In 1983, Valda Lewis moved to New Orleans and began working at a Randall’s Record Shop on Toulouse Street importing and selling British punk rock music. Here in New Orleans, she found the freedom to be her true self, a lesbian, that proved so elusive in her hometown of Rayleigh in Essex County back in England. After Randall’s, she took a job bartending and met her … [Read more...] about 1977: Pageants and Rags and Courts—O My!
Arts & Culture
Will ‘Making Waves’ be the Queerest Aquatic Romance Yet?
Drew Larimore is a Brooklyn-based writer. His plays have been produced internationally as well as Off Broadway. His film and TV work stream online. He makes killer pumpkin bread, and alternates between black t-shirts and plaid. Since Drew is about to gear up for his new short, Making Waves, let’s make a splash in his queer mind with some questions on the eve of Pride. What … [Read more...] about Will ‘Making Waves’ be the Queerest Aquatic Romance Yet?
Trodding the Boards June 4, 2019
How to Kill a Diva at Westwego Performing Arts Theatre through June 9 Chris Wecklein starred as Max Bialystok in The Producers for the Jefferson Performing Arts Society (JPAS) nearly 10 years ago, winning an Ambie Award as Best Actor in a Musical for his performance. If Max Bialystok were around today he might consider presenting How to Kill a Diva, in which Wecklein is … [Read more...] about Trodding the Boards June 4, 2019
LadyBEAST and Vinsantos present an ode to New Orleans cabaret. June 6-9
NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA — June 6 marks the beginning of the final shows of “Marquee” at Le Petit Theatre. A perfect complement to Pride New Orleans, “Marquee” features the best in drag, burlesque and vaudeville. Indulge yourself on a decadent night of entertainment with “Vinsantos and LadyBEAST Present Marquee: A Night of Burlesque, Circus and Drag Cabaret” at Le Petit … [Read more...] about LadyBEAST and Vinsantos present an ode to New Orleans cabaret. June 6-9
Party Down June 4, 2019
Ever since I was a child, I have always loved summers in New Orleans. And as I have grown older, I still enjoy them, but I’ve married that with the much-needed love of air conditioning. During the summer months, I always feel like I am stepping into a Tennessee Williams play each time I leave my house. I have a new appreciation of hand fans and parasols. I do declare! But even … [Read more...] about Party Down June 4, 2019
Trodding the Boards March 5, 2018
As One at Marigny Opera House After many years of four-opera seasons, New Orleans Opera has been expanding its programming, commendably, with its Chamber Opera Series. In 2016, NOO presented Brundibár, a children’s opera that had been performed in the Theresienstadt concentration camp, in a memorable, fully staged production at the WWII Museum. Earlier this year at the … [Read more...] about Trodding the Boards March 5, 2018
Under the Gaydar
It seems like forever since my last Under the Gaydar article but it has only been a few mere months. As you grow older, time becomes a much more precious commodity and life has a way demonstrating that in spades. I remember when I first approached Rip about writing a column for Ambush. I wanted to promote and covering the events both gay and straight in our city. Rip and … [Read more...] about Under the Gaydar
An Interview with Dr. Ryan Prechter
FP: Your recently wrote your doctoral dissertation on New Orleans gay history. How did you get interested in this topic? RP: It began in 2013, when a good friend of mine pointed out it was the fortieth anniversary of the Upstairs Lounge fire. After reading about the tragedy, I was shocked (and a little ashamed) that I had never heard of such an important chapter of gay New … [Read more...] about An Interview with Dr. Ryan Prechter
The Color Crawl
Get ready for one of the biggest and best Pub Crawls in the French Quarter! New Orleans Pride hosts its 8th Annual Pub Crawl: The Color Crawl on Saturday, November 18th at 7:00pm The crawl is open to the first 100 participants. $25 includes a limited edition 2018 New Orleans Pride T-Shirt, a Pride Bandanna, shots* and give-a-ways at up to 8 bars. (*number of free shots … [Read more...] about The Color Crawl
Trodding the Boards
Escape to Margaritaville at the Saenger Theatre It’s not often that we in New Orleans get to weigh in on a show before it heads to Broadway. Sure, The Bodyguard stopped by earlier this year, but that doesn’t look like it’ll ever make it to New York. Escape to Margaritaville, however, will with a planned March 15 opening at the Marquis Theatre. How long it will stay there … [Read more...] about Trodding the Boards
