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SouthernDecadence.com Dec. 16-29, 2014 Facebook.

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This young couple is welcoming a baby boy and are huge supporters of the Krewe of Armeinius (Lance is Brent, the captain s brother), so the krewe showed up in force to help them celebrate their

2 under the gaydar...from 10 gorgeous afternoon to walk around and just take in history. We came back to the city and once again attended another event with a totally diverse group from where we just left, a baby shower for Lance and Shayna. This young couple is welcoming a baby boy and are huge supporters of the Krewe of Armeinius (Lance is Brent, the captain s brother), so the krewe showed up in force to help them celebrate their special occasion. I have never been to a baby shower before, did you know they play some effed up games at them. Like we had to sniff diapers with chocolate melted in them and guess what type of candy bar it was. WTF, who does that! That aside the party was lovely and the décor, rubber ducks everywhere, was nice. Congratulations to the couple and their new addition to our world. That is it for another Party Down, I would like to wish everyone a safe and very Merry Christmas. Ambush On The Road: A Country Christmas in Nashville Country music, cowboys, and the Grand Ole Opry, Nashville is one city that has it all. My mother Dawn and I started our road trip on Wednesday morning before Thanksgiving and drove eight hours straight up to Nashville only stopping once at our guilty pleasure for lunch, Cracker Barrel. Yes, I know it is very cheesy, but I love their shop. We pulled into Nashville at about 3pm and checked into the Gaylord Opryland Hotel which is a massive hotel complex with numerous restaurants, shops, holiday activities, convention center and is just steps away from the Grand Ole Opry and Opry Mills Mall. I had been here in January for a convention and heard about all the things they did for the holidays so I brought Mama Leggio for our annual kick off the holidays road trip/vacation and it was truly memorable. We got settled in very nice junior suites; thank you for the upgrade and then headed down for a special dinner holiday show in one of the hotel s ballrooms. For the season, they have the band Restless Star performing a concert that includes all their number one hits as well as holiday favorites. John Dittrich, Greg Jennings, Paul Gregg, Dave Innis, and Larry Stewart make up Restless Heart and have enjoyed one of the most successful careers in Country Music history. They have placed over 25 singles on the charts with six consecutive #1 hits, four of their albums have been certified Gold by the RIAA, and they have won a wide range of awards from many organizations including the Academy of Country Music s Top Vocal Group trophy. This was a splendid way to start off the trip with a well-prepared meal at an authentic country music concert. After dinner we walked along the outside grounds looking at the lights and the life-size manger set up. These lit white statues told the story of the birth of Christ and was an exquisite sight. Thanksgiving was a day for exploring, dining and shopping. After we woke up we walked around the large three indoor atriums of the hotel looking at the suspended holiday décor, huge Christmas tree and lights, as well as their parade of trees. Many of the Nashville country music stars and sports figures sponsored the décor for the trees and packages with them that are up for auction for their favorite charities. I personally enjoyed Reba McIntire and Dolly Parton s trees. Now those are two country queens who know how to decorate (or at least hire someone who can). Then we made a brief stop at the Arts and Crafts market. A large group of vendors have set up an art market selling everything from gift items and ornaments to food products at an indoor market that is open every day through Christmas. After quelling the shopping bug for a moment, we went outside to their ICE area. ICE! is an indoor winter wonderland featuring a walk-through holiday attraction made completely of ice, kept at a chilly 9 degrees, two million pounds of hand-carved ice sculptures, four ice slides, six individual rooms depicting the story of Twas the Night Before Christmas, The Frostbite Factory a live carving zone and a full Nativity in stunning, crystal clear ice. This was one of the most breathtaking holiday displays I have seen in my life. The classic holiday poem, Twas the Night Before Christmas, is brought to life in with meticulously carved ice sculptures, including two-story tall ice slides. But my favorite discovery of the area was the Ice Bar where one might be able to partake in a beverage to help their nerves with all the children running around. An ice skating rink and an Ice Tubing slide is also connected to this area. After we worked up an appetite we went to Thanksgiving lunch at the hotel s premier restaurant Old Hickory Steakhouse. This plantation named after President Andrew Jackson is fashioned after his plantation home. We had dinner in the outdoor courtyard under the climate controlled sky above. The food, service and atmosphere mixed perfectly to make an unforgettable dining experience. After resting from the full day of activity, we were restless, and the Opry Mills Outlet Mall was right next door and opened for 6pm. So having no will power and little to do, we went over there and enjoyed an evening of shopping. There was a crowd, but it was not unmanageable, in fact it was rather pleasant. We barely waited in any lines and got some fabulous bargains. We even had a late night sup in the food court at this fine establishment called Cajun Café. Knocked off lots of shopping from our list and had a good time; all that matters. I love Black Friday, I know people say you re crazy to go shopping on that day, but it depends on where you go. If you shop at the right places, you avoid the stupidity and mayhem and still get the deals. We decided to go to the mall at Green Hills to do our early morning Black Friday Shopping, which said it opened at 8am. We arrived there about 7:30am to beat the crowds and found Macy s open and there was no one there. I mean literally there was more staff than customers. It was awesome, we never waited in one line the entire day of shopping. I guess because many people perceived this shopping complex, located in a very affluent part of the city as being overpriced. But the stores, which were numerous all had the same sales, just no people. It was the best shopping experience ever. It was almost as if my mom and I had the mall to ourselves. And they had the best stores, Macy s Dillard s, Nordstrom s, Z Gallerie, Banana Republic, just to name a few. We literally shopped till our car was filled, then we went back towards the hotel. The Gaylord Opryland is located near Music Valley Drive which has many restaurants, shops, shows and fun things to do. We went there and I saw something that made me stop the car and park. Cooter s Place is owned by Ben Jones who played Cooter, Luke, Bo and Daisy Duke s cousin. He owns a Dukes of Hazard Museum filled with memorabilia from the hit TV Show. The General Lee is parked right out front. Good lord, I use to dream about those Duke boys all the time in my prepubescent gay youth. The museum and shop is a fun-filled trip down memory lane. Remember Boss Hog and Daisy Duke, the original wearer of those tight jean shorts. I spent about an hour there looking at all the cool things then walked next door to the Willie Nelson General Store. Talk about immersing yourself in the country lifestyle. My favorite find, Willie Nelson Kitchen Potholders, get it. Then we went back to the hotel for a spot of lunch at Jack Daniel s, continuing on the Tennessee roll. But what we did that night was the highlight of the entire trip. We went over to the Grand Ole Opry which is literally steps away from the hotel to see the Rockettes Christmas Spectacular. This is another New York production of the famed Music Hall show that has been performing in Nashville for the last few years, this year is the last year. It is the same show as New York with all the bells and whistles from the Story of the Birth of Jesus with live animals to the Rockettes most famous numbers like the Toy Soldiers and the New York Christmas. We had third row seats right in front for an up close and personal view of all the action. Those women can dance. It is an extensive cast. If you have never seen this show, add it to you bucket list, no matter what age you are, it immediately puts you in the holiday spirit. After the show, we went to the hotel and had dinner in their upscale Italian eatery called Ravello. The Gaylord Opryland has many dining choices and this is one of the best picks. It also has a noteworthy wine bar attached to it. Saturday, we decided to take a little road trip right outside the city to a little town called Franklin, about 30 minutes outside of Nashville. It is a picturesque little place that looks like it was pulled right out of a Norman Rockwell painting with a Main Street lined with antique shops, boutiques, cafes and specialty stores. The Saturday after Black Friday has been dubbed Small Business Saturday so consumers can shop local, non-chair retail outlets and buy local. Which we did in force. After spending a relaxing afternoon shopping we went to lunch at Puckett s Boat House, which is part of the world famous Puckett Grocery family of restaurants. The only difference is instead of barbecue, they serve seafood delicacies. My favorite was the lobster bites. The food, service, local brews on tap and down home atmosphere made this place a winning choice. After spending the day out of the city, that evening, we decided it was time to go downtown. We chose one of the hottest new restaurants on the Nashville culinary scene, Etch. This restaurant is the latest offering from Chef Deb Paquette. Located in the ground floor of the Encore tower, Etch offers a private dining room, full bar and an open kitchen with bar-style seating, allowing guests to interact with the chef and her kitchen. There menu features an assortment of global flavors and decadent desserts. In her 13 years as Chef/Owner of Zola, Deb received accolades for Nashville s best chef and Nashville s best restaurant multiple times. The cuisine at Etch is complemented by a comprehensive wine list and modern takes on classic cocktails, along with a variety of eclectic beers and regional drafts. My favorite was the Maker s Mark Manhattan, talk about silky smooth. This was the impeccable way to end our last evening in Nashville. We left our Country Christmas celebration on Sunday for home taking a different route back which brought us through Biloxi, so we had to stop at the Beau Rivage. Their holiday décor is the best on the Mississippi Coast Strip consisting of oversized ornaments and animatronic displays. After having lunch at their buffet we gambled for a few hours. I even won $100 which was nice to take back considering all the money we dropped in Nashville. I am expecting a thank you note from the city of Nashville shortly for our help towards their economy. If you do not have Nashville on your list of cities to visit, add it, you will love the place. To Quote A Queen Looking for that last minute stocking stuffers, fun magnets is always that perfect gift for an out of town friend slips easily into an envelope. And finding the right quote to say what you want to that special person is just as exhausting. So I located some great magnets with gay quotes which you can order on-line. So get shopping and enjoy. Keep Calm and Kiss Boys. Gay Pride: What Happens Over the Rainbow Stays Over the Rainbow. Let s Get One Thing Straight: I m Not. Don t Hate Me Because I m Gay, Hate Me because I Stole Your Man. Come Out, Come Out, Wherever You Are. 12 The Official Mag : AmbushMag.com Dec , 2014 Official ficial Gay Mardi di Gras Guide since 1982 GayMardiGras.com

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trodding the boards by Brian Sands Email: bsnola2@hotmail.com Twelfth Night at NOMA through Dec.

You may think you re familiar with one of Shakespeare s more regularly produced comedies but, even if you are, it s a rare treat to see it done so well in such a unique and magnificent setting as the

Using billowing blue sheets for the sea and a small boat that sails upon them, it makes for a beautiful start of this tale.

4 trodding the boards by Brian Sands Twelfth Night at NOMA through Dec. 21 Put aside Christmas preparations or find time during Hanukkah celebrations, just get thee to the New Orleans Museum of Art for The NOLA Project s captivating Twelfth Night. You may think you re familiar with one of Shakespeare s more regularly produced comedies but, even if you are, it s a rare treat to see it done so well in such a unique and magnificent setting as the Museum s Great Hall. Director A.J. Allegra has wisely added a prologue that lays out the back-story making it easier to fix in your mind who s who. Using billowing blue sheets for the sea and a small boat that sails upon them, it makes for a beautiful start of this tale. Allegra may not offer any radical new interpretations of Night there s no updating or resetting the scene in the bayou or plumbing the script s darker depths but who cares when he takes full advantage of the large space, not only sending his cast up and down the grand staircase and all around the balcony, but using the architecture to enhance the story; I have never so highly anticipated seeing Malvolio s newly cross-gartered legs as when Keith Claverie, as the priggish court steward, descended that long staircase with the marble railing hiding them until the final reveal. But though there be pratfalls and other visual flourishes sprinkled throughout the evening, Allegra maintains a meticulous emotional transparency, even as characters try to hide their feelings or change their looks, that furnishes this production with a richly satisfying foundation. And while this Night brings out the joyousness of love, it doesn t neglect the play s minor key of melancholia. The cast embraces this duality. I ve enjoyed Kristin Witterschein & Cecile Monteyne over the years but never more so than as Viola and Olivia, respectively, in Illyria. Witterschein s Viola, disguised as the young man Cesario, is utterly ingenuous, resolutely steadfast, and wisely wary of the assorted crazies she s been cast among. Too often, Viola s do too much acting. Witterschein does the reverse giving us a minimalist Viola to maximum effect; after all, wouldn t someone who s trying to hide do as little as possible to call attention to herself? Yet Witterschein always lets Viola s fundamental decency and tender feelings shine through. As the Countess still grieving for her recently deceased father and brother, Monteyne gives us an Olivia who may be stern, but hasn t completely lost her sense of humor. Used to getting her way but overcome by unrequited love for Cesario (not realizing he s a she), she gets a little wacky, as seen in her facial expressions and body language, a more regal Carol Burnett. Vain yet insecure, it s an affecting portrait and we cheer when she finally finds her love, Viola s twin brother Sebastian (Joel Derby). Deliciously smug and appearing like a constipated owl, Claverie s Malvolio seems trapped by his own officiousness until the possibility of Olivia s affections unleashes his amorous desires to hilarious effect. Scowling at those around him, Claverie makes Malvolio a fool you love to laugh at yet, at the end, finds pathos as the once tooproper steward is mocked by all. Looking a bit like Katy Perry in boy drag, Sam Dudley s goony Andrew Aguecheek is the complete opposite of his brilliant turn earlier this year as the reserved Felix Turner in The Normal Heart. Embracing Aguecheek s frippery, Dudley finds laughs even in a line like There s vinegar and pepper in it. Jared Hood s Toby Belch is a larger than life rogue, a cousin to that other great knave, Falstaff. As the jester Feste, Jake Bartush seems to be making up witticisms on the spot, and Derby, Kurt Owens (Antonio), and Levi Hood (Fabian) all provide solid support. James Bartelle endows Duke Orsino with dignity and a well-defined nobility. And portraying him as blind was a nice touch, embodying the play s love is blind philosophy and making it more understandable for Orsino not to realize that Cesario is a young woman. Yet whether because of this or Bartelle s own stately bearing, a certain erotic sexiness was missing from Orsino making Viola s falling for him in a brief three days somewhat hard to believe. Then again, love s blindness can go both ways. In her New Orleans debut, Danielle Doyen was not bad as Olivia s gentlewoman Maria, but it was a standard issue performance lacking an energizing mischievousness. I sensed she was like a new member of a chamber music group, still getting used to her colleague s style of playing. Julie Winn contributed rich-looking costumes. Joan Long s lighting was simple but effective. The musical scoring was wellchosen, but while new sound panels helped, there were some challenges with the acoustics especially when the boisterous Toby held forth. It was gratifying to see three NOCCA students (Emily Bagwill, Marion Strauss & Knox Van Horn) doing well in some of the smaller roles. As The NOLA Project concludes its tenth season on a high note, how wonderful that they are readying the next generation of theater artists as they continue on into their next decade. A Christmas Carol at the Anthony Bean Community Theater through Dec. 21 You d have to be a Scrooge not to enjoy the Anthony Bean Theater s production of Charles Dickens A Christmas Carol. That accomplished actor Harold X Evans is taking a break from August Wilson s Century Cycle and the other serious dramas he s usually found in to play that bitter James Bartelle, Kristin Witterschein, Cecile Monteyne, Joel Derby in Twelfth Night (Photo credit Liz Gore) old miser Ebenezer Scrooge. Which is not to say he s taking this assignment any less seriously; on the contrary, his is a finely etched portrait of a cold, hard man who gradually thaws from nasty to nice. Spinning countless variations as he delivers the classic Bah, humbug line, what a pleasure it is to see Evans face light up as he discovers it s better to give than receive. Evans, though, is hardly the only reason to see this Carol. A large contingent of ABCT kids fill out a variety of roles in wonderfully self-possessed fashion. If Triston James made an adorable Tiny Tim, the charismatic Lance Pike, as his brother Peter, nearly stole the show from him. Among the adults on stage, the reliable TJ Toups elicited pity as a most believable Jacob Marley, suffering in the afterlife. Donna King brought a cheeky pride to Scrooge s housekeeper Mrs. Dilber. DC Paul s Fred emanated a sincere affection for his Uncle Ebenezer despite the cold shoulder he s received in return. And I d wager that Kelishia King s Spirit of Christmas Past is the first time that apparition has ever appeared in a spectacular gold and turquoise Mardi Gras Indian suit. On Vic Woodward s nice, multi-purpose set, Director Anthony Bean has made this, until the final joyful scenes, an appropriately dark n rainy, Halloween-ish Christmas Carol with impressive House of Horror sound effects of clanking chains and restless thunder. Okay, scene transitions could be a little smoother. And, though set in New Orleans, there are some all too proper British locutions and references to shillings. And, yes, there s a curious mash-up of olden times (horses hooves clomping in the streets) and new (a shiny attache case carried by Cratchit). But these are easily overlooked when Scrooge s ultimate embrace of love and humanity leaves you with a lump in your throat. At least it did for me. On the road A recent visit to Italy in the off-season allowed me to enjoy some of Rome and Florence s top attractions without having to fight the crowds, indoors or outside in the Piazza San Pietro where I got to see Pope Francis deliver the Angelus prayer. In Rome, at the Galleria Borghese, you theoretically shouldn t ever have to fight the crowds as only 300 people are let in every 2 hours. Still pile-ups occur to see Bernini s sublime Apollo and Daphne and David, Antonio Canova s lifelike Pauline Bonaparte (note the creases in the marble pillows), and the many other glorious paintings, sculptures and furnishings. You might thus want to consider going in when the tour groups have left about an hour after your ticket s time by then, you re likely to have most galleries all to yourself. The Castel Sant Angelo has an interesting history as an Emperor s mausoleum, a fortress and castle for Popes, and now a museum. But I was most excited to stand on the top terrace and imagine what Tosca was thinking before she threw herself over the side. It s quite a view she had before she went over. Try to avoid going to the Palazzo Barberini on a Sunday as, due to staff shortages, many of its rooms are shut. But even without getting to see all of it, I enjoyed my visit. How can you not when you re surrounded by Caravaggio s, Tintoretto s (pere et fils), and La Fornarina, Raphael s seductive portrait of his mistress? I had been warned about long lines in Florence trying to get in to the Uffizi Gallery and Accademia Gallery, but there were none in the early morning nor the late afternoon. Sure you re gonna go for Botticelli s The Birth of Venus and Michelangelo s David, respectively, but give yourself time to see all the other goodies that each holds, even more so if there are any special exhibits going on. And feel free to lie down on the Uffizi s hallway floors to take in the magnificent ceiling decorations. Whether at the Pitti Palace or the Medici Chapel you will see how money was spent with splendiferous abandon (hey, Michelangelo doesn t come cheap), but don t ignore the more subtle pleasures at the Museum of Pietra Dura where inlaid stones create absolutely exquisite images. Though well worth a visit, I suspect this small museum doesn t get too crowded even during the height of the tourist season so whenever you go, enjoy! 14 The Official Mag : AmbushMag.com Dec , 2014 Official ficial Gay Mardi di Gras Guide since 1982 GayMardiGras.com

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Twelfth Night Study Guide. The Hilarity of Mistaken Identity

Twelfth Night Study Guide. The Hilarity of Mistaken Identity The Hilarity of Mistaken Identity When aristocratic-born Viola is shipwrecked off the shores of Illyria, she disguises herself as a man named Cesario to earn a position in Duke Orsino s household. As she