House of Blues Grand Opening w/The Blues Brothers

The House of Blues celebrated their grand opening Satuarday night with an VIP invitation only extravganza complete with a soulful performance by the legendary Blues Brothers. The blue carpet was rolled out for an evening of fun with Houston's coolest mover's & shaker's. As I stood outside the House of Blues waiting for my girlfriends, I heard this heavenly sound from above & thought to myself this is satuarday night right? As I looked toward the sound I saw that arriving guest were being serenaded with a welcoming hymn from a real live church fanning, shoulder swaying gospel choir. If the food at the Gospel Brunch is as good as this choir we are going to have to repent for the sins comitted on our waistline. Gratis libations & treats were served up throughout the night. My personal fav was the chocolate dipped oatmeal cookie. Remarkable!! I don't even like oatmeal. Oooh chile' they sure can make some cornbread. (I can not let my Aunt Easter know that their's is sweeter then her's. Hell! I ain't no fool.. Thanksgiving is around the corner & she is still the candied yam queen.) The highlight of the evening was a performance from The Blue Brother's. They tore the roof ouffa that sucka & I mean that. (Folks had sweat rings under their designer armpits. Yes it was that funky!) But...most of all the vibe was just perfect. The mixture of culture's was just right. Whomever put the guest list together did an awesome job! If you weren't there then you better get your network on! I'm sure there will be other fan-tabulous events in the near future. So stay in the social privy loop. One way you can be sure to know what's going on at the House Of Blues is to become a member of The Foundation room. (I know I'm on the Foundation Room's Jock. I promise I'm not on The House of Blue's payroll. If you don't believe me check my bank account. But anywho...I just know a good thing when I see it.) House of Blue's I'm a fan! Enjoy ;>

Amanda Mills working the blue carpet in some bad @ss Cheetah boots!!!

You know what they say about a man who can play the Harmonica! lol ;>



(Pic 1>Alana, B-Day Girl!! & Marie. Two of the coolest chicks I've met in Houston good looking out!
(pic 2>The Blue's Sista's Nikki Culberson & Ramona Jones my party companion's for the evening. I had a blast Diva's let's do it again!!!



Pic 2 & 4>Hot couple! I luv the blue themed color coordinated outfits you two are soo cute. You make me sick what's even sicker are those long @ss leg's, shoe's & bag

(pic 5>I luv me to!!!Freddie Floyd/Hotel Icon (pic 6 & 7 > Nikki Culberson Fashion Extraodinare of Foxxie Couture http://foxxiecouture.com/

(pic 8> Alana(center) & guest (pic 9>Chris Roberson, Kim & Spurgeon Robinson


The cozy parlor in the foundation room is a perfect place for fire side chats!
(pic. 11>Carol Guess & Michelle Martin Texas Southern Univ.



Girl talk in a cozy nook quickly turned into girl where did you get those boots? (pic 13, 14>Sharon those boots aren't made for walking...they were made for struttin'. Get your Diva Strut on!)

(pic 12>Monica Benson, House of Blues Rep (hey! you left before I could get your name, email me chick!), Sharon Cheetam/Live Nation, Ramona Jones/Diva Dolls Hair Studio, Nikki Culberson/Foxxie Couture



(pic 15>Raul Velazco/Four Seasons & Kelly-Ann Ulade, (pic 16>Gerard & Stacey Easiley, (pic 17>I see ya Deon & Date, (pic 18>Renaldo & date, (Pic 19> Rachel Eckroth Hershey's sales rep & (Hook ya girl up will you?) Thomas Daniel, (Pic 20>Ricardo Edwards & Fiancee Congrats on the engagement! (Pic 21>Congrats Newly weds Wilson & Monica Benson! (Monica is a sharp bladesmith she can really cut some hair.)


Gotcha! Let me explain this pic...this couple were obviously really feeling the sexy vibe. I caught this intimate moment in the kissing parlor! I ain't madatcha Big Daddy!


On site artwork. This pic doesn't do the potrait justice. You have to see it in person.


Pretty ladies in Da' House!

Multi-culture themed room's provided the perfect space for cozy conversation!

The roof, the roof, the roof was on fire!!!! The Blue's Brother's blew the roof off the sucka!!!

(pic 36 > Michael Mcgaw/Live Nation (left) (Pic37 > Uchenna Agu Amazing Race (right)

(Pic 38>Fujio Wantabe/Fishbone Productions & guest (Pic 39 >Bridget Snooks/Exxon Mobile & crew

(Pic 40> Ok! we've met several times in real loud places but I think your name is Ja-Bou, Jam-Bone something like that but...how about I call you The BOSS to make it simple. The House of Blues staff is the best and I'm not the only one who thinks so even my close friend mentioned it to me the next day. He said he'd never recieved such sincere service as he did at The House. That's how you keep people coming back. You guys are appreciated Thank You for your service & dedication!!!!!

I'm a soul woman!

Luv ya ;>

K. Anntionette

The House of Blues Foundation Room

The Foundation Room is elegant, suave, debonair in other words Ballin' at it's best. Gaining entry into this sexy club comes with a price & membership has it's privileges. (I'm even considering investing & judging from the Platinum American Express cards being popped out at the Foundation concierge desk a couple of others are investing as well. For more information contact Sales Representative@ House Of Blues. It was definitely the place to see who's who & what's what. To quote one foundation member "It certainly separates's the men from the boys."


pic1>Attorney Ken Schaffer & Guest

(pic2>Jas Prince "The Young Ceo", Corey Mo, Jay Mack & Chamillionare

(pic3>Simone Broussard & Michale Zatarain JR

(pic4> Joel D. Blank Director of Houston Rockets & friends

(pic5>Janine Howard & her gorgeous sister. Sorry I didn't catch you name.

(pic6>The sold out Christian Louboutain Tsunami's Janine rocked are definately the hottest shoe's in the game today. Janet Jackson wore hers for a night out on the town with Tyra Banks.

(pic7>Second runner up of the baddest shoe in the game is the Gucci Babuska peep toe bootie

(pic8>"The Diva Dolls" Ramona Jones owner of Diva Dolls Hair Studio(left center), Jessica (right) Andurey (center) & crew. Ramona is one of the most talented hairdresser's in the city of Houston. Please check out . http://divadollshairstudio.com/

(pic9>Backstage with Marcus Harris of Music World & friends (Pic 11>Slim Thug

Where are the party people at? One thought that runs through your head when you step out for a night on the town is...I wonder who will be there. The Foundation Room was the only place to be Thursday night and it was filled with Houston's social elite. The House of Blue's Jay Z tickets were the hottest in town with prices ranging from $185 to $300. My inside info has privy'd me to how much people paid to be a member of this establishment which caused me to come to the conclusion that tonight was somewhat of a baller's status recession litmus test of who's really fly and who's fakin' & frontin'. As I looked around the room I decided to take Social Privy Roll Call. Monsieur & Madame Party Promoter. Where are you? Big Bank Baller. Where are you? Ol' hustlin' man who can't stay out a camera lens. Where are you. Oh yeah, I forgot only approved media are allowed to have professional camera's in this event such as The Houston Chronicle, The Houston Press, The Defender (Hi Neal I told you I would get my shots. lol) & Social Privy Houston's Premiere Society Pages. Houston Next Not Model. Oh there you are. Cute outfit. Party Promoter's who throw fake clebrity after parties. Where are You? Humph, probably skipping class to pass out fraudulent flyer's promoting the fake HOB/Jay Z after party. Tssk! Tssk!

On to the honor students: People who have the means to pay for what they want and expect to get it. Present. People who move & shake, network & deal, put their money where their mouth is and keep it real. Present. People who know a good connection is worth more then money and return a favor when given the chance. Present. People with the financial means but don't wear it on their sleeves. Present. People who know how to have a good time & keep it real. Present. So when you ask where are the party people at? We all answered right here at the House of Blues. Faker's & shaker's where were you?

For those of you who didn't make it and really wanted to...there will be other opportunities to attend fabulous events at the House of Blues but this one was exactly what the previously quoted Foundation member said... this event was about separating the Big Boys from the lil' boys and the House of Blue is definitely the Big Boy on the block. To the fake promoter's please take note you've just been served.

Luv ;>

K. Anntionette

Guest of The House of Blues arrived

House of Blues Owner & actor Dan Akroyd. I have to admit that I squealed out loud when I met him and I've met a lot of famous people. But... I grew up watching The Blues Brother's on SNL.

(pic2>Powerbroker's networking by the bar (pic3>Model Sakara Ross

(pic 4>Chamillionare

(pic 5>97.9 The Box Terri Thomas, guest, J-que, J-Mack

(pic 6>James Prince & The Lambo. I know the valet was losing it.

(pic 7, 8, 10 >Can someone tell me who these men are? I was told at the time of the photo that they played football. I've sent a message to the girls at http://balleralert.com/ Let's see what they turn up!

Thanks Boss Lady of Balleralert!

Pic 7> Ephriam Salaam Houston Texan

Pic 8> Earl Cochran Houston Texan

Pic 10> Travis Johnson Houston Texan
(pic 9>My fellow PR Diva Tiffany & Client (Tiffany call me gurl!)

Jay Z @HOB Allow me to re-introduce myself my name is ...

First & Foremost I would like to Thank a special someone for hooking me up with the privilege to cover the performance tonight. I know that sometimes you value your privacy so I won’t put your name out there but... you know who you are and in my private way I want to publicly say THANK YOU!!! ;>

Thursday night Houston was filled with numerous star studded events. For instance the “New” New Kids to Grown @ss Men on the Block at the Toyota Center was filled with die hard boy band fans. Halle Berry’s s-ex addict hubby on the comeback Eric Benet & new buzz artist Dwele @ The Arena Theatre. But if you asked me there was only one spot to be and that was @The House of Blues with none other than JAY Z.

The Houston social elite came out to give Jay Z the proper reception that he so deserves with a sold out standing room only concert. We southerners would have it no other way, after all this is the city that cultivated his superstar wife. We got to show love. (C’mon, we all know y'all married.) ;>

Jay Z rocked the House of Blues with a 12 piece band accompanied by DJ AM (for those of you who don’t know he used to date Nicole Ritchie and just recently survived a plane crash. GOD Hath Mercy.) I’ve said this once before but the mark of a true performer is one who can hold the stage down with a mic & dj. (No extra homeboys blockin’ & jockin') But…Jay took it a step further and rocked it with a live band. Very impressive. I was equally impressed with his political stance as he encouraged attendee's to vote he made it no secret who would be getting his vote when he paraphrased on of his popular song's as a possible campaign slogan "99 problems but a Bitch ain't one! If I could've made one critique it would be that I would've like to have seen a performance with Scarface or Bun B. Believe it or not I kind of understand why Beyonce didn’t grace the stage. I think it’s one of the many ways that they keep their private lives separate from thier career. Although this is her hometown, this was her husband’s night and I can respect that. (Someone bet me she would make an appearence, my PR mind was like I doubt it. I should've took that bet.)

On a personal note, tonight was one of the many full circle life moments that I sometimes have covering events of this nature. I’ve caught up with Jay Z several times throughout my career and each time I see him he has progressed to a larger then life status. But I will never forget the first time I met him at the Atlanta Freaknik back in 1994. Me & my Houston “get it” girls took a road trip down to witness the legend that was Freaknik.

We stayed at one of the best hotels in Atlanta because that’s how we “get-it” girls from Houston do. We pulled up to the hotel & a couple of east coast guys were hanging out at the valet stand. (Southern girls are suckers for an east coast accent as well as east coast men love to make a southern girls blush.) The bell man was taking forever to check us in so we decided to lug our bags ourselves. “The east coast guys” just so happened to be staying on our floor and offered their assistance. (Who said southern men were the only one with manners?)

When they reached our room they dropped the bags at the door (We weren’t those kind of “get-it” girls) and exchanged introductions. I introduced myself as an “aspiring screenwriter” (that was an old dream of mine and I use to luv the word aspiring) Two of the east coast dudes were entrepreneur’s who were starting their own record label and one of them was a rapper. “The east-coast dude’s” encouraged us to listen to their tape (I’m dating myself) which had a logo of a champagne bottle with bubble’s coming out of the top. I held the tape in my hand and rolled my eyes (I was not impressed with the logo at all.) So I asked why a champagne bottle and one of them said in a Dave Chapelle voice "because it’s a celebration bitches!!!!” I’m just kidding. I don’t remember the answer but it had something to do with celebrating.

We corresponded over the course of the Freaknik weekend (which was an event that literally changed my life) Exchanged party tips & sips from red plastic cups. (You have to wait for the book… and no, it ain’t gonna be no groupie chicken head-bobbin tell all book like Ms. Karrine. I said it before & I’ll say it again we weren’t those kind of “get-it” girls. We were the “get-it” dream girls!! There was an aspiring writer, rapper, model, actress in my “get-it” girl crew.)

On the last day as we pulled out of the hotel we took a picture of the east coast gentlemen who just so happened to be sitting on a curb. The "east coast rapper guy" was staring off into the distance while the fast talking one was motioning with his hands. On that long 10 hour ride back to Houston I popped in the champagne bubble tape & fell in love with the lyrical flow of Jay Z & I've been buzzin' ever since. It wasn't until years later when D'Law-la (code name) finally fufilled her dream of moving to the big city of dreams & the aspiring writer who changed plans and became a publicist for a major record label...that we realized while at a movie premiere for a rapper/mogul turned CEO. That the "east coast dudes" we met at Freaknik would later come to be known as Damon Dash & Jay Z. Of course there's more to the story but I've reminisce too long. (D’Law-la, if you are reading this in NYC. Yes I’mma put you on blast. Can you just please send me the picture of Jay & Dame on the curb so I can post it? I’ll take my chances with a lawsuit. Y’all it’s not a bad pic. Nothing that would compromise his image but it was way before he became a megastar. Let me put it to you like this his bracelet was an linked styled bracelet therefore it was like an ice tray without the ice. But...Damn did he make up for lost time.)

You may ask yourself why “I’m taking out this time, to give you a piece of my mind "cause you can’t knock the hustle…Who do you think you are?

Baby, One day you'll be a star.

Luv;>

K. Anntionette

Special Thanks to all the wonderful staff @ The House of Blues, Rocky Ocanas of the Foundation Room you took real good care of ya girl, Tiffany Thompson & Uncle-Brother James Prince

Jay-Z and DJ AM run through the Carter Catalogue

Jay Z put it down. I forgot how many hits he has in his catalog

The Secret Life of Bee's@ The Shrine of The Black Madonna & Angelika Theatre

The Secret Life of Bee's

Charles Bibb's graced The Shrine of The Black Madonna with a brief inspirational lecture on the making of The Secret Life of Bee's. Mr. Bibb's encouraged us all to follow our artistic passion. The Image of the Black Madonna used in the film was created by Bibb's exclusively for the film. He blessed us by autographing a church styled fan that I will definately cherish. As a matter of fact my first investment in African American art was an autographed piece Blessed Harvest (ok real talk I actual put the # of years ago down & had to erase it because that was a long time ago.) WoW! I just realized that and I also have a collection of tiles displayed in kitchen. What do you know... Life is so funny sometimes!

Pic 4, 5> Chef Jeff & staff provided delicous hor'dourves. Yummy!

Pic 6>Julie Griffith of Griffith Public Relations & Artist Charles Bibbs

It was a full house Wednesday Night @ The Angelika Theatre. All of the buzz was for the movie premiere The Secret life of The Bee's. I did not plan to attend, my original agenda was to take photo's & go home to watch the debate. However I decided to stay. Seeing that I didn't have a ticket I had to watch it on the sticky steps of the theatre. I'm glad that I did. Please bring kleenex. I cried so many times at one point I said F-IT & just let the tears roll. Please be sure to check thes movei out in the theatre's alot of people behind the scenes sacrificed a lot to see this movie come to the big screen. Let's show the movie excec's that we do believe in Urban cinema.

Damn Brother!... that popcorn must be pretty good! Great date night movie & very little male bashing in the movie guys.



Pic 9> Honey Bee's Myra Washington (center) Pic 10>Sed of I10 Media


Pic11 >Mark Newsome of furious films gave it two thumbs up & Queen B' agreed

Luv your's truly;>

Honey Bee

K. Anntionette