by Joey Collins, Lafayette, Louisiana Email: ejcollins583@gmail.com Twitter: JoeyC_583 Though you may think a dull weekend is upon you, you will be surprised. Mardi Gras is right here! Regardless if you took the opportunity to attend the Apollo Ball, you have not missed out on the festivities. Much more has yet to come and is right around the corner. Paint your face, throw on that fabulous costume, and get ready because Mardi Gras is here and you re listening up with Joey Collins! Recapping a Night Cap The Krewe of Apollo de Lafayette held their annual ball on Saturday, February 19 th. The theme this year was Body Art. The ball almost returned to its roots when it was held at the Cajun Dome Convention Center venue. Spectators enjoyed the return of larger than life costumes, dance numbers, and a sold out crowd. For the first time in years attendees very proudly proclaimed that they were a part of an amazing event which boasted the creativity of a proud community. Many of the past royalty were presented to an over overwhelmed crowd. The elegance of this crowd was mesmerized with fabulous display of attire as members paraded around the room on magnificent floats with krewe members raining beads and happiness. If you were not in attendance, I urge you to make it your point to be so at next year s event. Remember to buy your tickets early because this year sold out very quickly. Before the ball I had the opportunity to attend the cocktail party of John Landry. Mr. Landry s party was made up of style and elegance. It was apparent that all stops were pulled when he planned such an event. Men were dressed in such extraordinary formal wear and women were the belles of the event. This was the representation of true Mardi Gras when a time was present when Southerners rolled out their best and celebrated such a carnival event. The bartender, Steven Rogers, did an amazing job at being very attentive to each attendees needs. Mr. Landry wowed his patrons with hors d'oeuvres, décor, and lighting that was fit for any Queen or King of Mardi Gras. I noticed that as many of the guest left the party to attend the Apollo Ball, many had the sense of royalty; royalty that is often displayed in carnival season. Much gratitude should be given from all those who attended John Landry s cocktail party as well as his latenight party that went on until the sun began to shine its light through his well-landscaped yard. As of Monday, February 14 th, Tonic has begun a new tradition of observing Customer Appreciation Night. Former Sound Factory bartender, Mario, has revised his role as the very infamous bartender that many of you once grew to know. This vivacious character that is very well-known in the local scene is back. Mario always seems to set the scene when he is quick with his wit and charm. It s been always a talent to all of us who have been treated by his skills. The tone is set each acadiana happens and every Monday night when he offers such drink specials as $1 domestics, $2 wells, and $3 premiums for all patrons. Mardi-Lafayette Style Break out that alcohol-filled thermos, that purple featheredboa, and prepare yourself to pass a good time. Such a waited event for many of us is Mardi Gras. Lafayette is the hub of the area where one can experience such a grand event that is so comparable to New Orleans. Though many natives may flock to New Orleans during the weekend before Mardi Gras, many still return for the festivities which occur on both Lundi Gras and Mardi Gras. Proven time and time and time again, crowds will flock to the downtown, UL, and Johnston Street areas. One must remember that to attain the perfect spectator spot along the route, one must wake up pretty early. Before we begin on Mardi Gras day, let us not forget those who remain in the Lafayette area during the entire festivities. Beginning on Friday, March 4 th and continuing through Mardi Gras day, Cajun Field will host such events as Cajun cuisine, live entertainment, and carnival rides fit for all ages. For more information one can visit www.gomardigras.com. On Saturday, March 5 th, the Children s Parade will begin to roll at 12:30pm. Don t abandon the parade route too soon, unless of course you need to take time to refill your drink. Keep in mind that on the same parade route at 6pm the Krewe of Bonaparte will begin its march. At this point, Sunday will have snuck upon us and will offer the opportunity to recover from the weekend events. As many of us sleep the morning away and then begin to welcome in the new week, we cannot forget that much lies just around the corner. Lundi Gras is always expected to welcome a plethora of festivities. At this point one should already have returned to the Lafayette area. Lundi Gras will begin with the Queen s Parade rolling at 6pm. Remember that both Tonic and Jules will be open during these events. Don t forget that if one is in the downtown area, it is now okay to purchase a drink at your favorite downtown establishment and carry it to your Mardi Gras experience. Finally the day has arrived. Whether you awake with a hearty breakfast or a simple shot of liquor to keep the buzz going from the previous night, it s time to gather your close friends and head to the parade route for a day of celebration, tradition, food, and fun. The King s Parade will roll at 10am and will be followed by the official Lafayette Mardi Gras Festival Parade at 1pm. Don t think of going astray just yet because the final parade is yet to come. The Fox 15 Independent Parade rolls at 2pm. By the time the final float has passed and you find yourself in a sea of carnival beads be sure to make note of your surroundings. Odds are that the day was passed with wonderful friends and memories of another successful Carnival season. The day is yet to be over because you can always make your way to either Tonic or Jules for a continuous celebration. Please always remember to drink responsibly and be safe. Happy Mardi Gras and do not forget that more good times are around the corner as Festival International will arrive before you know it. Bar Spill While downtown for the Mardi Gras festivities, don t forget that Jules will be expanding its hours. Though you re accustomed to Jules being open on Thursday, Friday, and Saturday from 7pm to 2am, Jules will be open on Lundi Gras for the 6pm Queens Parade. On Mardi Gras day the hours will be from 9am till 2am. Need a break from the downtown scene? Tonic plans to open at noon on Mardi Gras Day. As always, check out their Happy Hour and Ladies Night specials. Don t forget to follow the following groups on Facebook: Ambush Magazine, Tonic, Jules, Lafayette Gay Men, and Lafayette Lesbians. These pages are always the quickest and most up to date information on Acadiana events. That s Sexual! So living in the dorms during a college experience can really dictate a life of much sexual experience. Attending a university that is well-known for its party scene does not excuse such an experience. During my sophomore year of college I once had a roommate who was very appreciative of such experience. For this particular story we will refer to him as Will. It was not unusual to find Will engaged in a relationship, particularly online. I guess you could say that he much enjoyed such websites as Manhunt.com. One boring night as Will and I sat in our drafty dorm, he began to chat with me about one of his recent experiences. It was late and I had just finished studying for one of my mid-terms. As he began to speak I walked across the cold linoleum floor and climbed into my small twin bed. The street light peered through the blinds and reflected off of my Justin Timberlake poster. It presented just enough light to keep me awake for a story that I was not so sure if I were in the mood to hear. Nonetheless, I decided to entertain my roommate, Will. I was used to being the prude who didn t necessarily engage in the plethora of sexual activities in college yet it always somehow became my duty to have live vicariously through the life of my roommate. Will began to explain that one recent night he was up late chatting on his computer via one of those many random hookup sites. Will had many contacts that he had established. One in particular was of much interest because it involved a nearby dorm. This was not just a dorm in our building but it involved a dorm room in a building across campus. Will was allowing his hormones to dictate his procrastination with an English paper that was due the very next day. As he logged onto any usual gaymale site, his eye was caught by another user who was interested in something very similar to Will. Their conversation simply began with the usual, hey, what s up? followed by Will with, not much, what about you? The small talk quickly developed to an invitation to a night of lust. Will being Will very quickly obliged. The directions were very simple. He was told to cross campus to a certain dorm and enter the window of a first-floor dorm and there the guy would be waiting. Will hurriedly threw on some pajama pants, a t-shirt, and rushed across campus. He was told the window would be open. Once Will arrived to the building, he found an open window and immediately began to crawl in. Once inside the darkened room, he found a guy lying there half asleep. The guy was awakened and startled by Will s presence. Will was filled with confidence and excitement. Without question, Will immediately began to touch the guy s body. The guy did not reject Will s presence and allowed Will to work himself up to the guy s lips. Will began to embrace the guy and kiss him passionately with no questions. No words of dismay were exchanged and body language only proved that the guy accepted Will s every move. As the moonlight shined into the room, Will immediately began to fool with foreplay. As the guy began to grasp for air, Will made his way to create a night of passion. Will had no question in his mind that this was the exact guy whom he had just spoken with online. I mean who would? The guy didn t resist. The night went on with, well you know. I will leave it to the imagination. As morning came Will awoke and found himself within the guy s embrace. As he turned to take his first full look of the guy s face he questioned as to why the face did not exactly meet the profile that he had seen online. The guy then awoke and smiled. Will took the smile as a compliment and then was startled by the guy s verbal response, What is your name? To his surprise, Will laughed and told the guy his name and then replied, What is your name? For discrete purposes we shall now call the guy Robert. Robert and Will started to laugh as Will thought to himself; this can t be the same guy. They don t look alike and do not have the same name. Will was beside himself and began to explain. Were you not the guy whom I spoke with last night online? Robert replied in much innocence, I do not know what you re talking about but last night was amazing. The two laughed at the confusion yet Will instantly jumped out of bed. What do you mean that you don t know what I m talking about? So long story short, Will apparently climbed into the wrong window. To Will s dismay, he learned that you never know which window you may crawl into and what it may bring you. Closing Out There are many open windows in life. Some we are afraid of and others are so easy to jump into. At times windows we want to be opened are sealed shut. Sometimes in life a window closed pushes us to find another open window full of surprises. It may not be exactly the window that we were looking for yet in the end our pleasure is satisfied. You get what you give. There is a window open. Keep the party going, you re listening up with Joey Collins. 46 The Official Mag: AmbushMag.COM March ch 1-14, 2011 Official ficial Gay Mardi di Gras Guide GayMardiGras.COM
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mobile paparazzi 2011 Krewe of Phoenix King & Queen Denny & Veronica B-Bob s Jerry Ehlen with Rupaul Drag Race favorite Nina Flowers Steven & company party at the No. 1 Dance Club in Mobile, B-Bob s Taylor Heart performs @ B-Bob s Travis & Jarrid attend Osiris Ball Gemini with Miss Gina celebrating Mardi Gras Emerald City/Pensacola Show Director Lauren Mitchell performs @ B-Bob s Crayton & Christian @ B-Bob s Thursday College Party News Center 5 Favorite Weston with Jason & O Brian @ B-Bob s Mark & company @ B-Bob s Biloxi s very own Sophia Lucianni performing @ B-Bob s O Brian & Bryant dancing the night away Celebrating, Dancing, Performing ~ Mobile, Alabama Miss Gay Louisiana America 2010 Bambi Bexter with Order of Osiris Queen Michelle Brown Eugene, Mack, Jasyn & Maury enjoying the Drag Shows @ B-Bob s The Heart Sisters performing @ B-Bob s Miss Raven St. James performing @ B-Bob s with MC & Host Jay Mobile s Blonde Bombshell Miss Cie with Robert Jeremy & Jason with the Boys Judson & Travis cut up on the dance floor of B-Bob s B-Bob s welcomes their new handsome bartender Wiley 48 The Official Mag: AmbushMag.COM March ch 1-14, 2011 Official ficial Gay Mardi di Gras Guide GayMardiGras.COM
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Krewe deux Boobs Yvonne M. Bruneau joins Blake Miller @ 700 Club Joe & David join Rawhide s BYOM salute to Black History Month ambush paparazzi Pat & Ben @ The Eagle above the Phoenix for the Lords of Leather 70s Night at the Tubs Cast members of The Color Purple @ Bourbon Pub Parade Mickey Hebert, Katie Curry, Yvonne M. Bruneau, Katie Hoff & John Curry in Krewe deux Boobs parade @ Good Friends Double Play s Chuck joins Mother Moses for DP s Valentine s Potluck Dinner Good Friends' Neel, Wood Enterprises' Ken & Glazers' Ashley @ Rawhide s BYOM salute to Black History Month Even Josh & Jeff make it in for Rawhide s BYOM salute to Black History Month Lance joins the Lords of Leather 70s Night at the Tubs @ The Eagle Mama Bear, Papa Bear, Baby Bear & Goldilocks join 3rd Anniversary Golden Age Revue @ JohnPaul s Cheryl, TJ & Noel test their stamina blowing up balloons for Gayrage sale benefiting NO/AIDS Task Force Hot men were a plenty @ Gayrage sale benefiting NO/AIDS Task Force Across The Spectrum ~ New Orleans Chuck serves Sweetheart Meat Loaf @ Double Play s Valentine s Dinner Thor serves up hot sausage for Rawhide s BYOM salute to Black History Month Bartenders Jeff, Michael & Nigel welcome you to Lafitte s Joining the Gayrage sale benefiting NO/AIDS Task Force Chris & Ryan welcome you to Bourbon Pub Bartender Vito returns to Oz Barbara Ella hosting Karaoke @ Lafitte s Becky Allen & Todd Murray at his show @ Le Chat Noir 50 The Official Mag: AmbushMag.COM March ch 1-14, 2011 Official ficial Gay Mardi di Gras Guide GayMardiGras.COM