Ambush magazine volume 31 issue 09

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the "official" dish

by Rip & Marsha Naquin-Delain Email: marsha@ripandmarsha.com

Upstairs Lounge Fire Headliner Spectacular May 18 @ Oz Benefiting 40th Memorial Ceremony Ambush Mag is proud to host the ULF Headliner Spectacular on Saturday, May 18th, 8-10pm, at Oz New Orleans. Door donation is $10. Benefiting the Upstairs Lounge Fire LGBT Commemoration Ceremony on the 40th anniversary of the horrific event, June 24th, proceeds minus expenses will be donated to The Historic New Orleans Collection in memory of the 32 victims.

For the first time together as emcees, Mother and Daughter Blanche and King Cake Queen Dusty Debris will do the honors for the Spectacular.

Headliners from every walk of the LGBT community were carefully chosen in an effort for this benefit to be totally inclusive. The exciting lineup donating their talents and tips includes The Big Easy Sisters: The Sisters of the Muddy Waters, Regina Adams (partner of ULF victim Reginald Eugene Adams, Jr.), Entertainer of the Year Monique Michaels, Miss Gay New Orleans America Monica SynclaireKennedy, Miss Splash America Aubrey Synclaire, Miss Louisiana Leatherette Countess C. Alice, Miss Golden Lantern Gia GiaVanni, Lesbian of the Year Misti Ates, Easter Grand Marshal Starr Daniels, Amon-Ra Prom Queen Athena Jewelle, and Slidell's Queen of Comedy Big Momma Lavouge.

A giant basket worth over $1,000 in prizes and liquor including an Ambush full page color ad will be up for auction. For more information, visit www.NOLAPride.ORG. The LGBT Commemoration Ceremonies are scheduled for June 24 and are designed to remember this significant event in our history and to afford 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

inside

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 at 4:15pm from the Williams Research Center to the site of the fire at the corner of Iberville and Chartres Streets. There at 4:30pm a special blessing by clergy, and a solemn reading of the victim’s names by Lesbian of the Year Misti Ates will take place. After the ceremony, there will be a second line parade (4:45pm) to a cocktail party in The Balcony upstairs at Café Lafitte in Exile.

The commemoration ceremonies will be capped off at 8pm at Café

Memorial Day Weekend issue out May 14 DEADLINE: Tues., May 7

a community within communities celebration/richard thomson moments in gay new orleans history under the gaydar celebrazzi snap paparazzi/new orleans snap paparazzi/new orleans 40th upstairs fire memorial wknd. memorial day weekend/pensacola

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Gulf South Entertainment/Travel Guide Since 1982 828-A Bourbon St. • New Orleans, LA 70116-3137 • 504.522.8049 marsha@ripandmarsha.com

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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 LGBTQ community.

Final Jazz Fest Weekend May 2-5 The final weekend of New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Festival runs Thursday-Sunday, May 2-5. at at the historic Fair Grounds Race Course. Top names representing nearly every genre of popular music come to the Crescent City for the final 4-day weekend including country to gospel to blues to zydeco to R&B to good old rock and roll, and jazz.

You can still catch big names like Fleetwood Mac, Frank Ocean, Willie Nelson & Family, Maroon 5, Aaron Neville, and Trombone Shorty & Orleans Avenue. The complete lineup is available at www.nojazzfest.com. In addition to all of the fantastic music, here are some other choice offerings at this year’s JazzFest.

Painters, sculptors, jewelry designers, basket weavers and many more skilled craftspeople have their handiworks on display and for sale during each day of JazzFest. The number of regionally and nationally acclaimed artists has now grown to more than 300, concentrated in four distinct event venues.

At Congo Square you can experience music and art from Africa and the African Diaspora. The Congo Square stage features performances by African, African-American, African-Caribbean and Latino musicians. Shop at Congo Square African Marketplace for original paintings, sculpture, clothing, jewelry, musical instruments, and an array of handcrafted artworks.

Contemporary Crafts is a nationally recognized showcase of alluring handcrafted clothing, beautiful leather goods and hand-blown glass, along with a brilliant array of paintings, photographs, sculptures and irresistible jewelry.

In the Louisiana Marketplace, the state’s finest traditional and contempo-

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

rary artists display and sell hand-colored photographs, pine needle baskets, whimsical jewelry, and other creations that evoke the state’s unique cultural history.

The official JazzFest poster for 2013 features Aaron Neville, one of the most recognizable singers in the world today and a product of New Orleans’ storied musical tradition. As a solo singer and together with his brothers in The Neville Brothers, Aaron Neville has sold millions of records and toured the world, entertaining audiences with a soulful falsetto voice that only he can produce. The poster’s title, appropriately, is “Heart Song.”

The artist for the 2013 JazzFest poster is James Michalopoulos, a New [continued on 6]

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the "official" dish ...from 4 Orleans-based painter whose style is as recognizable as Aaron Neville’s voice.

With five previous JazzFest posters to his credit, Michalopoulos is well-known for his exuberant, colorful and richly textured paintings that celebrate the spirit of New Orleans and other favorite locales through architecture, people, and landscapes, among other inspirations, Nowhere else will you find such matchless cuisine as is found at JazzFest. The Food Fair offers classic New Orleans staples and over time has expanded to include Creole and Cajun offerings as well as international cuisine. You’ll find everything from appetizers to yummy desserts: whatever your tastes happen to be.

In addition to the dozens of fine foods offered, there are two cooking stages at the Fair Grounds Grandstand demonstrating the rich culinary history of New Orleans and offering samples of signature dishes featuring local ingredients from celebrated chefs, farmers, fishermen, and home cooks.

The Fair Grounds Race Course is located at 1731 Gentilly Boulevard, just minutes from downtown and the French Quarter. However, the immediate area around the site will be barricaded and

off-limits to most vehicular traffic. Convenient bus service on the Esplanade route will take festival-goers to within walking distance of the festival gates, as will shuttle bus service from various park-and-ride lots and other convenient pick-up points around the city.

For a scenic route to the festival you can take the Canal Street Streetcar line, transfer to the North Carrollton Avenue branch and take it to the end at City Park. From there the festival is about a half-mile walk down Esplanade Avenue. Follow the crowd and you can’t miss it.

Tickets are $50 Adult (Advance), $65 Adult (Gate), $5 Child (Age 2-10 at Gate), To order tickets or receive more information on JazzFest 2013 visit their website at www.nojazzfest.com.

Billy's Celebrates 20th Anniversary May 4 & 5 Billy's Lounge will celebrate its 20th Anniversary: A Spectacular Weekend on Saturday and Sunday, May 4th and 5th in Slidell hosted by club proprietors Chuck Turner and Bill Miller.

The 20th Anniversary Show on Saturday at 10:30pm features Slidell's Queen of Comedy Big Momma Lavouge with guests special Klorocks Bleachman, Princesse Stephaney, and Sherry Laveaux.

Sunday is the Anniversary Cookout at 5pm. It's $5 all you can eat while supply last.

Located at 2600 Hwy. 190 West, you can follow Billy's Lounge on www.Facebook.COM.

Memorial Day Weekend Pensacola May 23-27

Slidell's Queen of Comedy Big Momma Lavouge at Billy's

Pensacola is gearing up for its giant Memorial Day Weekend blowout Thursday, May 23rd-Monday, May 27th.

The annual Splash Beach Party is set for Friday-Sunday, 10am-7pm, with free admission at Park East Pensacola Beach. It is three fun filled days with music, bars, vendors and food. An ATM is available, along with ice for sale.

The big event is the Wave Beach Party at the same location Saturday night, 10pm-4am featuring the talents of DJ/Producer Roland Belmares. Info and tickets ($50) are available at www.MemorialWeekendPensacola.COM. Emerald City, 406 E. Wright Street,

has four days of action packed events as well. Thursday is Fore Play with DJ Dewight Barkley, Friday Strip Down with DJ Dewight Barkley, Saturday Sweat with DJ Jay-R, Sunday Friction Black Light Underwear Party with DJ Dewight Barkley, and Monday Climax Drink & Drown with DJ Jay-R. Visit www.EmeraldCityPensacola.COM for more information.

Reunion Pool Parties Return to One Mighty Weekend May 31-June 2 Johnny Chisholm and One Mighty Weekend are proud to announce the return of the Reunion Pool Parties to the Buena Vista Palace at Walt Disney World Resort in Orlando, FL. The addition of the much-loved Reunion Pool Parties along with the return of Magic Journeys at Arabian Nights will set the stage for an unforgettable experience and hearken back to the spectacular Gay Day weekends of years past.

Held at the ever-popular host hotel, The Buena Vista Palace, the Reunion Pool Parties will feature lots of hot bodies, fun in the sun and an incredible line-up of the fantastic DJs you’ve come to expect from One Mighty Weekend. There are limited rooms still available so book your room now and don’t miss the chance to “Stay where you Play!”

Friday, May 31st: The weekend kicks-off on Friday with the opening of the One Mighty Weekend Welcome Center at the Buena Vista Palace at 10am (daily) where you can take care of all of your ticket and information needs.

At noon, the first Reunion Pool Party gets under way with the multi-

talented DJ Power Infiniti followed by the energizing sounds of DJ Mike Cruz.

The afternoon festivities continue until the sun sets.

Midnight marks the triumphant return of Magic Journeys to Arabian Nights. Miami-based DJ Miik Martorell gets the party jumping, paving the way for the return of Grammy Award Winner DJ/Producer Peter Rauhofer of New York until 8am. (Shuttle service will be available from the Buena Vista Palace to Arabian Nights each night of Magic Journeys.)

Saturday, June 1st: DJ Eddie Martinez gets the pool balls bouncing at noon for the second Reunion Pool Party. Later in the afternoon, groove to the high energy of DJ Roland Belmares as he keeps the crowd hopping until the sun goes down.

Your Magic Journey continues at midnight with the Brazilian flare of DJ/ Producer Gustavo Scorpio of Rio De Janeiro. As the night heats up, worldrenowned DJ/Producer Joe Gauthreaux of New York takes control of the dance floor until the wee hours of the morning.

Sunday, June 2nd: Reunion Pool Party’s last installment of the weekend begins with DJ Dani Toro of Barcelona at noon. DJ Phil B wraps up the Reunion Pool Parties with his unique stylings until day’s end.

Miami-based Grammy Award Nominated, DJ/Producers Rosabel rule the dance floor at your last Magic Journey. This promises to be an unforgettable night and a fitting end to an incredible One Mighty Weekend.

Visit OneMightyWeekend.COM for more information and to purchase tickets or visit us FaceBook @ One Mighty Weekend. [continued on 8]

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a community within communities

by The Rev. Bill Terry, Rector St. Anna’s Episcopal Church Email: fr.bill@stannanola.org

The Dodwell House Extravaganza the After Party More parties, more concerts, more of everything! What, New Orleans a city of excess?! Why never! Just the right balance between party and oh party; concert and oh party; food oh yes and part! There is so much of this that culturally we are not quite sure what R.S.V.P. means other than maybe don’t arrive too late.

Rejoice! It is still Easter and white linen is still to be worn. Rejoice! The weather still allows us lovely evenings without perspiring like a pole dancer in July. Rejoice! Crawfish are still to be had with that perfect confluence of shrimp season and oyster season. With all of that music abounds, hard bodies are marathoning, and fund raisers abound. Rejoice life is good.

A slice of LIFE a Community within Communities was hosted on St. Charles Ave. at Christ Church Cathedral. THE DODWELL EXTRAVAGANZA! Tony Leggio was heard saying to Elizabeth Bouvier as they walked up to the main

doors of the Cathedral, “Well girl you better watch it. You are now on the Avenue!” The doors were locked. Fortunately the entrance was on the side of the church as Tony and Elizabeth strolled in with gown, make-up, and other feminine accoutrement. Likely as she entered the stone arches she was passed by a young black man carrying Big Chief David Montana’s Indian apparel.

As they wove their way to dressing rooms they stepped aside from children ages 6 to 12 scuttling about hyped for their evening’s performance.

The line grew at the entry way as 6pm came and went and at last count

celebration Ri c h a r d T h o m s o n Sept. 19, 1939-Oct. 24, 2012

Ce l e b r a t i o n o f L i f e Sunday, May 5th 4pm The F Frr i e n d l y B a r 2301 Chartres New Orleans

the "official" dish ...from 6

Hidden Treasures: Commemorative Arts Edition Up Next 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 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

we entertained about 220 men, women, children of all sorts. Uptown was profoundly visited by down town…we thank our friends at the Cathedral, a community that is now in our Community. We hope the glitter on the floor of the chapel is not too distracting. That night people from all manner of milieu gathered. I am sure some were shocked, some amused, all filled with joy.

The Dodwell House Extravaganza hid nothing and was proud of everything. Mothers from neighborhoods that would never step into an Episcopal Cathedral herded their children and were welcomed; good ol boys from Lake Charles were taken aback by that 6’2" elegantly dressed Elizabeth Bouvier that man uh woman…”heck I don’t know but ain’t she a hoot!” Visitors from Canada stood stoically by and just stared (with small smiles) saying, “We have a lot of Indians in Canada but I’ve not seen any that look or dress like these” Iko Iko an nay. Two people at different times approached me and this is what they said: Bob, one of the most noted architects in Manhattan, recently retired said, “Father, I have been to more black tie charity events than I can number in New York and this is the most wonderful event I have ever attended.”

A parishioner of St. Anna’s Church said, “Father you’ve got a great church!”

I said,” We have a great church because you are the church and you are what makes it great.” This older gay man simply walked away with a smile.

There were a lot of fundraisers that weekend; there were a lot of parties that weekend. When are there not. But be assured very few of them hosted black, white, gay, straight, rich, poor, eccentric and mainstream all in one venue on with one purpose. That purpose to me in something like this; to experience Communities within a Community; to be a part of transforming a world fraught with fear and anxiety into one that says, “yes maybe we can all be a part of one community respecting the dignity of every human being.”

A special thanks to Warren Easton High School students Dozens of St. Anna’s Volunteers Dr. Shannon Bergeron and his crew The Ambush and Rip and Marsha Elizabeth Bouvier (Jeff Mallon) and Tony Leggio Darryl Durham and the Treme Community Choir N.O.Vation a great Rap duo Dozens of donors and restaurants

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 legends 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.

The Fringe is excited to announce two new performance categories this year, “live documentary” and “immersive experience,” both of which embrace and encourage the innovative, boundary-blurring work for which the New Orleans Fringe has come to be known.

Other categories include cabaret, circus arts, comedy, dance, drama, improvisational, interdisciplinary, multimedia, musical theater, poetry/spoken word, puppetry, storytelling, burlesque, sideshow, variety and other creative madness.

Last year’s Fringe welcomed 136 applications. Of these, only 24 performing groups were selected by the Fringe panel of peer reviewers – working artists who represent the spectrum of New Orleans performance. At the 2012 Festival, over 13,000 visitors came to see over 300 total performances in 34 different venues. The diverse range of live performance along with the multitude of free events at the Free-for-All Tent, including Buskers’ Happy Hour, Family Fringe, live music as well as the GoodChildren Fringe Parade means that there is absolutely something for everyone at the Fringe. The New Orleans Fringe Festival is now considered one of the country’s most exciting and fringe-y theater festivals and the place to be for innovative, thought pro-

New Orleans Fringe Festival 2013 Call for Submissions, Applications due July 2 The New Orleans Fringe announces its call for submissions for performing groups for the sixth annual Fringe Theater Festival. The Fringe welcomes virtually any type of theater performance - the wilder and the weirder, the better! Fringe particularly encourages original works or innovative adaptations. Application and instructions can be downloaded at www.nofringe.org and are due by July 2. Notifications are on August 15.

The 2013 New Orleans Fringe Festival is set for November 20-24.

We raised over $20,000 this year that will help the missions of St. Anna’s Church. Next year we hope to do better. Quoting that great bard of Esplanade the most loquacious, eccentric, co-founder of the Faerie Play House Stewart Butler, “It was better than last year.”

Now go out and have some fun and praise to the Lord that you can for it true that God created all things, yes, even smiles.

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moments in gay new orleans history

by Frank Perez E-mail: f.perez@sbcglobal.net

“The Historical Closet: Mid-19th Century Gay New Orleans” Not long ago, a friend and I were discussing the significance of President Obama’s support for marriage equality. He was convinced it wasn’t all that important and told me, “What will really be significant is when we elect a gay president.” I replied by telling him we already have. He, like many people, was surprised to learn that James Buchanan, our nation’s 15th president, was and is widely considered to have been gay. Buchanan was the only president to never marry and he lived with his “good friend” William Rufus King (who was a U.S. Senator and Vice President under President Franklin Pierce) for twenty-three years. Andrew Jackson referred to the couple as “Miss Nancy” and “Aunt Fancy” and Aaron Brown called King “Buchanan’s better half.” In his biography of Abraham Lincoln, Carl Sandburg described Buchanan and King’s relationship as having “a streak of lavender and spots soft as May violets.” Buchanan was President from 1857 to 1861.

In addition to not knowing our gay ancestors, one of the most frustrating aspects of the historical closet is not recognizing the contributions gay people have made to society. The word gay and our modern concept of gayness are 20th Century constructions, of course. The word “homosexual” was not coined until 1869 and then only in clinical, psychiatric contexts. This raises the question of how gay people in previous ages viewed themselves.

the "official" dish ...from 8 voking and envelope-pushing artists. At the 2011 Edinburgh Fringe Fest, when the question “What Fringe next?” was posed to a panel of theater folks, the answer was New Orleans Fringe.

“Artists love performing for New Orleans audiences. And they know they will have a great time while they are in New Orleans. That’s why we have performers applying from all over the US and even abroad,” says Kristen Evans, Fringe Executive Director.

Artists can apply to perform in a Fringe-sponsored venue in the Bywater and Marigny neighborhoods of New Orleans. All performances must be between 30 and 60 minutes. $25 application fee with no performance fee.

Box office returns are split with performers.

Applications and more info are available online at www.nofringe.org.

The Bring Your Own Venue (BYOV) option is available for those artists who want to organize their own venue. Those registration forms will be available May 15.

The Fringe is a 501(c)3 non-profit that was founded in 2008 by local arts organizers to nurture fearless theater in New Orleans and to benefit artists, venues, neighborhoods and local businesses. Fringe is supported by a SEED grant from the Robert Rauschenberg Foundation.

President Buchanan and his partner would not have thought of themselves as “gay” as we understand that term today. And yet they shared a life and a bed together, as did countless other same-sex couples.

One of the earliest known gay men to live in New Orleans was the great American poet Walt Whitman. Whitman arrived in the city in 1848 to work as a reporter for the Crescent, one of the city’s several daily newspapers at the time. Although he lived only three months in New Orleans, the city profoundly influenced him and his poetry.

In his leisure time, Whitman was fond of perusing the French Market before cruising the riverfront where he delighted in meeting stevedores and longshoremen. The gay graybeard absorbed all the sensory imagery the city had to offer and later immortalized those images in much of his masterpiece, Leaves of Grass. The poem “I Saw in Louisiana a Live Oak” is a meditation on romantic male companionship and “Once I Pass’d Through a Populous City” is a poetic tribute to a male lover Whitman met in New Orleans. When the poem was published, the word “man” was changed to “woman”—an unfortunate consequence of the historical closet.

Where Whitman met his trick, and how, is uncertain. Gay social networking for the purposes for finding sex partners has been around for centuries. 15th Century Florence, for example, had quite an extensive network, a Renaissance version of Grindr, if you will. It’s safe to assume 19th Century New Orleans also had such a network.

We do know there was a “gay scene” at the time for it is referenced by Baron Ludwig Von Reizenstein, a German expatriate living in New Orleans in the 1850s who wrote a serialized novel entitled The Mysteries of New Orleans for a German language newspa[continued on 12]

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under the gaydar

by Tony Leggio Email: ledgemgp@gmail.com Photo by: Larry Graham, GrahamStudioOne.COM

Scholarships Awarded PFLAG is hosting their 22nd Annual Champagne Scholarship Reception on Saturday, May 11 at the University of New Orleans Alumni Center. The recipients have been selected for the various scholarship programs. This is a wonderful opportunity to meet this fabulous group of bright young students. After all, they are our future.

There will be food, wine, champagne and a silent auction. For more information, call 504.862.5912, email at info@pflagno.org or like them on Facebook.

Let the Mariachis Play!

The Krewe of Petronius is throwing a Cinco de Mayo Show and Taco Bar at Michael’s On The Park on Saturday, May 4 from 6 – 9pm. This unbridled fiesta will feature South of the Border hot tamale performers shaking their maracas for guests all while enjoying

moments in gay nola history ...from 10 per called Louisiana Staatz-Zeitung.

Whitman’s homosexuality is well documented. Such is not the case with other prominent gay men of the time.

Some believe John McDonogh, the great 19th Century philanthropist who willed his fortune to the city of New Orleans and his native Baltimore for the cause of public education, was gay.

Reclusive and eccentric, McDonogh never married. But was he gay? The reality is we just don’t know. Not much has been written about McDonogh. A biography of his life was published in 1886 and a monograph about his legacy appeared in 2002; neither work addresses McDonogh’s sexuality. The only evidence to suggest he may have been gay is the fact he remained a lifelong bachelor. If we accept that line of reasoning, we have to also wonder about Jean-Baptiste Le Moyne, Sieur de Bienville; the founder of New Orleans and long term French colonial governor also never married.

A year after Walt Whitman left New Orleans and the year before John McDonogh died, the famed Baroness Micaela de Pontalba returned to New Orleans from Paris with her two sons to construct the fabulous Pontalba Buildings which flank Jackson Square. While the buildings were being erected, mother and sons lived in a rented house on Burgundy Street. During the day, headstrong Micaela visited the construction site while her tender and devoted son Gaston sketched scenes of

plenty of Mexican themed delicacies.

There is also a sombrero decorating contest. I hear there is even a piñata in the shape of a drag queen that when hit open rains glitter and makeup. It could happen. Check out this spicy party.

Tickets are $10. For more information, go to www.kreweofpetronius.org or email petronius1961@cox.net.

Lords of Leather Howls At The Moon The Lords of Leather is holding a Cinco De Mayo and Full Moon Party on Saturday, May 4 at the Phoenix. If you have never been to one of the Lords’ holiday parties at the Phoenix then you are in for a treat. These guys know how to have a good time and their parties is a nice combination of light and festive with naughty enjoyment.

And with it being a full moon, you know the wolves (and bears, otters, and other assorted animals) will be on the Vieux Carre. Gaston had a sensitive nature and was something of an accomplished artist specializing in cityscapes as well as portraits. If his sketchbooks are any indication, it was probably he who designed the illustrious AP monogram (denoting the family names Almonester and Pontalba) in the cartouche of the famous cast iron that adorns the buildings’ verandas.

Pontalba biographer Christina Vella observes, “The letters are perfectly clear and perfectly unobtrusive; they give a focal point to the pattern without detracting in the least from the diffused loveliness of the iron tracery.” Noting Gaston’s sketchbooks, Vella also says “it is entirely likely that he designed all of the scrollwork” on the gallery ironwork that would set the trend for cast iron balconies and galleries throughout the French Quarter. Vella’s research has led her to conclude what many have suspected—Gaston de Pontalba was probably gay.

We may never know for certain if John McDonogh and Gaston de Pontalba were gay, and, in the grand scheme of things, it may not matter much. What does matter are the untold multitudes of gay men and women in New Orleans’ past whose sexual orientations have been lost to the historical closet. Hidden in the dark recesses of that closet are significant parts of our heritage as a community. If McDonogh and de Pontalba were indeed gay, the legacy of public education and architectural beauty both men bequeathed to New Orleans is something for which the gay community should be proud.

the prowl. Festivities begin at 9pm.

For more information, go to www.lordsofleather.com.

Are You A Saint or A Sinner?

The 10th Anniversary of the Saints & Sinners Literary Festival happens May 23 – 26 at the Hotel Monteleone in the French Quarter. Celebrating their decade, this noteworthy event boasts an amazing slate of authors, editors, publishers and lovers of literature in an impressive schedule of master classes, panel discussions, readings, tours and parties.

The Saints and Sinners Literary Festival was founded in 2001 as a new initiative designed as an innovative way to reach the community with information about HIV/AIDS, particularly disseminating prevention messages via the writers, thinkers and spokes-people of the GLBT community. It was also formed to bring the GLBT literary community together to celebrate the literary arts. The Festival has grown into an internationally-recognized event that brings together a who’s who of GLBT publishers, writers and readers from throughout the United States and beyond.

I love being a part of this event every year and look especially forward to seeing two of my favorite authors Ellen Hart and Felice Picano. For more information on the festival or to buy tickets, go to www.sasfest.org.

How Do You Like Your Meat?

Rare, medium or well-done. You can actually have your meat cooked any way you like it as the Renegade Bears of Louisiana present a Steak Night on Saturday, May 18 at Michael’s On The Park. For only $12, you can eat a ribeye steak with all the salad and baked potatoes your little hearts desire. The event is from 4 – 8pm.

Michael’s is located at 834 North Rampart Street

Channel Your Inner Southern Belle Those iconic Southern Belles Julia, Charlene, Mary Jo and Suzanne are back and not in reruns. The Mystic Krewe of Satyricon is proud to present the opening performance of Re-Designing Women on May 22 at MidCity Theatre. The roles of the lovely Atlanta ladies of Sugarbakers from Designing Women will be fabulously embodied by Varla Jean Merman, Sadie Shepard, Ricky Graham and Jack Long as they bring to the stage three episodes from the hit comedy. There will only be 100 tickets sold to this special performance so get your tickets now.

Doors open at 7pm with the show at 8pm. Tickets are $30. The Mid-City [continued on 17]

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celebrazzi

Co-Emcee Elizabeth Bouvier joins Mrs. Dodwell for the 3rd Annual Dodwell House Extravaganza raising over $20,000 for the restoration of the building to house the Dodwell House Community Center/School of St. Anna's Episcopal Church. Held at Christ Church Cathedral in New Orleans, Ambush's Tony Leggio was co-emcee.

SKYY Vodka's Shawn Murphy and Oz host Persana Shoulders celebrate at the SKYY Vodka-2(X)IST Underwear Party hosted at Dance Club of the Year Oz New Orleans.

Monica Synclaire-Kennedy was crowned the 17th Miss Gay New Orleans America at Oz New Orleans. She will now represent the city along with 1st Alternate Cassidy St. James at the Miss Gay Louisiana America pageant set for July 24-26 at Splash in Baton Rouge. The winner and 1st Alternate of the state perlim then travels to compete for the grand prize, Miss Gay America. (Photo by Arthur Severio)

Miss and Mr. NOLA Pride 2012 Starr Alexander and Mark Callahan, Jr. congratulate Miss and Mr. NOLA Pride 2013 Mercedez Loreal and Johnny Fradella following stiff competition at Allways Theatre in New Orleans.

Rawhide Chili Cook-Off winner John Breaux and Good Friends Chili CookOff winner Jennifer Doucette tied for first place as Wood Enterprises 5th Chili Cook-Off Grand Champion, the first tie in the history of the competition. Raising $900, one half ($450) benefitied NO/AIDS Task Force Food For Friends program and the other half was spit between the grand champions.

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Miss Gay Louisiana America Dextaci Contestant Connie Hung

Hank serving up Oz Chili Cook-Off winner Tommy Elias’ chili

Past Miss Gay New Orleans Americas

Stephen Valiente & MC Persana Shoulders

Good Friends Chili Cook-Off winner Jennifer Doucette Oz Chef Brandon

Returning Miss Gay New Orleans America Starr Alexander

Good Friends Chef Titties

Rawhide Chefs Matt & Jim with Rawhide Chili Cook-Off winner John Breaux (center)

Rawhide Chefs Lee & Barry

Miss Splash America Aubrey Synclaire

Lafitte’s Chefs: Team Bud Light & Team Lafitte’s

Winner Monica Synclaire-Kennedy

Miss Gay Louisiana America Emeritus Tiffany Alexander

Lafitte’s Chili Cook-Off winner Richard Wren

Bar winner's Oz, Rawhide, Good Friends & Lafitte’s with Wood Enterprises Michael Printy

1st Alternate Cassidy St. James

Oz’s Monalot Fontaine

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Monica Synclaire-Kennedy Wins Miss Gay New Orleans America @ Oz ~ New Orleans ~ Photos by Rip Naquin

Wood Enterprises 5th Annual Chili Cook-Off Raises $450 for Food For Friends & $450 for the Champions ~ New Orleans ~ Photos by Rip Naquin

Wood Enterprises' Ken Hicks & Michael Printy with Chef & Good Friends manager Nick

under the gaydar ...from 12 Theatre is located at 3540 Toulouse Street. For tickets and more information, call 504.252.5476.

Celebrity Interview: Audra McDonald

tion, It Runs in the Family and Best Thief in the World.

I was able to catch up to Audra via phone recently for a quick interview.

TL: I understand this is your first time performing in New Orleans, have you been to the city before? If not, what are you looking forward to doing the brief time you are here? If you have, what did you enjoy about the city in past visits?

AM: While this is my first time performing in New Orleans,

I have been to New Orleans before, and it’s a wonderful city filled with such awesome energy. There is always so much going on, and the city’s cultural life is incredibly vibrant. I find it very inspiring. [continued on 22]

Audra McDonald, the five-time Tony Award winner and recent star of Porgy and Bess on Broadway and TV’s Private Practice, makes her New Orleans debut with two shows only on May 18 at 7:30 and 9:30.

McDonald became a three-time Tony Award winner by the age of 28 for her performances in Carousel, Master Class, and Ragtime, placing her alongside Shirley Booth, Gwen Verdon and Zero Mostel by accomplishing this feat within five years. She won her fourth in 2004 for her role in A Raisin in the Sun, a role she reprised for a 2008 television adaptation, earning her a second Emmy Award nomination. On June 10, 2012, McDonald scored her fifth Tony Award win for her portrayal of Bess in Broadway’s The Gershwin’s Porgy and Bess thus tying a record held by Angela Lansbury and Julie Harris for most Tony Awards won by an actor. She also maintains her ties to classical repertoire with an active concert and recording career, performing song cycles and operas as well as concerts throughout the U.S. Audra’s many television appearances include four seasons as Naomi Bennett in Private Practice, as well as Homicide: Life on the Street, Law & Order: SVU, Having Our Say, Mister Sterling, The Bedford Diaries, Kidnapped, the television remake of the musical Annie, and HBO’s Wit with Emma Thompson and was announced recently as joining the cast of The Good Wife. Her film roles include Cradle Will Rock, Object of My Affec-

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Larry Graham & Randall @ Dodwell House Extravaganza raising over $20,000

The Big Easy Sisters entourage join Mr. & Miss NOLA Pride Pageant @ Allways Theatre

Miss Pride 2012 Starr Alexander with newly crowned Miss Pride 2013 Mercedez Loreal joined by Hubert S Monkeys @ Allways

Bill & Glen @ Halloween Host Party during French Quarter Fest

Miss Louisiana Leatherette Countess C. Alice & John join Lords of Leather fundraiser benefiting Forum For Equality on Julia St.

DJ Jon headlines Halloween Host Party Dustin Lance Black speaks @ Forum For Equality fundraiser hosted by Lords of Leather

Beaux, Austin’s Elizabeth Bouvier & Barrett @ 3rd Dodwell House fundraiser raising over $20,000

Catherine & Lesbian of the Year Misti Ates join Mr. & Miss NOLA Pride @ Allways Theatre

Marvin, Robbie & Nick join Halloween Host Party Celebrating @ Lords of Leather Forum for Equality fundraiser on Julia St.

Joining the 3rd Dodwell House Extravaganza @ Christ Church Cathedral

Artist donor with Ambush’s Tony Leggio @ 3rd Dodwell House Extravaganza

Dominique DeLorean & Jeff Mallon @ Mr. & Miss NOLA Pride

Maybelline & Jason @ Mr. & Miss NOLA Pride @ Allways

Ryan & Dustin @ Halloween Host Party

David, Miss Louisiana Leatherette C. Alice, John & John @ The Phoenix

Halloween Host Party during French Quarter Festival

Aaron & friend @ The Phoenix

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C’est Si Bon! (It’s So Good) ~ New Orleans ~ Photos by Tony Leggio

Councilperson Kristen Palmer & St. Anna Episcopal Church Rev. Bill Terry join 3rd Dodwell House Extravaganza @ Christ Church Cathedral

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under the gaydar ...from 17 TL: Five Tony awards is such an amazing accomplishment, putting you in a very select category. I am sure all the wins are memorable, but is there one win that stands out?

AM: Each award came at a unique time in my life, so they are all memorable in different ways. However, I would say that winning my first Tony for Carousel was such a shock to me that this one really stands out.

TL: How is acting on television different or more/less challenging than being on Broadway/stage?

AM: I really feel that they are all part of the same continuum. One nourishes and feeds into the other, when you’re singing, you’re also making acting choices, and when you’re filming a scene for television, for example, you find an almost musical rhythm to your interactions with the other actors. Singing makes me a better actor, and vice versa.

TL: What is on the horizon for you?

AM: I just recorded my fifth album for Nonesuch, Go Back Home, which will be released on May 21. It’s my first solo recording in seven years, so it includes songs that are very personal to me and that I’ve wanted to record for a quite a while. I am also singing songs from the recording in a Live From Lincoln Center telecast on PBS that will air a few days later on May 24.

TL: Is there a role you would love to play on the stage?

AM: I am still tempted by many classical works. I would definitely like to do more Shakespeare. As far as musical theater, as long as a role scares me, challenges me, I’m completely open to whatever comes along.

TL: What was your most challenging role either on stage or television/ film?

AM: Bess has definitely been the most challenging so far. She’s on stage basically the entire time, and there’s quite a bit of heavy dialogue in addition to the singing. At the same time, she’s being thrown around by men and roughed up quite a bit. It was tough, but I love the challenge.

Audra will be performing at NOCCA. For tickets please visit www.broadwaynola.com or call 800.838.3006.

Party Down The weather has been wonderful in the Big Easy so that means more outdoor activities and events. The same is true with the party scene in NOLA. Work has been very busy lately, so that means this column is shorter than usual, but I still managed to have a little fun here and there. Lately I have been trying new eateries in the city; the first of three I wanted to talk about was Chiba. On Tuesday, after work Beaux, Barrett and I were driving around trying to find a place to grab dinner Uptown.

We were on Oak Street when we saw the restaurant. From the outside, Chiba has an inviting look. Large picturesque windows, atmospheric lighting and outstanding décor highlight the place. The sushi was well prepared and the service was excellent. They had some unique rolls and dishes. I highly recommend the place.

On Friday, the boys and I traveled back Uptown to enjoy Philip’s Happy Hour. We met lots of friends there and the martinis and specialty cocktails were just as potent as I remembered them.

Then our group went en masse to the wonderful Louisiana Pizza Kitchen for dinner. If you haven’t been to the LPK on Carrollton, you are in for a treat.

Rob and the staff offer fabulous food served by a fun staff. LPK is one of my favorite restaurants, and they give back so much to the gay community. And on Wednesdays, they do friends and family night, a predominantly gay evening where they offer drinks specials. We ended our night catching Johnny Passion’s show at JohnPaul’s.

Saturday was fun at French Quarter Festival followed by dinner at Mona Lisa and the show at the Golden Lantern with friends. Rikki Redd and Tami Tarmac were headlining that night to a crowded house. Sunday was all about the parties during the festival. Jose Luis celebrated his birthday with a poolside party at his and Rene’s house with family, friends and lots of cocktails. Jose and his partner Rene have a beautifully decorated home in the Quarter that is warm and inviting. Jose is a true artist in every sense of the word; he is a fashion designer painter and performs in a local ballet troupe.

His style and flair is abundant in every event he throws. And Rene is the perfect complement because he makes sure the liquor is always plentiful.

Next we walked literally down the street to the home of Bill Trapp and his partner Rob for the first Halloween Host Party. Since the weather that day turned out splendid, the event was packed with queens to the rafters.

Halloween kicked off their 30th Anniversary swimmingly. If this party is a prequel of coming attractions, this is going to be a very good year. After the parties, we moved to Oz for Drag Dingo with Blanche and dinner at Sukho Thai with my friend Nick. It turned out to be quite the fun filled day.

The following week, the New Orleans Convention and Visitors Bureau hosted their quarterly Business After Hours at the Herman Grima House and Broussard’s Restaurant on Thursday.

It has been years since the courtyards have been joined to have a joint party and the outcome was incredible. Both striking courtyards blended nicely for this lovely hospitality event. That week I also tried two new restaurants in the Warehouse District, Warehouse Grill and Casita. Both are excellent new dining additions to the city.

The next night, I went to see Wolf Boy at Mid City Theatre. Now I am not a critic, that is Mr. Sands job, but any show that has Christopher Ramage and Kyle Woods stripping down gets a five star rating from me. Saturday was another non-stop day starting with Mutts in the Marigny hosted by St. Paul Lutheran church. This wonderful event had everything for our four legged friends including pet blessings, free food, lots of vendors and a pet costume contest. Rose and I had an enjoyable afternoon playing with my neighbor’s babies.

Later that day, my friend Jeff (aka Elizabeth Bourvier) came into town from Austin and we emceed the Dodwell House Extravaganza fundraiser at Christ Church Cathedral on St. Charles Avenue. There was plenty to great food from top restaurants around the city and the silent auction was amazing.

This is my third year at this event and they truly have one of the best silent auctions in the city. The event raised over $20,000, and attracted many politicos and local celebrities who enjoyed wonderful entertainment by the kids’ music program in Treme.

After we went to the Lords of Leather fundraiser for Forum For Equality at a gallery on Julia Street hosted by Miss Louisiana Leatherette Countess C Alice. It was a very swanky soiree with delicious wine and cheeses. It even had star power as Dustin Lance Bass, the Academy award Winning Writer of the movie Milk, dropped in to talk to the guests. He was in town for a reading the next evening at the Civic Theatre of his play 8. After saying hello and bidding on their silent auction, we went to the Mr. and Miss NOLA Pride Pageant at Allways Lounge. It had a nice crowd with ten contestants. The judges had a hard time choosing with this tough group of competitors. In the end Mercedez Ellis Loreal and Johnny Fradella were crowned the winners. I then hopped over to JohnPaul’s to catch the drag show. With Ms. Bouvier in tow, we ended our night with cocktails at the Phoenix before putting it down.

Sunday was a day of recuperation, but I somehow managed to drag (no pun intended) myself to the 4 Seasons for Amon Ra’s Royal White Trash Baby Shower for Duchess Kate. It was a fun filled afternoon of games, live auctions, and costumes. Opal Masters’ transition to Princess Ann was uncanny and Barbara Ella as the Queen Victoria was spectacular. The weather was perfect for an afternoon in the courtyard. That concludes my two weeks of fun, stay tuned for more excitement

Memorial Day Weekend DEADLINE Tueday, May 7th

504.522.8049 marsha@ripandmarsha.com

coming up over the next two weeks.

Until then stay cool.

Tony’s Tidbits of Gay Wisdom Saving money has always been a problem for me but this year I have focused myself on certain things that have helped me tremendously. But cutting a few corners here and there, I found I can afford to do all the things I want without sacrificing too much. So I thought I would share a few of these tips with you.

Yes, ladies and gentlemen, I am now a coupon queen. I have not crossed over to one of those people who bring hundreds of coupons to the grocery store and are featured on Extreme Couponing, but I do check out coupons in the paper and on-line before I do my grocery shopping. It may not seem like much, but over a year these savings add up. Look for coupon deals at restaurants and services. There are many websites that promote these types of savings as well as my favorite Lagniappe Book.

Try to conserve energy at home wherever possible. Replace lights with energy efficient bulbs and learn to turn them off when you are not in the room.

Having energy efficient appliances also helped. Doing these simple things has dropped my electric bill by at least 15%.

Keep atop of your bills and avoid late fees. Also if I do not use my bank to withdraw cash, I get charged a fee from my bank and the other one. Make an effort to use your bank more to avoid these extra costs.

Walk or ride your bike more. You save on gas, it is great exercise and you help the Earth, a threefold bonus.

Stop smoking, this is self-explanatory.

Someone once told me I could save money if I drank less. I pondered that concept and found out where the best happy hours were in the city. Still drink the same amount, but spend less.

I know the label queens will gasp on this next one, but buy generic, especially on prescriptions. This does not apply to illegal drug use. If you stop doing that, you can definitely save money. But if you must, I really do not think that you should buy generic then, god only knows what you would get.

Take your lunch to work at least one more day then you normally do.

Make yur special brew at home in the morning. You save time by stopping at busy coffee shops with long lines and you save money. Remember to mail in rebates when you get them immediately. The more you wait, the likelier you will forget. t hope some of these tips helped.

If you have any others you would like to share, send them in to me. Stay thrifty.

If you have an event, story or idea, you want covered, contact me at ledgemgp@gmail.com.

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Gearing up for Memorial Day Weekend @ Emerald City ~ Pensacola, Florida ~ Photos by Lauren Mitchell

pensacola paparazzi

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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 [is613]

circuit/events 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 Easter Sunday, April 20, 2014, 15th Official Gay Easter Parade, New Orleans, sponsored by Ambush, GayEasterParade.COM

costumes New Orleans, LA [504] QT PIE BOUTIQUE - 241 Dauphine St., 581. 6633 SOUTHERN COSTUME COMPANY - 951 Lafayette St., 523.4333, SCCNOLA.COM

florists Baton Rouge, LA [225] FOUR SEASONS FLOWERS & GIFTS, 3482 Drusilla Ln., Drusilla Shopping Center, 924.1386, 1.800.237.5381

framing New Orleans, LA [504] ANGLE CUSTOM FRAMES, 4422 Magazine St., 269.3726

galleries New Orleans, LA [504] BLISS McCALL STUDIO, by appointment, 631 Elysian Fields Ave., 391.9131, BlissMcCall.COM

guides America Damron Travel Guide, 800.462.6654, www.damron.com Gulf South/United States AMBUSH Mag, 828-A Bourbon St., New Orleans, LA 70116-3137; 504.522.8049,

ambushmag.com; email: marsha@ripandmarsha.com International GayBars.COM, 828-A Bourbon St., New Orleans, LA 70116-3137; 504.522.8049, marsha@ripandmarsha.com

groceries/delis New Orleans, LA [504] QUARTERMASTER DELI, THE NELLIE DELI, 1100 Bourbon, 529.1416

hair salons New Orleans, LA [504] BOBBY BLUE CONTEMPORARY BARBER & BEAUTY PARLOR, 906 Bourbon St., 527.5100 HEAD QUARTERS HAIR SALON, 900 Rue Dauphine, 522.2666 MICKEY NOLAN'S SALON, 815 Toulouse St., 587.7782

hardware New Orleans, LA [504] MARY'S FRENCH QUARTER HARDWARE, 732 N. Rampart, 529.4465

lodging/accommodations New Orleans [504] AARON INGRAM HAUS, 1012 Elysian Fields, New Orleans, LA 70117, PHONE: 504.949.3110, E-mail us at ingramhaus@yahoo.com. Condos with queensize beds, private entrances; located only six blocks from Bourbon Street and walking distance to most New Orleans attractions. Several favorite bars are within one block.

[0713] BURGUNDY BED AND BREAKFAST, 2513 Burgundy St., New Orleans, LA 70117, PHONE/ FAX: 504.942.1463, Toll Free (Continental US only): 1.800.970.2153, theburgundy.com, Email us at theburgundy@cox.net. Gay owned and operated in newly renovated 1890's double. Four guest rooms with private baths, guests' parlor and "half-kitchen", courtyard and half-open tubhouse with spa (hot tub/whirlpool). Clothing optional in sunbathing and hot tub area. Walking distance to French Quarter. Immediate vicinity of gay and lesbian bars/venues.

[0813] THE FRENCH QUARTER GUEST HOUSES, 1005 St. Peter, New Orleans, LA 70116, Phone: 877-681-5087 frenchquarterguesthouses.com. Email: info@stpeterhouse.com. Four meticulously restored boutique Inns located in the heart of the French Quarter’s most popular LGBT neighborhood. Each building’s individual character and charm provides an unforgettably authentic French Quarter experience!

FRENCH QUARTER SUITES HOTEL, 1119 North Rampart St, New Orleans, LA 70116, Phone 504.524.7725, Toll Free: 800.457.2253,FrenchQuarterSuites.COM. Email us at Reservations@bpmhotels.com. Official Host Hotel of OZ New Orleans. A locally owned and operated French Quarter hotel that has been beautifully transformed into spacious multi-bedroom suites. Several historical townhouses are also available to accommodate larger groups of up to 26. Just 3 blocks from Bourbon St., free WiFi, swimming pool, and continental breakfast included. Off street parking is available.

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24 • The Official Mag: AmbushMag.COM • Facebook.COM/ AmbushMag • April 30-May 13, 2013 • Of fic ial Pride Guide • NOLAPride.ORG

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.

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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 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 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, 1701 Frenchmen St., New Orleans, LA. 70116 KreweOfPetronius.ORG, petronius1961@cox.net 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 Metropolitan Community Church of New Orleans , Interim Pastor Gail Minnick , Service time: Sundays 5pm, 1333 South Carrollton Ave., New Orleans, LA 70118, 504.270.1MCC, www.MCCNewOrleans.COM, Pastor @MCCNewOrleans.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.

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Sout hernDec adenc e.COM • GayMardiGras.COM • GayEast erParade.COM • April 30-May 13, 2013 • The Official Mag: AmbushMag.COM • 25

trodding the boards

by Brian Sands

Email: bsnola2@hotmail.com

Spell #7 at the Anthony Bean Community Theater through May 12 Those who know Ntozake Shange’s writings only from For Colored Girls who have Considered Suicide When The Rainbow is Enuf (as had been my case), should get themselves over to the Anthony Bean Community Theater to see its sterling revival of Spell #7, a too-overlooked work that examines with compassion what it means to be Black in the later part of the 20th century.

Set in a bar where struggling actors and artists meet, Spell #7 allows them to vent their hopes and frustrations; they also transform into keen portraits of the proud but lost souls that dwell on another level of Shange’s choreopoem.

We meet Lily who brushes and brushes her hair to try to straighten it out and, with bewitching logic, will brush out of it bottles of Pouilly-Fuissé and a house filled with expensive linen and blue satin pillows. And Sue Jean who gets herself pregnant and, seeing her child-to-be as an extension of herself, names it “Myself.” When the baby is born and starts asserting its independence, however, she kills it. (At first, I thought how absurd that would be, but

then I recalled tragic, incredible headlines.)

And a lady who hires a taxi to take her from Brooklyn to Manhattan to have a “good time” but finds she doesn’t even have to get out of the cab to do so. (Of course, 34 years after Spell #7’s debut, she’d probably just stay in Brooklyn, NYC’s newest hot spot.)

The bar’s denizens connect these more self-contained segments with riffs on men’s pick-up lines (“Baby, you are so pretty.”), how “We dress up” to go to Madison Square Garden to see the likes of Stevie Wonder and Muhammad Ali, and the indignity of being a classically trained actress who only gets offers to play prostitutes.

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Mychael Thompson in Spell #7 poetry, but I could listen to Shange’s again and again; each word adds to the overall imagery and propels the narrative forward, and with each hearing you discover new aspects of her writing.

She presents the characters that people her tales without sentimentality or editorializing, but with a great depth of humanity.

While there is a timeless quality to most of Spell #7, references to Farrah Fawcett, Roots and Jimmy Carter do date it somewhat. And one wonders how the ascent of Barack Obama and Condoleezza Rice would affect the world-view of the citizens of Shangeland. Yet only one section towards the very end, in which four women imagine what it’s like to be White in a didactic 561.8167

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and superficial way, seems unnecessary; Director Anthony Bean almost acknowledges as such by having his actresses mostly sit to get through this passage.

Otherwise, Bean keeps the play flowing with lyrical gracefulness in one of his finest outings. He seems especially attuned to the rhythms of Shange’s words, guiding his cast to find just the proper cadences for them. Stacye C. Markey’s choreography, including a vibrant journey through several decade’s worth of dance styles, is integrated seamlessly; a Brazilian dance number is a particularly joyous affirmation of life.

Spell #7 boasts one of the best ensemble casts seen here in recent memory; there’s not a weak link in it.

Tony Taplin brings a thoughtful, quiet air to all his moments; that doesn’t mean that he always treats his ladies right.

Markey is that rare choreographer who speaks as well as she moves; her Lily is captivating yet has an underlying air of melancholy.

Dana C. Webb scalds as Sue Jean, implying the requisite unbalanced-ness, but bubbles with delight in other sections. Roscoe C. Reddix Jr., in a lighter mood than his August Wilson roles have allowed, convinces both as a “player” who encourages his woman to go on the road with a show and as that taxi driver who views his fare with a certain tenderness.

A gleeful leer emanates from Mychael Thompson as a magician who conducts us through Shange’s landscape; he seems to know something the rest of us never can. About to graduate from high school, Thompson is someone to watch out for. Erica T. Jones, Dominique Randolph, Andreana Rogers and Kevin Toy are each im[continued on 28]

26 • The Official Mag: AmbushMag.COM • Facebook.COM/ AmbushMag • April 30-May 13, 2013 • Of fic ial Pride Guide • NOLAPride.ORG

Sout hernDec adenc e.COM • GayMardiGras.COM • GayEast erParade.COM • April 30-May 13, 2013 • The Official Mag: AmbushMag.COM • 27

trodding the boards ...from 26 pressive in their own way.

If Shange is an eloquent advocate for women, and Black women in particular (and even, sometimes, Black men), she doesn’t let them get away with anything. For Spell #7, she employs a wider canvas than for Colored Girls... and if the resulting issues are more diffuse, who cares when the spell she casts is so intoxicating.

Show Boat at Slidell Little Theatre through May 12 Any opportunity one gets to hear the glorious score of Oscar Hammerstein and Jerome Kern’s Show Boat, containing at least five of the greatest songs ever written, is a happy one. But this is a notoriously difficult show to do with a long list of demands in order to pull it off successfully. Slidell Little Theatre gets an “A” for effort but its Show Boat was a bit less than fully watertight.

First, the good news.

Though one wishes that Teresa Augustine had more to do as Queenie, what she does do is outstanding. In C’mon Folks (Queenie’s Ballyhoo) and, especially, Mis’ry’s Comin’ Aroun’, hers is a voice that gets under your skin and into your bones with a distinctive and entrancing timbre, while in the chorus portion of Can’t Help Lovin’ Dat Man, it floats above the others.

As an actress, she finds just the right balance of sassiness and solidity, giving the proper dignity to Queenie.

Mary Kathryn Carroll also has an exquisite voice and as Magnolia, the daughter of the Cotton Blossom’s owners, is sweet and convincing. Meghan Shea as Julie, the biracial singer passing for white, doesn’t have that much to do, but she sings her two songs, Can’t Help Lovin’ Dat Man and Bill, beautifully.

Jack Duke makes an amusing Captain Andy, particularly in his one-man version of the Show Boat’s presentation, and Lisa Meredith properly fashions Parthy, his wife, as all bourgeois bluster. Ashley Selzer, a mere tenth-grader, amuses as a perky and knowing Ellie, the comic ingenue.

Ryan Robicheau’s set, while not fancy, stunningly transforms from the exterior to the interior of the Cotton Blossom before your eyes.

Unfortunately, the captain of this Show Boat, Director Allen L. Little, seems to have given little guidance to his cast. There’s some of the strangest blocking I’ve ever seen with actors just wandering about the stage. This most egregiously affects Lionel Jackson who sounds wonderful in Ol’ Man River but whose motions are aimless.

I understand that some health issues may have prevented Little from fully realizing his duties (and I wish him a speedy recovery), but there should have been a Plan B. As it is, the plot’s inherent drama is repeatedly undermined; and it doesn’t help that, after the strong overall casts that Slidell Little Theater fielded for Into the Woods and Evita, most of the show’s smaller roles are filled with actors who epitomize “community theater” with all the implicit pluses and minuses.

One still could have hoped for a more magnetic Gaylord Ravenal than what we got from Michael McAndrew. Despite a nice voice, his Ravenal seemed less like the dashing riverboat gambler who easily becomes the leading man of the Cotton Blossom and more suited to the lead in a musical version of the Ernest Borgnine movie Marty. The usually laudable Music Director John Giraud does an admirable job with his six-piece orchestra, but they simply do not produce enough sound for a grand musical like this and come off sounding rather thin.

I hope that for the final two weeks of its run, Slidell Little Theater will be able to get its Show Boat back on course for, if it does, it could be a lovely journey.

The Clifton Monroe Chronicles/The Case of the Broadway Betty at Shadowbox Theatre through May 5 The Clifton Monroe Chronicles continues at the corner of St. Claude with its third case, that of one Broadway Betty. Don’t ask me to recap this complicated tale that also serves up the back story for the dapper reporter/gumshoe and his would-be main squeeze, Matilda, but it makes Nawlins as noir-ish as New York, L.A. or Chicago.

Ren French writes a lot of words. Nothing wrong with that but those old time radio dicks knew how to tell their stories with a suave economy. A little lagniappe comes in the form of a short, sorta Clifton, Jr. curtain raiser, but I’d’ve been happy with just

the main event.

And there’s a bit of a mystery here besides Miss Betty. Is Chronicles supposed to be a loving tribute to those old radio dramas? Or a send-up of them?

Seems a little of both to me which just might be the point.

So we get costumes that add period flair, but long gloves on the actresses just make it hard to turn the pages of the script. Nothing against a double entendre or two (or three) but they seem to come from another universe; they had to keep it pretty clean back then.

And what’s with the gender-bend[continued on 30]

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trodding the boards ...from 28 ing casting? Nothing wrong with a postmodern twist but Bill Paley would’ve been surprised to hear the twins Agnus and Ethel with a voice like the Lone Ranger. Unless, I guess, if Milton Berle was playing ‘em.

Director Harold Gervais keeps the characters clear with costume changes both major and minor, and the whole shebang running smoothly.

Leslie Boles brings Matilda to fetching life dishing up dauntlessness, poutiness, and adorableness in equally classy measures.

As the eponymous Betty as well as Clifton’s nemesis, the P-popping Polly Peterson, Kate Kuen makes for a heroine you love to love and a back-stabber you love to hate. Her split-second transformations is a comic creation crafted in heaven.

Ashton Akridge, Jake Bartush and James Howard Wright all contribute to the collective craziness but with a few too many slips of the lip; back in the day, they’d’ve been trodding the unemployment line by now.

Running a clean slate was Laurie Kaufman as the motherly Mama Pearl and Richard Meyer, who’s rapidly becoming the Dick Powell (in his Philip Marlowe period) of the Marigny.

This Chronicle may take a while to get where it’s going but with lines like

“He likes paperwork as much as I like paying full price for designer gowns” along the way, it’s a fun and punchy 77 minutes. If this kind of cupcake’s your thing, canter over to the Shadowbox pronto.

Broadway in New Orleans at the Mahalia Jackson Theater through June 2 The Broadway in New Orleans series continued its season with Million Dollar Quartet which brought back to life Johnny Cash, Carl Perkins, Elvis Presley and, the wild man of the group, Jerry Lee Lewis, for the one and only time they all recorded together.

And even if it was only talented actors playing them, it was pretty amazing to see the four icons together. What a day that must’ve been!

Though enjoyable, M$Q was more tell than show and fairly drama-free until various secrets came spilling out towards the end. Still, the point of M$Q is the music and what with Blue Suede Shoes, Great Balls of Fire, Folsom Prison Blues, Hound Dog, and 18 other classics, it didn’t disappoint. While my Yankee ears certainly enjoyed these numbers, they’re not quite in my DNA. The rest of the audience, however, ate it up.

The BiNO season concludes on

May 8 when Stephen Schwartz’ Wicked returns to the Mahalia Jackson Theater. Based on Gregory Maguire’s novel, this Tonywinner is the untold musical story of The Wizard of Oz’s Wicked Witch of the West and Glinda the Good before Dorothy dropped in. It plays through June 2. Don’t wait to book tickets as, looking in my crystal ball, I predict it will be very popular.

Otter’s Crimes Against Nature: A Love Story at Allways Theatre May 18-June 3 AllWays Lounge presents its Season One finale, Otter’s Crimes Against Nature: A Love Story Crimes Against Nature: A Love at Allways Theatre Story with book by: Otter and Dennis Monn, music by: Ratty Scurvics, and under the direction of Dennis Monn. underground comics in its gender-bendCrimes Against Nature starts off ing celebration of sex, bestiality, death with an animated (in every sense of the and dismemberment.

Featuring animation by Thomas word) sex scene and keeps getting Little and Lisa vanWambeck, the show more outrageous as it goes along. stars Otter, Dennis Monn, Sick the Billed as “A Love Story,” it’s an Clown, and Thugsy and Veronica episodic road comedy with tragic flourBelletto. ishes as when conjoined twins fall off a train and are eaten by alligators. A It plays May 18-June 3 throwback to Off Off-Broadway in the Fridays, Saturdays and Mondays with 1960s, CAN owes much to commedia no show on Memorial Day. dell’arte, Punch & Judy shows, and

30 • The Official Mag: AmbushMag.COM • Facebook.COM/ AmbushMag • April 30-May 13, 2013 • Of fic ial Pride Guide • NOLAPride.ORG

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32 • The Official Mag: AmbushMag.COM • Facebook.COM/ AmbushMag • April 30-May 13, 2013 • Of fic ial Pride Guide • NOLAPride.ORG

The Entertainment Scene ~ Mobile, Alabama ~ Photos by Miss Cie & John

Chelsea Daggers & Jason @ B-Bob’s

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B-Bob’s emcee & hostess Jawakatema Davenport with show director Miss Cie

Robert & Jimmy having a blast

Jason & Weston having a kiki

Miss Splash America Aubrey Synclaire performing @ B-Bob’s with Miss Cie

Hello Skylar & friend

Hello beautiful girls @ B-Bob’s

John & Brady hanging out with Miss Cie

RuPaul’s Drag Race’s Detox with Miss Cie @ B-Bob’s

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SKYY Vodka-2(X)IST Underwear Party @ Oz

Divas R Us with Tiffany, Rikki, bar baron James, Monique & Tami @ Golden Lantern

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paparazzi Dancer & Monday DJ Paul @ The Corner Pocket

Petronius’s Jimmy & Queen AmonRa Deja @ Royal White Trash Baby Shower for the Duchess @ 4 Seasons

Lisa Lynn live every Friday @ Home of Southern Decadence Golden Lantern

SKYY Vodka-2(X)IST Underwear Party @ Oz Dancer Mark @ The Corner Pocket Function Lt. Tittie, Stuart & AmonRa Pres. Ron @ Amon-Ra Royal White Trash Baby Shower for the Duchess @ 4 Seasons

Nothing but fun @ the Lantern with Carrie, Rikki, James, Wayne & Winston down for the count

Shannon, Persana & Sam Oz Skyy-2(X)IST Underwear Party

Andre showing off the new leather wing @ COK in the Phoenix

SKYY Vodka-2(X)IST Underwear Party @ Oz

Barbara Ella as Queen Victoria @ Amon-Ra Royal White Trash Baby Shower for the Duchess @ 4 Seasons

Blaine on the bar @ The Corner Pocket

Raymond & Errol serving you @ Clover Grill

SKYY Vodka-2(X)IST Underwear Party @ Oz

One of the Baby Shower winners with Opal @ Amon-Ra Royal White Trash Baby Shower for the Duchess @ 4 Seasons

Corner Pocket dancer Kyle on the bar

Hanah, Catherine & Misti @ JohnPaul’s for Misti’s show

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Catching the Action ~ New Orleans, Metairie ~ Photos by Tony Leggio, Rip Naquin, Arthur Severio

The Royal Family Look-alike Contestants in Amon-Ra’s Royal White Trash Baby Shower for the Duchess @ 4 Seasons, Metairie

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La Scène des Clubs (the club scene) ~ New Orleans ~ Photos by Tony Leggio, Paul Melancon, Rip Naquin

paparazzi

Bourbon Pub Parade’s Chuck all sporty @ Bourbon Pub

Marilyn alive & well @ Ninth Circle

Carolina celebrates Jose Luis birthday during French Quarter Fest

Brad behind the bar @ Bourbon Pub on Sundays Catch Jay behind the bar @ Ninth Circle

Jose & Rene at their home for Jose’s Birthday Party

Bartender Rusty LaRoux @ Allways Lounge

Divas R Us’ Tami Tarmac with some of her fans @ Golden Lantern

Marsha snagged by Paloma @ Oz Pole dancing upstairs over Bourbon St. @ Rainbow Room

Voodoo’s Tadgh with socialite Jim @ Voodoo Bar

Rene & his brothers @ Jose’s Birthday Party

Tony & Paul welcome you to JohnPaul’s

Frankie & Earl host Deals, Dares & Dancers Fridays @ Oz

Ray & Charlie Bear cocktailin’ @ Rawhide Bartender David @ Voodoo Bar

Bartender Alex welcomes you to Rawhide

Lou & Preston join bartender Will @ The Double Play

Miss Gay New Orleans America Monica Synclaire-Kennedy @ JohnPaul’s

King Satyricon Todd up close & personal with Marshall & Stephen @ Michael’s On The Park

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36 • The Official Mag: AmbushMag.COM • Facebook.COM/ AmbushMag • April 30-May 13, 2013 • Of fic ial Pride Guide • NOLAPride.ORG