THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Wednesday, April 19, 1995 TAG: 9504180095
SECTION: VIRGINIA BEACH BEACON PAGE: 04 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY LORI A. DENNEY, STAFF WRITER
LENGTH: Short : 49 lines
If she could, Cleopatra likely would be the first in line to buy tickets for this year's ``Night on the Nile,'' the fourth annual Hampton Roads Bartenders Ball.
After all, it's for a good cause.
This year, organizers of the event - planned Sunday from 7 p.m. to 1 a.m. at the Holiday Inn Executive Center, 5655 Greenwich Road - hope to raise more than $35,000 from ticket sales to donate to local charities or those in the restaurant business who need financial help.
During the last four years, the non-profit Hampton Roads Bartenders' Charitable Fund Inc. has donated more than $185,000 to charitable causes, said event coordinator Ruth S. McCotter.
``I think the reason they organized as a charity was to eventually. . . be in a position to help their own. There are young people in the industry and many don't have hospitalization,'' explained McCotter. ``The whole intent of this group is to raise money and to sort of be do-gooders in the community.''
Last year, the bartenders ball brought in $35,000, which was split among several charities including the Leukemia Society, CANDII Program, Make-A-Wish Foundation, St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, Safehaven and the Virginia Restaurant Association Educational Foundation.
Barry Davis, owner of the Heartbreak Cafe, first suggested the ball in 1991. The non-profit organization formed two years later.
Bartenders, waiters and waitresses from 25 area restaurants donate their services and time to serve hors d'oeuvres and cocktails to members of the public who have bought advance tickets for $50 or paid $60 at the door.
Four bands will provide this year's entertainment.
Advance tickets can be purchased at the following restaurants: Alexander's On the Bay, The Banque, Bay Billiards, Buckroe's Island Grill, Chick's Oyster Bar, Coyote Cafe Cantina, Frankie's/Rockafeller's, Garry's, Hammerheads, Heartbreak Cafe, Hooters, JB's Gallery, Kokoamo's, Mahi Mah's, Mitty's of Newport News, O'Sullivan's Wharf, The Raven, Rhinestone Cowboy, San Antonio Sam's, Squire's Club, Waterside Live!, Wipeout Eddy's, Worrell Brothers and Xeniks.
For ticket information, call 498-2546. by CNB