GayMardiGras.COM • GayNewOrleans.COM • August 28-September 10, 2012 • The Official Mag: AmbushMag.COM • 71 trodding the boards reVIEW...books, movies, cds by Blanche by Brian Sands Email: [email protected] Email: [email protected] Photo by Larry Graham, GrahamStudioOne.COM The Stage Door Canteen Well the big weekend is finally here. Jordin Sparks fans will want to see Congratulations to Southern Deca- it because this is her debut in a major at The National WWII Museum dence Grand Marshals XXXVIII Pat motion picture. She was the winner of hile many of our other local theater venues have been taking a little McArdle and TJ Conard, may your American Idol in 2007 when she was hiatus during the summer, The Stage Door Canteen at The reign be supreme. Also, may you be 17. W National WWII Museum has been offering a variety of shows with spared that other kind of rain. I hope You would want to see SPARKLE nary a stop. everyone has a festive time and the for the performance of Carmen Ejogo, Last month, I had the honor of being a judge for a Stage Door Idol Quarter sparkles with costumes and who plays Sister. She steals most of preliminary contest, an experience made even more delightful as I shared the glistens with hot, sweaty, naked bod- the movie. She is a British actress who judges’ table with two of the most talented and fun ladies in New Orleans, Becky ies. has had a few film roles but has con- Allen and Leslie Castay. We each picked a different singer as the winner and so Speaking of SPARKLE, the 2012 centrated on the stage and television. the audience broke the tie, choosing my selection, Erica Fox, who went on to the remake of the 1976 movie is out. This SPARKLE is the story of three Finals. one is directed by Salim Akil and pro- sisters in search of stardom in late Coming up September 7-9, will be sober, or not, his Dino is. More a dancer duced by Stage 6 Films. Whitney Hous- 1960’s Detroit...the Motown era. Each The Rat Pack Now, a celebrity tribute than a singer, Fields captures Davis’ ton is listed as executive producer. sister has different reasons for their show featuring Robert Hoose, Jr., Art body language, which he displays to People will see this movie for many quest. Sparkle (Jordin Sparks) wants Poco, and Dezhon Fields as, respec- touching effect in Mr. Bojangles. reasons; the main one should be be- to be a successful songwriter and she tively, Frank Sinatra, Dean Martin and On September 14 and 15, Glenn cause it is good. has talent. Delores (Tika Sumpter) is Sammy Davis, Jr.; if you squint, they Miller: In The Mood returns with its 17- Whitney Houston fans will see it the brainy and defiant one, she wants kinda look like their prototypes. Twenty piece Victory Big Band recreating 18 of because it is her final feature film role. money for medical school. Sister classic songs and lots of old style hu- the famed bandleader’s biggest hits She passed February 11, 2012, three (Carmen Ejogo) is the older sister, as mor provide their material. such as Moonlight Serenade, Chatta- months after filming ended. Whitney much sexy as she is self-destructive. Seen last year, Rat Pack Now nooga Choo Choo and, of course, In burst onto the music scene in the mid- She has had to return home and she captured the schoolboy bonhomie the Mood. eighties and was a major force and wants out. Emma (Whitney Houston) these fabled entertainers shared. If The Canteen’s center section gets huge talent for years. I was into rock is the mother. She had her taste of Hoose’s Sinatra comes off best, Poco’s cleared of its usual tables and chairs, and roll, punk, and new wave but there stardom in her youth and was burned Martin is not far behind playfully keep- was no ignoring Whitney. She was bad. She is now a Detroit business- ing an audience guessing as to how [continued on 74] fresh and so talented. This was also woman; a church woman who only when MTV played music videos and wants the straight and narrow for her on the prowl ...from 70 pick places we have not eaten at be- she had a great one for every hit. You daughters. She also comes off as a fore. We have had as few as five people also couldn’t go to a drag show without bitch for most of the movie. membership now stands at 24 and too as many as thirty-five attend. It “seeing” her. Her voice is deeper in the Stix (Derek Luke) is Sparkle’s boy- counting. We look forward to being a allows all to experience something new songs she sings in SPARKLE, but she friend. He is also the groups (Sister part of our wonderful diverse commu- as well as meet new friends. still shines. and Her Sisters) manager and propels nity. If anyone needs our assistance Fundraising and community involve- them into local stardom and a possible with anything, please do not hesitate to ment will also be a part of who we are. the commu- record contract. Satin (Mike Epps) is a ask. We want to give back the support Ron and I use 'Steak Night' as a nity and con- local stand-up comic with lots of flash. and welcoming spirit we have already fundraising tool. For twelve dollars, you tact Individu- He sweeps Sister off her feet and leads received in our brief existence." get a ribeye steak; all you can eat als, busi- her down a path that is anything but We talked about the form of the baked potato and salad. We have used nesses and straight and narrow. club and how it got started. "We are the dinner to raise money for different organizations “Sister and Her Sisters” musical registered, and trademarked with the organizations." who pick from numbers are hot, full of sexy outfits and state, so our foundation is the same as We talked about some of the other a list of resi- staging...vintage Motown, just over the any other group. Where we are a bit fundraising and charitable activities. dents at top. I don’t think Berry Gordy would different is that we will not have offic- "The Christmas Wish List is a ben- these facili- have let Diana Ross dress this way. ers. We are taking a page out of the efit for Lazarus House, Belle Reve and ties and buy Some of the songs are from the 1976 playbook of an organization located in Trinity House. We ask the residents to the resident original by Curtis Mayfield with new the Mobile / Pensacola area, the South- make up a list of things they really need presents which are wrapped and given compositions by R&B artist R. Kelly. ern Renegades and got a lot of support and also to make up a list of things or to the residents for Christmas. The Not all the singing is done in nightclubs. and assistance from our friend Darwin items they don’t necessarily need but response is always wonderful and There are gospel numbers featuring from Florida. would like to have. We then go out into heartwarming. church choirs and Whitney. You almost Myself, my partner, Ron Schofield, Above all else is the idea that no want to look for Tyler Perry in a couple and our dear friend, J. Kelley Terry, a matter what we do, we do it as friends of scenes. member of Mwindo, are the founders and strive to keep the lines of commu- There aren’t many movies where of Renegade Bears. Kelley is a former nication open. That way, everyone you say goodbye to music legend, ball captain, three times president and enjoys the ride." Whitney Houston, and welcome a new- King IV of the Krewe of Mwindo. We We discussed how interested comer to the big screen, Jordin Sparks, can take care of the day to day respon- people can contact renegade bears. all in less than two hours. SPARKLE sibilities, keeping it simple. Movies, "Renegade Bears of Louisiana can will be known for that but it is also a fine dinners, social events near and far will be reached by email, on Facebook and film. We also meet Carmen Ejogo. The be the order of the day." soon at a new website. Those inter- bigger this movie is, the faster her We discussed current activities and ested in participating or who want to career will take off. future plans. know about upcoming events, can SPARKLE is dedicated to the "We currently are involved in some- emailmemory of Whitney Houston as well it thing we call Alphabet Soup. We pick Founders Duaine Daniels & [email protected], should be. She produced and starred different restaurants alphabetically J. Kelley Terry flank Lords of or contact and message Facebook at in it and the movie gives us one last throughout the city to enjoy. We try to Leather Lord King Ed Azemas RenegadeBearsofLouisiana. look at a legend. 72 • The Official Mag: AmbushMag.COM • August 28-September 10, 2012 • Official Southern Decadence Guide • SouthernDecadence.COM 1021 W. Judge Perez Chalmette, LA 70043 • Free Prescription Delivery • Direct Billing to Medicaid/Medicare • Private Insurance & Third-Party Payers • Billing Assistance • Competitive Pricing • Confidential, Personal, Professional Service 504.279.6312 24 Hour Beeper: 504.259.8061 A proven community leader in value and customer service! • We Deliver or ship to your home/office • We Accept Medicaid/Medicare Rodney Culotta, RPh OPEN 9am-5pm Mon.-Fri.