under the gaydar...from 14 the rest of the young cast shined, espe- sports lover’s paradise, complete with next time, keep that party dress ready cially Nate Parker as Martin “Easy” a movie theatre style viewing area. because in this city you never know for Broadway houses across the na- Julian, David Oyelowo as Joe “Light- They have an upstairs area that is when a hot event will pop up at a tion. Blue Man Group is best known ning” Little, as Sticks, Ne- perfect for private events and it opens moment’s notice. for multi-media performances that fea- Yo as Andrew “Smoky” Salem and up to their spacious courtyard. The ture three bald and blue characters Tristan Wilds as Ray “Ray Gun” or food that night was just delicious, tak- Tony’s Tidbits who take the audience on a journey “Junior” Gannon. ing the normal sports bar fare and that is funny, intelligent and visually is definitely worth your bringing it up several notches. After I of Wisdom stunning. A live band, whose haunting time to see. went to JohnPaul’s to emcee Zsa Zsa kay, I am a sucker for use- tribal rhythms help drive the show to its d’LaHor’s Hump Day the Country Way. less information. You climax, accompanies the Blue Men. Armageddon Is Upon Us As always, the ladies at that show Oknow the kind of fun facts The blissful party atmosphere created make me giggle. After that show fin- that helps make small talk at cocktail he Mystic Krewe of Satyricon receptions or other events. But re- at the live events has become the th ished, I tagged along with Frankie is presenting its 10 Anni- cently MSN had an article on the gay- trademark of a Blue Man Group expe- versary Ball this year en- Fierce to catch Tommy Elias’ special T Broadway show at Oz. You can see a est cities in America (according to The rience. titled Armageddon: The Disaster Ball. The eight performances of Blue lot of work went into this night and the Advocate) and it was not only quite The date is Friday, February 10 at the good, but actually surprisingly informa- Man Group are Tuesday through Fri- Sugar Mill. King and Queen Satyricon girls worked their hardest to impress day at 8pm, Saturday at 2pm and 8pm, the large crowd of patrons. I am look- tive. Surely, I thought that our beloved X will be Brick Bishop and Stephen Crescent City would make the top of and Sunday at 2pm and 7:30pm. For Rizzo respectively. There will be plenty ing forward to seeing more themed more information on tickets, visit shows like that. the lists since we seem to be the of entertainment and if anyone catches frontrunners of several not so nice lists BroadwayInNewOrleans.com or the any mistakes that happen on stage, it Friday, I attended a very excep- Mahalia Jackson Box Office. Tickets tional event. My friend Laura Tennyson like murder, poor education, excessive is meant to as part of the theme. At drinking, blah, blah, blah. are also available at all Ticketmaster least that is the story I am using. The invited me to the private screening of locations or via phone at 800.982.2787 Red Tails (reviewed in this article) at But I was shocked to find out the emcees for the night will be Varla Jean rankings. We have to remember these (ARTS). Group discounts for 15 or Merman and Elizabeth Bouvier. the AMC Elmwood Palace Theatre more are available by calling hosted by four-time Grammy Award cities are listed as gays per capita. So Doors open at 7pm and the ball this is the formula The Advocate used 504.287.0372. starts promptly at 8pm. General ad- Winner Terrence Blanchard, Rod West and Roy Glapion. Now this was an- to come up with the listing. Take the mission tickets are $20. To buy tickets number of gay.com profiles plus listed Movie Review: Red Tails or questions, email other event attended by some of the echelon of the city from politicos to officiants for gay weddings within a fifty ecently, I had the wonder- [email protected]. Like the Ti- major corporate heads. They had pop- mile radius plus elected open gay offi- ful opportunity to catch the tanic, this will definitely be a night to corn and soft drinks for everyone and it cials plus WNBA teams plus Interna- premiere of the movie Red remember. R was a fun night at the movies with a few tional Mr. Leather Competition Final- Tails at the AMC Elmwood Palace hundred of your friends. Afterwards, ists plus Imperial Court Chapters plus Theatre in Harahan. Usually I am not Party Down Laura and I went to a smaller reception number of softball teams that com- a huge fan of war movies, but this ell, I survived the start of hosted by Terrence and Robin peted in the Gay Softball World series movie transcends a certain genre. the year and now we roll Blanchard at their mansion on St. plus LGBT bookstores plus number of There is action and adventure, romance Winto the Mardi Gras sea- Charles Avenue. The director Anthony nude yoga classes (WTF, is this akin to and drama to satisfy any moviegoer. son fully. I attended the Mwindo Ball on Hemingway was there along with the a bathhouse) plus number of LGBT But most of all, it is more than just a Saturday, Jan. 14 at the St. Bernard producer and several other key people protection laws plus the number of black history period piece; it is an Ameri- Cultural Center or its new title the involved with the film. The wine flowed concerts by the Gossip, the Cliks and can story that speaks to all of us on Frederick J. Sigur Center. As always, and I had the opportunity to mingle with the Veronicas since 2009 then divide some level. Mwindo knows how to throw down with some very interesting people. It defi- this number by the population within Red Tails is by Anthony lots of crazy antics especially the per- nitely will go down as one of my memo- city limits. Personally it seems like Hemingway, from a screenplay by John son who’s Saints cheerleading num- rable nights in 2012. there had to be an easier way to figure Ridley and Aaron McGruder. The story, ber was awe inspiring. The king and On Saturday, the balls kept on this out. I mean there were several written by Ridley, is inspired by true queen looked lovely with their snow- rolling as Amon-Ra presented their 47th queens with way too much time on events. serves as the flake back pieces that opened on cue. ball, also at the Chalmette Sigur facil- their hands. executive producer for the project. It is And this krewe knows how to handle ity. I was honored to be asked to be a Anyway here is the list: based on the , a group their buffet. It is always the best home guest at Opal Masters and Darwin 10 – Grand Rapids, Michigan cooking. What a nice way to kick off Reed’s table which as always was deco- 9 – Atlanta, Georgia (they are slip- the ball season. rated to the hilt. Not only is she a ping) Since this is my busy time of the wonderful costumer, she has an amaz- 8 – Knoxville, Tennessee (my friend year, my social life slows in lieu of my ing eye for style. The evening was fun Jason moved there, so he could have professional and krewe responsibili- and light hearted. Congratulations to pushed them over the hump) ties, but I was able to sneak away from King David Forth and Queen Barry 7 – St. Paul and Minneapolis, Min- work on Martin Luther King Day to Rutherford, they will make excellent nesota enjoy my friend Sammey’s lovely an- royalty. 6 – Ann Arbor, Michigan nual cookout. It is always a wonderful Sunday may be a day of rest for 5 – Seattle, Washington of African American servicemen dur- party for those who have off or who many, but unfortunately, for me, it was 4 – Fort Lauderdale, Florida (no ing World War II, and is the first take it to catch up, listen to great music jammed with errands and events. After surprise there) Lucasfilm production since Radioland and eat fabulous food. This year she spending the morning doing routine 3 – Cambridge, Massachusetts Murders (1994) not associated with had a large crowd who enjoyed the chores around the house and running 2 – Orlando, Florida (and all of the Indiana Jones or Star Wars fran- afternoon of friendship as we grooved tasks, I caught the show Spring Awak- them work for Disney) chises. This movie stars Cuba Gooding, to this impromptu band of her friends. ening at Southern Rep. Unfortunately, 1 – Salt Lake City, Utah Jr. (who previously starred in The After that, I moseyed to see Princesse this is one of the last shows in their How did New Orleans rank on the Tuskegee Airmen, an HBO made-for- Stephaney at Michael's on the Park for space at Canal Place, and I am looking survey? We came in 17th. I mean television film about the same group of a little libation or two. She definitely forward to more great productions in really, like we could not get any gayer in pilots) in his first theatrical film in five keeps things lively. their new home. After, I sauntered over this city. When was the last Gay Mardi years, and Terrence Howard (who por- On Wednesday of that week, I to Lafitte’s in Exile for the Amon-Ra Gras ball Salt Lake City had, or when trayed a Tuskegee pilot in Hart’s War). went to the wonderful opening of Captain's party. It was so nice to see was the last Decadence style parade Although the movie does lag some- Manning’s on Fulton Street. Talk about everyone relaxed and less hectic than on their streets? times in parts, all in all, I found it quite an event of who’s who in the city. Ev- the previous night. It was a peaceful entertaining. The dog fight sequences eryone came out in support. You were way to spend the late afternoon. No matter what The Advocate in the air were pretty intense. Howard greeted at the entrance by none other Congratulations to both Mwindo says, New Orleans will always be the seemed slightly stilted in the film, but than Archie himself. The place is a and Amon-Ra on jobs well done. Until gayest city in the world to me. 16 • The Official Mag: AmbushMag.COM • Jan. 31-Feb. 13, 2012 • Official Gay Mardi Gras Guide • GayMardiGras.COM GayNewOrleans.COM • SouthernDecadence.COM • Jan. 31-Feb. 13, 2012 • The Official Mag: AmbushMag.COM • 17 Peacock: John East

MC Nicole DuBois, King Cake Peacock: Joann Guidos Queen XIX: The Samba Queen Monkey: The Late Ricky Calais

Wolf: Captain John Zeringue Monkey: Rhonda Roget Hummingbird: Ball Lieutenant Pete Eschete ~ Chalmette, Louisiana Photos by Rip Naquin

Benefit Number: Prom Queen Michelle Tarmac Davis Jenkins

Returning Queen Amon-Ra XLVI Tami Tarmac

Tucan: Deja Deja-Vue’

CARNIVALE-Twilight in the Jungle CARNIVALE-Twilight

Panther: Queen Amon-Ra XLVII Sidney Williams

Girl with the Tootie Fruiti Hat: Kenny Walker

Returning King Amon-Ra XLVI Jerry Scavo Elephant: Opal Masters Krewe of Amon-Ra Carnival Ball XLVII: Krewe of Amon-Ra Carnival Ball XLVII:

Benefit Number: Queen Amon-Ra XLVI Tami Tarmac raising $1,000 Butterfly: Miss Gay Louisiana Panther: King Amon-Ra XLVII Monkey: David Richardson for St. Anna’s Food Bank America Maybelline Maskara David Roget 18 • The Official Mag: AmbushMag.COM • Jan. 31-Feb. 13, 2012 • Official Gay Mardi Gras Guide • GayMardiGras.COM GayNewOrleans.COM • SouthernDecadence.COM • Jan. 31-Feb. 13, 2012 • The Official Mag: AmbushMag.COM • 19 Poncho & his new friend from Cincinnati boys in for Mardi Gras Brazil @ Cafe Lafitte In Exile Classic @ Oz Dingo

Double Play bartender Will Returning King Mwindo XIII

Dallas Boys @ Napoleon’s Itch for Miss Gay Louisiana America Mardi Gras Classic registration Maybelline Maskara in Cougar Cabaret @ Tubby’s Golden Lantern Mardi Gras Classic Boys from Chicago @ Lafitte’s

Returning Queen Mwindo XIII

Denver in for Mardi Gras Classic Krewe of Mwindo Ball XIV @ Oz Dingo Big Easy Stompers raise $605 @ Tubby’s Golden Lantern

Cougar Cabaret Show Director Tami Tarmac @ Golden Lantern

Krewe of Mwindo Ball XIV Billy & Jeff in the Balcony Bar above Lafitte’s Napoleon’s Itch bartenders Yarda & Keegan @ Mardi Gras Classic registration Biff & Jess @ Tubby’s Golden

Lantern Country Night Leggio, Paul Melancon Balls, Shows, Mardi Gras Classic ~ Chalmette, New Orleans Photos by Tony snap paparazzi

Josh behind the bar @ Brandon (Honeyb) slinging Mardi Gras Classic registration Krewe of Mwindo Ball XIV Tubby’s Golden Lantern cocktails in the Balcony Bar crew from Team New Orleans

20 • The Official Mag: AmbushMag.COM • Jan. 31-Feb. 13, 2012 • Official Gay Mardi Gras Guide • GayMardiGras.COM