AUSTIN, TEXAS

Tales of Steers and Queers from Texas

Well, how about that Mardi Gras 1998 folks? Wow, what excitement, what fun, what a boatload of beads we now all have. Now that all that excitement has come and gone, let's look into March where lots of events are happening this month. Ok folks, this Friday, March 6th, is the last day to submit your answers for the Austin Ambush Trivia Contest. I have received so many overwhelming submissions from all you readers and had no idea all you trivia fans were so good and creative with your answers. For example, why did Oilcan's Steve Higginbotham's name keep appearing as an answer to many questions? Seriously! Look for all the correct answers and winners of the contest announced in the next edition, Mar. 20 of Ambush Mag 2000.

Let's all sing! (Singing -"All my ex's live in Texas") except that one in Baton Rouge, and we won't even go there on that one. Calling all cowboys and cowgirls, it's time to shine those buckles, adorn those Stetsons and rope into some tight Wranglers for lots of Western fun. Yee-haw its RODEO time here in Texas and time for the 60th Austin-Travis County Livestock Show and Rodeo, Mar. 12 through Mar. 22. The shows and rodeo are held at the Travis County Exposition Center on Decker Lane. Mosey over partner and check out all the great entertainment and events Austin has to offer at http://www.austinrodeo.com/ Can you say "ride me cowboy"?

Happy St. Patrick's Day coming Sat., Mar. 14. Come on out to our famous 6th Street for Austin's own third annual St. Patrick's Day Parade from 4:30pm to 6:30pm. The Austin Baptist Women will be featured in the parade throwing their lucky cabbages to parade goers. Just think of all that coleslaw you can make by catching one or two! And here you thought it was all over catching those damn Mardi Gras beads. Many more surprises should also take place in the parade from these women as well as other organizations and floats. Break out those green M&M's!

Speaking of parades, The Austin Tavern Guild would like to sponsor a Gay Night Parade and needs your input. What do you think? Could we organize and host one like they do in Dallas and Houston? What time of year/ season should it occur? Theme? (yada yada yada). If not a parade, then what other suggestions or ideas could they host besides the two Splash Weekends and the July 4th Picnic for our community in the community? Please submit input this month to Rainbow Cattle Co., 305 West 5th Street, Austin 78701 or here at Austin Ambush at Ozparade@aol.com.

Aids Services of Austin (ASA) is hosting their 1998 Red Ribbon Dinners at various dates and locations around Austin. To benefit ASA, contributions of $100 a plate help many in need in our community. Each dinner is five courses of cuisine and wine and the next Red Ribbon Dinner to be scheduled is at Fonda San Miguel on Mar. 9. For reservations, call 512.406.6175.

Need another good charity to donate to remembering your lost loved one(s)? How about seeking out any United Court of Austin member and donate $2.00 for our beloved past friends by adding their name on a memorial T-shirt entitled, One for A Friend. All proceeds from the donation and sale of the shirt benefits United Court of Austin Charities. T-shirts will be available Apr. 10 for sale. For more information, contact Gary Holly at 512.442.6415. In and around Austin, 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 the place to relax 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, a bus load full of weary gamblers traveled back to Austin when about 30 patrons gambled the weekend away in Marksville, LA at an Indian Reservation. A fun time was had by all but no one came home rich. Coming Mar. 13 at 5pm, come out and meet Mr. TGRA Candidate 1999, Jim Tennessen and see how you can assist with his worthy charities. Each Tues., weekly festivities begin with Dart Tournaments for prizes at 9pm. Also on Tuesdays, 'Bout Time gives away cash to lucky winning patrons. On Thurs. are the weekly Pool Tournaments starting at 9pm for cash prizes. Don't forget, 'Bout Time is the only bar in Austin, open at 7am everyday Mon. - Sat. with bartender, Tom Tolliver.

Let er rip over at Chain Drive. Coming up Mar. 11, emcee Rusty will be hosting their own original Full Moon Contest at 11pm for prizes. On St. Patrick's Day, come out and play Irish Pictionary. Tuesdays at the Chain is $1 beer / schnapps all day and night long. Also, come participate in Games People Play starting at 11pm. Wednesday nights at the Chain are Cheap Thrills Night with $1.25 wells, and 85 cent longnecks, and $1.50 premium longnecks. Thursdays is Nostalgia Night with 70/80's music and 90 cent wells. Don't forget to visit the Leather Chest inside, open Wed. - Sat. 8pm - 1am for all your gift, leather and playtime needs.

Check in at Charlie's Austin for fun. Coming up Mar. 18, be there for the 1998 BEAN Award-Bar Employee Awards Night. During the week, on Mon. check out their Wet Underwear Contest at 12 midnight with Ms. Heather Thomas. Tuesdays feature Steak and Chicken Dinner Night from 6-8pm. Also every Tuesday night is their Amateur Strip Night Contest at midnight. Wednesdays is Video Male Box Night. It's Drag Show Thursdays at 12 midnight with Ms. Nacha Type. See her picture in this edition in Austin EXpress. Friday and Saturdays offer great specials and on Sundays, it's Hamburger and Chicken Night from 4-8pm, with dancers featured from 6pm-close. Also on Sundays, check out their Sunday Super Drag Show starting at 11:30pm with Ms. Gay America 1997, Lauren Taylor and special guests.

Boot scoot and boogie at Country Edge. Country Edge is closed on Mondays, but gear up Tues. - Sat. from 3pm- 2am and Sundays from 2pm to 2am. Come have a few and meet with their new bartender, Isaac. Thursdays is Oldies Night featuring $1.50 domestics, well, schnapps and free pool. Come listen to Pop, Rock, Soul and Disco from the 50s, 60s, 70s and 80s and of course, a little bit of old country. Fri. and Sat. is Dance Night. Now on Sundays, come out and learn to two-step with their free country dance lessons from 5-7pm. At 8pm, they host a pool tournament with prizes to be won. Come say howdy at Country Edge.

The Gentlemen's Club is at Midtowne Spa. Experience it! Coming on Sat., Mar. 14, check out their Roman Holiday Toga party at 10pm. Every Tuesday is Chicken Night where 18-25 year olds will receive Free Lockers. On Wednesdays, all patrons receive half price rooms and lockers. On Friday and Saturday, 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.

Change your attitude at Oilcan Harry's. Coming up on Mar. 11, it's their monthly Full Moon Tee Contest Party with semi-finalists at 11pm and a finalist showing at 12midnight. Last month's winner was sexy hunk, Mark Parker who took first place for those love buns of his. Look for his picture in the next edition of Austin EXpress - Mar. 20. Tuesdays feature 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. Thursdays feature hot male dancers from across Texas for your viewing pleasure with a strip show at 10:30pm and then again at Midnight. Fridays 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 Sundays, it's Hangover Harry's Tea Dance with DJ Miss H and featuring mimosas for a buck and bloody marys for only two dollars from 2-7pm. Also on Sundays, male dancers are featured 6-8pm and then again from 10pm-1am.

The Blue Flame is on fire these days. Formerly the Blue Flamingo, located at 617 Red River, the bar hosts great live bands with punk rock and heavy metal Mon. through Sat. night. They cater to the alternative culture and are open 7 days a week from 2-2. On Mondays they feature KBRX 91.7 Radio Night with live bands at 10:30pm. Sunday nights at the Flame come see Sasha Michaels proudly host their Gay Variety Showcase with Ladie Kristiana at 9pm.

Come out and live on The Edge. Start your week off on Mondays with 80's Retro all night long and $5 Buy-In Specials. Tuesdays 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 Wednesdays. Thursdays it's Beat the Clock Happy Hour again and $2 Domestics all night with Freak'uency music by DJ Bang from 9-2pm. Friday & Saturday get hopping with Happy Hour til 9pm and Dance music by Don Engle & Bang from 9-2pm. Sundays round out the week with Happy Hour til 9pm, Karaoke from 7-11pm and Don Engle's Beat from 11-2am.

Do it at The Forum where the men are! Their recent Circuit Night Austin, hosted with DJ Brian Norwood from Philadelphia, really packed the house with the boys and jammed till morning light. This and every Thursday at 11:30pm, come see weekly performers entertain for you in the Forum's Star Search Contest - Round 2 with host Kelly Kline and special emcee guests. All weekly finalists win $100 and compete in the final contest of Round 2 to commence on April 30th. Round 1 winner was Ms. Alix Courtnie. See her picture located in this edition in Austin EXpress. Every day at The Forum is Happy Hour with $2 well, $2 domestic and $3.50 calls from 2-9pm. Fridays, Happy Hour is extended till 11pm. On Wednesday Nights it is solid gold 80's music with their Back to the Boathouse featuring $1 well / draft Rolling Rock with a $3 buy-in. Male dancers are from 11pm-1am. Sundays, doors open at noon with afternoons featuring Rooftop Tea with $2 Bellinis. Filthy Rich mixes the day into night with Hip-Hop and R&B.

Two step over to the Rainbow Cattle Company. Their recent Mardi Gras Party and Wrangler Butts Drive Me Nutts Contest was real rowdy cowboy fun. Coming up on Sunday, March 15th 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. Later this month on Sunday, March 29 at 9pm, come see your best bartenders and bar backs from the Austin Bars perform a comedy drag show benefiting HIV Wellness Center and Pediatric Aids League. It's Mad Cow Monday's at RCC every Monday Night at 9pm with Disco by Michael Tank. Every Tuesday they feature free County Dance Lessons beginning at 8pm with dancing at 9:30pm. Wednesday's feature weekly Karoake at 8:30pm benefiting HIV Wellness and CARE. Steak and Grilled Chicken Night is on Thursdays from 6pm - 8:30pm. Rainbow Cattle Company features Shuffleboard, Pool and Darts for your entertainment. Come kick up those ropers at Rainbow.

Rhythm House, a Tapas Bar, is located at 624 W. 34th St. between Guadalupe and Lamar. The House features live music almost nightly with Jazz, Rhythm and Blues and Flamingo Music. 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.

Congratulations to AmbushonLine which reached 21 million hits the end of Feb. Check out this fantastic Gay and Lesbian web conglomerate at the following web address sites: www.ambushonline, ambushmag.com, crescentcity.com, gayamerica.com, gaybars.com, gayeuro.com, gaymardigras.com, gayneworleans.com, gayneworleans.org, lagpac.com, and southerndecadence.com. Until the next time, may the luck of the Irish be with you.