Gay EasterParade.COM GayMardiGras.COM GayNewOrleans.COM April 24-May 7, 2012 The Official Mag: AmbushMag.COM 11

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1 Gay EasterParade.COM GayMardiGras.COM GayNewOrleans.COM April 24-May 7, 2012 The Official Mag: AmbushMag.COM 11

2 under the gaydar...from 10 local gay businessman approached the leaders of PFLAG New Orleans and suggested that a scholarship should be started for local gay and lesbian students. He donated $1,000 to initiate the program and his business facility to host the first champagne reception. Since then, the PFLAG New Orleans Scholarship Program has given over $500,000 to more than 450 gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgendered students from Louisiana. The PFLAG New Orleans Scholarship Program has grown to become one of the nation s largest scholarship funds for gay, lesbian, bisexual, or transgendered (GLBT) students and a model for similar programs across the country. The purpose of the PFLAG New Orleans Scholarship Program is to recognize outstanding GLBT students from Louisiana; encourage continuing education for self-identified GLBT students; and foster a positive image of GLBT individuals in society. The PFLAG New Orleans Scholarship Program offers scholarships of between $1,000 and $10,000 (larger scholarships are payable over a period of four years) to eligible college students. The program is supported by the generous contributions of individuals, businesses, foundations, and organizations. For more information, go to Party Down Ihave to admit that Holy Week kicked my ass this year. I do not think I have been through so much in such a short period of time. But I discover in life as you get older, you have to roll with the seasons and enjoy it all while you can. So my party week started on Thursday, when some of my best friends Laura Tennyson and Gary Zachariah got married. Her family had flown in from Boston and she wanted to celebrate with them. So a handful of friends met them down at City Hall for their big day. I was actually shocked at how nice everything was. Usually taking a trip to City Hall is a nightmare, so it was inspirational to be there for a good reason. I was best man for Gary and the ceremony was just lovely. Laura looked so stunning n her vintage wedding dress and Gary was terribly dapper. This was just what the doctor ordered because I was freshly coming off being burned by someone who I had feelings for; and watching a truly happy couple gave me renewed hope that it is possible to find that someone special. After the ceremony, we went and took pictures at the river with her family, then we had a quick lunch at El Gato Negro before I returned back to work. Later that night, I picked up my friend Nick and we went to their reception dinner thrown at the house of Terrence and Robin Blanchard. Now this was a Gary Zachariah s & Laura Tennyson Wedding Party true dinner party. A table of thirty was set up in their beautiful backyard, with overhanging Chinese lanterns and fresh florals. The guests had specialty pre-dinner cocktails named after the couple. What was so wonderful about this evening was Laura and Gary has such a full life that their friends list was extremely eclectic, from recording stars to a relative of a past vice president. Everything this evening was perfect from the three course meal, to the antique place settings. Robin Blanchard was the flawless hostess for this joyous evening. No detail was left untouched, our wine glasses never emptied and the food which was catered by Fat Hen was delicious. Careful thought also went into the seating chart for the night which at one large long table can be difficult, but Robin was a master placing people near others that they would click with but being within talking range of people they would know. I think doing that helps people break out of their comfort zone and speak to someone they might not generally talk with. The wedding cake was surrounded by an abundance of cupcakes made in the same flavor. Both Nick and I had an amazing evening with friends, both old and new alike. Now this is what I call a successful party when you come back with memories that will last a long time. Friday was my busy day. My friend Michelle flew in from Washington DC to stay with me for the long weekend. Once she was setteled, it was off to prepare for a night of revelry. I alongside with Rona Conners throw the Bunnies in The Big Easy fundraiser for the Gay Easter Parade. This year it was at the Ritz-Carlton in the Crescent View Ballroom overlooking the city. We had hot bunny boys, which special thanks should go out to Adrian, Jamie, Ryan, Anthony and Dwayne. We had a sold out evening filled with great music, wonderful food, a great auction and just a little naughtiness. The Ritz- Carlton did a impressive job bringing a new level to the festivities of the Gay Easter Parade, We raised over ten thousand dollars helping bring the total raised for Food for Friends to over thirty six grand. Congratulations to Rhonda and Darwin for a wonderful reign as Easter Grand Marshals XIII this year. After the party, the celebration continued downstairs at the French Quarter Bar when a large contingent from the party enjoyed the music of famous crooner Jeremy Davenport. I do think it was the first time the hotel experienced same sex dancing that night. Oh and by the way, I foresee Rhonda Roget being asked to be one of the guests in Dancing with the Stars. Let s just hope her shoes hold up better. Saturday was another full day starting with the Bunny Hop Bonnet Contest Bar Crawl through the Marigny. This year s Bunny Marshals were Marty Curtain and Jeff Mallon, as they led the 10 th annual walk through the streets of the Faubourg Marigny to eight watering holes. It was a fantastic day with great weather, lots of festive bonnets and good times. After that Michelle and I ran back to my house and did a quick change for the Pride Grand Marshal Announcement Party that evening at the Hotel Monteleone. I was honored to be one of 14 people in the nominations. So a large group of my friends joined me at the hotel, slightly drunk but in high spirits. Pride did an exemplary job giving guests a noteworthy night of delectable cuisine, and remarkable entertainment spotlighted by the extremely talented Amanda Shaw. And the night turned out to be more memorable than I had expected since I along with Matthew Birkhoff was named Pride Grand Marshals I personally would like to thank the board for voting for me, as well as all my friends who were there to support me. This was one of those nights that will remain in my memory for the rest of my life. Easter came upon me like a jack rabbit, okay sorry about the awful pun. But the day started out hectic as I got ready for my Easter brunch pre-parade party at my house, with my own special bunny boy. Had lots of fabulous guests over for libations and nibbles before the Easter Parade. Then we all managed to get ourselves down to the parade lineup by Michael s On the Park for the pre-party and buffet. I have to say; my trolley had some rocking people on it, including our own bunny boy bartender, which I highly recommend having someone constantly filling your drinks during the parade. The parade itself was a whirlwind of merriment and before we knew it, we were at the 700 Club for the finale celebration. They put out a lovely spread and we all had a great time reminiscing on the day s exploits. But alas, my day was not over, because I managed to make it to Oz for Dingo and the Calendar Boy Contest; then ended my night at JohnPaul s for their impromptu drag show. What a tremendous way to end Holy Week. I rested the beginning of the next week, but that reprieve did not last for long, since on Wednesday I was out at the French Quarter Festival opening party at the House of Blues. I have always enjoyed this party as a good way to jump start the weekend. The next day, I went to a different part of the greater metro area. I traveled to Mandeville for the opening of the newest Pinkberry store. My company helped with the event, so my friend Beaux and I braved the Causeway to make it out there, and I have to admit, we had a great time. The music was alive, the champagne was flowing and you were able to try all the styles of their incredible yogurt. Oh and by the way, the Northshore has an abundance of hotties. On Friday, I had quite the evening. My Co-Pride Grand Marshal Matthew asked me to judge the Strip Off contest at the Pub, and I had a blast. If you have never been to this before, you are in for a treat. This is so much fun, the drag queens were fabulous, Jasmine Essex rocks and Matthew is quite the host. Also, I got to judge some pretty hot men. After the contest, I tooled around the Quarter stopping at Oz, Napoleon s Itch and Lafitte s before taking myself home at stupid o clock in the morning. The next day, I actually went to French Quarter Festival with a handful of my friends, and we were lucky enough to get into the VIP area upstairs at Pat O Brien s on the River. The festival is great, but it is so much better to be above the crowd with an open bar, food and no lines for the bathroom. After the festival, Nick, Beaux and I were invited to this guy John Michael s Titanic party in the Bywater. It was a costume event, so I donned my Mardi Gras Captain s outfit which fit perfectly with the theme. I love interactive parties like this and the host put a lot of thought into it. Guests were asked to draw a boarding pass when they walked in to tell whether they were first class or third class. It was a superb night and I got to meet some really interesting new people. On Sunday,, I attended the first Halloween Host party at the home of Bill Trapp and Rob Sanderford in the French Quarter. I know that Easter just ended but why wait, let s start planning all the festivities for the next holiday. As always, this party is filled with gorgeous men, lots of vodka and great food. And, I am so excited about this year s theme, Monster Brawl. I foresee lots of wrestlers in my future. So ultimately, people in this city need to realize, we have no down time between parties, so go get that party dressed dry cleaned, because we are in a wild ride. Tony s Tidbits of Wisdom Recently I saw something on Facebook that I thought was cute. So I shared it with my friends list and who would have thought I would receive the firestorm of comments on something [continued on 14] 12 The Official Mag: AmbushMag.COM April 24-May 7, 2012 Official ficial Southern n Decadence Guide SouthernDecadence.COM

3 Gay EasterParade.COM GayMardiGras.COM GayNewOrleans.COM April 24-May 7, 2012 The Official Mag: AmbushMag.COM 13

4 pride: beyond the rainbow Who will be Crowned Mr. and Miss. Pride 2012?...Find out May 20 th by: NOLA Pride We want to congratulate our elected Pride Grand Marshals of 2012, Tony Leggio and Matthew Birkhoff. We are excited to have them on board with us and can t wait to see what they have in store for us. We also want to congratulate our Honorary Grand Marshal, Tpot from B97. Join us at JohnPaul s Bar (940 Elysian Fields Ave) for our Mr. and under the gaydar...from 12 that seemed so trivial to me. The statement was Sometimes giving people a second chance is like giving them an extra bullet for their gun because they missed you the first time. People thought that this was too harsh and that everyone deserves a second chance. Well, let s begin by saying it was a harmless quote, get over it. The fact that you got so upset over this just proves that you are guilty of something and probably rightfully so. But then I pondered these words more, especially since recently someone who I was beginning to become good friends with did something hurtful to me. It has always been my mantra to cut and run when someone does something purposefully mean to me. But I was starting to like this guy, and enjoyed his company tremendously. So I dallied with the idea of giving him a second chance; reaching out with the so called olive branch to try and mend fences. But then I thought what if he hurts me again, what do I do then, the first time was bad enough, the second would be even more devastating. Life is all about choices and every action has a consequence. Hurting people is not acceptable behavior, and whether or not you meant it knowingly, you need to make right by the person if they mean anything to you. Even if you think you did nothing wrong, your actions still upset another person and when you realize this, you should do something to rectify the situation. Basically, the moral of this column is yes, of course, everyone deserves a second chance, but next time you give that person who slighted you their extra bullet, make sure you put on a kefler vest. Just in case they take aim again, you (and your heart) will be prepared. Who knows, they may just turn out to be human like the rest of us and hopefully if your friendship or relationship is meant to be then everything will work out. If you have an event, story or idea, you want covered, contact me at tonymgp@hotmail.com. Miss Pride Pageant on May 20 th at 5pm. A $5 donation at the door gets you in. The winner will receive a cash prize of $100, and a crown! Come see performances by the current reigning Miss Pride Monica Synclaire-Kennedy, and Mr. Pride Adonis De Orleans. All contestants need to arrive by 3:45pm. During the Mr. and Miss Pride Pageant, come see who will be The Guys of Pride. There is only one category in this contest, and it s PRIDE! Come show off your Pride for a chance to win some great prizes including $50 cash and a spot in the Pride Parade. All sizes and ages are encouraged to enter. Costumes, swimwear and underwear are allowed. There is NO ENTRY FEE but contestants must sign up in advance You can find the rules and entry form at On Friday April 27 th, 10pm at JohnPaul s Bar Cathy Fox s new show, Trois Femmes will welcome special guest star, Amanda Shaw. The proceeds from all numbers performed by Amanda Shaw will go to support Pride, so come out and support the community. The show will also feature Cathy Fox, Summer Rayne, Monica Synclaire-Kennedy, Josie Mae Cotton, and Reinita Newman. /letters On behalf of the board and staff of NO/AIDS Task Force and the men, women and families affected by HIV/ AIDS that we serve, I d like thank everyone who helped make the 13 th annual Gay Easter Parade a success. This year, you helped raise over $36,000 for our Food For Friends program, which provides pantry services and home delivered meals to men and women living and coping with HIV disease. With the funds raised this year, 100 additional individuals can now access food pantry services! I d like to especially thank Rip and Marsha Naquin-Delain, without whom, the Gay Easter Parade would not be possible. I would also like to extend my gratitude to this year s Grand Marshals Darwin Reed and Rhonda Roget who worked tirelessly to make this year s Gay Easter Parade the most successful yet. Additionally, thank you to the Board of Directors of the Gay Easter Parade: Electra City, Rona Conners, Tony Leggio, Opal Masters and Tittie Toulouse, for all of their hard work and fundraising efforts. Finally, to everyone who donated their time or money to The Gay Easter Parade or any of the chop chop by Rip & Marsha Naquin-Delain marsha@ripandmarsha.com Our Kitchen & Culture, LLC, Publishes Premiere Issue of Louisiana Kitchen The Premiere issue of Louisiana Kitchen magazine began arriving in subscribers mailboxes throughout the United States and abroad last week. Beginning this week it will also be available throughout Louisiana and into Mississippi in all Rouses stores, in convention and visitors bureaus, welcome centers, and select hotels and inns. It is the first publication to be released by Our Kitchen & Culture, LLC, a collaborative partnership between Susan Ford, who serves as President and Publisher, and Jyl Benson, who serves as Editorial Director and Executive Vice President. Louisiana Kitchen is an intelligent, informed guide into Louisiana s unique culinary culture and heritage, and the many nationalities, ethnicities, and traditions that came together over centuries to shape what it is today. It also provides unique insight into the region s ongoing culinary and cultural evolution. The only national publication of its kind, Louisiana Kitchen provides an insider s guide to the authentic experiences today s cultural and culinary travelers seek including dining, festivals, music, ethnic, and intellectual attractions. Rich with recipes, generous commentary, and suggestions from Louisiana s home cooks, culinary schools, restaurateurs, professional chefs, and travel and hospitality professionals, Louisiana Kitchen strives to immerse readers in the diverse characteristics of the state s culture. We have amassed an incredible creative team that delivered an exciting, beautifully designed product with loads of lush photography, Ford said. We have released the magazine in print. Later this year we will also offer a version on ipad and Android tablet. I am thrilled to say that demand for Louisiana Kitchen has been robust: We already have subscribers in all states but Vermont, Idaho, and Wyoming; 42% of our Charter Subscribers are Louisiana residents, 14% are Texans, and the numbers disperse from there. Internationally, we have subscribers in Canada, Sweden, Switzerland, and Australia. Louisiana Kitchen will publish four times this year (May/June, July/August, September/October, and November/December) and seven times annually beginning in Reginelli s Pizzeria Expansion Partnership Announced Two homegrown, but nationally recognized, businesses come together to grow. In 2007, Pizza Today named Reginelli s Pizzeria the Independent Pizzeria of the Year (out of over 44,000 in the entire United States). In 1997, the James Beard Awards (the Oscars of the restaurant industry) named Commander s Palace the most Outstanding Restaurant in all of America. Today, principals from the two businesses announce their partnership to expand Reginelli s Pizzeria beyond New Orleans. For me it s all about a serious passion for the food and the hospitality which comes from a culture of excellence. Reginelli s has that in spades. Darryl is the Godfather of pizza in New Orleans his standards are unwavering, says Commander s Palace co-proprietor Ti Adelaide Martin. Darryl Reginelli and Bruce Erhardt opened their first Reginelli s Pizzeria in New Orleans in 1996 on the corner of Magazine and State Street. Its quality food, upbeat atmosphere and cool modern décor have made Reginelli s Pizzeria a beloved local institution ever since. The company has picked up annual Pizza Today Hot 100 Independent Awards and multiple awards voted on by readers of publications including the New Orleans Times-Picayune, Gambit Weekly, and Where Y at Magazine. Their brand recently expanded to nine stores with the opening of the newest Reginelli s Pizzeria at 684 Jefferson Hwy in Baton Rouge with their new partners. Darryl and Bruce have been committed to finding the right group to partner with as they look to expand beyond the New Orleans area. Bruce and I are very proud of our Reginelli s team. We have a serious dedication to fresh ingredients and to running restaurants that are professional but maintain warmth and a flair for fun. We think it is a perfect match with Ti s group s long heralded focus on quality and hospitality, says founder fundraising events, I would like to offer my sincere gratitude. To see the outpouring of support from our community every year bolsters us in the ongoing battle against HIV and AIDS Over the past eleven years, The Gay Easter Parade, due to the efforts of thousands in our community, has helped raise over $147,000! Thank you all so much for your hard work and for continuing to support NO/AIDS Task Force and Food For Friends. Sincerely, --Noel Twilbeck, CEO, NO/AIDS Task Force Darryl Reginelli. My partners (Alex Brennan-Martin, Brad Brennan, Arlene Nesser, and Joe Henican) and I have admired the Reginelli s restaurants from afar for a long time. Looking closer, our respect has only grown. While our experiences may come from different ends of the dining spectrum, the company cultures striving to be the very best in your category by developing strong leadership teams are cut from the same cloth. We see great potential for strong measured growth beyond New Orleans together, says Ti Adelaide Martin. This coming together of two solid New Orleans companies is just another sign of the strength of the New Orleans food and entrepreneurial communities, says Reginelli s Pizzeria owner Bruce Erhardt. 14 The Official Mag: AmbushMag.COM April 24-May 7, 2012 Official ficial Southern n Decadence Guide SouthernDecadence.COM

5 Gay EasterParade.COM GayMardiGras.COM GayNewOrleans.COM April 24-May 7, 2012 The Official Mag: AmbushMag.COM 15