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the "official" dish by Rip & Marsha Naquin-Delain Email: marsha@ripandmarsha.com
3rd Sponsors Party & 5th Eggstravaganza Kick Off Gay Easter Parade Festivities benefiting Food for Friends The Board of Directors of the Gay Easter Parade (GEP) including Rip and Marsha Naquin-Delain, Electra City, Tittie Toulouse, Opal Masters, Rona Conners and Tony Leggio; and Easter Grand Marshals (EGM) XIV Tommy Elias and Starr Daniels are happy to kick off the Gay Easter Parade season with two great events. The parade minus expenses benefits Food For Friends, and over the past eleven years, donations to charity have exceeded $147,439. The 3rd Sponsors Party under the direction of the GEP Board is set for Saturday, Feb. 23, 4-6pm, at Cutter’s, 706 Franklin. All registered sponsors get FREE Well and Domestic Beer during the party (form available at party or online at GayEasterParade.COM). The scrumptious buffet is once again provided by Cutter's, plus there will also be an Easter Treasures Auction. Joining at the Sponsor Party will give sponsors more exposure as they will appear as sponsors through out the Easter Season in print and online. Sponsorships are currently available in five categories: Presenting ($2,500+), Platinum ($1,000), Gold ($500), Silver ($250), or Bronze ($100). Sponsors already joining this year's efforts include PRESENTING: Ambush Mag; PLATINUM: Friday Night Before Mardi Gras; GOLD: Stuart Nettles & Safonda Peters, Gary Vandeventer, Todd J. Blauvelt; and SILVER: Elizabeth Bouvier, Darwin Reed & Opal Masters, Rona Conners, Dwain Hertz/Al Dugas & Gene Theriot. The 5th Eggstravaganza, under the direction of GEP Board's Opal Masters, will be held on Saturday, March 2, 8-11pm, at Michael’s On The Park, 834 N. Rampart. There is a $5 door donation which includes the festivities, show and buffet courtesy of bar baron Michael Cookmeyer. MCs are GEP Board's Opal Masters and Tony Leggio with entertainment from EGM XIV Starr Daniels, Queen Amon-Ra XLVIII Deja Deja-Vue’, EGM XIII Rhonda Roget, Little MM and special performance by Michael's On The Park's own Cookie St. Ann. There are fabulous auctions including: Huge Easter Basket worth over $500, Faux Faberge’ Egg, Easter Arrangement, and more plus a 50/50 raffle. The 14th annual Gay Easter Parade is Sunday, March 31 beginning at 4:30pm following its traditional route through the French Quarter. Remaining fundraising events include: Saturday, March 9, 8-10pm, Oz, 12th Star Studded Drag Extravaganza under the direction of Rip and Marsha Naquin-Delain; Saturday, March 16, 4 Seasons, Metairie, 12th Spring Fever & VIP Reception under the direction of Electra City and Tittie Toulouse; Saturday, March 23, 8-10pm, Double Play, 14th Purple Party Grand Marshals Reception under the direction of the GEP Board; and Friday, March 29 (Time & Place TBA), 4th Bunnies in The Big Easy under the directions of Tony Leggio and Rona Conners. For additional information, visit GayEasterParade.COM.
Protect & Defend Conference Feb. 22-24 in New Orleans The annual EMS and military gathering, Protect & Defend Conference, will be hosted from Feb. 22-Feb. 24 at the Bourbon Orleans Hotel. Protect and Defend is a non-profit LGBT support organization that is here to support public safety, military and fire/ems officials from throughout the world. Events will include the gathering itself as well as a fundraiser at the Bourbon
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St. Patrick's, Pre-Easter issue out Mar. 5 DEADLINE: Tues., Feb. 26
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Pub and Parade on Friday, Feb. 22 from 9pm til midnight. Profits will be donated to the NO/AIDS Task Force. Protect and Defend has donated over $17,000 to charities nationwide! Guests visiting will be drawn in from all over the country so the gathering will present a large New Orleans style welcome. Both Oz, as well as Bourbon Pub and Parade have been kind enough to offer free admission throughout the weekend to conference attendees. For more information, visit ProtectAndDefend.ORG.
CWB XIV @ Oz Benefiting NOSIDA on Feb. 25 The 14th annual Crack Whore Ball (CWB) is set for Monday, Feb. 25 at Oz, 800 Bourbon Street celebrating My Favorite T’ings, this year’s theme. The ball benefits New Orleans Society for Infectious Diseases Awareness (NOSIDA) which actively promotes awareness of the physical, mental, and emotional effects that infectious diseases inflict on communities worldwide. The annual ball gives service industry personnel and their friends the opportunity to relax and party since most worked through Carnival. The highlight of the evening is when Irish Mike announces the new Crack Whore Queen at the stroke of midnight. Then there’s the presentation of the monies raised at the ball to NOSIDA. The $40 ticket includes open premium bar from 9pm-1am. Tickets are limited. Get your tickets from a past Crack Whore Queen or at Ninth Circle, 700 N. Rampart, or Voodoo Bar, 718 N. Rampart. Past Crack Whore Queens include 1 unknown, 2 Kabrina Watson, 3 Genevieve, 4 Janice Goodbee, 5 Wade Burnham, 6 Rip and Marsha NaquinDelain, 7 Aletha Bryant, 8 the late Wendy the “official” dish ...from 8 Byrne, 9 Chris Morton, 10 Frankie Fierce, 11 DL Broadway, 12 Sabrina, and 13 Duane Parrish.
Hidden Treasures: Clementine Hunter Join the Friends of the Cabildo as the Louisiana State Museum’s impressive Clementine Hunter Collection is opened for an exclusive behind-thescenes viewing, March 12th & 14th. Dr. Tony Lewis, Curator of the Visual Arts for the Louisiana State Museum, will guide you through the works of the selftaught artist from the Cane River Region of Louisiana. Hunter, born in 1886 at Hidden Hills Plantation near Marco, Louisiana, worked as farm hand, never learning to read or write. Hunter began painting around 1938, making her 52 years-old at the time, when visiting artist Alberta Kinsley left brushes and paints at Melrose Plantation. When canvas was
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 Frankie Fierce, Charles Jenkins, Tony Leggio, Frank Perez, Arthur Severio, Rev. Bill Terry, Rory Wright-New Orleans Bob Brunson, MIss Cie & 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 NaquinDelain, 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. ©1982-2013, AMBUSH, INC.,ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. NOTHING HEREIN MAY BE REPRODUCED WITHOUT WRITTEN PERMISSION OF THE PUBLISHER INCLUDINGAD LAYOUTS, MAPS and PHOTOS. AMgrant - AMbush Advertising Grant Donation
not available, she painted on whatever was at hand. Cardboard, shoebox covers, window shades, bottles, purses, picnic baskets and a range of other media bear her “mark” – H.C. Hunter received international attention in 1955 when the Delgado Museum (now the New Orleans Museum of Art) sponsored a one-person exhibition. Although Hunter lived in the South during a period of profound transformations, her paintings embody a simple world seemingly fixed in time. Hidden Treasures of the Louisiana State Museum: Clementine Hunter Edition takes place Tuesday and Thursday, March 12th and 14th. Tours are at 6pm and 7pm, nightly, at the Louisiana [continued on 8]
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celebrazzi
King and Queen Armeinius XLV Fred Arocho and Freddie Guess brought the 45th Krewe of Armeinius ball to a climatic end as Captain Rhett Butler and Scarlett O'Hara celebrating the theme Oh Captain, My Captain. Held at the Frederick J. Sigur Civic Center in Chalmette, emcees Bianca del Rio and Blanche Debris brought forth a colorful array of captains throughout the ball. For more on the krewe, visit www.KreweofArmeinius.ORG.
The 30th Lords of Leather Bal Masque culminated with the presentation of Lord King and Consort XXX Pat Johnson and Joey Landry celebrating Can't Stop the Music at Frederick J. Sigur Civic Center in Chalmette. Captain Gary Vandeventer had Darwin Singleton and Bianca del Rio emcee the event. Bruce Orgeron was responsible for costume design. For more on the krewe, visit www.LordsOfLeather.COM.
The 26th Official Gay Mardi Gras Bead Toss was led by King Cake Queen XX Dusty Debris celebrating this year's theme 20 Years of Magic, Myths & Mortals on Mardi Gras Day. Once The Platinum Queen was announced on the balcony, she came out to thunderous applause, and threw the first in thousands of throws to the crowds below. The annual Krewe of Queenateenas party brings together 10 guests of the queen, and 40 guests of Co-Captains Rip & Marsha Naquin-Delain. It all happens in the Ambush Mansion where guests first start with cocktails at Belle Lain's Magnolia Bar. They can settle into the Victorian parlour or move up to the dining room and kitchen where 4 pounds of red beans and 6 pounds of ham have been cooking for 24 hours in a huge turkey roaster. It's served with basmati rice, Hawaiian sweet rolls, marinated salad, a hot meaty Southwestern queso, and Antoine's creme cheese stuffed King Cake. Then there's the balcony, the most popular spot for the day. The center is reserved for the King Cake Queen and co-captains, and on each side guests take turns at the rail. As in some year's past where it was either raining or overcast, as soon as the queen goes out for the toss, the sky opens to the Sun, which stayed clear thought the toss. It was a banner year, and King Cake Queen XX Dusty Debris exhibited the qualities which made her queen. Next year's queen will be chosen from guests at this year's bead toss based solely on the one "exhibiting the most enthusiasm and expertise in bead toss techniques." Visit www.GayMardiGras.COM/ KCQ for additional information.
Oz and Bud Light presented the 49th Bourbon Street Awards, a colorful presentation of costumes vying for $3,000 in cash prizes. For the third year, Joel Haas from the Krewe of Armeinius as Captain Fantastic (Elton John) won both Best of Show ($500), and Best Overall Costume ($1,000). Congratulations to all of the winners. Visit www.GayMardiGras.COM/bbb.htm for more info.
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read. The plot is simple, New York is hosting a Hollywood on the Hudson celebration brining in hundreds of celebrities, producers and directors to the Big Apple to promote filming in the city. There are red carpet premiers every night and parties being thrown everywhere. The NYPD Red team is on high alert to ensure everyone’s safety. Zach Jordan works for the group along with his new partner and ex-girlfriend, Detective Kyle MacDonald who also happens to be married to a producer of television cop dramas. Then the killings begin by a mad man with an axe to grind wit people in the movie industry. Each one becomes bolder than the next coming moving toward a more spectacular finale. Jordan and MacDonald have their work cut out for them as they sift through clues and bodies, all the while dealing with their own personal issues. I especially enjoy Patterson’s mixture of the main characters history into the storyline. NYPD Red is written with Marshall Karp and is a novel that takes readers at breakneck speed from the start to the explosive conclusion that takes place on the Hudson River. In my opinion, Patterson is the king of Pop Literature. His books are fast, easy reads that keeps the reader enthralled at all times. For more information on Patterson or his novels, go to www.jamespatterson.com.
under the gaydar by Tony Leggio Email: ledgemgp@gmail.com Photo by: Larry Graham, GrahamStudioOne.COM
Book of the Month Some books are just easier reads than others for me. One of my favorite authors whose books can be classified as thrillers writes his novels as if they were screenplays for a movie or television show. Many of James Patterson’s novels have been given the big and small screen treatment such as Kiss
the Girls, Along Came A Spider and the most recent Alex Cross. I have just finished one of his latest novels which is a not part of any of his series (at least not yet). NYPD Red is a quick paced novel that I finished in two days. It tells the story of the NYPD Red unit which is a task force designed to protect New York’s most richest and powerful A-List citizens. From that description, you can piece together what is going to happen. The most elite of the society being slaughtered systematically in gruesome fashion, you cannot ask for a more delicious
There’s A Hurricane Brewing There is a hurricane brewing out there and her name is Bianca, Bianca del Rio that is. Roy Haylock whose infamous alter ego Bianca del Rio is one of New Orleans favorite celebrities who now lives in New York. He along with his good friend and Matt Kugelman are trying to make an independent feature film called appropriately Hurricane Bianca. Kugelman is the writer and director and it has always been a dream of his to make a movie. Recently Bianca was just recently in New Orleans to host the Armeinius and Lords of Leather balls as well as the Bourbon Street Awards on Mardi Gras day and she was fabulous. She told the audiences about this great opportunity and I cannot wait for her to get her chance on the big screen. The story of Hurricane Bianca is very topical in today’s society dealing with the issues of trying to “be yourself” in a world that doesn’t quite accept you. The main character, Richard, a fish-out-ofwater gay New Yorker that winds up in small-town Texas, is harassed and fired from his job when his sexuality is discovered. He creates an alter ego, disguising himself as “Bianca,” and gets re-hired in order to get revenge on those that were nasty to him. And as New Orleanians already know, Bianca [continued on 10]
the "official" dish ...from 4 State Museum’s Collection Storage Facility, located at 1000 Chartres Street in the French Quarter. Tickets are $20 per person, or $15for Friends of the Cabildo/Louisiana Museum Foundation members. Reservations are required, and space is extremely limited. To reserve your space, please contact Kaydee Nenninger at 504.523.3939. Friends of the Cabildo is a private non-profit volunteer group that provides financial and volunteer support for the Louisiana State Museum, its projects and its property. Since incorporating in 1956, the Friends of the Cabildo has grown into a large statewide membership organization, a dynamic and motivating force in broadening and supporting the aims of the Louisiana State Museum.
8 • The Official Mag: AmbushMag.COM • Feb. 19-Mar c h 4, 2013 • Of fic ial Gay East er Parade Guide Guide • GayEast erParade.COM
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ated by Boston Ballet resident choreographer Jorma Elo. A favorite collaborator of ASFB, Elo creates works that are tailor-made to reflect the personalities and exuberance of the dancers. There will also be a Pre-Performance Talk with ASFB directors will be held at 7:15pm on the Mezzanine Level M2 of the MJTPA. The performance starts at 8pm. Tickets are still available for this amazing evening of movement and beauty. For more information, go to www.nobadance.com or call 504.522.0996. The Mahalia Jackson Theatre for the Performing Arts is located at 1419 Basin Street.
The Balcony @ Cafe Lafitte's New Look
under the gaydar ...from 8 is not someone to be trifled with. It is like messing with Sylvester Stallone or Jean Claude van Damme; it just won’t end well for you. Even though Bianca is merely an alter ego, she’s badass. She’s smart, beautiful, but most importantly, she doesn’t put up with cruelty. Bianca’s assertiveness will empower not only young gay people to stand up for themselves, but anyone who has ever felt alienated or different; and do so with laughter. I see a Harper Valley PTA meets To Wong Foo, Thanks for Everything! Julie Newmar. Can you imagine if Bianca del Rio becomes a new action hero starring as the main squeeze for Jason Statham or Daniel Craig’s newest Bond girl? It could happen. But to make a movie even independently these days, it needs money. She is trying to raise 250,000 dollars to make this independent film. It may seem look a lot of money but in the independent film world, it truly isn’t. Bianca has entertained us for many years and Roy is one of the most decent people I know. So let’s pay it forward and help them make their dreams a reality. Go to www.HurricaneBianca.com to give. There are many levels of donating each with its own humorous thank you from Bianca herself. So whether you are a class clown or a valedictorian, please
show your love to one of our city’s brightest stars.
New Orleans Ballet Association Presents The New Orleans Ballet Association (NOBA) is presenting Aspen Santa Fe Ballet on Saturday, Feb. 23 at the Mahalia Jackson Theatre. For over 17 years, Aspen Santa Fe Ballet has been at the forefront of American dance and celebrated as “a breath of fresh air,”(The New York Times) for its innovative style, sophisticated and entertaining repertoire, and dedication to commissioning new work from top international choreographers. Led by Jean-Philippe Malaty and renowned Joffrey Ballet dancer Tom Mossbrucker, this sleek and adventurous company is famous for its technical prowess and enthusiastic spirit that exudes from the stage. As a follow up to their popular New Orleans engagement in 2008, the company returns to the main stage with a thrilling program of works by master dancemakers, Jirí Kylián and Jorma Elo, and hot, emerging talent Norbert De La Cruz III. The evening’s centerpiece, Return to a Strange Land, is a seminal work by international dance icon Jirí Kylián. Considered a masterpiece, this ballet creates a dramatic and beautiful atmosphere of longing and hope. The neon colored finale is the Over Glow, cre-
If you have been upstairs at Café Lafitte in Exile, you will notice that The Balcony has been newly renovated. There is a gorgeous mural on the wall or a very celestial scene, lovely chandeliers hang above the bar, and they now have quite a growing martini menu. The atmosphere exudes stylish tone without losing the qualities that makes The Balcony special. So make it a point and stop in for one of their specialty martinis and check out the ambiance. Lafitte’s is located at 901 Bourbon Street.
Celebrity Grand Marshals for Pride Announced New Orleans Pride recently announced their 2013 Celebrity Grand Marshals. Best friends Jaymes Vaughan and James Davis (who are fan favorites on “The Amazing Race” and Chippendales at the Rio Hotel in Las Vegas) will reign as Celebrity Grand Marshals of New Orleans Pride, June 21-24, 2013. And OMG, these guys are hotties. You have to love pretty men leading a parade. Jaymes and James will be hosting a Pride Kick off Fundraiser at Boomtown Casino on June 21. Tickets are $20 each ($10 goes to New Orleans Pride and $10 goes to www.forgetcancernow.org). Enjoy performances by the duo as well as other local acts and don’t forget to stop by the casino to play the loosest slots in New Orleans with your free play bucks donated by Boomtown Casino.
On Saturday, June 22, Jaymes and James will Emcee Chevron’s Family Day in Washington Square Park from 1-5pm. Entertainment will be by local artist Beth Trepagnier and 5 Finger Discount. There will be food/drink vendors, a kids area as well as organization booths throughout the park. This is a perfect opportunity to do a picnic in the park. The Duo will also lead the Pride Parade beginning at 6pm from Washington Square Park and working its way through the French Quarter. I was the grand marshal last year and it was an outstandingly good time, so definitely be a part of this year’s celebration and show your pride. For more information, go to www.prideneworleans.org.
Party Down Mardi Gras and Super Bowl all rolled into two action packed weeks, what a crazy time. But except for a little power outage in the Superdome, I think the city handled both events rather well. I was extremely busy over Super Bowl both working events and attending them. On Monday, my new company handled the VIP Media Party for Super Bowl at political consultants James Carville and Mary Matalin’s private Uptown home. It was a literal who’s who in the media, but also had celebrities like Dan Aykroyd and Donna Dixon as well as Troy Landry from Swamp People. The food was catered by Revolution and the music was a combination of New Orleans legends like Irvin Mayfield, Irma Thomas, Dr. John, Cyrille Neville and many more. It was an incredible way to begin a week of non-stop excitement. Tuesday, I was a guest at the 2013 Super Bowl Media Party that was open to the entire media world. It was held at Mardi Gras World and was quite the spectacle. With thousands of people in attendance, guests were treated to over forty of the city’s finest restaurants and caterers providing cuisine. There were six stages with bands playing every type of Louisiana style music. Dan Aykroyd made another guest appearance again this time on the stage performing. Along with the media, the entire hospitality community showed up en masses to welcome in [continued on 12]
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under the gaydar ...from 10 the visitors to the city. I was a worker bee once again on Thursday working NFL Hall of Famer Willie Roaf’s party at the U.S. Mint on Esplanade. DJ Spinderella from Salt and Pepa fame was one of the entertainers at the event that included a very sleek mobile cigar bar lounge parked behind the venue. It is a long, mobile silver style bus complete with big screen televisions, lounge furniture, full bar and humidor. Talk about the ultimate in man caves. On Friday, I worked the Willie Roaf event again, and then met up with the fabulous Frankie Fierce who got us into the Audi party at the Ogden Museum. Now talk about a star gazing night. We saw Anna Faris, Ashley Greene, Jeremy Renner, and Jim Belushi just to name a few. The entertainment for the night was Santigold who rocked the house. Afterwards we stopped by the Bud Light entertainment compound that held the concert area and the Bud Light Hotel and watched Flo Rida perform on the huge video projected on the side of one of the nearby buildings. Then we moseyed on to the House of Blues Foundation Room to catch the after party for the Drew Brees fundraiser. There was a DJ upstairs spinning for the lively crowd and we danced the night away with my friend Laura Tennyson. Wrapping up the night, I stopped back at the Willie Roaf party at the Mint that was in full swing before calling it a night. Saturday was another day of fun work. I was at the NFL Honors event which brought all the stars out. Alec Baldwin, Howie Long and a host of other celebrities and sports legends (many of who I did not recognize) walked the red carpet. There was an amazing multi tent structure placed in front of the Mahalia Jackson Theatre with gourmet food being passed, numerous bars, crystal chandeliers and lounge furniture. The candles that aligned all the walkways and structure gave an ethereal glow to the night. I have never seen this place look so beautiful before. It is true that money can buy you lots of nice things. After I was done with the event, I met some friends and played in the Quarter. So on Sunday for the big game, where did I go. After working briefly earlier in the day, I went to JohnPaul’s for a little drink then went to my friend Laura’s house for BBQ and cocktails. It was a laid back night with a few friends watching the commercials and Beyonce’s performance, in addition to that little blackout drama that occurred. Oh and the game was good too. It was nice just to relax after such a crazy week. The next week, we were back into Mardi Gras Madness. On Wednesday, my friend Michelle and I attended the Mayor’s Mardi Gras Ball at Gallier
Hall. It was rainy but that did not stop the festivities, as we enjoyed wining and dining with the political scene in New Orleans. The Nyx and Druid parades rolled and even though it was soggy, we had a blast (and caught seven purses). I have to say that Nyx is giving Muses quite a run for their money for the best female parade. On Thursday, my friend Contessa Breaux opened up her St. Charles home for a Martini Madness party to celebrate the kick-off of Mardi Gras weekend. So many of my friends were there and everyone was in high spirits as we sipped on different martini concoctions, ate scrumptious snacks and enjoyed the parades. The yard and tented area was bathed in blue light adding to the festive atmosphere. Muses, Chaos and Babylon rolled by throwing many goodies. I believe that seeing a parade with friends has to rank up there with great ways to spend an evening. Kevin Kelly, the owner of Houmas House, hosted one of the most spectacular costume galas on Friday at his stunning St. Charles mansion. The theme was circus and there were plenty of lions, trapeze artists and clowns. There was a jazz band playing in his grand living room with huge windows so guests can see the parades pass. Outside a DJ spun dance hits so that his guests can party while they catch beads. The food was catered by the Houmas House and was absolutely divine and you never had to want for a drink. Krewe d’Etat, Hermes and Morpheus were just gorgeous parades. It was one of my fondest Mardi Gras memories this year. Saturday was a wild day. I went to two Endymion parties in Mid City at the beginning of the route. My friends Marvin and Robbie hosted one, as did my friend Michelle. Their houses were two blocks away from each other so it was easy to hop back and forth between them. Endymion looked brilliant this year and loved the Pontchartrain Beach Then and Now float. They truly are a superkrewe. I had to cut out of the parade early to get home and change into a tuxedo for Armeinius’ ball. I made it down to Chalmette to catch all the grandeur of the event. Bianca del Rio hosted with Blanche Debris to a packed house. The costumes were wonderful and very creative this year. I especially thought Josh as the other half of Sky Captain’s Snoopy Dance was the hit of the night. On Sunday, my neighbors Allen and Dale had a small gathering at their home. It was a great way to begin my night. Then my friends Nick and Vinse joined me for the Lords of Leather ball in Chalmette once again. I spend more time in St. Bernard over Mardi Gras than I do the entire rest of the year. The ball was hosted by Bianca and Darwin Singleton from Mobile. Great costumes, fun people and another entertaining ball made the night fly by. The
after party at the Phoenix also turned into quite the shindig. I enjoyed strippers, more cocktails and mingling with the krewe into the wee hours of the morning. I thought I would extend my week through Fat Tuesday. Monday I rested, but my Mardi Gras was non-stop. I started my day at 9am with a huge Mardi Gras party at my friend Laura’s house in the Marigny. She lays out an impressive spread of fried chicken, baked macaroni, smoked salmon, grits and barbecue shrimp and much more for guests to get a little fortitude before a busy day of drinking and merriment. There is also mimosa, champagne and bloody marys. After enjoying a hearty breakfast and a few libations, I trotted off to judge the Bourbon Street Awards. Now this is such an enjoyable thing to do on Mardi Gras day, you get a great seat to watch all the costumes and pomp. This year the rain did not dampen the crowd’s spirits, the party was raging. There were some impressive outfits this year. When the contest was over, I went to the Ambush balcony for the Official Gay Mardi Gras Bead Toss. Dusty Debris, the youngest King Cake Queen (and no matter what Princesse Stephaney says she is not younger), did a grand job leading the toss this year. She is quite an ambassador for both the gay and drag communities. After partying at Ambush, I made a few stops at some of the gay bars before making it home to crash. Another fun Mardi Gras behind us, now onto St. Patrick’s Day. Woohoo, who loves the luck of the Irish!
Tony’s Tidbits of Gay Wisdom Mardi Gras is over, now it is time to set our sights on another big holiday in the gay community. Easter has grown to become one of the most anticipated and highly attended celebrations for us gays. First, I would like to say congratulations to our new Easter Grand Marshals XIV Tommy Elias and Starr Daniels who will lead all the festivities
for the season. As you know Ambush has been presenting the Gay Easter Parade and all the proceeds after expenses goes to benefit Food for Friends (a subsidiary of the NO/AIDS Task Force). Over the past eleven years, over $147,000 has been donated to charity. And this year, we are expecting another banner year. The first way to play a vital part of this noteworthy fundraiser is to become a sponsor. There are several different levels of sponsorship ranging from $100 to $2,500.00. The first event is the 3rd Annual Sponsors Party on Saturday, Feb. 23 at Cutter’s from 4 – 6pm. This is your chance to show your support and meet some of the other sponsors. If you become a sponsor that night, your well cocktails and domestic beer are on the house til the end of the party. Cutter’s is located at 706 Franklin Avenue in the Marigny. There are six events during the Easter season where we raise funds for the parade and Food For Friends. The second event is the 5 th Eggstravaganza which will be held on Saturday, March 2 from 8 – 11pm at Michael’s On The Park. Michael’s by the Park is located at 834 North Rampart. I was Easter Grand Marshal X and been on the board for the last four years. Easter has quickly risen in the ranks as one of my favorite holidays. All of the fundraisers are fun, exciting and offer great times all for a good cause. Please make it a point to attend any or all of them. Your support makes a huge difference in people’s lives. Another way to participate is to be a part of the actual parade itself on Easter Sunday. There are carriages in all sizes, but you have to place your orders early, because they sell out fast. Parade forms will go up online as soon as carriage prices are confirmed. For more information or parade sponsorship forms, go to www.GayEasterParade.COM, call 504.522.8049 or email info@gayeasterparade.com. If you have an event, story or idea, you want covered, contact me at ledgemgp@gmail.com.
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49th Bourbon Street Awards presented by Oz & Bud Light ~ Photos by Rip Naquin
26th Gay Mardi Gras Bead Toss led by King Cake Queen XX Dusty Debris ~ Photos by Tony Leggio, Darwin Reed, Arthur Severio
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The Club Scene: Mardi Gras Madness ~ New Orleans ~ Photos by Tony Leggio, Charles Jenkins, Arthur Severio
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moments in gay new orleans history by Frank Perez E-mail: f.perez@sbcglobal.net
“James Booker: The Black Liberace” The New Orleans music scene has always been, for the most part, a place where gay musicians were “given a pass” on their sexual orientation. At the turn of the last century, Tony Jackson was the most popular piano player in Storyville and commanded the respect of all his fellow musicians, even the great Jelly Roll Morton, whom Jackson mentored. In the 1950s and 1960s, Patsy Valdelar was a show stopper at the Dew Drop Inn. Gospel genius Raymond Myles was never fully accepted by his church but Jazz Festival crowds loved him unconditionally. In more recent years, Davell Crawford, the grandson of James “Sugar Boy” Crawford, has found great success not only here in New Orleans but also internationally. And then there is James Booker, easily the most troubled and perhaps the most fascinating of all the gay musicians New Orleans has produced. A number of legendary musicians have acknowledged Booker’s talent. Dr. John has described Booker as “the best black, gay, one-eyed junkie piano genius New Orleans has ever created.” It was not a destiny his parents envisioned for him. Born in New Orleans in 1939, Booker grew up on the Mississippi Gulf Coast where his father was a Baptist minister and his mother sang in the church choir. He demonstrated musical talent at an early age, learning to play the piano by the age of six. He immersed himself in a wide variety of styles and listened to everyone from Bach and Chopin to Professor Longhair and Tuts Washington. He especially liked Liberace and would eventually earn the title, “The Black Liberace.” After moving back to New Orleans in 1953, Booker attended Xavier Preparatory School where he met classmates Art Neville and Allen Toussaint. After graduating, his band, Booker Boy and the Rhythmaires, secured a regular spot on a radio show which eventually led to his first recording, “Doin’ the Hambone” and “Thinkin Bout My Baby” with Imperial Records in 1954. Booker’s contract with Imperial led to some session work with Fats Domino, the label’s biggest star at the time. In 1960, Booker enrolled in the music program at Southern University in Baton Rouge. Also in that year, Booker had a hit with his single “Gonzo,” which reached number three on the R&B charts. The song is widely considered to be the inspiration for the nickname that came to describe the avant-
garde journalistic style of Hunter S. Thompson. It was also around this time that Booker began abusing drugs, most notably heroine, though contemporaries report that he would do whatever he could get his hands on. His substance abuse also began to manifest in what would become chronic alcoholism. Coupled with a lifelong struggle with mental disorders, his addictions took their toll on him as well as the musicians with whom he worked. He was let go from several bands and soon earned something of a reputation among record executives as a con artist. He sometimes overcharged labels for work he had already been paid for and more than once he was paid in advance for jobs for which he never showed up. Booker’s money hustling may explain the loss of his eye. In his autobiography, Dr. John claims Booker lost his eye when a record producer paid someone to rough up Booker for scamming him. Booker himself delighted in telling conflicting stories of how he lost his left eye. The truth may never be known but in any event, Booker began wearing an eye patch. In 1970, he was arrested for heroin possession and did six months at Angola, the state prison. After being paroled, Booker resumed his music career by traveling the country and recording with various musicians. In 1975, he gave a memorable performance at the New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Festival which led to a recording contract with Island Records. He also began touring Europe, where he was enthusiastically received. Upon returning to New Orleans, he began tutoring a very young Harry Connick Jr. His association with Connick proved advantageous. At the time, young Connick’s father was the District Attorney in New Orleans—a fact that helped Booker with his numerous scrapes with the law. By this time, Booker was often arrested for public intoxication and disturbing the peace. His mental health, never good, began to deteriorate. Nevertheless, he maintained a regular job as the house pianist at the famed Maple Leaf Bar, though his performances were erratic at best and sloppy at worst. By 1983, years of substance abuse had taken their toll. On November 8, he died at Charity Hospital sitting in a wheelchair waiting to be treated after suffering an overdose. In many ways, Booker’s life was tragic. He was incredibly gifted and talented and yet profoundly troubled and tormented. He didn’t fit in anywhere. The piano was
his only reality, and he constantly teased it without ever quite apprehending it. He created a unique musical style, combining jazz, gospel, blues, classical, and rhythm and blues into a seamless fusion that today still defies classification. That legacy lives on in those
he influenced. James Booker’s life and work is the subject of a documentary currently in production by independent filmmaker Lily Keber. bayou maharajah will be released in the spring of 2013.
a community within communities
by The Rev. Bill Terry, Rector St. Anna’s Episcopal Church Email: fr.bill@stannanola.org
“From Dust you came to Dust you shall return” “Lent! Bah humbug it’s no fun at all! All this fasting, praying, and hypocrisy, I’ve had it! Let’s get ready for the Easter Parade!” So it goes in New Orleans. Those from a ‘Catholic’ background will go back to eating fish on Fridays. Yea, a seafood platter from your favorite seafood purveyor is really austere at $20+ per platter. Or, how about these: “I am going to quit smoking”, “I am going to lose ten pounds”, “I am going to start exercising”, “I am going to join the line-dancing club”, “I am going to try to be nicer”, “I am going to be less bitter”, ad nauseum! From my perspective you should have already lost the ten pounds, quit smoking, joined the line-dancing, and tried to be nicer. That’s not Lent. Let me digress. IMAGINE! I, as a priest, wish the state would stop calling unions weddings. If you think for a moment that there is a separation of church and state think again. I am licensed by the State of Louisiana as a state functionary according to the laws of this state. When I sign that wedding LICENSE I bind a man and woman legally; it’s a transfer of property rights and more. I, in many ways, wish I were not licensed. So stop calling civil unions’ marriage! PLEASE! In the same way stop calling good health initiatives and becoming a better person Lent! Lent is spiritual first and foremost. If that does not appeal to you then it’s not Lent. Lent is a time of careful reflection upon who and what we are. It is a time to look into the soul itself and to consider “is this what I am” AND “is this what I am meant to be.” It is a time set aside by early Christians to destroy denial. No not the river, de Nile, but instead the often complex coping mechanisms that we shroud ourselves in to hide from who and what we are. It is true, as often I write, that the “Church” abused this wonderful season and made it a time of control, a time of darkness, and a time to focus only on our failures and to REPENT OF OUR SINS! I want to be clear: we do sin, we should be sorry that we have (repentance), and we should both change our life to break that cycle (amendment of life), and I also believe to make amends (penance). Smack in the middle of all of this should be Jesus or maybe the God of our Higher Understanding; for Secular Humanists – the moral and ethical truth. But for me it is a time to ask my Lord, “What would you have me do and what would you have me be?” Forget for a second your preconceived notions about the myth of Jesus as presented by your favorite or most despised faith tradition and focus on the true life and true teaching of that Jesus fellow. Then ask yourself “What would you have me do and who would you have me be.” “Jesus said, “If those who lead you say, ‘See, the kingdom is in the sky,’ then the birds of the sky will precede you. If they say to you, ‘It is in the sea,’ then the fish will precede you. Rather, the kingdom is inside of you, and it is outside of you. When you come to know yourselves, then you will become known, and you will realize that it is you who are the sons of the living Father. But if you will not know yourselves, you dwell in poverty and it is you who are that poverty.” The Gospel of Thomas (not in the traditional Bible). Or, The Canonical Gospel of Luke, 17:21, “Neither shall they say, Lo here! or, lo there! for, behold, the kingdom of God is within you.” The early Christians received the same message that you are the object of the love of God and self-honesty and self-appraisal, and then changes are hallmarks of this man called Jesus. For the more secular among us “To thine own self be true”, Shakespeare’s Hamlet. This is Lent. What a wonderful time to change. Spring is in the air, new birth abounds, a quiet time when birthing becomes manifest, when new tender and fragile leaves start to show on Crepe Myrtles. In that same way we can and should take some time out to appraise our lives, yes both the young and older of us, and to take full measure. “What would you have me do and who would you have me be?” Know this about a faith well played out – you have potential: potential to love and be loved, honestly; the potential to change our city, our streets, and our neighborhoods – be honestly engaged; the potential to heal old wounds and to forgive past hurts; the potentials are boundless chained only by our willfulness, denial, and lack of faith. Break the bonds that hold you back; break out of darkness into light; out of sadness and despair into laughter and joy. Be authentic and true to who and what you are – honest with self and others because: you are the beloved community.
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pensacola
Mardi Gras @ Emerald City ~ Pensacola ~ Photos by Lauren Mitchell
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mobile
Joe Cain Day & Mardi Gras in Mobile ~ Photos by Miss Cie & John, Leon Weekley
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thru Fishbowl, 994.1036 SOCIETY PAGE, 542 N. Rampart St., 299.0156. 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
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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
New Orleans, LA [504] FAB - Faubourg Marigny Art & Books, 600 Frenchmen St., 947.3700
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 [is2012]
circuit/events 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 Aug. 28-Sept. 2, 2013, 42nd 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. 24-27, 2013, Halloween 30: I3OO, benefiting Project Lazarus, New Orleans, LA, sponsored by AmbushMag.COM, HalloweenNewOrleans.COM
costumes
French Quarter/Faubourg Marigny/Bywater
bars
book stores
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 GOLDEN LANTERN, 1239 Royal, 529.2860 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
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, ambushmag.com; email: marsha@ripandmarsha.com
International GayBars.COM, 828-A Bourbon St., New Orleans, LA 70116-3137; 504.522.8049, marsha@ripandmarsha.com
groceries/delis New Orleans, LA [504] QUARTERMASTER DELI, THE NELLIE DELI, 1100 Bourbon, 529.1416
hair salons New Orleans, LA [504] BOBBY BLUE CONTEMPORARY BARBER & BEAUTY PARLOR, 906 Bourbon St., 527.5100 HEAD QUARTERS HAIR SALON, 900 Rue Dauphine, 522.2666 MICKEY NOLAN'S SALON, 815 Toulouse St., 587.7782
hardware New Orleans, LA [504] MARY'S FRENCH QUARTER HARDWARE, 732 N. Rampart, 529.4465
lodging/accommodations New Orleans [504] AARON INGRAM HAUS, 1012 Elysian Fields, New Orleans, LA 70117, PHONE: 504.949.3110, E-mail us at ingramhaus@yahoo.com. Condos with queensize beds, private entrances; located only six blocks from Bourbon Street and walking distance to most New Orleans attractions. Several favorite bars are within one block. [0712] BURGUNDY BED AND BREAKFAST, 2513 Burgundy St., New Orleans, LA 70117, PHONE/FAX: 504.942.1463, Toll Free (Continental US only): 1.800.970.2153, theburgundy.com, E-mail us at theburgundy@cox.net. Gay owned and operated in newly renovated 1890's double. Four guest rooms with private baths, guests' parlor and "halfkitchen", 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. A locally owned and operated French Quarter hotel that has been beautifully transformed into spacious multi-bedroom suites. Several historical townhouses are also available to accommodate larger groups of up to 26. Just 3 blocks from Bourbon St., free WiFi, swimming pool, and continental breakfast included. Off street parking is available. MAISON DE MACARTY BED & BREAKFAST, 3820 Burgundy St., New Orleans, LA 70117, PHONE: 504.267.1564, MaisonMacarty.COM, Email us at kurt@maisonmacarty.com. Luxury gay owned and operated bed and breakfast. 8 bedrooms with ensuite baths, pool, sun deck and beautiful courtyard. Sleep, eat and play at Maison de Macarty. Book it now! MARIGNY MANOR HOUSE, 2125 N. Rampart St., New Orleans, LA 70116, PHONE: 504.943.7826, Toll Free: 877.247.7599, marignymanorhouse.com, E-mail us at info@MarignyManorHouse.COM. 1840’s Grand Greek Revival guest house, large spacious bedrooms, private baths, antique 4 poster queen beds, wireless internet access, tv/vcr/dvd/cable, telephone, complimentary continental breakfast and off street parking. [0113]
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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, Official Host Hotel of OZ New Orleans. A 19th century home that has been historically restored and transformed into a locally owned and operated hotel. Experience the rich history and hospitality of New Orleans at an affordable price. Just 3 blocks from Bourbon St, free Wi-Fi, swimming pool, and continental breakfast included. Off street parking is 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 (Swedish/Deep Tissue); heated table; private studio; tropical garden; Faubourg Marigny Area, French Quarter. Upgrade (Salt Scrubs Bodywork & Thai/Sport Stretching massage). Call/text 504.458.5996 / website righttouchnola.com for pictures, location & special. License #LA4553 [is2613]
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 10am5pm GALLIER HOUSE, 1132 Royal, 523.6722, Mon-Fri 10am-3:30pm GERMAINE WELLS MARDI GRAS MUSEUM, 2nd Floor Arnaud's, 819 Bienville HERMANN-GRIMA HISTORIC HOUSE, 820 St. Louis, 525.5661, Mon-Fri 10am-3:30pm HISTORICAL PHARMACY MUSEUM, 514 Chartres, 524.9077, Daily 10am-5:30pm HISTORIC NEW ORLEANS COLLECTION, 533 Royal, 523.4662, Tues-Sat 10am-4:45pm LONGUE VUE HOUSE AND GARDENS, 7 Bamboo Rd, Metairie, 488.5488, Mon-Sat 10am4:30pm, 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, Tues-Sun 10am-5pm OGDEN MUSEUM OF SOUTHERN ART, 925 Camp St., 539.9600 OLD U.S. MINT, 400 Esplanade, Tues-Sun 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 GAY EASTER PARADE, 828-A Bourbon St., 70116-3137, 504.522.8049, info@gayeasterparade.com, GayEasterParade.COM GAY MARDI GRAS, 828-A Bourbon St., 70116-3137, 504.522.8049, GayMardiGras.COM GAY NEW ORLEANS, 828-A Bourbon St., 70116-3137, 504.522.8049, GayNewOrleans.COM GLSEN [Gay Lesbian & Straight Education Network], 482.4081, Fax 595.8587, E-mail: 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. E-mail: 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 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 REGIONALAIDS 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. SOUTHERN DECADENCE, 828-A Bourbon St., 70116-3137, 504.522.8049, SouthernDecadence.COM 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 YWCAAIDS MINORITY COMMUNITY OUTREACH, 700 Pierre Ave., 71103; 226.8717
pets New Orleans, LA [504] DR. MIKE'S ANIMAL HOUSE, 1120 N. Rampart, 523.4455
pharmacy 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. New Orleans, LA [504] MUMFREY'S PHARMACY, 1021 W. Judge Perez Dr., Chalmette, LA 70043, 504.279.6312,
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reVIEW...books, movies, cds by Blanche Email: ambushreview@aol.com Photo by Larry Graham, GrahamStudioOne.COM
THE 85th ANNUAL ACADEMY AWARDS After a very long award season which began December 3, 2012 with the New York Film Critics Circle Awards, we are down to the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences, 85th ANNUAL ACADEMY AWARDS. The awards will be held February 24, 2013 at the Dolby Theatre in Hollywood, California. Seth MacFarlane will host and it will be aired live on ABC. In a tribute to 50 years of the James Bond franchise, Adele will sing “Skyfall” from SKYFALL and Dame Shirley Bassey will perform “Diamonds Are Forever” from DIAMONDS ARE FOREVER. This will be a real treat. Norah Jones and Barbra Streisand will also perform. Streisand last performed at the OSCARS 36 years ago. Presenters include Robert Downey Jr, Samuel L Jackson, Queen Latifah, Catherine Zeta-Jones, Christopher Plummer, Octavia Spencer, Meryl Streep, Channing Tatum, Charlize Theron and Mark Wahlberg. www.MumfreysPharmacy.COM. Supporting & serving the LGBT Community for over 20 years. Local pharmacy offering personalized family-like service, automatic refills & free metro wide confidential pickup & delivery. Also offering shipping for out-side our delivery area. When you call us you speak to a person, not a machine. See our ad.
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 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/French Quarter, Steve Richards, LGBT Realtor, 712 Orleans @ Royal, Cell: 504.258.1800, Office: 504.529.8140, Website: www.SteveRichardsProperties.com, 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
LINCOLN leads the nominations with 12, LIFE OF PI has 11, LES MISERABLES and SILVER LININGS both have 8 and ARGO has 7. Based on previous awards won, I will venture the following observations... Best Picture should go to LINCOLN or LES MISERABLES. SILVER LININGS PLAYBOOK could be a spoiler here. It is nominated for Best Picture, Best Actor, Best Actress. Best Supporting Actor, Best Supporting Actress and Best Director...something rare. Daniel Day-Lewis will win Best Actor for LINCOLN. Jennifer Lawrence should take home the Oscar for SILVER LININGS PLAYBOOK. Jessica Chastain may pull an upset for ZERO DARK THIRTY, but Lawrence has all the buzz. It’s hard to predict Best Supporting Actor. Tommy Lee Jones was wonderful in LINCOLN and Christoph Waltz was great in DJANGO UNCHAINED. I will go with Tommy Lee Jones. I think Anne Hathaway from LES MISERABLES will edge out Sally Field 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 Krystal, 116 Bourbon at Canal, 523.4030 Louisiana Pizza Kitchen, 95 French Market Pl., 522.9500 Mona Lisa Restaurant, 1212 Royal St., 522.6746 Organic Banana, 1100 N. Peters, Bay 27, 587.7903 Orleans Grapevine Wine Bar & Bistro, 720 Orleans Prime Grille, 3162 Dauphine, 301.1740 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 MARY'S FRENCH QUARTER KITCHEN & BATH, 732 N. Rampart, 529.4465 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 SECOND SKIN LEATHER, 521 St. Philip, 561.8167
from LINCOLN for Best Supporting Actress. Who will win Best Director? Kathryn Bigalow (ZERO DARK THIRTY) and Ben Affleck (ARGO) were both snubbed at the nominations. The Academy loves Steven Spielberg, so I will go with him. But then again it could be Ang Lee for LIFE OF PI. These are 6 of the 24 categories. They’re the ones people usually remember. These are my predictions/ guesses/ hunches and I have been wrong before. 85th ANNUAL ACADEMY AWARD NOMINATIONS, a partial list... BEST PICTURE __”Amour” __”Argo” __”Beast of the Southern Wild” __”Django Unchained” __”Les Miserables” __”Life of Pi” __”Lincoln” __”Silver Linings Playbook” __”Zero Dark Thirty” ACTOR __Bradley Cooper, “Silver Linings Playbook” __Daniel Day- Lewis, “Lincoln” __Hugh Jackman, “Les Miserables” __Joaquin Phoenix, “The Master” __Denzel Washington, “Flight” ACTRESS __Jessica Chastain, “Zero Dark Thirty” __Jennifer Lawrence, “Silver Linings Playbook” __Emmanuella Riva, “Amour” __Quvenzhane Wallis, “Beast of the Southern Wild” __Naomi Watts, “The Impossible” SUPPORTING ACTOR __Alan Arkin, “Argo” __Robert De Niro, “Silver Linings Playbook” __Philip Seymour Hoffman, “The Master” __Tommy Lee Jones, “Lincoln” __Christoph Waltz, “Django Un-
spas New Orleans, LA [504] CLUB NEW ORLEANS, 515 Toulouse, 581.2402, www.the-clubs.com PLANET BEACH, A Contempo Spa, 301 Burgundy St., 525.8266, PlanetBeach.COM SPA ATLANTIS, 536 Bienville St., 522.3318; 740 Gravier, 566.8088, SpaAtlantis.NET
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 NEW ORLEANS FRINGE FESTIVAL, NOFringe.ORG
tours New Orleans, LA [504] GAY NEW ORLEANS WALKING TOUR, Crescent City Tour Booking Agency, 638 St. Ann St. , 568.0717
chained” SUPPORTING ACTRESS __Amy Adams, “The Master” __Sally Field, “Lincoln” __Anne Hathaway, “Les Miserables” __Helen Hunt, “The Sessions” __Jacki Weaver, “Silver Linings Playbook” DIRECTING __Micheal Haneke, “Amour” __Benh Zeitlin, “Beast of the Southern Wild” __Ang Lee, “Life of Pi” __Steven Spielberg, “Lincoln” __David O Russell, “Silver Linings Playbook”
BLACK HISTORY MONTH February is a very busy month... Groundhog Day on the 2, Valentine’s Day on the 14, President’s Day on the 18. New Orleans also had a Super Bowl and of course, Mardi Gras. But it’s Black History Month for 28 days. PBS always celebrates. LIFETIME, remember they brought you “Liz and Dick”, has come up with a fine madefor-television movie. “Betty and Coretta” is the story of Dr. Betty Shabazz, widow of Malcolm X and Coretta Scott King, widow of Martin Luther King Jr. It is the story of the 30 year friendship between the two women as they struggle to raise their children and assume their place in the civil rights movement. “Betty and Coretta” was written by Shem Bitterman and Ron Huchinson, directed by Yves Simoneau. Mary J Blige stars as Dr. Betty Shabazz and was also an executive producer. Angela Bassett is Coretta Scott King. Both women are great. Angela Bassett is always wonderful...you may be surprised by Mary J Blige’s talent. Ruby Dee, longtime actor and civil rights activist, is the narrator. Her presence lends credibility to the story. Shinelle Azoroh shines as the troubled daughter, Quibillah. Some question why the children weren’t consulted until after filming. Producers say it’s natural for families to want to protect their legacies. “Betty and Coretta” is a LIFETIME movie, not a documentary. “Based on a true story” doubles for “all this ain’t true”. The term “artistic license” comes up in conversation. The basic facts must be there....I haven’t heard of any lawsuits. I learned things from “Betty and Coretta”. I knew very little about Malcolm X, even less about his wife, Dr Betty Shabazz. After watching the movie and doing a little research, I understand more. The movie humanized Mrs King. I had always considered her an “ice queen”, but the movie shows her public and private persona’s. I guess “Betty and Coretta” is a success. It entertains and educates. A perfect combo for Black History Month. It’s on LIFETIME, check your local listings. I’ve seen it three times, so it’s in heavy rotation.
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real estate Is Buying a Home Still the Best Investment for My Money in 2013? Our economy continues to recover and home sales are red hot in many markets. In high demand areas, homes for sale are hard to come by, and finding the perfect home is near impossible, which is driving prices up.
really want. Buying a home is still a wise investment in 2013; and with the direction of home process, it seems continue to be the best investment available for your cash, whether purchasing a primary residence, or rental property. Author Jeff Hammerberg is the Founding CEO of www.GayRealEstate.com. Free Instant Access to the Nation’s Top Gay, Lesbian and Gay Friendly Realtors. Online or Toll Free 1.888.420.MOVE (6683)
Next DEADLINE Tues., Feb. 26
504.522.8049 marsha@ripandmarsha.com
It is important to note that there are still a few areas of the country with homes available for sale that are sitting on the market for awhile ~ some of this is due to economic reasons, and some due to it being the dead of winter. You may find that purchasing a short sale or foreclosure is the way to go, if you have the stomach to compete with all the investors you’ll be competing with. Many banks have the have realized the quickly improving market conditions, and are not as aggressive on pricing as they used to be. Some work may be needed on foreclosures and short sales, just as with any other home that is for sale, so be sure to do a thorough inspection. More and more people are buying to get away from renting, which makes homes more in demand, so be prepared to pay market value or more to get your perfect home in this market. It is a competitive market with rising prices and rising interest rates, so if you are looking to buy, it is wise to act fast. Always put in your very best offer to prevent losing the house that you
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Krewe of Armeinius Bal Masque XLV/2013: Oh Captain, My Captain ~ Photos by Rip Naquin 32 • The Official Mag: AmbushMag.COM • Feb. 19-Mar c h 4, 2013 • Of fic ial Gay East er Parade Guide Guide • GayEast erParade.COM
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Lords of Leather Bal Masque XXX/2013: Can’t Stop the Music ~ Photos by Rip Naquin 34 • The Official Mag: AmbushMag.COM • Feb. 19-Mar c h 4, 2013 • Of fic ial Gay East er Parade Guide Guide • GayEast erParade.COM
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36 • The Official Mag: AmbushMag.COM • Feb. 19-Mar c h 4, 2013 • Of fic ial Gay East er Parade Guide Guide • GayEast erParade.COM