Ambush Magazine

The Official Gay Magazine of the Gulf South™

Arts & Culture

Tom Caplinger and How Lafitte’s Went into Exile

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In 1933, shortly after the repeal of the Volstead Act, Tom Caplinger, Harold Barthel, and Mary Collins leased the building at 941 Bourbon Street (at the corner of St. Philip Street) and opened a bar called Café Lafitte.  At the time, it was just one of two bars on Bourbon Street, the other being the Old Absinthe House. Contrary to popular belief, the iconic building at 941 … [Read more...] about Tom Caplinger and How Lafitte’s Went into Exile

Under the Gaydar (March 2024 Event Calendar)

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With Mardi Gras now in the distant past, we look towards other holidays and amazing festivals in NOLA this month. From the Tennessee Williams Festival and Saints & Sinners Literary Festival to the Gay Easter Parade, March is hopping. Here are just some of the hot happenings in March to put on your “Gaydar.” If you want your event listed, send me an email at … [Read more...] about Under the Gaydar (March 2024 Event Calendar)

Bartender Spotlight – February 2024

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Let’s face it–being a bartender in New Orleans is like being on a rollercoaster.  You have your climbs and your plummets, and during busy times like Mardi Gras and Southern Decadence, it feels like you are doing loops and spirals. But no matter what, by the end of the experience you come off saying “What A Ride!”   I feel like bartenders who are successful in … [Read more...] about Bartender Spotlight – February 2024

Trodding the Boards February 20, 2024

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Curtain Up Now that Mardi Gras is just a happy memory, it’s time for theater to move back indoors again. Through Easter, lots of shows will be debuting on local stages from Metairie to the Northshore to Chalmette. Hope you’ll be able to check out some--or all--of the following. I vividly remember seeing The Colored Museum at the Public Theater in New York back in the … [Read more...] about Trodding the Boards February 20, 2024

Trodding the Boards February 6, 2024

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New in New York If you’re planning a post-Mardi Gras getaway to New York in the next few weeks or, perhaps trading the Big Easy’s Carnival for the Big Apple’s never-ending festivities, here are some things you might want to check out. Broadway offers lots and lots of musicals of all sorts. If you’re looking for a play to see on the Fabulous Invalid, however, that may be … [Read more...] about Trodding the Boards February 6, 2024

Lou Bernard, Olympus, and Gay Carnival

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As we find ourselves in the thick of Carnival season once again, Ambush is proud to remember a pioneer in the history of gay Carnival, Lou “Lucille” Bernard. Bernard passed away on January 8. Bernard and his partner Nick Donovan were members of the groundbreaking krewe, Ganymede (1968—1974). Donovan served as Captain of the Krewe’s third ball, Creepy Crawlers (1970), at … [Read more...] about Lou Bernard, Olympus, and Gay Carnival

The Official Gay Mardi Gras Guide (February 2024 Event Calendar)

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Happy Mardi Gras, the greatest free show on Earth! Parades, Bal Masques, King Cake Parties and a host of other fun things to do await you this month.  Here are just some of the hot happenings in February to put on your “Gaydar.” If you want your event listed, send me an email at ledgemgp@gmail.com.  Weekly Events Monday: *  NOAGE New Orleans Walking … [Read more...] about The Official Gay Mardi Gras Guide (February 2024 Event Calendar)

Trodding the Boards January 23, 2024

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Les Misérables at the Saenger Theatre, January 30-February 4 [This production of Les Misérables played at the Saenger Theatre in 2019 and returns later this month with Nick Cartell still starring as Jean Valjean . The following are excerpts from my January 2019 review of it.] You’ve read Victor Hugo’s book (maybe). You’ve seen the original production (probably). You saw … [Read more...] about Trodding the Boards January 23, 2024

Ambush Across the Pond Part 2

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Back in August I made a trip across the pond to Merrie Olde England. Here is Part Two of my exploits. The second leg of my journey after visiting Brighton for their Annual Gay Pride Celebration was a few days in London. I LOVE London!  Like New Orleans, it is a well-balanced mixture of old and new, just in their case, their old is very old.  There is something to … [Read more...] about Ambush Across the Pond Part 2