readers of AMBUSH: responsibility for funding a vehicle of grace a community within communities Can we as a community fund and and saving lives – that my dears is the next support S.A.M.M. as an asset to our com- step. munity? To fully operate the unit costs If you are reading this and are in a about $250,000/year! position to make a positive step toward self Can we advocate for funding for sufficiency for S.A.M.M. by a donation; S.A.M.M.? linking S.A.M.M. or Anna’s Arts up with a by The Rev. Bill Terry, Rector St. Anna’s Episcopal Church Is anyone willing to approach busi- corporate sponsor; or if you are a business Email: [email protected] nesses as partners to help operate and owner and would consider sponsoring and keep it rolling? supporting one of these two life saving DESPERATE TIMES!! the community and provided free flu shots The same is true with Anna’s Arts for missions – then step, or prance, or waltz up “O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, you who to over 500 citizens. This year we have no Kids. Saving children’s lives is what we do. and be counted. Otherwise, like so many kill the prophets and stone those sent to financial support to do this work. Since Same questions asked. Can we as a com- good things, they may fade into memory as you, how often I have longed to gather your 2007 S.A.M.M. has provided screenings for munity? a nice thing for a time and languish in children together, as a hen gathers her diabetes and hypertension. On several To what ends must service providers memory only. A community within communi- chicks under her wings, but you were not occasions diagnosing a critical state for an like S.A.M.M. and Anna’s Arts go to secure ties; what shall we do? willing.” Jesus as found in Matthew and individual and getting them to hospital likely reasoned and effective funding that has a If that sounds like a lot of money let me Luke. saving a life. On literally hundreds of occa- proven track record and – yes – saves lives. close with this: $200,000 = $1,000 x 200 Fear! Fear is a prime operator, I be- sions a medical home was located and Have we become protracted in our commu- households per year. $1,000 = the average lieve, in the denial of rights to citizens, in established for the medically uninsured and nity view and so desperate that we are property tax amount or less; $1,000 about support for systems that break cycles of underinsured. For over four years S.A.M.M. unwilling to share some of our stored up the cost of an NOAC membership; $1,000 poverty, and in “isms” – sexism, homopho- has advocated and educated for smoke wealth? Have we become so cold toward about 50 average meals a year at a fair bia, racism and all the rest. I am frustrated free workplaces and in particular as re- our brothers and sisters that we are unwill- restaurant (for 2); less than half the cost of and angry with the established power elite! spects hospitality industry workers and ing to look beyond our own immediate and a Disney Vacation; the litany goes on. In this Despite several years of service to the musicians. personal needs? What have we become readership is there a group or persons community; despite several years of proven It is true that S.A.M.M. received a sub- and where will it take us. willing to sink their teeth into this project so positive outcomes; despite several years of stantial grant in 2012 that kept it operating. I keep hearing at various demonstra- that WE can support this vital mission to our saving lives; despite several years of sav- A one-time grant by Rockefeller Foundation tions and marches the same question, “All community and city? WE instead of THEM! ing the community millions of dollars – not via GNOF for residents of ‘oil spill effected of these speeches are nice BUT what is the What a great day that would be. If you have a single major benefactor or established communities’ and for that we are grateful. It next step?!” The next step is in the dreary, an inclination e-mail Fr. Terry at institution is willing to provide substantial is equally true that according to Harvard not glamorous, funding of S.A.M.M.; that [email protected] or call 504.947.2121 on-going support for St. Anna’s Mobile University S.A.M.M. in particular has saved my dear is the “next step.” Taking private be a little angry and do not be afraid. Medical Mission S.A.M.M.). Why even the the community $12.5 million in downstream Federal Government takes the position medical savings in 2008 alone! Since then that a “mobile” unit cannot provide services the medical savings to our communities has reVIEW...books, movies, cds needed by communities so there is no (sarcastically he says) dropped to an aver- direct funding for such. FEAR! age of only $8-10 million per year! Since 2007 S.A.M.M. has gone into Some thoughts for the community of by Blanche trodding the boards Sunny Drake. Email: [email protected] In it, Jimmy is trying to quit romance Photo by Larry Graham, GrahamStudioOne.COM ...from 35 cold turkey, so he’s joined a Romance- aholics Anonymous group. Since his most ’ wife. I’m on the fence concerning her per- Rivertown Theaters in Kenner (325 recent break-up, he’s been trying to prove formance ...while her acting is fine, I still see Minor St.) kicks off its 2013-2014 Season that he’s “Great! Fine! Never been better!” every time she is on the with the toe-tapping Tony Award-winner but his secret comforts include watching It is there in black and white in the screen. This would have been ideal role for 42nd Street. The show’s many memorable cheesy old black and white romance films. opening credits...LEE DANIELS’ THE BUT- an unknown or up-and-coming actress. I’m songs include You’re Getting to Be a Habit Transgender Seeking plays for only one LER is “inspired” by a true story. You should not Oprah bashing but her recognition fac- with Me, Dames, We’re In the Money, performance on Monday, September 23, at believe that, it is full of historical inaccura- tor and her popularity have changed greatly Shuffle Off to Buffalo, Lullaby of Broadway, 8pm. cies, things added for dramatic effect. It is since THE COLOR PURPLE. plus the classic line “You’re going out a It’s a shame Drake can’t stick around a FORREST GUMP-like take on Afro- While Eugene Allen had only one son, youngster, but you’ve got to come back a a bit longer as it sounds like he’d fit in American history from the Jim Crow era to Cecil Gaines has two. Louis Gaines (David star!” perfectly with The New Orleans Fringe President Obama’s election. Oyelowo), his oldest son, is a radical, a 42nd Street features Ambie Award- Festival that runs November 20-24. The LEE DANIELS’ THE BUTLER is Freedom Rider, a Black Panther and a winners Kelly Fouchi and Jason Kirkpatrick full lineup won’t be announced until Octo- loosely based on the real-life of Eugene political activist. His life moves the story along with some names new to me, and will ber 1 but I’m already happy to hear that Allen. It was written by Danny Strong and along. Charlie Gaines (Elijah Kelley) is the run Sept. 13-28. Trivia note: Choreogra- Desiree Burch will be returning for her third directed by Academy Award nominated younger son who gets killed in Vietnam, pher Danielle Harrell Scheib, who toured Fringe appearance with Procrastination: (PRECIOUS) Lee Daniels. Daniels’ name again moving the story along. Germany with a production of the show, is A How-To on How-Not-To following last was added to the title because there was a LEE DANIELS’ THE BUTLER has an the granddaughter of local icon and inter- year’s Tar Baby which was by turns intel- 1916 silent short film with the same name. ensemble cast full of stars and fine actors. nationally renowned clarinetist Pete Foun- ligent, thoughtful, funny and even moving. Please don’t get confused. It was produced (Howard) is Cecil’s neigh- tain. Other intriguing options include by Pamela Oas Williams, Laura Ziskin, Lee bor, a skirt chaser who romantically pur- Also out in Jefferson Parish, the Shabana Rehman, Norway’s most famous Daniels, Buddy Patrick and Cassian Elwes. sues Gloria. Cuba Gooding, Jr (Carter Jefferson Performing Arts Society female Muslim comic (Hmm...how many It’s from Laura Ziskin Productions and Windy Wilson) is head butler at the White House, (JPAS) will be giving the world premiere to are there?); Antebellum an immersive ex- Hill Pictures, distributed by the Weinstein and a lifelong friend of Cecil’s. Blueberry Hill. This new musical by Butch perience that presents portraits of four Company. It was released on August 16, (James Holloway) is also a butler at the Caire tells a story of everyday people deal- notorious, yet little-known, historic figures 2013 and runs 132 minutes. It had a $30 White House. ing with love and betrayal using classic in antebellum New Orleans; Gayland, a million budget and has been #1 at the box David Banner (Earl Gaines) is Cecil’s New Orleans R&B songs made famous by large cast comedic opera with a broad office for the past 3 weekends, bringing in father and (Hattie Mae) is his such musical icons as Fats Domino, Irma cross section of performers/creators from over $79 million. mother. is featured as Thomas, Ernie K-Doe, and many others. New Orleans, transforming bias in the era LEE DANIELS’ THE BUTLER stars the cotton farm caretaker who makes Cecil Blueberry Hill begins performances of gay marriage on its head; and Jenna as Cecil Gaines, the but- a house servant when his father is killed. on September 20 at Teatro Wego! (177 Bean Veatch and Nadia Tarnawsky per- ler. It follows him from the cotton fields of The movie features as Sala Ave., Westwego) and continues there forming an interdisciplinary show called 50 Macon, Georgia to the White House. The Dwight Eisenhower, James Marsden as through October 6 before moving to Heartbreaks (and I’m Still in Love With movie belongs to Whitaker ...if there is an John F Kennedy, Minka Kelley as First Fuhrmann Auditorium in Covington for three YOUkraine), filled with Ukrainian ballads, Academy Award nomination in this film, it Lady Jackie Kennedy, as more shows Oct. 18-20. paintings on cardboard, contemporary belongs to him. The movie is about two Lyndon B. Johnson, as Rich- If you’re looking for something a bit dance, animation, and 1960s country songs worlds ...his career as a butler in the White ard Nixon, as Ronald Reagan different than 42nd Street and Blueberry to tell the story of a Ukrainian-American House and his life as a husband and father. and as Nancy Reagan. All big Hill, you might want to check out woman’s family and its war-torn past. It is about his two faces ...one he wears for stars in small rolls in a big ensemble cast. Transgender Seeking at the AllWays I’m sure other shows will appear be- the white men he serves and one he wears President Ford and President Carter are Lounge (2240 St. Claude Ave.). This 45- fore the Fringe comes along, but these as a proud black man. portrayed in actual television news clips. minute confession of a queer romance-a- should keep you going until that wonderful Oprah Winfrey stars as Gloria, his holic is written, directed and performed by weekend arrives. Break legs! [continued on 38]

36 • The Official Mag: AmbushMag.COM • September 10-23, 2013 • Official Southern Decadence Guide • SouthernDecadence.COM GayMardiGras.COM • GayNewOrleans.COM • September 10-23, 2013 • Facebook.COM/AmbushMag • The Official Mag: AmbushMag.COM • 37 feature Hidden Treasures: Jazz Edition Oct. 14 & 16 Friends of the Cabildo is proud to announce Hidden Treasures: Jazz Edi- tion at the Old U.S. Mint October 14th and 16th at 6pm and 7pm nightly. Hosted by Louisiana State Museum Director of Col- lections Greg Lambousy, guests will be given unparalleled access to a collection that dates to the late 19th century to the present day. The Jazz Collection, initially donated by the New Orleans Jazz Club in 1977, is pensacola the single largest donation to the Louisi- paparazzi ana State Museum and includes record- ings, paintings, photography, film and instruments. Some of the highlighted items include Louis Armstrong’s first coronet and bugle, over 10,000 record- ings, rare photographs of Jelly Roll Morton and a sign from the San Jacinto Hall on Dumaine Street. A history of the entire music collec- tion at the Louisiana State will be dis- cussed as well the ongoing conservation efforts of the entire music collection. Tickets are $25 for the General Public and $15 for Friends of the Cabildo/Loui- siana Museum Foundation Members. Reservations are required and no tickets will be sold the night of the event. Tours are at 6pm and 7pm nightly on Monday, October 14th and Wednesday, October 16th. The Old U.S. Mint is located at 400 Esplanade Ave. To purchase tickets or for more in- formation, please contact Kaydee Nenninger at 504.523.3939 or go online at www.friendsofthecabildo.org. Friends of the Cabildo is a private non-profit volunteer group that provides financial and volunteer support for the Louisiana State Museum, its projects and its property. Since incorporating in 1956, the Friends of the Cabildo has grown into a large statewide membership organiza- tion, a dynamic and motivating force in broadening and supporting the aims of the Louisiana State Museum.

reVIEW ...from 36 Even with it’s historical inaccuracies LEE DANIELS’ THE BUTLER is relevant in today’s world. We just celebrated the 50th Anniversary of the March on Washing- ton. The 50th Anniversary of JFKs assas- sination is coming up in November. Nelson Action Packed @ Emerald City ~ Pensacola, Florida Photos by Lauren Mitchell Mandela, the South African president and leader against apartheid went home from the hospital a few days ago. LEE DANIELS’ THE BUTLER is truly about two faces and two worlds. It is more fiction than fact. It’s slow at times. The movie belongs to Forest Whitaker, his quiet, deliberate acting style brings Cecil Gaines to life. I saw this at a Labor Day matinee with about 50 people in the audience. No one went to the concession stand or the bath- room during the movie. That may be an odd way to judge a movie, but even with it’s perceived faults, it holds your attention. The movie was filmed in and around New Orleans. FOOTNOTE: I hope everyone had a great Decadence ...maybe that hangover is about gone.

38 • The Official Mag: AmbushMag.COM • September 10-23, 2013 • Official Southern Decadence Guide • SouthernDecadence.COM GayMardiGras.COM • GayNewOrleans.COM • September 10-23, 2013 • Facebook.COM/AmbushMag • The Official Mag: AmbushMag.COM • 39 ambush paparazzi In The Bars Southern Decadence Weekend ~ New Orleans, Metairie Photos by Frankie Fierce, Paul Melancon In The Bars Southern Decadence Weekend

40 • The Official Mag: AmbushMag.COM • September 10-23, 2013 • Official Southern Decadence Guide • SouthernDecadence.COM