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by Brad Benedict
BATON ROUGE, LOUISIANA

Marigny Group Invades BR

It was the second annual big birthday bash for Jerce, bar baroness of the Faubourg Marigny as she brought a bus filled with fun people to celebrate her latest 39th. I'm not sure how many were in the group, but it was one of the happiest and liveliest entourages I've ever seen. I was happy to see that Rip and Marsha had been invited, but I'm afraid I only knew a half dozen or so of the others. By the end of the night, however, I, along with my cohort, the fabulous TTT, just merged into the group like we were long-time friends. In fact, we've been invited to hit the four Marigny bars that Jerce claims as her own: The Mint on Esplanade, Big Daddy's on Royal, Another Corner/Bear `N Boots, also on Royal, and the Friendly Bar/Body and Soul, located on Chartres.

They started out at the Blue Parrot where Don and Tom had the place all decorated for her. I was happy to see this excellent reception that this dynamic duo had planned. In fact, the entire karaoke show was planned around this visit. Sharon and Michelle are the two who bring this classy show to the Parrot's big screen, and Sharon even fixed her hair up real pretty for me. At least, that's what Don told me.

From the Parrot, the bus whisked them over to George's, where Richard and Guy were playing hosts to a packed house. Rip and Marsha were thrilled to get to meet that gorgeous bartender Mark. He's the one I've been telling you is the best photographer around the southern part of the state. He has a studio in New Orleans, but answers pages so that he can make himself available for Baton Rouge, Lafayette and North Shore clients. He's speedy with his work, prides himself with great finished products, and his prices can't be beat by any other photographer in this area. And you can always contact him at George's, where he mixes some potent drinks. Check him out. (Cody, darling, you are so lucky to have such a nice and caring human being as your significant other.)

Well, after drinks and potty breaks, it was off to Bogart's, Baton Rouge's newest watering hole, and one of the most friendly places you'll find anywhere. This is due to that wonderful combination of Paul and Mike. They got tired of the high cost of living in Key West and brought their fabulous bodies back to Red Stick. Work is still in process, but business is booming even with the redesign work that is taking place in the building. They are located at 111 Third St. in the downtown area, and you can pass a wonderful time here. I've known Paul and Mike for a number of years, and I think Bogart's is one of the best things to happen to Red Stick in quite some time.

Next stop for our New Orleans visitors was the Time Zone on Main St. Kyle and James took care of their needs and were quite happy to have them drop in to their establishment. Rip and Marsha were impressed with all the excellent decorations that have come about due to efforts of these talented TZ boys. It took a while for the bus to maneuver around all the work at One American Place, but when they rolled in on that bus, that's about what they all did. Not only were the drinks being served in all the bars, but there were quite a few bottles on that bus. I just had to go inside and check it out even though I didn't have one of their special passes. I talked to that nephew (from the bus group) about my girlfriend way back in the first grade in that little oil field town in North Louisiana. I thought about that for so long. It's strange how later in life you realize how small this world really is. Who would have ever thought this could happen? And that nephew is such a doll!

I was getting very tired by this hour of the night, so I decided not to go with them to the Hide-A-Way. TTT also decided that he needed to turn in, and I had to take him back to his car, which he had left at the Blue Parrot. However, I was at the Hide-A-Way the previous night and had a wonderful time. I think Minette has a fine place of business, and I highly recommend it to those individuals who are able to comprehend such finery and such class. Minette is simply one of my favorite people in the whole world, and poo-poo on that peroxided heifer who made that derogatory remark I overheard. She's one of those non-existent human scuzz-buckets anyway. So there!

Because of the bus schedule, the Marigny group could not make it to Evolution, but that's probably the best thing that could have happened. I'm not sure this high tech wonderful establishment could have handled this crowd. After twenty drinks or so each, I'm not even sure they could have made it in the door. Better luck next time, Obry darling. This group can shake up a dance floor, drink you under the bar, and show you that regardless of age, there's fire down below even though that gray is covering the dome. You need to invite them to just come and entertain you. They were a fabulous group, and I can hardly wait to pay Miss Jerce and everyone a visit. I must remember to tell my friend Edwin to hold the door open. I won't be driving back for a day or so. I've a lot of catching up to do.

You guys and gals are welcome in Baton Rouge any old time you so desire. Just let me know, and I'll personally escort you to the in-places of old Red Stick. You were all absolutely fabulous!

Miscellanea

Let's see! Where do I begin? I'd have to say with wonder boy Rob. This young man has absolutely made a new man out of the book baron. I'm not certain, but I think it was love at first sight. They are inseparable, except when Mark loans Mike out for odd jobs. In fact, I saw the book baron out with Rob on Saturday and with Mike on Sunday, and at the same family-oriented restaurant, El Rio Grande on Airline Highway, north of Cortana Mall. In fact, I encourage all of you to go out to this special restaurant and enjoy the best Mexican food around this part of the country. It's in a class by itself, and lots of happy people are making this quaint little restaurant their special place to enjoy great food and private moments.

Other places that Gay people are making their special places to dine are Juban's on Perkins, Arzi's on Government, Christina's (in the downtown area), and the Thai Kitchen on Florida. You'll find jolly Raoul at El Rio Grande to be a great mixer of especially strong and good margueritas and that dynamic Chris at Juban's just makes your mouth water with desire. Of course, there are several at Juban's who rank a 10 on any scale, so Chris better watch out. Replacements can happen quickly. However, this can be prevented. Juban's Richard can explain this in detail to the Chris man.

Richard and Guy made the last performance of Cody's play. That King boy really is a talented individual, but then so is his other half. I've already sung his praises above. And that gorgeous Chris who works for George's is about to go way off to college. This talented beauty really brought in the droves to Richard's place during happy hours. Good luck, darling. You deserve the very best that life has to offer. Keep in touch.

Another birthday celebrant was Gene S., and this took place at the Blue Parrot after the New Orleans krewe left the city. A lot of my favorite people were there for this event. Gene celebrated another 39 too. That fabulous Mardi Gras performer, Eric of Mississippi, was there to help the birthday boy out. By the way, sweetheart, the book baron has that tape if you would like to see what you look like on the big screen. It is quite nice. I hear that Tom and Don were watchers in the wings. I think that video photographer will be in New Orleans for Decadence, so do it again. You have nothing to be ashamed of in the area of the lower quadrant.

Oh, by the way, Joseph darling. That Internet hunk named Jacob that you've been chit-chatting with was at George's looking for you. What happened? Couldn't you get out of the house? He looked so lonely and neglected. If I hadn't been tied up with the bar run, I would have helped you out, but life does present us with difficult decisions. Right?

And speaking of getting out of the house, there's another individual who came out without his significant other, but I won't go there. After all, another Richard in this column is just going to confuse my readers. Heaven forbid if that should happen.

Interesting people I met during the evening were: cutie Blaine at George's; Jay and Kyle from Hibiscus Bookstore; former Spanish Town nudie smoke victim Cary; Fluffy, Blake, Rod, Gene, and Tom at Bogart's; pretty Patrick at the Time Zone; and terrific Terry, that former beautiful queen of the Krewe of Apollo's Bal Masque XVI.

HELP! HELP! Would the individual who left his upper plate in the bathroom at George's please come back and claim it?

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