AUSTIN, TEXAS
Ambush in Austin 3 Years?
Ambush in Austin is now in our 3rd year. What? wait a minute. You might be thinking that we just celebrated our one-year anniversary last month so how can Ambush be in Austin 3 years? Well, it is true. In Dec., 1997 Ambush was distributed in Austin with its column, Steers and Queers. 1997 turned into 1998 and 26 editions later, Dec. 12, made it official as one year in Austin. As '98 has turned into '99, Ambush has been covering Gay and Lesbian Austin now for 3 years from '97 to '99. Now if you do the math, '97 from '99 is only two years and we are into our second year starting with the last edition of '98 two weeks ago. In any case, 3 years in Austin is still correct. '97, '98, and now '99. Confusing, isn't it, but all true. By the way, visited www.gayaustin.net yet? Also, look for individual Whor-O-Scopes in each edition of Ambush this year. Thanks again Austin for continued support and readership and happy '99 and on into the millenium.
Mr. Gay Austin All-American Contest
Slated for Jan. 12
The 9th annual Mr. Gay Austin All-American Contest has been set for 8pm, Jan. 12 at the Zachary Scott Theatre located at 1510 Toomey Rd. in Austin. Doors open at 7pm and a cash bar will be provided to all patrons. Tickets for the event are $20, which may be purchased at N8 Clothing located at 1014 N. Lamar, 512.478.3446, or at the door the night of the event. The contest event benefits Out Youth Austin. Caswell Productions, Inc. hosts the contest. This will be their 5th year featuring the event. Mr. Gay Austin is the direct official preliminary to the Mr. Gay Texas All-American Contest held later this year. Contestants will vie for a $100 cash prize, sponsor prizes and are eligible to have their paid application fee and entry into the Mr. Gay Texas All-American Contest to be held later this year in Dallas.
As of press time, there are six scheduled contestants who will complete this year. They are Ronald Cook, Sam Stark, Robert Birchmire, Tino Lerma, Mark Benjamin and Mark Parker. These contestants will compete in 4 categories: On Stage Q & A, SwimWear, Fashion Modeling and Talent. The contestants and patrons support benefit in a great cause for Out Youth Austin. Out Youth's mission is to promote the physical, mental and emotional well being of sexual minority youth whereby they can openly and safely explore and affirm their identities. Out Youth seeks to fulfill this purpose through providing direct services to youth 22 and under, advocacy, outreach, and general community education through the Austin and Central Texas Area. More info on Out Youth Austin may be obtained by calling 512.419.1233 or from their Web site at www.outyouth.org/.
Past Mr. Gay Austin winners have been 1989 - Glenn Eaddy, doorman at the Chain Drive; 1990 - Carlos Frederick; 1991 - Arturo Castillo; 1992 - Robert Garza; 1993 - Tim Caswell; 1994 - David Ponton; 1995 - Jonathon Bartiromo; bartender at The Forum; 1996- Stewart Michael. In 1997 no contest was held, however reps from Austin did attend the Mr. Gay Texas Contest in 1998. These reps were Ronald Cook and Johnathan McDonald, bartender at Splash Video Bar. For the year of 1998, the actual Mr. Gay Austin Contest will be held this month. Caswell Productions, Inc will also host the Mr. Capital of Texas Contest in March. Look for more details coming soon in Ambush. More information on these contests may be obtained by contacting Tim Caswell at 512.494.0294.
ASA 1999 RED Ribbon Dinner Series
January begins Aids Services of Austin (ASA) 1999 Red Ribbon Dinner series. Six planned dinner dates are slated from Jan. through Nov. at six of Austin's finest restaurants. The first dinner slated will be held at Hudson's on the Bend on Mon., Jan 11. Each dinner consists of five-courses paired with some of the most prestigious wine available. Dinners are $100 per person and are limited to fifty guests total. Dinners begin at 7pm and reservations are required and can be paid with cash, check or credit card. Reservations may be obtained by calling 512.406.6175 for each dinner night featured and listed above and below. Save the dates for future planning.
Extraordinary chefs at these restaurants prepare each meal with the first dinner prepared by Chefs Jeff Blanc and Jay Moore. The Red Ribbon Dinners benefit ASA in Austin and provide funding to persons with AIDS-related illnesses and to their loved ones. ASA also educates all segments of the public about AIDS and the prevention of HIV. The next scheduled Red Ribbon Dinner after Jan. is set Mar. 8 at Fonda San Miguel with Chef Roberto Santibanez. The 3rd dinner is slated for May 10 at the Bitter End in Austin with Chef Wm. Emmett Fox. Other dates slated for 1999 are July 12 at Jean-Luc's Bistro with Chef Jean-Luc Salles, Sept. 13 at Jean-Pierre's Upstairs featuring Chef Raymond Tatum and finally, Nov 1 at Brio Vista with Chef Stewart Scruggs.
Red & Green II Party
Raises Over $5,000
for Local Austin Area Charities
The 2nd annual Austin RED and GREEN II Party raised over $5,000 for area Austin charities last month from the 200+ patrons and sponsors who reveled at the 1920's Club and the Forum. Total income raised from Red and Green II was $7,962 less total expenses of $3,752, which brought the charity donation to $4,210 raised from the actual event. $500 of this amount was a donation gift given to the Red and Green II charities from the staff and management of the Forum Nightclub. The event's profits of $4,210 will be divided equally between Out Youth Austin and the HIV Wellness Center. Additional donations of $500 towards the Aids Services of Austin (ASA) was given by Ben Parsley and Splash Productions as well as an additional $500 given to the Electric Dreams Foundation.
This year's party was smaller than last but thanks to Mark Haworth and staff at the Forum for respecting RED and GREEN II's request to have a "private party" where the energy was wonderful. Also, big thanks go out to the 1920's Club where Farhad Bordbar and staff closed down his establishment for the cocktail party. Special thanks to all the angels, Santa's helpers, sponsors, hosts, entertainers, Ambush and yes, DJ Ro, who all played a part in either donating their energy, time and\or money in assisting these worthy charities. In upcoming party events, look for details soon on the Finale of Circuit Night Austin on Sat., Jan. 30 from 11pm - 5am with DJ Don Bishop (Palm Springs, CA) spinning the hits. More information from RED and GREEN II and other upcoming Austin Circuit/Parties may be obtained by calling Ben Parsley and Splash Productions at 1.888.558.1791 or visiting the Web site at www.partyaustin.com.
Ginger & Sarah Release CD
Do What You Will
The acoustic pop duo from Austin, Ginger Leigh and Sarah Dashew, have recently released their first duo CD, entitled Do What You Will, produced under their label of Whistle Foot Records. The CD was inspired by their individual life experiences, love and pure fun. Ginger and Sarah, both accomplished artists in their own right, have released CDs under their respectable names, but never before as a duo. The inspiration came to them because of the overwhelming support after their tour on the West Coast last year. The women are currently traveling in New Zealand performing at the Sweetwaters Festival and also New Zealand's Gay and Lesbian HERO Festival. In Feb., the duo has plans to stop off in Los Angeles to perform on Feb. 12, 13 &15 and then heading back to home Austin.
Eleven cuts are featured on this CD starting with "Big Bad Funky Dad" to "Do What You Will" and ending with their unedited cut of "How I Feel." A portion of the proceeds from this CD will be donated to Breast Cancer Research and Awareness. Do What You Will is available locally in Austin at such retail establishments as Waterloo, N8 Clothing Wear, Local Flavor, and Tower Records. The CD is also available from their company, Whistle Foot Records, by calling 1.800.425.1962. More info on the duo may be obtained at the women's individual Web sites at www.sarahdashew.com or at www.gleigh.com. One may also E-mail them individually at either Ginger Leigh at Gleighlady@aol.com or Sarah Dashew at Sdashew@earthlink.net.
