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the "official" dish by Rip & Marsha Naquin-Delain RipandMarsha.COM Email: marsha@ripandmarsha.com

Some 30,000 View 11th Gay Easter Parade, Over $17,132 Raised for Food For Friends.

he 11th annual Gay Easter Parade brought some 30,000 spectators to the streets of the French Quarter on Easter Sunday, April 4. Led by Easter Grand Marshals XI Chuck Turner and Tittie Toulouse, the thirty-five unit parade included twenty-three carriages, wagons and trolleys, Smitty Dee's Brass Band, The Third Line Brass Band and ten cars and trucks. The parade minus expenses raised $17,132.15 for Food For Friends this year. Over the past 9 years, the parade has raised over $80,775 for charity. Presented by Ambush Mag, the parade passed by the majority of popular GLBT bars, restaurants, delis, and businesses in the Quarter including parade sponsor Starlight By The Park, parade sponsor Rawhide, parade sponsor Good Friends Bar, Bourbon Pub, Napoleon's Itch, parade sponsor Oz, parade sponsor Cafe Lafitte in Exile, parade sponsor Clover Grill, parade sponsor Quartermaster: The Nellie Deli, Tubby's Golden Lantern, Mona Lisa, Verti Mart, FiFi Mahoneys, Rab Dab, Cafe Amelie, La Mina Sterling, Le Roundup, parade sponsor Double Play, parade sponsor Corner Pocket, parade sponsor Society Page, and parade sponsor 700 Club. The colorful and elegant parade threw thousands of bunnies, candy and beads to the huge appreciative crowds. Parade participants included: Easter Grand Marshals XI Chuck Turner & Tittie Toulouse; EGM VIII Rona Conners & Bob Boler; EGM VII Opal Masters & Darwin Reed; EGMs I Rip & Marsha Naquin-Delain; Miss LSGRA Elizabeth Bouvier/FourPlay; JohnPaul's; Queen Amon-Ra XLIV Rhonda & David Roget; Double Play, 4 Seasons & Billy's; Society Page; NO/AIDS Task Force; Bebe Scarpinato; EGM VIII Michael Elias/ Corner Pocket; 700 Club; Kurt Goodman; EGM IX Safonda Peters & Stuart Nettles; Zsa Zsa D'LaHor; EGM X Tony Leggio; Lords of Leather; Krewe of Petronius 50; Kajun's Pub/Bunny Marshals; Tubby's Golden Lantern; King & Queen Amon-Ra XLV David Aranda & Countess C. Alice; Food For Friends; Darrell K. Sims/People of Substance; Bobby Wagstaff/King Krewe of Mwindo; Justin Donnaud; Bruce Orgeron/Krewe of Armeinius; Tyriq Davenport Kennedy; Rosario D'Amico/Krewe of Armeinius; Joseph McCrory/Krewe of Mwindo; and Starlight By The Park. Special thanks to all sponsors of the Gay Easter Parade including: $1,000-Platinum: Elizabeth Bouvier/FourPlay, John Vignone & Paul Chiriaco/JohnPaul's Bar; $500-Gold: Queen Amon-Ra XLIV

Cinco De Mayo, Mother's Day Issue out April 27 DEADLINE: Tuesday, April 20

inside

sappho psalm/new orleans in the spotlight/new orleans obituary/rick cosgriff under the gaydar/new orleans the pink pastor/new orleans celebrazzi snap paparazzi/new orleans snap paparazzi/new orleans ambush paparazzi/new orleans trodding the boards/nola acadiana paparazzi/lafayette

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Rhonda & David Roget, Lord King XVI Gary Vandeventer & Lord Consort XVII Tim Lott, Miseal Rubio/Quartermaster: The Nellie Deli, Krewe of Amon-Ra; $250-Silver: King & Queen AmonRa XLV David Aranda & Daryl Dunaway Jr., EGM IX Safonda Peters & Stuart Nettles, EGM VIII Tom "Rona" Conners & Bob Boler, King Cake Queen XVII & EGM VII Opal Masters & Darwin Reed, EGM IX Orlando Aloe/Society Page; Wood Enterprises, Oz New Orleans, EGM VIII Michael Elias & Jay Sewell/ The Corner Pocket, Mike Cookmeyer & Matt Giglio/700 Club, Krewe of Petronius, Celebrating Chuck & Bill's 39th Anniversary/Friends of The Purple Party; $100-Bronze: EGM X Tony Leggio, Dwain Hertz & Al Dugas, Glenn O'Berry & Roger Copenhaver, Starr Daniels & Justin Moffatt, Jay Cooper & Gizelle Bouvier, Saints & Sinners Literary Festival, Bruce Orgeron/Krewe of Armeinius, King Amon-Ra XLIV Nick Olivares & Roy Smith, KCQ XVI Tami Tarmac & King Amon-Ra XLIII Paul Davis, Lee Worrells, J.E. Bourgoyne & Jay Tyburski/Bourgoyne Guest House; and Venue/In-Kind: 4 Seasons, 700 Club, Billy's, Bywater Patio Bar, Double Play, JohnPaul's, Starlight By The Park. Parade Revenues include: $7,850-Sponsors $1,808-2nd Eggstravaganza

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Gulf South Entertainment/Travel Guide Since 1982 828-A Bourbon St. • New Orleans, LA 70116-3137 • 504.522.8049 marsha@ripandmarsha.com $2,200-8th Spring Fever $3,257-9th Drag Extravaganza $3,522-11th Purple Party $5,270-1st Bunnies in the Big Easy $250-Vehicle Entry Fees $20-Parade Day Donation/Todd Blauvelt $24,177-Total Revenue

Easter Grand Marshals XI Tittie Toulouse & Chuck Turner

acadiana happens/lafayette hot tails of red stick/baton rouge mobile paparazzi alexandria, olympus style red stick paparazzi/baton rouge alexandria paparazzi classifieds political arena/new orleans chop chop/nola restaurant guide ambush paparazzi/new orleans

Parade Expenses include: $40-EGM Pins $780-EGM Carriages $389.60-Entertainer/EGM Shuttle/ Eggstravaganza $100-Drag Extravaganza DJ $1,875-Bands $1,500-Insurance $50.25-Parade Permit $1,050-Parade Police Detail $1,260-Food, Staff, Underwear/ Bunnies in the Big Easy $7,044.85 Total Expenses The Board of Directors of the Gay Easter Parade includes Electra City, Tom “Rona” Conners, Tony Leggio, Opal Masters, Rip and Marsha NaquinDelain, and Tittie Toulouse. Past Grand Marshals include EGMs I Rip and Marsha Naquin-Delain, EGMs II Larry Bagneris and the late Miss Do Moreland, EGMs III Timm Holt and Teryl-Lynn Foxx, EGMs IV George Simons and Electra City, EGMs V Brett Messmer and Princesse Stephaney, EGMs VI James Swire and Lisa Beaumann, EGMs VII Doc Reed and Opal Masters. EGMs VIII Michael Elias and Tom “Rona” Conners, EGMs IX Orlando Aloe and Safonda Peters, and EGMs X Tony Leggio and Marcy Marcell.

Purple Party Raises $3,522 for GEP, Food For Friends

he 11th annual Purple Party Easter Grand Marshals Reception was another success this year raising $3,522 for the Gay Easter Parade benefiting Food For Friends. Hosted at The Double Play, the party honored Easter Grand [continued on 8]

THE OFFICIAL MAG

Gulf South Entertainment/Travel Guide Since 1982 • Texas-Florida Official Gay Easter Parade Guide Official Gay Mardi Gras Guide Official Gay New Orleans Guide Official Southern Decadence Guide OFFICE/SHIPPING ADDRESS: 828-A Bourbon St., New Orleans, LA 70116-3137 USA OFFICE HOURS: 10am-3pm Monday-Friday [Except Holidays] Email: marsha@ripandmarsha.com PHONE: 1.504.522.8049 ANNUAL READERSHIP: 650,000+ in print/3.5 Million+ On-line NATIONAL CIRCULATION: USA... Alabama-Birmingham, Foley, Mobile Florida - Pensacola Louisiana - Baton Rouge, Houma, Lafayette, Lake Charles, Metairie, New Orleans, Shreveport, Slidell Mississippi - Biloxi, Hattiesburg Texas - Austin

STAFF: PUBLISHER/EDITOR R. Rip Naquin-Delain, New Orleans PRODUCTION DIRECTOR M. Marsha Naquin-Delain, New Orleans GULF SOUTH/NEW ORLEANS AD SALES Rip Naquin-Delain • 504.522.8049 LESBIAN/POLITICAL ISSUES Toni J.P. Pizanie, New Orleans THEATRE/PERFORMING ARTS CRITIC Brian Sands, Patrick Shannon AD REPS/JOURNALISTS/PHOTOGRAPHERS Brad Benedict-Baton Rouge, LA Joey Collins-Lafayette, LA Rev. Clinton Crawshaw, Tony Leggio, Jeff Palmquist-New Orleans Bob Brunson, Cieanne & John, DJ Chromatic, Craig Powell, Leon Weekley-Mobile, AL Roy Williams-Pensacola, FL NATIONAL ADVERTISING REP Rivendell Media~212.242.6863 AMBUSH Mag is published on alternate Tuesdays of each month by Ambush, Inc., R. Rip Naquin-Delain, President. Advertising, Copy & Photo DEADLINE is alternate Tuesdays, 4pm, prior to publication week, accepted via e-mail only: marsha@ripandmarsha.com, except for special holidays. The Publisher assumes no responsibility for the claims of advertisers and has the right to reject any advertising. The inclusion of an individual's name or photograph in this publication implies nothing about that individual's sexual orientation. Letters, stories, etc., appearing herein are not necessarily the opinion of the Publisher or Staff of AMBUSH Mag. Subscription rate is $45 for 1/2 Year; $75 for 1 year. Sample Copy is $3 First Class Mail. ©1982-2010, AMBUSH, INC., ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. NOTHING HEREIN MAY BE REPRODUCED WITHOUT WRITTEN PERMISSION OF THE PUBLISHER INCLUDING AD LAYOUTS, MAPS and PHOTOS. AMgrant - AMbush Advertising Grant Donation

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the "official" dish ...from 4 Marshals XI Chuck Turner and Tittie Toulouse. Many past grand marshals were in attendance as well as representatives of many organizations and Carnival krewes. The evening also celebrated the 39th Anniversary of Easter Grand Marshal XI Chuck Turner and partner Bill Miller. Guests enjoyed the lavish buffet while mingling with all the celebrities in attendance. The auctions went extremely well with the Carousel Egg fetching $700 from EGM XI Chuck Turner, the Mermaid Egg $350 from Petronius Captain Bill McCarthy, Massage $225 from Ronald Buras, Chocolate Basket $225 from Lord King XVI Gary Vandeventer, and the Purple Bunnies $200 from EGMs I Rip and Marsha Naquin-Delain. The door brought in $615, egg raffles $444, and raffle tickets $413. A $250 Silver sponsorship was raised from party goers in honor of Chuck and Bill's 39th Anniversary, and a $100 Bronze sponsorship came in from Lee Worrells. Many thanks to all who helped and supported this event.

Bunnies in the Big Easy Raises $5,270 for GEP/Food For Friends

aster weekend kicked off in New Orleans on Good Friday, April 2 when the 11th Gay Easter Parade presented the 1st annual Bunnies in the Big Easy: Putting The Good in Friday, under the direction of GEP Board's Tony Leggio and Tom "Rona" Conners. The new event was hosted at Bywater Patio Bar & Secret Garden raising an astounding $5,270 for the Gay Easter Parade benefiting Food For Friends. Easter Grand Marshals XI Chuck Turner and Tittie Toulouse were presented "official" proclamations from the Mayor of the City of New Orleans by Human Relations Chair and Easter Grand Marshal II Larry Bagneris. The wonderful live auction brought in $150 for the Bryce Landry Bad Bunny painting from Queen Satyricon VII Wedon Brown, $75 for the Ashton Drake Doll from Petronius Captain Bill McCarthy, $150 for the Bill McCarthy Easter Basket from Lee Worrells, $350 for the Big Basket from Friday Night Before Mardi Gras' Ed Chapman which he donated back for reauction, $300 for the Big Basket reauction from Mwindo's Larry Jones, and $350 for the Jewel Egg from EGM XI Chuck Turner. One of the highlights of the evening had to be the live auction of hot model's underwear in the Secret Garden including $150 for model Cage's underwear from EGM XI Chuck Turner, $300 for model Jason's underwear from Miss LSGRA Elizabeth Bouvier and $300 for model Chase's underwear from EGM X Tony Leggio's Mom Dawn Leggio. The event also brought in $2,850 from 95 event tickets, $245 in egg raffles, and a $50 donation from Michael Sullivan in memory of John St. Clair. Guests enjoyed a scrumptious buffet and limited open bar offering vodka cocktails, beer and wine. DJ Buckley featured fierce dance tunes under the stars in the Secret Garden. Thanks to all who made this such a success.

Right Picture, Wrong Caption

fter 28 years in production, Ambush Mag had its first major faux pas in the last edition of the publication. On several of the photo pages, the captions did not match the photos. Ambush has new computers and has discovered that Windows 7 causes glitzes in many of the programs the publication uses and some do not function at all. After uploading the last edition’s files to the printer, Ambush received a call at 12:30am saying that all of the pages were corrupted. The tech had Ambush roll back its

latest Adobe and Microsoft updates to the previous version. In so doing, the text in all of the columns and classifieds were off. The work on the text took until 3am. After glancing, but not reproof reading the photo pages, it was thought that all was fine. Once the printed publication arrived, it was discovered that the captions on several photo pages were off on many of the photos except for two photo pages. Please accept our apologies for the inaccuracies. A special thanks to all of our loyal readers who pointed out the errors.

live entertainment, a ceremony to honor outstanding youth in Mississippi, booths highlighting organizations striving for LGBT equality and celebrity guests. Other sponsors of the event include Cat Cora and Tonic.com.

Opal Masters on Real New Orleans Sundays in April

epresenting Gay Mardi Gras as reigning King Cake Queen XVII, Opal Masters is featured on television show Real New Orleans Sundays in April at 9am. You can catch the interview by show host Mary West on Cox Cable Channel 11 or on Channel 26 for those not on cable. The interview covers Masters involvement with Carnival as costume designer, queen and king. The Queen appears in her spectacular coronation gown, crown and jewelry. You can see more of Masters at GayMardiGras.COM/KCQ.

American Humanist Association Joins Green Day & Lance Bass to Co-Sponsor Second Chance Prom in Mississippi

ashington, DC, - The American Humanist Association (AHA) announced that it, along with the Grammy-winning band Green Day and popular singer and performer Lance Bass, will co-sponsor a prom for Mississippi youth, including students from Itawamba County Agricultural High School in Fulton, MS. The school made headlines in March when officials canceled its prom rather than allow a lesbian student, Constance McMillen, to bring her girlfriend as her date or wear a tuxedo. The Mississippi Safe Schools Coalition’s second annual Second Chance Prom will be held on May 8 in Downtown Tupelo, Mississippi. ”We’ve very pleased to be able to support and promote LGBT equality alongside other sponsors,” said Roy Speckhardt, executive director of the American Humanist Association. “We’re proud to be standing on the side of love and acceptance instead of fear and prejudice, and we hope that the event will bring appreciation of the diversity within our society and encourage others to embrace it as a positive value that can continue to forge progress for all Americans.” The Second Chance Prom will feature dinner for guests,

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sappho psalm by Toni J.P. Pizanie Email: psalmwrite@att.net

Easter with Petronius

ust walking up and down Rampart Street visiting with other krewes while trying to find the float Petronius had been assigned, I realized that just about everyone was represented in the the Gay Easter Parade. The guys from Lords of Leather were handsomely decked out in black – leather is hot in Spring and Summer. Ah, yes, I remember that well. Amon-Ra had some good looking drag queens in carriages and convertible cars. Even my buddy Zsa Zsa D’ LaHor,

was there with Danny and mother-inlaw celebrating their 29th Anniversary. Lord only knows what will happen on their 30th because this year they were crazy as loons. But what’s a day with Zsa Zsa if not insane? But the prettiest if not the least lady-like was our precious Tittie Toulouse who sat atop her carriage with legs – spread, sounds so vulgar – askew. The picture was worth a thousand catty phrases. However, there are few ladies of this club who can fault Tittie except Miss Opal. But wait, I heard Opal utter the F-

word for the first time in the several years that I’ve known and admired her. We just giggled like girls do and told the laughing crowd to F-Off. The key word there was WE. Doesn’t she have the most handsome husband. I see ya’ll looking at him with moist lips – you know those big red ones painted just below the nose to the chin. They are from the Phyllis Denmark school of make-up, and didn’t you miss Miss Phyllis again this year. She needs to leave Florida and come home. Lisa Beaumann looked wonderful; loved her hat. I think she made a deal with Satan to stay ever young. Most girls her size show their wrinkles. That’s the reason so many let themselves gain weight — to fill in the crevices. Rip always says we fat girls are prettiest. There are a number of very lovely ladies coming up that will soon make these older girls cry in their cocktails.

Next year … if I have a next year, I am going to find out who I know as a male and do not recognize as a female. Two of these beauties walked up to me, said my name, kissed me and walked away. I was truly taken aback. My sweet friend and favorite – in a group of several – bartender, Amanda Straddle, was a vision in a Spring fresh splash of color. Any Baptist lady would have fought her for that dress. I asked to borrow it but I don’t know when or where I’d wear it – quick intake of breath associated with an idea – The PFLAG Champagne Scholarship Reception on May 8th. Of course! On the bright side for me, there were any number of those skinny, flat chested women who look like little boys that I love peering at. I wouldn’t want to date them because there is nothing to hold on to but I sure like looking at them. I have a short list of drag queens that I think should have been born Lesbians. The great universe did make a few mistakes after the big bang. And no, that is not a sexual innuendo. Although it would be if Randy Trahan was here helping me write. This idea started with Petronius [continued on 11]

the "official" dish ...from 8 ”I hope this Second Chance Prom will be an opportunity to get beyond recent negativity and provide a celebration that shows the benefits of an inclusive outlook,” said Speckhardt. Todd and Diana Stiefel made a $20,000 grant available to the AHA for the purpose of sponsoring this prom in Itawamba County. Humanists and other freethinkers have expressed a great interest in countering the discrimination of the Itawamba County school board. Humanists and freethinkers have a history of speaking up for the rights of all. The AHA was among the first to support civil rights, equal pay for equal work and the right of same-sex couples to marry. Recently the AHA launched the LGBT Humanist Council to advance equality for lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people and their families (http://www.lgbthumanists.org/). The American Humanist Association (www.americanhumanist.org) advocates for the rights and viewpoints of humanists. Founded in 1941 and headquartered in Washington, D.C., its work is extended through more than 100 local chapters and affiliates across America. Humanism is the idea that you can be good without a belief in God.

Reach the Market

Ambush 504.522.8049 marsha@ripandmarsha.com

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pink crawfish, whistles, stuffed toys, eggs filled with quarters and chocolate and gum and toys. For two hours, we kept throwing until we ran out and I was trying to pull eggs off my hat to throw. And then it stopped for the last time and our group was making plans to meet back at Bill’s place. Arthur was ready to head back into Metairie, and that was for the best because I would have followed the heartier members to JohnPaul’s for the evening without a ride home. As it was, Ray beat me home. He had been in Alabama visiting his parents since Saturday and I didn’t expect him back until much later on Sunday. My sincere thanks to Arthur for transportation, to Bill for a wonderful party, to all the Petronius members for a happy stress free day, to all that smiled and hugged and kissed. Every event back with these guys is a joy. I’m so glad that I rejoined for the 50th Anniversary.

Films

sappho psalm ...from 10 and rightly so. The Wednesday before Easter a group of us got together at the Den and decorated hats for the Krewe to wear on the trolley. I did a cascade of Easter eggs and chicks from the dome to the brim. One of Randy’s

large and perfect bows graced the back. Janie said she was trying to copy me but I think she did hers better than mine. To make up for it she gave me a chocolate bunny in trade for an ugly string of green frogs. Now Ade do not get annoyed. If they had been cute, I would have saved them for you. Eight

of us played into the night to get the hats perfectly tasteless. My new bff, Arthur, kept mine safe until he picked me up for the krewe’s party to be held at Bill’s house on Sunday before the parade. Bill keeps telling people that he does not want to be Captain for life – a likely story. If that were true, he wouldn’t feed us so well. The pre-party was crowded and lively with lots of guests from other krewes. It was a great start to the festivities. Then came the walk from Bill’s to Starlight with friends on every corner. That’s when I kept bumping into people I needed to have a drink with. Finally it was 4:30 and we were rolling – albeit very slowly. We were trolley #21 and there were more behind us. I don’t know where it stopped. What a grand parade this was. And we threw beads by the dozens and gay

his week I recommend you see both The Runaways and The Joneses. Do you love rock and roll? I love music from opera to heavy metal. If you do too, then you will enjoy the story about Joan Jett’s start with Cherie Curry and The Runaways. I didn’t realize from the title that I’d be seeing this somewhat painful piece of Rock history so I was thrilled with this reenactment. Dakota Fanning is terrific as Cherie Curry and you would swear you were seeing Joan Jett while watching Kristen Stewart. The film isn’t perfectly made and there are dream-like scenes that just don’t do the job of capturing the viewer. But so what, the story is real and sad, and does capture your memory of the 1975 introduction of Joan Jett and The Runaways. It is rated R, of course, due to the drugs (mostly) and sex. A day later I was back at the Elmwood AMC theatre to see David Duchovny and Demi Moore as wealthy new comers to an affluent country club community. It was different from the usual films I’ve been seeing. I enjoyed the idea behind the story and I loved seeing Duchovny and Moore as financially successful middle age parents working a con. The story is predictable but is done brilliantly. Their teenage son is Gay and closeted and their lovely daughter is a whore. They too are more than a little confused. This is the all American “wealthy is better” dream. The right cars, the right TV with gadgets, the right clothes, the right furniture makes us what we are — better. Duchovny tells his golfing buddies that the guy who dies with the most toys, wins the game. This film also has sexual content. This isn’t my style movie but I did like this one because the story was tight and held your interest from the “moving in” beginning to the “runaway” ending.

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in the spotlight 8th Annual Saints and Sinners Literary Festival May 13-16

he Saints & Sinners Literary Festival, the nation’s only literary festival devoted to the gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender community, will occur May 13-16 with the Bourbon Orleans Hotel in the heart of the French Quarter as the Festival Headquarters. Saints and Sinners is co-produced by the NO/ AIDS Task Force of New Orleans and The Tennessee Williams/New Orleans Literary Festival. The Festival, now in its eighth year, includes writing workshops, readings, panel discussions and theater and special events that celebrate LGBT literature.The Saints and Sinners Literary Festival is a rare opportunity for readers, authors, editors, publishers, and small press representatives to get together and share ideas in order to ensure that there continues to be outlets for LGBT writing. This year’s festival will feature presentations from many of the top names in GLBT literature. A partial list of participants include: Noel Alumit, DavidMatthew Barnes, Lucy Jane Bledsoe,

Bernard Cooper, Peter Dube, Philip Gambone, Rigoberto Gonzalez, Jim Grimsley, Greg Herren, G. Winston James, Michele Karlsberg, Lee Lynch, James Magruder, Jill Malone, Jeff Mann, Marianne K. Martin, Alistair McCartney, Tim Miller, Michael Nava, Emma Marie Perez, Radclyffe, J.M. Redmann, Kelly Smith, K.M. Soehnlein, Cecelia Tan, Charlie Vazquez, Jess Wells, Emanuel Xavier, Fiona Zedde, and many more. A few of this year’s panel discussions include: Marketing/Social Media; Pathways to Publication: Debut Writers Tell How They Found Their Way Into Print; You Think You Know Us?: Writing For Young Adults; Dynamic Settings: Connecting Characters to Place; The Quest for Justice in The Mystery Novel; Fiction, Memoir and the Space in Between; Latin Lovers and Mucho Macho; and Writing Intimacy: From Sex to Family Dynamics. Master Classes provide participants to explore a topic in greater details and are offered on May 14. This year’s line-up includes: Lucy Jane Bledsoe: Peopling Your Stories—Writing Complex, Engaging Characters.

Bernard Cooper: The Power of the Short Story Jim Grimsley: Worldbuilding in Genre Writing—SF/Fantasy Michael Nava: From Vision to Completion—A Blueprint on Novel Writing Radclyffe: Taking the Mystery out of ePublishing K.M. Soehnlein: Getting Your Novel in Shape—A Plan for Revision Jess Wells: Making Time for Your Writing Fiona Zeddie: Poetry and the Novel—Exploring Poetic Language in Prose In addition to the master classes and panels the Saints and Sinners Reading Series will feature a diverse group of readers in numerous time slots. A highlight of the reading series is always the Lambda Literary Award Finalists Reading. This year Wayne Gregory, G. Winston James, James Magruder, Jill Malone, Emma Marie Perez, Audrey Beth Stein, Carsen Taite, and Cecelia Tan will read from their current Lammy nominated works. There are opportunities to meet editors from small press houses and, once again this year, Bold Strokes Books will be providing authors the opportunity to pitch their work to editors Radclyffe and Greg Herren. The pitch meetings will last for ten minutes and will take place Friday afternoon.

The festival also offers a number of contest and awards designed to spot-light and honor GLBT authors and writing. Two authors will be presented with the James Duggins Mid-Career Author Award which honors LGBT mid-career novelists of extraordinary talent and service to the LGBT community. Recipients of the award each receive $5,000. The two winners for 2010 are Lee Lynch and Noel Alumit. Former recipients of the award are Elana Dykewomon and Michael Lowenthal (2009), Michelle Tea and Ronald Donaghe (2008) and Dorothy Allison and Jim Grimsley (2007). Applications for next year’s award will be available on the website. The winners of the FIRST ANNUAL SHORT FICTION CONTEST along with new stories by a few of the best names in GLBT literature have been collected into an anthology, Saints & Sinners 2010: New Fiction from the Festival, by QueerMojo, an imprint of Rebel Satori Press. A book release party featuring readings by the winners and others will be held on Thursday, May 13 as a fundraiser for the festival. A copy of the anthology is included with the event ticket which can be ordered at the website. The

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in the spotlight ...from 12 winner of the contest is Wayne Lee Gay and the two runners-up are Danny Bracco and James Driggers. The final judge for next year’s short fiction contest will be John Berendt, Author of Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil. Additional information for entering the second annual short fiction contest will be available on the website. PLAYWRITING CONTEST The winning play write, Jerry Rabushka, will receive a $500 cash prize. His play, Brushup Ten, will receive its regional premiere when it is produced at the Marigny Theatre during Saints and Sinners. TICKETS For more information, call 504.581.1144, or visit the Festival website at www.sasfest.com for regular updates, ticketing, and information about how to become a “Friend of the Festival.” Weekend Registration: $125 Writing Workshops: $25 Theater and Special Events range from $12 to $35 LOCAL/NEW ORLEANS AND STUDENT DISCOUNT For all locals and students, the festival is offering a ½ price discount on all tickets. This can be done with phone registration or online registration. For online, visit www.sasfest.com and click

the button that says “Buy Tickets Now.” After you select your tickets, look for the box that says coupon code at the bottom of that page. Enter the coupon code: SAS2010. This will automatically apply the 50% off disount. Major Sponsors include: The John Burton Harter Charitable Trust, The Arts Council of New Orleans with a Community Arts Grant made possible by the City of New Orleans, Bold Strokes Books, Jim Duggins, Rebel Satori Press, Ambush Mag, The Bourbon Pub & Parade, (Liquor Sponsor).

T-Shirt Design Competition to Benefit The Green Project

he Green Project is extremely excited to an nounce its first ever collaboration with Fleurty Girl “Shirts with Yatitude” for a t-shirt competition with a greener cause. Artists and doodlers alike are invited to send in original designs to be chosen the week of April 19th. The new t-shirt design will not only become the official t-shirt of the staff at The Green Project but it will also be available for sale at Fleurty Girl, 8611Oak Street and at The Green Project, at 2831 Marais St. All designs are welcome, from tongue in cheek to mission focused, playful to thought-

provoking. The Green Project logo can be found at www.flickr.com/photos/ thegreenproject/collections/ for inclusion in the design; however, they are NOT required. The new t-shirt will be unveiled at a SALVATIONS 2010 post party to be held at Design Within Reach on April 29 from 6-9pm and will be available for sale. A portion of the proceeds of the winning t-shirt design will be donated to The Green Project. The shirts will be sustainably produced on organic, sweatshop free materials and soy inks. In addition to the April 29th launch of the winning design, prizes will also include a $250 cash prize courtesy of Fleurty Girl, 3 newly launched official The Green Project shirts and a $100 gift certificate from The Green Project. To submit an entry, send your design along with your name and phone number in an email to Lauren@fleurtygirl.net or cwhite@thegreenproject.org. Entries must be received by April 19. The winning design will become the sole property of The Green Project and may be used in future campaigns. Fleurty Girl is the work of creator and visionary, Lauren Thom. A local girl with localcentric designs that she describes as a quirky, wearable wikipedia of NOLA sayings to be shared with another generation who will grow up to tell great stories about “Zinks” and “Brake Tags” just like we do.

obituary

dward Patrick “Rick” Cosgriff, age 59, died at his New Orleans residence on Friday, March 26, 2010. A native of Fargo, ND and a resident of New Orleans for the past 20 years. He was a Cum Laude graduate of Tulane University in 1997 and was currently working on an Education degree at the University of New Orleans. He is a member of the Human Rights Campaign and was a board member of LAGPAC. Son of Mrs. Corice McCarthy Cosgriff of Fargo, ND and the late Edward P. Cosgriff Jr. Brother of John Cosgriff of Fargo and the late Michael Cosgriff. Life companion of Christopher J. Daigle of New Orleans. Private family funeral services will be held at a later date.

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under the gaydar by Tony Leggio Email: tonymgp@hotmail.com Photo by: Larry Graham, GrahamStudioOne.COM

St. Anna’s

have always considered myself a very spiritual person, believing in a higher power. And like many others, my faith is an important part of who I am. Recently I went to JohnPaul’s on a Sunday and they were holding a special fundraiser for St. Anna’s Church. John and Paul, the owners of JohnPaul’s have been a

driving force behind raising funds for St. Anna’s Food Bank. Not knowing much about the church, I decided to attend their gospel brunch fundraiser. It was a lively way to spend an afternoon. For $10, you received a wonderful spaghetti meal cooked by John and Paul themselves, while enjoying their choir appropriately titled the “Annanotes.“ Made up of

the pink pastor by Rev. Clinton Crawshaw Email: pastor@bigeasymcc.com www.bigeasymcc.com

A Question of Truth

astors have a very bad habit of understanding certain truths about their faith, but being afraid of teaching them to their flocks for fear of damaging the poor darling’s feeble minds. I don’t actually believe people are too weak to know the truth; their leaders are just too weak to tell them the truth! Pastors even in conservative denomination fully understand that the Bible is a complex, sometimes contradictory collection of documents spanning over a thousand years – written by many different people for many different reasons and audiences. It is part history, part theory, part prophecy (often re-written after the events it is prophesying about) and part politics. It contains four gospels that do not always agree with one another. They also understand that The Book of Revelation was written to a cluster of early churches in what is modern day Turkey. It was written in a thinly veiled code intended to allow the author to slam the Roman Empire and specifically the Emperor; not as a sort of Supermarket tabloid guide to the end of the world for modern American Fundamentalists. To add to all this, the established church has been on the wrong side of history so many times that any other institution would have hung it’s head in shame and closed up shop centuries ago. Every issue from the Earth going round the sun (Galileo), Evolution, Women’s rights, slavery and racial segregation to LGBT equality has seen the church on the side of the status quo and stupidity, willful ignorance, selfinterest and even unalloyed evil. It seems clear to me that if the truth of Christianity lies in the infallibility of a deeply flawed man in Rome, or in the list of ‘must believes’ that most churches peddle, or in

the literal interpretation of scripture then it must be cast aside as dangerous nonsense that threatens the future of society – that leads potentially clever people to check their minds at the door of the church and parrot children’s tales to one another. Thankfully it doesn’t. This easy caricature of Christianity misses its entire point. Christianity is not ‘just another religion’. In many ways it is not a ‘religion’ at all. It functions at its best when stripped of what the old Anglican prayer book called ‘fond things vainly invented’. In essence it is the way of a man from Galilee who called all of us to God. Nowhere does it attempt to too narrowly define just what or who God is. This man showed God’s lovingkindness in his own flesh, and put that lovingkindness above his own wants, needs and ego. He urged us to remember that God loves us all, and that not only were we created equal, but we remain equal. He urged us to love one another even as we love ourselves. This forces us to embark upon a risky journey of self discovery that must lead to self love and self respect of the most truthful kind, and through that self love, to love of neighbor and God. All this works without any supernatural element at all, but through being on this journey we cannot fail but form a deep and abiding relationship with God. This is profoundly super natural! Through it we are transfigured beyond our sweating selves, beyond creatures that endlessly want and desire and control, and into something closer to Christ himself. All this is available to real people, to grown-ups who doubt, and question, and enquire. You do not have to turn into a ranting televangelist or a credulous simpleton to fully embrace this Christianity. Nobody but Jesus Christ has the authority to tell you that you do not in fact follow Jesus Christ. Just follow the truth, and it will surely lead you to God. Follow God and abandon truth and you will find it was not God at all.

members, this group was very entertaining. St. Anna’s is located at 1313 Esplanade Avenue and has been a very good friend of the LGBT community. If you are searching for a spiritual awakening, St. Anna’s may be your answer. Thoroughly liking the people I met from the church, I thought you would benefit from a little background about St. Anna’s. The liturgy at St. Anna’s is AngloCatholic in ceremony and ritual, which represents the splendor and joy of the eternal banquet in heaven which is displayed in their celebration of the Mass. As Christians, the congregation strives for justice and peace among all people and respects the dignity of every human being. Their fellowship welcomes everyone without regard to economic status, race, ethnicity, sex, age, or sexual orientation. They are a reconciling fellowship that attempts to bring diverse peoples into one house to worship Jesus as Lord and to begin to understand the vast tapestry that is God’s good creation. As they say, “All are welcomed, none are shunned.” The bedrock of the soul and life of St. Anna’s is open and welcoming hospitality. And coming up, Miss Louisiana Leatherette 2010, Cathy Fox is presenting Divas Among Us 2 (they keep on making sequels) on Sunday, April 18 at 5pm. This event will be held at JohnPaul’s and is a benefit for St. Anna’s Food Bank. The line-up of performers is a who’s who in the drag world with each lady being a diva in her own right. Tickets are $5 at the door and there will be a silent auction and 50/50 raffle. Keep an eye out for more upcoming fundraisers at JohnPaul’s for the church. For more information, go to www.stannanola.org.

The Stritch Phenomenon

n my last article, I promised to learn more about Elaine Stritch’s, sorry, I mean Cathy Fox’s sordid past and what is that mysterious secret she has been harboring for all these years. Recently I caught up with her as she poured herself into a lovely vodka martini with three olives. “Darling, you never accept a martini without three olives. It is just not done. I remember right before a show, the bartender served me my fifth martini and without noticing it only had two olives, I downed it and went on stage. As you can imagine, it was a dismal performance, so from now on, all my martinis must have three olives or I do not grace the stage,” she said pointing out her three olives. “Ms. Fox (wink, wink), what is the secret to your success and can you tell me about your past. It seems you just popped up in the Crescent City and have become an instant stage darling,” I continued the interview doggedly.

She squinted her eyes at me and moved closer. This was it, she was going to tell me her secrets, her deliciously scandalous past was about to be revealed to me. All questions finally answered. She looked at me, her jungle red lips parted to speak. I was breathless with anticipation. Then she burped up an olive and passed out on the table. I guess we will have to wait until the next issue to find out more about this enigmatic Cathy Fox.

Disco Inferno

ho said disco was dead? Because it is alive and bigger than ever at Tubby’s Golden Lantern. Princesse Stephaney is hosting the Disco Divas of New Orleans show every other Sunday at 8pm, next show April 25th. I went to her first show and it was a rollicking good time. There was lots of people in the audience singing along with their favorite disco hits. In addition to the Princesse, the performers that night included Starr Daniels, Selena and Linda Lucky. I had not been to Tubby’s since the remodel and it looks great. The place has had a complete facelift and is bigger with a larger stage and lots of room for patrons. The bar has been renovated to now accommodate people in the performance room. There is also the Divas R Us show every Saturday night hosted by Rikki Red and on Thursdays you can play Ringo with Sister Mary Isahor. That hysterical bingo event starts at 8pm and there are always great prizes. So check out Tubby’s and the new look of the Golden Lantern.

Persana Rules

ast Thursday, I went to Oz for the first Latin night and it was mucho fabuloso. The entire night was amazing with lots of hot people dancing the night away with DJ Luis spinning. There were salsa lessons from 9 - 10pm and the margaritas were flowing. So I downed some shots of cactus juice and started dancing with my friends David and Larry, who were in town from New York and New Jersey. I have known Persana for a while, but I never really got the opportunity to get to know her better until tonight. Persana is quite the performer and I can say one hell of a saleswoman. Honey, she can sell ice to Eskimos. She did the strip off at midnight and before you knew it she had eight of the hottest boys on stage gyrating to their little hearts content. I was one of the lucky people she chose to be a judge and for that honor, I am eternally grateful. Ladies and gentlemen, it is good to be a judge at this show. The boys were competing for $100 in cash for first

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under the gaydar ...from 16 place and a $50 bar tab for second. These boys weren’t just hot, they were smoldering. The winner was a six foot plus hunk with a beautifully sculpted chest and muscular legs. His tighty whities fit perfectly outlining the contour of his body. Persana put them through vigorous challenges in order to win the grand prize. One of the feats was to drop and give her 20 while she slid under them. Even I had to admit, that was some sexy. So checkout Latin Thursdays at Oz, you won’t be disappointed. And besides everyone needs a little spice in their life from time to time.

Another Fabulous Easter

e did it again. Another incredible Gay Easter celebration and what wonderful events leading up to the big day. Lets start with the Purple Party which was held at the Double Play. Purple represents royalty and nobility and the Double Play had it that night. There were so many past grand marshals present celebrating Easter Grand Marshal XI Chuck Turner and his partner Bill’s 39th anniversary. Once again, the food was bountiful and delicious. Along with my co-grand marshal last year, Marcy Marcell, we got to place the grand marshal pins on Chuck and Tittie Toulouse. That little act gave me great pleasure because I knew two deserving people were about to enjoy one of the most incredible Easters of their lives. Next up was my event which I cohosted with Gay Easter Parade Board member Rona Conners. Bunnies in the Big Easy, which was held on Good Friday at Bywater Patio Bar & Secret Garden was practically sold out (95 tickets out of 100) and a huge success. Guests were greeted at the door by Ray the Rabbit from Alice and Wonderful and Rich the sexy Chicken Man. They entered the festively decorated garden entrance to Bywater Patio Bar and handed their tickets to our very own playboy bunny Barbara Ella who stamped their hands with a lime green bunny. Thanks to our liquor sponsors of Tito’s vodka, Smirnoff coolers and Red Stripe light beer and donors Ken Granpre from Lafitte’s, Bill McCarthy and the Krewe of Petronius and Chuck Turner. Hottie Eric was our very sexy bartender who kept the drinks flowing. And he had a happy trail that I wanted to hop down all night. Mike at Bywater outdid himself with the food which was passed by our hot bunny boys Jake and BJ. Behind the main bar was none other then Miss Rusty Laroux and my “it boy” Jonathan who was looking extra sexy in his bunny ears and flowing locks. Outside in the

secret garden courtyard, DJ Buckley was spinning dance hits. We had scantily clad bunny boys selling raffle eggs throughout the night. And we had a live auction that generated lots of money. Items included a great piece of art donated by the very talented Bryce Landry, $250 worth of throws for the parade donated by Bill McCarthy, two porcelain dolls, an oversized Easter basket filled with candy, liquor and prizes, and the jeweled egg. But the premier auction happened later that night in the secret garden courtyard where we auctioned off the underwear right off the models butts. The lucky winners got to undress the models themselves and let me say it was quite the shocking scene. I had to say, I was left speechless at this auction and that is almost impossible to do. And, by the way, next year, please make sure my mother is nowhere near the auction area. I guess it is true what they say the apple does not fall far from the tree. Our three models Jason, Cage and Chase did an excellent job at looking drop dead gorgeous and garnering more egg sales. Thanks, go out to Keny and Kenny from Amon Ra for being the models handlers. Not a bad job. My special thanks go to Miss Elizabeth Bouvier (aka Jeff Mallon) whose generous support made this event a smashing success. And he even got the special treatment as he was the winning bid on one of the models and got carried off into the sunset by the very beautiful Jason reminiscent of the ending from An Officer and a Gentleman. I believe everyone should have a Bouvier backing. The next day, I participated in the Marigny Bunny Hop which was led by grand marshals Lisa and Joann from Kajun's Pub. There had to be almost 100 people participating in this 8th annual event. The event started at JohnPaul’s and made its was through the Marigny to Iggy's, Friendly Bar, Big Daddy’s, Mimi's, Cutter's, the Phoenix and ending at Kajun's Pub. All the hats were fabulous and everyone had a great time. Then Sunday finally arrived and my friends and I began our day taking a limo to Bywater Bar.B.Que for brunch. Like always, Mike’s Easter brunch was fabulous. My friends from New York and New Jersey, David and Larry joined me on my trolley, as did, my New Orleans contingent of Ben, Mollie, Matt, Valerie and Rachel. But not to be outdone, my trolley also had the lovely Barbara Ella looking very Joan Collinesque from Dynasty and the impeccable Patti Le Play Safe. The Contessa Breaux and Sheriff Nadja rounded out our group. The party started at Starlight with food and drinks flowing. Before joining the gang at Starlight, we stopped in to Bill McCarthy’s house on St. Ann for a little

libation. We got our throws on the trolley and we were off. I have to say this one truly is one of my favorite parades to participate in. This year the crowd has to be the largest I have ever seen. The people all seemed to be in good spirits and the weather was perfect. There was so many people, I went through three bags of beads and one case of hats before the end of the parade. Next year, I am going to have to bring more. The parade ended at 700 Club where Matt and Mike rolled out the red carpet for us. The food was great and the drinks continued to flow. But I have to admit after 700 Club, the night gets a little hazy. Oh well, that is when you know you had a great holiday.

My Wicked, Wicked Ways

he production of Wicked that was just at the Mahalia Jackson Theatre was one of the most amazing theatrical experiences of my life. This was my first time seeing it and I can honestly say that Wicked is probably one of my top favorite plays. The scenery, the acting and the powerful singers were just breathtaking. The costumes were great and the storyline was magical. I had read the book by Maquire, which was much darker than the play. The actress playing Glinda was a powerhouse talent, in fact everyone in the cast was just outstanding. After the play, I was luckily invited to the cast party at the Hotel Monteleone. The party was great and rubbing elbows with the cast was very special. But the cast of Wicked did more to help the city of New Orleans. On the Monday after Easter, they performed a cabaret called My Wicked, Wicked Ways at Le Petit Theatre to raise money for the NO/AIDS Task Force. This musical cabaret show was just simply fantastic. The entire night was filled with performances that just took your breath away. Richard Kline who played the Wizard (you may remember him as Jack’s neighbor in Three’s Company) co-hosted the event with New Orleans own Mad Man Bryan Batt, who also performed. His "Caveman" number was a riot and one of my favorite performances of the night. There were many notable numbers but the two that were really special were two duets performing songs from the show. The two Fiyero leads performed “For Good” as they looked longingly into each other’s eyes and the other one was “As Long As Your Mine” performed by two gorgeous female members of the cast. Each number ended with a very hot and sexy kiss. After the show, my friends Larry and David and I went to a special meet and greet party with the cast. And let me tell you I made several special friends that night. I will never look at a

flying monkey in the same way again. Lets just suffice to say, that I felt very Wicked after that night was over. If you missed Wicked do not fret because there is one more play to finish off this season and it is a good one. Avenue Q will be coming to the Mahalia Jackson Theatre June 8 - 13. It is a wonderfully comical show. For ticket information, call the box office at 504.287.0351.

Rushing into Mardi Gras

t is never too early to think about Mardi Gras in the Crescent City. And if you are not a member of a gay carnival krewe, then this may just be your opportunity. On Sunday, April 18, 2010 from 3 - 5pm, the Mystic Krewe of Satyricon is holding their annual rush party at 700 Club which is located at 700 Burgundy Street. Their will be light hors d’oeuvres and a chance to mingle with members of one of the most prominent krewes in the city. All are welcome, men and women, gay or straight. Mardi Gras is like life, you get out of it what you put into it. And, ask anyone in any of the krewes, nothing beats that adrenaline rush when you are on stage strutting a fabulous costume around for all to see. I am very lucky to have just been elected as Captain of Satyricon and I can honestly say that being a part of this organization has benefited me in many ways. First and foremost it is a social club with wonderful members. So come out on Sunday to check us out. For more information, go to www.mystickreweofsatyricon.com.

Death in the South Pacific

ales of the Cocktail has announced the winner of their official cocktail competition for the 2010. First place goes to Evan Martin from Washington state with his winning Death in the South Pacific. The drink’s name is a play on Love in the South Pacific and Death in the Afternoon and will be served throughout Tales of the Cocktail, July 21 - 25. They had a launch party to introduce this cocktail at Lucy’s in the Warehouse District and it was served to all who attended. This libation packs quite the potent kick. I mean, you have two or seven of these and you will be seeing Mitzi Gaynor walking around in a grass skirt washing that man right out of her hair. The drink has three types of rum and Absinthe in it, need I say more. Tales of the Cocktail is one of the most fun events during the summer. To get more information on this event, go to www.talesofthecocktail.com. Have an event or have something of interest to the LGBT community, feel free to send press releases or information to tonymgp@hotmail.com.

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celebrazzi (celebrations, paparazzi)

aster Grand Marshals XI Tittie Toulouse and Chuck Turner led the 11th annual Gay Easter Parade on Easter Sunday as some 30,000 spectators lined the streets of the French Quarter for the colorful and elegant parade. The parade minus expenses benefits Food For Friends raising $17,132.15 this year.

ill Miller and Easter Grand Marshal XI Chuck Turner celebrated their 39th Anniversary during the 11th Purple Party Easter Grand Marshals Reception. Hosted at The Double Play, party goers collected $250 for a Silver sponsorship in the 11th Gay Easter Parade in honor of the couple's 39th Anniversary.

he 11th annual Purple Party Easter Grand Marshals Reception raised $3,522 for the Gay Easter Parade benefiting Food For Friends at The Double Play. One of the highlights of the evening was the presentation of Easter Grand Marshal XI pins to Chuck Turner and Tittie Toulouse by outgoing grand marshals Tony Leggio and Marcy Marcy. Photo: (front) EGM X Tony Leggio, EGMs XI Chuck Turner and Tittie Toulouse, EGM X Marcy Marcell; (back) EGM IX Orlando Aloe, EGM VIII Michael Elias, EGM VI Lisa Beaumann, EGM V Princesse Stephaney, EGM I Marsha Naquin-Delain, EGM VII Opal Masters, EGM VIII Tom "Rona" Conners, EGM IX Safonda Peters.

he 1st annual Bunnies in the Big Easy: Putting the Good in Friday brought Human Relations Chair and Easter Grand Marshal II Larry Bagneris to present official proclamations from the Mayor of New Orleans to Easter Grand Marshals XI Chuck Turner and Tittie Toulouse at Bywater Patio Bar & Secret Garden. Photo: Food For Friends Director Glen Kahrman, EGM XI Chuck Turner, EGM II Larry Bagneris, EGM XI Tittie Toulouse, NO/AIDS Task Force Executive Director Noel Twilbeck.

irst time participant Mitsy of The Friendly Bar took top honors as Best of the Best in the 8th annual Marigny Bunny Hop. The annual award was presented by Ambush Mag's Marsha out front of Kajun's Pub at the end of the bar crawl.

ood For Friends Director Glen Kahrman joins Bunnies in the Big Easy chairs Rona Conners and Tony Leggio, and NO/AIDS Task Force Executive Director Noel Twilbeck as they celebrate raising an astounding $5,270 at the inaugural event hosted at Bywater Patio Bar & Secret Garden. The Gay Easter Parade benefits Food For Friends.

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paparazzi

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11th Gay Easter Parade led by Easter Grand Marshals XI Chuck Turner & Tittie Toulouse ~ New Orleans

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paparazzi

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11th Gay Easter Parade raises $17,132.15 for Food For Friends ~ New Orleans

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11th Purple Party Easter Grand Marshals Reception raises $3,522 @ The Double Play ~ New Orleans

ambush

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1st Bunnies in the Big Easy: Put the Good in Friday raises $5,270 @ Bywater Patio Bar & Secret Garden ~ New Orleans

papar azzi

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trodding the boards by Brian Sands

Email: bsnola2@hotmail.com

Little Murders at the Marigny Theater

fter nearly four years of hits, misses and worthy, if imperfect, offerings, Cripple Creek Theater Company has finally arrived with a vengeance with a pitch perfect production of Jules Feiffer’s scabrous comedy Little Murders. A flop on Broadway in 1967, Murders returned two years later in a hit off-Broadway production. Forty years later, if a reliance on snailmail and land-based telephones seems a bit quaint, Feiffer’s social satire remains just as potent in the age of Obama as in the reign of Nixon. Assaulted by daily challenges (blackouts, traffic jams, pollution, obscene phone callers in addition to all sorts of urban violence), the sit comesque Newquist family prepares to meet daughter Patsy’s fiancé whom Dad Carol is convinced will be a “swish” like all her other boyfriends. (Never mind that he hardly notices that son Kenny is ready to bust out of the closet.) As Mom Marjorie tries to keep the peace, Patsy arrives with Alfred, a pathologically passive photographer who has become wildly successful with his images of excrement. After the lovebirds’ settle their emotional conflicts, a quick marriage ceremony is followed by tragedy which seemingly liberates Alfred from his dourness. The play ends as the Newquists discover how best to deal with modern life in a manner apt and predictive of current times. Think of Neil Simon in his Barefoot in the Park/ The Prisoner of Second Avenue period on mescaline. Or Edward Albee crossed with a Warner Brothers cartoon. Either way, so much of today’s comedy looks childish compared with Feiffer’s masterpiece. Working with a cast of newcomers and Cripple Creek veterans, first time director Andrea Carlin elicited immaculate timing from them and maintained a beautiful balance between stylized absurdism and heightened realism. I look forward to seeing more of her work. As the father who doesn’t want to be called by his feminine-sounding name, Jackson Townsend blustered and boiled with consummate skill, a fed up paterfamilias at the end of his rope who would probably be a Teabagger today. Emilie Whelan brought out Patsy’s overpowering determination with conviction but balanced it with an emotional delicacy that lay just below the surface; with Townsend as her

doting father, Whelan showed how easy it is for Patsy to wrap him around her little finger. Electra complex anyone? Though too young for Marjorie, Corina Lill captured this put upon Mom’s trying-too-hard-to-please mien; keeping herself in check, Lill demonstrated that Patsy could be a younger version of herself emancipated by feminism. If Ross Britz overdid, though just by a smidgen, Kenny’s hormonal urgencies in the first act, in the second, after being outed, he revealed a pleasing suavity as a young homosexual comfortable in his own skin, a swish perhaps but not swishy. Andrew Farrier made Alfred’s metamorphosis from determined milquetoast to expansive entrepreneur thoroughly believable; Farrier’s soft personality masked a sturdy backbone that could endure beatings as an existential statement. In three single-scene roles usually played by one actor, Jim Wright as a determined judge; Ian Hoch as a flaky minister; and, especially, Lloyd Dillon as an overwrought police lieutenant contributed fine comic turns. Selena Poznak’s lighting, with its blood red overtones, suggested that the Newquists are living in a bloody Hell. They probably wouldn’t disagree. Though certainly a product of the upheavals of the late 1960s, Feiffer’s comedy of bad manners remains an indictment of modern times that has yet to go out of fashion. There should be a mandatory revival of it ever twenty years or so, providing it’s as fine as Cripple Creek’s.

When Pigs Fly at Le Chat Noir

From its opening “Dream Curly” ballet, with five differ ently outfitted but equally fab Curly’s, to its “Over the Top” finale, When Pigs Fly celebrates the triumph of the spectacular over the mundane and, in so doing, provides an evening of dizzying fun, a throwback to offBroadway revues of the 1950s.

Jermaine Keelen, Patrick Mendelson, William Bryant, Brian Peterson & Kyle Daigrepont in When Pigs Fly

Conceived by Howard Crabtree and Mark Waldrop, When Pigs Fly began its long off-Broadway run in August 1996. Sadly, Crabtree was felled by AIDS two months earlier just a few days after finishing the costumes that were worthy of a gay Mardi Gras Ball. Giving the show its regional premiere, Theatre 13’s budget may be slightly smaller than off-Broadway’s but Valerie Johnson’s scrumptious costumes bring trees, mermaids and rococo vanities to colorful life with an abundance of feathers, sequins, and god knows what else. Somewhere, Crabtree is smiling with pride. The plot, such as it is, has the young Howard attempting to do a grand show to prove wrong his high school guidance counselor who warned him he’d only be a successful theater artist “when pigs fly.” In support of Howard’s quest, Waldrop’s sketches & lyrics are witty & punny and if Dick Gallagher’s music is not too, too memorable it serves Waldrop’s words well. With musical director James Kelley at the piano keeping things moving along, Gary Rucker directed the five man ensemble with his usual panache. William Bryant made an endearing Howard. Kyle Daigrepont drolly spun torch songs expressing unrequited love for Newt Gingrich, Strom Thurmond, and Rush Limbaugh. Patrick Mendelson amused as a lonely halfman/half-horse (originally, a centaur) who wonders why it’s hard for him to find a date. Jermaine Keelen twinkled through Bigger is Better, an ode to extravagance, among other numbers. And the luscious Brian Peterson, first among equals, brought perkiness to new heights as an adult Little Orphan Annie heading a Presidential commission on optimism. As with his Running With Scissors appearances, Peterson found untold humor by emphasizing his characters’ truthfulness whether as the terminally smiling Carol Ann Knippel, a regional theater impresario forced to present original work (“Brutally Frank, the Songs of Frank Loesser”) due to the dearth of new Broadway shows, or as a disgruntled actor fed up with Howard’s ineptitude. One wishes the cast’s voices were a little stronger, but it doesn’t really matter since these pros know how to put over cheeky, campy material like this with innate elan. Karen Hebert & Kevin Champagne filled Le Chat’s small stage with fizzy choreography while Su Gonczy’s pretty lighting seemed to come up with 20 shades of pink. And though the copious wigs are uncredited, they were FAB-U-LOUS! Maybe the first act finale, You Can’t Take the Color Out of Colorado, which goes on about how necessary and vital gays are, is a bit passé. Perhaps the Newt/Strom numbers, though cute, are a bit dated; how about a new one for Larry Craig, Mr. Waldrop? And if Pigs

triumphs in its cheery waggishness, it’s on less solid artistic ground when it occasionally turns serious. But these are minor quibbles. Because, if you’re like me, you’ll leave this delightful revue with your laughter and smile muscles feeling sore.

God’s Trombones at the Anthony Bean Community Theater

pproaching the Anthony Bean Community Theater I was familiar with neither James Weldon Johnson nor God’s Trombones his classic 1927 book of poems, subtitled Seven Negro Sermons in Verse. Moreover, if you had told me the evening would consist of these sermons interspersed with traditional spirituals sung by a small choir and a history of the old-time Negro preacher related by a 95 year old preacher’s widow, I might have doubted the theatrical validity of such a performance. Having seen the show, I doubt no more. Under Anthony Bean’s simple but effective direction, Donna King’s Sister Caroline anchored the presentation relating Johnson’s text about Negro preachers, men of “positive genius” and the God’s trombones of the title. The preacher, we are told, was “above all an orator, and in good measure an actor...a master of all modes of eloquence...from a sepulchral whisper to a crashing thunder clap.” Seven fine actors lived up to Johnson’s historical description and expertly brought these sermons to life with the dramatic forcefulness and finesse of experienced Shakespearean players. It was a pleasure to see Tony Felix’s talents continue to expand as he captured the inspiring cadences of a charismatic young preacher in The Creation. Though built like a linebacker, Alfred Aubrey wonderfully brought to life both a snake and the Ark in Noah Built the Ark. Damany Cormier straddled the border between religion and entertainment in The Crucifixion with captivating results. Derrick Deal found humor and passion in Let My People Go’s retelling of the story of Moses freeing the Hebrew slaves. In Go Down Death: A Funeral Sermon, Harold X. Evans used words as a palliative to heal people’s daily woes. Darryl Lutcher and Bean rounded out the preachers. King eschewed old lady mannerisms but rather endowed Sister Caroline with deep-rooted conviction to make the preacher’s wife a simple but important presence. In its first appearance since Katrina, Sheriff Marlin Gusman’s “Voice of Thunder” Choir, a prison-based seven man

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[continued on 42]

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Hunter’s fabulous Spring BBQ

Justin finally made it! DJ Kyle D & company at Sound Factory

acadiana

These boys are always a mess!

Mario & his friends from Dallas hanging out @ Sound Factory Clearly Mary, clearly... Show some love for Valarie Sugarbaker Joey Collins doing shots on the bar @ Jules

Besties!! Amy & Ryan Rick, Chris & Scott @ Jules Eureka Springs & friend @ Sound Factory

Belinda Botox, always fabulous

Good friends hanging out @ Sound Factory

Well Rick & John, what do you have to say for yourselves now?

ILY!

Cutting up @ Jules

Andre, Jason, Corey & Kevin @ Jules

OMG, it’s Mark Suire!

Could there be a more beautiful group?

30 • The Official Mag: AmbushMag.COM • April 13-26, 2010 • Of fic ial Gay East er Parade Guide • GayEast erParade.COM Offic

Fabulous, Love, Beautiful ~ Lafayette, Louisiana ~ Photos by Joey Collins

papar azzi

acadiana happens by Joey Collins, Lafayette, Louisiana Email: ejcollins583@gmail.com

he days are getting longer and the nights are getting warmer and that can only mean one thing, Spring is here. Shorten those shorts and tighten those shirts because here’s the dish. You’re listening up with Joey Collins.

The Bar Recap

f you haven’t heard, the creative minds of Sound Factory’s Kristin Jones and Chris Perkins have cooked something up for your dull Monday nights. This past Monday night celebrated Power Hour and a wet boxer and t-shirt contest. Power Hour was your chance to take 60 per hour of your favorite beer. Other things to look forward to with Sound Factory is their monthly Bears on the Backside. This mysterious show is held every last Saturday of the month. On Friday, April 16th the 70’s, 80’s and 90’s cover band, St. Cecilia, will be performing their first ever show at Sound Factory. Don’t forget about $1 on Saturdays and Sunday Funday every Sunday.

This past weekend Jules Downtown showed some love for Valarie Sugarbaker as she entertained with another fantastic show. Belinda Bee, who never lets her audience down, pleased the crowd with another great show. Look forward to many more surprises as well as drink specials. Make sure and follow Jules on Facebook so that you’re able to stay in the know of their daily drink specials. Don’t forget that every Friday night during spring, Jules Downtown opens up at 6pm for Downtown Alive and Sound Factory, as always, opens up at 4pm.

Scandals

nother infamous after-party occurred at Rick Rowan’s house this past weekend. Odds are if you lost your trick of the weekend, that’s where he ended up. It’s never a dull moment at Rick’s when many of you will find yourselves there watching the sun come up and then you know brunch is around the corner. If you haven’t heard, the best spot for

brunch is Another Broken Egg located in River Ranch. As always though, make sure when you’re attending an after-party that you keep your personal belongings safely secured. At times cell phones and other valuable items can come up missing. For those of you, who decide to go to an after-party with a five-finger discount, please stay away. You know who you are. Speaking of coming up missing, in case you haven’t heard Chase Bank is currently missing $231,000. If you happen to find it, please notify them. That’s all I am going to say about that one. In case you haven’t heard Miss Hunter Mannies has recently installed a new swimming pool in his backyard. This means the calling of all scandalous queens, twinks, messes, and drama will be welcome this summer. Just be careful because Hunter does enjoy over chlorinating the pool. Regardless of such, if you’re one of the few who have been treated to one of Hunter’s rendezvous then you know that how very hospitable he can be. From finishing off a bottle of Grey Goose at 2am, sitting in the hot tub by 3am, and grilling filet by 4am, you’re destined to have a great time. Trust me, I know. John Landry’s after-party is a horse of a different color. This guy thinks of everything when it comes to entertain-

ment. Unfortunately he doesn’t think of railings for the swimming pool. Just be careful when you’re on the phone, you don’t want to walk to close to the swimming pool or hot tub because you may fall in. I’m just saying… Nonetheless, wherever you find yourself during the after hours, just try your damndest to make it fabulous. Oh and always remember that the afterparty is not a substitute for crashing on a couch because you can’t make it home nor is it a way for you to walk around and ask everyone for a ride. You know exactly who you are. Enjoy yourself and try to bring something for the after-party host from time to time. It can range from a cigarette or two, a bottle of alcohol, or any other party favor. This will ensure that you’re always invited to the next one. I mean after all, it’s his house we’re about to wreck so he may as well get something out of it.

Spring in Downtown

s reported in previous columns, Festival International is close. This year it will be held from Wednesday, April 21st to Sunday, April 25th. This free musical event will heat up the downtown area with a cultural experience that you cannot afford to miss. You can visit www.festivalinternational.com for more [continued on 32]

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hot tails of red stick by Brad Benedict Email: bradhottails@hotmail.com

New Kid In Town

he opening of a new bar is always exciting, but this one has such a nice human touch that it is even more important to honor it and the owners and support it in any way we can. I have to say that this is a dream of one young man named Scoti, who with the help of a couple of other partners, has finally seen the light at the end of the tunnel, and Cajun Cove of Baton Rouge is about to be a reality. I had thought that this would be a new addition to the downtown area, but this was not to be. However, I think the failure to get this Main Street location was somewhat of a blessing. I’m a firm believer that things always work out for the better, whatever the situation, and this is a good example of this. With high hopes of getting this new bar open this month, I went over to tour the place and get some ideas of what the finished product would look like. The building is where the old Phil’s Oyster Bar used to be on Concord, right off College Drive. It’s a great location with plenty of parking, lots of businesses in the adjacent area, easy access off Interstate 10, and the building itself is divided in a way to be used in a number of different ways. When you enter the front door, you will be in the main bar, but that is only for starters.

In another section, you will find a game room which will honor LSU, SU, Saints, Hornets, and other sports teams. It’s a no-smoking facility, but this won’t matter to those who have to smoke because there is an outside area just for this. This is to be the Sandbar section, where clubs can have private parties, guys and gals can come to relax in the sun and enjoy the beauty of the outdoor landscaping, and it will offer a nice place to rest after a hard

day at the office. The hours will be from 4pm to 2am, Monday through Friday, and from noon until 2am on Saturdays. This will especially offer a great place to come for relaxation, and the patio area will be ideal for cookouts, fundraisers, and just general club meetings. Non-profit organizations could utilize this space for beer busts to raise money for a variety of activities. One section of the bar will also offer karaoke in what they are calling the Cypress Knee Lounge, and there is a steal door to keep sound regulated from one bar to the other. What is also impressive is the one section that will be more or less designed for those people who want to get away from all the loud music and drink in an atmosphere of relative quiet. This is really a nice touch, and I don’t know of any other bar that is designed in such a way. In addition to all this, there are plans to offer a variety of different music – dance, country, Cajun, and add free country line dancing and two-step classes and you have a great combination of pleasurable activities all in one location. I look for this to be one of the most successful businesses in the history of gaydom in old Red Stick. For Scoti and his partners, I congratulate you on something that has been needed in this area for quite some time. It will

serve to add to the pleasurable entertainment locations for gay people not only here, but it can offer so much for those in the outlying sections of South Louisiana, something that is long overdue too. Watch for their ad in this edition and ads in future issues of Ambush to keep you up to date on this excellent new entertainment facility. It's grand opening is Friday, April 23, and I’ll be there to cover all the festivities.

Bartender Joe, Jeff, bartender Leon & Bubba hanging out @ B-Bob’s

mobile

papar azzi

The “Girls” & "Boys" hanging @ B-Bob’s for Easter fun!

BR Pride Fest

lans are in place for a great celebration when the fourth annual Baton Rouge Pride Fest takes place June 26. This year’s events will be from noon until 6pm inside the Sheraton Atrium at 102 France Street in downtown Baton Rouge, and there’s a great lineup for the community resource fair and an entire afternoon of entertainment. “It’s going to be a great time for everyone,” said Tom Merrill, chair of the Pride Fest team. “We’re beating the summer heat by moving everything inside, and we’ve got some great entertainment, as well as the community resource fair that serves as our centerpiece each year.” Organizers have invited back all 40-plus non-profit organizations, [continued on 34]

acadiana happens ...from 31 information such as stage locations, music schedules, vendor information, etc. If you have an iPhone then believe it or not there is an app for that! Search the App Store for Festival International. Don’t forget that Bach Lunch is

every Friday afternoon from 12noon to 1pm. Downtown Alive is every Friday starting at 6pm. For a full list of events you can visit www.lafayettetravel.com or www.downtownalive.org. Both Bach Lunch and Downtown Alive, which are free, alternate venues. Depending on the week it can be held at Parc International or Parc San Souci. Check the web site for further details. As always, do not forget that the second Saturday of each month is Art Walk. Local downtown galleries open their doors to showcase the talents of many artists.

Look out

pring will soon turn to Summer and this means a plethora of action downtown. Jules and Sound Factory both have a great summer line up. I have no doubt that Jules owners Wendy Wallace and Darren Parker will have surprises around every corner. I’m almost positive that Sound Factory’s Chris Perkins and Mitch Tate are sitting in that office cooking up something very mischievous. Just remember that whatever it is you will hear it here first, trust. This is Joey Collins signing out. Stay fabulous and stay in the know.

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alexandria, olympus style

pril 17th is the DeLorean Experience!!! Dominique DeLorean (former Miss Gay Louisiana America 2005) will be here to entertain you in the way that only she can! Dominique will be joined by Marsheya St Claire (Miss Gay Central Louisiana 2009) and everyone’s favorite drag queen Barbie Doll, Miss Lucinda Silvers (Alexandria Newcomer 2009). This is guaranteed to be a show to remember with performers of this caliber on stage. Showtime is 11:30pm. Coming up on April 24th is the 1st Miss Gay Olympus America Pageant. Miss Olympus will be a preliminary pageant for Miss Gay Louisiana America 2010. The Pageant will Con-

sist of Talent, Evening Gown, and Q&A. Anyone who is interested in entering the pageant please feel free to give the bar a call. Ask for Dan, Eric or Clark for more information. Registration fee for the pageant will be $50 as long as your application is in by April 17th. Anyone wanting to enter after the 17th of April will have to pay a $75 registration fee. May 1st will see the return of the Krewe of Divas to the stage! Chica LaRouge, the Mouth of of the South herself, Lady Danisha Andrews, and the rest of the fabulous Divas will be here to wow and amaze you! The Krewe is guaranteed to bring you the best in comedy, beauty, and high energy dance, the likes of which are not easy to come by in Louisiana. Show Time is 11:30pm, so make sure to bring your friends to the best little show in town! May 8th will be Olympus Bar’s first ever Red Party!!! The Red Party is a fundraiser to help support C.L.A.S.S. (Central Louisiana AIDS Support Services). For those of you who are not aware C.L.A.S.S. has recently had its budget cut by $200,000!!!

"While we know we can’t do anything about that, we know that every little bit will help them out, as they provide a very vital service to this area!!!" says club owners Dan and Eric. The benefit will go along with the Marsheya Madness Show for the night with Marsheya St. Claire, and performers to be named later. There will also be a silent auction, the proceeds of which will also be going to C.L.A.S.S. . Olympus Bar will be donating a portion of the proceeds from the night to C.L.A.S.S. along with the auction, so please come out and support C.L.A.S.S. because without them, Central Louisiana will loose a very vital and very much needed service. The Marsheya Madness Show will kick off at 11:30pm.

hot tails of red stick ...from 32 groups and businesses that participated in last year’s community resource fair, and they’re seeking any others interested in participating. Entertainment for the event includes Baton Rouge’s own legendary diva Daphne MuShatt, who is returning this year and will be accompanied by the band known as Miss Jane. In addition, Toni O and Blue Haze from Baton Rouge will open the festivities, and other entertainment will include Baton Rouge’s Krewe of Divas, a Gamma Alpha Psi step show, and much more. The events also will include the traditional blessing of relationships conducted by Metropolitan Community Church of Baton Rouge pastor, Rev. Keith Mozingo, and the recognition of a long-serving community leader as this year’s grand marshal of pride. For more details on the events, visit www.BRPrideFest.com. To volunteer to help with planning or to find out ways your group or organization can become involved, visit that site or phone 225.907.5251 or e-mail BRPride@bellsouth.net.

The Missing Hands

f you have been to Hound Dogs lately, you probably have heard the story of the missing hands. A manikin has been on display here for quite some time, and fingers have dropped off, which Joy managed to keep so that she could eventually get around to gluing them back on. Recently, she decided it was time to do the glue job, and what did she find? No hands! Honestly, what do you do with manikin hands? Perhaps the thieves will turn themselves in or at least sneak them back into the bar so they can be returned to the rightful owner, the said manikin. I’m not sure when the missing hands were discovered to be missing, but it is a tragic situation when people have nothing better to do than to steal something this hard. Well, maybe that’s the answer. Someone got rejected, got desperate, and probably had to pay a visit to a local hospital as a result. Has anyone checked this out yet? I can assure you, stranger things have happened like the time this woman came to the hospital were I was working (during my college years) with a Coke bottle stuck in a very unusual spot. Never underestimate the power of suction once it has been initiated.

Catching Up On Things

can’t recall if I told you or not, but Jeannie is doing fine after suffering a broken hip. I look for her to return to Hound Dogs soon. Her chair and favorite spot in the bar is reserved just for her. I’m not sure where this happened, but it has certainly put her out of circulation for a brief period of time. Gerry, my computer/dinner buddy, called and invited me to see Wicked with him, but I had already [continued on 35]

34 • The Official Mag: AmbushMag.COM • April 13-26, 2010 • Of fic ial Gay East er Parade Guide • GayEast erParade.COM Offic

hot tails of red stick ...from 34 seen it and told him to find some sweet young thing to accompany him. I did say I would go if he didn’t find anyone. Since he didn’t call back, I assume he found a cutie to be with him for this fine show. Sam and I have already purchased our tickets to the next season for the Baton Rouge Little Theater, but we are foregoing next year’s Mahalia Jackson lineup. They have been sold to friends, but we are retaining our seating positions for the return to the Saenger in 2011. This will really be something to celebrate. Acadiana Tommy and two friends headed to California and a dip in the rather cold Pacific Ocean, and the video they did was very nice. It just shows what a great guy Tommy is – so full of life and such a great friend. I miss sharing great times with him.

Don't Miss the Cinco de Mayo, Mother's Day

Ambush

Deadline: Tues., April 20 504.522.8049

Little John is planning a big birthday bash for several friends down in Prairieville. It sounds like a fun time is planned for everyone. I always love to stop in at George’s, especially with Jeremy there. He is a fantastic hugger, and just looking at this beautiful young man makes the visits there worthwhile. Thank goodness the city management came through with parking stickers for Spanish Town residents. I still see people breaking the rules, but it will stop as soon as they get caught and have to pay the fines. Many residents don’t have driveways, and all the state workers were blocking them from parking in front of their own homes. Now they need to consider a visitor parking tag like they have in the French Quarter of New Orleans – or at least they used to have these. Spanish Town Gerry and his krewe of helpers are repairing the side porch on Josie’s home. It extends along the side of the home and part of the back area and is such a nice place for relaxing. Claudette was wearing an unusual T-shirt recently, and I had to take note of it. There was this big FU which caught my attention, and under these letters in small lettering was Ultimate Party University, We Put the FU in FUN! And with Claudette around, you have the best of the best! Cheers!

GayMardiGras.COM • GayNew Orleans.COM • Sout hernDec adenc e.COM • April 13-26, 2010 • The Official Mag: AmbushMag.COM • 35

Guy, Ty & Richard

New bartender Richard & Chansley

Gorgeous Jeremy

Luther & Chansley

Joy & the missing hands Guy & cutie Philip

The DIVAS Jared corners a handsome stud

Michael & Luther Stunningly handsome Richard

Having fun @ George’s Taking a break from Mestizo

Uncle Richard & Chansley Stephen & Jared

rpa ed stick par azzi

Cody does karaoke

Chica La Rouge

Paul relaxing @ George’s

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Philip & Jeremy

Handsome, Cute, Fun ~ Baton Rouge, Louisiana ~ Photos by Brad Benedict

Karaoke time @ George’s

Scoti, one of the owners of new bar Cajun Cove

Ladies of Olympus

alexandria

papar azzi

Dan & Jason

The shirt says it all

Hunter & Marsheya

The Crew

Mika, our new bartender Lesbians in their natural habitat

Austin & Brett

The Krewe of Divas

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Fab, Natural Habitat @ Olympus Bar ~ Alexandria, Louisiana

Stephanie looking Fab!!

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Metairie, LA [504] WALKER ACURA, 8951 Veterans Blvd., 464.4004, WalkerAcura.COM

bars Mobile, AL [251] B-BOB'S DOWNTOWN, 213 Conti St., 433.2262, b-bobs.com GABRIEL'S DOWNTOWN, 55 South Joachim St., 432.4900, gabrielsdowntown.com Foley, AL [251] CLUB EVOLUTION, 8380 Highway 59, 251.943.5557, myspace.com/ evolutionclubdance1 Pensacola, FL [850] EMERALD CITY, 408 E. Wright St., 433.9491, EmeraldCityPensacola.COM THE ROUNDUP, 560 East Heinberg St., 433.8482 Alexandria, LA [318] OLYMPUS BAR, 4003 MacArthur Dr., 442.6735, OlympusBar.COM Baton Rouge, LA [225] GEORGE'S, 860 St. Louis, 387.9798, GeorgesPlaceBR.COM HOUND DOGS, 668 Main St., 344.0807 SPLASH, 2183 Highland Road, 242.9491, splashbr.com Houma, LA [985] PULSE VIDEO LOUNGE, 6441 West Main

bookstores New Orleans, LA [504] AIRLINE ADULT BOOKS, 1404 26th St., Kenner, LA 70062; 468.2931 FAB - Faubourg Marigny Art & Books, 600 Frenchmen St., 947.3700 MR. BINKY'S BOUTIQUE, 107 Chartres St., 302.2095 MR. BINKY'S BOUTIQUE OF HARAHAN, 301 Funston St., 305.2160 MR. BINKY'S OF KENNER, 96 West 26th St., 466.1870 PARADISE ADULT VIDEO, 41 W. 24th St., Kenner, LA 70065; 461.0000 PARADISE #2 IN ELMWOOD, 5608 Heebe, Harahan, LA, 733.7780

cable shows New Orleans, LA [504] THE GAR WILLIAMS SHOW, Every Wed. &Sat., 8:30am & 8:30pm, Access Television Channel 99

French Quarter/Faubourg Marigny/Bywater

autos

New Orleans, LA [504] AWESOME BODY RUB/ESCORT SESSION by masculine top stud. 6'0", 182#, w/ magic hands. 6am-mid. 7 days. 4 hands also avail. In/Out serving New Orleans, Baton Rouge, the Northshore. Call Charlie 504.430.7413 [is810]

St., pulsevideolounge@yahoo.com, 876.7777 Lafayette, LA [337] BACK SIDE, 209 Jefferson St., 269.0430 JULES DOWNTOWN, 533 Jefferson, 264.8000 THE SOUND FACTORY, 209 Jefferson St., 269.6011 Lake Charles, LA [337] CRYSTAL'S, 112 W. Broad, 433.5457 Metairie, LA [504] 4-SEASONS / PATIO BAR, 3229 N. Causeway, 832.0659, www.4seasonsno.com New Orleans, LA [504] 700 CLUB, 700 Burgundy, 561.1095, 561.1098, 700ClubNewOrleans.COM BIG DADDY'S, 2513 Royal, 948.6288 BYWATER PATIO BAR, 3162 Dauphine St., 944.4445 CAFÉ LAFITTE IN EXILE, 901 Bourbon Street 522.8397, Lafittes.COM CORNER POCKET, 940 St. Louis, 568.9829 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 GOOD FRIENDS BAR, 740 Dauphine St, 566.7191, GoodFriendsBar.COM JOHNPAUL'S, 940 Elysian Fields Ave., 948.1888, JohnPaulsBar.COM LE ROUNDUP, 819 St. Louis, 561.8340 NAPOLEON'S ITCH, 734 Bourbon,

chiropractic New Orleans, LA [504] DR. MICHAEL LECHLEITER, D.C., St. Charles Chiropractic, 1529 Jackson Ave., 566.1833 [is410]

circuit/events Easter Sunday, April 4, 2010, Official Gay Easter Parade, New Orleans, sponsored by Ambush, GayEasterParade.COM May 27-31, 2010, Memorial Day Weekend, Pensacola, FL, sponsored by Ambush, GayPensacola.COM Sept. 1-6, 2010, 38th Official Southern Decadence-A Celebration of Gay Life, Music & Culture, end of Summer Blowout including the Southern Decadence Parade & loads of activities, bringing over 125,000 revelers to New Orleans, LA, sponsored by Ambush & SouthernDecadence.COM Oct. 28-31, 2010, Halloween 27, benefiting Project Lazarus, New Orleans, LA, sponsored by AmbushMag.COM, halloweenneworleans.com Dec. 30, 2010-Jan. 4, 2011, Gay New Year's in New Orleans, New Orleans, LA, GayNewOrleans.COM March 4-8, 2011, Official Gay Mardi Gras, New Orleans, LA, sponsored by Ambush, GayMardiGras.COM

computers Baton Rouge, LA [225] JDiT NETWORKING SOLUTIONS, Jerry

Durden, 229.6108, JDiT.US

counseling New Orleans, LA [504] DAVID WAGNER, M.Ed., Counseling & Psychotherapy, 3001 Fifth St., Metairie, LA 70002; 836.0000

employment New Orleans, LA [504] CLUB NEW ORLEANS is accepting applications for energetic employees. Drug test/ background check required. Apply at 515 Toulouse St.

florists Baton Rouge, LA [225] FOUR SEASONS FLOWERS & GIFTS, 3482 Drusilla Ln., Drusilla Shopping Center, 924.1386, 1.800.237.5381

framing New Orleans, LA [504] ANGLE CUSTOM FRAMES, 4422 Magazine St., 269.3726

galleries New Orleans, LA [504] FAB - Faubourg Marigny Art & Books, 600 Frenchmen St., 947.3700

guides America Damron Travel Guide, 800.462.6654, www.damron.com Gulf South/United States AMBUSH Mag, 828-A Bourbon St., New Orleans, LA 70116-3137; 504.522.8049, ambushmag.com; email: marsha@ripandmarsha.com International GayBars.COM, 828-A Bourbon St., New Orleans, LA 70116-3137; 504.522.8049, marsha@ripandmarsha.com

groceries/delis New Orleans, LA [504] MOMS MINI MART, 902 Poydras, 596.2223 QUARTERMASTER DELI, THE NELLIE DELI, 1100 Bourbon, 529.1416 VERTI MART, 1201 Royal St., 525.4767

hair salons New Orleans, LA [504] BOBBY BLUE CONTEMPORARY BARBER & BEAUTY PARLOR, 906 Bourbon St., 527.5100 HEAD QUARTERS HAIR SALON, 900 Dauphine St., 522.2666 MICKEY NOLAN'S SALON, 815 Toulouse St., 587.7782 SALON D'MALTA, 1233 Decatur St., 565.5555, salondmalta.com

lodging/accommodations New Orleans [504] 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, 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. [0810] FRENCH QUARTER SUITES HOTEL, 1119 N. Rampart St., New Orleans, LA 70116, Phone 504.524.7725, Toll Free: 800.457.2253, FrenchQuarterSuites.COM. E-mail us at reservations@bpmhotels.com. Official Host Ho-

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tel of Oz New Orleans. One of several French Quarter residences that have been painstakingly restored and transformed into spacious multi-bedroom suites, executive townhouses, intimate cottages and comfortable rooms. Adjacent to the French Quarter. Complimentary continental breakfast and off street parking. MARIGNY MANOR HOUSE, 2125 N. Rampart St., New Orleans, LA 70116, PHONE: 504.943.7826, Toll Free: 877.247.7599, marignymanorhouse.com, E-mail us at info@MarignyManorHouse.COM. 1840’s Grand Greek Revival guest house, large spacious bedrooms, private baths, antique 4 poster queen beds, wireless internet access, tv/vcr/dvd/cable, telephone, complimentary continental breakfast and off street parking. [0111] NEW ORLEANS COURTYARD HOTEL, 1101 N. Rampart St., New Orleans, LA 70116, Phone 504.524.7725, Toll Free: 800.457.2253, NOCourtyard.COM. E-mail us at reservations@bpmhotels.com. One of several historic New Orleans homes and cottages that have been lovingly restored and converted into beautifully appointed rooms, spacious multibedroom suites, luxury townhouses and cottages. Adjacent to the French Quarter. Complimentary continental breakfast and off street parking. BON MAISON GUEST HOUSE, 835 Bourbon St., New Orleans, LA 70116, 504.561.8498 BOURGOYNE GUEST HOUSE, 839 Bourbon St., New Orleans, LA 70116, 504.524.3621

massage New Orleans, LA [504] RIGHT TOUCH MASSAGE -- Christopher - Full body therapeutic massage; heated table; private studio; tropical garden; Faubourg Marigny Area, French Quarter. Upgrade (Salt Scrubs Bodywork). Call 504.458.5996 / website www.righttouchnola.com for pictures, location & special. License #LA4553 [is17/10]

media New Orleans, LA [504] AMBUSH Mag, Official Gay Easter Guide, Official Gay Mardi Gras Guide, Official Gay New Orleans Guide, Official Gulf South Guide, Official Southern Decadence Guide, 828-A Bourbon St., 70116-3137, 522.8049, AmbushMag.COM; email: marsha@ripandmarsha.com AMBUSHonLINE, 828-A Bourbon St., 70116-3137; 522.8049, ambushonline.com, email: marsha@ripandmarsha.com

museum/arts Baton Rouge, LA [225] LOUISIANA ARTS AND SCIENCE CENTER / RIVERSIDE MUSEUM, 100 S. River Road, 344.5272 LOUISIANA GOVERNOR'S MANSION, 1001 Capitol Access Rd., 342.5855 LOUISIANA STATE ARCHIVES, 3851 Essen Ln. LOUISIANA STATE CAPITOL, State Capitol Dr. LOUISIANA STATE UNIVERSITY HILLTOP ARBORETUM, 11855 Highland Rd., 767.6916 LOUISIANA STATE UNIVERSITY RURAL LIFE MUSEUM, I-10 at Essen Lane, 765.2437 LSU MUSEUM OF NATURAL SCIENCE and MUSEUM OF GEOSCIENCE, LSU Campus, 388.2855 MAGNOLIA MOUND PLANTATION, 2161 Nicholson Dr., 343.4955 OLD ARSENAL MUSEUM, State Capitol Complex, 342.0401 OLD BOGAN FIRE STATION, 427 Laurel St., 344.8558 OLD GOVERNOR'S MANSION, 502 North Blvd., 344.5272 OLD PENTAGON BARRACKS, State Capitol Dr. at River Road, 342.1866 OLD STATE CAPITOL, 100 North Blvd. at

River Road, 342.0500 or 342.4479 USS KIDD/NAUTICAL HISTORICAL CENTER, Government St. at River Rd., 342.1942 New Orleans, LA [504] BEAUREGARD-KEYES HOUSE, 1113 Chartres, 523.7257, Mon-Sat 10am-3pm CABILDO, 701 Chartres, Jackson Square, Tues-Sun 10am-5pm CAC [Contemporary Arts Center], 900 Camp St., 528.3805, cacno.org EDGAR DEGAS HISTORIC HOME, 2306 Esplanade Avenue, tours by appointment: 504.821.5009, the house tour lasts one hour, is led by a great-grand-niece of Degas, and includes the award-winning documentary video, Degas in New Orleans: A Creole Sojourn 1850 HOUSE, 523 St. Ann, Tues-Sun 10am-5pm GALLIER HOUSE, 1132 Royal, 523.6722, Mon-Fri 10am-3:30pm GERMAINE WELLS MARDI GRAS MUSEUM, 2nd Floor Arnaud's, 819 Bienville HERMANN-GRIMA HISTORIC HOUSE, 820 St. Louis, 525.5661, Mon-Fri 10am-3:30pm HISTORICAL PHARMACY MUSEUM, 514 Chartres, 524.9077, Daily 10am-5:30pm HISTORIC NEW ORLEANS COLLECTION, 533 Royal, 523.4662, Tues-Sat 10am-

4:45pm LONGUE VUE HOUSE AND GARDENS, 7 Bamboo Rd, Metairie, 488.5488, Mon-Sat 10am-4:30pm, Sun 1-5pm MUSEE CONTI HISTORICAL WAX MUSEUM, 917 Conti, 525.2605, Daily 10am-5:30pm NATIONAL D-DAY MUSEUM, 945 Magazine, 527.6012 NEW ORLEANS MUSEUM OF ART, City Park, 1 Collins Diboll Circle, 488.2631, TuesSun 10am-5pm OGDEN MUSEUM OF SOUTHERN ART, 925 Camp St., 539.9600 OLD U.S. MINT, 400 Esplanade, TuesSun 10am-5pm PRESBYTERE, 751 Chartres, Jackson Square, Tues-Sun 10am-5pm ST. LOUIS CATHEDRAL, Jackson Square, Mon-Sat 9am-5pm, Sun 1:30-5pm

music New Orleans [504] SKULLY'Z RECORDZ, 907 Bourbon St.

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organizations Mobile, AL ALABAMA PRIDE FEST, MobileAlabamaPride.COM AQUA, THE PARTY, PO Box 145, Mobile, AL 36601, TheAquaParty.COM BAY AREA INCLUSION, BayAreaInclusion.ORG FUSION, MobileFusion.ORG GULF COAST BEARS & LEATHER ASSOCIATION, b-bobs.com/gcbla.htm THE SOUTHERN RENEGADES, a Levi/ Leather Club, southernrenegades.com Pensacola, FL [850] APPETITE FOR LIFE, INC., provides 2 nutritionally balanced meals a day-lunch & dinner, for some 60 men, women and children living with HIV/AIDS, 1842 West Cervantes St.; Mail: P.O. Box 308, 32592-0308; 470.9111, Fax: 470.0201, gaypensacola.com/appforlife GULF COAST TIDE, INC. w w w . G u l f C o a s t T I D E . o r g ; info@GulfCoastTIDE.org Alexandria, LA [318] CLASS [Central Louisiana AIDS Support Services], 103 Bolton Ave., 71301; 1.800.444.7993, 442. 1 0 1 0, FAX: 443.5216 Baton Rouge, LA [225] AIDSLaw of Louisiana, 4560 North Boulevard, Suite 118, 302.5968, AIDSLAW.org HAART (HIV/AIDS Alliance for Region Two), 4550 North Blvd., #250, 927.1269, Fax: 927.7367, haartinc.org, haartinc@aol.com GBLSU [Gays, Bisexuals, Lesbians & Supporters United], glsapres@unixl.sncc. Isu.edu, Kristy Price, President, 388.5160 KREWE OF APOLLO / BATON ROUGE, PO Box 3591, 70821; kreweapollobr.org KREWE OF DIVAS, kreweofdivas.com, 343.0380 LAMBDA GROUP, 2937 Greenwood Dr., PO Box 82775, 70884-2775, 907.3665, www.lambdabr.org, info@lambdabr.org METROPOLITAN COMMUNITY CHURCH OF BATON ROUGE, 7747 Tom Drive, 70806, Worship Sunday, 11am, Bible Study Wednesday, 7pm, 225.248.0404, mccbr.org PFLAG Baton Rouge, President Harold Truax, 225.218.8320 Lafayette, LA [337] ACADIANA CARES [Concern for AIDS Relief, Education, and Support], PO Box 386, Lafayette, LA 70502; 203 W. 3rd St., 70501; 233.2437, FAX: 235.4178; 800.354.2437 KREWE OF APOLLO / LAFAYETTE, PO Box 53251, 70505 LEAGUE FOR EQUALITY, PO Box 53425, 70505 PFLAG/LAFAYETTE, PO Box 31078, 70503 ROYAL ORDER OF UNICORN, PO Box 3985, 70502 Monroe, LA [318] GO CARE 2121 Justice, 71201, 325.1092 New Orleans, LA [504]

ACLU and ACLU Foundation of Louisiana, P.O. Box 56157, New Orleans, LA 70156, 504.522.0628 x25, Fax: 888.537.0384, laaclu.org AIDS HOTLINE, 821.6050 in New Orleans, 1.800.99.AIDS[2437]-9 toll free statewide AIDSLaw of Louisiana, 3801 Canal St., Suite 331, 568.1631, AIDSLAW.org ALCOHOLICS ANONYMOUS, 838.3399 BELLE REVE NEW ORLEANS, AIDS Residence for Families, PO Box 3305, 70177; 945.9455 BIG EASY M.C.C. (Metropolitan Community Church of Greater New Orleans), Sunday 12:15pm Solumn Mass, 5pm Praise & Worship, at St Matthew’s UCC, 1333 S. Carrollton Ave. at Willow. Fellowship after service. Mailing address: 1333 S. Carrolllton Ave. New Orleans, LA, 70118; 213.4340, w w w . b i g e a s y m c c . c o m , pastor@bigeasymcc.com BROTHERHOOD, INC., To decrease the spread of AIDS and HIV among African Americans, 1661 Canal St., Suite 3230, 70112; 566.7955 CHURCH OF CHRIST THE LIBERATOR,

Sun. 11am Service, 607 Marigny St. (behind The Friendly Bar), ChristTheLiberator.ORG COMMUNITY ACTION NETWORK, a project of the NO/AIDS Task Force which works with the gay community to implement HIV prevention activities, 507 Frenchmen St., 945.4000, noaidstaskforce.com COPS 8 (Citizens' Organization for Police Support in the 8th District), 840 N. Rampart St., #51, 70116; 588.COPS (2677), cops8.org FOOD FOR FRIENDS, 944.6028 FORUM FOR EQUALITY, 336 Lafayette, Suite 200, 70130; 947.2981, ForumForEquality.COM

FRIDAY NIGHT BEFORE MARDI GRAS (FNBMG), PO Box 791376, New Orleans, LA 70179-1376; 733.3311, fridaynightbeforemardigras.com, fnbmg@cox.net GAY APPRECIATION AWARDS, 828-A Bourbon St., 70116-3137; 522.8049; AmbushMag.COM/GAA GAY COUNSELING LINE, 833.1500 GLSEN [Gay Lesbian & Straight Education Network], 482.4081, Fax 595.8587, Email: glsenno@hotmail.com, glsenno.org GULF GENDER ALLIANCE [GGA], NonProfit Support Group for Transgender persons. Monthly meetings, socials and political activism. Privacy respected and expected. Interview required. Nondiscriminatory. Call 504. 324.4035 or write PO Box 56836, New Orleans, LA 701566836; gga.org, E-mail: info@gga.org HALLOWEEN IN NEW ORLEANS, INC., PO Box 52171, 70152-2171; halloween neworleans.com/ambush HATE CRIMES HOTLINE, c/o Family Service of Greater New Orleans, 504.202.2131. The Hate Crimes Project offers to assist those who feel that they may have been a victim of a hate crime. The project provides advocacy for persons victimized due to race, religion, gender and gender identity, age, disability, and/or sexual orientation. IN THIS TOGETHER, HIV/AIDS Case Management, 2511 Bayou Road, Suite B, 70119; Office: 504.962.3245, Fax: 504.962.3246; 962.3245, www.inthistogetherinc.org, michael@ittnola.org KREWE OF ARMEINIUS, PO Box 56638, New Orleans, LA 70156-6638, cetubby@cox.net, KreweOfArmeinius.ORG KREWE OF AMON RA, PO Box 7033, Metairie, LA 70010, KreweOfAmonRa.COM KREWE OF MWINDO, PO Box 51031, 70156; 913.5791, KreweOfMwindo.ORG, krewe@kreweofmwindo.org KREWE OF PETRONIUS, PO Box 71665, 70172, Pres. Arthur Alarcon 451.9507, Capt. Bill McCarthy 430.6695, KreweOfPetronius.ORG KREWE OF QUEENATEENAS / KING CAKE QUEEN ROYALTY CLUB, 828-A Bourbon St., 70116-3137, 522.8049, GayMardiGras.COM/KCQ LaCARP [Louisiana Community AIDS Research Program], 584.1971 LA-LIFT, Social Club for Lesbians, age 50+, who have fun together on weekends. Email: armyvet20@webtv.net LAMBDA CENTER, 831 Elysian Fields Ave., 70117 LEAGUE OF WOMEN VOTERS OF NEW ORLEANS, 234 Loyola, Suite 421, 70112; 581.9106 LESBIAN & GAY COMMUNITY CENTER OF NEW ORLEANS, 2114 Decatur St., 701162013; 945.1103, Fax 945.1102, Email: info@lgccno.net LORDS OF LEATHER, P.O. Box 770435, New Orleans, LA 70071-4035, LordsOfLeather.COM LOUISIANA STATE GAY RODEO ASSOCIATION (LSGRA), 915.3339, lance@lsgra.com, LSGRA.COM MCLNO HOP Clinic, 136 S. Roman Street, 4th Floor, New Orleans, LA 70112; Appts.: 504.903.6959, www.hopclinic.org MYSTIC KREWE OF SATYRICON, 1021 Gov. Nicholls St., 70116, 525.4498, MysticKreweOfSatyricon.COM NEW ORLEANS GAY MEN’S CHORUS, 322.7007, nogmc.com; nogmc@aol.com

NEW ORLEANS JAZZ & HERITAGE FESTIVAL, nojazzfest.com NO/AIDS TASK FORCE, 2601 Tulane Ave., Suite 500, 70119; 821.2601; NOAIDSTaskForce.COM N'R Peace, 3201 Gen. DeGaulle Dr., Suite 201, 70114, 364.1950 OFFICIAL GAY EASTER PARADE, 828A Bourbon St., 70116-3137, 504.522.8049, info@gayeasterparade.com, GayEasterParade.COM OFFICIAL GAY MARDI GRAS, 828-A Bourbon St., 70116-3137, 504.522.8049, GayMardiGras.COM OFFICIAL GAY NEW ORLEANS, 828-A Bourbon St., 70116-3137, 504.522.8049, GayNewOrleans.COM OFFICIAL SOUTHERN DECADENCE, 828-A Bourbon St., 70116-3137, 504.522.8049, SouthernDecadence.COM PEOPLE OF SUBSTANCE, INC. (POS), 7210 Arbor Dr., 70126, 244.1920, posnola.com PFLAG/NO [Parents & Friends of Lesbians & Gays/ New Orleans], PO Box 15515, 70175; 895.3936, 392.0001, pflagno.org, info@pflagno.org PRIDE CELEBRATION OF NEW ORLEANS: NOLA PRIDE, 2114 Decatur St., 945.1103, NOLAPride.ORG PROJECT LAZARUS, A Residence for PWAs, PO Box 3906, 70177-3906; 949.3609 REGIONAL AIDS INTERFAITH NETWORK [RAIN], 523.3755

SOFTBALL LEAGUE FORMING THIS SPRING-All skill levels from beginner to advanced. For more information, visit www.nolasoftball.com THE COMMUNITY COALITION OF GREATER NEW ORLEANS LGBTQ Organizations & Businesses, tccgno.org, 569.9156 VOLLEYBALL NEW ORLEANS, PO Box 13306, 70185-3306; volleyballneworleans.com, postmaster@volleyballneworleans.com WILLIAM J. FANNING FOUNDATION [Buzzy’s Boys & Girls], 2301 Chartres, 70117; 943.8929 Shreveport, LA [318] KREWE OF APOLLO/SHREVEPORT, PO Box 4918, 71134 PHILADELPHIA CENTER, PO Box 44454, 71134-4454; 222.6633 YWCA AIDS MINORITY COMMUNITY OUTREACH, 700 Pierre Ave., 71103; 226.8717

pets New Orleans, LA [504] CHI-WA-WA GA-GA, 511 Dumaine; 581.4242; chiwawagaga.com DR. MIKE'S ANIMAL HOUSE, 1120 N. Rampart, 523.4455 FRENCH QUARTER PET ASYLUM, 513 Dumaine St., 302.9845 FRENCH QUARTER VET, 922 Royal St., Office 322.7030, Cell 250.1175, DrScott@TheFrenchQuarterVet.COM

pharmacy New Orleans, LA [504] MUMFREY'S PHARMACY, 1021 W. Judge Perez Dr., Chalmette, LA 70043, 504.279.6312

photography New Orleans, LA [504] GRAHAM/STUDIO ONE NEW ORLEANS, by appointment, grahamstudioone.com

plumbers New Orleans, LA [504] BARRY DAVIS PLUMBING, LLC, no job to small or large, free estimates, 272.1582 [is810] RAMSEY PLUMBING, repairs, repipe, sewer & drain cleaning, water heaters, disposals, 296.6865

printers

SIR SPEEDY, 343 Carondelet, 586.9812

real estate agents New Orleans, LA [504] JUDY FISHER, INC. REALTORS, Agent Mary Lind, 874.4905, marylind2020@gmail.com PRUDENTIAL GARDNER REALTORS, Agent Brett A. Rector, Cell: 453.2277, Office: 891.6400, brettinla@aol.com

real estate for sale New Orleans, LA [504] NEW ORLEANS GARDEN DISTRICT TOWNHOME - GREAT LOCATION – Seventh @ St. Charles Ave., 2000 sq ft - 3 BR, 3 ½ bath condo, balconies, parking, gated, patio, pool, security, wood floors, ample closets, garden, private. $485,000 – 504.897.2226, 504.616.4078 [is810]

restaurants Metairie, LA [504] ROOBA'S CRESCENT SPOON CAFE, 2307 Veterans Mem. Blvd., 830.1035, Roobas.COM New Orleans, LA [504] 700 CLUB RESTAURANT, 700 Burgundy, 561.1095, 561.1098, 700ClubNewOrleans.COM Bywater Restaurant, Deli & BBQ,3162 Dauphine St., 944.4445 Cafe Amelie, 912 Royal St., 412.8965 Clover Grill, 900 Bourbon St., 598.1010, CloverGrill.COM Country Club Restaurant, 634 Louisa St., TheCountryClubNewOrleans.COM, 945.0742 La Peniche, 1940 Dauphine St., 943.1460 Louisiana Pizza Kitchen, 95 French Market Pl., 522.9500 Maximo's Italian Grill, 1117 Decatur St., 586.8883, MaximosGrill.COM Mona Lisa Restaurant, 1212 Royal St., 522.6746 The Pelican Club, 312 Exchange Alley, 523.1504, PelicanClub.COM Quartermaster: The Nellie Deli, 1100 Bourbon St. , 529.1416

retail/shopping New Orleans, LA [504] ALTERNATIVES, 907 Bourbon St., 70116; 524.5222 BOURBON-STRIP TEASE, 205 Bourbon St., 70130; 581.6633, bourbontease.com THE HERB IMPORT COMPANY, 711 St. Peter [in French Quarter], 525.4372; 5055 Canal St. [near City Park Ave.], 488.4889 LA MINA STERLING, 840 Royal St., 324.3423, laminasterling@gmail.com PANDA BEAR, 415 Bourbon St., 529.8064 QUEEN FASHIONS, QueenFashions.COM RAB DAB CLOTHING AND GIFTS, 918 Royal St., 525.6662 SERENDIPITOUS MASKS, 831 Decatur St., 522.9158

spas New Orleans, LA [504] B.BETTER DAY SPA & SALON, 5601 Tchoupitoulas St., 895.2760, bbetter.org CLUB NEW ORLEANS, 515 Toulouse, 581.2402, www.the-clubs.com FLEX NEW ORLEANS, 700 Baronne St., 598.FLEX [3539]

tours New Orleans, LA [504] SOUTHERN COMFORT TOURS, 400.9270, southerncomforttours@yahoo.com STEAMBOAT NATCHEZ, Toulouse Street Dock, 568.1401, SteamboatNatchez.COM

New Orleans, LA [504]

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political arena by Toni J.P. Pizanie Email: psalmwrite@att.net

2010 House District 93 Race: Louis Charbonnet Interview

ith Juan LaFonta stepping down to run for the U.S. Congress, we are facing a session in the Louisiana Legislature without representation. Jindal’s cutbacks for New Orleans are putting us in danger and we have no advocate. The upcoming race for House District 93 is more important than ever. Running are two qualified candidates without experience and one candidate with experience. One candidate is an openly Gay male and sits on the New Orleans School Board. One is a successful businessman and former Legislator for District 93. It is the latter that requested an interview so that he could address the needs of the Gay community and the District. Louis Charbonnet is a lifelong New Orleans resident, businessman and served well in Baton Rouge. Today he is concerned with the 2011 Legislative Session when his District is scheduled to be redistributed. This means that parts of Orleans Parish could be grouped with Jefferson and St. Bernard Parishes. Charbonnet wants to be sure that New Orleans is protected. He produced a map of Orleans Parish and showed me the boundaries of District 93. It starts in Uptown New Orleans and runs down river through the Warehouse area, the French Quarter, and into Treme. It is the third largest District in New Orleans, and the heart of the financial growth area of New Orleans which includes the port, the Superdome, the Casino and tourist destination area. TP: What makes you a better candidate? LC: I have the maturity and history it will take to make the correct decisions and to understand what to fight for and what to give in on. Politics is give and take. To do that in the best interest of your District, you have to fully understand the past, know what is good for the present and have the foresight to protect the future. TP: What is most important about this election? LC: Electing a Representative on the first ballot that will secure protection for the District and not allow it to go without a Representative. TP: What are some of your thoughts about the current trends? LC: We need to rebuild our Port for more jobs, better income and greater National recognition. Being part of the Latin American Gateway will bring money into New Orleans. We cannot depend on tourism alone. I believe in the use of Green space. But we cannot use all of our port space as a park. A consumer area is very important to our growth. TP: Is change important? LC: Very … we need to change for

the better. We need to change even if it is wrong because we need to learn what will work and if we make a mistake, the Legislature can change it. That’s the beauty of our system. We must keep updating to improve with the times. TP: Mr. Charbonnet, I remember some of the good things you did for New Orleans back “in-the-day” when you served … is your age a problem? LC: (big grin) No, I believe in senior power; we listen more, we think more, we share more. We’re not afraid to correct ourselves and embrace new ideas. We believe in respect for life and building a stronger community; to do that we need parents, grandparents and government working together to teach our youth the importance of good citizenship. We need local control of schools to better educate our children. Life comes full circle … as children we know nothing of hate and discrimination and are friendly with everyone. Hate and fear is learned through the realization and acceptance of differences. As we age, we understand how much alike we are and we allow ourselves to become friends again. TP: I’d like to address the Port idea again. I was very impressed with the idea when it was part of a campaign in the mid-90’s. Do we have the people to still run a busy Port? LC: Yes, we still have a limited number, and that is one of our problems. We do not train people. We need to go back to having vocational schools that will train people for skilled jobs. We do not all have the same talents. Some people make great teachers; they need a four year college. Some people make great hands on laborers; they need a vocational school to learn carpentry or welding. We should not have to bring in skilled workers. And let me go back to your question about seniors. I’m a businessman. I’m about making money honestly. This senior is about making money, paying my taxes, and living a good life. I made payroll for 50 families. I know the

experience of having to lay off employees who depend on me to feed and clothe their families. I know people need to make a good wage to live well and raise their children. I care, and today I have more than one business that is running successfully. Mary Landrieu has fought for the working class families and for benefits, and Jindal would destroy those benefits. I want to stand beside working class families and middle class families. Mom & Pop businesses are dying. We need to be concerned about the little business people. They need health care now. They need the help that I understand and had to cope with as a businessman. TP: As someone close to your age, I have to agree but it has been a few years since you retired from politics to run your business. Many people don’t know what you did. LC: I’ve fought for Civil Rights for 50 years, maybe longer; first for my Black Community and later for the Gay Community. As a member of the Louisiana Legislature, I worked to have the U. S. Mint in New Orleans restored. That’s bringing in money today. In 1974, I introduced a Casino Bill to rival the European First Class destination spots. The income would have been enormous. This would have been an upper class establishment for the very wealthy “jet-setter” types who were not visiting New Orleans. I don’t believe the average guy should take his paycheck to a casino and lose the week’s rent or food money. My idea was to give the average guy a job and take the money from the people who have it in abundance. I introduced the flower carts; started carriages in City Park; started the building of the now largest carriage business in the city. When I started, I couldn’t even bring my carriages to Jackson Square because other carriage companies were under contract. In the Legislature, I fought for Civil Rights. Today people are more educated and it is easier to make progress on that front. TP: You have a lot to say. How are you going to let people know about you campaign? LC: The Old Fashion Way … I am not going to do TV. I am going to walk the District with flyers and let people know that I am back to help them and the City I love. I grew up in that District. My wife and daughter and I moved to a beautiful home in East New Orleans but after Katrina, we moved back to the old neighborhood around Claiborne Avenue. It’s comfortable there and it feels good. So I’ll be talking at schools and churches and wherever anyone wants to hear my message or will allow me to share my message. TP: I was very impressed. He didn’t brag about being a founder of the LLBC (Louisiana Legislature Black Caucus) or a number of other accom-

plishments that can be found on the web. In fact, I found him modest. He didn’t say but I knew that he has provided us with the carriages for many years that we use in the Gay Easter Parade. If you like his message and wish to work for him or want more information, please call his Campaign Manager, Stephen Peychaud at speychaud@hotmail.com or 504.581.3521. Stephen is a lovely man who came to the interview with Mr. Charbonnet.

trodding the boards ...from 28 choir, did admirable work with their strong voices on such numbers as I Will Trust in the Lord and Walk with Me among others. Seeing the pride and satisfaction on the faces of these men reinforced Johnson’s words and made God’s Trombones an especially satisfying production.

In brief...

s usual, the Tennessee Williams Festival offered too many events in too short a period to get to see all or even most of them. I caught the annual I Remember Tennessee panel with Edward Albee, Kenneth Holditch and Lois Smith. Albee was, of course, the star attraction as he noted that “writers are like everyone else—we sit around and talk about sex, money and politics. Writers don’t sit around and have deadly serious conversations about their work. As for Williams, Albee recalled that he always had concerns about money. “He could out-fumble everyone reaching for his wallet.” Albee seems pleased to have been in critical favor the last ten or twelve years but is “just waiting for it all to collapse again.” In the meantime, he hopes that “what I write is damaging to the people to whom it should be damaging.” Also seen was Tommie Sorrell’s one act play Voodoo Vows which, while wellacted (Marie Lovejoy, Frederick Mead, Rebecca Rae) and directed (Jayetta Slawson), was more overwrought than three Williams plays combined what with a plot that included abortion, sibling rivalry, incestuous child sex abuse, alcoholism, fundamentalist lesbians, kidney transplants, men on the down low, and, yes, a homosexual hairdresser. I’ve had boudins that were not as stuffed. Over at Le Chat Noir, Blaise Allysen Kearsley’s How I Learned About Sex was about just that as eight performers related funny tales involving precocious children, porn collections, stuffed animals, and working for naked man magazines. Despite the good stories, however, too many of the storytellers spoke in raspy, dry voices with little sense of how to read their material theatrically. The exceptions, not surprisingly, were those Running With Scissors pros Dorian Rush, who learned about sex through song lyrics, and Jack Long (“Sex was something I could deal with like gym class—throw up and claim it was a stomach virus.”)

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chop chop by Rip & Marsha Naquin-Delain www.ripandmarsha.com Email: marsha@ripandmarsha.com

New Orleans Restaurant Guide 700 Club Restaurant, 700 Burgundy St., 561.1095, has just opened and is now serving sliders, paninis, quesadillas, and more at the popular club in the French Quarter. Restaurant hours are 7pm til Wed.-Sun. Visit 700ClubNewOrleans.COM. Bywater Restaurant, Deli & BBQ, 3162 Dauphine St., 944.4445, is noted for its gumbo, barbeque, pizza, sandwiches and specials serving breakfast, lunch and dinner. Open 9am-9pm Mon.-Tues., 8am-10pm Thurs.-Sun., closed Wed. MasterCard/Visa accepted. Clover Grill, 900 Bourbon St., is open 7 days and features breakfast including build your own omelettes. But let’s not forget their fab burgers grilled right under a hub cap and then there’s all those sandwiches, sides, desserts and shakes. Call 598.1010 or visit CloverGrill.COM. Country Club Restaurant, 634 Louisa St. Under the direction of Chef Coy LeBeau, he has taken attention to detail and ingredient, and focused on a more contemporary menu at an even more affordable price point. Still the best food, but at even more unbelievable value! Serving 7 days 11am-10pm and Sunday Brunch 11am-3pm. Visit TheCountryClubNewOrleans.COM or call 945.0742 for more information. Louisiana Pizza Kitchen, 95 French Market Place is famous for its wood fired gourmet pizzas, pastas, salads and appetizers. Open 7 days from 11am-10pm, call 522.9500 or visit LouisianaPizzaKitchen.COM. Maximo's Italian Grill, 1117 Decatur Street, features New Orleans inspired Italian cuisine along with a wonderfully assorted wine selection. Experience Maximo’s open kitchen and watch Chef Thomas Woods prepare his extraordinary dishes. Open 6pm 7 days a week, call 504.586.8883 or visit MaximosGrill.COM for reservations and information. Mona Lisa Restaurant, 1212 Royal St., features Italian specialties including salads, pizzas, sandwiches and both lunch and dinner entrees. Lunch 11am-5pm Thurs.-Mon., Dinner 5pm-10pm 7 days. Call 522.6746 for info. The Pelican Club, 312 Exchange Alley, 523.1504, PelicanClub.COM. With its tasteful but comfortable ambience, The Pelican Club serves contemporary Louisiana cuisine specializing in seafood. The restaurant is conveniently located in the French Quarter on historic Exchange Alley, an easy walk from most downtown hotels. Quartermaster: The Nellie Deli, 1100 Bourbon St., 529.1416, was voted Restaurant/Deli of the Year once again and is open 24 hours 7 days. Serving breakfast, lunch and dinner, the deli offers free delivery. Rooba's Crescent Spoon Cafe, 2307 Veterans Memorial Blvd., Metairie, 830.1035, Roobas.COM. Home of the Weenie Panini, Rooba's has an extensive menu with starters, garden fresh salads, paninis, specialty sandwiches, pizza, daily hot specials and homemade desserts. Open Mon. Sat. 11am-3pm.

Eggplant & Crab Benedict Sunday Brunch at Bywater Restaurant, Deli & BBQ, 3162 Dauphine St.

Eggplant Parmesan at Mona Lisa Restaurant, 1212 Royal St.

Seafood Martini Ravigote: Maine Lobster, Gulf Shrimp and Jumbo Lump Crabmeat with Yukon Gold Potato Salad at The Pelican Club, 312 Exchange Alley

Blackened Ribeye at The Country Club, 634 Louisa St. (right) Fish of the Day at Maximo's Italian Grill, 1117 Decatur St.

(right) Gourmet Sliders (choice of 3) with Onion Rings at 700 Club Restaurant, 700 Burgundy St.

Muffuletta at Quartermaster: The Nellie Deli, 1100 Bourbon St.

(below)The Weenie Panini at Rooba's Crescent Spoon Cafe, 2307 Veterans Memorial Blvd. in Metairie

Garlic Shrimp Pasta at Louisiana Pizza Kitchen, 95 French Market Pl.

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ambush

papar azzi

Bunny Marshals VIII Joann & Lisa

Campiest Bonnet/JohnPaul’s

Most Glamorous Bonnet/Cutter’s

Best Newbie Bonnet/Iggy’s

Butchest Bonnet/Phoenix

Best Couple/The Friendly Bar

Best Group/Kajun’s Pub

Widest Bonnet/Big Daddy’s

Meyer-Routh Spirit Award/Kajun’s

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Easter Highlights ~ New Orleans

8th Annual Marigny Bunny Hop led by Bunny Marshals VIII Joann & Lisa ~ New Orleans

Tallest Bonnet/Mimi’s

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48 • The Official Mag: AmbushMag.COM • April 13-26, 2010 • Of fic ial Gay East er Parade Guide • GayEast erParade.COM Offic