AUSTIN, TEXAS
Mr. Gay Austin Awarded Title
The winner of the Mr. Gay Austin 1999 All-American Contest was bestowed upon Ronald Cook as Mr. Gay Austin 1999 with first alternate, Mark Anthony Parker, both of Austin. Third place finalist was Sam Stark, also of Austin. (Tim) Caswell Productions, Inc. held the contest last week at the Zachary Scott Theater. Mistress of Ceremonies was Ashley Collins. The night's benefit and proceeds went to assist Out Youth Austin. Both Ronald and Mark Anthony now qualify to enter the Mr. Gay Texas All-American Contest held in Aug. at the Round-Up Saloon in Dallas. Ronald had competed last year in Mr. Gay Texas and placed as first alternate. His talent last week was with his dance partner performing to the tune of Zoot Suit Riot that caused a frenzy of applause from the crowd. Mark Anthony's talent was assisted by brother Ben and friend, Tony Blowers, both dressed as Angels. Mark Anthony, whose birthday was that night, performed the song, "Angel", by artist Sarah McLachlan. He dedicated this song as a tribute to past local Austinite, Joe Hernandez who passed away last year. Many entertainers and past winners were on hand for the event, including Aspen Taylor, Miss Gay Austin '99 and Christian Martinez, Mr. Gay Texas All-American '99. Look for pictures of this event in the next edition of Ambush.
Super Bowl Sunday
& Other Events
Well, it is a New Year and Austin is all geared up in the bars, clubs and businesses with new daily and weekly events. Coming up at the end of the month, look below for details on Super Bowl Sunday and the Finale of Circuit Night Austin. Over and up at `Bout Time, on Sat., Jan 23, the Texas Gay Rodeo Association (TGRA) will host a charity fundraiser starting at 10:30pm. On Super Bowl Sun., Jan 31, the party starts when their doors open (now daily) at 2pm. TGRA will be selling Frito pies for their fund-raising efforts during the big game. Happy hour prices will be featured. Lastly, don't forget 'Bout Time's Mon. Night Karoake starting at 8pm, their Tues. Dart Tournaments, and Thurs. Pool Tournament, both starting at 9pm. Midtowne features its Garage Party Sat., Jan 23, and on Sat., Jan 30, it's their Flashlight Party, both starting at 10pm. Chain Drive highlights great drink specials till 11pm on Super Bowl Sun. Coming up on Feb. 5-7 look for their 1999 Lunar New Year Party highlighting the Year of the Hare. On Fri. the 5th, they host a long-john underwear party where patrons can come dressed in their long johns and win a dinner with Mr. International Leather '98, Tony Mills. Sat. features their Hare Party where the best costume wins silver Panda Coins. A Hare-Y Chest contest is hosted at 12:30pm where the winner will receive a special photo shoot with Tony Mills. Sun concludes their lunar celebration with a special appearance of Tony Mills at 11:30pm. The Chain hosts their Pool League on Wed., 10:30pm, which the league plays through Mar. 24 with the championship Mar. 31. Rhythm House is still open for business these days and hosts daily bands. One is asked to check the House for a listing of special nightly performances.
Charlie's Austin's Super Bowl Sunday starts off with a PotLuck Dinner before the game. Patrons are asked to bring their favorite dish to coincide with Charlie's Austin's own buffet to share with all. The big game will be featured. Later that night, stay put for their Super Sun. Show with headliner Lauren Taylor and special guests Champagne Douglas and Goldie Haines starting at 11:30pm. Mondays are still rocking with Heather Thomas's Wet Underwear at 12:30am. Tues.at Charlie's Austin features their steak and chicken dinner night from 6-8pm and then later it's the Jame' Perry amateur strip contest starting at 11:30pm. Thurs. hosts the one and only Miss Nacha Type Show at 12 midnight. Manwatch Male Dancers perform at Charlie's Austin on Thurs. and Fri. nights. Splash Video Bar hosts free snacks and their great Jan. drink specials during Super Sun. while patrons can watch the big game on their 40 plus video monitors. Mon. features their Bitch Night with Melrose and Alley and Tues. highlights Murrah's Talent Night. Wed. is College Night with DJ/VJ Bang and Thurs. it capped off with the ever popular and always packed crowds for show tunes from 10pm till 2am. Fri. through Sun. it's still the tea with their hot videos and music featured nightly played by DJ/VJ Joel. Over at Dick's Deja Disco, look for their Super Sun. with bartender Kindell and free munchies with happy hour prices. The game will displayed on their new large screen TV. Mon. features Camp Lounge Night with DJ Warren and Tues. through Sat. some of the best boyz through Momma's dancers. DJ Little Debbie spins the music. Tues. also hosts their pro strip and amateur new meat night hosted by Momma. Look on Thurs. for their Pool and Dart Tourneys with cash prizes to be won. Patrons are asked to check inside the bar for their daily event and drink specials. The Forum still rocks daily with many daily events from circuit boy events to ladies night to Que Pasa Papi on Tues. featuring the Latin Mix. Fri, Jan 22, it's their bloody buffet with great drink specials. DJs spinning throughout the week are Danny C, Ro, Filthy Rich and Tiger. In upcoming party events, look for Ben Parsley's Finale of Circuit Night Austin on Sat., Jan. 30 from 11pm - 5am with DJ Don Bishop (Palm Springs, CA) spinning the hits. On Super Sun., they will feature incredible drink specials and coverage of the game on their TV monitors. A full buffet is planned for the event and the night continues with the music spun by DJ Filthy Rich. Their recent ladies only night was such a hit that plans for ladies only night will continue the second Mon. of each month at the Forum. The Forum now has on sale VIP passes for 1999. Check the club for more details for this elite year pass. New changes and new events continue to happen daily and weekly under the leadership of manager Steve and staff. Over at Oilcans, coming up on Jan 28, it's their customer appreciation night from 5pm with fantastic drink specials and a huge buffet. Their Super Bowl Sunday offers an enormous large screen TV for football viewing. A fierce cookout by Marge and Rose will be served up hot and free to all patrons. Oilcan's now features over 26 specialty martinis on Mon. Wed. is steak night from 6-8pm and then onto Mailbox/Malebuns night with host Terrance. DJs Licious, Miss H. and Dig'M spin the hits daily for your enjoyment. Sun. round out the week with their Sun Tea and into the night with Momma's Boyz dancers and Brewfest.
The Edge cuts loose with a new schedule line-up. Super Sun. hosts great drink specials. Coming up Jan 29, they host their Boxer/Pajama Party with coat check available at the door and free admission with invitation. Every Sun. and Tues. look for Karoake singing with Murrah and Bryce. Mon. features Kristin with her Drag Soup and Wed. features Momma's Boyz Talent Hunt. Look for Lady PT from Dallas performing twice a month at the Edge. Also, on Wed., look for their new APA Pool Tournament starting at 9pm. Thurs. it's Momma's Boyz in the Showers from 9:30pm till 1:30am. Fri. and Sat. feature Club Edge with the best of house and Hi-NRG dance music. DJ Bang is featured on Sat. Patrons are asked to check inside the bar for their daily event and drink specials. At Rainbow Cattle Company, look for the UCA's City Turn About Camp Out Show at 9pm on Sun., Jan 24. Super Bowl Sunday plans start with the game at 5pm and then a free buffet at 6pm. There will be drawings for prizes while patrons watch the big games from their many TVs scattered throughout the bar. Mon. it's their Pool Tourney at 9pm and Tues. is still the great Taco night from 6-9pm with dance lessons from 8-11pm. Wed. is Karaoke night from 8-12 midnight with Cartwheel Bob and Michael T. On Thurs., their fantastic steak and chicken night, is held from 6 to 9pm. The weekend rounds out RCC with great country music and dancing. Look inside RCC for daily/weekly specials and events.
Last, but not least, the 1920's Club is still roaring these days with great Martini drink specials and appetizers hosted in a luxurious upscale atmosphere.
Austin Babtist Women Reflect on 13 Years Providing Humor & Support in Charity Care
(The following feature is submitted from the desk of Miss Modine Murphy, a.k.a. Garry Holley, who performs regularly, as does her laxative around Texas and the U.S. Garry bartends at Rainbow Cattle.)
Well now, let me see if I can remember? Oh yes, it was the summer of nineteen and eighty-six. My, it was hot that summer. Ida, Naomi, Ezell and myself, Modine, were sittin' in front of the fan trying' to come up with a little ditty to entertain the troops, I mean the state Texas Gay Rodeo Association (TGRA) gang comin' to Austin in Sept. for a meetin'. Naomi said, "I know, let's twist and curl our old gray hair and put on our Sundau-go-to-meetin' clothes and sing for `em. That sounded good to the rest of us, so we thought real hard for a few minutes over our Mint Juleps, I mean tea and decided since most of them did not know about Austin, we'd sing "Lookin' for a City" - sorta tongue in cheek humor. Well, they came and we did our little skit (to rave reviews) and we were all so proud of ourselves we could just about bust, so we had to have tea again afterwards. The Austin Babtist Women (ABW) were born. Well, you know, what with all those folks here a seein' us & liking us so well, our phones started ringin' wanting us to come to Dallas, Houston, Ft. Worth and San Antonio to sing for them to help raise some money to assist their cities in funding their HIV/AIDS care, education, and research programs. We packed our tambourines, choir robes and flasks - I mean Thermoses - and hit the road crossing Texas singin' our hearts out.
After such an auspicious beginning our bevy of blue-hair beauties began to fizzle after three years later as two members relocated to other congregations and then Ida went to that big church in the sky. The phone would not stop ringin' wanting the ABW's to come help raise money. Modine sat out in search of a new choir which didn't take long and before you knew it, we were, " on the road again," with our toe tappin', knee slappin', hand-clappin' evangelical awareness. Several members came and went due to various reasons but the need and cause for our existence was still present. In 1991, the widow Modine met Deacon Dave and remarried thus breathing new life into the old girl and a new spark for the whole group. It was better than Geritol!
Ambush interviewed me and I told them it has been a lot of work, fun and a rewarding experience as an ABW. I used to just worry about runs in the panty hose in the old days, but now that Deacon Dave found Viagra, who cares. Now with the Deacon, we finally have someone to drive the church bus, locate our misplaced walker when we get the spirit and keep us from too many tea parties...and oh yes, he sings too. From the mouth of Deacon Dave, "It has been a been a tremendous religious experience over the years with the ABW's."
The current group of ABW's since '96 to date is comprised of an incredibly dedicated and energetic bunch. From 1986 to 1996, we helped raise one million dollars all over Texas for many organizations needing funding for HIV/AIDS and also Breast Cancer Care, education and research. This new enthusiasm and grueling schedule of appearances has brought our fund-raising efforts to date to just at the 4 million dollar mark. In one particular 52-week period, we appeared 46 times. Over the 13 years in existence, there have been a total of 19 different Babtist Women and one Deacon Dave. This past year took the ABW's out of Texas for the first time to Reno, San Francisco, Lake Tahoe and Las Vegas - what a thrill for us. Our next out-of-state appearance will be in Toronto, Canada this spring. Our local annual signature shows include Valentine's Day, Easter Sunday and Christmas. We are frequent guests at Marc Katz's Top of the Marc, and resident regular performers at Rainbow Cattle Company.
The ABW's will go almost anywhere, anytime, schedules permitting, when asked to help the causes to which we are dedicated.
Our local current care group includes Trudy Duty (Robbie), Ima Spinster (Ken), Ethyl Mae Studebaker (Rob), O'Feelya Faith (Bob), Zamora Thatt (John), Polly Gripp (Dale), Deacon Dave (David) and myself, Modine Murphy (Garry). You rarely see more than 4 or 5 of us at a time because they usually won't let us all out of the home at the same time and the Deacon can't keep up with all of us at once.
Our next scheduled appearance is at Brazos River Bottom (BRB) in Houston on Feb. 7 and then on Valentine's Day at Rainbow Cattle Company. The Valentine's show promises to be an evening to remember with a cast of many talented entertainers.
More information on the Austin Babtist Women may be obtained by contacting myself, Miss Modine Murphy a.k.a. Mr. Garry Holley in Austin at 512.442.6415. When you see us advertised or featured like here in Ambush, please come out and support us because we are supporting your brothers and sisters.
Bless you one and all and see you in church....
XOXOXO, Mama Modine Murphy.
