Visit their site: ripandmarsha.com
Farewell to Rubyfruit Jungle
Ambush learned of the closing of Rubyfruit Jungle in a letter to Rip Naquin-Delain, from owner Pam Olano. "640 Frenchmen is getting a face-lift! She needs a little make-over. After a brief pause and some renovations, 640 Frenchmen will reopen-but not as Rubyfruit Jungle.
"After a year of 'vacations' spent in the hospital, I have decided to retire from the daily management of the club.
"I'd like to thank you and your staff at Ambush Magazine for all the support and coverage you have given us for the 5 years during which we made history in New Orleans.
"This is not a time of sadness...it is a time of renewal and change. CHANGE IS GOOD."
The GLBT community of greater New Orleans will miss Rubyfruit Jungle, a venue in which thousands and thousands of dollars were raised for various organizations and causes dear and vital to the community. Over the years, Rubyfruit produced some of the best bartenders and DJs the city has ever been exposed to.
Ambush bids a fond farewell to Rubyfruit Jungle. Your presence will be greatly missed.
Gulf Coast Braces for Giant Memorial Weekend
On a road trip kicking off in Pensacola Friday, then over to Mobile on Saturday, and finally to Biloxi on Sunday, Ambush was enlightened on preparations underway for the Coast's giant Memorial Weekend blowout.
Pensacola and Pensacola Beach as far as Ft. Walton Beach is projecting the largest crowd, over 100,000 revelers during the four-day holiday, Fri.-Mon., May 26-29, pouring millions of dollars into the local economy.
Gulf Coast Pride, 675 W. Garden St., stocks some of the most interesting merchandise we've ever seen. Owner Bill, along with Nobby, showed us their Memorial Weekend commemorative cup and Y2Gay T-shirt. One of the best features in this shop has to be the martini and wine glasses complete with pride rings on the stems of each glass, very cleverly done, and sold by the pair.
The G&L Internet Bank is located downtown at 270 N. Palafox St., and done very nicely. While there we spoke with Jody and Michael about opening an account with the bank. More info is available at glbank.com.
Next we popped into the Roundup, 706 E. Gregory St., where manager Roger and owner Doug showed us one of the best times. This Pensacola men's bar will celebrate its 16th Annual Memorial Day Roundup, complete with tented parking lots boasting bars both in the club and under the tents.
Pensacola's dance club, Emerald City, 408 E. Wright St., has a whole weekend of parties lined up. Friday kicks off with "Sweat" featuring DJ Joe Gauthreux of Oz with lights by Jack Jokumsen. Saturday, DJ Dewight Barkley spins with lights by Jack Jokumsen and a special performance by Lonnie Gordon. Sunday brings back DJ Dewight Barkley and Jack Jokumsen with a performance by Funky Green Dogs. Monday it's the Fabulous Four to the stage for Emerald City's special Memorial Day Drink & Drown blowout.
The giant circuit parties presented by Oz New Orleans include Beach Maneuvers VII in the Bay Front Auditorium on Saturday, with Abracadabra VI in the Pensacola Civic Center on Sunday.
For more info., visit www.gaypensacola.com, part of the giant international AMBUSH-onLINE conglomerate with over 3.5 million hits and 300,000 unique visitors per month.
Mobile was hopping, now boasting seven clubs. Our first stop brought us to this city's newest venue, The Mixx, 213 Conti St. Owner Eric Oliver and manager James Parker showed us around and gave us the red carpet treatment. Downstairs boasts a large dance area, which currently serves as its entertainment stage. Upstairs, now under renovation, will feature another bar complete with stage, dressing room and rear balcony. While there, the packed house was treated to Lana LaMoure and her "Strippin' Saturdays" with three hot hunks plus showgirls to boot.
Then we popped into Troopers, 215 Conti; Gabriel's, 55 S. Joachim; and Bienville Cruise Pub, 22 S. Conception. Our last stop was a great visit with J.R. at On The Roxx, 20 S. Conception. We missed Society Lounge, 51 S. Conception and B-Bob's, 6157 Airport Blvd., #201.
Biloxi completed our weekend at the city's newest venue, Barcode, 153 Veterans Ave. Manager Patrick Brent and his staff were just great giving us a little of that famous Southern hospitality. This upscale cruise pub, open since February, has hot music, videos and, of course, the pretty people of Biloxi, both men and women. It is open 7 days a week, 3pm til with happy hour daily 3-8pm.
Local legend Joey Gillich was in the house and is also responsible for popular Joey's On The Beach, 1708 Beach Blvd. As Biloxi's only GLBT dance club, the hot nights there include Wednesday, Friday and Saturday for Drink & Drown. Joey's is also known as Mississippi's Best Dance Bar.
Jada Alexander Wins
Miss Gay New Orleans America
Out of a field of seven contestants, beautiful and talented Jada Alexander took home the crown as Miss Gay New Orleans America. The hot competition was so close that a tie had to be broken by question and answer for the top three.
The results left Jada Alexander as winner, Sy'ria Synclaire, 1st Runner-up and Derisha Monet, 2nd Runner-up. All three will represent New Orleans at the upcoming Miss Gay Louisiana America in September, a preliminary to Miss Gay America. The judges definitely had their work cut out for them from evening gown and creative fashion competitions to the incredible talent presentations.
Miss Gay New Orleans America '99 Sha'nyia Ellis Narcisse crowned the winner and entertained during the festivities. Other stars taking to the stage included Miss Gay Louisiana America Taylor Stevens, Raquel Chevallier, Lisa Beaumann, Kurt & Teryl-Lynn Foxx and even Bianca Del Rio's "Sonny & Cher."
Contestants in competition also included LuLu Deville, Imani Dupree, Jazmine Taylor and Ursuline Burgundy.
Quarter Gears Up For
Annual Miss Do Blowout
Quarterites and revelers from near and far will descend on the Double Play, 439 Dauphine, Mother's Day, May 14th, 9pm. The occasion is Miss Do's Annual Birthday Extravaganza & Buffet.
Yes, it's time once again to pay tribute to Quarter legend Miss Do. The famous and not so famous dare not miss this yearly affair, and better yet, will not come empty handed.
Those who know the diva personally have asked, and have already been told, what to bring. Miss Do is a no-nonsense kinda girl and she is not modest when it comes to birthday presents.
Inside sources say Fly of Corner Pocket fame will come as Louis Armstrong this year introducing Miss Do in his own version of "Hello Dolly!"
With scrumptious eats from Petunias and Donnie Jay, revelers are sure to find the evening a glamour night that only can happen on the St. Louis Strip in the Financial District.
Golden Lantern Celebrates 33rd Anniversary
Lucille's famous Golden Lantern just celebrated its 33rd anniversary in grand style as New Orleans second oldest Gay bar and home of Southern Decadence. This 33rd blowout featured the annual drag show, this year starring former Southern Decadence Grand Marshal Olive and Golden Lantern's own Miss Vicky as emcees.
Shows at this venue bring out the unusual to the most decadent. Former Southern Decadence Grand Marshal Mumbo joined in the festivities along with Electra Lux, Klorocks Bleachman, Vivienne, Tom and Julie.
GL owners the lovely Lucille and Ms. Verona brought together another night of revelry and entertainment.
Krewe of Petronius Sets Fiesta de Mayo May 21
It's become an annual rite of Spring with just a tinge of Mardi Gras madness. It is the Krewe of Petronius' annual Fiesta de Mayo held at MRB, 515 St. Philip St., on Sun., May 21. The fun begins at 1pm.
For a donation of $5 there is a lavish all-you-can-eat gourmet buffet (there are a preponderance of food mavens in this krewe). Later in the afternoon, after the always fun and bargain-riven Antiques Auction featuring auctioneer extraordinaire Captain Mickey Gil, Queen Petronius XXXIX, aka the illustrious queen of the financial district, Ms. Fly, will bring on her sensational Fiesta Revue.
Don't miss this fun fund-raiser for New Orleans' oldest Mardi Gras krewe as she prepares for her fortieth anniversary ball in 2001.
Circus vonAmberg
Returns to CAC
The juggler isn't dressed, the ropewalker is drunk, and lit candelabras intoxicate the fire-eater. That's the way it is in Circus vonAmberg, where all the acts have a motif.
The avant-garde troupe is presenting its 33rd anniversary edition at the Contemporary Arts Center, 900 Camp St., the last two weekends of May, Fri. and Sat., May 19, 20 & 26, 27, at 8pm; and Sun., May 21 and 28 at 2:30pm.
Called North America's oldest alternative circus and "Un Spectacle Exotique" and presented by J. E. Bourgoyne and J. G. Tyburski, the unusual show features trapeze artists, acrobats, jugglers, clowns, fire-eaters, rope-walkers, dancers, stilt-dancers, trained pets, a goose-riding circus muse and ethereal surprises. Even the roustabouts are elegantly dressed in red jackets and white gloves!
For tickets, call 504.528.3800.
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