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by J.D. Norris
LAFAYETTE, LOUISIANA

Royal Scandal! That's QUEEN PHILLIP To You!
Ambush Drops 'em By The Thousands;
Revelers Pack Hub City Night Clubs For Carnival;
Mardi Gras Just A Warm-Up For Southern Decadence;
Scene And Noted

Let's get one thing straight, or at least "gayly corrected;" I'm a journalistic klutz. No surprise to any of you really. But often I'm surprised by the graciousness of those I goof on when it comes to the names department.

Those of you trendy enough to catch the last installation of Allons Acadiana likely noticed the royal names like Joey Billeaud, Robert Doucet, James Barbosa and Tim Leger. WAIT! Tim who? No, no no. Reigning as Her Royal Highness, Queen Apollo XXII was none other than the ever-so-gracious Phillip LeBlanc. When your days are as busy as mine and you're trying to do your community and publisher proud, you often forget to triple-check the sources on names. And all that begging for call-backs doesn't help either. Unfortunately, we noted local bigwig Tim Leger as the royal one during Apollo's big bash held on Jan. 11. The good news? Tim is none other than proud partner to Phillip. All my apologies to both Tim and Phillip on the name switch. It wasn't such a big deal to either of them, or to the pillars of Acadiana's gay community that is Apollo. But it left my rosy cheeks a bit more blush than that cheap Zinfandel John keeps bringing home. Thanks for being such good sports guys!

And before I drop the subject of Queen Apollo Phillip, it was only after I picked up the latest issue of The Times of Acadiana that I noticed the big mistake. There, in all her royal glory, front page, single shot color, was Queen Apollo with the headline proclaiming the Apollo ball to be "The hottest ticket in town." What a coup in what is one of the most condensed conservative areas of the nation. But then again, the Times has always been a little progressive. Several pages of copy followed the front page story giving brief bios of the krewe's history, its more popular members and the thousands who flock to Lafayette each year to soak in the sights and sounds the krewe works so hard on all year long. Congratulations again Ted Viator, Mike Doumit, Queen Phillip, Ms. Poole, Bob Pastor and all Lafayette Apollo members. You did us proud!

Throw it, Show It, Just Keep The Latex Handy!

John and I were first-time balcony revelers at what is certainly the hottest ticket on Bourbon St. during Fat Tuesday celebrations, the Ambush Krewe of Queenateenas bead toss. Since Lafayette was expecting one-million revelers of its own, we headed south for what the press said was one of the largest, most well-behaved carnivals in recent New Orleans history. And what better way to celebrate it than on Ambush's world-famous balcony watching the boys (and girls) go by. I don't know if it was the food, the presentation of King Cake Queen Liz Simms, or the merriment provided by New Orleans' own Rip and Marsha Naquin-Delain. Or maybe it was tantalizing the crowds with all those beads and seeing more whackers than a school bus full of porn stars- Magnifique! And to think we get to see it all again during the upcoming Southern Decadence-accolades Queen Liz on a superb and glorious reign and to the Krewe of Queenateenas! I haven't had that much fun since finding the Naked Hanson Web Site!

Meanwhile In The Hub City

While we were trolling the Big Easy for beads and beer, Acadiana hosted one of her largest carnival weekends ever according to local authorities. Local watering holes like Images, Jules and The Sound Factory hosted thousands and thousands of revelers seeking refuge from packed Jefferson St. We hear more and more weekend party-goers from Baton Rouge, Lake Charles and other surrounding areas are heading to Lafayette more often. Each of the nightclub owners in town have said the crowds keep growing and growing. Could it be the local food, the local music, the local boys? Who knows? We do know the night life around town is growing faster than Oprah Winfrey's thighs, so come on down and pass a good time..

Scene And Noted

Okay, it's what you've all been waiting for. We spent three wonderful days at New Orleans' Garden District Bed & Breakfast with proprietors Flo & Joe. This wonderful couple came all the way from Maryland several years back to open what is quickly becoming one of the most popular overnight stays outside the French Quarter. The Garden District is nestled deep in the heart of, well, New Orleans' Garden District; right near Magazine and First. John and I are frequent guests to the nostalgic and grand old house the couple has opened to the public. And they're always good for a warm and friendly chat.

Just a block or two away from Garden District is the home of my sometimes literary favorite Anne Rice and hubby Stan who, as fate would have it, bumped into us during the Sunday evening Bachus parade. I've had the opportunity to interview Anne for another publication in the past and she was as friendly as ever. And no, girls, she doesn't keep her black on ALL the time. Also seen during carnival was old, old, old, OLD chum and high school classmate Arthur Severio-nother chance meeting for me. Arthur is the owner of New Orleans' Arthur's House of Glamour salon and we bumped into each other during the big shindig on Ambush's balcony Mardi Gras day. Seems Arthur's been a busy girl since our school days keeping some of the Crescent City's most glamorous citizens looking their stunning best. Arthur honey, if you're reading this, you made a wonderful day for me even brighter. A little reminiscing kept my thought process going all the way home and to know you've become such a big city bigwig makes me wanna cheer! Now, can you do something with this hair?

We also kept company with Mr. Baton Rouge himself, Brad Benedict, one of the most friendly and charming folks this side of the Mississippi. She was a real balcony pro knowing just when to toss her beads and when to spot a carnival tease.

Also seen doing the carnival thing was big time Ambush fan Neil. Seems he's been keeping busy between his home and doctor hubby up north and traveling down to Lafayette and New Iberia for two days out of each week.

Out and about in Lafayette we've been seeing a lot of Mr. Gay Louisiana-America himself, Chris Tergo. New Iberia's hottest export, Chili Pepper, has been seen tramping Jefferson St. with sidekick Troy. Work those cocktails girls! Chili is a one-woman drag show 24-hours a day and is usually seen holding court at Sound Factory. The newly redesigned and beautiful Bunny Angers was seen at Jules Tavern last week surrounded by a half dozen or so gal pals. So was old chums Tommy Landry, wild Wanda and half of Iberia Parish. And despite the passing of carnival, Images is still South Louisiana's dance capital thanks mostly to trendoid spin mistress DJ Alyson and the billion-dollar light and laser show that is so very, well, so very Images. Still haven't seen too much of your friend and mine Lois Slaughter lately. Where are you princess? Make yourself known, we still need condoms and safe sex lectures. Your smiling face is missed on Jefferson St. Saw Tori Taylor a week or two back also beautiful-and a new look every week!

Bootsie Cobden just rolled back into Lafayette a week or two ago. She's been house shopping and keeping her eyes open for a new honey to put in it. Word has it Bootsie is quietly looking at expanding her business interests from Houston into Acadiana by considering a new family-oriented nightclub/eatery, but I'm not one to talk. (Yeah, right) Bootsie's been a dear friend since our college days but when it comes to her businesses, she keeps quiet. Really honey, I don't think drag queen waitresses is a bad idea, but I'll leave it up to you.

That's it for this time. We'll try our best to get Lafayette pics in for the next issue. Remember, you can always catch AmbushOnline at www.ambushmag.com for all the latest goings-on in and around the Gulf Coast. All the picks in every issue are there, in color! 21 million-plus hits can't be wrong. Hope you've recuperated from all your carnival hangovers. Thanks for a wonderful Mardi Gras John Boy, I'm ready for that gay cruise now! Until next time!

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