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spotlight feature by Frank Perez E-mail: f.perez@sbcglobal.net The New Club New Orleans One of the most enduring gay institutions in New Orleans is Club New Orleans, the gay bathhouse at 515 Toulouse Street in the French Quarter. The Club is almost 45 years old and it s getting a make-over. Longtime manager Gene Adams retired earlier this year and hand-picked Robbie Martin to be his successor. Martin took over operations at Club New Orleans in April. Originally from Baton Rouge, Martin has lived on and off in New Orleans for several years. He has worked as a DJ at clubs in New Orleans (Bourbon Pub, Phoenix, Rawhide), Baton Rouge (Argon), and at Pride festivities and other clubs real estate Getting Your First Home Loan If this is your first time buying a home, the process to get your first home loan can seem complicated. Applying for your first home loan can be tricky, and the most important thing you can do is look to the experienced gay realtor you re working with for advice. It s recommended to get assistance from those who have done it before, and in this case, your agent has probably done it hundreds of times. Even though things are different than they were three or four years ago when it was possible to get your first home if you had a pulse, it is still possible for responsible, stable individuals to qualify for a loan. Do your homework and find out what programs are available for first time home buyers in your city. Don t choose your lender based upon the lowest interest rate there are many unscrupulous lenders out there that will quote you a low rate and New Manager Robbie Martin in San Francisco. In San Francisco, he also worked as a project manager for an information technology firm before joining Steamworks (a bathhouse chain based in San Francisco) in 2010 as an IT specialist. Martin earned a degree in General Studies from LSU in 2002. Drawing on his background in technology, Martin plans on modernizing Club New Orleans. He has already installed LED lighting, updated the sound system and high speed Wi-Fi, and done some basic building maintenance. Club New Orleans has also acquired the equipment and décor of the recently closed Bear Trap. Future plans include a new sound system, updating the video system, installing power outlets in every room, renovating the theatre room to include raised floor levels, and hosting promotional theme parties. In addition to modernizing the facility, Martin hopes to get Club New Orleans more involved in the local gay community. For example, the Club had a presence in the Pride Parade and it was also a sponsor of Upstairs, the new dramatic musical which pays homage to the victims of the Upstairs Lounge fire. It is also increasing the number of hours the NO/AIDS Task Force offers free HIV testing at the Club. Currently Club New Orleans features a gym, steam room, dry sauna, sundeck, whirlpool, private rooms, video lounge, a dungeon, public play spaces, and hardcore rooms. Martin is eager to point out that bathhouse culture is not a thing of the past. The modern gay bathhouse industry dates back to the late 1950s and early 1960s (though they existed in various forms prior to World War II). Bathhouse culture reached its peak during the glory years of the 1970s only to face potential extinction during the 1980s because of the AIDS epidemic. At that time, no one could have guessed that the real threat to the industry would be the rise of the internet in the 1990s. Martin points out that technology and bathhouses are not mutually exclusive and need not work against each other. In fact, Martin argues, the two can actually work together. A Welcome Party / Open House at Club New Orleans is planned for July 4 in order to showcase the changes. The party will include a meet and greet with refreshments and special membership offers from 7-11pm. then bombard you with add-on fees, or even increase your rate at closing. Also, don t give any lender authorization to pull your credit report, until you have chosen them as your lender! If you have multiple lenders with your information, all running credit... it will lower your credit score and make the final lender wonder why so many lenders were trying to get you a loan. Again, any top real estate agent will be able to guide you through this process and prevent new home buyers mistakes that could cost you dearly. When applying for your fist home loan the lender will require many items like bank statements, W-2s, paycheck stubs, explanations of credit report items and more. Essentially, the lender wants to know that you have the income and ability to repay your home loan. You need to be patient in this process and give the lender what they are asking for and work with them to understand exactly what format they need it in. This is another time it is extremely beneficial to ask the advice of those who have gone through the process already. They can let you know what is normal, what may seem a little out of the ordinary, and most importantly give you the reassurance you need. It is better to start out small so that you remain comfortable - plenty of people mortgage hefty loans without any hope of becoming financially free in their lifetime. Eventually getting your loan paid off should be your top priority, no matter what. Although most mortgage brokers have a set fee for their services, it does pay to shop around to get a feel for the different interest rates and terms involved with your mortgage loan. A good mortgage broker will help you to save thousands of dollars over a long period of time. They can also be quite helpful if you do not understand the terminology or language that many mortgage companies use on a regular basis. Make a few inquiries online and speak with your gay real estate professional as to what programs the mainstream financial institutions are offering. This will be a great investment of your time and energy, toward a brighter future as a new homeowner. Author Jeff Hammerberg is the Founding CEO of http:// www.gayrealestate.com. AMBUSH MAG.COM 828 12 The Official Mag: AmbushMag.COM June 25-July 8, 2013 Official ficial Southern n Decadence Guide SouthernDecadence.COM
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the "official" dish...from 10 Growing up LGBT in America is a groundbreaking survey of more than 10,000 LGBT-identified youth ages 13-17. It provides a stark picture of the difficulties they face the impact on their well-being is profound. For example, LGBT Latino youth are twice as likely as non-lgbt Latino youth to say they do not fit in, in the communities where they live, However these youth are quite resilient. They find safe havens among their peers, online and in their schools. They remain optimistic and believe things will get better. Nevertheless, the findings are a call to action for all adults who want ensure that young people can thrive. As part of the LULAC National Convention, hundreds of LULAC youth members from the entire U.S. and Puerto Rico attended the workshops, and forums and concerts in Las Vegas. At last year s National Convention in Orlando, LULAC passed a resolution in favor of same sex unions. The resolution supported marriage equality for all Americans, including those in the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender community. Furthermore, the resolution opposed the denial of basic civil rights or acts of discrimination against any American, as is consistent with LULAC s continuing advocacy for civil rights and protections guaranteed by the 14 th Amendment of the U.S. Constitution. The League of United Latin American Citizens (LULAC) is the nation s largest and oldest civil rights volunteerbased organization that empowers Hispanic Americans and builds strong Latino communities. Headquartered in Washington, DC, with 900 councils around the United States and Puerto Rico, LULAC s programs, services and advocacy address the most important issues for Latinos, meeting critical needs of today and the future. For more information, visit www.lulac.org. Jacob Media Project Launches Production of Free Music Video Contest New Orleans-based, multi-media company Jacob Media Project is offering local musicians a chance to win a complimentary music video or musicbased short film. In an effort to support local talent, Jacob Media Project is offering to produce a free music video for an artist or group of artists, said Chris Jacob, owner of Jacob Media Project. The nature of the musical short lies in the collaborative process between musician and filmmaker. We want to help showcase some musical talent that could really use more of a visual presence but does not necessarily have the resources to do so. I d like to find a musical act that truly wants to collaborate creatively and who are into the process, not just the product. Interested parties should submit a statement of interest to jacobmediaproject@gmail.com or by visiting www.jacobmediaproject.com. Submissions must include a brief biography about the musical act; potential ideas for the production; why you or your group could use a music video or musical short film; any pertinent links to websites, recordings and videos; and contact information. Deadline for submission is September 1st, 2013. The winner will receive creative consultation, art direction, costume design and a polished final visual production for use on websites and social media (a package worth $3,500). The selection process is based on uniqueness, talent, demonstration of interest and the perceived degree of need for a gratuitous production. The goal of the project is to create a fully realized music video that demonstrates musical talent, dynamic performance and collaborative intent. The video itself may range from candid, casual live performance with brief interviews to a highly produced, studiobased conventional music video. Jacob Media Project is an independently owned multi-media production company specializing in portrait and event photography, documentary film, music video production, art direction and design. Owner Chris Jacob blends his educational background in Ethnomusicology and keen aesthetic sense of popular culture into unique productions with depth and a striking visual essence. Jacob Media Project can be found on the web at www.jacobmediaproject.com. Star-Studded Performance Lineup to Mark Reopening of Saenger Theatre After more than eight years, the historic Saenger Theatre in New Orleans will proudly reopen its doors this fall with a grand opening celebration, featuring a lineup of performances commemorating the city s love for live entertainment of all kinds. The initial announcement includes a variety of entertainment beginning on September 28 and continuing through January 10 of 2014. Additional performances will be announced as they are confirmed. The Saenger Theatre is currently undergoing a $52 million restoration led by the City of New Orleans, Canal Street Development Corporation, and ACE Theatrical Group. The Saenger Theatre is the crown jewel of Canal Street, Mayor Mitch Landrieu said. Combined with new state-of-the-art features and the authentic restoration to its original 1927 design, the new Saenger Theatre will redefine the live entertainment marketplace in New Orleans and the Gulf Coast region. The announcement of the grand opening celebration lineup reestablishes the Saenger as the premier live entertainment venue in the region, truly providing something for everyone. Legendary comedian Jerry Seinfeld will kick-off the grand opening weekend in the Saenger Theatre with two comedy performances on September 28. The Saenger Opening Gala, starring Kristin Chenoweth and the Louisiana Philharmonic Orchestra, will be the highlight of the grand opening celebration with a gala and concert on October 5. More details on the Saenger Opening Gala will be announced in the coming weeks. The lineup continues through the holiday season with a variety of performances, including a historic performance of the Abyssinian Mass, composed and performed by Wynton Marsalis and The Lincoln Center Jazz Orchestra October 13, and Band Together, a free children s concert by the Louisiana Philharmonic Orchestra October 2. The performances mark the culmination of the public-private restoration project and the beginning of the next chapter in the theatre s storied history. The investment our community has made in this spectacular, historic venue will reap dividends for our citizens for years to come, said David Skinner, General Manager of the Saenger Theatre. These shows at the Saenger will infuse new lifeblood into this sector of downtown, stimulating economic activity in our retail, restaurant, hospitality and transportation industries throughout the area. We are committed to stimulating business development through the adaptive reuse and development of Canal Street, said David Rubenstein, Chair of the Canal Street Development Corporation. Through our partnerships with the City of New Orleans and ACE Theatrical Group, the Saenger will once again serve as an important anchor that will spur growth and redevelopment along Canal Street. For more information about specific performances, ticketing information, and to sign up to receive advance notification for tickets as they go on sale, visit www.saengernola.com. Season tickets are still on-sale for the 2013-2014 East Jefferson General Hospital Broadway in New Orleans series and can be purchased by calling 800.218.7469, or online at www.broadwayinneworleans.com. Individual tickets will be available six to eight weeks prior to each scheduled performance. For group pricing, please call 504.287.0372. The season will feature The Book of Mormon, Ghost The Musical, Sister Act, Disney s Beauty and the Beast, Memphis, War Horse and Rain. The Saenger Theatre is also announcing a special parking arrangement with the University Place Parking Garage, located across from the Roosevelt Hotel, half a block from the Saenger across Canal Street. All ticket purchasers will have the opportunity to pre-pay for their parking while buying concert tickets through Ticketmaster.com. This option will provide the patron with a reserved space at the garage the day of the event. Parking at the University Place Parking Garage will cost $20, including all services fees. 14 The Official Mag: AmbushMag.COM June 25-July 8, 2013 Official ficial Southern n Decadence Guide SouthernDecadence.COM
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