BATON ROUGE, LOUISIANA

Apollo Studs Get the BarRun Bug;
Lafayette Unicorns Pick '98 Royalty

Those Bourbon Street Ambushians have started something great in the bar runs they've conducted in New Orleans and Baton Rouge. Now those fabulous guys of Red Stick's Krewe of Apollo have scheduled one for New Orleans.

King Damon and Captain Denny Do-Good will report on the results complete with pictures for my next column. It should be one of the highlights of the XVI season of revelry.

Denny also reports that costume designs are now being issued for members who want to appear in Bal Masque XVII. This is going to be another fabulous ball especially since the talented Joe B. has taken on co-captain duties. This is a magic combination of talent and originality.

The Royal Order of Unicorn in Lafayette has chosen its royalty for Bal Masque XIV. Baton Rougean James Barbosa was chosen king and Stephanie Stephens (Robert Doucet) will reign as queen.

James is one of my favorite people, and I'm so pleased to see him in this title position. His past costumes have really been outstanding, and he should rule over his kingdom with extreme pride and dignity. His lovely Tasha is a former member of royalty in the krewe, so now it's "all in the family."

L Miss Stephanie has her work cut out for her in following up the exceptionally beautiful and current queen from Baton Rouge, Effie Marie. Effie is the pride of historic Spanish Town and is a marvelous individual. Several Red Stickers are members of this wonderful krewe.

I must add that the current king, that dandy Doug, was a visitor to Hibiscus Bookstore last week when I stopped in, and also in town were former Mr. R.O.U., my good friend Kevin, and his buddy and singer/songwriter Chris. Both are so talented and so very nice to know.

The R.O.U. krewe has also set for June 6 as their date for the Mr./Miss/Ms. R.O.U. extravaganza. The place for this function will be Images, Lafayette's wonderful dance emporium. The event will start at 9 p.m.

A gay/lesbian relationship workshop sponsored by Leinweber and Associates, Inc. and Joie de Vivre Metropolitan Community Church will be held on May 10, 1997 at 333 E. Chimes. The cost is $20.00, and the title of the workshop is "Keep it Precious, Building Extraordinary Relationships." For more details or reservations for this Saturday workshop, contact Laurie Reed, 768-1694.

The April 10 special service/seminar by Wyming Sun was changed to April 27 and is called "Sexuality in the Scriptures." The topic for May 18 is "Misconceptions of the Status of Women," and the one for June 19 is "Gays in the Bible." For complete information on these excellent programs and for directions to this Old Jefferson Highway facility, call the Church of Christianity office at 755-3043.

Friday, May 2 is the date for the big Artists for AIDS benefit "Rhythm For a Reason" scheduled for the Baton Rouge Centroplex Theater for the Performing Arts.

Mickey Deslatte, Executive Producer, is the dynamic force behind this affair, and it promises to be one of the biggest and best functions to hit Baton Rouge in quite some time.

Take a look at some of the big names in this show: Melissa Marshall, Michael Chase, Alicia Morton, Wanda Rouzan, Terry Gervais, Carol Sutton, Daphne MuShatt and See the Band, and 140 member Louisiana State University Gospel choir.

The star of the affair will be Marilyn McCoo, who has just completed making her Broadway debut as Julie in Showboat. She is one of the most successful recording artists of all time and a winner of eight Grammy Awards.

Tickets are on sale at the Centroplex Boxoffice and Ticketmaster. The prices are $100, $50, and $35, and all seats are reserved. Those reserving $100 and $50 tickets will be given an invitation to the Patron Party at the Belle of Baton Rouge Argosy Ballroom following the event. A silent auction consisting of many signed Broadway posters is also a part of this presentation. A reception is set for 6:30, the show starts at 8:00, and the patron party will follow. There will be food at intermission, and a cash bar will be available. Poo-poo on Dionne Warwick for canceling out on this show! Maybe she prefers pushing psychics to helping people with HIV. I personally think it was a damn shitty thing to do.

Artists Against AIDS is a non-profit organization founded in New Orleans in 1991, and everyone is hoping "Rhythm For A Reason" is a successful show here in Red Stick.

The organization is dedicated to improving the quality of life for people with AIDS and symptomatic HIV disease. Previous beneficiaries have included the NO/AIDS Task Force, Project Lazarus, The PWA Coalition, the Pediatric AIDS Program of Children's Hospital, and Buzzy's Boy's and Girls to name a few. Your continued support of their functions is greatly appreciated.

I had a wonderful chat with Scott, my San Francisco connection, recently. This young man is a joy to be around, and I like it so much when we get together. Also back in town was Atlanta's dandy Doug. He's prime beef in more ways than one, if you know what I mean. :-)

George's hunky little Guy has been catching up on movies lately lots of movies, like somewhere in the vicinity of two or three big bottles of Astroglide. He can also be seen working in his beautifully landscaped yard, another of his theraputic ways of relaxing. He and Richard have one of the neatest abodes around, and they have it decorated elaborately inside and out. I just love their living room/sun room. Richard has talents beyond my comprehension, and this talent is found in abundance in the style and class that he has added to this home.

I missed karaoke this week, but I hear it was fantastic with prescious and beautiful Steven in top form once more.

While I'm on the subject of prime beef, let me add this gorgeous blond to the list. He is absolutely a delight to view top to bottom and any point in between, if you are lucky enough to rate a peek.

I also chatted with Rodney for a long time this week. By the time you read this, he will be bound for Atlanta. He's leaving old Red Stick to seek his fortune in the big Georgia complex. I wish him the best of luck. He's always been there at George's or so it seems. I'll try to get pics of his final turnabout appearance.

I do hope Sister Vestal Goodman will be there shouting her glory to all around, and it will especially be nice to see Shane, Don, Jake, Bokey and all the rest. Bokey! Now won't that be the hoot of hoots!

The Hide-A-Way has also added a night of karaoke to their schedule. In fact, they've had a number of nice shows added to their excellent bar lately. Dee and Marie share duties dishing out the music, but you'll find Marie doing drink duties most of the time.

I mentioned in my last column about the Las Vegas dude doing his routine. Well, it was really Reno, and his name is Les. He was at the Blue Parrot when I ran into him this time, and reports are that he does show routines here too. Just give him some music, and he'll run with it.

And speaking of the Blue Parrot, I just had to get back over there to see that sexy Greg. This is one cute little number and is so popular with all the customers who come to this snazzy watering hole.

Paul and Michael are still working on making this the nicest bar in the city. Go check it out. It's a nice place to be, and you'll probably run into several of their regulars there Dean, Bill, Fluffy, Charlie, the other Bill, Charlyn and her love, Bobby, and, of course, the Livonia girls, Stephanie and Miss Billie.

The Time Zone had a great crowd last Monday. I guess everyone had a chance to rest up from the weekend and were out in force. I'll also be reporting on their all-day crawfish boil and some of their delightful customers. This is one of the two main attractions over on Main Street.

Lots of out-of-towners have been stopping in at Hibiscus. One of the delights lately was Kevin, the ID corporate promoter and Miami stud. He can flash my way any time he so desires, a very nice man to be around. The product is also great, and if you haven't tried it, there's plenty in stock at Hibiscus. Barbara, Damon's sales rep, keeps him supplied and his customers satisfied.

Traditions continues to be a great dance facility here in Baton Rouge. They are open Wednesday, Friday and Saturday, and the place is always packed. DJ Jason was back for a visit at my place, and he's always a joy to be around. Also in for a visit was the Traditions bartender and beauty of beauties, sweet Ricky, and his copper top, or bottom, whichever the case might be.

And I also made it a point to talk to the Big Dick himself. No, that's not George. (I don't think.) It's Richard of printing fame. Maybe I should check this out a little closer.

Trixie and Tyson are two others who are delights to chat with, and several other Traditionites reported on the fun times in Traditionland. And Jim Buck darling! What's this I hear about you whipping that gorgeous weenie out at that restaurant in the French Quarter. And how did I know? I'll tell you later...in private...at my own personal showing.