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the "official" dish by Rip & Marsha Naquin-Delain Email: marsha@ripandmarsha.com
14th Gay Easter Parade Raises Over $23,000 for Food For Friends, Total Charity Donations Now Over $170,000 The 14th annual Gay Easter Parade led by Easter Grand Marshals XIV Tommy Elias and Starr Daniels raised over $23,000 for NO/AIDS Task Force Food For Friends program. The parade sponsored by Ambush Mag minus expenses has raised over $170,000 for charity the past 12 years. The parade solicits sponsorships and host six fundraisers, one each weekend leading up to Easter. A complete financial report will appear in the next edition of Ambush Mag. The GEP Board of Directors would like to offer many thanks to the generosity of the sponsors, all who came out and supported the events, to auction donors, and those entertainers and celebrities who donated their talents. The board includes Rip and Marsha Naquin-Delain, Electra City, Tittie Toulouse, Rona Conners, Opal Masters and Tony Leggio. This year the colorful parade brought to the streets some 30 carriages, wagons and trolleys; 2 bands: 3rd Line Brass Band, Pair-A-Dice Tumblers; 3 walking groups; and some 14 trucks and cars. The parade showcases the fashion and creativity of the entire GLBT community with gentlemen in summer suits/tux with hats, and ladies in Easter suits/dresses with Easter hats. The Sponsors of the Gay Easter Parade play an integral part to the success of this venture. Presented by Ambush Mag, sponsors include: 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, Queen Amon-Ra XLVIII Deja Deja-Vue’ & Jim May; 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, Wood Enterprises, Jeffrey Palmquist & Coca Mesa, Misael Rubio/Quartermaster: The Nellie Deli, EGM IV Electra City & EGM XI Tittie Toulouse, Mona Lisa Restaurant, John & Therese Vignone; 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, Ranzy Montet & Creig Istre, Michael Sullivan, Michael Sullivan, Michael Durocher, Ken Marino/Fabulous Flowers LLC, Bebe & Chris Scarpinato-Linwood, Frank Perez/Crescent City Tour Booking Agency, Glenn O'Berry & Roger Copehaver, Marty Curtin & Koo Gaffney; Venue/In-Kind: 700 Club, 4 Seasons, Bourbon Vieux, Cutter’s, The Double Play, Larry Graham, Michael’s On The Park, Oz. Past grand marshals include EGMs I Rip and Marsha Naquin-Delain, II Larry Bagneris and the late Miss Do Moreland, III Timm Holt and Teryl-Lynn Foxx, IV George Simons and Electra City, V Brett Messmer and Princesse Stephaney, VI James Swire and Lisa Beaumann, VII the late Doc Reed and Opal Masters, VIII Michael Elias and Rona Conners, IX Orlando Aloe and Safonda Peters, X Tony Leggio and the late Marcy Marcell, XI Chuck Turner and Tittie Toulouse, XII Gary Vandeventer and Elizabeth Bouvier, and XIII Darwin Reed and Rhonda Roget. For more information, visit www.GayEasterParade.COM.
GEP's 11th Annual Spring Fever Raises $4,097 @ 4 Seasons in Metairie The Gay Easter Parade's 11th Annual Spring Fever Extravaganza, under the direction of GEP Boards Electra City and Tittie Toulouse, raised $4,097 benefiting Food For Friends at 4 Seasons in Metairie. The event featured a VIP dinner reception catered by Chef Ron's Gumbo Stop, spectacular show, live auctions, prizes, and raffles, all in honor of Easter Grand Marshals XIV Tommy Elias and Starr Daniels. The show brought forth performances by some of New Orleans top entertainers including Tiffany Alexander, Britnee Alexander, EGM IX Safonda Peters, Electra City, Tittie Toulouse, Marty J, Johnny Passion, Natasha Sinclair,
and Steven Swanson, plus The Big Easy Sisters ~ Sisters of the Muddy Waters first performance for the Gay Easter Parade including Sister Wilma Ballsdrop, Sister Wendy Kneels-AnBobbs, Sister Moana Moans-A-Lotts, Sister Cathy Tere & Sister Glorie BDevine. The total raised was $4,097 minus $507 in expenses generating a net of $3,591. The event brought in 1,045.00VIP Dinner, 291.00-door, 504.00-stage performance tips, 50.00-table sales, 50.00-Leather Mask auction from Coca Mesa, 250.00-2 night stay @ private condo auction from Ellen Miller, 200.00Grace Jones Poster & Jewelry auction from Mike Cookmeyer & Tim, 100.00Gourmet Basket auction from Ellen Miller, 275.00-French Quarter Wknd. Stay auction from Ellen Miller, 350.00Yellow Duck Basket auction from Safonda Peters, 70.00-Dinner with a Drag Queen-Britnee Alexander from Ellen Miller, 300.00-Kremlin Egg auction from Michael Rabalais, 50.00 of 500.00 Progressive Drew Brees Autographed Football auction from Nicholas Moore, 250.00-Dinner with Trevor auction with Coach, 262.00-50/ 50 Raffle, 50.00 donation from 50/50 raffle winner Big Momma for a total of 4,097.00, minus 375.00-catering expense, and 131.00-50/50 Raffle winner Big Momma, netting 3,591.00.
GEP's 14th Purple Party Raises $4,087 @ The Double Play The Gay Easter Parade's 14th annual Purple Party Easter Grand Marshals reception raised $4,087 for Food For Friends at The Double Play in New Orleans. Honoring Easter Grand Marshals XIV Tommy Elias and Starr Daniels, the elegant party is one of the hits of the Easter Season. It's an evening with one of Chuck and Bill's legendary buffets, raffles, prizes and auctions which this year also celebrated the 42nd anniversary of club proprietors Chuck Turner and Bill Miller. There were no expenses for this event. Revenues included: 463.00-door, 419.00-prize raffles, 450.00-egg raffles. 100.00-Joanne & John Ferraro donation, 50.00-Jay Bourgoyne/ Bourgoyne Guest House donation, 150.00-Bourbon Pride Gift Basket auc-
inside
THE OFFICIAL MAG
Facebook.COM/AmbushMag Gulf South Entertainment/Travel Guide Since 1982 • Louisiana-Florida Official Gay Easter Parade Guide Official Gay Mardi Gras Guide Official Gay New Orleans Guide Official Southern Decadence Guide OFFICE/SHIPPING ADDRESS: 828-A Bourbon St., New Orleans, LA 70116-3137 USA OFFICE HOURS: 10am-3pm Monday-Friday [Except Holidays] Email: marsha@ripandmarsha.com PHONE: 1.504.522.8049 ANNUAL READERSHIP OVER 1 MILLION: 260,000+ in print/780,000+ On-line CIRCULATION: Alabama-Mobile Florida - Pensacola Louisiana - Baton Rouge, Lafayette, Lake Charles, Metairie, New Orleans, Slidell Mississippi - Bay St. Louis, Biloxi
STAFF: PUBLISHER/EDITOR R. Rip Naquin-Delain, New Orleans PRODUCTION DIRECTOR M. Marsha Naquin-Delain, New Orleans GULF SOUTH/NEW ORLEANS AD SALES Rip Naquin-Delain • 504.522.8049 NEW ORLEANS AD SALES Paul Melancon 504.357.8440 paulmelancon_ambushmag@yahoo.com THEATRE/PERFORMING ARTS CRITIC Brian Sands AD REPS/JOURNALISTS/PHOTOGRAPHERS Blanche-Alabama Frankie Fierce, Charles Jenkins, Tony Leggio, Frank Perez, Arthur Severio, Rev. Bill Terry, Rory Wright-New Orleans Bob Brunson, MIss Cie & John, Leon WeekleyMobile, AL Lauren Mitchell-Pensacola, FL National Advertising Rep: Rivendell Media 212.242.6863 Ambush Mag is published on alternate Tuesdays of each month by Ambush, Inc., R. Rip NaquinDelain, President. Advertising, Copy & Photo DEADLINE is alternate Tuesdays, 4pm, prior to publication week, accepted via e-mail only: marsha@ripandmarsha.com, except for special holidays. The Publisher assumes no responsibility for the claims of advertisers and has the right to reject any advertising. The inclusion of an individual's name or photograph in this publication implies nothing about that individual's sexual orientation. Letters, stories, etc., appearing herein are not necessarily the opinion of the Publisher or Staff of AMBUSH Mag. Subscription rate is $45 for 1/2 Year; $75 for 1 year. Sample Copy is $3 First Class Mail. ©1982-2013, AMBUSH, INC.,ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. NOTHING HEREIN MAY BE REPRODUCED WITHOUT WRITTEN PERMISSION OF THE PUBLISHER INCLUDINGAD LAYOUTS, MAPS and PHOTOS. AMgrant - AMbush Advertising Grant Donation
tion from Ellen Miller, 45.00-Goddess' The Lovers Painting auction from Double Play's Tommy, 160.00-Magazine St. [continued on 8]
Jazz Fest/Cinco de Mayo issue out April 16 DEADLINE: Tues., April 9
celebrazzi spotlight/upstairs lounge fire 14th gay easter parade thank you 14th purple party paparazzi/nola 11th spring fever paparazz/metairie commentary ambush paparazzi/new orleans 40th upstairs fire memorial moments in gay new orleans history a community within communities
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commentary/everyone should be treated equally 22 pensacola paparazzi 24 reVIEW/the next day 25 classifieds 26 under the gaydar 28 trodding the boards 30 mobile paparazzi 32 ambush paparazzi /nola, baton rouge 34
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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celebrazzi
12th Purple Party Easter Grand Marshals Reception hosts Chuck Turner and Bill Miller join Easter Grand Marshals XIV Starr Daniels and Tommy Elias helping raise $4,087 this year for Gay Easter Parade’s reason for the Easter Season benefiting Food For Friends. Hosted at The Double Play in New Orleans, a special congratulations is extended to Chuck and Bill who celebrated their 42nd anniversary during the festivities. Many thanks to all who made this such a grand success!
11th annual Spring Fever Extravaganza raised $4,097 for Gay Easter Parade’s reason for the Easter Season benefiting NO/AIDS Task Force Food For Friends program. Hosted at 4 Seasons in Metairie, a special thanks goes out to all of the sensational stars, auction donors and bidders, and every single person making this great achievement possible. (Photo: front row - Tiffany Alexander, Marty J, Steven Swanson, second row - Sister Glorie B-Devine, Natasha Sinclair, Johnny Passion, Safonda Peters, MCs Electra City & Tittie Toulouse, last row - Sister Wilma Ballsdrop, Sister Moana Moans-A-Lotts, Sister Cathy Tere, Sister Wendy Kneels-An-Bobbs, Britnee Alexander)
The Double Play was overflowing with Easter Grand Marshals celebrating the 14th Purple Party in honor of Easter Grand Marshals XIV Tommy Elias and Starr Daniels. Complete with auctions, raffles, an extraordinary buffet courtesy of Chuck and Bill, the Easter Grand Marshals Reception was a pure delight! (Photo: EGMs XI Chuck Turner, IX Orlando Aloe, XIII Rhonda Roget, IX Safonda Peters, XII Gary Vandeventer, IV Electra City, XI Tittie Toulouse, XIV Starr Daniels, I Marsha Naquin-Delain, XIII Darwin Reed-seated, X Tony Leggio, VII Opal Masters & I Rip Naquin-Delain)
Miss Gay Louisiana America Dex Poindexter and outgoing Miss Splash America Arilyn Roberts crown Aubrey Synclaire Miss Splash America following competition at Splash in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. Synclaire will move on to the Miss Gay Louisiana America preliminary for Miss Gay America.
Bar Baron Mac McAll celebrated the 8th Anniversary of Cutter's in New Orleans on St. Patrick's Day in the Marigny with his traditional Irish feast as the Downtown Irish St. Patrick's Day Parade rolled.
The 11th Spring Fever Extravaganza brought to the stage The Big Easy Sisters: The Sisters of the Muddy Waters in their debut group performance bringing the house down. The Sisters also assisted with all of the auctions and 50/50 raffle, helping turn this into an unforgettable experience, all benefiting Food For Friends. (Photo: Sister Wilma Ballsdrop, Sister Wendy Kneels-An-Bobbs, Sister Moana Moans-A-Lotts, Sister Cathy Tere & Sister Glorie B-Devine)
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Rip and Marsha Naquin-Delain welcome activist playwright and composer Wayne Self and author Frank Perez to the Ambush Meet & Greet in honor of Self's Upstairs, a new musical about the Upstairs Lounge Fire. Hosted at the Ambush Mansion, the small gathering kicked off Self's weekend visit to New Orleans in preparation for the World Premiere of Upstairs set in conjunction with the 40th Anniversary Upstairs Fire Memorial Weekend June 21-24 hosted by Ambush Mag.
Jake Morris celebrated his Blue Ball Birthday at Good Friends Bar raising $800 for the NOCCA Institute.
A portion of the HIV/AIDS Memorial Quilt was on display at Delgado College-City Park in New Orleans. It was a very moving presentation and emotional to those who visited. The pieces were in memory of regional loved ones.
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the "official" dish ...from 4 Basket auction from Larry Anderson, 50.00-Baby Blue Princess Easter Bonnet auction from Joann Guidos, 300.00Imperial Dynasty Faberge' Egg auction from Bill Miller, 450.00-Purple Bunny Basket auction from Gene Theriot, 50.00 of 550.00-Progressive Drew Brees Autographed Football auction from Bill Miller, 210.00-Bud Grill & Table auction from Gene Theriot, 60.00-porcelain doll auction from Starr Daniels, 100.00-Saints photo auction from Dee, 400.00-Bourbon Pub Absolut Basket auction from Ellen Miller, 280.00-Marilyn Monroe Framed Collage w/drivers license auction from Trevor Santos, 100.00-Coca Mesa's 2 Cannon Shoe Basket auction from Dee, 250.00-Kimberly Colonge Basket auction from Frankie Fierce, for a total of 4,087.00.
French Quarter Fest April 11-14 Celebrate French Quarter Festival’s 30th Anniversary from April 11th -14th in New Orleans. Known as the “largest free festival in the South,” and touted by leading tourism officials as the “kickoff to the festival season in
New Orleans,” French Quarter Festival will present an exciting array of entertainment, including hours of live performances by local musicians, authentic New Orleans cuisine, and spectacular events over four full days. French Quarter Festival’s 30th Anniversary will feature more than 400 hours of music from more than 1,300 local musicians on more than 20 stages in the French Quarter. The artist selection showcases a variety of popular New Orleans genres including traditional and contemporary jazz, CajunZydeco, world, brass band, blues, rock, and pop from some of New Orleans’ most well-known musicians.Festival goers can savor upscale dining in a festival atmosphere at the “World’s Largest Jazz Brunch” – a variety of authentic local cuisine from more than 60 critically acclaimed New Orleans restaurants. Some of the restaurants at festival include Antoine’s, Galatoire’s, Muriel’s, R’evolution, Jacques-i-mo’s, Boucherie, Crescent Pie and Sausage, GW Fins, Trey Yuen, K-Paul’s, Tujague’s, Praline Connection, and more In an effort to promote the cultural heritage of the City of New Orleans and the Vieux Carré, French Quarter Festi-
val presents the return of Let Them Talk: Conversations on Louisiana Music. This addition will feature a new film series titled TimeCode:NOLA to be screened at the Louisiana State Museum’s OLD U.S. Mint. Both series focus on the creativity New Orleans has fostered in music and film through the use of storytelling and interactive discussions with musicians and filmmakers. These informative films will give insight to the local culture of our unique and ever evolving city. French Quarter Festival also showcases other oneof-a-kind, family friendly special events, including free dance lessons from the NOLA Jitterbugs, two children’s areas exhibiting activities in nutrition, fitness, arts, culture, and history, Dancing at Dusk, Battle of Bands, Opera at Dusk, and much more! Locals and early bird visitors are invited to the return of French Quarter Festival’s “Locals’ Lagniappe Day,” where locals can appreciate a full fourth day of music, food, and fun Thursday, April 11th from 11am to 7pm at both the Riverfront Park and Jackson Square. The 2013 French Quarter Festival will feature a special 30th Anniversary Gala, on April 11th at Antoine’s Restaurant. Tickets are now on sale and can be purchased by calling 504.522.5730. A portion of the proceeds from the Gala will benefit The Roots of Music (www.therootsofmusic.com). Visit www.fqfi.org/ frenchquarterfest or call 504.522.5730 for more information about French Quarter Festival and other events produced by French Quarter Festivals, Inc French Quarter Festival is produced by French Quarter Festivals, Inc. (www.fqfi.org), the 501 (c) (3) nonprofit organization, which also produces Satchmo SummerFest in August and Christmas New Orleans Style in December. French Quarter Festivals, Inc. promotes the Vieux Carré and the City of New Orleans through high quality special events and activities that showcase the culture and heritage of this unique city, contribute to the economic well being of the community, and instill increased pride in the people of New Orleans.
Saenger Theatre To Launch New VIP Seating Program The historic Saenger Theatre, slated to re-open in fall 2013, will offer new VIP seating to patrons, the theatre announced today. In addition to the historic Saenger Grand Suites, the restored theatre will offer premium Club Seats from which patrons can enjoy the very finest live entertainment available. The new Saenger Club Seats will evoke the luxury and grandeur from a bygone era and offer patrons premier amenities and a superb view of the stage. Located in the first two rows of the balcony directly behind the Grand
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Suites, Club Seat holders have exclusive access to the exquisite new Saenger VIP Lounge, featuring separate restroom facilities, a full-service bar, comfortable lounging areas and concierge services. Season Club Seats are available for $2,995, with valet parking optional. The Saenger Grand Suites will continue to offer beautiful box seating located in front of the balcony for patrons. The Grand Suite experience is the ultimate in location, service and style, including a personal Suite Concierge as well as cocktail service at your seats and access to the new Saenger VIP Lounge. The Saenger Grand Suites include complimentary valet parking. “The Saenger Theatre holds a special place in the hearts of our patrons, and we want to ensure their experience in the newly re-opened Saenger is even better than they remember. We have been working tirelessly to deliver the premier experience for theatregoers, music lovers and patrons of the arts,” said David Skinner, General Manager, ACE Theatrical Group. “Whether our patrons choose our Saenger Grand Suites or Saenger Club Seats, they will be sure to experience the grandeur and luxury that the newly restored Saenger Theatre will offer.” The Saenger Theatre was built in 1927 at the corner of Canal and North Rampart streets in downtown New Orleans and is on the National Register of Historic Places. The building was damaged by Hurricane Katrina in 2005 and has since been the focus of a $52 million redevelopment project scheduled for completion this fall. The restoration project is a joint venture between ACE Theatrical Group, the City of New Orleans and the Canal Street Development Corporation. To arrange your membership in the Saenger Theatre Grand Suite or Club Seat programs, call 504.525.1052 or visit http://www.saengernola.com/tickets/grand-suites-club-seats. Originally built in 1927, the Saenger Theatre was designed to reflect a magnificent 15th century Italian courtyard and gardens, with a starlit evening sky ceiling, arched surroundings, statuary, columns and decorative moldings. In January 2012, the City of New Orleans, Canal Street Development Corporation (CSDC) and ACE Theatrical Group formed a public-private partnership to carry out a $52 million restoration project after the iconic theatre was severely damaged during Hurricane Katrina. The Saenger Theatre will reopen in fall 2013, authentically restored to the finest level of detail, with stateof-the-art technological improvements and updated first-class amenities. The theatre will host a wide variety of performing arts attractions including live theater, comedy shows and musical acts. The Saenger Theatre is located [continued on 10]
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the "official" dish ...from 8 at the corner of Canal and North Rampart streets in downtown New Orleans and is on the National Register of Historic Places. Visit www.saengernola.com for more information. In 1989, the former D. H. Holmes department store, parking garage and storage facilities were offered as a donation by the Dillard family to the City of New Orleans. With a tremendous opportunity to reshape one of the most important areas of the city, the Canal Street Development Corporation was formed as a public benefit corporation to accept the donation consisting of nearly two square blocks bounded by Canal, Dauphine, Bienville and Bourbon Streets. That property portfolio consists of a soon to be Hyatt Hotel, apartments, parking garage and a number of restaurants. The Canal Street Development Corporation has also partnered with ACE Theatrical Group to restore and expand the historic arts venue. ACE Theatrical Group, LLC is a theatrical management and development company formed by entertainment industry veterans specializing in the design, development, construction and operation of first class, live performance venues throughout North America. The company has a long history of working with municipalities, non-profit agencies and community groups to develop spectacular performance facilities with state of-the-art improvements emphasizing patron comfort and artist’s technical needs. ACE Theatrical Group is based in Houston, TX, with offices in New York, San Antonio and New Orleans. The principals have over 175 years combined experience and collectively have development and management credits in 35 theatrical venues in the United States and Canada, with 20 of those also including the design and construction of those projects. Visit www.acetheatricalgroup.com for more information.
Bywater Home Tour April 7 The 2013 Bywater Home Tour, hosted by the Bywater Neighborhood Association, is set for Sunday, April 7th, noon - 4pm in New Orleans. The walking tour features seven homes in the heart of the Historic Bywater Neighborhood. Tickets are on sale the day of the tour at Bywater Art Garden, 3726 Dauphine St. (located at the Bywater Art Lofts II). It's $12 BNA members or $15 general admission. Cash, check or credit cards accepted. For more information, visit www.bywater.org or email cjdixon@latterblum.com.
Hidden Treasures: Commemorative Arts Edition May 7 & 8 Join the Friends of the Cabildo as the Louisiana State Museum’s impressive collection of awards, medals and tokens of appreciation from important events in Louisiana history are examined for an exclusive behind-the-scenes viewing May 7th and 8th. Katie Burlison, Curator of the Decorative Arts for the Louisiana State Museum, will guide guests through collections of Napoleonic awards given to war heroes and politicians, souvenirs from the 1984 World’s Fair, 20th century sports trophies and more behind the hidden wings of the Old U.S. Mint. Hidden Treasures of the Louisiana State Museum: Decorative Arts Edition takes place Tuesday and Wednesday, May 7th and 8th. Tours are at 6pm and 7pm at the Old U.S. Mint, located at 400 Esplanade Avenue, in the French Quarter. Cost is $20 per person, or $15 for 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.
Irma Thomas To Headline Old U.S. Mint May 24 The Friends of the Cabildo present Irma Thomas, the “Soul Queen of New Orleans," playing her first concert at the Old U.S. Mint’s 3rd Floor Performance Space at 7pm Friday, May 24th. Tickets are $35 for general admission and $25 for FOC/LMF member. Seats are limited to 175 people and can be purchased by calling the FOC office at 504.523.3939 or online at www.friendsofthecabildo.org. Tickets are not expected be available the night of the event. Playing the event as a fundraiser for the Friends of the Cabildo, Thomas has
been active in the New Orleans music scene over 50 years and had hits such as Ruler of My Heart and It’s Raining. Thomas won her first Grammy in 2007 for the album After the Rain. She also recorded Time is on My Side in 1964, which was recorded by the Rolling Stones the same year. Since her first album in 1964, Thomas has recorded 19 albums and collaborated with leg-
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ends such as Allen Toussaint, B.B. King and Dr. John. Finished in 2012, the 3rd Floor Performance Space at the Old U.S. Mint is a $4-million joint collaboration between the Louisiana State Museum and the National Park Service. The space includes a soundproof performance hall with video and audio recording capabilities as well as a full recording studio.
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spotlight feature by Frank Perez E-mail: f.perez@sbcglobal.net
Remembering the Upstairs Lounge Fire On Sunday evening, June 24, 1973, the deadliest crime against gays and lesbians in the history of the United States occurred at the Upstairs Lounge in the French Quarter. On that night an arsonist set the gay bar on fire killing 32 people and injuring still more. Many people, then and now, mistakenly believe the fire was a hate crime motivated by homophobia. It wasn’t. Rather, the crime was motivated by anger and revenge. On that fateful evening, an unruly hustler, Rodger Dale Nunez, was thrown out of the bar for badgering and fighting with a regular customer, Mike Scarborough. Scarborough was in the bathroom when Nunez, who was in the next stall, started harassing him through the glory hole. Scarborough complained to the bartender. As he was being escorted out of the bar, Nunez threatened to “burn you all out.” About thirty minutes later, a fire broke out on the stairwell. Then the buzzer in the bar rang which usually meant a cab had arrived. Luther Boggs, a regular at the lounge, opened the door to the stairwell to be greeted by roaring flames. As the fire spread, panic ensued. Bartender Buddy Rasmussen led about twenty people through a rear fire exit which was not clearly marked. Many dashed for the windows but the windows had burglar bars. A few were skinny enough to squeeze through but the others were doomed. Katherine Kirsch was on her way to buy cigarettes around 7:45pm when she smelled smoke at the corner of Iberville and Chartres. She opened the stairwell, saw the flames and immediately ran to the Midship Bar next door to call the police. Fire trucks arrived about two minutes later. They were met by a grizzly, horrific scene. The lifeless body of Bill Larson, Pastor of the local Metropolitan Community Church, was wedged in the window, his face and right arm protruding stiffly over the street. Buddy Rasmussen saw his boyfriend, Adam Fontenot, knocked off his feet with a blast from a fire hose while he flayed around on fire. George Mitchell escaped the fire but ran back in to rescue his boyfriend, Louis Broussard; their bodies were found intertwined, thereby occupying in death a position they saw often occupied in life. Many of the dead were burned beyond recognition but were ultimately identified through the dental records of local dentist Perry Waters, who also perished in the fire. Thirty men and two women died as a result of the arson. Nunez, who drunkenly confessed to the crime to friends on more than one occasion, committed suicide the following year. Some believe Nunez killed himself because he was so filled with remorse. Initial media reports and the police response to the fire were less than sympathetic. Some family members of the deceased refused to claim the ashes of their “loved” ones. Radio commentators joked the remains should be buried in fruit jars. The States-Item graphically described the aftermath of the fire: “workers stood knee deep in bodies . . . the heat had been so intense, many were cooked together.” On the issue of identifying the victims, Major Henry Morris, a detective with
the New Orleans Police Department said, “We don’t even know these papers belonged to the people we found them on. Some thieves hung out there, and you know this was a queer bar.” At the time, many gay men routinely carried false identification to gay bars in order to avoid being outed in the newspapers in the event they were arrested during a police raid. While the media coverage was cruel and the police response was nonchalant, the religious establishment’s reaction was downright hateful. Church after church after church refused the use of their facilities for a memorial service. Father Bill Richardson (himself believed to be a closeted gay man) of St. George’s Episcopal Church, however, believed the dead should have a service and graciously allowed, over the protest of many parishioners, the use of St. George’s sanctuary for a prayer service on Monday night which was attended by roughly 80 people. He was subsequently chastised by his bishop and received no small amount of hate mail. Days later a Unitarian Church also held a small memorial service. A larger service was held on July 1 at St. Mark’s United Methodist Church on the edge of the French Quarter. Reverend Troy Perry, founder of the Metropolitan Community Church, officiated the service at St. Mark’s along with Methodist Bishop Finis Crutchfield, who would die 14 years later from AIDS. After the service, Reverend Perry pointed out a side entrance for those who wished to avoid the television cameras which waited outside the main entrance. Of the estimated 250 people in attendance, no one took his offer. The Upstairs Lounge arson attracted gay activists from all over the country to New Orleans. Reverend Troy Perry and others criticized the gay
community of New Orleans for its apathetic attitude and general lethargy regarding the gay liberation movement so much in vogue in other American cities at the time. Local bar owners concerned about how all the attention might affect their businesses and prominent gay men who had grown comfortable with their place in the order of things responded by calling Perry and the other activists “carpetbaggers” and “outside agitators.” Despite these objections, the fire motivated a handful of activists to form the Gay People’s Coalition (GPC). The GPC launched a publication, Causeway, and established a Gay Crisis Phone Line. Causeway was edited anonymously by Bill Rushton, then a student at Tulane University, who also edited the Vieux Carre’ Courier. An editorial from the January 1974 edition of Causeway boldly declared, “There are enough gay men and women in N.O. who are able to do anything they wish—be it swinging an election or electing a gay city councilman.” This clarion call, while certainly true, fell on deaf ears. As the embers of the fire cooled, so did the ire of the gay community. In what was to become the dominant pattern of gay activism in New Orleans, the GPC, and Causeway, eventually faded away. Former Baptist minister Mike Stark formed the Gay Services Center, located on Burgundy in the Marigny, in 1974. Initially the group enjoyed a flurry of activity, including the publication of a newsletter, the Closet Door. But the group’s promise was never fulfilled; in a familiar pattern, the newsletter and the group were soon moribund. The Upstairs Lounge fire was a seminal moment in the history of gay New Orleans, the significance of which was even noticed by the arch-conservative Times-Picayune. A month and a half after the fire, the paper published a week-long series of six articles, all written by Joan Treadway, concerning homosexuality, the first of which was titled, “Gay Community Surfaces in Tragedy of N.O. Fire.” The tone of the article is surprisingly objective and Treadway even quotes local gay activists who succinctly summarized the multitude of dilemmas facing gay New Orleanians, namely police harassment, job and housing discrimination, and general societal alienation. In addition to forcing straight New Orleans to acknowledge its gay community, the fire also forced the gay community in New Orleans to confront itself. In this regard, the fire was our Stonewall—a wake-up call that sparked the activism of the 1970s and caused gays and lesbians in New Orleans to mature as a community. Now, 40 years later, our community is planning to commemorate the victims of the fire. The LGBT Commemoration Ceremonies are scheduled for June 24 and are designed to remember this significant event in our history and to afford
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the 32 victims of the fire the dignity and respect they were denied at the time. Commemoration events are as follows. The ceremony begins at 3pm. at the Williams Research Center of the Historic New Orleans Collection (410 Chartres Street). Artist Skylar Fein will give a brief lecture accompanied by a slide show on the fire. Author Clay Delery will discuss the weeks following the fire. Both will be followed by a viewing of the Williams Research Center’s archival material concerning the fire, including the original police report as well as an original manuscript of Johnny Townsend’s 2011 book about the fire entitled Let the Faggots Burn: The UpStairs Lounge Fire. In 2008, The Upstairs Lounge tragedy was memorialized with an art exhibit by Skylar Fein at the Contemporary Arts Center as part of the first annual Prospect 1, a city-wide collection of art exhibits. It was restaged in 2010 in New York by “No Longer Empty.” Fein and Delery's lectures, and the exhibit will be free and open to the public. The Historic New Orleans Collection event will be followed by a Jazz funeral procession from the Williams Research Center to the site of the fire at the corner of Iberville and Chartres Streets. There a solemn reading of the victim’s names will take place. After the ceremony, there will be a second line parade to a cocktail party in the Balcony Bar at Café Lafitte in Exile. The commemoration ceremonies will be capped off at 8pm at Café Istanbul with the New Orleans premiere of Upstairs, a new musical by Wayne Self. Self is an activist playwright and composer whose theatre, music, advocacy, and writings have inspired, educated, and entertained thousands. He is a GLAAD media spokesman and a Huffington Post blogger, whose own website provides a needed platform for thoughtful, compassionate LGBT voices. Upstairs, Self’s third musical, was inspired by his time as a Music Director for a Metropolitan Community Church—a gay-affirming denomination whose New Orleans congregation lost many members to the Upstairs Lounge Fire. Self has an MFA in Musical Theatre Performance with an emphasis in Composition from Notre Dame de Namur University and is a candidate for a MTS from Pacific School of Religion in Berkeley. Tickets to the performance are $35. Proceeds will be donated to benefit the NOLA GLBTQ community. If you would like to be a part of the 40th Anniversary Fire Memorial LGBT Commemoration Ceremony, sponsorships are available at five levels including Presenting $500, Platinum $100, Gold $75, Silver $50, and Bronze $25. Proceeds minus expenses benefits The Historic New Orleans Collection in Memory of the 32 Upstairs Fire Victims. Visit www.NOLAPride.ORG for sponsorship form or information.
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Dee wins 2 auctions: $100 for Cannon Shoe Baskets & $100 for Saints photo
Tommy’s $45 bid takes home The Lovers painting by Goddess
Gold Sponsor Deja Deja-Vue’ & Jim May with Silver Sponsor Michael's On The Park's Mike Cookmeyer
Gold Sponsor Gary Vandeventer & Silver Sponsor David “Roget” Forth Frankie Fierce’s $250 bid takes home Kimberly Cologne Basket
Honorees Easter Grand Marshals XIV Tommy Elias & Starr Daniels
Larry Anderson’s $160 bid takes home Magazine St. Basket Frankie Fierce & Beaux with $450 Grand Purple Basket winner & $210 Bud Grill/Table winner Gene's Po Boys Gene Theriot
Gold Sponsor Stuart Nettles & EGM IX Safonda Peters EGM XIV Starr Daniels’ $60 takes home Porcelain Doll
Joann Guidos’ $50 bid takes home Baby Blue Princess Easter Bonnet
Silver Sponsor NO/AIDS Task Force Director Noel Twilbeck & partner Food For Friends Director Glen Kahrman
Ellen Miller wins 2 auctions: $400 Bourbon Pub’s Absolut Basket & $150 Bourbon Pride Basket
Bill Miller’s $300 bid takes home Imperial Dynasty Faberge’ Egg for Chuck
Trevor Santos’ $280 bid takes home Marilyn Monroe framed collage including the star’s drivers license
Hot hors d’oeurvres servers
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Double Play’s Will Antil & EGM XIV Starr Daniels
EGMs XIV Tommy Elias, VI Lisa Beaumann & VIII Michael Elias
GEP’s 14th Purple Party raises $4,087 for Food For Friends @ Double Play ~ New Orleans ~ Photos by Darwin Reed
Party Hosts Bill Miller & EGM XI Chuck Turner celebrate their 42nd Anniversary
Progressive Drew Brees Autoghraphed Football auction top bidder Bill Miller @ $550 with Frankie & Tony
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EGM IX Safonda Peters $350 bid wins Yellow Duck Basket auction
Coca Mesa’s $50 bid wins Dante’s Masquerade Leather Mask auction Steven Swanson “Gangnam Style”
Michael Rabalais' $300 bid wins Kremlin Faberge’ Egg auction
EGM XIV Starr, Electra, 50/50 Raffle Winner Big Momma who donated $50 back & Tittie Natasha Sinclair Tiffany Alexander
Ellen Miller wins 4 auctions: $275 for French Quarter Stay, $250 for Private Condo Stay, $100 for Gourmet Basket, $70 for Dinner with a Drag Queen-Britnee Alexander
Big Easy Sisters-Sisters of the Muddy Waters premiere group performance EGM IX Safonda Peters
Marty J
snap paparazzi
Lesbian of the Year Misti Ates doing “Skyfall” live VIP Dinner Chef Ron of Chef Ron’s Gumbo Stop Food For Friends Director Glen Kahrman
Tim & Mike’s $200 bid wins Grace Jones Poster & Nise Meyers Jewelry
Coach’s $250 bid wins Dinner with Trevor auction
Britnee Alexander
MCs Electra & Tittie with Progressive Drew Brees Autographed Football auction top bidder Nicholas Moore @ $500
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Liquor auction donor JohnPaul’s Paul & Lesbian of the Year Misti Ates
GEP’s 11th Spring Fever Extravaganza raises $4,097 for Food For Friends @ 4 Seasons ~ Metairie ~ Photos by Darwin Reed
Justin Moffatt & partner EGM XIV Starr Daniels
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ambush
paparazzi
Allways bartender Rusty LaRoux celebrate bar baron Mike’s b-day @ Michael’s
Queen & King Satyricon Aida & Todd with Capt. Tony @ Satyricon’s St. Patty’s Day bash @ Michael’s
Mike grills up t-bones for his birthday bash @ Michael’s On The Park
Bartender John Breaux welcomes you to Rawhide 2010
Cocktail hour with Josh & Jessica @ Golden Lantern
Ninth Circle bartender Errol & Society Page bartender Gregory @ Society Page
Mike with his b-day goodies @ Michael’s On The Park Lisa & Joann welcome you to Kajun’s Pub
Trux welcomes you to Society Page
Cocktails with Drew, Shannon, Lee & Ryan @ Country Club Charlie Bear & Bunny celebrating St. Patrick’s Day @ Lafitte’s
Kajun’s Pub bartender Barry Cutter’s Mac with Leah for 4th Chili Cook-Off benefiting Buzzy’s Boys & Girls @ Cutter’s
Scott, Jeff & Steve behind the bar St. Patrick’s Day @ Lafitte’s
Kristin slingin’ cocktails @ Country Club
Honoree Upstairs Musical Director Wayne Self with author Frank Perez @ Ambush Welcome Meet & Greet
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Buzzy’s Boys & Girls Marty, Steve & Koo in for Cutter’s 4th Chili Cook-Off
Spotlight ~ New Orleans ~ Photos by Rip Naquin, Darwin Reed
Tom behind the bar @ the Phoenix Gay Easter Parade Line-Up Chair Steve Patrick
Wayne Self & Ambush Theatre Critic Brian Sands @ Ambush Welcome Meet & Greet
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moments in gay new orleans history by Frank Perez E-mail: f.perez@sbcglobal.net
“The Gay Lens: Frances Benjamin Johnston and Joseph ‘Pops’ Whitesell” Her name may not ring a bell now but in her day, Frances Benjamin Johnston was one of the nation’s most prominent lesbians and from 1940 to 1952 she lived in the French Quarter. She moved to New Orleans to retire at age 76 but she never really stopped working as a photographer. Born in the Victorian era during the Civil War, Johnston grew up in Washington, DC, before studying art in Paris. Upon returning to the States, she took up photography and blazed a trail in that (then) young field for other lesbian photographers such as Clara Sipprell, Alice Austin, and later, Annie Leibovitz. Johnston quickly became one of the country’s first female photojournalists before opening her own studio to focus on portraiture. In addition to focusing on female nudes, something quite extraordinary for the time, she also began photographing celebrities, politicians and members of Washington society. She photographed five U.S. presidents and Theodore Roosevelt named her the first official White House photographer. She then turned her lens to gardens and estates before embarking on a remarkable project to pictorially document Southern architecture. She also documented the lives of factory workers and African-American students in the South, most notably the Tuskegee Institute in Alabama. The images in your head when you think of Mark Twain or Susan B. Anthony are likely hers, literally. She also took a memorable photograph of famed lesbian, Natalie Clifford Barney, who ran an influential literary salon in Paris for nearly 60 years. Johnston first photographed New Orleans in 1938 and like any photographer would, she fell in love with the city. Always a strong willed independent woman with a disdain for staid traditions and conventional morality, the bohemian vibe of the Quarter appealed to her and in 1940 she rented an apartment at 812 Dauphine Street where she lived five years before renting another apartment at 929 Dumaine Street. Shortly thereafter, she purchased a home at 1132 Bourbon Street. Johnston renovated the place and rented out the second and third floors as well as the slave quarters, while retaining the first floor as her residence and studio / darkroom. She called the place “Arkady.” In 1951, Johnston purchased a second home at 1438 Euterpe Street but remained living in the Quarter. During this time, Johnston traveled a lot to Georgia (she was planning a book on that state’s architecture) and her native Washington, DC, where she helped the Library of Congress orga-
1961, Alan and Susan Jaffe purchased the property in order to open the legendary jazz venue. They soon discovered they had inadvertently inherited a collection of Whitesell’s negatives and equipment, which they eventually donated to Tulane University. Decades later, after Hurricane Katrina, their son Ben discovered that 4,000 more of Whitesell’s negatives had been languishing in a storage unit above the club. In 2008, Julie Rendleman, a graduate student at Southern Illinois University Carbondale whose friend was managing Preservation Hall, learned of the previously lost collection and undertook an extensive restoration project. For those interested in learning more about Pops Whitesell, Rendleman has written an excellent paper entitled, “The Lost Archive of a French Quarter Photographer.” By the time Frances Johnston and
Pops Whitesell became friends, most of the famous writers and artists that created the fabled Bohemian French Quarter of the 1920s had long gone and both figures were in their seventies and eighties. Photographs show Pops and Frances lounging in the courtyard of Johnston’s Bourbon Street home. One can only imagine the conversations these two dynamic and rebellious personalities shared. Undoubtedly they reminisced on their unconventional lives and talked about photography and probably gossiped about Tennessee Williams who had just become famous and surely they discussed their love of their adopted hometown. Perhaps they even discussed the future of photography. Little did they know they were the first in a long line of gay photographers New Orleans would inspire, among them George Dureau and Larry Graham.
a community within communities
by The Rev. Bill Terry, Rector St. Anna’s Episcopal Church Email: fr.bill@stannanola.org
nize the large body of work she had donated to that institution. In her absence from New Orleans, Johnston relied on neighbors and various assistants to oversee the rental properties at Arkady. Johnston spent her time in the Quarter working, drinking, smoking and socializing with friends, most notably longtime Quarter eccentric and fellow photographer Joseph Woodsen “Pops” Whitesell, also known as the St. Peter Street Leprechaun because of his diminutive stature. Born in Indiana in 1876, Whitesell moved to New Orleans in 1918 to work at Hitchler’s Studio. Pops, as he came to be known, quickly became a part of the artist’s colony that coalesced around Lyle Saxon. Among those in that circle were writers Sherwood Anderson, William Faulkner, Sinclair Lewis, and Roark Bradford; the silversmith William Spratling; and the painter Alberta Kinsey. Pops achieved great success as a photographer; his work was exhibited throughout the world and purchased by a host of museums including the Smithsonian Institution. He was awarded the title Master Photographer by the prestigious Professional Photographers Association and he also boasted membership in the Photographic Society of America and Great Britain’s Royal Photographic Society. He also contributed photographs for Art & Physique, a beefcake magazine popular with gay men at the time. In 1921, Whitesell moved into an apartment and opened a studio at 726 St. Peter Street behind what would later become Preservation Hall. In
French Quarter Fest – Oh What a Beautiful City Oh, what a beautiful city Oh, what a beautiful city Oh, what a beautiful city Twelve gates to the city, hallelujah There’s three gates in the East There’s three gates in the West There’s three gates in the North There’s three gates in the South That makes twelve gates to the city, hallelujah And it’s oh, what a beautiful Oh Oh Lord, what a beautiful city Twelve gates to the city, hallelujah The great Negro Spiritual “Oh, what a beautiful city” is about going to a promised land. Sung when humans were held in bondage and dreamt of a new place a gathering place. New Orleans is a gathering place isn’t it? We gather for French Quarter Fest; we gather at watering holes around and about town where we meet and greet our friends; we gather for almost any passing parade or second line: “O, what a beautiful city.” It is really, a beautiful city, as this tome is being written the sky is bright brilliant blue with a nip in the air. No snow, no dirty ice, rather oak trees that are sprouting bright green new life; azaleas and rhododendron flowering, Japanese Magnolia just finishing their blooms, “O what a beautiful city.” French Quarter Fest is the best: food, entertainment, mixing mingling, no covers no minimum, just gathering and singing and dancing in the streets. What a joy! Those that follow this column may be waiting for the shoe to
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drop. Nope not going to happen! Because there is only one place on earth like New Orleans and that my friends IS New Orleans. We are a quirky tribe that ebb and flow with spirit and imagination without migration but in a fixed place. We are villages upon villages stuck between a river, a lake, and a couple of swamps. People say that New Orleans shouldn’t even be allowed to rebuild! They haven’t lived here. Some people say that we are our own ‘Third World’ city in the U.S.A. Perhaps we are. Yet it is from the “Third World” that we enjoy batik, great curries, yams, jazz rhythms, patois that is utterly New Orleans: “Talk-in’ ‘bout, Hey now ! Hey now! I-KO, I-KO, un-day Jock-a-mo fee-no ai na-n?. Jock-a-mo fee na-n?” I say villages because we do live in villages don’t we? The Marigny, Bywater, Tremé, St. Roch, Garden District and the litany of places and cultures go on and on. To be sure anyone resident here must acknowledge that we are indeed villages that speak different languages, eat at different places, dress differently, and hang out in tribal groups. Think of tribal identity for a moment: The Phoenix, Kajun's Pub, Friendly Bar, JohnPaul’s, Cutter's, Oz, Golden Lantern the pink line and more, oh so much more. The city is, if nothing else, vibrant. We love, we create, we destroy, we enjoy, and we weep, we mourn like none other, “Oh what a beautiful city.” For myself I think French Quarter Fest offers the best of New Orleans. The pink line gets a little blurred, people from all of the villages gather without [continued on 21]
a community ...from 20 malice. Food is central, music is central, dancing optional and drinking well….it’s New Orleans. Sounds drift around that are very local, regional, and even international. It’s a gumbo of people and of our very being. It’s when the communities within a community join in an almost tribal gathering. As for the six or seven or more tribes living below Canal St. and yes that includes tribes like The Lord’s of Leather, Bear Trappers, Baby Dolls, Pride, 7th Ward Mardi Gras Indians and so on…. we share at least this in common, it’s New Orleans. Community with its elegant tapestries of grace and variety are the lynchpin of something bigger that is being lost in America today. Community gives us roots that often run deep. New Orleans is unique, I think, in that our roots seem somehow deeper than
Jazz Fest, Cinco de Mayo DEADLINE Fri., April 9th
504.522.8049 marsha@ripandmarsha.com
many urban landscapes that are more corporately nomadic than we are here. Virtue may not be a word normally associated with New Orleans but in this case our community our sense of being is a virtue. Can you imagine any other city in this country that can have a spontaneous Mardi Gras Indian gathering on one block, a gay line dancing contest on the next, and an art market on the next block? If we are ‘a third world’ city then so be it. At least we have the heart and the rhythm to go with that characterization. We are a community – a powerful word indeed. At the heart of my faith tradition is the sense of community. It is the foundation of our faith. So through community we might glimpse even for a moment faith and hope and at least a sense of place in a universe that all too often seems to be nothing but chaos and crime. At least we may have a way to eke out some sense of fellowship and in that fellowship companionship and in that companionship relationship and in relationship – that is where we find the divine. For is not our idea of Trinity a community? Is not the promise of Jesus that “when two or three or more are gathered in my name I will be with you” not a community? “O what a beautiful city...” seek the beauty and shun the evil; seek the community and shun the power of selfishness; be the beautiful city with so many doors that are open to all.
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commentary “Everyone Should be Treated Equally” Post by Delanie Valentine, http:// www.facebook.com/delanie.valentine Well today left we with a mixture of emotions. Seeing so many of my Facebook friends change their profile pictures, witnessing so many students wear red, and reading through many posts that spoke of hope made my heart smile with delight. The people that took these measures were not all homosexual people. In fact, many of them are heterosexual people that just feel everyone should be treated equally. I thank each of you from the bottom of my heart for taking a stand for what you believe in, the right thing… Throughout the day, I checked Facebook to search for any updates from the Human Rights Campaign. During these times, I was faced with an occasional negative remark by some individuals that do not agree with Marriage Equality. The following message is for those people. I am a 28 year old gay man. I come from a very loving family and supportive parents. Being raised in a small town, I grew up hiding the fact that I was gay. I knew I was different since the age of 3. During my upbringing, I spoke to priests, youth counselors, and teachers about my situation. None of the people I spoke to degraded me or looked down upon me. However, I still tried to not be gay… I did not want to be different. I did not want to be made fun of. I did not want to upset my parents. I did not want to grow up hiding who I really was. This was a daily struggle for me. I made it all through high school without ever confessing to any of my friends about my sexuality. During my early college years, I remained a “closeted” gay man. At the age of 22, I had begun making my way through the gay community and gained many friends. Many of them knew I was not out to my family. After hearing some horror stories from them, I was concerned
if I would ever have the courage to admit to my parents about who I really was. Anytime the thought of admitting my secret to them, I thought of the horrible consequences that I could face… Would my parents disown me? Would they laugh at me? Would they be embarrassed of me? Growing up, my goal was to always please my parents; the thought of upsetting them made me sick to my stomach. On a late Sunday night in May of 2007, I was on my way home from Sound Factory. I called my mother to see if she was still awake. She informed me that she was. I told her that I was stopping by her house to visit. She knew that if I was stopping to visit during this time of night, something was not
right. When I pulled up to her house, I made myself a promise that before I walked back to my car, my mother would finally know my secret. Much to my surprise, my mother was not very shocked with the news I had presented to her. Words cannot express the feeling I felt that night… When I arrived at my house, I got in bed and wept like a child. The tears that flowed from my face were tears of gratitude. I was so thankful that God had been by my side through everything in my life. I was thankful that I didn’t have to hide who I was to my mother. But most importantly, I was thankful that my mother accepted me! Approximately 7 months later, I came out to my father. He took the news just as well, if not better than my mother did. I will never forget this day because this was the very first time I felt comfortable telling my father that I love him. The reason I feel that this story is relevant is because it is a simple display of the everyday struggles that some young gay individuals face. I only wish that it would have been okay to tell everyone when I was 3 that I was attracted to the same sex. Please do not use your religion as a crutch to justify your beliefs because if it was so true, the Catholic priest would not have told me that God created me just the way I am. Currently, I am in a fully committed relationship with an amazing man! We are just like any heterosexual couple. We have many dreams to open up our own business, have a family, and be successful. We both work very hard for the things we have. We both come from very loving families that support us. We have a mortgage, car notes, electricity bills, cell phone bills, and every other necessity that all individuals have. However, we are lacking a few things that are granted to married couples. Because same-sex couples are denied the right to marry, same-sex couples and their families are denied access to the more than 1,138 federal rights, protections and responsibilities automatically granted to married heterosexual couples. Among those are: Death: If a couple is not married and one partner dies, the other partner is not entitled to bereavement leave from work, to file wrongful death claims, to draw the Social Security of the deceased partner, or to automatically inherit a shared home, assets, or personal items in the absence of a will. Debts: Unmarried partners do not generally have responsibility for each other’s debt. Divorce: Unmarried couples do not have access to the courts, structure, or guidelines in times of break-up, including rules for how to handle shared property, child support, and alimony, or protecting the weaker party and kids. Family leave: Unmarried couples are often not covered by laws and policies that permit people to take medical leave to care for a sick spouse or for the kids. Health: Unlike spouses, unmarried partners are usually not considered next of kin for the purposes of hospital visitation and emergency medical decisions. In addition, they can’t cover their families on their health plans without paying taxes on the coverage, nor are they eligible for Medicare and Medicaid coverage. Housing: Denied marriage, couples of lesser means are not recognized and thus can be denied or disfavored in their applications for public housing. Immigration: U.S. residency and family unification are not available to an unmarried partner from another country. Inheritance: Unmarried surviving partners do not automatically inherit property should their loved one die without a will, nor do they get legal protection for inheritance rights such as elective share or bypassing the hassles and expenses of probate court. Insurance: Unmarried partners can’t always sign up for joint home and auto insurance. In addition, many employers don’t cover domestic partners or their biological or non-biological children in their health insurance plans. Portability: Unlike marriages, which are honored in all states and countries, domestic partnerships and other alternative mechanisms only exist in a few states and countries, are not given any legal acknowledgment in most, and leave families without the clarity and security of knowing what their legal status and rights will be. Parenting: Unmarried couples are denied the automatic right to joint parenting, joint adoption, joint foster care, and visitation for non-biological parents. In addition, the children of unmarried couples are denied the guarantee of child support and an automatic legal relationship to both parents, and are sometimes sent a wrongheaded but real negative message about their own status and family. Privilege: Unmarried couples are not protected against having to testify against each other in judicial proceedings, and are also usually denied the coverage in crime victims counseling and protection programs afforded married couples. Property: Unmarried couples are excluded from special rules that permit married couples to buy and own property together under favorable terms, rules that protect married couples in their shared homes and rules regarding the distribution of the property in the event of death or divorce. Retirement: In addition to being denied access to shared or spousal benefits through Social Security as well as coverage under Medicare and other programs, unmarried couples are denied withdrawal rights and protective tax treatment given to spouses with regard to IRA’s and other retirement plans. Taxes: Unmarried couples cannot file joint tax returns and are excluded from tax benefits and claims specific to marriage. In addition, they are denied the right to transfer property to one another and pool the family’s resources without adverse tax consequences. I hope that this long post finds some of you questioning why someone wouldn’t support Marriage Equality… I hope that everyone can find it in their hearts to understand the reason to grant the ability to legally marry to same sex couples.
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pensacola
Togas, Skin & More ~ Pensacola, Florida ~ Photos by Lauren Mitchell
paparazzi
24 • The Official Mag: AmbushMag.COM • April 2-15, 2013 • Of fic ial Pride Guide • NOLAPride.ORG
reVIEW...books, movies, cds by Blanche Email: ambushreview@aol.com Photo by Larry Graham, GrahamStudioOne.COM
THE NEXT DAY He was born David Robert Jones on January 8, 1947. This year he gave his fans a gift on his birthday, the single “Where Are We Now?” from the now released THE NEXT DAY album. Yes, David Bowie is back. And unlike many rock legends, his new release is not a greatest hits compilation...” his golden years are overshadowing his golden oldies”. To be fair I must admit I am a huge Bowie fan. I have all the albums, the CDs, the picture disks, the reissues, the books, the magazines...his career is the soundtrack of my life. HUNKY DORY (1971), I graduated from high school, YOUNG AMERICANS (1975), I graduated from the University of Alabama, STATION TO STATION (1976), I moved to New Orleans, HOURS...(1999), I returned to Alabama. I love most music and have way too many CDs, but Bowie was and is Number One. I even used to do him in drag... Bowie has influenced music, fashion and lifestyles over the years. He gave us Ziggy Stardust and the Thin White Duke. He gave us plastic soul with YOUNG AMERICANS and the Berlin trilogy, LOW, HEROES and LODGER. In 2004, Rolling Stone ranked him 39th on their list of the “100 Greatest Artists of All Time”, and 23rd on their list of best singers of all time. THE NEXT DAY is poetic, dramatic, bold, diverse, complex and very much on the edge. It is not totally a rock album, but it is a David Bowie rock album. The album takes you on a journey. I’m not sure if you buy your music on iTunes how you would pick and choose. I don’t think anyone ever loves or understands a Bowie album the first time they listen to it. It takes time and the music grows on you. THE NEXT DAY was recorded in New York City over the last two years. Amazingly, it was recorded in secret. Tony Visconti, long-time Bowie producer and collaborator, said that while they did have to sign papers, most of the people had worked with Bowie over the years and they respected his wishes. THE NEXT DAY shows that Bowie still is a major songwriting and performing talent. His voice is strong and the production values are there. It is a very good album...will it be a Bowie classic? Only time will tell the answer to that question. Will there be a tour? In interviews Visconti says no, Bowie wants to concentrate on his music and perhaps another album. Iman, Bowie’s wife has hinted at visiting him while he’s on the
road. Never say never where David Bowie is concerned. I would guess a short tour, major cities. He’s a great songwriter but he loves to perform. Why waste all this new material? THE NEXT DAY moves and flows, the material reminds you of songs from 1977s HEROES to 2003s REALITY. “The Next Day” is a rocker, Bowie saying I’m back. “Dirty Boys” is dramatic, sleazy and funky. ”The Stars (Are Out Tonight)” is energetic and fun. “Love Is Lost” is tense, with a wonderful beat. “Where Are We Now?” is beautiful. “Valentines Day” is a pop song with a cute chorus. “If You Can See Me” could have been on HEROES. “I’d Rather Be High” is basic rock. “Boss of Me” is rock with lots of bass. “Dancing Out In Space” has great guitar and bass. “How Does The Grass Grow?”, another cut that would fit nicely on HEROES. “(You Will) Set The World On Fire” is very stadium rock, very Tin Machine. ”You Feel So Lonely You Could Die” is a rock anthem, full of drama. “Heat” is dark and reminds you “my father ran the prison”. THE NEXT DAY is breaking records for Bowie...the highest ever chart position in the U.S. at #2. It topped the iTunes chart in 64 countries and was #1 in 12 countries on March 25. A retrospective of the eclectic performers work opened March 23 at London’s Victoria & Albert Museum, celebrating Bowie as a musical innovator and cultural icon. It pre-sold more tickets than any other show at the V&A Museum, selling more than 42,000 tickets ahead of it’s opening. I would naturally recommend THE NEXT DAY to everyone, but I’m a big fan. David Bowie plays a unique style of rock and roll...there isn’t anything out there like this...so you might as well enjoy the best. Footnote #1...The Divine Miss Bette Midler will be on Broadway in “I’ll Eat You Last: A Chat with Sue Mengers” starting April 24 at the Booth Theatre. The one woman show will run for 12 weeks. Sue Mengers was the infamous Hollywood superagent. Footnote #2..the release date for jOBS, the Steve Jobs bio starring Ashton Kutcher, slated for April 19 has been pushed back. No new date has been set.
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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,
26 • The Official Mag: AmbushMag.COM • April 2-15, 2013 • Of fic ial Pride Guide • NOLAPride.ORG
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]
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 AMON-RA, PO Box 7033, Metairie, LA 70010, KreweOfAmonRa.COM KREWE OF ARMEINIUS, PO Box 56638, New Orleans, LA 70156-6638, kreweofarmeinius.org 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 KREWE OF URSUS, kreweofursus@aol.com 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 BEAR AND BEAR TRAPPER SOCIAL CLUB, P.O. Box 57756, New Orleans, LA 70157-7756, 504.452.3564, theneworleansbears.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.AvitaPharmacy.COM.
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under the gaydar by Tony Leggio Email: ledgemgp@gmail.com Photo by: Larry Graham, GrahamStudioOne.COM
Bartender of the Month My next bartender of the month for April is more than just the guy behind the bar at Michael’s On The Park, he is also the owner. Michael Cookmeyer can be found almost every day doing double duty at his fine establishment on N. Rampart Street. Completely renovated, the old Starlight has made a quite a transformation into one of the more popular gay hangouts in the city. And this incredible metamorphosis is due to Michael, his tireless efforts to make his bar a lively and entertaining
Bartender of the Month Michael Cookmeyer Michael's On The Park 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. 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
place has shown. As a bartender, Michael is excellent; he knows his clientele and makes sure they are well taken care of. My favorite libation of his is the “Lunch Pail” which is a wickedly delicious cocktail that goes down so smoothly, it is sinful. His attention to each customer and their needs pays off in a huge way. His bar and a few other places similar to his, is what is revamping Rampart Street. This once illustrious thoroughfare had over the years gone down a let’s say less traveled pathway, but trailblazers like Michael and other businesses are the key to its revitalization. Mike has acquired over his years as a bartender in other establishments loyal customers who now help him create the warm and inviting atmosphere that is Michael’s On The Park today. Another reason why this young man should be recognized is his commitment to the gay community. His bar has welcomed all the gay carnival krewes with open arms. He has gone the extra mile for the organizations, and as a captain of one of the
restaurants New Orleans, LA [504] Clover Grill, 900 Bourbon St., 598.1010, CloverGrill.COM Country Club Restaurant, 634 Louisa St., TheCountryClubNewOrleans.COM, 945.0742 Deanie's Seafood, French Quarter: 841 Iberville, 581.4141; Bucktown: 1713 Lake Ave., Metairie, 831.1316; Deanies.COM Fatoush Mediterranean Grill, Coffee House & Juice Bar, 2372 St. Claude Ave., #130, FatoushRestaurantNOLA.COM, 504.371.5074 Krystal, 116 Bourbon at Canal, 523.4030 Lil Vic's Rosticceria, 719 Toulouse, 304.1238 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
krewes, it is acknowledged and appreciated. In addition to the krewe, Michael does so much to help the other gay and gay-friendly groups, such as the NO/ AIDS Task Force and Food For Friends. Recently his bar hosted the pre-Gay Easter Parade party. Knowing that many people in the gay community are alone during the holidays, he does a lovely spread of food for all occasions. He has also helped many of the entertainers in the city. Drag is definitely alive and well at Michael’s On The Park, your Rampart Street Show Bar. Princesse Stephaney, Bootsie DeVille, Klorocks Bleachman and ReginaAdams are just some of the performers who host shows at Michael’s. The décor has also changed now giving a fresh lounge feel to the place and the new stage build out is amazing. So next time you are in the mood for a good drink, great entertainment and wonderful company, stop by and see Michael. Michael’s On The Park is located at 834 North Rampart Street.
Become a Patron The Krewe of Petronius is having their Patron Party on Friday, April 5th from 8 to 10pm at their brand new den. The krewe has purchased a new building that once was an old church right off of Elysian Fields that will become their new event space. They plan on doing some exciting things with the space with the first being this party. Petronius is the oldest gay carnival krewe in the city and has fundraisers throughout the year to help pay for their ball. When you become a patron, this entitles you to tickets to all their events during the year, as well as a seat at the Captain’s table. The den is located at 1701 Frenchman Street. For more information, call 713.444.8572.
SECOND SKIN LEATHER, 521 St. Philip, 561.8167
spas New Orleans, LA [504] CLUB NEW ORLEANS, 515 Toulouse, 581.2402, www.the-clubs.com PLANET BEACH, A Contempo Spa, 301 Burgundy St., 525.8266, PlanetBeach.COM
theatres New Orleans, LA [504] ALLWAYS LOUNGE & THEATRE, 2240 St Claude Ave., TheAllwaysLounge.NET 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
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Glitter It Up! It is time for everyone to Glitter and Be Gay! The Krewe of Armeinius is once again hosting their annual fundraiser that celebrates their fabulosity of Gay Mardi Gras. Glitter and Be Gay will take place on Saturday April 6th from 7-10pm. This glamorous soiree will be held at the Freddie Guess Studio located at 910 Royal Street. This is one event where the bling is blinding. Tickets are $25. For more information, go to www.kreweofarmeinius.org.
Satyricon Rush The Mystic Krewe of Satyricon is hosting its Rush Party on Sunday, April 7th at the Golden Lantern. This is the opportunity to meet the krewe and become a more interactive part of Gay Mardi Gras. There will be crawfish, cocktails and fun beginning at 2pm, so check come out Satyricon. There is a first time new member special as well as our junior membership category for those under 25. For more information, call 504.252.5476. The Golden Lantern is located at 1239 Royal Street.
Taste A Good Pair The reigning Miss Louisiana Leatherette is hosting a philanthropic event with a titillating title. The lovely Countess C. Alice is presenting “Taste A Good Pair” on Saturday, April 20th from 7-10pm at 604 Julia Street. This wine and cheese pairing (now what did you think I was talking about earlier?) will be a delectable evening of superior wines and savory cheeses and desserts. All the proceeds for this fundraising event will benefit Forum For Equality which is working very hard to make gay marriage a reality in all of the United States. Tickets are $10. For more information, call 504.701.0631.
New Orleans’ Puppet Festival Expands To Two Weekends As a child, I was always fascinated by puppets. Growing up, I realized what an intricate and interesting art form puppetry was. Also I have been friends with the wonderfully talented Harry Mayronne for years who has created the iconic marionette Miss Viola. He has branched out and now is a manipulator (a person who controls the marionette) for many more personalities. Be prepared to see the new Becky Allen puppet. That is why I am so excited about this festival now in its sophomore year. Following the enormous success of New Orleans’ first-ever Puppet Festival last year, the Marigny Opera House and the Mudlark Public Theatre will present this year’s festival over two weekends April 25 – 28 and May 2 – 5. [continued on 29]
under the gaydar ...from 28 Seven puppet troupes will present kidfriendly performances at the Marigny Opera House, and four will present late-night, adult-only shows at the Mudlark Public Theatre. Below is a listing of the events: Performances at the Marigny Opera House: April 25th-28th • Puppetkabob: “Lady Arachne and her Web of Marionettes” • Skookum Heebee Tumtum Productions: “The Pearl Assembly” • Complicated Horse Emergency Research: “Greech Fronge’s Chamber of Insipid Nightmares” May 2nd-5th • Harry Mayronne: “Harry’s New Orleans High-Strung Puppet Cabaret” • Toybox Theatre and Cripps Puppets: “Billy the Liar and the Werewolves on the Moon” • Calliope Puppets: “When Night Dreams • The Mudlark Puppeteers: “The Monkey King Performances at the Mudlark Public Theatre (Adults Only) April 26th-27th • Harry Mayronne: “The Cabaret Antics of New Orleans’ own Miss Viola” • The Mudlark Puppeteers: “The Devil’s Mansion” Music and Dancing by Bon-Bon Pantalons May 3rd-4th • Complicated Horse Emergency Research: “Kensington Turdlington and His Permanent Diaper, Vol. 17” • Toybox Theatre and Cripps Puppets: “A View from the Wham Bam Puppet Slam” Music and Magic of Lax Laze Puppetry And on May 5th, doors are at 6pm, and performance at 6:30 for a special screening of the latest animated feature by local favorites Miss Pussycat and Qunitron; “The Mystery in Old Bathbath.” That screening will be held at The Marigny Opera House at 9pm sharp. Tickets for Marigny Opera House Performances are $20; $10 for students and seniors. They are also available online at
Marionette Trio by Harry Mayronne
www.marignyoperahouse.org, or at the door. All shows begin at 7pm, doors open at 6:30pm. Tickets for Mudlark Public Theatre Performances are $20; $10 for students and seniors. All shows begin at 10pm. There are no advance sales, general admission only. Doors open at 9:30pm. Info: www.marignyoperahouse.org or dave@marignyoperahouse.org.
Party Down Welcome to Spring; that amazing time of the year when the weather is perfect, not too cold or unbearably humid. It is also the time when your social calendar fills up to the point of breaking. My last two weeks was a prime example of this. On Tuesday, ACCENT on Arrangements, my new company hosted a gathering of our vendors at the newly renovated Civic Theatre. I guarantee this will be the hottest new venue in the city over the next year. It is architecturally stunning. The space, the atmosphere and the history are unparalleled. When you walk in, you feel like you are traveling back in time to a more romantic and grand era. I highly recommend checking this place out that will not only have musical and theatrical entertainment but serve as a private event space. Our party that evening was a St. Patrick’s Day theme with great nibbles, flowing libations and interactive fun. It was a good crowd and a perfect way to kick off the holiday week. On Wednesday, I went with my friend Tammy and some other ladies to see “Spank” The 50 Shade Parody at Harrah’s. I am not sure if you had to have read the book to fully appreciate the show, but it was entertaining all the same. Although I was one of only half a dozen men in the packed theatre, the crowd was lively. This play knows its target audience. There was more screaming than at a Chippendale’s show without the dancers. There was at least the lead guy who stripped down a few times during the show to keep me interested. Who knew a person could make a fortune on being sexually repressed? I did another theatrical outing on Friday, when I attended the opening night of “Kiki Le Bon Bon’s Cabaret Risque” at Mid-City Theatre sponsored by the Mystic Krewe of Satyricon. Running With Scissors once again outdid themselves with this show that was a mixture of Burlesque, comedy and musical entertainment. There was also a bubbly crowd of cute young men that added to the flavor of the night. Afterwards my friends Beaux and Barrett joined me on a jaunt out in the French Quarter to procure some boys to be a part of my Bunnies in the Big Easy event on Good Friday. What a great way to spend a night, seeing theatre and locating hot party boys. Note to all, finding hot self-absorbed gay men is easy, getting them to do something for
charity not so much. I know have a new skill set for my resume. Irish eyes were smiling on Saturday when the St. Patrick’s Day weekend festivities began. Beaux, Barrett, Michelle, Aynsley, Caroline, Valerie, Erin and many of my other friends joined me as we partied at Contessa Breaux’s mansion on St. Charles for the Uptown parade. There was jello shot syringes for all the boys marching on the route. Talk about a Southern Belle’s dream, this was an incredible afternoon of men, cocktails and cabbage. Then after the parade we did a drive by Dr. Marc Behar’s house on Jackson for his green themed event. As always he did an outstanding job and the beautiful Gigi catered it exquisitely. Then after a little sobering up, Beaux, Barret and I traveled to Metairie to see the Gay Easter Parade’s Spring Fever Extravaganza at 4 Seasons hosted by Tittie Toulouse and Electra City. This was a wonderful night that raised lots of funds for Food For Friends. On Sunday, it was a bittersweet day of celebration. I started with the celebration of life ceremony for Ty Johnson at the Healing Center. It was a sad goodbye but a wonderful affirmation of a life well lived. That evening I went to the Satyricon Queen Aida Cockswell St. Patrick’s Day post parade party at Michael’s On The Park. The fabulous Todd Thunder hosted the event which was an awesome way to enjoy the holiday. There were lots of prizes and raffles and great performances in the drag show. The next week, I started Monday out by seeing the play about St. Francis Seelos at Our Lady of Guadalupe Church on Rampart Street. I have to say the church was the impeccable setting for this play which was beautifully acted by Casey Grooves. Later that week, I handled a subject that I know best, vodka. I did a vodka unveiling to the Louisiana market at Dijon. It was the first in a series of these events. I hope my liver can handle them. On Friday, I was ecstatic because the delightful Albert Carey asked me to perform in the play Auto Da Fe’ for the Tennessee Williams Festival. I jumped at the chance to wear my Mardi Gras costume again. Not to mention, it was a cohesive collaboration of the krewes of Armeinius and Satyricon to make this show a hit. It is individuals like Albert who make Gay Mardi Gras thrive. Later that evening I attended a small cocktail reception at the Ambush Mansion for Playwright Wayne Self, who is presenting Upstairs, a musical about the Upstairs Fire in New Orleans. His play is part of the 40th Anniversary Upstairs Lounge Fire Memorial Weekend which Ambush is sponsoring. The play will be presented at Cafe Istanbul. The following day, I went to the Gay Easter Parade’s most well-known event, The Purple Party. This is the party that gets everyone ready for the
following week. It is a festive celebration of the gay community all decorated in my favorite color of purple. Oprah would be so proud. It was also owners Chuck and Bill’s 42nd anniversary. Afterwards, I went to the Young at Art event sponsored by the NO/AIDS Task Force at the Green Project. It was a bohemian mix of fun. The music was one of the main focuses as was the art. I ended my night partying with Frankie Fierce and Dusty Debris at Oz. Quite the full evening. I ended my week on Sunday with by once again having a cameo appearance in the final performance of Tennessee Williams’ play Auto Da Fe at the exquisite Herman Grima House. Everything gelled as this theatrical experience unfolded in one of the best locations in the Quarter for an outdoor play. That was my two weeks of merriment. But this is just the tip of the iceberg as we head into festival season, so get ready to have a flawless Spring.
Tony’s Tidbits of Gay Wisdom Living in New Orleans we are blessed to be surrounded by culture, breathtaking architecture and talented artists. I have always embraced this city and its welcoming atmosphere for creative individuals. We are also a city that likes to play dress up year round, not just on holidays like Mardi Gras and Halloween. It is no surprise that costumers are very popular here. We also have a huge theatre community, so those skills are even more valuable. In my life, I consider myself lucky to know many of these people personally as well as work with them on certain events. Recently, our city and community said goodbye to two very loving and talented people in this industry who I knew, admired and worked with. David “Ty” Johnson passed away on March 6, 2013. Ty was an accomplished costume designer and owner of his clothing design store Okereda which was named after his mother. Ty was business and life partners with Carl Mack and helped create over 1,000 costumes for Carl Mack Presents. He was also involved in Gay Mardi Gras as not only a member of the Mystic Krewe of Satyricon making many costumes, but he was also Queen Satyricon VIII. There was a lovely celebration of his life on March 17 at the Healing Center. Charlotte Lang passed away on March 21, 2013. Lang was a singer, actress and an award winning costume designer. She did double duty in many local theatrical productions both on the stage and behind the scenes making the costumes. I had the pleasure of being in a show a very long time ago with her when I was in college and have seen her in many shows. She had a definite stage presence and her flair for costumes was inspiring. She even won the 2012 Big Easy Award for Costume Design posthumously this past week. My thoughts and prayers are with the family and friends of Charlotte and Ty. Their presence helped dress up our community and city making it a brighter and more flamboyant place. If you have something you want covered, contact me at ledgemgp@gmail.com.
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trodding the boards
Pterodactyls, I'll gladly make the trip out to Slidell. And you should too.
Broadway@NOCCA through June 1 by Brian Sands
Email: bsnola2@hotmail.com
Sweeney Todd at Cutting Edge Theater The prospect of seeing Sweeney Todd in an actual tonsorial parlor was a delectable one. But upon arriving at the Attractions Salon in Slidell, home to the Cutting Edge Theater, and reading that Sweeney was not only the director's partner, but that it was his first stage performance and that two of the featured roles would be played by sons of the actress playing Mrs. Lovett, my companion and I looked at each other and rolled our eyes. Well, now we know how Simon Cowell felt after Susan Boyle first performed. Because, while this Sweeney did have some vocal shortcomings, it was one of the most powerful, compelling productions of the Sondheim classic that I've seen. Director Brian Fontenot was clearly influenced by the 2005 John Doyle revival on Broadway. But he eschewed its more abstract aspects (buckets of blood, a small symbolic coffin) and instead delivered an almost expressionistic version of this musical thriller. A platform and some wooden slats were all that were needed to define the various playing spaces. Fontenot's lighting, using a palette of soft, almost carnivalesque colors until the conclusions blood red—served effectively as punctuation to underscore the lyrics. Fontenot's funhouse of horrors began with a fine atmospheric opening set in a mental institution and continued with images of debasing self-flagellation, merry cannibalism, and a Grand Guignol finale. But this was not merely for shock value. Fontenot had his cast bring out some of the more emotionally-laden lines that too often have been rushed in previous productions. The result both gripped your heart and chilled your blood as the tragedy unfolded. One can overlook a Sweeney who doesn't have the smoothest voice. But you can still expect him to hit all the right notes and in this Richard Fuentes fell far short. But he made up for it with a monomaniacal presence like that of a long pent-up feral animal finally let out of his cage. The result was an Epiphany more earthy, menacing and demonic than any I can recall, his missed notes reflecting an inharmonic soul and adding to the song's intensity. Though clearly in debt to Michael Cerveris' performance (his pauses in A Little Priest were virtually identical in length to those on the revival's cast album), Fuentes gave us an almost
Richard Fuentes & Sara Pagones in Sweeney Todd post-apocalyptic zombie interpretation of Sweeney, something I'll not soon forget. Likewise, Sara Pagones' Mrs. Lovett was influenced by Patti LuPone's and, though she doesn't quite have LuPone's voice (who does?), she brought out fully the inherently canny, bourgeois-aspiring, thwarted-romanticism aspects of the role. Ironically, the two supporting characters that usually seem like mere plot devices to me were here given superlative interpretations. With his plangent bass-baritone, the superb Robert Jahncke was able to elicit some sympathy for Judge Turpin's twisted lust over which he seems to have no control. Deborah Jack, appearing as though she stepped out of a Pre-Raphaelite painting, not only sang exquisitely but made every lyric understandable something that cannot be said of others who have played the desperate, unhinged Beggar Woman. Like Fuentes, Samantha Barnes missed some musical notes but her girlish Johanna hit the right emotional ones; that her self-infatuation prevented her from falling immediately in love with the Sailor Anthony was a nice touch. And under Angel Carter's consummate musical direction, Barnes' fine fluteplaying deftly added to the overall sound that included two synthesizers, one played expertly by Kyle C. Bolme who also found just the right balance for his Tobias as described in the lyric AI may not be smart, but I'm not dumb. Michael Pagones as the innocent Anthony; James Pagones as the wouldbe blackmailing barber Pirelli; and Justin SpicyFox Lapeyrouse as the imperious Beadle Bamford, all made notable contributions to the show's success. Cutting Edge is understandably trying to appeal to a wide audience with such popular upcoming productions as Sordid Lives (April 12-27) and Godspell (Aug. 30-Sept. 14). But when it lives up to its name with challenging ones, like Sweeney Todd and 2009’s
Broadway@NOCCA continued on March 2 when two-time Tony Award winner Sutton Foster came to New Orleans for a cabaret/interview with the inimitable Seth Rudetsky. Unlike the larger-than-life Patti LuPone who kicked off the series in January, Foster is as down-to-earth as can be. I mean, what other Broadway diva refers to herself again and again as a Aspaz? Then again, she did break her wrist during the tech rehearsal for The Drowsy Chaperone in Los Angeles. But in true show-must-go-on fashion, she managed to do cartwheels with one hand! Interspersed amidst eight songs, Foster told of growing up in Georgia and loving bingo, bridge and crocheting. As a ten-year-old, she was given to singing opera in the shower and, on a whim, auditioned for the Augusta Community Theater; she got the lead in Annie. At Seth's polite command ("Sing it, please."), she launched into Tomorrow and belted it to the theater's last row. At 17, she auditioned, first in Detroit and then on the stage of the Palace Theater in New York, for the chorus of The Will Rogers Follies tour. Again, she was chosen and I still have the Playbill to prove it from when the show came to the Saenger! Following The WR Follies, she went to Carnegie Mellon but dropped out after a year and went back to her family in Memphis where she waited tables...until she got the National Tour of a revival of Grease which eventually brought her to Broadway as Sandy. This led to a duet with Seth on Summer Nights with the audience singing the choruses. Cute. Foster continued winning roles in such shows as The Scarlet Pimpernel, the 20th anniversary revival of Annie and Les Miserables (giving us a fabulous, touching rendition of On My Own), until her breakout performance in Thoroughly Modern Millie garnered her above-the-title recognition and her first Tony. Yet in a very sweet and modest way, she affirmed that she "would go back to the chorus now for a special project." Despite Seth's incredulity, she seemed to mean it. Coming up to the present, Foster sang three numbers from her 2011 Tony-winning turn as Reno Sweeney in Anything Goes, You're the Top, I Get A Kick Out of You and the title tune. Interestingly, in these as well as The Girl is Me from Chess, her voice has an underlying steely quality which adds a layer of firm determination to her allAmerican persona. Having appeared in ten Broadway shows, Foster is now starring in the
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warmly received Bunheads on TV where she said the pace is different [than theater and you] have no clue how a scene goes. Despite Bunheads' success, I suspect Foster, who proves you can be a diva and a really nice person, will be back on Broadway before too long. In the meanwhile, Megan Mullally, the two time Emmy winning star of Will & Grace, will be making her New Orleans debut on April 6, with two shows at 7:30 and 9:30pm. She will also attend a special Meet and Greet reception afterwards that will benefit The NOCCA Institute. Mullally, best known for the iconic role of Karen Walker, made her Broadway debut in the 1994 revival of Grease with Rosie O’Donnell and subsequently appeared as Rosemary in the hit 1995 revival of How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying opposite Matthew Broderick. In 2007, Mullally starred as Elizabeth in Mel Brooks’ original Broadway musical, Young Frankenstein with Foster as her costar. I asked Mullally what she’s looking forward to most about coming to New Orleans and she replied, "Riding around topless on Seth’s shoulders throwing beads to the assembled masses." It's gonna be that kind of a show. Broadway @ NOCCA next features Audra McDonald, the five time Tony Award winner and recent star of Porgy and Bess on Broadway and TV's Private Practice, making her New Orleans debut on May 18. The series' season closes on June 1 with Betty Buckley, the Tony-winning legendary star of Cats and Sunset Boulevard. Tickets for all remaining concerts can be purchased at www.broadwaynola.com or by calling 800.838.3006.
Louisiana Philharmonic Orchestra thru May 17 Bernadette Peters decided to give New Orleans a present for her 65th birthday by appearing in concert with the Louisiana Philharmonic Orchestra. Or was she trying to forget all about it as she asked for no official acknowledgment and when a fan cried "Happy Birthday" from the audience, she smiled and moved right along? In any case, Peters simply doesn't seem to age. Still looking like a Kewpie doll with curls, her voice has taken on a uniquely rum and honey-soaked expressivity that can be both knowing and aching. One of the premier interpreters of Sondheim, Peters appeared in a sparkly lavender dress and started off coyly with Gypsy's Let Me Entertain You. She continued with an incisive interpretation of No One Is Alone from Into the Woods and if the tempo dragged a bit, the accompaniment by Musical Direc[continued on 32]
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trodding the boards ...from 30
Birthdays, St. Patrick’s Day, Nightlife ~ Mobile, Alabama ~ Photos by Miss Cie & John, Leon Weekley
Happy Birthday Jana!
Happy Birthday Colton!
King Stevie & Tommy Boy...
Miss Cie & Eric The GaGa of the Coast Taylor Heart @ B-Bob’s
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Boogie Nights...
Congrats John Ross on your new job!!
Brenda, Leon & Wendy all in green for St. Patrick’s Day @ B-Bob’s
From Drag Race CoCo Montrese @ B-Bob’s
Just...Beautiful! Happy Birthday Jacob! Hostess Jawakatema Davenport is Gone With The Wind fabulous
Hello Jerry &d Miss Venus...
Montgomery visiting Mobile
Melvin & Erick having a blast @ B-Bob’s
32 • The Official Mag: AmbushMag.COM • April 2-15, 2013 • Of fic ial Pride Guide • NOLAPride.ORG
tor Marvin Laird (piano) and Jonathan Gerhardt (cello) was sublime. After a slight fumble with the lyrics at the start, South Pacifics There Is Nothing Like a Dame came out brassy the way it should be. A sultry Fever followed along with a winsome (When I Marry) Mister Snow from Carousel, and Some Enchanted Evening, also from South Pacific, was simply beautiful. Two songs from last year's revival of Follies, a yearning In Buddy's Eyes and Losing My Mind, underplayed and heartbreaking, were better and more moving than when I saw Peters do them on Broadway. Continuing with Sondheim, Johanna from Sweeney Todd was plaintive yet powerful and Send in the Clowns was almost treated like a monolog with an intelligence she brought to all her numbers. I'm not sure we needed When You Wish Upon a Star, but You Could Drive a Person Crazy from Company was fun and effervescent. And Peters really let go for her finale, Being Alive also from Company. Throughout she made difficult melodies and tongues-twisting lyrics seem easy. The LPO was excellent as always; among others, trumpeter Vance Woolf stood out. Yet, while the evening was a musical triumph, overall something was lacking. Peters needs better dialog; jokes about selling her home in Florida fell flat but she kept dishing 'em out anyway. Laird began the evening by leading the LPO in classic overtures from three of the shows he's done with Peters on Broadway (a nice and crisp Annie Get Your Gun; Follies, all haunting melancholy; Gypsy, bold and brash), no problem with that. But he's not as witty as he thinks he is and the introductions to each were too slick for my taste. And a 20 minute intermission after only a half hour of music was just strange. I hate to sound nitpicky, but I can't entirely disagree with a comment I overheard as I was exiting from Sutton Foster's show a few days later, that she was much better than Bernadette. The LPO returns to classical music on April 6 at the Mahalia Jackson Theater with Carlos Miguel Prieto conducting Shostakovich's Symphony No. 9, Shchedrin's Concerto for Orchestra No. 1 and Schnittke's Viola Concerto with Roberto Díaz. The season continues on April 19 at the First Baptist Church in Kenner with PDQ Bach's “Howdy” Symphony, Vivaldi's Bassoon Concerto (featuring the LPO's Matthew McDonald), Dead Elvis by Daugherty and Haydn's “Farewell” Symphony. "French Masters" Ravel, SaintSaens and Faure will headline the May 9 concert at the First Baptist Church of New Orleans which will be repeated the next day at the First Baptist Church, Covington. The season concludes on May 16 and 17 with Music Director Prieto leading mezzosoprano Marietta Simpson and the Symphony Chorus of New Orleans in Mahler's Symphony No. 3 also at the First Baptist Church of New Orleans. It's a great way to end the LPO's season!
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Society Page’s Orlando & Edward @ Cutter’s 8th Anniversary
Pinkeee & Rene @ Rainbow Room
Partners Ron Allo & Michael Rabalais @ 14th Purple Party
Wayne welcomes you to Golden Lantern
(front) Sheaman, Dee, Tim with (back) Don, Tim & Monalot celebrating St. Patty’s Day
Little Vic @ Lil Vic’s
Bar Baron Michael Elias & Armeinius’ Albert Carey @ Corner Pocket New Meat Night
GEP Silver Sponsor & Oz Sunday show director Coca Mesa @ 14th Purple Party
Bar Baron Dennis Monn joins Dwight @ Allways Lounge & Theatre Angie on the pole @ Rainbow Room GEP Silver Sponsor Frankie Fierce & King Cake Queen XX Dusty Debris @ 14th Purple Party
Lee, Beaux, Barrett & Reneat @ Corner Pocket New Meat Night
Miss Gay Louisiana USofA Classic Nicole DuBois & Miss Gay Louisiana America Dex Poindexter @ Splash in Baton Rouge
The Renegade Bears of Louisiana @ Cutter’s 8th Anniversary
Bartender Chris @ Le Roundup
Chi Chi in the Oz Daiquiri Bar
Corynne Synclaire Deville celebrates Jake Morris’ Blue Ball Birthday @ Good Friends
Debbie SnatchCake, Kookie Baker & Marsha Naquin-Delain @ Oz
Celebrating Jake’s Blue Ball Birthday raising $800 for NOCCA @ Good Friends
GEP Silver Sponsor Al & Dwain @ Platinum Sponsor Oz
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Nightlife ~ New Orleans, Baton Rouge ~ Photos by Tony Leggio, Paul Melancon, Darwin Reed, Arthur Severio
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36 • The Official Mag: AmbushMag.COM • April 2-15, 2013 • Of fic ial Pride Guide • NOLAPride.ORG