GayEasterParade.COM SouthernDecadence.COM Dec. 18, 2012-Jan. 7, 2013 The Official Mag: AmbushMag.COM 11

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1 GayEasterParade.COM SouthernDecadence.COM Dec. 18, 2012-Jan. 7, 2013 The Official Mag: AmbushMag.COM 11

2 under the gaydar by Tony Leggio Photo by: Larry Graham, GrahamStudioOne.COM Satyricon Presents 12 th Night The Mystic Krewe of Satyricon is having its glamorous 12th Night Ball on Saturday, Jan. 5, 2013 from 7-10pm at the elegant Uptown mansion of Dr. Marc Behar and his partner Jeff Sbisa. Come out and support the krewe as they kick off the Carnival season in stylish fashion. This black tie optional event is one of the most popular events of the season. Tickets are $30 and include scrumptious cuisine, an open bar, silent auction and entertainment. Every person who buys a ticket is included in the drawing for the king and queen of 12 th Night. If you are the lucky winners, you get two tickets to the ball and will be presented as part of our court. This year, there will be some secret special festive highlights to the event. The theme, king and queen will also be announced at the party. For more information or tickets call The event will be held at 1422 Jackson Avenue. Light Up The Night It is never too early to start thinking about Mardi Gras. Trust me ladies and gentlemen; it is right around the corner. One of the most fabulous events in the city during the season has just publicized its theme and it is going to be an incredible night of drinking, dancing and costumes. The Friday Night Before Mardi Gras is presenting Extravaganza XIV Le Tableau Des Flambeaux at the Audubon Tea Room on Friday, Feb. 8, Tickets are now on sale for this noteworthy event. I have been the past few years and can attest that it is quite the good time. I even won the costume contest last year. From the delicious food to the dazzling costumes, this is one of the must attend fetes during Carnival time. Your ticket includes a premium open bar, elegant cuisine, free photographs, a costume contest with prizes, a raffle with fabulous prizes and a silent auction with original artwork. Reserved tables may also be purchased. For tickets, go to or call ext Book of the Month My book of the month for December caught my interest when it first came out, but with my busy schedule, I just got around to reading it. The Bad Life by Frederic Mitterrand is the so-called autobiography of the French Minister of Culture and Communication who has been an actor, screenwriter, television presenter, writer, producer and director. Born in Paris, he is the nephew of François Mitterrand, who was the President of France from 1981 to The novel itself has a bit of controversy behind it as the author was accused of participating in sexual misconduct. I have to admit, this was a difficult book to get through. At times it rambles jumping from story to story without an easy transition. But there were some interesting sections of the novel, mostly the ones when he talks about his sexuality. He freely admits in the book how he regularly pays for sex; and the parts about the brothels he visited and it s workers kept my interest. There are many movie stars, politicians and world renowned celebrities mentioned in his stories. The chapter about Quentin, a onetime dear friend of Mitterrand who turned out to be a Talented Mr. Ripley who murdered his entire family was riveting. What I found thought-provoking was the cultural differences of growing up gay in France and their attitude towards homosexuality during that time period. And who says you cannot learn anything new. I never knew anything about sexual tourism before reading this book. In many of his travels abroad, Mitterrand visited many houses of ill repute. So the saying is definitely true, one night in Bangkok does make a hard man humble. Curtains Up Rivertown Theatres for the Performing Arts is hosting a season Announcement Celebration on Friday, Jan. 4, 2013 from 7-10pm at the theatre. Be among the first to hear about the exciting line-up for the season. There will be musical performances from all next season s shows and a sneak peek number from the Class of 70 Something. Artistic Directors Kelli Fouchi and Gary Rucker have an entertaining night planned for guests. Tickets are $40 and includes food by Twelve Seasons Catering, an open bar, performances and a unique theatrical silent auction. Reservations are required and tickets are limited. For more information or tickets, call or go to The theatre is located at 325 Minor Street in the quaint [continued on 13] 12 The Official Mag: AmbushMag.COM Dec. 18, 2012-Jan. 7, 2013 Official ficial Gay Mardi di Gras Guide GayMardiGras.COM

3 under the gaydar...from 12 Rivertown area of Kenner. And Even More Theatre News S ummer Lyric Theatre at Tulane University has just announced their new 2013 season and subscribers and theatre goers are in for a treat. Their season starts with La Cage aux folles June 20 23, 2013, then A Little Night Music July 11 14, 2013 and concludes with Kiss Me Kate Aug. 1 4, A gift certificate to one or all of these shows would make a great present for the holidays. Tickets to the public will go on sale on March 11, For more information or to get a gift certificate, call Spa Atlantis' New Location T he owners and staff at Spa Atlantis have many things to be thankful for this holiday season. They have a thriving business popular with locals and visitors to the city alike and are growing. In August they opened their second location, Spa Atlantis French Quarter at 536 Bienville Street. Forget the hustle and bustle of the holidays as you step into this tranquil environment situated in a historic building in the Vieux Carre. And this is an ideal place to get those last minute [continued on 14] GayEasterParade.COM SouthernDecadence.COM Dec. 18, 2012-Jan. 7, 2013 The Official Mag: AmbushMag.COM 13

4 under the gaydar...from 13 holiday gifts. Pamper the ones you love (or yourself for that matter) at Spa Atlantis. Come and check out the facilities, either in the Quarter or their other location in the CBD at 740 Gravier Street. Huge allies of the gay community, owner Richard Borne and his staff (especially the lovely Andrea) can always be seen supporting functions for gay carnival krewes and numerous fundraisers, so this is a choice opportunity to give back to those who help us. For more information on Spa Atlantis, go to Update on Broadway at NOCCA Two more famous Broadway stars are adding their talent to the line-up at the New Orleans Center for Creative Arts (NOCCA). Five of the entertainment world s leading ladies will perform in New Orleans as Seth Rudetsky s popular Broadway Concert Series makes the leap to NOCCA s Lupin Hall from its summer home at The Art House in Provincetown, MA. Patti LuPone, twotime Tony winner for Gypsy and as the legendary original Evita, will appear for two shows only on Monday, Jan. 7 at 6:30 and 8:30. Sutton Foster, twotime Tony-winner for this year s Anything Goes and previously for Thoroughly Modern Millie and star of the ABC Family series Bunheads arrives for one show only on March 2 at 7:30. Megan Mullally, two-time Emmy-winning star of TV s Will and Grace and star of Broadway s Young Frankenstein performs two shows only on April 6 at 7:30 and 9:30. Audra McDonald, a five-time Tony Award winner and recent star of Porgy and Bess on Broadway and TV s Private Practice will make her New Orleans debut with two shows only on May 18 at 7:30 and 9:30. Betty Buckley, the Tony winning legendary star of Cats and Sunset Boulevard will close the series on June 1 with two shows only at 7:30 and 9:30. The visiting Broadway artists will also be giving master classes for the NOCCA Institute s high school-aged musical theatre students. All five concerts are produced by Mark Cortale, long time producer/manager of Jeffery Roberson aka Varla Jean Merman, and will be hosted by Sirius/XM radio star Seth Rudetsky at the piano. The series is sponsored exclusively by the New Orleans Hotel Collection and Gambit. Tickets can be purchased at or by calling Party Down Nothing says the holidays like excessive partying, and in this city they are a plenty. Let s begin the two weeks on Tuesday with the re-opening of La Louisiane Restaurant in the French Quarter. The once famous restaurant has been dormant for many years. Now revamped, it will soon become a bar/bistro and venue space. So many memories of the eatery came flooding back to me as I attended their reopening party. The food and drinks flowed as the hospitality industry got reacquainted with an old friend. I cannot wait to attend more events there. The Art Against AIDS Patron Party was held on Wednesday and this year was quite unique. They offered guests a progressive party at two galleries on Julia Street that represent the honorary chairs this year Lin Emery and Skylar Fein. The evening started out at Arthur Rogers Gallery with light hors d oeuvres, cocktails and music; then we moved to Jonathan Ferarra s Gallery for desserts and after dinner drinks. Patrons were able to mingle with both of the chairs who are incredible talents in the art scene. Emery is a kinetic sculpture artist who uses wind, water and magnets to propel her work. Her pieces can be seen throughout the United State and the Far East. Fein creates two- and three-dimensional works from materials found on the streets of New Orleans, as well as from sources like comic books and mass-produced commodities such as bulletproof glass. Fein first gained acclaim at the Dan Cameron curated inaugural Prospect.1 Biennial, New Orleans, with his installation, Remember the Upstairs Lounge, a multimedia piece about a fatal 1973 New Orleans fire at a gay bar that killed thirty-two and injured dozens. The patron party was a wonderfully elegant prequel to the coming attractions of the weekend. I was in the holiday season before Thanksgiving even came, my tree was up and house decorated festively. But it was not until Thursday, that I attened my first official Christmas party when Gambel Communications got a jump start on the season with their holiday celebration at their offices. There was great food supplied by my favorite restaurant Le Meritage and a special martini bar from the Hotel Monteleone with the famous Marvin doing the cocktails. The ladies and one gentleman at Gambel know how to bring on the Kris Kringle as guests enjoyed live music. Friday I had a more relaxed night taking in a play, Shanghai, at the Allways Lounge. Saturday was hectic from sunup to sundown. As event chair for Art Against AIDS, I spent the day at the New Orleans Museum of Art making sure everything was in place. I had literally one hour to go home throw on a tuxedo and be back to greet guests. Not to be bias, but the party was truly a spectacular evening. From the moment guests arrived they were greeted by booming carols from Manhein Steamroller and Trans-Siberian Orchestra to set the tone. The entire façade of the museum was uplit red with the logos of the event scrolling across the front. They had champagne served on a gorgeous model in a dress that was actually made of metal and the glasses sit right on her in little holders. It was on wheels to allow her to glide easily around; what a great concept, the bar comes to you. Once inside, the main gallery was transformed into a disco with color changing LED lights and music from Oz DJ Tim Pflueger. The silent auction was probably one of the best ones and the food was superior with all the participating restaurants serving their best dishes. There were so many people reaching an attendance of 1,000 guests. From the Harrah s Lounge located in the courtyard with sultry singers to the retail section, every aspect of the night shined. I would like to congratulate everyone at the NO/AIDS Task Force for a job well done as well as everyone who worked on the board and the committees. Sunday was a day devoted to two of the gay carnival krewes in New Orleans. The Mystic Krewe of Satyricon held its annual holiday auction and buffet at JohnPaul s. Every year the krewe throws a holiday season celebration filled with great food, unique auction prizes and some fun entertainers doing holiday numbers. As captain, I would like to thank all those who have been supporting us throughout the year; we cannot wait for the ball. After Satyricon, I traveled to Metairie to attend the Krewe of Petronius Gospel Show at Four Seasons Lounge. The ladies made sure everyone had the holy spirit in them as they did some rousing numbers. It was the perfect Sunday with good friends, amazing weather and inspirational music. This city s hospitality community spread holiday cheer on Wednesday at their annual yuletide season fundraiser at the Joy Theatre. Meeting Professionals International (MPI), the National Association of Catering and Events (NACE) and the International Society of Event Specialists (ISES) joined together to host this fete that had a champagne bar, food from a dozen different restaurants and caterers, live entertainment from the band No Idea and a silent auction. The next night, I went to the grand opening of Spa Atlantis new location in the French Quarter on Iberville Street. It is always a treat to hang out with Richard, Andrea and the entire staff. You need to check the space out. On Friday, my schedule was a whirlwind. My friends Beaux, Barrett and I went to social butterfly Cheryl Lemoine s holiday party at her well-appointed home in Mid City. As always, the champagne streamed, the food was delectable and the guests were an enjoyable eclectic mix. I always relish her party, because I meet so many new people. We followed her party up with another house party at Ashley, Vickie and Leann s condominium. Now this is where the cocktails got serious. These people know how to make some serious bourbon eggnog. After getting well liquored, we made our way to JohnPaul s for the New Orleans Pride s Holiday Winter Wonderland hosted by the ever so talented Johnny Passion with a little help from moi. It was packed as some of the city s top entertainers performed holiday numbers; I even have to say my Elton John rendition of Step Into Christmas was pretty good, albeit I had some help from the hunky Mark Callahan. We raised a lot of money and it was so heartwarming to celebrate a very Pride-filled holiday. Saturday was another laid back evening; I took in the show M Butterfly at the Shadowbox Theatre. It is so energizing to see so many little theatres cropping up and thriving in our city. Sunday was another marathon day beginning with the Amon-Ra Gumbo Cook-off at the Golden Lantern. There were so many grand entries, but it was Rip and Marsha from Ambush Magazine s lip-smacking New Orleans favorite that won the prize. Then I went to designer Jose Luis and his partner Rene s holiday open house. Creative people always have the best decorations and these guys outdid themselves this year. A bare branch tree painted black with hanging ornaments towered over guests heads as they enjoyed drinks and party food. They transformed their French Quarter apartment into a modern Winter Wonderland. I finally ended my evening at the home of Dr. Marc Behar and his partner Jeff Sbisa for their delightful Chanukah party. They are the ultimate hosts welcoming a very diverse group of guests as we had traditional Jewish fare, their potato latkes were amazing. The highlight of the night was playing the gift exchange. That ends my two weeks of parties, events and plays. There is still more to come as we near the New Year. Tony s Tidbits of Gay Wisdom So this may be my last article according to the Mayans. Yes, ladies and gentleman, three days after Ambush comes out, the world is set to end on 12/21/12. Doomsday fanatics have been heralding the end of days for years now and it is finally upon us. Websites have been set up to tell you how to survive this global apocalypse. From getting weapons to stocking up on supplies, survivalists around the world are bracing themselves. But we have been through this before; remember the rapture. [continued on 16] 14 The Official Mag: AmbushMag.COM Dec. 18, 2012-Jan. 7, 2013 Official ficial Gay Mardi di Gras Guide GayMardiGras.COM

5 GayEasterParade.COM SouthernDecadence.COM Dec. 18, 2012-Jan. 7, 2013 The Official Mag: AmbushMag.COM 15