by Eric A. Crabtree
AUSTIN, TEXAS
Ambush Quote of the Times
Ambush Magazine has picked
up for the Austin Party scene
where the Fag Rag and Exposure left off. Thanks to Eric Crabtree we always receive a full range of info on everything GAY. --n Parsley - Splash Productions/Austin
Lust In Space Blasts Austin
Spaceport - Austin, Texas. This Memorial Day Weekend, May 28-31, commander Ben Parsley and Splash Productions host Meltdown '99 - Lust In Space. Meltdown is billed as the start of Gay summer in Austin providing 5 major circuit events throughout the city. On Fri., May 28 it's the Host VIP Party from 8pm - 10pm at Splash Video Bar. Complimentary snacks and a cash bar will be provided. This is your chance to meet the other Hosts, VIPs, DJs and entertainers before the weekend gets too crazy. Meltdown VIP dogtags are required for entry. Later that night, it's "First Call" at OilCan Harry's - The Official Welcome to Austin Party with DJs Dig'M, Miss H and Licious. Cover is $5 at the door starting at 8pm. On Sat., May 29, it's time to head back to Lake Travis and Hippie Hollow with the "Margarita's Lake Lounge" featuring DJ Rick Herrington (Dallas). At the Lake, party barges will be loaded with food, drink and hot guys! Tickets are $60 per person and the event lasts from 11am - 5:30pm. After the Lake, it's time to rest up and then hit Meltdown 99 - Lust in Space. The nation's fastest rising circuit star DJ Roland (Ro) Belmares; (Forum's resident DJ) will be providing the travel from 9pm- 4am at La Zona Rosa, 612 W 4th St. Advance tickets are $25; $30 door. Meltdown Dancing Boys will be featured at La Zona Rosa along with Austin's own diva, Scarlett Leigh, performing Cher's "Strong Enough."
After La Zona Rosa, don't dare go to sleep. It's time to embark on your "Journey to Planet K" with DJ Michael Tank (Houston) in an after-hours event at Twist (505 Neches) $10 cover at the door. Tank will be pumping the cosmic sounds from 4am - 10am. The weekend continues on Sun. afternoon, May 30, when DJ Don Bishop (Palm Springs) presents Summer Tea upstairs at The Forum from 5pm - 10pm. Downstairs starting at 10pm, DJ Lydia Prim (New Orleans) takes control and creates Aurora at 10pm - dawn. Advance tickets are $15; Door $20. VIP Weekend Passes to Meltdown 99, which includes all events above, are only $99. Buses from the host hotels to Margarita's Lake Lounge Dock and back are $20extra. Host hotels include the Radisson on Town Lake and the new HomeStead Village on First St. and Barton Springs Rd. A free VIP shuttle bus will be running Sat. night from both host hotels to the main event and also the twilight after-hours party and back to hotels from 11pm - 7am. The Shuttle will be $2 per trip for non-VIP pass holders. Tickets are still available at Lobo Bookstore, N8 and Outlines. Student discounts are available with proper ID at Meltdown and Sun.'s events at the door only. Tickets, travel, hotel & info may be obtained by calling 888.558.1791 or 512.478.1791 in Austin or by visiting Splash Productions via www.partyaustin.com. A portion of proceeds benefits Austin AIDS care facilities.
CCQueens Host TGRA Benefit
The Capital City Queens (CCQ)
will hold a Texas Gay Rodeo
Association (TGRA) benefit up at `Bout Time at 10:30pm on Sat, May 29. Some members of CCQ performing are Misses Diana Dior, Bibi Gunn, and Mary K. Other guest divas are also slated to perform. The 16th Annual Rodeo for TGRA will be held later this year in Nov. The Austin Chapter of TGRA meets next at `Bout Time on June 13 at 12 noon. More info on this benefit or TGRA may be obtained by contacting member Wayne Marion at 512.719.9238 or via the Web at www.tgra.org
Texas Gay Pride Weekend Scheduled
The month of June is set aside
across the country as Pride
Month and like most cities, Austin will be celebrating in pride the weekend of June 4-6. Many Pride activities are slated from club events around the city to fundraising dances, brunch and the festival. Starting on Fri., June 4, Project Transitions will host their 4th annual Texas Swing at Saengerrunde Hall and Scholz Beer Garten located 1607 San Jacinto. Texas Swing features live action items, a BBQ, and C/W music provided by Alvin Crow. The night's event starts off with dance lessons from 7pm till 8pm, and then Swing begins from 8pm till 12:30pm. Admission is $20 in advance or $25 at the door. Proceeds benefit Project Transitions. Advance tickets are available at Top Drawer Thrift located at 4902 Burnet or Horsefeathers Hair Saloon at 3402 Guadalupe or by contacting Project Transitions at 7101 Woodrow at 512. 454.8646.
On Sat., June 5, the Lesbian Gay Rights Lobby of Texas (LGRL) sponsors the Texas Pride Womyn's Dance at the Hacienda in Fiesta Gardens from 7pm till 11pm. Admission is $10 benefiting LGRL of Texas. An admission includes all beverages and snacks with music by DJ Lenne Degeddinsize.
Got Pride? Then come out and show your colors and celebrate Gay and Lesbian Pride on Sun., June 6. Festivities begin at noon and continues until 7pm. Admission is $4. This year's Texas Gay Pride Festival '99, hosted by LGRL benefits LGRL of Texas. The event is located at Fiesta Gardens located at 2101 Bergman St. Texas Gay Pride will feature lots of entertainment, great music, and lots of beer, food booths, and community organizations. Emcee for the day's event is San Antonio's own Donna Barton, SA's funniest lady. Among the featured bands performing are Ginger McKenzie, ButtaFly, Quatropaw, Sissy Siero, Correro Aero, Patrice Pike, Roy Heinrich and the Pickups, and Sambaxe.
Part of the day's festivities will include the Texas Pride Power Brunch, scheduled for 11am -1 pm. For only $20 (includes admission to Pride grounds), enjoy wonderful food, live music, and conversation with local legislators. Texas Gay Pride also will feature a poetry slam at Pride from 2-5pm. Other scheduled events will include Volleyball tournaments. LGRL of Texas executive assistant Andy Delony commented, "The Pride Festival is a great way to celebrate the achievements our community has made over the past year. I hope everyone's comes out and enjoys themselves." Wanna Help? LGRL is looking for lots of helping hands-BEFORE, DURING, & AFTER the event. Call Kristen at LGRL at 512.474.5475 for more or regarding Pride and or LGRL, please contact LGRL of Texas at 512.474.5475 or at www.lgrl.org or lgrltexas@aol.com.
Austin's Pageant Scene
The Mr. Gay Austin USA 1999 Contest was hosted and sponsored recently by the Forum and crowned Kyle Ian Haggerty from Houston the title. Runner-up was Mark Anthony Parker from Austin. Both contestants go on to complete in June for the title of Mr. Gay Texas USA 1998 in Houston. Entertainers for the event were flawless which included numbers by Kelly Kline, Paris Chanel, & Goldie Haines. CJ Brooks, Mr. Gay Austin 1998 mastered and entertained the crowd in the contest.
Recently at 'Bout Time, The 7th Annual 1999 Miss Universal Thang Pageant (MUT) crowned finalist Miss CaCa Jutes (Alvin Grant). Opposition from MeFleea Anna Runna took 1st Runner-Up (Ambush's own Eric A. Crabtree) and both contestants helped to raise some $960 benefiting Project Transitions of Austin. Featured performers throughout the night included the reigning MUT - Ima Caliente (Rusty Stofa), Miss Bibi Gunn, MUT '96, Miss Glory Ho, Miss Mary K, Miss Diana Dior, and Miss Eureka Phische, (Chaz Elliot) owner of the MUT Pageant. The money raised for Project Transitions provides hospice, support groups, housing, and support for people with AIDS.
Revisited, Part One
CD Released
DJ Dig'M, a resident DJ of
Oilcan Harrys has released
his latest CD, Revisited, Part One. Mixed live by DJ Dig'M (Chris Mason) and engineered by DJ Bang, Revisited, Part One is a great compilation of 10 original artists and their songs. Starting with P Machinery's "Propaganda" to Real Life's "Send Me An Angel" to Blondie's "Call Me" to Culture Club's "Do You Really Want to Hurt Me." the CD is packed full of oldies but goodies all set to a lively dance beat. Other selections include Soft Cell's "Tainted Love" to Janet Jackson's "What Have You Done For Me Lately." Revisited, Part One is DJ Dig'M's fourth CD Release with First Call, Second Call and Sex Factory preceding. During the production and release of this CD, Dig'M's dad passed away and he honors his dad in this release of the CD. "For Dad, Thanks, I'll Miss You." Revisited, Part One can be purchased in Austin at Alien Records at 512.477.3909.
Nuevas
Tamaleras Presented
Pro Arts Collective of Austin presents a limited weekend run of the hilarious bilingual hit, Las Nuevas Tamaleras, at the Santa Cruz Center for Culture. Written and directed by San Antonio playwright Alicia Mena, Las Nuevas Tamaleras has played to sell-out audiences through Texas, New Mexico, California and Colorado since its world premiere at El Teatro Bilingue de Houston in 1991. Performances will be June 4 through 6, Fri. and Sat. from 7 and 9pm and again on Sun. at 4pm at the Santa Cruz Center for Culture, 1805 East 7th St. For Ticket info please call 512.454-TIXS.
This charming one-act play is a fun-filled journey into one of the richest traditions of our culture as it captures three Chicanas in a uproariously comical attempt at making tamales for the first time. Dona Juanita and Dona Mercedes, two seasoned tameleras who disagree on the proper way to make the perfect tamale, miraculously appear on the scene as their spiritual guides while delighting the audiences.
