2 • The Official Mag: AmbushMag.COM • Sept em ber 11-24, 2012 • Of fic ial Sout her n Dec adenc e Guide • Sout her nDec adenc e.COM
GayMardiGras.COM • GayNew Orleans.COM • Sept em ber 11-24, 2012 • The Official Mag: AmbushMag.COM • 3
the "official" dish by Rip & Marsha Naquin-Delain Email: marsha@ripandmarsha.com
Hurricane Issac Dampens Attendance at 41st Southern Decadence Estimated to be 25-30,000
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he effects of Hurricane Issac devastated many areas across South Louisiana and Mississippi, but thankfully spared the City of New Orleans for the most part. All of the reinforced and rebuilt levees held keeping rising lake waters at bay. The French Quarter and CBD (Central Business District) did not lose power, but practically all of the rest of the city did including the Faubourg Marigny and Bywater, where many of the 41st Southern Decadence events were scheduled. Almost all of the events in the French Quarter went on without a hitch, while the Marigny and Bywater hung in there remaining open, and some of them with generators to keep things going. The storm came in late August 28th through August 29th, cancelling events on Wednesday. With the airport shut down and not reopening until Friday, August 31st, many flights were rescheduled, forcing Decadence travelers to either drive in or cancel all together. Instead of the 135,000 expected, it's estimated that this year's celebration had between 25,000 to 30,000 with an economic impact of over $30 million. The GLBT community is very thankful for all that did make it in considering the obstacles of getting here. The party went on and it turned out to be as festive as ever. From the numerous circuit DJs, stars, dancers, and events to the giant Bourbon Street Extravaganza on Saturday, and the 38th Southern Decadence Parade on Sunday, there was something for everyone. Visit SouthernDecadence.COM for highlights. The 38th Southern Decadence Parade returned to its roots thanks to the efforts of Southern Decadence Grand Marshal XXXVIII Pat McArdle, who kicked off the festivities at the Home of Southern Decadence, Tubby's Golden Lantern. For the first time since 1996, McArdle transformed the parade into the bar crawl it was from the second year of Decadence in 1973 through 1996. In 1997, the city required a parade permit and police detail to escort the parade. This year with the effects of Hurricane Issac shutting down city agencies, and several other unforeseen factors, there was no parade permit, nor police detail. Additionally, SDGM XXXVIII Pat McArdle, had to go it alone, when reportedly her cogrand marshal TJ Conard called it quits prior to Southern Decadence weekend. The entire community owes Pat McArdle a debt of gratitude for preservering and delivering the event of the weekend which started this whole celebration 41 years ago. When the reign of Southern Decadence Grand Marshals XXXVIII Pat McArdle and TJ Conard began, they jointly announced the choice of the "official" Southern Decadence charity as Belle Reve, which provides permanent and transitional housing along with full support services to adults and families living with AIDS or HIV related infections. McArdle, who was responsible for funds raised in the beginning of their reign in the amount of $2,121 presented that total to Vicki Weeks, Executive Director of Belle Reve New Orleans prior to Decadence weekend. Following that, reportedly another $2,300$2,600 was raised and is allegedly in the hands of TJ Conard. As of press time, these funds have not been received by Belle Reve. Attempts to contact Conard by phone for comment have not been successful. As soon as the raised funds is received by Belle Reve, Ambush will make that announcement public.
Marigny, Bywater, Metairie RE-DO Decadence Week Sept. 12-18
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oin Southern Decadence Susan Lucci's Rip and Marsha for the Marigny, Bywater, Metairie RE-DO Decadence Week Wednesday, September12th through Tuesday, September 18th. The effects of Hurricane Issac left the Faubourg Marigny, Bywater and Metairie neighborhoods without power through the 41st Southern Decadence week for four, five and six days. GLBT businesses and their employees lost the big end of Summer boost that is Southern Decadence. According to Rip and Marsha, "We urge all who had power and did well in the French Quarter and CBD for Decadence join us in supporting at least one of the establishments listed below to show our community support and dedication for this special week." Businesses include: Faubourg Marigny Aaron Ingram Haus, 1012 Elysian Fields Big Daddy’s, 2513 Royal St. Bliss McCall Studio, 631 Elysian Fields by appt. 504.391.9131 Cafe Istanbul, 2372 St. Claude Ave. Cutter’s, 706 Franklin FAB: Faubourg Marigny Art & Books, 600 Frenchmen St. Fatoush Mediterranean Grill, 2372 St. Claude Ave. Friendly Bar, 2301 Chartres GrahamStudioOne.COM JohnPaul’s, 940 Elysian Fields
Kajun’s Pub, 2256 St. Claude Ave. Latter & Blum, Brian Pawiowski & Stace McDonald, 840 Elysian Fields Marigny Manor House, 2125 N. Rampart St. New Orleans Relocation LLC, Mark Boline, 1027 Touro St. Phoenix, 941 Elysian Fields Bywater The Country Club, 634 Louisiana St. Marigny de Macarty Bed & Breakfast, 3820 Burgundy St. Prime Grille, 3162 Dauphine St. Metairie 4 Seasons, 3229 N. Causeway Club LAX, 2301 N. Causeway
inside
Gay History Month edition out Sept. 25th DEADLINE: Tues., Sept. 18th
celebrazzi 6 under the gaydar 8 on the prowl 12 obituary/kitty blackwell 12 a community within communities 12 23rd no/aids walk 13 38th sd parade paparazzi 14 bse, sd bead toss paparazzi 16 reVIEW...books, movies, cds 17
29th halloween new orleans pensacola paparazzi email, mobile paparazzi survivors' bar crawl paparazzi classifieds trodding the boards sd men, stars paparazzi sd block party paparazzi sd scene paparazzi
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Gulf South Entertainment/Travel Guide Since 1982 828-A Bourbon St. • New Orleans, LA 70116-3137 • 504.522.8049 marsha@ripandmarsha.com
23rd NO/AIDS Walk Sunday, Sept. 23
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he largest annual AIDS awareness event in Louisiana prepares to mark its 23rd year with thousands of individual walkers and over one hundred teams walking beneath the majestic oaks of Audubon Park and the streets of Uptown New Orleans for the Chevron NO/AIDS WALK with presenting sponsor Avita Drugs. The event benefits NO/AIDS Task Force, one of the oldest and largest AIDS service organizations (ASO) in the Gulf South. Walkers and supporters are encouraged to meet in Audubon Park at 8am when the festivities and registration begins. The WALK will kickoff at 10am and will proceed down historic Magazine Street to Jefferson Avenue and then will turn onto Prytania Street to Napoleon Avenue and loop back to Prytania to head back into Audubon Park. The WALK is a great activity for the whole family, even the fourlegged members. There will be water stops and doggie stops along the route and a children’s tent with lots of great activities. Additionally, there will be great food and drinks provided by Louisiana Pizza Kitchen Uptown, Rain Vodka, and Coors Light. The Walk route takes approximately 45 minutes to complete, meaning there’s more than enough time to still make the Saints game after. Teams and individuals can register for free in advance by visiting www.noaidswalk.com or by calling 504.821.2601 ext. 256. By registering online, participants have access to great, easy-to-use fundraising tools to help them reach their goal. All funds raised at The WALK benefit NO/AIDS Task Force and the men, women and families affected by HIV and AIDS they serve. Additionally, through The WALK Share Grant Program, other Louisiana based AIDS Service Organizations will benefit too. Every dollar makes a difference. The NO/AIDS WALK is committed to keeping costs low, especially in these tough economic times. Over 80 cents of each dollar raised goes directly to helping someone affected by this disease. “The NO/AIDS WALK is our largest fundraiser of the year, and the monies raised allow us to continue providing hope and care for men, women and families affected by HIV and AIDS,” said Noel Twilbeck, CEO of NO/AIDS Task Force. “The WALK also serves another purpose which is to raise awareness that AIDS continues to affect our community and that we must be steadfast in our efforts to provide education and information that help prevent new infections”
For additional information or to register, please visit www.noaidswalk.com or www.noaidstaskforce.org. or call
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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 Blanche-Alabama 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
4 • The Official Mag: AmbushMag.COM • Sept em ber 11-24, 2012 • Of fic ial Sout her n Dec adenc e Guide • Sout her nDec adenc e.COM
GayMardiGras.COM • GayNew Orleans.COM • Sept em ber 11-24, 2012 • The Official Mag: AmbushMag.COM • 5
celebrazzi
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outhern Decadence Susan Lucci's Marsha and Rip are joined by Sophia Luchianni, Tami Tarmac, and other invited guests kicking off the 19th Official Southern Decadence Bead Toss following the 38th Southern Decadence Parade at Ambush Headquarters on Bourbon Street. Southern Decadence Grand Marshal XXXVIII Pat McArdle and her entourage joined the festivities tossing thousands of throws to the big crowds below New Orleans most famous Bourbon Street Balcony.
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outhern Decadence Grand Marshal XXXVIII Pat McArdle led the 38th Official Southern Decadence Parade celebrating Southern Decadence 41 from the Home of Southern Decadence, Tubby's Golden Lantern down Royal to St. Louis to Burgundy to St. Ann, ending on Bourbon Street. For the first time since 1996, SDGM Pat transformed the parade into the bar crawl it was from the second year of Deca-
dence in 1973 through 1996. In 1997, the city required a parade permit and police detail to escort the parade. This year with the effects of Hurricane Issac shutting down city agencies, and several other unforeseen factors, there was no parade permit, nor police detail. Congrats to Pat for perservering and making this Decadence one of the most memorable and fun ones for both visitors and locals alike. (SouthernDecadence.COM)
C
huck Robinson once again gave one hell of a FREE concert on Saturday of Southern Decadence weekend with the 9th annual Bourbon Street Extravaganza hosted by Napoleon's Itch. Outstanding performances by Jeanie Tracy and Mary Griffin gave the momentum and excitement that the thousands of spectators expected, and indeed got! Anti-gay bashing and bullying activist Ben Cohen gave a rousing speech, while Southern Decadence Grand Marshal XXXVIII Pat McArdle presented the "official" Southern Decadence song, Starships by Nicki Minaj bringing the whole crowd together to join in the performance. And of course there were men, men and more men!
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hoenix bar baron Clint Taylor hosted the annual Southern Decadence Block Party on N. Rampart adjacent to the Phoenix even though Hurricane Issac had cut power to the area. With generators Clint and his team were still able to produce the block party which was a 3-day affair this year. Unfortunately because of the heat, attendance was down, but those that made the trek there said it was great!
AMBUSH
MAG.COM 828
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ruise Director Ted Mahaffy joins Michael's On The Park's bar baron Michael Cookmeyer for the last stop of the 15th Southern Decadence Survivors' Outer Loop Bar Crawl. Some 100 survivors made it to the end for the great pulled pork prepared by Michael and his staff. The crawl began at The Corner Pocket, then traveled to The Double Play, Le Roundup, Society Page, 700 Club, Ninth Circle, Voodoo, and then Michael's On The Park.
6 • The Official Mag: AmbushMag.COM • Sept em ber 11-24, 2012 • Of fic ial Sout her n Dec adenc e Guide • Sout her nDec adenc e.COM
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under the gaydar
for the return back to the park. The walk is 5K or 3.2 miles. At noon the winners are announced. For more information or to register, go to www.noaidswalk.com.
by Tony Leggio Email: tonymgp@hotmail.com Photo by: Larry Graham, GrahamStudioOne.COM
Get Legal, Blonde That Is
Tail Gate for Gentilly Fest
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he Friendly Bar will host a Saints Tail-Gate Fundraiser for Gentilly Fest. Come out and cheer the New Orleans Saints as they take on the Green Bay Packers on Sunday, September 30. The festivities begin at 1pm and go through the game. Kickoff is at 3:15pm. There is a $10 donation and a cash bar. Festival food will be generously donated by the Gentilly Fest Committee and a sampling of vendors participating in the festival itself. You can also enter the parade of prizes raffle that will be drawn at the festival on October 6 and 7. Gentilly Fest is free but a $5 donation is requested. No ice chests, outside food or pets are allowed on the festival grounds. For more information, go to www.gentillyfest.org.
the "official" dish ...from 4 504.821.2601.
Cabaret Duo Set for JohnPaul's Sept. 28-30
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e Get Along is the latest new album from Chicagobased music and comedy sensation Amy & Freddy who will perform highlights from the album during their first New Orleans engagement in nearly 10 years when they settle in for a 3-night run at JohnPaul's Bar, 940 Elysian Fields Ave. Performances are Friday-Sunday, September 28-30 with show times set for 9pm. Tickets are $25 VIP or $20 general admission. Tickets are available by visiting www.reactionshows.com or by calling Reaction Productions at 760.322.3554. The new release, their 5th in the duo’s 16 year collaboration, has special meaning for the popular LGBT champions. It’s a labor of love and a product of support from their enormously devoted fan base. In fact, through internet website support and financial donations, this blues/ jazz inspired 10-song compilation was made possible thanks to their steadfast followers. Quite possibly, they can lay claim to one of the longest running gigs in show biz as headliners for 13 consecutive years on the world’s highest profile LGBT cruise line companies, RSVP Vacations. Amy Armstrong is the unforgettable
Who Will You Walk For?
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et your walking shoes on! The NO/AIDS Walk is being held on Sunday, September 23 in Audubon Park and it is going to be bigger and better than ever. This is one of the largest fundraisers for the organization usually having thousands of participants showing their support each year. Registration begins at 8am at Shelter #10 by the Newman Bandstand. The food, beverage and music will also begin at that time. At 9:30am the National Anthem and speeches by local dignitaries commence followed by a quick aerobic warm up at 9:45am. The walk starts at 10am taking the traditional uptown route down Magazine Street to Napoleon Avenue where it turns left. Walkers then proceed down Napoleon to Prytania where they turn left sassy, brassy, saucy, plus sized chanteuse who belts, bowdlerizes, boogies, and bares her soul at the microphone. Freddy Allen, Pianist and Music Director, sometimes joins her in song as the patience-of-a-saint, ivory-tickling sidekick. Theirs is a rare talent to captivate, amuse and enchant, and We Get Along captures it all. This dynamic duo creates sizzling talent, and this new recording - half of which are new songs composed by Freddy Allen - delivers them as one of the hottest tickets on the international cabaret scene. Their signature renditions alternate between the bluesy and the bawdy, the inspiring and the insightful, the tasteless and yet tantalizing, and always with the powerhouse pipes of Ms. Armstrong in perfect synchronicity with Mr. Allen’s piano-playing pastiche. The team wears multiple hats, often at the same time; vocalists, interpreters, musicians, comedians, the results of which are always genuinely entertaining and uproariously funny!. Having shared stages around the world in 20-plus countries with the likes of such show business icons as Bea Arthur, Kathy Griffin, Mary Wilson, Phyllis Diller and Jennifer Holiday, to name a few, Amy & Freddy are probably best known as finalists on the national hit reality competition America's Got Talent (2009). Recipients of numerous awards and recognition for their many charity concerts, Amy & Freddy continue their unwavering dedication to community involvement and activism. Specifically in the LGBT communities worldwide, their efforts represent participation that reflect in excess of $1.5 million.
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ecause of the lovely Hurricane Isaac, the Mystic Krewe of Satyricon had to reschedule the New Orleans premiere of Legally Blonde the Musical to Thursday September 13 at Rivertown Repertory Theatre. This is one show not to be missed and if you haven’t been to Rivertown in Kenner this is your opportunity to come see this quaint little area. Have dinner at one of the little restaurants before the show and make a night of it. Directed by Gary Rucker & Kelly Fouchi, this show is based on the movie. Legally Blonde the Musical tells the story of sorority star Elle Woods doesn’t take “no” for an answer. So when her boyfriend dumps her for someone “serious,” Elle puts down the credit card, hits the books, and sets out to go where no Delta Nu has gone before: Harvard Law. Along the way, Elle proves that being true to yourself never goes out of style. Tickets are $30. Rivertown Repertory Theatre is located at 325 Minor Street in Kenner. For more information or tickets, call 504.415.6476.
You Go Girl, Broadway That Is
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he Krewe of Amon-Ra is hold ing their annual show Girls Gone Broadway on Saturday, September 15 in South Ballroom at the Frederick J. Sigur Civic Center in Chalmette. The evening is filled with wonderful performances of your favorite Broadway tunes by the lovely men and ladies of the krewe. Tickets are $30 for the dinner and show. Doors open at 7pm for the dinner with the show beginning promptly at eight. For more information or tickets go to www.kreweofamonra.com or contact Michael Strickland @ stricklandne@aol.com or 504.638.6643.
L’Auberge Casino & Hotel Opens in Baton Rouge
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innacle Entertainment, Inc. has opened L’Auberge Casino & Hotel Baton Rouge on Saturday, September 1st. Now I have visited this casino in Lake Charles, so I cannot wait to see how fabulous the Baton Rouge property is. More than 18,000 excited guests streamed in the doors throughout the Labor Day weekend (a hurricane can’t keep
a good gambler down) leading to record new memberships for Pinnacle’s mychoice loyalty program. I am also excited about their culinary choices. L’Auberge boasts several dining options showcasing the flavors of Louisiana and its rich cultural history in 18 STEAK, Stadium Sports Bar & Grill, Bon Temps Buffet and more. This is another great shot in the arm for the Louisiana economy. The economic impact of L’Auberge will be immediate with more than 1,000 new jobs created and anticipated annual tax impact of more than $50 million. L’Auberge Baton Rouge provides a best-in-market casino entertainment complex featuring an expansive single-level, 74,000 square foot casino; nearly 1,500 slot machines; 50 table games, including a poker room; a 12-story hotel with 205 guest rooms and a rooftop pool; four dining outlets; a unique casino entertainment lounge with breathtaking views of the Mississippi River; 2,400 total parking spaces, including 800 in a covered parking garage; a multi-purpose event center with concert seating for over 1,500 people or banquet seating for up to 800 people; and outdoor festival grounds with capacity for up to 2,500. For more information, go to www.mylauberge.com; information on Pinnacle’s guest loyalty program is online at www.pinnaclemychoice.com.
Party Down
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he city was geared up for the Decadence festivities, but the week prior found me traveling to Louisville, Kentucky for work (read Ambush on the Road for my exploits). I returned the Friday prior to the Labor Day weekend and got unpacked and went directly to Satyricon’s Let’s Make A Beach Blanket Wheel of Bingo at JohnPaul's. I cannot begin to explain how enjoyable these krewe bingos are due in large to its energetic and bawdy host Todd Thunder (aka Todd Shafer) who wowed audiences along with his lovely “Vanna White” Countess C Alice by his side. It was a crowded night with lots of revelers who played bingo with a twist. For those lucky winners, they got to vie for prizes in games such as Stick Your Hand in Todd’s Hairy Hole, The Gumbo Pot, Gay Bar or Steakhouse, Let’s Get Personal and Deal or No Deal. The krewe will be doing more of these events, so keep an eye out for these fun filled themed bingo game shows. The following week, we had an unwanted visitor that stayed longer than we expected and caused us plenty of headaches. Hurricane Isaac may have driven us crazy and caused a smaller crowd than normal but those who did make it to Decadence had
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8 • The Official Mag: AmbushMag.COM • Sept em ber 11-24, 2012 • Of fic ial Sout her n Dec adenc e Guide • Sout her nDec adenc e.COM
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under the gaydar ...from 8 the time of their lives hopefully, I know I did. I think the best way to describe Southern Decadence this year is one filled with Scandal, Sex and Sweat. Because of the storm, my celebration began on Friday when I met my friends Matthew and Peyton from Dallas for lunch. They brought along with them a large group of deliciously gorgeous guys, but one in particular was just amazingly special. That day, we rallied up for lunch at SoBou with their friend Austin who just happened to be dancing at Oz and a pretty popular porn star. To say this guy was handsome was an understatement. He had stunning movie star looks, a body like a Greek Adonis and an engaging personality. We had a great lunch with cocktails and then moved on to shopping at QT Pie for some sexy outfits for Austin to wear when he performed over the weekend. If you have not been at that store shopping, it is a costume/sexy outfit paradise. After hanging out for the rest of the afternoon, I went home and got freshened up in my unairconditioned house. Thanks Entergy. I think I spent this entire weekend sweating, and not always in a good way. Princesse Stephaney came and scooped me and we went to the Halloween Southern Decadence Host Party at the Hotel Modern. Even though many people still did not have power, there was a decent turn out. It was a great chance to forget about Isaac for a few hours and enjoy the company of friends and visitors alike. The newest incantation of this hotel on Lee Circle has a very well appointed lounge called Bellocq with some outstanding mixologists. It also houses the restaurant Tamarind helmed by famous local chef Dominique Macquet. What a great way to kick off Decadence weekend. Afterwards I went playing in the Quarter stopping at Michael’s On The Park, Good Friends, Oz, Napoleon’s Itch and Lafitte’s In Exile. On my way home I made a brief visit to JohnPaul’s and the Phoenix’s block party. The block party was filled with men, and I met several eligible guys there, but finding one with power was difficult. And the idea of causing more body heat seemed very uncomfortable, so I opted to go home alone. On Saturday, I rendezvoused with the Dallas boys at Oz to watch Chi Chi LaRue spin. He was amazing and kept the dance floor crowded the entire time. In my opinion, that is what makes a good DJ. It was nice getting to meet Chi Chi in person. I found him just as friendly and witty as when I interviewed him. After a lot of dancing, Matthew, Peyton and I went over to Napoleon’s Itch for the Bourbon Street Extravaganza. This year the fabulous Jeanie Tracy performed along with the return of local songstress Mary Griffin. Enormous congratulations go to Chuck Robinson, the owner of Napoleon’s Itch who has brought us this incredible free show for the last nine years. And he perseveres even through hurricanes and bad weather. Jeanie Tracy who had been with him since his first year was crowned Queen of Southern Decadence and had a tiara (supplied by yours truly) placed atop her head. It is kind of awesome knowing that a famous person is wearing something of mine. You think she sleeps in it like I did? Anyway, having Mary Griffin at this year’s event brought back so many memories for
the audience who use to see her perform on Sundays at the Mint. She even still does her Buttery Nipple shots. Her performance was electric and she looked incredible. She loves this city and its people so much she even welled up in tears several times on stage. Mary is one class act, and very humble, even descended the stage to personally hug everyone in the VIP area and on the first row against the barricades. But the headliners were not the only entertainers; there was an array of hot male dancers, underwear models and local personalities like Persana Shoulders and Pat McArdle who was Southern Decadence Grand Marshal this year. All I can say is thank you to Chuck and his staff for once again putting on one of the best shows of the holiday. After, my Dallas friends and I bounced to the delightful C Ray be Aver’s annual Southern Decadence Party in the Hotel St. Marie. It was catered by The Country Club; it is always fun seeing Drew. We got to mix and mingle with a huge contingency of visitors to the city from around the country. C Ray is the ultimate host and knows how to handle a crowd. He even had the hot general manager of the hotel in attendance; now that is pull. It was a lively soiree where we had more cocktails and some nibbles, before we made it back out to catch up with the rest of the Dallas gang. That is when the night got interesting, making stops at the Pub to see the Best Ass contest (in which Austin won one of the largest baskets of lube I have ever seen), 700 Club, Lafitte’s, Napoleon’s Itch, Oz and finally having a grape alcoholic concoction at Lafitte’s Blacksmith Shop. I love Dallas boys. After bidding them farewell, I stopped at JohnPaul’s and the Phoenix block party again, both still had no power. So after staying a little while, I returned to my little sauna on Marigny Street. Southern Decadence began early for me the next day, meeting up with my friends for noon and going to Kevin Hemenger’s pre-Decadence parade party. Once again, it was exciting to meet a whole new group of people. The champagne and Bloody Marys flowed like water. After a few pick me up’s we strolled to the Golden Lantern to catch their drag show before the parade. It may have been hot but the crowds welcomed heat. Blazing temperatures usually mean half naked boys. The parade lined up with the grand marshal, notice no plural on this, one was AWOL. Now there is all kinds of rumors swirling out there about the reason the other grand marshal was not present, but if you ask me (and honestly I do not care if you did or not, I am saying it anyway) unless you or a close member of your family was dead or dying, wild horses would not have kept me away. Well, it is not a typical Southern Decadence without a good scandal. Southern Decadence Grand Marshal Pat pulled that parade together like a trooper and marched with a horde of decadent followers. Who needs parade permits? After walking in the parade for quite a stretch, we begged out and went to Ambush headquarters, which had a celebratory crowd already waiting to start the annual Southern Decadence Bead Toss. And what a bead toss it was, I think this Decadence brought nasty back. It was like D**ks on Parade. I have not seen so many men willing to show their male organs without any coaxing. Talk about an overload of D and A. And just a word to the
wise; if you are going to drop your pants to show the world your backside, remember to check you do not have any toilet paper in your butt crack. I can never unsee that when that guy had tissue still in his private region. There was a collective gasp on the balcony when he dropped his shorts. Tittie Toulouse’s screams could probably be heard miles away; and Rhonda Roget (the delicate flower she is) passed right out. After that, the remainder of the night, we went from bar to bar witnessing all the assorted man meat. On Monday, I could not find it within myself to stop my partying so I attended the SD Survivors Outer Loop Bar Crawl which started at the Corner Pocket and ended at Michael’s On The Park. I was lucky to have Miss Love beside me most of the way and she explained to me how this was created 15 years prior by Miss Fly. The concept was you were supposed to come in what you woke up in from the night prior, I can just imagine some of those outfits. FYI, if you ever want to know a lot of the history of Southern Decadence; give Miss Love some cocktails and let her talk. She is an encyclopedia of information. When the crawl was over, we stopped at Oz, Lafitte’s and Good Friends, before I called it a night and ended my holiday. Thank you to all the hard working people at the bars, restaurants and hotels who kept our good times rolling even when they did not have power in their own homes. You showed all our visitors to this city what true Southern hospitality really is.
Ambush on the Road
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ecently, I had to go to Louisville, Kentucky for work, but found it a pretty happening place. I arrived in Louisville late in the afternoon and checked into the Hyatt Downtown which turned out to be a great location directly across from the Convention Center and at the foot of Fourth Street Live. The rooms in the hotel are very spacious and the service received was excellent. I especially enjoyed their atrium lobby and their workout facilities. After meeting with my clients, I decided to tour around downtown. I had dinner at this wonderful little restaurant called Bistro 301, which was listed in Urbanspoon as one of the top ten downtown restaurants in Louisville. It was a quaint eatery with a wonderful atmosphere and excellent service. They have an impressive drink menu, loved their Dirty Harry. Like many restaurants, Bistro 301 practices as much as possible farm to table dining. They use indigenous products and as much organic produce grown by local farmers as possible. I had the Tortellini Diablo for dinner which is one of their popular dishes. It is a cheese stuffed tortellini tossed with chicken, Marksbury Andouille sausage, mushrooms, sun dried tomatoes, garlic and finished in a spicy cream sauce. Absolutely divine. The following day, I had my event early, so I was finished by afternoon, so that gave me the evening to explore some of Louisville’s downtown attractions. One thing I noticed about this city was the architecture. It is very classic, but with unusual modern twists. There were unique pieces of art and green spaces sprinkled throughout city, with the most impressive being the four story tall gold statue of David. This area of the city is also very walkable, so I strolled to Museum Row. I
stopped at the Louisville Science Center, the Muhammad Ali Center, the Kentucky Museum of Arts and Crafts and the Frazier History Museum. But my favorite one was the Louisville Slugger Museum with the breathtaking six story bat resting in front of the entrance. This museum mixes history with the sport, so you do not need to be a baseball fanatic to enjoy it. After the cultural tour of the city, I explored Fourth Street Live, which is home to man music venues. Think a sports bar version of Bourbon Street. Now this area leans more to the that type of crowd, although I did find a great place for lunch called Los Aztecas, which is touted as the city’s finest Mexican restaurant. And it lived up to their reputation, the food was exceptional and the margaritas potent. That night I dined at the Hyatt’s new restaurant and lounge Sway, and I have to say their Southern cuisine was dazzling. Once again, Sway also had their farm to fork style of dining menu, which is becoming a huge trend around the country. It has an area of the restaurant that opens up on Fourth Street creating al fresco dining so I was able to people watch with my meal, which can be so entertaining. After dinner, I decided to get a taste of Louisville’s gay scene. I went to Connections, which is one of the largest bars in the United States. It actually surpassed being called a bar and fits more into the realm of a gay complex. With several unique areas, there is a bar that will cater to everyone’s special tastes. I went into DOC, the video bar that was two levels, the balcony opening up onto Market and Floyd Streets. There are 22 screens in this area. The next area is the 250 person theatre which is home to the LaBoy LeFemme show. Next is their gay dance club with a spacious multi-level LED lighted dance floor that moves to the music. It is a very fluid space that gives dancers and spectators alike a perfect opportunity to view all the action from anywhere in the bar. Then there is Privates, their male strip club which is only open on Fridays and Saturdays. It even has a shower to wash off all those nasty boys. Last but not least is Boots, the leather bar complete with pool tables, dart boards, big screen tv and a special area called The Hole. I will let you just use your imagination about that zone. And coming soon, Vapor will be a men’s spa and health center. That night was amateur night in the dance club hosted by the vivacious Terri Vanessa Coleman with DJ Symone. I have to admit, this place is a little overwhelming when you first enter, just because of the sheer size, but what I love is that there is something new to experience around every corner. Another surprise beside the fact that one of the largest gay bars in the country is located in Louisville is their closing time is 2am Monday and Tuesday and 4am Wednesday through Sunday. And the corn-fed beefy men in Kentucky (well just one) made me long for an old Kentucky home. For more information on Louisville as a destination, go to www.gotolouisville.com. To find out more about Connections which was named one of the top 60 gay bars in the world, go to www.theconnection.net.
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on the prowl by Rory Wright Email: rorywrightinnola@hotmail.com
Del Shores Does Decadence
D
el Shores may be most famous for his stage productions, major motion picture and the 12 episode prequel to the movie titled: SORDID LIVES, A BLACK COMEDY ABOUT WHITE TRASH. As the jacket cover of the three disk set states: “Equal parts Desperate Housewives, Mama’s Family, Soap and Will and Grace, SORDID LIVES THE SERIES, is the outrageous comedy that depicts the saga of bible thumping Baptists, chain smoking bar trash, an institutionalized drag queen, his Valium popping sisters and everything in between in a small Texas town, contrasted with the appearance-driven world of Hollywood and the hysterical travesty and tender poignancy that come from learning to be yourself and love the family you have instead of the family you want.” The film has many stars and one of them is Olivia Newton John who plays Bitsy Mae. She sings and plays guitar at Bubba’s bar, since spending eighteen months in jail for burning down her own trailer, while her worthless, cheatin’ boyfriend is screwing that piece of trash that will not burn from next door. Bitsy is hell bent on clearing her name and insists she in fully innocent of the crime. She opens the movie singing:
“Now who’s to judge who’s a saint and who’s a sinner… Lord it’s tough enough to trudge from Lunch to Dinner… We seek the light of truth between our white lies… We sleep away our youth under tattle tale skies… Now who’s to say who’s a sinner and who’s a saint? Who’s to say who you can love and who you caint… Now its easy for the pot to call the kettle black… They’re just jealous of the hot and sordid lives they lack… It’s a Bitch, sortin’ out our sordid lives. It’s a Bitch when you come to realize. Get yourself a box of cracker jacks you can get a really crappy prize, It’s a bitch sortin our sordid lives…” It is lines and lyrics like this that bring Del’s scripts to life on the big screen. Del is multi talented and has worn many hats in his career but he is most happy sitting in a theatre directing actors in one of his plays. This writer was fortunate enough to be granted an interview with Del Shores and found him to be as funny in real life as his characters are on the big screen or on the stage. Once you have discovered the movie and series above, you will want to see the other films and stand up routines created by Del that are available
a community within communities
by ordering online. “I only write about what I have seen and heard. I Just tell stories that interest me and stories that touch my heart. I really don’t make anything up. I listen to the people around me and I steal from Life.” We talked about where he grew up and what influences shaped his writing. “I was born in winter’s Texas, (a town of less than 2,900 souls) and spent the first six years of my life there. I always say that the population sign in Winters is never replaced, they just keep deducting as people move or die, because nobody goes there. It’s funny because I have kind of made Winter’s famous but they are oblivious to the fact.” He talked about his schooling: “At six we moved to Brownwood, Texas where I started first grade and my parents went to college. My father, as they say in the south, 'Surrendered to Preach' and became a Baptist Minister, and my mom became a drama teacher. We moved when I was in the fifth grade to Zapata, Texas where I graduated high school. During those years my dad would preach at one of the local Baptist Churches and mother was the high school drama coach. I loved the theatre and my mom encouraged that and supported me in that. After graduation I went to Baylor for four years. I asked about the influences of religion and theatre: “I found religion to be very theatrical and found theatre to be very dramatic, so there was a lot of drama on both sides so you will find that blend of theatre and drama throughout my work." Del has written scripts for some of televisions biggest shows including Touched by an Angel, Dharma and Greg, Queer as olk, Ned and Stacy and Maxi-
ISAAC
W
hile the last wisps of Isaac blew away and power was restored a sign was posted on FB that sat outside a bar in the Quarter. It was a typical sandwich board using colored chalk. “These colors don’t run” (below it a rainbow flag) – then “They sashay” only in New Orleans. As I understand Decadence held sway certainly on Labor Day if no other day. At the same time members of St. Anna’s Church – gay and straight helped to gut a house in LaPlace. The house belongs to the parents of Diana. Most readers don’t know or have a clue who she might be. You likely don’t know the parents, Chuck and Zina. Since hurricane Katrina St. Anna’s has operated the last and only free clinic in New Orleans. It has parked in the Marigny and worked with the Bears and Bear Trappers on Night Out Against Crime. It is the big baby blue mobile medical unit. Usually once a year flu shots are delivered and given on location at JohnPaul’s or The Friendly Bar or other locations. Diana and crew are selfless and work, on average, a sixty hour work week. She is the original servant of the servants. She is also simply a down to earth, “good people.” Her daughter by the way has come out. But that shouldn’t make a difference here. Chuck and Zina are what anyone would call salt-of-the-earth folk. They started in the 7th Ward as kids. After WWII they moved to the booming new subdivision in Gentilly. Chuck worked hard as a skilled craftsman; Zina raised the children. Chuck went fishing each weekend and ran a Boy Scout Troop. Zina supported that and helped with a Girl Scout Troop. Their three children each went to college. Chuck and Zina had no 401k or vested retirement – it was a different age. But they had their Social Security. Katrina hit. Their family home went under five feet of water. Chuck’s WWII photo album was lost. Zina’s hope chest was flooded. They moved out of the city to safety. A kind relative offered them housing and worked out a deal. They did have flood insurance; perhaps enough to keep them going. Since Katrina Chuck had a heart attack with bypass surgery; Zina had a heart attack a while back; Chuck had a big tumor removed from his back this year. Simple folk trying to lay back a bit in the country. Diana moved close by them to keep an eye on them as good adult children will often do and as is the nature of Diana. They moved to LaPlace.
Kathryn Anne "Kitty" Blackwell March 21, 1936-August 24, 2012 ew Orleans legendary bar bar oness Kitty Blackwell passed away peacefully in her sleep at home with her partner of 33 years, Elizabeth Simms, across the Lake in Covington, Louisiana. Opening her first bar, The Grog in 1969, Kitty owned a slew of bars during her career ending with the sale of her last bar, The Upstairs Downstairs, now called 4 Seasons in Metairie, around 1985.
N
The Late Kitty Blackwell & partner Liz Simms with Marsha Naquin-Delain She helped pave the way for all in the LGBT community to enjoy the lives we are able to lead today. She was honored with the prestigious Lifetime Achievement Award in 2005 at the 18th annual Gay Appreciation Awards in New Orleans.
[continued on 17]
under the gaydar ...from 10
Tony’s Tidbits of Wisdom by The Rev. Bill Terry, Rector St. Anna’s Episcopal Church Email: fr.bill@stannanola.org
obituary
I
believe there are several mainstay outfits that should be in every gay and straight man’s closet to use for emergencies. Now they are not always the same, but there are few crossovers. First off, gay or straight, every man who lives in this city should own a tuxedo. With Mardi Gras, fundraisers and various and sundry dressy events, a tuxedo is a must. And with all the sales and discount apparel stores, they are pretty affordable. Besides after the second wear, it has paid for itself. This year they are again gutting the house, throwing ruined furniture out, and again Diana is taking care of her family. This year instead of people from Ohio or Connecticut gutting the house it was people from St. Anna’s sweltering hot miserable work. But they came and in less than a day that job was done. Because St. Anna’s is, you see, a Community Within Communities. We are in communion with each other and a compelling spiritual force that reaches out. I am happy and indeed pleased to see Decadence offering more venues and more opportunity to express oneself. I suppose it is becoming a New Orleans Gay Pride weekend with a twist. But as for me and my house well, we were very happy to gut a house. Remember the folks on the fringes of our city. Help if you can, donate what you can, but don’t forget them. Because in some way we all live on the fringes.
Another crossover favorite in every Southern man’s wardrobe is something seersucker, a suit is preferable, but single dress pieces or shorts is acceptable. This city tends to be known for the unusual and unique, but the basics still apply, a dark suit, someone is always dying; a lighter suit for those not so somber holidays such as Easter. The other crossover outfit is a red dress. For straight guys, it is the red dress run. For gays, it is more than just this one day, but for random drag show benefits or one of the numerous costumed events we are always invited to. Also in the same vein, gay men should always have a smart little black dress ensemble for when the drag bug bites you. Straight guys (and members of the Lords of Leather) should have a toga. The straights love a good toga party. Gays you should have one too, just bling it out, so as not to become mistaken with the hetero men. Also having a costume is a must, whatever that disguise may be. In New Orleans we play dress up for more than just Halloween, so having a costume or two available at all times is a good idea. And last but not least, everyone in this city should own rain boots and a chic raincoat, because God knows we always have friends visiting like Katrina, Isaac, Rita, and various other annoying storms to try and rain on our parade. But somehow we do not mind getting wet. I hope everyone had a great Decadence, next we move onto Halloween. If you have an event, story or idea, you want covered, contact me at tonymgp@hotmail.com.
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paparazzi
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38th Southern Decadence Parade led by SDGM XXXVIII Pat McArdle ~ New Orleans ~ Photos by Devin, Tony Leggio, Paul Melancon
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9th Bourbon Street Extravaganza Live FREE Concert hosted by Napoleon’s Itch ~ New Orleans ~ Photos by Devin, Tony Leggio
paparazzi
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19th Official Southern Decadence Bead Toss hosted by Susan Lucci’s Rip & Marsha ~ New Orleans ~ Photos by Devin, Tony Leggio
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reVIEW...books, movies, cds by Blanche Email: ambushreview@aol.com Photo by Larry Graham, GrahamStudioOne.COM
GAY ICONS 1930s-1940s Dorothy Parker, Bette Davis, Marlene Dietrich, Josephine Baker, Carmen Miranda, Tallulah Bankhead, Mae West
on the prowl ...from 12 mum Bob. It struck this writer that he is probably the only scriptwriter who can say he wrote for both Touched by an Angel and Queer as Folk in the same career. “I wrote the third episode of Touched by an Angel. They needed a freelance script and I was available. The assignment was to think of someone who needed an Angel. I wrote an episode about an alcoholic who couldn’t on their own come out of their addiction, and the character was performed by Phylicia Rashad as the alcoholic. It was just a nine day job, but it has played more times in re-runs than anything else I ever wrote for television.” Del wrote his first play, Cheatin' in 1984. And it premiered in Los Angeles when he was only 26 years old. He got married, and his first major motion picture Daddy’s Dying, Whose Got the Will? starring Beau Bridges, was filmed while his wife was pregnant with their first daughter.
1950s-1960s Lana Turner, Joan Crawford, Lucille Ball, Shirley Bassey, Eartha Kitt, Gloria
[continued on 25] Like many southern men raised rigid Southern Baptist, Del Shores got married and had two daughters before he came out of the closet. His girls are now grown and they remain very close to their dad and are very much a part of his life. He has been touring the country with a stand up show for a number of years now. He credits Leslie Jordon and Caroline Rhea for giving him the advice and encouragement to do stand up. Fast forward to Southern Decadence 2012. Del married his co-producer and partner Jason Dottley in 2003 and they remarried in a state that recognizes Gay marriage in 2008. In 2011 he announced that the two were getting divorced. He performed his raucous and hilarious stand up routine titled NAKED. SORDID. REALITY at the Allways Lounge in New Orleans with no electricity or air conditioning on August 31st right after the storm. The stage was lit
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pensacola
80’s Party @ Emerald City ~ Pensacola, Florida ~ Photos by Lauren Mitchell
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email/letters
mobile
papar azzi
Greetings NO/AIDS Walk Supporter
on the prowl ...from 17 by generator and his fans braved the heat and the aftermaths of Hurricane Isaac to pack the house and see Del on stage in his first cross country tour without his ex husband. He talked about the divorce and the dark times he went through last year but he brings us back to his revelation in the desert, asks the question, “Do any of us really wish our exes to do well?” and made us all laugh that night. He has said that this tour has been very cathartic and opened up a new creativity in his writing. He also made the announcement that night that he has regained the rights to Sordid Lives which opens the door to the possibility of another season, which is a very exciting development indeed. This interviewer is glad for the moments Del Shores has stolen from his life to bring us great shows, and we look forward to new material from this master of black comedy. To access his DVD’s or to book tickets to any of his live shows go to DELSHORES.NET, or search for Del Shores on Facebook.
Happy “BeerFest” @ B-Bob’s
Sparkles DeVis performing @ B-Bob’s
Miss Cie performing @ B-Bob’s Lee & Boys celebrate Labor Day
”Fantastic Foam Party” @ Gabriel’s
Bacchus owner Rick with Jeremy
B-Bob’s hot man Jerry slingin’ cocktails
Hello Boys of B-Bob’s Miss Bentley with Cory for BeerFest 2012
Mobile Royalty Judson & John
Fowler Family enjoying Labor Day
The beautiful Toni Dee performing @ B-Bob’s
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Celebrate, Enjoy, Perform~ Mobile, Alabama ~ Photos by Miss Cie & John
Sunday, September 23 is the annual NO/AIDS Walk to raise money for the NO/ AIDS Task Force. Thank you so much for sponsoring me in the past. The Task Force continues to do incredible work serving over 2,000 men and women affected by HIV and AIDS through 30+ programs and services including operating a statewide phone line, providing HIV counseling & testing, delivering healthy meals to afflicted people on a daily basis, maintaining a food pantry, offering medical & mental health services, and many other vital programs. In addition, they reach over 20,000 people annually through HIV prevention education and outreach efforts. With your help, last year I raised $16,258, making me 2011’s top fund raiser; since 1993, I’ve raised over $63,000. If you would like to sponsor me again, it would be greatly appreciated, especially in the aftermath of Hurricane Isaac which forced the Task Force’s offices to be shut for several days and created even greater needs for many of their clients. NO amount is too small—suffice to say, I’m determined to keep my crown! You can make your donation on line if you click here to visit my personal page: http://www.noaidswalk.com/site/TR/ Events/General?px=1001721&pg =personal&fr_id=1120. If you’re an old-fashioned Luddite (like me), you can instead send a check to arrive by Sept. 21, payable to “NO/AIDS Walk”, to me at: 919 St. Philip, #11, New Orleans, LA 70116 Either way, would be FABULOUS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! If you have any questions, give me a holler. Many, many thanks, --Brian Sands PS If you’re in the New Orleans area and were affected by Isaac, I will of course understand if you can’t help out this year. I hope your power’s back on and that you were affected as little as possible...
GayMardiGras.COM • GayNew Orleans.COM • Sept em ber 11-24, 2012 • The Official Mag: AmbushMag.COM • 23
15th Southern Decadence Survivors’ Outer Loop Bar Crawl led by Cruise Director Ted Mahaffy
ambush
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to Corner Pocket, Double Play, Le Roundup, Society Page, 700 Club, Ninth Circle, Voodoo & Michael’s On The Park ~ New Orleans
papar azzi
reVIEW ..from 17 Swanson, Elizabeth Taylor 1970s-1980s Joan Rivers, Donna Summer, Gloria Gaynor, Bette Midler, Debbie Harry, Diana Ross, Grace Jones, Dolly Parton, Cher, Madonna, Cyndi Lauper, Joan Collins, Annie Lennox, Tina Turner, Patti LaBelle 1990s-2000s Janet Jackson, Kylie Minogue, Megan Mullally, Courtney Love, Christina Aguilera, Britney Spears, Celine Dion, Jennifer Lopez 2010s-the present Beyonce’, Lady GaGa, Katy Perry, Pink, Jennifer Hudson, Amy Winehouse All of the above and many more are considered gay icons. They are embraced by many in the lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) communities. They posses qualities such as talent, glamour, flamboyance, strength through adversity, and androgyny. Some are tragic, martyred figures and some are pop culture idols. Most acknowledge and appreciate their status in our community. No one fits this definition more than Judy Garland (June 10, 1922- June 22, 1969). GET HAPPY, The Life of Judy Garland, by Gerald Clarke is out in paperback. Mr. Clarke is the author of the bestselling biography CAPOTE. The motion picture by the same name won Philip Seymour Hoffman an Academy Award in the title role. There are more than 20 Judy Garland biographies and memoirs out there and I have read most of them. This book is well researched; there are 50 pages of footnotes with an 11 page bibliography. But it reads like a biography, not a textbook. For those of you whose gaydar doesn’t go back that far and have never had the pleasure of meeting Tom Finn, Judy Garland was a vaudevillian, American actress, and singer. Her most popular movie was THE WIZARD OF OZ and her signature song was and is, Over The Rainbow. She is the mother of Liza Minnelli, Lorna Luft, and Joey Luft. Liza and Lorna have careers in entertainment. Most of you know the story. She would fall into the tragic and martyred category of gay icons. She was the youngest
of three daughters born to Ethel and Frank Gumm. Frank ran movie houses, Ethel played the piano between shows and Virginia and Mary Jane, The Gumm Sisters, provided song and dance. Add to the act at age 2, Baby Francis, aka, eventually Judy Garland. Most books skip over Judy’s early years but in GET HAPPY, Gerald Clarke explores the very things that will affect Judy her entire life. Mrs. Gumm was stage mother supreme, first pushing the girls, then just “Baby” when her sisters wanted to get out of show business. Mr. Gumm was a popular and successful businessman who had a
thing for teenage boys. Eventually it was always “suggested” that they leave town, and they did, finally making their way to Lancaster, California...just over the mountains from Hollywood. Ethel took a lover, a Mr. Will Gilmore. Mr. and Mrs, Gilmore were Ethel and Frank’s best friends....Ethel
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CANAL STREET
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BURGUNDY
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DAUPHINE
ROYAL
CHARTES
DECATUR
CONTI
BOURBON
ST. PETER ORLEANS ST. ANN
800 DUMAINE
900 ST. PHILIP
1000 URSULINES
1100 GOVERNOR NICHOLLS
1200 BARRACKS
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French Quarter/Faubourg Marigny/Bywater
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 Houma LA [985] THE DRAMA CLUB, 126 N. Hollywood, 580.2582 Lafayette, LA [337] 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] 1135, 1135 Decatur St. 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 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, KajunPub.COM LE ROUNDUP, 819 St. Louis, 561.8340 MICHAEL'S ON THE PARK, 834 N. Rampart St., 267.3615, MichaelsOnThePark.COM NAPOLEON'S ITCH, 734 Bourbon, 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 RAINBOW ROOM, 632 Bourbon St., enter thru Fishbowl
SOCIETY PAGE, 542 N. Rampart St., 299.0156. TUBBY'S GOLDEN LANTERN, 1239 Royal, 529.2860, TubbysBar.COM VOODOO BAR, 718 N. Rampart, 265.0953 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
ambushmag.com; email: marsha@ripandmarsha.com International GayBars.COM, 828-A Bourbon St., New Orleans, LA 70116-3137; 504.522.8049, marsha@ripandmarsha.com
book stores
hair salons
New Orleans, LA [504] FAB - Faubourg Marigny Art & Books, 600 Frenchmen St., 947.3700 MR. BINKY'S NEW ORLEANS, 2441 Paris Rd., 270.9900
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 SPA ATLANTIS, 536 Bienville St., 522.3318, SpaAtlantis.NET
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., 1526 Magazine, 566.1833 [is1612]
groceries/delis New Orleans, LA [504] QUARTERMASTER DELI, THE NELLIE DELI, 1100 Bourbon, 529.1416
hardware New Orleans, LA [504] MARY'S FRENCH QUARTER HARDWARE, 732 N. Rampart, 529.4465
circuit/events
lodging/accommodations
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
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] THE FRENCH QUARTER GUEST HOUSES, 1005 St. Peter, New Orleans, LA 70116, Phone: 877-681-5087 frenchquarterguesthouses.com. Email: info@stpeterhouse.com. Four meticulously restored boutique Inns located in the heart of the French Quarter’s most popular LGBT neighborhood. Each building’s individual character and charm provides an unforgettably authentic French Quarter experience! 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
costumes New Orleans, LA [504] QT PIE BOUTIQUE - 241 Dauphine St., 581. 6633 SOUTHERN COSTUME COMPANY - 951 Lafayette St., 523.4333, SCCNOLA.COM
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
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,
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GayMardiGras.COM • GayNew Orleans.COM • Sept em ber 11-24, 2012 • The Official Mag: AmbushMag.COM • 27
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 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 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, www.bigeasymcc.com, 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 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 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 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
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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] Gay-Owned Agency — New Orleans Relocation LLC, Mark Boline, Realtor/Broker, mark@nolarelo.com, 504.273.0088, 1027 Touro Street, New Orleans, LA 70116. Visit NOLArelo.com to search all NOLA properties for sale. Latter & Blum INC/Realtors, STEVE RICHARDS, 712 Orleans @ Royal, French Quarter. Cell: 504.258.1800, Office: 504.529.8140, Email: 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 Deanie's Seafood, French Quarter: 841 Iberville, 581.4141; Bucktown: 1713 Lake Ave., Metairie, 831.1316; Deanies.COM 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 NOLA Poboys, 908 Bourbon St., 522.2634 Organic Banana, 1100 N. Peters, Bay 27, 587.7903 Orleans Grapevine Wine Bar & Bistro, 720 Orleans Prime Grille, 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 LA MINA STERLING, 840 Royal St., 324.3423 PANDA BEAR, 415 Bourbon St., 529.8064 QT PIE BOUTIQUE - 241 Dauphine St., 581. 6633 RAB DAB CLOTHING AND GIFTS, 918 Royal St., 525.6662
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spas New Orleans, LA [504] CLUB NEW ORLEANS, 515 Toulouse, 581.2402, www.the-clubs.com PLANET BEACH, A Contempo Spa, 301 Burgunday St., 525.8266, PlanetBeach.COM SPA ATLANTIS, 536 Bienville St., 522.3318; 740 Gravier, 566.8088, SpaAtlantis.NET
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
tours New Orleans, LA [504] GAY NEW ORLEANS WALKING TOUR, Crescent City Tour Booking Agency, 638 St. Ann St. , 568.0717
websites OFFICIAL GAY EASTER PARADE, GayEasterParade.COM OFFICIAL GAY MARDI GRAS, GayMardiGras.COM OFFICIAL GAY NEW ORLEANS, GayNewOrleans.COM OFFICIAL SOUTHERN DECADENCE, SouthernDecadence.COM
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trodding the boards by Brian Sands
Email: bsnola2@hotmail.com
Curtains Up on the Fall Season, a post-Isaac preview
D
ates had been announced, tickets had been sold, and final rehearsals were in progress when Hurricane Isaac entered and gave a most unpraiseworthy performance. Because of that, some shows were cancelled, others postponed and the information that follows should be considered just a guide. At least for the next few weeks, best to call theaters to confirm schedules. That said, there is lots to look forward to as the greater New Orleans theater community perseveres and proves, once again, that the show must go on! Continuing through September 22 at The Old U.S. Mint, Rising Shiners’ production of C’est La Vie is bringing theater for the first time to the Louisiana State Museum’s Performing Arts Center there— how wonderful to have a new venue in town. I saw C’est La Vie in July during its three performance run at Mid City Theatre. Gregg Opelka’s musical is a fairly slim tale that traces the love lives and backstage
reVIEW ...from 25 made no effort to hide the relationship. Bad turned to worse when Mr. Gumm died. In the days before the funeral, Ethel left the girls with friends to be with Will. After many appearances in Hollywood, Judy was signed to M-G-M as a contract player. She had the big voice but the girl next door look. Louis B. Mayer ran M-G-M like a movie making machine and he was Judy’s new “father”. Being obedient and following orders was just as important as talent. Judy was finally turning into the young lady behind the “voice”. Then comes THE WIZARD OF OZ and she is back to being a little girl again. On her birthday, which is also the day Mr. Gumm died, Ethel marries the widowed Mr. Will Gilmore. This sends Judy over the edge. Now she is supporting Mr. Gilmore and his family. As Mr. Clarke points out at a time when Judy’s self-confidence and self-esteem should be rising she is being shot down at every turn. Mr. Mayer has her stuck in the Andy Hardy series as the girl-next-door friend to Mickey Rooney. Without any malicious intent, Judy was stuck being the girl next door while actually she was turning into a glamourous young woman. All of this confusion led to a life of low self-esteem and very little self-confidence. In certain ways she became her own worst enemy. She had the talent but seeked approval from others to believe in herself. All of her marriages, five in all, were short and to people in show business. David Rose (1941-1944) was more of a rebellion against her mother and the studio. Vincente Minnelli (1945-1951) was her director on MEET ME IN ST. LOUIS when they mar-
dramas of Dominique and Fatiguee, two cabaret singers in 1950’s Paris, and its first act could be shorter. But its songs are enjoyable and, under Nick Thompson’s direction, Ann Mahoney and Jessie Terrebonne make two endearing songbirds. Musical Director Harry Mayronne Jr. brings his accustomed polished flair to the proceedings as the mostly silent onstage pianist Jean Paul, and as the girls triumph, you’ll leave with a smile on your face. (Thurs-Sat 8pm, 400 Esplanade Ave., 222.2265) Staying in the cabaret mode, The Quarter Rat Pack debuts Friday/Saturday, September 14th (9pm) and 15th (7:30pm) at Café Istanbul (2372 St. Claude, 302.1438). Starring Marshall Harris, Jason George and Robert Facio with Jim Walpole as the Piano Man and a special appearance by Princesse Stephaney, “the show itself is a celebration of our friendship and an opportunity to perform the type of music we enjoy,” says George. “We were inspired by the original Rat Pack; we aren’t impersonating them but, rather, we’re a new Rat Pack, a New Orleanian Rat Pack and we’re performing their classic standards as an homage.” ”The premise,” continues George, “is that Marshall was inspired to put on a show ried. He was also largely gay. Sid Luft (1952-1965) was her manager. Mark Herron (1965-1966) was her tour promoter, also gay, also sleeping with Liza’s husband Peter Allen. And finally Mickey Deans (1969- ). He was known as a Mr. Fixit and was basically just there. One has to wonder how her life would have played out had she had some selfconfidence and believed in herself. She was a great talent and left behind a great body of work. Her performance at Carnegie Hall, April 23, 1961 has been called one of the greatest nights in show business, ever. JUDY AT CARNEGIE HALL, the recording of the event spent 95 weeks on Billboard, 13 weeks at #1. It has never been out of print. And then there is Dorothy in THE WIZARD OF OZ. Of course Gerald Clarke doesn’t get into “what if’s”. He presents facts and details not found in other books. GET HAPPY, The Life of Judy Garland comes across as the real deal. It is written by a biographer, not a fan. That should make the fans happy. Judy Garland died in London, Sunday June 22. 1969. Barbiturate Poisoning was ruled the cause of death. There was no evidence of suicide, the coroner attributed her death to an “incautious self-overdosage". James Mason, her co-star from A STAR IS BORN gave the eulogy on Friday, June 27, 1969 at Frank E. Campbell Funeral Home in New York. Her coffin was carried by car to a crypt in Hartsdale’s Ferncliff Cemetery, a few miles north of New York. In the early morning hours of June 28, 1969 the Stonewall Riots occurred outside a gay bar in the Village, marking the beginning of the Gay Liberation movement.
Marshall Harris, Jason George & Robert Facio in The Quarter Rat Pack and has booked it without actually having a show. Marshall suggests that we three can be a new Rat Pack and charms Robert and me into performing.” Songs include The Best Is Yet To Come, I Get a Kick Outta You, Luck be a Lady, Come Fly with Me, I’ve Got You Under My Skin, and New Orleans versions of Let’s Call the Whole Thing Off and New York, New York. Classy stuff. Not so classy, at least not its setting, is Lanford Wilson’s landmark 1965 play Balm in Gilead which The NOLA Project and Cripple Creek Theatre Company are joining forces to present. With a cast of 25, Gilead features hookers, hustlers, thugs, junkies, gays, lesbians, and drag queens all surrounding a boy-meets-girl story and set in a 24-hour, greasy spoon in Manhattan. Reminds me of when I used to work at St. Ann’s Deli here. Mark Routhier directs, among others, AJ Allegra, James Bartelle, Ian Hoch, Andrew Vaught, Alex Martinez Wallace, Emilie Whelan, Kristin Witterschein and James Yeargain in what is sure to be a transformed Nims Black Box Theater at NOCCA. (2800 Chartres, Thu-Sun, Sept. 13-30, 7:30pm, 415.7987) In a lighter vein, Bingo! The Winning Musical, is a new interactive show about three pals, Vern, Honey & Patsy, who drive through a terrible storm in the name of their weekly obsession, bingo. Could this be a case of art imitating life? With a cast that includes Becky Allen, Dorian Rush, Tracey Collins, Rebecca Rae & Dennis Monn, Bingo! promises outrageous fun. Chris Wecklein directs, musical direction is by the ubiquitous Harry Mayronne Jr. (AllWays Lounge & Theatre, 2240 St. Claude, Fri/Sat 8pm, Sun. 6pm, thru Sept. 23) O-69! Also at the AllWays and also featuring Mayronne is Waiting Around (the Restaurant Musical), which he wrote with Ricky Graham. Through skits and songs it depicts life in the restaurant industry. Now in its tenth year, the show has had over two hundred performances and has been held over through September 24. Waiting Around features Tracey Collins, Jason Kirkpatrick, Darcy Malone, and Chris Wecklein. Direction and choreography are by Amanda Zirkenbach. Showtime is 8pm on Monday evenings (218.5778). Further down St. Claude, Michael Martin’s Verbatim Verboten New Orleans at The Shadowbox Theatre has just been extended to October 24. Directed and emceed by Richard Mayer, Verbatim Verboten is an ever-changing revue of brief, staged word-for-word transcripts of noted and notorious folk (also some “civilians”)
saying things they never intended the public to hear: surveillance tapes, wiretapped conversations, forgotten live mics, on-camera diatribes, released emails, private correspondence, 911 calls, and the like. With almost 400 such pieces in the repertoire, no two shows are ever alike. Verbatim Verboten plays Wednesdays at 8pm (2400 St. Claude Ave., 298.8676). Continuing Waiting Around’’s restaurant theme, The Shadowbox also has Fully Committed, the off-Broadway hit one-man show about what it’s like to be a reservationist at the most popular of restaurants. Kyle Daigrepont stars in a multitude of roles (Thur-Sat, 8pm, through Sept. 22). Also coming up are almost Gone With the Wind, a one-woman version of the classic film with Yvette Hargis (Mid City Theatre, 3540 Toulouse, 488.1460, Sept. 13-30); August Wilson’s Seven Guitars at the Anthony Bean Community Theater (1333 S. Carrollton, 862.PLAY, through Sept. 30); Legally Blonde, the musical inspired by the hit film (Rivertown Theater, 325 Minor St., Kenner, Sept. 1430); and Stomp, the long-running offBroadway dance/movement/razzmatazz hit (Mahalia Jackson Theater, Armstrong Park, Sept. 14-16) Further afield, Arianne Poole directs The Nerd for the Playmakers Theater in Covington. In this comedy by Larry Shue, Willum is delighted when Rick, who once saved his life, shows up unexpectedly during his birthday party. However, Rick’s inappropriate behavior becomes a dilemma especially when this “nerd” over stays his welcome with a vengeance (19106 Playmakers Rd.(off Lee Rd.), Covington, 985.893.1671, Thurs-Sat at 8pm, Sun. at 2pm, through Sept. 23). At the Cutting Edge Theater in Slidell (747 Robert Blvd., 985.649.3727), Grease has two more performances on Fri/Sat, Sept. 14 and 15, at 8pm. For those who’ve been asleep the last 40 years, Grease is set in 1959 at the fictional Rydell High School and follows ten working-class teenagers as they navigate the complexities of love, cars, and drive-ins. And last but not least, back in Orleans Parish, Southern Rep Theatre recently announced its 26th Season. The 20122013 Season will be “one of great transformation as Southern Rep Theatre takes on its role as the Contemporary Arts Center’s Theatre in Residence!”says Producing Artistic Director Aimée Hayes, adding “Southern Rep is delighted to embark on another season full of new plays, exciting
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The Stars ~ New Orleans ~ Photos by Devin, Paul Melancon, Tony Leggio
Men, Men, Men ~ New Orleans ~ Photos by Devin, Paul Melancon, Tony Leggio
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Annual Southern Decadence Block Party hosted by Clint Taylor & The Phoenix ~ New Orleans ~ Photos by Paul Melancon, Tony Leggio
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trodding the boards ...from 30 collaborative productions, and thrilling surprises at our new venue.” The Main Stage Season kicks off with the Tony Awardnominated Venus in Fur by David Ives. Directed by Hayes, Venus in Fur introduces Vanda, a seemingly unassuming, talented actress, who is determined to win the lead role in Thomas’ scintillating new play. A frisky game of cat and mouse ensues and suddenly the lines blur between reality and play, seduction and power, love and sex (Jan. 9-25, 2013). Mold, the final play of John Biguenet’s Rising Water Trilogy, is set in New Orleans the summer after Katrina and the levee collapse. In it, a young husband is forced to choose between his wife and the city he loves. Mold will be directed by Mark Routhier (Mar. 20-Apr. 14). Rounding out the Main Stage offerings will be the musical Next To Normal, winner of 3 Tony Awards and the 2010 Pulitzer Prize. In this heartbreaking story, a suburban mother battles mental illness as her family strives to understand what “normal” means in an unknowable, complicated world. Running May 15-June 9, Next To Normal will also be directed by Hayes and reunite her with Leslie Castay for the first time since their successful collaboration on Grey Gardens two years ago. Prior to the Main Stage Season, however, three productions will be presented under the banner of “The Lagniappe Series.” First up is The Lily’s Revenge, A Flowergory Manifold with book, lyrics and concept by Taylor Mac and music by Rachelle Garniez. This five-act epic tale told in music, dance, film, and verse is about a Lily’s journey to become a man and win his true love’s hand; some have said it’s a metaphor for the same sex marriage struggle. Featuring wild desires and vivid theatricality, The Lily’s Revenge is told by a cast of 45+ local performers and directed by Andy Vaught, Pamela Davis-Noland, Jeffrey Gunshol, Nick Slie and Hayes. This collaboration with Cripple Creek Theatre Company, the AllWays Lounge, Mondo Bizarro, Skin Horse Theatre and Nari Tomassetti will be performed at the Den of Muses in the Marigny October 18-21.
Wolves by Steve Yockey is a National New Play Network Rolling World Premiere that will be part of the New Orleans Fringe Festival (Nov. 15-25). In Wolves, Ben freaks out when his roommate Jack brings home a big bad wolf for a one-night stand. When Ben tries to “rescue” Jack, he sets in motion a dangerous chain of events that will unravel everything in their very small apartment in the very big city. With a peculiar narrator who knows more than she’s letting on, this fairy tale for grown-ups commingles a story of unrequited love with the virtues of lava lamps, the dangers of storytelling, and the hazards of a handy axe. And what season would be complete without a version of Charles Dickens’ A Christmas Carol? Under Ann Mahoney Kadar’s direction,
John “Spud” McConnell will star as Scrooge in Doris Baizley’s adaptation which features a traveling troupe of actors who enact this holiday classic with music, dance, clowns, and visual effects. Christmas Carol will run at the CAC Nov. 23-Dec. 16. Call 504.522.6545 for more information or to order tickets for any of Southern Rep’s offerings. To paraphrase Tiny Tim, “God bless us, every one who goes to the theater!”
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The SD Scene ~ New Orleans ~ Photos by Paul Melancon, Tony Leggio
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