AUSTIN, TEXAS

Tales of Steers and Queers from Texas

Throw me something mister, or was that show me something mister? Happy Mardi Gras from the Capital City of the Lone Star State. Yes, it's carnival season both back in N'awlins as well as here in Austin so Laissez Les Bon Temps Rouler. (Let the Good Times Roll) There are great reasons to travel to N'awlins this time of year, but check out our own backyard for all the fun and festivities. Mardi Gras is Fat Tuesday, Feb. 24 and many a man and woman will be flaunting their physical goods all for the glory of owning those cheap beads and hoarding them as if they were gold. This and other merriment like the festive parties, parades, balls, contests, king cakes, and all the sheer decadence continues up until midnight on Fat Tuesday when Lent begins for 40 days from Ash Wednesday until Easter. I hope each and every one of you find the happiness and the joy of the moment and have a great party season wherever you are.

On your mark, get set, GO! The Austin Ambush Trivia Contest has begun in celebration of Ambush Mag 2000's 16th Anniversary Year and their support of the Austin Gay and Lesbian Community. Readers of Ambush may answer Austin Trivia Questions based on local events, bars and clubs and people in the Austin Gay and Lesbian Community at large. Please check out the contest advertisement in this edition for details and a list of the questions. Deadline for contest answers must arrive via E-mail or mail before Mar. 6. Many special thanks to all the Austin merchants who have donated cash and prizes for the lucky trivia winners. The answers and the winners of the contest will be announced in the Mar. 20 edition of Ambush Mag 2000. Have fun playing and good luck! Vanna, can I buy a vowel?

Travel back in time to the 1920's Club. The 1920's Club serves drinks, specialty martinis and food in a 1920's atmosphere. 1920's is a place to relax and meet your friends in their comfortable bar or cozy mezzanine loft. Hours are Mon. - Fri., 4pm til 2am and Sat. from 6pm til 2am. They are closed Sundays. Check out their unique web site at www.1920s.com.

Come hang out at 'Bout Time. Recently, the United Court of Austin hosted Drag Show Austin, coordinated by Nikki Hunter. The night raised an outstanding $1,070 to benefit Pediatric Aids League. You go, Court and patrons of 'Bout Time! A special thanks goes out to Col. Bob for all his contributions that night and past generosities for Austin charities at other events around the city. Each Tues., the festivities begin with weekly dart tournaments for prizes at 9pm. Also on Tues., 'Bout Time gives away cash to lucky winning patrons. Thurs. is the weekly pool tournament starting at 9pm for cash prizes. Starting Sun., Mar. 1st, anonymous HIV testing will be given from 6-9pm and continue every first Sun. of the month. Don't forget, 'Bout Time is the only bar in Austin, open at 7am everyday Mon-Sat. Come on out at 'Bout Time.

Let 'er rip over at Chain Drive. Their recent Nuts and Bolts - Screw Valentines Day party was a blast. On Feb. 20, they will host a Midori Promotion with prizes, shirts and shot glasses given away throughout the night. Tues. at the Chain are $1 Beer and Snapps all day and night long. Also on Tues., come participate in The Games People Play starting at 11pm. Wed. nights at the Chain are Cheap Thrills Night with $1.25 wells, 85 cent long necks and $1.50 premium long necks. Thurs. is Nostalgia Night with 70/80's music and 90 cent wells. While at the Drive, don't forget to visit the Leather Chest inside, Open Wed. - Sat., 8pm - 1am for all your gifts, leather and playtime needs.

Check in at Charlie's Austin for fun. It's Mardi Gras Madness at Charlie's. Check out their advertisement in this edition for full details. Some of their festivities include this Fri. $1 well and beer til closing. On Sat. Feb. 21, No Cover with $1 well and beer from 10-11pm. Sun. features Jerry and David's Hamburger and Chicken Night from 4-8pm and a draft beer buy-in at $2.25 with 25 cent refills. Dancers are also featured from 6-close. That night, check out their Super Sunday Drag Show starting at 11:30pm with Ms. Gay America 1997, Lauren Taylor, her special guest, Ms. Tommie Ross. On Lundi Gras, Fat Monday, Charlie's Austin host their Wet Underwear Lundi Gras Contest staring at midnight. Fat Tuesday features Steak and Chicken Dinner Night from 6-8pm, Wheel Drink Specials all night, free beads and a Mardi Gras Costume Contest at 11:30pm. Don't miss out on another flawless Drag Show Thursdays at 12 midnight with Ms. Nacha Type. On Mar. 2, Charlie's Austin hosts their version of Texas' Declaration of Independence Day with a Capital Celebration.

Come out and live at The Edge. Still celebrating their 1-year anniversary this month, the Edge starts the week off on Mon. with 80's Retro all night long and $5 buy-in specials. Tues. is Beat the Clock happy hour specials from 4-9pm. with music by Don Engle. It's happy hour all day and night long on Wed. Thurs. presents Beat the Clock happy hour again and $2 Domestics all night with Freak'uency music by DJ Bang from 9-2pm. Fri. & Sat. get hopping with happy hour til 9pm and Dance music by Don Engle & Bang from 9-2pm. Sun. round out the week with happy hour til 9pm, Karaoke from 7-11pm and Don Engle's Beat from 11-2am. Look for their Mardi Gras events at the bar for more details.

Boot scoot and boogie at Country Edge. Come say howdy and have a few with their new happy hour bartender, Little Debbi. Country Edge is closed on Mon., but gears up Tues. - Sat. from 3 - 2am and Sun. from 2pm to 2am. On Thurs. it is Classic County with $1.50 domestics and well and free pool. Fri. & Sat. is Dance Night at County Edge. Come out and say howdy to Warren and his great staff: Kyle, Ed, Lorin, Steve, John and the rest of the gang at Country Edge.

Do it at the Forum. Feb. 19 round 2 of their Star Search Contest begins with host Kelly Kline and special guest emcees. Preliminaries are held every Thurs. up until the final round 2 commencing on Apr. 30. Due to press time, the winner of the Star Search Finalist Round was unknown; however, look for pictures in the next Austin EXpress on Mar. 6. On Sat., Feb. 21, It's Mardi Gras carnival time at the Forum with great drink specials. Come and get beaded! Coming up on Feb. 28, the next Circuit Night Austin will be held here with DJ Brian Norwood from Philadelphia. Every day at the Forum is happy hour with $2 well, $2 domestic and $3.50 calls from 2-9pm. Fri., happy hour is extended til 11pm. Every Wed. night, It's Back to the Boathouse. On Sun. the doors open at 12 noon with the afternoons featuring Roof Top Tea with $2 Bellinis. Welcome new Forum DJ, Filthy Rich, who has been added to the mix for your listening pleasure and features Hip Hop and R&B on Sun. nights. A fond farewell goes to barback John Cooper and bartender Darren DeMottier whose last day will be Feb. 28. Good luck on your new adventure, guys!

Change your attitude at Oilcan Harry's. It's Mardi Gras season at Oilcan's and the free beads and special liquor drinks are flowing from Bacchus, the Greek god of wine. Come out and celebrate all weekend long through Fat Tuesday for the merriment. Congratulations to Oilcan Harry's as the #5 bar in all of Austin in past liquor sales. Mr. Bud Ice is now making his appearance these days at Oilcan's. Come out and drink him down. Oilcan's also host an electronic darts game, which adds to the pool and video game delights. Tues. features the great DJ, Sid-a-licious, spinning retro hits for your enjoyment. Every Wed. night come on out and see if you have mail from your male at MaleBag Night hosted by Terrance. Thurs. features hot male dancers from across Texas for your viewing pleasure with a strip show at 10:30pm and then again at midnight. Fri. start your weekend off right with a great happy hour hosted by J.D. and Terrance and Tom with free buffet goodies prepared by Matthews and male dancers for your delight. On Sun., its Hangover Harry's Tea Dance with DJ Miss H and featuring Mimosa's for a buck and Bloody Marys for only two dollars from 2-7pm. Also on Sun., male dancers are featured 6-8pm and then again from 10-1am. Come see why Oilcan's is #1.

Two step over to the Rainbow Cattle Company. Check out their new logo on the Austin Ambush Trivia Contest advertisement in this edition. The recent Austin Baptist Women Valentines Show - The Beat Goes On, was a huge success benefiting United Court Charities and the HIV Wellness Center. On Sun., Feb. 22, it's their Mardi Gras party with free beads to all customers. The fun continues that night with their Wrangler Butts Drive Me Nutts Contest starting at 9pm. Cash prizes to the winners will feature 1st place - $100, 2nd - $75 and 3rd - $50. Coming up on Mar. 15 at 9pm, come out and enjoy a fine dance company when RCC will host a Tropical Delights and Latin Sole Night - a ballet for Folklorico. Every Tues. at RCC, they feature free county dance lessons beginning at 8pm with dancing at 9:30pm. Wed. features weekly karoake at 8:30pm benefiting HIV Wellness and CARE . It's Steak and Grilled Chicken Night on Thurs. from 6pm - 8:30pm. Don't forget that RCC features shuffleboard, pool and darts for your entertainment. As a final note, Bill Tenneson has announced his candidacy for Mr. TGRA from Austin. Good luck Bill!

Rhythm House, a Tapas Bar, is located at 624 W. 34th St. between Guadalupe & Lamar. The House features live music almost nightly with jazz, rhythm and blues and flamingo music. Coming up for their lineup of live music, it's Ginger Leigh (Swing Music) Fri. the 20th from 7-10pm. The 21st features Billy Harvey (Fun Music) from 8-10pm. On Sun., the 22nd, come listen to Woodwork from 7-10pm and then on the 23rd, Allison Smith performs from 7-10pm. Lunch is served Mon. - Fri. from 11-2pm and dinner from 4-10pm. Happy hour is from 4 -7pm. Come out and snuggle up to their indoor/outdoor fireplaces. Check out their great advertisement in this edition.

Twist, located at 505 Neches is open 7 days a week from 5pm til 2am. Twist is the place to be and dance the night away with Rebirth on Thurs., Science Fiction Soul on Fri. & Lava Lounge on Sat.. There are pool tables for play but it's the nights when Twist really gets hopping. A great specialty at Twist is their $2.50 Martini Pints til 10pm.

The Gentlemen's Club is at Midtowne Spa. Experience it! On Fri. the 20th, Erotic Massage classes will be hosted. On Sat., the 21st, it's their Mardi Gras $500 Dance Contest starting at 10pm with door admission benefiting Aids Services of Austin (ASA). On Feb. 28, it's their monthly Flashlight Party starting at 10pm. Every Tues. is Chicken Night where 18-25 year olds will receive free lockers. On Wed., all patrons receive half price rooms and lockers. On Fri. & Sat., Midtowne suggests that you come and get your room(s) rented early before 11:30pm because they always get "packed." In and out passes are available.

Ambush Mag 2000 is distributed bi-weekly throughout Austin and the world with a distribution to its readers of over 650,000. You may reach me at Ambush Mag 2000 calling 1.800.876.1484 or E-mail at OzParade@aol.com for any and all updates, comments, answers to the trivia contest and feedback. WRITE! The deadline for Austin for the Mar. 6-20 edition is by the end of Fri., Feb. 20. Until the next time, I am off to N'awlins with some fellow Austinites to experience the madness of Mardi Gras 1998.

"Laissez Les Bon Temps Rouler," Eric