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center of civic events. The area used to bean Aztec marketplace. The park was cre-ated in 1592, when Viceroy Luis de Velascodecided to create green space here as apublic park. The park is also home to someof the most beautiful fountains and statuesin the city. With the poplar trees bloomingpurple flowers and the artwork, you feel likeyou are strolling through an outdoor mu-seum.

Next I met up with some friends fromTales and we went for cocktail across thestreet from the hotel at a busy bar/restau-rant called La Cerveceria which had someimpressive margaritas in every flavor. Afterdrinks, we were off to dinner at an authenticand popular restaurant called Café deTacuba. Established in 1912, the restau-rant is located inside a 17th century builtmansion in historic downtown. Gorgeousworks of art and painted tiles adorn thespacious location and the cuisine wasplentiful and delectable. The flavors of thedishes just exploded as you savored eachbite from the appetizer to the dessert. Theyeven have a cool ghost that haunts theplace of an elderly nun. After dinner andexhausted from a day of traveling I called itan early night.

Saturday I was up early and at the gymto get invigorated for the day. The hotelworkout facility was large and impressive.I went down to breakfast in the hotel whichhad a dazzling array of both American andMexican breakfast foods. My favorite partwas the fresh fruit bar which had a chefstanding behind a beautiful mahogany tablecovered with all kinds of whole fresh fruitfrom figs and kiwis to papaya, melons andmangos. You made your choice and he cutthe fruit up for you quickly, very cool.

After my morning sustenance I was offinto the city. I walked to the Mercado de lesFlores, a true Mexican arts, crafts and foodmarket. I got lost shopping among the tinystores that created a maze like atmospherein this colorful bazaar. I found some greathand blown glass, fun souvenirs and tastymargaritas which made shopping (and ne-gotiating) much easier. With the dollarbeing so string against the Peso, thingswere so inexpensive I hated to barter, but itis in my being. Next on my afternoonjourney was a trip to the Plaza Garibaldiwhere there was the Tequila and MezcalMuseum. Now this is my type of learningwhere they showed the origins of thesepotent elixirs. And after the tour, you aretreated on the rooftop bar to a complimen-tary shot of tequila and mescal. So Ienjoyed my cocktail (and a few others)while overlooking the plaza’s daily excite-ment. Plaza Garibaldi is located in historicdowntown Mexico City and known as MexicoCity’s home of mariachi music. At all hoursof the day and night, mariachi bands can befound playing or soliciting gigs from visitorsto the Plaza. There were what seemed likehundreds of mariachi players just hangingaround performing and socializing, veryinteresting. I ended my afternoon with arelaxing few hours getting pampered in thehotel spa by an extremely hot and swarthyman named Mohammed. That man knowshow to give a massage, talk about relaxed.Nothing like a man with a foreign tongue toget you revitalized.

That night I went to dinner at the hotelin their upscale restaurant Los Dones.

The food was a Mexican/Americanfusion pared with lovely wines. After Iwalked around the park across the streetand looked at the makeshift market ven-dors selling their wares. I tried a Churro

which is a Mexican dessert which is like along skinny fried donut with leche creamsauce injected in the center, absolutelydelicious. And very fun to eat, it's sort of likegiving a blowjob to a pastry. I’ve doneworse.

On Sunday the Tales of the Cocktailconvention started. So after a little time inthe gym followed by breakfast, I went to theballroom and registered and received mywelcome cocktail, which was the first ofmany I would be consuming over the trip.The opening session was a Ted Style paneldiscussion about some of the best bars inthe city and what it takes to open an estab-lishment, make it popular and keep it on top.What I love about this convention is I metpeople from all over the world. The barowners were from New York, Greece, Lon-don and Chicago. Another interesting semi-nar was the Anthropology of the ModernBar. The discussion traced man’s earlybeginnings of social drinking, why we go tobars and what draws us to certain estab-lishments. For those worried, the bar life isnowhere near dead and gone. In betweenseminars there were happy hour breakswith cocktails, a lunch by Sailor Jerry Rumcomplete with serving girls on roller skates,and to add each seminar served three to sixcocktails depending on the ones you at-tended.

The evening’s event started with arooftop reception hosted by Patron Tequilawith sample shots and lots of unique cock-tails, then we moved onto our next destina-tion which was the William Grant party atForo Normandie, an underground musicclub literally. The place is in the cellar of thisbuilding. The party had hidden doorwaysleading to other bars, all kinds of uniquebars and even a monkey man (like Planetof the Apes Monkey man). There were somany themes going on it was very surreal,you had Mexican dance music pumpingthroughout the place while you sipped liba-tions some of them smoking. It was an overthe top event that had something new tosee and try around each corner. Andbecause Tales is all about the after parties,my next stop was another popular localdance club called Bang Bang. This wasanother weird club where the smoking areawas in a bubble room like a fish tank in thecenter of the club so everyone can watchthe smokers. After a few more drinks, I wasready to call it a night. Tales is just asexhausting out of town as locally.

Monday was more seminars. After thedaytime activities the first evening eventwas the World of Spirits at TabernaLuciferina. The venue is a three story barand social club that has a membership. Theattendees of Tales enjoyed all kinds ofdifferent cocktails from moonshine to mojitosand were able to mingle with the local clubmembership. Once the party ended wejoined a Bacardi bar crawl already inprogress. We started at Puebla 109 atrendy bar/restaurant that was airy andinviting. We consumed numerous amountsof gin drinks before we moved on, butbefore we stopped at a park across from thebar that had a large replica of the Statue ofDavid in the center of the park. That is whatI love about Mexico City, there are so manysurprises around every corner.

Tuesday morning I slept in before ven-turing out for lunch at Gino’s a Mexican andItalian restaurant that had an extensivemenu of delicacies from both countries.Finding it hard to decide I had a Mexicanappetizer and an Italian entrée, both equallyscrumptious. Then I walked over to the

under the gaydar ...from 20

Museum of Popular Art. Handicrafts andfolk art, also known as popular art, play animportant role in the history and culture ofMexico and are often representative of thecountry’s various regions and indigenousgroups. The Museo de Arte Popular (Mu-seum of Popular Art) is dedicated to thepromotion and preservation of Mexicanpopular art. Housed in a splendid Art Decobuilding, the museum explores the originsand significance of popular art throughoutMexico. The items on display are represen-tative of important Mexican traditions thatoriginated in towns and villages all over thecountry. These customs have been passeddown from generation to generation and inmany cases that date back to before thearrival of the Spanish.

The exhibits, arranged by theme, show-case a stunning array of Mexican traditionsincluding pottery, ceramics, glasswork,metalwork, woodcarving, mache paper,basketry, weaving, textiles and traditionaldress collections. Many of the crafts thatare mass produced and available for sale inthe markets are modeled after the tradi-tional and delicately handcrafted works ofart that are on display in this museum. Thiswas an informative afternoon filled withvibrantly colored art that ranged from reli-gious in nature to whimsical oversized stat-ues.

That night, I attended the last of theparties at the Edificio Continental. It was across between a Speakeasy theme and achicken fight. It was absolutely crazy. Theparty was once again in a basement cluband had sawdust spread on the floor, livechickens in cages around the room andbleachers set up to watch the bar compe-tition which was the main event. After theparty, I had a nightcap with some friends inthe lobby bar before bed.

I left the wonderful Mexico City onWednesday morning with a layover in Hous-ton before returning home. One more thingchecked off my bucket list.

The remainder of the week I playedcatch up, but on Friday I attended the oneyear anniversary party of Uber in NOLA. Itwas fun how you were invited at 5pm, youtexted a code saying you wanted to attendthe party and waited to hear back, we gotan answer at 6pm. Within minutes an Uberpicked us up for free and brought my friendBarrett and me to an unknown location.The venue ended up being Urban SouthBrewery, which is located in a huge ware-house off of Tchoupitoulas Street. Therewas music, boiled crawfish, a birthday cakeand beer of course. What a fun and uniqueway to host a party and Uber we love havingyou in our city.

On Saturday, it was all about raisingfunds for a good cause. Elizabeth Bouvierand I hosted the St. Anna Fundraiser for theDodwell House. It was at a school on CanalBoulevard. Liz and I have been in someunusual green rooms before but a kinder-garten classroom ranks right up there. Theevent had great food, good music, a pow-erful auction and two especially wonderfulemcees if I say so myself. Lots of moneywas raised for this great cause. Once againFather Terry, thank you for allowing me tobe a part of the festivities. On my way home,I caught the tail end of Glitter and Be Gay,the Armeinius fundraiser at their den. Itlooks like they had a great crowd and raisedsome big bucks, kudos to another well doneevent by this talented krewe.

I had to work on Sunday so no playing,but it was quite the two weeks. Until nexttime, keep your party going.

trodding the boards

by Brian Sands Email: bsnola2@hotmail.com

New in New YorkDuring a recent visit up north, I caught

three of Broadway’s newer musical offer-ings, each of which had its origins on thesilver screen. And in that Hollywood spirit,look for my starry assessments rangingfrom * to ****.

I’m not much of a fan of rock’n’roll. Ihaven’t enthused about an Andrew LloydWebber show for over 30 years. And I neversaw the movie School of Rock. So I wasn’tsure what to expect from Lord Lloyd-Webber’s new School of Rock – TheMusical at the Winter Garden Theater.But you know what? I loved it!

If you saw the film, the musical, accord-ing to my companion, follows it pretty faith-fully. Bookwriter Julian (Downton Abbey)Fellowes wisely didn’t mess much withMike White’s successful screenplay and ifparts of the script are a bit ridiculous, orimprobable to say the least, its strong nar-rative thread, not to mention good humorand overall joyousness, keeps you involved.

(If you haven’t seen SoR, it followsDewey Finn, an out-of-work zhlubby rocksinger/guitarist who pretends to be a sub-stitute teacher at a prestigious prep school.After identifying musical talent in his uptightstudents, Dewey surreptitiously forms a

band of fifth-graders in an attempt to win theupcoming Battle of the Bands.)

After a cute start, things slow down asthe plot gets set up, but midway through thefirst act, as Dewey discovers the latentrockers among his charges (You’re in theBand), SoR takes off and stays in musical-comedyville’s buoyant stratosphere throughthe finale as the kids blossom and hard-edged parents learn important life lessons.

Glenn Slater provides witty, inventivelyrics for Lloyd Webber’s tunes and if noneof the melodies quite match his celebratedones from Cats or Evita, they’re goodenough and seem apt for this tale.

Alex Brightman channels the film’sDewey, Jack Black (again, as per my com-panion), but that doesn’t take away from afantastic performance that resists sugar-coating Dewey’s shortcomings while allow-ing his decency and iconoclasm, as well ashis growing affection for the kids, to shinethrough. And unlike Mr. Black, Brightmandoes it LIVE, singing in nearly every num-ber, eight times a week.

As the school’s rigid principal andDewey’s putative love interest, Sierra

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Metairie Restaurant GuideChef Ron's Gumbo Stop & Pub, 2309 N.

Causeway Blvd., 835.2022, GumboStop.com, isa quaint eatery serving five different gumbos,New Orleans favorites, house specials, specialtysandwiches, daily specials, appetizers and des-serts all prepared by award winning Chef RonIafrate. Open Mon-Sat. 11am-9pm, closed Sun-day.

New Orleans Restaurant GuideThe Bombay Club, 830 Rue Conti,

www.bombayclubneworleans.com, 577.2237.The Bombay Club is host to an eclectic menu ofBritish-Cajun fare, quality craft cocktails & uniquemartinis. Enjoy live music showcasing the mosttalented jazz musicians in New Orleans. Dininghours 4-10pm Sun.-Thur., 4-11pm Fri.-Sat.

Broussard’s Restaurant & Courtyard,819 Rue Conti, 581.3866, http://broussards.com.A favorite fixture in New Orleans for nearly 100years, Broussard’s is located in the heart of theFrench Quarter, featuring classic French and Cre-ole food, old architecture, and tradition. Dininghours 5:30-9pm Tues.-Thurs. & Sun., 5:30-10pmFri.-Sat., 10:30am-2:30pm Sunday Brunch.

Cheezy Cajun, 3325 St. Claude Ave.,www.TheCheezyCajun.com, 265.0045, is NOLA'snewest full restaurant and deli serving a variety ofCajun foods including Boudin and Cracklins’ mixedwith a variety of Wisconsin Cheeses, plus fabparty trays. Open Lunch & Dinner 11am - 8pmMon., Tues., Thurs. and Fri., closed on Wed.,Brunch & Lunch 10am - 4pm Sat. & Sun.

Clover Grill, 900 Bourbon St., 598.1010,

CloverGrill.COM, is open 7 days, 24 hours. andfeatures breakfast including build your own om-elettes. But let’s not forget their fab burgers grilledright under a hub cap and then there’s all thosesandwiches, sides, desserts and shakes.

Country Club Restaurant, 634 Louisa St.,945.0742, TheCountryClubNewOrleans.COM.The chef has paid attention to detail and ingredi-ent, and focused on a more contemporary menuat an even more affordable price point. Still thebest food, but at even more unbelievable value!Serving 7 days 11am-10pm and Sunday Brunch11am-3pm.

Gene's Po-Boys & Daquiris,1040 ElysianFields Ave., 943.3861, www.genespoboys.com,is famous for its New Orleans style po-boy sand-wiches chockful of ingredients. Open 24 hours.

Ilys Bistro, 1040 Elysian Fields Ave.,947.8341, www.Facebook.com/ILYSBistro, offershome cooking and friendly service, serving break-fast, lunch and dinner featuring plates, poboys,and daily specials. Breakfast Mon.-Sat. 6am-11am & Sun. 11am-1pm; lunch and dinner 11am-close.

Kingfish Kitchen & Cocktails, 337Chartres St. 598.5005,www.KinfishNewOrleans.com,"brings customersback to the Huey P. Long era with vintage-inspiredcocktails & unique Creole and Southern dishes.Join us for dinner, or meet up with friends to relaxat our cocktail bar.”

Mona Lisa Restaurant, 1212 Royal St.,522.6746, features Italian specialties includingsalads, pizzas, sandwiches and both lunch anddinner entrees. Open Mon.-Thurs. 5-10pm, Fri.-Sun. 11am-10pm.

Quartermaster: The Nellie Deli, 1100Bourbon St., 529.1416,www.QuartermasterDeli.net, voted Restaurant/Deli of the Year, is open 24 hours 7 days. Servingbreakfast, lunch, dinner and late night menu, thedeli offers free delivery.

Royal House Oyster Bar, 441 Royal St.,528.2601, www.RoyalHouseRestaurant.com, isa casual classic, offering fresh-shucked oystersand fresh local seafood in a setting that follows thebest traditions of dining in the heart of New Or-leans’ French Quarter.

Stanley, 547 St. Ann St., 587.0093,www.StanleyRestaurant.com, conveniently lo-cated on historic Jackson Square, the view fromStanley’s provincial yet elegant dining room pro-vides a beautiful backdrop of St. Louis Cathedraland downtown New Orleans. With all day break-fast and brunch, delicious sandwiches, a sodafountain, house-made ice cream desserts, andThe Stanley Burger there’s something guaran-teed to please anyone’s tastes in this charmingFrench Quarter locale. Open 7am-7pm daily.

Take Mom Out for Mother's DayWhat better way to celebrate Mother's Day than to give Mom an experience of a

lifetime? Our community can be proud of the incredible culinary array available to us, notonly in the French Quarter, but the Marigny and Bywater, and out in Metairie, as well.Ambush recommends these great eateries to curb any hunger desires you and Mom mayhave, and of course, many serve up cocktails!

by Rip & Marsha Naquin-Delain Email: marsha@ripandmarsha.com

chop chop

Boudin Scotch Eggs - soft cookedegg wrapped with Cajun boudin,

served on a nest of braisedcollard greens @ The Bombay

Club, 830 Conti St.

Bayou Scampi (shrimp sauteed inwine, garlic & fresh tomatoes with

jazzmen rice) @ Chef Ron'sGumbo Stop, 2309 N. Causeway

Blvd., Metairie Filet Mignon Broussard - jumbolump crab meat stuffed Portobellomushroom cap, grilled asparagus,Yukon Gold mashed potatoes with

mustard cream glaze @Broussard's, 819 Rue Conti

House made Cracklin's, BoudinBalls & Pickles Party Tray @

Cheezy Cajun, 3325 St. Claude

World Famous Hamburger @Clover Grill, 900 Bourbon St.

Shrimp, Andouille & StonegroundGrits @ The Country Club,

634 Louisa St.

Stuffed Bell Pepper Special withMac & Cheese, Potato Salad, Peas& Texas Toast @ Ilys Bistro, 1040

Elysian Fields Ave.

BBQ Shrimp & Waffles: Toastedgarlic, poblano pepper jelly, and

hopitoulas cream @ KingfishKitchen & Cocktails, 337 Chartres

Special Combo Pizza (pepperoni,Italian sausage, ham, onions,mushrooms, green peppers &black olives with jalapenos &

anchovies optional) @ Mona LisaRestaurant, 1212 Royal St.

New Orleans Muffuletta @Restaurant/Deli of the Year

Quartermaster: The Nellie Deli,1100 Bourbon St.

Chargrilled Oysters: PlumpLouisiana oysters topped with

Parmesan butter cheese filling &grilled to perfection @ Royal

House Oyster Bar, 441 Royal St.

Breaux Bridge Benedict ~ housemade boudin, ham, American

cheese, poached eggs &hollandaise on French bread with

fried oysters @ Stanley,547 St. Ann St.

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Boggess is delightful especially as her hardexterior starts to melt.

But it’s the 13 kids who are the heart ofthe show and they’re all great. Stand-outsinclude Isabella Russo as an overachieverwho becomes the band’s manager, bossybut understandably so; Bobbi MacKenziewhose terrible shyness evaporates whenshe sings; Luca Padovan, adorable as abudding stylist and likely homosexual; andthe four who actually make up the band(Evie Dolan, Diego Lucano, Dante Melucci& Brandon Niederauer) and play live—terrifically—throughout the show.

It’s also nice to see such a multi-ethniccast in roles where race doesn’t necessar-

ily matter.If JoAnn M. Hunter’s choreography

seems appropriated from Matilda (do kidsonly stomp when they dance?), LaurenceConnor’s direction is finely calibrated toallow the show’s momentum to build formaximum emotional impact and School ofRock to be one of the most unexpectedlyenjoyable shows I’ve seen in ages. (****)

With its classic story and gorgeousGershwin songs, it’s hard not to like thestage version of An American in Paris atthe Palace Theatre. But with memories ofGene Kelly and the Oscar-winning moviehard to forget, it’s difficult to love, too.

Craig Lucas’ book, “Inspired by theMotion Picture” (curiously, Alan Jay Lerner,

trodding the boards...from 22

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