Visit their site: ripandmarsha.com
Ambush Pre-Labor Day Wknd. Edition
is Largest in Mag's History
This Pre-Labor Day Weekend 84 page edition is the largest ever produced in the history of Ambush Mag. It covers two huge holidays in the Gulf South, Last Splash in Austin, Texas and Southern Decadence here in New Orleans.
This year marks the 18th anniversary of Austin's Last Splash celebration. Although events are numerous throughout area Austin clubs, the big event is sponsored by the Austin Tavern Guild. Revelers will travel to Hippie Hollow at Lake Travis from noon to 4pm for the 18th Annual Last Splash blowout. "Free and open for all to attend, the event features music, beer, fun and frocklicking in the Texas sun and Lake Travis," according to Austin Tavern Guild President Eric A. Crabtree. See austintavernguild.com for more info.
Perfect Day: Colours is the mega circuit party which even adds more to the action packed weekend. It runs Thurs., Aug. 30 through Mon., Sept. 3 throughout the Austin area featuring some of the biggest names on the circuit.
New Orleans' celebrates Official Southern Decadence XXX Wed.-Mon., Aug. 29-Sept. 3. Festivities abound throughout the Crescent City as area businesses expect attendance to exceed 100,000 revelers this year. Last year brought out an estimated 91,000 visitors and locals alike. The economic impact is believed to have surpassed $72 million. Visit SouthernDeca-dence.COM for more info.
This year revelers will be treated to the antics of three grand marshals including Bianca Del Rio, Pat "Estelle" Ritter and Rick Thomas. The trio reigns as Southern Decadence Grand Marshals XXIX naming "Menage A Trois" as theme; purple, pink and red as chosen colors; and Miller Lite/Foster's and Smirnoff as Grand Marshal sponsors. The big event is the annual Southern Decadence Parade on Sun., Sept. 2, 2pm. It kicks off from the Golden Lantern, 1239 Royal St. and winds through the streets of the French Quarter.
As you flip through this 84 page issue, you are sure to find just the right activities to suit your personality appearing in the numerous ads which make Ambush Mag possible. For a complete list of activities covering Last Splash, Southern Decadence and Labor Day Weekend, see Special Events Calendar on page 45.
Sky Covington Stars in Ghetto Opera Around the City
Local cabaret chanteuse Sky Covington is starring throughout New Orleans in her own Ghetto Opera. The concert is staged every Wed. through the end of August at Sweet Lorraines, 1931 St. Claude. Showtime is 10pm with the Jazz Jam at 12midinght. Tickets are $7 in advance or $10 at the door. For more information call 504.827.0175.
Other venues include Voodoo at Congo Square, 718 N. Rampart, on Sun., Aug. 26. Cafe Brazil, 2100 Chartres St., is up next on Sun., Sept. 2. And Funky Butt, 714 N. Rampart, is set for Sunday, Sept. 16. Call for times or contact via e-mail: covingtonsky@hotmail.com.
Pride Business Reception set
for Tues., Sept. 11, 7pm
The New Orleans Alliance of Pride Board welcomes area New Orleans businesses to the Pride Business Reception Tues., Sept. 11, 7pm at Cowpokes/The Barn, 2240 St. Claude. The Board hopes to network with area business leaders to produce a festival New Orleans can be proud of. "Building our community through our history" is this year's theme.
New Orleans celebrates Pride Sat., Sept. 22 through Sun., Sept. 30. The Pride Parade led by Pride Grand Marshals Sandra Pailet and Christopher Daigle kicks off Sat., Sept. 22 at 2pm from Washington Square Park winding through the streets of the French Quarter ending at Armstrong Park. The grand marshals will be honored at a reception later that evening.
The 22nd Annual New Orleans Pride Festival is set for Sat. and Sun., Sept. 29 and 30, 10am-6pm, at Armstrong Park adjacent to the Quarter. The weekend will be filled with entertainment and speakers plus fest goers can wander through an assortment of organization, retail and food vendor booths.
The festival cost roughly $45,000 to put on and the Pride Board needs to secure an additional $30,000 to break even this year. Sponsor, volunteer and participate by contacting Pride Co-Chairs Jim Bailor at 504.588.9143 or Crystal Little at 504.943.1999.
Last year's festival brought 2,873 participants through the gates, while the 1999 festival brought out some 5,000. Mark your calendars! You won't want to miss the 2001 blowout!
Pansies & Dirt
Angles just celebrated its 7th anniversary with food, drink specials and its Anniversary Illusions Show. The popular Metairie club brings out an interesting mix of women and men.
Bar owner Chuck Turner put out one of his famous buffet spreads complete with those fabu ham, pickle and cream cheese rollups we love. And Raquel Chevallier threw another one of her showstoppers to an appreciative audience.
Popping into Cowpokes had its advantages as we ran into part of the Lords of Leather bar crawl. The fellas had just hoofed it from the center on the Quarter to Cowpokes. King Timm and Consort Matt were among the participates. Tim is one of the bar barons at Cowpokes.
Bar 19: ChickenHawk Ranch was up next for the Phoenix's giant anniversary blowout. A bevy of some 26 beauties hit the stage kicking off with bar baron Jamie Temple and Chef Catt's smash number.
The anniversary show was complete with hilarious presentations, professional drag and live performances. Sister Mary and Patrick, along with Lady Cynthia, TT, Rikki Starr, Connie Marcelle and Mimi Not were just some of the stars during this 19th anniversary extravaganza. Smurf Murphy was emcee.
Voodoo turned two with its second annual turnabout show featuring guests from around the city. SDGM XXIX Estelle was just too twisted, along with her staff of incredible lovelies. We were surprised to see so many virgin drags at this extravaganza.
Sheneeda Quit, Kitchen Bitch and Hid E. Us represented 735 nightclub/bar. That was Tom, Jacque and Iain.
Luci Fur, Chow, Vivien Lightning, Erica Knight, Connie Maxwell, Raven and Endora aka Smurf were just some of the beauties here. Both Klorocks Bleachman and Donnie Jay emceed the festivities.
The 10th High Heel Pool Tournament is in full swing already seeing tourney play at the Friendly Bar, Another Corner and Voodoo raising over $1,800 already. The event sponsored by Ambush Mag, Miller Lite and Queen Fashions raises money for various charities. This year's charities include Whole Health Outreach, Project Lazarus, Belle Reve, Brotherhood, Inc., Food For Friends, Buzzy Boys and Girls, Lesbian & Gay Community Center and University Hospital Hospice.
The next three 7pm tournament plays include Wed., Aug. 15 at 735; Wed., Aug. 22 at Double Play; and Wed., Aug. 29 at Angles.
Oz presented Hollywood: A Grand Marshal Menage A Trois Party bringing the talents of Suzanne Palmer center stage. It honored SDGMs XXIX Estelle, Bianca and Rick.
DJs Tim Pflueger and Tedd Elison kept revelers in hyper mode, while those tantalizing Men of Manwatch hopped on the bartops.
Next up was the lovely Golden Age Revue which is hosted every other Sat. night at the Golden Lantern. Lucille boasts Horsey and the Triggerettes as his stars, but those in the know get to see the talents of Marcy Marcell, Tonisha Thompson, Connie Marcelle and Josie Cotton. You never know what Lucille will try to pull off. Right Miss Cow-Vicky? Is it a slap across the face or a drink toss?
The Bourbon Pub/Parade's Studs & Suds Foam Party was up next where some revelers checked their clothes to get in the middle of it all. Yvette helped Terry out of his clothes behind the bar just in time for a great photo op. But let's not forget hunky dancer Steve. He turned a few heads himself. DJ Darren Thomas did the honors in the Parade.
Then it was off to 735 for a stint with DJ Raymond Mattix. There we ran into the remnants of the Hollywood party including SDGMs XXIX Estelle, Bianca and Rick. Even some of the has been grand marshals were still out in tow behind the fab three. And even Eclipse Hair Salon's Steven Guercio was seen dancin' the night away at this high energy circuit club.
Finally a day of rest brought us for what we expected to be a much deserved day of swimming and relaxation, but as nature would have it, we were in the midst of a monsoon. We tried to go to the Country Club anyhow, but it was closed due to the rain.
So the next best thing was a stop in to see Chuck at the Out Back Bar at Bywater Bar.B.Que/Lorenzo's. It was a festive afternoon with lots of folks from the neighborhood. And one guest ordered a guacamole burger which just looked too good to pass up. So we came back the following day and had it for supper along with a little vino and margaritas.
Brought to you by
Over 3.5 MILLION hits per month & 375,000 unique visitors per month
828-A Bourbon Street, New Orleans, Louisiana, 70116-3137, USA
PH 1.504.522.8047 FAX 1.504.522.0907