Bars Bookstores Circuit/Events Costumes Florists Galleries Guides

TROPICAL ISLE: Home of the Hand Gre- Fields Ave. New Orleans, LA 70117, Phone: nade, 721 Bourbon St., 529.4109, 1.504.324.4311, www.blues60guesthouse.com, TropicalIsle.COM [email protected]. The Blue60 Guest Slidell, LA [985] House with 5 suites provides a peaceful retreat in BILLY'S, 2600 Hwy. 190 West, 847.1921 the center of the Faubourg Marigny, just blocks Biloxi, MS [228] from the French Quarter and Frenchman St. CLUB VEAUX, 834 Howard Ave., 207.3271 [1115] BURGUNDY BED AND BREAKFAST, 2513 Burgundy St., New Orleans, LA 70117, bookstores PHONE/FAX: 504.942.1463, Toll Free (Conti- New Orleans, LA [504] nental US only): 1.800.970.2153, FAB - Faubourg Marigny Art & Books, www.theburgundy.com, E-mail us at 600 Frenchmen St., 947.3700 [email protected]. Gay owned and operated in newly renovated 1890's double. Four guest rooms with private baths, guests' parlor and "half- circuit/events kitchen", courtyard and half-open tubhouse with Oct. 27-Oct. 30, 2016 Halloween 33, ben- spa (hot tub/whirlpool). Clothing optional in sun- efiting Project Lazarus, New Orleans, LA, spon- bathing and hot tub area. Walking distance to sored by AmbushMag.COM, French Quarter. Immediate vicinity of gay and HalloweenNewOrleans.com lesbian bars/venues. [0815] Dec. 26, 2015-Jan. 1, 2017 Gay New Year's THE FRENCH QUARTER GUEST in New Orleans, New Orleans, LA, HOUSES, 1005 St. Peter, New Orleans, LA GayNewOrleans.com 70116, Phone: 1.800.367.5858, Feb. 24-28, 2017, 68th Official Gay Mardi FrenchQuarterGuestHouses.com, email: Gras, New Orleans, LA, sponsored by Ambush, [email protected]. Four me- GayMardiGras.com ticulously restored boutique inns located in the Easter Sunday, April 16, 2017, 18th Offi- heart of the French Quarter's most popular LGBT cial Gay Easter Parade, New Orleans, spon- neighborhood. Each building's individual charac- sored by Ambush, GayEasterParade.com ter and charm provides an unforgettable authentic Aug. 30-Sept. 4, 2017, 46th Official South- French Quarter experience! ern Decadence Celebration of Gay Life, Mu- THE NATCHEZ, 530 Natchez St., Phone: sic & Culture, end of Summer Blowout including 504.881.1243, www.thenatchez.com, the Southern Decadence Parade & loads of ac- [email protected]. Steps from the tivities, bringing over 180,000 revelers to New French Quarter located centrally in Downtown Orleans, LA, sponsored by Ambush & New Orleans with luxury 2, 3, and 4 bedroom SouthernDecadence.com suites are available for rent. [10/16] THE ST. PHILIP HOTEL, 612 St. Philip St., Phone: 504.523.2197, www.thestphilip.com, costumes [email protected]. The St. Philip

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Call/text 504.458.5996 / 504.524.0671 For pictures http://www.christophernola.com. guides License #LA4553 [is2515] AMBUSH Mag, 828-A Bourbon St., New media Orleans, LA 70116-3137; 504.522.8049, New Orleans, LA [504] AmbushMag.COM; [email protected] AMBUSH Mag, Official Gay Easter Parade Guide, Official Gay Mardi Gras Guide, Official THE BLACK PENNY, 700 N. Rampart Gay New Orleans Guide, Official Gulf South Guide, BOURBON PUB & PARADE, 801 Bour- groceries/delis Official Pride Guide, Official Southern Decadence bars bon St., 529.2107, BourbonPub.COM New Orleans, LA [504] Guide, 828-A Bourbon St., 70116-3137, Mobile, AL [251] CAFÉ LAFITTE IN EXILE, 901 Bourbon QUARTERMASTER DELI, THE NELLIE 522.8049, AmbushMag.COM; email: B-Bob's Downtown, 213 Conti St., Street 522.8397, Lafittes.COM DELI, 1100 Bourbon, 529.1416 [email protected] 433.2262, B-Bobs.COM CORNER POCKET, 940 St. Louis, AMBUSHonLINE, 828-A Bourbon St., Flip Side Bar & Patio, 54 S. Conception 568.9829, CornerPocket.NET hair salons 70116-3137; 522.8049, ambushonline.com, St., 431.8819, FlipSideBarPatio.COM COUNTRY CLUB, 634 Louisa St., email: [email protected] GABRIEL'S DOWNTOWN, 55 South TheCountryClubNewOrleans.COM, 945.0742 New Orleans, LA [504] Joachim St., 432.4900 CUTTER'S, 706 Franklin, 948.4200 Two Guys Cutting Hair, 2372 St. Claude organizations THE MIDTOWN PUB, 153 Florida St., THE DOUBLE PLAY, 439 Dauphine, Ave., Suite 125, appointments: Adikus 450.1555 523.4517 215.519.5030, Trent 504.239.2397 FOOD FOR FRIENDS, 504.821.2601 ext. 254 Pensacola, FL [850] THE FRIENDLY BAR, 2301 Chartres, 943.8929 FRIDAY NIGHT BEFORE MARDI GRAS THE ROUNDUP, 560 East Heinberg St., GOLDEN LANTERN, 1239 Royal, hardware (FNBMG), 504.319.8261, 433.8482 529.2860, Facebook.COM/GoldenLanternBar New Orleans, LA [504] www.fridaynightbeforemardigras.com Baton Rouge, LA [225] GOOD FRIENDS BAR, 740 Dauphine St, GAY APPRECIATION AWARDS, 828-A GEORGE'S, 860 St. Louis, 387.9798, MARY'S FRENCH QUARTER HARD- 566.7191, GoodFriendsBar.COM WARE, 732 N. Rampart, 529.4465 Bourbon St., 70116-3137; 522.8049; SPLASH, 2183 Highland Rd., 242.9491, GRANDPRE'S, 834 N. Rampart St., AmbushMag.COM/GAA SplashBR.COM 267.3615, Facebook.com/grandpres GAY EASTER PARADE, 828-A Bourbon Lake Charles, LA [337] KAJUN'S PUB, 2256 St. Claude Ave., lodging/accommodations St., 70116-3137, 504.522.8049, CRYSTAL'S, 112 W. Broad, 433.5457 947.3735, KajunPub.COM New Orleans [504] [email protected], Metairie, LA [504] MAG'S 940, 940 Elysian Fields Ave., GayEasterParade.COM FOUR SEASONS & PATIO STAGE BAR, AARON INGRAM HAUS, 1012 Elysian 948.1888 Fields, New Orleans, LA 70117, PHONE: GAY MARDI GRAS, 828-A Bourbon St., 3229 N. Causeway, 832.0659, OZ NEW ORLEANS, 800 Bourbon, 70116-3137, 504.522.8049, FourSeasonsBar.com 504.949.3110, www.ingramhaus.com/xqey, e-mail 593.9491, OzNewOrleans. COM us at [email protected]. Condos with GayMardiGras.COM New Orleans, LA [504] THE PAGE, 542 N. Rampart St., 875.4976 queen-size beds, private entrances; located only GAY NEW ORLEANS, 828-A Bourbon St., 700 CLUB, 700 Burgundy, 561.1095, PHOENIX/EAGLE, 941 Elysian Fields, six blocks from Bourbon Street and walking dis- 70116-3137, 504.522.8049, BIG DADDY'S, 2513 Royal, 948.6288 945.9264, www.phoenixbarnola.com tance to most New Orleans attractions. Several GayNewOrleans.COM BIG EASY DAIQUIRIS, 216 Bourbon, 501 RAWHIDE 2010, 740 Burgundy St., favorite bars are within one block. [0715] HAART (HIV/AIDS Alliance Region Two, Bourbon, 409 Decatur, 617 Decatur 525.8106, Rawhide2010.COM BLUES60 GUEST HOUSE, 1008 Elysian Inc.), 4550 North Blvd. Ste. 250, Baton Rouge, LA 70806, 225.927.1269, www.haartinc.org, offers 26 • The Official Mag©: AmbushMag.com • Oct. 11-24, 2016 • Official Gay Mardi Gras Guide • GayMardiGras.com a complete continuum of care to people living with Cheezy Cajun, 3325 St. Claude Ave., HIV/AIDS including housing, primary care, medi- 265.0045, www.TheCheezyCajun.com cations, case management, and an array of sup- Clover Grill, 900 Bourbon St., 598.1010, portive services. In addition HAART provides HIV www.CloverGrill.com prevention education and FREE testing to the Country Club Restaurant, 634 Louisa St., Baton Rouge area. www.TheCountryClubNewOrleans.com, HALLOWEEN IN NEW ORLEANS, INC., 945.0742 PO Box 52171, 70152-2171; halloween Gene's Po-Boys & Daquiris, 1040 Elysian neworleans.com/ambush Fields Ave., 943.3861, KREWE OF AMON-RA, PO Box 7033, www.genespoboys.com Metairie, LA 70010, KreweOfAmonRa.COM Ilys Bistro, 1040 Elysian Fields Ave., KREWE OF ARMEINIUS, PO Box 56638, 947.8341, www.Facebook.com/ILYSBistro New Orleans, LA 70156-6638, Kingfish Kitchen & Cocktails, 337 kreweofarmeinius.org Chartres St. 598.5005, KREWE OF MWINDO, PO Box 51031, www.KinfishNewOrleans.com 70156; 913.5791, KreweOfMwindo.ORG, Mona Lisa Restaurant, 1212 Royal St., [email protected] 522.6746 KREWE OF NARCISSUS, PO Box 3832, Orleans Grapevine Wine Bar & Bistro, New Orleans, LA 70177. Contact: 504.228.9441 720 Orleans, 523.1930, KREWE OF PETRONIUS, PO Box 1102, www.OrleansGrapevine.com Kenner, LA. 70063-1102, Quartermaster: The Nellie Deli, 1100 REAL ESTATE www.kreweofpetroius.net Bourbon St. , 529.1416, KREWE OF QUEENATEENAS / KING www.QuartermasterDeli.net CAKE QUEEN ROYALTY CLUB, 828-A Bour- Royal House Oyster Bar, 441 Royal bon St., 70116-3137, 522.8049, St., 528.2601, GayMardiGras.COM/KCQ KREWE OF URSUS, www.RoyalHouseRestaurant.com [email protected] Stanley, 547 St. Ann St., 587.0093, LGBT+ Archives Project of Louisiana, www.StanleyRestaurant.com 1308 Esplanade Ave., New Orleans, LA 70116, 504.475.7911, www.lgbtarchivesla.org real estate LORDS OF LEATHER, 1631 Elysian Fields, #161, 70117, www.lordsofleather.org New Orleans, LA [504] MYSTIC KREWE OF SATYRICON, 2443 Latter & Blum, Steven Richards Realtor, Halsey Ave., New Orleans, LA 70114, 504.258.1800, SteveRichardsProperties.com 504.906.7990 Todd J. Blauvelt / Secretary, Latter & Blum, Steven Vaughn Realtor, [email protected], Cell 504.810.4646, Office 504.948.3011, MysticKreweOfSatyricon.COM www.StevenVaughanProperties.com, 3215 Chartres Street - $149,000 NO/AIDS TASK FORCE, 2601 Tulane Ave., [email protected] YES, fixer uppers still exist! Private New Orleans Relocation, Realtors — gay- Suite 500, 70119; 504.821.2601; drive and yard. Located in the heart of NOAIDSTaskForce.COM owned boutique real estate agency for locals and newcomers. 504.273.0088 www.NOLArelo.com Bywater just one-half block to the Crescent PRIDE, NOLAPride.ORG Park rainbow bridge and around the corner RENEGADE BEARS OF LOUISIANA, PO Gay Real Estate, www.GayRealEstate.com, from The Country Club! Call Mark Boline @ Box 3083, New Orleans, LA 70177; 888.420.6683 [email protected] 504.655.2233, New Orleans Relicatiun SOUTHERN DECADENCE, 828-A Bour- retail/shopping LLC, Realtors. bon St., 70116-3137, 504.522.8049, SouthernDecadence.COM New Orleans, LA [504] ST. ANNA'S EPISCOPAL CHURCH, 1313 BOURBON PRIDE, 909 Bourbon, Esplanade Avenue New Orleans, LA 70116 566.1570 947.2121, stannanola.org COK (Clothing or Kinkl), 941 Elysian Fields, 945.9264 MARY'S FRENCH QUARTER KITCHEN pharmacy & BATH, 732 N. Rampart, 529.4465 Avita Pharmacy, offers personalized care QT PIE BOUTIQUE - 241 Dauphine St., to those affected by chronic illnesses. Avita offers 581. 6633 free delivery, co-pay assistance, benefit coordi- XXXSHOP, 1835 N. Rampart St., nation, and refill reminder calls as well as access 504.232.3063 to a pharmacy 24/7. www.avitapharmacy.com. 526 Burgundy St., New Orleans Locations: services Beautiful historic charm,totally reno- Baton Rouge, LA, 5551 Corporate Blvd, vated French Quarter Single with separate Suite 102, Tel: 225.924.9130 or 888.792.8482, New Orleans, LA [504] guest quarters. Main house features 2 bed- 70808; New Orleans, LA , ABC Title Services, www.abctitle.com rooms with walkin closets, 2.5 baths, living Tulane Tower, 2601 Tulans Ave., Suite 445, Formal Connection, 299 Belle Terre Blvd. room, dining room, kitchen and laundry LaPlace, LA, 985.652.1195 Tel: 504.822.0131 or 877.424.2930, 70119; New room. Guest house with separate entrance Orleans, LA, Milavo, www.milavospray.com The seller is also offering a $30,000 credit Marine Building, 3308 Tulane Ave., Suite features 1 bedroom, 1 bath plus living room. 102, 70119, Tel: 504.309.2557 or 844.309.2557. theatres Total living area 1927sq. ft., includes the towards closing cost & credit. Steven Mumfrey's Pharmacy, 1021 W. Judge 390 sq. ft. guest house. Nice brick court- Vaughan Realtor® @ 504.810.4646, Latter Perez Dr., Chalmette, LA 70043, 504.279.6312, New Orleans, LA [504] yard for outdoor entertaining. $869,500. & Blum, www.Latter-Blum.com. www.MumfreysPharmacy.COM. Supporting & CAFE ISTANBUL, 2372 St. Claude Ave., serving the LGBT Community for over 20 years. #140, 504.974.0786, CafeIstanbulNOLA.COM Local pharmacy offering personalized family-like under the gaydar ...from 24 seem to be much younger these days. Next service, automatic refills & free metro wide confi- we tried a new place. We went to the newly dential pickup & delivery. Also offering shipping tours person in my life, so celebrating her birth- restored Pontchartrain Hotel’s rooftop bar for out-side our delivery area. When you call us New Orleans, LA [504] day is always a fun ritual. I got us a private called Tin Roof. OMG, this place is phe- you speak to a person, not a machine. See our ad. Gay New Orleans Walking Tour, Cres- car and we went to dinner with some friends nomenal and the view of the city is breath- cent City Tour Booking Agency, (LGBT Busi- of mine to Andrea’s Italian Restaurant in taking. The cocktails are well crafted and photography ness of the Year) 638 St. Ann St., 568.0717. follow Metairie. Since 1985, Chef Andrea Apuzzo the atmosphere is very shabby posh. But Gay New Orleans Walking Tour @ Facebook.COM New Orleans, LA [504] (who was also there that night) has been keep in mind since it is new, it is quite the GRAHAM/STUDIO ONE NEW OR- serving the best Authentic Northern Italian scene, so be prepared to wait downstairs LEANS, by appointment, grahamstudioone.com Cuisine. The food was especially delicious for a short while and deal with crowds. But and dinner was so much fun. After dinner, the service is good and fast and the bar- restaurants we dropped mom off and then my friends tenders are very efficient. and I went bar hopping uptown. It has been Don’t you hate when you start a day Metairie, LA [504] forever in a day since I went to the Columns with great intentions, but all plans go slightly Chef Ron's Gumbo Stop & Pub, 2309 N. and I forgot how much history is in that awry, well that was my Saturday. Some Causeway Blvd., 835.2022, GumboStop.com place. Sitting outside having cocktails friends and I went to the NO/AIDS Walk at New Orleans, LA [504] watching the streetcar brings back so many Audubon Park. It was a gorgeous day and The Bombay Club, 830 Rue Conti, memories of days past in college and my we all had our puppies, Dahlia and Magno- 577.2237, www.bombayclubneworleans.com twenties. It still is a great place to hang out Broussard’s Restaurant & Courtyard, [continued on 31] 819 Rue Conti, 581.3866, http://broussards.com and people watch, although the people

SouthernDecadence.com • Oct. 11-24, 2016 • Facebook.com/AmbushMag • The Official Mag©: AmbushMag.com • 27 Museum (225 Madison Ave. btw. 35 & 36 amples and even a car. If my favorite pieces Sts.) is currently showing Hans Memling’s were an Alex Katz painting and a Louise trodding the boards magnificent Triptych of Jan Crabbe with its Nevelson construction, I was also rather five constituent parts reunited for the first pleased to see that my Beatles’ White time in America. This small but fascinating Album is now considered museum quality. exhibit (through Jan. 8) also features a Other exhibits include Kai Althoff’s and number of Memling’s independent portraits, then leave me to the common swifts which by Brian Sands including the Morgan’s Man with a Pink, as takes up a large gallery and is like stepping Email: [email protected] well as highlighting the links between panel into someone’s attic filled with reminders of painting and manuscript painting in fifteenth- their childhood; Tony Oursler’s Imponder- On the Road... century Flemish art. able which examines technological ad- New York, NY In addition, the Morgan has an exhibit vancements and occult phenomena over When I visit New York, I usually see a from comedy to drama. Some moments of drawings by Jean Dubuffet for which he the last two centuries, and includes a sly handful of theater offerings. During a re- evoke the sublimity of Charlie Chaplin’s used unorthodox materials and techniques, feature length film with a cast of characters cent visit, however, all the shows on Broad- brilliant humor. And then there’s the unfor- the better to subvert expectations with his including Sir Arthur Conan Doyle and Harry way I had either seen or didn’t care to gettable passage when a stark naked, ab- outrageous depictions of everyday life, and Houdini; and The Ballad of Sexual Depen- (Aladdin? On Your Feet!? Thanks, but solutely gorgeous man tries to gather a one celebrating the 200th anniversary of dency, Nan Goldin’s renowned deeply per- no). So I saw only one off-Broadway play. bunch of personal items and keeps drop- Charlotte Brontë’s birth in which you can sonal photographic narrative capturing love But it was a wonderful one. ping one after another with balletic preci- see the author’s earliest surviving minia- and loss in the late 1970s and ’80s. Small Mouth Sounds examines the sion as another character looks on with a ture manuscript, her portable writing desk There’s certainly lots more to see and interactions among six people during a raised eyebrow and a slight smile. and paintbox, a blue floral dress she wore do in New York but while we wait for Bette week-long spiritual retreat where they’re With the audience arrayed on either in the 1850s, and most importantly, a por- Midler’s arrival in the Spring in Hello, Dolly!, supposed to stay silent during this “vaca- side of Laura Jellinek’s simple set, Mike tion of the original manuscript of Jane Eyre, these spots should satisfy your cultural tion from habits, routines, self.” Using wry Inwood’s atmospheric lighting directs you being shown in the U.S. for the first time cravings. humor laced with cunning insights, play- where to look as Stowe Nelson’s sound (both through Jan. 2). wright Bess Wohl allows personal histories design and Andrew Schneider’s videos There’re always incredible Old Master London to emerge artfully in an almost Chekhovian add to the environment along with the paintings galore at The Frick Collection Away from London for nine years, this manner. precisely detailed costumes by Tilly Grimes. (1 E. 70 St.), but from Oct. 25-Jan. 22 the culture vulture found lots of opportunities to Beginning with little, obvious conflicts, The entire cast (Max Baker, Quincy focus will be on Guido Cagnacci’s Repen- satisfy his cravings there. Wohl builds the narrative into smile-induc- Tyler Bernstine, Marcia DeBonis, Gibson tant Magdalene. This Italian Baroque mas- Having toured Buckingham Palace ing situations and deeper confrontations, Frazier, Jojo Gonzalez, Babak Tafti, Zoë terpiece is in keeping with the eccentric previously, I returned this time for the spe- all layered with a wise, humanistic ap- Winters) was magnificent. I say “was” be- 17th-century painter’s style combining mostly cial exhibition Fashioning a Reign: 90 proach. Though the diverse, half dozen cause, unfortunately Small Mouth Sounds religious subjects with an often unsettling Years of Style from The Queen’s Ward- folks seeking escape or enlightenment (or just concluded its limited run. But I suspect eroticism as you see a hunky angel about robe which charted significant events in both?) sometimes break the no-speaking this singular show will have a long life to beat a seminude woman with a large stick The Queen’s life and the nation’s history rule, we primarily hear only the soothing ahead of it in regional theaters. When it’s as a devil looks on. Shocking! through an unprecedented collection of voice of the retreat’s leader who comes done here, or anywhere close to you, don’t At the Museum of Modern Art (11 W. dresses and accessories designed for these across as alternately profound and preten- miss it. 53 St.), the entire fourth floor is given over occasions, from her childhood to the present tious. If you’re up in NYC in the coming to works exclusively from the 1960s. There day. are paintings, sculpture, videos, photo- Rachel Chavkin’s subtle but pointed months, there are some other things that [continued on 29] direction allows much to be told through shouldn’t be missed as well. graphs, architectural works, design ex- subtle body movements as the play pivots The marvelous Morgan Library & tionship that ultimately falls apart. ambassador for the State Department. “It In the bouncy Stay, Grand asks a was a real honor to represent my country potential boyfriend to “Stay with me all and my community,” Grand said. spotlight feature summer.” Frankly, if a guy as cute as Grand In addition to Vienna and Lithuania, has to plead with someone to stay, some- Grand appeared in Latvia’s capital Riga for thing ain’t right. Europride, the first time it’s been held in a Grand Time at Café Istanbul Even the charming ballad Back to former Soviet country. “There were more by Brian Sands California may be about friendship, but it’s armed guards there than I’ve ever seen at Told that I went to college with a guy named Steve Grand, the much more famous clear that the gal will be heartbroken when a parade,” Grand remarked, “but so much singer/songwriter with the same name replied with mock astonishment, “You mean I’m not she discovers her guypal is gay. overwhelming support that it didn’t matter.” the only one?!” Grand, however, observed that “this is Closer to home, Grand is “really ex- No, he’s not, but you’ll be able to see that there’s no confusing him with my middle- just life and it’s not good or bad. Most cited to come to New Orleans for the first aged straight classmate on October 21 and 22 at Café Istanbul (2372 St. Claude Ave. relationships don’t work out but that doesn’t time. My sister was just here and loved it. in The N.O. Healing Center) when the Illinois-native makes his New Orleans debut. mean it’s all bad or sad. We should take My video director lives here. My sense is Grand sprang to national fame three years ago when the music video of his song All- away something from each of the people that it’s a unique and soulful place, and I’m American Boy went viral on YouTube in less than a week after its release. He wound up who come into our lives. I just reflect life and looking forward to exploring it.” appearing on Good Morning America, CNN and in other national media, being dubbed let people make of it what they will.” Asked what we can expect from his act “the first openly gay male country musician to attract mainstream attention.” When I complimented Grand on how here, this former model answered that in But Grand averred that it had “Nothing convincing the relationships in each of his the cabaret-sized Café Istanbul it’ll “feel to do with me ever saying I was a country videos appear, he modestly responded, very personal and one-on-one.” singer,” adding “things are always open to “I’m just playing a version of myself so it’s Trying to get Grand to share with me interpretation.” not heavy acting. But I find co-stars who I some of the more interesting experiences Indeed. When I first heard All-Ameri- like and enjoy spending time with, and let it he’s had on the road, he demurred, saying can Boy a few years ago, I admired its gay- [the video] be its own little journey.” that he’s “saving them for the shows,” so themed narrative but wasn’t too keen on the If only we could all cast handsome, in- who knows what tales he’ll be telling, but I music (granted, my country tastes begin shape 20something guys opposite us. But suspect they’ll be grand ones. with Loretta Lynn and end with Dolly Par- for Grand, who tries to keep his private life When I inquired of this entertainer who ton), and thought Steve Grand wasn’t for private (or as much as one can in 2016), this asserts that he’s now “in a better place than me. is part of his artistic expression. If he’s been ever and at peace with myself” as to which But then I recently listened to other named to Out magazine’s annual “Out100” of his performances I should attend, he songs of his and loved them. If I had to dub list of the year’s most compelling LGBT replied without hesitation “Both shows are him anything it would be “a gay male cross people, he realizes he’s not yet a house- going to be amazing.” between Taylor Swift and Adele.” hold name. I’m sure they will be. After you’ve had Grand would probably rather avoid all Which may suit him just fine as his a Grand time at Café Istanbul, you can such labels. “I’m just a singer/songwriter/ videos show men kissing, cuddling, and in follow this talented, engaging young man at arranger,” he said. “Sometimes I’m more bed together. “Compared to well-funded http://bandsintown.com/SteveGrand country, sometimes more rock, sometimes mainstream artists,” he noted, “I have more You should be following him for quite a more 1980s.” In All-American Boy, a gay guy devel- creative control on all aspects of my ca- while. At only 26 and with an underlying Where Grand seems to be consistent, ops a crush on a straight friend that is not reer.” restlessness in his voice that suggests he though, is with the stories he tells in his reciprocated. That career has expanded now to wants to get wherever he’s going, it looks songs and videos. “I set up beautiful stories In Time, a pop yet soulful tune, a embrace advocacy as well. Grand toured like Steven Grand has a long and success- that don’t end well,” he commented. chance meeting seemingly leads to a rela- Europe last year as an openly gay artist/ ful future ahead of him. 28 • The Official Mag©: AmbushMag.com • Oct. 11-24, 2016 • Official Gay Mardi Gras Guide • GayMardiGras.com trodding the boards avant-garde, they expand the notion of what a woman’s hat can be. ...from 28 Cannnily saving the most spectacular The first room gave a decade-by-de- for last, the final room opens with QEII’s cade panoramic view of her style by select- sumptuous wedding dress, inspired by ing one iconic outfit for each decade from Botticelli’s Spring, and continues with her christening gown to the coral-colored dresses worn to birthday celebrations, dress and headpiece she wore when she weddings (including Prince Charles and appeared in the James Bond spoof for the Princess Diana’s), and anniversaries. A 2012 Olympics’ opening ceremony (want- fascinating accompanying film shows up- ing to keep it a surprise, it was so hush-hush close how craftswomen embroider pearls that few in the Palace even knew about it). and other ornaments onto fabrics. It’s an excellent start to the exhibit. HRH’s 1953 coronation dress, dis- The show continues with a small dis- played for the first time alongside the wed- play of military outfits, including HRH’s ding dress, is grandeur incarnate as it WWII service uniform, which are followed delicately incorporates emblems of the by a long corridor of the Queen’s hats, United Kingdom and all its dominions into always colorful so she can be seen in a crowd. Fashionable and occasionally even [continued on 31]

SouthernDecadence.com • Oct. 11-24, 2016 • Facebook.com/AmbushMag • The Official Mag©: AmbushMag.com • 29 The Phoenix Bar The Corner Pocket GrandPre's The Double Play

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Cafe Lafitte in Exile

Rawhide 2010 C'est si Bon ~ New Orleans Photos by Paul Melancon, Ellen Miller, Rip Naquin, Jeremy Weinberg