celebrazzi (celebrations-paparazzi) rewe of Amon Ra’s annual Miss and Mr. America competition came to an end after an exciting evening of entertainment at the Marigny KTheatre in New Orleans. President Safonda Peters joins Miss America 2007 Rhonda Roget, newly crowned Miss and Mr. America 2008 Laquita Chiquita Bonita Margarita Jenkins and Nathan Brooks, Mr. America 2007 Constantine, and Queen Amon Ra XLIII Opal Masters on stage. iss LSGRA Marsha Naquin-Delain pulls the winner of the Louisiana State Gay Rodeo Association (LSGRA) Halloween Weekend Marriott MSuite Raffle during LSGRA’s October Cowboy Roundup at Cow- pokes in New Orleans. Randy from Baton Rouge won the October 30, 31 and November 1 suite which is valued at $2,450. The Marriott is the host hotel for the 24th International Gay Rodeo Association Convention and 2009 Royalty Compe- tition set for October 29-November 2. Mr. LSGRA Rip Naquin-Delain, emcee and Rodeo Trustee J Robert, Vice President George Schwandt, Treasurer George Tresch and other LSGRA members look on. Visit LSGRA.COM for more info. orner Pocket’s Michael Elias and Quartermaster: CThe Nellie Deli’s Miseal Rubio celebrated the life of Steve Mettner at a reception honoring all the great works Steve did while owning the Quar- termaster before he passed away on October 1, 2008. A huge crowd of friends he Passion Flower Revue from all over the city came out to cel- dazzles alternate Saturdays ebrate his life at The Corner Pocket in z GM Tommy Elias joins Tat Starlight By The Park with New Orleans. Steve donated thousands New York’s Bianca Del Rio Selena, Alainnyah Divine, show director and thousands of dollars and food to Ofollowing her guest Drag and Miss Louisiana Leatherette Pas- many causes, and was a big sponsor of Dingo stint bringing in huge crowds on sion Armani Cassidine and Mercedes the Gay Easter Parade which benefits Sundays at Oz in New Orleans. Ellis Loreal. Food For Friends, and Southern Deca- dence Grand Marshals. he board of directors of the Lesbian Gay Bisexual and Transgender ood Enterprises’ Judge Ken Grandpre, swears in new Cafe Lafitte Community Center: Lynn Lamonte, treasurer Charlotte Klasson, in Exile Manager Jeff Palmquist as the new First Lady of Lafitte’s, Tsecretary Shawn Johnson, co-chair Dave Haynik, Allan Spach, Julia W Coca, looks on in New Orleans. The “Changing of the Guard” Tolpi, Roberts Batson, and co-chair Crystal Little, welcomed guests to Fall Fiesta blowout culminated with Jeff’s first “official act” by selecting Robert Seemann as in New Orleans. The event, hosted at Tomatillo’s Restaurant, raised much needed winner of a 32" flat screen TV raffle. funds for the organization. MAIN~16 of 56 • The Official Mag: AmbushMag.COM • October 21-November 3, 2008 • GayMardiGras.COM • SouthernDecadence.COM GayNewOrleans.COM • GayEasterParade.COM • October 21-November 3, 2008 • The Official Mag: AmbushMag.COM • MAIN~17 of 56 people.” Interestingly, in the spotlight Bailey doesn’t seem to mind tak- ing a back seat to by Brian Sands the performers he E-mail: [email protected] does. Whereas his act used to be A Star is Re-Born half female illu- explains, “When I was still a teenager, sions and half him magine it’s 1968, you’re a young I was at a friend’s birthday party and singing as him- guy just starting out in show biz after singing Over the Rainbow some- self, “I decided to and you have a unique act. Us- I one said ‘You sounded exactly like Judy take ‘Jim’ out of ing your own voice, you create the Garland.’ And the seed was planted.” the show and con- illusion that you are performing as some ”I had wanted to be a pop singer,” centrate on just of the most famous female entertainers Bailey continues, “but at the time every- the ladies.” in the world—Barbra Streisand, Peggy thing was changing in show biz with the An admitted Lee and even that funny gal, Phyllis Rock’n’Roll revolution. So I thought to perfectionist, Diller. myself, ‘If I can’t make it as a male Bailey appreci- You’re still appearing in a small singer...’” ates working with club in L.A. but your fame has begun to Bailey, who had trained for operatic people who under- spread. And one night, the biggest star singing, spoke to a friend who advised stand that his per- of all, the mainstay of your act is in your him, “You should go for it—what do you formance is a mar- audience. have to lose?” riage of all who On that night when Jim Bailey was ”I really studied Garland’s physical contribute to told Judy Garland was out front, he got appearance, her movements and her make his show totally paranoid. “I can’t do it,” he said to voice,” says Bailey, “and premiered the work—the musi- anyone backstage who would listen. act at a little Los Angeles club. At first cians, the cos- “But then I went out and ‘did’ Judy and people thought I was lip-synching.” tume designer, saw her enjoying herself out of the An agent saw him and booked him the dressers, the corner of my eye and heard her little into the Flamingo Hotel’s lounge in Las lighting designer laugh and knew it was all right.” Vegas. In two weeks, all the other and especially the And then when the show was over, town’s performers, after they were done sound people. she came on stage. “‘Darling,’ she said with their acts, were coming to see After speak- to me, ‘let’s sing something.’ and she Bailey’s show—at 4 in the morning! ing with Bailey for launched into Bye, Bye, Blackbird.” ”I had a great time,” reminisces about an hour, he ”When we were done, with the au- Bailey. “I slowly worked my way up the laughs when I tell dience wildly applauding, she looked totem pole to the main stages. I was so Jim Bailey as Judy Garland him he seems like into my eyes and softly said, ‘Do call proud to have people I respected and a nice guy. “I’ll me. I’m so lonely.’ and she whispered who knew Garland come back stage this to sound like an ego trip,” he quickly have to do something about that,” he her phone number in my ear,” Bailey and say admiring things about the act.” adds, “talent to sound like different says tongue-in-cheekily. recalls. “I’ll never forget it.” Hollywood took notice which led to people, to change my voice and sound Those wanting to have a treat this Bailey did call her. “We chatted and appearances on The Tonight Show like Garland, Streisand and Lee.” Halloween weekend should be sure not she invited me to her house. She was (14 times!), The Ed Sullivan Show, Though Bailey considers himself to miss Jim Bailey at Harrah’s as he very kind and she would tell me stories The Carol Burnett Show, Night Court an actor or even a character actor, he tricks you into thinking that Judy Gar- and give me pointers on how to ‘do’ her.” (in which he played a transgendered says, “I’ve created my own specific art land has returned from OZ and, instead New Orleans will have the opportu- friend of John Larroquette) and an espe- form. In the beginning, it was difficult for of going back to Kansas, is right here in nity to see Jim Bailey “do” Judy Garland cially memorable turn on Here’s Lucy people to understand that. Unlike such the Big Easy for two days. on October 25 and 26 at Harrah’s The- as the irrepressible Diller. He has per- classic drag performers as Milton Berle atre in his first performance here in over formed at Carnegie Hall and The Lon- and Flip Wilson who created their own For tickets contact Michael or 20 years. don Palladium, at the Superbowl and female characters, what I did was to Tommy Elias or visit Asked how this all began, Bailey the Olympics, and for Prince Charles & recreate the look and sound of living HarrahsNewOrleans.COM. Princess Diana. When told that it seems as though he’s had a charmed life, Bailey laughs. “I’ve had my ups and downs,” he replied, “but I’m a survivor.” ”I’ve been very fortunate in being given the gift that I have. I just have a spe- cial—and I Jim Bailey & Barbra Streisand don’t want Jim Bailey on Here's Lucy MAIN~18 of 56 • The Official Mag: AmbushMag.COM • October 21-November 3, 2008 • GayMardiGras.COM • SouthernDecadence.COM GayNewOrleans.COM • GayEasterParade.COM • October 21-November 3, 2008 • The Official Mag: AmbushMag.COM • MAIN~19 of 56 2 grape fruits, peeled and sec- 2 tablespoons sugar (I use Splenda) cookin' with auntie dee tioned 15 fresh mint leaves 2 oranges, peeled and sectioned ¼ cup white rum 1 (six ounce) package baby spin- 2 tablespoons fresh lime juice by Donnie Jay ach ¼ cup club soda, chilled E-mail: [email protected] 2 (five ounce) packages mixed salad ½ cup ice Photo©GrahamStudioOne.COM greens 2 ribs celery, sliced Place sugar and mint leaves in a 1 green bell pepper, chopped two cup measuring cup; crush mint with Mahi-Mahi Supper Combine first three ingredients in a 2 avocados, peeled and sliced a wooden spoon. Add rum and juice; stir utumn has indeed arrived, shallow dish. Dredge oysters in flour 1 cup sweet and spicy Almonds until sugar dissolves. Just before serv- but our fish supply is still mixture.