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11th Annual Gay Appreciation Awards
1997 Nominees

GAA Nominations Hold Many Surprises
by Rip & Marsha Naquin-Delain, AMBUSH Mag 2000
Issue 20~Oct. 3-16, 1997

The Gay Appreciation Awards [GAA] ran its first public nomination ballot in the history of the event. Appearing in the previous two issues of Ambush Mag 2000, as well as on its internet site @ archive.ambushmag.com/gaa/, the ballot decisions held many surprises for the GAA Board of Directors. Tallying procedures were completed by the Board on September 25th.

Previously closed to the New Orleans area, this was also the first year, that all of Louisiana was included in the process. Top 5 nominees hail from Baton Rouge, Slidell, Metairie, as well as New Orleans' own French Quarter and Faubourg Marigny.

"Bitch of the Year" was evidently the most coveted category bringing in the largest number of nominees at 43, while "Dance Bar of the Year" was a more concise choice bringing in the least nominees at 8. Nominations ran the gamut, even including the late Princess Diana in the "Buzzy Fanning Fight Against AIDS" and "Political Activist" categories, while former mother-in-law Queen Elizabeth II, and even the late Andrew Cunanan fetched nominations in the "Bitch of the Year" category.

Public voting will take place at the Ambush Booth, 10am-5pm, during Pride Fest '97, Oct. 11th and 12th, Washington Square Park, New Orleans. The top 5 nominees in each category will be on the ballot. Voters will select one choice in each category, voting only once during Pride Fest.

NOMINEES INCLUDE:

Newcomer of the Year... Felicia Renee Cole, Madame X, Robin Malta, Tommie Raye, Vickie Vines
Neighborhood Bar of the Year... Footloose, Good Friends, MRB, Oz, Pookie's Palace
Buzzy Fanning Fight Against AIDS Award... Joyce Alberts & Lou Theriot, Ursuline Burgundy, Lazz Fest, Billy Warr, Doug Weiss
Bitch of the Year... Danae Daniels, Glenn Fonte, Jerry Head, Michael Kleinpeter, Miss Love
Show Bar of the Year... Footloose, Oz, Mint, Parade, Pookie's Palace [The cast of each show bar nominated will be required to present a production number at the 11th Annual Gay Appreciation Awards ceremony Nov. 23rd.]
GLBT Friendly Business of the Year... Aaron's Antique Mall, Fashion Cafe, Straya California Creole Cafe, United Cab, Verti Mart
Performing Arts Award... Becky Allen, "Boys in the Band," CAC [Contemporary Arts Center], Barry Marino, Gordon Randolph
Dance Bar of the Year... Oz, Parade, Pier 11, Traditions, Wolfendale's
Bartender of the Year... Rick Duplechian/Pier 11, Dan Finney/MRB, Fred Holmes/Pookie's Palace, Patrick Rodgers/Footloose, Mark Santelli/Oz
DJ of the Year... Alien/Pier 11, Joe Gauthreaux/Oz, Mary Pappas/Rubyfruit Jungle & Some Like It Hot, Tim Pflueger/Oz, Lydia Prim/Parade
GLBT Business of the Year... Alternatives, Footloose, Gay Mart, Hit Parade, QuarterMaster-The Nellie Deli
Political Activist of the Year... Larry Bagneris, Randal Beach, Brian Hartig, John Rawls, Nancy Sharp
Leather Person of the Year... Rickey Henry, Jeff Jeffers, Willy Marroy, John Taylor, Jamie Temple
Lesbian of the Year... Lisa Ducre, Pussy Galore [Evelena Wareing], Susan Giroir, Nikki Kearby, Yvette Migues
Man of the Year...Roberts Batson, Andy Boudreaux, Johnny Chisholm, Kenny Falco, Joe Rodrigue
Entertainer of the Year... Becky Allen, Raquel Chevallier, Reba Douglas, Cody King, Stephanie Williams

The 11th Annual Gay Appreciation Awards ceremony will be hosted Sunday, Nov. 23, 8-10pm, Body & Soul, 2300 Chartres, New Orleans. This year's show will benefit Shelter Resources [Belle Reve/Belle Esprit].

Advanced tickets include VIP tables w/4 seats-$100, and reserved theatre-style seats-$15. General admission is $10 at the door. Tickets go on sale Oct. 11th & 12th, Ambush Booth, Pride Fest, Washington Square Park, New Orleans. On Oct. 13th, tickets may be purchased at Ambush offices, 828-A Bourbon St., New Orleans, LA 70116-3137.