by Eric A. Crabtree
AUSTIN, TEXAS
P>Ambush Quote of the Times
I pickup Ambush to do the Crossword Puzzles. I sometimes read the news, pictures and the Horoscopes, but the Crossword Puzzles are my favorite. - Jaffa Kintigh, Austinite
RCC Hosts Fast Track Talent Search
Can you sing great Karaoke? Then why not try out and compete for the FAST TRACK TO FAME in their upcoming Talent Search in Austin. FAST TRACK will feature locally a Karaoke Talent Search & Showcase coming to Rainbow Cattle Company on Wed., Apr. 21, 8pm. Contestants can win a recording contract with Sonic Records, Inc. Pick up your information packets at RCC to enter. All 2 Song participants will receive a minimum of 4 hours of recording time, broadcast quality videotape of their performance, and an appearance on the FAST TRACK TO FAME Television Program. FAST TRACK TO FAME airs Sun., 1am CST, AmericaOne Network (Spacenet 3, Channel 24) More info may be obtained via the Web at www.americaone.com & www.sonicrecords.com.
Splash Day Slated
Wanna have a wet and wild time with tons of hot men or women? Then head on over to Austin the end of this month because it's party time as we host our annual Splash Day on the sunny shores and rocks of Hippie Hollow at Lake Travis. Splash weekend runs from Fri., Apr. 30 through Sun., May 2 - Splash Day. Splash is Austin's yearly Gay Texas first spring event sponsored by the bars and clubs and businesses of the Austin Tavern Guild. Many festivities and events will be slated. At press time, the Forum hosts the First Splash Party on Fri., Apr. 30 with their DanceOne Party sponsored by Genre magazine. Look for additional Splash events next Ambush.
Austin's Bar Employees Honored
The Austin Tavern Guild (ATG) hosted the event of the year recently with their Bar Employees Awards-Appreciation Night (BEAN) honoring most of Austin's finest bar employees. The evening was held at Splash Video Bar and submissions for awards and honors came from the local bar employees, owners and customers. Many thanks go out to Splash owner and Austin Tavern Guild President, Randy Cunniff, for hosting the event. Co-emcees Madam Murrah and Mitch Mooney presented the night's awards. Ambush now presents the exclusive coverage of the trophies awarded to Austin's finest! The highlights of BEAN Night were the two special awards presented to one individual and one organization. Retired owner of Charlie's Austin and 'Bout Time's Ray McDermitt was awarded the Col. Bob Collins Humanitarian Award for giving back so much to our community. The second special award presented was the Austin Community Achievement Award honoring the Austin Babtist Women for their tireless fundraising efforts and services to our Gay and Lesbian community throughout the years. Austin Babtist Woman O'Feelya Faith (Bob Hemby) commented, "We were shocked but felt proud to Win."
Highlighted performances came throughout the night from such divas as Madam Murrah, Kelly Kline, Paris Chanel and Goldie Hanes. The awards for the Austin bar employees began with Forum's Brian Deft who was honored with the Married Employee with the Most Tricks Award. Edge's Shawn was next with the "I'm Straight, I couldn't have done that last night" Award. The Lost in Space Award went to 'Bout Time's own Jimmy Dobbs; the I Just Came Out Award went to Mike Daniels from Charlie's Austin. Next up was DJ Filthy Rich who was awarded the DJ with the Best Train Wreck Award. The final award of this segment ended in a tie. 'Bout Time's doorman Marshall and Chain Drive's Glenn were presented with the Doorman Award for ones most likely to cruise the customers. Next, the Doorman Award for "most likely to be locked in a coatroom with a customer"went to Oilcan's Eddie. Always Snookered, or the bar employee most likely to have a shot, before, during and after shift went to 'Bout Time's mgr., Corey Duckett. It was David Riedel from Charlie's Austin who took honors of Bartender Most Likely to be Sitting on a Beer Box.
Hostess Madam Murrah was presented next to her fresh martini, the Martini Queen Award. Oilcan's Matthews won for the Bar Employee with the Most Attitude Award. 'Bout Time's Miss Paula, dressing the part, took home the Best Dressed Bar Employee Award. Ending this round was Charlie's Austin Arnie who was bestowed the Most Likely to Refuse a Customer Award. Little Sean from The Edge was awarded the Nelliest Bar Employee Award while Forum's Pugsley received the Lost Barback Award. The best DJ for '98 went to Miss H. from Oilcan's. The best bloody mary can be found at Dick's where Kindell serves them up mean. Want some free drinks? Go see mgr. Eddie at Splash who was awarded Best Comp Off. You think you are butch? Dick's/Edge's Little Debbie won the most likely to have a Butch Attack Award. The award for one most likely to have a Bitch Attack Award went to Oilcan's mgr. Freeman Hart. Rookie of the Year went to Oilcan's Super Dave. RCC's and Austin's oldest Gay bartender, Larry Medders, was honored with the Golden Years Award.
Oilcan's Steve Higgenbotham was awarded the Bar Employee Most Likely to Pay for Services. RCC's own Michael T. got the Funniest Bar Employee Award while Splash's Carl got the Most Recycled Bartender Award. The Most Recycled DJ in Austin went to Forum's DJ Danny Cardiel. Next up was Forum's bartender Bobby who received the Lost Cherry Award. It seems that Scotty P. from Oilcan's has the Best Assets. Also at Oilcan's, Matt M. won the Chicken Coop Award. The Forum's bartender, Robert Yaxley, was awarded the Bar Employee Most Likely to Have Her Face in a Pillow. Splash owner Randy Cunniff was awarded the She's Always on Vacation Award. Forum's Eric got the next honor, which was a tie. The awards were the Most Blonde Moments Award and the Bar Mgr. Most Likely to initiate Random Drug Testing Award. Forum's owner, Mark Haworth, was honored with the Bar Employee with the most Tokens or Spa Passes.
Oilcan's bartender Jeff won the Liz Taylor Award for Most Divorces. Wrapping up the BEAN Awards went to Oilcan's DJ Dig'M for the I Quit & I Mean It This Time. The final three awards for the night went to three different bar employees who were most Likely to Cruise. The honorees were for Edge's/Splash's DJ Bang for Cruising a High School; Oilcan's bartender Jeff for cruising Laredo; and Oilcan's bartender Terrance for Cruising the Mall. Local performers provided entertainment throughout the ceremonies. Congratulations to all the winners and, yes, nominees. Plans are in the works for the 1999 BEAN Awards in 2000.
Walk for Safety
The 12th annual Walk for Safe Families & Safe Streets in Austin will be held on Sun., Apr. 18 benefiting Safeplace, a merger of the Center for Battered Women and the Austin Rape Crisis Center. The 1.8 mile Walk starts at Wooldridge Park, down to Cesar Chavez St. and then back up Congress Ave. to the Capital and back to Wooldridge Park. Walk donations are to be collected from individuals and organizations. Those collecting the most donations are eligible for many prizes. Registration begins at 12 noon with the Walk commencing at 2pm. Lots of entertainment and food will be offered before and after the event. More information about the Walk can be obtained by calling 512.481.WALK (9255) or by visiting the Web site at www.austin-safeplace.org.
United Court
...Austin News
(From the throne of United Court of Austin Emperor V, Bob Hemby)
The United Court of Austin in conjunction with the Rainbow Cattle Company (RCC) is pleased to announce the election of the first Mr. and Miss Rainbow. Candidates campaigned by raising money for a three-week period for charities of their choice, which was used to calculate 1/2 of their scores. Then each candidate competed in three categories: eveningwear, talent and question and answer garnering the rest of the points necessary. At the end of the evening Bebe Hughes was crowned Miss Rainbow and Bobby Birchmier crowned Mr. Rainbow. The winners received a crown and belt buckle donated by the RCC and a cash prize generously donated by King Father for Life of The United Court of Austin, Col. Bob Collins. Since Aug., The United Court of Austin along with the help of fine dedicated individuals have raised over $25,000 for charity.
Upcoming events for The United Court of Austin include: a joint show and benefit with the current Mr. Gay Austin Ronald Cook on Apr. 11, Emperor V presents ShowTime and the Cattle Company Apr. 18 benefiting The Breast Cancer Resource Center. Robert Evanson, Commander of the Golden Sabres, presents a salute to the Monarchy Apr. 25. All shows are staged at the home bar of The United Court of Austin, The Rainbow Cattle Company on W. 5th St. Showtime is 9pm. The Rainbow Cattle Company has been very generous in their support of community charities so remember when you make a choice on where to party, help support those who support us. On Easter Sun., Apr. 4, those awesome Austin Babtist Women present their Annual Gospelfest at 9pm at the Rainbow Cattle Company featuring many of Austin's best entertainers. This annual event is just one of the reasons why these divine diva's recently received the Tavern Guild's Community Achievement Award.
