Ambush Magazine Volume 34 Issue 06

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the "official" dish

by Rip & Marsha Naquin-Delain Email: ripna@ambushmag.com

Only 2 Fundraisers Left for Gay Easter Parade benefiting Food For Friends Join Easter Grand Marshals XVII Ken GrandPre and Monica SynclaireKennedy for the final two fundraisers for the 17th Gay Easter Parade. Funds raised minus expenses benefits Food For Friends, a vital agency of the NO/AIDS Task Force. A whopping $231,674.73 has been raised for charity the past 14 years. > First up is the 17th Purple Party Easter Grand Marshals Reception on Saturday, March 19th, doors open 7pm with 8-10pm event, at the Double Play, 439 Dauphine Street, $10 door donation. Celebrating Chuck & Bill’s 45th Anniversary, the annual party boast a luscious buffet, entertaining show, raffles, prizes, and amazing auctions.

GEP Board’s Tony Leggio and Easter Grand Marshal XVII Ken GrandPre will emcee the evening's proceedings.

The Gay Easter Parade Board of Directors are proud to bring to the stage Tony D. from the Gulf Coast, Easter Grand Marshal XVII Monica Synclaire-Kennedy, Easter Grand Marshal V Princesse Stephaney, Coca Mesa, Deanna and Savana Summers.

The incredible auctions will include the Faux Faberge' “Royal Carousal” Musical Egg donated from the private collection of Easter Grand Marshal VII and GEP Board's Rona Conners, as well as a fabulous "Bunnies Only" Easter Basket also donated by Rona Conners. > The final fundraiser is the 7th Bunnies in The Big Easy on Good Friday, March 25th, 7-9:30pm in the Voodoo Garden at House of Blues, 225 Decatur Street. Join a “Bunny” party like you’ve never seen before. Enjoy a limited open bar (beer, wine and vodka cocktails) throughout the event, dance to the jams of our fabulous DJ, and delicious haute cuisine from the House of Blues. Bring your very best bonnet for a special “guests only” Bonnet Contest!

Only 100 tickets will be sold to this event, so get yours now before they sell out! Tickets are $35 for the event (advanced purchase only), including a limited open bar for beer, wine and vodka. Call Tony Leggio at 504.252.5476 with questions or to reserve your ticket in advance. You may also purchase your ticket online at Ticket Link: https://gay-easter-parade.ticketleap.com/bunnies-in-thebig-easy-16/dates/Mar-25-2016_at_0700PM. Hosted by GEP Board's Tony Leggio and Steve Patrick, additional information is available at www.GayEasterParade.com.

17th Gay Easter Parade Led by Easter Grand Marshals XVII Ken GrandPre & Monica SynclaireKennedy March 27th thru French Quarter

From 4-4:25pm, registered participants board carriages, wagons, and trolleys on North Rampart (Armstrong Park side) beginning at St. Ann. All vehicles and marching groups follow in order of registration. (Must have Parade Ticket, or you will be removed from parade.)

The parade kicks off at 4:30pm sharp at the Armstrong Park Arch, then takes a left on St. Ann, left on Bourbon, right on Esplanade, right on Royal, right on St. Louis, right on Burgundy, and left on Dumaine ending at N. Rampart.

At 6pm, Grand-Pre's host the Official Post-Parade Party at 834 N. Rampart Street.

Many thanks to the generosity of the parade's many sponsors including: PRESENTING: Ambush Magazine; PLATINUM: James Garner & EGM XVII Monica Synslaire-Kennedy/The Golden Lantern; GOLD: In Honor of EGM XIII Darwin Reed and EGM VII Opal Masters Wedding, EGM XII Gary Vandeventer, Wedon Brown & Troy Quint/Something Different NOLA, Noel Twilbeck & Glen Kahrman, EGM VIII Michael Elias & EGM XIV Tommy Elias/The Corner Pocket, EGM XVII Ken GrandPre/ GrandPre's, Joann & Lisa Guidos/ Kajun's Pub, Scott Vincent & Scott McRae, John Groth;

SILVER: Krewe of Amon-Ra, Dwain Hertz & Eugene Theriot/Gene's PoBoys, Mystic Krewe of Satyricon, EGM XV Todd Blauvelt, EGM XV Stewart Nettles & EGM IX Safonda Peters, Bradley Latham, Daniel Morvant & Jon

Ken GrandPre and Monica Synclaire-Kennedy will lead the colorful 17th Official Gay Easter Parade as Easter Grand Marshals XVII on Sunday, March French Quarter Fest issue due out March 29 27th through the streets of the historic DEADLINE: Tues., March 22 French Quarter. Benefiting Food for Friends, the annual parade has raised trodding the boards 26 celebrazzi/new orleans 6 mobile paparazzi 26 the real cheese 10 $231,674.73 for charity the past 14 night of a thousand stars paparazzi 28 matters of health 10 years. a community within communities 29 drag extravaganza paparazzi 12 Festivities begin from 3-4pm with ambush paparazzi/new orleans 30 krewe rush parties paparazzi 14 the Official Pre-Parade Party & Paambush market place 15 AD INFO: Call 17th gay easter parade 17 rade Participants Check-in at under the gaydar 18 GrandPre's, 834 N. Rampart Street.

504.522.8049 chop chop/the cheezy cajun 21 (Pick up your Parade Ticket at this time classifieds 24-25 ripna@ambushmag.com for placement in parade. You will not be allowed to join parade without entry Gulf South LGBT+ Entertainment/Travel Guide Since 1982 ticket, must have registered by March 828-A Bourbon St. • New Orleans, LA 70116-3137 • 504.522.8049 7th.) ripna@ambushmag.com

inside

THE OFFICIAL MAG

Facebook.COM/AmbushMag Gulf South Entertainment/Travel Guide Since 1982 • Texas-Florida Official Gay Easter Parade Guide© Official Gay Mardi Gras Guide© Official Gay New Orleans Guide© Official Pride Guide© Official Southern Decadence Guide© AWARD WINNING:

Saints & Sinners Literary Festival Hall of Fame/2015, Louisiana Excellence Award: Media & Internet/2014, New Orleans Print Media Award/ 2014, 25th NO/AIDS Task Force Humanitas Award/2013, New Orleans Print Media Award/ 2013, Krewe of Mwindo Media Honoree/2009, Krewe of Petronius Carnival Spirit of Gay Mardi Gras XLVIII Award/2009, Forum For Equality Acclaim Awards X Media Recipient/2008, NO/AIDS Task Force Prometheus “Torch of Truth” [media] Award/2001 OFFICE/SHIPPING ADDRESS: 828-A Bourbon St., New Orleans, LA 70116-3137 USA OFFICE HOURS: 10am-3pm Monday-Friday [Except Holidays] Email: ripna@ambushmag.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 Texas - Houston

STAFF: PUBLISHER/EDITOR R. Rip Naquin, New Orleans PRODUCTION DIRECTOR M. Marsha Delain, New Orleans GULF SOUTH/NEW ORLEANS AD SALES Rip Naquin • 504.522.8049 Paul Melancon THEATRE/PERFORMING ARTS CRITIC Brian Sands AD REPS/JOURNALISTS/PHOTOGRAPHERS Tony Leggio, Hubert S Monkeys, Felicia Phillips, Frank Perez, Rev. Bill Terry-New Orleans MIss Cie, Leon Weekley-Mobile, AL 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. ©1982-2016 AMBUSH, INC., ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. NOTHING HEREIN MAY BE REPRODUCED WITHOUT WRITTEN PERMISSION OF THE PUBLISHER INCLUDING AD LAYOUTS, MAPS and PHOTOS. AMgrant - AMbush Advertising Grant Donation

Taylor, Jeff Bater & Tim Irving, EGM XIII Rhonda Roget & David Roget, Wood Enterprises, Persana Shoulders, Jeffrey Palmquist & Coca J. Mesa; BRONZE: GrandPre's Saints Games Fundraiser, Four Seasons Turnabout Show, Paul Melancon, Michael Bingham, Bryon Anderson & Jimmy Mondoro, Butch & Cindy Peno, Robert Cook & John Zeringue, EGM II Larry Bagneris, Jr, EGM X Tony Leggio, In Memory of EGM X Marcy Marcel, EGM XIV Starr Daniels & Justin Moffatt, EGM XVI Misti Ates/Johnny Passion, [continued on 10]

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Official Portrait of Easter Grand Marshals XVII Ken GrandPre & Monica Synclaire-Kennedy (by Larry Graham)

celebrazzi Front: MC Easter Grand Marshal XVII Ken GrandPre, King Amon-Ra LI Chris Arthur as KCQ XXI Barbara Ella, and MC Easter Grand Marshal X Tony Leggio; Back: Grand Reveler II Wilmado Anthing, King Cake Queen XXII of Gay Mardi Gras Aubrey Synclaire, Easter Grand Marshal 1 Marsha Delain, Queen Armeinius XLVIII Adrienne Andrews, Easter Grand Marshal V Princesse Stephaney, Easter Grand Marshal III Teryl-Lynn Foxx, Easter Grand Marshal XVII Monica Synclaire-Kennedy, Lord Consort Kyle Robin & Queen Petronius LV Kitty D-Litter (Photo by Adrian Claveria

15th Super Star Studded Drag Extravaganza Raises $5,478 @ Oz New Orleans Easter Grand Marshals I Rip Naquin and Marsha Delain hosted the 15th Super Star-Studded Drag Extravaganza at Oz New Orleans raising $5,478 for the 17th Gay Easter Parade benefiting Food For Friends. The event brought in $4,478 with an additional $1,000 in sponsorships.

It is the only time of the year when reigning Carnival Royalty and Easter Grand Marshals are on one stage for one night only joined by past royalty and past Easter Grand Marshals. The large crowd experienced outstanding performances from reigning King Amon-Ra LII Chris Arthur as King Cake Queen XXI Barbara Ella, King Cake Queen XXII of Gay Mardi Gras Aubrey Synclaire, Queen Armeinius XLVIII Adrienne Andrews, and Queen Petronius LV Kitty D'Litter. They were joined by reigning Lord Consort XXXIII Kyle Robin of Lords of Leather as auctioneer. Reigning Easter Grand Marshal XVII Ken GrandPre and GEP Board's Tony Leggio (Easter Grand Marshal X) emceed, while Easter Grand Marshal XVII Monica Synclaire-Kennedy joined the honorees for the show.

Reigning Grand Reveler II Will Antil joined the festivities in the "Man I Feel Like A Woman" put Will Antil in Drag auction.

Other notable performances came from Easter Grand Marshal I Marsha Delain, King and Queen Satyricon XIII Marshall Harris and Becky Allen, Easter Grand Marshals XVI Misti Ates and Deja Deja-Vue', Easter Grand Marshal V and King Cake Queen XIV Princesse Stephaney, and Easter Grand Marshal III and King Cake Queen X Teryl-Lynn Foxx.

The evening raised 732.00 at the door; 900.00 in VIP Table sales/donations from Kajun's Pub, Corner Pocket, Savana Summers, Krewe of Petronius, and John Groth; 200.00 donation from Mary J. Dodwell; 789.00 in Stage Performance Tips; 165.00 from the Menage A Trois Basket auction by Ned Pitre; 200.00 from Hummingbird Faux Faberge' Egg auction by EGM XI Chuck Turner; 70.00 from Mary's Kitchen & Bath Gift Basket auction by EGM X Tony Leggio; 275.00 from Crystal Gift Basket auction by Shawn Lizana; 550.00 from Giant Blue Bunny Basket auction by EGM X Tony Leggio; and 50.00 Golden Lantern performance donation from Vanessa Carr Kennedy and Senator Ken for a sub-total of 3,931.00.

The "Put Will Antil in Drag" auction raised 60.00 for the Dress from Corner Pocket Bartender Tommy, 20.00 for Blush & Eye Shadow from Oz DJ Kyle, 40.00 for Lipstick from Chuck Turner, 28.00 for Eyelashes from Corner Pocket Bartender Tommy, 20.00 for Earrings from Savana Summers, 100.00 for Wig from EGM XI Chuck Turner, 60.00 for Shoes from EGM V Princesse Stephaney and EGM XI Chuck Turner, 50.00 Name That Queen "Wilmado Anything" from EGM I Rip Naquin, 100.00 for Song "Man I Feel Like A Woman" from EGM XI Chuck Turner, and 69.00 for Stage Performance Tips for a sub-total of 547.00.

The event total was 4,478.00.

Sponsorships received included Silver $250 from Wood Enterprises and Persana Shoulders; and Bronze $100 from NOLA Softball League, Bootsie DeVille, Orlando Aloe, Nick Weber & Rick Mirabelli/Krewe of Narcissus, and New Covenant Church NOLA for a sub-total of 1,000.00.

The Grand Total raised was 5,478.00. All expenses for this event were donated by Rip Naquin and Marsha Delain. (www.GayEasterParade.com)

EGMs XVI Deja Deja-Vue’ & Misti Ates present EGM XVII pins to Monica Synclaire-Kennedy & Ken GrandPre

Kyle Robin with Mary’s Kitchen & Bath Gift Basket winner Tony Leggio

Ned Pitre wins Menage A Trois Basket from Kyle Robin

Shawn Lizana wins Crystal Gift Basket from Kyle Robin & Deja Deja-Vue’

Kyle Robin with Hummingbird Faux Faberge’ Egg winner Chuck Turner

Kyle Robin with Giant Blue Bunny Basket winner Tony Leggio

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the real cheese

by Felicia Phillips Email: fphillips1011@gmail.com Photo by Hubert S Monkeys

A Little Crazy Never Hurts I have always felt that to live in New Orleans you have to be at least a little bit crazy, or you must no how to roll with crazy when it comes your way, and believe me it will come your way. Working first in the hotel business and now back behind a bar, it is a daily occurrence, that I have a conversation with guests that think that they just have to move here, or sometimes its comparing stories with others that have already transplanted themselves here. The one thing that is guaranteed is a story of a magical, crazy, or twisted experience will be shared.

A couple of weeks ago a well dressed middle aged lady, she is curious as to if I knew what's going to become of a building a couple of doors down, telling me that before Katrina it belonged to a woman that was “anointed" by some voodoo priestesses in Africa, and sent back as a missionary to bring their culture here, along with thousands of dollars in artifacts that were abandoned after she was caught embezzling and Katrina hit. That story was fascinating but wasn’t the best of our conversation. We talked about how it is that people that aren’t born and bred here often don’t make it but a few months, but others such as her and myself, don’t just survive, but thrive, and that’s how our comparing of stories started.

I tell her just one of my many experiences from before I took the plunge and moved here for the long haul. Picture it Mardi Gras circa 2003, I bring a twenty two year old straight bartender from Texas with

me for his first time, he was more than cool with it as he worked in the gay bar I managed, and was fascinated with my drag for some reason. So on the first night don matching costumes, it was around the time that Queen of the Damned was out and we went as kind of modern gothic Egyptian vampires. Both scantily clad, and I had on a mohawk with a pony tail that touched my ankles. Not realizing we were leaving our hotel in the CBD to head to the bars right in the middle of a parade, we almost decide to go back to the room, when we notice that we were fast becoming the center of attention, and once we got into character the crowds were literally parting like the red sea to let us pass! It was one of the most surreal experiences I’ve ever had.

At one point a homeless man stops and looks us both in the eyes, and tells us nothing around us is real, that this is the matrix and that our real names are Jeremy and Isabella, then focusing on my compan-

matters of health Bisexual Women More Likely To Develop Eating Disorders

by Jack Carrel, MPH In a previous column, I shared a study among college students that indicated transgender students had higher rates of eating disorders and this month a new study by researchers at Drexel University found that bisexual women in their study

the "official" dish ...from 4 Sam Stewart, June Pennick, Charles Click, Peter & Frank Abbruscato, Philip A. Palumbo/Felicia Phillips, Jeremy Weinberg, Lee Worrells, Anonymous, Helene Berot, NOLA Softball League, Bootsie DeVille, Orlando Aloe, New Covenant Church NOLA, R&M/In Memory of Allen Miller, Queen Petronius LV Kitty D'Litter; and VENUE/In-Kind: Corner Pocket, Double Play, EGM XVI Deja DejaVue’, Four Seasons, GrandPre's, House of Blues/Voodoo Garden, Oz New Orleans, Larry Graham.

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 the late 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

population were more likely to develop eating disorders. The study population (over 2000 youth ages 14-24) was drawn from ten primary care sites in Pennsylvania, which could account for the difference.

The study reported on last issue was among

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, XIII Darwin Reed and Rhonda Roget, XIV Tommy Elias and Starr Daniels, XV Todd Blauvelt and Stuart Nettles, and XVI Johnny Passion and Deja Deja-Vue’.

Visit www.GayEasterParade.com for additional information.

Oz Kicks Off New Mega Happy Hour Oz New Orleans, 800 Bourbon Street, is at it again bringing patrons a mega happy hour extravaganza. It's Happy Hour is 7 days a week from 4pm-8pm, with Late Night Happy Hour Monday-Thursday 2am-8am, and All Day Happy Hour Monday-Thursday 8am-4pm on well drinks and domestic beer. The new Happy Hours are not

ion whose name is John, he says don’t ever sleep around on her or she will rip your heart out with her own hands! Intense was the word of that night. After a very long night of cocktailing and some very hedonistic moments we end up somehow in front of St. Louis Cemetery, I had always had a fantasy of being with a hot hetro in a graveyard while in vampire drag! So I just went for it, climbed over the fence, and he followed.

We quickly started to sober up and knew we needed to get the hell up out of there, he boosts me up on to the wall and I crawl like a cat until I find a place to jump down. He is really feeling the vampire thing so he does a flip off of the wall, its then when we both have landed straight up on our feet that we see we are at the entrance to the Iberville Projects and there were people everywhere! Figuring we were either done for or we could just roll with it, we proceed to walk right thru the middle of them, and it is complete truth that all the people slowly backed up into their houses and let us pass without incident!

After sharing my story, I ask her to top that and tell me her story.

She is now a prominent staff member of Tulane with a twenty year career, but it was at the fresh age of nineteen that she ventured here for the first time, via train from the east coast to check out the university.

She liked Tulane but wasn’t sure if it was enough to relocate here for, on the day she was to catch the train back home she decided to spend her last couple of hours in Jackson Square to experience some of the magic and culture she had heard about.

She assured me it was different in some ways than now, but in other ways much the same. While finishing up her lunch and preparing to head to the train station, an college students. According to researchers, lesbians are no more likely to experience disordered eating symptoms than their peers with opposite-sex attractions. The study also found that males who were attracted to other males or both sexes had higher rates of eating disorders than males only attracted to the opposite sex. Females who were unsure of who they were attracted to reported the highest disordered eating symptoms scores of all. Males who were attracted to other males exhibited

valid on some holidays. For additional info visit www.OzNewOleans.com.

oddly dressed man sat down beside her, opened up a suit case and started to make animal balloons. He tells her he is a street performer that is a professional clown and begins to tell her all the things about the town that only a local would know. He is so good at capturing the essence of the heart the city in his words, that before she knows it she had missed her train. Mesmerized by this quirky character she is convinced to go back to his French Quarter apartment (yes back then a street performer could afford the rent!) and stay over to experience all that there is to see and do, only problem is once she gets there, he is ready for and experience of a more fleshy kind, she was fine with that as he was kind of hot in a 1990’s gutter punk way, however it didn’t take her long to realize she wasn’t going to see much of the city as he kept her locked in, making her his own little sex slave!

She said it was nearly three days before she got out and made her way back east, the whole time thinking did that really happen? I then ask her how could you have ended up back here for twenty years after something as traumatic as that? She responds oh it took two years before I could even think about coming back, but by then I had a great job offer that would turn into the position I now have, and I had to admit even with as insane of a first experience I had, I did feel some magical connection. And when I really thought about it I figured, hell if I could make it as a captive sex slave for a psycho clown who also gave me the clap, everything else there will be a piece of cake!

Both stories just reaffirmed my belief that you will experience magical, crazy and often twisted things here, and you either become part of them or roll with them! And that’s the Real Cheese!

Till next time dahlins, I’m Felicia Phillips the Cheese Queen of New Orleans. significantly higher disordered eating scores than those only attracted to members of the opposite sex. “This study highlights the need to increase sensitivity to the unique needs of sexual minority youth as a group and for the particularly sub groups in that population,’ said Guy S Diamond, PhD, one of the co-authors of the study. The study results available online will be published in an upcoming issue of the journal Eating

[continued on 13]

Sally-FLY Friends of Frank Perez Cookout Benefit March 30 The Sally-FLY's of Southern Decadence fame are hosting a special cookout benefit for Frank Perez since a bad fall landed him in the hospital for the past two months. The Sally-FLY Frank Perez Cookout Benefit is set for Wednesday, March 30th beginning at 5pm at Cafe Lafitte in Exile.

Enjoy grilled cheeseburgers with all the fixins by grill master Sally-FLY Jeff Palmquist, and Sally-FLY's Rip and Marsha's award winning Potato Salad. All of this and more for a mere $5 a burger plate. There will also be a 50/50 raffle.

Frank is the proprietor of Crescent City Tour Booking Agency, President of the LGBT+ Archives Project of Louisi-

ana, and a columnist for Ambush Magazine.

Stay after, and enjoy Kafe Karoake from 9pm until. Lafitte's is located at 901 Bourbon Street.

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15th Super Star Studded Drag Extravaganza Raises $5,478 for Gay Easter Parade/Food For Friends @ Oz ~ New Orleans ~ Photos by Darwin Reed

Blush & Eye Shadow

Name That Queen "Wilmado Anything"

Lipstick

Eyelashes

snap

paparazzi

Earrings Song "Man I Feel Like A Woman"

Wig

Shoes

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Drag Extravaganza's "Man I Feel Like A Woman" put Grand Reveler II Will Antil in Drag Auction @ Oz ~ New Orleans ~ Photos by Darwin Reed

Dress

matters of health ...from 10 Behaviors.

Fifty Percent of Gay App Users Chat with PrEP User In an advance article to be published in the Journal of Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndromes, researchers found that almost 50% of gay men surveyed on a gay phone app reported that at least one potential sexual partner has said that he was taking PrEP, and over 50% have chatted with someone who said that he was HIV positive but had an undetectable viral load. It was also reported that many of the potential partners with looking for sex without a condom. A total of 668 and 727 participants, respectively, responded to questions about partner disclosure of PrEP use and undetectable viral load. Average age was 38, 75% of men were white and 14% had been diagnosed with HIV. When asked “When you’ve been on mobile dating apps looking for sex partners, has anyone ever told you that they are on PrEP?”, 43% of HIV-negative men and 62% of HIV-positive men said yes. Asked a similar question about having an undetectable viral load, 68% of HIV-negative men and 90% of HIVpositive men said yes. Of these men, most said that at least one of the sexual partners (who had disclosed PrEP or undetectable viral load) had asked to have sex without a condom. At least one partner had refused to have sex unless condoms were not used. It should be noted that the question wasn’t asked how often the men who didn’t mention PrEP or undetectable viral load asked for sex without a condom so it’s not possible to see what effect that has on potential

condoms use. Fifty-five per cent of the HIVnegative men who had sex without a condom with someone using PrEP said that the risk of HIV transmission is lower when PrEP is used. There were similar responses in relation to sex without a condom with a man with an undetectable viral load. The researchers noted an interesting sorting practice they called “biomed-matching” in which negative men on PrEP were having sex without a condom with HIV positive men with an undetectable viral load.

No New HIV Infections With PrEP In other PrEP news, a study published online in Clinical Infectious Diseases, reported that no individuals taking PrEP were diagnosed with HIV during 388 personyears of follow-up. The study included 801 individuals with at least one intake visit in the Kaiser Permanente San Francisco system who had been referred for PrEP evaluation between July 2012 and February 2015. “This was despite high rates of STIs [sexually transmitted infections] — rectal STIs in particular — and self-reported decreases in condom use in 41% of a subset of PrEP users,” write Jonathan E. Volk, MD, one of the study’s authors. The authors write. “Our data suggest that fears about risk compensation resulting in increased HIV acquisition among PrEP users may be unfounded.” Among 143 persons surveyed about behavior changes after 6 months of taking PrEP, 74% said their number of sexual partners had not changed, 15% said it had decreased, and 11% said it had increased. Just over half (56%) did not change their condom use, 41% used

condoms less often, and 3% used them more.

New federal rule seeks to prohibit discrimination against transgender individuals The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services proposed a new rule recently to protect transgender people from discrimination in health care settings. The rule only applies to health care entities that receive federal funding. If passed, the rule would implement Section 1557 of the federal Affordable Care Act, which prohibits discrimination in health-care settings on the basis of “race, color, national origin, sex, age or disability.” Consequentially, the rule will protect transgender individuals against discrimination by providing avenues for disciplinary action and by eliminating the exclusion of gender transition-related medical care by certain health insurance providers. Because the Affordable Care Act makes exemptions with regards to preventive health services on the grounds of religious beliefs and practices, the HHS is currently requesting comment on the extent to which such exemptions should apply to the implementation of this rule. The HHS is obligated to review comments received, and, barring a cancellation of the rule, will then publish a final version with any revisions or additions. Although such administrative rules are subject to congressional approval, only one rule has been rejected

by Congress since 1996. The rule is open for public comment until Nov. 9. If you would like to review the entire document and/or make comments on the rule change, you can go to https://www.federalregister.gov/

articles/2015/09/08/2015-22043/nondiscrimination-in-health-programs-and-activities.

HIV Testing Low Among Gay/ Bisexual Male Teenagers Even though gay and bisexual male adolescents are among the highest-risk groups for contracting HIV, only 20% have been tested for the virus, according to a study published online in the Journal of Adolescent Health. The study report also found that the biggest barriers to HIV testing were not knowing where to get tested, fear about being tested, and feeling invincible about not contracting HIV. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommend that men who have sex with men (MSM) be tested for HIV at least once a year. The National HIV Behavioral Surveillance System, however, has reported that MSM aged 18 to 19 years have the lowest lifetime testing rate for HIV (75%), and only 64% have been tested in the last year. Rates for younger MSM may be even lower, according to background information in the article. The researchers recruited participants through Facebook ads so the results might not apply to ALL gay and bisexual male teenagers but provide some important insights.

New APA Guidelines for Transgender-Affirmative Care Recently, the American Psychological Association announced 16 basic guidelines for transgender-affirmative psychological care. The culmination of three years of work, they offer an introduction for clini-

[continued on 29]

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Krewe of Amon-Ra

Lords of Leather

Krewe of Armeinius

snap paparazzi

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Krewe Rush Partiess~ New Orleans ~ Photos by Tony Leggio, Paul Melancon, Rip Naquin, Darwin Reed

Krewe of Narcissus

ambush marketplace

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under the gaydar

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

Book of the Month If you loved the first novel in Rick Yancey’s The 5th Wave series, you are in for a treat with his follow up The Infinite Sea. Yancey takes the reader back to the world as we know it now, an apocalyptic wasteland where the remnants of humanity fight to stay alive from the alien invasion. The second novel picks up where the action left off in the last book, but this time it is told from the perspective of two different characters viewpoints. I admire the way Yancey chose to change things up by doing this.

It is refreshing to see how the heroine from The 5th Wave Cassie Sullivan is viewed through the eyes of other people. Characters that were considered secondary in the first book now have a voice and solid storylines this go round. The action is amped up, new villains are revealed and the race to save our species has now taken a more serious turn.

The intricate romance subplots are fleshed out more and the aliens’ diabolical world siege becomes even graver. The Infinite Sea is a page turner with twists around every corner. I definitely cannot wait for the third book in the series The Last Star. For more information on Rick Yancey’s books, go to www.rickyancey.com.

7pm and the main event from 8 – 11pm. The details are Patron Party - Music by The Necessary Gentlemen and features cuisine by Arnaud’s and the French 75 Bar, and an exclusive first look at fabulous auction items in-person.

The Jump! - Music by Honey Island Swamp Band, enjoy New Orleans’ finest food and cocktails, vie for marvelous auction items, and dance the night away! For tickets and more information, go to www.prcno.org.

Hot Happenings

Saturday, March 19, 2016 The cast of Exotique is taking you back to your childhood bratty days with their theme “A Bratty Drag Story” at Four Seasons Bar (3229 N. Causeway Blvd.). There is no cover and the event starts at 10pm.

I love March, the weather is beautiful and it is also has some of my favorite holidays, St. Patrick and St. Joseph Days and Easter. There are parties and parades surrounding them. So don your bonnet, throw on some green and kiss as many boys as possible. Here are just some of my top picks of things to do.

Thursday, March 17, 2016 Come experience the luck of the Irish at The Green House Inn (1212 Magazine Street) from 5 – 7pm for the Gulf South Chamber: New Orleans LGBT Chamber’s networking event. This is a great opportunity to meet fellow members, mingle with our corporate sponsors, and support your local LGBT Chamber.

Friday, March 18, 2016 Come join the friendly staff, the Big Easy Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence, and everyone and anyone that appreciates a nice ass at the Rawhide 2010 (740 Burgundy Street) for Chasin Azz’s Wet Azz Contest. Think of a wet t-shirt contest, but for men! Come on out and share your asses with the masses. The winner will be selected by a combination of judges’ vote and audience applause. Winner will win a fabulous prize package and the title of Mr. Wet Ass 2016. If interested in being a contestant or to volunteer as an assistant during the contest, please contact Guard Chasin Azz (Chase N Azton on Facebook) for more info.

Friday, March 18, 2016 The 39th Annual Julia Jump will take place at The Cannery (3803 Toulouse Street) with the patron party beginning at

Saturday, March 19, 2016 NOAGE presents their monthly Coffee Talk from 10am – 11:30am. This month’s topic: “Paintin’ the Town Pink: An Informal Chat About Socialization Outside the Bar Scene.” Moderator is Brian La Bella, LCSW. Brian is a clinical social worker who relocated to Chalmette, LA from Buffalo, NY in March 2014. He currently serves on the board of PFLAG New Orleans. This event takes place at the New Orleans Healing Center, Room #250 (2372 St. Claude Ave.).

Coffee, pastries, and fruit will be provided.

For more information about this event or about NOAGE, call 504.228.6778 or email noageinfo@gmail.com.

Sunday, March 20, 2016 Make a kid smile on Easter morning.

Join Mr. Louisiana Leather for some socializing and bring a basket for a good cause.

He is collecting premade Easter baskets for St. Anna’s Church. If you’d like to participate in donating to the cause he will be collecting Easter baskets on Sunday, 3.20.16, from 1-3pm at the Phoenix. Also, if you’d like to drop off your premade Easter basket early, please bring it to the Phoenix.

Tuesday, March 22, 2016 Dine out with royalty at Gout de Petronius at Chef Ron’s Gumbo Stop (2309 N. Causeway Blvd.) starting at 7pm. Join the oldest gay carnival krewe for a delicious four-course meal for only $40 consisting of gumbo, a salad, your choice of entrée and dessert. For more information or tickets, call Jake at 504.247.4469.

Thursday, March 24, 2016 Join the Mystic Krewe of Satyricon for their second annual Chris Owens Easter Party at the Chris Owen Club (500 Bourbon St.) starting at 7pm. Enjoy complimentary hors d’oeuvres and a lively performance by New Orleans legend Chris Owens who takes to the stage at 8pm for a show that you won’t soon forget. Tickets are $30. For more information, go to www.mystickreweofsatyricon.com.

Friday, March 25, 2016 Come out to one of the best events

during Easter weekend. The Gay Easter Parade presents Bunnies in the Big Easy at the Voodoo Lounge at House of Blues from 7 – 9:30pm. Ticket prices are $35 and all the proceeds go to Food For Friends. The evening will be hosted by GEP Board members Tony Leggio and Steve Patrick. There will be food, a live auction, a limited open bar of beer, wine and vodka cocktails as well as great entertainment. And as always the event will feature the New Orleans Bunny Boys, our sexy take on Playboy Bunnies. You can buy tickets through ticketleap at https://gay-easterparade.ticketleap.com/bunnies-in-the-bigeasy-16/dates/Mar-25-2016_at_0700PM. For more information, call 504.252.5476.

Saturday, March 26, 2016 The 14th Annual Marigny Bunny Hop, an Easter bonnet bar crawl, will begin at 2pm at Cutter’s (706 Franklin Avenue) and will make stops at the several locations where the various trophies will be presented. Everyone is invited to don their most creative or outrageous Easter “bonnet” and join the bar crawl as it makes its way to 8 different gay owned businesses in the Marigny. At each stop, bonnets will be judged in various categories by the bartenders and staff, and trophies will be presented. This year, the Bunny Marshal leading the festivities will be Gary Vandeventer. He will be responsible for guiding the Easter revelers along the route.

Previous Bunny Marshals (BM’s) include: Lewis Routh I-III, Guadelupe IV, Poncho V, Fish VI, Rip & Marsha Naquin Delain VII, Joann & Lisa Guidos VIII, Tony Leggio IX, Jeff Mallon & Marty Curtin X, Princesse Stephaney XI, The Betties XII, and John Michael Alderson XIII. The locations are as follows: Cutter’s - Most Glamorous Bonnet, Big Daddy’s Widest Bonnet, Mimi’s in the Marigny- Tallest Bonnet, The Friendly Bar- Best Couple, Who Dat Coffee Cafe - Best Newbie (for first time participants), Mag’s 940 - Most Creative Bonnet, The Phoenix - Butchest Bonnet, Kajun’s Pub - Sissiest Bonnet and Best Group (minimum of three members), Tony Leggio - Life of the Hop Award, Ambush Magazine - Best of the Best, Event Organizers - Meyer-Routh-Murrell Spirit Award. Like last year, the event will include a 50/50 raffle benefiting the Gay Easter Parade and Food for Friends.

last two weeks. There are so many new things opening in NOLA from restaurants to venues, hotels and stores. On Wednesday, I attended the opening of the Hyatt House New Orleans/Downtown. This is the first Hyatt House hotel in New Orleans.

This extended stay property will provide guests the service and convenience of hotel living with the casual comforts of home. It was an amazing repurposing of an existing 24-story office building; the 194room hotel occupies seven floors within the building and connects to the adjacent Hyatt Regency New Orleans through a secondfloor sky bridge. It also has a wonderful lobby bar area with an excellent view of the city.

After that party I trotted off to the New Orleans Magazine Tops of the Town event at Generations hall celebrating their 50th birthday. There was food, cocktails and a great 50’s party theme. You could take pictures with Marilyn Monroe or James Dean. The band for the evening was the Yat Pack and there were girls on roller skates serving shots. Now this was my kind of throw-back party.

Even though Mardi Gras is over, my

[continued on 20]

Party Down The Spring holidays are upon us, so let’s jump into all the fun and festivity of the

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under the gaydar ...from 18 party boy ways sometimes get the best of me like on Thursday. I started out the night at the Convention and Visitor’s Bureau hospitality mixer at the new B.B. King’s Blues Club which took over the venue once occupied by Margaritaville on Decatur Street. There was music, food and wine as I networked among my hospitality peers.

Next up I met up with some friends for dinner at The Franklin , one of the newer hotspots in the Marigny. As usual the food was good, the place was crowded and the atmosphere was hip and electric. If you have not checked out the place, give it a go, the prices are reasonable and the cuisine is delicious. I ended my night drinking copious amounts of wine at Bacchanal in the Bywater and listening to music. Bacchanal has completely changed since the little wine bar I had went to years ago. It still retains the quirky factor, but now it has an upstairs rea, stage and a whole new crowd.

Times they are a changing.

On Friday I went to Toast of the Coast, a fundraiser for the wetlands sponsored by the Pelicans Basketball team. I always knew I was short, but standing next to those players sealed the deal. This upscale event was just lovely with exceptional cuisine from Audubon Catering, a hot silent auction, a dance band that had everyone on the floor the entire time, a beautiful environment and the best people watching ever. Afterwards Frankie Fierce and I painted the town bright red stopping first at the Pub to catch Aubrey Synclaire’s Illusions show. We then popped around to Lafitte’s in Exile, and the Phoenix for good measure. Needless to say the following day was spent on my couch.

Like I said earlier, even though Carnival is over the gay Mardi Gras krewes are just gearing up. Sunday after brunch at Redfish Grill, which was really good, I went to the Amon-Ra rush party. They had lots of new people mixing with the krewe and they showed their ball video. It is always fun to attend these mixers and see the joy on everyone’s face as they see themselves come out in costume, reliving that great moment and telling stories of backstage antics.

My next week of events started on Wednesday when I went to the National Association of Catering and Events (NACE) at the Cellar Door. If you have not been to this funky little bar that was once a bordello, you have to go. They have a cute courtyard, a great space on the second floor for private parties and really good cocktails. I love checking out the new places around

town. After, some friends and I walked around the corner to dinner at Juan’s Flying Burrito which is always good. It is shocking to see all the new stores, restaurants and bars in this new South of Market area. Look at New Orleans growing up and becoming like a big city.

Thursday, I celebrated the evening with my friend Terri for her birthday. We started at the opening of Pigeon & Prince, the Besh Restaurant Group’s private events venue. The name is in honor of the space’s previous incarnations as a stay for visiting royals and a home for carrier pigeons. This four story event space had all the Besh restaurants in attendance showing off their mouth-watering cuisine. It was a superior start to the night which then moved us to the Foundation Room at the House of Blues.

We partied in style at the House of Blues’ private club. I ended my night with a nightcap at Good Friends before heading home.

My weekend began with dinner with Mom at taste of Tokyo in River Ridge and in my opinion one of the best sushi restaurants in the city. After, I went to see The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee at Rivertown Theatre. The play was funny, quick witted and well-acted. Rivertown shows that event little theatre can bring top notch talent. And the area has an adorable slice of old-town USA feel.

On Saturday, the Easter events have begun as I emceed the 15th Drag Extravaganza fundraiser for the Gay Easter Parade at Oz. The crowd was lively as we had a string of the top performers in the city grace the stage. We raised a lot of money for our charity Food for Friends. After I was on a fun high so a group of us went to the drag show by heavy drinking at Lafitte’s.

Ugh, haven’t I learned that purple drink at Lafitte’s equals severe hangover the next day.

Even though I was dragging on Sunday, I managed to make it to two rush parties for Armeinius and Lords of Leather. Both are groups of great men who love to embrace the magic, pomp and circumstance of the holiday. Both Mardi Gras krewes had lots of new members join. The gay Mardi Gras krewes are ideal outlets for your creativity as well as a chance to make new friends and be a part of a historic piece of history.

That ends my two weeks of fun, as Easter nears check out all the fundraisers for the Gay Easter Parade and think about attending them all. It is lots of fun for a worthwhile cause. (www.GayEasterParade.com)

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chop chop

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

Get Your Real "Down the Bayou" Fix at The Cheezy Cajun in the Bywater The excitement continues to mount every week as more and more get the chance to experience a real "Down The Bayou" fix in the Bywater neighborhood in New Orleans! Yes, all roads lead to The Cheezy Cajun at 3325 St. Claude Avenue to sample the cuisine that has made South Louisiana famous. Proprietor's Michael Ducote and Doug Minich has brought the best Cajun foods with a blend of famous Wisconsin Cheese to this new eatery/deli.

Bringing this all together is Chef Maryjane Rosas who marries this all into an incredible assortment of gastronomically delicious creations.

The Cheese Curds which Ducote flies to Wisconsin to personally acquire, are crisp and airy, fried to perfection and served with Rosas' house made Ranch dressing, an almost melt in your mouth experience.

Cheezy Cajun's Michael Ducote The boudin is definitely a real Cajun delight chockful of pork and seasonings making it a perfect addition to this lively menu. And don't miss out on their deep fried boudin balls stuffed with Wisconsin cheese. This tasty delight also tops their spicy Cajun Bloody Mary along with more traditional garnishes. The cracklins are served hot from the fryer seasoned as only a true Cajun can enjoy!

But there's so much more from apps, rabbit food (salads and more), sandwiches, sides, entrees, and daily specials. We were there on a Thursday when it was meatloaf and mashed potatoes day. When it arrived it looked like a half pound slab of beef, and

Thursday Special: Meatloaf & Mashed Potatoes oozing from the center was molten cheese served on top of a bed of creamy mashed potatoes and gravy. Chef Maryjane outdid herself!

We also sampled one of their Meat Pies. This one was chockful of bacon and seasoned beef in a crisp and flaky shell, and definitely would put a Nachitoches Meat Pie to shame.

The house made gourmet pimento cheese was rich and delectable, as was the creamy potato salad.

We are anxious to try their extensive brunch menu. Would love to sample the Venison Chili; Chicken in A Biscuit stuffed with fried chicken, pimento cheese, and horseradish bread & butter pickles; or the Debris & Poached Egg! The full restaurant and deli also serves party trays including cheese trays; and housemade cracklin's, boudin balls & pickles party trays.

Open Lunch & Dinner 11am - 8pm Mon., Tues., Thurs. and Fri., closed on Wed., Brunch & Lunch 10am - 4pm Sat. & Sun. Visit www.TheCheezyCajun.com, or call 504.265.0045.

Metairie Restaurant Guide

Crispy Cheese Curds with Ranch Dressing @ The Cheezy Cajun

Housemade Boudin @ The Cheezy Cajun

Chef Ron's Gumbo Stop & Pub, 2309 N. Causeway Blvd., 835.2022, GumboStop.com, is a quaint eatery serving five different gumbos, New Orleans favorites, house specials, specialty sandwiches, daily specials, appetizers and desserts all prepared by award winning Chef Ron Iafrate.

Open Mon-Sat. 11am-9pm, closed Sunday.

New Orleans Restaurant Guide The Bombay Club, 830 Rue Conti, w w w. b o m b a y c l u b n e w o r l e a n s . c o m , 577.2237. The Bombay Club is host to an eclectic menu of British-Cajun fare, quality craft cocktails & unique martinis. Enjoy live music showcasing the most talented jazz musicians in New Orleans. Dining hours 410pm Sun.-Thur., 4-11pm Fri.-Sat. Broussard’s Restaurant & Courtyard, 819 Rue Conti, 581.3866, http:// broussards.com. A favorite fixture in New Orleans for nearly 100 years, Broussard’s is located in the heart of the French Quarter,

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Housemade Cracklins @ The Cheezy Cajun

Cheese Party Tray @ The Cheezy Cajun

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chop chop ...from 21

Chargrilled Oysters: Plump Louisiana oysters topped with Parmesan butter cheese filling & grilled to perfection @ Royal House Oyster Bar, 441 Royal St.

New Orleans Muffuletta @ Restaurant/Deli of the Year Quartermaster: The Nellie Deli, 1100 Bourbon St.

Shrimp, Andouille & Stoneground Grits @ The Country Club, 634 Louisa St.

Bayou Scampi (shrimp sauteed in wine, garlic & fresh tomatoes with jazzmen rice) @ Chef Ron's Gumbo Stop, 2309 N. Causeway Blvd., Metairie

Housemade Cracklin's, Boudin Balls & Pickles Party Tray @ Cheezy Cajun, 3325 St. Claude

BBQ Shrimp & Waffles: Toasted garlic, poblano pepper jelly, and hopitoulas cream @ Kingfish Kitchen & Cocktails, 337 Chartres

World Famous Hamburger @ Clover Grill, 900 Bourbon St. Oysters Earl (fresh Gulf oysters baked with aged asiago cheese & applewood smoked bacon) @ Orleans Grapevine Wine & Bar Bistro, 720 Orleans

Special Combo Pizza (pepperoni, Italian sausage, ham, onions, mushrooms, green peppers & black olives with jalapenos & anchovies optional) @ Mona Lisa Restaurant, 1212 Royal St.

BBQ Shrimp @ Deanie's Seafood, French Quarter: 841 Iberville; Bucktown: 1713 Lake Ave., Metairie

featuring classic French and Creole food, old architecture, and tradition. Dining hours 5:30-9pm Tues.-Thurs. & Sun., 5:30-10pm Fri.-Sat., 10:30am-2:30pm Sunday Brunch.

Cheezy Cajun, 3325 St. Claude Ave., www.TheCheezyCajun.com, 265.0045, is NOLA's newest full restaurant and deli serving a variety of Cajun foods including Boudin and Cracklins’ mixed with a variety of Wisconsin Cheeses, plus fab party trays.

Open Lunch & Dinner 11am - 8pm Mon., Tues., Thurs. and Fri., closed on Wed., Brunch & Lunch 10am - 4pm Sat. & Sun. Clover Grill, 900 Bourbon St., 598.1010, CloverGrill.COM, is open 7 days, 24 hours. and features breakfast including build your own omelettes. But let’s not forget their fab burgers grilled right under a hub cap and then there’s all those sandwiches, sides, desserts and shakes.

Country Club Restaurant, 634 Louisa St., 945.0742, TheCountryClubNewOrleans.COM. The chef has paid attention to detail and ingredient, and focused on a more contemporary menu at an even more affordable price point. Still the best food, but at even more unbelievable value! Serving 7 days 11am10pm and Sunday Brunch 11am-3pm.

Deanie's Seafood, French Quarter: 841 Iberville, 581.4141; Bucktown: 1713 Lake Ave., Metairie, 831.1316; Deanies.COM. Featured on the Travel Channel’s “Man v. Food,” Deanie’s signature BBQ Shrimp served the New Orleans way--jumbo head-on Louisiana Shrimp served in our unique blend of seasonings with a crusty baguette. For 50 years Deanie's has been serving huge portions of the best boiled, broiled and fried seafood in New Orleans.

Gene's Po-Boys & Daquiris,1040 Elysian Fields Ave., 943.3861, www.genespoboys.com, is famous for its New Orleans style po-boy sandwiches chockful of ingredients. Open 24 hours.

Ilys Bistro, 1040 Elysian Fields Ave., 947.8341, www.Facebook.com/ILYSBistro, offers home cooking and friendly service, serving breakfast, lunch and dinner featuring plates, poboys, and daily specials.

Breakfast Mon.-Sat. 6am-11am & Sun. 11am-1pm; lunch and dinner 11am-close.

Kingfish Kitchen & Cocktails, 337 Chartres St. 598.5005, www.KinfishNewOrleans.com,"brings customers back to the Huey P. Long era with vintage-inspired cocktails & unique Creole and Southern dishes. Join us for dinner, or meet up with friends to relax at our cocktail bar.”

Mona Lisa Restaurant, 1212 Royal St., 522.6746, features Italian specialties including salads, pizzas, sandwiches and both lunch and dinner entrees. Open Mon.Thurs. 5-10pm, Fri.-Sun. 11am-10pm.

Orleans Grapevine Wine & Bar Bistro, 720 Orleans, 523.1930, is located in a beautiful renovated 1809 building offering a pleasant atmosphere, extensive wine list with 200 selections, and delicious food including soups, salads, appetizers, entrees and house made desserts that will delight any palate. Open daily at 4pm serving dinner Sun.-Thurs. 5-10:30pm, Fri.Sat. 5-11pm.

Quartermaster: The Nellie Deli, 1100 Bourbon St., 529.1416, www.QuartermasterDeli.net, voted Restaurant/Deli of the Year, is open 24 hours 7 days. Serving breakfast, lunch, dinner and

Sloppy Roast Beef Po-Boy @ Gene's Po-Boys, 1040 Elysian Fields Ave.

Filet Mignon Broussard - jumbo lump crab meat stuffed Portobello mushroom cap, grilled asparagus, Yukon Gold mashed potatoes with mustard cream glaze @ Broussard's, 819 Rue Conti

Boudin Scotch Eggs - soft cooked egg wrapped with Cajun boudin, served on a nest of braised collard greens @ The Bombay Club, 830 Conti St.

Stuffed Bell Pepper Special with Mac & Cheese, Potato Salad, Peas & Texas Toast @ Ilys Bistro, 1040 Elysian Fields Ave. late night menu, the deli offers free delivery.

Royal House Oyster Bar, 441 Royal St., 528.2601, www.RoyalHouseRestaurant.com, is a casual classic, offering fresh-shucked oysters and fresh local seafood in a setting that follows the best traditions of dining in the heart of New Orleans’ French Quarter.

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RAWHIDE 2010, 740 Burgundy St., 525.8106, Rawhide2010.COM TROPICAL ISLE: Home of the Hand Grenade, 721 Bourbon St., 529.4109, TropicalIsle.COM VOODOO LOUNGE, 718 N. Rampart, 265.0953

CANAL STREET

100 IBERVILLE

200 BIENVILLE

300

Slidell, LA [985] BILLY'S, 2600 Hwy. 190 West, 847.1921

500 TOULOUSE

600

RAMPART

ST. LOUIS

BURGUNDY

400

DAUPHINE

ROYAL

CHARTES

DECATUR

CONTI

BOURBON

ST. PETER ORLEANS ST. ANN

900

chiropractic

1000 URSULINES

1100 GOVERNOR NICHOLLS

1200 BARRACKS

1300

classifieds

ESPLANADE

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New Orleans, LA [504] Troy A. Tureau, J.D., L.LM., Attorney at Law, Tureau Legal, 4631 S. Carrolton Ave., New Orleans, LA 70119, 504.308.1608 thelawprofessor@comcast.net

bars Mobile, AL [251] B-Bob's Downtown, 213 Conti St., 433.2262, B-Bobs.COM Flip Side Bar & Patio, 54 S. Conception St., 431.8819, FlipSideBarPatio.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, SPLASH, 2183 Highland Rd., 242.9491, SplashBR.COM Lake Charles, LA [337] CRYSTAL'S, 112 W. Broad, 433.5457

New Orleans, LA [504] DR. MICHAEL LECHLEITER, D.C., 1526 Magazine, 566.1833 [is1915]

circuit/events Feb. 5-9, 2016, 67th Official Gay Mardi Gras, New Orleans, LA, sponsored by Ambush, GayMardiGras.com Easter Sunday, March 27, 2016, 17th Official Gay Easter Parade, New Orleans, sponsored by Ambush, GayEasterParade.com Aug. 31-Sept. 5, 2016, 45th Official Southern Decadence Celebration of Gay Life, Music & Culture, end of Summer Blowout including the Southern Decadence Parade & loads of activities, bringing over 180,000 revelers to New Orleans, LA, sponsored by Ambush & SouthernDecadence.com Oct. 27-Oct. 30, 2016 Halloween 33, benefiting Project Lazarus, New Orleans, LA, sponsored by AmbushMag.COM, HalloweenNewOrleans.com Dec. 26, 2015-Jan. 1, 2017 Gay New Year's in New Orleans, New Orleans, LA, GayNewOrleans.com

costumes

French Quarter/Faubourg Marigny/Bywater

attorneys

bookstores New Orleans, LA [504] FAB - Faubourg Marigny Art & Books, 600 Frenchmen St., 947.3700

ST. PHILIP

M

Houston, TX [713] NEON BOOTS DANCEHALL & SALOON, 11410 Hempstead Hwy., 677.0828, www.neonbootsclub.com

800 DUMAINE

FR

Biloxi, MS [228] CLUB VEAUX, 834 Howard Ave., 207.3271

Metairie, LA [504] FOUR SEASONS & PATIO STAGE BAR, 3229 N. Causeway, 832.0659, FourSeasonsBar.com New Orleans, LA [504] 700 CLUB, 700 Burgundy, 561.1095, BIG DADDY'S, 2513 Royal, 948.6288 THE BLACK PENNY, 700 N. Rampart BOURBON PUB & PARADE, 801 Bourbon St., 529.2107, BourbonPub.COM CAFÉ LAFITTE IN EXILE, 901 Bourbon Street 522.8397, Lafittes.COM CORNER POCKET, 940 St. Louis, 568.9829, CornerPocket.NET 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, Facebook.COM/GoldenLanternBar GOOD FRIENDS BAR, 740 Dauphine St, 566.7191, GoodFriendsBar.COM GRANDPRE'S, 834 N. Rampart St., 267.3615, Facebook.com/grandpres KAJUN'S PUB, 2256 St. Claude Ave., 947.3735, KajunPub.COM OZ NEW ORLEANS, 800 Bourbon, 593.9491, OzNewOrleans. COM PHOENIX/EAGLE, 941 Elysian Fields, 945.9264, www.phoenixbarnola.com

New Orleans, LA [504] QT PIE BOUTIQUE - 241 Dauphine St., 581. 6633

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

galleries New Orleans, LA [504] CASSELL-BERGEN GALLERY, 1305 Decatur St., cassellbergengallery.com, 504.524.0671

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; marsha@ripandmarsha.com

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

hair salons

St., 522.2666 Mickey Nolan's Salon, 717 Toulouse St., 587.7782 Two Guys Cutting Hair, 2372 St. Claude Ave., Suite 125, appointments: Adikus 215.519.5030, Trent 504.239.2397

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, www.ingramhaus.com/xqey, e-mail us at ingramhaus@yahoo.com. Condos with queen-size 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.

[0715] BLUES60 GUEST HOUSE, 1008 Elysian Fields Ave. New Orleans, LA 70117, Phone: 1.504.324.4311, www.blues60guesthouse.com, info@blues60guesthouse.com. The Blue60 Guest House with 5 suites provides a peaceful retreat in the center of the Faubourg Marigny, just blocks from the French Quarter and Frenchman St. [1115] 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, www.theburgundy.com, E-mail us at theburgundy@cox.net. Gay owned and operated in newly renovated 1890's double. Four guest rooms with private baths, guests' parlor and "halfkitchen", courtyard and half-open tubhouse with spa (hot tub/whirlpool). Clothing optional in sunbathing and hot tub area. Walking distance to French Quarter. Immediate vicinity of gay and lesbian bars/venues.

[0815] THE FRENCH QUARTER GUEST HOUSES, 1005 St. Peter, New Orleans, LA 70116, Phone: 1.800.367.5858, FrenchQuarterGuestHouses.com, email: Info@frenchquarterguesthouses.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 unforgettable 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.

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.

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

New Orleans, LA [504] Head Quarters Hair Salon, 906 Bourbon

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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 / For pictures http://www.christophernola.com.

License #LA4553 [is2515]

media New Orleans, LA [504] AMBUSH Mag, Official Gay Easter Parade Guide, Official Gay Mardi Gras Guide, Official Gay New Orleans Guide, Official Gulf South Guide, Official Pride 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 New Orleans, LA [504] BEAUREGARD-KEYES HOUSE, 1113 Chartres, 523.7257 CABILDO, 701 Chartres, Jackson Square, 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 GALLIER HOUSE, 1132 Royal, 523.6722 GERMAINE WELLS MARDI GRAS MUSEUM, 2nd Floor Arnaud's, 819 Bienville HERMANN-GRIMA HISTORIC HOUSE, 820 St. Louis, 525.5661 HISTORICAL PHARMACY MUSEUM, 514 Chartres, 524.9077 HISTORIC NEW ORLEANS COLLECTION, 533 Royal, 523.4662 LONGUE VUE HOUSE AND GARDENS, 7 Bamboo Rd, Metairie, 488.5488, MUSEE CONTI HISTORICAL WAX MUSEUM, 917 Conti, 525.2605 NEW ORLEANS MUSEUM OF ART, City Park, 1 Collins Diboll Circle, 488.2631 OGDEN MUSEUM OF SOUTHERN ART, 925 Camp St., 539.9600 OLD U.S. MINT, 400 Esplanade PRESBYTERE, 751 Chartres, Jackson Square ST. LOUIS CATHEDRAL, Jackson Square WORLD WAR 2 MUSEUM, 945 Magazine, 527.6012, http://nationalww2museum.org

music New Orleans [504] SKULLY'Z RECORDZ, 907 Bourbon St., 592.4666

organizations 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 BIG EASY STOMPERS, Country & Western line dancing. Weekly lessons and monthly Country & Western dance party, www.bigeasystompersneworleans.com, info@bigeasystompersneworleans.com BELLE REVE NEW ORLEANS, AIDS Residence for Families, PO Box 3305, 70177; 945.9455 BreakOUT! builds the power of youth ages 13-25 in New Orleans to end the criminalization of

LGBTQ youth of color, 504.252.9025, 1001 S. Broad St. #119, NOLA 70125, @youthbreakout, www.youthbreakout.org, 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 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 HAART (HIV/AIDS Alliance Region Two, Inc.), 4550 North Blvd. Ste. 250, Baton Rouge, LA 70806, 225.927.1269, www.haartinc.org, offers a complete continuum of care to people living with HIV/AIDS including housing, primary care, medications, case management, and an array of supportive services. In addition HAART provides HIV prevention education and FREE testing to the Baton Rouge area.

HALLOWEEN IN NEW ORLEANS, INC., PO Box 52171, 70152-2171; halloween neworleans.com/ambush 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 NARCISSUS, PO Box 3832, New Orleans, LA 70177. Contact: 504.228.9441 KREWE OF PETRONIUS, PO Box 1102, Kenner, LA. 70063-1102, www.kreweofpetroius.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 LGBT+ Archives Project of Louisiana, 1308 Esplanade Ave., New Orleans, LA 70116, 504.475.7911, www.lgbtarchivesla.org LORDS OF LEATHER, 1631 Elysian Fields, #161, 70117, www.lordsofleather.org Louisiana Equality Foundation, serving the Louisiana LGBT Community through education, activism, and awareness. www. l o u i s i a n a e q u a l i t y f o u n d a t i o n . o r g , info@louisianaequalityfoundation.org Metropolitan Community Church of New Orleans, services at 10am, 6200 St Charles Ave., New Orleans, LA 70118; 504.270.1MCC www.mccneworleans.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, 504.298.0061, 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 PFLAG/NO [Parents & Friends of Lesbians

& Gays/ New Orleans], PO Box 15515, 70175; 895.3936, 392.0001, pflagno.org, info@pflagno.org PRIDE, NOLAPride.ORG PROJECT LAZARUS, A Residence for PWAs, PO Box 3906, 70177-3906; 949.3609 REGIONALAIDS INTERFAITH NETWORK [RAIN], 523.3755 RENEGADE BEARS OF LOUISIANA, PO Box 3083, New Orleans, LA 70177; renegadebearsoflouisiana@gmail.com 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 VOLLEYBALL NEW ORLEANS, PO Box 13306, 70185-3306; volleyballneworleans.com, postmaster@volleyballneworleans.com

pets New Orleans, LA [504] DR. MIKE'S ANIMAL HOUSE, 1120 N. Rampart, 523.4455

pharmacy Baton Rouge, LA [225] AVITA PHARMACY, offers personalized, convenient care to those affected by chronic illnesses. Avita offers free delivery, co-pay assistance, benefit coordination, and refill reminder calls as well as access to a pharmacist 24/7.

Every prescription filled today helps Avita give back to the community tomorrow. www.avitapharmacy.com New Orleans, LA [504] AVITA PHARMACY, offers personalized, convenient care to those affected by chronic illnesses. Avita offers free delivery, co-pay assistance, benefit coordination, and refill reminder calls as well as access to a pharmacist 24/7.

Every prescription filled today helps Avita give back to the community tomorrow. www.avitapharmacy.com 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

restaurants

304.1238, www.littlevics.com Mona Lisa Restaurant, 1212 Royal St., 522.6746 Orleans Grapevine Wine Bar & Bistro, 720 Orleans, 523.1930, www.OrleansGrapevine.com Quartermaster: The Nellie Deli, 1100 Bourbon St. , 529.1416, www.QuartermasterDeli.net

Royal House Oyster Bar, 441 Royal St., 528.2601, www.RoyalHouseRestaurant.com

real estate New Orleans, LA [504] Latter & Blum, Steven Vaughn Realtor, Cell 504.810.4646, Office 504.948.3011, St e v e n Va u g h a n P r o p e r t i e s . c o m , Svaughan@latterblum.com New Orleans Relocation, Realtors — gayowned boutique real estate agency for locals and newcomers. 504.273.0088 www.NOLArelo.com

retail/shopping New Orleans, LA [504] BOURBON PRIDE, 909 Bourbon, 566.1570 COK (Clothing or Kinkl), 941 Elysian Fields, 945.9264 CUIR, 708 Toulouse St., 249.5603 HIT PARADE, 741 Bourbon St., Facebook.COM/HitParadeNOLA MARY'S FRENCH QUARTER KITCHEN & BATH, 732 N. Rampart, 529.4465 MR. BINKY'S BOUTIQUE, 107 Chartres St., 302.2095, MrBinkys.com 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

services New Orleans, LA [504] ABC Title Services, www.abctitle.com

theatres New Orleans, LA [504] CAFE ISTANBUL, 2372 St. Claude Ave., #140, 504.974.0786, CafeIstanbulNOLA.COM

tours New Orleans, LA [504] Gay New Orleans Walking Tour, Crescent City Tour Booking Agency, (LGBT Business of the Year) 638 St. Ann St., 568.0717. follow Gay New Orleans Walking Tour @ Facebook.COM

Metairie, LA [504] Chef Ron's Gumbo Stop & Pub, 2309 N. Causeway Blvd., 835.2022, GumboStop.com New Orleans, LA [504] Angeli on Decatur, 1141 Decatur St., 566.0077 The Bombay Club, 830 Rue Conti, 577.2237, www.bombayclubneworleans.com Broussard’s Restaurant & Courtyard, 819 Rue Conti, 581.3866, http://broussards.com Cheezy Cajun, 3325 St. Claude Ave., 265.0045, www.TheCheezyCajun.com Clover Grill, 900 Bourbon St., 598.1010, www.CloverGrill.com Country Club Restaurant, 634 Louisa St., www.TheCountryClubNewOrleans.com, 945.0742 Deanie's Seafood, French Quarter: 841 Iberville, 581.4141; Bucktown: 1713 Lake Ave., Metairie, 831.1316; www.Deanies.com Gene's Po-Boys & Daquiris, 1040 Elysian Fields Ave., 943.3861,

www.genespoboys.com Ilys Bistro, 1040 Elysian Fields Ave., 947.8341, www.Facebook.com/ILYSBistro Kingfish Kitchen & Cocktails, 337 Chartres St. 598.5005, www.KinfishNewOrleans.com Little Vic’s Rosticceria, 719 Toulouse,

Advertising Info 504.522.8049 ripna@ambushmag.com

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trodding the boards

by Brian Sands

Email: bsnola2@hotmail.com

Melissa Etheridge at The Orpheum Using the latest technology to create a one-woman band, Melissa Etheridge slyly claimed “I am this close to being Dick Van Dyke in Mary Poppins” during her magnificent This Is M.E. Solo tour stop at The Orpheum recently.

A Lesson Before Dying at Slidell Little Theatre through March 20 Slidell Little Theatre is to be commended for presenting A Lesson Before Dying. This powerful and important play is worth doing any time, but particularly so in these days of “Black Lives Matter” as it puts into historical context the social injustices that continue to haunt this nation.

Hello Jeff & Patrick

The Midas Touch Miss Penny Holiday @ B-Bob’s Melissa Etheridge at the Orpheum Theater Based on the novel by Ernest J. Gaines, Lesson focuses on Jefferson, an innocent young black man who happened to be “in the wrong place at the wrong time”, and has been sentenced to death for the murder of a white shopkeeper in a small Louisiana town in 1948. Called “no more a human being than a hog” at his trial by his lawyer in a misguided attempt to save his life, Jefferson has lost all hope and has begun to act like an animal in prison insisting that he be dragged like a hog to his death in the electric chair.

Jefferson’s godmother summons Grant Wiggins, whom she helped raise and is now, after receiving a university education, teaching in Bayonne’s small, disadvantaged schoolhouse, and asks him to work with Jefferson and help him find his inner dignity so he can die like a man. Wiggins must face the town’s narrow-minded sheriff and the parish’s minister, who offers Jefferson only boilerplate religious pieties, as well as his own inner demons, but ultimately enables Jefferson to embrace his own humanity.

Playwright Romulus Linney’s stage adaptation doesn’t entirely escape its literary origins and he sometimes has characters addressing the audience as much to provide exposition as inner thoughts, but he does capture the hard truths of this terribly sad story. We observe Wiggins’ existential dilemma and his, understandably, nihilistic views as he takes a journey of self which builds to dramatic confrontations.

Tony Cisek’s set features a brick wall that envelopes the stage, holding all in; an enormous image of Jefferson is part of it, looming over the playing area and looking down in judgment. Wilbert Williams Jr.’s direction is basic but it keeps the play’s momentum going forward. His use of a range of appropriate music, from gospel to

[continued on 29]

Jerry & the Boys

Miss Cie welcomes Eric home

m obile paparazzi Hello Delta DJ Leroey & Sound Techs @ B-Bob’s

King Stevie & Boys @ B-Bob’s

Edward & Skylar with Miss Cie

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City By The Bay ~ Mobile, Alabama ~ Photos by Miss Cie

When she came on stage, Etheridge told us there’ll be “nothing else but me tonight” yet by using a looping device she was able to add in snatches of her playing a drum, tambourine and a hollow wooden box to provide accompaniment to her virtuoso guitar-playing. She could even be her own back-up singer. Or singers.

From Etheridge’s comments, she still seemed to be exploring all the possibilities of the looping machine, and the results were almost like a kid playing with a new toy on Christmas morning. But if she couldn’t always initially get her playing to measure up to her high standards, she didn’t mind trying to loop it again. As she stated after one attempt, “It wasn’t perfect. You deserve perfect.”

And perfect she was on a stage bedecked with a piano, nine guitars that she used throughout the evening, flickering candles, and glowing lava lamps. She sprinkled hard-won truths (“Life’s about joy. It took a long time to figure that out, but I’m in my 50’s now.” (tho she doesn’t look it.)) and bio tidbits (“The first job I got was playing the piano at the Ramada Hotel in Leavenworth.”) among twelve numbers and an encore.

Songs of love and need and connection define Etheridge’s oeuvre. They can be hauntingly beautiful (Dance Without Sleeping), poetic (Nervous), or spunky (Monster from her new album for which she accompanied herself on harmonica).

Etheridge delivered passion from the gut in Yes I Am, an ardent Bring Me Some Water, and a lovely and insightful cover of Joan Armatrading’s Weakness In Me. Her two biggest hits, Come To My Window and I’m the Only One, both great songs, sounded, in her strong, husky voice, as fresh as when she first sang them.

This Grammy and Academy Awardwinning artist truly seems to be a very down-to-earth person, easily connecting with her fans; simply dressed, she could be mistaken for an audience member. Until she starts to sing, that is, with an expressive face that conveys as much as her lyrics do.

Under gloriously dramatic lighting, it was wonderful to watch Etheridge expand the range of her accomplishments before our eyes. She may have been the only person on stage but she certainly filled The Orpheum all by herself with singing, music, and joy.

Boys, Boys, Boys @ Flip Side

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paparazzi

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Night of A Thousand Stars Celebrates Life of Vickie Vynes @ Oz~ New Orleans ~ Photos by Paul Melancon

ambush

a community within communities

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

Born Again!

SLAP! Pastor-Man slaps you on the forehead. BAM! You are falling back into the arms of those good Christian folk surrounding you. You are dressed in a white MuMu ! BLUB! You are gasping for air as they plunge you deep into cold water. Just as you are about to pass out they raise you.

The choir shouts “Alleluia” and PastorMan says, “Brother-Man or Sister-Woman you are born again!”

Nope it really shouldn’t work that way.

But hey I got you this far along in this column. One of Jesus’ disciples ask him how one can be born again. Believe it or not many of us are. Were you in the closet then came out? Born again! Have you had an addiction and sought treatment and are now “happy, sober and free.” Born again!

Have you carried a burden of enmity against a friend or family member (hating or at least loathing them) and then found forgiveness in your heart? Born again!

In Jesus terms and real terms “Born Again” means to become a new person. In Greek we might think of the world metanoia ìåôÜíïéá. It is an interesting word and one worth considering. It means a change of mind but more. It means a change in our very being; a change in how we experience the world around us and interact in that new world. Very regrettably the translation into

matters of health ...from 13 cians seeking to provide sensitive care for transgender and gender-nonconforming clients. The guidelines give a clear explanation of terms and concepts, recommendations for supportive therapy and research, and some acknowledgement of the violence, abuse, and stress many transgender and gender-nonconforming people face.

You can check out the guidelines by going to http://www.apa.org/practice/guidelines/ transgender.pdf

Report Says Health Care Costs for Transgender Military Is Minimal A study published in the New England Journal of Medicine finds that the cost of providing transition-related health care for transgender service members will be minimal after the Pentagon lifts its ban. Aaron Belkin, the study’s author, found the total price tag for the military’s healthcare system would be an estimated $5.6 million each year, or 22 cents per member per month. That amounts to one one-hundredth of one percent of the military’s $47.8 billion annual health care budget. To arrive at his conclusion, Belkin used data from large employers whose insurance plans offer transition-related care. He analyzed the annual incidence of claims for — and the cost of — such care, and reached an overall cost figure using an adjusted estimate of the number of transgender people (12,800) who serve in the military.

Jack Carrel, MPH has worked in HIV, STD, and LGBTQ health for over 30 years.

Currently he is a doctoral student at Walden University, a consultant in grant writing. He can be reached at jackcarrel@gmail.com.

English is “repent.” Now there’s a word with baggage. Sort of like the opening description it reminds us of Bible thumpers that would love to condemn instead of finding a way to love. “Repent, repent the end is near! Doom looms!” Well, really, not so much.

Metanoia means finding a new self a perhaps hidden self that needs to break out and that unloads the things that hold us down. A person suffering from deep depression may find a drug therapy that really works and it’s a new world! The person in recovery discovers a new and fantastic person that has been suppressed by drugs or alcohol. I know, most of you are sitting in a bar right now, what you must be thinking.

But, hey, I am not talking about you it’s the person next to you. No really. No really. Well give this some thought anyway.

Easter is all about metanoia or becoming a new person. It is in the springtime, “new life” and it celebrates “resurrection” or coming back to LIFE. I do mean LIFE SPELLED LARGE! So many of us spend time thinking about the things that we should have done; dwelling in the past in emotions that should be left in the past that we are absorbed by it.

Easter is about refreshment, newness, starting over. Lent was supposed to set that stage by “taking a fearless moral, ethical, and spiritual inventory.” Easter is that time when the opportunity to, with great joy, embrace the new you. Easter is a time to take a stand against our own internal darkness and allow light to shine into that darkness.

If you think the Resurrection of our Rabbi Jesus was metaphor or historic fact the truth is this: that all humans have the opportunity to be “born again.” I believe and I want you to believe that such can be done hourly. If we are mindful of our milieu, if we are mindful of our spiritual nature, if we are mindful of forces and principals greater than our selves we are approaching new life.

Easter, it is the time of new life, of being born again, of raising the standard that says “I matter. I love. I offer love. I can be the beloved.”

trodding the boards ...from 26 blues to pop, covers scene changes and makes them go by quickly.

Williams, one of this town’s most outstanding actors, is less successful with his cast (Oukeem Casnave, Don Guilot, Lionel Jackson, Kimberly McDuffey, Cindy Miller, Reggie Populus Jr., Tirrell Sylvas, TJ Toups).

To the actors’ credit, there’s not a false moment in the production; all the emotions they communicate come across as true and deeply felt. To achieve the full impact of Gaines’ story, however, Linney’s script requires actors who can give more nuanced performances; a greater variety of line readings from each would help. Williams should also have insisted that cues be picked up more quickly.

Despite these reservations, this is an effective presentation of an involving story with profound insights into the human condition. Slidell Little Theatre can be justifiably proud of its efforts.

The New Orleans Opera/ Dead Man Walking at Mahalia Jackson Theater through April 10 By sheer coincidence, the day after I saw A Lesson Before Dying, I saw the Louisiana premiere of Jake Heggie’s Dead Man Walking based on Sister Helen Prejean’s novel. Both works deal with a condemned prisoner and the attempt to reach his soul before it is snuffed out. Yet, otherwise, these productions were extremely different.

Unlike the community theater offering in Slidell, this was perhaps the most impressive physical production that New Orleans Opera has ever mounted. Keith Brumley’s scenic design fluidly shifted from one locale to the next using a rolling platform, screens and projections; the mechanics of the show seemed as contemporary as the work itself.

NOO Artistic Director Robert Lyall’s conducting, excellent as always, provided the necessary propulsive force for Heggie’s score. Director Tomer Zvulun’s staging, aided by Brumley’s set and Don Darnutzer’s lighting, created handsome images that reinforced the characters’ relationships.

The cast was topnotch. As the murderer Joseph De Rocher, baritone Michael Mayes delivered firm virile tones and projected the desperation of a caged animal, flailing out at all one moment, piteously crying the next. (And just to fulfill my reportorial duties, let it be noted that Dead Man Walking included Mayes’ chiseled body doing push-ups in his boxer shorts; would that more operas had such scenes.)

Having begun her relationship with De Rocher as pen pals, mezzo-soprano Jennifer Rivera’s Sister Helen was determined to carry through to the end the promises that she has made. Not always sure of her mission, Rivera brought out the struggles Prejean faces with convincing vitality and supple singing throughout.

Other stand-outs included Margaret Lattimore whose plush yet anguished tones pleaded for her son Joseph’s life; Adrienne Danrich who graced Sister Rose, Sister Helen’s superior, with a pure, heavenly soprano ; and all four of the victims’ tortured parents (Kathleen Halm, Dennis Jesse, Amy Pfrimmer, Tyler Smith).

Yet while I admired Heggie’s lush, romantic music, best heard in the complex choral numbers, I never found it distinctive.

One can discern gospel influences and strains of Elvis Presley rock, but this grisly story almost demands harder rock, perhaps an operatic version of heavy metal.

Terrence McNally’s libretto held my attention throughout, but, after the shattering first scene, never fully engaged me; other than Prejean’s trying to get De Rocher to accept God and responsibility for what he did, the only potent drama was her conflict with the victims’ parents who can’t understand her efforts on behalf of their children’s murderer.

Disappointingly, McNally never provides any explanation as to why Prejean gets so involved with De Rocher; she says “I gave you my word” but that’s about all. (I guess that’s just what nuns do.) If McNally’s Sister Helen can be sanctimonious and we

sense her need for everyone to approve of her, lacking is a sense of her combativeness.

(Interestingly, the real Sister Helen Prejean was sitting near me in the audience. Just from her body language I suspected that, even at an earlier age, she was a tougher cookie than the somewhat mousy Sister Helen portrayed on stage.)

But most important, while I cared about the plight of the innocent Jefferson in Slidell’s less-than-perfect production, it never mattered to me what happened to De Rocher in this superbly realized Dead Man Walking. Maybe some other composer/librettist team could make me feel for this ruthless killer (never mind that he was drunk and stoned when he did the evil deed), but despite sniffles, even sobs that could be heard in the auditorium, I’m still, having felt the same way about the movie version, not sure why so much time and effort was spent to tell of De Rocher’s all-too-brief redemption.

While Dead Man Walking is an undeniably powerful work, if New Orleans Opera really wants to present an opera about acceptance and forgiveness and Christian values, may I suggest they consider the brilliant Jerry Springer: The Opera (or even, perhaps, Anna Nicole).

Still, Dead Man Walking is a significant achievement for NOO and I’m happy that they gave me the opportunity to see it.

Next up is Tosca (April 8 and 10) at The Mahalia Jackson Theater followed

by Brundibár, in conjunction with the National WWII Museum, on May 14 and 15 at the US Freedom Pavilion: The Boeing Center.

Dina Martina at Café Istanbul Prior to her debut here last year, I had no idea what to expect from Dina Martina.

This time around, I suspected—and hoped—we’d get more of her brilliant anarchic humor. I wasn’t disappointed.

Coming out in a tacky Janet Jacksonish outfit and oversize mic, Dina cannily exploited the dichotomy between the faux lack-of-talent she displays and our image of what such a musical performance should be like to hilarious effect.

Continuing on, she told how her “father died in childbirth”, how she’s a “fashion model for Braille publications”, and how “going to IHOP in Harvey and not sampling the culinary delights is like going to Europe and not seeing the pyramids.” These unexpected turns of phrase combine with her innocent-seeming personality to make your face hurt from grinning so much.

Appearing in outfits that always seem a size too small, Dina gave us wildly ridiculous parodies of television ads and ‘80’s music videos, and favored us with an epic tale of meeting Maya Angelou that involved canapes and a fart which led to a rendering of The Ladies Who Lunch that was almost as unforgettable as Elaine Stritch’s version.

If Dina’s hour-long set felt shorter than it was, well, time flies when you’re having fun. Yet, counterintuitively, it also felt longer than it was because it was so jam-packed with solidly funny material.

I’m not sure if Dina Martina is a standup, drag, or cabaret performer, or maybe a “performance artiste”, or all of the above, but she’s wonderfully witty and fabulously bizarre and I can’t wait till she comes back here again.

GayMardiGras.c om • Sout hernDec adenc e.c om • Marc h 15-28, 2016 • Facebook.com/ AmbushMag • The Official Mag© © : AmbushMag.com • 29

Lance Miller, Paul Melancon & Andy Bergeron @ Good Friends

Saturday night's Divas R Us @ The Golden Lantern

ambush

paparazzi

EGM Monica & friends feeling the jubilation @ Golden Lantern Jack in the Barry Bareass Dance Contest @ The Corner Pocket Bartender Josh serving Bloody Mary’s @ The Golden Lantern

O of the Pub & the Page with Errol @ Bourbon Pub Barry Masters does Zingo with Trey @ The Corner Pocket

Excitement during Drag Dinner @ The Country Club Bartender Kevin belts out “Walking in Memphis” for Kafe Karaoke @ Lafitte’s

Showgating before Wednesday night show @ Oz Sir Speedy’s Wayne & bartender Justin @ Bourbon Pub

Guy, Danny, Kent, Ben & Richard do Hump Day cocktails @ Rawhide

Miss Louisiana Leatherette Vanessa & friends join Lords of Leather Rush Party @ Phoenix

Gregory Cain’s going away party @ The Phoenix

Cocktailin’ with Chuck @ Bourbon Pub & Parade

Jackie O & Cherry Forever invite you to experience the changes @ Angeli on Decatur

17th CWB in the Streets

Easter Grand Marshal Monica, Miss New Orleans Pride Vanessa & Miss Vieux Carre USofA @ Oz

Bartender Chris welcomes you to Kajun’s Pub

30 • The Official Mag© © : AmbushMag.com • Mar c h 15-28, 2016 • Of fic ial Gay East er Parade Guide • GayEast erParade.c om

The Social Scene ~ New Orleans ~ Photos by Paul Melancon, Hubert S Monkeys, Jeremy Weinberg

Ambush’s Paul, King Mwindo Glenn, Willie & Charles @ the Page

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