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Over 30,000 Expected for Pensacola's
Giant Memorial Wknd. Blowout May 24-27;
Millions of Dollars for the Region
The Pensacola community is gearing up for the giant Memorial Day Weekend blowout which normally brings in over 30,000 GLBT revelers to the region May 24-27. The annual event brings in millions of dollars for the local economy. Visit GayPensacola.COM for additional information on-line.
Johnny Chisholm in association with Oz, New Orleans and Emerald City, Pensacola, has garnered some of the hottest talents on the circuit to make this the most spectacular circuit party weekend of the year. It begins with Bounce featuring DJ Don Bishop poolside at Hampton Inn on the Beach, one of the host hotels. Consummate crowd pleaser Bishop hails most recently from Palm Springs. Don has spun his mix of trance and progressive house at such clubs as Shampoo in Philadelphia, Backstreet in Atlanta and Renegade in Rehoboth, DE. Don started spinning in 1985 in Orange County, CA and played at the Boom Boom Room, Laguna Beach and other local clubs for many years on Fri. and Sat. nights. Don's circuit debut was the 12 Gods Party in Mykonos, Greece. His recent credits include Disney's Gay Days 2001, Voyage 2001, Pacific Sunset 2001, and Red Party Weekend Closing Party. From Don's personal biography: "A DJ can never lose sight of what the crowd wants. It's always all about the crowd. After all these years, I have not grown tired of the music nor the club experience. I thank everyone for the continued support and 'Dance 'till ya can't dance no more!'"
Later that evening, you can experience the talents of DJ Abel at Wave, hosted at Pensacola's unofficial Gay beach until sunrise. Abel Aguilera was born in New York City and has always had a love for music. At thirteen, Abel moved to Miami where his fever for the turntables began. Abel started helping his friends at high school parties in the late seventies - taking turns at the tables to see who was better. In 1980, Abel was offered jobs spinning at nightclubs on Miami's famous Bickell Avenue. Local radio producers caught on to his infectious rhythms and soon Abel had his own mix show on Miami's Super Q FM107. This famous show ran nearly seven years. 1984 found Abel spinning at the famous "Waterfront" In 1992, "Paragon" opened and Abel played on Sat. nights - which he describes as "heaven." Then in March of 1996 "Salvation" opened in South Beach. The promoters brought Abel in to spin Sat. nights and from there he made a spectacular musical impression on the world.
Sat. brings DJ Joe Gauthreaux to Sweat, new this year to the weekend's lineup. It will be just a warmup to the grand daddy of all circuit parties. New Orleans' own Deacon of Vinyl, Joe Gauthreaux, has spun his way to the front lines as one of the most talented up-and-comers in the US. At only 25, Gauthreaux's innate ability to read the dance floor, fresh outlook on programming and superb technical skills allow him to take his dance floor on a diverse and colorful melodic journey. He has an affinity for finding that groove with a typical set featuring a seamless combination of tribal, progressive, vocal house, and energy tracks. Joe's instincts allow him to release his program from genre-specific boundaries and appeal to both the masses and the hard to please. "Gauthreaux's fondness for rich and meaningful material, along with his consistency in providing climactic live performances has landed him a spot alongside some of the best in the business, defining the dance charts for the music-trade's mainstay," said Billboard Magazine. Additionally, Gauthreaux has played at some of the nation's best events, including Platinum, in Washington, DC; alongside Victor Calderone at Sanker and Chisholm's One Mighty Party in Orlando; Pensacola for Memorial Day Weekend; and again as Sanker's choice to debut "Classic Tea" at BillboardLIVE.
Yes, award winning Circuit Party of the Year, Abracadabra, will bring thousands to the Pensacola Civic Center Sun. night. Circuit great Manny Lehman will do the honors again this year. Revelers are waiting with unabated enthusiasm to see just what secret talents Chisholm will bring to the stage this year. You never know with this circuit promoter. He always does something spectacular. Many wonder how he's able to top the previous year's extravaganza, but Chisholm always does. DJ Manny Lehman will be putting his personal spin on Memorial Day Weekend by playing his energetic and aggressive combination of Vocal Anthems, Tribal and Progressive House. Manny's distinctive style has been tearing up the dance floor from his monthly residencies at Factory Nightclub/LA, Crobar/South Beach, Twilo/NYC and everywhere in between. Before Manny set his sights on the turntables, he spent 9 years as the vice-president of A&R Records where he signed and developed Cece Peniston and was executive producer of her hit song "Finally." In addition, he produced remixes for Janet Jackson, Sting, Sounds of Blackness, Sheryl Crow and many others. Manny's guest DJ spots include Closing Party/White Party/Palm Springs, Black & Blue/Montreal, The Blue Ball/Philly, The Hearts Party/Chicago, Halloween/New Orleans, New Years Eve 2001/Miami, Memorial Weekend/Pensacola, Gay Pride/NYC, just to name a few.
The after hours parties return Sat. and Sun. as Spellbound brings DJ Neil Lewis on Sat. and DJ Barry Harris on Sun. to The Warehouse. Born in Rochester, New York, DJ Neil Lewis moved to San Francisco 14 years ago before taking his dream from being a "home DJ," which began at the young age of 16, to become a professional DJ. During this time, Neil has had the opportunity to spin at venues all over North America and earn him a residence at Pleasuredome and the respect of clubbers everywhere. The biggest influence on his life is DJ Steven Keen, the first DJ Neil ever saw mix a record. Other people who have influenced Neil and his music include Robbie Lesslie, Michael Fierman, Michael Jorba and Jerry Bonham. When talking about his favorite style of music, Neil enjoys the "come down" part of the long evening set. This is when the music slows down and is more enjoyable. After playing a long set of Hi-NRG music, this slower sound is warm welcome for Neil. Barry Harris has been a music junkie all his life, in one way or another. He plays guitar, bass, and piano...even sings. He is an artist, songwriter, producer, remixer, and one of the fastest rising DJs in clubland. Originally from Toronto, Canada, Barry now resides in both Los Angeles and Brooklyn. In the last twelve years, Barry has been involved with fifteen charting tracks on Billboard's "Dance Music Club Play/Singles Sales" chart under his own name and various other guises. Since 1998 Barry and his partner Chris Cox, as the hit-making production/remix team of Thunderpuss, have had another 34 charting tracks - 17 of which have gone to #1. Big, dramatic vocals, feverish tribal beats, and driving sexual energy best characterize Barry's style. Ever the producer, his audience is always sure to be wowed with bits and pieces of unreleased material, otherwise referred to as his "secret weapons." An evening with Barry Harris is definitely a special treat.
DJ Dewight Barkley will man the turntables at Emerald City throughout the weekend. DJ Dewight got his start buying dance records with his lunch money, not really knowing what it would all mean one day. After college, he returned to his native Mobile, Alabama and landed his first nightclub job working lights. Under DJ Joseph Berliner's tutelage, Dewight learned the technical side of spinning vinyl and found a use for his massive collection of 12" singles. On the recommendation of a record rep he sent a demo tape to Oz in New Orleans, and landed a prime time slot there on weekends. He held the reigns for almost two years until Oz expanded into Pensacola with sister club Emerald City. As Emerald City's senior programmer, this year marks Dewight's fifth year of involvement in the Memorial Day experience. Decorated by numerous awards including DJ of the Year and top honors at competitions, few in his league can match Dewight's "elegant" and seamless mixing skills. Belonging to US and European record pools, Dewight's influences and musical stylings are unique and expansive, leaving his mark on Pensacola and guest appearances all across the Southeast. Open your mind, open your heart and be MOVED.
Women will be treated to two special parties featuring the talents of DJ Mary Pappas, Luna and Goddess, Sat. and Sun. evenings with some special entertainment lined up. DJ Mary Pappas will tell you that music has always played an important part in her life. At age 9, she realized she had a gift - she could make people dance. And she loved it! Her first professional job spinning was at the Bullet Club in Tokyo, Japan. She played top 40 music to a non-English speaking audience. "I just smiled and faked it." Back in the USA, Mary started spinning at two legendary New Orleans' women's clubs, Charlene's and The Other Side. In 1989, she became the first female jock to take up residency at the Bourbon Pub/Parade. This is where she was introduced to the world of the BOY sound, a love affair that continues to this day. "In some ways I feel like I walk a fine line between the musical worlds of the boys and girls, I mold my collection of music for mass appeal, Progressive house, NRG, Club Anthems and Trance...music that moves the mind and body and soul." Some of Mary Pappas' accomplishments include serving as host and M.C. of A Crew Productions Music Video Count Down 1993-98, spinning at the Fri. night parties at Halloween XIII and XIV. She's also been featured at Tampa Gay Pride, Club 735, and Mardi Gras 2001.
Host hotels for the weekend are the Hampton Inn on the Beach (1.800.320.8108) and the Crown Plaza/Pensacola Grand (1.800.348.3336). Delta is the official airline, call 1.800.241.6760 and mention file #183873A for a 5 to 10% discount.
Due to the fragile nature of the beach and dunes, no parking will be provided at the beach for Wave. All guests will be required to ride the shuttle bus to and from Wave. Busses will begin accepting passengers at 9:30pm. Pickup points are the Hampton Inn on the Beach and the Crown Plaza/Pensacola Grand. Bus passes to Wave may be purchased at either hotel during the day Fri., or before boarding the bus. Bus Passes are included with the Weekend and Weekend VIP Passes. For additional information on tickets and weekend passes, visit OzNewOrleans.COM.
Sponsors of the weekend's festivities include Platinum: Ambush Magazine, Genre Magazine and Miller Beer; and Gold: Wet and Next Magazine.
2nd Outer Loop Memorial Day Bar Crawl
Set for Memorial Day, Mon., May 27
Several popular French Quarter bars have joined together for the 2nd Outer Loop Memorial Day Bar Crawl scheduled for Memorial Day, Mon., May 27, 4pm. Sponsored this year by Absolut, Ambush, Miller Beer and Tanqueray, the event is sure to have revelers racing back from the beaches and circuit parties of this big holiday weekend. Last year some 500 participated in the first crawl including those cheering them on from the host clubs.
The Crawl begins at 4pm, Double Play, 439 Dauphine, with the Kickoff Buffet. The next stops include 4:30pm, Corner Pocket, 940 St. Louis; 5pm, Orlando's Society Page, 542 N. Rampart; 5:30pm, Ninth Circle at Congo Square, 700 N. Rampart; and 6:30pm, Club 735, 735 Bourbon St. The Crawl ends at 7pm, MRB, 515 St. Philip with a giant crawfish boil.
The bars will be serving Absolut, Miller and Tanqueray specials with a portion of the proceeds benefiting Buzzy's Boys and Girls. Additionally, when you buy a drink, you get a chance to win the Bar Crawl Grand Prize, $175 in bar tabs from participating clubs. There will also be a Scavenger Hunt throughout the Crawl with prizes. All prizes will be awarded at the last stop, MRB. Winner must be present to win. Participants in the Crawl will get their very own Outer Loop Memorial Day Bar Crawl T-shirt while supplies last. For more info., visit GayNewOrleans.COM/BarCrawl.
GAA Voting Ballot Appears
in Next Ambush, May 29
The Gay Appreciation Awards Voting Ballot will appear in the next issue of Ambush due out on Wed., May 29. It will also appear on-line at AmbushMag.COM/GAA from May 29 through June 5, the final day for on-line voting. Those using the public voting ballot appearing in Ambush will have until Wed., June 5, 5pm to get their ballots to GAA in care of Ambush, 828-A Bourbon St., New Orleans, LA 70116-3137. If you are mailing in your ballot, ballots must be postmarked by Mon., June 3. The top 5 finalists in each category will appear in Ambush Issue 12 due out on June 12.
The category winners, those receiving the most public votes, will be announced at the 15th Gay Appreciation Awards gala at Cowpokes Barn, 2240 St. Claude, New Orleans, Sun., June 30. Beginning at 8pm sharp, doors will open at 7pm.
The awards thanks those in the Gay Lesbian Bisexual Transgender community who are not recognized for the outstanding services and efforts they perform.
These individuals and businesses have made the GLBT community into the viable, successful and powerful community it is today.
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