Issuu

2 • The Official Mag: AmbushMag.COM • Mar c h 27-April 9, 2012 • Of fic ial Gay East er Parade Guide • GayEast erParade.COM

GayMardiGras.COM • GayNew Orleans.COM • Sout hernDec adenc e.COM • Marc h 27-April 9, 2012 • The Official Mag: AmbushMag.COM • 3

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

13th Gay Easter Parade Rolls April 8th @ 4:30pm

he 13th annual Official Gay Easter Parade rolls Easter Sunday, April 8th beginning at 4:30pm following its traditional route through the French Quarter. Led by Easter Grand Marshals XIII Darwin Reed and Rhonda Roget, this years parade promises to be the largest in its history with over 30 carriages, wagons, and trolleys plus bands, cars and trucks. The elegant parade showcases the creativity and culture of the Gay Community in Old New Orleans. Parade attire requested is Gentlemen: Summer Suits/Tux with Hats, Ladies: Easter Suits/Dresses with Easter Bonnets/Hats. No nudity, partial nudity or sexually explicit throws are allowed in the parade. The parade minus expenses raised by the Gay Easter Parade benefits Food For Friends, as it has for many years. Each rider in the parade pays for their carriage or provides their own transportation. In the past ten years, the Gay Easter Parade has generated over $111,187 for New Orleans charities. The Food For Friends (FFF) Program is a program of the NO/AIDS Task Force and has been supplying groceries and home delivered meals to HIV infected and affected individuals in the greater New Orleans area for over 14 years with the NO/ AIDS Task Force serving the community for over 25 years. Over 500 meals a week are currently being delivered to clients who are home bound or otherwise unable to prepare their own meals or shop. Over 23,000 meals were delivered through the Home Delivered Meals Program. The schedule for Easter Sunday includes: >2-4pm, Pre-Parade Party & Buffet, Michael's On The Park, 834 N. Rampart. All parade participants must check in with the Parade Line-up Chair Steve Patrick inside the front door to pick up their "official" line-up ticket. You will not be able to board your carriage or place your vehicle in the parade without it. >4-4:30pm, Board Carriages, followed by vehicle line-up. >4:30pm, 13th Gay Easter Parade Rolls >5:30pm, Post Parade Party & Buffet, 700 Club, 700 Burgundy Street. The parade rolls rain or shine. There are no cancellations or refunds. The route begins on N. Rampart traveling down St. Louis to Bourbon, Bourbon to Esplanade, Esplanade to Royal, Royal to St. Louis, St. Louis to N. Rampart, N. Rampart to Toulouse, Toulouse to Burgundy, ending at the corner of Burgundy and St. Peter. Parade sponsors as of press time include: Presenting - Ambush Mag; Platinum - EGM XII Elizabeth Bouvier; Gold - EGM XIII Rhonda Roget & King Amon-Ra XLVII David Forth, EGM XIII Darwin Reed & EGM VII Opal Masters, Stuart Nettles & EGM IX Safonda

inside

French Quarter Fest edition out April 10th DEADLINE: Mon., April 2nd

french quarter festival celebrazzi under the gaydar drag extravaganza pics/nola eggstravaganza paparazzi/nola 13th gay easter parade bunnies in the big easy marigny bunny hop

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pensacola paparazzi 24 mobile paparazzi 27 classifieds 28 community within communities 32 pride new orleans 34 chop chop/fatoush 35 ambush paparazzi/nola, metairie 36 big easy paparazzi/nola 38-39

Gulf South Entertainment/Travel Guide Since 1982 828-A Bourbon St. • New Orleans, LA 70116-3137 • 504.522.8049 marsha@ripandmarsha.com

Peters, Krewe of Amon-Ra, Joann & Lisa Guidos/Kajun’s Pub, EGM XII Gary Vandeventer, Todd J. Blauvelt, Electra City & Tittie Toulouse, Quartermaster: The Nellie Deli; Silver - EGM VIII Rona Conners & Bob Boler, Dwain Hertz - Al Dugas & Gene Theriot, Deja Deja-Vue’ & James May, Terry Woodard & Rick Kuzmyak/ Bungalows, Oz New Orleans, Wood Enterprises, David Richerson/Salon Versailles, Queen Amon-Ra XLVII Dr. Barry Rutherford, Jerry Scavo & Kenny Walker, Michael Cookmeyer/Michael’s On The Park, Therese & John Vignone, Michael J. Ducote & Douglas W. Minich, EGM VIII Michael Elias & Jay Sewell/The Corner Pocket, Glen Kahrman & Noel Twilbeck, Johnson Mire & Fernandez/CPAs, PFLAG New Orleans; Bronze - EGM X Tony Leggio, Dawn Leggio, King Cake Queen XIX Nicole DuBois, Starr Daniels & Justin Moffatt, Ranzy Montet & Creig Istre, Michael Durocher, Orlando Aloe/Society Page, Mystic Krewe of Satyricon, Glenn O’Berry & Roger Copenhaver, Michael Strickland, Steve Patrick, King Amon-Ra XLIV Nick Olivares & Roy Smith, Josie Mae Cotton & Rudy Snyder, Frank & Peter Abbruscato, Bebe Scarpinato, New Orleans Bear and Bear Trapper Social Club, Frankie Fierce & Dusty Debris, Freddie Guess/ Fredrick Guess Studio, David Berni, Jeffrey Palmquist & Coca Mesa, Randy Chesnut/The Drama Club-Houma, Jill Dolese, Billy Matthews & Tony Phillips, Tubby’s Golden Lantern, Michael Sullivan, Thomas Schoonenberg, EGM II Larry Bagneris, James Stevens, Toby Lefort & Al Herrera/Club LAX, Laurie Aicklen/Spudly, TJ Conrad, Marty Curtin & Koo Gaffney, Icons/ LAX in memory of Marcy Marcell, Icons/ LAX in memory of Marcy Marcell; Venue/In-Kind - 700 Club, Chef Ron’s Gumbo Stop, Club LAX, Cutter’s, The Double Play, Larry Graham, Michael’s On The Park, Oz, RitzCarlton. Sponsorships are still available in five categories: Presenting ($2,500+), Platinum ($1,000), Gold ($500), Silver ($250), or Bronze ($100). Get your sponsorship forms online at GayEasterParade.COM.

13th Purple Party March 31 @ Double Play

he 13th Purple Party Easter Grand Marshals Reception is one of the last two fundraisers for the Gay Easter Parade benefiting Food For Friends. The annual event is Saturday, March 31st, 810pm, at The Double Play, 439 Dauphine Street, honoring Easter Grand Marshals XIII Darwin Reed and Rhonda Roget. Under the direction of the GEP Board of Directors, Easter Grand Marshal XI Chuck Turner and partner Bill Miller host the extravaganza which also celebrates the couple's 41st anniver-

sary. Purple is the suggested attire for the evening. There is a $5 door donation featuring Chuck and Bill’s legendary buffet, raffles, prizes and many fab auctions including Big Easter Chick Basket, Royal Carriage Egg with spinning Prince & Princess and one of a kind 32” Katherine “Diva” Porcelain Doll, the last two donated by Easter Grand Marshal VIII Rona Conners. Past Grand Marshals include EGMs I Rip and Marsha Naquin-Delain, II Larry Bagneris and the late Miss Do Moreland, III Timm Holt and Teryl-Lynn Foxx, IV George Simons and Electra City, V Brett Messmer and Princesse Stephaney, VI James Swire and Lisa [continued on 8]

THE OFFICIAL MAG

Facebook.COM/AmbushMag Gulf South Entertainment/Travel Guide Since 1982 • Louisiana-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 OVER 1 MILLION: 260,000+ in print/780,000+ On-line CIRCULATION: Alabama-Mobile Florida - Pensacola Louisiana - Baton Rouge, Lafayette, Lake Charles, Metairie, New Orleans, Slidell Mississippi - Bay St. Louis, Biloxi

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 NEW ORLEANS AD SALES Paul Melancon 504.357.8440 paulmelancon_ambushmag@yahoo.com THEATRE/PERFORMING ARTS CRITIC Brian Sands AD REPS/JOURNALISTS/PHOTOGRAPHERS Tony Leggio, Kyler Landry, Nawlins Pics, Rev. Bill Terry, Rory Wright-New Orleans Bob Brunson, Cieanne & John, Leon WeekleyMobile, AL Lauren Mitchell-Pensacola, FL Roy Williams-Pensacola, FL 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. ©1982-2012, 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 • Mar c h 27-April 9, 2012 • Of fic ial Gay East er Parade Guide • GayEast erParade.COM

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celebrazzi

ay Easter Parade Boards Opal Masters and Tony Leggio flank Easter Grand Marshals XIII Rhonda Roget and Darwin Reed for the 11th annual Super Star Studded Drag Extravaganza hosted at Oz raising $5,814 for Food For Friends. Under the direction of Rip and Marsha Naquin-Delain, the event brought royalty performances from the Krewes of Amon-Ra, Armeinius, Petronius and Satyricon to the stage, as well as many King Cake Queens. The event raised $4,964 and brought in $850 in sponsorships, and was emceed by Opal Masters and Darwin Reed. (GayEasterParade.COM)

ay Easter Parade’s 4th Eggstravaganza, under the direction of GEP Boards Opal Masters, brought in $4,012 for Food For Friends with $2,562 from the event plus $1,450 in sponsorships. (GayEasterParade.COM) (Photo Dusty Debris, Bootsie DeVille, Natasha Sinclair, MC Opal Masters, Hostess Ms. Missy May, EGM XIII Rhonda Roget, Ms. Jenkins, Monalot Fontaine & Parade Line-up Chair Steve Patrick; front-MC Tony Leggio & EGM XIII Darwin Reed)

he new Krewe of Amon-Ra board of directors welcomed pledges to the 48th annual Rush Party at Good Friends Bar in New Orleans. Visit KreweOfAmonRa.COM for more info. (Photo: top-Ball Captain Opal Masters, Secretary Ron Issler, Vice President Joann Guidos, President Deja Deja-Vue, Special Lieutenant Michael Strickland & Treasurer Paul Davis; bottom-Ball Lieutenant Pete Eschete & Function Lieutenant David Richerson)

z GM Tommy Elias joins the new dark pop diva Guinevere after her sensational live performance of “Crazy Crazy” at Oz New Orleans along with Oz MC Persana Shoulders. Photo by Nawlins Pixs. (OzNewOrleans.COM)

ar Barons Jimmy Kilgour, Mac McAll and Dudley LeBlanc celebrate the 7th anniversary of Cutter’s Bar on St. Patrick’s Day in New Orleans. In addition to the Downtown Irish Parade, Jimmy served up his famous St. Paddy’s Day Feast including glazed corned beef, smothered cabbage, and homemade rye bread along with Dudley’s famous potato salad. (CuttersBar.BIZ)

n The DL with Dominique DeLorean was chockful of stars and is a hit at 4 Seasons in Metairie, Louisiana. Photo by Nawlins Pixs. (Photo: Lauren Brown, 4 Seasons' Duane Sullivan, Hannah, Corynne Sinclaire Deville, Countess C. Alice, Angela & Dominique DeLorean)

he St. Joseph’s Altar on March 19 at St. Joseph’s Church on Tulane Avenue in New Orleans is one of the favorites of Ambush’s annual pilgrimage to St. Joseph’s Altars around the French Quarter.

6 • The Official Mag: AmbushMag.COM • Mar c h 27-April 9, 2012 • Of fic ial Gay East er Parade Guide • GayEast erParade.COM

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the "official" dish ...from 4 Beaumann, VII the late Doc Reed and Opal Masters, VIII Michael Elias and Rona Conners, IX Orlando Aloe and Safonda Peters, X Tony Leggio and the late Marcy Marcell, XI Chuck Turner and Tittie Toulouse, and XII Gary Vandeventer and Elizabeth Bouvier.

3rd Bunnies in The Big Easy Good Friday, April 6 @ Ritz-Carlton

ll roads on Good Friday, April 6th will lead to the prestigious Ritz-Carlton 12th floor Crescent Ballroom at 921 Canal Street. The 3rd annual Bunnies In The Big Easy: Put the Good Back in Friday is the last fundraiser for the Gay Easter Parade benefiting Food For Friends. Under the direction of GEP Board's Tony Leggio and Rona Conners, the evening promises to be out of this world with complimentary culinary delights, vodka cocktails, wine, beer and soft drinks along with DJ Rockin’ Ron, special performances, hot bunny boys, 50/50 raffle, incredible live auctions plus many more surprises. Only advance tickets at $40 per person will be sold. Tickets are very limited so call Tony Leggio at 504.415.6476 or Rip Naquin at 504.522.8049 now to make sure you get tickets to this amazing event. Visit GayEasterParade.COM for more information and like Gay Easter Parade at Facebook.COM.

11th Drag Extravaganza raises $5,814 @ Oz

he 11th annual Super Star Studded Drag Extravaganza raised $5,814 for the Gay Easter Parade benefiting Food For Friends at Silver Sponsor Oz. The event brought in $4,964 with an additional $850 in sponsorships. Under the direction of GEP Board's Rip and Marsha Naquin-Delain, the event brought royalty performances from five Gay Mardi Gras krewes, a first at an Easter event, along with Easter Grand Marshal XIII Rhonda Roget to the stage at Oz. GEP Board's Tony Leggio and Opal Masters emceed the affair with entertainment by

Nicole DuBois (King Cake Queen XIX), Sydney Williams (Queen Amon Ra XLVII). Aunt Ida Comeaux (Queen Armeinius XLIII), Bootsie DeVille (Queen Petronius L), Ms. Rizzo (Queen Satyricon X), Marsha Naquin-Delain (King Cake Queen XV, EGM I), Princesse Stephaney (King Cake Queen XIV, EGM V), Raven Kennedy (King Cake Queen XIII), and Lisa Beaumann (King Cake Queen IX, EGM VI). One of the highlights of the evening was the "Man I Feel Like A Woman Put EGM XIII Darwin Reed in Drag" auction with the assistance of King Cake Queen XIX Nicole DuBois. Raising a total of $1,347, it brought in $170 for the dress and $45 for the shoes from Dillon, $55 for blush-eye shadow and $110 for lipstick from John Vignone, $100 for eyelashes from EGM XIII Rhonda Roget, $80 for nails from Bourbon Pub's Chuck Kee, $60 for earrings/jewelry from Marsha NaquinDelain, $270 for the wig from Kajun's Pub's Lisa and Joann Guidos, $150 for name that queen Santa-Claudette Masters and $100 for the song from Rip Naquin-Delain, plus $207 in stage performance tips.

The huge (10” tall) Royal Elephant Faux Faberge’ Musical Egg auction with the prize inside being a framed gilded portrait of Czar Nicholas on one side and Czarina Alexandra donated by Easter Grand Marshal VIII Rona Conners went for an astounding $1,200 to Double Play's Chuck Turner. The Easter Big Basket auction done by GEP Boards Electra City and Tittie Toulouse worth over $1,000 in liquor and prizes went to a group of women called Anonymous for $625. The door brought in $950 while stage performance tips came in at $842. Sponsorships included Gold $500 from Todd Blauvelt, Silver $250 from Food For Friends' Glen Kahrman and NO/ AIDS Task Force's Noel Twilbeck, and Bronze $100 from Jeffrey Palmquist and Coca Mesa.

4th Eggstravaganza raises $4,012 @ Michael's On The Park

he Gay Easter Parade's 4th Eggstravaganza raised $4,012 at Silver Sponsor

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

Book of the Month: March

the "official" dish ... from 8 Michael's On The Park benefiting Food For Friends. Under the direction of GEP Board's Opal Masters, the evening brought in $2,562 from the event and $1,450 in sponsorships. Bar baron Michael Cookmeyer did an incredible buffet for the affair. Emceed by GEP Board's Tony Leggio and Opal Masters, Ms. Missy May acted as the hostess for the affair. In addition to the emcees, entertainment included Easter Grand Marshal XIII Rhonda Roget, Little MM, Queen Petronius XLIX Natasha Sinclair, Dusty Debris as Lady Gaga, Monalot Fontaine, Queen Petronius L Bootsie DeVille and the talents of Ms. Jenkins. The five auctions included a lovely Easter silk arrangement donated by Deja Deja-Vue' with top bid of $120 from Kajun's Pub's Lisa and Joann Guidos, a brand new beautiful ladies red Easter suit donated by EGM XIII Rhonda Roget with top bid of $50 from Deja Deja-Vue, beautifully framed 2011 signed print by famed artist Jamie Hayes donated by Deja Deja-Vue' with top bid of $120 from Double Play's Chuck Turner, Yellow Bunny Basket with over $500 in prizes with top bid of $225 from Club LAX's Toby Lefort, Make Missy May Perform with top bid of $250 from Will Antil, and Retired Painted Pony named Fancy Dancer donated by EGM VIII Rona Conners

with top bid of $200 from Double Play's Chuck Turner. The door raised $560, stage tips $655, and the 50/50 raffle raised $382 with winner Devin Parro donating his half back to the Easter Parade. Sponsorships included: Silver $250 EGM VIII Michael Elias and Jay Sewell/ The Corner Pocket, Johnson Mire & Fernandez/CPAs, PFLAG New Orleans; and Bronze $100 Randy Chesnut/The Drama Club-Houma, Jill Dolese, Billy Matthews & Tony Phillips, Tubby’s Golden Lantern, Michael Sullivan, Thomas Schoonenberg, and EGM II Larry Bagneris.

National LGBTQ Health Awareness Week

he NO/AIDS Task Force and the Gay Men’s Wellness Project would like to invite you to join the National LGBTQ Health Awareness Week, now through March 30th. Throughout the week we will be providing free health and wellness workshops, resources and general awareness for our community. Listed below is a full schedule for the week: Tuesday, March 27th, 7-8pm- Re:Vision presents MGroup – “The Space” – 2114 Decatur St. (Through the Garage Door) – Open to Gay and Bi Men ages 18-35 M-Groups are exciting and informative one-time sessions that combine sex positive learning and a proactive approach to your sexual health. It’s a great way to meet new people while learning how other gay/bi men form healthy relationships. Learn how to advocate for yourself, all while having fun with a new group of guys! Food and drink will be provided,

know Mardi Gras is over, but I just read a fabulous novel about the holiday written by local playwright and author Hiram Ed Taylor. The Secret Society of St. Mystic is one of those books that you can read very quickly. For locals, the characters are all people we either know or can relate to living in this city. Like another famous recent nonfiction book Nine Lives, this story is bookended by two great storms, Betsy and Katrina. But that is the only similarity; the plot follows Palmer Buzzbit as he approaches his fiftieth birthday. Buzzbit’s entire life has been about New Orleans’ Mardi Gras as he designs and builds floats for five parades in the city. We quickly follow him through his childhood days to present. Once Katrina hits his entire world crumbles around him both personally and professionally. But this is not a story about

a storm, but a tale of one man’s journey from the darkness back into his life. I loved this book on so many levels. Every person who lived in this city can relate to the characters, their heartbreak and their fight for survival in a city we all love. I found the book to be a love story of one man’s quest to fall in love with his city again, as well as discover the happiness he had right before his eyes. Many of us took so much for granted before Katrina; that this could be any one of our stories. In addition to Secret Society, Taylor has written 27 plays, which have been produced in New York City, Los Angeles and New Orleans. Four are published in the book Louisiana Plays. He lives in New Orleans, where he is active in Mardi Gras secret society krewes and has won four awards for

as well as two free movie passes! Due to limited space, please RSVP for this event to Brandon Benson 504.945.4000 x203 or BrandonB@Noaidstf.org. Tuesday, March 27th, 7-8pm - What You Really Wanted to Ask in SexED! Women who Sleep with Women (WSW) by Quest Hunter LGBTQ Center – 2114 Decatur St. The Women who Sleep with Women (WSW) workshop will examine the sexual relationships of WSW with a focus on safer-sex practices. Using sexual health as the parameter, the workshop will include demonstrations and serve as a sexy, stress-free template for protecting yourself and your partner. The WSW workshop features intimate, candid discussions that provide tips and techniques to make safer sex a no-brainer. No proselytizing, no genderpolicing, and no nonsense! Wednesday, March 28th, 5-7pm – Free STD Screenings -NO/AIDS CAN Office – 507 Frenchmen St. The Gay Men’s Wellness Center, NO/ AIDS Task Force and N’R Peace will be providing FREE Gonorrhea, Chlamydia and Syphilis screenings for Gay & Bisexual men. Screenings will be done on a first come, first serve basis. The Gonorrhea and Chlamydia screenings are done by urine samples, Syphilis is a blood draw. Results take 2 weeks to process. Thursday, March 29th, 6:30pm- Food and Sex Talk by Ginger Bouvier – LGBTQ Center – 2114 Decatur St. – Open to all LGBTQ Folks Two things without which humans cannot exist: food and sex. The two appetites are closely connected. If pursued without regard to consequence, either can prove hazardous not only to one’s health, but also to the health of other people, and even to society itself. This “stimulating” presentation will examine the connection between food and sex, as well as discuss ways to have a safer sex life and a healthier relationship with food. Ginger Bouvier is a Registered Dietitian and Licensed Nutritionist, specializing in Medical Nutrition Therapy in HIV for nearly 18 years. She is a huge proponent of nutrition and exercise as preventive medicine. Friday, March 30th, 5-9pm – LGBTQ Com-

munity Crawfish Boil - 4005 St. Claude Ave (at Bartholomew St.) Open to all LGBTQ Folks and Allies To culminate a week of events for National LGBT Health Awareness week, we invite you to join the staff of the Gay Men’s Wellness Center, Re:vision NOLA, and the new African American Mpowerment project! This event will be held at NO/AIDS newest project space, this location will host our newest project targeting Black Gay and Bisexual men ages 13-29. The new project will offer regular events such as movie nights and discussions with the goal of building a greater sense of community for black gay and bisexual men. The project will also address rising rates of HIV in the community. Come be one of the first to check out our new space and enjoy some great food, games, music, prizes, and company along the way! There will be food (vegetarian friendly options too!), games, music, and door prizes! Free, confidential, rapid HIV testing will be provided on a first come, first serve basis. Re:Vision is a social group open to gay and bi men in New Orleans, ages 18-35, that promotes safer sex, healthy relationships, community building, and most of all, fun! We have a number of unique events every month as a direct result of input from group members. Have an idea for an event? Great! Contact Matt or Brandon (504)-656-6827 to get involved and like us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/nolarevision to keep up to date on all of our events. For more information on the New Orleans Gay Men’s Wellness Center or any of the events listed please visit their Facebook page http://www.facebook.com/NOLAgaywellness or contact Alex Leigh at 504.945.4000 x211 or at AlexanderL@noaidstf.org. The new African American Mpowerment Project is a program of NO/AIDS Task Force made possible by a CDC grant for $1.6 million over 5 years. The project was created in response to rising rates of HIV in the African American Gay and Bisexual community. The as-yet unnamed project will be located at 4005 St. Claude Avenue. The project’s grand opening is expected to be held in late April.

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under the gaydar ...from 10 his float designs and float painting. And, he throws one hell of a Twelfth Night party if I may say so myself. Knowing Ed personally, I find that this book is a labor of passion from a man who loves Mardi Gras and the Big Easy. Make this a must read on your list. You can find the Secret Society of St. Mystic online or go to our favorite local LGBT bookstore in the Marigny, FAB, located at 600 Frenchman Street.

Bunnies in the Big Easy Puts on the Ritz!

he Bunnies in the Big Easy fundraiser announces its third annual event on Friday, April 6 in the Crescent City Ballroom at the Ritz-Carlton Hotel. As many know, this is one of the sexiest and exciting of the Gay Easter Parade events. This year we have more thrills and surprises in store for guests. The event will be held at the Ritz-Carlton from 7-10pm. Tickets are $40 per person and that includes food, a vodka, wine and beer bar, entertainment, live auction and the fabulous 2012 Bunny Boys shaking their cotton “tails.” There are only 100 tickets sold for this event, so reserve yours now by calling Ambush Magazine at 504.522.8049. No tickets will be sold at the door. For all of those who have never been to this event before, we put the “Good” back into Friday.

Preparing for Pride

he New Orleans Pride Committee has announced the finalists for the 2012 Pride Grand Marshals this year and it is a literal of who’s who in the gay community. I read over some of the names and asked myself who is that? Just kidding, most people probably said that when they read my name. I am honored to be one of the nominees as Grand Marshal this year. This is your chance to support the community and find out who will be next year’s Gay Pride Grand Marshals at the 2012 Grand Marshal Announcement Party & Gala, hosted by Persana Shoulders of Oz New Orleans and Princesse Stephaney. The event will be held on Saturday, April 7 on the 2nd Floor of the Hotel Monteleone from 8-11pm. Advance tickets to the event are $20 or $30 at the door. Your best bet is to get a reserved table for only $150 which includes six admissions. The event will also recognize all former Grand Marshals, and the 2012 Grand Marshals will be announced prior to a concert by Louisiana’s own, Amanda Shaw. There will also be food, a cash bar, and entertainment by Mr. and Miss Gay Pride. The dress is business casual. For more information, go to www.prideneworleans.org.

Are You Ready To Hop To It!

he 10th annual Marigny Bunny Hop, an Easter bonnet bar crawl, will be held on Saturday, April 7. And as last year’s Bunny Marshal, I have to say this is one of the most craziest fun events of the Easter season. Everyone is invited to don their most creative or outrageous Easter “bonnet” and join the bar crawl as it makes its way to 8 different gay businesses in the Marigny. At each stop, bonnets will be judged in various categories by the bartenders and staff, and trophies will be presented. This year, the Bunny Marshals (BMs) leading the festivities will be organizers Marty Curtin and Jeff Mallon. They will be responsible for guiding the Easter revelers along the route. Previous Bunny Marshals (BMs) include: Lewis Routh I-III, Guadelupe IV, Poncho V, Fish VI, Rip & Marsha VII, Joanne & Lisa Guidos VIII, and Tony Leggio IX. The event will begin at 2pm at The Friendly Bar, 2301 Chartres, and will make stops at the following locations where the various trophies will be presented: The Friendly Bar- Best Couple, Big Daddy’s - Widest Bonnet, Mimi’s - Tallest Bonnet, Cutter’s - Most Glamorous Bonnet, Who Dat Cafe - Best Newbie (for first time participants), Kajun’s Pub - Sissiest Bonnet, The Phoenix Butchest Bonnet, JohnPaul’s - Best Group (minimum of three members), Ambush Magazine - Best of Best, and Event Organizers - Meyer-Routh Spirit Award Do not miss out on this event, I will be in full Easter bonnet regalia.

Party Down

ou know what I love about this city is the fact no matter what day of the week, one can always find a party here. I began my two week jaunt on Monday by attending the 13th annual Crack Whore Ball at the Bourbon Pub. I had never been to this event which is geared to the hospitality community. From what I gather, it is a chance for all those people who worked over Mardi Gras to celebrate in style with their own ball thrown just for them. And boy did they, this was one hell of a costume party. Rip and Marsha with Ambush treated a group of us to the party, and what an incredible way to spend a Monday night. What a great deal, for the minor admission price of $40 per person, you got an open bar for four hours of premium liquor, as well as a dance and costume party that was over the top. The DJ was spinning such great tunes, that I rarely left the dance floor. If you missed it, I highly recommend checking it out next year. The costumes alone were worth the price of admission.

On Wednesday of that week, I went to a lovely hospitality reception at the Hotel Mazarin. The weather was gorgeous for the courtyard reception which showcased some boutique businesses in the city. One of the small companies highlighted was Billy’s Bites, who wowed guests with his miniature desserts. Birthdays have always been a special time for me, and I do not mean just celebrating mine, but I like to go out of my way to make the day memorable for those very people in my life. Friday of that week, I did just that. I took a very special friend on an all-day adventure that probably ranks as one of my top most outstanding days. I met him that morning with flowers, and then whisked him off for coffee at the place we first met, which was Canal Place at Art Against AIDS, a year and a half ago. On the third floor, I had some friends set up a table complete with elegant linens and centerpiece so we can have our coffee overlooking the river. After that, I brought him out to the Zoo, a place where we had another fun evening out together for a behind the scenes tour of the facility. We fed elephants, bears, swamp critters and handled snakes. I have to admit; even though I had done everything before was blown away by how much fun this was, and felt very fortunate to get to do it with a great person. Then we went to lunch at the Court of Two Sisters sitting in the courtyard under the blooming wisteria plants, which we followed up with cocktails on the rooftop of the Omni Royal Hotel with a birds-eye view of the entire Quarter. After a few more drinks at Oz with Frankie, we took a break. Later that night, we met up for an epic dinner at Le Meritage, then drinks and a drag show at Michael’s On The Park, and a nightcap at The Friendly Bar. Trust me, sometimes making others happy can be a far more rewarding experience. Saturday, we amped up the Gay Easter Parade fundraisers with the 11th annual Drag Extravaganza in which Opal Masters, Tittie Toulouse, Electra City and I hosted. It was a great night with a lively crowd, but the crowning touch was putting Darwin in drag. I have to say that his Indian rain dance was a sight to behold. The following day, I went to two more gay carnival krewes’ rush parties. The first was Amon-Ra at Good Friends and the second was Satyricon at Michael’s On The Park. Both were great events with lots of potential new members in attendance. It is always so good to see new blood interested in this historic art form. Congratulations to both krewes for putting on wonderful balls and hosting nice rush parties. On Thursday of the following week, I was very lucky to be asked by my friend Ashley to be her guest at the Lion King at the Mahalia Jackson Theatre. OMG, the costumes were

fabulous, I mean the elephants, giraffes and lions were just grace in motion. This definitely is one of those must see plays, for no other reason than to see some the dazzling costume design. On Friday, I was once again back at Michael’s On The Park for the 4th Annual Eggstravaganza which I emceed. Opal Masters did a monumental job in making this event a huge success. From the food to the 50/50 raffle, we had another banner occasion for the Gay Easter Parade. After the show, I met up with Frankie Fierce and we bounced over to the cast party at the Hotel Monteleone for the Lion King. It is always cool to rub elbows and other body parts with the actors, musicians and stage hands that are in town for a short time period. We had great food, met so many people and I found out later that night how to make the king of the jungle purr. Saturday was St. Patrick’s Day and Irish eyes were smiling on the city of New Orleans. We had some of the best weather for a day of celebrations, drunken revelry and parades. I started the day with a bunch of friends at Contessa Breaux mansion on St. Charles for the Irish parade. Now I figured out the secret to catching maximum beads and throws, wear a costume. I put on a tutu and tiara, and I was the shit. I caught more stuff than children near me and kissed more men than any of the girls I was with, a new personal best. Like they say in Broadway, you gotta have a gimmick. Since the costume worked so well for me at the first parade, I decided to wear it out to the downtown parade that evening. I met up with some different friends at Cutter’s for their 7th anniversary/St. Patrick’s day celebration. As always, they had some delectable Irish fare such as corned beef, cabbage, potato salad and homemade bread. After eating, we went out to see the parade, and my costume once again proved to be a lucky charm, as I caught lots more things. So be prepared people, you may be catching some green beads in the Easter parade, just saying. After the parade, Princesse Stephaney and I twirled around the gay bars for a brief moment before I went home and crashed. My Sunday Funday was full. I started the day by going to Drag Brunch at the Country Club with my friend Jared. The food was once again delicious and Coca, Moanalot Fontaine and Sheya Mann put on an entertaining show. After many mimosas, I went to Michael’s On The Park to celebrate the owner, Mike’s birthday party. Once again he went all out cooking some scrumptious barbecue and had the Zoo Revue show led by none other than the incomparable Rusty LeRoux. Happy birthday Mike, and thank you for making Michael's On The [continued on 17]

14 • The Official Mag: AmbushMag.COM • Mar c h 27-April 9, 2012 • Of fic ial Gay East er Parade Guide • GayEast erParade.COM

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snap King Cake Queen XV & Easter Grand Marshal I Marsha NaquinDelain opens the show

Queen Amon-Ra XLVII Sydney Willams performs

King Cake Queen IX Lisa Beaumann performs

Easter Grand Marshal XIII Rhonda Roget performs

Marsha gets earrings & jewelry for “Put Darwin in Drag” auction with KCQ Nicole Queen Armeinius XLIII Aunt Ida Comeaux performs

Queen Satyricon X Ms. Rizzo performs King Cake Queen XIX Nicole DuBois performs

MCs Opal Masters & Tony Leggio flank Royal Elephant Egg top bidder Chuck Turner @ $1,200

Queen Petronius L Bootsie DeVille performs

Gold Sponsors Kajun’s Pub’s Lisa & Joann get the wig for “Put Darwin in Drag” auction Dillon gets the dress & shoes for “Put EGM XIII Darwin Reed in Drag” auction

Silver Sponsor John Vignone does blush, eye shadow & lipstick for “Put Darwin in Drag Auction” with KCQ Nicole DuBois

King Cake Queen XIV Princesse Stephaney performs

Anonymous’ $625 bid wins giant Easter Basket auction with GEP’s Electra & Tittie

Bourbon Pub’s Chuck Kee gets nails for “Put Darwin in Drag” auction

King Cake Queen XIII Raven Kennedy performs

EGM Rhonda get to do eyelashes for “Put Darwin in Drag” auction

Rip gets the song & Name That Queen as Santa-Claudette (Mrs. Claus) Masters in Darwin auction

Silver Sponsors Al & Dwain with Bronze Sponsors Josie & Rudy

16 • The Official Mag: AmbushMag.COM • Mar c h 27-April 9, 2012 • Of fic ial Gay East er Parade Guide • GayEast erParade.COM

11th Super Star Studded Drag Extravaganza raises $5,814 for Gay Easter Parade/Food For Friends @ Oz ~ New Orleans

paparazzi

under the gaydar ...from 14 Park one of the premier clubs in the city. I hope everyone has their bonnets ready for the Gay Easter Parade. I will be on one of the carriages, so yell my name and I will make sure to throw you something very special.

Tony’s Tidbits of Wisdom

ecently, I heard someone describe another person as “just friends.” And, weirdly enough I took offense to the way that came out. In fact, I hate the entire term “just friends.” When you say that phrase, it is as if you deem the bond you share with them is not as deep or important as pone with a lover, partner, etc. In the gay community, the friends

we make become our family, and in many cases replace them. Those people whose families have cast them out because of their sexual orientation know what I mean. I have many people I count as good acquaintances in my world, but only a handful of them are my true friends. A real friend is someone who will not only talk you off the ledge, but join you out there until you get down. You share your deepest fears, dreams and secrets with them. They are there to hand you the Kleenex when you cry and hug you when good things happen. They keep you grounded, and will be brutally honest when needed and sometimes tell you a little white lie to make you feel better. They are more loyal then probably your husband, boyfriend, lover or significant other. They will lead you not only into temptation, but sometimes deliver you from evil. And, you do not have to have lots

of these genuine friends in your life. One is really all you need. Lovers come and go, but nothing is more devastating than the loss of a friend. And, for those who do not know, real friends make the best lovers, while so many of the people you hook up with have only their own pleasure in mind, a friend knows what will make you happy. They place your feelings first even over their own happiness. You cannot have an authentic friendship with someone who you do not love. Love is the key to long lasting friendships, and friendship is the key to enduring relationships. So next time you refer to someone as just a friend, think of what it would be like if that person was no longer in your life. And tell me again that you are just friends. If you have an event, story or idea, you want covered, contact me at tonymgp@hotmail.com.

GayMardiGras.COM • GayNew Orleans.COM • Sout hernDec adenc e.COM • Marc h 27-April 9, 2012 • The Official Mag: AmbushMag.COM • 17

Queen Petronius L Bootsie DeVille performs

Dusty Debris as her famous Lady Gaga persona on stage

Ms. Jenkins gets the spirit

Double Play’s Will (r) gets top bid to have hostess Ms. Missy May perform

GEP Boards Rip & Marsha

50/50 Raffle boy David with Silver Sponsor Deja & Stephanie

The scrumptious buffet courtesy of bar baron Michael Cookmeyer

MC Opal Masters entertains

Missy May performs

Silver Sponsors Oz’s Persana Shoulders & Club LAX’s Toby Lefort

Co-MC & GEP Boards Tony Leggio kicks off the show

Gold Sponsor Safonda Peters & Silver Sponsor Missy May

Cousin Joann joins Little MM & Sister Patti after MM’s performance Ms. Jenkins on stage again Queen Petronius XLIX Natasha Sinclair performs

Easter Grand Marshal XIII Rhonda Roget performs

MCs Tony & Opal present Club LAX’s Toby Lefort as top bidder in the Yellow Bunny Basket auction

Monalot Fontaine performs

Silver Sponsor & Michael’s bar baron Michael Cookmeyer & Princesse Stephaney

18 • The Official Mag: AmbushMag.COM • Mar c h 27-April 9, 2012 • Of fic ial Gay East er Parade Guide • GayEast erParade.COM

4th Eggstravaganza raises $4,012 for Gay Easter Parade/Food For Friends @ Michael’s On The Park ~ New Orleans

Eggstravaganza director Opal Masters with Bunny Ray & Easter Grand Marshal XIII Darwin Reed

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ambush

papar azzi

48th Krewe of Amon-Ra Rush Party @ Good Friends Bar ~ New Orleans

King Satyricon X Brick & Todd

Decadence Shoppe’s Matt & Kevin

New president Deja, King AmonRa David, EGM Rhonda & Pete Kent, Channing & Kevin Pete voted Ball’s Best Male costume with outgoing Capt. John

King & Queen Amon-Ra XLVII David & Barry

New Capt. Opal with pledge Electra & EGM Darwin

Paul, pledge Tittie & Darwin New president Deja with David

Kenny & Maybelline

New Capt. Opal, Ronnie & Paul

Todd & Hoyle

Ted & Paul

Richard, Queen Satyricon X Steven & Hoyle

Brent & Albert

King Amon-Ra David, John, Channing & Laura

Leroy & Darrin

Enjoying the rush party

22 • The Official Mag: AmbushMag.COM • Mar c h 27-April 9, 2012 • Of fic ial Gay East er Parade Guide • GayEast erParade.COM

11th Krewe of Satyricon Rush Party @ Michael’s On The Park ~ New Orleans

New pledges Leroy & Steven

Joann voted Ball’s Best Female & Best of Show costume with outgoing Capt. John

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Emerald City’s St. Patrick's Day celebration Emerald City’s St. Patrick's Day celebration

pensacola Emerald City’s very own Lauren Mitchell

Emerald City where the boys tend to take off their clothes

Emerald City’s Alex serving it up on St. Patrick's Day

1 0 2 1 W. J u d g e P erez Pe

Raven Kennedy visiting from New Orleans... All smiles @ Emerald City

5 0 4 .2 7 9 .6 3 1 2 24 Hour Beeper : 5 0 4 .2 5 9 .8 0 6 1

A proven community leader in value and customer service!

The always beautiful Krista Emerald City’s St. Patrick's Day celebration

• We Deliver or ship to your home/office • We Accept Medicaid/Medicare Ro d n ey Cu l o t t a , RPh

OPEN

9am-5pm Mon.-Fri. 9am-12noon Sat..

Always a good time @ Emerald City

Open both eyes Chris

Emerald City’s St. Patrick's Day celebration

24 • The Official Mag: AmbushMag.COM • Mar c h 27-April 9, 2012 • Of fic ial Gay East er Parade Guide • GayEast erParade.COM

St. Patrick’s Day ~ Pensacola, Florida ~ Photos by Lauren Mitchell

papar azzi

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26 • The Official Mag: AmbushMag.COM • Mar c h 27-April 9, 2012 • Of fic ial Gay East er Parade Guide • GayEast erParade.COM

King Stevie holding court

Beautiful, Talented, Turn-about ~ Mobile, Alabama ~ Photos by Cieanne & John

Miss Cie, Judson & Miss Sophia

mobile

papar azzi

The beautiful & talented Miss Raven St. James @ B-Bob’s

Genre’ returns to the B-Bob’s Stage

Turn-about fundraiser for Miss Venus @ B-Bob’s with bar owner Jerry

Miss Amber Douglas (r) performing @ B-Bob’s with Michael

The beautiful & talented Justin with Miss Cie @ B-Bob’s

Oh Dear! With Jerry Ehlen...

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CANAL STREET

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French Quarter/Faubourg Marigny/Bywater

antiques 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 MIDTOWN PUB, 153 Florida St., 450.1555 Pensacola, FL [850] EMERALD CITY, 408 E. Wright St., 433.9491, EmeraldCityPensacola.COM THE ROUNDUP, 560 East Heinberg St., 433.8482 Baton Rouge, LA [225] GEORGE'S, 860 St. Louis, 387.9798, HOUND DOGS, 668 Main St., 344.0807 Lafayette, LA [337] 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, 4seasonsno.com CLUB LAX, 2301 N. Causeway, 834.7979 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, CuttersBar.BIZ THE DOUBLE PLAY, 439 Dauphine, 523.4517 THE FRIENDLY BAR, 2301 Chartres, 943.8929 GOOD FRIENDS BAR, 740 Dauphine St, 566.7191, GoodFriendsBar.COM JOHNPAUL'S, 940 Elysian Fields Ave., 948.1888, JohnPaulsBar.COM KAJUN'S PUB, 2256 St. Claude Ave., 947.3735 LE ROUNDUP, 819 St. Louis, 561.8340

MICHAEL'S ON THE PARK, 834 N. Rampart St., 267.3615 NAPOLEON'S ITCH, 734 Bourbon, 371.5450 NINTH CIRCLE, 700 N. Rampart, 252.4558 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 SOCIETY PAGE, 542 N. Rampart St., 299.0156. TUBBY'S GOLDEN LANTERN, 1239 Royal, 529.2860, TubbysBar.COM VOODOO BAR, 718 N. Rampart, 265.0950 Slidell, LA [985] BILLY'S, 2600 Hwy. 190 West, 847.1921 Bay St. Louis, MS [228] CLUB RED, 317 Reese St.,, 467.5920, ClubRedBSL.COM Biloxi, MS [228] CLUB VEAUX, 834 Howard Ave., 207.3271

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

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

casinos Lake Charles, LA [337] L’Auberge du Lac Casino Resort, 777 Avenue L’Auberge, 337.395.7777 or 866.580.7444, ldlcasino.com New Orleans, LA [504] Harrah's New Orleans Casino, Canal @ the River, 800.,HARRAHS, GayHarrahsNOLA.COM

chiropractic Chalmette, LA [504] SIMPLY PRECISE CHIROPRACTIC, Dr. Domingo De Los Reyes D.C., 9135 West Judge Perez, Suite B, 504.302.1718, SimplyPreciseChiropractic.COM [is213] New Orleans, LA [504] DR. MICHAEL LECHLEITER, D.C., St. Charles Chiropractic, 1529 Jackson Ave., 566.1833 [is312]

circuit/events Easter Sunday, April 8, 13th Official Gay Easter Parade, New Orleans, sponsored by Ambush, GayEasterParade.COM May 24 - 27, Memorial Day Weekend, International Gay Lesbian Country Western Dance Club Convention, Astor Crowne Plaza Hotel, New Orleans, LA benefiting NO/AIDS Task Force Food for Friends, NewOrleansHoedown.COM May 25-28 Memorial Day Weekend, Pensacola, FL, sponsored by Ambush, GayPensacola.COM Aug. 29-Sept. 3, 41st Official Southern Decadence 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. 25-28, Halloween 29, benefiting Project Lazarus, New Orleans, LA, sponsored by AmbushMag.COM, halloweenneworleans.com Dec. 28, 2012-Jan. 1, 2013, Gay New Year's in New Orleans, New Orleans, LA, GayNewOrleans.COM Feb. 8-12, 2013, Official Gay Mardi Gras, New Orleans, LA, sponsored by Ambush, GayMardiGras.COM

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

employment New Orleans, LA [504] HELP WANTED - Cashier/backup needed at Club New Orleans. Drug test required. Submit application at 515 Toulouse St.

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

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

galleries New Orleans, LA [504] BLISS McCALL STUDIO, by appointment, 631 Elysian Fields Ave., 391.9131, BlissMcCall.COM DIETY ARTS OF THE EXTREME ORIENT, 830 N. Rampart, DietyNOLA.COM TANNER ORIGINAL ART, 830 Royal St., 524.8266, HauntingArt.COM

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] FRADY'S ONE STOP GROCERY & DELICATESSEN, 3231 Dauphine St., 949.9688 QUARTERMASTER DELI, THE NELLIE DELI, 1100 Bourbon, 529.1416

hair salons Mandeville, LA [985] RESTORATION HAIR DESIGN, 1800 W. Causeway Approach, Suite 119, 626.4353 New Orleans, LA [504] BOBBY BLUE CONTEMPORARY BARBER & BEAUTY PARLOR, 906 Bourbon St., 527.5100 HEAD QUARTERS HAIR SALON, 900 Rue Dauphine, 522.2666 MICKEY NOLAN'S SALON, 815 Toulouse St., 587.7782

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

lodging/accommodations 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. [0712]

28 • The Official Mag: AmbushMag.COM • Mar c h 27-April 9, 2012 • Of fic ial Gay East er Parade Guide • GayEast erParade.COM

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. [0812 FRENCH QUARTER SUITES HOTEL, 1119 North Rampart St, New Orleans, LA 70116, Phone 504.524.7725, Toll Free: 800.457.2253,FrenchQuarterSuites.COM. Email 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. Beautiful and spacious townhomes available to accommodate groups of any size adjacent to the hotel. Just 3 short blocks from Bourbon St, with free Wi-Fi and complimentary continental breakfast and access to two beautiful pools. Covered off street parking available. MAISON DE MACARTY BED & BREAKFAST, 3820 Burgundy St., New Orleans, LA 70117, PHONE: 504.267.1564, MaisonMacarty.COM, E-mail us at kurt@maisonmacarty.com. Luxury gay owned and operated bed and breakfast. 8 bedrooms with ensuite baths, pool, sun deck and beautiful courtyard. Sleep, eat and play at Maison de Macarty. Book it now! MARIGNY MANOR HOUSE, 2125 N. Rampart St., New Orleans, LA 70116, PHONE: 504.943.7826, Toll Free: 877.247.7599, marignymanorhouse.com, E-mail us at info@MarignyManorHouse.COM. 1840’s Grand Greek Revival guest house, large spacious bedrooms, private baths, antique 4 poster queen beds, wireless internet access, tv/vcr/dvd/cable, telephone, complimentary continental breakfast and off street parking. [0113] NEW ORLEANS COURTYARD HOTEL, 1101 North Rampart St, New Orleans, LA 70116, Phone 504.522.7333, Toll Free: 800.457.2253, NOCourtyard.COM. Email us at Reservations@bpmhotels.com, “Spectacular, very unusual piece of property” with balconies of varying design ringing the courtyard. Circa 1880 Historic New Orleans Home lovingly restored and converted into beautifully appointed rooms. Just steps away from Armstrong park, Bourbon St, and most of the popular gay clubs, bars, and restaurants. With two pools, free WiFi and complimentary continental breakfast. Secured off street parking available. 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 & thai massage/bodywork). Call 504.458.5996 / website righttouchnola.com for pictures, location & special. License #LA4553 [is2611]

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,

GayMardiGras.COM • GayNew Orleans.COM • Sout hernDec adenc e.COM • Marc h 27-April 9, 2012 • The Official Mag: AmbushMag.COM • 29

MobileAlabamaPride.COM AQUA, THE PARTY, PO Box 145, Mobile, AL 36601, TheAquaParty.COM BAY AREA INCLUSION, BayAreaInclusion.ORG FUSION, MobileFusion.ORG GULF COAST BEARS & LEATHER ASSOCIATION, b-bobs.com/gcbla.htm THE SOUTHERN RENEGADES, a Levi/ Leather Club, southernrenegades.com Pensacola, FL [850] APPETITE FOR LIFE, INC., provides 2 nutritionally balanced meals a day-lunch & dinner, for some 60 men, women and children living with HIV/AIDS, 1842 West Cervantes St.; Mail: P.O. Box 308, 32592-0308; 470.9111, Fax: 470.0201, gaypensacola.com/appforlife GULF COAST TIDE, INC. w w w . G u l f C o a s t T I D E . o r g ; info@GulfCoastTIDE.org Alexandria, LA [318] CLASS [Central Louisiana AIDS Support Services], 103 Bolton Ave., 71301; 1.800.444.7993, 442. 1 0 1 0, FAX: 443.5216 Baton Rouge, LA [225] AIDSLaw of Louisiana, 4560 North Boulevard, Suite 118, 302.5968, AIDSLAW.org HAART (HIV/AIDS Alliance for Region Two), 4550 North Blvd., #250, 927.1269, Fax: 927.7367, haartinc.org, haartinc@aol.com GBLSU [Gays, Bisexuals, Lesbians & Supporters United], glsapres@unixl.sncc. Isu.edu, Kristy Price, President, 388.5160 KREWE OF APOLLO / BATON ROUGE, PO Box 3591, 70821; kreweapollobr.org KREWE OF DIVAS, kreweofdivas.com, 343.0380 LAMBDA GROUP, 2937 Greenwood Dr., PO Box 82775, 70884-2775, 907.3665, www.lambdabr.org, info@lambdabr.org METROPOLITAN COMMUNITY CHURCH OF BATON ROUGE, 7747 Tom Drive, 70806, Worship Sunday, 11am, Bible Study Wednesday, 7pm, 225.248.0404, mccbr.org PFLAG Baton Rouge, President Harold Truax, 225.218.8320 Lafayette, LA [337] ACADIANA CARES [Concern for AIDS Relief, Education, and Support], PO Box 386, Lafayette, LA 70502; 203 W. 3rd St., 70501; 233.2437, FAX: 235.4178; 800.354.2437 KREWE OF APOLLO / LAFAYETTE, PO Box 53251, 70505 LEAGUE FOR EQUALITY, PO Box 53425, 70505 PFLAG/LAFAYETTE, PO Box 31078, 70503 ROYAL ORDER OF UNICORN, PO Box 3985, 70502 Monroe, LA [318] GO CARE 2121 Justice, 71201, 325.1092 New Orleans, LA [504] ACLU and ACLU Foundation of Louisiana, P.O. Box 56157, New Orleans, LA 70156, 504.522.0628 x25, Fax: 888.537.0384, laaclu.org AIDS HOTLINE, 821.6050 in New Orleans, 1.800.99.AIDS[2437]-9 toll free statewide AIDSLaw of Louisiana, 3801 Canal St., Suite 331, 568.1631, AIDSLAW.org ALCOHOLICS ANONYMOUS, 838.3399 BELLE REVE NEW ORLEANS, AIDS Residence for Families, PO Box 3305, 70177; 945.9455 BIG EASY M.C.C. (Metropolitan Community Church of Greater New Orleans), Sunday 12:15pm Solumn Mass, 5pm Praise & Worship, at St Matthew’s UCC, 1333 S. Carrollton Ave. at Willow. Fellowship after service. Mailing address: 1333 S. Carrolllton Ave. New Orleans, LA, 70118; 213.4340, w w w . b i g e a s y m c c . c o m , pastor@bigeasymcc.com BIG EASY STOMPERS, 1317 Pasadena Ave., Metairie, LA 70001 www.NewOrleansHoedown.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. KREWE OF ARMEINIUS, PO Box 56638, New Orleans, LA 70156-6638, info@kreweofarmeinius.org, 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, 1001 South Broad St., Suite 115, New Orleans, LA 70125, 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 NOLAPride.ORG PROJECT LAZARUS, A Residence for PWAs, PO Box 3906, 70177-3906; 949.3609 REGIONAL AIDS INTERFAITH NETWORK [RAIN], 523.3755 SOFTBALL LEAGUE – Great fun for all skill levels, beginner to advanced. Visit nolasoftball.com for full details and find us on Facebook. ST. ANNA'S EPISCOPAL CHURCH, 1313 Esplanade Avenue New Orleans, LA 70116 947.2121, stannanola.org THE COMMUNITY COALITION OF GREATER NEW ORLEANS LGBTQ Organizations & Businesses, tccgno.org, 569.9156 Until It Is OVER, Inc., Executive Director Don S. Evans, Sr., 5837 De Bore Drive, New Orleans, Louisiana 70126, Phone 504 722 1694, Fax 504 286 5784 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] 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] DR. MIKE'S ANIMAL HOUSE, 1120 N. Rampart, 523.4455 FRENCH QUARTER PET ASYLUM, 513 Dumaine St., 302.9845

pharmacy New Orleans, LA [504] & Baton Rouge, LA [225] AVITA DRUGS SPECIALIZED PHARMACY, free discrete delivery serving Louisiana, Mississippi & Texas. Certified pharmacists caring for HIV/AIDS, new-to-market & hard-to-find medications including Serostim. Local pharmacy that supports the LGBT community. www.AvitaDrugs.COM. MUMFREY'S PHARMACY, 1021 W. Judge Perez Dr., Chalmette, LA 70043, 504.279.6312

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

plumbers New Orleans, LA [504] PIPES "R" US PLUMBING, “Let us PEEP in your pipes”, 140 N. Carrollton Ave., Office 504.866.2730, Fax 504.484.0907, PipesRUsNewOrleans.COM

real estate agents New Orleans, LA [504] LATTER & BLUM, Agent Steve Richards, 712 Rue D’Orleans @ Rue Royal, Cell: 258.1800, Office: 948.3011, SRichards@LatterBlum.com LATTER & BLUM, Agent Brian M. Pawlowski, brianrealtor@aol.com, Agent Stace McDonald, stacerealtor@aol.com, 840 Elysian Fields, 451.2495

restaurants New Orleans, LA [504] 700 Club Restaurant, 700 Burgundy, 561.1095, 561.1098, 700ClubNewOrleans.COM Clover Grill, 900 Bourbon St., 598.1010, CloverGrill.COM Country Club Restaurant, 634 Louisa St., TheCountryClubNewOrleans.COM, 945.0742 The Decadence Shoppe (coffehouse & cafe), 806 N. Rampart, 529.8874, DecadenceShoppeCafe.COM Fatoush Mediterranean Grill, Coffee House & Juice Bar, 2372 St. Claude Ave., #130, FatoushRestaurantNOLA.COM, 504.371.5074 Louisiana Pizza Kitchen, 95 French Market Pl., 522.9500 Mona Lisa Restaurant, 1212 Royal St., 522.6746 Orleans Grapevine Wine & Bar Bistro, 720 Orleans, 523.1930 Quartermaster: The Nellie Deli, 1100 Bourbon St. , 529.1416, QuartermasterDeli.NET

retail/shopping Metairie, LA [504] SUZETTE'S, 4636 W. Esplanade, 888.7722, Suzettes.COM New Orleans, LA [504] BOURBON PRIDE, 909 Bourbon, 566.1570 BUNGALOWS, 719 Royal St., 522.9222 PANDA BEAR, 415 Bourbon St., 529.8064 RAB DAB CLOTHING AND GIFTS, 918 Royal St., 525.6662 RAZZLE DAZZLE, 524 Royal St. 568.0001, RazzleDazzle.COM RAB DAB CLOTHING AND GIFTS, 918 Royal St., 525.6662

spas New Orleans, LA [504] CLUB NEW ORLEANS, 515 Toulouse, 581.2402, www.the-clubs.com

tattoos New Orleans, LA [504] AART ACCENT NEW ORLEANS, 1041 N. Rampart St., 581.9812

theatres New Orleans, LA [504] CAFE ISTANBUL, 2372 St. Claude Ave., #140, 504.974.0786, CafeIstanbulNOLA.COM JOY THEATER, 1200 Canal St., TheJoyTheater.COM MAHALIA JACKSON THEATRE OF PERFORMING ARTS, 801 N. Rampart, Armstrong Park, mahaliajacksontheater.com, 525.1052

travel New Orleans, LA [504] Adventures Actually, Kate Alexander, 220.5503, AdventuresActually.COM

websites OFFICIAL GAY EASTER PARADE, GayEasterParade.COM OFFICIAL GAY MARDI GRAS, GayMardiGras.COM OFFICIAL GAY NEW ORLEANS, GayNewOrleans.COM OFFICIAL SOUTHERN DECADENCE, SouthernDecadence.COM

Next Deadline Tuesday, April 3rd

504.522.8049 marsha@ripandmarsha.com

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a community within communities

by The Rev. Bill Terry, Rector St. Anna’s Episcopal Church Email: fr.bill@stannanola.org

EASTER! Bonnets, Bows, Bunnies, & Abundance! Easter Carol by Christina Rosetti Spring bursts to-day, For Christ is risen and all the earth’s at play. Flash forth, thou Sun, The rain is over and gone, its work is done. Winter is past, Sweet Spring is come at last, is come at last. Bud, Fig and Vine, Bud, Olive, fat with fruit and oil and wine. Break forth this morn In roses, thou but yesterday a Thorn. Uplift thy head, O pure white Lily through the Winter dead. Beside your dams Leap and rejoice, you merry-making Lambs. All Herds and Flocks Rejoice, all Beasts of thickets and of rocks. Sing, Creatures, sing, Angels and Men and Birds and everything. All notes of Doves Fill all our world: this is the time of loves. Easter, it breaks the back of winter and with it throughout all religion it speaks of an awakening after a great sleep and slumber. It is the time of bonnets, bows, about Easter Parades, and of course, bunnies; soft cuddly bunnies. Were it that religion were soft and cuddly like bunnies. Were it that religion was all about bows and bonnets. Were it that religion was always positive and never negative. A young man came to me recently. He lives in bayou country. It is all he has known; that culture, that beautiful bayou. He hunts, he fishes, and he plays music. He travels to the city to play his music. Once he was the traditional faith of his fathers and heard the mass. Then he followed a path into the church of the deep-south. He heard the conversation about love. The

preaching was strong and choirs grand. A leader in his church said love the sinner but hate the sin. It is an abomination to offend God’s law! That abomination would send “them” to Hell by the God of judgment. That homosexual at the college had to be expelled – it is an offense against God. They said that the Bible told them so. This young man stammered and stuttered and looked around the room. He explained and explained and explained. His explanations seemed to circle themselves like a knot being tied; tighter and tighter without a discernible end. He looked up and asked, “Is suicide a sin?” He explained and explained and explained without end or point. Is suicide a sin? I responded but briefly with trepidation having lost my own daughter to suicide; the unspoken death. And he explained and explained and glanced about the room. He came from the bayou; he went to church; he was good and he explained. No, suicide is not a sin as such; for suicide is from a soul that is sad and sick and at odds with one’s own nature. A true and loving God does not condemn such illness; even desperation and profound sadness but rather weeps when he witnesses such profound sorrow. At that hour and that moment this young man was not there yet – he was searching rather than ending. Then gently, like the stone of the tomb being set aside, he looked up, “I have never said this to any other human being...I am gay and always have been.” He explained and explained and explained that he had never acted on his orientation. He stayed in the closet. But when he heard the hatred that spewed forth by the leader of his church his inner voice said, “It is me he hates.” [continued on 33]

32 • The Official Mag: AmbushMag.COM • Mar c h 27-April 9, 2012 • Of fic ial Gay East er Parade Guide • GayEast erParade.COM

communities ...from 32 He was changed, those words were his crucifixion. He began to gently weep. This week was Good Friday, his crucifixion and Easter his resurrection. He was seeking and he found the truth about Easter. I pointed out that the real truth of

Jesus is found in the Gospels. That the real truth about Jesus was not found or bound in hatred but in love. That Jesus was clear and specific about his judgment. He judges hatred, he judges greed, he judges those that take instead of give, those that cast out instead of inviting in; he does judge but he judges hated and harm. This young man discovered Easter that afternoon. Resurrection is coming through hatred and pain and hurt to find love and life and living. This young man is still searching. Then, after our meeting, he wanted to see our

church. We walked into the quiet church and he wept again. These tears were the tears of a loving God; tears of thankfulness for being made whole through Christ; he said, “The burden is gone and I feel so good.” I suspect that it was the first time, in a real way that he felt good about himself. [continued on 34]

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communities ...from 33 So, it is Easter. It is for Christians the day of renewal, new life, wholeness, rebirth, and for some, finding the real “me.” The real “me” is loved and has a place on heaven and on earth. “For God so loved the world, that he

gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life.” John 3:16 Jesus also said, and this is His law, “‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’ This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: ‘Love your neigh-

bor as yourself.’ All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments.” The Gospel according to Matthew. So to this young man who came out of the darkness and into the light – love, love large, and know that you are loved. To those of dark skin who despise the color of their skin – come into the light and love and love large and know that you are loved. To the poor, you are loved and indeed specially loved. To those who are new to our country and community – Jesus demands hospitality – you are loved. It is indeed Easter. No, it is not a bunny faith, doesn’t wear bonnets, it abides deeply and it is profound. It is love; love thyself and love thy neighbor. Rejoice, the Lord is risen, the Lord is risen indeed...and so are we. P.S. Stuart Butler asked that we know this: Temple Sinai, 6227 St. Charles Ave., invites all to an inter-faith Sader (Passover ritual meal)on April 9 at 6:30pm. Reservations required $25/person.

pride: beyond the rainbow Who will be Pride 2012 Grand Marshal? ...Find out April 7th

oin the Pride Committee at the Hotel Monteleone for the Pride Grand Marshal Announcement Party & Gala on April 7 from 811pm (doors open at 7:30pm). There will be food, a cash bar, and a concert by Amanda Shaw and the Cute Guys. Advance tickets are only $20 and can be purchased from a Pride Board Member or on the Pride website. There are a couple of tables left for $150, and this includes admission for 6 people. Tickets will be $35 at the door so purchase them in advance. The Pride Committee wants to congratulate all of its nominees! Although the committee can only choose two grand marshals, know that it is an honor to be nominated!! In no particular order, the nominees are: Josh [continued on 35]

34 • The Official Mag: AmbushMag.COM • Mar c h 27-April 9, 2012 • Of fic ial Gay East er Parade Guide • GayEast erParade.COM

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

Fatoush brings Greece/Turkey to The Big Easy

ver since Ambush ad rep Paul Melancon told us about the pan fried calf liver with tzatziki sauce at the newly opened Fatoush Mediterranean Grill, Coffee House & Juice Bar, we were dying to get over there. Plus he told us one of our old clients Fatma Aydin owned the eatery. She and her brother Suleyman were the original proprietors of Mona Lisa Restaurant many years ago. The restaurant is located at, 2372 St. Claude Ave., #130, the new revitalized corner at St. Roch in the same complex with Cafe Istanbul, New Orleans Healing Center and New Orleans Food Co-op. Our server arrived with fresh baked pita served with a delightful olive oil tomato garlic dipping sauce to wel-

Pan Fried Liver with Tzatziki Pita with Olive Oil Tomato Dipping Sauce come us to Fatoush. We ordered two vodkas (Absolut 8.00) and looked over

leaves, stuffed bell pepper and sigarette pastry. While we enjoyed all of the selections, our first time sampling the sigarette was over the top. The delicate phyllo was stuffed with

Hot Appetizer Platter the many choices which attracted our feta cheese and parsley then deep fried. Talk about delicious! attention. The Shepard Salad (5.99) with toWe started with the Hot Appetizer

Eggplant Karniyarik top. The bulgar pilaf on the side was quite interesting. After a fantastic dinner, we were looking forward to having the eateries homemade Baklava, but they were sold out. That was the only disappointment with Fatoush! New OrleansRestaurant Guide

Platter (14.99) which was indeed a whole lot of food. It boasted hummas, eggplant dip, piyaz, stuffed grape

Shepherd Salad

Chef Beker @ Fatoush matoes, cucumbers, parsley, red onions, and both red and green bell peppers tossed with lemon and olive oil was crisp and tasty. So far the food samplings reminded us of our trip to Athens, Greece in the 90s. Every day there Marsha had moussaka for dinner, so why would there be any other choice for her tonight. The Beef Moussaka (11.99) was prepared as we remembered it in Athens, full of tasty beef in a bubbling tomato sauce topped with golden brown bechemel, with a heavy hand of nutmeg. The white pilaf was loaded with toasted pine nuts. Rip who loves eggplant, tried the Eggplant Karniyarik (11.99). The half an eggplant was topped with both lamb and beef in one of the richest tomatogarlic sauces ever to be had. It was baked off with fresh tomato slices on

Beef Moussaka

700 Club Restaurant, 700 Burgundy St., 561.1095, 700ClubNewOrleans.COM, is serving sliders, paninis, quesadillas, and more at the popular club in the French Quarter. Restaurant hours are 7pm til Wed.Sun. with extended Decadence hours. Clover Grill, 900 Bourbon St., 598.1010, CloverGrill.COM, 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. Country Club Restaurant, 634 Louisa St., 945.0742,

TheCountryClubNewOrleans.COM. The chef has paid 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 11am3pm. The Decadence Shoppe, 806 N. Rampart, 529.8874, DecadenceShoppeCafe.COM is part coffee shop, part cafe, and part bakery. "We take pride doing all our own baking, and you can order your next special treat from us," says owners Matt and Kevin. This little neighborhood place will fulfill your sweet tooth or both your breakfast or lunch cravings in a quiet setting while serving "desserts like Mom use to make". Located across the street by the Armstrong Park arch, the cafe is open Wed.-Sun. 7am 3pm. Fatoush Mediterranean Grill, Coffee House & Juice Bar, 2372 St. Claude Ave., #130, 504.371.5074, FatoushRestaurantNOLA.COM, is truly a fresh new restaurant with a 23-year history of serving New Orleans and guests from all over the world. Think of Fatoush as a combination coffee house, herbal teahouse, natural juice bar, and organic restaurant offering a unique selection of the richest and healthiest foods from around the world. Handcrafted dishes that contain only the finest natural ingredients and a variety of cuisines and innovative taste offfer thrills that are appealing, exciting, and best of all, healthy. Open 7am-10pm daily serving breakfast, lunch and dinner. Louisiana Pizza Kitchen, 95 French Market Place, 522.9500 or visit LouisianaPizzaKitchen.COM, is famous for its wood fired gourmet pizzas, pastas, salads and appetizers. Open 7 days from 11am-10pm. Mona Lisa Restaurant, 1212 Royal St., 522.6746, features Italian specialties including salads, pizzas, sandwiches and both lunch and dinner entrees. Open Mon.Thurs. 5-10pm, Fri. Sun. 11am-10pm. Orleans Grapevine Wine & Bar Bistro, 720 Orleans, 523.1930, is located in a beautiful renovated 1809 building offering a pleasant atmosphere, extensive wine list with 200 selections, and delicious food including soups, salads, appetizers, entrees and house made desserts that will delight any palate. Open daily at 4pm serving dinner Sun.-Thurs. 5-10:30pm, Fri.-Sat. 5-11pm. Quartermaster: The Nellie Deli, 1100 Bourbon St., 529.1416, QuartermasterDeli.NET, voted Restaurant/ Deli of the Year, is open 24 hours 7 days. Serving breakfast, lunch, dinner and late night menu, the deli offers free delivery.

pride ...from 34 Carcabasis, Rip Naquin, Tony Leggio, Phillip Gordon, Mark Boline, George Melichar, Persana Shoulders, Matthew Birkhoff, Richard Borne, Charles Jenkins, Marsha Delain, Rikki G, Princesse Stephaney, Lyndsie Oubre. All former Pride Grand Marshals will also be recognized at this event. Don’t forget about the Mr. & Miss Pride Pageant on May 20th at JohnPaul’s. The pageant starts at 5pm All contestants need to arrive by 3:45pm. Anyone interested in competing should enter at www.prideneworleans.org.

GayMardiGras.COM • GayNew Orleans.COM • Sout hernDec adenc e.COM • Marc h 27-April 9, 2012 • The Official Mag: AmbushMag.COM • 35

ambush

papar azzi

Blanche finds the boy next door at Oz Dingo on Sunday Monica Synclaire-Kennedy in Outrageous @ JohnPaul’s

The Lady Lance behind the bar @ Tubby’s Golden Lantern

Tiffany Alexander, Kendell Kreel & Matthew Birkoff @ Bourbon Pub & Parade’s Lipstixx Monique Michaels in the Lantern’s new Divas R Us

Lisa Beaumann in Wednesday Show Night @ Oz

Cathy Fox with Outrageous CoMC Electra City @ JohnPaul’s

Coca on stage Wednesdays @ oz Armani Black in new Divas R Us Guinevere live @ Oz

Connie Hung in Engender @ JohnPaul’s

Corynne Synclaire Deville in On The DL @ 4 Seasons in Metairie Divas R Us MC & Entertainer Coordinator Andy Ehlers Dominique DeLorean in Oz Wednesday Show Night Chi Chi Rodriguez in Engender @ JohnPaul’s

Opal Vanderhurst in new Divas R Us

Oz’s Mercedes Ellis Loreal in Wednesday Show Night

Lauren Brown in On The DL @ 4 Seasons

Corynne Synclaire Deville & Isabella Deville in Engender @ JohnPaul’s

36 • The Official Mag: AmbushMag.COM • Mar c h 27-April 9, 2012 • Of fic ial Gay East er Parade Guide • GayEast erParade.COM

Only in The Big Easy ~ New Orleans, Metairie ~ Photos by Kyler Landry, Tony Leggio, Nawlins Pixs

Divas R Us’ Jasmine Essex & Ambush photographer Kyler Landry

GayMardiGras.COM • GayNew Orleans.COM • Sout hernDec adenc e.COM • Marc h 27-April 9, 2012 • The Official Mag: AmbushMag.COM • 37

38 • The Official Mag: AmbushMag.COM • Mar c h 27-April 9, 2012 • Of fic ial Gay East er Parade Guide • GayEast erParade.COM

NOLA Softball League (NOLASoftball.COM) Opens Season followed by After-Party @ Good Friends Bar ~ New Orleans ~ Photos by Kyler Landry

big easy

papar azzi

big easy

papar azzi

Country Club GM Bert with Drag Brunch’s Coca Mesa

Nightlife ~ New Orleans ~ Photos by Kyler Landry, Tony Leggio, Nawlins Pixs

Hot night @ Napoleon’s Itch

Mike celebrates his birthday with Rusty LaRoux’s Zoo Revue

Darrius & Earl @ Lafitte’s

The Lady Tony celebrating St. Patty’s Day & Cutter’s 7th Anniversary

Celebrating Cutter’s 7th Anniversary & St. Patty’s Day

Mitch & David competing in Barry Bareass’ “Be My Partner” Dance Contest @ Corner Pocket

Shawn dancin’ @ Napoleon’s Itch

Karaoke host Brandon HoneyB @ Lafitte’s

David & Rhonda enjoy Drag Brunch with Coca Mesa @ The Country Club Barry Bareass with Mike & Mickey @ Corner Pocket’s Barry Bareass Dance Contest

Mike grilling chicken for his birthday bash @ Michael’s On The Park

Scott, Jeff & Earl @ Lafitte’s Karaoke

Monalot Fontaine snags Deja during Country Club’s Drag Brunch

Dancers Dustin & Nick on the bar @ The Corner Pocket

Rusty slingin’ cocktails @ Ninth Circle

Celebrating Mike Cookmeyer’s b-day @ Michael’s

Manager Neel grillin’ burgers @ Good Friends Bar

Sheya Mann does Drag Brunch @ The Country Club

Buddies Beau & Nick celebrating St. Patty’s Day @ Corner Pocket

GayMardiGras.COM • GayNew Orleans.COM • Sout hernDec adenc e.COM • Marc h 27-April 9, 2012 • The Official Mag: AmbushMag.COM • 39

40 • The Official Mag: AmbushMag.COM • Mar c h 27-April 9, 2012 • Of fic ial Gay East er Parade Guide • GayEast erParade.COM