Touro back to his home in New Orleans and cared for him personally and hired nurses and other attendants. Touro, despite his hopeless diagnosis and agonizing pain, survived. In beating the odds, Judah Touro’s survival became one of the most enduring repercussions of the Battle of New Orleans. Originally from New England, Touro came to New Orleans in 1802 amid something of a family scandal. After falling in love with his first cousin, his father disowned him and exiled him to New Orleans in 1801. His passage to New Orleans included a stop in Havana, Cuba, where he was robbed of

all his money. There he stayed and worked until he could save enough money to come to New Orleans. Once in the city, he opened a store that imported goods from New England and he eventually got into the shipping business. He was extremely successful and amassed one of the greatest fortunes in the nation. A lifelong bachelor, Touro gave much of his money away. In New Orleans, he funded a number of synagogues, including the one that now bears his name. He also saved the First Congregational Church from financial ruin, built a free public library, established a home for the poor, and, upon his death, bequeathed his fortune to fund the Uptown hospital, Touro Infirmary. Today he is remembered as one of New Orleans’ greatest philanthropists.

8 · The Official Gay Magazine of the Gulf South: www.AmbushMag.com · September 25 - October 8, 2018 · Official Southern Decadence Guide · www.SouthernDecadence.com

SNAP PAPARAZZI Out & About with New Orleans Pride NEW ORLEANS PRIDE CORONATION OF THE 2019 ROYALTY | SUBMITTED BY CHRIS LEONARD

SNAP PAPARAZZI Out & About with Ricky Taillon SATURDAY NIGHT OUT AT OZ NEW ORLEANS | IMAGES BY RICKY TAILLON

www.GayMardiGras.com 路 www.GayEasterParade.com 路 September 25 - October 8, 2018 路 The Official Gay Magazine of the Gulf South: www.AmbushMag.com 路 9

UNDER THE GAYDAR

New Orleans Hot Happenings

Tony Leggio ledgemgp@gmail.com

My favorite month of the year is upon us. October has so many fun things to do like Halloween New Orleans, a plethora of festivals and, of course, my birthday. So put a few of these hot happenings on your calendar. (If you have a fundraiser, party, show or event coming up and would like to be listed in the calendar, please email me at ledgemgp@gmail.com). Tuesday, September 25, 2018 Kocktail Karaoke: Good Friends Bar; 740 Dauphine St.; 9 p.m. - 1 a.m. Join us at Good Friends Bar for Kocktail Karaoke with the winner gets a $25.00 bar tab. $5 Fireball. Tequila Tuesdays: Four Seasons Bar; 3229 N. Causeway Blvd.; Open to close. Features $5 Tequila Sunrises, $6 house margaritas, $7 peach or strawberry margaritas and $7 Patron shots. Country Dance lessons: GrandPre’s; 834 N. Rampart St.; 8 p.m. Tuesdays are Country Dance lessons with dancing from 8 - 11 p.m. Bourbon Boylesque: Oz New Orleans; 800 Bourbon St.; 8:00 p.m. See

the Men of Oz like you have never seen them before. The show stars Atomyc Adonis, Bobby B, Franky, Phathoms Deep and other special guests.Hosted by Trixie Minx. Tacos, Tequila and Tiaras: Buffa’s Bar and Restaurant; 1001 Esplanade Ave.; 8 p.m. Tacos, Tequila, and Tiaras is a one of New Orleans’ only family friendly drag shows! Join hostess Vanessa Carr Kennedy every Tuesday, have a taco or two, and learn a little bit about the art of drag. Twofer Tuesdays: Double Play Bar; 439 Dauphine St. The drinks special is two-for-one drinks until 10 p.m. NOAGE Potluck Dinner: 1530 Sixth Street; 6:30 - 8:30 p.m. Join NOAGE for their monthly potluck. It’s a great opportunity for fellowship and fun! Meet new friends, network, and enjoy a fabulous meal. Bringing a dish is encouraged, but not required. This month we will meet at the Garden District home of Don Hudson, at 1530 Sixth Street. Call Mike at (423) 505-1488, or Jim at (504) 228-6778 for more info. FUNDRAISER for MCC New Or-

leans: Louisiana Pizza Kitchen Uptown; 615 S Carrollton Ave.; 11AM9:30PM. Come out and enjoy a meal at LPK and tell ’em MCC sent you by just writing “MCC” on your receipt and LPK will generously donate a portion of your ticket to the organization. Wednesday, September 26 - October 7, 2018 Disney’s Aladdin; The Saenger Theatre; 1111 Canal Street; Performance schedule: Tuesdays/Wednesdays at 7:30 p.m.; Thursdays at 2 p.m. and 7:30 p.m.; Fridays at 8 p.m.; Saturdays at 2 p.m. and 8 p.m. and Sundays at 1 p.m. and 6:30 p.m. Tickets are available at the Saenger Theatre Box Office, all Ticketmaster outlets and online at BroadwayInNewOrleans. com. To charge tickets, call Disney on Broadway at 866-870-2717.. The show features music by Tony Award and eight-time Oscar winner Alan Menken (Beauty and the Beast), lyrics by two-time Oscar winner Howard Ashman (Beauty and the Beast, The Little Mermaid), and three-time Tony Award and three-time Oscar win-

ner Tim Rice (Evita, Aida) and is directed & choreographed by Tony Award winner Casey Nicholaw (The Book of Mormon). Aladdin, adapted from the Academy Award-winning animated Disney film and centuries-old folktales including “One Thousand and One Nights,” is brought to fresh theatrical life in this bold new musical. Wednesday, September 26, 2018 WednesGays at LPK Uptown: Louisiana Pizza Kitchen; 615 South Carrollton Ave.; 5 p.m. Join us every Wednesday to celebrate diversity. See old friends or make some new ones and find out what’s happening in the Nola community. All this while enjoying 1/2 price drinks from the bar. Invite your friends. You Better Sing Karaoke;Cafe Lafitte in Exile; 901 Bourbon St.; 9 p.m. - 1:00 a.m. Join DJ Kory and DJ Derek as they play Karaoke. Behind the bar slinging your drinks are Jeremy, Ryan, and Tim. $5 Fireball, $25 Gift Certificate for GFB, plus free Tater Tots Gift Card for Clover Grill.

10 · The Official Gay Magazine of the Gulf South: www.AmbushMag.com · September 25 - October 8, 2018 · Official Southern Decadence Guide · www.SouthernDecadence.com

Oz Show Night: Oz New Orleans; 800 Bourbon St.; 10:30 p.m. This popular drag show is hosted by Persana Shoulders and features Lisa Beaumann, Connie Hung, Anastascia Davenport; Chichi Rodriguez and Dominique DeLorean. Game Night: GrandPre’s; 834 N. Rampart St.; 7 p.m. Wednesdays are Game Night with Honey Bee at 7 p.m. and free jello shots and Bar Tabs. Half-Price Hump Days (Wednesdays): Double Play Bar; 439 Dauphine St. The drink special is all drinks are half price until 10 p.m. Hump Day: Rawhide 2010; 740 Burgundy St.; 4 - 9 p.m. 2 for $4 wells, draft, and domestic beers. Wine Night: Four Seasons Bar; 3229 N. Causeway Blvd.; 5 p.m. close. $15 bottles of wine. Video Game Night: GrandPre’s; 834 N. Rampart Street; 8:30 p.m. midnight; The bar is doing Video Game Night starting at 9 p.m. Come and compete for prizes and Grab some Drinks. Thursday, September 27, 2018 Honey Bee Trivia: GrandPre’s; 834 N. Rampart St.; 7 p.m. Thursday is Honey Bee Trivia at 7 p.m. Four rounds with jello shots to the winner of each round and a Bar Tab to top person/team of the night. Girl | Crush: Oz New Orleans New Orleans; 800 Bourbon St.; 9 p.m. Girl | Crush brings you a weekly event for

girls who like girls, and their friends! This flavor of CRUSH entitled DTF is exclusive to New Orleans’ #1 Dance Club, Oz and happens every Thursday night. The Jeff D Comedy Cabaret; Oz New Orleans; 800 Bourbon St.; 10 p.m. The Comedy Cabaret stars Jeff D. featuring Gia Giavanni. Enjoy hilarious comedians, amazing talent and the Ladies of Oz. Strip Off:Oz New Orleans; 800 Bourbon St.; midnight Persana Shoulders hosts the Strip Off every Thursday night. Sign up begins at 11 p.m. and the show features a spotlight performance by Miss Gay Louisiana America 2013 Mercedes Ellis Loreal. Winners receive 1st PLACE - $100 Cash • 2nd PLACE - $50 Bar tab Three-Dollar Thursdays: Double Play Bar; 439 Dauphine St. The drink special is $3 Fireball and Jagermeister shots all day and night. Bring Your Own Meat Night: Four Seasons Bar; 3229 N. Causeway Blvd.; 6 - 8 p.m. Bring your own meat for the grill and the bar will have all the sides. Dragula Season 2 Viewing Party with Laveau Contraire: Kajun’s Pub; 2256 St. Claude Avenue; 7 - 9 p.m. If you like Glamour, Horror, Filth and all things ooky spooky? Dragula is a web show, created by The Boulet Brothers to find the world’s next drag supermonster! Each week, Laveau will be bringing in two co-hosts to watch the

The Double Play

n o I

T I s

n a

439 Dauphine Street New Orleans, LA 70112 (504) 523-4517

show, give our thoughts, opinions, and even a few LIVE drag performances throughout the night. As always, you get FREE swag with every purchase of one of our drink specials AND we will have a drawing at the end for a BUCKET full of FREE swag. You get a ticket for the drawing for every special you buy, so buy a lot and increase your chances of winning! Friday, September 28, 2018 Music of Senator Ken: Golden Lantern; 1239 Royal St.; 7:30 - 9:30 p.m. Enjoy live music with Senator Ken playing all your favorites. Play Girlz: Golden Lantern; 1239 Royal St.; 10 - 11:30 p.m. Drag show featuring Gia GiaVanni and special guests. New Meat Amateur Dance Contest: Corner Pocket; 640 St. Louis St.; 6:30 p.m. Hosted by Lisa Beaumann, anyone can enter - $100 cash prize. Long Island Fridays: Double Play Bar; 439 Dauphine St. The drink special is $5 Long Island Iced Teas all day and night. Belles and Beaux Ball; Mardi Gras World; 1380 Port of New Orleans Place; 7:30 - 11:30 p.m. Come out to the 2018 Belles and Beaus Ball - “A Place Where Hope Can Grow.” Enjoy an incredible evening filled with delicious cuisine from more than 40 New Orleans restaurants, dancing and entertainment, spectacular auction, a raffle and much more. All will benefit

the Patrick F. Taylor Hope Lodge in New Orleans, as well as local cancer research and services to help create a world free from the pain and suffering of cancer. For tickets, go to www.501auctions.com. Love in the Garden 2018; New Orleans Museum of Art; 1 Collins Diboll Circle; 7 p.m. - midnight. NOMA’s annual fall soiree in the Sydney and Walda Besthoff Sculpture Garden will be held on Friday, September 28. Join them for a night of dining and dancing under the stars and oaks in the Besthoff Sculpture Garden! LOVE in the Garden kicks off with the Patron Party at 7 PM with entertainment by the Storyville Stompers. The Patron Party is followed by the Garden Party at 8 PM with entertainment by The Boogie Men. The Late Night Party begins at 10 PM, and partygoers can dance to New Orleans’ favorite party starter, DJ OttO, until midnight. The evening is presented by Hancock Whitney. For tickets, go to www.noma.org. Saturday, September 29, 2018 Music of Vanessa Carr Kennedy; Golden Lantern; 1239 Royal St.; 7:30 - 9:30 p.m. Enjoy songstress Vanessa as she sings some of the tops hits of yesterday and today. Divas R Us; Golden Lantern; 1239 Royal St.; 10 - 11:30 p.m. This wonderful drag show directed by Monica Sinclaire Kennedy includes a special guests stars.

7AM-9PM HAPPY HOUR $3 Domestic Beers $3 Wells $1 Off Everything Else

ALL WEEK LONG

www.GayMardiGras.com · www.GayEasterParade.com · September 25 - October 8, 2018 · The Official Gay Magazine of the Gulf South: www.AmbushMag.com · 11

Piano Bar with Trey Ming; Good Friends Bar; 740 Dauphine St.; 4 – 7 p.m. Sing along with your favorite songs with Talented piano player Trey Ming. CAT 5 Hurricane Saturdays: Double Play Bar; 439 Dauphine St. The drink specials are $5 Hurricanes all day and night and from 8 - 10 p.m. Doubles for the price of a Single on all alcohol. Drag Dingo: Oz New Orleans; 800 Bourbon Street; 6 - 8 p.m. Catch ChiChi Rodriquez, persana Shoulders or Lisa Beaumann for Drag Bingo! 11 games of Bingo, 11 chances to win prizes! All the fun starts at 6 pm till 8 pm in their upstairs bar with your favorite bottom, Jake, slinging drinks for you all night long! Beauties and Beaus: A Sexy Variety Show: Four Seasons Bar; 3229 N. Causeway Blvd.; 10:30 p.m. - 2 a.m. Glamour Puss Productions & Lana O’Day present Beauties & Beaus: A Variety Show of the Sexy Nature - The 2018 Finale only at The Four Seasons Bar in Metairie. The show features Miss Apollo New Orleans 2018 Lana O’Day, Miss Gay Louisiana USofA 2018 Britney DeLorean, Atomyc Adonis, Charlotte Treuse, and Justin BeTweener. Drag Queen Death Match III; Allways Lounge; 2240 St. Claude Avenue; 10 p.m. - 1 a.m. Prepare yourself for a drag showdown like no other! Eight performers enter the ring, but only ONE will walk away victorious with the

$150 cash prize. Each round of competition pits these queens against each other in side by side lip sync battles, where they fight for your applause and high scores from our judges! Expect stunts, expect gags, expect reveals, expect a throwdown. Hosted by SIREN with ring girl FRANKY and judges: PINKO, VINSANTOS, AND LAVEAU CONTRAIRE. Battling for the prize we have: LASH WEDNESDAY - SUGAR MONROE; JESSICA CHAMPAGNE - MRS DEACON BROWN; NEBULA OMEGA - LACEY LASHMORE; IZZY FEMME - MRS HOLLY N DAZED. Doors @ 10 - Show @ 11 - $10 Tickets at door. For seating reservations text 504.656.4595. 6th Annual Goodwill Ball: The Ritz Carlton; 921 Canal Street; 7:30 - 10 p.m. Kick off the Halloween Season with the 6th Annual Goodwill Ball! This year’s theme will be Spirits of New Orleans, come dressed as a classic New Orleans ghost, pirate, vampire, or any prominent fictional/ historical character. The event will also be featuring live entertainment, food, fun and will be hosted by WWL-TV anchor Sheba Turk. Come celebrate Goodwill’s mission of independence and dignity through the power of work. For tickets, go to www. goodwillno.org. Sunday, September 30, 2018 Bottomless Sundays: Double Play Bar; 439 Dauphine St.. The drink special is $15 Bottomless Bloody Marys

and Mimosas from 11:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. Bottomless Mimosas:Cafe Lafitte in Exile; 901 Bourbon St.; 1 - 4 p.m. Bottomless Mimosas are offered upstairs from 1 - 4 p.m. for $12. You Better Sing Karaoke; GrandPre’s; 834 North Rampart St.; 7 p.m. Join DJ Kory and DJ Derek as they play Karaoke at Good Friends Bar. Behind the bar slinging your drinks for you are Jeremy, Ryan, and Tim. Jubilee: Golden Lantern; 1239 Royal St.; 5 p.m. This Sunday Funday show stars Reba Douglas and special guests. Zingo: Corner Pocket; 640 St. Louis St.; 6:30 p.m. Play Bingo followed by the Barry BareAss Dancer of the Week Contest. Oz Show Night: Oz New Orleans; 800 Bourbon St.; 9:30 p.m. This popular drag show is hosted by Persana Shoulders and features Lisa Beaumann, Connie Hung, Anastascia Davenport; Chichi Rodriguez and Dominique DeLorean. Drink Drown and Drag: The Bourbon Pub; 801 Bourbon St.; 6 - 9 p.m. Sunday Funday upstairs at The Parade. $15 Drink and Drown from 6 – 9 p.m. with a star studded drag show starting at 8 p.m. Sunday Worship: Metropolitan Community Church of New Orleans (MCCNO); 5401 S. Claiborne Ave; 10:00 a.m. New Orleans first LGBTQ church welcomes you to join us for our Sunday worship service where we celebrate God’s Love for everyone. Drag Dingo: Oz New Orleans; 800 Bourbon Street; 6 - 8 p.m. Catch ChiChi Rodriquez, persana Shoulders or Lisa Beaumann for Drag Bingo! 11 games of Bingo, 11 chances to win prizes! All the fun starts at 6 pm till 8 pm in their upstairs bar with your favorite bottom, Jake, slinging drinks for you all night long! 29th Annual Chevron Walk to End HIV: Crescent Park; 2300 North Peters; 8 a.m. - noon. Chevron NO/AIDS WALK is now Chevron New Orleans Walk to End HIV. It’s been 29 years since the walk first had its humble beginnings. Now we gather not only in remembrance of those who have passed on, but also in hopes that one day soon HIV will be history! The event is presented by Avita Pharmacy. For more information, go to www.noaidswalk.com. Monday, October 1, 2018 Karaoke Monday: The Bourbon Pub; 801 Bourbon St.; 7 - 9 p.m. Enjoy happy hour prices all night long. Hosted by Denny with VJ Dollabill. S.I.N. Night: The Corner Pocket; 940 St. Louis St.; Starting at 9 p.m Come drink with Ashlee. Get your SIN card and receive $2.50 canned beer or well drinks and $1.50 draft. Margarita Mondays: Double Play Bar; 439 Dauphine St. The drink spe-

cial is $3 margaritas all day and night. Pool Tournament: Rawhide 2010; 740 Burgundy St.; 9:45 p.m. $2 PBR and $50 Gift Certificate for Rawhide Lazy Susan Karaoke: Oz New Orleans; 800 Bourbon Street; 9 p.m. – 1 a.m. Join bartender Mark and a revolving cast of drag queen hostesses (Shocktavia) for LAZY SUSAN KARAOKE with Music by DJ Lucius Riley. Mondays are a drag, so make them fabulous and sing the night away. NOAGE & Stonewall Sports Walk/ Run Club; Audubon Park; 6500 Magazine Street; 6:30 p.m. Join an exciting new partnership between Stonewall Sports New Orleans and NOAGE! Starting at 6:30 p.m., meet for the walk/ run around the Audubon Park jogging path. This will be a weekly event for walkers and the Stonewall Run Club will join every 3 weeks. This group is for ALL fitness levels, and you can go at your own pace. Whether that’s running, jogging, leisurely walking, or using a wheelchair or walker, this group is for you. If you are worried that you’ll be left behind, don’t worry; someone will walk with you. If you are the fastest person there, we’ll see you at the finish line. Please Note: We will meet at the parking lot on the Magazine Street entrance to the park jogging path (6500 Magazine St.). If you need assistance or have questions, call Jim at (504)2286778. Miss Pageant Pageant 2018: One Eyed Jacks; 615 Toulouse Street; 8 - 11 p.m. The New Orleans Drag Workshop is proud to present its third annual Miss Pageant Pageant! Seven all stars from the Drag Workshop will compete for the crown, the sash and a cash prize. Along with Head Mister-ess Vinsantos, Season 3 winner of RuPaul’s Drag Race RAJA and New Orleans legendary VARLA JEAN MERMAN will be wearing their reading glasses as they critique these hopefuls. Doors for this event are at 6:30 PM. Electra Cosmetics will be set up to take your glitter dreams to a new level and take your photo on our redish carpet! Competing for the title will be GAYLE KING KONG; FABIGAIL TCHOUPITOULAS; SQUIRT REYNOLDS; QUINN LAROUX; ANALIA XO; MAMMARY LANE and a SECRET SURPRISE COMPETITOR! For tickets, check out their Facebook page or go to www.brownpapertickets.com. Tuesday, October 2, 2018 Kocktail Karaoke: Good Friends Bar; 740 Dauphine St.; 9 p.m. - 1 a.m. Join us at Good Friends Bar for Kocktail Karaoke. The winner gets a $25.00 bar tab. $5 Fireball. Country Dance lessons: GrandPre’s; 834 N. Rampart St.; 8 p.m. Tuesdays are Country Dance lessons with dancing from 8 - 11 p.m. Bourbon Boylesque: Oz New Orleans; 800 Bourbon St.; 8:00 p.m. See the Men of Oz like you have never seen

12 · The Official Gay Magazine of the Gulf South: www.AmbushMag.com · September 25 - October 8, 2018 · Official Southern Decadence Guide · www.SouthernDecadence.com

them before. The show stars Atomyc Adonis, Bobby B, Franky, Phathoms Deep and other special guests. Hosted by Trixie Minx. Tacos, Tequila and Tiaras: Buffa’s Bar and Restaurant; 1001 Esplanade Ave.; 8 p.m. Tacos, Tequila, and Tiaras is one of New Orleans’ only family friendly drag shows! Join hostess Vanessa Carr Kennedy every Tuesday, have a taco or two, and learn a little bit about the art of drag. Twofer Tuesdays: Double Play Bar; 439 Dauphine St. The drinks special is two for one drinks until 10 p.m. Tequila Tuesdays: Four Seasons Bar; 3229 N. Causeway Blvd.; Open to close. Features $5 Tequila Sunrises, $6 house margaritas, $7 peach or strawberry margaritas and $7 Patron shots. Dine Out With The Krewe of Stars: Louisiana Pizza Kitchen; 615 S. Carrollton Avenue; 6 – 9 p.m. Wednesday, October 3, 2018 WednesGays at LPK Uptown: Louisiana Pizza Kitchen; 615 South Carrollton Ave.; 5 p.m. Join us every Wednesday to celebrate diversity. See old friends or make some new ones and find out what’s happening in the Nola community. All this while enjoying 1/2 price drinks from the bar. Invite your friends. You Better Sing Karaoke; Cafe Lafitte in Exile; 901 Bourbon St.; 9 p.m. - 1:00 a.m. Join DJ Kory and DJ Derek as they play Karaoke at Cafe Lafitte in Exile. Behind the bar slinging your drinks for you are Jeremy, Ryan, and Tim. $5 Fireball, $25 Gift Certificate for GFB, plus Free Tater Tots Gift Card for Clover Grill. Oz Show Night: Oz New Orleans; 800 Bourbon St.; 10:30 p.m. This popular drag show is hosted by Persana Shoulders and features Nicole Lynn Foxx, Lisa Beaumann, Connie Hung, Anastascia Davenport; Chichi Rodriguez and Dominique DeLorean. Game Night: GrandPre’s; 834 N. Rampart St.; 7 p.m. Wednesdays are Game Night with Honey Bee at 7 p.m. with free jello shots and Bar Tabs. Half-Price Hump Days (Wednesdays): Double Play Bar; 439 Dauphine St. The drink special is all drinks are half price until 10 p.m. Hump Day: Rawhide 2010; 740 Burgundy St.; 4 - 9 p.m. 2 for $4 wells, draft, and domestic beers. Wine Night: Four Seasons Bar; 3229 N. Causeway Blvd.; 5 p.m. close. $15 bottles of wine. Video Game Night: GrandPre’s; 834 N. Rampart Street; 8:30 p.m. midnight; The bar is doing Video Game Night starting at 9 p.m. Come and compete for prizes and Grab some Drinks. Thursday, October 4, 2018 Honey Bee Trivia: GrandPre’s;

834 N. Rampart St.; 7 p.m. Thursday is Honey Bee Trivia at 7 p.m. Four rounds with jello shots to the winner of each round and a Bar Tab to top person/team of the night. Girl | Crush: Oz New Orleans; 800 Bourbon St.; 9 p.m. Girl | Crush is brings you a weekly event for girls who like girls, and their friends! This flavor of CRUSH entitled DTF is exclusive to New Orleans’ #1 Dance Club, Oz and happens every Thursday night. The Jeff D Comedy Cabaret; Oz New Orleans; 800 Bourbon St.; 10 p.m. The Comedy Cabaret stars Jeff D. featuring Gia Giavanni. Enjoy hilarious comedians, amazing talent and the Ladies of Oz. Strip Off: Oz New Orleans; 800 Bourbon St.; midnight Persana Shoulders hosts the Strip Off every Thursday night. Sign up begins at 11 p.m. and the show features a spotlight performance by Miss Gay Louisiana America 2013 Mercedes Ellis Loreal. Winners receive 1st PLACE - $100 Cash • 2nd PLACE - $50 Bar tab Three-Dollar Thursdays: Double Play Bar; 439 Dauphine St. The drink special is $3 Fireball and Jagermeister shots all day and night. Bring Your Own Meat Night: Four Seasons Bar; 3229 N. Causeway Blvd.; 6 - 8 p.m. Bring your own meat for the grill and the bar will have all the sides. Dragula Season 2 Viewing Party with Laveau Contraire: Kajun’s Pub; 2256 St. Claude Avenue; 7 - 9 p.m. If you like Glamour, Horror, Filth and all things ooky spooky? Dragula is a web show, created by The Boulet Brothers to find the world’s next drag supermonster! Each week, Laveau will be bringing in two co-hosts to watch the show, give our thoughts, opinions, and even a few LIVE drag performances throughout the night. As always, you get FREE swag with every purchase of one of our drink specials AND we will have a drawing at the end for a BUCKET full of FREE swag. You get a ticket for the drawing for every special you buy, so buy a lot and increase your chances of winning! Raja In Masque: Nola Solo Show Debut: 830 Rampart Street; 8 - 10 p.m. RuPaul’s Drag Race Season 3 winner and America’s Next Top Model makeup artist RAJA brings the New Orleans debut of her one woman show, MASQUE. In the 1600’s, the masque – an elaborately staged evening of courtly entertainment – was considered to be the highest art form in England (until those uptight Puritans closed down the theaters and forbade such immoral debauchery). Following in the noble tradition of the performing courtiers, RuPaul’s Drag Race favorite RAJA presents a MASQUE for the 21st century. MASQUE promises a highly entertaining new evening of song and story that is certain to delight drag enthusiasts and royalty

alike. RAJA’s alter ego Sutan Amrull served as makeup artist for nine cycles (4 through 12) of America’s Next Top Model. Doors for this show are at 7pm and the show starts at 8pm. A handful of Meet and Greet tickets are available as well as general admission. Meet and Greet ticket holders will get to spend time with this legendary legend after the show and see behind the masque and get to know one of the kindest and most genuine Drag Legends of all time! For tickets, go to www.rajamasque. brownpapertickets.com Friday, October 5 - Sunday, October 14, 2018 I Wrote A song Play: Cafe Istanbul; 2372 St. Called Avenue. I Wrote a Song, is a musical comedy-drama coming-out story in 2 acts. Dates are Oct. 5, 6, 7, 12, 13, 14 - 7:30 PM all nights. Tickets $25 online or $30 at the door. Purchase tickets and merchandise here: https://www.slottedspoonproductions.com/pre-order-tickets-now Friday, October 5, 2018 Music of Senator Ken: Golden Lantern; 1239 Royal St.; 7:30 - 9:30 p.m. Enjoy live music with Senator Ken playing all your favorites. Play Girlz: Golden Lantern; 1239 Royal St.; 10 - 11:30 p.m. Drag show featuring Gia GiaVanni and special guests. New Meat Amateur Dance Contest: Corner Pocket; 640 St. Louis St.; 6:30 p.m. Hosted by Lisa Beaumann,

anyone can enter - $100 cash prize. Long Island Fridays: Double Play Bar; 439 Dauphine St. The drink special is $5 Long Island Iced Teas all day and night. Queer Latin Social Dance Practice: Broad Street Ale and Cider; 2723 S. Broad Street; 9 - 11 p.m. Come Practice those Latin Dance moves! $1 per drink goes to LGBT center. Scales and Ales 2018: Aquarium of the Americas; 1 Canal Street; 8 - 11 p.m. Party Your Fins Off: Be the Solution to Plastic Pollution! Dive into Scales & Ales with Abita Brewing Company beer, wine from open bars, and delicious cuisine from local restaurants. Live entertainment and a unique aquatic atmosphere are highlights of the event as it flows throughout the Aquarium and onto the plaza overlooking the Mississippi River. Your support of Scales & Ales assists the Aquarium’s efforts to fight plastic pollution. Get your tickets: http://bit.ly/2NErgBg. Live entertainment by The Mixed Nuts and DJ Brice Nice. Queer Dance Club Hip Hop: LGBT Community Center of New Orleans; 2727 S. Broad Street; 7:30 - 9 p.m. QDC-New Orleans Hip Hop class! Guest Instructor Joshua Hernandez! Wear Comfortable clothes/shoes you can make moves in! Saturday, October 6, 2018 Music of Vanessa Carr Kennedy; Golden Lantern; 1239 Royal St.; 7:30 - 9:30 p.m. Enjoy songstress Vanessa

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as she sings some of the tops hits of yesterday and today. Divas R Us; Golden Lantern; 1239 Royal St.; 10 - 11:30 p.m. This wonderful drag show directed by Monica Sinclaire Kennedy includes a special guests stars. Piano Bar with Trey Ming; Good Friends Bar; 740 Dauphine St.; 4 – 7 p.m. Sing along with your favorite songs with Talented piano player Trey Ming. CAT 5 Hurricane Saturdays: Double Play Bar; 439 Dauphine St. The drink specials are $5 Hurricanes all day and night and from 8 - 10 p.m. Doubles for the price of a Single on all alcohol. Drag Dingo: Oz New Orleans; 800 Bourbon Street; 6 - 8 p.m. Catch ChiChi Rodriquez, persana Shoulders or Lisa Beaumann for Drag Bingo! 11 games of Bingo, 11 chances to win prizes! All the fun starts at 6 pm till 8 pm in their upstairs bar with your favorite bottom, Jake, slinging drinks for you all night long! 3rd Annual Beignet Fest: City Park Festival Grounds; 4 Friedrichs Avenue; 10 a.m. - 6 p.m. From traditional sweet treats covered in powdered sugar to savory options bursting with seafood, cheese and more, Beignet Fest will feature different beignet dishes from some of New Orleans’ best restaurants and food trucks. In true NOLA style, the free festival also features live, local music performances,

a Kids Village, Artist Market and VIP Experience. Proceeds from Beignet Fest benefit the Tres Doux Foundation, which makes grants to nonprofits serving children with developmental delays. For more information, visit beignetfest.com. Japan Fest 2018: New Orleans Museum of Art; 1 Collins Diboll Circle; 10 a.m. - 4 p.m. Organized by NOMA, the Consulate General of Japan in Nashville and the Japan Club in New Orleans, Japan Fest is the largest celebration of Japanese culture in the Gulf South. It’s a day to sample Japanese cuisine and enjoy traditional dance groups, martial arts demonstrations, tours of our Japanese art collection, fashion shows, and much more. Admission: $5 | free for NOMA members, teens, and children 6 and under. Japan Club’s $5.00 Raffle for one roundtrip airplane ticket from New Orleans to Tokyo sponsored by ANA–All Nippon Airways; drawing will be held at 3:30 pm. Winner will be notified by email. Algiers Fest 2018: 2500 General Meyer Ave.; 11 a.m. - 7 p.m. Algiers Fest is a music and arts festival celebrating the military and community. Free to the public. Entertainment includes Jon Cleary Band with Walter Wolfman Washington; Geno Delafose and; French Rockin Boogie; Hot 8 Brass Band; Little Freddie King; Casme and The Marine Corps Band. Art For Arts Sake 2018: Magazine

UNDER THE GAYDAR

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and Julia Streets; 5 - 9 p.m. Come out and enjoy an evening of art on two of the most popular streets in the city. Each Fall, the New Orleans Arts season kicks off with music, wine, gallery openings, and shopping. Sunday, October 7, 2018 Bottomless Sundays: Double Play Bar; 439 Dauphine St.. The drink special is $15 Bottomless Bloody Marys and Mimosas from 11:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. Bottomless Mimosas:Cafe Lafitte in Exile; 901 Bourbon St.; 1 - 4 p.m. Bottomless Mimosas are offered upstairs from 1 - 4 p.m. for $12. You Better Sing Karaoke; GrandPre’s; 834 North Rampart St.; 7 p.m. Join DJ Kory and DJ Derek as they play Karaoke. Jubilee: Golden Lantern; 1239 Royal St.; 5 p.m. This Sunday Funday show stars Reba Douglas and special guests. Zingo: Corner Pocket; 640 St. Louis St.; 6:30 p.m. Play Bingo followed by the Barry BareAss Dancer of the Week Contest. Oz Show Night: Oz New Orleans; 800 Bourbon St.; 9:30 p.m. This popular drag show is hosted by Persana Shoulders and features Lisa Beaumann, Connie Hung, Anastascia Davenport; Chichi Rodriguez and Dominique DeLorean. Drink Drown and Drag: The Bourbon Pub; 801 Bourbon St.; 6 - 9 p.m.

Sunday Funday upstairs at The Parade. $15 Drink and Drown from 6 – 9 p.m. with a star studded drag show starting at 8 p.m. Sunday Worship: Metropolitan Community Church of New Orleans (MCCNO); 5401 S. Claiborne Ave; 10:00 a.m. New Orleans first LGBTQ church welcomes you to join us for our Sunday worship service where they celebrate God’s Love for everyone. Drag Dingo: Oz New Orleans; 800 Bourbon Street; 6 - 8 p.m. Catch ChiChi Rodriquez, persana Shoulders or Lisa Beaumann for Drag Bingo! 11 games of Bingo, 11 chances to win prizes! All the fun starts at 6 pm till 8 pm in their upstairs bar with your favorite bottom, Jake, slinging drinks for you all night long. 2nd Annual Muffuletta Festival; 505 Frisco Avenue; 10 a.m. - 8 p.m. Celebrating 100 years of the Muffuletta! The 2nd Annual Muffuletta Festival will promote and preserve the legacy of that iconic New Orleans sandwich on Sunday, October 7, at Nor-Joe Imports in Metairie. The free festival will feature traditional Muffuletta sandwiches and other Italian dishes plus music, Bocce ball, cooking demonstrations, history and video presentations, dance performances and more. Monday, October 8, 2018 Karaoke Monday: The Bourbon Pub; 801 Bourbon St.; 7 - 9 p.m. Enjoy happy hour prices all night long. Host-

ed by Denny with VJ Dollabill. S.I.N. Night: The Corner Pocket; 940 St. Louis St.; Starting at 9 p.m Come drink with Ashlee. Get your SIN card and receive $2.50 canned beer or well drinks and $1.50 draft. Margarita Mondays: Double Play Bar; 439 Dauphine St. The drink special is $3 margaritas all day and night. Pool Tournament: Rawhide 2010; 740 Burgundy St.; 9:45 p.m. $2 PBR and $50 Gift Certificate for Rawhide Lazy Susan Karaoke: Oz New Orleans; 800 Bourbon Street; 9 p.m. – 1 a.m. Join bartender Mark and a revolving cast of drag queen hostesses (Shocktavia) for LAZY SUSAN KARAOKE with Music by DJ Lucius Riley. Mondays are a drag, so make them fabulous and sing the night away. NOAGE & Stonewall Sports Walk/ Run Club; Audubon Park; 6500 Magazine Street; 6:30 p.m. Join an exciting new partnership between Stonewall Sports New Orleans and NOAGE! Starting at 6:30 p.m., meet for the walk/ run around the Audubon Park jogging path. This will be a weekly event for walkers and the Stonewall Run Club will join every 3 weeks. This group is for ALL fitness levels, and you can go at your own pace. Whether that’s running, jogging, leisurely walking, or using a wheelchair or walker, this group is for you. If you are worried that you’ll be left behind, don’t worry; someone will walk with you. Please Note: We will meet at the parking lot on the Maga-

zine Street entrance to the park jogging path (6500 Magazine St.). If you need assistance or have questions, call Jim at (504)228-6778. Tuesday, October 9, 2018 Kocktail Karaoke: Good Friends Bar; 740 Dauphine St.; 9 p.m. - 1 a.m. Join us at Good Friends Bar for Kocktail Karaoke with the winner gets a $25.00 bar tab. $5 Fireball. Country Dance Lessons: GrandPre’s; 834 N. Rampart St.; 8 p.m. Tuesdays are Country Dance lessons with dancing from 8 - 11 p.m. Bourbon Boylesque: Oz New Orleans; 800 Bourbon St.; 8:00 p.m. See the en of Oz like you have never seen them before. The show stars Atomyc Adonis, Bobby B, Franky, Phathoms Deep and other special guests. Hosted by Trixie Minx. Tacos, Tequila and Tiaras: Buffa’s Bar and Restaurant; 1001 Esplanade Ave.; 8 p.m. Tacos, Tequila, and Tiaras is one of New Orleans’ only family friendly drag shows! Join hostess Vanessa Carr Kennedy every Tuesday, have a taco or two, and learn a little bit about the art of drag. Twofer Tuesdays: Double Play Bar; 439 Dauphine St. The drinks special is two for one drinks until 10 p.m. Tequila Tuesdays: Four Seasons Bar; 3229 N. Causeway Blvd.; Open to close. Features $5 Tequila Sunrises, $6 house margaritas, $7 peach/strawberry margaritas and $7 Patron shots.

www.GayMardiGras.com · www.GayEasterParade.com · September 25 - October 8, 2018 · The Official Gay Magazine of the Gulf South: www.AmbushMag.com · 15

LETTER TO THE EDITOR

History and the Big Picture

Howard Philips Smith & Frank Perez frankearlperez@gmail.com New Orleans has long been neglected in the larger history of LGBT+ communities around the country. The reasons for this neglect are complex and often based on ignorance. Consequently, misconceptions about LGBT+ New Orleans have arisen over the years; chief among them being the idea that New Orleans is just a Southern backwater lacking any real LGBT+ culture. In recent years, a handful of writers have attempted to correct this false impression. These writers have attempted to recover our stories from the historical closet and demonstrate that New Orleans has a rich and diverse queer history, one that equals or at times rivals those of New York, San Francisco, or even Los Angeles. These dedicated queer writers and activists have begun to craft histories that portray the real scope of New Orleans’s LGBT+ community. The works they have produced are national and international publications that have gone beyond the local market. These writers and their works include: • Frank Perez / Jeffrey Palmquist—In

Exile: The History and Lore Surrounding New Orleans Gay Culture and Its Oldest Gay Bar • Frank Perez / Jeffrey Palmquist, Eds.—My Gay New Orleans • Howard Philips Smith / Frank Perez—Southern Decadence in New Orleans • Johnny Townsend—Let the Faggots Burn • Clayton Delery—The Up Stairs Lounge Arson • Clayton Delery—Out for Queer Blood • Robert Fieseler—Tinderbox • Scott Ellis—Madame Vieux Carré • Scott Ellis—The Faubourg Marigny of New Orleans • Roberts Batson—LGBTQ History • Howard Philips Smith—Unveiling the Muse Why then does New Orleans have this backwater reputation? Why has it been so difficult for writers to capture this vibrant history and send it out into the world? The most egregious hurdle to surmount, quite honestly, has been the result of in-fighting and shit-stirring among members of the city’s own

LGBT+ community. This continues to be the case today, as some members of the community refuse to work with historians, whom they see as exploiting the gay community for their own benefit, or craft lies to further their own spotlight once the books appear. When these histories finally have seen the light of day, some members of the community only focus on themselves, taking the authors to task for not giving them more space in the book. Or, which is even more heinous, disseminating outright lies that denigrate our community and its history. Those who have taken the time to actually read these histories usually come away having a greater appreciation for the story and for those who participated. We can assure you that those of us who are attempting to capture our history certainly don’t do it because it’s easy and we certainly don’t do it for the money (which is less than you might think). We do it as a labor of love and because it NEEDS to be done. A book like Southern Decadence in New Orleans takes years of hard work; Unveiling the Muse: The Lost History of Gay Carnival in New Orleans took twenty years to complete.

We may not always get everything perfect, but our hearts are in the right place. Sometimes, the information in sources that authors reference is incorrect. To suggest our intention is to slight or disparage anyone is reprehensible, especially when the accusation stems from a selfish motive. Writers work in the real world and are only human, but they don’t attack their own community. Finally, we, the authors, sincerely regret any errors in our books. We will make sure they are corrected in the next editions. Assembling the voices of so many of our community can be faulty at times, but we do endeavor to get the facts correct and include everyone because that is our mission. The good news is that someone is finally recording these histories, and for that, we should all be grateful. In the grand scheme of things, a less than perfect book is better than having our history remain in the closet only to be forgotten and erased. Want to share your opinion? Submit your own Letter to the Editor to info@ ambushpublishing.com for consideration.

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16 · The Official Gay Magazine of the Gulf South: www.AmbushMag.com · September 25 - October 8, 2018 · Official Southern Decadence Guide · www.SouthernDecadence.com

MOMENTS IN GAY NEW ORLEANS HISTORY

Decadence Past: An Interview with 2010 SDGMs Julien Artressia and Toby Lefort Frank Perez frankearlperez@gmail.com FP: How were you selected to be GM? When? Where? Did it surprise you? JA: The previous GM was Paloma, who was a bartender at the Bourbon Pub where I was the manager. She approached me with the honor one day at work, and I was completely flabbergasted. TL: Tittie Toulouse selected me as Grand Marshal. I was both her and Paloma’s parade Lieutenant and the following year Tittie asked me to see if I wanted to be Grand Marshal and I said “Absolutely.” It was something that she and I talked about for years. Paloma then asked me to lunch at Port of Call and asked me if I wanted to be Grand Marshal with Julien and I said “Tittie already asked me.” FP: Why did you select your theme, colors, song and charity? JA: “Bringing the French back to the French Quarter” just seemed like a natural theme, particularly when combined with my love of Marie Antoinette. The colors – purple, powder blue, and black -- just happened to be the favorite colors of myself and co-GM Toby Lefort. We also created a sub-theme, “Leather and Feathers”, based on our two personalities. Our song was Tu Es Foutu by In Grid. TL: We selected the theme “Leather and Feathers” because I was Mr. Louisiana Leather that year and Julien wanted to do feathers. I chose black and purple and she wanted powder blue. We both agreed on the charity which was No/Aids Task Force because of my past involvement with them. The song I let Julien choose. FP: Did you get along with your coGM? Did you know each other before being selected? JA: Although I knew of Toby, we had never actually met before each being selected as GM. Fortunately, we clicked right away, and were able to create an incredibly successful season

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via collaborative effort. TL: We got along fantastic. We knew each other just a little but got very close after. FP: What is your favorite memory of your year? Least favorite? JA: Riding on the float in the first ever Friday night parade as it rolled down Bourbon Street, and marching in the Sunday parade, as it turned onto St. Ann Street; each time seeing the thousands of happy people, all the rainbow balloons everywhere, music blaring from every bar, they were both just overwhelming moments. Least favorite would probably be the butterflies I got each time I was about to speak on a microphone. TL: Favorite memory was our fundraiser at Cutter’s Bar with a lot of the older grand marshals. Least favorite memory was all the political duties. FP: What was the most challenging thing about being GM? JA: Wondering if my liver would survive it! TL: The most challenging thing was to keep everyone happy but looking back it should just be about you and the traditions. FP: In your opinion, what was significant about your year? JA: We raised more money for charity than any previous year. Working on a theme of inclusivity, we also managed to include bar crawl visits to every gay and lesbian bar throughout the French Quarter, Marigny, Metairie, and Northshore. TL: The significance of our year is we totally wanted to make a difference and we did. FP: What do you want people to remember about your year? JA: That it just screamed fabulousness! TL: We wanted people to remember who we were, that we had fun and helped a charity while doing it.

FP: If you had to do it over again, would you do anything differently? JA: I wouldn’t let myself get so stressed out over the little things. TL: If we were to do it over we would not have a fundraiser almost every night, just do a couple of big ones, not 50 small ones. FP: What advice would you give to future GMs? JA: Be sure to surround yourself with a really exquisite team of lieutenants. Much like a bridal party, they’ll help every detail get attended to. TL: Have fun and do what you want to make it fun. FP: How has SD changed since your year? Are those changes good or bad? JA: It has gotten a lot more corporate sponsorships, which can detract from some of Decadence’s original spirit, but is pretty much a necessity given the costs involved. TL: It has changed a lot. The biggest change seems now to be more of a structured event where we just had fun and did not let politics get in our way. FP: Can you please provide some biographical background? Where are you from? What brought you to New Orleans? What are you up to now?

JA: I was born in Aurora, Indiana sometime before the 1970s. As a young child, I enjoyed competitive swimming and gardening and milking cows. Adulthood found me moving to the University of Cincinnati, where I majored in art, which led to a career at the Contemporary Arts Museum (Cincinnati). I eventually relocated to New Orleans, where I embraced the non-conservative atmosphere with open arms. It wasn’t long before I started working as a bartender at the Bourbon Pub, later becoming manager of the bar, which I continued until the year after my GM reign. I currently serve as Studio Manager for Urban Earth Design Studios. TL: From Larose, Louisiana. Been here since the early 90’s when I was with my first partner. I’m now bartending at the Bourbon Pub. FP: Is there anything else you would like to add? JA: I’m grateful for the opportunities I’ve had to meet and get to know all the previous GMs at various events, particularly as we discuss the incredible changes in society which have evolved from one person’s reign to another’s.

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Call 985-377-9162 for more information. www.my.tupperware.com/steverocha • tupcouple@gmail.com www.GayMardiGras.com · www.GayEasterParade.com · September 25 - October 8, 2018 · The Official Gay Magazine of the Gulf South: www.AmbushMag.com · 17

ANNOUNCEMENT

VCPORA Turns 80

Frank Perez frankearlperez@gmail.com VCPORA (Vieux Carre Property Owners and Residents Association) turns 80 years old this year and celebrates this milestone at its annual gala—Vive Le Vieux Carré Gala! Commemorating both VCPORA’s 80th birthday and the City’s 300th birthday, this special event will feature extraordinary silent + live auctions, dazzling entertainment, fabulous libations, and delectable delicacies from Creole Cuisine Restaurant Concepts, all in the Cabildo, one of the most storied buildings in the French Quarter. Eighty years ago, Vieux Carré Property Owners, Residents, and Associates was formed to protect the history, architecture, and culture of la Nouvelle Orléans original neighborhood. Thanks to eight decades of preservation advocacy by people like Grace King, Elizabeth Werlein, Mary Morrison, Grace Gage, and Eugenie Schwartz, the French Quarter has survived and prospered. Last year, the group successfully blocked a tax on historic balconies, stoops, and eaves. They were also successful in maintaining the ban on short-term rentals in the Vieux Carré, and are staying on top of enforcement. These wins are just the latest in VCPORA’s 80 year fight to protect the French Quarter. Other accomplishments include: 1936 Sponsored the Louisiana State Constitutional Amendment which established boundaries of the Vieux Carré and

mandated that its “quaint and distinctive character” not be impaired. Supported its implementation by the City Ordinance of 1937, creating the Vieux Carré Commission. 1938 Incorporated as a non-profit 501(c) organization. 1953, 1970, 1975 Contributed to major effective zoning regulations designed to preserve the “distinctive character” of the Vieux Carré. 1964 Obtained decision from the State Supreme Court affirming the constitutional boundaries of the Vieux Carré as the Mississippi River, Esplanade Avenue, North Rampart and Iberville Streets. 1965 Played a principal role in having the Vieux Carré designated as a national Historic Landmark listed by the U.S. Department of the Interior. 1969 Opposed a proposed riverfront expressway from its earliest inception, which resulted in the cancellation of the project by the U.S. Dept. of Transportation. Worked to obtain a de facto moratorium on hotel-motel construction and expansion, which was secured in the Zoning Code of 1970. 1970s Encouraged removal of the wharves at Jackson Square to ensure an open view of the Mississippi River. Secured demand by the Department of Utilities for removal of all remaining telephone poles and unsightly overhead wiring. 1974 Sought the relocation of public bus routes from interior streets of the

French Quarter. Sued successfully to remove a large concrete helicopter landing pad which had been illegally installed on the levee at Madison Street by the Orleans Levee Board. 1976 Obtained a Court injunction prohibiting Sound and Light presentations which would have resulted in the over-commercialization of Jackson Square. 1984 Secured daily garbage and trash pickup. 1990s Led the coalition to rid the Vieux Carré of tour buses longer than 31 feet, protecting historic structures from vibration damage, gallery supports from being hit by turning buses, and the ambiance of the neighborhood from noxious diesel fumes and noise. 2004 Succeeded in passing a city ordinance which made it easier to enforce laws against illegal hotels and Bed & Breakfast operations. 2005 Sued to stop what would have been the first new hotel in the French Quarter since the de facto moratorium was established in 1969. 2010 – present Has hosted over 5 dozen At Home in the Vieux Carré events, showcasing the historic architecture and residential element of the French Quarter to thousands of guests 2012 Led a coalition to defeat the proposed Hospitality Zone legislation, which would have transferred taxing and spending control of the French Quarter to an appointed board, lacking any FQ represen-

tation or accountability. VCPORA reached out to City Hall to formulate a workable solution. 2012 Keeps up the pressure on the owner of 711 Bourbon, who ripped out walls and made other major alterations to this blue-rated structure with no permission from the City. Eventually, the owner is made to “undo” his illegal work 2013 Helps the city tackle the proliferation of illegal t-shirt shops 2013 Works to rein in a proposed high-rise hotel at the corner of Canal and N. Rampart that would be nearly 3 times the height limit 2014 Works with the City Council to revise the sound ordinance for Bourbon Street to make it enforceable 2014—2016 Reviews every part of the 600+ page draft Comprehensive Zoning Ordinance, attends every meeting, and submits hundreds of written comments in an effort to improve the city’s land-use rules 2015 Our advocacy results in the retention of Section 8.1 in the Comprehensive Zoning Ordinance, which protects the unique character of the Vieux Carré 2016 Our 20+ years of work and vigilance on short-term rentals results in legislation protecting this neighborhood from the spread of de facto hotels The Gala, which takes place on October 20 at the Cabildo, will celebrate these wins as well as the French Quarter itself.

18 · The Official Gay Magazine of the Gulf South: www.AmbushMag.com · September 25 - October 8, 2018 · Official Southern Decadence Guide · www.SouthernDecadence.com

SNAP PAPARAZZI The Corner Pocket PHOTOS BY JEREMY

THE CORNER POCKET Where the Boys are dancing nightly on the bar!

OPENING HOURS Everyday 9pm - TILL ADDRESS 940 St Louis Street, New Orleans, LA 70112 Phone: (504) 568-9829 www.cornerpocket.net

www.GayMardiGras.com 路 www.GayEasterParade.com 路 September 25 - October 8, 2018 路 The Official Gay Magazine of the Gulf South: www.AmbushMag.com 路 19

GET OUT & ENJOY THE FRESH AIR

You’ll Never Walk Alone

Jim Meadows Executive Director, NOAGE info@noagenola.org

The launch of an exciting new collaboration between NOAGE and Stonewall Sports seemed to be off to a shaky start. The inaugural NOAGE/Stonewall Sports Walk/Run Club was scheduled for Monday, September 10. By late afternoon, it had been raining for most of the day, so it seemed unlikely that anyone would show up. I got in touch with Kyle Simmons, leader of the Stonewall Prancers, the regular running group that would be joining us. He agreed that we probably wouldn’t get many people there. Still, there was always a chance that one or two would come, and we would definitely need to be there for them. Imagine our surprise when 35 people showed up! And the rain stopped just in time for us to enjoy a beautiful walk/run through Audubon Park. Afterward, to celebrate, some of us met for drinks, food, and fellowship at a nearby New Orleans institution, the legendary Cooter Brown’s. Which, incidentally, is a lot more fun as a gay bar! So how did this all come about? As mentioned in my last column, I joined the Stonewall Prancers earlier this year. While I’ve made some great new friends in the process, I’m usually (and by “usually” I mean “always”) the slow-

est one during each run. And that made me think that it would be nice to have a group geared more toward people who are newer to fitness and for older adults who might be more limited in their ability to run. I reached out to Andy Palermo, Commissioner of Stonewall Sports New Orleans, who quickly got approval from the Stonewall Board of Directors to move forward with the new partnership. If you need more motivation to get moving, consider these facts: According to Dr. Thomas Frieden, former director of the CDC, the best thing you can do for your physical health is increase your physical activity. Frieden wrote, “Even if you don’t lose an ounce, you’ll live longer, feel healthier, and be less likely to get cancer, heart disease, stroke, and arthritis. It’s the closest thing we have to a wonder drug.” In particular, walking can counteract the effects of genes that predispose you to being overweight; it has been shown to reduce cravings for sugary snacks. Walking also reduces joint pain and boosts immune function. For me, the greatest benefit of the NOAGE/Stonewall walking group is that it offers a fantastic way to meet new friends. A 1988 review of research literature found that “social isolation is

on a par with high blood pressure, obesity, lack of exercise or smoking as a risk factor for illness and early death.” This is especially true for LGBT older adults, whose social networks tend to shrink as they age. That’s why NOAGE has made it a priority to build community by providing opportunities for socialization (coffee talks, movie nights, potlucks, etc.). I am very grateful to Stonewall Sports for helping us create another great social outlet for our community, one that also improves health. And while I’m on the subject of walking, this Sunday is the 29th annual NO/AIDS Walk. Over the years, this event has raised $6.5 Million for HIV/ AIDS services. The first walk was in 1990 at Audubon Park, and was held there for many years. This year, the walk will move to Crescent Park, along the Mississippi River. Another change is that it will now be called the Chevron Walk to End HIV. I asked Rodney Thoulion, Director of Development for NO/AIDS Task Force, about the name change: “Even in 2018 the word AIDS still has a lot of stigma attached to it. We are now living in a different time where HIV is no longer a death sentence, and we have a lot to celebrate. The CrescentCare Start Initiative gets newly diagnosed

patients into care within 72 hours, and undetectable in 30 days. And with PrEP, we can end new HIV infections without a cure. But of course, a cure is the ultimate goal.” As for the change of venue, Thoulion explains, “Crescent Park is in the neighborhood of our new health center located at 1631 Elysian Fields. So the move actually puts us in the middle of the community we serve. We also like the ring of CrescentCare and Crescent Park together.” If you haven’t registered for the Walk to End HIV yet, visit www.noaidswalk.com and sign up today. If you’re looking for a group to walk with, please consider joining Team NOAGE! If you are unable to participate in the walk directly, please consider sponsoring an individual or group (like NOAGE!) who will be walking that day. The NOAGE/Stonewall walking group will meet at Audubon Park every Monday at 6:30PM (until the time change and the shorter days force us to find a winter alternative). Every third Monday, the Stonewall Prancers will be there to give us walkers something to chase after. For more information, email info@noagenola.org. You’ll never walk alone!

20 · The Official Gay Magazine of the Gulf South: www.AmbushMag.com · September 25 - October 8, 2018 · Official Southern Decadence Guide · www.SouthernDecadence.com

SNAP PAPARAZZI Oz New Orleans PHOTOS BY JAKE MORRIS, MISTI GAITHER, JOJO MOLINA, MARK DAVID, AND INSTAGRAM #OZNEWORLEANS & SUBMITTED BY PERSANA SHOULDERS

OZ New Orleans 2-story, 24/7 gay dance club with DJs, drag shows, go-go dancers & a balcony for people-watching.

OPENING HOURS

FRI, SAT & SUN: 24/7 MON–THURS: Opens at 1PM

ADDRESS 800 Bourbon Street New Orleans, LA Phone: (504) 593-9491 www.GayMardiGras.com · www.GayEasterParade.com · September 25 - October 8, 2018 · The Official Gay Magazine of the Gulf South: www.AmbushMag.com · 21

ANNOUNCEMENTS Mystic Krewe of Apollo New Orleans Resurrected John Bertrand

L-R top row: John Bertrand, Incorporator Mystic Krewe of Apollo de New Orleans; Wayne Phillips, Curator at Louisiana State Museum; Russell Talluto, MKA King 15; Joseph Reine, MKA Queen 17, Diane DiMicelli, Krewe of Ishtar King 1; Glyce DiCimelli, Original Incorporator, Mystic Krewe of Apollo New Orleans and King 1. After a 32-year absence, the Mystic Krewe of Apollo New Orleans is being resurrected in time for its Golden Jubilee Celebration. Founded by Roland Dobson, Tony Talluto, and Glyce DiMicelli, the original Krewe existed from 1969 until its 1986 demise

due to the AIDS/HIV epidemic. MKA franchised chapters to Baton Rouge, Birmingham and Lafayette. In March 2018 with new incorporators, Mystic Krewe of Apollo de New Orleans was chartered and has adopted all previous Gay Carnival Royalty as its own. MKA

de New Orleans will resume at Bal Masque 18. Here is a reunion photo of the living original MKA members along with Diane DiMicelli, sister of Glyce DiMicelli and first President & King 1 of the Krewe of Ishtar, at a reunion luncheon

The Spectrum Center presents Pine Belt Pride

The Spectrum Center presents Pine Belt Pride, formerly known as Southern Fried Pride, October 10 to 14. Pride week kicks off Wednesday, October 10 at Southern Prohibition Taproom and continues through Sunday with a variety of events, including the Pride in the Park celebration, Saturday, October 13. “As we work to continue to be a resource center and safe space for members of the LGBTQ+ community, we want to further our outreach and support beyond the city of Hattiesburg to the entire Mississippi Pine Belt. To further this mission, The Spectrum Center Board voted to change the name of Hattiesburg Southern Fried Pride to Pine Belt Pride. We are excited to host our fourth pride week in Hattiesburg. All are welcome to come out and celebrate with us,” said Keenon Walker, Vice President of The Spectrum Center Board. Community partners include: Downtown Hattiesburg, Pepper’s Parties, Too, Hub City Music, Hub City

hosted by the new MKA de New Orleans Incorporator John Bertrand at Criollo Restaurant in the Hotel Monteleone where the first MKA Ball was held, the first ever Gay Mardi Gras Krewe Bal Masque to occur in a major 5-star New Orleans hotel.

Comedy, Hattiesburg Jaycees and several other businesses. Kathi Pepper, owner of Pepper’s Parties, Too, said, “Pepper’s Parties, Too is proud to have been involved in each and every Pride event in Hattiesburg. Pepper’s is a very inclusive retailer. We see all walks of life walk into our store, therefore we feel right at home being involved with Pride. We hope you’ll attend our annual Pride event on Thursday, October 11 at our store from 7 p.m. to 10 p.m. with raffles, food, sex ed, drinks and fun!” For more information please visit TheSpectrumCenterOfHattiesburg. com or email info@TheSpectrumCenterOfHattiesburg.com. The Spectrum Center was founded in 2014 as a resource center and safe space for the LGBT+ in Hattiesburg and surrounding areas. The center hosts support groups, education and social events and Free HIV testing with the AIDS Services Coalition every month.

22 · The Official Gay Magazine of the Gulf South: www.AmbushMag.com · September 25 - October 8, 2018 · Official Southern Decadence Guide · www.SouthernDecadence.com

SNAP PAPARAZZI Out & About with Jeremy AT GIRLS GONE BROADWAY, A KREWE OF KREWE OF AMON-RA EVENT

SNAP PAPARAZZI Out & About with Tony Leggio AT TONY’S BON APPÉTIT DINNER AT HIS HOUSE

www.GayMardiGras.com · www.GayEasterParade.com · September 25 - October 8, 2018 · The Official Gay Magazine of the Gulf South: www.AmbushMag.com · 23

Party Down Tony Leggio ledgemgp@gmail.com The two weeks following Southern Decadence was one of rest and soulful contemplation. Oh, who am I kidding? I jumped right back into the party scene with both feet. Starting on Wednesday with a cocktail class at the fabulous Palace Café. The famed restaurant on Canal Street now offers a very fun class for 10 or more people where you can discover your signature cocktail. Everyone should have one: a cocktail they love to order and make for their friends. Palace Café’s expert mixologist Drew Bates will help you find out what your drink is. That night we made a mojito, man tai and, my favorite drink, a classic daiquiri which started out not as a sugar-filled libation from a machine, but with a really interesting story. The drink takes its name from the place where it was invented, the mining town of Daiquiri on the southeastern tip of Cuba. In 1898, during the Spanish-American War, an American mining engineer by the name of Jennings Cox created the drink to protect his workers from yellow fever. That is why I drink vodka with lemon all the time to fight off scurvy (hey, Ebola made a comeback, you never know).

The cocktail further became famous at Hotel Venus in Santiago de Cuba, where it was christened in 1932, and Feliza Bar in Havana, where Spain-born owner Constante Ribalaigua created variations on the cocktail such as the Hemingway Daiquiris. The daiquiri was introduced to the United States in 1908, when a U.S. Navy medical officer brought the recipe from Cuba back to the Army & Navy Club in Washington, D.C. The classic daiquiri is simple to make with only three ingredients rum, lime juice and sugar, shaken with ice, strained and garnished with a lime. We did a variation on it, which blended two types of rum with the lime juice and sugar cane simple syrup, which was delicious. The beauty of this drink is that you can make slight variations to your own taste. So I highly recommend taking this very inexpensive ($35 per person) class, which comes with three signature cocktails (I am sure you can make more) and some finger food. Go to www.palacecafe.com for more information. Thursday I dived into a little theater, checking out Hedwig and the

HoneyBee Trivia Thursdays 7:00 PM

Angry Inch at Cafe Istanbul. The Tony Award-winning musical tells the story of Hedwig, an East German force of nature singer who is backed by her punk rock band “The Angry Inch.” With the fluidity of the world today, Hedwig was once considered transgender but now a more accurate description is genderqueer. Played by the talented (and very good-looking) Edward Simon, Hedwig tells a tragic story of his journey escaping East Berlin as Hansel and arriving in an all-American Kansas trailer park as Hedwig. With hard-hitting rock songs and great comedic dialog, Hedwig talks to the audience as she describes her relationship to superstar Tommy Gnosis whose world tour has made a stop right down the street from the bar where she’s performing. Hedwig wants Tommy, once her lover and musical partner, to acknowledge stealing her songs, depriving her fame, and forsaking her love. The night I attended, the audience got a special treat when actor Michael Cerveris, who served as the show’s Creative Consultant, stood up and gave a special performance. Not only does Michael live in NOLA, but the Tony Award-winning actor performed the lead role of Hedwig in London. It was a great night and show. The weekend provided much needed rest, but on Saturday some friends and I went to the open houses

of the St. Claude art establishments. We started the night by checking out the new Bywater eatery Capulet which has an awesome space in a converted building and a pretty nice rooftop area. The food and drinks were well crafted and everyone received a complimentary glass of champagne upon entry. The venue is open and airy with an industrial charm but still retains a New Orleans warm feel. Next we hit a few of the galleries on St. Claude which had some great shows. This is one of the free cultural things to do in our city that makes New Orleans such a wonderful place to live. The next weekend, Project Lazarus held its Bon Appétit! fundraiser on Saturday. For this fun event, people all over the city hosted dinner parties at their home (or elsewhere) and then afterwards everyone regrouped at the Ursulines Convent for a dessert party with an open bar. I held my dinner party that night. Guests enjoyed a taco bar and full meal with an open bar tended by none other than Countess C Alice. The lovely Laveau Contraire was at the door greeting guests with specialty shots. I decorated my house for Halloween early to get guests in the mood and to also help promote Halloween New Orleans’ three day weekend. Never too early to start planning your costume. The night was so much fun and afterwards the party at the Convent rocked.

Happy Hour Daily noon - 9:00 PM

Free Jello Shots & Bar Tab

Sat, 9/29 - 10:00 PM 24 · The Official Gay Magazine of the Gulf South: www.AmbushMag.com · September 25 - October 8, 2018 · Official Southern Decadence Guide · www.SouthernDecadence.com

The lovely Merry Antoinettes served champagne to guests at the entrance. A huge assortment of restaurants, including the Windsor Court and Cafe Hope, donated the amazing

desserts. The New Orleans School of Cooking made pralines on site; their peanut butter ones made me swoon! There was also a daiquiri machine and a rolling serving table with a gorgeous

model inside serving sweets aided by her studly shirtless assistant. We danced the night away to DJ Menace. The event was a huge success and raised lots of funds for a great cause.

Now I am looking forward to catching Fall fever and rolling into the holidays. Enjoy the party!

SNAP PAPARAZZI Out & About with Tony Leggio AT THE BON APPÉTIT DESSERT AND CHAMPAGNE AFTERPARTY AT THE OLD URSULINE CONVENT

www.GayMardiGras.com · www.GayEasterParade.com · September 25 - October 8, 2018 · The Official Gay Magazine of the Gulf South: www.AmbushMag.com · 25

Trodding the Boards Brian Sands bsnola2@hotmail.com

Pump Boys and Dinettes at The WWII Museum’s Stage Door Canteen through Sept. 30

When I first saw Pump Boys and Dinettes on Broadway, it seemed like an alien from another planet. In a world of Nine and Dreamgirls, its country’n’western flavored score appeared to have immigrated to Manhattan from one of those faraway places like Memphis or Nashville. Now, after living in the South for many years, my ears have become attuned to its style of music and I can easily envision the whole show, a plotless musical about small-town life, as something I would enjoy on the Lagniappe Stage at Jazzfest. Through September 30, however, PB&D plays at The WWII Museum’s Stage Door Canteen. I never did quite figure out what it has to do with WWII, but the show’s all-encompassing atmosphere of Americana does fit in with the Museum’s spirit. Its whistle-stop locale has been shifted from South Carolina to somewhere “between Houma and Cocodrie,” so this PB&D features talk of pirogues, and shrimp boots adorn a pair of feet.

But tales of fishing licenses and baseball games, drinking and praying remain in place, and the “Pump Boys” still sell high octane on Highway 57 while the “Dinettes,” Prudie and Rhetta Cupp, run the Double Cupp diner next door. PB&D’s overall philosophy seems to be“Work won’t kill you. Worrying will.”Yet many of its songs, not surprisingly, deal with romance as in [You’re] The Best Man [I Never Had] and Be Good or Be Gone. With its diner setting, the characters could be cousins to TV’s Alice; certainly a line like “If you go out with me, I’ll clean the beer cans out of my car,” treated as a romantic come-on, would be something Vera or Flo might’ve heard. The thin book is enough to hang nearly 20 songs on but, at less than 90 minutes, including intermission, it could have been filled out a bit so that, for example, immediately following Prudie and Rhetta’s slightly naughty number about gratuities, Tips, a serious one about their relationship wouldn’t seem to come out of nowhere. On the homey, mid-century-style set, outfitted with lots of Formica, the entire ensemble (Alex Barnes, Katharine Boelter, Sam Cammarata, Todd

The cast of Pump Boys and Dinettes d’Amour, Caroline Fourmy, Clint Johnson) works well together. Boelter and Fourmy, in their pink waitress uniforms as the Cupp sisters, have lovely voices that harmonize winningly. Johnson brings an understated soulfulness to the drolly comic T.N.D.P.W.A.M. (The Night Dolly Parton Was Almost Mine) as he recalls getting close enough to Miss Parton after a concert to whisper, ‘’You were fine.’’ Director Ford Haeuser adds witty accompaniment, involving a mop with sunglasses and two cherry pies, to this routine. Elsewhere, Haeuser doesn’t overstage the show, keeping the casual flavor essential for Pump Boys’ success. Likewise, his choreography is simple but cute. The songs, a melange of blues, country, bluegrass and rockabilly, all accomplished if not especially distinguished, are enlivened by the use of pots, pans and all sorts of cooking implements as percussive instruments in addition to cowbells and tambourines. At the performance I attended, however, some sound problems caused the music to overwhelm the vocals occasionally so lyrics were sometimes difficult to make out, particularly in the first act. Pump Boys and Dinettes may not be Shakespeare, or even My Fair Lady, but the music’s enjoyable and you can indulge in the homespun silliness of it all. Under its fun and bouncy exterior, however, lies a rather bittersweet portrait of small town wistfulness, with residents who know how to look on the bright side and savor life as they simultaneously yearn to be elsewhere surrounded by fresh faces and with choices of more things to do. Hmmm...maybe it’s time for a sequel? Uber Drivers and Baristas, perhaps?

As always, The American Sector Restaurant devised a pre-show menu with a nod to the production. To start, a classic Waldorf Salad was light and refreshing with a milder-than-usual blue cheese dressing which was fine by me. An excellent Seafood Gumbo, one of the best I’ve had, was chock-full of various sized shrimp, velvety smooth, and perfectly spiced. Having grown up occasionally having Morton chicken pot pies, the American Sector’s was a revelation. Twice the size of Morton’s and a hundred times better, this rich creation was almost like a stew, filled with tender chicken breast, encased in a flaky pastry crust, and absolutely delicious. Alas, the other main course option, a Seared Pork Chop, came out overcooked with little personality remaining. Its accompanying mashed potatoes and slow cooked green beans, however, reminded one of grandma’s kitchen and were yummy. Rather than a typical triangular piece of Apple Pie, a fist-sized portion was served, the soft fruit surrounded by a thick savory crust; a melted layer of cheddar cheese on top, apparently a “Yankee thing,”could easily have been done without. A more traditional dessert option was the Barq’s Root Beer Float with vanilla ice cream. My server Olivia was extremely accommodating; she and the entire Canteen’s friendly and efficient staff would certainly make the Double Cupp diner a 5-star attraction.

New in New York

Through January 6, perhaps the single most beautiful painting in New York can be found at The Morgan Library & Museum (225 Madison Ave.). The Visitation by Florentine painter Jacopo da Pontormo (1494–1557)

26 · The Official Gay Magazine of the Gulf South: www.AmbushMag.com · September 25 - October 8, 2018 · Official Southern Decadence Guide · www.SouthernDecadence.com

travels for the first time from Carmignano (near Florence) to the United States for the exhibit Pontormo: Miraculous Encounters. In this spectacular altarpiece, Mary, pregnant with Jesus, speaks tenderly with her older cousin Elizabeth, pregnant with the future John the Baptist, as their waiting-women stand behind them, looking directly out at the viewer. Recently restored, the canvas glows with its original colors of pinks, blues, orange and greens. Perfectly composed, one could gaze at it for hours admiring its gracefulness and wondering about the dynamic among the women as well as two shadowy figures in the distance. The exhibition also includes Pontormo’s striking Portrait of a Young Man in a Red Cap, believed to have been lost, but recently rediscovered in a private collection in Europe, plus some other works on paper by the artist. After October 12, shows about Frankenstein and Tintoretto will also be on view at the Morgan. If the Visitation tells a story of the New Testament, a chapter of the people of the Old Testament can be found on the Lower East Side (LES) at the Eldridge Street Synagogue (12 Eldridge St.), a magnificently restored temple. Whether you’re Jewish or not, it’s a must-see for anyone interested in the great buildings of urban life. Opened in 1887, the synagogue was the first distinguished house of worship built in America by Jewish immigrants from Eastern Europe. The temple thrived for many years, but as the area’s Jewish population moved elsewhere and NYC’s Chinatown sprang up around it, the building fell into neglect and disrepair by the 1980s. Fortunately, it has been meticulously brought back to life as a museum where you can explore and admire its important history, stunning architecture, and ongoing cultural offerings. Through October 10, the temple hosts a special exhibition of works by the renowned artist Kiki Smith who also designed, with Deborah Gans, the lovely, large (16-foot diameter) stained-glass window in the sanctuary. The Museum at Eldridge Street offers programs throughout the year and I was able to take a walking tour of the area inspired by the children’s book All-of-a-King Family by Sydney Taylor about a family of five sisters living on the LES in the early 20th century. For 90 minutes, our guide Nancy Beiles, very knowledgeable and thoroughly engaging, showed us some of the sites mentioned in the book while painting a vivid portrait of what it was like to dwell on the crowded LES 100 years ago when an elevated train ran through the neighborhood and families lived packed together in tenement buildings. We saw P.S. 42, named after retailer and philanthropist Benjamin Al-

tman, with its high ceilings and windows; Orchard and Hester Streets, once filled with pushcarts, now home to art galleries and trendy boutiques; Seward Park, the very first municipal playground in the country (1903) and still used for its original purpose by diverse crowds; Seward Park Library, built with money from Andrew Carnegie; and the former home of the Yiddish newspaper The Daily Forward, now housing million-dollar condominiums, though images of Marx and Engels still grace the façade. Nancy finished up the tour at Grand and Essex Streets, outside The Pickle Guys, the last pickle stand on the Lower East Side where she gave our group tasty pickles, and then at a nearby, recently shuttered candy store distributing rock candy lollipops, each of these mirroring treats the sisters bought in the book, a perfect ending to an absolutely delightful and fascinating experience. Future programs include a tour of the Bowery (Oct. 31) and a scavenger hunt (Nov. 6). Afterwards, you can do something traditionally Jewish and have a meal at one of the numerous Chinese restaurants surrounding the Museum. Many of the immigrants who settled on the Lower East Side, and throughout the country, came to America because of the protections enshrined in our Constitution. That document is the subject of a new play at the New York Theatre Workshop (79 E. 4 St.) by Heidi Schreck, What the Constitution Means to Me. In high school, Schreck participated in American Legion-sponsored debates, winning enough prize money to put herself through college. She uses this as a jumping-off point to explore her family’s history, particularly how laws did, and did not, protect her and her female relatives, going back to her great-great-grandmother, a mail-order bride who died under mysterious circumstances. Just when I feared Constitution was becoming too lectury, it blossomed into an altogether different creature as Schreck recounted, with leavening good humor and dramatic suspense, deeply personal stories. Add to this co-star Mike Iveson, who plays various male characters and adds his own individual tale, and an actual NYC high school student, Thursday Williams (alternating with Rosdely Ciprain), who brought abundant wit, intelligence and charm to the proceedings as she helped Schreck recreate one of those American Legion debates for a phenomenal finale. The entrancing What the Constitution Means to Me, running through October 21, is a play sui generis, one that even distributes pocket-sized Constitutions to audience members. In these challenging times, it should be required viewing for all.

The Boys of Dworld at Bedlam For those who want to exercise their freedom of expression, freedom of assembly, and right to pursue happiness, Daniel Nardicio, the impresario behind Southern Decadence’s Bette, Bathhouse & Beyond, presents Dworld Underwear Party every Friday this Fall at Bedlam (40 Avenue C) in once scary, now welcoming Alphabet City. DJs Johnny Dynell and Corey Craig spin a fantastic mix of tunes, there’s a free clothes-check, and though it starts at 11pm, the friendly crowd doesn’t really start arriving till about 1am, making it the perfect way to end a day in New York. So go to Bedlam and exercise your rights. Every one of them.

Curtains Up

After wandering for too many years, Southern Rep finally has a beautiful home of its own. The former St. Rose de Lima Church (2541 Bayou Road) is now a state-of-the-art facility for this vital theater company that, in addition to its productions, many world or regional premieres, provides new play development, arts education, children’s programming, and community involvement opportunities. Christening the new venue will be A Doll’s House, Part 2, Lucas Hnath’s audacious sequel to the great Henrik Ibsen play. Directed by Aimée Hayes, Southern Rep’s Producing Artistic Director, the cast features Jessica Podewell, Trey Burvant, Liann Pattison and Sarah Durn. The show runs through October 21. Unlike Southern Rep, Le Petit has been in its current home at 616 St. Peter Street for nearly 100 years. From October 5th through 21st, it will be presenting Satchmo at the Waldorf about New Orleans’ most renowned native son. For his biography, Pops: A Life of Louis Armstrong, Terry Teachout had access to 650 reel-to-reel tapes made by the trumpeter during the last quarter century of his life; Teachout turned this raw, frank, and candid material into a play that takes us backstage at the

Empire Room of NYC’s Waldorf Astoria in March 1971 as the musical legend sits in his dressing room trying to pull himself together to do one final show. Produced in New York in 2014, I’m looking forward to finally seeing it. Two other artists, in this case poets, are the focus of A Love Like This, Chris James’ poetic love drama about two people who fall in and out, and back in love. Written and directed by James, this choreo-poem stage play takes place on September 28 and 29 at the Ashé Power House 1731 Baronne St.), and stars EJ Speaks and Jermaine McClure in a roller coaster relationship. Love may make only a cursory appearance when Newcomb Art Museum hosts the world premiere of Postcards From Over the Edge from October 5 to 7. This new theatrical work illustrates the real-life struggles related to the sale of sex in Louisiana. Developed collaboratively by five New Orleans-based artists, the script explores New Orleans’ complex relationship with prostitution, traveling from Storyville’s Mahogany Hall to the contemporary court case on “Crimes Against Nature,” a modern day scarlet letter which disproportionately affected women, LGBTQ individuals, people of color, and those individuals below the poverty line. The performance shifts between the Storyville era and the modern day civil rights suit. Richon May directs a cast of eleven and each performance will be followed by a Community Discussion. Inspired by Amnesty International’s campaign, audience members will have a chance to write postcards to communicate words of encouragement to those who receive services from shelters that serve women and children and other organizations that work with women who have been trafficked, hence the show’s title. Please send press releases and notices of your upcoming shows to Brian Sands at bsnola2@hotmail.com.

www.GayMardiGras.com · www.GayEasterParade.com · September 25 - October 8, 2018 · The Official Gay Magazine of the Gulf South: www.AmbushMag.com · 27

The Sting of Favoritism Pastor Allie Rowland Metropolitan Community Church of New Orleans alisan.rowloand@gmail.com Do you remember when you realized you were not the favorite? You know what I mean, right? As a sibling, you may have felt like your parents had their favorites, or you noticed that at school most teachers seemed to have favorite students. Even as an adult at work, it can seem as if certain employees can do no wrong, or even in social circles, there just always seems to be a group of more popular people. If you have felt like you were not the favorite in some area of your life, you are not alone. Probably all of us have felt that at one point; like strangers on the outside of a group, wanting to feel like we fit in or like we were a part of the group, and yet feeling unseen and misunderstood instead. It’s never a good feeling, is it? Sometimes what seems like favoritism is even a form of unequal treatment due to racism, sexism, and trans- and homophobia. Those of us who understand the impact of discrimination treat most people around us fairly equally, but, still, certain individuals we connect with almost effortlessly, people who

understand us because we have some similar life experiences or those whose personalities complement ours. We’re drawn to these people, and sometimes we ignore others around us because we want to spend time with those who are most like us. We might overlook a person who could be a wonderful friend simply because that person appears too different. If we don’t make an effort to reach out to the people we don’t know as well, then we might be treating some people as favorites. The problem is that if we follow our natural tendency to spend most of our time with those who are like us, then we don’t learn from the experiences of people who are different from us. Staying only within a group or tribe where we feel comfortable can create more miscommunications and hostility with those who are different from us. When we don’t work to understand and celebrate the differences of other people, we can end up treating others differently because of their race, religion, nationality, or class. Earlier this month a Jewish tem-

ple, the Northshore Jewish Congregation, in Mandeville was vandalized, with anti-Semitic phrases (“synagogue of Satan”) and swastikas spray-painted on its side. That type of hatred and discrimination is unacceptable, and my heart goes out to that temple. During my training at the hospital to become a spiritual counselor, our supervisor, who happened to be a lesbian rabbi at a Reform congregation, told us that the reason so many Jewish people work so much at interfaith dialogue and building relationships with other communities is because they have been so hated and misunderstood. After the Holocaust, they felt they had to teach people who they were for their own survival. I think it’s important that we all reflect and ask ourselves some questions. Are most of our friends like us? Are they the same religion? Are they the same ethnicity? Are they the same age? Do we have friends whose income is different than ours? Friends who are in a different political party than ours? Are we as friendly to the people who are different than we are? The more

open we are to cultivating friendships with people who are different than we are, the more we learn about the experiences of others, and the better we are able to truly love our neighbors as ourselves. The truth is most of us don’t believe we treat anyone unequally, but we all tend to have “favorites” in our lives. If we are ever to overcome the racism, sexism, and trans- and homophobia around us, we need to truly listen to the experiences of others who are different. Instead of denying their experiences and becoming defensive, we need to ask ourselves “How can I be a part of the solution? How can we all learn to treat others more equally?” I encourage you to reach out to someone in friendship this week who you normally pass by or to notice those who are in need, and to make an effort to help them in practical ways, and to be aware of treating those who are different than you fairly, so that we all feel as we should--that we are loved and we are worthy!

28 · The Official Gay Magazine of the Gulf South: www.AmbushMag.com · September 25 - October 8, 2018 · Official Southern Decadence Guide · www.SouthernDecadence.com

A COMMUNITY WITHIN COMMUNITIES

Vigilance

The Very Rev. Bill Terry+ fr.bill@stannanola.org Recently, the news media exploded. A 900-page grand jury investigation from Pennsylvania was released with a scathing and often sickening report about abuse and cover-ups within the Roman Catholic Church. The Church’s absolute lack of transparency is appalling. Like so many, I wonder “If 1,000+ children were abused in six dioceses in PA. then what is the situation nationally or perhaps even globally?” A few states are following Pennsylvania’s lead with similar investigations. I am sickened. The Vatican has been convulsed by this as it should be. The “moral authority” of the Roman Catholic Church has been diminished if not destroyed. Do not think that I take any great delight in that. There is no delight in any of this. But the institution is corrupt. If it can be fixed, it needs to be done now and aggressively. I don’t know how that will be done. What vigilance must we then keep? What cosmic shift must take place to insure that the most vulnerable population entrusted to us by God is cared for? When any institution, and in particular one that holds itself as a moral authority, engenders a culture of smoke and mirrors, of systemic permissive

Gulf Coast Equality Council With Scarlet Pearl Casino Resort & Harrah’s Gulf Coast Present

abuse, of a need for self-preservation over and against the dignity and human rights of children, then it is time to rethink the role and structure of that institution. If the rights of children can be eroded and they can be abused, the rights and dignity of any of us can be. If we are to be measured in the future history of this nation and in our consciences, we must become vigilant. We must push back the prevailing inclination toward fear and recrimination. We must begin to rediscover that the least of us is the most important of us. How do I mean this? Let’s take an easy one. Pets. Yes, fur babies. It is often said that a society is judged by how it cares for its pets. Easy, right? So, Katrina hit and pets were left, by some, often with no choice, to fend for themselves. We changed the law because of this, or at least the mandates. It is then said that a society is judged by how it treats its children. See my opening statements. It is then said that a society is judged by how it treats its mentally disabled. The litany can go on by how a society is judged. What vigilance must we keep? We must keep hope over despair and belief in the idea of abundance over

austerity. For the past 30 years or so, our economic system has become so driven and single-minded that we are working ourselves to death. Our political landscape has lost the idea of consensus or even of compromise. I have heard it said that the Vatican is a bunch of old men trying to maintain control. That it is corrupt and doing all in its power to remain changeless. I have also heard it said that Congress is a bunch of old men trying to maintain control (apologies to the women of government). I have seen data say that, like the Curia of the Roman Catholic Church hoarding power, our entire economic system and indeed political system is being consolidated in less than 5% and maybe 1% of the nation’s population. We must be vigilant. How can we be vigilant? Economic laws were passed in the early 20th century that reined in corrupt business organizations. Some of us had to learn about “Trust busters” and the importance that Unions had in advocating for working people. Banks were reined in by laws like the Glass-Steagall Act. That was in as wild a political time as

this very moment. So, there is hope. We still operate as a country with abundance. It is likely that we are now the world’s leading producer of petroleum. We still hold rich and deep intellectual property in technology. There was a time when we were called “The world’s bread basket.” Our energy rebuilt a war-torn world and insured that the world ate. That can be recaptured. But, we must be vigilant. Vigilance starts in our heart. This vigilance is our own conscience that tells us that hoarding is wrong and sharing is virtuous. Our vigilance is a degree of self awareness that catches us spending endlessly in pursuit of pleasure when at the other end are those who suffer from insufficiency. Am I being too pompous or even sanctimonious? Perhaps. But I do know a generous spirit when I meet one. Such spirits don’t necessarily come with halos. Perhaps you are one. With hope, abundance, humor, civility, generosity, and charity we can all help start our community of become well again.

HARRAH’S GREAT LAWN 11AM – 6PM Harrah’s Gulf Coast 280 Beach Blvd Biloxi, MS 39530 For more information or to become a vendor, please visit our website at GulfCoastEqualityFest.org

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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] 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 BIG EASY DAIQUIRIS, 216 Bourbon, 501 Bourbon, 409 Decatur, 617 Decatur THE BLACK PENNY, 700 N. Rampart BOURBON PUB & PARADE, 801 Bourbon St., 529.2107, BourbonPub.COM Café Lafitte in Exile, 901 Bourbon Street 522.8397, Lafittes.COM. Café Lafitte in Exile is the oldest continuously operating gay bar in the United States. 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. Designed for a casual night out or a quiet evening with that special someone, we offer a wide selection of liquor, beer, and the world renowned Separator. GRANDPRE’S, 834 N. Rampart St., 267.3615, Facebook.com/grandpres KAJUN’S PUB, 2256 St. Claude Ave., 947.3735, KajunPub.COM MAG’S 940, 940 Elysian Fields Ave., 948.1888 NAPOLEON’S ITCH, 734 Bourbon St., 237-4144 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. Leather, Dark Rooms, & Bears All Around. You can feel the throb of excitement and smell it in the air. This isn’t just a bar. This is an experience! TROPICAL ISLE: Home of the Hand Grenade, 721 Bourbon St., 529.4109, TropicalIsle.COM VALIANT THEATRE AND LOUNGE, 6621 St. Claude Ave., Arabi, LA, 504.900.1743 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

circuit/events

Easter Sunday, April 11, 2018, 19th Official Gay Easter Parade, New Orleans, sponsored by Ambush, GayEasterParade. com

costumes

New Orleans, LA [504] QT PIE BOUTIQUE - 241 Dauphine St., 581. 6633

galleries

New Orleans, LA [504] CASSELL-BERGEN GALLERY, 1305 Decatur St., cassellbergengallery.com, 504.524.0671

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. More than just a hardware store, Mary’s Ace French Quarter Hardware also features an extensive selection of kitchen and bath items upstairs.

accommodations

New Orleans [504] AARON INGRAM HAUS, 1012 Elysian Fields, New Orleans, LA 70117, PHONE: 504.949.3110, www.ingramhaus.com/xqey, e-mail us at ingramhaus@yahoo.com. Condos with queen-size beds, private entrances; located only six blocks from Bourbon Street and walking distance to most New Orleans attractions. Several favorite bars are within one block. [0118] 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 “half-kitchen”, 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

30 · The Official Gay Magazine of the Gulf South: www.AmbushMag.com · September 25 - October 8, 2018 · Official Southern Decadence Guide · www.SouthernDecadence.com

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!

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, P.O. Box 2587, LaPlace, LA 70069, 522.8049, AmbushMag.COM; email: info@ambushpublishing.com

organizations

FOOD FOR FRIENDS, 504.821.2601 ext. 254 FRIDAY NIGHT BEFORE MARDI GRAS (FNBMG), 504.319.8261, www.fridaynightbeforemardigras.com GAY APPRECIATION AWARDS, 828A Bourbon St., 70116-3137; 522.8049; AmbushMag.COM/GAA GAY EASTER PARADE, 828-A Bourbon St., 70116-3137, 504.522.8049, info@ gayeasterparade.com, GayEasterParade. COM GAY MARDI GRAS, 828-A Bourbon St., 70116-3137, 504.522.8049, GayMardiGras.COM GAY NEW ORLEANS, 828-A Bourbon St., 70116-3137, 504.522.8049, GayNewOrleans.COM HAART (HIV/AIDS Alliance Region Two, Inc.), 4550 North Blvd. Ste. 250, Baton Rouge, LA 70806, 225.927.1269, www. haartinc.org, offers a complete continuum of care to people living with HIV/AIDS including housing, primary care, medications, case management, and an array of supportive services. In addition HAART provides HIV prevention education and FREE testing to the Baton Rouge area. HALLOWEEN IN NEW ORLEANS, INC., PO Box 52171, 70152-2171; HalloweenNewOrleans.COM 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 LGBT+ Archives Project of Louisiana,

1308 Esplanade Ave., New Orleans, LA 70116, 504.475.7911, www.lgbtarchivesla.org MYSTIC KREWE OF LORDS OF LEATHER, 1000 Bourbon St #B415, New Orleans, LA 70116, 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; 504.821.2601; NOAIDSTaskForce.COM NEW ORLEANS PRIDE, info@neworleanspridefestival.com; 504.321.6006; NewOrleansPrideFestival.COM; NOLAPride. ORG; New Orleans Pride fully embraces the message of “One CommUNITY” as we celebrate our history and promote the future prosperity of New Orleans and the Gulf Coast Region. We use public awareness and education about the LGBT+ community as a way to combat “phobias” and discrimination. Our programs, seminars and events leading up to, and during Pride weekend, are meant to include individuals from all walks of life. 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 504.947.2121, stannanola.org Metropolitan Community Church of New Orleans (MCCNO), 5401 S. Claiborne Ave — Pastor Alisan Rowland: New Orleans first LGBTQ church welcomes you to join us for our weekly Sunday worship services at 10:00 AM, where we celebrate God’s Love for everyone.

819 Rue Conti, 581.3866, http://broussards.com Cafe Sbisa, 1011 Decatur St., 522.5565, www.cafesbisanola.com Cheezy Cajun, 3325 St. Claude Ave., 265.0045, www.TheCheezyCajun.com Clover Grill, 900 Bourbon St., 598.1010, www.CloverGrill.com. Since 1939, our quirky, cozy, unique diner has been home to the best breakfasts & burgers on Bourbon Street–maybe even the whole French Quarter! Country Club Restaurant, 634 Louisa St., www.TheCountryClubNewOrleans. com, 945.0742 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 Mona Lisa Restaurant, 1212 Royal St., 522.6746 Orleans Grapevine Wine Bar & Bistro, 720 Orleans, 523.1930, www.OrleansGrapevine.com Quartermaster: The Nellie Deli, 1100 Bourbon St. , 529.1416, www.QuartermasterDeli.net Royal House Oyster Bar, 441 Royal St., 528.2601, www.RoyalHouseRestaurant.com

real estate

New Orleans, LA [504] Engel & Völkers New Orleans, Michael Styles, Realtor — Michael specializes in

helping first-time homebuyers and real estate investors find the perfect New Orleans properties. 504.777.1773, NolaStyles.com Latter & Blum, Steven Richards Realtor, 504.258.1800, SteveRichardsProperties.com

retail/shopping

New Orleans, LA [504] BOURBON PRIDE, 909 Bourbon, 566.1570 COK (Clothing or Kinkl), 941 Elysian Fields, 945.9264 MARY’S FRENCH QUARTER KITCHEN & BATH, 732 N. Rampart, 529.4465 QT PIE BOUTIQUE - 241 Dauphine St., 581. 6633 XXXSHOP, 1835 N. Rampart St., 504.232.3063

services

New Orleans, LA [504] Formal Connection, 299 Belle Terre Blvd. LaPlace, LA, 985.652.1195

theatres

New Orleans, LA [504] CAFE ISTANBUL, 2372 St. Claude Ave., #140, 504.974.0786, CafeIstanbulNOLA.COM

tours

New Orleans, LA [504] Gay New Orleans Walking Tour, Crescent City Tour Booking Agency, (LGBT Business of the Year) 638 St. Ann St., 568.0717. follow Gay New Orleans Walking Tour @ Facebook.COM

pharmacy

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

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FINANCIAL & BUSINESS

3 Steps to Handle Market Volatility as You Approach Retirement Scot I. Billeaudeau, JD, LL.M. ADPA® s.billeaudeau@ampf.com Swings in the stock market can cause emotions to run high, particularly for investors who are approaching retirement. And for good reason. Recent research from Ameriprise Financial uncovered that the biggest financial setbacks American investors have experienced in their 50s through their 70s is market losses. Though most respondents – 62 percent – have fully recovered from these events, they’re still afraid of potential bumps down the road. If you share this anxiety as you approach retirement, remember that market volatility does not always mean you need to make changes to your portfolio. The following tips can help you prevent fear from getting the best of you: Concentrate on your financial goals. No one can say with certainty what will happen to stocks over the next week, month, year or decade. But what may be more certain is your financial goals

for those timeframes. Ensure your portfolio is designed to help you achieve those goals, rather than to achieve a specific market outcome. Remember that timing the markets is rarely successful because there are so many unknown factors influencing how stocks move. Keep your emotions in check. Market corrections, dips and swings are inevitable for investors in the short term, so it’s important to look beyond the daily hype and headlines. Instead, watch for broad, persistent trends that could provide opportunities or challenges for your overall financial situation. As you ponder adjustments to your portfolio, remember that while you can’t control the market, you can control your reaction to it. Reassess your portfolio according to your retirement date and risk tolerance. Two items that are more in your control are your risk tolerance

and retirement date. Keep in mind that each person has an individual comfort level with taking risks. You may find that your ability to handle market swings varies over time, particularly if you’ve experienced volatility in the past or are planning your retirement. Big market moves or dips may be a good time to step back and evaluate your portfolio according to when you anticipate needing to generate income from your investments: • If you have a decade or more before retirement, prioritize building your investments using a diversified asset mix. Investing regularly in the market could help volatility work to your benefit, as you have more time to ride out short-term turbulence and overcome potential losses. As you refine your retirement plans, calculate how much money you need to live the lifestyle you want, while also preparing for unexpected expenses such as healthcare. Knowing how much you

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need to retire can help you stay confident in your financial strategy amid market uncertainty. • If you are within a few years of retirement, you likely are more sensitive to short-term market moves. At this point, you may consider gradually adjusting your portfolio to reduce your level of risk. If you wait until retirement to adjust your investment mix, you could be surprised by untimely market volatility or a downturn. If this happens, it could leave you with less money in retirement compared to your plans, forcing you to modify your goals or lifestyle. If the market is experiencing a correction, you may want to wait for it to rebound (as it historically has) before making adjustments. Making changes immediately amid volatility could lock in possible losses. • If you are retired, be patient and maintain your diversified investment strategy. If the potential for a downturn or increased volatility makes you nervous, consider reallocating your portfolio accordingly. Keep in mind that even in retirement it may make sense to have part of your investment mix focused on growth. Today’s long life expectancies mean that you need to be prepared for the likelihood that living costs, particularly healthcare, will be higher in the later decades of your retirement. If you have concerns about the effect of market volatility on your investments, you are not alone. If you want additional support, consider consulting a financial advisor who can review the details of your unique financial situation. Together you can determine if your portfolio is on track to reach your goals. Scot I. Billeaudeau, JD, LL.M. ADPA®, is a Financial Advisor with Waterfront Wealth Management, a private wealth advisory practice of Ameriprise Financial Services, Inc. He specializes in addressing the unique needs of the diverse LGBTQ community, fee-based financial planning and asset management strategies, and has been in practice for 11 years.

32 · The Official Gay Magazine of the Gulf South: www.AmbushMag.com · September 25 - October 8, 2018 · Official Southern Decadence Guide · www.SouthernDecadence.com

Saints edge Falcons in wild OT shootout Ken Trahan, Crescent City Sports In an epic battle of the latest edition of the southern pro football rivalry that is the New Orleans Saints versus Atlanta Falcons, the biggest play came at the end of regulation. That is when the Saints won the coin toss. The NFL has never figured out how to run an overtime. In 2010, the Saints advanced to Super Bowl XLIV when they won the toss against the Minnesota Vikings, kicked a field goal and won the game without Minnesota even getting a chance to have the ball. That led to a rule change dictating that the game can only end with one possession if that possession is a touchdown. Once again, the Saints exposed the rule again to their favor, not allowing Atlanta a chance with the ball in the extra period Sunday. Rules aside, watching Drew Brees operate as he approaches 40 is an incredible pleasure, amazing on so many fronts. While the Falcons were missing key players, they are a good team and very hard to beat on the road. That is why they were they were favored to win. They did not, largely thanks to Brees and his dynamic duo of Alvin Kamara and Michael Thomas. Brees took the Saints 80 yards in 15 plays, taking 7:05 off the clock, squeezing the life out of the Falcons in the only possession in overtime. It was a thing of beauty. On an afternoon where Matt Ryan set a personal record and tied a franchise record with five touchdown passes and shredded the Saints, particularly P.J. Williams and Ken Crawley, Atlanta still lost. New Orleans punished the Falcons for 534 yards. Scoring 37 points was not enough. They needed one more score and got it. Here are my Quick Takes on the Saints’ 43-37 victory at Atlanta: The Falcons won the toss and deferred, giving the Saints the ball first. Josh LeRibeus started at guard for Andrus Peat Cam Meredith was active and started the game. Drew Brees opened with a 45-yard completion to Michael Thomas. Then, Alvin Kamara had the next four touches, bringing the Saints to the Atlanta four-yard line. On third down, Brees faked a pitch to Kamara, rolled right and hit Ted Ginn, Jr. on a four-yard touchdown pass. Ginn, Jr. made a defender miss in space to score on a drive that went 75 yards in six plays, taking 3:15 off the clock. Brees was 4-for-4 for 55 yards and

a touchdown on the drive. Kamara was deep to receive the first punt by Atlanta, replacing the injured Tommylee Lewis. On the second possession for New Orleans, Kamara was split wide left. He was left uncovered initially. Brees saw it, went to a hot read and threw it right away but Kamara kept running and was not looking. That led to a three-and-out for New Orleans. Atlanta came right back and drove 81 yards in 12 plays as the Falcons and offensive coordinator Steve Sarkisian attacked P.J. Williams repeatedly and Calvin Ridley made three catches on him, the last being an 18-yard touchdown pass on a stop-and-go. Williams bit hard, got beat and gave it up as the game became 7-7 with 2:45 to play in the first quarter. The Saints recaptured the lead, going 31 yards in six plays with Wil Lutz banking in a 49-yard field goal to make it 10-7 with 9:37 to play in the half. The kick hit the left upright and caromed through. The drive was promising but a holding call on Ben Watson a pass completion killed the possession. Brees became the all-time leader in NFL history in completions with 6,301 with an 18-yard completion to Michael Thomas midway through the second quarter. The drive continued and the Saints reached the Atlanta seven-yard line with a first-and-goal after a beautiful throw and diving catch by Ben Watson. Then, New Orleans killed itself with consecutive penalties, a hold on LeRibeus and a false start on Terron Armstead. Field goals are good but touchdowns win games. Atlanta needed just two plays to go after P.J. Williams again as Ryan hit Ridley in stride on a deep ball, whipping Williams again for a 75yard touchdown to give the Falcons a 14-13 lead with 2:12 to play in the half. LeRibeus then got a false start penalty and on third-and-15, Brees made a perfect deep out throw to Ginn, Jr. and he simply dropped the ball, forcing a Saints punt. The Saints defense got a big stop, forcing a punt and got the ball back at their own 42-yard line with 40 seconds left in the half and one timeout. That was enough for Brees, who completed a 12-yard pass to Kamara and a 27-yard effort to Watson on another good catch. That set up Lutz for a 45-yard field goal to give New Orleans a 16-14 lead at halftime. This marked the first time Lutz has kicked three field goals in a half in his young NFL career. Brees completed 20-of-27 passes for 243 yards and a touchdown in the first half with one key drop by Ginn, Jr.

to force a punt. Ryan finished the half 11-of-17 for 186 yards and two touchdowns. Top draft pick Marcus Davenport collected his first sack in the league in the first half, a very positive sign. New Orleans came into the game converting just 33 percent of its third down opportunities. They converted just 2-of-7 (28%) in the first half. Ken Crawley started the second half after Calvin Ridley torched P.J. Williams in the first half. To make matters worse, Crawley got beat deep by Ridley deep and he committed pass interference, a 45yard infraction to the New Orleans fiveyard line. On the next play, Patrick Robinson was injured and he was carted off with a left ankle injury. Then, Ryan had all day to throw and eventually found Ridley for a nineyard touchdown to give Atlanta a 21-16 lead. It took the Falcons just six plays to drive 75 yards, taking just 2:59. Ridley became the first rookie receiver to record three touchdown catches in a game since Odell Beckham of Newman and LSU did so in 2014 for the Giants. Alex Okafor came up with a huge

play, blocking a Matthew Bosher punt and Craig Robertson picked it up and returned it to the Falcons 16-yard line. Despite another false start penalty, this one on Josh Hill, Brees overcame it by stepping up under pressure and finding Cam Meredith on an 11-yard touchdown pass to give the Saints a 23-21 lead with 6:07 to play in the third quarter. It was the first catch as a Saint for Meredith and it was a good way to start. Meredith became the 62nd player to catch a touchdown pass from Brees. Atlanta responded by driving 82 yards in 12 plays, taking 6:56 off the clock with Ryan hitting Tevin Coleman on a five-yard touchdown pass. The drive stayed alive on a pass interference call on P.J. Williams on third down. Then, Ryan hit Austin Hooper on a two-point conversion to extend the lead to 29-23 with 14:11 to play in the game. The Saints offense, which only had eight snaps in the third quarter, took over and calmly drove 75 yards in eight plays. Unable to punch it in from the one-yard line on third down, Sean Payton called timeout and went for it on fourth down. Brees hit Zach Line on a one-yard touchdown pass as Line leaked out in the left flat and defeated

Your financial needs are unique. Whether you want to provide for your loved ones, support the organizations that are important to you, or plan for your own comfortable retirement, I can help you plan for your goals. I’ll look at all aspects of your finances, then find solutions that are right for your unique needs. I’ll be there to adjust your plan as life unfolds. When you have the right approach, life can be brilliant. Scot I. Billeaudeau, JD, LL.M., ADPA® Financial Advisor Waterfront Wealth Management A private wealth advisory practice of Ameriprise Financial Services, Inc. 3939 N Causeway Blvd, Ste 400 Metairie, LA 70002 504.889.1704 s.billeaudeau@ampf.com ameripriseadvisors.com/s.billeaudeau

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the tackle of Marcus Trufant and Lutz made the extra point to give the Saints a 30-29 lead with 9:59 to play in the game. The big play of the drive was a read option run by Taysom Hill, good for 35 yards. On the play, Hill was horse-collared, giving the Saints the ball at the 10-yard line. It would never hold up. Julio Jones torched Ken Crawley on a 58-yard completion from Ryan to the New Orleans 12-yard line. The Saints got a sack from Cameron Jordan to force a Matt Bryant field goal, which he made. Of course, that was not enough. David Onyemata committed an obvious personal foul, hitting the center and giving Atlanta new life. The Falcons took the points off the board and Ryan hit Mohamed Sanu, who was wide open, on a five-yard touchdown pass to give the Falcons a 35-30 lead. Then, the Falcons went for two and Ryan, who had all day to throw, found an open Sanu for the twopoint conversion to make it 37-30 with 6:58 to play in the game. The drive covered 75 yards in just five plays, taking 3:01 off the clock. Michael Thomas set a record for the most catches in the first three games of an NFL season with 35 with a reception in the fourth quarter. The Saints drove 81 yards in 11 plays, taking 5:43 off the clock. Amazingly, Brees finished the drive himself on a nine-yard touchdown run as Brian Poole missed a tackle at the five-yard

line and Brees dove into the end zone and Lutz tied it with the extra point at 37-37 with 1:15 to play in the game. The Saints then got a big stop, thanks to Sheldon Rankins getting to Ryan and A.J. Klein blitzing Ryan and forcing an incomplete pass on third down. Then came overtime. The last overtime game between the Saints and Falcons was the season opener of 2014 when the Falcons won 37-34 at the Georgia Dome on Sept. 7 of that year and New Orleans went on to a 7-9 season. After going just 2-for-7 on first down in the first half, the Saints converted 5-of-7 third downs the rest of the way, improving their mark of 33 percent conversions entering the game. For good measure, New Orleans was 1-for-1 on fourth down. So much for regulating the touches Kamara gets. The Saints needed him badly on this day and he delivered. In all, Kamara had 34 touches for 195 yards. He is a fabulous player. So, too, is Michael Thomas. So far this season, no one can guard Mike, as he claims via his Twitter handle. Thomas has set an NFL record for the most catches in the first three games of a season with 38. He had 10 catches for 129 yards on this day and has 398 yards and three touchdown receptions on the year. Brees was awesome, completing 39-of-49 passes (79.5%) for 396 yards

and three touchdowns and rushing for two scores. Consider where Brees is after three games. He has completed 104-of-129 passes for 1,078 yards and eight touchdowns with no interceptions. To clarify, Brees has completed 80.6 percent of his passes. That is coming off of a record-setting season in which he completed 72 percent of his passes a year ago. The man is a marvel. He deserves more than one Super Bowl championship. Without vastly improved play from the porous New Orleans defense, that goal appears far-fetched. If the injury to Robinson proves to be substantive, the Saints are in deep trouble at cornerback. Crawley was benched for awful play in the first two games of the season. P.J. Williams was even worse Sunday. Both defensive backs that were drafted this year are gone. Yes, the Falcons have great weapons with Jones, Sanu and Ridley but what we saw today will happen again and frequently if the cornerback play does not improve. If you are looking for any bright spots on defense, start with Jordan, who was very good. Klein played solidly. Davenport got his first sack. The Saints travel to face the New York Giants next week. The Giants got their first win, beating Houston 27-22 Sunday. It will not be easy. Eli Manning and Odell Beckham have to be licking their chops watching the Saints sec-

ondary perform. Still, the Saints are 2-1, scoring 40 or more points in two of three games while winning the one they did not go for 40 in. They have lost a game as a favorite and won a game as an underdog. They are where they are supposed to be, record-wise, but have issues. While Meredith got his first catch, Austin Carr caught just one ball and Tre’Quan Smith was not targeted. The Saints need more from their other wideouts, though Ben Watson has helped fill the void. He had five catches for 71 yards against Atlanta. Then, there is the defense, as a whole. It stands to reason that New Orleans will be at the bottom of the league in total defense heading into next week. That does not bode well for a team that was considered a championship contender and one that I felt could win the NFC. Still, you can feel good for now. When the Saints and Falcons play, it is generally a jump ball, flip-a-coin game. The Saints got the call right and right about now, the Falcons are saying “flip this.” The Saints have a winning record and they beat the Falcons. All is well with the world. This article was originally published by Crescent City Sports. For the most comprehensive sports coverage in the Big Easy, visit crescentcitysports.com.

LSU to unveil Billy Cannon statue to be Sept. 28 Michael Bonnette, Crescent City Sports BATON ROUGE – LSU will unveil a statue of the late Dr. Billy Cannon, the school’s only Heisman Trophy winner, on Friday, Sept. 28, the night before the Tigers host Ole Miss in Tiger Stadium. The Billy Cannon Statue will commemorate the accomplishments of the most heralded football player in LSU history. Cannon led LSU to the 1958 national championship and the following year won the Heisman Trophy as the top player in college football. Cannon remains LSU’s only Heisman Trophy winner. His No. 20 jersey was retired by the university in 1959. “It’s fitting that Dr. Cannon will be the first and, so far, only football player at LSU immortalized in this way,” said Vice Chancellor and Director of Athletics Joe Alleva. “He and the 1958 team helped put LSU football on the map as a national powerhouse.” The LSU Athletic Hall of Fame Committee unanimously approved a proposal that a statue honoring Cannon be erected on campus in August

2017. The statue unveiling is open to the public and will take place starting at 6:30 p.m. at the Championship Plaza, which is located on the west side of Tiger Stadium in lot 101. The statue will serve as the centerpiece of an area dedicated to honoring many of LSU’s football accomplishments. In his three-year career from 195759, Cannon rushed for 1,867 yards on 359 carries and scored 24 rushing touchdowns. He also caught 31 passes for 522 yards and two touchdowns. An all-purpose player who was also a defensive standout, Cannon returned 31 punts for 349 yards and 21 kickoffs for 616 yards in his career, punted 111 times for an average of 36.7 yards a punt and intercepted seven passes. He also completed 12 of 26 pass attempts for 121 yards. Cannon combined sprinter speed with brute strength. He consistently ran a 9.5 in the 100-yard dash and, at 6-foot-1, 210 pounds, he had the size to overpower his opponents as well

as outrun them. He was an immediate standout as a sophomore in 1957, starring on both offense and defense for LSU. After the 1958 season, Cannon finished third in Heisman Trophy voting behind Pete Dawkins of Army and Randy Duncan of Iowa. Nobody else was close, and Cannon led in the South and Southwest. Cannon’s most memorable performance came in his senior season of 1959 against Ole Miss. Top-ranked LSU trailed the third-ranked Rebels 3-0 early in the fourth quarter when Cannon fielded a punt at the LSU 11 and broke seven tackles on his way to a winning touchdown, as the Tigers won 7-3. The run helped cement the Heisman Trophy for Cannon in 1959. Cannon prepped at Istrouma High in Baton Rouge where he was an allstate halfback leading them to an undefeated season. Cannon gained more than 100 yards in 12 or Istrouma’s 13 games and scored 33 touchdowns. Dr. Cannon earned his D.D.S.

at the University of Tennessee and a master’s at Loyola University in Chicago. He was the Director of Dentistry at the Louisiana State Penitentiary in Angola before his retirement in January. He was inducted into the Louisiana Sports Hall of Fame in Natchitoches in 1976. Dr. Cannon passed away on May 20 of this year. The Billy Cannon Statue ceremony, which will be attended by many dignitaries and members of the 1958 national championship team, begins at 6:30 p.m. on Friday, Sept. 28 with the unveiling set to take place at approximately 6:55 p.m. The Billy Cannon Statue was made possible through donations made to the Tiger Athletic Foundation. This article was originally published by Crescent City Sports. For the most comprehensive sports coverage in the Big Easy, visit crescentcitysports.com.

34 · The Official Gay Magazine of the Gulf South: www.AmbushMag.com · September 25 - October 8, 2018 · Official Southern Decadence Guide · www.SouthernDecadence.com

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