AUSTIN, TEXAS

Tales of Steers and Queers from Texas

Spring is in the air and time for changes. Peach trees on Cesar Chavez are blooming while Bluebonnets spring up around Mopac and the Hill Country. The cold air is finally moving onward, but knowing Texas weather like I do, it may not last long. One change you will notice right away is my column. Steers and Queers now focuses on more in-depth community issues and events, while still on the club scene. It takes a lot to report, be the local paparazzi, promote Ambush via advertising, and distribute them, but somehow, every other week, I managed to pull it off with the help of my friends and editors back on Bourbon St. - Ambush Headquarters.

This is now the eighth edition published and produced for Austin and we thank the Austin community at large for supporting Ambush. Since I also work another demanding job some 50 hours a week plus, I find it hard to cover it all. I do make it everywhere eventually; however, I am looking for an assistant to help promote Ambush. Please feel free to contact me at OZParade@aol.com or at 1.800.876.1484. The Power of the Press, Experience it!

Team Austin Raises Funds
To Compete In Gay Games

Many fund raising events are taking place for Team Aus- tin to raise money for their 68 members to compete in the Gay Games in Amsterdam this summer. To date, the athletes have only raised close to $2,000. They need your further support to send them to the games. This Sat., Mar. 21st, Team Austin hosts their Gigantic Garage Sale to raise funds. The sale will be from 9am til 5pm at 4300 Ave D in Hyde Park. Recently, their Power Rowing Team hosted a Race Benefit at Oilcan's raising $1,265. The benefit demonstrated their great rowing skills powered by hot sweaty men. Audience members purchased votes for their favorite teams. A fun and hot time was had with the benefit a great success.

Other events scheduled around Austin have been at Charlie's Austin where Row Team Austin and Team Austin have benefited from the Drag Charity Shows from Miss Nacha Type, Hillary Kline, Kelly Kline, Shi Brown, Ala Shay, Linda Love, Jordynn Scott and other featured performers. Coming up on Mar. 25, The Austin Baptist Women and featured guests will perform another charity event for Team Austin at Charlie's Austin beginning at 10pm. Come out and support our great athletes and look for future fund raising events for Team Austin.

The Gay Games motto for 1998 is "Friendship through Culture and Sports." Team Austin first participated in New York in the Gay Games back in 1994 with 32 athletes but this year have increased their numbers to 68 members representing the following sports: Bowling, Bridge, Marathon & 10K, Martial Arts, Mountain, Physique, Rowing, Running, Swimming, Track and Field, Triathlon and Volleyball. For more information or to support Team Austin contact co-chairs Jim Caruth or Steve Onken at 512.453.8878 or TeamAus Tex@aol.com.

Local Gay Landmark
Now Heterosexual Trash Disco

Polly Esther's is now in Austin. With locations across the states, they have now landed their newest location at 404 Colorado St. crowned by a Pink VW Bug on the roof. (In the heart of the warehouse district) Austinites should remember the once Gay Clubs located there that flourished for over 10 years as Hall's, Club 404, 404, and Area 52. Now that Polly Esther's has taken over the location, can it still remain a part of our Gay Culture?

I recently attended their grand opening and discovered the whole place transformed into something out of a gay nightmare. Observations included the crowd as all heterosexuals partying to Bee Gee's Music and John Travolta dancing. Before leaving, I managed to hunt down owner Arty Lesavoy from New York to interview him on questions regarding our Gay community and his new club in Austin.

"We are trying hard to market to the heterosexual community after years of this location being Gay," Lesavoy stated.

"Heterosexuals will not come if we gear our club towards the Gay community. We won't discriminate. We are open til 4am to everyone and all are welcomed."

Lastly, I asked him if he will be featuring a Gay Night or anything and he stated, "Maybe later this summer when things slow down, we might gear something to the Gay community."

Opinions have been mixed in our Gay community of this famous Gay culture location. Many have commented that they just will not go. Miss Paris Chanel was overheard quoting the club's clientele as "all those Gay Queens from the old Hall's Day are now coming out of the basement." Benjamin of N8 fame and Circuit Party Austin stated, "Honey it was Gay when I walked in the door." I guess we'll all see how the community over time accepts its newly transformed neighbor in Guytown. Personally, I feel we should all wish them the best and it's a good thing they are open. Go and experience it for yourself and show the Austin community that we know how to have the real fun and party. Their Disco Hotline for more information is 512.472.1975.

Danny's Countdown
On Austin's DJs
And Their Music

Roving reporter and local DJ at the Forum, Danny Cardiel, recently went on a city spree collecting the top hits and local DJ spin sounds in Austin. Ever wonder what type of music so and so club is playing or who's spinning the hits? Since Austin is the Live Music Capital of the World, here is his countdown on the local bars, DJ's and their music for your enjoyment.

Starting up at 'Bout Time, it's DJ Raul spinning the hits of "Pop Musik" every Thurs. through Sat.. Over at Chain Drive, on Sun. it's Brown Tea Tank Time with 90's music 4-2am. Tues. is the Tribal Fever and Wed. is the Best of the Best, both nights by DJ Michael Tank. On Thurs. come get Nostalgia - DJ's Tank and Eric Willems. Fri. is the Best of the Best and Sat. continues their best with DJ's Tank and Eric.

Charlie's Austin features Mon. and Tues. High House Music with DJ Tony Smith. Wed. is Retro-Disco - DJ Zach Cochran. Thurs. and Fri. presents High House again - DJ Tony, Sat. is Pop Circuit with DJ Zach and Sun. features House with DJ T. Smith. The Country Edge hosts Western Music with DJ's Robbie Williams and Warren Mills. Sun. host Line Dancing with Kelly from 5-7pm. Their Pick of the month is 'Dream Walkin' by Tobi Keith.

At the Edge, Sun. is Karaoke with Fabulous Rob from 7-11pm and Don Engle spins NRG at 11pm. Mondays are Retro Alternative with DJ Tragic'Lee Jones. Tues. is Disco Inferno with DJ Don. Weds. are Wicked with Hi-NRG Music by DJ Don. It's Freak'Quency Thurs. with progressive House Music by DJ Bang! Fri .and Sat. is the Cutting Edge featuring clever mixes by DJs Don and Bang! Rainbow Cattle Co. also features Country-Western Music with DJs Cecil Tongate and Kaye Newberry. On Wed., it's Karaoke Night with DJ Michael T. and Cartwheel Bob. The Rhythm House always features new and interesting bands almost nightly with Jazz, Rhythm and Blues and Flamenco.

Oilcan Harry's features Happy Hour Retro with DJ Sid-A-Licious Mon-Sat. Tues. is Classy Trash Retro with DJ Sid. It's Billboard Hits with DJ Miss H on Weds. and the Sex Factory gets underway with Hard House music Thurs. with DJs Dig'em and Dale Jordan. Fri. is House music with DJs Dig'em and Miss H. Sat. is the Underground House with DJ's Miss H and Sid and Suns. are T-Dance Retro from 4-9pm by DJ Miss H. At 9pm, the Sex Factory gets underway with commercial House Music by DJs Dig'em and Dale Jordan.

Last but not least, Danny returns back to home base at The Forum where it's back to the Boathouse Nights with 80's music by DJ Danny Cardiel. Thurs. is Progressive House by DJ Filthy Rich and Fri. and Sat.are Circuit Nights with DJ Roland Belmares. Sun. is Get Filthy with Alternative, Rock 'N Roll and Dance music by DJ Filthy Rich. Every Happy Hour is Retro from 5-9pm Thurs. through Sun. by DJ Danny Cardiel.

Danny's Top Ten Picks for this month are #1" Perfect Day" by Indigo, #2 "Frozen" by Madonna, #3 "Together Again" by Janet Jackson, #4 "Sundance" by Shimmon, #5 "Troubled Girl" by Karen Ramirez, #6 "Love U More '97" by Sunscreen, #7 "Sunchime" by Dario G, #8 "Samba de Janeiro" by Belleni, #9 "Give Me Love" by DJ Daddo and #10 "Hmmm... I Am" by Deleon.

Local Clubs Host Weekly Events
To Draw The Crowds

There are many events around Austin all featured in the Gay clubs and bars. The 1920's Club packs them in during the early week with great Martini Happy Hours Mon.-Wed.. Up at `Bout Time, they still host their Dart Tournaments on Tues. and Pool on Thurs. Coming up on Apr. 4th, they will host a Pediatric Aids League Benefit. The Chain Drive will feature a nearly naked Car Wash on Sat., Mar. 21st from 3pm til 6pm with all proceeds to benefit a local HIV charity. Charlie's Austin features its weekly drag shows on Thurs.and Sun. nights. On Mar. 25 at 10pm it's their Team Austin Benefit at 10pm. Coming up on Apr. 1st, look for their Apr. Fool's Party. Over at the Country Edge - Oldies Night is featured on Thurs. and Sun. from 5-7pm it's free dance lessons and pool tournament at 8pm.

Up at Midtowne Spa this Sat., Mar. 21st, it's their Garage/Leather Sleaze Party at 10pm featuring the Heart of Texas Bears and on Sat., the 28th, come to their Flashlight Party at 10pm. Oilcan Harry's Tues. features Classy Trashy Retro, Wed. is MaleBag Night hosted by Terrance and Thurs. features hot male dancers. Fri. start your weekend off right with their great Happy Hour. On Sun., it's Hangover Harry's Tea Dance with DJ Miss H and Male dancers. Their next Full Moon Contest is Apr. 11th.

The Blue Flame conducts heavy metal Mon. through Sat. night and on Mon. it's KVRX 91.7 Radio Night with live bands at 10:30pm. Happy Hour drink and beer specials are from 2-8 daily. Sun. hosts Amateur strip and Gay Variety Showcase at 9pm. The Edge features Retro Mon., Tues. Beat the Clock Happy Hour Specials and Thurs. Freak'uency Night by DJ Bang from 9-2pm. Fri. and Sat. are Club Edge and Sun. host Karaoke from 7-11pm, great drink specials all night and Don Engle's Beat from 11-2am.

The Forum is Austin's Circuit Party Headquarters with the next circuit party to be held Mar. 28 with DJ Mark Tarbox from the Probe in LA. Wed. features solid gold 80's music with their Back to the Boathouse Night and great drink specials. Thurs. it's the Forum's Star Search Contest. Sizzling Sundays are now happening with BBQ & 1.25 Pints of Draft / $2 Bellinis up on the Patio from 12pm til 7pm. Starting at 7pm til 11pm, it's 75 cents drink specials with different specials every hour. College Night Sun. hosts a Women's Wet T-shirt and Men's Best Chest Contest at midnight for cash prizes with guest emcee, Miss Paris Chanel. The Rainbow Cattle Company recently hosted Austin's 1998 Bar Employees Awards Night. Check out the next edition of the Austin EXpress for pictures on the event. On Sun., Mar. 29 at 9pm, come see your best bartenders and bar backs from the Austin bars perform Campout '98, a comedy extravaganza starting at 9pm. RCC also hosts Mad Cow Mon.at 9pm with disco by Michael Tank. Tues. features free County Dance Lessons beginning at 8pm Wed. it's Karoake at 8:30pm benefiting HIV Wellness and CARE. Steak and Grilled Chicken Night is on Thurs. from 6pm - 8:30pm.

Over at the Rhythm House,a Tapas Bar, live music is presented almost nightly with jazz, rhythm and blues and flamenco. Call the house at 512.458.4411for details on the live bands performing. Lunch is served Mon.-Fri. from 11-2pm. Dinner is from 4-10pm.

Until next time, please continue to support the local Austin Gay and Lesbian businesses and give back to our community. We depend on each other. Also, special get-well wishes go out to Ambush Production Director Marsha Naquin-Delain on a speedy recovery of her leg. Hurry up and get back on your two feet honey. Peace, love and happiness, Eric