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by Eric A. Crabtree
AUSTIN, TEXAS

Memorial Day Weekend
presents Meltdown '98

Forget Pensacola and the Gulf Coast this coming Memorial Day weekend and head on over to the most magical capital city this side of Atlanta for some more hot men and women, music, good times and plenty of fun. Austin is once again hosting another celebration and we are still recently recovering from the fun times from Splash Weekend. Ben Parsley and Splash Productions will be sponsoring the main Meltdown '98 activities but events are happening all over our great city from May 22 til May 25. Starting on Fri., May 22, it's First Call for Meltdown '98 when Oilcan Harry's hosts the official welcome to Austin party with great music spun by DJs Sid-A-Licious, Miss H. and Dig'M from 8pm til. A free buffet and dancers for your delight are all in store for happy hour and then a $5 requested cover at the door starts at 8pm. Charlie's Austin will host their own Meltdown - Cool Down Party all weekend long with great specials, dancers for your delight, after hours, and their Super Sunday Show at 11:30pm.

Up at 'Bout Time, it's their preliminaries for the Miss Universal Thang 6th annual MUT Pageant starting at 10:30pm. Don't miss this great event because it's the best high camp comedy-drag pageant around. Rainbow Cattle Company is also hosting great specials and Country Western Dance Music all weekend long and on Sun., May 24, it's their Dolly Ho Down Show at 9pm.Over at Dick's, they will be featuring after hours both Fri. and Sat. along with hot men taking showers for your delight.

The Chain Drive is still recovering from their Bound Weekend this past weekend and offer great specials and music throughout the weekend and a cookout from 5-9pm on Sun. The Edge will be hosting their own Memorial weekend specials and you are asked to check the club for details. It's always Martini Time at the 1920's Club and they are open on Sun. for brunch. The Rhythm House and the Blue Flame will both host great specials and live bands. Call their clubs for the latest listings. Needless to say, Midtowne Spa will once again be packed this weekend.

On Sat., May 23, it's the Margarita's Lake Lounge Party with Chain Drive's own DJ Michael Tank, spinning the hits. Four barges full of food drink and hot men and women will be hosted on Lake Travis at Hippie Hollow from 11am til 6pm. Tickets for this event are $60 and may be obtained by contacting Ben Parsley and Splash Productions at 888.558.1791 or in Austin at 512.478.1791. More information may be obtained on Meltdown '98 by visiting the web site at www.partyaustin.com. Later that night, it's the Meltdown Circuit Party with music by DJ Buc from Atlanta hosted at the La Zona Rosa at 612 W. 4th Street from 9pm till dawn. Advance tickets are $25 or $30 at the door.

On Sun., May 24, it's the AURORA Party hosted at Austin's own Circuit Party Headquarters; the Forum located at 408 Congress. DJ Julian Marsh from New York City returns to throw down from 8pm til dawn. Tickets are $10 in advance or $15 at the door. Rumor has it that if you come early enough admission into the Forum is reduced or maybe even free. Speaking of rumors, Austin will soon be honored with two new Gay and Lesbian Clubs - Wahoo! The first party club will be located at 4th and Brazos called Splash Video Bar featuring lots of video monitors to enjoy those eye candy flicks and videos. The second up and coming club will be located right next to Rainbow Cattle Company and will be a Leather and Levi Bar with owners from Houston that run another popular late night bar. Look for both club openings later this month or in June. Lastly on the rumors, Ambush's own Managing Editor and Sales Manager and my boss, Sonny Cleveland, will be coming to town this Memorial Day Weekend to throw down and meet all. Boys, look out because he is a little sexual firecracker waiting to explode.

Gay Splashers Enjoy
Wet & Wild Times

Splash Day was wet and wild fun at Hippie Hollow on Lake Travis two weeks ago. Splash is Austin's yearly Gay Texas first spring event sponsored by the bars and clubs of the Austin Tavern Guild. Over 700 cars and some 5000 Splashers were in attendance, according to the Travis County Park System and the Lower Colorado River Authority. (LCRA) This attendance seems high, but probably accounts for all the Splashers dropped off from Midtowne Spa's shuttle service to and from the lake, and the many boats, barges and jet skis all docked side by side near the rocks and shore. Needless to say, the free beer went quickly before the Austin Tavern Guild Barge (ATG) pulled away at 4pm as they do every year. Thanks ATG for this year's Splash Day!

The weekend started off with, you guess it, rain Fri. afternoon but by nighttime, the skies had cleared and the weekend festivities began. The weather was hot on Sat. but by Sun., Splash Day, it was overcast until the sun finally honored us with her presence in the late afternoon. I do not think that by judging the crowds, very few minded. New and old Splashers were seen throughout the weekend at various hot spots around Austin. See some of the highlights in this edition through the Austin Express Pictorials. Over at the Forum, they hosted their back to back circuit parties sponsored by Ben Parsley and Splash Productions. A huge congrats goes out to all of them for staying open the full solid 67 hours. Great job boys on the parties, even when each of you had very little to no sleep.

Charlie's Austin as well as Oilcan Harry's also hosted packed houses with their great music, dancers, after hours and drink specials. Kudos to both of them for decorated their businesses with large balls (beach that is) and rafts and even little boats that were given away at Charlie's Austin. Charlie's was also the hot spot after the lake with their free BBQ and Super Sunday Show. Huge crowds were also found at Rainbow Cattle Company two-stepping to their great C&W Music and on Sun., enjoying the Beach Babtist Women's Show which raised over $700 for the United Court of Austin Charities. You go Court! Still other Splashers could be located jamming it up at The Blue Flame and also up at Rhythm House where they hosted their Woymn's Night on Sat. sponsored by our good friends over at the Texas Triangle. Up at 'Bout Time, they were having grand Splash Happy Hours that lasted way into the wee morning hours. The boys in Austin were also rumored to be having even wilder hot steamy times at Midtowne Spa where it was a packed house every day and night during Spalsh.

The Edge highlighted the water theme by sponsoring their D'Nile Party all weekend long and Austin will never be the same again since Dick's Deja' Disco has installed a shower in the middle of their club with hot men showering while dancing. If these hot spots were not enough, grand Martini and appetizer times were held at the 1920's Club, which is now open on Sun. for brunch. Last but certainly not least, rounding out the clubs, Chain Drive offered fabulous Cinco de Mayo specials all weekend long with Mexican beer specials, tacos, fajita's and even mariachi bands. Very special thanks to all of the clubs hosting their great events which kicked off the beginning of Gay and Lesbian Summer. On a special note, it goes without saying but thanks Brown Distributing and Coors of Austin for their free distribution of commemorative Splash Koozies. Last Splash is only 3 months away. Until then, have a great summer.

Top Music Hits
As Spun By Austin DJs

The top ten music countdown spun in the Austin Clubs today has been compiled for your entertainment by DJ Michael Tank of Chain Drive and other club DJs from around Austin. All of the top hits are compiled via a point rating system according to all the Austin DJs. Here are the top ten rock/pop/roll/rave/and retro hits starting with the #1 hit - "Ray of Light" by Madonna, #2 - "Kiss the Rain" by Billie Myers, #3 - "Rose Is Still" by Aretha Franklin, #4 - "My All" by Mariah Carey, #5 - "Beautiful Day" by Hypertrophy, #6 - "Found A Cure" by Ultra Nate, #7 - "Horny" by Mousse T., #8 - "History Repeating" by the Propellerheads, #9 - "It's Over It's Under" by Dollshead and #10 -"Midnight" by Robin S.

The Top 5 Country and Western songs as heard over at Rainbow Cattle Company are as follows starting with #1 - "This Kiss" by Faith Hill, #2 "You're Still The One" by Shania Twain, #3 - "Bye Bye" - by Jo Dee Messina, #4 - "I Just Want To Dance With You" by George Strait and #5 - "Commitment" by LeAnn Rimes.

Austin Pride Week Activities
Slated For May/June

Coming up is Pride Time for Austin with a slew of activi ties slated from Sat., May 30 through Sun., June 7 for Pride Week in honor of Gay Pride Month in June. Starting on Fri., May 29 through Sun., May 31, the 11th Annual Texas Lesbian Conference will be held (TLC '98). Join over 400 Lesbians from Texas and beyond as they celebrate a weekend of togetherness and growth while striving to Create Balance/Crando un Balance. Featuring presentations are by Suzanne Pharr, Sharon Bridgforth, Carmen Vasquez, and Katherine V. Forrest, as well as entertainment by Karen Ripley. Call 210.828.LISA, or write to PO Box 12327, San Antonio, TX 78212 for details.

On Sat., May 30 at 8pm the Capital City Men's Chorus (CCMC) features a concert entitled: "Together in Pride." The concert will take place at the First Unitarian Universalist Church of Austin located at 4700 Grover St. Tickets are $10 in advance/$15 at the door. Call 210.454.TIXS (8497) for tickets. Come together in pride as a community to celebrate Austin Pride Week! Special guests will be Tapestry, the Austin Women's Chorus, in a show-stopping spectacle of message and mirth. If you attended last year's Pride Concert, you know how much fun this will be. Share the pride and the spirit as CCMC says farewell to Season 9. For more information on the CCMC visit their web site at: www.io.com/~ccmcaus.

On Sun., May 31, an Open House will be held from 1:30-3:30pm at the Cornerstone Gay & Lesbian Center located at 1117 Red River @ 12th St. The Board of Directors will host a wine and cheese reception along with a tour of the newly updated facility. In addition to the Cornerstone's Board, several organizations associated with the Center will be on hand to discuss what is being offered for the community. Everyone is welcomed and encouraged to take a look at the new Cornerstone. For more information on Cornerstone, visit their great web site at: www.cornerstonecenter.org.

Also on Sun., May 31, from 4-9pm, Club Skirt happens again! This event is a dance and party given for women, by women. The event is to be held at Fiesta Gardens. Suggested donations are $15 at the door. Refreshments and music will be provided. Fiesta Gardens is located at 2101 Bergman, east of I-35 on the north shore of Town Lake. Ample parking is available on area streets and small parking lots. For more information, contact Club Skirt at Cornerstone - 512.708.1515 (press2) or visit their web site.

The Austin Men's Party (AMP) was such a success last month that their next party will be hosted also on May 31 at the Zilker Clubhouse. AMP is a new social activity and an alternative to the nightclubs. AMP has sprung up from the success of Club Skirt for women and is a place to meet men or bring your partner and socialize. The Men's Party is provided as a fundraiser for Cornerstone. The spring kick-off party will take place from 7-10pm. Admission to this event is $13 in advance or $15 at the door. The party will feature food, beverages, and music by a versatile DJ. Great door prizes will also be given away. Tickets may be purchased and reservations are accepted. For more information contact Cornerstone at 512.708.1515 at 1117 Red River or visit their web site.

On Fri., June 5, from 8:00 pm-12: 30am Project Transitions will host their 3rd Annual Texas Swing at Saengerrunde Hall located at 1607 San Jacinto Str. The Swing is billed as evening of celebration and support for individuals and families living with AIDS. Featured activities include a BBQ, auction, dance lessons by Quicksilver Dancers (7-8pm), cash bar, beer, wine & setups. Alvin Crow will provide the event's music. Tickets are $25 ($20 in advance). Call 512.454.8646 for more information.

On Sat., June 6, from noon-midnight, the First Unitarian Church will hold their 10th Annual Mostly Music Marathon. Twelve hours of Austin's finest musicians and artists will be featured benefiting AIDS Services of Austin. Cost is still to be decided. Call 512.406.6115 for details. Also on Sat., from 7pm-midnight, the Out Youth will host their Prom at Saengerrunde Hall. Call 512.708.1234 for information. Lastly, the Women's Dance will also be hosted at Fiesta Gardens sponsored by Lesbian/Gay Rights Lobby of Texas. Call 512.474.5475. Volunteers and booths are still needed for the festival and people are asked to contact LGRL.

Coming up Sun., June 7, The Lesbian and Gay Rights Lobby of Texas (LGRL) will be sponsoring their yearly Gay Pride Festival during Gay Pride month from 12pm til 7pm at Fiesta Gardens. Call 512.474.5475 for details. Festivities will include performances by local bands, entertainers and the Austin Babtist Women. Vendor booths, volleyball tournament, an arts and crafts area great music, wonderful food, lots of drinks and fantastic pride fellowship are all slated for the Pride Festival.

Please continue to support local Austin Gay and Lesbian businesses and also give back to our community through donations to needy charities or volunteer your time. The bats are back on the Congress Avenue Bridge. Keep and show the Pride, drink responsibly, have fun, play safe, happy Memorial Day and Meltdown '98 and come back again!

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