Dear Ambush Nation,
On behalf of myself and everyone at Ambush, Happy Carnival! Mardi Gras is here and there are so many fun events to enjoy. If you haven’t done so yet, you still have time to attend one of the many Gay Mardi Gras balls along the Gulf South. These balls are magnificent productions with amazing costumes.
This issue is our Official Gay Mardi Gras Guide and it’s packed with all the information you need to have a wonderful Carnival. There are events at bars throughout the French Quarter, Marigny and Bywater. Be sure to check out the bar ads in this issue along with our “Hot Happenings” section for a listing of all the events leading up to Mardi Gras Day!
33RD ANNUAL GAY
MARDI GRAS BEAD TOSS
Join King Cake Queen XXVI, Felicia Phillips, and friends for the 33rd Annual Gay Mardi Gras Bead Toss at the Ambush Office located at 700 Burgundy. The event starts at approximately 2pm on Mardi Gras Day. This is always a highlight of the Krewe of Queenateenas Mardi Gras events. On a personal note, I want to take this opportunity to congratulate Felicia Phillips on being this year’s King Cake Queen. You have been a pleasure to work with and are truly deserving of this honor. May you have a successful reign over Gay Mardi Gras as King Cake Queen XXVI, The Ruby Queen!
17TH ANNUAL SAINTS AND
SINNERS LITERARY FESTIVAL
The 17th Annual Saints and Sinners Literary Festival will take place from March 27 – 29 at the Hotel Monteleone. This literary festival is an internationally recognized event which brings together LGBTQ publishers, writers and readers from all across the United States. The festival, which is held over 3 days, features panel discussions and classes around literary topics which provide a forum for editors, authors and publishers to discuss their work. For more information and to buy tickets to the festival you can go to sasfest.org.
MARK YOUR CALENDARS
This year Easter Sunday will be on April 12th. The 21st Annual Gay Easter Parade will once again roll through the French Quarter on Easter Sunday at 4:30 pm. Keep reading Ambush Magazine for an announcement about this year’s Easter Grand Marshals and updates on Gay Easter Parade Events!
The Project Lazarus Annual Guardian Angel Award Gala will take place on Friday, May 8, from 6:30 to 9:30 pm at the Ace Hotel. The event features a cocktail hour, a three-course dinner, an award ceremony and a silent auction. This year’s recipients of the Guardian Angel Award are Gary Schiro and Jane Wilbert. For more information or tickets, please contact Lily Hannigan at lhannigan@projectlazarus.net.
The Gay Appreciation Awards will be held on July 18. This is the premier event where we recognize members of the LGBTQ community for their outstanding service. Individuals, businesses and organizations are nominated across a variety of categories and then voting takes place to choose the winners. The highest honor each year is the Lifetime Achievement Award which is chosen by Ambush. Last year’s recipient was Larry Bagneris, Jr.
