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Pride/GAA Top 5 Finalists edition out June 19th ~ DEADLINE: Tues., June 12th
the "official" dish
inside
by Rip & Marsha Naquin-Delain Email: marsha@ripandmarsha.com
celebrazzi/nola, pensacola 6 under the gaydar 10 25th gay appreciation awards 13 mascara paparazzi/new orleans 14 travel paparazzi/pensacola 16 pensacola paparazzi 17 mobile paparazzi 20 feature/700 club artist 22
Coronation 2012 Announces New Southern Decadence Grand Marshals June 5
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outhern Decadence Grand Marshals XXXVII Tiffany Alexander and Misael Rubio make it official when they announce their successors Tuesday, June 5th, 9pm, at Oz, 800 Bourbon Street. Celebrating the 41st anniversary of Southern Decadence, the chosen ones will be the 38th Southern Decadence Grand Marshals. As the excitement gains momentum, the guessing game is already in full swing. Whomever it may be, the community anxiously awaits the theme and colors so they can start preparing their costumes for the 38th Official Southern Decadence Parade on Sunday, September 3 celebrating 41st Southern Decadence. For additional information, visit SouthernDecadence.COM.
2012 Gay Appreciation Awards Voting Online ONLY June 5-11
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he 25th annual Gay Appreciation Awards voting is set for Tuesday, June 5 through Monday, June 11 online only at AmbushMag.COM/GAA. Only one ballot per person is allowed. Installed spam filters will delete any duplicate ballots. Sponsored by Ambush Mag, the awards thanks those in the Gay Lesbian Bisexual Transgender Community who are often not recognized for the outstanding services and efforts they perform. These individuals and businesses have made the GLBT Community into the viable, successful and powerful community it is today across the Gulf South. The 25th GAA Gala is set for Saturday, July 21, 8-10pm, at Oz, 800 Bourbon Street. The 2012 winners are announced at this event. VIP Tables with four seats are $200 and are very limited. All proceeds benefit the William Fanning Foundation (Buzzy’s Boys & Girls). Contact Rip Naquin for table sales at marsha@ripandmarsha.com or 504.522.8049. Door admission is $10. Award categories up for public voting include: • Circuit Party/Event of the Year • Gay Mardi Gras Ball of the Year • Hair Salon of the Year • Neighborhood Bar of the Year • Buzzy Fanning AIDS Award [organization/individual doing outstanding service in the AIDS arena] • Bitch of the Year • Show Club of the Year • Donnie Jay Performing Arts Award [play, chorus or theatrical group/no individuals] • Restaurant/Deli/Coffee House of the Year • Dance Club of the Year • Bartender of the Year • DJ of the Year • Leather Bar of the Year • Cheridon Comedy Award • Fly Fashion Glamour Award • GLBT Business of the Year [no bars/ restaurants/delis/hair salons] • Leather Person of the Year • Transgender of the Year • Lesbian of the Year • Gay Man of the Year • Marcy Marcell Entertainer of the Year: [female/male impersonator/drag star or entertainer]
In addition the Board of Directors presents the Lifetime Achievement Award. The Marsha Delain Award of Excellence is presented by Marsha Naquin-Delain. The Board of Directors includes Lisa Beaumann, Teryl-Lynn Foxx, and Rip and Marsha Naquin-Delain. The Top 5 Finalist in each category will be announced in the next edition of Ambush.
French Market's 26th Creole Tomato Festival June 9 & 10
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he French Market's 26th annual Creole Tomato Festival is Saturday and Sunday, June 9th and 10th. Plus the 6th annual Louisiana Cajun-Zydeco Festival occurs next door at the Old U.S. Mint the same weekend! This year’s Creole tomatoes will be provided by George’s Produce, Ben & Ben Becnel, Inc., and La Greco Farms and will be for sale throughout the Farmers Market. Retail shoppers who spend $30 in French Market District stores receive a free basket of tomatoes while supplies last. Tomato samples will be offered throughout the Festival. Cooking demonstrations are all weekend. The weekend schedule includes: SATURDAY, JUNE 9TH 11am, Rouses Executive Chef Jack Treuting 12noon, Creole Tomato Talk & TRIVIA with prizes!
trodding the boards 22 ambush paparazzi/nola, metairie 24 classifieds 26 a community within communities 30 halloween new orleans 31 snap paparazzi/nola, metairie 32 ambush paparazzi/nola, metairie 34
Gulf South Entertainment/Travel Guide Since 1982 828-A Bourbon St. • New Orleans, LA 70116-3137 • 504.522.8049 marsha@ripandmarsha.com 1pm, Fat Hen Grille 2pm, Maurepas Foods 3pm, Chris Montero, Cafe B 4pm, J’S Seafood Dock SUNDAY, JUNE 10TH 10am, Kid Chef Eliana 11am, Rouses Executive Chef Jack Treuting 12 noon, TOMATO EATING CONTEST hosted by Nola Locavores 1pm, Meals from the Heart Cafe 2pm, Southern Food and Beverage presents French Market Fare series featuring Chef Roseann with Red Gravy Restaurant 3pm, Gus Martin, Muriel’s Restaurant Live music will be performed on three stages; two outdoor and one indoor. The main music stage will be on Ursulines Street, between LaTrobe Park and the main French Market arch. This stage features bands programmed by the neighboring Louisiana Cajun-Zydeco Festival, held the same weekend at the Old U.S. Mint. See schedule below: CAJUN-ZYDECO STAGE Saturday, June 9th: Ursulines Street Stage 11am-12:30pm, Big Red & the Zydeco Playmakers 2-3:30pm, Les Freres Michot 4:30-6pm, Magnolia Sisters Sunday, June 10th: Ursulines Street Stage 12-1:30pm, Li’l Nathan and the Zydeco Big Tymers 2-3:30pm, Waylon Thibodeaux 4:30-6pm, Kevin Naquin & the Ossun Playboys New Orleans Swing Dance Festival & Ultimate Lindy Hop Showdown, who holds their French Market Stomp each fall at the Farmers Market, is hosting the Dutch Alley Swing Dance stage, with live jazz bands, dance contests & lessons. DUTCH ALLEY SWING DANCE STAGE Saturday, June 9th at Dutch Alley Performance Pavilion 11-11:30am, Family Swing Dance Lesson 11:30-1:15pm - TBD 1:15 -1:45pm - Swing Dance Lesson 1:45-3:30pm, Showerama Hot Trio 3:30-4pm, Swing Dance Lesson 4-5:45pm, Ben Polcer & His Grinders plus a Dutch Alley Dance-Off with $100 cash prize! Sunday, June 10th at Dutch Alley Performance Pavilion 11-11:30am, Family Swing Dance Lesson 11:30-1:15pm, Meschiya Lake & Tom Mcdermott 1:15-1:45pm, Swing Dance Lesson
1:45-3:30pm, Meschiya Lake & The Little Big Horns 3:30-4pm, Swing Dance Lesson 4-5:45pm, Shotgun Jazz Band
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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 Devin, Tony Leggio, Kyler Landry, Rev. Bill Terry, Rory Wright-New Orleans Bob Brunson, Cieanne & John, Leon WeekleyMobile, AL Lauren Mitchell-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. ©1982-2012, 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
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OCCA Institute's Richard Reed accepts $9,426 raised during the 13th MASCARa blowout held Memorial Day weekend from Wood Enterprises' GM Ken Grandpre at Rawhide 2010 in New Orleans. Sponsored by Wood Enterprises and Bud Light, the event included the 12th Hamster Derby at Good Friends Bar, Lube Wrestling at Cafe Lafitte in Exile, Crawfish Boil at Rawhide 2010, and the 13th MASCARa Race beginning at Clover Grill, racing to Lafitte's, Rawhide, Good Friends, Bourbon Pub Parade, Oz, ending at Clover Grill.
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3rd Pride Grand Marshal Tony Leggio, Pride Chair Chris Leonard, and Mr. Pride 2011 Adonis D’Orleans, join newly crowned Mr. Pride and Miss 2012 Mark Callahan, Jr. and Starr Alexander, along with Miss Pride 2011 Monica Synclaire-Kennedy, and 33rd Pride Grand Marshal Matthew Birkhoff following competition at JohnPaul's in New Orleans.
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celebrazzi
en contestants participated in the 13th annual MASCARa Race on Memorial Day in New Orleans, all raising money through sponsorships for the NOCCA Institute. Top winners included Good Friends' Nick with Fastest Time and Best Drag, Rawhide's Kevin with Most Money Raised ($1,500), Southern Eagle's Toby with Ken Grandpre Butt Ugly Award, and Oz's Derek winning Miss MASCARa for scoring more points across the board than any other contestant. Other contestants included 700 Club's Glen, Bourbon Pride's Josh, Bourbon Pub Parade's Chris, Clover Grill's Adam, Napoleon's Itch's Tom, and Ninth Circle's Shayne.
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ave Beach Fest hosts Cy Whitney and Johnny Chisholm join Ebony Sinclair for the fab Wave Beach Bash Saturday night bringing in an estimated 34,000 revelers under the big top at Penscola Beach Park East Memorial Day weekend.
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bove-Both Bianca Del Rio and Leslie Jordan appeared at Emerald City Friday in downtown Pensacola Memorial Day Weekend. Del Rio went on to headline the Wave Beach Bash on Pensacola Beach Saturday, and Jordan starred in Fruit Fly at Pensacola Saenger Theatre on Sunday. Over 30,000 joined Memorial Day weekend in Pensacola and Pensacola Beach.
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nternational circuit great DJ Joe Gauthreaux, direct from New York, brought thousands together to dance at the annual Wave Beach Bash hosted Memorial Day Weekend on Pensacola Beach Park East.
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tarr Alexander was crowned Miss Gay New Orleans America at Oz, and along with 1st Alternate Sanuria Bonet will represent New Orleans in the upcoming Miss Gay Louisiana America pageant in September.
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eft-Club LAX's Toby Lefort joins Bayou Chad to host Toby's annual Crawfish Boil benefiting NO/AIDS Walk raising $6,180 this year at Club LAX in Metairie, Louisiana.
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the "official" dish ... from 4 INDOOR STAGE AT THE NEW ORLEANS NATIONAL JAZZ HISTORICAL PARK The Jazz Park Visitor Center, in Dutch Alley near Dumaine and Decatur Streets, offers an intimate, air-conditioned setting with seating for 65. There is music for all ages, workshops, and a tented area just outside for kids with interactive crafts and activities. Also in Dutch Alley, ice sculptor Chris Hunter, AKA “Mr. Jazzy”, an ice sculptor with 35 years experience, will be carving French Market themed sculptures, including the iconic archway and a giant Creole Tomato!!! Saturday June 9th inside the Jazz Park 10-10:45am, Jr. Park Ranger Activities & Workshops 11am-12:00pm, Paul Ferrara performs with his six-piece band. Legendary Louisiana Hall of Fame drummer performs jazz in the style of Al Hirt and Louis Prima, with whom he played. 12-12:30pm, Paul Ferrarra in conversation with WWOZ 90.7FM host Sally Young. Paul Ferrara, the son of Sicilian immigrants, reminisces about growing up working in the produce market that his father owned on Orleans Avenue, and shares his memories of his uncles working in the French Market during the 40s and 50s in New Orleans. 1pm, Singer/Songwriter Johnette Downing performs songs about Louisiana and New Orleans, with book signings afterwards. 2-2:45pm, Jr. Park Ranger Activities & Workshops 3-4:15pm, MISS CLAUDIA presents “SINGALONG AMERICANA! Bringing singing back!” For kids and adults. Folk songs, patriotic tunes and Louisiana favorites- come join in the joy of singing! Featuring: Claudia Baumgarten, Vocals; Patrick Mackey, Banjo; Amasa Miller, Accordion; Jon Pult, Ukelele; Dave Maleckar, Bass; Kathy Randels, Vocals.
Sunday June 10th inside the Jazz Park 10-10:45am, Jr. Park Ranger Activities & Workshops 12-1:30pm, NOCCA (New Orleans Center for the Creative Arts) Classical Music Ensemble. 2-3pm, Storyteller Diane de Las Casas. Join award-winning author and storyteller Dianne de Las Casas as she sizzles on stage with revved-up storytelling. Audiences sing, dance, chant, clap and roar with laughter! Dianne’s books include The Cajun Cornbread Boy, The Gigantic Sweet Potato, Blue Frog: The Legend of Chocolate, and Madame Poulet and Monsieur Roach. Author signing afterwards outside Jazz Park. 3:30-4:30pm, Johnette Downing performs songs about Louisiana and New Orleans Latrobe Park will be the site of several misting fans and hanging mist tubing, offering audiences a misting mecca in the middle of the festivities. Dutch Alley, which plays host to one indoor and one outdoor stage, will also feature several misting stations and fans, including mist at the dance pavilion. Included in the homage to the state’s favorite veggie is the second annual Creole Tomato Eating Contest, to be hosted by Nola Locavores on Sunday at noon.
Adults and children will compete in two separate contests for free tomatoes and gift certificates good at French Market District retail shops. Contestants should sign up one hour prior to contest time (11am), and will be asked to eat as many Creole tomatoes as possible within 3 minutes. Indoors at the New Orleans Jazz National Historical Park a mix of children’s performers and music for all ages will occur, including singer/songwriter/author Johnette Downing and storyteller Diane de Las Casas. Also on the Jazz Park porch and in Dutch Alley, children will have the opportunity to engage in craft-making, from secondline hanky and umbrella decorating to seed planting with New Orleans Farm & Food Network. Kids can enjoy facepainting and a balloon artist as well as circus arts workshops facilitated by KidSmART and a tomato necklace activity hosted by Ninth Ward Community HeART of Justus. Souvenir t-shirts, tanks, and aprons will be for sale at three locations: Upper Pontalba, Dumaine Street, and the Farmers Market. Throughout the Festival, signature tomato festival fans, jar openers, and shopping bags will be offered while supplies last. In addition to the regular Farmers Market eateries featuring local flavor, from seafood to Cajun specialties, vegetarian options, and fresh produce, there will be a dozen tented festival food booths alongside the Farmers Market selling Creole Tomato dishes. For more information, visit FrenchMarket.ORG or “French Market New Orleans” on Facebook.
NOGMC Celebrates Turning 30 with XXX: The Musical!
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ew Orleans Gay Men's Chorus celebrates turning 30 with it's June concert, XXX: The Musical!, a celebration of 30 years of music that NOGMC has commissioned for it's chorus. And what would a celebration be without very special guest, Varla Jean Merman, to help light the candles - or whatever else might get lit? The concerts are in New Orleans at the Recital Hall of UNO’s Performing Arts Center on Friday, June 15th at 7:30pm, and at the Unitarian Church of Baton Rouge on Saturday, June 16th at 7:30pm. Tickets are $25 in advance at nogmc.com and at the door. NOGMC will pull popular numbers from it's show of gay icons, Diva by Diva, one hit wonders from Pop Musick, and songs of love and family from Home. NOGMC has commissioned the composer of Diva by Diva, David Maddux, to write new arrangements of music from such diverse artists as Michael Jackson, Lady Gaga, Beyoncé, ‘N Sync, Ricky Martin and Petula Clark. So get ready for a Thiller of an evening of Livin’ la Vida Loca with a Bad Romance that will have you on the Telephone saying, “These Girls Just Wanna Have Fun, but they’re nothin’ but a bunch of Gypsies, Tramps, and Thieves.” But after saying, “Bye, Bye, Bye,” you might look at the Man in the Mirror and think, “I ain’t no Proud Mary, because I Believe that, If I Were a Boy or a Big Boned Gal, I’d simply Think Pink and Color My World, rather than having this Constant Craving for Miss Chatelaine and Mickey.”
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under the gaydar by Tony Leggio Email: tonymgp@hotmail.com Photo by: Larry Graham, GrahamStudioOne.COM
Bartender of the Month
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ew Orleans gay bar scene has many facets with each bar having its own personality, its own style let’s say. Our next bartender of the month hails from a very popular watering hole with a much storied reputation. If anyone is interested in taking a walk on the wild side, then Rawhide is your place. There are not many places in this city that promises you an experience such as this one. And there is no better bartender in this establishment that can help you navigate Rawhide then my bartender of the month for June, Dirty Joe.
antly funny and memorable people that enhance your visit. It is easy for some bartenders with venues that have a certain draw to become slack in how they deal with customers because they figure they are coming there anyway. I have seen that attitude in many places, but Dirty Joe is the exception to this rule. He goes out of his way to make customers feel genuinely appreciated. He is able to handle a full bar of patrons, which is not an easy task in Rawhide where darkness is the norm. It takes a special person to handle particular kinds of bars and not only does Joe do this with ease, he is one of the more popular servers. Any bar that gets a late night crowd needs a bartender that is not only proficient in his job, but able to handle a rowdy patron. From what I have witnessed there is nothing this man cannot handle with ease. That is why he gets repeat clientele, at least he is one of the reasons. So if you are looking for a little excitement in your night, stop by and say hi to Dirty Joe at Rawhide. I can guarantee you will never be the same again. Rawhide is located at 740 Burgundy Street.
Are Your Ready for an Alien/Titanic Mashup!
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Bartender Dirty Joe, Rawhide I mean, could he have not picked a more fitting nickname. The cool thing about the gay bars in New Orleans is that the bartenders become very colorful local characters. Dirty Joe is one of these flamboy-
he Mystic Krewe of Satyricon is presenting the opening night of another one of Running With Scissors hilarious mash-ups of two box office hits. This special opening night performance will be on Thursday, June 21 at 8pm. Travel back in time — before the internet, before television, before Americans knew words like OMG and LOL and Kardashian. Join us in this heady era,
when queens were queens and radio was king, as the Running With Scissors Radio Players present a hilarious, action-packed double-bill: An Alien Home Companion & The Titanic Comedy Hour. In its characteristically camped-up style, Running With Scissors has reimagined these two cinematic blockbusters — Alien and Titanic — as radio plays, performed by a dedicated troupe of young(ish) starlets, Broadway washouts, and at least one diabolical diva. Watch as this motley mob of half-baked hacks drags listeners to the furthest reaches of the universe to fight a surprisingly civilized alien menace. Tag along on board the Titanic, as they tell a tawdry tale of class warfare, forbidden love, and Celine Dion. Will these beloved cinematic stories change in Running With Scissors’ hands? Darned tootin’ they will — and how. An Alien Home Companion & The Titanic Comedy Hour (presented by the Running With Scissors Radio Players) stars Kyle Daigrepont, Jack Long, Brian Peterson, and Dorian Rush. The performance will be held at the AllWays Theatre located at 2240 St. Claude Avenue, at the corner of Marigny Street. Tickets are $20 and showtime is at 8pm. For tickets, call 504.415.6476.
Petronius is Heating Up the Kitchen
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he Krewe of Petronius is presenting Cooking with the Queens on Saturday, June 16 at the New Orleans School of Cooking. If you have never been to this event, you are in for a treat. For your $35 ticket, you get a three course meal cooked right before your eyes by the expert staff with special help from some of our favorite ladies such as Bootsie DeVille and many more. Not only do you get to see these well-known New Orleans favorites prepared to you for scratch, but you learn the recipes and how easy it is to do this at home. You may go for the meal, but it is the floor show that makes the night. The event starts at 7pm. For tickets, call 713.444.8572 or go to www.kreweofpetronius.org. The New Orleans School of Cooking is located at 524 St. Louis.
Amon-Ra Host Pretty In Pink: Prom 2012
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he Krewe of Amon-Ra is hosting it's annual Prom night on Saturday, June 16th, 7pm, upstairs in the Parade above the Bourbon Pub, 801 Bourbon Street. This year's theme is Pretty In Pink and you have the chance to become Prom King or Queen which is done by audience participation. It's $15 at the door. Visit KreweOfAmonRa.COM for more information.
Armeinius Presents Tulane Summer Lyric Opening
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he Krewe of Armeinius hosts several opening nights over the summer of Tulane Summer Lyric with the first one being Sunset Boulevard on Wednes day, June 20 at 8pm. Tickets are $35 and the theatre is located at Dixon Hall on Tulane’s Campus. For information or to buy tickets, go to www.kreweofarmeinius.org.
Are You Ready To Be Proud
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here are so many exciting things happening with Gay Pride this year. First congratulations to Mr. and Miss Pride 2012 Mark Callahan, Jr. and Starr Alexander who did a phenomenal job at JohnPaul’s for the pageant. There are seven days of events beginning June 18 through the 22 ranging from film screenings and family restaurant nights to the parade and block party. To keep up to date, go to www.nolapride.biz for information, or go their page on Facebook at New Orleans Pride.
Party Down
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ell if you thought last week’s column was short, I have definitely made up for it in the last two weeks. Memorial Day was a blast with lots of fun adventures, parties and just a slight hint of scandal. Let’s start the week prior on Tuesday when I went to the open house of Petite Bourbon located at 530 Bourbon Street. This new event venue boasts a spacious courtyard and balcony as well as a nicely decorated room to host your upcoming functions. Ralph Brennan and Pigeon’s did the catering making their hospitality evening a huge success. Afterwards some friends and I went to Oz for a few more cocktails which ended in a late night in which two of my friends entered the Bad A$$ Booty Boy contest hosted by the fabulous Blanche DeBris. Congratulations to my friend Tal for coming in second place. Your mama would be so proud. On Thursday, my friend Robbie Banta graduated from college with an MD behind his name now. His boyfriend Marvin hosted the party at our friend Laurene’s house in Old Metairie. What an amazing night of good friends coming together to celebrate a major accomplishment. There were lots of flowing cocktails as we cheered Robbie’s next major step in his life. It is always good to have a doctor in your calling circle. On Friday, my weekend started off promising with me and several friends going to Phillip’s for their Friday Gay Happy Hour. One of our group, Jobie is traveling to India to help as a missionary, build schools, feed the hungry, or some other noble nonsense like that. I am just kidding, Jobie is spending the summer working to help people in an impover-
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under the gaydar ...from 10 ished area. I hope he brings me back something cool. It is actually very refreshing to see younger people getting involved in making the world a better place. After Phillips, my friend Beaux and I met some others at Oz for an evening of amusement and frivolity. It was there Blackout party and like true Tony form, I thought they meant it literally, but I kind of liked waking up with a battery operated flashlight around my neck. Like a Boy Scout, it is always good to be prepared. On Saturday, my friends Laura and Gary joined me for a subdued evening at the theatre seeing Kiss Kiss Julia. This Artspot production was held at the old Indigo restaurant in Esplanade Ridge area. What a sexy play that contained both male and female full nudity. I always knew that Nick Sile was a great actor, but after seeing him in this, he gets my vote in more ways than one. On Sunday, Amon-Ra held their annual fish fry at Michael's On the Park and it was a smashing success. This is one of the krewes that always does a wonderful event and this was no different. Paul is an expert at frying seafood and everyone who attended had a great time. Afterward, I made it to the New Orleans Mr. and Miss Gay Pride Pageant at JohnPaul’s. As Grand Marshals, Matthew and I hosted a pre-pageant party upstairs in their Victorian lounge for all new sponsors. Then we moved downstairs to become two of the judges in the pageant. What an exciting night with some great talent. It was immense to see so many people come out to the event, and thank you to the Amon-Ra people who attended after their shindig. And a congratulations go out to Mark Callahan, Jr. and Starr Alexander who are your new Mr. and Miss Pride 2012. The following week was a flurry of activity with beginning on Wednesday with the New Orleans Food and Wine Experience Vintner Dinner at 555 Restaurant with a wonderful mixture of friends, colleagues and clients. The food was phenomenal and from what I was told so was the wine. Sigh. Because following I was a judge at the Miss Gay New Orleans America pageant. This was my first time being a judge at a pageant where the winner goes to Miss Gay Louisiana America so I was nervous. Thank God they sat me next to Darwin Reed who helped me tremendously. I cannot say enough about this man who is not only a great friend but a very wise mentor, his kindness and knowledge knows no bounds. But I have to admit whoever wrote the rules that you could not drink at this event was nuts, a few cocktails would have made this go by a lot easier. I swear if I see one more drag queen do another
ten minute number I am going to lose it. People can barely take the real singer performing anything for ten minutes, let alone a dude in a dress, keep it short, your audience’s attention span starts to wane at four minutes. But when all was said and done Starr Alexander came out as the winner, two sashes in one week, she is going for the triple crown. The following day, my friends Laura and Erin joined me for the Royal Street Stroll as part of NOWFE. This is when all the galleries open their doors and have vintners serving their wines to guests as they peruse the art, antiques and gifts. I love this event and it was a nice way to spend the evening. Afterwards, I did a swing by JohnPaul’s for a late night cocktail or two then off to bed. Friday was the NOWFE Grand Tasting at the New Orleans Convention Center and oh what a night that will probably go down in infamy. It started off innocently when my friends, Nick, Laura, Whitney, Beaux and I went to the event. The Grand Tasting is where you have over 75 different restaurants and over one hundred wineries doing tastings. So basically it is an eating and drinking smorgasbord of gluttony, but a good one. The wines were just fantastic and the restaurants all presented their best dishes. Then we discovered the vodka and tequila area, and that seems to be where the night went slightly awry. In your mind’s eye, you are innocently tasting different brands of tequila and vodka, but in reality, you are shooting several shots of straight liquor. So when the tasting ended, we decided that no, we needed to continue our evening of mayhem, so we were off to the Rusty Nail in the Warehouse District, which is quite the eclectic bar. After that, a few of us went home, but the diehards, or maybe the drunkards (all semantics) continued onto Oz where we met up with a new cast of characters. After partying at military night at Oz and more shots, several of us went to the Pub, where I judged the Strip-off contest along with the lovely Frankie Fierce. Then it seems I managed to get myself to JohnPaul’s to
end the night. FYI, if anyone saw a hot mess that night that resembled me, remember it was my doppelganger. And that is the story I am sticking with. Saturday rolled over me quickly like a steamroller. I had to work that day, ugh! That evening after a little disco nap, I attended the birthday party of Mr. Cocktail Paul Tuennerman, one of the founders of Tales of the Cocktail, at Maison du Lac out by the Lakefront with some friends. There is something to be said about joining a party on the water at sunset that makes all your problems seem so far away. They had an old fashioned clam bake with lots of delectable sea-faring cuisine, lots to drink (imagine that) and disco dancing. What made this soiree even more enjoyable was the unique mix of guests attending. Meeting these wonderful new people was the highlight of the night. One can tell summer is here because the Sunday of Memorial Day weekend was hotter than Hades. My friends, Chris (aka Barbara Ella, who btw is moving back to town in August), Beaux and Barrett went to the Greek Festival which is always a good time. But not even the hot Greek men were able to keep us there in the scorching sun. After about two hours, we went to a friend Bonnie’s house for a magnificent pool party with specialty margaritas and mojitos. After a few hours of socializing and swimming, we went to JohnPaul’s for a few cocktails and to meet up with some more comrades. By the time we finished, it was time for the Lords of Leather Beach Party at the Phoenix. Now, I am hardly a prude, but even this event made me blush. Damn, these Lords know how to throw down, and I do mean that literally, I saw several guys getting thrown down. As a good Southern girl, I grabbed my Uptown pearls and made a hasty retreat. And, by hasty retreat, I mean I left two hours later. There parties are always the best, $10 all you can drink,
plus a clothes check. I mean, who does that anymore, outstanding. Well, I enjoyed the entire night which was definitely filled with new experiences and I met a lovely guy named Chase (I know soap opera name). On Memorial Day, I was barely able to make it to my friends Ron and Mike’s pool party at their home near UNO. What a great day of lounging by the pool with barbecue, great company and lovely libations. Their house was like a little oasis in a residential neighborhood, and they did an excellent job on all the details from potent drinks to bedazzled pool toys. It was a very relaxing way to top off the long weekend. I hope everyone had a safe and happy holiday. But do not get lax, because the party scene this summer is just beginning to burn up.
Tony’s Tidbits of Wisdom
R
ecently, an interesting thing caught my attention that I wanted to share it with you. I went to a grocery store and they had a softball troupe there bagging groceries for tips to help raise funds for them to go to some tournament out of state. The part I found refreshing was they were actually working, not standing outside begging people for money as they left the store. Those people outside retail outlets and the ones by the side of the road are my biggest pet peeves. I am not talking about homeless people in wheelchairs, but those kids trying to go to some cheerleading or softball competition, or the gutter punks who need to get more money for beer so they can continue their life of doing nothing. When did begging strangers for money become an acceptable fundraising technique?
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paparazzi
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13th MASCARa Weekend: Hamster Derby, Lube Wrestling, Crawfish Boil, MASCARa Race raising $9,426 for the NOCCA Institute ~ New Orleans
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Pensacola Beach View from Hampton Inn On The Beach
Wave Beach Bash
Hot @ Wave Beach Bash Marsha finds her new ride in downtown Pensacola
travel
On the beach
papar azzi
Bianca Del Rio & Lauren Mitchell host Bitch Bingo @ Emerald City
New Orleans own Matthew Birkhoff shows off his best asset Bianca Del Rio on stage @ Wave Beach Bash Leah welcomes you back to the Hampton Inn’s Tiki Bar
View from the Hilton
Food available @ Splash Beach Fest Catching the rays The 10,000 square foot tent for Splash Beach Fest @ the gay beach
Under the big top for Wave Black Light Beach Bash Saturday night
Oz host Persana Shoulders & entourage
New Orleans’ Jason George
Sculpture garden created by Marlon & Preston Miller out of oak trees destroyed by Katrina @ Mississippi Welcome Center
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Memorial Day Weekend ~ Pensacola & Pensacola Beach, Florida
A fan with Oz DJ Tim Pflueger spinning for Splash Beach Fest
Memorial Day Weekend @ Emerald City ~ Pensacola, Florida ~ Photos by Lauren Mitchell
emerald city paparazzi
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Happy Birthday Miss Cie... We Love YOU!
mobile
Welcome home Aaron & Matt
Birthdays, Boys, Girls ~ Mobile, Alabama ~ Photos by Cie Anne & John
papar azzi
B-Bob’s DJ Chris with Cruise Director Judson Happy Birthday Order of Osiris King Stevie... We Love You!!
Corey & Terry with the Girls...
Happy Birthday Mr. President, Jeremy... We Love YOU.
B-Bob’s bartenders serving it up... Welcome back Miss Venus with Miss Cie
Hello, Joseph & Boys...
Jennifer & Company enjoying a night @ B-Bob’s
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feature Local Artist Returns to The 700 Club
B
eing no stranger to the visual and performing arts, it would seem that New Orleans local, Jay Hendrix, has been painting as long as he’s been performing. Not so! At the age of 44, he picked up his first paint brush just four years ago. With no formal training and being completely self taught, he drew inspiration from the artists he most identified with: Dali, Picasso, Matisse, Kahlo, and the rest as they say....is the future!
Artist Jay Hendrix
After an extremely successful first ever art opening at 700 Club two years ago and the introduction of his wildly popular Kitty collection, Jay has been asked to do several commissions both privately and commercially. His work has been displayed in restaurants and retail spaces from New Orleans to Houston. Now he returns to 700 Club this month with a new collection he calls A Tribute to the Masters and Kitty’s Komeback. Come join Mr. Hendrix and 700 Club Thursday, June 21st from 6-8pm as they present these colorfully re-worked classics, and meet the “colorful” artist behind Kitty’s creation.
trodding the boards by Brian Sands
Email: bsnola2@hotmail.com
New in New York ...and NOLA
I
f you’re a theater lover and heading up to New York in the next few weeks, it’s a great opportunity to check out the current crop of Broadway shows before the Tony Awards (or lack thereof) signal the end of some runs. While there may not be an immediate need to see Once (featuring former NOLA Project member Will Connolly), as it looks likely to win the Best Musical award and be around for a while, here are three shows that I recently saw that, win or lose, are quite worth seeing. Top on the list for any gay man should be End of the Rainbow (Belasco Theater), a London import about Judy Garland, ’cause even if you think you’ve been through this territory before, Peter Quilter’s biodrama provides an immediacy and a theatricality that rivet one’s attention. It’s December 1968. No longer Dorothy or even Vicki Lester, a throatier though still charismatic Judy and her husband-tobe Mickey Deans arrive in London for the start of what is to be a five week run at the Talk of the Town nightclub. Promising to behave herself, Judy is convinced that their (huge) suite at The Ritz Hotel is smaller than the one she had last time.
That’s about the least of her worries. Short of funds, Judy pulls every trick in the book to get the imperious hotel manager to let her and Deans stay without paying in full right away. Worse, Judy seems to be in thrall to the pills and alcohol that
Tracie Bennett in End of the Rainbow (Photo by Carol Rosegg)
have fueled her since she was a child actress. Sure there was a physical addiction, but Quilter’s subtly captivating script, which only occasionally succumbs to cliches in plotting or dialog, lays out Garland’s insecurities and harrowing psychological need for chemical support despite her towering talent. Such a sturdy vehicle would hardly run, however, if the actress playing Garland could not pull off the tough task of portraying a legend. And here, End of the Rainbow triumphs with a career-making performance by Tracie Bennett who, whether singing, smoking, lusting after her man, or just plain posturing, is utterly natural, yet seemingly larger than life. Bennett’s Garland offers self-deprecating humor and can turn the diva shtik on like that, but in her off moments she still seems always to be performing even if only for an audience of one. That Bennett is Tony-nominated for Best Actress in a Play is a little surprising as, recreating the Talk of the Town engagement, she sings about ten songs in the course of Rainbow utterly capturing Garland’s unique persona and sounding uncannily like her. This is an extraordinary performance that keeps on giving including a little lagniappe after the bows. This is no one woman show, however. Michael Cumpsty shades his performance as Garland’s gay, loyal pianist with nobility, resignation and, late in the game, a bit of pie-in-the-sky optimism, clearly getting a certain satisfaction for being in the orbit of an icon. As Deans, Tom Pelphrey fights hard to save Garland; whether he really sees her as anything more than a meal ticket is left pleasingly ambiguous yet Pelphrey makes it clear, that among hard choices, he’s trying to do the right thing. All of Rainbow’s production values are topnotch and Terry Johnson’s wonderfully modulated direction, along with the performances, gives depth to the tabloidity of Judy’s descent into her own personal hell, a process almost painful to watch as her layers of desperation are revealed. One can’t help but wonder if Quilter is already preparing a play about Whitney... If Garland was fatally burned by the glare of the ever-present spotlight, a few blocks away from the Belasco, a family is doing all it can to remain on the sidelines of our national stage. In Jon Robin Baitz’ Other Desert Cities (Booth Theatre thru June 17), Brooke Wyeth (Elizabeth Marvel) is visiting her parents Polly (Stockard Channing) and Lyman (Stacy Keach) for Christmas. Brooke, a writer, had had a nervous breakdown a few years ago and was hospitalized but is now apparently well. She has brought along a memoir of the family that will soon be published. And as with any memoir worth publishing, it contains material that Lyman and especially Polly do not want the public to see. For they are Republicans, friends of Nancy and Ron, Lyman a former actor of some note himself and once the chairman of the California G.O.P. And the fact that they had a son who had joined a Weatherman-like organization in the 1970s, participated in a fatal bombing, and then killed himself, is something they want to keep in the past. Against John Lee Beatty’s well-heeled Palm Springs home that is anchored by a stone wall, an apt metaphor, Joe Mantello fluidly directs Baitz’ sharp, glittering dialog that reveals his exquisitely defined characters—Lyman, the overprotective peace-
maker whose still currents run deep; Brooke, luminescent but forever devastated by the loss of her brother; and Lyman & Polly’s son Trip (Thomas Sadoski), a reality show producer whose casual demeanor does not preclude strong emotions. Best of all are Polly and her sister Silda Grauman (Judith Light), Jews from Texas who came to Hollywood and became successful screenwriters of a series of teenage-themed movies. If Silda, a recovering alcoholic is funny and warm and everything you’d want your aunt to be, Polly is the opposite. Strident and selfassured to a fault, she hates being fair. While not entirely covering up her Jewishness, it’s certainly nothing she flaunts. Loyal to her friends, she will not countenance disloyalty, even in those closest to her. With Brooke determined to publish, Baitz lets these characters go at each other and if these are the 1%, I’m happy to be part of the other 99. The cast is nearly perfect. Keach brings patrician authority to Lyman yet gives him a softer side as well, more Rockefeller Republican than Tea Party. Sadoski fulfills the role of the third child, friend to all, no agenda to push, hoping everyone gets along but refusing to partici-
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under the gaydar ...from 12 I throw many fundraisers; you give people canapés, cocktails and background music with a lovely silent auction; now that ladies and gentlemen is how you raise funds. The other day, no lie at the corner of Elysian Fields and Claiborne, there were four different groups working the intersection. A group of grunge kids had one corner and several of them were texting on their phones while begging. Seriously, somehow utter poverty is not coming to mind when you have a cell phone. Then there was the homeless, which by the way, I recognized as a man who lived in a house in my neighborhood, and by no means is he homeless or hungry. The next corner was a cheerleading squad, in which one pushy little girl in pigtails came up to my car and demanded money so she could go to Florida for a competition, I told her to do a flip if she wanted something. I mean, how do I know these kids are any good, I do not want to back a losing team. What lessons are we teaching our youth, beg for money for the things in life you want? You do not have to work for it or even actually earn it. At least when a drag queen wants to go to a pageant, she puts on a benefit show, there is some “entertainment value” (I use this term loosely) involved. But still you are given something in return for your money. Also, I do not know exactly how safe it is to have these children running in and out of cars at a busy intersection for dollar bills. So stop giving money to these people, or pretty soon I will walk around asking for money to send me to Europe. Hell, I know people who would pay good money to see me out of town for two weeks. Hey, it could work. If you have an event, story or idea, you want covered, contact me at tonymgp@hotmail.com.
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ambush
papar azzi
Bourbon Pub Parade office manager Chuck Kee & friends Jeff & Tip @ JohnPaul’s for Mr. & Miss Pride pageant
Catch Shawn @ Napoleon’s Itch
Tal displays how to do a proper body shot on Derek @ Oz Mr. & Miss Pride pageant @ JohnPaul’s
Chuck cozies up with one of his staff @ Napoleon’s Itch
Enjoining Toby’s NO/AIDS Walk Crawfish Boil @ Club LAX
Blanche looking for cute boys for Oz’s Bad A$$ Booty Boy Contest
More Toby’s NO/AIDS Walk Crawfish Boil
Dave @ Rab Dab during Royal Street Stroll for New Orleans Food & Wine Experience
Country Club managers Drew & Bert @ Bourbon Pub’s Friday Night Strip Off
Hot boys @ Oz
4 Seasons/Double Play/Billy’s Chuck joins Toby’s NO/AIDS Walk Crawfish Boil
Kevin, Brent & Justin attend Mr. & Miss Pride pageant @ JohnPaul’s
La Mina Sterling’s Poncho joins Royal Street Stroll
The cast of Xanadu does an impromptu number @ Bourbon Pub’s Friday Night Strip Off
Bartender Dee welcomes you to Michael's On The Park
Contestants @ Bourbon Pub’s Friday Night Strip Off
Down to the wire in Bad A$$ Booty Boy Contest @ Oz
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Around the City ~ New Orleans & Metairie, Louisiana ~ Photos Tony Leggio
Stephanie Lee & bartender David join Toby’s NO/AIDS Walk Crawfish Boil @ Club LAX
trodding the boards ...from 22 pate in the others’ childishnesses. Light captures Silda’s decency and waggish charm, but looks like the alcohol has taken a grave toll on her (could this be the same actress who starred in Who’s the Boss??). And Channing is incredible. Gone is the gentle wonderment from Six Degrees of Separation, replaced by a high-strung, tight-cheeked steeliness that is masked by bonhomie only when she’s getting her way. Overly concerned with what her friends might think, not till the end does she expose the full depth of her maternal instincts.
Stockard Channing & Stacy Keach in Other Desert Cities (Photo by Joan Marcus) Only Marvel is, well, less than marvelous. A fine but powerful actress, Marvel’s Brooke seems less like someone who would have a nervous breakdown than the type who’d have a drink, get a good night’s sleep and then conquer any challenge that might come along. Where the role demands a certain delicacy, we get a steamroller instead. Baitz has a great story to tell and, like Ibsen whose families must eventually face their demons, he only gradually reveals all its secrets. A little too gradually perhaps— though dealing with hard existential truths amid political discussions of a very high order, at times a certain repetitiousness crept in. Although only a little nipping and tucking might be needed, at times I wanted to say “Alright, I get it.” It’s a measure of the production as a whole, however, that I was always engaged and eager to see what happens next. I can’t say I was eager to see what would happen next when the curtain came down at the end of Act One at Peter and the Starcatcher (Brooks Atkinson Theatre). For despite a fine finale, I had found the preceding hour or so rather tedious as a dozen hard-working actors ladled out gobs of exposition to set the story in motion. But after intermission, it was as though I had returned to a different, magical show! Adapted by Rick Elice from Dave Barry and Ridley Pearson’s novel, Peter and the Starcatcher conjures up the backstory for Peter Pan, a prequel if you will. There’s a Lord, his daughter, her nanny, some nasty sea captains and their henchmen, a preening villain by the name of Black Stache, and an orphan boy with no name, called just “Boy.” Whereas the first act is dark and set amidst dreary workhouses and the dank holds of ships, (I suspect intentionally, but I still found it rather dull to look at), the second act is full of light, above and below water, as a shipwreck tosses this patchwork krewe onto an island filled with ravenous alligators and other memorable creatures, a triumph for designers Donyale Werle (sets), Paloma Young (costumes), and Jeff Croiter (lighting). Whereas during the first act I felt like I was being spoon-fed the story, as though told to eat my vegetables cause “they’re good for you”, Act Two is a truffle and bonbon filled delight as the various parts of the story organically click into place to produce a lump-in-your-throat ending. And how can you not love something that opens with a chorus of ukelele-strumming mermaids?! And whereas the acting in Act One reminded me of troupe of thespians trying to keep the attention of a junior high school crowd with a merely presentational style of story-telling, in the second act, the entire cast found inspiration in the emotionally richer material which allowed them to connect to the audience in a visceral, deeplysatisfying way. Elice’s script employs mostly Victorian locutions but
current expressions (“Can you hear me?” a la a cell phone ad) slyly creep in along with historical digressions, alliterations, puns, flatulence jokes and, especially in Act Two, daffily dexterous wordplay as in “He singlehandedly rendered me single-handed.” Roger Rees and Alex Timbers’ adroit direction blossoms in the second act once it’s finally unencumbered by the preceding gloom. Each member of the cast has their moment(s) in the spotlight. Celia Keenan-Bolger emits a winning stoicism and British stiff upper lip-edness as the noble daughter who takes charge of the ludicrous circumstances that engulf her; slowly revealing her heart, she is, by the end, deliciously melting. As Boy, I found Adam Chanler-Berat a bit wan to begin with, as befits the character; ironically, as he becomes less human and transforms into Peter Pan he becomes more pleasingly full-blooded. And looking like a young Tim Curry, Christian (Smash) Borle makes Black Stache the most preposterous of scoundrels, layering his malignity with ridiculousness; watching his face redden is like seeing some cartoon character come to life! So should you see Peter and the Starcatcher? Well, I’m not sure
I’d pay full price for a ticket but if it’s on the half price TKTS Booth in Duffy Square, then by all means go and enjoy! For those of you who won’t be going to the Tony Awards in New York, the Actor’s Equity Association Liaison Committee and the National WWII Museum Stage Door Canteen will be presenting a Tony Party on June 10. It’ll be at the WWII Museum (945 Magazine Street) and is open to all members of New Orleans’ theater community and the community at large. There’s no admission charge, doors open at 6pm with dinner seating downstairs featuring a special menu by John Besh; upstairs cocktail seating will also be available. Required reservations can be made by calling 504.528.1944, ext. 287. Sounds to me like everyone there will be a winner!
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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 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 SPLASH, 2183 Highland Rd., 242.9491, SplashBR.COM
book stores New Orleans, LA [504] FAB - Faubourg Marigny Art & Books, 600 Frenchmen St., 947.3700
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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
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cable shows New Orleans, LA [504] THE GAR WILLIAMS SHOW, Every Wed. &Sat., 8:30am & 8:30pm, Access Television Channel 99
hair salons
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., 1526 Magazine, 566.1833 [is1112]
circuit/events Houma LA [985] THE DRAMA CLUB, 126 N. Hollywood, 580.2582 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,
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New Orleans, LA [504] QUARTERMASTER DELI, THE NELLIE DELI, 1100 Bourbon, 529.1416
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antiques
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
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 Easter Sunday, March 31, 2013, 14th Official Gay Easter Parade, New Orleans, sponsored by Ambush, GayEasterParade.COM May 24-27, 2013 Memorial Day Weekend, Pensacola, FL, sponsored by Ambush, GayPensacola.COM
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
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
hardware New Orleans, LA [504] MARY'S FRENCH QUARTER HARDWARE, 732 N. Rampart, 529.4465
insurance New Orleans, LA [504] ALLSTATE: Buckwalter Insurance Group LLC, 2002 20th St., Kenner, 504.469.4800;101 Schexnayder Ln., Destrehan, 985.764.3833 LIFE INSURANCE: As an independent agent, I can shop around and find you the best rate to fit your budget. Call Terry today at 504.444.1120. [is1412]
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] 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]
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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 [is2612]
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 & din-
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ner, 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, 2443 Halsey Ave., New Orleans, LA 70114, 504.906.7990 Todd J. Blauvelt / Secretary, krewe.of.satyricon@gmail.com, 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
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
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 Organic Banana, 1100 N. Peters, Bay 27, 587.7903 Orleans Grapevine Wine & Bar Bistro, 720 Orleans, 523.1930 Prime, 3162 Dauphine, opening soon Quartermaster: The Nellie Deli, 1100 Bourbon St. , 529.1416, QuartermasterDeli.NET
retail/shopping 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 SECOND SKIN LEATHER, 521 St. Philip, 561.8167
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 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
AMBUSH
MAG.COM
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,
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a community within communities
by The Rev. Bill Terry, Rector St. Anna’s Episcopal Church Email: fr.bill@stannanola.org
Father’ Day
feminine persona: one judging the other nurturing. Yet, it is precisely this sense of gender-biased division that often results in withdrawal and rejection or at the very least a fear of acceptance. Happy Father’s Day! Maybe not for all: some maybe dead; others abusive; others still disinterested and thus rejection. What seems to be lacking in all of this? A whole person just as a whole deity must by definition be a fully integrated
person. All of us have attributes that are feminine and masculine. Nature dictates which is dominant and which is not. Culture then props that up and society begins to lay out rolls for each of those gender orientations. What seems to be lacking in all of this? The idea of God the Father is, at the very least, an archetype. True it is histori-
[continued on 33]
“Father, we love You We worship and adore You Glorify Thy Name in all the earth” (Composed by Donna Adkins 1976) hat is until he hits you and bashes you and rejects you! The Judeo-Christian image of God as Father is a very hard pill to swallow for some. For some, terrible childhood experiences are projected upon this image of God the Father. There are attempts to feminize God and offer prayers to Her instead of He. It is true that in the Old Testament ‘wisdom’, one of God’s attributes is seen as feminine. It is argued by some that our religion should abandon any gender reference. One argument that is made is that of a person who experienced an abusive Father (or Mother) in such a case their experience of a parent evokes sorrowful memories or even high anxiety. I know a young very devout Christian man who worships on a regular basis. He came from a rigid Roman background where authority was to be feared. At least some of that fear came from a father who would beat him with some regularity for the least infraction – seemingly because he was around and someone to hit. His story of pain is not unique. The projections we allow ourselves to make about a faith that calls God - Father, Jesus – Son, and the Holy Spirit – who knows! Maleness infers aggression decisiveness and the feminine nurturing and wisdom. For sure, fear and loathing, manipulation and hurt seem to run rampant in such a way of being and thinking. What seems to be lacking in all of this? I was once told that when a person preaching refers constantly to God they subversively evoke a male persona. When they constantly used the name of Jesus they evoke a
T
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Blanche & Oz bar baron Doyle @ Oz’s Sunday Drag Dingo
Dusty Debris hosts Eye Candy @ Club LAX in Metairie
The Oz cast joins Dusty & Family for her Graduation Show @ Oz
Mercedes Ellis Loreal in On the DL @ 4 Seasons
Chef Pete does Amon-Ra Fish Fry @ Michael’s On The Park
Cookouts, Shows & More ~ New Orleans & Metairie, Louisiana ~ Photos by Devin, Frankie Fierce, Paul Melancon, John Zeringue
Amon-Ra Fish Fry Chef Paul, John & David @ Michael’s On The Park
On the DL @ 4 Seasons in Metairie
Britney Johnson & RileyRy Conrad in Eye Candy @ Club LAX
Cougar Cabaret guest star Tittie Toulouse @ Tubby’s Golden Lantern
Kajun’s Pub’s Joann joins Amon-Ra Fish Fry @ Michael’s
Opal, Frank, Pete & Darwin in for Memorial Day Cookout @ Double Play
Crowning of Miss Gay New Orleans America Starr Alexander @ Oz
The ladies of Oz do the Disney Show Petronius’ Randy, Bill & Jimmy @ Amon-Ra Fish Fry @ Michael’s
Cougar Cabaret’s Gizelle Bouvier @ Tubby’s Golden Lantern
Bartender Will welcomes you to Memorial Day @ Double Play
snap paparazzi
Black Ice & Robert @ Amon-Ra Fish Fry @ Michael’s
Oz’s hit DJ JRB
Electra City guest stars in Cougar Cabaret @ Tubby’s Golden Lantern
Bartender Jeff in Memorial Day mode @ Cafe Lafitte in Exile
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a community within communities ...from 30 cally based in general role assumptions but so what. What is the archetype of faith that Jesus embraced? It is a God that is a protector and that is just. It is what a Father should be. It is not what your or my father necessarily is/was. This Father that we acknowledge when we say “Our Father who art in heaven” is fully integrated. This Father is just and compassionate, this father is neither male nor female in the sense that we project onto him/her. This Father has the wisdom of the women of the ages and the strength of universe. This Father is the father that we all wanted and did not completely have – none of us did – even those that had/have good fathers. Within our community there are fathers, perhaps call them Abba, for surely Abba speaks to a gentle spirit that is strong, wise, and filled with wisdom and kindness. Abba is precisely who Jesus prayed to. I know several men and women who are Abba. Alice Brady was Abba to generations of lesbians and gay men who sought refuge, protection, and safety. Louie Crew who lives in New Jersey and founded Integrity a gay rights organization in the Episcopal Church is Abba to hundreds who needed someone to give them voice and again safety, protection, and dignity. There is a woman at St. Anna’s Church, Diana, who is married with two adult children. She works 12-15 hours per day insuring that medical care is provided to the uninsured. In her “spare time” she shows care and an embracing nurturing for those who work with her. She is a safe emotional place yet she is strong and loyal – she is Abba to many. On June 17th do not seek to despise he that hurt you. Do not try to reinvent a Judeo-Christian God with genital attributes but rather seek out the Holy Abba that our Lord Jesus knew and trusted – even so much that he would die for him based on a promise of eternal life. If your father was a good man then celebrate your good luck and good life. If your father was abusive and hurtful – find the Abba in your life and celebrate and give thanks for that person who more closely resembles the strong and protecting God of Jesus and celebrate them. Name your Abba and tell them so.
When we do this we move from gender biased gut responses founded in fear and loathing and we hold our own council. We are no longer manipulated by a society so fear driven that we become amorphous beings but rather celebrate humanity and diversity. Just as there is something to be said for the divine feminine there is equally something to be said for the divine masculine. God is Abba and secure in whatever gender based attribute God has offers us. Find that shining light that is your Abba not by genetics but by words and works and holy presence and above intimacy and trust.
A m b u s h Pr i d e De a d l i n e : T u e s d a y, J u n e 1 2 t h Ca l l 5 0 4 .5 2 2 .8 0 4 9
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ambush
papar azzi
Bartender Greg welcomes you to the Phoenix
700 Club bar baron Matt
Voodoo & Ninth Circle manager Tadgh 4 Seasons’ newest addition, bartender HoneyB, joins new manager John in Metairie
Ninth Circle bartender Duane having cocktails @ 700 Club
Circuit great Lydia Prim Memorial Weekend @ Ninth Circle
Bartender Shayne welcomes you to Ninth Circle Jason cocktailing @ 700 Club Bartender Earl working the Ruby Slipper @ Oz
Extreme Midget Wrestler inducts Club LAX’s Toby
Dancers Cody & Chet in Corner Pocket’s New Meat Amateur Dance Contest
David poses @ Le Roundup
Tammy & Eric @ Le Roundup
Cody wetting down Chris @ Corner Pocket’s Wet Jockey Shorts Contest
DJ Builder @ the Phoenix
The stars of Extreme Midget Wrestling @ Club LAX in Metairie
Cocktailin’ @ the Phoenix
Paul entertaining @ JohnPaul’s
34 • The Official Mag: AmbushMag.COM • J une 5-18, 2012 • Of fic ial Sout her n Dec adenc e Guide • Sout her nDec adenc e.COM
In the Clubs ~ New Orleans & Metairie, Louisiana ~ Photos by Devin, Paul Melancon, Tony Leggio
Le Roundup bartender Chris
Dancer Dillon on the bar @ Corner Pocket’s Wet Jockey Shorts Contest
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36 • The Official Mag: AmbushMag.COM • J une 5-18, 2012 • Of fic ial Sout her n Dec adenc e Guide • Sout her nDec adenc e.COM