Southern Decadence Grand Marshals XLII Jeffrey Palmquist, Tony Leggio, Felicia Phillips and Derek Penton-Robicheaux join Oz host Persana Shoulders (center) as they raise $6,602 for Southern Decadence 2016 at the Oz Turnabout Show and Buy A Boy Auction in New Orleans. This was the largest grossing fundraiser in the history of Southern Decadence! Since the event raised over $5,000, Oz New Orleans has earned the rank of Presenting Sponsor of the 45th celebration of LGBT+ life, music and culture in New Orleans. All funds raised minus expenses will benefit this years official SD charities: New Orleans Advocates for GLBT Elders (NOAGE) and Animal Rescue New Orleans (ARNO). They join Presenting Sponsors Ambush Magazine, www.southerndecadence.com, SKYY Vodka and Broussard's Restaurant. (Photo by Paul Melancon) celebrazzi SDGM XLII Jeffrey Palmquist, Estelle Suarez, Toni Dee, Just Us proprietor Lynn Koval, Coca J. Mesa, Nicole DuBois, Parris Foxx, Bill Hincks, SDGMs XLII Tony Leggio and Derek Penton-Robicheaux helped raise $2,514 for Coming Home: Decadence Takes Biloxi, hosted at Just Us Lounge in Biloxi, Mississippi for Southern Decadence 2016 and its charities. (Photo by Hubert S Monkeys) Quistadors' Colby Danna, Southern Decadence Grand Marshal XLII Tony Leggio, and Quistadors' Lulu Blackwell accept a $1,000 Gold sponsorship from Bourbon Pride representative Billy Pennington, along with SDGMs XLII Jeffrey Palmquist and Derek Penton-Robicheaux at Good Friends Bar in New Orleans during Mystic & Mystery: An Evening of Decadence which raised a total of $1,889 for Southern Decadence 2016. Circuit great DJ Roland Belmares joins Oz greats DJs JRB and Kyle David for the fab White Party hosted by Oz during White Linen Night in New Orleans. (Photo by Adrian Claveria) Quistadors' Frank Perez, Southern Decadence Grand Marshal XLII Jeff Palmquist, Quistadors' Will Antil, Double Play proprietor Chuck Turner, and SDGMs XLII Felicia Phillips, Tony Leggio and Derek Penton Robicheaux help raise $1,218 for SD 2016 for Burgers & Dogs hosted at The Double Play in New Orleans. An Evening with Vinsantos presented by Harlequeen raised $700 for Southern Decadence 2016 at Allways Lounge in New Orleans. (Photo by Tony Leggio) SDGM XLII Tony Leggio presents the 2nd Deviled Egg Contest winner Paul Chiriaco with his plaque along with Cutter's Kevin Limberg and SDGM XLII Derek Penton-Robicheaux. The event raised $400 for Southern Decadence 2016 at Cutter's. (Photo by Lea Lousteau Telthorst) The French Quarter: A History of Decadence Tour by Crescent City Tour Booking Agency raised $130 for Southern Decadence 2016 in New Orleans. Right-Quistadors' Coca J. Mesa and Frank Perez join Rawhide manager Derek Wasawho raising $500 for Southern Decadence during the SD Rummage/Tag Sale at Rawhide 2010. SDGM XLII Felicia Phillips hosted Hooray for Hollywood Hereafter raising $921 for Southern Decadence at GrandPre's in New Orleans. 6 The Official Mag : AmbushMag.com August 16-29, 2016 Official ficial Southern n Decadence Guide SouthernDecadence.com
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the "official" dish...from 4 of the largest LGBT celebration in Louisiana today! All funds raised minus expenses will benefit the official 2016 Southern Decadence Charities: New Orleans Advocates for GLBT Elders (NOAGE) and Animal Rescue New Orleans (ARNO). There are several levels of sponsorship available including $5,000 Presenting, $2,500 Platinum, $1,000 Gold, $500 Silver, $250 Bronze, and $100 Pearl. Sponsorship forms are available at www.southerndecadence.com/2016/ NOSouthernDecadenceSponsors.pdf. Upcoming Southern Decadence Events FRIDAY, August 19th... 8-10pm, Four Play, join the original cast and support Southern Decadence featuring Elizabeth Bouvier, Lauren Brown, Barbara Ella, Cathy Fox, Monica Synclaire Kennedy & Tami Tarmac @ Mag s 940 MONDAY, August 22nd... 9pm, Southern Decadence Charity Fundraiser Disco Party & Show honoring Southern Decadence Grand Marshals XLII Tony Leggio, Felicia Phillips, Jeffrey Palmquist & Derek Penton- Robicheaux; starring your favorite drag artists & the famous Corner Pocket Boys performing famous Disco hits with door prizes, drink specials & 50/50 raffle, $10 door donation @ Neighborhood Bar of the Year The Corner Pocket SUNDAY, August 28th 3-5pm, Annual Southern Decadence Grand Marshals Luncheon hosted by SDGMs XLII Tony Leggio, Jeffrey Palmquist, Derek Penton- Robicheaux & Felicia Phillips, by invitation only (former SDGMs please R.S.V.P. by 8/21/16 to ledgemgp@gmail.com - RSVP is mandatory for admittance) Who Will Win Miss Louisiana Leatherette Aug. 20? Who will be Vanessa Carr Kennedy s successor as Miss Louisiana Leatherette? Find out on Saturday, August 20 at 8 pm at Oz, 800 Bourbon Street. The Lords of Leather s 15 th Annual camp drag contest will feature some of the area s most outrageous entertainers making a run at gay leather pageantry. The contest is open to anyone: gay, straight, transgendered, male, female, bisexual and those in transition. Contestants will be judged on four categories: Parish costume a creative interpretation representing a Louisiana parish of the contestant s choosing. Talent a maximum four minute stage performance. Fetish Wear a fetish wear presentation aka swimsuit segment. Formal evening wear in the spirit of the contest, suitable for the awards ceremony. The winner will be awarded a $100 cash prize, crown, sash and trophy. Applicants must complete an application with the non-refundable $25 entry fee by 7 pm August 20. Applications can be downloaded from the Lords of Leather website: www.lordsofleather.org under Events. For more information please contact Gary Vandeventer at IntMrDrummer2001@aol.com. A $10 donation will be asked at the door the night of the contest. For more information on all Lords events please see www.lordsofleather.org. Lords Decadent Behavior Party Sept. 3 In keeping with the Phoenix Bar s 2016 theme for Southern Decadence Go Pig or Go Home! the Lords will host the most Decadent Behavior party of the weekend. This very popular annual event will be held in the Eagle (upstairs) at the Phoenix Bar, 941 Elysian Fields Avenue on Saturday, September 3 from 5 8 pm. Admission is $25 in advance and $30 at the door (if available.) This includes an open bar (well drinks and domestic beer) and all the deviance and debauchery of a Southern Decadence weekend in New Orleans. Tickets are available for purchase on the Krewe s website www.lordsofleather.org. Leather Contest. The title is nationally recognized and acknowledged by the leather community worldwide. Details about the contest and application forms may be found by visiting www.lordsofleather.org. For more information please contact Lord Troy Powell at 504.329.8381. Using Her Powers for Good for Decadence While most people come down to NOLA to party for Southern Decadence, NYC drag singer/songwriter Candy Samples brings her Sunday Services to The Big Easy for a grand fundraiser for NO/AIDS Task Force s Food for Friends. Sunday, September 4 at 11:30 am, mistress of the microphone Candy Samples will be back at One Eyed Jacks (615 Toulouse Street) for her 90- minute show and encouraging her audiences to use their Powers for Good. This year marks Candy s 21st year performing in drag. With humble beginnings in Atlanta, GA, Candy made her debut for a benefit pageant for Project Mr. Louisiana Leather Contest set for Sept. 3 A new Mr. Louisiana Leather will be sashed on Saturday, September 3 during Southern Decadence. Come to the Hi-Ho Lounge at 2239 St. Claude Avenue at 8 pm to see the contest sponsored by the Lords of Leather. Any male, 21 or older may enter. A $15 donation will be asked at the door. Your admission will include the Lords Beer Bust being held at the Phoenix Bar Block Party that evening from 9 pm until 2 am. Contestants will be judged in four categories: 1. interview, 2. street wear representing his leather lifestyle/fetish, 3. jockstrap, and 4. a 90 second speech on a subject of his own choosing. Medallions, trophies and cash awards will be presented to the winner and first runner-up. The winner will receive a custom leather sash, a trophy, an engraved medallion and a cash award toward his expenses to compete in International Mr. Leather in Chicago Memorial Day 2017. In 1989, the Lords sponsored a contest for Mr. New Orleans Leather. In 1993 the contest grew to encompass the geographic area of the state by evolving into the Mr. Louisiana NYC's Candy Samples Open Hand, won the crown and took off from there. Making NYC her home in 2000, Candy has become a staple in the cabaret world with her show Candy on the Keys at The Duplex Cabaret Theatre as well as joining the cast of Church with a Two-Drink Minimum at Sidewalk Cafe in NYC s East Village. A fierce advocate for HIV/AIDS, Candy s NYC AIDS Walk Team raised over $47,000 alone for GMHC. She s taking her act to NOLA once more and hopes folks will take to her message. New Orleans has been so good to me. The people are wonderful and treat me like family. It has always seemed like my second home, says the red haired chanteuse. HIV/AIDS issues are very important to me and the fundraising I help in is just as important as my music. Sunday Services, produced by Decadent Duck Events is open to the [continued on 10] 8 The Official Mag : AmbushMag.com August 16-29, 2016 Official ficial Southern n Decadence Guide SouthernDecadence.com
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2016 Louisiana Seafood Festival Sept. 2-4 The 2016 Louisiana Seafood Festival is a signature fundraising event for the Louisiana Hospitality Foundation, who also produces the event. The three-day annual festival, scheduled for September 2-4, 2016 at City Park Festival Grounds in New Orleans, is a celebration of all the fresh and flavorful seafood that makes Louisiana great. The festival features over two dozen of the best restaurants and caterers in Louisiana, live national and local music acts, over a dozen celebrity cooking demonstrations from some of the region s highest acclaimed chefs, an art market with handmade and original crafts, and children s activities. The 2016 festival will feature the following food vendors preparing a wide array of Louisiana seafood delicacies: Acme Oyster House, Ajun Cajun, Blue Crab Restaurant, Café Giovanni, Dat Dog, Dirty Dishes, Drago s Seafood Restaurant, Ernst Café, Galatoire s Restaurant, Goodfellas Seafood and PoBoys, Jacques- Imo s, Katie s Restaurant, LaDelyo s Creole Catering, Lüke, Miss Linda The Ya-Ka- Mein Lady, Mr. Mudbug Catering, Quintin s Ice Cream, Red Fish Grill, Royal House Oyster Bar, Saltwater Grill, Seither s Seathe "official" dish...from 8 public with no cover. Candy will be passing around the collection plate for Food for Friends. Last year s event helped to raised $22,000. This year, I think we can break that record, says Samples. food, Superior Seafood, TJ Gourmet, Voleo s Seafood, Woody s Fish Tacos The festival will present three days of live music on the Bud Light Music Stage. The 2016 lineup includes: Blood, Sweat & Tears featuring Bo Bice, Village People, The Romantics, Zebra, The Producers, Flow Tribe, Bonerama with Special Guest George Porter Jr., Big Sam s Funky Nation, Benjy Davis, Johnny Sketch & the Dirty Notes, Paul Varisco & the Milestones featuring Luther Kent, Hot 8 Brass Band, Tank and the Bangas, Darcy Malone and the Tangle, Dave Jordan and the NIA, Big Easy Playboys The festival will implement ticketed admission this year, which will help to provide a continued high quality experience for all guests and raise funds for the Foundation s mission. Tickets will go on sale Friday, July 15, 2016 via Gambit Tickets at http://louisianaseafoodfestival.com/. Advance tickets will be $8 per day, advance weekend ticket packages will be $22, and children 55 inches and under will be admitted free when accompanied by a paying adult. Ticket prices will increase beginning Friday, September 2, 2016 to $10 per day and $25 weekend ticket package. The festival is rain or shine; all ticket sales are final. We are thrilled to share our 2016 festival plans. Our food vendors and music lineup are top-notch and sure to create a fun-filled weekend for New Orleans locals and visitors, said Tony Abadie, festival cochair and 2 nd vice president of the Louisiana Hospitality Foundation. We were all blown away with the record-breaking attendance of over 56,000 people last year for our first time scheduling the festival on Labor Day weekend. We look forward to welcoming people back for another great festival and to raise funds for our Foundation s mission and community impact, said Glen Armantrout, festival cochair and 1 st vice president of the Louisiana Hospitality Foundation. For information visit www.louisianaseafoodfestival.com, www.facebook.com/laseafoodfestival, and twitter.com/laseafoodfest. The smartphone app is also available for Android and iphone at http:// louisianaseafoodfestival.com/apps/. Founded in 2006, the Louisiana Hospitality Foundation facilitates the efforts of the hospitality industry to improve Louisiana in a variety of ways and to provide support for the education, health and social welfare of children in the community. Frank Perez to Teach French Quarter History at Delgado Community College Local historian and author Frank Perez will teach a course on French Quarter History at the City Park Campus of DCC beginning October 11. Perez, a writer and tour-guide who lives in the French Quarter, developed the course in 2013. The class focuses on the history of the French Quarter as both the original city of New Orleans and its shifting role as the city s flagship neighborhood. While the French, Spanish, and early American periods are covered, the emphasis of the course is on 20th century history. Topics include, but are not limited to: architecture, historical preservation, colorful characters, the rise of tourism, literature and arts, drinking culture, crime and vice, and LGBT+ history. The last class meeting is a tour of the French Quarter. Lulu Blackwell, who completed the course last year, said, It was an amazing class! And Professor Perez kept it fun and interesting. I highly recommend it. Perez is the president of the LGBT+ Archives Project of Louisiana, a non-profit organization that promotes the preservation of material that chronicles local LGBT+ history. He is also a writer who has authored two books: In Exile: The History and Lore Surrounding New Orleans Gay Culture and Its Oldest Gay Bar (with Jeffrey Palmquist) and Treasures of the Vieux Carre: Ten Self-Guided Walking Tours of the French Quarter. He and Palmquist are also the editors of My Gay New Orleans: 28 Personal Reminiscences on LGBT+ Life in New Orleans. He also writes a column on gay New Orleans history for Ambush Magazine. His publications also include a number of scholarly articles in academic journals as well as a number of poems and short stories in various literary journals. In addition to writing, Perez is the owner of the Crescent City Tour Booking Agency and is a licensed tour guide. He earned his B.S. in Criminal Justice from the University of Louisiana at Lafayette in 1991 and an M.A. in English from the University of Louisiana at Lafayette in 1997. Perez is a former Associate Professor of English. The course will meet on Tuesday evenings for eight weeks. The cost is $249. The course is offered through the Department of Workforce Development / Continuing Education. Registration is now open. 10 The Official Mag : AmbushMag.com August 16-29, 2016 Official ficial Southern n Decadence Guide SouthernDecadence.com