by Phyllis Denmark
NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA
www.thebigdiva.com
It’s Mardi Gras! Finally the wait is over, and this is the Official Gay Mardi Gras Issue of Ambush Magazine! If you’re visiting, and don’t know who I am or who Ambush is, I am a big old drag queen loved by many and hated by few in New Orleans. Ambush is the Premier Gay Entertainment Tabloid in the Gulf South. Now that we all know each other,"Welcome to New Orleans!" If you want to know what is going on, or where to party, we are your guide.
Last weekend I had the pleasure of doing the Calamity Janes Show at Cowpokes. Princesse hosted, Princesse Stephaney that is, along with TT, Marcy Marcell, Eva Las Vegas and Beauty. There was a wonderful crowd there. Cowpokes, 2240 St. Claude Avenue, is your Mardi Gras Country Headquarters. Sunday, March 2nd, at 10pm they will host the Lords of Leather after-ball party.
I also sat for my portrait with the fabulous Larry Graham of Graham Studio One. Honey he is incredible. I saw my proofs and now I only have one chin and the smoothest skin you have ever seen.
He is a real pro. He specializes in portraits, theatrical, head-shots and multi media. Call him at 504.943.0037, or check out GrahamStudioOne.com. He is also official photographer of the King Cake Queens as well as Official Gay Mardi Gras.
This has been an exciting few weeks working up to Mardi Gras. I had the pleasure of attending the 5th anniversary ball of Krewe of Mwinbo. Andy and his mom went to Amon Ra who were celebrating their 38th Ball. If you get the opportunity to attend any of the carnival balls do it.
They are great entertainment, and you may even find a (new) husband. Just make sure it’s not mine LOL. Sat. March 1st, the Krewe of Armeinius will be holding their 35th Anniversary Bal Masque. The doors will open at 7:45 and tableau begins at 9.00pm. Dress is strictly formal (tux or long gown). This is a must see. Tickets can be purchased at Second Skin Leather, 521 St. Philip St., or Collectible Antiques, 1232 Decatur St. The ball will be held at the St. Bernard Auditorium.
The Lords of Leather will present their 20th anniversary Bal Masque on Sun., March 2nd. They will be celebrating 20 years of leather, love and laughter. You can also obtain tickets to this ball. Check out their web site for more info www.lordsofleather.com. Their dress code is a little more relaxed; leather, uniform or formal is acceptable. That is all the krewe news you need to know!
Another fabulous party that is held during Mardi Gras weekend is le Vendredi de Nuit Mardi Gras Avant also know as The Friday Night Before Mardi Gras Extravaganza. This is a fabulous costume affair held on Fri., Feb. 28, from 9pm till midnight. Donation is $50, and the affair is a benefit for Belle Reve and United Services for AIDS. The party includes an open bar, delectable buffet, fabulous music, dancing, auction and celebrity guests (including me, dammit!).
Dress code: drag, costume, or black tie! For advance tickets call 504.482.3343.
Now! Enough about them let's talk about me! I have no idea at this point what I am wearing but am sure I can come up with something fabu. My Mardi Gras looks a lot like this: Thursday - Party at OZ, Friday - party at le Vendredi de Nuit Mardi Gras Avant, Sat., it's Krewe of Armeinius 35th Anniversary Bal Masque, Sunday will be my annual drag in the street; this also includes a pre-bead toss at Ambush Headquarters.
Monday we rest or go to the Orpheus Parade. Now if none of these things tempt you, there is also Miss Thompson’s Annual Hooker’s Ball on Mon., March 3rd, at 7pm at Body and Soul, corner of Chartres & Marigny. All proceeds benefit Buzzy’s Boys & Girls. There is a $5 donation at the door with door prizes and a parade of prizes. This is a great chance to pull out your hooker drag. It is a fun costume affair for a good cause.
Mardi Gras Day, the 39th Bourbon Street Awards will be held at noon at 800 Bourbon Street, corner of St. Ann. This fabulous costume contest is sponsored by Oz and Bud Light. The categories are Best Drag, Best Leather, Best Group and Best of Show. You will get to see the glamorous, bizarre, and some down right funny costumes. The contest is hosted by the fabu Bianca Del Rio and Blanche Debris of Oz fame.
At 1pm, the Official Gay Mardi Gras Bead Toss at Ambush Headquarters will be held.. This year the Krewe of Queenateenas’ celebrates their 16th anniversary bead toss with Vamps, Virgins & Voodoo. The beauty, who will reign as King Cake Queen X, is the lovely Teryl-Lynn Foxx, "The Voodoo Queen".
So, I say you eat a good breakfast, have a cocktail, go see the costume contest at noon, then walk down the street to the official bead toss at Ambush Headquarters at 828 Bourbon Street. For more info, and some fabulous pictures, check out GayMardiGras.COM or AmbushMag.COM for lots of Mardi Gras tips, pictures, and a list of events.
Ok, now if you’re a virgin and this is your first Mardi Gras, a few words of advice. First of all, "I didn’t pee on your car when I visited your home town so don’t pee on mine." Urinating in public is against the law. It would be a real bitch to spend you vacation in jail.
A lot of things are tolerated during Mardi Gras, but don’t push it GIRL! If you want to have sex, do it in your hotel room, car, or whatever. Don’t do it in the street. This will also land you in jail.
If you have any type of altercation with the police, remember "you’re drunk" and they "are always right". Cooperate and stay cool. New Orleans is a fabulous place, and the police handle a ton of visitors very, very well. We are also a big city, so watch your pocket books. It is generally a safe place, but you must use good judgement. Take only as much money out with you as you think you need. Keep money and id in your front pockets. You want to have a safe and fun time.
Remember our bars never close — they will be there tomorrow. Eat once in a while and get some rest. I want to wish everyone a safe and fun Mardi Gras!
Now I have to plug a few of our sponsors! The hardest part of Mardi Gras Day is finding a place to eat, drink, and pee; and in that order. Deanie’s Seafood, 841 Iberville St., will be offering a Mardi Gras Package that includes breakfast, lunch, dinner and an open bar for only $150.00 per guest from 9am until 7pm. You can come and go all day — and trust me — when you need a bathroom, that by itself is worth the money. They are located one block off Bourbon & Canal Street. Reservations are required, so call Chandra Chifici at 504.723.7619.
Now when all the fun is over we will still have to file our taxes. Don’t forget our friends at H&R BLOCK. Filing your taxes shouldn’t be a DRAG! They will review your taxes that you had done by a cut rate service for free. The cut rate guys specialize in fast checks. H&R Block specializes in BIG CHECKS! For the nearest location call 504.887.8997. They have 39 convenient locations in the New Orleans area.
Have a wonderful and safe Mardi Gras.
For advertising info, call me 504.220.6407.
