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by Eric A. Crabtree
AUSTIN, TEXAS

Gay Splashers Arrive For
Annual Splash Day

Central Texas annual Splash Day has arrived on the sunny shores and rocks of Hippie Hollow at Lake Travis. Beer, barges, boats, music and hot basking on the rocks like seals all are in store coming up this Sun., May 3 at the Lake. Splash weekend runs from Fri., May 1 through Sun., May 3. Splash is Austin's yearly Gay Texas first spring event sponsored by the bars and clubs of the Austin Tavern Guild. Free wristbands may be obtained from all host clubs Sat., May 2 for free beer from the host barges on the lake, Sun.. If you have not booked lodging accommodations by now, you may find some friends to call here or just stuff a backpack and just hit the road. Hey, you might get lucky in Austin and find that special someone with whom to spend Fri. night. If he doesn't work out, then try someone different the next night!

The weekend kicks off on Fri. night with two great circuit parties sponsored by Ben Parsley and Splash Productions. (see their ad in this section). Both circuit parties will be held at the newly remodeled Forum. Congrats to the new decor guys!

Other great Splash events scheduled around Austin can be found at clubs around town. Charlie's Austin will be hosting dancing boys, BBQ after the lake Sun. and then their Super Sunday Show at 11:30pm. Oilcan Harry's will feature dancers, great music and after hours, while Rainbow Cattle Company hosts country music and its Beach Blanket Babtist Show at 9pm on Sun. The Blue Flame features live bands and so does the Rhythm House with Tapas.

Dick's Deja Disco, now open, will feature dancers Fri. night and a tea dance and cookout on Sun. The Edge will host great specials and music all weekend long and on Mon., an amateur strip contest. Look for Dick's and The Edge's ads in this edition. Chain Drive hosts Cinco de Mayo specials and music all weekend (see ad this issue). 'Bout Time always offers great times and coming up is their annual MUT 1998 Contest with details in this column and advertisement. The 1920's Club is now open on Sun. It has great martini specials. There is always wild fun at Midtowne Spa. Speaking of Midtowne Spa, they will host free transportation only to and from the club to any Austin bar/club and even out to the lake for Splash. Just mention Ambush Magazine when you call or visit Midtowne Spa.

Pugsley Celebrates 25th
Birthday with Bands

Coming up Splash Sat., May 2, Manager Pugsley of the Blue Flame will celebrate a quarter of a century with his birthday bash featuring 8 back to back live bands and great drink specials. Open at 2pm until 2am, the Blue Flame, located at 617 Red River, will host My Pet Leash starting at 3pm. Next up will be Pugsley's own band, White Trash Institute, followed by the band Blood Thirsty and then onto Pugsley's other band, Baby Anchients. The next band featured will be Tadpole Cannibalism and then La Tepid ha ha. The last band to perform Sat. night has yet to be booked at press time. No cover will be charged that night. A final and fond farewell goes out to past manager, Neil, who is moving back to New Orleans. Good luck Neil!

Jenny "B" Bulge '98 Tour
Premiers In Austin

Singer and entertainer Jenny "B", will premiere her USA Bulge '98 Tour starting May 9 at the Bob Popular Nightclub on Sixth St. Her most popular hit is "The Bulge." A dinner, concert, cocktail reception and awards ceremony will be held from 6pm to 11pm at Bob Popular located at 402 E. 6th St. The tour kicks off a nation-wide charity fundraiser to benefit AIDS charities. Jenny performs with many well-known artists and special guests and continues her charity concerts in cities like Houston, New Orleans on May 12, Tampa, Nashville, Detroit, Chicago, Denver and Salt Lake City. Tickets for the event may be obtained at any Star Ticket Outlets.

There are three levels in which one may donate. $60 tickets get the works: dinner before concert, backstage pass, concert admission, cocktail reception after concert, complimentary CD, and admission to venue after performance; $25 tickets will receive a free concert admission, complimentary CD, and admission to venue after performance; and, $15 tickets will receive just the concert admission. AIDS Services of Austin (ASA) is to receive the proceeds at an awards ceremony after the concert. Following the night's festivities, Jenny "B" will perform with special guests in an encore performance at 'Bout Time after midnight. Admission will be free. For more information on the Jenny "B" Bulge '98 Tour or for advance tickets, please contact Charles Dawson at Dawson Entertainment, 512.990.2790.

Angels In America
Tickets Still Available

If you have not had the chance to see the great production of Tony Kushner's Angels in America, tickets are still available for Part I, Millennium Approaches, at the Zachary Scott Theatre Center. The production lasts until May 17 and tickets may still be purchased and charged by phone by calling 512.476.0541 or by visiting the box office at 1510 Toomey Road (off South Lamar) Mon.-Sat., 12 noon-7pm. Part I of Angels In America is 3 hours in length, including two intermissions. Special curtain times include 7:30pm on Thurs., Fri. & Sat. Sun. curtain is 2:30pm. Part II: Perestroika will be featured Sept. 19 through Oct. 18.

Miss Universal Thang Pageant
Featured At 'Bout Time

Billed as a high camp comedy drag pageant, the 6th annual Miss Universal Thang or MUT Pageant will be hosted at `Bout Time by Freedumb Productions and the Royal We. Everyone is encouraged to enter the contest and have fun. Preliminaries for the contest will be held May 23 at 10:30pm with the finals hosted two weeks later on June 6 at 10:30pm. The pageant will benefit Austin's Project Transitions. The winner of the finals agrees to participate in 50% `Bout Time charity shows the year of their reign.

Past contest winners have been: Miss USA - Frita Lay 1997, Miss Egypt 1996 - Nefra BiBi, Miss Africa 1995 - Mewanna Bam Bam, Miss Germany 1994 - Helga Von Heineken, and MUT Emeritus, Miss Holland 1993 - Lyka Vann DYKE. All finalists will compete for $150 first place, $100 for second and $50 for third place with trophies awarded to each. A tiara will pass from the reigning Miss MUT to the new Miss MUT 1998.

The preliminary categories, content requirements and percentage of what judges will measure the contestants' scores are as follows: Presentation - 20% made from aluminum cans; sports wear 20% plastic products, talent is 50% made from garbage and evening gown 20% made from newsprint. The finals criteria and categories changes to feature presentation made from 20% aluminum cans swim wear made from 20% hair, talent made from 50% garbage and evening gown made from 50% newsprint.

More information may be obtained by picking up an entrant packet from any 'Bout Time bartender or by calling Chaz at 512.339.4731 or J.D at 512.249.2111 or contact 'Bout Time at 512.832.5339. All applications, fees ($15 entrant fee) and miscellaneous information are due at 'Bout Time by 10am, May 10.

ASA Red Ribbon Dinner
Held On May 11

AIDS Services of Austin (ASA) will host their 1998 Red Ribbon Dinner at various dates and locations around Austin. ASA provides quality direct-care services to persons with HIV/AIDS and HIV prevention and education to Austin's community. Each dinner is five courses with wine and the next Red Ribbon Dinner to be scheduled is on May 11 at Granite Cafe starting at 7pm. Contributions of $100 a plate help many in need in our community.

For reservations, call 512.406.6175. Contributions, less the $25 per plate, are tax deductible.

Team Austin To Host Sunset
At The Oasis Benefit

Coming up May 14, the 72 members of Team Austin request your presence at a great benefit with a sunset dinner at the Oasis. The dinner starts at 6pm and will include, for the $20 donation, a fajita dinner, free margarita coupon, entertainment and a silent action, cash bar and many surprises all on a private deck. Members of Team Austin will represent our community at the Gay Games later this year in August in Amsterdam.

For more information, please contact Team Austin or call coordinators, Tom at 512.476.1309 or Jim at 512.453.8878.

Join the Austin
Lesbian/Gay Political Caucus

Want to get involved and make your voices heard in Austin and throughout the state? Why not join and become a member of the Austin Lesbian/Gay Political Caucus (ALGPC)? The organization unites Austin's Lesbians and Gay men in political action against all forms of discrimination based on sexual orientation and works to combat all other forms of arbitrary discrimination including sex, race, age, religion, handicap, perceived or actual illnesses or economic status.

Membership is open to all who support the organization for a minimum $15 fee. Prospected members who cannot afford the fee may pay reduced dues or have them waived depending on the circumstances. Membership and additional information may be mailed to ALGPC at PO Box 822, Austin, TX 78767 or by calling Co-Chair Allan Baker at 512.345.4437. The next meeting of ALCPC will be held on Wed, May 27, at Cornerstone, 117 Red River at 7pm.

Coming up on June 7, The ALCPC will host a Texas Pride Power Brunch, which kicks off Pride Month in Texas. The Power Brunch will be held at the Hacienda adjoining Fiesta Gardens starting at 11:30am til 2pm. Tickets are $20 per person. Tickets will also get one free admission into the Pride Month Festivities that afternoon in Fiesta Gardens.

United Court Honors
Capital City Queens

At a recent ceremony and benefit held at `Bout Time, The United Court of Austin honored the Capital City Queens (CCQ) with the Ruby Slipper Award for lifetime achievement in community service. Accepting the award was Mari K, member of the Capital City Queens. Other CCQ Divas are Miss Bibi Gunn, Miss Diana Dior, husband Wayne Marion, and Mona Lee. The only other lifetime achievement award ever presented by the Court to Drag Divas went to the late Nicole, Miss Austin 1981/82.

The night's benefit from the court gathered over $800 for Pediatric Aids League. 'Bout Time and its showgirls continue to host many benefits monthly for local charities. One benefit that continues every Sun. night is Wayne Marion's Cookout on the volleyball court raising money for the Texas Gay Rodeo Association (TGRA) and their charities. Come out from 6pm til? to eat some good cooking.

Club Skirt Hosted May 31
At Fiesta Gardens

Club Skirt is a dance and party given for women, by women. All events are to be held at Fiesta Gardens in Austin with the next event to be held on May 31 from 4-9pm. Suggested donations are $15 at the door. Refreshments and music will be provided. Fiesta Gardens is located at 2101 Bergman, east of I-35 on the north shore of Town Lake. Ample parking is available on area streets and small parking lots. For more information, contact Club Skirt at Cornerstone -512.708.1515 (press2) or visit their web site at www.io.com/~cnrstone.

Austin Men's Party
Hosted At Zilker Clubhouse

The Austin Men's Party (AMP) was such a success recently that their next party will be hosted May 31 at the Zilker Clubhouse. AMP is a new social activity and an alternative to the nightclubs. AMP has sprung up from the success of Club Skirt for women and is a place to meet men or bring your partner and socialize. The Men's Party is provided as a fundraiser for Cornerstone. The party will take place from 7-10pm. Admission to this event is $13 in advance or $15 at the door. The party will feature food, beverages, and music by a versatile DJ. Great door prizes will also be given away. Tickets may be purchased and reservations are accepted. For more information contact Cornerstone at 512.708.1515 at 1117 Red River or visit their web site.

Until next time, make our visitors welcome, as we only know how to do it. Remember that Texas is the friendly state. Please continue to support our local Austin Gay and Lesbian businesses and also give back to our community through donations to needy charities. Drink Responsibly, Have Fun, Play Safe, Happy Splash, Happy Cinco de Mayo and Come Back Again!

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