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by Rip & Marsha Naquin-Delain

Laz Fest Brings In Over $69,000

The annual July 4th Laz Fest brought in over 1,000 participants raising over $69,000 for popular AIDS hospice Project Lazarus. It's quite a bargain at $10 a head including unlimited food, soft drinks and beer. Hosted at Cabrini Park in the French Quarter, Laz Fest also featued an incredible silent auction, raffle, music, games and the popular dunk tank and jail.

Please support the sponsors who made this the most successful event in Laz Fest history including Absolut, Ambush Mag 2000, Bell South, Bourbon Pub/Parade, Bud Light, Kentwood, Pepsi, Radiofone and Wood Enterprises.

Jennifer Culbreth & Tara Loomis Tie The Knot

It was a pleasure to attend the commitment ceremony of Jennifer Ann Culbreth and Tara Alexandra Loomis on July 11. Tara is the daughter of celebrity chef Jay Loomis of Petunias' fame. The ceremony was held in the lush tropical patio of Petunias' proprietors Peter Thomas and Hoyle Byrd, at 920 St. Louis. Rev. Dexter Brecht performed a marvelous ceremony as Jennifer and Tara pledged their love as one before their mothers, family and friends.

The reception was held in Peter and Hoyle's home, complete with a marvelous buffet prepared by Jay and her Petunias' staff. It included Crawfish Maison, shrimp artichoke tortellini salad, eggplant & roasted pepper pate, homemade Italian meatballs, salmon mousse, crabmeat/shrimp stuffed mushrooms, chicken salad and assorted finger sandwiches. The wedding cake, with both moccha and strawberry layers, was prepared by La Marquis. As a show of appreciation, the happy couple gave each of their guests, a bottle of wine commemorating the event, with each guest's name attached via ribbons.

Phoenix Celebrates 16th;
Smurf Becomes La Lucci

The Phoenix hosted its 16th anniversary blowout with a show to end all shows. Emceed by Susan Lucci Forever of Southern Decadence fame, Smurf, you know party goers were in for a treat. Bar baroness Jamie Temple was one of the headliners, joined by Ms. Fly, Clorox Bleachman, Ms. Thompson, Miss Thatcher and Big Red, just to name a few.

One of the highlights had to be when Smurf surprised everyone announcing that she was retiring her position as Susan Lucci Forever, bestowing it on Miss Thompson, made official with the presentation of the Susan Lucci Forever name badge. However, many of Smurf's St. Louis Street associates, led by Ms. Fly, have said since the Phoenix anniversary, Smurf can't change who she is in midstream. So these associates have dubbed her La Lucci, no longer to be called Smurf.

Opal Vanderhurst Wins QofR Crown

Creativity, beauty and talent led to the crowning of Opal Vanderhurst as the second Queen of Rampart Street. Footloose Cabaret, 700 N. Rampart, hosted the festivities presenting five extremely talented contenders. Beginning precisely at the 8pm start time, the capacity crowd experienced an unforgettable evening of entertainment.

Rampart Street legends Marcy Marcell and Clorox Bleachman, as emcees, kept the pageant moving right along presenting four categories of competition: Fantasy, Evening Gown, Question & Answer and Talent. In addition to winner Opal Vanderhurst and first runnerup Asya Alexander, contestants included Naya Simone, Lady T and Stephanie Williams.

New Orleans legend Regina Ann, multi-talented beauty LaWanda Jackson, Roundup manager George Simons and his partner Roger Williams did an outstanding job as judges. It had to be one of the more difficult pageants to judge with the superior talents exhibited by all five contestants.

Returning Queen of Rampart Street Simone Richards entertained show goers, along with the talents of LaWanda Jackson, Miss Footloose Ava Synclaire, Miss Do and Mr. Fly of St. Louis St. fame, Clorox Bleachman and Marcy Marcell.

New Orleans Mourns for Kevin Wooldbridge

Kevin Wooldbridge, 34, was prematurely taken from our community by two gunmen trying to force their way into the Wooldbridge/Rake home. Kevin was a much loved activist/volunteer. He was a force in the tourism industry for almost ten years bringing business to the city, and affording a personal hands on touch to insure each visitor enjoyed an exceptional visit.

Kevin's charm and love of life will be missed by all who came in contact with him. His friends have referred to him as fantastic and larger than life. French Quarter Citizens Against Crime and Crime Stoppers are offering $5,000 reward for information leading to the capture and indictment of the killers. The Ambush staff extends its deepest sympathy to the partner and family of Kevin Wooldbridge. [Ed. note: The killers were subsequently captured after we went to press.]

Team New Orleans Raises $18,500

Team New Orleans had a fubu bon voyage on the Cajun Queen bringing Team earnings to $18,500. More money is arriving and totals are expected to reach $19,000. The bon voyage bash on the Cajun Queen brought in supporters raising $1,765 to honor Team New Orleans.

Team captains Deborah DeBram and Warren Woods unvailed the official banner the team will carry at Gay Games V, Amsterdam in August representing the city of New Orleans. The banner displayed both the Pride and American flags with Team New Orleans logo in the center. Major sponsors Ambush Mag, Tenet Choices 65 and Club New Orleans were listed across the bottom of the banner.

Fundraisers were held throughout the year including Dutch Treat Social-$625, Bowling-$800, Raffle-$1,000, Super Bowl Parties-$500, Rubyfruit Jungle-$700, Regby Concessions-$600, St. Patrick's Day-$175, Cut-a-thon-$300, Ambush's Has Been Ball at Oz-$1250, Bowling & Auction-$3,700, Presley's Pub-$185, Raffle II-$1200, Bon Voyage Cruise-$1,765; plus donations-$4,500 and memberships-$1,200. Congratulations and good luck! Bring back the gold!

Cafe Marigny Will Host
Belle Reve Benefit

Cafe Marigny, 1913 Royal St., New Orleans, will host an evening of food, drink and good people on Monday, Aug. 10th, 6-9pm. All proceeds benefit Belle Reve, an AIDS hospice for over 5 years.

The buffet, donated by Cafe Marigny, promises to be a culinary experience, celebrating Cafe Marigny's new full service menu. Tickets are $50 per person. Call Belle Reve 504.945.9455 for tickets or additional information.

GAA Ballot In Next Ambush

The Gay Appreciation Awards nomination ballot will appear in the next issue of Ambush, due out on Aug. 5th. The Gay Appreciation Awards, now in its 12th year, 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.

The nomination ballot will include the following categories: Newcomer of the Year, Neighborhood Bar of the Year, Buzzy Fanning Fight Against AIDS Award, Bitch of the Year, Show Bar of the Year, GLBT Friendly Business of the Year, Performing Arts Award, Restaurant/Deli of the Year, Dance Bar of the Year, Bartender of the Year, DJ of the Year, GLBT Business of the Year, Leather Person of the Year, Political Activist of the Year, Lesbian of the Year, Gay Man of the Year and Entertainer of the Year.

Once nomination ballots are completed, they may be dropped off or mailed to GAA, c/o Ambush Headquarters, 828-A Bourbon St., New Orleans, LA 70116-3137. Ballot deadline is Aug. 19th, 6pm. A ballot will also be available online Aug. 5th at www.ambushmag.com/gaa, with the same deadline of Aug. 19th, 6pm.

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