Dear Ambush Nation,
As we march into 2020, I hope everyone had an amazing holiday season. Now that the holidays have passed, we can begin to focus on the greatest holiday season of all – CARNIVAL! With 12th Night behind us and a slew of Gay Mardi Gras balls ahead, I encourage everyone to follow along as Ambush documents the highlights of Carnival!
As we announced in the last issue of Ambush, we are thrilled that Felicia Phillips will be this year’s King Cake Queen. Phillips is KCQ XXVI, the Ruby Queen, and will reign over Gay Mardi Gras 2020. As we get closer to Mardi Gras we will have more information about the Official Gay Mardi Gras bead toss and other events.
Speaking of Gay Mardi Gras, there are a number of Gay Krewes who have their balls over the next several weeks. I would encourage everyone to try and make at least one of the balls. The members of each Krewe spend countless hours making some of the most amazing costumes you’ll see during the Carnival season. It truly is incredible to see some of the over-the-top costumes that are presented at these balls. Before last year, I had never been to one of them. During the 2019 Carnival Season, I made it a point to go to ALL of the balls. It was a wonderful experience and while I may not make ALL the balls again this year, I know that every year I’ll definitely make several. They are a valuable part of LGBTQ culture in New Orleans.
LGBT+ ARCHIVES PROJECT OPEN HOUSE
The LGBT+ Archives Project of Louisiana will hold an open house from 6 to 8pm on Wednesday, January 22. The event will be at their new space at 636A St. Ann in the French Quarter. The Archives project recently took over the space and currently use it to promote their mission while having a more visible presence in the community.
The LGBT+ Archives Project of Louisiana aims to promote and encourage the protection and preservation of materials that chronicle the culture and history of the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender Community in Louisiana. Ambush Magazine is committed to supporting the Archives Project as we feel we play a vital role in documenting the life, music and culture of the LGBTQ Community along the Gulf South. I would encourage everyone to attend the open house. If you can’t, I would ask you to take a minute next time you’re in the Quarter to stop by and see the displays along with the timeline of gay history in New Orleans. I think you’ll be impressed.
BETTY’S AT 700 BURGUNDY UPDATE
We are still on schedule for a late January opening. I am hoping that by the time the next issue of Ambush comes out we will be up and running. We are currently working on giving the space some much needed TLC. The entire staff is super excited to get back to work. We will definitely have information on a grand opening in the near future. You can follow us on Facebook for pictures of our progress and more updates. You can find us on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter @BettysBarNola. Thank you for your patience as we get ready to open!
MARK YOUR CALENDARS
New Orleans Advocates for GLBT Elders (NOAGE) will have their next potluck dinner on Wednesday, January 29 from 6:30 to 8:30pm. The event will be held at St. Anna’s Episcopal Church located at 1313 Esplanade Ave. If you are able to attend please consider bringing a dish (although not required) or a non-perishable food item for St. Anna’s Food Pantry. All ages are welcome to this event! Come eat, network and make new friends!
The 43rd Annual Krewe of King Arthur Parade will be held on Sunday, February 16, starting at 1 pm. The parade will roll down the Uptown parade route. There are over 1700 members in this Krewe, many of whom are members of the LGBTQ community. This year marks the Krewe’s 20th year in New Orleans.
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 4:30pm. Keep reading Ambush for an announcement about this year’s Easter Grand Marshals and updates on Gay Easter Parade events!
