Ambush magazine volume 35 issue 10

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the "official" dish

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

2017 Southern Decadence Grand Marshals Announcement Extravaganza May 18 @ Oz Southern Decadence Grand Marshals XLII Jeffrey Palmquist, Tony Leggio, Felicia Phillips and Derek Penton-Robicheaux will make it "official" on Thursday, May 18 when they announce the 43rd Southern Decadence Grand Marshals! The exciting 2017 SDGM Announcement Extravaganza will be hosted at world famous Oz New Orleans, 800 Bourbon Street, and emceed by the reigning grand marshals.

The evening begins at 7 pm with a Southern Decadence Grand Marshals Meet & Greet reception ending at 8 pm. Then the show kicks off at 8 pm followed by the big announcement. Last year's grand marshals promise to bring to the stage an interesting array of current and past grand marshals for your entertainment pleasure. Some already slated to perform include: SDGM XIV Kathleen Conlon.

SDGM XXVII Errol Rizzuto, SDGM XXXVII Tiffany Alexander, SDGM XL Chad Boutte with The Jailhouse Rockers, SDGM XLI Misti Gaither, and SDGM XLII Felicia Phillips.

The $10 door donation and performance tips benefit Southern Decadence 2017. All former SDGMs receive complimentary entry.

This just in! Friends of The Golden Lantern has already raised $2,205 for Southern Decadence 2017!!!

The Southern Decadence XLVI (46) celebration of LGBT+ life, music and culture is Labor Day Weekend, Wednesday, Aug. 30-Mon., Sept. 4, 2017. For official information, visit www.SouthernDecadence.com.

Gear Up for a Giant Memorial Day Weekend May 26-29 in New Orleans, Metairie & Mobile Both New Orleans, Metairie and Mobile are gearing up for a giant Memorial Day Weekend blowout. The Sister Cities in the Gulf South are enticing visitors with an action packed weekend May 26-28.

In New Orleans there are a multitude of events. The largest event is the 18th Annual MASCARa Run hosted by Wood Enterprises. There's the Hamster Derby Saturday at Good Friends Bar, the Crawfish Boil and Beer Bust on Sunday at Rawhide, and on Monday beginning at The Clover Grill and Cafe Lafitte in Exile,

issue out May 23 insideGiant Memorial Wknd., Pre-PrideDEADLINE: May 16 book review moments in gay n.o. history a community within communities celebration of life/eva las vegas snap paparazzi/new orleans snap paparazzi/new orleans trodding the boards

6 8 8 10 13 17 18

spotlight feature/As One 18 real estate, out front 20 classifieds 21-22 under the gaydar 23 ambush paparazzi/nola, metairie 24 mobile paparazzi 26

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

the eagerly anticipated MASCARa Run, all benefiting the NOCCA Institute. Since 2002, the race has raised over $126,153 for the institute. Contact Chris Ward at Wood Enterprises for more information 504.525.6724.

The Corner Pocket affectionately known as "The Ballet", brings their annual South Seas Island Party with the hot "what's under the sarong" contest, and the world famous Corner Pocket Dancers.

The Home of Southern Decadence: The Golden Lantern has special shows all weekend with The Doll House Review on Friday, Divas R Us on Saturday, and Sunday Sister Jubilee on Sunday.

GrandPre's, home of the original Watermelon Mojito, brings us Bayou Boylesque on Friday presented by Scorpio Boys.

Dance Club of the Year Oz is your #1 stop on Bourbon Street for the dance crowd, and the hot "Men of Oz".

Over at New Orleans premiere soul and r&b dance club, The Page, they boast the "best Jello Shots" in the French Quarter!

The other hot spots in town have not yet released their special events, so stayed tuned to get the latest!

You can catch Jimmy James on Friday at Four Seasons Bar in Metairie.

Hailing from New York and Los Angeles, Jimmy James is renowned for his LIVE vocal impressions Ranging from Barbra Streisand to Elvis Presley. His New show ‘FASHIONISTA & his Legendary VOICES’ takes the audience on a vocal journey of uncanny contemporary and classic impressions.

And over at Sister City Mobile, Alabama, B-Bob's is bringing in famous Regine Phillips for the weekend, while Flip Side Bar & Patio has those hot Alabama men and women!

ChiChi DeVayne @ Oz May 17; "Broadway" Coming May 28 & 31 Join Oz New Orleans for a special edition of Show Night starring the Ladies of Oz featuring RuPaul's Drag Race season 8 star and Louisiana's own Chi Chi DeVayne on Wednesday, May 17! Hosted by 6x GAA Cheridon Comedy Award winner Persana Shoulders, show time is 10:30 pm. Music is by 13x GAA DJ of the Year Tim Pflueger.

On Sunday, May 28 at 9:30 pm and Wednesday, May 31 at 10:30 pm, the Ladies of Oz present "BROADWAY!" Join the GAA Show Bar of the Year as they bring a brand new monthly theme edition of Show Night! The Ladies are taking you to the Great White Way with your favorite show tunes! The show is hosted by 6x GAA Cheridon Comedy Award winner Persana Shoulders and stars the award-winning Ladies of Oz: Lisa Beaumann, Coca J Mesa, Gia GiaVanni, ChiChi Rodriquez, Connie Hung, Anastacia Davenport, and Nicole Lynn Foxx. 13x GAA DJ of the Year Tim

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

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 THEATRE/PERFORMING ARTS CRITIC Brian Sands AD REPS/JOURNALISTS/PHOTOGRAPHERS Misti Gaiter, Tony Leggio, Hubert S Monkeys, Felicia Phillips, Frank Perez, Rev. Bill Terry-New Orleans MIss Cie-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. ©1982-2017 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

Pflueger, spins all night long.

Stay tuned for new themes each month!

Gia Gunn Live at Four Seasons Bar May 20 Catch the AMAZING Gia Gunn as she hits the stage for a standing room only performance Saturday, May 20 at Four Seasons Bar! The show is set for 10 pm at 3229 N. Causeway Blvd. in Metairie. [continued on 6]

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book review

by Frank Perez E-mail: f.perez@sbcglobal.net Photo by: Larry Graham, GrahamStudioOne.COM

Poems from a Transgendered Heart. Sally Michelle Jackson. Publish America, 2011. ISBN: 9781462641857. 208 pages.

In 2008, at the age of 57, Sally Jackson almost killed herself. She wasn’t Sally then. Born in 1951 and identified by the birth doctor as a male, she did her best to fit in and play the part of dutiful son and “normal” little boy.

But growing up transgender in Texas in the 1950s wasn’t so easy. She knew by age four she was different. “I was good at hiding. I did what I was supposed to do,” Jackson recalls, “I stayed busy to avoid what was really going on.” She took up the trumpet, played sports, and even joined the Boy Scouts, though that didn’t last long. Remembering her experience in college, Jackson echoes the sentiments of many transgender people, “I tried so hard to fit in because I didn’t want to disappoint anyone.”

After a failed marriage and a double-life that was falling apart, Jackson felt she had a choice—transition or commit suicide. After preparing to kill herself, she concluded, “I’ve got to give transitioning a try.” A transgender friend in New Orleans suggested she leave Fort Worth and move to New Orleans. “There’s a community here,” the friend informed her. Ready to begin a new life, Jackson moved to New Orleans in 2010.

Upon arriving in New Orleans, she began attending meetings at the LGBTQ Community Center, where she met other transgendered people and began establishing a support network. Jackson then became involved with PFLAG—a decision that eventually led to her current gig as co-host of PFLAG’s local radio show, “Expanding the Rainbow.”

Poems from a Transgendered Heart is a volume of poetry that chronicles Jacksons journey from discovering who she really was to transitioning and finally to living happily as a woman. The poems here are traditional and academics and literary scholars might dismiss them as unsophisticated; but what they lack in aesthetic merit, they more than make up for in authenticity. Anyone who has led a double-life or felt the need to live in the closet will identify with these poems. This book of verse will also be incredibly helpful to cisgender people who have a genuine desire to understand the emotional complexities of transitioning.

the "official" dish ...from 4 Gia came from the supermodel Gia Carangi and the movie Gia starring Angelina Jolie. Her last name came from her drag mother Alyssa Gunnwhich, originated from Project Runway’s Tim Gunn. She is a true delight and will blow the crowd away with her personality and her memorable quotes! This truly is going to be a KNOCKOUT show with some surprise guests!

For additional information, visit www.FourSeasonsBar.com.

ners from LGBT bars in 17 North American cities including Daniel Dean from Oz New Orleans, all competing to create an original Key West cocktail that reflects the island’s creativity and spirit.

Republican-Led House Votes to Strip Millions of People of Health Care

Stoli Key West Cocktail Classic Bartender Finals Set for June 7-11 KEY WEST, Florida Keys - Seventeen regional bartending champions are to converge on Key West Wednesday through Sunday, June 7-11, for the final rounds of the Stoli Key West Cocktail Classic, believed to be North America’s largest annual LGBT bartender competition.

Now in its fourth year, the cocktail classic is presented in partnership with the Key West Business Guild and is a highlight of Key West Pride.

The contest features regional win-

ity and $7,500 for the winner’s hometown charity of choice.

Events are to begin with a Pride kick-off gala where cocktail fans can meet the Stoli contestants and judges.

The all-welcome event is set for 5 pm Wednesday, June 7, at Key West’s acclaimed Island House, 1129 Fleming St. Two runoffs are scheduled Friday, June 9, each featuring multiple bartenders battling to advance to Saturday night’s final round. Spectators can watch them demonstrate their talent and creativity at 5 pm at the 801 Bar, 801 Duval St.; and at 7 pm at the Sidebar, 504 Angela St. Following the runoffs, contestants and cocktail fans can attend a 9 pm prefinals party at the Sidebar featuring the artistry of the Luna Storme Aerial Performers.

Saturday’s final round is scheduled for 7 pm on an open-air stage in the 700 block of Duval Street in the heart of Key West’s LGBT entertainment district.

Stoli USA’s national LGBT ambassador Patrik Gallineaux is to host, accompanied by “Real Housewives of Dallas” star LeeAnne Locken.

A panel of celebrity judges is to rate the dueling bartenders. Judges include singer/actress and former “American Idol” finalist LaToya London and renowned Key West female impersonator Sushi.

Hit recording artist Kym Sims is scheduled to entertain the audience.

The festivities culminate in the Pride parade, led by the Stoli winner and slated to begin at 5 pm Sunday, June 11. The parade route proceeds up Duval Street from the Gulf of Mexico to the Atlantic Ocean.

Following the parade, Pride participants can attend Stoli’s official afterparade party at La Te Da, 1125 Duval St., home of Key West’s popular Sunday Tea Dance.

Daniel Dean, Oz New Orleans (Photo by Christopher Drue) The first-prize mixologist is named honorary grand marshal of the 2017 Pride Parade and receives $12,500 for charity — $5,000 for a Key West char-

WASHINGTON, DC - The Republican-led U.S. House of Representatives passed the hastily concocted Trumpcare, the so-called American Health Care Act (AHCA), which seeks to repeal the landmark Affordable Care Act (ACA). If enacted, the bill could eliminate quality affordable health care for millions of people. In addition to today’s House vote to repeal the ACA, yesterday, the Department of Justice pursued a court order to suspend ACA section 1557 nondiscrimination protections. The National LGBTQ Task Force Action Fund (The Task Force) is joining lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer (LGBTQ) advocates in urging the U.S. Senate to reject Trumpcare. ”Trumpcare poses a catastrophic

threat to people all across the country.

Members of Congress were so hell bent on pushing this bill forward that it hasn’t even been scored yet by the Congressional Budget Office. That means we don’t actually know how many people this bill will impact or the cost implications for tax payers. Yet while we don’t know all of Trumpcare’s harmful consequences we do know it will disproportionately affect LGBTQ people, who are twice as likely to be uninsured as non-LGBTQ people. It will also take away health care from millions of people, gut Medicaid funding, and end Medicaid expansions, affecting 11 million families, children, people with disabilities, low-income people, and seniors. It will also undermine protections for people living with HIV or other chronic conditions and raise health care costs by thousands of dollars for millions of people all while giving millionaires an average annual tax cut of $50,000; deny access to affordable contraception and other forms of preventative care; and end insurance companies’ lifetime cap on coverage benefits; and restricts federal funding for Planned Parenthood, putting care for 2.5 million patients nationwide at risk,” said Rea Carey, Executive Director, National LGBTQ Task Force Action Fund. ”We urge everyone to continue the resistance against this repeal effort and stand alongside so many who oppose what the Republican-led Congress is doing. There are a lot of reasons why we oppose this bill. It is worth noting that Trumpcare is so bad that members of Congress are exempting themselves from it,” said Carey.

The National LGBTQ Task Force Action Fund is mobilizing its 200,000 members to call on U.S. Senators to vote against Trumpcare. For decades, The Task Force has worked to increase funding for and awareness of HIV and LGBTQ health care issues, including taking part in public education campaigns such as Bisexual Health Awareness Month and the publication of the Queering Reproductive Justice Toolkit.

During the Obama Administration, the organization partnered with the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) to increase access to affordable healthcare among LGBTQ people. Last week, the National LGBTQ Task Force Action Fund co-sponsored and presented at “SYNChronicity 2017: The National Conference for HIV, HCV, and LGBT Health.”

The National LGBTQ Task Force Action Fund works to secure full freedom, justice and equality for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer (LGBTQ) people. For over forty years, we have been at the forefront of the social justice movement by training thousands of organizers and advocating for change at the federal, state, and local level. www.thetaskforceactionfund.org.

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moments in gay new orleans history

by Professor Frank Perez E-mail: f.perez@sbcglobal.net Photo by: Larry Graham, GrahamStudioOne.COM

“Sally Jackson, Josh Carcabasis, and WHIV Radio” On December 15, 2014, WHIV, a local radio station devoted to social justice and radical ideas was born. The radio station is the brainchild of Dr. Mark Allain Dery, who studies and treats infectious diseases at Tulane. On a flight home from a medical conference, Dr. Dery learned that the FCC was granting New Orleans four frequencies in order to “promote social justice, human rights, and all things New Orleans.” Dr. Dery then applied for and was granted a permit to start a radio station. WHIV is owned by the Society for Infectious Disease Awareness.

a community within communities

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

STATUES and SANCTUARY and PRIDE I like statues and gosh knows St. Anna’s has enough bric- a- brac to fill the Sistine Chapel. I have always lived in New Orleans and there has always been a Lee Circle- at least in my time. There has always been that guy on a horse in front of NOMA. Yes, I know it is PGT Beauregard. I was not really aware of the Liberty Place Memorial until it became a news item. I have to say that I am glad that it is gone. The other statues … meh. I do resent the ‘Confederate’ re-enactors or stalwarts or whatever they are. Most that I can tell are not from around here. Let “us” handle our own issues as a community not influenced by outsiders! Why, because we have to live with our own decisions after they pack up and leave.

As I was enjoying the repartee of Princesse Stephaney last Sunday, she is a gem and maybe we should erect a statue to her or maybe Stuart Butler or some others. NOW THAT WOULD BE SOMETHING! That is something that I could support…pick your own representative of THE COMMUNITY! Anyway, I was asked where I landed on this statue thing. As a pastor and priest and therefore a sounding board for things social and moral or ethical I suppose I lean; now I said lean not jump into, the side of spending the monies on more pressing issues. Like some beefed up after school education. Perhaps an investment in class room technology in under performing schools might be a good use for the thousands of dollars it will cost to remove and relocate the statues.

BUT, “Nobody walks with another man’s gait” ~ Kenyan Proverb. I have mused, as I drove to NOMA, what would I be thinking if I were a black man or woman seeing PGT Beauregard upon his horse looking grand on my way to an exhibit? I am not black therefore I can only imagine. Even my imagination is conditioned by my white privileged experience as a WASP straight male.

There is no greater social access than to be me and my kind. So, I tread lightly on the issue of our statues and if I must “love my neighbor as myself” perhaps the civic bric-a-brac in question is not what we want to see if it represents

something that is not generally uplifting. Maybe…but it is certainly worth a compassionate thought.

Speaking of compassion I often wonder what it must be like to lose your home even your native land. Would you give up the Pub, Phoenix, Golden Lantern, Cutters, or The Friendly Bar (some of my favorites) in order to avoid persecution and terror? How would it feel to be driven out of your homes? Perhaps some of us have in order to live a bit more peacefully and avoid the midnight gun shots or passing by punks that accost us. Perhaps we can glean just a bit of what it must be like to have to leave your home and your community in order to find, “life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness.” I suspect that THE Community, the LGBTQ community can at least understand and empathize with migrants who seek a peaceful and potentially prosperous life.

If that is true then where would you go? Way back in the day your sanctuaries were places like The Stonewall or Charlene’s. Today, families who are being gassed and bombed and starved are looking for at least a peaceful place to rest. “Do not neglect to show hospitality to strangers, for by this some have entertained angels without knowing it” Hebrew’s 13:2. In the original text of the scriptures what we read as “hospitality” in Greek which was the original language of the scriptures the word literally means “love of strangers.” I

The station name, WHIV, is a deliberate attempt to de-stigmatize HIV but also serves as an acronym for “We Honor Independent Voices.”

Dr. Dery then contacted the local chapter of PFLAG about hosting a show with live guests. The PFLAG Board gave the proposal the proverbial green light and thus, “Expanding the Rainbow” was born. The show airs every Thursday at 8 am on 102.3 FM and features lives guests. The show covers an array of topics which are pertinent to the Greater LGBT+ Community with special guest every week. The New Orleans chapter of PFLAG is the only one in the nation with its own radio show.

A large part of “Expanding the Rainbow”s appeal are its hosts—Sally Jackson and Josh Carcabasis.

In 2008, at the age of 57, Sally Jackson almost killed herself. She wasn’t Sally then. Born in 1951 and identified by the birth doctor as a male, she did her best to fit in and play the part of dutiful son and “normal” little boy.

But growing up transgender in Texas in the 1950s wasn’t so easy. She knew by age four she was different. “I was good at hiding. I did what I was supposed to do,” Jackson recalls, “I stayed busy to avoid what was really going on.”

She took up the trumpet, played sports, and even joined the Boy Scouts, though that didn’t last long. Remembering her experience in college, Jackson echoes the sentiments of many transgender people, “I tried so hard to fit in because I didn’t want to disappoint anyone.”

After a failed marriage and a doublelife that was falling apart, Jackson felt she had a choice—transition or commit suicide. After preparing to kill herself, she concluded, “I’ve got to give transitioning a try.” A transgender friend

in New Orleans suggested she leave Fort Worth and move to New Orleans.

“There’s a community here,” the friend informed her. Ready to begin a new life, Jackson moved to New Orleans in 2010.

Upon arriving in New Orleans, she began attending meetings at the LGBTQ Community Center, where she met other transgendered people and began establishing a support network. Jackson then became involved with PFLAG—a decision that eventually led to her current gig as co-host of “Expanding the Rainbow.”

Josh Carcabasis grew up in New Orleans in the Pentecostal church. He knew at age seven he was different and his childhood and adolescence was marked by self-loathing and fear of discovery. The guilt and shame were profound and he almost entered an exgay ministry / pray the gay away program. He attempted suicide in high school.

He was eventually found out—a revelation that led to an attempted exorcism. When he came out to his dad in 2007, his father disowned him. After meeting with his pastor, Josh decided to leave the church. The church held a “Memorial Service” for him as if he had died, and in a way he had. The pastor said, “He is dead to us.”

Alone and abandoned, Josh slept on the streets for a while. He then briefly attended the local Metropolitan Community Church. Gradually the shattered pieces of his life came back together and he eventually served as Mr. Gay Pride New Orleans in 2011. In addition to co-hosting “Expanding the Rainbow,” he also works for an airline company.

Jackson and Carcabasis’ personal journeys illustrate the need for a show like ”Expanding the Rainbow.”

know, I know the stranger they are the more you want to love them! But seriously, can’t we appreciate without fear the possibility of offering sanctuary to wayfarer’s and those seeking asylum?

If the government won’t recognize asylum then perhaps we must. With that in mind, St. Anna’s along with several other Churches and Synagogues and perhaps a Mosque or two are declaring themselves to be “Sanctuary Churches.”

So soon you will see our sign written in Spanish and English providing sanctuary for those seeking a peaceful place to be. We hope that you approve. If you don’t talk to me and let us seek peace and resolution together because we and you are a community within a larger community.

As a community within communities we are already planning for our “Trolley” and banners for PRIDE. This demonstration of solidarity has grown over the years, at least since I got here in 2003. If that is not enough Princesse Stephaney is Miss New Orleans PRIDE 2017 and deservedly so despite what you may think! (Just kidding because

she’s terrific.) I am a fan of PRIDE because it is about who we are and we stand with integrity. I am always touched at the outpouring of support along the parade route now-a-days. Remember when there were all the hate signs cast in a religious and bigoted way!? Not my God anyway. So some of us folks that understand our faith and our God in a much different way, a God that loves way, will be marching as well. If you won’t march at least toast the idea of PRIDE and stand tall and know that you matter and that beyond all things you are loved.

Statues, Sanctuary, and PRIDE is a lot to take in. As for me and my house we will serve the LORD and that LORD said, “I leave you with this new Commandment, love one another.”

NEXT DEADLINE: Tues., May 16 504.522.8049 ripna@ambushmag.com

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Lords of Leather Crawfish Boil @ GrandPre's

Bayou Boylesque @ GrandPre's

La GrandeFacilité ~ New Orleans, Metairie ~ Photos by Dwain Hertz, Misti Gaither, Tony Leggio, Kyle Robin, Jeremy Weinberg

Armeinius' Glitter & Be Gay

snap paparazzi

Four Seasons Bar

The Corner Pocket

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trodding the boards

by Brian Sands

Email: bsnola2@hotmail.com

Lady Day at Emerson’s Bar and Grill at Pontchartrain Landing Supper Club through May 21 I had never thought of Pontchartrain Landing—”a gated Marina Resort featuring a restaurant, bar, vacation rental villas, boat launch and RV sites” as its website says—as a destination for theatergoers. Until now. With Voices in the Dark Repertory Theatre’s stunning revival of Lady Day at Emerson’s Bar and Grill currently inhabiting its Supper Club, a new and welcoming location can be counted among New Orleans’ entertainment venues.

It’s a bit of a trek from, say, the Quarter but it’s worth it to see Sharon Martin as Billie Holiday. Recreating what might have been a gig in a Philadelphia club in the twilight of Lady Day’s career, Martin gives a tour de force performance as the great, tragic jazz singer.

Co-produced with The Racine

slightly slurred (though you can always understand Martin). Her voice is scratchy and not as light as it had been 20 years earlier (which Martin makes part of her superb musicianship). She needs to make occasional visits to her dressing room to see “her doctor” (a euphemism for taking a hit of heroin).

That Martin captures Holiday’s idiosyncratic phrasings, from the cheeky

So completely and mesmerizingly does Martin transform herself into Lady Day that you feel she could implode at any second. In fact, only when Martin came out for her bow and said a few words did I realize how completely she had submerged her ebullient personality into Billie Holiday’s tortured one.

Tommye Myrick, who directed the 2012 production, nicely shapes the narrative, using the anecdotal details to bring alive Holiday’s deep-seated complexities. Her staging, while never fussy, keeps Martin in motion, except for the more sober numbers, insuring that the overall picture doesn’t become static.

Journalist and news anchorman Norman Robinson makes his acting debut as Hal Emerson, the club’s proprietor, who’s determined to make sure Holiday goes on and stays on stage till her final number. It’s not a large role but he fulfills it effortlessly with a casual jauntiness, strutting around the space, trying to keep things under control while occasionally offering some words of encouragement from the sidelines.

Musical Director Michael Woods (bass), Robert Perry (piano) and John Lowery (percussion) provide magnificent back-up to Martin. All three look the part of veteran sidemen and capture the era’s appropriate cool jazz sound.

The Racine Foundation furnishes an insert for the program that is well worth reading beforehand (apparently, the “moonlight” in the title of one of

Holiday’s best-known tunes, What a Little Moonlight Can Do, refers to heroin), but I wish the teeny print had been larger (and Holiday died at age 44, not 42 as is stated on it).

For those who choose to have a pre-show dinner, the Supper Club serves up a delectable, filling meal. Starting off with a refreshing Caesar salad, a subtly flavored, lean prime rib au jus follows, done medium well which was fine with me. The fried trout was tasty though could’ve been a little more moist. Accompanying them are an excellent green bean casserole with mushrooms and a wonderful crawfish linguine that had just the right spicy kick to it.

Just save room for the turtle cheesecake dessert which might elicit an “OMG!” in response to its scrumptiousness. The entire Supper Club’s serving staff is lovely and attentive.

Let’s hope other producers take advantage of this appealing, spacious venue with its potential to become a familiar dinner theater locale. Until then, for an evening of both outstanding musical and dramatic merits, head out to Pontchartrain Landing for Lady Day at Emerson’s Bar and Grill.

Diamanda Galás at the Joy Theater She came on stage at the Joy [continued on 20]

spotlight feature As One—Must See Opera

Sharon Martin as Lady Day Foundation, Lanie Robertson’s playwith-music is a virtual monolog interspersed with over 15 of Holiday’s signature numbers. The sturdy script may not be profound, but it adroitly weaves in the requisite biographical components with the songs and, more importantly, allows for Holiday’s jagged, multi-faceted personality to emerge fully in 90 minutes.

In Martin’s layered performance, the singer’s various aspects come across organically. When she says “White people are just like us. Only meaner.”, Martin tempers Holiday’s barely suppressed rage with a veneer of humor that allows the follow-up rimshot to make sense. A different kind of humor, heavy on the wry, comes through when, referring to classic man troubles, she notes “My mother said my talent was for picking the rottenest apple in the bunch.”

It’s the Eisenhower era, near the end of Lady Day’s too brief life, and the drugs and alcohol she’s come to rely upon have taken their toll. Her speech is

T’ain’t Nobody’s Business If I Do to the haunting Strange Fruit, should come as no surprise; she’s a very accomplished singer herself. But while she appeared in a production of Lady Day in 2012, she has few other acting credits.

Which makes it all the more remarkable that Martin gives such a knowing physical performance. She’s all curves and angles, no straight lines here, as she slouches and leans on the piano, taking sips from her drink that seems to be attached to the end of her arm.

Like a kaleidoscope that keeps changing images, Martin brings out Holiday’s wit, intelligence and sensuality, as she reveals Lady Day to be both sure of herself and proud of how she elevated the role of the big band singer to be equal to the instrumentalists, and one who bitterly states “In this country, being arrested is a colored folk tradition.” At times, it’s almost painful to watch knowing how Holiday’s life ultimately played out.

by Brian Sands In the world of opera, scheming baritones and sopranos going mad are a dime a dozen. Less common, but still plentiful, are trouser roles in which an actress appears in male clothing; Cherubino in Mozart’s Le nozze di Figaro, Oscar in Verdi’s Un ballo in maschera, and Octavian in Richard Strauss’s Der Rosenkavalier all come to mind.

Homosexual characters? Rarer but there are a few. Aschenbach in Benjamin Britten’s Death in Venice would probably count as gay. Certainly the Countess Geschwitz in Berg’s Lulu. A case could be made for others like Orestes and Pylades in Gluck’s Iphigénie en Tauride. And there’s even an occasional character who does drag, usually to disguise himself like the title character in Rossini’s Le comte Ory. But a transgender character? Other than Tremont in Jerry Springer: The Opera, that question might’ve once stumped the expert panelists on radio’s Metropolitan Opera Quiz.

Not any more. Since 2014, Hannah, the transgender woman who is the focus of As One, has captivated opera audiences across America. This new, 75-minute chamber work, conceived by Laura Kaminsky, and with music by her and libretto by Mark Campbell & Kimberly Reed, will be making its New Orleans debut June 2-4 at the Marigny Opera House presented by New Orleans Opera.

As One depicts Hannah’s experiences as she endeavors to resolve the discord between herself and the outside world. Two singers portray the character, a baritone (Hannah Before) [continued on 19]

Laura Kaminsky

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band is almost part of the character.

There are moments when the music finishes a thought.”

Orozco added, “The score is brilliantly written to make the libretto sound conversational. It takes a while to get it into your body.” When Orozco told Kaminsky this, “she was surprised.”

Orozco acknowledges that “Kaminsky’s writing style is unique and very different. There are gorgeous melodies but the parts where the character is troubled are harsher. For example, when Hannah can’t face going back to her family for Christmas during her transition and has to lie about it (‘I’m too busy’ ‘I don’t have the money’).”

This is just fine with Kaminsky.

“Part of what we wanted to do was to capture things that are just human but are specific to transpeople. This isn’t a piece filled with pathos but rather poignancy.”

Orozco concurs. While he spoke to two musician acquaintances who are trans to prepare for the role, he said that it is “more about someone who’s isolated. You just need empathy to appreciate this very human, relatable work.”

spotlight feature ...from 18 and a mezzo-soprano (Hannah After).

Inspired in part by the life experiences of Reed, a filmmaker, As One is divided into three parts: Hannah’s experiences as a small town youth, her college years on the West Coast, and finally learning about herself in Norway.

The opera had an interesting genesis. Through various encounters, Kaminsky had been thinking about such topics as “What is the core of a person?

How do relationships survive as people become more true to themselves?” But she said in a recent interview, “I never really thought I would write an opera. I was more involved with instrumental chamber music.”

That changed when she met baritone Kelly Markgraf. They hit it off and Kaminsky began envisioning two singers portraying one transperson in a

journey of self discovery. From the start, Kaminsky knew she wanted to score the work for a string quartet as it is four people playing as one voice.

When Kaminsky’s wife discovered Prodigal Sons, Reed’s 2008 documentary film about her family and growing up trans, she said to Laura, “If you and Kim click, this may be a way to make the opera happen.” And, when they eventually met, they clicked.

While Reed’s life experiences inform As One, it is not purely autobiographical. Along with Campbell, “We knew we wanted to create an original piece,” said Kaminsky.

When asked to describe her style of music, Kaminsky seemed momentarily flustered (and she doesn’t seem the type who gets flustered easily).

After some thought, she replied “It’s rooted in language and storytelling. Plus jazz harmonies, Eastern European har-

monies, and other cultures. Chick Corea, Shostakovich, Messiaen.

American musicals, minimalism, a melting pot that comes from all the influences of my childhood.”

It’s no wonder then that Luis Alejandro Orozco, who’ll be portraying Hannah Before in New Orleans, says that “Musically, As One is completely unique.”

When he did a production of the work in Washington, DC a year ago, “I took three months to learn the piece, longer than expected.” Figaro in The Barber of Seville took him only two weeks.

Originally a jazz drummer when he started musical endeavors in college, Orozco had to “go back and use a drum pad & drumsticks to beat out the rhythms. It’s challenging.”

“The fact that [Laura] uses a string quartet makes it very interesting. The

Luis Alejandro Orozco Despite its uncommon subject matter, As One has proven to be a hit with opera companies, critics and audiences. It has already chalked up ten productions around the country, making it one of the most popular contemporary operas.

Not surprisingly, it speaks to and draws in various audiences: the new music audience; traditional opera audiences willing to take chances; and LGBT folks who are not necessarily opera fans. As Kaminsky observed, “Art speaks to people on different levels.”

Because of this, Orozco said, “As One is important in that it allows us to have a conversation on the topic and, even more importantly, they [the creators] nailed it both musically and dramatically.” [continued om 20]

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TROPICAL ISLE: Home of the Hand Grenade, 721 Bourbon St., 529.4109, TropicalIsle.COM VALIANT THEATRE AND LOUNGE, 6621 St. Claude Ave., Arabi, LA, 504.900.1743 Slidell, LA [985] BILLY'S, 2600 Hwy. 190 West, 847.1921 Biloxi, MS [228] CLUB VEAUX, 834 Howard Ave., 207.3271

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

circuit/events

classifieds

Aug. 30-Sept. 4, 2017, 46th 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. 20-22, 2017 Halloween 34, benefiting Project Lazarus, New Orleans, LA, sponsored by AmbushMag.COM, HalloweenNewOrleans.com Dec. 29, 2017-Jan. 1, 2018 Gay New Year's in New Orleans, New Orleans, LA, GayNewOrleans.com Feb. 9-13, 2018, 69th Official Gay Mardi Gras, New Orleans, LA, sponsored by Ambush, GayMardiGras.com Easter Sunday, April 11, 2018, 19th Official Gay Easter Parade, New Orleans, sponsored by Ambush, GayEasterParade.com

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

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

guides 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

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] 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 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 BIG EASY DAIQUIRIS, 216 Bourbon, 501 Bourbon, 409 Decatur, 617 Decatur

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 MAG'S 940, 940 Elysian Fields Ave., 948.1888 OZ NEW ORLEANS, 800 Bourbon, 593.9491, OzNewOrleans. COM THE PAGE, 542 N. Rampart St., 875.4976 PHOENIX/EAGLE, 941 Elysian Fields, 945.9264, www.phoenixbarnola.com RAWHIDE 2010, 740 Burgundy St., 525.8106, Rawhide2010.COM

hair salons New Orleans, LA [504] 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

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.

[0118] 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!

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: ripna@ambushmag.com AMBUSHonLINE, 828-A Bourbon St., 70116-3137; 522.8049, ambushonline.com, email: ripna@ambushmag.com

organizations FOOD FOR FRIENDS, 504.821.2601 ext.

254 FRIDAY NIGHT BEFORE MARDI GRAS (FNBMG), 504.319.8261, www.fridaynightbeforemardigras.com 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 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

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MARY'S FRENCH QUARTER KITCHEN & BATH, 732 N. Rampart, 529.4465 QT PIE BOUTIQUE - 241 Dauphine St., 581. 6633 XXXSHOP, 1835 N. Rampart St., 504.232.3063

services New Orleans, LA [504] Formal Connection, 299 Belle Terre Blvd.

LaPlace, LA, 985.652.1195

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 NO/AIDS TASK FORCE, 2601 Tulane Ave., Suite 500, 70119; 504.821.2601; NOAIDSTaskForce.COM PRIDE, NOLAPride.ORG 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

pharmacy 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.

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

819 Rue Conti, 581.3866, http://broussards.com Cafe Sbisa, 1011 Decatur St., 522.5565, www.cafesbisanola.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 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 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

photography

real estate

New Orleans, LA [504] GRAHAM/STUDIO ONE NEW ORLEANS, by appointment, grahamstudioone.com

restaurants

New Orleans, LA [504] Latter & Blum, Steven Richards Realtor, 504.258.1800, SteveRichardsProperties.com New Orleans Relocation, Realtors — gayowned boutique real estate agency for locals and newcomers. 504.273.0088 www.NOLArelo.com

Metairie, LA [504] Chef Ron's Gumbo Stop & Pub, 2309 N. Causeway Blvd., 835.2022, GumboStop.com New Orleans, LA [504] The Bombay Club, 830 Rue Conti, 577.2237, www.bombayclubneworleans.com Broussard’s Restaurant & Courtyard,

New Orleans, LA [504] BOURBON PRIDE, 909 Bourbon, 566.1570 COK (Clothing or Kinkl), 941 Elysian Fields, 945.9264

retail/shopping

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under the gaydar

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

Hot Happenings Can you believe it is already May in NOLA! It is almost summer, are you ready for the heat! Well here are few hot happenings to keep your calendar sizzling.

Tuesday, May 9 – Sunday, May 14

Broadway’s biggest new hit, FINDING NEVERLAND, is the winner of Broadway.com’s Audience Choice Award for Best Musical, is coming to the Saenger Theatre (1111 Canal Street).

Directed by visionary Tony Award®winner Diane Paulus, FINDING NEVERLAND tells the incredible story of one of the world’s most beloved characters, Peter Pan. Playwright J.M. Barrie struggles to find inspiration until he meets four young brothers and their beautiful widowed mother. Spellbound by the boys’ enchanting make-believe adventures, he sets out to write a play that will astound London theatergoers.

With a little bit of pixie dust and a lot of faith, Barrie takes this monumental leap, leaving the old world behind for Neverland, a place where nothing is

impossible and the wonder of childhood lasts forever. The magic of Barrie’s classic tale springs spectacularly to life in this heartwarming theatrical event. For tickets, go to www.saengernola.com.

Friday, May 12 The Project Lazarus Annual Guardian Angel Award Gala is their special opportunity to celebrate the contributions of Project Lazarus’ most incredible friends and supporters. This year, Vincent Saia, Jr., and Bruce Gallassero will be honored with the Guardian Angel award. We are also excited to be joined

by Bryan Batt as the host for the evening.

The event will take place at the Ace Hotel (600 Carondelet St.) from 6:30 – 9:30 pm. The elegant event at the fabulous Ace Hotel New Orleans features a cocktail hour, a three-course dinner, an award ceremony, and a highend silent and live auction. All proceeds benefit our mission of housing and supporting people living with HIV/AIDS in New Orleans. The event is Black tie optional. To buy tickets go to,

www.projectlazarus.net or email Lily Hannigan at lhannigan@projectlazarus.net.

Friday, May 12 Ross Ransom, Mr. Louisiana Leather 2017, and the Mystic Krewe Lords of Leather invite you to join them for a celebration fundraiser in honor of Ross’s impending competition in The International Mr. Leather contest at the Phoenix (940 Elysian Fields). A $10 donation will give you unlimited keg beer, snacks, sodas, $1 Jell-O Shots and other fun surprises in store. The event is from 9 pm – midnight.

Saturday, May 13 The Krewes of Amon-Ra and Armeinius are hosting the A-List Party upstairs at Café Lafitte’s in Exile from 4 – 6 pm. This is a celebration of Gay Carnival and Camaraderie. Get to meet the krewes and enjoy complimentary food and drink specials.

Saturday, May 13 Come celebrate Lana O Day’s 30th birthday at The Four Seasons Bar (3229 N. Causeway Blvd.) for a special edition of Glitter Girls. There will be a birthday celebration at 9 pm, and at 10:30 pm [continued on 25]

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15th Marigny Bunny Hop led by Bunny Marshal XV Barbara Ella ~ New Orleans ~ Photos by Tony Leggio, Hubert S Monkeys

ambush paparazzi

under the gaydar ...from 23 there will be a fabulous show starring Countess C Alice, Tatiana Nye Dupree, Britney DeLorean, Ilaynnah Eve DeLorean, Dasani Waters, and birthday girl herself - Lana O’Day. Do you like The Little Mermaid? Do you like Mean Girls? Do you like Hairspray? If you answered yes to any of those... you’ll love the production numbers the ladies have prepared.

Saturday, May 13 Come experience the inaugural event - BUSHWIG SOUTH: THE FESTIVAL OF DRAG, MUSIC & LOVE. The inaugural Bushwig New Orleans will happen at Castillo Blanco Art Studios & will feature over 50 performances of drag, live music, DJs, pop-up shops, food, ice cold drinks, drag-swag & a dance party. Bushwig is open to everyone! Bushwig started in 2012 by queens Horrorchata & Babes Trust in Brooklyn, NYC. Bushwig New York, has quickly gone from a 1-day event to a fullyfledged 2 day festival. Showcasing music & performance from across the globe.

Bushwig South marks a new chapter in queer history. ADVANCE TICKETS ONLY $20. The event takes place from 1 pm – 2 am. Castillo Blanco is located at 4321 St Claude Ave. For more information, go to www.bushwig.com.

Sunday, May 14 The Big Easy Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence present to you, The Sinful Sister Sunday Social, at GrandPre’s (834 N. Rampart St.) from 4 – 7 pm.

They will have Long Island Ice Tea cocktails available for purchase all you can drink for $10.00. When you purchase a beverage you will be given a ticket for a raffle on one of the three gift certificates available! They will also have complimentary hors d’oeuvres. Nothing better than the sisters serving high tea!

Thursday, May 18 NOAGE (New Orleans Advocates for GLBT Elders) will be participating in SAGE Table, a national event that will bring together LGBT people and allies of different generations for a great meal and an engaging conversation. There is no cost for admission, and the meal is free! The event begins at 6:30 pm at the First Unitarian Church (2903 Jefferson Avenue). Reservations are required, to do so go to www.sagetable.onetable.org. For help

NEXT DEADLINE: Tues., May 16 504.522.8049 ripna@ambushmag.com

with placing your reservation, call 504.517.2345 or email info@noagenola.org.)

Saturday, May 20 The Sisters of Satyricon (SOS) present the Revival of the Hookers Ball from 7 to 10 pm, at The Four Seasons Bar & Patio Stage (3229 N. Causeway).

Come dressed as your favorite Hooker or Pimp and vie for the title and crown of the Queen of the Hookers Ball. Food, Fun, Entertainment and Raffles! Complimentary Champagne & Wine with a cash bar.

Sunday, May 21 Come out and suck some heads with the Krewe of Amon-Ra at their annual Crawfish Boil at the Double Play (439 Dauphine Street) from 2 – 5 pm.

Laissez les bons temps roulez with Crawfish, Beer, and a good time at one of our sponsors the Double Play Bar. Tickets are $20.00 and can purchased at the door or online at https:// kreweofamon-ra.ecwid.com.

Friday, May 26 and Saturday, May 27 Join The BIG EASY SISTERS for a 2 night event at the Phoenix (940 Elysian Fields Ave). Friday is a $10 Beer Bust from 9 pm to midnight and Saturday is BINGO starting at 8 pm. All money raised at these events will be donated to CAGNO & BORN THIS WAY FOUNDATION in memory of Sister Cathi Terr.

Friday, May 26 NOBODY DOES IT LIKE JIMMY JAMES! And the Four seasons has him performing with doors opening at 9 pm.

Hailing from New York and Los Angeles, JIMMY JAMES is renowned for his LIVE vocal impressions ranging from Barbra Streisand to Elvis Presley. His new show ‘FASHIONISTA & his Legendary VOICES’ takes the audience on a vocal journey of uncanny contemporary and classic impressions like: ADELE, CHER, STEVIE NICKS, BILLIE HOLIDAY, LANA DEL RAY, JUDY GARLAND, LIZA MINNELLI, PATSY CLINE, BETTE DAVIS, DIANA ROSS & LIONEL RICHIE, EARTHA KITT, MAE WEST, KAREN CARPENTER and so many more. Regular and VIP tickets are available. For more information, check out the Jimmy James LIVE AT THE FOUR Facebook page.

Party Down Easter was so much fun but also so very exhausting plus my heavy work schedule (lots of convention and corporate groups in town having parties) was just as demanding; my column this week may be rather small. I still managed to pack in lots of fun in just a few short days, so let’s begin with Fete Maison at AMA Entertainment on Wednesday. New Orleans Homes and Lifestyles magazine hosted a wonderful networking evening at AMA Enter-

tainment on Airline Highway. It was such a fun night in a different social setting as guests were allowed to play on their nostalgic video games, pool, and foosball. Good lord, it has been forever since I played Ms. Pac Man, Galaxa and Centipede, talk about memory lane. AMA Entertainment besides renting and selling video games and pinball machines also stocks gorgeous luxury hot tubs and pool tables and jukeboxes. You need to check this place out.

The following night, several hospitality organizations joined forces to hold an industry night at the Audubon Zoo. It was a progressive event beginning in the picnic area and then taking the guests by the fun trains to the Swamp Exhibit for the remainder of the party.

The food was delicious and the weather was beautiful for a night under the stars with the animals’ noises as melodic background music. The otters were even out playing for the guests.

Another great gay festival in the city is also right around the corner. Gay Pride. Which happens in June, is almost upon us and on Friday Princesse Stephaney, the reigning Miss Gay Pride, hosted a fundraiser at Mag's 940. She was joined by many fabulous entertainers for a unique variety show that included drag queens and sword swallowers. There was a great crowd in attendance to show their support.

On Saturday, the Krewe of Armeinius hosted their popular annual soiree Glitter and Be Gay at their den on Broad Street. The event boasted a record number of guests as well as stellar performances, great cuisine, a silent auction and hot DJ. The theme for this year’s ball was announced which is Nouvelle Orleans: 300 Years of Fabulous. The King and Queen this year are Albert Carey and Wendell Stipelcovich.

Come party with Armeinius the 300 birthday of our city and get your tickets now.

So I celebrated Pride on Friday, Mardi Gras on Saturday and now Halloween on Sunday at the first Halloween New Orleans Host Party at the stately manor of Jim Perrier (aka the first Real World New Orleans house).

They announced their theme which is Studio 34: BOOgie on the Dance Floor.

Imagine the costume possibilities.

The following week was crammed with work most every night, but on Wednesday, I managed to attend the SKAL Dinner at the World War 2 Museum. Skål is a professional organization of tourism leaders around the world, promoting global tourism and friendship. It is the only international group uniting all branches of the travel and tourism industry.

The first club was founded in 1932 in Paris by travel managers, following an educational tour of Scandinavia. The idea of international goodwill and friendship grew and, in 1934, the “Association Internationale des Skål Clubs” was formed. Skål International today has approximately 15,000 members in 400 Clubs throughout 80 nations.

The dinner was wonderful and it was a hospitality networking dream with anyone who is anyone in the industry present. Several leaders from the Port and City spoke about upcoming new happenings at the Port, the airport, the Convention Center and so much more. It was very informative and it looks like the future for this city is going to be very bright.

On Thursday, I started my day with doing an interview at PFLAG’s radio station WHIV with the lovely hostess Sally Jackson. We talked about getting a job, preparing for an interview and many other business helpful hints. I have been on the show several times and each time I have a blast. If you have a chance tune into their show on Thursday mornings at 8 am.

That evening I went to two fun events, Kathy Rose a talented artist who I collect had a gallery showing at her place located on Royal Street. I discovered her at Jazz fest one year and ever since then I collect a new piece of hers at this time. She did not disappoint this year, her new works are spectacular. Afterwards, my friends and I attended the Bow Tie Bash at the Benachi Mansion. The Bow Tie Bash is a CrescentCare event that benefits those affected by cancer and HIV in the New Orleans community. Proceeds from the Bow Tie Bash will help our Food for Friends program deliver meals to cancer and HIV clients who are unable to prepare meals for themselves. The event was inspired by Chet Pourciau, a long-time volunteer for NO/AIDS Task Force, known for his vibrant personality and a love for flashy bow ties. In 2015, Chet passed away after being diagnosed with lymphoma.

This year’s event had a cool raffle, food and lots of cocktails. The evening also featured the musical stylings of Anais St. John. I feel that Chet was smiling down on us at the festivities. It was a truly wonderful way to celebrate the memory of an amazing man for a good cause.

The rest of the weekend I worked or rested, except for brunch with a few friends on Sunday at the Mid-City Brunch host spot Biscuits and Buns on Banks. God I love the food at that place.

So that wraps up my two weeks, as we approach the summer, my best advice is to Keep Calm and Stay Cool. It is going to get hot in this city!

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Trinity Taylor (Rupaul's Drag Race), Celebration of Life for DJ Scotty Roberts, Aubrey Synclaire & Monica Heart @ B-Bob's ~ Mobile, Alabama ~ Photos by Miss Cie

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28 • The Of g©: Amb ushMa g.com • Ma y 9-22, 2017 • Of .or g • Souther nDecadence .com Offficial Ma Mag©: AmbushMa ushMag May Offficial Pride Guide since 1985 • NOLAPride NOLAPride.or .org SouthernDecadence nDecadence.com