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Roberta Flack Headlines House of Blues Foundation Party
by Toni Pizanie

The 2nd Annual House Party presented by The International House of Blues Foundation will take place Sunday, March 15 at the House of Blues, 225 Decatur, New Orleans. The Patron Party begins at 6pm. Ms Flack's performance will begin at 8pm. For information and tickets, please call 504.529.2624 ext. 31. Tickets for Roberta Flack Live and open bar are $75. For $125., patrons can enjoy the Patron Party, Roberta Flack Live with reserved seating and open bar. Ambush Mag 2000 is proud to be the exclusive gay media sponsor.

Proceeds from the event will benefit the Foundation (IHOBF). The mission of the Foundation is "Promoting Racial Harmony Through The Educational Outreach Discovering and Applying The Social, Spiritual and Artistic Legacy of The Blues." The foundation is a vision of Isaac Tigrett, founder and CEO of House of Blues Entertainment, Inc.

The Foundation supports nine programs. Blues School House is a unique multimedia classroom and museum to introduce students to the music, art and history of the Blues. The New Orleans chapter alone boasts of over 10,000 students of the 50,000 that have passed through the program.

Blues Ambassador Scholarships award high school seniors with financial support for college. In a four year period, 8 scholarships have been given to New Orleans students who have demonstrated a commitment to cultural diversity and who wish to pursue studies in the arts and social sciences. 40 scholarships have been awarded overall.

Resident Artist Program allows musicians, artists and educators to visit schools to provide lectures, workshops and concerts. The program has participated in a mural project with Andrew Jackson School.

Blues Curriculum is an interdisciplinary course of study about Blues. This program builds upon the blue schoolhouse experience and the resident artist program.

The Annual IHOBF Roast is a celebration of a prominent member of the New Orleans Community. Former recipients are Alden J. Mc Donald, President of Liberty Bank in 1996 and Richard Pennington, Chief of Police for the City of New Orleans in 1997.

The MLK Spirit of the Dream Breakfast is held to honor an individual who perpetuates Dr. King's Dream by either social, civic, business or political means. Receiving the honor are Justice Revius O. Ortique, Jr.; Judge John Minor Wisdom; Jerome Smith, founder of Tambourine & Fan; and Restaurateur Leah Chase.

House of Hope is the 1996 partnership with NO/AIDS Task Force and the Magic Johnson Foundation benefiting vital programs and services for HIV/AIDS patients and families.

Christmas at the House is a joyous celebration of giving sponsored by IHOBF since 1996. The celebration features pictures with Councilman Troy Carter as Santa Claus and the giving of gifts. 900 children from our community have benefited from the giving, ornament making and traditional Christmas Feast.

Join us at the House of Blues to celebrate with the Fabu Roberta Flack in support of The International House of Blues Foundation.

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Ambush Balcony Setting For Mardi Gras Bead Toss '98
by Brad Benedict

No Mardi Gras is complete without checking out the world's most famous balcony, and that just happens to be at 828 Bourbon Street in the famous old French Quarter of New Orleans. This year's balcony was exceptionally elaborate and beautiful. Designed by David Krumwiede (aka Fifi), it was spectacular in all respects. Hades never had it so good!

The group of individuals at this Carnival party was primarily from New Orleans, Baton Rouge and Lafayette and represented some of the most influential members of Louisiana's gay and lesbian society, with a straight one or two among this select group. This invitation-only extravaganza is always the highlight of the Mardi Gras season and can only be compared to the excitement of the meeting of the Rex and Comus courts, both events signaling the end of this festive holiday. Like all private parties, an invitation to attend a Naquin-Delain event is an honor and one that is prized by all chosen to be a part of this ensemble of important citizens.

And festive this party was from noon until sunset as beads and confetti flew through the air representing millions of beautiful mementos of a grand and glorious day. Co-Captain's Rip and Marsha Naquin-Delain flanked the beautiful Krewe of Queenateenas' King Cake Queen V, Liz Simms, who looked simply divine in red. Her beauty was enhanced by the artistry of that fabu Arthur of Arthur's House of Glamour.

The fantastic array of food was also a delightful addition to this setting. With the new third floor love loft now available for the host and hostess, the second floor's former living room was converted into an elegantly furnished dining room, and the former bedroom is a spectacular living room. Surrounded by magnificent collectibles from their years together, this is a marvelous abode! What more could anyone ask for than to spend such quality time with quality people!

The weather was excellent for this 1998 Mardi Gras, and the crowd stretched from Canal Street to Esplanade and beyond. With Ambush Headquarters sitting directly in the middle, this could only mean that the world had come to its front door, and a host and hostess, along with their dear and personal friends, welcomed all with their annual bead toss. It was truly another day of memories to cherish, compliments of the Crescent City's most famous and philanthropic couple, Rip and Marsha Naquin-Delain.

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