the "official" dish...from Main-4 ond oldest gay bar in New Orleans at 1239 Royal Street. Wild rumors have been circulating throughout the city that major changes were going to occur. Other than sprucing up the place and replacing antiquated equipment and tvs with up-to-date ones, locals and visitors will find the Home of Southern Decadence as the friendly neighborhood bar that it has always been. The new proprietors own Tubby's Video Bar in Ft. Myers, Florida. Cher to Headline The Colosseum at Caesars Palace beginning May 6 Las Vegas - The legendary Cher confirmed a long-lived rumor that she will headline in Las Vegas at The Colosseum at Caesars Palace beginning May 6. The performance agreement, which is in partnership with AEG Live, includes approximately 200 shows over a span of three years. Cher at The Colosseum, an impressive spectacle designed exclusively for the 4,300-seat venue, will feature countless chart-topping hits from the artist s unparalleled career. The show will be complemented by extraordinary choreography from Doriana Sanchez, state-of-theart lighting and special effects and breathtaking costumes designed by the worldrenowned fashion icon, Bob Mackie. I started in Vegas at Caesars, so I ve come full circle, Cher said. I m back and I plan to give my fans the best experience yet. I think everybody knows I only do things in a big way. A world famous superstar for more than 40 years, the Oscar and Emmy-winning performer has conquered every endeavor - concerts, recordings, Broadway, TV, movies, film directing and books. Cher has released more than 25 albums and sold over 100 million records worldwide in her Grammy-winning solo recording career. The fan anticipation leading up to this announcement has been unprecedented, said John Meglen, co-ceo and President of AEG Live/Concerts West. Cher s talent is legendary around the globe and there is simply no one like her. AEG Live is proud to be involved with Cher in a project that once again reinforces Las Vegas as the entertainment capital of the world. Cher s name in one word encapsulates icon, award-winning legend, and captivating performer. There is only one home for someone of that legendary status - the most recognized casino brand in the world, Caesars Palace, said Caesars Palace President, Gary Selesner. Caesars is pleased to welcome Cher back to Las Vegas most prestigious entertainment address, The Colosseum, joining Bette Midler and Elton John. The 90-minute show will be presented at 7:30pm four nights a week on Tuesday, Wednesday, Saturday and Sunday (dark Monday, Thursday and Friday). Tickets for performances from May 6 through August 31 are on sale now and can be purchased by calling 1.866.510.CHER (2437) or online at www.ticketmaster.com, keyword Cher. Tickets may also be purchased in person at The Colosseum at Caesars Palace Box Office open daily from 10am to 10pm. For groups of 20 or more, call 702.731.7208. Ticket prices are $95, $140, $175 and $250. Visit cher.aeglive.com for more information on Cher at The Colosseum at Caesars Palace. AEG Live, the live-entertainment division of Los Angeles based AEG is dedicated to all aspects of live contemporary music performance, touring for a variety of programming and multi-media production. One of the largest concert promotion and touring companies in the world, AEG Live is comprised of special event, broadcast and exhibition divisions, and operates and owns numerous state of the art venues nationwide. Recent AEG Live tours and productions include Celine Dion A New Day..., which just ended a landmark five year run at The Colosseum at Caesars Palace and Tutankhamun and the Golden Age of the Pharaohs, an international tour of the artifacts of King Tut. Recent and current promoted concert tours include Justin Timberlake, Christina Aguilera, Prince, Bon Jovi, Usher, Nickelback, Kenny Chesney, Rod Stewart, and Paul McCartney. AEG Live also co-produces the New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival. Goldenvoice, the company s southern California-based regional promotion division, created and operates the award winning annual Coachella Valley Music & Arts Festival. Caesars Palace is the world s best known resort-casino, celebrating the glory that was Greece and the grandeur that was Rome, in an 85-acre destination location that sets the standard for entertainment, dining and luxury. Reigning at the heart of the Las Vegas Strip, Caesars Palace ranks among the world s top luxury resorts known for their originality and beauty and features 3,348 hotel guest rooms and suites, 25 unique restaurants and cafes, 4.5-acre Garden of the Gods pools and gardens, 50,000 square foot Qua Baths & Spa and 240,000 square feet of premium meeting and convention space. The 4,100-seat Colosseum sits just steps from celebrity chef restaurants and the acclaimed Forum Shops at Caesars and spotlights world class entertainers such as Bette Midler, Elton John, Jerry Seinfeld and starting in May 2008, Cher. Ceremonial Art of Amazonia Coming to Birmingham Museum of Art Birmingham, AL-For thousands of years, the indigenous people of the Amazon Basin of South America have depended on the vast rainforests surrounding them. Today, some 300 tribes continue to rely on the land s natural resources for their survival, and to maintain age-old ceremonial and ritual traditions central to their cultures. From March 30 to July 27, The Birmingham Museum of Art presents Vanishing Worlds: Art and Ritual in Amazonia, an exhibition of spectacular and rare works of Amazonian material culture, including full body costumes, masks, feather headdresses, body ornaments, baskets, weapons, pottery, and textiles. The carefully crafted and vibrantly colored objects were made for use in rituals and ceremonies central to the life of Amazonian peoples, and range in age from 30 to 100 years. Many were worn by shamans and other community members during rituals such as name-giving Karaja: Headdress, Karajá people, Brazil, split cane, vegetal fibers, cotton fibers, Macaw feathers. The Adam Mekler Collection Courtesy of The Houston Museum of Natural Science. ceremonies for the young, initiation into adulthood, and rituals surrounding death and bereavement, harvest, and healing. The incredible art and material culture of the Amazon has not been widely shown or published - it is not well known, says Emily Hanna, Curator of the Arts of Africa and the Americas at the Birmingham Museum of Art. These masterful works are compelling not only for their brilliant forms, but for their profound significance within the culture. We are very pleased to be able to bring these works to Birmingham. The objects in Vanishing Worlds exhibit exquisite artistry and, although utilitarian, are masterpieces of color and design. They are made from materials gathered from the forest, including wood and bark, beetle wings, grasses, shells, seeds, clay, and beeswax. Perhaps the most visually stunning objects are made with brilliantly colored feathers of some 40 species of birds, including parrots, macaws, and herons. These artworks give shape to belief, and embody tightly woven relationships between the human community and natural environment, and between the visible and invisible worlds. The exhibition highlights eight tribal groups, including people of the Ka apor, Karajá, Tapirapé, Ticuna, Shipibo-Conibo, Shuar, Kayapó, and Xingu River regions. These groups inhabit a vast area that ranges from the Atlantic coast of Brazil to the foothills of the Andes in Peru and Ecuador. Prior to European exploration in 1500, some three to five million people lived in the Amazon River basin. Today fewer than 100,000 Amazonian tribal people survive in an area that covers 2.5 million square miles. While most of the cultures represented by artifacts in this exhibition still exist, the vast majority of the tribes of the Amazon have disappeared. The unique and fragile works in Vanishing Worlds reflect the threatened existence of their creators, as well as the crisis of the rainforest environment in which they were made. This exhibition was organized by the Houston Museum of Natural Science and has been shown at the Cantor Art Center of Stanford University, the Mayborn Museum at Baylor University, and the University of Pennsylvania Museum of Art and Archeology. The Birmingham Museum of Art is the final venue for the exhibition. A companion exhibition never before MAIN~6 of 48 AmbushMag.COM Feb. 12-25, 2008 The One & Only Official Gay Mardi Gras Guide GayMardiGras.COM Mekragnoti: Headdress, Kayapo- Mekragnoti people, Brazil, vegetal fibers, feathers from Scarlet Macaw, Blue-and-yellow Macaw, Hyacinth Macaw. The Adam Mekler Collection Courtesy of The Houston Museum of Natural Science. shown outside of Peru, Children, Let s Protect Our Forests, features paintings by Peruvian children of the Amazon. The art project was organized by the Federation of Indigenous Organization of the Peruvian Amazon and was supported by the Swiss aid organization Nouvelle Planète. The children produced hundreds of paintings about changes and damage to the ecology of the Amazon that were exhibited in Iquitos, Peru. The exhibition helped raise Peruvian consciousness about the importance of protecting the environment. The curator responsible for the exhibitions presentation at the Birmingham Museum of Art is Emily Hanna, Ph.D., Curator of the Arts of Africa and the Americas. This exhibit was organized and curated by Associate Curator Adam Mekler and Curator of Anthropology Dirk Van Tuerenhout, Ph.D., both of the Houston Museum of Natural Science. Visitor Information: The Birmingham Museum of Art is open Tuesday-Saturday, 10am-5pm and Sunday Noon-5pm. Admission is free. Docents offer free tours of the permanent collection Tuesday-Friday at Noon and topical tours on Sunday at 2pm. The Museum is located at 2000 8th Ave North. Parking is free to Museum guests. For information, call 205.254.2565 or go to www.artsbma.org. The Birmingham Museum of Art, one of the finest regional museums in the United States, houses a diverse collection of more than 17,000 paintings, sculpture, prints, drawings and decorative arts dating from ancient to modern times. The Museum s extensive holdings of Asian, European, American, African, Precolumbian and Native American art presents a rich panorama of cultures. Surrounded by breath-taking works created by the masters of antiquity and icons of the art world, Museum visitors take part in global discovery. Related Programs: ArtBreak, Tuesday, April 8, Noon, Birds of the Amazon, Tim Snyder, Curator of Birds, Birmingham Zoo; With 17 years experience in zoo aviculture, Snyder is an expert on a widevariety of bird species. He is an active conservationist and recently led a trip to Costa Rica, home to some of the most colorful species of birds including Macaws, Parrots [continued on Main-8]
GayNewOrleans.COM SouthernDecadence.COM GayEasterParade.COM Feb. 12-25, 2008 AmbushMag.COM MAIN~7 of 48
Mark's Story: Part Four one last song by Donnie "Jager" Jay, SDGM XXXII E-mail: donniejay@hotmail.com As they walked down the pathway leading out to the street Jim and Carlos did so arm and arm. Jim had not felt this free in much to long a time, in public anyway. Naturally everyone who was anyone knew his sexual preference, after all this was in truth a small community, admittedly primarily existing on gay tourist dollars, but none the less primarily owned and run by the straight world, who had learned early on and quickly, that cash was cash, after all no matter who was spending it, and who had opened their business and bank accounts to the their fastest growing market. In other words, no one paid much attention to who was or was not holding hands as they strolled around the lush tropical island in the evening hours. Just as they were about to enter the main drive and head towards downtown, Carlos stopped abruptly and turned Jim to face him. Jim looked into Carlos dark eyes, a little startled, it happened so quickly. Is something wrong? he asked almost hesitantly. Carlos only smiled at him and releasing Jim's hand cupped his around the back of Jim s neck and drew his boss in towards him; kissing him long and hard. I just wanted to thank you, that is all. [continued on Main-9] the "official" dish...from Main-6 and Toucans. In this presentation, Snyder will give an illustrated talk on the varied species of birds from this region. Family Day, Amazon Adventure, Saturday, April 12, 11am - 3pm, Members Only from 10-11am; Embark on an adventure into the Amazon rainforest with live animals, art activities, face painting, and more. Museum family days typically draw thousands of visitors, so you will not want to miss this special occasion! Lecture, Sunday, April 13, 2pm; Dr. Jeremy Narby, Anthropologist and Author of Cosmic Serpent Narby will give a public lecture about his research on shamanism in the Amazon. He is an anthropologist with Nouvelle Planète, a nonprofit organization based on the ethics of Albert Schweitzer, seeking a balance between all forms of life. Amazon Tour and Film, Sunday, June 8, Topic Tour, 2pm: Vanishing Worlds: Art and Ritual in Amazonia, Film, 2:30pm: The Burning Season, 1994, 123 minutes; Raul Julia won an Emmy, a Golden MAIN~8 of 48 AmbushMag.COM Feb. 12-25, 2008 The One & Only Official Gay Mardi Gras Guide GayMardiGras.COM Globe, and a Screen Actors Guild award for his portrayal of Brazilian rubber tapper Chico Mendes. The film is based on the true story of Mendes, who led his people in protest against government and developers who razed the rainforest for a new road and ranch land. Also starring Edward James Olmos. The Highlands Inn Celebrates 25 Years as Lesbian Paradise Bethlehem, NH - The Highlands Inn will celebrate its 25th year in business in 2008! Named by PlanetOut as one of the most romantic lesbian destinations on the planet, lesbian-owned Highlands is one of very few resorts or inns that cater to a women-only clientele. To have succeeded in this niche market is a remarkable accomplishment for a small business. The owner, Grace Newman, bought the 100-acre property in 1983. The Highlands quickly became known as a warm, welcoming women s place, where guests can relax and be themselves. Located in New Hampshire s major vacation destination, the White Mountains, the Inn has 19 rooms in three buildings. Several of the rooms have a fireplace, private deck, or 2- person spa. Newman says It s amazing how things have changed since we opened the Inn. Gay-friendly accommodations were a thing of the distant future! It was usually pretty awkward for a same-sex couple to share a room. Now lesbians and gay men are considered a valuable market, worthy of special efforts to get our business. Highlands will celebrate its 25th year with a birthday party on the weekend of May 9-11. Saturday night will feature a catered dinner followed by champagne and dancing with a LIVE band, Truth or Dare. Newman is thrilled that the Highlands 25th anniversary coincides with the first year of New Hampshire s new civil union law, which went into effect on January 1, 2008. The Highlands is well-prepared to assist women who wish to have a New Hampshire civil union ceremony. Over the years, the Inn has been the site of dozens of commitment ceremonies, and hundreds of couples have honeymooned at the Inn or stayed there while becoming civilly united. The Highlands hosted a New Hampshire civil union ceremony for two couples on January 1, 2008, just minutes after the new civil union law became effective. We were so happy to have been able to begin the new year with this ceremony, Newman says. We always have a big New Year s party at the Inn. I was very touched to see that all of our guests who were there for the party attended the civil union ceremony to wish the couples well. It was one of the proudest times of my years as an innkeeper! The Highlands Inn recently received the 2007 Pink Choice award for its reliably high ratings from members of Pink Choice (www.pinkchoice.com), a website for lesbian and gay travelers seeking information about accommodations worldwide. The Highlands is also a member of Worlds Foremost Gay & Lesbian Hotels (www.worldsforemost.com) and has consistently been selected by PlanetOut as a top destination for women. For more info visit, www.highlandsinn-nh.com.
one last song...from Main-8 Thank me, for what? For asking me out this evening, for not worrying about what other people might think or say about it. Carlos smiled broadly. I gave up on caring about what others think about me long ago. Jim kissed him back. This was of course not exactly the truth. He was concerned about gossip, he always had been, he had heard his share of it all most all of his adult live. He had his own reasons for fearing it, and the number one was that it might be true. This is what had happened between him and Mark, which seemed like an eternity ago right now. Tonight was more than likely the best he had felt, in all those years that had passed, he was actually at this time, right here and now, about to go out on his real first date in all this time. Still, even though there would be talk about him dining with his companion this evening, he knew that, he also knew that the date was just that, a legitimate date. Unlike the gossip that had flown around him and Mark, years past, which unfortunately had turned out to be true, and brought their fledgling romance to an unhappy end, this evening could not be touched by what any one would say, because he knew just what the truth here really was. There was no doubt to linger anywhere in his thoughts. He had indeed asked Carlos out for dinner, without the mention of any rumination of any sort at all. They had spent the morning enjoying each other at Carlos s instigation, and it had turned out good. No not good, but great. At the same moment as Jim and Carlos were heading out on their evening together on what they were both hoping would be the start of something for the both of them, Mark was sitting on the foot of his bed, his eyes misting thinking about his life, as it had been with Jim and what he had given up for his lustful alter ego. The side of his personality, which had led to the end of a very good thing, was preparing this evening to take him away from the freezing cold and into the balmy tropics of the South Florida Keys. Tomorrow morning as Jake, he would arrive to spend a week in paradise, free to do anything and anyone who came along and never look back. The story of his sad young life since he was abandoned by Jim, not that he could of blamed him in any way for their splitting, for he had come to realize that it was no one s fault but his own. He wrapped his arms tightly around his chest and laid back on the bed imagining that it was Jim who was holding him tightly. Jim who had held him tightly as he had slept for so many years of his young life. Jim who had always been his protector. He was very good at this, being able as if by some magic to conjure up his past lover, to imagine that they were still together, pushing away the truth as if nothing had ever bad taken place between the two of them. Perhaps it was his way of avoiding the truth, of keeping his hold on what little sanity he had left, people have been known to remember just what they want to from time to time. So he laid here quietly in his ex lovers arms and fell asleep. And while he slept, he dreamed, he dreamt not as Jake but as Mark and he was safe and secure in Jim s arms, as he should always be. He had no desire for anything or anyone else, he was home, he was where he truly belonged. He had made it back at last and would never stray again, never he promised, never again. Carlos and Jim ate at one of Key West s most well known restaurants, one frequented by only the snobbiest, most affluent, and aging, what one would refer to as dowager queens, of the winter visitors and residents. Most of whom who were so shocked to see Jim with someone other than himself or a close friend could barely hide their amazement. Well their tongues would certainly be wagging come morning at their Bloody Mary coffee clutches. They were called coffee clutches after their long gone straight counter parts of South Beach s old society, though hardly any coffee was consumed any longer. But what did remain was the gossip, and that is what they all gathered for so early in the morning, at one shop, guest house or private home, before heading out for their day at the beach. Jim was certain who would be the center of the gossip would be the next morning, and to tell the truth he was reveling it, as he reached across the table, brushed Carlos hair from his eyes, drew him closer and kissed his forehead. You could almost hear an audible gasp race across the dining room. Would you care to dance? he asked Carlos. Carlos looked out on the dance floor, there was just one older straight couple gliding along to the pianist accompaniment. Are you for real? he was slightly taken aback. Of course I am when have you known me not to be for real? Jim stood offering his hand to Carlos, who stood as well, and all eyes followed them as they joined the other couple on the dance floor. Jim began to lead and as if they had planned it for months before, Carlos fell right into the movements of a waltz. As the two couples passed each other on the floor they nodded their acceptance of each other, like two friendly ships passing in the night. Jim smiled silently to himself; this was beginning to feel so natural to him, so wonderful, so real, it was something that had been missing for so long in his life. The two couples danced another dance, until the pianist went on his break, the gentleman and lady turned and applauded the other couple, the two younger men, turned and returned their gesture, and then something unreal began to happen, the entire room suddenly erupted in applause. The couples smiled at each other, then turned in toward their respective partners and if it had been rehearsed, bowed to each other and returned to their respective tables. What a rush that was. Carlos smiled as Jim pulled out his chair smiling as he sat. You know man; you make me feel like a natural woman, he joked. Let s not get carried away, I happen to like the way you're put together, as far as I m concerned you got everything in all the right places. Jim sat, as the waiter showed up with their main courses. After dinner, the two strolled, hand and hand again, to one of the most popular night spots on the island. It was primarily a gay club, a little ritzier than most [continued on Main-10] GayNewOrleans.COM SouthernDecadence.COM GayEasterParade.COM Feb. 12-25, 2008 AmbushMag.COM MAIN~9 of 48
one last song...from Main-9 places perhaps and it was just as popular with the straight college kids that drove down from northern and central Florida to party on the weekends, it had probably the most up to date DJs of any club in the state. It was usually packed to the rafters, tonight was no exception, and the music was pulsating as they walked into the room, writhing bodies were everywhere and you could hardly tell who was dancing with whom. Carlos led the way through the maze of bodies toward the bar at the far end of the club, he obviously knew where to head in this throbbing ocean of people, for when he arrived there, believe it or not there were at least a half a dozen places to sit. He took a seat at the corner of the bar and Jim sat down next to him facing out where he could see over the dance floor. Is this place always like this? he whispered in Carlos ear. You got to take a piss? Carlos asked back. No man, he raised his voice to be heard, Is this place always like this? Just Fridays and Saturdays, on some holidays and you can t even fathom spring break, he laughed. So this is where you hang? Sometimes, not always, I like the music, I like to dance, but sometimes I like to mellow out at a bar where you can actually have a conversation, you really can t do that very well here. No, I don t think you could, Jim smiled. Do you want to leave? We just got here, I m kind of digging it a bit, if you don t mind hanging for awhile I m game. He no longer got the words out of his mouth, when Manuel saddled up to the bar next to them with his date for the evening. Hey cousin, when did you get here? He shook Carlos hand, fingering it and smiling, indicating the gentleman he was with was still interested in the same financial escapade, he had suggested before. If looks could have killed, he would have fallen off of the barstool instantly from the one on Carlos face. Can I purchase a beverage, your choice of course, and one for your friend? The gentleman held out his hand toward Carlos. Carlos did not accept it as he stood and turned towards Jim. I m afraid we were just leaving, but thank you anyway. By this time he had almost picked Jim up off his barstool. Aren t we babe? Huh? Jim questioned, having missed everything that had just taken place up to this moment. My cousins friend just offered to buy us a beverage, I said that would be nice, but we were just leaving. Carlos had him completely on his feet now and was about to guide him towards the door. It would have been nice, but we are going, I guess? Jim was still saying his good-byes as he was guided through the front doors. What in the hell was that all about. My ass. Your ass? What about it? My cousin was trying to sell it to his date. Jim broke out with uncontrollable laughter. You think that s funny? What s wrong with my ass, you don t think it s worth anything. Sweetheart, your ass is worth a million dollars, if I had that much I would kneel before you and make an offer. Kneel before me and you are more than likely to get something else, Carlos winked. I ll take it. He said dropping to his knees on the sidewalk directly in front of the club. Carlos moved his hand directly to his fly and started to pull the zipper down, but stopped halfway. Get up, for heavens sake, I don t want to end up in the police station on our first date, I haven t got the money to get us out. I do. Jim reached for his crotch. The police station could sub for heaven if we were locked up together. You are a relentless romantic. Carlos replied zipping up his fly. Let s go have a quiet drink and then I ll walk you back to your place. Carlos pulled Jim back on his feet and they started back down the main drag. They walked together down to the first side street and Carlos led him down it about half a block turning into the first bar. Jim didn t have to look at the sign; it was his personal favorite place. They sat at a table and had their first quiet drink together. Jim thought how strange it was that Carlos had brought him here; he had not noticed the many nights he sat alone, him, the lonely figure staring at him from across the street. They had more than one drink, I m sure you would understand that, and helping each other back to Jim s place, it didn t take anytime at all for Carlos to be talked into spending the night. Once again the night was unbelievable between them. Neither one of them awakened until noon. Neither one of them had even heard Manny check in the new visitor, one Jake a.k.a. Mark. What a surprise they would all have tomorrow Jim could here faintly being played somewhere Maybe this time I ll be Lucky, Maybe this time he ll stay..he gathered Carlos up in his arms, he wanted this to be their One Last Song. Manny followed Jake up to his room carrying his luggage, I don t think anyone has to be told what was in the back of their minds. To be concluded next issue. You may contact me at donniejay@hotmail.com. AMBUSH MAG.COM 828 MAIN~10 of 48 AmbushMag.COM Feb. 12-25, 2008 The One & Only Official Gay Mardi Gras Guide GayMardiGras.COM