by Eric A. Crabtree
AUSTIN, TEXAS

Combustion 2000 Ignites Houston Nov. 11-12

Combustion 2000 bursts onto Houston over Veterans Day Weekend on Nov. 11 & 12. Combustion 2000 is a weekend of dance music theme parties designed to please the savviest "night life social scene." Comprised of three events, Combustion strikes up at 9pm on Sat., Nov. 11 at Number's located at 300 Westheimer. Houston's DJ Michael Tank and New York's DJ Susan Morabito will provide music. Lighting and special effects will be by Ross Berger of Miami Beach. Circuit Icon Kitty Meow (Miami Beach) will also be on hand for a fantastic performance art and stage production with costume design by ZOO 14. On Sun., Nov. 12, Combustion 2000 presents Ignite mid-afternoon T-Dance at 3pm with San Francisco DJ Frank Abraham spinning at a location to be announced. Ignite also features a product-tasting promotion with Kitty Meow along with 104 KRBE Morning Show anchor Maria Todd and Shawn Palacious MC'ing the event. Climaxing the weekend events is Rage at 9pm on Sun. evening at Prague located at 402 Main St. DJ Marc MacEwan (Atlanta) spins with illuminations provided by Ross Berger. Kitty Meow and Rage Dancers team up to produce an original production complemented by a surprise guest performance of a popular Billboard recording artist. Possible artists are Deborah Cox, Debbie Jacobs or Abigail. Individual event tickets for Combustion and Rage are $35 and $15, respectively, in advance or $40 and $20 at the door. Tickets may be purchased at Basic Brothers, located at 1232 Westheimer or via the Combustion Web site at combustionhouston.com. For more info., visit this Web site or call 713.415.HOT7 (4687) Portions of the proceeds benefit Entertainment from the Heart Fund and distributed to Houston area nonprofit AIDS/HIV charitable organizations and service providers. Ambush is a proud media sponsor of Combustion 2000 and the Forum Nightclub (Austin) is associate promoter.

Queer As Folk Premieres

Queer as Folk, a new television series, will premiere a special two-hour episode on Dec. 3 on SHOWTIME. The Austin market will be one of the first to see clips from the show and get free Queer as Folk giveaways at an exclusive party on Fri., Nov. 17 at the Forum Nightclub from 10pm - 12 midnight. Queer as Folk delivers a slice of Gay life that's compelling, provocative, and unlike any other show you'll see. For 22 riveting episodes, these unforgettable men and women reveal themselves - really reveal themselves - as no TV characters ever have before. This new weekly series will take an uncompromising, unapologetic, no-holds-barred look at the lives and loves of a group of Gay friends in working class Pittsburgh. In addition to SHOWTIME presenting this special night at the Forum, Grand Marnier is on board as a special sponsor. GM will be co-presenting the night and giving away special drinks for the duration of the two-hour program of the evening. Ambush Magazine is the official sponsor. Look for the Queer as Folk advertisement in this edition for your complimentary tickets for two.

Halloween 2000 Recapped

Starting the holiday season was Halloween; however, Austin had a real treat the weekend prior when Grand Masquerade rolled with many great DJs, and even Diva Ms. Martha Wash of the Weather Girls made a guest performance. Although the crowds were light, probably due to the rain, poor planning a week prior to Halloween or what have you, all seem to have had fun at the 3-day event. Thanks to Red Mars Productions in association with Stratos Productions for the great events. Look for pictures from Grand Masquerade on page EX-6.

The week and weekend leading up to Halloween was quite busy as many Austinites prepared for the holiday weekend locally or to venture either to Vamps and Voodoo - Halloween XVII in New Orleans or Hell Ball in San Francisco. Needless to say when Thurs. came distributing the Halloween edition of Ambush, I was exhausted. Fri. came and I was lucky enough to get a chance to venture to Vamps and Voodoo - Halloween XVII. Arriving in New Orleans, I met up with Rip and Marsha and George at Ambush Headquarters on Bourbon St. Rip, Marsha and I traveled to House of Blues for a delicious lunch. Afterwards, we traveled back to the office via the Lavender Line (St. Ann and Bourbon) where I saw the boys had hit town. That weekend, 100's of Austin queens also made their way along with planeloads of San Antonio, Dallas, Houston, Galveston and Dallas boys.

The 4-day circuit festivities from Vamps and Voodoo raised hundreds of thousands of dollars for Project Lazarus, a resident facility for men and women living with AIDS. Halloween XVI was rated last year as the #2 Circuit Party Weekend, whereas Perfect Day '99 (Austin) was rated # 3 and Black & Blue - #1(Montreal).

After socializing with the boys on the Lavender Line, night fell and time for Gypsies, Vamps and Thieves at the Robin St. Wharf where DJ Joe 'D Espinosa was spinning in an adjacent warehouse right on the Mississippi River. Here one could dance, drink, meet and greet all of which I did to the extreme. The party ended and then it was back to the Lavender Line to go dancing at Oz, 735 and/or the Parade. I chose to leave the Wharf party early and go find action elsewhere over at the CBC. Afterwards, I went back dancing at Oz where DJs Neil Lewis and David Knapp were spinning. There I met all the gang from bartenders Chris, Mark and Hank to Doorman Barry & DJs Joe, Scott and Tim and not to mention mgr. David and owner Tommy. Across the street I did the same at the Pub/Parade, I saw old friends/employees - David, Bert and Yvette. Down the street, I ran into owner Tommy and diva Felina at the 735 Club. Somewhere around 8am, I crashed. It was a great day - the weekend had begun.

Sat. quickly turned into night and it was time for the big event, Vamps and Voodoo, held at the Municipal Auditorium with music by DJ Manny Lehman. This was the costume extravaganza event where the prior week's Austin was planning to hit the event Texas style. Leader of the Pack Marty Bender organized about 40 guys wearing Texas State flags as sarongs, Texas handkerchiefs, white cowboy hats, sunglasses, and black boots with white socks. We all met at the Bourbon Orleans and took pictures before heading out to a pre-party for the Austin, Houston, Galveston & Dallas boys entitled "Tramps and Hoodoo." Leader Marty, waving the Texas flag on a pole, led us Austin cowboys walking from the Bourbon Orleans past the Lavender Line down Bourbon to Barracks St. This was quite a treat as wolf calls and men showered us with praises walking past Oz and the Parade. Someone even broke out singing, "Who Let The Dog's Out?" as we all started singing and guys stopped us in the street to sing along. The party was held in a courtyard on Barracks St. with pre-party cocktails from hosts Jeff Mikeska and Doug Jacobs (Austin), Jim Windmiller (Galveston) and Tracy Barcelona (Dallas). Around 150 Texas and local boys gathered for fun and festivities. Thanks guys, a real great time. We finally left the way we came around 10pm to hit Vamps and Voodoo. I can only estimate, but I figure that over 7,000 hot-bodied men and some women danced the night away in costumes a-plenty. Austin seemed to be the largest crowd of men gathered; however, others from all over had huge crowds and did their own thing as well. There was almost every costume seen imaginable. Some hot ones were the Coal Miners, Firemen, and individual Glow Queens. I ran into Ambush's Brian Sands, Toni, Rip and Marsha as we socialized upstairs in Club My Oh My. Afterwards, I ran into Tommy and his hubby Brian, owners of 735. I also met up with owner Tommy and Janice of Oz. Partying back down on the dance floor, the Austin cowboys finally took our group picture and then headed up on stage. We all proceeded to parade Texas in the face of the dancing crowd below pulling off our Texas flags and doing the Full Monty up on stage. Leaving the stage, we all gathered on the dance floor and danced the night away. At one point, I was honored to wave the Texas flag in the air above the crowds several times; however, I seemed to have hit some guys in the head or eyes accidentally so I stopped. I was at this point a little messy. Oops, sorry guys, but it was fun waving the flag. The main event ended and all seemed to proceed back to the Lavender Line for dancing. I ran into Dr. Mike from Austin at the main event and then saw him later back at Oz. Dr. Mike and I danced until 11am to the sounds of DJ Joe.

I missed the Sun. event, Grits & Gris Gris at Generations Hall, because I was tired from the night before and when I woke up, I forgot to set the clock and time change back. I am sorry I missed this event because I always attend this Sun. Church Gospel Brunch where many saw God that day. Since missing this event, I slept in and woke up around 5:30pm and then headed back down to the Lavender Line and socialized with all the boys again to start the night all over again. I ran into Rick and Rhonda from Kansas whom I partied with Mardi Gras and had fun. A great weekend was winding down as Jeff, Doug, Jim and I all traveled to 735 Club and danced to DJ Susan Moribito upstairs. She rocked the place and owner Tommy was pleased. We couldn't get into Oz or the Parade because they were so packed. We had a great time at 735 and then left around 10pm or so. Afterwards, we finally squeezed our way into Oz and I saw Erin Hamilton perform singing "Dream Weaver" while DJ Manny Lehman spun. The show was fantastic. I ended the night dancing and partying with DJ Scott and hubby Michael and many other friends who seemed to be on a wild time trip.

Mon. came and time for home due to work. I had developed the Ambush pictures that weekend and dropped them off at the office as well as made several calls for this edition on ads. I then hit the Lavender Line to say one last goodbye to all I could find stating I would see them Mardi Gras if not sooner. Many thanks to New Orleans, Oz, 735, Project Lazarus and all the Halloween sponsors. Also, thanks to Marty and the Austin/Dallas/Houston/Galveston and San Antonio boys for all the fun. Lastly, Thanks Rip and Marsha for all you did for me. Vamps and Voodoo - Halloween XVII was sure a treat!

Arriving back home late Mon., friend John picked me up at the airport and then it was time for Halloween 2000 - Austin. Michael and Josh from the Forum threw this great soiree that night with many revelers. Fun was had until I was just plain tired and left at almost 3am. Halloween 2000 came to Austin that Tues. and 6th St. was to host almost 8,000 - 10,000 revelers. Not wanting to do that straight scene, I headed over to Charlies.Austin for their SuperHero Halloween for socializing and pictures. Two customers dressed as 17th century as well as bartender Arnie in black feathers wins my vote for best costumes; however, owner David Green was not too shabby as Val Kilmar's Batman. Next I headed over to Splash Video Bar where the Hooker Ball was well underway. Bartenders Rhan and William were dressed up as a Sheik and his blonde Bimbo and mgr. Eddie as a Pirate. At the Forum, Uriah looked hot as Adam with his fig leaf and apple. Over at RCC, Norbert made me laugh in his floral bikini and blonde hair, as did Mike Daniels as a Bee and some girl as a Rodeo Cowgirl. Heading over to Boyz Cellar for their Tales from the Cellar, Craig Edwards was the best overall it seemed as a Star Trek Borg. The last place I hit was Oilcan Harry's Fighting Cocks Homecoming. The place was packed with costumes aplenty from cheerleaders, to Momma's Boyz in football pads and helmets - to Momma as the Bandleader to the Chicken Lady and many leather daddies. I met up with many of my friends and partied Halloween Austin style. During the night, one guy dressed up as a Matador who caught my attention near bartender Tommy's station (who has now left Oilcans to pursue other endeavors). The Matador was a real cutie named Steve. We hooked up and danced throughout the night before heading back to his place for trick and treating. Halloween 2000 was a blast and I can't wait until next year to do it all again.

DJ Licious Release Newest CD: Raw 5

DJ Licious of Oilcan Harry's fame has released his latest CD just in time the holidays entitled Raw 5. This fierce dance CD compilation includes an eclectic mixture of titles to add to one's collection. The songs and artists include "Who the Hell Are You," Madison Avenue; "Don't Want Another Man," Dynamix; "Your Child," Mary J. Blige; "Loving You," Kristine W; "Higher Things," Kim English; "Moving Up," Inaya Day & Chino Ro; "Love is Really My Game," Ann Nesby; "Check It Out," Karmadelic featuring Sandy B and "Reach Up," Celeda. Raw 5 was mixed by DJ Licious at Oilcan Harry's and produced by Fag House Records. This CD marks DJ Licious' 15th CD. Raw 5 is available at Alien Records located at 1114 West 5th St. in Austin. DJ Licious continues to spin at Oilcan Harry's located at 211 W. 4th St. and is Austin's hottest CD DJ.

TGRA Rodeo Slated This Weekend

The 17th Annual Texas Gay Rodeo will be held this year from Nov. 9 -12 at the Will Rogers Memorial Center in Fort Worth. The Rodeo Hotline # for information is 713.777.0410. Ft. Worth is the Host City for this annual event sponsored by the Texas Gay Rodeo Association (TGRA) in affiliation with the International Gay Rodeo Association (IGRA). Austin's chapter will be in full force competing for titles. Austin has two candidates running for the titles of Mr./Ms. 2001 TGRA, Mr. Claude Gamez - Mr. TGRA 2001 and Ms. Melanie Ashcraft - Ms. TGRA 2001. TGRA Austin's home bar is the Rainbow Cattle Company. More info. on TGRA or the Rodeo may be obtained by calling the Rodeo Hotline at 713.777.0410 or from the Web site at www.tgra.org.