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11th Annual Spring Fever Extravaganza March 16 @ 4 Seasons in Metairie
the "official" dish
The Gay Easter Parade's 11th Annual Spring Fever Extravaganza is presented by GEP Boards Electra City and Tittie Toulouse on Saturday, March 16th at 4 Seasons, 3229 N. Causeway in Metairie. It is an evening filled with a dinner reception, spectacular show, live auctions, prizes, raffles and even more in honor of Easter Grand Marshals XIV Tommy Elias and Starr Daniels.
by Rip & Marsha Naquin-Delain Email: marsha@ripandmarsha.com
12th Super Star Studded Drag Extravaganza set for March 9 @ Oz Gay Easter Parade Boards Rip and Marsha Naquin-Delain proudly present the 12th Super Star Studded Drag Extravaganza on Saturday, March 9, 8-10pm, at Oz, 800 Bourbon Street, in honor of Easter Grand Marshals XIV Tommy Elias and Starr Daniels. It is the one time each year when reigning royalty of several gay carnival krewes appear on stage with the King Cake Queens of Gay Mardi Gras, all raising $$$ for the Gay Easter Parade benefiting NO/AIDS Task Force Food For Friends program. It is also a night of fab auctions, with proceeds going to the reason for the Easter season, Food For Friends. Door donation is $10. GEP Board’s Tony Leggio, Opal Masters, Electra City and Tittie Toulouse will be your emcees and auctioneers for the event. The celebrities performing include King Cake Queen (KCQ) XX Dusty Debris, Queen Amon-Ra XLVIII Deja Deja-Vue', Queen Petronius LII Lanacayne, Queen Satyricon XII Aida Cockswell, KCQ IV Reba Douglas in her first performance in 15 years, KCQ IX Lisa Beaumann, KCQ XIII Raven Kennedy, KCQ XIV Princesse Stephaney, KCQ XV Marsha Naquin-Delain in her only performance this year, KCQ XVI Tami Tarmac, KCQ XVIII Opal Masters, and KCQ XIX Nicole DuBois who just won Miss Gay Louisiana USofA Classic.
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
Don't miss "Man I Feel Like A Woman put Lord King XXX Pat Johnson in Drag" Auction
Kremlin Faberge' Egg up for Spring Fever auction Arthur Severio will transform into King Cake Queen IV Reba Douglas for the first time performing in 15 years!
Join the VIP Dinner Reception, 89:30pm, catered by Chef Ron’s Gumbo Stop including a hot food station with, Mumbo Gumbo, Blackened Chicken Pasta, and Boudin Balls with spicy mayo; gourmet food table with marinated and grilled seasonal vegetables, cheeses, spreads, smoked meats, olive salad, deviled eggs and rolls & lavarsh, plus bread pudding with rum butter. Tickets are $35 per person
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
Napoleon Faberge' Egg up for Drag Extravaganza auction
Easter issue out Mar. 19 DEADLINE: Tues., Mar. 12
inside moments in gay new orleans history real estate celebrazzi gep sponsorship party paparazzi 14th gay easter parade mobile paparazzi pensacola paparazzi a community within communities reVIEW classifieds
Facebook.COM/AmbushMag Gulf South Entertainment/Travel Guide Since 1982 • Louisiana-Florida
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
One of the biggest highlights is the "Man I Feel Like A Woman put Lord King XXX Pat Johnson in Drag" auction. You can bid on everything you'd like to put on the King from eyelashes to pumps! There's also the White Bunny Basket auction worth over $1,000 in liquor and prizes plus the Easter Treasures auctions including the Napoleon Faberge’ Egg made of pewter, enamel and 480 crystals with framed portrait screen of Napoleon Bonaparte (donated by EGM VIII Rona Conners). Visit GayEasterParade.COM for additional information.
THE OFFICIAL MAG
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under the gaydar trodding the boards eggstravaganza paparazzi ambush paparazzi/new orleans ambush paparazzi/new orleans
AD INFO: Call 504.522.8049 marsha@ripandmarsha.com
Gulf South Entertainment/Travel Guide Since 1982 828-A Bourbon St. • New Orleans, LA 70116-3137 • 504.522.8049 marsha@ripandmarsha.com
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Big Easy Sisters' Sister Moana Moans-A-Lotts in Spring Fever which includes show admission. Call 504.450.6916 or 504.920.2065 for tickets. Showtime is 10pm with a $5 door donation. Hosted by EGM IV and EGM XI Electra City and Tittie Toulouse, special guest emcee is Gennifer Flowers. The show will bring forth perfor-
Big Easy Sisters' Sister Gloree Bea-Divine & Sister Wilma Ballsdrop in Spring Fever [continued on 6]
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the "official" dish ...from 4 mances by some of New Orleans top entertainers including EGM XIV Starr Daniels, Tiffany Alexander, Britnee Alexander, EGM IX Safonda Peters, Electra City, Tittie Toulouse, Crystal Rivers, Marty J, Johnny Passion, plus The Big Easy Sisters ~ Sisters of the Muddy Waters first performance for the Gay Easter Parade including Sr. Wilma Ballsdrop, Sr. Moana Moans-ALotts, Sr. Cathi-terr, and Sr. Gloree Bea Divine. The fabulous Kremlin Faberge' Egg donated by EGM VIII Rona Conners is just one of the Easter Treasures auctions.
Gay Easter Parade Carriages Going Fast! The 14th annual Gay Easter Parade is Sunday, March 31 beginning at 4:30pm following its traditional route through the French Quarter. The only carriages, trolleys and Cinderella Pumpkins left include: 6 passenger carriages-$365; 8 passenger carriages & wagons$455; 15-18 passenger trolley-$750; and 4 person Cinderella Pumpkin carriages $750. The entry fee for each car, truck, pedicab or marching/walking/riding group is $25. Current proof of liability insurance must be provided on each car, truck, motorcycle, motorized vehicle, and pedicab with parade application. The parade rolls rain or shine. There are no cancellations or refunds. All Parade Entry Forms with payments must be received by Parade Entry deadline of March 18, 2013. Lineup is determined by receipt of entry form/ payment. Forms are available at GayEasterParade.COM or at 828-A Bourbon Street. For more info call 504.522.8049.
Last 2 Gay Easter Parade Fundraisers The last two fundraisers for the 14th Gay Easter Parade include: Saturday, March 23, 8-10pm, Double Play, 439 Dauphine, 14th Purple Party Grand Marshals Reception under the direction of the GEP Board; and
Friday, March 29, 7-10pm, Bourbon View, 501 Bourbon, 4th Bunnies in The Big Easy under the direction of Tony Leggio and Rona Conners. Tickets $35 limited to 100 tickets which includes food, entertainment as well as an open beer, wine and vodka bar. To order your tickets, call Tony Leggio 504.943.6910 or Ambush at 504.522.8049.
3rd Sponsorship Party Raises $6,725 for Gay Easter Parade & Food For Friends The 3rd Sponsorship Party hosted by the Gay Easter Parade which benefits Food For Friends raised $6,725 at Cutters' in New Orleans. The event brought together a diverse section of the GLBT community in support of it's efforts. Last year's Easter Grand Marshals XIII Darwin Reed and Rhonda Roget introduced Easter Grand Marshals XIV Tommy Elias and Starr Daniels, and presented them each with their official EGM XIV pins. GEP Board's Tony Leggio emceed the affair with auction assistance from fellow board members Opal Masters, Electra City and Tittie Toulouse. In addition to complimentary well cocktails, wine and domestic beer, sponsors were treated to a buffet of homemade chicken pot pie, Italian salad and sourdough bread, all the creations of Jimmy Kilgour. Special thanks to Mac McAll and Cutter's for hosting the Sponsorship Party. The Food For Friends (FFF) Program is a program of the NO/AIDS Task Force and has been supplying groceries and home delivered meals to HIV infected and affected individuals in
the greater New Orleans area for over 15 years with the NO/AIDS Task Force serving our community for over 26 years. Over 600 meals a week are currently being delivered to clients who are home bound or otherwise unable to prepare their own meals or shop. Over 300 clients receive pantry items per month (last year’s Gay Easter Parade’s $36,252 donation allowed 100 new pantry clients for the year). Over 42,000 meals were delivered through the Home Delivered Meals Program in 2012. Presently volunteers deliver meals every Tuesday. Sponsorships brought in $6,400, Yellow Duck Basket Auction $200 from Al Dugas and Dwain Hertz, Singing Dancing Tits Auction $45 from Stuart Nettles and Safonda Peters, Chicken Pot Pie Auction $45 from Marsha Naquin-Delain, and buffet donations $35. The total of $6,725 minus $345.25 in sponsor party liquor expenses brought the total for the party to $6,377.75. The Yellow Duck Basket included Sauza Tequila, Pat O'Brien's Grenadine, Silver Label North Coast Cabernet Sauvignon 2009, Acacia Carneros Chardonnay 2011, and Ambush $345 Quarter Page Color Ad donated by Rip and Marsha Naquin-Delain; Oz $250 VIP Pass donated by Easter Grand Marshal XIV Tommy Elias, $60 The Queens' Clean Gift Certificate donated by Easter Grand Marshal XIV Starr Daniels and Tru Demille, $25 in cocktails donated by Le Roundup; special exclusive Queen Cup; and one box of Gold Brick Eggs, Heavenly Hash Eggs and Pecan Eggs. The Singing Dancing Tits was donated by Easter Grand Marshal VIII Rona Conners; and the Chicken Pot Pie was made and donated by Cutter's Jimmy Kilgour. The parade minus expenses ben-
efits Food For Friends, and over the past eleven years, donations to charity have exceeded $147,439. It's not to late to become a sponsor. Sponsorships are still available in five categories: Presenting ($2,500+), Platinum ($1,000), Gold ($500), Silver ($250), or Bronze ($100). Sponsors to date include PRESENTING: Ambush Mag; PLATINUM: Friday Night Before Mardi Gras, Oz New Orleans; GOLD: Stuart Nettles & EGM IX Safonda Peters, EGM XII Gary Vandeventer, Todd J. Blauvelt, Krewe of Amon-Ra; SILVER: EGM XII Elizabeth Bouvier, EGM XIII Darwin Reed & EGM VII Opal Masters, EGM VIII Rona Conners, Dwain Hertz/Al Dugas & Gene Theriot, EGM XIII Rhonda & David Roget, EGM VIII Michael Elias & Jay Sewell/The Corner Pocket, Frankie Fierce & King Cake Queen XX Dusty Debris, Glen Kahrman & Noel Twilbeck, Thomas C. Schoonenberg, Bobby Vallecillo & Rene Leaumont, Michael Cookmeyer/ Michael’s On The Park; BRONZE: EGM XIV Starr Daniels & Justin Moffatt, EGM X Tony Leggio, Charlotte Sullivan, EGM VII Orlando Aloe/Society Page, Charles Jenkins/ Krewe of Ursus, EGM V Princesse Stephaney, Krewe of Satyricon, EGM II Larry Bagneris, Frank & Pete Abbruscato, National Association of Caterers & Events (NACE), Bootsie DeVille, Roy Smith & Nick Olivares; and VENUE/In-kind: 700 Club, 4 Seasons, Cutter’s, The Double Play, Larry Graham, Michael’s On The Park, Oz. For additional information, visit GayEasterParade.COM.
5th Eggstravaganza raises $2,217 for GEP/ Food For Friends The Gay Easter Parade's 5th Eggstravaganza under the direction of GEP Boards Opal Masters raised $2,217 at Michael's On The Park in New Orleans. Benefiting NO/AIDS Task Force Food For Friends program, the parade brought forth an evening of entertainment, nine incredible auctions, a 50/50 raffle, plus a buffet of white beans with pulled pork, deviled eggs, [continued on 8]
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The total raised was $2,217. For additional information, GayEasterParade.COM.
visit
Tulane University Gender & Sexuality Class Takes Gay New Orleans Walking Tour On Thursday, February 28, two classes from the Gender Studies Department at Tulane University took the Gay New Orleans Walking Tour. The tour focuses on Gay New Orleans History and covers the origins of Southern Decadence, the evolution of gay Carnival, the gay connection to the JFK assassination, the homes and watering holes of writers Tennessee Williams and Truman Capote, the South’s oldest gay bookstore, the home of pioneering lesbian Frances Benjamin Johnston and legendary bars such as Café Lafitte in Exile and Dixie’s Bar of Music. The tour is based on the book, In Exile: The History and Lore Surrounding New Orleans Gay Culture and Its Oldest Gay Bar, by Frank Perez and Jeffrey Palmquist. The Gay New Orleans Walking Tour is offered by the Crescent City Tour Booking Agency. Call 504.568.0717 for reservations.
Hidden Treasures: Clementine Hunter the "official" dish ...from 6 salad, bread and dessert. MCs and auctioneers Opal Masters and Tony Leggio introduced Easter Grand Marshals XIV Tommy Elias and Starr Daniels as well as celebrity entertainers including EGM XIV Starr Daniels, Queen Amon-Ra XLVIII Deja Deja-Vue’. EGM XIII Rhonda Roget, Marquis Marcell, Barbara Ella, and a special performance by Michael's On The Park's Cookie St. Ann. The auctions raised $60 for the High Heel Wine Caddy won by Frankie
Fierce, $75 for the Yellow Brick Road Plate won by Tommy Elias, $40 for the Pewter Bowl won by Frankie Fierce, $200 for Amon-Ra Ball Table-Seats won by Nick Weber and Rick Mirabelli, $50 for Decorator Ojects de Art won by Frankie Fierce $225 for Blue Bunny Martini Basket won by Gary Vandeventer, $155 for Riverboat Natchez Dinner Cruise for 2 won by Rhonda Roget, and $160 for the Alexander Palace Faberge' Egg won by Tony Leggio. The Progressive NFL Drew Brees Autographed Football (donated by Dwayne Jones and Pepsi) had Frankie Fierce with the highest bid of $325. The football now goes to the next four fundraiser to be bid on. The auction will end at Bunnies In The Big Easy on March 29 with the highest bid taking home the football. Additional monies raised included $300 door, $377 stage performance tips, $125 50/50 raffle with $125 50/50 raffle donated back by Pat Johnson
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 12 and 14. Dr. Tony Lewis, Curator of the Visual Arts for the Louisiana State Museum, will guide you through the works of the self-taught 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 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 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.
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moments in gay new orleans history by Frank Perez E-mail: f.perez@sbcglobal.net
“My O My! The Most Interesting Women Are Not Women At All!” One does not normally associate West End / Bucktown with the transgendered community but for decades the Orleans / Jefferson Parish line at Lake Pontchartrain was home to one of the world’s most famous female impersonation venues: Club My-O-My. For nearly twenty-five years the My-O-My hosted three shows a night (four on Saturdays) and attracted not only celebrities such as Judy Garland, Alec Guinness, Bob Cummings, Carmen Miranda and mobster Frank Costello, but also busloads of tourists from Middle America eager for a glimpse into the transgendered world. Since it burned down in 1972, the My-O-My has been the subject of academic dissertations, documentaries, articles and it has even inspired a musical production. Ephemera from the club (post cards, match books, etc.) sell regularly on eBay and pictures from the club’s heyday in the 1950s abound on the internet. The origins of the club date back to 1935 when Emile Morlet opened The Wonder Bar at 125 Decatur Street. The bar featured female impersonators and was often the subject of police raids. Frustrated with police harassment, Morlet tried to get an injunction to stop the raids but city officials denied his request because his club was a “menace” to morality. Fed up, Morlet moved the bar to the lakefront and renamed it the Wonder Club, which subsequently became the Club My-OMy under the stewardship of Pat Waters in 1949. Because the club itself sat on pilings over the lake and straddled the parish line, police raids were no longer a problem. A fire destroyed the club in 1948 but it was quickly rebuilt. After the 1972 fire, the club re-opened in the French Quarter on Burgundy Street but didn’t last long. A typical show consisted of a four piece band (which once included Al Hirt) and five or six performers. Performances usually included exotic dancing, singing, comedy and perhaps a novelty act. Performers employed a variety of props including ropes, umbrellas, and even a huge python. It was also not uncommon for the club to feature guest performers from out of town, typically regular stars at other female impersonation clubs like Finocchio’s in San Francisco, Club Jewel Box in Miami, and Club 82 in New York. Sometimes international stars made appearances at the My-O-My such as Cuba’s Gene La Marr and London’s Louis Hayden, billed as “England’s Red Hot Mama.” Presiding over the shows was the legendary Jimmy Callaway. Callaway moved to New Orleans from Birmingham, Alabama, in 1948 to perform at the Wonder Club. Shortly thereafter, he worked briefly at a club in Florida before returning to Club My O My in 1950, where he remained as Master of Ceremonies until the club’s demise in 1972. In addition to working the My O
My, he also had a contract with Planet Records. In a 1996 interview with Don Lee Keith in Tribe, Callaway recalled what it was like working at the Club My O My: In between shows, performers table hopped and mingled with guests. For Callaway, the schedule was rigorous because he wore a different outfit to introduce each act. After an act, the audience would toss money on the stage. Part of Callaway’s duties included collecting the money for the performers, who, in turn tipped him. The regular pay was around $100 a week but that income could be supplemented by B-drinking (performers enticing patrons to buy cocktails for them and then being served ice tea in exchange for a cut of the profits). Tricking with audience members was also an option. While some closeted men went to the club in order to solicit sex from the performers, the audiences at Club My O My were, for the most part, straight. For the young among us, it may be difficult to truly appreciate how shocking drag was in the pre-Stonewall era. The notion that gender is not fixed was (and to some extent still is) a radical idea that challenged straight society’s core beliefs about sexuality. In her 2004 dissertation entitled Vintage Drag: Female Impersonators Performing Resistance in Cold War New Orleans, Thomasine Bartlett argues that clubs like the My O My demonstrated that gender is socially constructed and provided a means for exploring new social orders. This may explain the straight fascination with drag. The fact that times have changed so much may also explain some of the differences between female impersonation then and drag shows now. In an interview with Times-Picayune theatre critic Dave Cuthbert, Bartlett notes, “The difference between the drag acts of today and the impersonators of the My O My was that these earlier per-
formers didn’t go over the top. There was no pretense that they were women . . . To them, the highest achievement was to pass themselves off as beautiful women, the ‘girl next door,’ a ‘lady.’ So their make-up was much more subdued than what you see today. They were never more pleased than when they heard someone at a table say, ‘That’s got to be a girl’.” In addition to the performers being less flamboyant in dress and make-up, there are, of course, other differences between the drag shows of today and the female impersonation performances of yesteryear. At Club My O My, all performances were live; recorded mu-
sic and lip-syncing were unthinkable. Also, distinctions within the transgender community which we take for granted now were largely unrecognized then. And the title “drag queen” was considered a pejorative term among female impersonators in the 1950s and 1960s. The term “female impersonator” is passé now and it seems almost every gay bar has a drag show. The fact that the novelty of drag has worn off is ultimately a good thing—a tangible sign that public attitudes have shifted in the right direction. And yet one wonders how the drag shows of today might be different if the stars of Club My O My were still performing.
real estate 8 Tips for Choosing the Right Agent to Sell your Home Are you looking for a realtor to represent you in the sale of your home? A good realtor can make a significant difference in selling your home. This article will provide you with 10 valuable tips that will become useful for you in choosing the right realtor. 1. Select a professional with some experience. Selling a home is not considered an easy task in many parts of the country in today’s market. Therefore you need to select a professional who has experience in listing, marketing and selling homes ~ not a “buyer’s agent” but a selling agent. 2. Look at their past. You need to examine the past of the realtor and check whether he has maintained an excellent customer reputation within the past few years. At sites like GayRealEstate.com past client comments are posted on realtor profiles. This will assist you to analyze the realtor with less hassle. 3. Have an initial conversation with more than one realtor. Again, with sites like GayRealEstate it’s easy to choose a couple of different agents based upon their profiles, areas of specialty and past client feedback. 4. Interview realtors in a proper way. Most realtors hate this tip. You need to meet with more than one agent and have them do a full listing presentation for you. This usually consists of their marketing plan, background, background on their brokerage and a valuation of your property. 5. Don’t go for the biggest producer at all the times. Don’t assume that the highest producer is the best Realtor or gives the best service. Therefore you need to analyze the realtors and go for the most reputable one, and the one your gut tells you to get a hassle free service. 6. You get what you pay for. The market decides what a Realtor can charge as the service charges. If it is too much, people will not tend to use them. Discounted realtors don’t have the ability to maintain their business for
a long period of time, or spend the massive amount of money it takes to market your home properly. Therefore you need to use your common sense and don’t pick based upon the lowest commission… after all, if the house doesn’t sell, you’ll have a really low commission… zero. 7. Don’t allow the realtor to buy your listing. It is common for a home seller to list with the realtor that gives them highest asking price. You should not do this and you need to have your realtor defend any price they come up with ~ the numbers are black and white, make sure you understand them, and price your home to sell. 8. Ask for past client contact information. Tell both agents your interviewing you’d like to speak with at least three people whose homes he/she sold in the past 12 months. Actually call them and see what the feedback is. All these tips will assist you to sell your home with less hassle with the help of a professional realtor ~ happy home selling! Author Jeff Hammerberg is the Founding CEO of www.GayRealEstate.com, jeffhammerberg@gmail.com.
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Chef Byron and Chef Thor did the honors for Rawhide's annual salute to Black History Month at the last Wednesday Meat Night of the month preparing mouth-watering southern classics in New Orleans.
Irish Mike hosted the 14th annual Crack Whore Ball at Oz New Orleans raising over $5,000 for New Orleans Society for Infectious Diseases Awareness (NOSIDA) and crowning Johnny Eubanks Crack Whore Queen XIV. (Photo: Irish Mike, CWQ XIII Duane Parrish & CWQ X Frankie Fierce)
celebrazzi Easter Grand Marshals XIII Darwin Reed and Rhonda Roget present Easter Grand Marshals XIV (center) Tommy Elias and Starr Daniels with their official EGM pins at the 3rd Sponsorship Party hosted by bar baron Mac McAll at Cutter's in New Orleans. The event raised $6,725 for the 14th Gay Easter Parade benefiting NO/AIDS Task Force Food For Friends program. Sponsors were treated to complimentary well cocktails, wine, domestic beer, as well as homemade chicken pot pie, Italian salad and sourdough bread courtesy of Jimmy Kilgour.
The official portrait of Easter Grand Marshals XIV Starr Daniels and Tommy Elias was created by the talents of Larry Graham, GrahamStudioOne.COM. Emcees Opal Masters and Tony Leggio flank the cast of the 5th Eggstravaganza including Michael's On The Park's Cookie St. Ann, Queen Amon-Ra XLVIII Deja Deja-Vue', Easter Grand Marshal XIV Starr Daniels, Rhonda Roget, Barbara Ella, and Marquis Marcell for the annual Gay Easter Parade fundraiser bringing in $2,217 for NO/AIDS Task Force Food For Friends program. In addition to great entertainment, there were nine incredible auctions, a 50/50 raffle and a buffet including white beans with pulled pork, deviled eggs, salad, bread and dessert prepared by bar baron Michael Cookmeyer.
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Bronze Sponsors Pete & Frank Abbruscato
EGM Starr, Rhonda & Silver Sponsor Bobby Vallecillo
snap paparazzi
Trux Truxillo & Bronze Sponsor Orlando Aloe/Society Page
Silver Sponsor Michael Elias/The Corner Pocket
Gold Sponsors & Tittie auction winners Safonda Peters & Stuart Nettles
Silver Sponsors King Cake Queen XX Dusty Debris & Frankie Fierce
Bronze Sponsor Larry Bagneris
Bronze sponsors Justin Moffatt & EGM XIV Starr Daniels
Cutter’s Mac McAll & Dudley LeBlanc flank Mike K. Silver Sponsors Opal Masters & Frankie Fierce
Silver Sponsors & Yellow Duck Basket auction winners Dwain Hertz & Al Dugas
Bronze Sponsor Princesse Stephaney & Silver Sponsor Thomas Schoonenberg
Cutter’s Jimmy Kilgour serving up his fab Chicken Pot Pie
Silver Sponsors David & Rhonda Roget
Bronze Sponsor Tony Leggio
Presenting Sponsor Marsha/ Ambush & Gold Sponsor Todd Blauvelt
Silver Sponsor & Food For Friends Director Glen Kahrman
GEP Boards Electra City & Tittie Toulouse
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3rd Sponsorship Party raises $6,725 for Gay Easter Parade/Food For Friends @ Cutter’s ~ New Orleans ~ Photos by Darwin Reed
Easter Grand Marshals XIV Starr Daniels & Tommy Elias
Bronze Sponsor Charles Jenkins & Jim Mondoro/Krewe of Ursus
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mobile
Tyler and Travis hangin’ out
pensacola paparazzi
Nightlife ~ Mobile, Alabama ~ Photos by Miss Cie & John
Miss Cie and Her Boys
Happy birthday, Matthew
Miss Venus going to the chapel @ B-Bob’s
Miss Amber Douglas @ B-Bob’s
20 • The Official Mag: AmbushMag.COM • Mar c h 5-18, 2013 • Of fic ial Gay East er Parade Guide Guide • GayEast erParade.COM
Nightlife @ Emerald City ~ Pensacola, Florida ~ Photos by Lauren Mitchell
paparazzi
Sout hernDec adenc e.COM • GayMardiGras.COM • Marc h 5-18, 2013 • The Official Mag: AmbushMag.COM • 21
reVIEW...books, movies, cds by Blanche Email: ambushreview@aol.com Photo by Larry Graham, GrahamStudioOne.COM
85th Academy Awards Now History The 85th Annual Academy Awards are now history. Winners were spread out over the large field of nominees. “Life of Pi” took home four and “Argo” captured three...and they were the big winners. The winners in the top categories were: BEST PICTURE... ”Argo” BEST ACTOR... Daniel DayLewis, “Lincoln” BEST ACTRESS...Jennifer Lawrence, “Silver Linings Playbook” BEST SUPPORTING ACTOR... Christoph Waltz, “Django Unchained” BEST SUPPORTING ACTRESS... Anne Hathaway, “Les Miserables” BEST DIRECTOR... Ang Lee, “Life of Pi” I did pretty well with my predictions/guesses/hunches. I did totally miss with best picture. “Argo” beat the heavily favored “Lincoln” for the Oscar. I’m guessing Ben Affleck being snubbed for a directing nomination for “Argo” had something to do with the win. Affleck was also a producer on the film. The awards show itself, aired from Hollywood on ABC, received good ratings. Host Seth MacFarlane, creator of “Family Guy,” “The Cleveland Show,” and co-creator of “American Dad,” got mixed reviews. Some were predicting he would be the next Bob Hope or Billy Crystal. He put an end to those rumors on Twitter... would he host again, “No way. Lotta fun to have done it, though”. MacFarlane was a bit edgy at times, after all this is the Oscars. His “timing” was off, but he didn’t create all his problems. The show was produced by Craig Zadan and Neil Meron. These are the guys that brought you the remake of “Steel Magnolias” on LIFETIME earlier this year, enough said. The Oscars are notorious for running long and this show just didn’t “move.” The opening segment with William Shatner dragged on way too long. Host usually do a monologue to warm the audience up and then they get down to business. It is an awards show after all... a combination of entertainment, the presentation of awards and the dreaded acceptance speeches. This show started out slow and didn’t pick up much momentum. Not all was bad however... music was back. There were song and dance numbers and actual singing. The highlight for me was Dame Shirley Bassey. In a tribute to the James Bond franchise turning 50, she belted out “Goldfinger” to a standing ovation... not bad at all for a 76 year old diva. She
looked great and sounded as strong as ever. She set the bar for the rest of the singers. Jennifer Hudson rose to the occasion with “And I Am Telling You I’m Not Going,” her hit from “Dreamgirls.” She looked great with her slim figure and her beautiful dark blue gown. Catherine Zeta-Jones performed “All That Jazz” from “Chicago,” owning the top of that piano. The production of “One More Day” from “Les Miserables” fell short, but the movie wasn’t full of “show tunes.”
The placement of Norah Jones’ “Everybody Needs a Friend” from “Ted” was kinda odd... as was her outfit. It almost looked like an afterthought compared to the other numbers. “Skyfall” from “Skyfall” won the Oscar for Best Original Song. Adele performed the song in a beautiful production number... but why the short dress? Or why not some dark stockings? I wondered how they were going to work Barbra Streisand into the show. It came at the end of the “In Memoriam” section when she paid an emotional tribute to her friend Marvin Hamlisch. She sang “The Way We Were” which won the Oscar in 1974 for Best Original Song from the movie of the same name. The 85th Annual Academy Awards will be remembered for lots of things... First Lady Michelle Obama joined Jack
a community within communities
by The Rev. Bill Terry, Rector St. Anna’s Episcopal Church Email: fr.bill@stannanola.org
Saint Paddy, Saint Joseph, and all dem Saints” It is often said that “Saints” are ordinary people that lead extraordinary lives. I suppose we should ask Drew Breese about that! But no, Drew is extraordinarily gifted with abilities beyond us common folk. However, Joseph is quite a different story. The city, for those who enjoy the tradition or are ardent Romans, will host dozens of “Joseph Altars” resplendent with crafted breads, fava beans (for good luck), fruits and vegetables all arrayed on a three tier ‘altar.’ This wonderful tradition comes from Sicily. A drought had plagued the island for some time, crops were ruined, people were hungry and they prayed to St. Joseph. In time rain came and the island again thrived. So homage was paid to Joseph the carpenter which grew in grandeur and was eventually imported into our fair city. Joseph was a common man who worked with his hands perhaps a stone mason usually known as a carpenter. Joseph was about to be wed to a young girl named Mary. Then she announced she was with child – by the Holy Spirit. “No really Joseph, it was the Holy Spirit!” Joseph did not abandon this young girl but rather, by divine wisdom and insights, stood by her. A carpenter as the stepfather of Jesus! Imagine a common man, an ordinary man, a deep and loving uneducated man, the stepfather of Jesus! If Jesus is what Christians claim him to be, and of course I believe he is, then what a statement this makes! Imagine a common man
the stepfather of Jesus. Who is this God we pray too anyway? No gold, no diamonds, no palaces, no thrones, not in this world anyway: A God of the common man/person. Let’s let that sink in for a time as we swing around to green rivers, green face paint, and green (ugh) beer! It is said that on St. Patrick’s Day everyone is Irish; well except for St. Patrick. Patrick was born a Briton, educated in monasteries in France, and sent to the Emerald Isle as an evangelist. What an evangelist he was! He simply took the local culture of tribalism and re-worked it into monasticism. He laid the ground work for what later would be called “Celtic Christianity.” This form of Christianity is enjoying a bit of a gilded resurgence. The resurgence like many does not quite reflect the more austere aspects of this take on faith but it does transport some of what was best about Celtic Christianity. Celtic Christianity saw god in all things: streams, rivers, animals, vegetation, God is everywhere. Celtic Christianity saw the role of their leaders (Bishops) as storytellers, keepers of the faith, and wanderers, NOT district rulers. Several other Saints pop up during these Lenten days that interrupt the vigil of fasting and prayer adding a certain dissonance to the preparation for Easter. As church seasons go it is not unlike our own mood swings from introspection to joy; from longing to clinging; from happy days to sad days. They are life rhythms that reflect our dynamic nature. So there they are Joseph the Carpenter and Patrick the Celtic Saint
Nicholson from the White House to present the Best Picture award... Ang Lee pulled off a big upset winning Best Director over Steven Spielburg... ”Argo” winning Best Picture... and Jennifer Lawrence taking a fall on the steps to receive her Best Actress award. Hopefully we will remember it as the year musical numbers returned big time. Ben Affleck shaved his beard right after the show and Jennifer Lawrence has dark hair again as she returns to film “The Hunger Games: Catching Fire.” The Fashion Police can sharpen their tongues for other red carpet events. If the gowns get any bigger, wider seats will have to be installed in the Dolby Theatre. Hollywood had a good year at the box office and most DVD sales are just starting to roll in. It was a good year with lots of good movies. Let’s hope this year will be just as entertaining. punctuating and accenting our Season of Lent! Quite a statement if you ask me. A wandering story teller bringing hope to an island nation, which would propel it for centuries to come, who saw all around as images of a creative and loving God even and especially in nature itself. All of this couched in a celebration of a carpenter. The point is that while great spires proclaim the grandeur of the holy; while vestments glittering and gold seek to elevate the spirit; at its core the invitation to faith is born by the humble and in that humility is an invitation to all. “Come unto me all ye that are heavy laden for my yoke is easy and my burden is light,” says the step-son of Joseph, says the companion of the monk Patrick. The core truth is that such a faith is accessible to all. Jesus once said it like this, if the birds of the sky are grand, if the lilies of the field are glorious, how much more are we to be to the God of creation?! Grab a fava bean, drink some good green ale, dance a bit in the midst of Lent, think that there is out there a God of the people enriching, enlivening, embracing and inviting. Yep everyone not just the “elect,” for if it were only the elect it would be unlikely that Joseph would have been a caretaker for the son of man nor Patrick a corner stone to a faith of nature and God in union. Easter is on the horizon and with it new life. SPECIAL NOTE: Easter is wonderful. To experience just how wonderful and WHY it is wonderful consider the tradition of the Holy Tridium. Thursday at 6:30pm – foot washing; the story of the Last Supper; All night vigil in a chapel with guards for safety; Good Friday 6:30pm the Passion Story retold. Then the glorious resurrection 10:30am. EASTER SUNDAY. Come to St. Anna’s where ALL ARE WELCOMED AND NONE ARE SHUNNED DISCOVER THE MEANING OF EASTER.
22 • The Official Mag: AmbushMag.COM • Mar c h 5-18, 2013 • Of fic ial Gay East er Parade Guide Guide • GayEast erParade.COM
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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] BOLT NIGHTCLUB, 116 E. Vermillion, 524.1380 TONIC, 2013 Pinhook Rd., 269.6011 Lake Charles, LA [337] CRYSTAL'S, 112 W. Broad, 433.5457 Metairie, LA [504] 4-SEASONS / PATIO BAR, 3229 N. Causeway, 832.0659, 4seasonsno.com CLUB LAX, 2301 N. Causeway, 834.7979
New Orleans, LA [504] 700 CLUB, 700 Burgundy, 561.1095, 561.1098, 700ClubNewOrleans.COM BIG DADDY'S, 2513 Royal, 948.6288 BOURBON PUB & PARADE, 801 Bourbon St., 529.2107, BourbonPub.COM CAFÉ LAFITTE IN EXILE, 901 Bourbon Street 522.8397, Lafittes.COM CLUB TANGO, 1000 Bienville, 523.4111 CORNER POCKET, 940 St. Louis, 568.9829 COUNTRY CLUB, 634 Louisa St., TheCountryClubNewOrleans.COM, 945.0742 CUTTER'S, 706 Franklin, 948.4200 THE DOUBLE PLAY, 439 Dauphine, 523.4517 THE FRIENDLY BAR, 2301 Chartres, 943.8929 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 thru Fishbowl, 994.1036 ROUX BAR, 3162 Dauphine St. on the patio @ Prime Grille, 301.1740 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 Biloxi, MS [228] CLUB VEAUX, 834 Howard Ave., 207.3271
book stores New Orleans, LA [504] FAB - Faubourg Marigny Art & Books, 600 Frenchmen St., 947.3700
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 [is213
circuit/events Easter Sunday, March 31, 14th Official Gay Easter Parade, New Orleans, sponsored by Ambush, GayEasterParade.COM May 24-27, Memorial Day Weekend, Pensacola, FL, sponsored by Ambush, GayPensacola.COM Aug. 28-Sept. 2, 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, Halloween 30: I3OO, benefiting Project Lazarus, New Orleans, LA, sponsored by AmbushMag.COM, HalloweenNewOrleans.COM Dec. 27, 2013-Jan. 1, 2014, Gay New Year's in New Orleans, New Orleans, LA, GayNewOrleans.COM Feb. 28-Mar. 4, 2014, Official Gay Mardi Gras, New Orleans, LA, sponsored by Ambush, GayMardiGras.COM
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,
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. [0713] 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, Email 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. [0813] 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. [0114]
24 • The Official Mag: AmbushMag.COM • Mar c h 5-18, 2013 • Of fic ial Gay East er Parade Guide Guide • GayEast erParade.COM
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 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 LAKEVIEW VETERINARY HOSPITAL, 482.2173, LakeviewVet.COM
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, www.MumfreysPharmacy.COM. Supporting & serving the LGBT Community for over 20 years.
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under the gaydar by Tony Leggio Email: ledgemgp@gmail.com Photo by: Larry Graham, GrahamStudioOne.COM
Bartender of the Month New Orleans is a city made up of very distinct and eclectic neighborhoods each with a very diverse atmosphere. So it only goes to say that the neighborhood bars in a certain area will reflect the feel of its surroundings. And no neighborhood is more unique than the Faubourg Marigny and one of its watering holes is a fabulous place that elicits the title of a neighborhood bar perfectly. In my opinion, Cutter’s is a neighborhood bar first and foremost that just happens to also be predominantly gay. It is here where you will find my bartender for the month of March, Jim Doyle. Jim has a boisterous personality that fills the bar when he is working. To be a successful bartender, especially one in a certain locality like the Marigny; you need to be able to relate to a myriad of personalities. This adaptability is one of Jim’s winning features. Not only do the denizens of the area enjoy him, so do first timers to Cutter’s. He pours a mean drink, has a wry sense of humor and most importantly is 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] Clover Grill, 900 Bourbon St., 598.1010, CloverGrill.COM Country Club Restaurant, 634 Louisa St.,
Bartender of the Month Jim Doyle @ Cutter's likeable. You would not believe how many bartenders in this city just are not nice, even to their customers. Well, Nancy Drew, here’s a clue, if you are not polite to the people who tip you; they will not keep coming back. Simple concept but it seems so hard for some people to grasp. In a neighborhood like the Marigny where there are many bars on almost every corner to patronize, Cutter’s is one of them that stand at the forefront of these places. And it is 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 MUNCH @ 700 Club, 700 Burgundy, 561.1095, 561.1098, 700NOLA.COM 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
spas New Orleans, LA [504]
bartenders like Jim that keep the customers returning. He works the crowd effortlessly and can handle the larger crowds during special occasions like Sr. Patrick’s Day, Mardi Gras or Saints football games when there is a sea of people packed into that space. It also helps that he is very tall and can see over the heads of the front customers to the awaiting people in the back. Being able to handle the crowds quickly is the mark of a stellar bartender. Many of these people just stumble in off the streets literally for a fast drink. Expediting their wait time will keep them coming back for more. And St. Patrick’s Day is a perfect time to come check out Cutter’s which is also the bar's 8th anniversary, not only is it an exciting place to catch the parade, but they always have some of the best bar fare in town. Jim usually works weekends, so stop in and see him for a cocktail. Cutter’s is located at 706 Franklin Avenue.
Hurricane Update In the last issue, I explained how Roy Haylock aka Bianca del Rio along with his good friend Matt Kugelman is trying to make an independent feature film titled Hurricane Bianca. They need to raise $250,000 to make this movie and they need everyone’s help. This is your chance to help do something wonderful for an amazing performer who has entertained us for years. At the time of writing their article, they still have a long way to go, but this is your chance to make a difference and help entertain the masses too. You can give as little as $10 or as much as you want. Each level of donation entitles the giver to something special personalized by Bianca herself. To reiterate, the story of Hurricane Bianca is about Richard, a fishout-of-water gay New Yorker that winds up in small-town Texas. He finds himself 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
CLUB NEW ORLEANS, 515 Toulouse, 581.2402, www.the-clubs.com PLANET BEACH, A Contempo Spa, 301 Burgundy St., 525.8266, PlanetBeach.COM
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 Slidell, LA [985 CUTTING EDGE THEATER, 742 Robert Blvd., 649.3727, CuttingEdgeTheater,COM
tours New Orleans, LA [504] GAY NEW ORLEANS WALKING TOUR, Crescent City Tour Booking Agency, 638 St. Ann St. , 568.0717
to get revenge on those that were nasty to him. Can you imagine Bianca in a revenge flick, perfect casting. And to add the icing to the cake, the movie will be partially filmed in New Orleans. To find out about donating, go to www.HurricaneBianca.com to give. Good luck Roy and Matt, we are all pulling for you to reach your goal.
Leaving A Legacy You can ensure a better tomorrow for men, women and families affected by the HIV disease by becoming a part of the NO/AIDS Task Force Legacy Circle. The Legacy Circle recognizes generous benefactors who support the organization through their will, trust, life insurance or any other estate gift. This is truly a remarkable way to continue to make a difference even after you have gone. For more information on the Legacy Circle, go to www.noaidstaskforce.org.
Satyricon Produces a Weekend of Events Barely done with Mardi Gras and the Mystic Krewe of Satyricon has two incredible events over the same weekend. After Le Chat shuttered its doors, cabaret has not been as prevalent in New Orleans. It is still around, but there has been a serious decline in shows. I am happy to inform the masses that cabaret is back, alive and well at Mid-City Theatre during the month of March with a myriad of different shows. And Satyricon is presenting the opening show of “Kiki Le Bonbon’s Cabaret Risque” on Friday, March 15. This entertainment romp is brought to you by Running With Scissors and features Dorian Rush, Brian Peterson, Bob Edes Jr. Jack Long, Harry Mayronne Jr. and some special guests. Tickets are $20 and showtime is 8pm. Mid City Theatre is located at 3540 Toulouse Street. For tickets or more information call 504.252.5476. Don your green on Sunday, March 17, St. Patrick’s Day for Queen Satyricon Aida Cockswell’s St. Patrick’s Day Party at Michael’s on the Park. The festivities begin at 5pm. There will be a traditional Irish feast, a drag show that includes some of the most revered queens in the city, a 50/50 raffle and drink specials. There is a $10 donation at the door. Get your Irish on with Satyricon, you will definitely get lucky.
Bunnies in the Big Easy Are your ready for another exciting year of Bunnies in the Big Easy. Yes, ladies and gentlemen, it is that time of the year to celebrate one of the largest growing gay revelries in the city. The Gay Easter Parade and all the events preceding is an electrifying series of parties to raise money for Food For Friends. And Bunnies in the Big Easy [continued on 29]
26 • The Official Mag: AmbushMag.COM • Mar c h 5-18, 2013 • Of fic ial Gay East er Parade Guide Guide • GayEast erParade.COM
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trodding the boards by Brian Sands
Email: bsnola2@hotmail.com
El Hajj Malik, The Life and Times of Malcolm X at the Anthony Bean Community Theater through March 10 In honor of Black History Month, Anthony Bean Community Theater is presenting El Hajj Malik, The Life and Times of Malcolm X, a kaleidoscopic overview of the life of the influential minister. N.R. Davidson’s play debuted to strong reviews off-Broadway in 1971 when memories of the slain leader were still fresh in people’s minds. Forty years later, El Hajj Malik continues to be involving theater but now, especially for younger people, I suspect it serves more as an introduction to the fiery civil rights advocate. The longer first act gives the audience details of the early life of Malcolm X, born Malcolm Little. His father, a Baptist preacher and disciple of Marcus Garvey, was apparently murdered by whites when Malcolm was 6. He watched as his mother was humiliated by welfare workers. When he was 13, she had a breakdown and was shut up in a mental hospital; Malcolm and his siblings were placed in various foster homes. While Malcolm at first enjoyed having a room of his own, he soon came to resent his foster parents who treated him like a “mascot” and acted as though he was invisible in their presence. Though one of the top students in his junior high school, he was stung to the core when a white teacher told him that practicing law, his aspiration at the time, was an unrealistic goal for a black boy. The teacher, though, didn’t phrase it so nicely. No wonder that Malcolm had “no compassion for a society that could crush people.” Ella Little, a half-sister and a successful businesswoman, brought him to Boston. When he was still a teenager, during World War II, he started working at a music club that, as an extended riff puts it, had “two nights for whites, one for coloreds.” With the help of a zoot suit he turned himself into a “cool cat with a Cab Calloway smile.” After some time in Michigan, Malcolm wound up in Harlem reinventing himself as “Detroit Red” a nod to the reddish hair he inherited from his Scottish maternal grandfather. According to Davidson, during this time he was “cheating people, hiding from the cops” and avoiding the Mafia who was looking for him for various other illicit activities that I couldn’t write down fast enough! (As per Wikipedia, “according to recent biographies, he also occasionally had sex with other men, usually for money,” but the play makes no mention of that.) Not surprisingly, he was in jail by
the age of 21 which might have been the best thing that ever happened to him. It was there that, under the tutorship of a respected inmate, he began reading voraciously. After getting him to give up smoking and eating pork, his brother Reginald introduced him to Elijah Muhammad and Islam. As the act ends (unfortunately more with a whimper than a bang), we see the beginning of his transformation into Malcolm X. In the fairly brief Act Two, Malcolm X’s commitment to Islam is “total and complete.” A misogynistic streak emerges as he tries to avoid women calling them “tricky, deceitful and sucking craven animals who only want full bellies.” Yet, in a lovely scene, he meets, courts and marries a nurse, Betty Sanders (later Betty Shabazz), who is demure but strong, and not like the other women in Malcolm’s orbit; in fact, she faints when he proposes marriage to her. Using excerpts from speeches collected by George Breitman in Malcolm Speaks, Davidson presents, in the last and meatiest section of the play, the Malcolm X who railed against whites while imploring blacks to “rid our communities of alcoholism, drugs”, etc. After returning from his pilgrimage to Mecca, Malcolm X broke from the Nation of Islam and very publicly split from following Elijah Muhammad as his philosophy evolved into a more nuanced approach. By February 1965, he would be dead, the victim of an assassin’s bullet. Davidson doesn’t serve up this engrossing biography in as straightforward a manner as I’ve outlined it, however. No one actor—or actress—portrays Malcolm X. Each cast member has a moment when s/he becomes El Hajj Malik. All wear simple black outfits; the addition of a white mask and change of accent effectively indicates that the actor is now portraying one of the white people in Malcolm’s life. At times, Davidson’s choreopoem almost presages rap with its forceful declarations but there is one section that begins to sound as though Dr. Seuss helped to write Malcolm X’s autobiography rather than Alex Haley; Davidson almost admits as much when
one of the performers says we need to stop “talking in rhyme.” While understandably the focus remains on Malcolm X, subsidiary characters come and go too quickly to get a real sense of them; rather than a passage that detours into the challenges and indignities faced by black entertainers, I would’ve been more interested to have learned how Ella Little achieved the power she had to make things happen or how Malcolm’s brother Reginald first encountered the Nation of Islam. Yet despite any reservations, El Hajj Malik holds an audience’s attention throughout its length as the momentum of Malcolm X’s all too brief life, filled with passion and intelligence, carries the narrative forward in a cascade of poetry, speeches, scenes and historical pageantry. One can’t help but wonder what Malcolm would’ve made of the ascendancy of Barack Obama. Anthony Bean directs with his usual firm hand, fluidly bringing the cast members on and off the stage to create both public spectacles and moments of intimacy. Choreographer Ieasha PrimeMartin adds snap and atmosphere to the show with routines that not only reflect an era’s dance moves but also underscore Davidson’s words. The cast of seven (Sean Beard, Erica Jones, Oprah Lowe, Dominique Randolph, Demitrus Rhapsody, Kevin Toy, Dana Webb) are all excellent. If Beard stands out as Malcolm X, it’s only because he’s been given some of the most compelling moments; Rhapsody, Webb and Toy are right behind him. Randolph brought particular charm to her portrayal of Malcolm’s future wife. El Hajj Malik, The Life and Times of Malcolm X is by no means the final word on one of the twentieth century’s most controversial, intriguing and important figures. But it’s an awfully good place to start.
Broadway in New Orleans at the Mahalia Jackson Theater through June 2 The Broadway in New Orleans series continued its season last week with Flashdance, The Musical yet another screen-to-stage incarnation. As you may recall, this is the improbable tale of Alex, a young lady who’s a welder at a steel factory in Pittsburgh but really wants to be a ballerina. And she dances at night at a local watering hole (bar? club? dive?). And the factory owner’s grandson falls for her and... Oh, never mind, you’re sure to know it from the videos for its two classic songs, Maniac and What a Feeling. The production, all two-and-a-half hours of it, is actually entertaining enough, in the way that a halfway decent film on an airplane passes the time. But there’s a lifelessness to it as
though even the hard-working cast seems to know it’s merely marking time while waiting for the better known songs, which also include Gloria and I Love Rock and Roll, to come along. As for the 16 other new songs by Robbie Roth and Robert Cary, they mostly all sound the same. Interestingly, while watching Flashdance, I was reminded of some other screen-to-stage musicals. Like The Full Monty and its bunch of unemployed blue collar guys; compared to them, the welders, who merely have the threat of job loss hanging over them, are doing pretty well. Or Sweet Charity whose dance hall hostesses don’t seem too different from the dancers here; Alex’s two wise-cracking pals are later day avatars of Charity’s. But mostly I kept thinking of Billy Elliot, another dance-themed work. Only in that case, in translating it to the stage, the book had charm and urgency; Elton John’s score lingered in the memory with melodies that evoked specific time, place and characters; the lyrics were brilliantly imaginative, witty and moving; and the choreography, rather than simulating an aerobics workout, advanced the plot while revealing character. What a feeling it would’ve been if Flashdance had been even half as good. The final two Broadway in New Orleans offerings promise more satisfying evenings. Million Dollar Quartet (April 1621) is set on Dec. 4, 1956, when an auspicious twist of fate brought Johnny Cash, Jerry Lee Lewis, Carl Perkins and Elvis Presley together. Sam Phillips, the “Father of Rock ‘n’ Roll” who was responsible for launching the careers of each icon, brought the four legendary musicians together at the Sun Records storefront studio in Memphis for the first and only time. The resulting evening became known as one of the greatest rock ‘n’ roll jam sessions in history. Million Dollar Quartet brings that legendary night to life with a tale of broken promises, secrets, betrayal and celebrations featuring an eclectic score of rock, gospel, R&B and country hits including; Blue Suede Shoes, Sixteen Tons, Who Do You Love?, Great Balls of Fire, Folsom Prison Blues, Whole Lotta Shakin’ Goin’ On, Hound Dog, and more. Then, on May 8, Stephen Schwartz’ Wicked returns to the Mahalia Jackson Theater. Based on Gregory Maguire’s novel, this Tony-winner is the untold musical story of The Wizard of Oz’s Wicked Witch of the West and Glinda the Good...before Dorothy dropped in. It plays through June 2. Don’t wait to book tickets as, looking in my crystal ball, I predict it will be very popular. Next DEADLINE Tues., March 12th 504.522.8049
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under the gaydar ...from 26 kicks off the festive Easter weekend of events on Good Friday, March 29. This year it will be held at the exquisite Bourbon Vieux which is the largest balcony on Bourbon Street. An oasis in the French Quarter, this well-appointed space has been touted by locals and visitors alike as the best place to throw a party on Bourbon Street. As always, you will see the very sexy 2013 Bunny Boys as they parade their baskets for all to see. This elegant soiree is one of the hottest tickets around and always sells out (only 100 tickets are sold). There will be music, dancing, award winning cuisine, and some surprise guests. Tickets are $35 each and include food, entertainment as well as an open beer, wine and vodka bar. The dress is cocktail attire. Bourbon Vieux is located at 501 Bourbon Street. To order your tickets, call Tony Leggio 504.943.6910 Ambush at 504.522.8049.
Gay Easter Parade Board Members Tittie Toulouse and Electra City with the help of past Easter Grand Marshals and 4 Seasons owner Chuck put on a wonderful night of auctions, performances by a different group of splendid drag stars than previously seen and their witty charm as emcees. These two ladies help get people excited about the holiday as they mark the halfway point to Easter. Come to one or both of these fundraisers. Remember all proceeds raised go to Food for Friends. See you on the bunny trail.
Party Down Mardi Gras has ended but that did not slow down this city at all. I find that New York may be the city that never sleeps but New Orleans is the city that never stops the party. My first event after Mardi Gras was on Friday when [continued on 30]
More Easter Events There are two more Easter events coming up soon. The first one is the fabulous 12th Drag Extravaganza on Saturday, March 9at Oz. This fun filled evening of glitzy entertainment brings out reigning royalty from gay carnival krewes in the city all on the same stage one night only. There are great live auctions with great prizes. Rip and Marsha head up this event and promise that this year will be more outrageous than last. Remember Darwin Reed in drag, now that was a sight to behold. And who can ever forget Gary Vanderventer in high heeled pumps. And this year it's Lord King XXX Pat Johnson's turn to twirl! Oz is located at 800 Bourbon Street. The following week on Saturday, March 16 is the 11th Spring Fever Extravaganza at 4 Seasons in Metairie.
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under the gaydar ...from 29 I attended the lovely Erin Boreros’ 40th surprise birthday party celebration at Pier 424 on Bourbon Street. Erin is such a wonderful and vivacious person, it was easy to see why so many wellwishers were in attendance. It is always fun being in a private space above the fray of Bourbon Street. The food was magnificent and she had the best tasting birthday cake I have ever had. Congratulations Erin for forty years of fabulosity. The following morning I left for Denver for a conference and more excitement which you will read about further in my article Ambush on the Road. I returned back to the city on Tuesday and without skipping a beat on my social calendar went to the red carpet opening of the new Hard Rock Café on Bourbon Street on Wednesday. Their new venue is an amazing, hip, stylish and open space. They pulled out all the stops on this fete having a private up close and personal concert by Better Than Ezra who brought the house down as always. Kudos needs to go to the chef on the food, which was delectable. The drinks flowed as guests partied like rock stars (I had the hangover on Thursday to prove it). If you think that the Hard Rock is just for tourists, think again, this is an outstanding place to hold your next party or just grab a bite with friends. On Thursday my co-workers and I were treated to a dine-around the city to see some new venue spaces and restaurants. We were whisked by a chauffeured mini bus from Uptown to Mid-City and the French Quarter to the Marigny stopping at six cool places each with its own distinctive vibe. The first stop was NOLA Spaces on Toledano Street Uptown which is part dance studio/part café. The café is called Firehouse and serves some great fare. Then we went to Serendipity in Mid-City located inside the American Can building. This is a treasured find; the place is a marvelous mix of eclectic cuisine and cultured cocktails. Next we headed to Iris in the French Quarter situated inside the Bienville House hotel. We were bowled over by their lovely dishes prepared as well as the divine libations. We hit the Marigny for our next three stops, Mojito’s, Three Muses and Melange. All were exceptional places with good food and live music. Banu Gibson at Melange was just splendid. Frenchman Street has come quite a way since when I first moved into the Marigny 12 years ago. With the addition of great restaurants like these and all the live music venues, it is no wonder that it is one of the most popular destinations in New Orleans. So next time you want to try something new, check out any or all of these new dining spots. Friday was one of those days that
seemingly start innocent and end up interestingly wicked. My partners in crime, Beaux and Barrett joined me for a party Uptown called Cocktails and Conversations. Now I am all for being invited to a gay party that helps promote a cause or make you aware of some plight. But this was unique in the fact that after the event, I was not quite sure what it was all about. But it was sponsored by Ketel One, so honestly, what does it matter. And it was held in the lovely home of Bethany Bultman who reigned over Krewe du Vieux this year. After numerous cocktails at many different locations, the evening descended into amateur drunk night. You know it is a good night when you call your friends to get details of your escapades that may have slipped your mind (you know it has happened to you before, don’t judge), and they can’t remember anything either. Saturday was the first of the Easter events for the season. Cutter’s held the 3rd Annual Sponsorship party for the Gay Easter Parade. This year Starr Daniels and Tommy Elias will reign as Grand Marshals. The event was a lovely prequel to coming attractions raising $6,725. If you are not a sponsor yet, it is definitely worthwhile. I followed that up later that evening by attending Michalopoulas’ art opening at his gallery on Bienville Street. His new show had some great pieces. After all the partying over the past several days and jet lag from my trip earlier in the week, I undeniably did not venture out late that night returning home after the art show. But Sunday was a Funday beginning with a tasty and fun brunch with my mom and dear friend Michelle at Prime. If you have not been to this wonderful place in the Marigny, you need to check it out. Their scotch eggs are mouthwatering. Then I went to Amon-Ra’s Rush party at Good Friends which had a nice crowd. They showed the video of the ball as well as introduced potential new members to the krewe. It was great seeing the Amon-Ra gang; they always know how to have a good time. I ended my day by attending the Red Cross Oscar Party at Canal Place. This is the first time I have been to this event and what a spectacular and starstudded night it was. We walked the red carpet as Princesse Stephaney doing her best Joan Rivers imperson-
The Quarter Rat Pack @ Red Cross Oscar Party
Live Gold Statues with Tony Leggio @ Red Cross Oscar Party ation greeted you at the door. There was food, silent auction, drinks aplenty and you got to see the Oscar telecast in those fabulous seats at the Canal Place Theatres. The Quarter Rat Pack performed and they had male models painted gold as photo opps. This is undeniably a hot ticket party. This is also the only sanctioned Oscar event in New Orleans, so it is always nice to go to an official party. It may not be Elton John’s soiree, but not to shabby by New Orleans standards. That concludes my two weeks, enjoy my exploits in Denver below and have a very lucky St. Patrick’s Day.
Ambush on the Road Let me begin by saying the last time I had been to the Mile High City was 2003 and I was shocked how much it has grown since then. Denver is a thriving metropolitan with a terrific gay community. I arrived in Denver early Saturday morning to attend a Leadership Conference for the National Association for Caterers and Events which I am the president of the New Orleans Chapter. Upon landing, my friend Sidney scooped me up and took me to brunch at Racine’s. The restaurant is located between Downtown Denver and the Cherry Creek Shopping District. Established in 1983, this favorite eatery has won numerous awards over the years and I can understand why. It has a warm and friendly environment with a great staff and a superior menu. I ate healthy with their scrumptious egg white omelet with turkey sausage, but managed to balance it with a Bloody Mary or two. They also had a large gay crowd and cute waiters there which always makes it fun. After brunch, Sidney gave me a quick city tour then delivered me to my hotel, the Hyatt Regency Downtown. The hotel is located conveniently next to the Convention Center and has all the amenities for the business traveler. The lobby was grand with wonderful artwork, the staff was exceptional and my room had a breathtaking view of the city with a landscape of the mountains in the background. I got settled in then went exploring the 16th Street Mall. This is the downtown shopping thoroughfare that also has clubs, restaurants and bars. In between retail therapy, I took in an exhibit at the Denver Pavilions. The DaVinci Ma-
chines Exhibition was being held over for an extra month, so I felt very fortunate to get a chance to see it. This interactive exhibit was on loan from the Museum of Leonardo Da Vinci in Florence, Italy. This exhibit is one of just three traveling the world. It contains over 60 hand-crafted inventions built from Leonardo’s 500 – year old designs and is the life work of three generations of Florentine artisans. They have painstakingly brought to life the creations and concepts devised by the brilliant scientist, inventor and artist Leonardo DaVinci. With over 60 machines on display, many of which are interactive, the collection features replicas of the major and most striking inventions of the original Renaissance Man. Featured machines on display include the DaVinci bicycle, hang glider, and air screw, the precursor to the modern-day helicopter. Also, on display are two of Leonardo’s revolutionary robotic inventions, the life-size robot drummer and for the first time ever, the secrets behind Leonardo’s legendary mechanical lion. This exhibition models are presented in four major themes: Military machines, Flying machines, Nautical & Hydraulic machines as well as devices and inventions illustrating the Principles of Mechanics. On my return back to the hotel, I bumped into some colleagues from Phoenix. Not to be confused with the bar in NOLA. That is a totally different type of conference. Wanting to catch up, we stopped in for a few drinks at this cool little brew house aptly titled the Pourhouse. They had a cozy rooftop area and some flavorsome little nibbles. After a quick drink, we went to the opening mixer at the hotel in Peak’s Lounge located on their 27th floor. The view of the city all lit up from this vantage point was stunning. It was really good to see so many friends from around the country again. After drinks, a few of us went down to the lobby bar for a quick bite. Later that night, Sidney came and picked me and my newfound friend David from the Phoenix Chapter and ferried us to our first gay bar of the night, Hamburger Mary’s. I love this very gay friendly chain. I have already been to the one in LA, but Denver had a more divergent crowd especially since this night was karaoke. The enchanting drag queen Venus was the hostess who supplied us with shots to start our night off right. I am not a huge fan of karaoke, but they had a line-up of decent singers. Then we went to Boyztown, which became one of my favorite bars. They had some of the finest pole dancing boys I have ever seen. And very friendly, I might add. There were also hot boys running around passing out free Absolut Out shots complimentary. We got to meet and hang out with the owner of this fine [continued on 31]
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under the gaydar ...from 30 establishment Randy, who was just a delight to speak with. We ended our evening at the dance bar located a few doors down from Boyztown called Compound. This night they were having their big Mardi Gras party. Bless their hearts. I always like seeing other peoples’ version of a Mardi Gras party. Even though it paled by any criterion we would have in New Orleans, the people were having fun and the place was packed. We closed down the bars that night and I returned back to the hotel. The following day we had meet-
Emcee Dwayne & Sidney @ Charlie’s for Sunday drag show
ings until 5pm; then we went to a cocktail reception at Relish, a very chic catering company. The Denver Chapter of NACE hosted a very elegant evening for us featuring local food, beers and wine. After the party, Sidney, David and I again visited the gay bars this time going to Charlie’s which had an enjoyable drag show hosted by funny man Dwayne who kept the crowds rolling in the aisles. There are some very talented ladies in Denver and the mountain men are hot. Talk about your sexy Paul Bunyan types. On Monday, once again I had class all day with lunch being held at Peak’s Lounge again. The views during the day of Denver were just as awe inspiring as the night. After class, I took a little siesta, and then got ready for dinner. I met Sidney at North in the Cherry Creek area. This is an upscale dining and entertainment section of town that boasts lots of unique boutiques and shopping. North is a trendy Italian restaurant that makes its own pasta and has some brilliant dishes. The atmosphere is very inviting with an attentive staff that made our dining experience excellent. After dinner, we had a few drinks in the hotel lobby bar before I retired for the night. My flight left early the next morning, and I highly recommend getting to the Denver airport early. The lines at security are treacherous. Before departing, I had breakfast at this
quaint eatery in the airport called Cru, which also has a location downtown. The food was once again delicious and their drink menu was pretty extensive. For those travelers looking for a little mile high action in their life, put Denver on your destination list. Trust me the mountain men are worth the climb.
Tony’s Tidbits of Gay Wisdom Mardi Gras may be over, but the gay carnival krewes are just gearing up for an eventful year of fundraisers and parties all to raise monies for the 2014 ball season. Over the next few weeks, you will be seeing ads for rush parties for each of the krewes, some may of happened already, but that does not mean it is still too late to join. I highly urge everyone in the gay community to consider joining a krewe this year. Gay Mardi Gras is not only a time honored tradition but a unique art form of costuming and performing that not only dazzles but entertains. It costs a lot of money to not only make the costumes for the ball, but to also to put the show on. It is so not cheap to be fabulous. But above all of the regalia, this is a great way to meet new people and create bonding friendships. Being a member of a krewe also helps channel your creative side as well; You will be surprised how well you can wield a
glue gun. There are many choices out there so you can check out a few before making your decision, or support more than one krewe. The organizations are Amon Ra, Armeinius, LIPS, Lords of Leather, Mwindo, Petronius, People of Substance (POS), and Satyricon. If you find you are unable to join a krewe this year, also consider being a sponsor. For a mere amount, you can be a patron allowing you access to all their events for the entire year. Also check out their events, they are usually fun parties that add a unique twist on things like Satyricon’s 12th Night Gala, Armeinius’ Cocktober Fest, Amon-Ra’s Playboy Bunny Rejects, Petronius’ Cocktails and Crowns or Lords of Leather’s Miss Louisiana Leatherette Pageant. So next year, make it a point to be a part of the splendor that is Gay Mardi Gras. If you have an event, story or idea, you want covered, contact me at ledgemgp@gmail.com.
Next DEADLINE Tues., March 12
504.522.8049 marsha@ripandmarsha.com
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Lord King Pat, Nina, Tim with Gold Sponsor & EGM XII Gary
Bronze Sponsor, MC & EGM X Tony Leggio Little MM blossoms into Marquis Marcell
snap paparazzi
Jerome, Danny, Don & Jeff MC Opal Masters kicks off the Eggstravaganza show
MC Host & EGM VII Opal Masters with Michael’s Cookie St. Ann
Nick Olivares & Roy Smith
Queen Amon-Ra XLVIII Deja Deja-Vue’
Silver Sponsors Frankie & Dusty flank Missy May EGM XIII Rhonda Roget
Queen Amon-Ra XLVIII Deja DejaVue’ & GEP’s Steve Patrick
Silver Sponsors & EGMs XIII Rhonda Roget & Darwin Reed
GEP Boards Tittie & Electra with EGM XIV Starr
Bronze Sponsor Justin Moffatt with Silver Sponsor & EGM VIII Michael Elias
Bronze Sponsors EGM IX Orlando Aloe & EGM II Larry Bagneris
Starr Daniels first performance as Easter Grand Marshal XIV Silver Sponsor Michael’s On The Park’s Cookie St. Ann
Barbara Ella on stage
EGM XIV Starr accepts Lord King XXX Pat Johnson 50/50 Raffle winnings for Food For Friends
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Gay Easter Parade’s 5th Eggstravaganza raises $2,217 for Food For Friends @ Michael’s On The Park ~ New Orleans ~ Photos by Rip Naquin
Easter Grand Marshals XIV Tommy Elias & Starr Daniels
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Bartender Josh with his rabbit ears @ Golden Lantern
Miss Ashlee slinging New Meat Night cocktails @ The Corner Pocket
Byron’s famous tater salad @ Rawhide for Black History Month Meat Night
Quitman & bar baron Matt @ 700 Club Welcome to Good Friends Bar
Bear & friend ready for some soul food @ Rawhide’s Black History Month Meat Night
Regina & Caesar join GEP Sponsorship Party @ Cutter’s
Enjoying Black History Month Meat Night @ Rawhide MC Barbara Ella host Karaoke Wednesdays @ Cafe Lafitte in Exile
Jason gets his ribeye @ 700 Club’s Thursday Steak Night
Blake slings cocktails @ Cutter’s for GEP Sponsorship Party
Billy’s bartender Urban doing a stint @ Double Play
The ever flawless (in his own mind) Kevin @ Double Play
EGM V Brett & Todd in for GEP Sponsorship Party @ Cutter’s
Beaux, Michael, & Barrett snag a cutie @ Corner Pocket’s New Meat Night
Chef Byron joins Wood Enterprises’ Michael for Rawhide’s Black History Month Meat Night You never know what excitement you will find @ Lafitte’s Karaoke
Chef Thor serving turkey necks for Black History Month Meat Night @ Rawhide
Celebrating Black History Month Meat Night with Byron @ Rawhide
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Nightlife ~ New Orleans ~ Photos by Charles Jenkins, Tony Leggio, Rip Naquin
Bartender Don welcomes you to The Corner Pocket
The Club Scene ~ New Orleans ~ Photos by Charles Jenkins, Tony Leggio, Rip Naquin
New member Freddie with president Ron @ Amon-Ra Rush Party @ Good Friends Bar Jager time @ The Country Club with bartender Jamaal & bar manager Drew
The Amon-Ra Rush Party with King Amon-Ra John @ Good Friends Bar
New server Brennan @ The Country Club
Divas R Us @ the Golden Lantern
Wednesday show host Persana Shoulders with some of the boys @ Oz
Chris Picou @ the Parade Wilhemina slinging cocktails @ Golden Lantern
DL Broadway on stage @ the Parade
Curt, Carrie, Darrin & bar baron James @ Golden Lantern
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Crack Whore Ball XIV Raises over $5,000 for NOSIDA, 14th Crack Whore Queen Johnny Eubanks @ Oz ~ New Orleans ~ Photos Frankie Fierce
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