Ambush magazine volume 28 issue 17

2 • The Official Mag: AmbushMag.COM • August 17-30, 2010 • Of fic ial Sout her n Dec adenc e Guide • Sout her nDec adenc e.COM

Gay East erParade.COM • GayMardiGras.COM • GayNew Orleans.COM • August 17-30, 2010 • The Official Mag: AmbushMag.COM • 3

the "official" dish

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

Why Will You Walk?

21st Annual NO/AIDS Walk Presented by Chevron & Avita Drugs Set for September 12

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O/AIDS Task Force, one of the oldest and largest AIDS service organizations (ASO) in the Gulf South will mark the 21st anniversary of the NO/AIDS Walk on Sunday September 12th. Thousands will gather beneath the oaks in Audubon Park beginning at 8am and then join hands and Walk at 10 in an impressive display of awareness and solidarity in the face of this terrible epidemic.

Walkers and supporters are encouraged to meet in Audubon Park at 8am for registration. The WALK will kickoff at 10am and will proceed down historic Magazine Street to Napoleon Avenue and then will turn onto Prytania Street as the WALK heads back into Audubon Park. The Walk is a great activity for the whole family, even the fourlegged members. There will be water stops and doggie stops along the route and a children’s tent with lots of great activities. Additionally, there will be great food and drinks provided by Louisiana Pizza Kitchen Uptown, Absolut Vodka, Coors Light, and Kentwood Springs. The music and registration kicks off at 8am and will run until 2 that afternoon.

Teams and individuals can register for free in advance by visiting noaidswalk.com or by calling 504.821.2601, ext. 256. By registering online, participants have access to great, easy-to-use fundraising tools to help them reach their goal. All funds raised at the Walk benefit NO/AIDS Task Force and the men, women and families affected by HIV and AIDS they serve. Additionally, through the Walk Share Grant Program, other Louisiana based AIDS Service Organizations will benefit too. Rest assured that every dollar makes a difference. The NO/AIDS Walk is committed to keeping costs low, especially in these tough economic times. Over 80 cents of each dollar raised goes directly to helping someone affected by this disease.

For additional information or to register, please visit naoidswalk.com or noaidstaskforce.org.

Amon-Ra's Mr./Ms. America August 21

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he Krewe of Amon-Ra’s annual Mr./Ms. America fundraiser Amon-Ra Goes COUNTRY is Saturday, August 21 at One Eyed Jacks, 614 Toulouse. Doors open at 8pm. Pageant starts at 8:30pm.

Tickets are available from any member or at the door for $20. Silent auction will include a table for ten to Amon-Ra’s Mardi Gras Ball, February 5th, 2011 at St. Bernard Cultural Center. Contestants are needed. There is no entry fee. Contact Chris 317.250.2351 for additional information.

Icon Stewart Butler Celebrates 80th Birthday August 21 at JohnPaul's

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ew Orleans icon Stewart But-ler celebrates his 80th birthday! Stewart Butler, stalwart of gay rights, philanthropist and dedicated human rights activist, will celebrate his 80th birthday with a party/celebration at JohnPaul’s, 940 Elysian Fields on August 21 from 7-9pm. An historic photographic slide show of his life will be shown on the large TV screens around the bar!

In lieu of gifts, please make contributions to the GLBT Alfred M. Doolittle Scholarship Fund.

French Companies Arriving to Assist with Oil Spill Cleanup

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n August 25-26 a delegation representing French companies with past experience in oil spill cleanup operations will visit Louisiana to offer their assistance. The U.S. Government has selected twelve foreign countries, including France, to work on cleanup operations in Louisiana.

The companies are traveling under the sponsorship of UBIFRANCE, the French agency for international business development, and at the request of the French Consul General in New Orleans, Hon. Olivier Brochenin. While in New Orleans, the delegation will be co-hosted by the Louisiana Chapter of the French American Chamber of Commerce.

French American Chamber of Commerce President Donald A. Hoffman stated: “In recent years France has experienced significant oil spill accidents similar to our Deepwater Horizon incident at the Macondo well. The French companies coming to our state have success in sea pollution treatment and marsh cleanup. Several of these companies have received international awards for service. They are desirous of partnering with Louisiana companies to work together on this long term effort. The French American Chamber of Commerce, working with federal, state and local officials and with business organizations, welcomes this initiative.”

For more information call 540.458.3528 or email info@facc-la.com or visit our website for more information, facc-la.com.

Southern Decadence/Labor Day Weekend Issue out August 31 ~ DEADLINE: Friday, August 20

inside

juan lafonta endorsement no/aids walk celebrazzi/new orleans trodding the boards/new orleans the pink pastor real estate snap paparazzi/new orleans commentary/oil spill issues paparazzi/mobile acadiana paparazzi/lafayette acadiana happens/lafayette

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out & about in mobile hot tails of red stick/baton rouge red stick paparazzi/baton rouge classifieds 39th southern decadence under the gaydar ambush paparazzi halloween ambush paparazzi/new orleans chop chop/nola restaurant guide snap paparazzi/new orleans

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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

NO/AIDS Task Force, The re:Vision Project & PFLAG Present Greater New Orleans Area LGBT PROM August 27

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O/AIDS Task Force, The re:Vision Project, a program of NO/AIDS, and PFLAG (Parents and Friends of Lesbians and Gays) are pleased to announce the details of the 2010 Annual LGBT Prom. This year the event will be held at The Zeitgeist MultiDisciplinary Art Center located at 1618 Oretha Castle Haley Boulevard on Friday, August 27th from 7:30pm-12:30am. Admission is free to the prom and open to all members and allies of the LGBT community, regardless of age, race, sexual identity or economic status.

The prom will feature a DJ and dancing, the opportunity to vote for a Prom King and Queen, light food and drinks, and a cash bar for those guests over 21. Grey Cross Studios will provide photography for the evening as well as “living art.” Live models in full body paint will become part of the experience.

Originally, The New Orleans Gay Prom was put on by PFLAG every year as an alternative to traditional high school proms, where many gay students were not free to go with a date of the same sex or may not have been accepted by their peers. Since 2006, PFLAG has partnered with The re:Vision Project, a program of NO/AIDS Task Force, to put on the Prom. Since then, the Prom has become one of the signature events for re:Vision.

“PFLAG has worked with re:Vision for several years as a sponsor of the Gay Prom. This has always been a wonderful event for the young people of our community. It is an event at which they can safely socialize and meet other young people in the community. The music and the venues have been chosen with great care in order to make the prom a memorable experience” says Julie Thompson, president of PFLAG New Orleans.

One of the reasons the New Orleans Gay Prom has grown in size over the years is that re:Vision opened the attendance up to all ages, realizing that many members of the LGBT community had never experienced a prom where they felt comfortable and accepted.

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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 Devin Black, Rev. Clinton Crawshaw, Tony Leggio, Lee Mullen, Jeff Palmquist-New Orleans Bob Brunson, Cieanne & John-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

4 • The Official Mag: AmbushMag.COM • August 17-30, 2010 • Of fic ial Sout her n Dec adenc e Guide • Sout her nDec adenc e.COM

Juan LaFonta

by Tony Leggio E-mail: tonymgp@hotmail.com Photo by: Larry Graham, GrahamStudioOne.COM

Interview, Endorsement

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or all those in the gay community, there is an election coming up on Saturday, August 28 that is very crucial. There will be a Democratic primary to find an opponent to face Republican Anh “Joseph” Cao in the 2nd District Congressional Race in November. In choosing a candidate, it is important to be informed on where he stands on issues that effect you and your community. Both Ambush Magazine and Forum For Equality have endorsed Juan LaFonta in the Democratic primary.

I recently got the opportunity to interview LaFonta for Ambush. Before we get into the interview, I thought you might be interested in learning more about this candidate.

Juan LaFonta has a catch phrase that he usually says all the time - “Juan LaFonta is working.” That seems to be very prevalent in his entire political career. The son of a bricklayer and a public school teacher, Juan LaFonta is no stranger to hard work.

Since he was elected to the Louisiana House of Representatives in 2005, LaFonta has been an effective and dedicated representative for the people of New Orleans, not to mention a lifelong resident of Louisiana’s 2nd Congressional District.

Juan is committed to economic development in his community, working to ease the tax burden on local businesses to help create jobs. He is a believer in accessible healthcare, championing the effort to rebuild Charity Hospital and pushing legislation to expand healthcare coverage and requirements on insurance companies. He serves on the House Commerce, Insurance and Retirement Committees, and on the House Special Committee on Disaster Planning, Crisis Management, Recovery and Long-Term Revitalization, formed after Hurricane Katrina devastated the area.

In 2005, Juan was elected to represent the people of House District 96, which includes Bywater, Treme, Gentilly, the French Quarter and Faubourg Marigny, in a special election. He was reelected in 2007 without opposition, and was the first freshman legislator ever elected to a chairmanship in the Louisiana State Legislature when he became Chairman of the Louisiana Legislative Black Caucus, a position he held until July 2008.

In the legislature, LaFonta has been steadfast in his work on hurricane protection and recovery. After assisting in the evacuation, working with US Special Forces to get telecommunications up, locate landing pads, and tend to the needs of the community dispersed, he hit the ground running participating in the necessary action of bringing awareness to the gravity of the storm. He testified before the Congressional Black Caucus, and focused on securing the funds needed to rebuild the city.

Juan LaFonta earned a Bachelor’s Degree from the University of New Orleans before acquiring his Law Degree from Southern University. Juan is a mem-

ber of Phi Beta Sigma fraternity and was an adjunct professor at Dillard University for 5 years and serves as a mentor to many in youth in the city of New Orleans.

As a Member of Congress, Juan LaFonta will continue his work for his beloved New Orleans by focusing on economic development, job creation and hurricane recovery and protection. LaFonta will also be a strong advocate for universal health care and a stalwart protector of Social Security and Medicare. In Congress, as always, Juan LaFonta will be working.

TL: Please tell our readers your affiliation with the gay community in New Orleans?

JL: In case anyone does not know, I was introduced to politics at a very young age. Larry Bagneris is my uncle and he was the first openly gay man to run for city council. I was exposed to the gay community since I was a child, so I believe I have an understanding of the issues important to them. Some of my fondest memories include the New Orleans gay community.

They have showed me different cultures that have proved valuable in my life. I like to think that I am picking up where my Uncle Larry left off.

TL: How do you stand on some of the gay issues concerning our community?

JL: I am a full advocate of second parent adoptions and civil unions. I have worked hard on the Anti Bully and Anti Discrimination Laws. My door has always been open to the issues facing the gay community. In fact, when I did an interview with HRC DC, they said that I was the first candidate that was well versed on all the topics effecting the gay community.

TL: How would you generate more jobs for this district?

JL: That is the major base of my platform to create more jobs for this district. I am looking into joining all the ports in this area together to create one Mega Port. If we do this, we would become the second largest port in the world.

I am also researching finding residual

the "official" dish ...from 4 “It cannot be stressed enough how important it is to have a diverse crowd. This is our community and anybody is welcome. It can be a chance to connect with old friends, meet new ones and show support for your LGBT friends and family,” said Martin Strickland, Coordinator of the re:Vision Project.

More information on the New Orleans Gay Prom can be found by calling 504.945.4000 or at noaidstaskforce.org. re:Vision is a CDC funded MPowerment project of NO/AIDS Task Force that aims to build a healthy social setting for gay and bisexual men ages 1835. The project promotes safer sexual behavioral practices while encouraging members to create an environment that is safe, secure and free from judgment. New members are welcome and new activity ideas are always encouraged. You can find out more by logging onto facebook.com/revisionnola or sending an email to Martin Strickland at martins@noaidstf.org.

For over 26 years, NO/AIDS Task Force has been providing hope, care and compassion to thousands of men, women and families affected by HIV & AIDS. The Task Force acknowledges that the complications of HIV-disease are not just physical, but mental, emotional and social as well. That is why the agency offers a full spectrum of care at low to no cost, including services such as: an HIV medical clinic, food pantry, home delivered meals, housing, mental health, peer support and many others. NO/AIDS also remains committed to the health of the entire community and reaches over 20,000 each year through HIV prevention education efforts.

walk away with the $100 Grand Prize. A $10 donation is requested and more information can be found at lordsofleather.com.

Bourbon Pub & Parade Readies for Southern Decadence under New Sandy Sachs Ownership

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andy Sachs first stepped inside Bourbon Pub back in 1980. She was nineteen years old at the time, attending Tulane University on a tennis scholarship, and it would be her first visit to a gay nightclub and her first step in coming out openly as a lesbian.

Now, thirty years later, Sachs walks through Bourbon Pub’s French Quarter purple front double doors as if she owns the place. That’s because she does. In time for Labor Day Weekend’s Southern Decadence, Sachs takes sole ownership of the nation’s oldest continuously operating gay nightclub from retiring owner Bobby Revere, who is passing the torch to her.

Revere became the bar/nightclub’s second owner in 1986, while the late Jerry Menefee opened the club originally in 1974.

Decadent Church Bazaar August 28

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t’s a night of wicked games, fun, prizes, and surprises as the Lords of Leather host the Decadent Church Bazaar at JohnPaul’s on Saturday, August 28 at 8pm.

Come and play such exotic games as “Chicken in a Bucket,” “Ring the Phallus,” and “Marital Aid Bowling.”

For the shy, Bingo, Plinko, and other carnival games can be played. High scores will win prizes and one lucky player will funding to make the Monorail system between Baton Rouge and New Orleans an actuality. And speaking of transportation, I want to make the streetcars on all the streets of New Orleans a reality. This creates more commerce for areas and helps with getting people transportation to jobs around the city.

And finally, with all the new developments with the Panama Canal, I would like to see more international trade with the city and open up more business opportunities with Central and South America.

TL: If you wanted the voters to know one thing about you, what would that be?

JL: I want the voters to know I am a real person, not some made up politician.

I grew up in this community, and especially around the gay community, my entire life. I love this city and want to let people know that I want to make it a better place to make a living and have a future.

For more information on Juan LaFonta and his platform, go to VoteLaFonta.COM.

Bobby Revere & New Bourbon Pub & Parade Owner Sandy Sachs “I really feel like I’ve come full circle,” Sachs explains. “The Bourbon Pub & Parade has played such an important role in both my career and my life.”

After graduating from Tulane, Sachs went to work for Jerry Menefee at Menefee’s which was the sister bar of the Bourbon Pub. She was the first female employee, working in various positions from bartender, to manager, even a DJ. In 1986 Sachs moved back home to New York City, where she worked in the city’s first video bar, Private Eyes, for three years. She migrated west to Los Angeles in 1989 and went on to become owner of West Hollywood’s largest nightclub and event space, The Factory, as well as launching Girl Bar, the country’s largest dance and entertainment group for lesbians and its signature annual Palm Springs event, Girl Bar Dinah Shore Week.

“I’m very excited to be a part of the rebirth of the city that means so much to me,” explains Sachs, who will be traveling back and forth from Los Angeles to The Big Easy.

Southern Decadence, September 1 – 6, is the city’s biggest gay event and the Pub joins the center of the action. To pur-

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the "official" dish ...from 9 chase weekend passes online, visit: www.bourbonpub.com Sachs adds, “New Orleans has endured a lot, but I see this as an opportunity to give back to the place that gave me my start and hopefully make it even greater than before.”

Ain't Dat Super! A Black and Gold Comedy Labor Day Weekend at the Mahalia Jackson Theatre

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irector Perry Martin is working on creating the epic celebration of New Orleans Favorite Team and its notorious fans in the hilarious comedic play Ain’t Dat Super!. The play which is centered on the Saints championship is a journey through history and lore all played out in a favorite and familiar New Orleans setting; The Mid-City Bar Room. The play will be at the Mahalia Jackson Theatre on Labor Day weekend and is being billed as A Black and Gold Comedy and “the Ultimate Theatrical and Tailgating Experience.” Martin has directed over 80 theatrical productions in addition to Ain’t Dat Super! not to mention his notable credits in television, film and local work at the Bayou Playhouse in Lockport.

Martin, however, in an ironic twist of fate wasn’t very interested when he first heard of the event from writer Steven Scaffidi. Perry says, “Originally the Saints concept didn’t do a whole lot for me, but as Steve started talking about the tailgating party and everything else, the history, the humor and the story, the creative opportunities became boundless.”

Perry was called in after Steven had written the screenplay for film. From there, Steve, along with co-writer Nick Gambino wrote a book of the same name, which you can now find in many local bookstores. It was Scaffidi’s wife who suggested he work work with Perry, someone who has more theatrical (over film) experience. The two’s relationship has been golden ever since. Scaffidi is glad he took the advice, “When we first got into this, I was a little apprehensive. I work on film and it’s a very different medium. But all I can say is this, and I’m very serious, everyday the creative process just gets better and I have to tell you that this guy (Perry) is a great storyteller. He gives all that he’s got… I think he gets me and I get him. That’s beautiful.” Now Martin and Scaffidi have truly transformed Ain’t Dat Super, into the ultimate theatrical and tailgating experience with the addition of actors John “Spud” McConnell, Randy Cheramie, Becky Allen, and Dane Rhodes to the all-star cast.

The match made in heaven between Perry Martin, director, and Steven Scaffidi, writer, was meant to be. A firm believer in the “things happen for a reason” mantra, Steven agrees this is what the Saints winning the championship is all about: “The right place and the right time and bang! Magic happens!” This happens to be what the play is about, too.

Ain’t Dat Super was born four months before the championship was won by New Orleans. Was it coincidence or divine intervention? We’re not sure but we do know this… This weekend event is not to be missed!

Join us for the final result of this amazing partnership on Labor Day weekend at the Mahalia Jackson Theatre. The play starts at 8pm on Friday and Saturday and at 2pm on Sunday. Tailgating begins two hours prior to each show.

For more information about Ain’t Dat Superplease visit aintdatsuper.com. For more information about the tailgating event and play contact Karissa Kary at aintdatsuperlive@gmail.com or call 1.888.946.4839 .

Labor Day Weekend - 3 Days Only! September 3, 4 and 5 - Friday and Saturday at 8pm and Sunday at 2pm. Tailgating starts 2 hours prior to showtime. Mahalia Jackson Theatre for the Performing Arts Tickets $35 - $70, 1.888.946.4839, aintdatsuper.com.

Friday Night Before Mardi Gras Awards Funds to Project Lazarus

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riday Night Before Mardi Gras (FNBMG), a New Orleans based 501(c)(3) fundraising charity is dedicated to raising funds for local HIV/AIDS charities and organizations. Since the year 2000, FNBMG has donated more than $130,000 to local HIV/AIDS agencies. All donations FNBMG raises are derived from FNBMG’s annual extravaganzas.

FNBMG is pleased to announce that on August 3, 2010 a $2,000 check was presented to Project Lazarus.

FNBMG thanks its generous supporters who have made these annual donations possible. FNBMG especially appreciates the unprecedented support and advertising HALLOWEENS NEW ORLEANS provided this year.

Following the Cirque du Sogay Extravaganza this year, the FNBMG Board of Directors chose seven local charities to receive cash awards. FNBMG has now awarded $6,800 to the NO/AIDS Task Force Food for Friends Program, $2,800 to Belle Reve New Orleans, $2,000 to Project Lazarus and $1,200 to the Forum for Equality Foundation.

During coming weeks, FNBMG will announce additional donations to AIDSLaw of Louisiana, the William J. Fanning Foundation (Buzzy’s Boys and Girls), and the New Orleans Gay and Lesbian Community Center.

FNBMG extravaganzas are fabulous parties held annually on the Friday night just before Mardi Gras day and are open to the public.

Each extravaganza features an open bar, buffet, free professional photographs, costume prizes, entertainment, and dancing. Several luxury round-trip transportation options from metro-area locations to whisk you to and from the Audubon Tea Room for the event are organized as well.

Aptly described as “The Mardi Gras Ball Where Everyone Is The Tableaux” is no exaggeration. Participants arrive to party the night away in costumes described as running the spectrum from spectacular to outlandish.

Information, including mailing list sign-up is available at: fridaynightbeforemardigras.com. Anyone interested in contacting FNBMG for organizational information or to participate in planning the next Extravaganza and other FNBMG events should contact FNBMG at: fnbmg@cox.net or call 504.733.3311.

FNBMG will return to the Audubon Tea Room for Extravaganza XII on March 4, 2011. Mark your calendars now. It’s never too early to start preparing the costume that will knock everyone’s eyes out that will make you the Belle or the Butch of the Ball!

official capacities.

The lawsuit sought to require the prompt transfer of mentally ill pretrial detainees to the Feliciana Forensic Facility, in compliance with existing court orders and with Louisiana law.

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Federal Court Orders Louisiana to Provide Mental Health Care for Pretrial Detainees

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n a victory for those unable to stand trial due to mental illness, a federal court ruled yesterday that all detainees who have been deemed incompetent to stand trial by Louisiana courts and ordered to receive restorative treatment must be transferred to the Feliciana Forensic Facility within 21 days. The court also ordered that a status report on the transfer of the detainees be submitted within 30 days updating the court on the implementation of its order.

The Advocacy Center and an individual plaintiff, represented on a pro bono basis by law firm Kirkland & Ellis LLP and the ACLU of Louisiana, filed the lawsuit on April 12, 2010, in the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Louisiana against three state officials in their

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celebrazzi (celebrations-paparazzi)

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h, What a Drag! XVIII, the Bourbon Pub/Parade's annual turnabout fundraiser benefits the NO/AIDS Task Force Food for Friends program raising $6,858 this year. Beginning 18 years ago by a handful of bartenders (and the barback), the event is always held on the first Monday of August. It has grown into a huge production which features drag performances by the staff, lots of raffle prizes and a live auction. All this leading to the grand finale, where one staff member is chosen as “Queen of the Night.” This year’s theme: There’s a New Sheriff in Town was chosen because the Bourbon Pub/Parade is in the process of changing hands. Bobby Revere (former sheriff/owner) and Sandy Sachs (new sheriff/owner) were on hand for the evening’s festivities, and made the official choice of “Queen of the Night.” This year’s winner was Zenith, aka Chris Morton, afternoon bartender at the Bourbon Pub. The night also offered up fun- “Pix in the Pokey,” shot by local photographer Grey Cross.

Customers could don stripes, and get fun shots in an old fashion jail cell, for a modest donation. The local “professional-type” performers came in to help make the staff “pretty.”

Several local businesses donated art, jewelry, and various gift certificates, which were grouped into baskets, as auction and raffle prizes. Professional auctioneer Sam Bell donated his time and talents as the auctioneer during intermission, for the “high end” donations. Local stand-up comedian, Jeff DeRouen lent his talents as Co-MC, along with the Pub/Parade’s Brad Robbert. Several weeks of planning and hard work, really paid off. Bourbon Pub barbacks Marc Anthoni and Cowboy Dave, organize and coordinate the event. The entire staff rally together to build the stage/set, gather donations and put on a great show. For additional information visit BourbonPub.COM. (Photo: Neely O’Hara Alexander, Paige Turner, Lucy Quipment, Randi, Travis B, Mona Lott, Cookie, Ana Lease & Tabitha)

artender Lester and Southern Decadence Grand Marshal XXXVI Toby Lefort celebrate as $330 was raised for NO/AIDS Task Force at Big Daddy's for the BywaterMarigny Southern Decadence Charity Fundraiser held there.

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outhern Decadence Grand Marshals XXXVI Julien Artressia and Toby Lefort flank JohnPaul's Paul Chiriaco for JohnPaul's Bywater-Marigny Southern Decadence Charity Fundraiser bringing in $327 for NO/AIDS Task Force.

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udge Michael Bagneris, State Representative Juan LaFonta, Vernel Bagneris and Larry Bagneris, Jr. come together at a fundraiser for LaFonta's candidacy for Congress of the United States, Second District of Louisiana. Both Ambush Magazine and Forum For Equality have endorsed Juan LaFonta in the Democratic primary election set for Saturday, August 28.

For more information visit VoteLaFonta.COM.

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oe Truxillo joins Southern Decadence Grand Marshal XXXVI Toby Lefort and Society Page's Orlando Aloe for the Bywater-Marigny Southern Decadence Charity Fundraiser at Bywater Patio Bar. The event raised $125 for SD Charity NO/AIDS Task Force.

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outhern Decadence Grand Marshals XXXVI Julien Artressia and Toby Lefort join Cutter's bar baron Mac McAll (center) as Cutter's hosted its Bywater-Marigny Southern Decadence Charity Fundraiser raising $542 for NO/AIDS Task Force.

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artender Marty, Southern Decadence Grand Marshal XXXVI Julien Artressia, bartender Misty, Southern Decadence Grand Marshal XXXVI Toby Lefort and bartender Steve helped raise $640 for The Friendly Bar's Southern Decadence Charity Fundraiser benefiting NO/AIDS Task Force.

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how Director Rikki Redd is joined by a rep from Animal Rescue New Orleans during Tubby's Golden Lantern Turnabout Show.

The event raised $530 and it was matched

by Tubby's Golden Lantern bar baron Rick bringing the total to $1,060 for the no kill shelter.

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the "official" dish ...from 10 “We are very pleased with the court’s decision to order the swift transfer and treatment of these detainees, some of whom have waited in parish jails for months or even years to receive the treatment they need to be deemed competent to stand trial,” said Marjorie Lindblom, a partner with Kirkland & Ellis LLP. “It’s an important victory for the constitutional rights of citizens who often slip through the cracks, and a first step towards exposing the issues in Louisiana’s funding of, and system for treating and trying, these individuals.”

Under Louisiana law, if a pretrial detainee—someone charged with a crime but not yet tried—is diagnosed as lacking the mental capacity to stand trial, that

person must be given restorative mental health treatment or be released from custody. The law requires those with the most severe mental health issues to be sent to the Feliciana Forensic Facility for inpatient mental health treatment so that criminal proceedings can resume. But for many years, funding for Feliciana has been wholly inadequate, causing a dramatic shortage of treatment beds at the facility. As a result, many detainees who have been ordered by the courts into the custody of Feliciana, and who should have been sent there for treatment, instead remain in local jails without the ability to go to trial, sometimes for long periods of time, despite their presumed innocence.

“This lawsuit was about getting severely mentally ill people the treatment they need so that they can pursue their right to due process,” said Lois Simpson, Executive Director of the Advocacy Center.

“For years, Louisiana has been turning people with illnesses into prisoners for no reason other than allocation of funds,” said Marjorie R. Esman, Executive Director of the ACLU of Louisiana,. “People known to have disabilities are imprisoned indefinitely when they

haven’t been convicted of anything, simply because the state of Louisiana won’t spend the money to provide them with treatment. This is not just illegal, it is an unconscionable way to treat vulnerable people.”

In its order, the court said: “Defendants’ limited resources are a concern, but lack of funding cannot justify the continued detention of defendants who have not been convicted of any crime, who are not awaiting trial, and who are receiving next to no mental-health services. While these Detainees are in parish jails, their continued confinement bears no rational relationship to the restoration of their competency. Their confinement is also not the result of any decision by a mental-health professional. And it is undisputed that they remain in parish jails for extended periods of time.”

The court’s order also highlights the impact of inadequate funding on the proper treatment of incompetent detainees at parish prisons. Citing the testimony of Dr. Demaree Inglese, the medical director of the St. Tammany Parish Sheriff’s Office and the former medical director of the Orleans Parish Criminal Sheriff’s Office, the court noted: “The St. Tammany parish jail is ‘not equipped or built to be a psychiatric facility housing severely ill psychiatric patients, whether they are chronically ill or acutely ill.’ Problem patients at St. Tammany—particularly those on suicide watch or who otherwise pose a danger to themselves by, for example, repeatedly banging their heads against walls— are placed into isolation cells of approximately four feet by four or five feet in dimension, with mesh walls and nothing inside the cell.”

Lindblom praised the court’s order as not just a win for incompetent detainees, but for the parish jails. “This order will help ensure that parishes like St. Tammany will be able to transfer incompetent detainees to a facility like Feliciana— which is where they belong—instead of placing them in fourby-four isolation cells to prevent them from harming themselves. The court’s order is as important to the parish jails that house incompetent defendants as it is for the incompetent defendants themselves.”

The individual plaintiff, a minor whose mother is acting on his behalf, is a detainee who was found incompetent to stand trial but not transferred in a timely manner to an inpatient mental health facility due to the shortage of beds.

Only after plaintiffs sought a preliminary injunction was he transferred to a facility capable of providing him with courtordered restorative treatment.

“Others have been incarcerated for even longer than this individual, some for over two years,” said Esman.

“These people are in jail for one reason: they need medical attention that the State of Louisiana has not provided despite its legal obligation. This ruling means that vulnerable people will finally get the medical care that they need and be treated as the patients that they are, and not simply held in jail.”

DON'T BE LEFT OUT!

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trodding the boards

by Patrick Shannon, III Email: nedcat@earthlink.net

A Funny Thing Happened On The Way To The Forum

T

SL once again, under the magic maker’s wand of Musical Director/Conductor Roger Grodsky was able to conjure a remarkable, beautiful and dreamy production of the Burt Shevelove (book), Larry Gelbart (book) and Stephen Sondheim (music and lyrics) classic American Broadway musical, A Funny Thing Happened On The Way To the Forum. Directed with “goodness and gladness” by Diana Lala, the musical is an inspired vaudeville farce of “man and his madness.” It tells the gaudy bawdy (with “something for everybody”) tale of a slave named Pseudolus’ attempts to win his freedom by helping his young master, Hero, woo the girl next door, Philia, a lovely virgin - after “funerals and chases” “this time it all turns out all right! Tragedy tomorrow! Comedy! Tonight!” Mr. Grodsky’s musical direction from the professional perspective was tuneful and earlicious due to the highly competent talents of such players as trumpeter Greg Miller in the brass section whose single golden notes always seem to soar above the pit whenever needed.

Just as important to the high success

of the production as the audio-licious sounds of the band were the eye candy costumes of the cast in colorful Roman buskers period conscious garb from the vaults of Costume World Theatrical and the imagination of master costumer Charlotte Lang.

Ah, and those celestially touched set designs of Rick Paul who created three somewhat skewed and leaning Roman houses on stage that appear to be made of unsubstantial but solid imagination of color and grace and yet work as solid constructions in lovely colors.

So costumes, music and sets were an inspired collaboration of this extra fine production; but what about those preening, keening, prancing, mincing, singing, dancing, caterwauling, butchy, bitchy, witchy, kitschy, twitchy, camping, vamping, ego-run actors. Artistic Director Michael B. Howard kept them in good order having chosen from among the best of our local star performers to wit: Of course the star of this show is our own Ricky Graham as Pseudolus whose years and years and years of local onstage professionalism was still intact. No one can garner stage presence, perfect comedic timing and limelight scenes like Mr. Graham. He did it with his usual charm and special sly seductiveness. The audience couldn’t get enough of this old trouper

even though he seemed to have to try to overrun some actors such as our own mysterious ego-ridden/laden Vatican Lockey. It seems he, mistakenly, actually thought he might be able to steal the spotlight a few times from the venerable Mr. Graham. But, he met with little success.

Mr. Lokey’s role as the whore monger Lycus - a ridiculous, conniving reprobate was gratefully a second lead which he performed with some success in an unctuous, snake-oily manner, striking many tortured Art Deco-like Erte poses; and screaming queen vocals to create his role. He was mildly funny but one always wonders if the audience is laughing with or at Mr. Lokey’s overwrought shenanigans.

Brooks Braselman as Hysterium was perfectly over the top as a delightful “nervine” who did his role with a confident delight at playing such a jumpy and funny character. He is in a class of the unique, like our towns Mr. Graham, i.e. one of our best comic performers. And he was quite hysterically a laugh-maker when he tried to remain calm as the plot spun out of control. He and Mr. Graham played off one another expertly, to the audience’s great delight.

Aaron Thacker was handsome and competent playing the young love smitten hero appropriately named Hero, whose chaste affections for Margaret Windler’s Philia were workably acceptable. He has a strong and lovely voice as did his lovebug girly, vibrant air-headed love interest Margaret Windler. Ms. Windler has a soaring voice which was lovely to hear.

And, as eye candy with her stage presence one could easily believe she was the lovely young sexual desire of the male characters.

Celeste Angelle Veillon as Domina, the control-freak harpy-wife of Senex (David W. Hoover) was quite and appropriately a shrew who could sing like an angel. Her comic timing was excellent, and she created a powerful, dominant stage presence.

David W. Hoover as sexually frustrated Senex was delightful, very funny and also had excellent comic timing. His red and white “seduction costume” of tight fitting body underwear turned the house into a long wave of hysterical laughter. As Tallulah Bankhead once drawled, “Dawlin’ an actor will do ANYTHING to get an audience reaction.” He did and he got it.

Peter Gagg as the befuddled Eronnius was insistently funny adding much to the comic atmosphere of the show. Bryce Smith as walking ego Miles Gloriosus in his muscle stuffed costume was site-gag funny; but I could not understand most of his lyrics even as he sang them in a beautiful lyric baritone booming voice.

The Proteans: Austin Alleman, Ken Goode, and Michael did frenetic yeomen’s work as they morphed into a staggering array of characters. The Courtesans: Panacea (Rebecca Brethel Von Wolff), Vibrata (Joanna Richardson), Tintinabula (Rachel Monteleone), Gymnasia (Eleanor Bernstein), Gemini (Grace Hart), and Gemini (Alexandria Manion) performed Diana Lala’s choreography with joyous and seductive ability..

Another Tulane Campus theatrical success was Shakespeare’s The Tempest in a charming, very well done production lovingly directed by Clare Moncrief as part of the All Thing’s Shakespeare program for experienced young actors (14-18 yes).

Joan Long’s scenic and costume designs were ingenious, with subtle lighting

by Vlad Ghinea all of which supported the youthfully energetic and convincing actors who all spoke their lines “trippingly off the tongue.”

But it was this young cast and their cultivated and lively performances that really brought this fine production to glittering life and they were Alex Bates (Stephano), Brendan Bowen (Gonzalo), Patrick Bowen (Trinculo), Elizabeth Carson (Alonsa), Madeline Daste (Miranda), Abby DiGeorge (Antonia), Leslie Gamboni (Spirit), Josh LeCoq (Ferdinand), Nysa Loudon (Ariel), William Ricchiuti (Fancisco/ Boatman), Emma Selman (Sebastiana) Josef Stengl (Caliban/Master) and Dean Wray (Prospero). I expect to see many of these youths in future theatrical ventures if we theater patrons are lucky.

Meanwhile across The Bamboo Curtain at Loyola university, one of our town’s really glorious events occurred in Roussel Hall hosted by the Musical Arts Society of New Orleans. The exciting and lovely event was the 22nd Annual New Orleans International Piano Competition and Keyboard Festival, New Orleans’ most recognized and elite of high culture keyboard competitions which is recognized by the world as one of the best..

From Sat. July 17th to Sun. July 25, one of 12 finalists out of 158 applications representing 32 counties performed before a panel of 5 jurors for the grand prize of $35,000.00. Each pianist will play a classical composition of choice in a 50 minute concert.

Taking home the grand prized was Eduard Kunz from Siberia, currently based in London. Mr. Kunz played Sonata in C Major, Op. 53 Waldstein (Beethoven), Evocation from Iberia (Albeniz), Sonata No. 3 In A Minor, Op. 28 (Prokofiev) and Hungarian Rhapsody No. 12, S. 244 (Listz).

Meanwhile, at our town’s only really chic cabaret, Le Chat Noir, actors Bob Edes, Jr. and Elizabeth Pearce and perfect/handsome Pianist Jim Walpole teamed up to give us a very sophisticated yet funny, witty and educational cabaret show in two acts all about two of New Orleans’ most famous home made cocktails, the Sazerac and the Hurricane. Edes was dynamically amazing in both timing, singing and all around magnetic stage presence as his more demure and delightful partner, Elizabeth Pearce, told us all about these 2 drinks with charm and knowledge while the astute and talented Jim Walpole tickled the keys at appropriate moments.

Bob Edes really can sing a ballad as good as some of the old time crooners even if the lyrics are high camp, raw wit, and double entendre. These two performers make a perfect stage couple and Mr. Walpole completes the cast most musically. I hope they can bring back this little 2 hour Adult Class About Booze created in New Orleans. And everyone ( almost a full house) got to sample them. To me a Sazerac smells like another of our town’s creations - Black Flag Roach Spray. I don’t really like either one. But the show was a real hit. Bring it back.

Moving a bit more toward Canal Street, The Marigny Theater was the venue for a far out, almost existentialist play in the Jules Pfeiffer/Abe Burrows style of snappy one-liners and an insane plot, Murder At The Howard Johnson.. Directed with a

[continued on 21]

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commentary ...from 25 ist in the Gulf. Significant improvements have been made to well design and construction and blowout preventers, and in overall safety planning. These are now requirements for operators in the Gulf seeking to drill offshore wells.

Furthermore, the incident itself has created a heightened level of expertise and an increased resource base for shutting down and containing a subsea well.

This includes drilling relief wells; applying cofferdams and top hats; using top kills and junk shots; as well as employing and staging remote operated vehicles and vessels to collect and capture oil.

And the successful use of dispersants under water—a new technique that has been reviewed and approved by the government—has proven effective with it being applied on the surface and below to mitigate spill impacts.

Aside from the enhanced capabilities already in place, the industry continues to move forward, making improvements in all areas as part of its commitment to protecting the environment and ensuring workplace safety. Four companies recently committed $1 billion to build and deploy a rapid response system that will be available to capture and contain oil in the event of a potential future underwater well blowout in the deepwater Gulf.

The new system will be set up for mobilization within 24 hours and for use on a wide range of well designs and equipment, oil and natural gas flow rates and weather conditions. The new system will be for water depths up to 10,000 feet and have initial capacity to contain 100,000 barrels oil of per day with potential for expansion.

Despite these efforts, the administration continues to impose a moratorium on deepwater operations. This has left as many as 46,200 offshore workers unemployed throughout a region still ailing, and put at risk significant deepwater production and up to $500 million in potential government revenue. Over the long-term, the impacts could be disastrous for the Gulf region and the country’s economic and energy security, with thousands of additional jobs at risk.

Today, the offshore industry is more capable and better prepared to prevent and respond to a similar incident in the future. We stepped up to the plate and made significant adjustments to ensure our industry is safer and more reliable. For the health of our economy, we should be permitted to resume all operations, so we can get back to providing the energy the nation needs and creating new, high-paying jobs.

Chris John is president of the Louisiana Mid-Continent Oil and Gas Association.

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mobile

Bears + Leather = Bleather 2 ~ Mobile, Alabama

papar azzi

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acadiana

papar azzi

Happy Birthday Sam!

Jeremy & Margo Friends always tend to collide @ Jules

Tina was rolling down the river @ Jules A final pose for Sound Factory’s final night

The final crowd Sing it, Tina!

John, friend & Joe’s final night @ Sound Factory Thomas & Sam One last comedy routine before the doors close Jules owner Wendy & friends

Sam & Joey A final smile for a final night

Kyle Myers’ last time on the TV @ Sound Factory

Wendy always seems to make friends with Jules bar patrons

Margo & Joey @ Jules

Connie G as Tina Turner, Proud Mary!

Gina & Jacque, what a pair!

Jeff’s final drink @ Sound Factory

32 • The Official Mag: AmbushMag.COM • August 17-30, 2010 • Of fic ial Sout her n Dec adenc e Guide • Sout her nDec adenc e.COM

Nightlife ~ Lafayette, Louisiana ~ Photo by Joey Collins

One final show @ Sound Factory

acadiana happens

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

S

ummer loving, had me a blast!

Summer is about to wrap up and Fall will soon be here. Before you know it many of us will either be sitting in class and/or getting ready for Southern Decadence. However you plan to spend our first few weeks of autumn, you know that you will make it as fabulous as can be. You’re listening up with Joey Collins, girl!

The End of an Era

O

n Sunday, August, 1st, Sound Factory closed its doors for good. Bar owner, John Gilland, was happy to go out with a bang.

Sunday Funday was the final party and one to remember for years. Gorgeous drag queens from across the Gulf Coast came out the wood work to make one final performance and to be a part of history.

Once the doors finally closed it was a bitter sweet ending to fifteen years. The end always leads to a new beginning and Tonic will soon be open and lead to new memories.

Tina Turner

O

n Friday, July 30th, local celebrity Connie G graced the stage in her performance as

Tina Turner. Bar patrons were packed wall to wall as they were graced with an amazing singing voice and performance. There was no doubt that such a performance was as close to the real thing as one can be. As always, bar owners Wendy Wallace and Darren Parker do their best to satisfy bar patrons.

Heaven vs. Hell

S

o are you an angel or are you chasing that demon? On September 18th Jules will host a Heaven vs Hell party. It will be a celebration of yours truly as I achieve yet another year in life. As always I shall remain in my early twenties. As many of you know, I refuse to ever grow old. Nonetheless, it’s your choice to either grow angel wings or become that demon from within. If you attended my last birthday party, the Hollywood Party then you know that this one will be one that you shall not want to miss.

Consider this your open invitation.

Closing Out

I

realize that the past few columns have been empty and sort of on the way side. I do apologize and hope to be back up the par very soon. Some of you who know me personally understand

that I’ve been dealing with a lot of personal family items since my father suffered a massive heart attack. Things shall soon settle and life will resume. I thank you all for your patience. I must say that one thing I have learned from this experience is that you should always make time for your parents. You may or may not get along

with them, they may or may not accept you, but in the end they are the ones who gave you life. I realize that it may not seem as good enough as a reason but just remember that you never know when they just may expire.

As always, keeps the party going Lafayette!

out & about in mobile Contestants from New Orleans, Pensacola Take Titles at Mobile’s Bleather 2

S

outhern Renegades: Congratulations to Sam Daniel, Mr. Southern Ren egade 2010! Sam hails from Pensacola, Florida, where he was recently chosen Mr. Roundup 2010. First runner-up is Jeff Weller of Colorado Springs, 2nd runner-up is Mobile’s own Richard Bridges.

Sam Daniel says he’s ready to represent Mobile, The Southern Renegades and BBob’s in the Mr. Louisiana Leather contest in Mid-October. ulf Coast Bears and Leather Association: This year, AJ McKay once again emceed the event, entitled Boot Camp Bears. The winner this year is Didier, aka “D-Day” from New Orleans! Didier aka D-Day also holds the title of Mr. Phoenix Bear in New Orleans.

G

The

Differre ence…

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hot tails of red stick

by Brad Benedict Email: bradhottails@hotmail.com

Moving On

I

t is hard to believe that August is already here, and that means we are on the downhill run to fall – back to school, football, and lots of parties.

Years seem to be flying past which just goes to prove that time doesn’t stand still.

It moves along, and we move with it.

Keeping up with activities around town keeps me busy, and at the same time, it is a pleasurable experience. There is always something happening at the local bars – from contests to special parties. Each entertainment venue offers something a little different, so there is always a lot to do.

Whether you are out for happy hour on your way home from work or maybe coming back to meet friends later at night, Red Stick clubs are anxious to provide you with places to relax and enjoy the surroundings.

For those who don’t enjoy the clubs, one can always find a party or club activity going on somewhere. It’s something that brings everyone together and is the basis for what holds the community together.

Good times are available for those who want to enjoy what is being offered. It is up to you to find it.

Movers and Shakers

O

ne of the quiet community members is Tim, a new bar baron in Red Stick. Even though he seems so quiet, almost shy, it doesn’t take long to realize that you have a fun-loving and nice guy in your presence.

I have to admit that I thought at first he was a little reserved but found this to be completely the opposite. I have to say that he is one of the guys I’ve met who took me by surprise over the past few weeks.

He is completely charming when you get to know him, and he is a very knowledgeable manager of the affairs at hand, namely running a bar and getting to know or become re-acquainted with a community that he had left for a while. He is rather soft spoken and still shows a little of that quiet nature, but this is the business aspect that you see. Once you get to know him, he is such a nice one to be around.

I know that once you see that smile you know you have arrived – or been accepted into his world. Then the personality comes shining through, and you have a guy who knows how to relax and party as he reveals his hidden charm and zest for life. I find him to be a most refreshing individual, but, in a continuing observation, that business demeanor shines through in everything he does.

In moving on to another mover and shaker, I have to talk about Michael again.

I speak of Michaels quite often, but I haven’t mentioned my horticulture buddy in quite some time. This is because I hadn’t seen him in a while, but when I do, it is time to play catch-up with all the things that have happened in our lives. He came by twice in the last couple of weeks, so that means he is trying to get out early enough to relax a little.

His landscaping work takes him out to

Zachary a lot, and the arms, legs, and face are showing how much he has worked under the sun. This is what he does when he isn’t managing the Christmas store complex on Highland Road. It gets him through the slow season, but he still manages to keep up with the operation of all the businesses in the complex. I have to say that he is one of the busiest guys I’ve every known. I just wonder when he will slow down.

I’m sure Mark would like to slow him down a little more. They’ve been together for a number of years – so many I can’t even recall. However, I do recall when it happened, and it has been so good for both of them. I’m so happy I made that quick swerve on the way to Lafayette, and threw one on top of the other. I actually didn’t really swerve that much, but I wanted to get around this truck that wouldn’t get out of my way, and look what happened – true love. You don’t find that much anymore. My congratulations go out to both of them.

I also am so pleased every time I run into David. This guy is one of the hardest and most devoted workers I know. He knows all aspects of how to run a bar, and he certainly has managed the art of complete decorative and re-decorative skills.

He even lives adjacent to his work space.

Sometimes this is a good thing. It wasn’t always that way.

I’m sure you all recall the night he was injured in a shooting that almost took his life. I’ll never forget visiting him in the hospital that day and wondering how in the world this young man with such a good heart and loving spirit could have been involved in this. You never get the right story by reading the local newspaper. I know the circumstances, and he was totally in the right. Thankfully no one else was injured, but it was all so uncalled for.

I’m just glad to always see him and love my hugs, which reminds me. I forgot to get a big hug last week. I need to pay him another visit. He is a great squeezer. I’m so happy to have him as a friend.

I really enjoy being around Joy too.

This sweetheart is another good hugger, and I’ve known her for years and years. My goodness! Time does fly by. Was it the old Thirsty Tiger where we met? I’m not even sure, but she is someone who came into my life and I am so honored to have her friendship.

She keeps me updated on Jeannie’s condition. I think we all do that especially the older we become. I don’t know if it is because we are trying to hold on or if the sudden separation is bringing about a new type of anxiety. Whatever it is, I depend on Joy for these updates. I also just like to go to the bar occasionally, having a drink, and just chatting with her. Last week, I didn’t even recognize one of the other bartenders I had met and photographed earlier for Ambush. He really did look so young and so vibrant in his greeting. I love a man with a strong handshake, one that is firm but not crushing. However, I still love the hugs, and no one can do them as well as Joy. Well – maybe David, but that is a same sex

thing.

Even though she is only one street over, I seldom see Debbie unless she is passing by and stops for a chat. Of course, with the heat of this very demanding summer, I don’t get out too much. When we do run into each other, we catch up on things.

She is another of those hard-working individuals who you have to appreciate. Just checking with anyone who knows her can assure you of her great work ethics.

I think what stands out about Debbie is the way she carries herself with a kind of self assuredness that you don’t see in many women. This is a good thing too.

There isn’t anything shy about her, and even though she may come on a little strong to some people, I know her to be a kitten. She purrs perfectly, and she cares about her friends, her neighbors, and her neighborhood. She makes a perfect match for Claudette. If she gets out of hand, Claudette can just blow her off with a puff of cigar smoke. My goodness! That sounds rather sexy. You are loved, Debbie, by one and all.

I have to mention my very best buddy here, and that would be Sam. We enjoy going on trips together, doing theater plays together, and just roaming around the French Quarter together. He is busy like me constantly working but still finding time to take care of his antiques and collecting of all things unusual.

He is also an avid reader, and he love biographies. I called him to tell him about Patricia Neal, one of our favorite actresses, and now I need to find a copy of her autobiography. I let that one slip by without adding it to my collection. We both love our old movie stars, and we made it a point to go to New Orleans a year or so ago to meet Tab Hunter. For most people reading this column, that is a name of long ago and maybe not even known, but if you grew up loving movies the way I did, he was the hero of the day along with Rock Hudson, Jeffrey Hunter, Rory Calhoun, Bobby Driscoll, and so many more.

We are planning another trip for the near future. I want it to be San Francisco, but I need to make sure my Tibetan friend will be at his shop before I make final plans.

I always purchase many Christmas gifts

there. The rest of the time, it is up to the wine country and Tibetan food in Sonoma.

Okay, Sam, we need to get those plans in order soon. Time is passing too quickly, and we both need a break in our regular routines.

Miscellanea

R

obert and Brandon aren’t letting any grass tickle their butts.

They have been all over the place, or world, for that matter. Ireland was a part of their travels, and those New York trips are certainly important agenda items.

Tom celebrated his birthday recently, and a private party at his home was well attended by friends and co-workers. He and Rick are perfect hosts, and it doesn’t take a party for them to have a great time.

Attending rodeos with them is always a special time, and I’m looking forward to the next outing.

Another birthday celebrant was former Bungalow boy David, who really enjoyed the gathering for him that was held on Lucilla Lane in Spanish Town. I miss those sexy black shorts going up and down the street.

Kevin has been off to Colorado and all points in between. It was a long drive, but it was necessary so he took advantage of the trip by seeing as much a possible with stops along the way.

It looks as if Mark has given up New Orleans for West Palm Beach. I’ll have to check this out and see what is up with this sexy man. I learned about this on Facebook and haven’t had a chance to talk with him about this.

Michael is getting back into the swing of things after that vacation in Montana.

He tries to make this an annual trip to be with family and friends there, but it also gives him a chance to get back to nature and enjoy all that this beautiful country has to offer.

It is always nice to hear about trips and parties – and to see how our friends and neighbors are enjoying life. Even though summer is in full gear and going down into fall, the trips keep happening.

With “happy people,” life is a party – at all seasons of the year.

Local Non-Profit Organization Recognizes Outstanding Work Throughout Arkansas, Louisiana & Mississippi

B

aton Rouge – On Thursday, August 19th at 2pm at Old State Capitol (100 North Blvd. at River Road, the Foundation for the Mid South will launch an innovative program to highlight good deeds in Arkansas, Louisiana and Mississippi. The program, Foundation for the Mid South Do-Gooders, was established to give Mid-Southerners the voice to decide how to fund and what to fund in up to $300,000 of grants within their communities and states.

Since 1990, Foundation for the Mid South has worked to improve lives in Arkansas, Louisiana and Mississippi. In this time, it has been instrumental in leveraging over $750 million to increase social and economic opportunity in the Mid South. Foundation for the Mid South has provided grants, technical assistance and professional development; incubated new ideas and leadership; and funded research to advance the region.

“As we celebrate our 20th anniversary, we want to highlight the great work that is making a difference in our communities,” explains Dr. Ivye L. Allen, President of Foundation for the Mid South.

“Foundation for the Mid South Do-Gooders is our opportunity to recognize those whom are devoted to improving the lives of people in our region.”

Foundation for the Mid South Do-Gooders is an on-line campaign inviting the public to visit a new, interactive website and nominate organizations and individuals, contributing to or supporting great deeds within their communities. Nominations will be accepted until September 17 and will be categorized by Foundation for the Mid South’s four priority areas: health and wellness, education, wealth building and community development. A complete list of rules can be found at fndmidsouth.org.

“The people of Arkansas, Louisiana, and Mississippi are extremely generous and innovative,” says Chris Crothers, Communications Director of Foundation for the Mid South. “By launching the Foundation for the Mid South Do-Gooders campaign, we are celebrating this spirit and showcasing those making a real difference in their communities.”

34 • The Official Mag: AmbushMag.COM • August 17-30, 2010 • Of fic ial Sout her n Dec adenc e Guide • Sout her nDec adenc e.COM

Tiki tubing with Cove group

Michael in Montana

Bar baron Scoti

Nithtlife ~ Baton Rouge, Louisiana ~ Photos by Brad Benedict

Jason & Lexi

David & BJ Chansley & Jeremy

rpa ed stick par azzi

Andy & Scoti

Tom checking a message

Cute couple enjoying night out Ben & friends

Enjoying good time @ George’s

Guy corners another cutie

Stephen & a friend

Scoti & Lexi tubing Out having fun

Enjoying a night on the town

Happy threesome @ George’s

Chica La Rouge

Relaxing @ George’s

Michael & Chansley

Gay East erParade.COM • GayMardiGras.COM • GayNew Orleans.COM • August 17-30, 2010 • The Official Mag: AmbushMag.COM • 35

CANAL STREET

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ST. LOUIS

BURGUNDY

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DAUPHINE

ROYAL

CHARTES

DECATUR

CONTI

BOURBON

ST. PETER ORLEANS ST. ANN

800 DUMAINE

900 ST. PHILIP

1000 URSULINES

1100 GOVERNOR NICHOLLS

1200 BARRACKS

1300

classifieds

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1800 19 FR M A R IG N Y

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Slidell, LA [985] OLDE SLIDELL ANTIQUE DISTRICT, First & Erlanger Streets, antique malls, gift shops, doll shop & restaurants, 643.4790, SlidellAntiques.COM

autos 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 THE MIDTOWNE PUB, 153 Florida St., 450.1555 Pensacola, FL [850] EMERALD CITY, 408 E. Wright St., 433.9491, EmeraldCityPensacola.COM THE ROUNDUP, 560 East Heinberg St., 433.8482 Alexandria, LA [318] OLYMPUS BAR, 4003 MacArthur Dr., 442.6735, OlympusBar.COM Baton Rouge, LA [225] CAJUN COVE, 4550 Concord Ave.,

body rubs New Orleans, LA [504] BODY RUB & ESCORT: Charlie 504.430.7413 , Mikey 504.756.9443, 4 hands available, 24/7, in/out/hotels, pics at www.men4rentnow.com. Search by ID# 190508 [is1710]

bookstores New Orleans, LA [504] 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

cable shows

FI EL D S RT PA M A R

French Quarter/Faubourg Marigny/Bywater

antiques

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, 371.5450 OZ NEW ORLEANS, 800 Bourbon, 593.9491, OzNewOrleans. COM PHOENIX/EAGLE, 941 Elysian Fields, 945.9264 RAWHIDE 2010, 740 Burgundy St., 525.8106, Rawhide2010.COM RUBYFRUIT JUNGLE, 1135 Decatur St., 373.5431 SOCIETY PAGE, 542 N. Rampart St., 299.0156 STARLIGHT BY THE PARK, 834 N. Rampart St., 561.8939, StarlightByThePark.COM TUBBY'S GOLDEN LANTERN, 1239 Royal, 529.2860, TubbysBar.COM Slidell, LA [985] BILLY'S, 2600 Hwy. 190 West, 847.1921

246.8317 GEORGE'S, 860 St. Louis, 387.9798, GeorgesPlaceBR.COM HOUND DOGS, 668 Main St., 344.0807 SPLASH, 2183 Highland Road, 242.9491, splashbr.com Lafayette, LA [337] BACK SIDE, 209 Jefferson St., 269.0430 JULES DOWNTOWN, 533 Jefferson, 264.8000 TONIC, 2013 Pinhook Rd., 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 BOURBON PUB/PARADE, 801 Bourbon St., 529.2107, BourbonPub.COM 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

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

chiropractic

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

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 MICKEY NOLAN'S SALON, 815 Toulouse St., 587.7782 SALON D'MALTA, 1233 Decatur, 565.5555, salondmalta.com

insurance

New Orleans, LA [504] DR. MICHAEL LECHLEITER, D.C., St. Charles Chiropractic, 1529 Jackson Ave., 566.1833 [is1610]

New Orleans, LA [504] ALLSTATE: Buckwalter Insurance Group LLC, 2002 20th St., Kenner, 504.469.4800;101 Schexnayder Ln., Destrehan, 985.764.3833

circuit/events

lodging/accommodations

Sept. 1-6, 2010, 39th 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 Easter Sunday, April 24, 2011, Official Gay Easter Parade, New Orleans, sponsored

by Ambush, GayEasterParade.COM May 26-30, 2011, Memorial Day Weekend, Pensacola, FL, sponsored by Ambush, GayPensacola.COM

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

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 Hotel 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:

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

36 • The Official Mag: AmbushMag.COM • August 17-30, 2010 • Of fic ial Sout her n Dec adenc e Guide • Sout her nDec adenc e.COM

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

marketing & printing New Orleans, LA [504] SIR SPEEDY, 343 Carondelet, 586.9812, 586.9817, offering printing and marketing services including web design and hosting. info@sirspeedyneworleans.com, sirspeedyneworleans.com

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 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 10am4:45pm 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., 592.4666

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,

Gay East erParade.COM • GayMardiGras.COM • GayNew Orleans.COM • August 17-30, 2010 • The Official Mag: AmbushMag.COM • 37

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 70117-4035, 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, PO Box 15889, 70115-5889 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 NEW ORLEANS CELEBRATION: 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

retail/shopping Metairie, LA [504] SUZETTE'S, 3209 Edenborn Ave., 888.7722, Suzettes.COM 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 [French Quarter], 525.4372; 4901 Canal St. [Mid City], 488.4889, 712 Adams St. [Uptown], 861.4644, HerbImport.COM LA MINA STERLING, 840 Royal St., 324.3423, laminasterling@gmail.com PANDA BEAR, 415 Bourbon St., 529.8064 RAB DAB CLOTHING AND GIFTS, 918 Royal St., 525.6662 SERENDIPITOUS MASKS, 831 Decatur St., 522.9158 Slidell, LA [985] THE HERB IMPORT COMPANY, 1331 Englewood Dr., 643.8007, HerbImport.COM

spas New Orleans, LA [504] CLUB NEW ORLEANS, 515 Toulouse, 581.2402, www.the-clubs.com FLEX NEW ORLEANS, 700 Baronne St., 598.FLEX [3539]

tours

plumbers

New Orleans, LA [504] STEAMBOAT NATCHEZ, Toulouse Street Dock, 568.1401, SteamboatNatchez.COM

New Orleans, LA [504] RAMSEY PLUMBING, repairs, repipe, sewer & drain cleaning, water heaters, disposals, 296.6865

theatres

real estate agents GayRealEstate.COM, instant access to New Orleans & the nation's top gay & lesbian realtors, 888.420.MOVE (6683) 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

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 Cooyon's Cajun Cooking, New Orleans French Market, 1100 N. Peters St., 337.339.1131, CooyonsCajunCooking.COM Country Club Restaurant, 634 Louisa St., TheCountryClubNewOrleans.COM, 945.0742 The Green Goddess, 307 Exchange Place Alley, 301.3347, GreenGoddessNOLA.COM Krystal, 116 Bourbon @ Canal, 523.4030 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,

New Orleans, LA [504] LE PETIT THEATRE DU VIEUX CARRE, 616 St. Peter, 522.2081 MAHALIA JACKSON THEATRE OF PERFORMING ARTS, 801 N. Rampart, Armstrong Park, mahaliajacksontheater.com, 525.1052 SOUTHERN REP THEATRE, Canal Place, 365 Canal St., 3rd Floor, 522.6545, SouthernRep.COM

websites CRESCENT CITY, CrescentCity.COM GAY AMERICA, GayAmerica.COM GAY BARS, GayBars.COM GAY PENSACOLA, GayPensacola.COM OFFICIAL GAY EASTER PARADE, 828-A Bourbon St., 70116-3137, 504.522.8049, 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, 828A Bourbon St., 70116-3137, 504.522.8049, SouthernDecadence.COM PRIDE NEW ORLEANS, NOLAPride.ORG

AMBUSH

MAG.COM 828

QuartermasterDeli.NET

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under the gaydar

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

Travel Time: Sweet!

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love traveling and in the mail the other day, hot off the presses, I received information from Sweet on all their new trips they have planned for the remainder of 2010 and upcoming in 2011. Sweet is the future of lesbian travel and last year, I had the pleasure of experiencing one of their cruises and it was the most remarkable time I have ever had.

So what exotic locations do the ladies of Sweet have in store for us. Lets start with the Sweet Alaskan cruise from May 15 to the 22, 2011 aboard the Norwegian Star departing from Seattle, Washington. This epic cruise through the wilds of Alaska offers breathtaking excursions such as whale watching and sled dog tours. Enjoy the culture of the area as your ports of call include Juneau, Skagway, Ketchikan and Victoria. You will also experience the beauty of the Inside Passage and Glacier Bay. The ship boasts 13 different restaurants, a world class spa, spacious staterooms, a bowling alley, climbing wall and numerous pools. Sweeties will enjoy many amenities such as exclusive Sweetie dining area, sweet on-shore excursions, including their signature community service projects, sweet seating for shows and Sweet parties in Seattle and on board.

Coming up soon is the Sweet Cozumel Palace Resort from September 4 through the 11, 2010. Join Sweet for a week of decadence, dancing, dining and dolphins at the all inclusive Cozumel Palace Resort.

The resort will feature the unscripted hijincks of comedian Suzanne Westenhoefer, Logo/MTV’s Bridget McManus and he dykelicious musical-comedy duo That’s What She Said. DJ Trina J will crank up the volume for their pool parties and nightly Sweet club events.

This resort has it all from three scrumptious restaurants, a swim up bar, 24 hour room service and the best part is your mini bar is always stocked with your favorite adult beverages and since it is all inclusive there are no extra fees.

And in 2011, Sweet hosts the Isla Mujeres Resort. There are two opportunities to enjoy Isla Mujeres which means island of women in Spanish. April 30 through May 7, 2011 is the couples retreat and May 7 through the 14 is the singles retreat. This is also an all inclusive resort which has mesmerizing views, spacious rooms, double jacuzzis and a liquor dispenser with brand name alcohol.

I was saving the best for last, on July 21 - 31, 2011 Sweet presents their Machu Pinchu Adventure. Immerse yourself in the myths and legends of the Incas. You start in Cusco, one of the most beautiful towns in Peru and the southern capital of the Incan empire. From there you travel to the Sacred Valley to explore this fertile valley. Then you will either hike or take the train to Machu Pinchu, the perfectly preserved Inca citadel that was lost in the dense jungle for hundreds of years.

All of their tours are very reasonably priced and they offer payment plans. For

more information on all that Sweet has to offer, call 877.793.3830 or go to DiscoverSweet.COM.

Cowboys, Congressmen & Crabs, Oh My!

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peaking of traveling, if you have not seen me out lately it is because I had been traveling for the last two weeks for work and pleasure. But even my work trips always seem to end up very pleasurable. Lets start with the first of the three cities I visited on my whirlwind tour. Austin, Texas is like no other place I have ever been to in the Lone Star State, it is unique, picturesque and as Austonians pride themselves in saying “weird.”

I was there for the National Association of Catering Executives (NACE) Conference. I stayed downtown, one block off of Sixth Street and just a quick walk to some of the hottest gay clubs in the city.

Sixth Street is like our version of Bourbon Street except live music is everywhere.

Any genre of music is available on Sixth.

One of my favorite clubs was this straight bar called Pure. The décor was definitely modern with a slight retro edge to it. The bartenders were hot and friendly and the DJ was pumping out great music. Since they were not use to having a gaggle of gay men in their club, they looked slightly lost, but with a little sweet talking, they opened the second floor dance club for our private use to dance the night away, and they even gave us our own bartender. You can be assured with our drinking group, he made money.

Since this conference was to catering professionals and people in the hospitality industry, you could imagine there was a high gay quotient present. That being said, I did not really need to hit the gay bars that much, because my hotel bar turned into one after hours. And as a bonus, a conference of FBI agents were also staying in the hotel. Their area of expertise was gangland crimes, so you can imagine they were very tough looking with hot, buffed bodies. And like the Mounties I ended up getting my man.

I did manage to get out to visit the local boys at three bars downtown, the most famous one is Oilcan Harry’s which is a very fun and had a very laid back crowd.

Next door to it is a dance style club called Rain and finally one of my favorite names for a gay bar, Kiss the Fly, proved very entertaining. So to quote a famous song

by Big and Rich, while I was in Austin, I saved plenty of horses and rode many cowboys.

Austin also had some great restaurants, my favorite one was The Salt Lick which is located in Round Rock, right outside Austin. The Travel Channel voted them the best barbecue in America and they did not lie. This truly was the most incredible barbecue I have ever had in my life, hands down. Vegetarians beware, this place is not for you, because the entire area smelled of delectable meats on the

grill. They cooked ribs, brisket and sausage on these grills that were larger than some small cars. And for a pay one price, you could eat all the meat your little heart desired. The restaurant is nestled on this expansive Texas style ranch house with lots of acreage surrounding it. The food and service is exceptional.

Another great eatery was Trattoria Lasina located on the Duchman Family Winery in Hill Country right outside of Austin. We toured this fabulous winery, that had spectacular views of the surrounding hills filled with grape vines, as well as some really great vino which we readily sampled in their beautiful tasting room. After our tasting, we had dinner at Trattoria Lisina, a very noteworthy Italian restaurant. While we waited for a table, my friends and I played bocce ball outside on their court. I won almost all the games, I guess my Italian blood helped. The food was superb and the atmosphere was just stunning which made this one of the best dining experiences I had in Austin.

Other great restaurants included the South Congress Café, found on South Congress Street. Similar to Magazine Street in New Orleans, South Congress is very eclectic with some great shopping and dining. The South Congress Café is a trendy little bistro with great food at good prices. They have a very fun happy hour which we discovered later in the day when we stopped back in after a long day of shopping. Another great selling point for me, was one of the cutest guys named Terrance who had the dreamiest eyes waited on us.

We also dined at Chez Nous, this French Bistro downtown, which was just lovely and the food and the service was impeccable. For being my first time in Austin, I can guarantee you I will be back.

There are still some cowboys I have yet to rope.

The next stop on my summer tour was Washington DC. I went to visit my friend Michelle and spend a few days at her condo relaxing in the heart of Dupont Circle, which is their gay district. I love everything about DC, but my favorite thing is the men.

Hot men are just all over the place. You cannot literally go two feet without running into one. In fact, I met three during my stay, two of whom worked for congressmen.

Since I travel to DC a lot, I do not like to cram to many things into my time there, because I know I will return. On this trip I did manage to get to the Smithsonian Air and Space Museum which was mesmerizing. The exhibits were fascinating and many interactive, and they also have an IMAX. My favorite exhibit was air travel through its inception. Remember when you were younger (pre 9/11) and air travel was fun and civilized: flight attendants were called stewardesses who looked like runway models and meals were actually included. Well, they showed photos of these early flights which made me wish for days gone by.

I also went to the Norman Rockwell exhibit at the Smithsonian American Art Museum. I have always been a great fan of Rockwell, believing he showed the best part of American life and of the wonderful people that make our nation great. Many of the pieces used for this exhibit came from the personal collections of famous directors George Lucas and Steven Spielberg. One bit of trivia, is that in Rockwell’s famous sketch entitled “the Gossips,” of three old women, he used one

man dressed as a woman in all three roles.

And the gay bars in DC are the bomb, my favorite though was Nellie’s Sports Bar which is a fun and friendly place full of hot jocks. I also liked JR’s, Larry’s Lounge and Cobalt/30 Degrees. And normally I do not go to bathhouses, but I said what the hell when in Rome (or DC), let me try one out.

OMG, Crew is crazy fun and definitely worth a check out.

I ate at some wonderful restaurants there which included my favorite Italian place in Dupont called Floriana, which has the best prices and rich and savory cuisine. We also went to Level One’s disco brunch in Dupont which was a fun time and their dishes were hysterical like Studio 54 Eggs and the Freak Out French Toast.

Another fun little bistro in Dupont I loved is Annie’s which is a favorite among locals.

Raku is also worth trying out for some fresh sushi.

But my major gay thing I did while in DC this trip was to go to see Mary Poppins at the Kennedy Center and it was fantastic.

Once again the Disney people struck gold with this one. The scene where the main character tap dances upside down on the ceiling is just breathtaking.

So now the last stop on this rolling train was Baltimore and wow do I love this city. This city is known as the land of crabs, but it has so much more to offer. I was there for another conference, the International Society of Event Specialists (ISES), which again had it’s fair share of gay attendees. The Inner Harbor of Baltimore is definitely the hub of their tourist area which is where we stayed, but we managed to venture off on our own to find some fun.

We had one great party at the American Visionary Arts Museum which had some great exhibits and was an awesome place to host a function. But after the party, me and the “boys” went to hit some of the gay establishments. We went to Hippo which was nice, but right across the street was Grand Central which was our final destination of the night. Hot men, dancing till the wee hours of the morning and great drinks, what more could you ask for.

Three great American cities in two weeks and I have to say that each one offered their own identity for the gay traveler. Loved them all. You should definitely make it a point to add Austin, Washington DC and Baltimore to your list of destinations.

Returning Four to FourPlay

I

t has been a long, hot summer for Ms. Elizabeth Bouvier in her quest to find the fourth person in FourPlay, but on Friday, August 27 at JohnPaul’s, all your answers will be revealed on who will join Elizabeth, Tami Tarmac and Lauren Brown on stage. Competition has been fierce with four entertainers vying for the coveted position. At each show during the summer a different performer demonstrated for the FourPlay audience what they were made of. These four competitors were Monica St. Clair, Barbara Ella, Dominique DeLoreon and Bubbles Champagne.

The decision has been made and the finalists have been chosen; and they are (drum roll please) Dominique DeLoreon and Barbara Ella. These two ladies will battle it out by performing a group number

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Jerry Billiot wins 2nd Place: Kitchen Sink Spam Spaghetti in Spamalot @ Lafitte’s

Mr. Rikki Redd MCs Tubby’s Golden Lantern’s Turnabout raising $1,060 for Animal Rescue New Orleans

Princesse Stephaney takes on Japan @ Petronius’ Golden Jubilee Show Pat Macooder on stage for Tubby’s Golden Lantern Turnabout

Entertainer of the Year Elizabeth Bouvier appears in Petronius’ Golden Jubilee Show

Monalot Fontane hits the stage for Turnabout @ Tubby’s Golden Lantern

Sizzlin’ Hot in New Orleans

Lafitte’s mgr. Jerry presents $50 to Marsha & Rip for 1st Place: Uptown Spam Hash in Spamalot @ Lafitte’s

Co-emcees Bootsie DeVille & Opal Masters @ Le Petit for Petronius’ Golden Jubilee Show

Jerry presents Spam Sandwich Kit to Charlie Bear for 3rd Place: Pineapple Spambalaya in Spamalot @ Lafitte’s

Alexis Montana shows her stuff @ Tubby’s Golden Lantern Turnabout

Charmaine Neville live on stage @ Petronius’ Golden Jubilee Show Miss Gay Vieux Carre’ America Tami Tarmac as GAGA in Petronius’ Golden Jubilee Show

Cookie Doe charms the crowd @ Tubby’s Golden Lantern Turnabout

Marshall Harris sings live @ Le Petit for Petronius’ Golden Jubilee Show

Kenny, Jerry & Jim celebrate @ Hawaiian Weekend @ Cafe Lafitte in Exile

DJ Matt joins the staff @ Lafitte’s

Bartender Shawn & DJ Bull @ Oz

Mandona Shouldashaved belts one out @ Tubby’s Golden Lantern Turnabout

Cathy Fox & Queen Petronius Natasha do opera for Petronius’ Golden Jubilee Show

New Bourbon Pub Parade owner Sandy Sachs & GM Louis Sachs

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under the gaydar ...from 42 with the cast as well as three solo numbers. The winner will be selected by the company of the show based on several criteria, such as audience appeal, overall performance, and interaction with company members.

So be at JohnPaul’s on the 27th at 10pm to see who will be the next lady of FourPlay. JohnPaul’s is located at 940 Elysian Fields.

Getting Decadent for Decadence

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outhern Decadence is almost upon us and there are plenty of decadent parties for you to choose from the entire weekend. But one party in particular is not to be missed. Porn star sensation Michael Brandon has teamed up with PlanetHunk.COM to produce Instigator in conjunction with Instigator Magazine during Southern Decadence 2010 that will be talked about for years.

This is going to be one party that is off the charts.

Before we go into the details of the party, I wanted to give you some insight on who Michael Brandon is and why his hosting a party in New Orleans is such a big deal. Brandon’s career in the porn industry has spanned over two and a half decades and he has performed across the globe. He is a leader in the adult entertainment industry for many reasons, but most noteworthy is his six foot frame, well defined body, piercing blue eyes and monster size “personality.”

He got his first taste of the industry in the late eighties, but a life of drugs took him away from hard-core sets for a decade. He made an incredible recovery in 2000 and was back better than ever. Not satisfied with just being a porn star, he became a successful producer. He invested and became part owner of both Monster Bang Videos and Raging Stallion Studios. He has also been honored with several industry awards such as 2003/2004 Cypersocket Best Porn Star Site, 2002 Grabby Performer of the Year and 2003 Hall of Fame Inductee, Free Speech Coalition’s Lifetime Achievement Award, and he is the only model in the gay porn industry that has won back to back awards in 2002/ 2003 as GAYVN Performer of the Year.

So now you know about Michael, lets talk about his party. The event will be held at Club Ampersand, located at 1100 Tulane Avenue in the Central Business District.

Club Ampersand is an over the top, high end space with a large outdoor patio. The place will be transformed into a fabulous den of iniquity with fetish gear, slings, F*** Benches, dance cages and many more fun things.

The vibe Michael is going for is having his party, ENDOWMENT, meet Inappropriate Behavior sex party. In addition to himself, Michael hand picked all the models, which include Ricky Sinz, Drew Cutler, Alessio Romero, Mason Garet, Steven Richards, Mike Dreyden and Jay Black.

All these performers are virgins to New Orleans so you know they will be ready for a little Southern hospitality in the Big Easy.

The Instigator: Erotic Dance Party is Saturday, September 4 from 11am - 6pm.

With your price of admission, you get several amenities, a Cajun BBQ with four free beers, champagne and gelato, souvenir back pack, clothes check, towel service,

showers, slings, bottles of water, condoms and lube and a free shuttle service picking up hourly at 1014 Dumaine Street. Tickets can be purchased in advance at www.PlanetHunk.COM or at the door. Hot, wet and sexually charged men getting naked in the Big Easy, you definitely cannot get more decadent than that.

A Sarong Success

T

he Mystic Krewe of Satyricon threw one amazing summer soiree at the Lion’s Inn recently on August 8. It was filled with sun worshippers and hot men in sarongs. As guests entered they got laid by our sexy secretary Jerry, then they moved to the bar where they were serviced by Hot Toddy. Once they had been laid and liquored, they moved to the food, which was a tropical buffet. Some of my favorites was the rumaki, the Hawaiian shish kebob and the coconut rum fruit soup.

There were plenty of men running around in awe inspiring sarongs, like Brick Bishop who won the Most Bizarre award.

Then there were the sultry men, like Jorge who won sexiest, with his hot body and his gorgeous smile. And then there was me who won silliest. Well, at least I tried. It was a fun day for all those who attended and I want to thank our supporters.

What is next up on the horizon, there are many shows appearing in September, but one that is sure to be a hit is on September 30, Satyricon presents the opening night of Running with Scissors, The Golden Girls starring Varla Jean Merman and Brian Peterson. For more information on this show and many of the other shows in September, call 504.525.4498.

Divas & Drag

O

n Monday, August 9, the NO/ AIDS Task Force held their annual Divas & Drag show upstairs at the Parade and it was a huge success. I was honored to be asked to perform two numbers with my friend Princesse Stephaney, who also co-emceed with Drag King Kyle Rainer. My number in the show included a Sonny and Cher song and a Robert Palmeresque skit.

What I love about this event is that it gives people who normally do not perform, a chance to strut their stuff on stage for a worthy cause. The drag performers were flawless and the drag kings were damn hot looking boys. But many of the performers actually work for the Task Force, including my favorite Shanooki. Speaking of hot boys, they had half naked celebrity bartenders working that night giving people a reason to go to the bar often for cocktails, just to get a glimpse of their eye-catching physiques.

And a special thing happened that night, my friend and supporter of many charities in the city, Princesse Stephaney was awarded a proclamation from the Mayor. You go girl!

So what is up next, do not forget the NO/AIDS Walk on Sunday, September 12, 2010 at Audubon Park. For more information, go to www.noaidswalk.com.

What the Stritch

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lizabeth Bouvier ran inside of JohnPaul’s as the rain began outside. “Good, god, it felt like we were in that damn hospital for weeks,”

she told me as I followed her in shaking off the drops.

“I know, but in actuality we were only in there for two days,” I said noticing the owner, Paul, behind the bar. It had been a few days since we found out that Elaine Stritch, I mean Cathy Fox, was still alive.

We had an extreme need to rest our nerves with a few drinks. Elizabeth seemed especially agitated this evening. And besides we were both summoned to this place by the police. They wanted to ask us a few questions.

“Hey, Paul, can we get a few drinks over here,“ I said noticing the bar was empty except for Tittie Toulouse who was having a very heated conversation in hushed voices with Lauren Brown. Barbara Ella was sitting at one end of the bar nursing a mojito and filing her nails.

“I think I will have a vodka stinger,“ Elizabeth said as she plopped herself down on a barstool.

“I hear that Cathy Fox is still alive, what happened there?“ Paul questioned as he brought our beverages to us.

“You see that is what is wrong with America today, nobody can do anything right. It seems that we have a dim-witted murderer who cannot kill the right person.

I mean, really, it is not like she is a petite person, how can you mistake her for a 98 year old woman.“ “Elizabeth please,“ I said. “Paul, what happened was Cathy did not like her room at the hospital so she traded rooms with Mrs. Kazinsky, an older women who was in for a full body lift. They did this switch without notifying any of the hospital staff, so the charts on the room still had their names. So the killer got confused and axed the wrong person. And since the woman was in a full body cast he or she could not see her face and thought it was Cathy.“ “Poor Mrs. Kazinsky,“ Paul said shaking his head. Just then, his partner John walked up from the back carrying a box of beer. He grunted a greeting at us, whispered something in Paul’s ear, then went to the back. His mood seemed very ominous.

“Another stinger please, Elizabeth drained her glass and shook it at Paul rattling the empty ice. She leaned to me.

“This is the international language for Chop!

Chop! Barkeep!”

The door to the bar opened and C. Alice walked in wearing silly pink galoshes and matching rain slicker. She went over to the window near the back and peered out at the weather, Nurse Haley walked in right behind her and went over to her by the window, they were talking amongst themselves, when Little Debbie sauntered in carrying a basket of her famous snatch cakes.

“Well, hello everyone, are we having a blessed day,“ she said as a clap of thunder boomed in the distance. “I brought enough snatch for everyone in here and I bet that Persana Shoulders, power lesbian, will just love my snatch.”

“Oh, I am going to need another stinger if I have to put up with her,“ Elizabeth stated. Just then the door opened again and Cathy Fox entered looking very nervous. She hurried past everyone and directly into the bathroom, which I heard lock click right behind her.

I went over to the ladies room and knocked on the door, “Cathy are you okay?”

“Of course, I am not okay, you silly boy, someone is trying to kill me, I am a

total wreck. I am not leaving this bathroom until Persana arrives. She sent me a message to meet her here, then when I saw all of you, I knew she was bringing all the suspects together. Someone killed that poor old lady Kanner and I could be next.“ “You mean Kazinsky.“ “Whatever, could you bring me a martini with three olives and do not poison it, you are still a suspect.”

I sighed and returned to the bar where Elizabeth was finishing another one of those stingers off. “Did you drink another one.”

“What are you my AA sponsor?”

“You are in AA?” “Of course I am in AA, but I quit after the second step. Do you know they actually want you to stop drinking? I mean really if they would only abolish that rule they would have a lot more people join their little group. Besides, never trust anyone without a vice. It just isn‘t healthy.”

I smiled, noticing Tami Tarmac trying to slide in the door unnoticed, she looked around the bar for a moment and settled on a seat near the door. She was furiously texting on her cell phone.

The door opened and Princesse Stephaney strutted in followed by her driver carrying an umbrella over her head. She waved her hand at him and he left. “For what reason were we all summoned here by the police.”

“Cause one of you bitches tried to kill me,” came a voice from the bathroom.

“And where in the hell is my martini.”

Elizabeth stood up and announced.

“All, I have to say is whoever tried to kill Cathy, you better get it right next time.” She spied Cathy’s martini freshly fixed on the bar. I snatched it up before she could grab it and brought it to the bathroom.

A voice came from the front of the bar by the door. “You probably want to know why I, Persana Shoulders, power lesbian, have called you all here today. I have news that one of you is the killer of one Mrs. Kazinsky, age 98.” She must have come in unseen and stood at the door with Deputy Sable Nicole Starr by her side.

“Of course one of us did it, who the hell else would it be. I mean really if this is how this night is going to continue, then I need more than cocktails, get that C. Alice girl over here and see if she has any drugs.

Prescription of course, I do not want people thinking I am some trashy addict.” Elizabeth reached over the bar to grab a vodka bottle and Paul slapped her hand down.

Cathy emerged from her hiding place in the ladies room and scurried to a seat behind Persana. She was wearing an unusual fur coat.

“What’s up with the fur, lady,” Tittie said.

“This is my combat fur, I use it whenever I go out in New York and LA and I think there may be those PETA people in the area. This is from a very rare and exotic cat in the wilds of Africa. There was only six known alive, well of course five now. Anyway, I was at this art opening in Soho and this lady one time came up to me and threatened to throw paint on it. I told her go ahead and do it, I will just kill more. This fur is nearly bulletproof.”

“Nice, I need to get me one of those, Princesse said, “How many of those animals did you say was left alive?”

Persana cleared her throat getting

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The boys of summer @ Satyricon’s Sippin’ in Sarongs

Jerry Scavo joins GM Tommy Elias @ Dance Club of the Year Oz Early Dancer Mikey 5 to 8 weekends @ The Corner Pocket

SDGM XXXIII Lisa Beaumann & Barry Bareass @ The Bareass Striptease Sundays @ The Corner Pocket

Freddie, Grant & Scott with their Hair Salon of the Year award @ Bobby Blue

Hoyle & David @ Satyricon’s Sippin’ in Sarongs

Bartender Cody & bar baron Mike @ 700 Club for the Saints game

Charlie Bear - the front @ Lafitte’s

Dancer Lance competing in The Bareass Striptease @ The Corner Pocket

Michael & Jerry @ Satyricon Sarong Party

Enjoying the Hawaiian Luau feast @ Lafitte’s

Satyricon’s Function Lt. Wedon Brown, Capt. Tony Leggio, Function Lt. Stephen Rizzo & Secretary Jerry Henson @ Sarong Party The “Don Ho” show @ Lafitte’s Hawaiian Weekend

Satyricon King Paul with his posse @ Satyricon’s Sippin’ in Sarongs @ Lion’s Inn

Early dancer Wesley dancing 5 to 8 weekends @ The Corner Pocket

Brick @ Satyricon’s Sippin’ in Sarongs

Charlie Bear - the rear @ Lafitte’s

Brandon & Paul behind the bar @ Lafitte’s

Lady Antebellum, the handiwork of Salon D’Malta’s Lee Brickles

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Nightlife ~ New Orleans

Weenie Man bids farewell to Bun Boy @ Good Friends Bar

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c'est bon

by The Susan Lucci's Email: marsha@ripandmarsha.com

Award Winning Uptown Spam Hash, Kitchen Sink Spam Spaghetti & Pineapple Spambalaya

S

pam you exclaim!?! Yes, leave it up to the oldest gay bar in North America to come up with Spamalot 2010 as the kickoff for their Hawaiian Weekend.

Cafe Lafitte in Exile said “aloha” asking patrons to compete and “bring in your best Spam dish.”

While creating this particular ad for Lafitte’s here at Ambush, we both decided we had to enter this contest.

The only problem is that neither one of us had never eaten Spam before. But we were dying to place 3rd in the the contest because your prize was a Spam Sandwich Kit complete with a can of Spam, Velveeta Cheese, mayo and white bread. 1st place won $50 cash while 2nd place received a $25 bar tab.

We set about asking some of our friends what Spam tasted like. The consensus was that it was sort of like pressed ham but much saltier and jellied. As soon as the word salt came into the picture, we knew we’d have a tough

under the gaydar ...from 46 people‘s attention. “Like I was saying one of you is the killer and before this night is over, I will find out who that person is.”

There was another loud roar of thunder and the lights flickered. “Well, I might as well make some coffee, it looks like it may be a long night,” Paul said, “ and whatever anyone does, do not go in the basement.”

We all looked at each other for a moment. Elizabeth finally broke the silence. “Really, thanks for the heads up on that, but did you need to say it. I mean we are in a bar on a dark and rainy night with a probable killer and you tell us not to go wandering alone into the basement, honestly, why would we even go in the there anyway.”

“I need to say something.” It was nurse Haley. “I remembered the day of the murder, I saw a doctor on Cathy’s floor and it was someone I had never seen before.”

“You’re right I saw him too when I was there earlier. He was good looking, blond and had these eyes that looked slightly crazy,” Princesse added.

“I saw him, he ate one of my snatch cakes and I knew he was satisfied because he licked his finger afterwards. Do you think he was the killer?”

“That is strange, I never saw him, and I never miss an eligible man,” Barbara Ella spoke up.

“That is certainly a possibility,” Persana said. Suddenly on the television behind the bar one of those annoying station emergency breaks that tells you it will inform you if there was a real emergency came on.

Well, it said there was a real emergency. A

time creating a dish that we could eat, so we most likely would not be eating this dish. Both of us have high blood pressure and use No Salt to restrict our sodium intake. Well, if Spam was sort of like pressed ham, we figured we could make a Spam hash so off to Walmart to pick up the ingredients.

When we got to the canned meats, who new that there was more than one kind of Spam. There was Spam Classic with 790mg of sodium per serving (4,740mg per can), Spam Hickory

very haggard looking newscaster appeared on the screen. “We have to report that this bad weather is due to a sudden tropical storm that has just appeared out of nowhere in the Gulf and is about to head over the entire New Orleans area. The roads are closed and the authorities are advising everyone stay inside. No one should go outside until Tropical Storm Bubbles passes.”

“Bubbles, are you kidding me, who the hell names these storms?” I said.

Elizabeth walked over to the front door and opened it, it was all wind and fury.

“Tropical Strom Bubbles, hunh, looks more like a depression to me.” Suddenly a large tree crashed down outside. She quickly closed the door and went back to her vodka stinger.

“So it looks like we are trapped here for a while,” Paul said. “Well, lets do a drink special, everything $2 off. Oh and do not forget to stay away from the basement.”

“Enough already about the basement, we will not go down there. I think we have more pressing matters to deal with,” I said.

“And, what is worse than being trapped in this place with you people,” Tami said exasperated.

“Being trapped in this place with a killer,” I said. Everyone grew silent and looked around at the others suspiciously.

“Aww, hell,“ Elizabeth said downing her stinger in one gulp.

(This story is a total work of fiction, or is it?)

Have an event or have something of interest to the LGBT community, feel free to send press releases or information to tonymgp@hotmail.com.

Smoked with 640mg of sodium (3,840mg per can), Spam Bacon with 590mg sodium (3,540mg per can) Spam Lite or Spam 25% Less Sodium with 580mg of sodium (3,480mg per can), and Spam Oven Roasted Turkey with 450mg of sodium (2,700mg per can). What were we to do? Well, we gave Ken Grandpre a call and asked what should be used. He said just plain old Spam. Well, that was our answer, so into the cart went 6 cans of Spam Classic with a total of 28,440mg of sodium.

While picking up twelve large Idaho potatoes, it hit us. Our dish should be called Uptown Spam Hash. Why “uptown” you ask, because we went the extra mile and bought both pricey red and yellow bell peppers. Add to that two large onions and we were set to go.

Back at the office, it was the day before the competition, so we prepared our dish, so the flavors could meld overnight. Upon opening our first can of Spam, this jellied gunk poured out of the can unto the cutting board with the Spam coming out in one big chunk.

After wiping up the jelly stuff, we diced the Spam in large chunks. Cutting one chunk in half, we each had a taste. It wasn’t that bad and did indeed taste a little like pressed ham. After opening and cutting up the remaining five cans of Spam, we placed all of the Spam in a large roaster and placed it in a 350 degree oven. We started off with 15 minutes on the timer to brown the Spam and render some of the fat. We did it for another 15 minutes which turned into 1 hour to get the Spam somewhat brown.

We placed the Spam in a colander to get rid of some of the grease. It was quite a surprise when hardly any fat dripped through. When we gave the Spam a taste, we almost gagged. After roasting the Spam, it turned into what tasted like a cube of salt to us. It definitely was loaded with sodium.

The potatoes had all been cubed in large chunks, so we tossed them in the little bit of drippings in the bottom of the roaster thinking there would be enough salt in the drippings to flavor the potatoes. Into the oven the potatoes went for 15 minutes. In the meantime, we cut the onions and bell peppers into large chunks.

After 15 minutes, we added the onions and bell peppers to the pota-

toes and covered them with a generous dusting of no sodium garlic herb seasoning and quite a bit of Old Bay seasoning (which does have some sodium). Back in the oven they went for 45 more minutes.

We did not want to overcook the dish since it would have to be heated in the oven the next day for one hour before serving at Lafitte’s. We tasted one of the potatoes with onion and bell pepper before adding back in the roasted Spam to check for seasoning.

Much to our surprise, there was virtually no flavor of salt in the dish. So we sprinkled quite a bit of No Salt (since we have no real salt in the house) and then tossed the whole dish together adding in the Spam. We put it in a bam and then placed it in the fridge so the flavors could meld overnight.

Friday afternoon rolled around and it was time to get our Uptown Spam Hash in the oven. We checked the potatoes for flavor and discovered that they were quite tasty and had just the right amount of salt flavor. We took a small portion of the potatoes and bell peppers out for our late night snack, but no Spam. Then it was off to the competition.

A crowd had already arrived, and that is when we found out that the crowd would be the judges. Each person was given a ballot on which they had to vote for 1st, 2nd and 3rd places.

Each dish was given a number and the name of the dish. The cooks identities were not given, so the winners were chosen on the merit and the tastiness of the dish. The competitors included: 1) Aloha Spam Macaroni Salad

by Jeff Palmquist, 2) Uptown Spam Hash by us (Rip & Marsha), 3) Pineapple Spambalaya by Charlie Bear, 4) Kitchen Sink Spam Spaghetti by Lafitte’s manager Jerry Billiot, 5) Spam Brosha by Wood Enterprises GM Ken Grandpre, and 6) Spam Italiana by Wilhemina.

After the ballots were tallied, much to our surprise Uptown Spam Hash took 1st place. Jerry’s Kitchen Sink Spam Spaghetti took 2nd place and Charlie Bear’s Pineapple Spambalaya took 3rd. Congrats and thanks to all who participated which made this outing quite a fun event! And Ken we were so sorry to hear that your Spam Brosha placed last!

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chop chop

by Rip & Marsha Naquin-Delain www.ripandmarsha.com Email: info@ambushmag.com

New Orleans Restaurant Guide

“Tumblin’ Dice” Seared Tuna & Watermelon, center cut yellowfin tuna, seared with fennel pollen, cubed with local watermelon, tossed with 7 spice togarishi, avocado oil & 9th Ward sprouts @ The Green Goddess, 307 Exchange Place Alley

Special Combo Pizza (pepperoni, Italian sausage, ham, onions, mushrooms, green peppers & black olives with jalapenos & anchovies optional) @ Mona Lisa Restaurant, 1212 Royal St.

Glazed 10 oz. Pork Chop with Steen's Cane Syrup & Creole Mustard served with duck fat potatoes & green beans @ The Country Club, 634 Louisa St.

New Orleans Muffuletta (generous helping of ham, salami, provolone and olive salad) @Restaurant/Deli of the Year Quartermaster: The Nellie Deli, 1100 Bourbon St.

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 lunch and dinner. Now under the direction of Executive Chef David Duvall, the restaurant is open 11am10pm Monday-Tuesday, Thursday-Friday; 9am-10pm Saturday-Sunday with brunch 9am-3pm, closed Wednesday. 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. Cooyon’s Cajun Cooking! 1100 N. Peters Street. C’est Bon! This new open air restaurant in the Historic French Market is the perfect place to enjoy some of the best Cajun cooking. Come get “U” some! Call 337.339.1131 or visit CooyonsCajunCooking.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.

The Green Goddess, 307 Exchange Place Alley, opened in May 2009 with a progressive menu that blends New Orleans sensibilities with a globetrotting sampling of ingredients, all emanating from the small open kitchen where chefs Chris DeBarr and Paul Artigues make it happen. Call 301.3347 or visit GreenGoddessNOLA.COM. Krystal, 116 Bourbon at Canal, Open 24 hours, it's one of the best stops for fast food with tasty burgers, hot dogs and breakfast. Call 523.4030 for more info.

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.

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. Visit QuartermasterDeli.NET.

12 oz. Blackened Ribeye topped with browned butter-garlic sauce with baked potato & snow peas-carrot batonettes @ Bywater Restaurant, Deli & BBQ, 3162 Dauphine St.

Garlic Shrimp Pasta (jumbo shrimp with garlic butter sauce over angel hair pasta) @ Louisiana Pizza Kitchen, 95 French Market Place

Occo Buco, braised veal shank in a garlic, thyme and white wine demi with asparagus & potatoes @ Maximo's Italian Grill, 1117 Decatur St.

Chicken & Audouille @ Cooyon's Cajun Cooking, 1100 N. Peters in the French Market

Custon Breakfast with your favorites @ Krystal, 116 Bourbon St.

Gourmet Sliders with Onion Rings @ 700 Club Restaurant, 700 Burgundy St.

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Cowboy Dave & Tabitha

Princesse Stephaney & Oz mgr.

Glenn gettin’ ready for Drag Dingo Fridays @ Oz

Craig, Laura, Contessa Breaux & Elizabeth @ White Linen Night

Alex & Travis with Raven Kennedy during Golden Age Revue @ Show Club of the Year JohnPaul’s Bourbon Pub Parade GM Louis Sachs Clark as Cherry Delight

Julien as Neely O’Hara Alexander & Devlin as Paige Turner

Entertainer of the Year Elizabeth Bouvier plays the Queen of Hearts @ a Tales of the Cocktail event

snap paparazzi

Mike aka Cookie of 700 Club

Bartender Manny gets creative @ JohnPaul’s

Mardi Gras Productions models @ Tales of the Cocktail CAC Party

DJ Brendan as Sister Kerri Onnbagg

Packed with Celebrities

Bartender Blue - Stage Designer

Auctioneer Sam Bell

Tony Leggio being inducted into the Tales of the Cocktail 2010 Hall of Fame

Human Body painting @ White Linen Night

Silky in the Divas & Drag NO/AIDS Task Force event @ Bourbon Pub Parade

Hot celebrity bartenders @ Divas & Drag

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Nightlife ~ New Orleans Bar of the Year Lafitte’s raises ~ New Orleans17th Red Party @ Neighborhood

Oh, What A Drag! XVIII raises $6,858 for Food For Friends ~ New Orleans

Queen of the Night Zenith (Chris Morton)

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