Ambush Magazine Volume 43 Issue 06 by Ambush Publishing

A BIMONTHLY PUBLICATION CELEBRATING LGBTQ+ CULTURE SINCE 1982

VOLUME 43 ISSUE 6 December 1, 2025

Holiday Issue

AMBUSH is published six times a year and has a print circulation footprint across the Gulf Coast. For ad rates and other information, email frankearlperez@gmail.com or camzimmerman504@gmail.com

Frank

Frank Perez, Cam Zimmerman

CONTRIBUTORS

Brian Sands, Tony Leggio, Jim Meadows, Felicia Phillips, Charles Pizzo, Kelly Schexnaildre, Cas O’Brien, Frank Perez

LOGISTICS COORDINATORS

Jeffrey Palmquist, Ryne Stoned, Chris Trentacoste, Dwain Hertz

PHOTOGRAPHERS

Tony Leggio, Dwain Hertz

COVER DESIGN

Ryan Leitner

AMBUSH Magazine is published bimonthly. 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.

The Of ficial Dish TJ Acosta

Dear AMBUSH Nation,

The Holidays are in full swing and another year is almost in the books. We are excited to continue providing you, our readers, content both in print and online. We are honored to share with you the vibrant colors of the LGBTQ+ community. From the King Cake Queen Coronation to the Gay Easter Parade and the Gay Appreciation Awards, we look forward to continuing to share these events with our community.

As 2025 comes to a close, we want to take this time to thank our advertisers who make our print edition possible. Please support your local LGBTQ+ businesses as they need your support now more than ever.

On behalf of myself and everyone on the AMBUSH team, we wish you a Happy Holiday season. We hope you get to spend the holidays with those you love. Also, during this holiday season, be sure to reach out to family and friends and let them know how much they mean to you. Many members of our community do not have a relationship with family members and this time of year can be difficult. Be sure to reach out to friends and neighbors to ensure they have a place and loving people to spend the ho lidays with.

Happy Holidays and see you in 2026!

From the Editor’s Desk Frank Perez

I recently watched Ken Burns ’ new documentary on the American Revolution with mixed feelings. The Revolution (the original No Kings Protest) is more timely than ever, given the nation ’s lurch toward right wing authoritarianism; nevertheless, I was disappointed, if not surprised, Burns ’ erased the role of LGBT+ people in the war for independence. Major General Wilhelm von Steuben, the gay man who played a key role in the American victory, is never identified as gay. There is, however, a vague reference to him taking “familiarities with boys” a comment Mark Segal of LGBTQ Nation observes, “reinforces the dangerous idea that all gay people are pedophiles. ”

The erasure of queer people from historical narratives is nothing new so while Burns ’ treatment of Steuben annoyed me, it was not unfamiliar. Keep the big picture in mind, I told myself: the war against tyranny was a good thing, and in these disturbin g times, more people need to learn everything they can about that effort. The recent nationwide No Kings protests against Trump’s totalitarianism underscore that need.

Which brings us back to pedophilia. Trump ’s critics for years have pointed to his disregard for civil liberties, his contempt for democracy, his admiration of dictators, his demonization of the free press all to no avail. His supporters remained loyal to him, even though his policies hurt them. The fact that he boasted about sexually assaulting women and has been found liable by a court for sexual abuse does not matter to MAGA world.

Then came the Epstein files. Last year on the campaign trail, Trump repeatedly promised to release the Epstein files. For a y ear, he did everything he could to stop their release. Until he didn ’t. When his cult following began raising eyebrows and it became clear dozens of Republican members of Congress would break with the president and vote to release the files, he abruptly reversed course and encouraged Republicans in the House to vote to release the files, calling the whole affair a “Democratic hoax” by “Radical Left Lunatics.”

American colonists 250 years ago rebelled against their King because they rejected the Imperial policies being issued from Lo ndon. Today, Trump ’s supporters are beginning to rebel against him because they think he may be a pedophile. That ’s as good a reason as any to oppose Trump. I just wish they had joined the resistance sooner.

Halloween & Black Pride Reveal (Pics by Tony Leggio)

Weekly Events Tony Leggio

Monday

NOAGE New Orleans Walking Group; Audubon Park; 6500 Magazine St, New Orleans, LA; 4 p.m. NO-

AGE’s weekly walking group meets on Mondays at 4:00 p.m. at the Magazine Street entrance to Audubon Zoo. They start walking promptly at 4:00, so be sure to arrive a few minutes early. Please consult with your primary care physician before beginning any new fitness regimen, especially if you are not

used to regular exercise. PLEASE NOTE: The walking group will be AUTOMATICALLY CANCELED in the event of inclement weather.

Cooking with Monica: The Golden Lantern ; 1239 Royal St., New Orleans, LA; 5 p.m. Come enjoy delicious food cooked by Monica every Monday at 5 p.m. and stay and enjoy cocktails with her till her shift ends at 2 a.m.

Monday Night Madness Pool Tournament: SIPPS Gulfport; 2218 25th Ave. Gulfport, MS; 9 p.m. – midnight. $5 per person winner takes all.

Betsy Propane’s Smoke Show; The AllWays Lounge & Cabaret; 2240 St. Claude Ave.; 8 – 9:30 p.m. Betsy Propane & The Accessories are a Jazz Trio fronted by a female lead singer, who dabbles in the Ancient Art of Bump & Grind, and wants to share those powerful pipes through song & performance. Cover $20.

Mondays at the Den: The Four Seasons Den & Patio Bar ; 1229 N. Causeway Blvd., Metairie, LA; 8 p.m. Come check out the hot men dancing every Monday night.

LAZY SUSAN KARAOKE: Oz New Orleans; 800 Bourbon St.; 9 p.m. – 1 a.m. Mondays are, once again, a DRAG! See your favorite Queens! Sing your favorite songs! GET WEIRD! With a rotating cast of drag hosts.

Monday Late Night Karaoke: Santos Bar; 1135 Decatur St., New Orleans, LA; 10 p.m. Hosted by Sunshine Edae. Come sing your heart out.

Tuesday

Drag Bingo: The Country Club New Orleans ; 834 Louisa Street, New Orleans, LA; 6:30 – 8:30 p.m. Gia Giavanni performs and calls bingo for a fun night of entertainment and prizes.

Sing A Long Karaoke with DJ Slay: Flip Side Bar and Patio ; 213 Conti St., Mobile, AL.; 7 – 11 p.m.

Trivia Night: Crossing NOLA; 439 Dauphine St.; 7:30 p.m. 5

Rounds of Ten Questions Plus a Bonus Round; Prizes for 1st, 2nd & Last Place; $3 Wells & Domestics til 8PM; Kitchen Open til 10PM. Call the Bar at (504) 523 4517 to Reserve a Table.

George’s Tuesday Night Trivia; George’s Place; 860 St. Louis St., Baton Rouge; 7 – 9 p.m. Come play trivia every Tuesday with a different theme each week.

Big Easy Stompers Line Dancing: Mags 940 ; 940 Elysian Fields Ave., New Orleans, LA.; 8 – 11 p.m. The Big Easy Stompers have free dance classes every Tuesday. They have been giving dance classes to the LGBTQ+ community and general public. Classes are free and start at 8:00PM and open dancing at 9:00pm. All are welcome and beginners are welcome.

No Judgment Karaoke at Good Friend ’s: Good Friend’s Bar; 740 Dauphine St.; 8 p.m. – midnight. Come enjoy karaoke with fabulous hosts and a chance to win great prizes

Weekly Pool Tournament; Phoenix Bar ; 941 Elysian Fields Ave., New Orleans, LA; 8 – 10 p.m. The Phoenix Pool Tournament is every Tuesday night! $5 buy in, winner takes all. Drink specials begin at 7 p.m.

Trivia Tuesdays; SIPPS Gulfport; 2218 25th Ave. Gulfport, MS; 8 – 10 p.m. Come out and enjoy Big Gay Trivia with Tara Shay Montgomery.

B Bob’s Gay Bar Bingo: B Bob’s; 213 Conti St., Mobile AL; 8:30 & 10 p.m. Hosted by Champagne Munroe, come out for fun and great prizes.

Open Talent Night: Oz New Orleans; 800 Bourbon St., New Orleans, LA; 9 p.m. – 1 a.m. Hosted by Debbie with a D. Cont’d on pg. 10)

AMBUSH is published six times a year in February, April, June, August, October, and December. Contact Frank Perez at frankearlperez@gmail or Cam Zimmerman at camzimmerman504@gmail.com for advertising rates.

Weekly Events Cont’d.

Wednesday

Showtunes Sing A Long; Bourbon Pub & Parade ; 801 Bourbon St.; 8 – midnight. With VJ Brendan Thompson. Grab a Cocktail and Sing – A – Long to some of your all time favorites.

No Judgment Karaoke; Cafe Lafitte in Exile; 901 Bourbon St.; 8 p.m. – midnight. Come sing you heart out at the oldest Gay Bar in New Orleans.

Men At The Den: The Four Seasons Den & Patio Bar ; 1229 N. Causeway Blvd., Metairie, LA; 8 p.m. Join the Four for an evening of gogo dancing!

Wednesday Night Variety Show: The Page; 542 N. Rampart St., New Orleans, LA.; 9:15 p.m. Hosted by Simone Rishard. $5 entry fee and drinks specials all night.

Big Gay Game Show; Oz New Orleans; 800 Bourbon St.; 8:30 p.m. Audience members have the chance to compete with their favorite Drag Super Stars for chances to win some fabulous prizes in this all new sh ow Games include: Lip Sync 4 Your Life, Are You Smarter than a Drag Queen, Guess the Key Word, What ’s in the BOX, and much, much more.

Weekly Rotating Hos. Featuring the Ladies of Oz and Many More of New Orleans Drag Entertainers. Show Time 8:30 p.m. Featuring the Ladies of Oz and DJ Tim Pflueger.

Queen’s Karaoke: George’s Place; 860 St. Louis St., Baton Rouge; 10 p.m. – midnight. Hosted every Wednesday by Alvin McGee starting at 10 p.m.

Hump Day Karaoke: Holy Diver; 1200 St. Bernard Ave., New Orleans, LA; 10 p.m. Hosted by Sunshine Edae.

Thursday

Karaoke at Pub: Bourbon Pub & Parade ; 801 Bourbon St.;

7 p.m. – midnight. Sing your heart out every Thursday upstairs at the Parade. There will be a different special host each week. Choose from over 30,000 songs.

The Van Ella Bordella: A Storyville Burlesque; The AllWays Lounge & Cabaret; 2240 St. Claude Ave.; 8 – 9:30 p.m. The Van Ella Bordella, New Orleans’ Storyville spectacle, is back with an all new show, original music, and courtesans. Limited seating. Join Madam Lola Van Ella and her courtesans for an evening of debauchery, scandal, decadent delights and Victorian era brothel history. For tickets, go towww.eventbrite.com.

QUEERS OF COMEDY New Orleans: Oz New Orleans; 800 Bourbon St.; 8 p.m. A group of queer comedians performing comedy together

Jezebell’s Jukebox – With a Twist: SIPPS Gulfport; 2218 25th Ave, Gulfport, MS.; 9 p.m. Join us Thursday at 9 p.m. at Sipps Bar for an unforgettable night of music, sass, and surprises with the fabulous Jez ebell Sin! Singing hits from all genres and era s Happy Hour from 4–6 p.m. – $2 off everything alcoholic.

Oz Strip Off: Oz New Orleans; 800 Bourbon St., New Orleans, LA; 10 p.m. – midnight. Come enjoy the Oz Strip Off contest sponsored by Swiss Navy. Contestants in this male gogo competition can win $300 in cash and prizes for 1st Place.

Karaoke Night; George’s Place; 860 St. Louis St., Baton Rouge; 10 p.m. – midnight. Hosted every Thursday by Cassini starting at 10 p.m.

So You Think You Can Drag: B Bob’s; 213 Conti St., Mobile AL; 11 p.m. Winner chosen by audience applause.

Friday

Drag Bingo: The Roundup ; 560 E. Heinberg St., Pensacola, FL; 6 –9 p.m. No cover. 9 games with prizes, last game blackout.

(Cont’d. on pg. 13)

Carnival Ball Schedule

December 31 Pan (Mobile)

January 6 Rue Royale Revelers (New Orleans)

January 17 Mwindo (New Orleans)

January 17 Apollo (New Orleans)

January 18 Narcissus (New Orleans)

January 23 Order of Osiris (Mobile)

January 24 Amon Ra (New Orleans)

January 24 Apollo (Baton Rouge)

January 24 Phoenix (Mobile)

January 31 Apollo (Lafayette)

January 31 Apollo (Alexandria)

February 1 Radical Faeries (New Orleans)

February 7 Petronius (New Orleans)

February 13 Armeinius (New Orleans)

February 14 Dads (New Orleans)

February 15 Lords of Leather (New Orleans)

Weekly Events Cont’d.

Cardio with NOAGE: Treme Recreation Community Center ; 900 N. Villere St.; 6 p.m. Dance Cardio is a low impact dance cardio workout for active adults aging actively, set to high energy hip hop, rock, R& B, blues and funk.

Trixie Minx’s Burlesque Ballroom at The Jazz Playhouse: Royal Sonesta; 300 Bourbon St.; 7 and 9 p.m. shows. Come join us for a modern spin on a classic 1960’s Bourbon Street Burlesque Show with a rotating cast of soloists all performing classic strip tease to live music, bringing quality Jazz & Burlesque back to its original home on Bourbon Street. Get tickets at www.eventbrite.com.

Whiskey & Rhinestones: The Original Nite Cap : 1300 St. Bernard Ave., New Orleans, LA; 8 p.m. Whiskey & Rhinestones returns in its new forever home The Original Nite Cap! Nestled upstairs in the historic 7th Ward of New Orleans overlooking St. Bernard Ave burlesque dancers invoke the spirit of history and celebration of the city while you enjoy incredible cocktails and a smattering of delicious food options to enjoy during the show. The Original Nite Cap operates under the direction of local burlesque legend, Bella Blue, and strives to create a guest experience that is unparalleled in both hospitality and quality entertainment. Please do not hesitate to let us know if you are celebrating a special event. 7 p.m. doors. 8 p.m. showtime. $20 cover. Featuring a rotating cast of local and traveling burlesque entertainers! Tickets are at Eventbrite.com and at the door. We open to the public at 9pm! You're welcome to stay after the show and continue to hang with us!

Freaky Fridays: Oz New Orleans; 800 Bourbon St., New Orleans, LA; 8 p.m. Oz New Orleans is the place to be this Friday and all Fridays as Ivy Dripp and JoJo host “FREAKY FRIDAYS,” featuring performances that are sure to amaze and delight! A show that celebrates glam and horror! Join us for this one of a kind variety show spectacular!

Wigsnatchers Drag Show: The Maison ; 508 Frenchman Street, New Orleans, LA; 8:30 p.m. The Wig Snatchers Drag Show features some of New Orleans best drag artists performing comedy, dance, and musical numbers every Friday and Saturday night at 8:30 p.m. in The Penthouse upstairs at The Maison. While the show is no cover / first come first served, they do offer the ability to guarantee seating for your group by reserving a VIP section.

Fab Friday Show Night: Splash Nightclub ; 2183 Highland Road, Baton Rouge, LA; 9 p.m. Splash ’s Show Night is BACK, and it’s about to be EPIC! Join us every Friday for the hottest

drag show in the capital city! Get ready to be dazzled by the fabulous Bombshells of Baton Rouge, plus a surprise special guest each week! Hosted by the fabulous Miss Thing, who ’ s serving looks and laughs all night long! Whether you ’re a drag aficionado or just looking for a fun night out, this is the place to be! Don’t miss the chance to live your best life with us!

Bayou Blues Burlesque: The AllWays Lounge & Cabaret ; 2240 St. Claude Ave.; 10:30 p.m. Tickets available at eventbrite.com and at the door. An intimate night of live blues music accompanied by burlesque and variety acts. Drink specials by your bartenders and comfy seating to enjoy the art of the strip tease. Music by The Delta Revues Burlesque by Miss Oops C. (AKA Oops the Clown).

Karaoke Night @ Sipps: SIPPS Gulfport; 2218 25th Ave. Gulfport, MS; 9 p.m. – midnight. Come sing your heart out.

Fab Fridays Show Night: Splash Nightclub ; 2183 Highland Rd., Baton Rouge; 9 p.m. Join us every Friday for the hottest drag show in the capital city! Get ready to be dazzled by the fabulous Bombshells of Baton Rouge, plus a surprise special guest each week! Hosted by the fabulous Miss Thing, who ’s serving looks and laughs all night long! Whether you ’re a drag aficionado or just looking for a fun night out, this is the place to be! Don’t miss the chance to live your best life with us! $4 well drinks before 11.

The Famous Corner Pocket New Meat Contest; The Corner Pocket; 940 St. Louis St.; 10 p.m. (Boys dancin’ from 7 p.m.). The country ’s longest running all male amateur dance contest (over three decades!) Hosted by Corner Pocket Emcee Felicia Phillips and former Southern Decadence Grand Marshal. Bring your sexiest, skimpiest, and tightest undies (but no jock straps) for a chance at a cash prize of $100 ($200 if it ’ s your first time in our contest). Open to all contestants over 21. New dancers encouraged.

Guys Night Fridays: Oz New Orleans; 800 Bourbon St., New Orleans, LA; 10 p.m, Dance the night away at New Orleans ’ #1 Gay Dance Club with DJ Tim Pflueger 15 X Winner GAA “DJ of the Year” / Adam Joseph / Orlando Ricardo. THE OZ GOGOs DANCING ON THE BAR ALL WEEKEND!

Friday Night Drag: George’s Place; 860 St. Louis St., Baton Rouge; 11 p.m. Join us Fridays Nights @georgesplacebr for the area’s best drag entertainers.

Terrioke: Le CaBARet; 834 N. Rampart St., New Orleans, LA; 11:59 p.m. Come sing karaoke with Terri Aqui.

(Cont’d. on pg. 14)

Weekly Events Cont’d.

Saturday

Drag Brunch @ the Country Club: Country Club ; 634 Louisa St.; 10 a.m. – 3 p.m. Enjoy delightful Drag performances and a delicious brunch! Reservations can be made at opentable.com

Free Comedy Jam for Improvisers: Big Couch ; 1045 Desire Street; 1 p.m. Just because improv is unscripted, doesn ’t mean you can’t practice it! We welcome improvisers of all levels to join us weekly to hone their improv skills, learn new ones, and connect with fun folks. An improv jam is an opportunity for anyone to perform and watch scenes. You can have an awesome time while developing.

LGBTQIA+ Youth Drop Inn Nights: New Orleans Pride Center ; 2762 Orleans Ave., New Orleans, LA: 3 5 p.m. Every Saturday from 3 5 p.m., LGBTQ+ youth (ages 13 24) can join us at The Pride Center for different activities including movies, arts, journaling, and more! FREE to attend!

Drag Me To The Lantern: The Golden Lantern ; 1239 Royal St., New Orleans, LA; 10 p.m. Drag show starting at 10 p.m. with revolving cast.

Dance Bitches Dance: Oz New Orleans; 800 Bourbon St., New Orleans, LA; 10 p.m. Dance the night away at New Orleans ’ #1 Gay Dance Club with DJ Tim Pflueger. 15 X Winner GAA “DJ of the Year” followed by DJ Adam Joseph or DJ Orlando Ricardo.

Show Night: SIPPS Gulfport; 2218 25th Ave.; Gulfport, MS.; 11:30 p.m. Come check out the fabulous Nicole DuBois and a rotating cast of drag performers each week.

Sunday

Drag Brunch @ the Country Club: Country Club ; 634 Louisa St.; 10 a.m. – 3 p.m. Enjoy delightful Drag performances and a delicious brunch! Reservations can be made at opentable.com

Morning Worship: Metropolitan Community Church of New Orleans; 5401 S. Claiborne Ave.; 10 – 11 a.m. Our worship services are best described as “Blended.” We recognize that many of our congregants come from different religious and spiritual backgrounds. We strive to incorporate elements from those various backgrounds so that all can feel a little

more connected to our services.

Solemn High Mass; St. Anna’s Episcopal Church ; 1313 Esplanade Ave.; starts at 10:30 a.m. We are a diverse congregation and our slogan is “All are welcomed. None are shunned. ” Our worship style is ornate with deep ritual, yet it remains warm and inviting. We are also kid and pet friendly. A real community church, St. Anna ’s welcomes all members of the LGBTQ+ community.

WigSnatchers Drag Brunch: Marigny Brasserie; 640 Frenchmen St., New Orleans, LA; 12 – 3 p.m. Located in the heart of historic Frenchmen St. comes the hottest Drag Show New Orleans has to offer. Hosted by Cosette LaFemme and Mistie Bonét, Drag Brunch @ Marigny Brasserie guarantees a welcoming and entertaining experience with some of NOLA’s finest Drag Queens.

Come enjoy performances by some of the most iconic artists of all time while you start the day with a plate of New Orleans, a drink in hand, and a safe space to have fun and express yourself. Email marigny.brasserie@kfkgroup.com to inquire about special event offers and group pricing of parties of 5 or more.

Writing Across the Rainbow: New Orleans Pride Center ; 2762 Orleans Ave., New Orleans, LA; 2 5 p.m. (Cont’d. on pg. 34)

Chop Chop Charles Pizzo

Mòi Vietnamese furthers Dining Renaissance on St. Claude Michelin recently awarded one star to St. Germain restaurant, which offers a 10+ course tasting menu. Chefs prepare seasonally fresh ingredients with precision and mastery. A Michelin star is a major achievement in the culinary world; there are only 3,079 Michelin one star restaurants worldwide. For one to be located on St. Claude Avenue is almost unimaginable. The food is elevated; dining here is a luxe gourmet experience for the adventurous.

AMBUSH readers will note we previously waxed upon the development of several noteworthy restaurants along this stretch of the Bywater. The national food press has noticed. As wealthy diners and tourists flock to St. Germain, will this pump more investment into the area?

Add to this growing list Mòi Vietnamese Deli & Homestyle

Cooking. Tucked away and almost hidden by a giant tree out front, this revamped shotgun near the Press Street train tracks serves a varied menu of interesting dishes at reasonable prices. Some of the entrées are available in two sizes, allowing you to more easily sample the menu or share.

Spring rolls stuffed with pork and shrimp (Gỏi Cuốn Tôm Thįt) are not fried. The rice paper wrapper is fresh and elastic. Inside, you’ll find vermicelli noodles and mint along with protein. The accompanying peanut sauce is delicate and balanced. Together, they make for a complex flavor combination that is mint forward, deeply nutty, and slightly sweet. Best of all, they are rolled to order.

The cold calamari salad (Gỏi Mực) is cool, crisp, crunchy, sweet, spicy, chewy, and refreshing. Raw green and red cabbage, green apples, and carrots are mixed with scored strips of tender calamari. This mélange is tossed in a bright fish sauce dressing with chili peppers and crowned by mint. The result is incredible; the total composition is simple yet inspired and packed with flavor. I found it addictive.

Fried shrimp and pork egg rolls (Chả Giò Tôm Thįt) are filled with potatoes, noodles, wood ear mushrooms, and served with fish sauce. The wrappers are extremely delicate and crisp, but the filling left me wanting for flavor. Maybe it ’s the inclusion of potatoes; the filling is a bit mushy without any defining flavor from the shrimp or pork.

Contrast that with the phenomenal Spicy Beef Noodle Soup (Bún Bò Huế). The spicy lemongrass broth, the true test of any

soup, is excellent. There are lean strips of beef, an optional ham hock (recommended) with tender, juicy meat under a layer of succulent fat, and slices of Vietnamese ham (which to Western eyes looks more like a cold cut). There’ s also a pork blood cake, essentially mild gelatin with a slight mineral taste. I was hesitant to try this, yet it added nicely to the dish (think of Jello made from bouillon). The bowl includes al dente vermicelli noodles. The combination comes together beautifully. Similar to the way pho is served, you get shredded cabbage, bean sprouts, jalapeños, and lime to mix in. They offer complexity and textual differences. I found myself tilting the bowl to slurp the broth and make sure I got every drop.

Fried tofu stuffed with pork (Đậu Hủ Nhồi Thịt Sốt Cà Chua) is cooked in tomato sauce. Cubes of crisp tofu are sliced and seasoned pork is inserted inside. This is a very mild dish. The tomatoes add tartness but not acidity. It’s a hearty, family style meal.

Caramelized Pork and Eggs (Thịt Kho Trứng) may not be what you expect. In Vietnamese cooking, caramel sauce is savory, not sweet. It adds color and depth. Generous and tender hunks of pork fall into the sauce when flecked, and a whole egg cooked in the sauce adds a nice dimension and more protein. When eaten with rice, this is comfort food.

Creamy fruit cocktail (Chè Thái) is probably a literal translation that conjures up canned fruit in syrup in my American brain. This is not that. Instead, it ’s an untraditional dessert in many ways. Lychee, jackfruit, longan, green gelatin cubes, and ice are stirred into Half & Half. The result remains liquid and is overwhelmingly delicious. Packed with sweet flavor and textures, it ’s bracingly cool and refreshing, and delightfully unexpected.

Another brand new addition to St. Claude Avenue is (Cont ’d. on pg. 28)

Moi Cold Calamari Salad

Moi Spicy Beef Noodle Soup

Moi Creamy Fruit Cocktail

Out and About (Pics by Tony Leggio)

The Power of Lived Experience: Inspiring People with HIV to Prioritize their Long Term Health through Storytelling

By Marcus Wilson / Senior Director / Public Affairs / Gilead Sciences Sponsored by Gilead Sciences / Intended

For too long, conversations about HIV have centered primarily on preventing transmission. While that ’s important, it often leaves out another vital part of the story: the health, well being, and dignity of people with HIV themselves, especially those from underrepresented communities who rarely see their stories reflected back to them.

That’s where Choose U comes in. This new initiative from Gilead Sciences was created with one goal in mind: elevate the stories and lived experiences of people with HIV who are taking their treatment as prescribed and prioritizing self care to help them lead healthier lives. It’s about choosing yourself working closely with your doctor to find an HIV treatment that works for you for the long term.

Why Stories Matter

Stigma is one of the biggest barriers people with HIV face. It shows up in healthcare, in relationships, and in society. But when stories are shared openly, stigma begins to lose its power. Choose U is built on the belief that personal stories can spark connection, inspire action, and remind people that they are not alone.

Andrew, a patient ambassador for the campaign, adds, “Having HIV forced me to dive deeper and figure out who I really am beyond the diagnosis. That growth changed everything for me. Choose U represents that same transformation: helping people put themselves first and see their health as equally vital. It ’ s about embracing the right to live fully, not just surviving. ”

Jahlove, an HIV advocate and educator who is also a Choose U patient ambassador, shares, “ Letting go of shame and stigma felt like I was stepping out on stage. I felt free, seen, and powerful. That’s why I speak out, so others can feel that same freedom. Choose U matters because it reminds us to put ourselves first, to see our health and our future as something worth celebrating and looking forward to.”

From Gilead’s perspective, the campaign is about ensuring that people with HIV see themselves reflected in authentic stories . These stories can act as reminders that living a healthier life

for US audien ces only

can be within reach for everyone with HIV, if they take and remain on treatment as prescribed and stay undetectable.

Real Stories, Real Representation

Through Choose U, people from across the country are sharing their journeys their challenges, resilience, and triumphs.

These stories reflect the diversity and strength of the HIV Community, from a grandmother in the South who stayed engaged in care and uses her knowledge as power, to a Black man in New York celebrating two decades of advocacy following his HIV diagnosis.

These voices are honest and deeply human. They remind us that living with HIV is not one story it’s many stories, each valuable and worth telling. The campaign was developed in collaboration with community representatives, ensuring that underrepresented perspectives are centered. The campaign amplifies voices often left out of national narratives particularly Black and Latiné people, LGBTQ+ individuals, and those over 50. By sharing these personal journeys, Choose U inspires individuals to prioritize their long term health and amplifies the importance of starting and staying on HIV treatment to become and stay undetectable.

Why This Matters Now

A major goal of HIV treatment is to become undetectable, meaning there is so little virus in your blood that a lab test can’t measure it. In the U.S. in 2022, about one third of people with HIV had not yet reached that point. Open conversations with doctors and staying on treatment are essential to getting to and staying undetectable.

Starting and staying on treatment as prescribed and getting to undetectable is the start, but the experiences of PWH go beyond treatment. Choose U is about more than the virus. It’s about saying, “your story matters, and your health matters.”

FIND OUT ON JANUARY 6 TICKETS

Join the Movement

Choose U is putting the stories of people with HIV at the center of the conversation. When we elevate stories, we don ’t just reduce stigma we create a community where people with HIV feel seen, valued, and inspired to prioritize their health.

Talk to your doctor today about an HIV treatment that ’s right for you for the long term. Learn more at ChooseUHIV.com

Why HIV Drug Resistance Still Matters And What We Can Do About It

By Andrew Zolopa, Treatment Medical Affairs Executive Director, Gilead Sciences and Professor of Medicine, Stanford Universit y / Sponsored by Gilead Sciences / Intended for

US audiences only

Even with decades of scientific research in HIV, a major challenge faced by people with HIV (PWH) continues to be HIV drug resistance.

HIV can change or mutate over time and HIV can develop something called a resistance mutation. When this happens, some HIV treatments may not work as well. Sometimes, HIV can already have a resistance mutation when it ’s transmitted, or it can develop while someone is on treatment. But taking HIV treatment as your doctor prescribes can help lower the risk of resistance.

A major goal of HIV treatment is to become undetectable, which means there is so little virus in the blood that a lab test can’t measure it. Current research shows that taking HIV treatment as prescribed and getting to and staying undetectable prevents HIV from spreading through sex. This is also called U=U, or “Undetectable equals Untransmittable.” Reaching an undetectable viral load is a critical milestone for many people living with HIV, and by starting and staying on treatment, they can live longer and healthier lives with HIV as a chronic, manageable condition.

But here’s the challenge: treatment resistance can still stand in the way of getting to and

treatment. However, most people with HIV face some risk of developing resistance. That’s why it’s so important to talk with your healthcare provider about what resistance means and why taking your medicine as prescribed makes such a difference.

That’s why re engaging people in care must go hand in hand with clear, supportive conversations about resistance, and making sure each person has access to medicines that fit their unique health needs. The good news is that science continues to evolve. Today, there are multiple treatment options available for PWH who have resistance, giving people more treatment options when restarting care. Your healthcare provider can help guide you to the option that’s right for you.

staying undetectable, especially for those who have had to stop or restart care.

In the US in 2022, only about 65% of PWH were virally suppressed, which means having less than 200 copies of HIV per milliliter of blood. For those who do not stay on treatment sometimes because of stigma and life challenges the risk of resistance and illness increases. Resistance can mean the virus no longer responds to certain medicines, making treatment harder.

As a clinician and researcher, I ’ve seen how resistance can affect how well some treatments work. In the early years of HIV treatment, resistance emerged as a major concern, influencing the decisions doctors made and shaping community conversations. Resistance isn ’t talked about as much today, but that doesn ’t mean it has gone away. Resistance is an especially real risk for people who experience care gaps, have trouble taking medicine regularly, or need to restart

So, what does this mean if you ’re living with HIV? It means that even if you ’ve taken breaks from treatment, you can speak with your healthcare provider about restarting with a treatment that may be able to continue to work even if HIV has developed resistance to certain types of medicines. A medicine’s barrier to resistance refers to how well it can work even if the virus develops resistance to a mutation. We must not lose sight of the foundational goal: staying undetectable over time. That starts with taking your medication as prescribed. Your healthcare provider can help choose a treatment that has a high barrier to resistance whether it’s your first regimen, you ’re switching your regimen, or if you are restarting care.

The importance of awareness around topics like resistance, undetectability and starting and staying on treatment is what inspired Gilead Sciences to launch Choose U. Choose U is a new initiative that puts people first in conversations about HIV –encouraging them to prioritize their own health by having informed conversations with their providers and making choices that help lower the risk of resistance, help them achieve undetectability, and prioritize their health for the long term.

As an infectious disease specialist, my advice is simple: talk with your doctor about HIV treatment options that help support your long term health. To learn more about HIV, visit ChooseUHIV.com.

NEWS BRIEFS

Seventeen

Transgender Members of the Air Force

Sue the Federal Government

17 transgender members of the Air Force filed a federal suit on Nov. 10 claiming the military illegally revoked their early r etirement pensions and benefits. Earlier in the year, the Pentagon denied transgender service members the option to retire early a nd announced it would dismiss them without benefits. The military has made an aggressive effort to purge trans people from milit ary service as a part of the Trump administration ’s attack on diversity, equity, and inclusion. The lawsuit also challenges the Air Force policy of not allowing transgender service members the right to argue they should be allowed to continue serving before a rev iew board. Earlier in the year, Trump issued an executive order banning transgender people from serving in the military.

Supreme Court Greenlights Trump ’s Reversal of Biden’s Transgender Passport Policy

On November 6, the U.S. Supreme Court allowed the Trump administration to enforce a policy that restricted transgender people’s ability to identify their gender identity on passport applications. The policy reverses a Biden administration policy that allowed applicants to mark “X” as a gender marker. Since 1992, the State Department has allowed applicants in some situations to select a male or female marker that does not match their gender assigned at birth. The Biden administration introduced the “X” option in 2021, thus removing the need for applicants to supply proof of a medical transition. As a result of Trump ’ s reversal, transgender people who have medically transitioned will not be allowed to select the gender with which they currently identif y.

Supreme Court Hears Case to Overturn Conversion Therapy Bans

On October 7, the U.S. Supreme Court heard a case challenging Colorado ’s ban on Conversion Therapy. Kaley Chiles, a Christian counselor, brought the case, arguing the ban discriminates against her and violates her right to free speech. The Trump administration argued the Court should strike down Colorado ’s ban on conversion therapy. During oral arguments, a majority of the justices seemed sympathetic to Chiles’ argument. Justice Sonia Sotomayor, however, pointed out, “There are studies that say that this advice does harm the child emotionally and physically. ” Currently, 26 states have legally banned conversion therapy. The court is expected to hand down a decision next summer.

Supreme Court Rejects Kim Davis ’ Attempt to Overturn Marriage Equality

The Supreme Court rejected an appeal by Kim Davis, the Kentucky County clerk who gained notoriety ten years ago when she refused to issue a same sex marriage license, to revisit Obergefell V. Hodges, the landmark case that legalized same sex marriage.

Cur tain Up Brian Sands

Not surprisingly, with the Holidaze approaching, one can find lots of Christmasy fare on the boards in the coming weeks. There are other goodies, though, that can entertain you … or that you can give tickets to as gifts. Here’s a look at some of the offerings that will be playing in local area theaters till the end of January when Carnival will kick in.

Joining the traditional line up of Nutcrackers, Rudolphs and Christmas Carols this year will be Dixie’s Holi day Bar at Café Istanbul running December 16 21. Set in 1956, this new immersive musical comedy invites audiences into a glitter drenched Bourbon Street nightclub for Miss Dixie ’s annual Christmas Variety Show fundraiser. Based on the real life Yvonne "Miss Dixie" Fasnacht, the stakes are unusually high as a wild brawl earlier in the season left her beloved bar in shambles, and now Dixie & her unruly staff are scrambling to raise the repair funds before the police can shut them down. What follows promises to be a night of “chaos, cocktails, carols, and camp.”

Created by Jason Derek North and Vaughn Trudeau, who were behind Six Frenchmen earlier this year, Dixie’s Holiday Bar stars Marguerite Perrin, best known for her meltdown on 2005's Trading Spouses , making her stage debut as the trailblazing bar owner who protected queer patrons and performers in the pre Stonewall era. Also in the cast are Victor Campbell, Tarah Cards, Monica R. Harris, Anya Sapozhnikova, Doug Spearman and Joey Algier.

The Saenger Theatre has a full slate of theater offerings coming up, starting with Back to the Future (Dec. 9 14), the musical adaptation of the classic 1985 movie, followed by Hell's Kitchen (Dec. 30 Jan. 4), 16 time Grammy winner Alicia Keys' autobiographical musical, and the return of Hadestown (Jan. 23 25), a Tony Award winner for Best Musical.

And for one night only (January 15), Emmy Award winner Richard (“John Boy Walton”) Thomas appears in Mark Twain Tonight!, written and originally performed throughout the country by Hal Holbrook, who won a Tony for the part when it debuted on Broadway. Another one nighter at the Saenger will be on January 31 when the hilarious Wanda Sykes comes to town; btw, if you ’ve been hiding under a rock for the past 17 years, she’s a lesbian.

On the Northshore, Playmakers Theater kicks off the holiday season in Covington with ’Twas the Night Before Christmas No, not the poem by Clement Moore but the comedy by Ken (Lend Me a Tenor) Ludwig in which not a mouse is stirring because Santa missed this house last year and wild adventures involving a mouse, an elf, and a spunky little girl ensue. Directed by Shelley Meier, ’Twas the Night Before Christmas runs through December 14.

30 by Ninety Theatre brings back its annual holiday tradition in Mandeville, A Very Merry Christmas Spectacular (Dec. 5–14), featuring local performers in a festive celebration of song, dance, and seasonal cheer plus complimentary milk & cookies at every performance! 30 by Ninety will then kick off 2026 with the timeless Kander & Ebb musical Cabaret (Jan. 17–Feb. 1).

Two other ageless musicals will end one year and start the next at Slidell Little Theatre

Annie? At Christmas? At first I raised my eyebrows but then remembered Leapin' Lizards, yes! that the show’s finale is New Deal for Christmas, led by FDR himself. Directed by Katie Harrison, that lovable little orphan Annie plays at Slidell Little Theatre December 5 21. From classic comics to penny dreadfuls, next up at SLT will be Sondheim ’s Sweeney Todd (Jan. 16 25 & Feb. 6 8). I wonder if they ’ll be selling meat pies in the lobby?

Back on the Southshore, Jefferson Performing Arts (JPA) has Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer based on the beloved animated television special at its home on Airline Drive December 5 14. Kris Shaw directs a large cast including Jimmy Murphy, Louis Dudoussat, Allee Peck, and Parker Portera Dufrene as Rudolph. Following Rudolph, JPA's beautiful 2020 production of The Nutcracker, directed by Kenneth and Kim Beck, returns to the Jefferson Performing Arts Center December 19 21.

More dance can be enjoyed when Marigny Opera Ballet brings WINTERLIGHT to the Marigny Opera House December 5 14. Subtitled “Dancing from Darkness into Light ”, this new contemporary ballet choreographed by Christian Denice celebrates the winter holidays’ hope and happiness as a lost and wandering young man encounters a mysterious village enshrouded in twilight mist. The ballet will be accompanied live by New Orleans’ Delachaise Ensemble, performing an evocative collection of Nordic folk music arranged by the Danish String Quartet.

And New Orleans Ballet Theatre continues its season at The Orpheum Theater with the two act classic The Nutcracker December 13 23, featuring over 120 local (Cont ’d on pg. 36)

Chop Chop Cont ’d.

Frissons, a country style Cajun restaurant featuring boudin from the widely acclaimed Best Stop market in Scott. You can get a large link (recommended) or fried balls with a choice of sides. It’ s all gluten free (including the moist cornbread), and the well seasoned red beans are vegan. The creamed corn features peppers and onions in a sauce enhanced by dairy. Other options include garlic green beans and smothered cabbage. There is counter service with cute patio dining.

Frissons Boudin Link Plate

Mòi Vietnamese Deli & Homestyle Cooking, 2809 St Claude Ave, Open Thursday – Tuesday, 11:00 a.m. – 9:00 pm. (Friday & Saturday: 10:00 p.m., Sunday 8:00 p.m.). (504) 459 2161. Take out counter or dine in. https:// www.instagram.com/moi.nola

MICHELIN ★ Saint Germain, 3054 St Claude Ave, Open Thursday – Monday 5:30 p.m. –10:30 p.m. (Sunday & Monday 10:00 p.m.). (504) 218 8729 Prepaid Reservations for progressive tasting menu: www.saintgermainnola.com $$$$

Frissons Cajun, 3304 St Claude Ave, Open Friday 6:00 a.m.–10:00 p.m., Saturday 11:00 a.m.–10:00 p.m., Sunday 11:00 a.m.–8:00 a.m. (504) 452 9433 www.frissonsnola.com

Charles Pizzo is a native New Orleanian and PR professional. He is a graduate of the Culinary Institute of America and former chairman of IABC, the International Association of Business Communicators.

Sipps and Just Us Lounge (Pics by Dwain Hertz)

Curtains Up Cont’d.

That other wonderful chanteuse, Anaïs St. John, brings her cabaret show about Josephine Baker back to the World War II Museum’s Stage Door Canteen, October 17 19. Josephine Baker: From Creole Goddess to Siren of the Resistance uses song and spoken word to celebrate Josephine Baker ’s extraordinary journey from humble beginnings in East St. Louis to the stages of Jazz Age Paris, her wartime service in France & North Africa, and her speech at the 1963 Freedom March in Washington, D.C. at the Lincoln Memorial.

On the Northshore, Slidell Little Theatre presents Robert Harling’s Steel Magnolias (Oct. 10 19). Directed by Karen Shields, it’s set in Truvy's beauty salon in northern Louisiana. If you haven’t seen it by now, where ya been, sugar?

Also on the Northshore, Mandeville’s 30 by Ninety Theatre continues their season with Beth Henley ’s The Miss Firecracker Contest (Oct. 11 26) which takes place in the small Mississippi town of Brookhaven, a few days before the Fourth of July, as its six charmingly eccentric characters search for love, happiness, and acceptance. Tonya Lagman directs Lindsey Andry, Allen Bryant, Addison Fitzmorris, Casey Jones, Rachael Knaps, and Emily Murray.

Back on the Southshore, MB [Mondo Bizarro] Presents

brings a condensed translation of 2023’s CETACEAN (The Whale), to Catapult on October 25 and 26; it ’s the 6th installment from Deke Weaver's The Unreliable Bestiary, a performance for each letter of the alphabet, each letter represented by an endangered animal or habitat. Truly interdisciplinary, CETACEAN is a collage of lo fi effects, story, video, and sound with a large helping of dance and a dash of national park ranger talk.

A collage of a different sort can be found when Chicago based experimental string duo Missing Piece & sound artist Hunter Diamond join New Orleans string players James Singleton, Sixto Franco, & Kyle Anderson to present Diamond ’s new, large multi movement work for chamber ensemble, Unsettling, on October 23 at the Marigny Opera House

Composed in the “thirdstream” style, which is neither classical nor jazz or both classical and jazz, Unsettling features strings, winds, & electronics, and offers sound & comment on Israel from the perspective of an American Jew. Diamond takes inspiration from contemporary Israeli writers who seek to hold Israel to account for its immense transgressions without devaluing its enormous accomplishments.

New Orleans Ballet Theatre returns to The Orpheum Theater October 24 30 just in time for Halloween (Cont ’d. on pg. 40)

FRENCH QUARTER / MARIGNY MAP

U Haul Diaries Kelly Schexnaildre

Love Languages: What They Reveal About Us (and What They Don ’t)

In queer community, love languages acts of service, quality time, physical touch, words of affirmation, and receiving gifts get tossed around like sun signs; shorthand for measuring compatibility. These five neat categories came from Dr. Gary Chapman ’s book The Five Love Languages, a framework that tries to make sense of something as unruly as human connection.

Useful? I think so; as a tool to better understand ourselves and our patterns and how best to relate to our partners and loved ones.

Most frameworks like this forget the way queer people learn love: slowly, carefully, sometimes painfully, often without role models. We’re not raised in worlds that mirror our futures back to us; we piece ourselves together from subtext, longing, and late night overthinking. Our love languages don’t form in neutral space; they’re shaped by what we survived, how long we had to hide our true selves, and from whom we had to hide those selves.

For me, acts of service have been the default setting for as long as I can remember. If love is a verb, I ’ll perform it until I collapse. I grew up believing I had to work for affection, tiptoeing between chaos and responsibility, over functioning long before I understood the term. So as an adult, I ’ve often loved by fixing, solving, anticipating every need before it ’ s spoken. I will drive you to the airport at 4 a.m., repair the sink, fill your gas tank, and run your errands; all while insisting I ’m just being helpful.

But here’s the truth: overextending myself isn ’t selflessness; it’s the old wiring that whispers earn your place or lose it. It ’s the child inside me who learned that worthiness comes through effort.

Receiving love is an entirely different story. My top language is quality time, because presence feels like safety. I want your attention, your stillness, the quiet assurance that you chose to be with me when you could have been anywhere else. Physical touch is grounding, your warmth and steadiness evident in the way you hold me. Words of affirmation are a sweet balm to my soul, reminding this tired brain that I ’m loved exactly as I am.

I’ve always thought the mismatch was interesting; and I ’ve realized recently that how I give love is rooted in the old me, while how I receive love is a reflection of my healing and my future.

We’re not born preferring one love language over the other; we develop these preferences based on our experiences in our families and cultures. We often model what we saw or didn ’t see growing up. We develop them in relationship with our histories. The language that feels natural may be familiar and

Weekly Events Cont’d

with such concepts as: World building, Plotting, Character creation, Continuity maintenance, Editing, Sharing constructive criticism of work, The journey forward, either to publishing or wherever you want to take your writing. All prose types are welcome, including poetry, fiction, nonfiction, etc. We hope to see you there!

•Sing A Long Sundays: Bourbon Pub & Parade; 801 Bourbon St.; 4 p.m. – midnight. Join Gay Appreciation Award Winner VJ Brendan for Sing A Long Sundays.

•Vanessa Carr: The Golden Lantern; 1239 Royal St., New Orleans, LA; 3 – 5 p.m. Come see Vanessa Carr Kennedy sing your favorite songs.

•Trash Disco; Cafe Lafitte in Exile; 901 Bourbon St.; 4 – 10 p.m. Come dance the night away at one of the best places to end your weekend of fun, Lafitte’s in Exile, home of the world famous napkin toss that happens every Sunday between 8:30 and 10 p.m.

•The PlayGirlz Show: The Golden Lantern; 1239 Royal St.; 5 –7 p.m. Come out and enjoy the show featuring Gia GiaVanni with Taze Ya Ballz and a special guest each week.

•The Roundup Review: The Roundup; 560 E Heinberg St, Pensacola, FL; 5:30 p.m. No cover. Great drag show every Sunday.

•Zingo!; The Corner Pocket; 940 St. Louis St.; 6 p.m. Zingo! with the boy’s pullin’ the balls. Can you say, O 69? Come play to win fabulous prizes and bar tabs (free to play). Corner Pocket Emcee Felicia Phillips and (Cont ’d. on pg. 36)

comfortable, but not aligned with our true selves. The one we crave the most is likely the one we were denied growing up.

Love languages are invitations to examine our patterns, name our needs, and unlearn the parts of ourselves built in environments of scarcity. Love languages are a call to love ourselves better and, in turn, others.

Curtain Up Cont’d. children.

By January you might be ready for something other than sugarplums. To satisfy that craving, The New Orleans Ballet Association will present Argentina’s Tango After Dark on January 24 at the Mahalia Jackson Theater . Choreographer Germán Cornejo fuses the soul of Buenos Aires with the sophistication of the 21st century. Featuring dancers, vocalists, and a seven piece live band, the production brings to life the music of Argentine legend Astor Piazzolla, whose evocative compositions combine melancholy passion and joyful exuberance.

Prefer theater? Then head to the New Marigny Theater where Poppet Theater (formerly Streetcar Collective for the Arts) will present Stanley and His Demon, a play about what happens when a demon turns out to be excellent company...maybe even better company than the majority of humanity. Mariana Santiago’s script features a cult leader grifter who performs exorcisms for fun and profit (mostly profit, if you're being honest which he rarely is), and explores what happens when one of these demonic possessions turns out to be legitimate and a very real, very ambitious demon who follows said cult leader grifter and his wife home. It runs January 2 12.

Noël Coward’s Blithe Spirit takes the stage at Le Petit Theatre January 8 25. This is the one about novelist Charles Condomine, his wife Ruth, the eccentric medium Madame Arcati, and the soignée ghost of his late wife, Elvira, in which a supernatural love triangle ensues. Ricky Graham is the director.

Ghosts can also be found in Fat Ham. In this brilliant, Pulitzer Prize winning dramedy, James Ijames has reconfigured Hamlet so that its marvelously dysfunctional family is no longer fighting over Denmark but, rather, a BBQ restaurant in the South. You don ’t need to be familiar with Shakespeare’s melancholy Prince but it will add to your enjoyment as Fat Ham sticks to the basic outlines of the Bard ’s most famous play.

In Fat Ham, however, the protagonist becomes Juicy, a sensitive queer Black 20something who occasionally breaks into the original iambic pentameter, as Ijames examines toxic masculinity, sexuality, family loyalty and much more. Tenaj Wallace directs this NOLA Project presentation at Dillard University's Cook Theater January 15 February 6.

And speaking of the Bard of Avon, New Orleans Shakespeare Festival will bring back its recent production of A Midsummer Night's Dream for one performance only on January 16 at Tulane’s Dixon Hall. (Cont’d. on pg. 38)

Weekly Events Cont’d.

Sharing constructive criticism of work, The journey forward, either to publishing or wherever you want to take your writing. All prose types are welcome, including poetry, fiction, nonfiction, etc. We hope to see you there!

Sing A Long Sundays: Bourbon Pub & Parade ; 801 Bourbon St.; 4 p.m. – midnight. Join Gay Appreciation Award Winner VJ Brendan for Sing A Long Sundays.

Vanessa Carr: The Golden Lantern ; 1239 Royal St., New Orleans, LA; 3 – 5 p.m. Come see Vanessa Carr Kennedy sing your favorite songs.

Trash Disco; Cafe Lafitte in Exile; 901 Bourbon St.; 4 – 10 p.m. Come dance the night away at one of the best places to end your weekend of fun, Lafitte’s in Exile, home of the world famous napkin toss that happens every Sunday between 8:30 and 10 p.m.

The PlayGirlz Show: The Golden Lantern ; 1239 Royal St.; 5 – 7 p.m. Come out and enjoy the show featuring Gia GiaVanni with Taze Ya Ballz and a special guest each week.

The Roundup Review: The Roundup ; 560 E Heinberg St, Pensacola, FL; 5:30 p.m. No cover. Great drag show every Sunday.

Zingo!; The Corner Pocket; 940 St. Louis St.; 6 p.m. Zingo! with the boy’s pullin’ the balls. Can you say, O 69? Come play to win fabulous prizes and bar tabs (free to play). Corner Pocket Emcee Felicia Phillips and former Southern Decadence Grand Marshal hosts.

Minx Burlesque: Howlin Wolf ; 907 S. Peters St., New Orleans, LA; 6 p.m. Minx Burlesque is LIVE at the Howlin ’ Wolf. Featuring a rotating cast of performers for a new and exciting show each week. From classic strip tease, to circus acts, to comedy Queens, Minx Burlesque has something to please and tease every audience member. For tickets, go to https:// www.ticketweb.com/events/org/13741?pl=howlin

SIPPS Drag Bingo: SIPPS Gulfport; 2218 25th Ave.; Gulfport, MS.; 7 p.m. Come play bingo for great prizes every Sunday.

Drag Bingeaux; Oz New Orleans; 800 Bourbon St.; 7 – 9 p.m. Hosted by Ivy Dripp with gogo boys. 11 games, no cover.

The Opulence Hour: Maison; 508 Frenchmen St.; 8 – 9 p.m. The troupe that brought you “Talk Nerdy To Me: A Weekly Nerdlesque Revue” is putting on our Sunday best for this new burlesque and variety show. The Society of Sin Burlesque & Variety every Sunday at The Maison on (Cont ’d. on pg. 38)

Community Focus Jim Meadows

Surviving the Holidays: 2025 Edition 2025 may be the longest decade we’ ve ever survived. So much awfulness has been packed into it that it really does seem like much longer than one year. And yet it ’s mostly over with, and the holiday season has arrived. After all the Scrooginess and Grinchiness we ’ve witnessed, we all deserve to enjoy the season as best we can. Here are a few suggestions on how to make the most of the 2025 holiday season.

Holiday Bonfires and Lights

Louisianians have been burning bonfires along the Mississippi River for hundreds of years now. While the ‘River Parishes” (St. John the Baptist, St. James, and St. Charles) are the best known areas for this tradition, you can also see a bonfire right here in New Orleans on December 6 at the Algiers Point Batture. The event begins at 4:30 p.m., and will feature food, music, arts and crafts, and the main event: a 30 foot tall bonfire built by the NOLA Burners. If you want to experience beautiful Holiday lighting without leaving the East Bank, I recommend taking a trip uptown on the streetcar after dark, driving around the Marigny, Bywater, and other neighborhoods with creative decorators, or visiting City Park ’s Celebration in the Oaks.

Holiday Markets

New Orleans’ Arts Council has listed a variety of holiday markets where you can find festive gifts and decorations. These include: the Christmas Market at Deutsches Haus (December 5 7), Merriment Night Market (December 6 at 3316 Magazine St., the City Park Holiday Market (December 13 14), and the Paradigm Gardens market (December 7 at 1131 S. Rampart).

You can also find holiday themed items at the flea market sections of the French Market throughout December. One of my favorite places to find great gifts during the holidays including the amazing greenery designed by the Judy Garlands is the Merchant Market at 1150 Magazine St. If there ’s someone in your life who ’s hard to shop for, my go to gift store is Hazelnut at 5525 Magazine St.

Volunteering

HandsOn New Orleans is the best “one stop shop” to find a charity that could use your help. Visit their website to search for the best fit for you (handsonneworleans.org). If you ’re looking to volunteer at a soup kitchen during the holidays, some of the ones that need help are Second Harvest and the New Orleans Mission. If you ’d like to donate food items for the needy, I recommend For the Love Of Pop Up Pantry, CrescentCare’ s Food for Friends, St. Anna ’s Episcopal Church food bank, and New Orleans Community Fridges. If you ’re looking

to donate toys to needy children, St. Anna ’s has a toy drive going on now. To donate coats for needy children, visit the WGNO website for a list of drop off locations.

Reach Out to People You Care About

I enjoy sending holiday cards to friends and loved ones each year. I also appreciate getting them, but the number one rule about sending cards in the 21st century is that you can ’t expect reciprocation. Stamps are too expensive, and most people these days don ’t bother with snail mail if they can avoid it. I just like sending cards, and the act of doing so gets me in the spirit of the season. If cards aren ’t your thing, nothing beats a phone call. A lot of people feel lonely during the holidays, and will appreciate hearing from you, however you make contact. You’ll feel less lonely too.

Holiday Concerts and Performances

I realize not everyone is a fan of Christmas music, especially if you’ve ever worked in retail. But if you do like it, there are a good many events that might interest you. The New Orleans Gay Men’s Chorus is having their annual concert on Friday, December 5 at the University of New Orleans Performing Arts Center. There are at least two performances of The Nutcracker (New Orleans Ballet Theatre at the Orpheum, and another performance at the Saenger). Harry Shearer and Judith Owens are hosting their annual Christmas show at the Orpheum on December 16, and the NOCCA foundation is hosting an all star concert on December 6. These are just a handful of performances happening in the coming month.

NOAGE Events (And Others)

NOAGE is hosting a holiday potluck on Wednesday, December 17, 6:30 8:00 p.m. at St. Anna’s Episcopal Church parish hall. Turkey and beverages will be provided, but we could also use some other main dishes, side dishes, vegan/vegetarian dishes, desserts, etc. Our monthly potlucks are always well attended, especially during the holiday season. It ’s a great opportunity to make new friends and celebrate the season with a friendly crowd. Adults of all ages are welcome. NOAGE will also be hosting a Coffee Talk at CrescentCare (1631 Elysian Fields Ave.) on Saturday, December 13, 10:30 a.m., and we ’ll be happy to give you moral support to get (Cont ’d. on pg. 38)

Community Focus Cont ’d.

through holiday challenges. Other NOAGE events in December include our Game Night at the Pride Center (Tuesday, December 9, 6 8 p.m.), and our weekly walking group (Mondays, 4 p.m. at Audubon Park). For more information about NOAGE and our events, visit noagenola.org.

There are plenty of other events happening throughout the next month. Be sure to check out Tony Leggio ’s Under the Gaydar calendar in these pages or on the AMBUSH website to find other events.

You don’t actually have to do anything you don ’t want to do or struggle to meet other people ’s expectations during the holidays. Whatever gets you through them with your health, safety, and sanity intact is what you should do. And however you decide to celebrate or avoid celebrating may you have a stress free and enjoyable holiday season.

Weekly Events Cont’d.

Frenchman at 7 p.m. Every week there will be a different show filled with decadent costumes, extravagant aesthetics, and big moods from our rotating cast of entertainers. For tickets, go to www.eventbrite.com.

Lipstixx Ladies on Parade; Bourbon Pub & Parade ; 801 Bourbon St.; 8 – 10 p.m. Hosted by Miss Aubrey Synclaire. Showtime 8pm Sharp! Reservations accepted on a “first come first serve” at 504 529 2107.

Curtain Up Cont’d.

If there’s nothing terribly new in the staging overall, I found that the play within the play Pyramus and Thisbe was filled with insight and a touching depth of emotion. And with its fairies and magic and revelry, it’s the perfect lead in to Mardi Gras.

MerryHappy to all!

(l. r.) Robinson J. Cyprian, Robert Mitchell, Ian Hoch, Alexandria Miles, and John Jabaley in A Midsummer Night’s Dream