Gay EasterParade.COM GayMardiGras.COM GayNewOrleans.COM July 17-30, 2012 The Official Mag: AmbushMag.COM 11

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1 Gay EasterParade.COM GayMardiGras.COM GayNewOrleans.COM July 17-30, 2012 The Official Mag: AmbushMag.COM 11

2 trodding the boards by Brian Sands Summer in the City (the Big Apple that is) If you re heading up to New York this summer and don t have a timeshare on Fire Island (or a friend who does), there s still a w-i-d-e range of things to do in the City That Never Sleeps. Here re a few suggestions. Broadway s featuring quite a menagerie these days. In addition to the invisible rabbit in the revival of Harvey (featuring openly gay Jim (Big Bang Theory) Parsons), and the wonderful creatures from The Lion King, at Lincoln Center War Horse continues its Tony Award-winning run at the Vivian Beaumont Theater. Originally produced by London s National Theatre, War Horse is adapted from Michael Morpurgo s children s novel that tells the story of a boy in rural England whose beloved horse is sold to the cavalry by his weasely father and shipped to France during World War I. If the opening scenes are a slightly precious tale of country life dramatic tension comes from a wager over whether a horse will be able to plow a field or not things get weightier once the action shifts to the battlefields on the Continent. War has never been so hellish as Albert, now a young man, first encounters a group of injured soldiers that look like the living dead and then continues to serve his country, hoping to survive the carnage and be reunited with his horse. What distinguishes War Horse are the magnificent lifesized puppets created by South Africa s Handspring Puppet Company and the spectacular use to which Directors Marianne Elliott and Tom Morris put them. The horse, Joey, is first seen as an awkward foal; his transformation into a much larger stallion is thrilling. Among the other highlights is the exit of a horse through a theater aisle and the senseless death of an officer who is shot while riding his steed in battle. Cast members work together flawlessly to bring the horses to life, supplying a range of neighs and whinnies as well, while Jude Sandy s goose provides amusing comic relief. Paule Constable s lighting, all browns and earth tones, and Adrian Sutton s folk music add to the atmosphere while set designer Rae Smith ingeniously projects [continued on 27] 12 The Official Mag: AmbushMag.COM July 17-30, 2012 Official ficial Southern n Decadence Guide SouthernDecadence.COM

3 Gay EasterParade.COM GayMardiGras.COM GayNewOrleans.COM July 17-30, 2012 The Official Mag: AmbushMag.COM 13

4 feature 41st Southern Decadence Expected to Bring in Over 135,000 Participants with Economic Impact of $160 Million or Better Early indications reflect that the 41st Southern Decadence celebration of "Gay Life, Music & Culture" could very well attract over 135,000 participants this Labor Day Weekend running Wednesday, August 29th-Monday, September 3rd. Based on a conservative spending average of $1,200-$1,500 per person, this holiday could be a huge economic impact for New Orleans bringing in over $160 million in spite of the economic downturn across the country. The 40th celebration last year was estimated to bring in some 80,000 revelers with a projected economic impact of over $96 million to the local economy. Over 100,000 participants were expected for the 2011 holiday, but Tropical Storm Lee deterred some visitors from coming in for that weekend resulting in roughly 20% in hotel cancellations. As is so often the mantra in New Orleans, inclement weather did not deter those here from enjoying the festivities resulting in the cry that it was raining thousands of men and women in the city! Southern Decadence Poster, Theme, Colors, Song, Charity, Sponsors Southern Decadence Grand Marshals XXXVIII Pat McArdle and TJ Conard have set the tone for the 41st Southern Decadence with their selection of the "official" poster, theme, colors, song, charity and sponsors. Grey Cross Studios did the photo shoot this year for the poster with Studio 11's Jessie Matthew Elliot credited with graphic art and design, as well as original art by Jacey Frew. The theme is Peace, Hope & Love = Monkey Dance while the colors are white, purple and silver. Starships by Nicki Minaj is the song and Belle Reve was chosen as the charity with a goal of raising $10,000. The sponsors include Ambush Mag, SouthernDecadence.COM, Quartermaster Deli, Harrah s, Scoots, Absolut, Bud Light, QT Pie, Panda Bear, Bayou Beau, Fifi Mahoney s, Rathbone Mansions, and Grey Cross Studios. Longest Running SD Events FREE for All! Yes, it is true, the longest running Southern Decadence events are free for all to attend, well, those of legal age anyway. Many visitors are under the impression that you must have a Southern Decadence VIP Pass to attend all of the Southern Decadence events. That is incorrect, there is no such all access Southern Decadence VIP Pass. However, three clubs do issue Southern Decadence VIP Passes including Oz, Bourbon Pub Parade, and The Corner Pocket that allows you entry into that particular club's events, which you may very well wish to attend. The longest running free Southern Decadence events include: Official Southern Decadence Grand Marshals' Drag Show on Friday, August 31st, 10pm, at Home of Southern Decadence, Tubby s Golden Lantern, 1239 Royal Street, featuring Southern Decadence Grand Marshals XXXVIII Pat McArdle and TJ Conard with former SDGMs and many others. 9th Bourbon Street Extravaganza on Saturday, September 1st, 5pm, presented by Napoleon's Itch is the huge live free concert featuring big stars on the circuit plus many surprises attracting thousands to the corner of Bourbon and St. Ann Streets. 38th Official Southern Decadence Parade celebrating the 41st Southern Decadence led by Southern Decadence Grand Marshals XXXVIII Pat McArdle and TJ Conard on Sunday, Sept. 2nd, 2pm sharp, beginning at the Home of Southern Decadence, Tubby's Golden Lantern, 1239 Royal Street. This walking parade is open for anyone to participate in, which is a glorified street march/bar crawl stopping at many of New Orleans famous gay bars. 19th Official Southern Decadence Bead Toss also on Sunday, 4-4:30ish pm at the Ambush Mansion balcony, 828 Bourbon Street. Hosted by Southern Decadence Susan Lucci's Rip and Marsha, and sponsored by Ambush Mag and SouthernDecadence.COM, the bead toss brings SDGMs XXXVIII Pat McArdle and TJ Conard following the parade out onto the famous Bourbon Street balcony to toss thousands of throws to the crowds below. 15th Southern Decadence Survivors Outer Loop Bar Crawl on Monday, September 3rd, 2pm, led by Cruise Director - Ted Mahaffy direct from Chicago, honoring SDGMs XXXVIII Pat McArdle and TJ Conard, begins with snacks at The Corner Pocket, then to The Double Play, Le Roundup, Society Page, 700 Club, Ninth Circle, Voodoo, ending with a Michael s On The Park. There are many other events at clubs and venues across the city which are currently listed with more to come before Labor Day weekend. For the complete events list, visit SouthernDecadence.COM, and Like F a c e b o o k. C O M / SouthernDecadenceNOLA. Oz Presents All-Star Lineup Aug. 30-Sept. 2 Dance Club of the Year Oz, 800 Bourbon, kicks off Southern Decadence on Thursday, August 30th when Chi Chi LaRue hits town to host Oz's Thursday Southern Decadence Strip-off as "Your Favorite Diva of Porn." Plus LaRue will guest DJ throughout the weekend. The club brings circuit greats DJ Roland Belmares on Friday, August 31st to spin his magic followed by DJ Joe Gauthreaux on Saturday, September 1st, and DJ Phil B. on Sunday, September 2nd. And of course, the hot Men of Oz will dance on the bar tops. Resident DJs Tim Pflueger, JRB, Bull, Brian Hartman, Devil on Ice and Robbie C. round out the weekend with illuminations by Johnny Eubanks Oz Southern Decadence Weekend Passes are $70 and valid Your Favorite Diva of Porn Chi Chi LaRue 14 The Official Mag: AmbushMag.COM July 17-30, 2012 Official ficial Southern n Decadence Guide SouthernDecadence.COM Thursday, August 30th through Monday, September 3rd. Get your passes at OzNewOrleans.COM. Bourbon Pub & Parade Kicks off Southern Decadence All-Star Lineup Aug. 29-Sept. 3 One of the world's Top 10 Gay Bars and Clubs, Bourbon Pub & Parade kicks off Southern Decadence over Labor Day Weekend Wednesday, August 29th-Monday, September 3rd. Weekend Passes and VIP Weekend Passes are on sale now at: Weekend Passes at $60 include all events Thursday Sunday; Welcome Cocktail and Priority Admittance. VIP Weekend Passes at $100 include all events Thursday Sunday; Welcome Cocktail; Hosted Cocktail Reception Saturday night; Express Check-In; Express VIP Entrance and Commemorative T- shirt. Your hosts for the weekend, direct from Los Angeles, are Billy Francesca and Rhea Litre! Upstairs, dance nonstop to Parade s decadent DJ lineup, including: Thursday - DJ Sean Michael (NOLA); Friday - DJ Mike Bryant (Los Angeles); Saturday - Masterbeat DJ Brett Henrichsen; Sunday Tea - DJ Robbie Leslie (SiriusXM-Studio 54 Radio); Sunday Night - DJ Max Rodriguez (New York) and Monday- DJ Jayskee (NOLA). Downstairs at the Pub, enjoy local VJ s Brendan Thompson and Chris Allen. Also on Thursday night, don t miss the infamous Big Dick Contest, hosted by The Bearded Lady herself Billy Francesca and the newly crowned King Cake Queen Miss Nicole DuBois. Register your assets upon arrival! At Sunday s T-Dance, be there as Disco Diva legend, France Joli, performs her classic Come To Me and more, live on stage! More SD Events on the Horizon Don't think that these are the only events for Southern Decadence. There are numerous others held at bars, clubs and venues across the city. The events listed previously were the only ones confirmed as of press time. There are wild kickoffs with the Wet Jockey Shorts Contest at Corner Pocket, Dick of Decadence at Cafe Lafitte in Exile, USDA Prime Aged Beef and Miss High Hair Contests at Good Friends, the Fetish Ball and crowning of King of Decadence at Rawhide, Leather Block Party at Phoenix, Bear Decadence, Dykeadence and a multitude of fab functions, something for every visitor and local alike. Don't miss it!

5 Gay EasterParade.COM GayMardiGras.COM GayNewOrleans.COM July 17-30, 2012 The Official Mag: AmbushMag.COM 15