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
Arts & Culture
Trodding the Boards February 20, 2024
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
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
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)
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)
Bartender Spotlight – January 2024
The hospitality community in our city offers some incredible opportunities to make a good living. And one of the most lucrative jobs can be bartending, especially for those who are professional and personable. There is a saying that a bad bartender can ruin a great bar, but a good bartender can make a mediocre one great. It’s all about perspective. My Bartender … [Read more...] about Bartender Spotlight – January 2024
Trodding the Boards January 23, 2024
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
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
Announcing King Cake Queen XXIX – George “Rita George” Roth, The Classic Queen
Ambush Magazine and the Krewe of Queenateenas is pleased to announce George “Rita George” Roth as your King Cake Queen XXIX, The Classic Queen. Roth was born in 1936 and raised in New Orleans where he attended St. Aloysius High School. He then attended Louisiana State University. While in college, Roth served as a cheerleader for the Tigers. After attending L.S.U., Roth … [Read more...] about Announcing King Cake Queen XXIX – George “Rita George” Roth, The Classic Queen
Trodding the Boards January 9, 2024
Romeo and Juliet at Tulane’s Dixon Hall on January 12 [Romeo and Juliet, which played at Tulane’s Lupin Theater last summer, returns on January 12 for one performance at Tulane's Dixon Hall. The following are excerpts from my July 2023 review of it.] In trying to review the New Orleans Shakespeare Festival at Tulane’s (NOSF) production of Romeo and Juliet, to use the … [Read more...] about Trodding the Boards January 9, 2024
