by
Visit their site: ripandmarsha.com
Happy Holidays From Ambush
The entire staff of Ambush would like to extend its best wishes for a happy and safe holiday season. The Ambush family of advertisers and readers have made this publication possible through their exceptional support and patronage. Ambush remains the largest number one tabloid to service the Gulf South market from Texas to Florida. It is also the only locally New Orleans Gay owned and operated tabloid. The staff feels extremely fortunate to be an integral part of the Gulf South and all that it has to offer the world.
13th GAA Gala Holds Many Surprises;
Raises $2,240 for New Orleans Center For Living
The 13th Annual Gay Appreciation Awards Gala hosted Dec. 12 at The Mint held many surprises. The public voting process held one week through a ballot appearing in Ambush, and on-line at ambushmag.com/gaa Nov. 10-17, proved to be the best voting process thus far. Many individuals and businesses made it into the Top 5 for the first time and several ended up being first time winners in various award categories.
The awards were developed to thank those in the Gay/Lesbian/Bisexual/Transgender community who often are not recognized for the outstanding services and efforts they perform. These individuals and businesses have made the GLBT Community into the viable, successful and powerful community it is today.
The Gala raised $2,240 for the New Orleans Center For Living. Thanks to corporate sponsors Miller Beer, Ambush Mag and AMBUSHonLINE, all proceeds raised benefited the chosen charity. VIP table sales brought in $1,300 due to the generosity of Footloose, Donnie Jay, Ambush, AMBUSHonLINE, the Corner Pocket, Something Different, Oz, Angles, 4 Seasons, United Cab and Felina Colby Shane. An additional $830 was collected at the door. Another $110 was raised through stage performance tips.
Winners selected by public voting included Hair Salon of the Year-Warlocks, Newcomer of the Year-Sy'ria Synclaire, Neighborhood Bar of the Year-Voodoo at Congo Square, Buzzy Fanning Fight Against AIDS Award-Billy Warr, Bitch of the Year-Billy Warr, Show Bar of the Year-Footloose, GLBT Friendly Business of the Year-Washboard Laundry, Performing Arts Award-Slutpuppies, Restaurant/Deli of the Year-Quartermaster The Nellie Deli, Dance Bar of the Year-Oz, Bartender of the Year-Patrick Rodgers/Footloose, DJ of the Year-Tim Pflueger/Oz, GLBT Business of the Year-Faubourg Marigny Books, Political Activist of the Year-Larry Bagneris, Jr., Leather Person of the Year-Christian Kean Johnson, Transgender of the Year-TT/Tonisha Thompson, Lesbian of the Year-Red Hanson, Man of the Year-Clifford Rednoir and Entertainer of the Year-TT/Tonisha Thompson.
Additionally, Sonny C. Cleveland presented the Cheridon Comedy Award to Donnie Jay and the Cheridon Award for personal marketing achievements to Bianca Del Rio.
Marsha Naquin-Delain presented the Marsha Delain Award of Excellence to Felina Colby Shane for the girl that's going places. It is also known as the "drag ambassador" award.
Ms. Fly and Smurf of Corner Pocket fame presented the Fly Fashion Awards. Winners included Sexiest Man-Ferman Sands, Outstanding Achievement-Bianca Del Rio, Artistic Interpretation - Becky Allen, Trendsetter- Arthur's House of Glamour and Fashion Victim-Stephanie Williams.
The Lifetime Achievement Award chosen by the GAA Board of Directors went to Gene Adams, whose work and good deeds as manager of the Club New Orleans made him an excellent choice. Past Lifetime Achievement Award recipients include Jimmie Callaway, Dan Fountain [Betty Buttons], the late Andy Boudreaux, the late Buzzy Fanning, the late Dirty Dottie, Miss Fury, Rip & Marsha Naquin-Delain, the late Dan Romero, Miss Do, Louise McFarland, Miss Dixie Fasnacht, Alice Brady & John Dodt.
A holiday buffet was served including Crawfish Etouffee prepared by Restaurant/Deli of the Year nominee Andrew Jaeger's House of Seafood, and Swedish Meatballs donated by Restaurant/Deli of the Year winner Quartermaster-The Nellie Deli.
Entertainment was provided by GAA Show Bar of the Year nominees Footloose, Corner Pocket, Oz and The Mint. GAA Founder Marcy Marcell also entertained.
GAA Board members Lisa Beaumann and Teryl-Lynn Foxx did an excellent job as emcees starting the show precisely at 8pm keeping things moving professionally and swiftly ending at 9:37pm. It would have ended at 9:30 but Ms. Fly was a bit long winded. Carla Wild again this year acted as Award Hostess making sure everyone got the right plaque at the right time.
The GAA Board of Directors includes President Sonny C. Cleveland, Vice President Toni J.P. Pizanie, Lisa Beaumann, Teryl-Lynn Foxx, Mickey Gil, Rip & Marsha Naquin-Delain and Rhyn Pate.
Keep Our Culture Alive: Shop Gay
This holiday season please remember to keep the GLBT culture alive by shopping Gay. There are many shops, bookstores and services available to take care of most of your shopping needs.
If you're looking for special gifts or that perfect glitzy millennium party wear you need go no further than Rab Dab, 508 St. Philip right across from MRB. Handsome Dave's shop features a large selection of club wear, jewelry, gifts, casual clothing and swimwear.
For those visiting the uptown area around the Riverside Market, you must stop in at Something Different, 5300 Tchoupitoulas. Brett and Jeff have something to fill any stocking or holiday order especially if you're looking for novelties, gifts and cards. They even have an excellent selection of Becky Allen originals.
A great stop in the Quarter is Rings of Desire. Owner Elayne Angel is famous for her exotic body piercing expertise. You can find just the right jewelry to fit any piercing need, both for public and private body areas.
Many in the French Quarter area take advantage of Tommy's Flowers, 1029 Chartres. Julie and her staff have loads of X-mas greens, rosemary trees, pine trees, poinsettias, orchids, gifts and gift certificates. Tommy's will even decorate for all your holiday parties.
We certainly can't forget about our babies. Yes, there's even a shop for our small and large dogs, and even ferrets. Chi-wa-wa Ga-ga, 37 French Market Place specializes in clothes, costumes, toys and even more for that special pet in your family.
There are so many of us that love books, calendars, cds and magazines. Let's not forget GLBT Business of the Year Faubourg Marigny Books, 600 Frenchman. Alan's FM Bookstore is the South's oldest Gay, Lesbian and Feminist bookstore serving the GLBT community sine 1977.
But if you're in Baton Rouge, you'll want to check out Damon's Hibiscus Bookstore, 635 Main.
Let's not forget the Herb Import Company, 711 St. Peter in the French Quarter or 5055 Canal St. near City Park Ave. Both shops feature herbal smoking blends, pipes, herbal viagra, herbal ecstacy, magic mushrooms, detox products and drug test kits, diet aids and even body building supplements.
And if you need that special holiday hairdo, why not try Hair Salon of the Year winner Warlocks, 816 N. Rampart. George and his staff specialize in custom blended colour, cuts and hair extensions.
Other shops you may want to try in the Quarter include Alternatives, Fifi Mahony's, Gargoyles, Limbo, Plant Gallery, Postmark New Orleans, Second Skin Leather, Serendipitous Masks, and Sugar and Spice.
Find & Dine
Did you know that you could enjoy curry and pineapple roasted duck every Friday? Secret Garden chef/owner Patrick personally prepares the duck feast complete with roasted onions, peppers and carrots set atop garlic mashed potatoes.
On Saturdays, Patrick features Osso Buco finished with a special burgundy sauce served on white and spinach fettucini.
The restaurant, located at 538 St. Philip St. has indoor seating or beautiful patio dining for all seasons and features many great selections including seafood, chicken and pork. The stir fried vegetables is also an excellent choice.
Open 7 Days, hours include Sun.-Thurs. 5:30-10pm, Fri. and Sat. 5:30-11pm.
In addition to Secret Garden, Ambush strongly recommends Bywater Bar-B-Que, 3162 Dauphine; Cafe Sbisa, 1011 Decatur; House of Blues, 225 Decatur; Krystal, 116 Bourbon; la Madeleine, 547 St. Ann; Lorenzo's Pizzeria & Bar, 800 France; Lucky Cheng's, 720 St. Louis; Mama Rosa's, 616 N. Rampart; Mona Lisa, 1212 Royal; Petunias, 817 St. Louis; Quartermaster-The Nellie Deli, 1100 Bourbon; and Quarter Scene, 900 Dumaine.
Pansies & Dirt
Oz's annual X-mas bash was just fabulous, fabulous, fabulous! It is hard to describe just what a night the folks at Oz put on for over 300 friends and patrons. Every year Oz hosts this bash as a thank you for another great year.
Designer Doyle Yeager transformed the Dance Bar of the Year into a silver and crystal winter wonderland.
Oz pulled out all the stops featuring culinary delights by chefs Ted McCrary, Janice Goodbee, Glenn Fonte, Greg Weaver, Cindy Vu, Mark Santelli and Preston Tran. This was the first year the party was held throughout the entire club. There was food everywhere. And Oz's extravagance even went a step further setting up a fresh sushi bar with chef Preston Tran doing the honors. The following evening patrons of Emerald City in Pensacola were treated to the same spectacle.
Additionally, Oz collected over 300 gifts for Children's Hospital FACES [Family Advocacy, Care and Education Services] Program. The FACES Program, formally the Pediatric AIDS Program, believes that every HIV-infected/affected woman, child and adolescent has the right to services that are comprehensive, culturally-competent, and family-centered. The program is committed to the provision of coordinated, quality services to these families to assist them in maintaining their physical and emotional well-being and to empower them to improve and increase their access to resources in the community.
735's own Jacques was a real doll when we stopped in for a visit. He told us all about 735's big New Year's Eve "Into The Light" bash. DJ Rob James from the Sound Factory/NYC plus 735's own DJ Alyson Calagna are sure to keep the giant downstairs dance floor filled to capacity. DJ Bob Slade will do retro/pop in the loft on the second floor. You'll have to contact 735 to find out all the other great things happening New Year's Eve at the Quarter's newest dance club. Limited advance tickets are available.
Brought to you by
Over 2 MILLION *hpm & 225,000 **uvpm
gay mardi gras | southern decadence | rainbow award | g. a. awards
gay america | gay bars | gay euro | gulf south directory
gay atlanta | gay new orleans | gay pensacola
gay south beach | gay texas
web rates | site stats
ambush mag rates
*hits per month **unique visitors per month
Copyright © 1996-2000 Ambush, Inc. All Rights Reserved ®
THE WEB TEAM:
Rip Naquin-Delain | Sonny Cleveland |
George Patterson
828-A Bourbon Street, New Orleans, Louisiana, 70116-3137, USA
PH 1.504.522.8047 FAX 1.504.522.0907