If You Don?t Like What the Big Queen Says, Just . . .

Friday and Saturday, May 8 and 9, 2009
7:00 PM
Ashe Cultural Arts Center ? 1712 O. C. Haley Blvd.
Featuring: Queen Cherice Harrison- Nelson and
the Young Guardians of the Flame

NEW ORLEANS, LA - Third generation Mardi Gras Indian Queen and the
Young Guardians of the Flame Mardi Gras Indian group present the
original theatrical production, ?If You Don?t Like What the Big Queen
Says, Just . . . ? The show examines the cultural traditions of Mardi
Gras Indians and Harrison-Nelson?s sometimes challenging relationship
with her Father, the late Big Chief Donald Harrison, Sr.

Also, featured will be a special musical presentation by the Mardi Gras Indian
Collective, Big Chief Clarence Dalcour, Mama Jamilah Peters-Muhammad,
Margie Perez, and master percussionist, Baba Luther Gray. Karen Kaia
Livers serves as the director, and Cara Harrison and Irving Banister
are the musical directors.

The show will serve as Cherice?s 50th birthday celebration and
fundraiser for Sweet Home New Orleans, an organization dedicated to
providing assistance to area musicians and Mardi Gras Indians and the
Guardian Institute?s Big Chief Donald Harrison, Sr. Book Club. The
book club was inspired by the late Chief, he read over forty books a
year and encouraged children to read by giving books as gifts. The
in-school program presents books to students with the goal to enhance
both their love of reading and academic achievement. The programs
include special music presentations by area musicians and members of
the Mardi Gras Indian community. Donald, Harrison, Jr., Bob French,
Charmaine Neville, NBA players, Christian Scott, Big Chief Clarence
Dalcour and others have
participated in the program along with the Mardi Gras Indian Hall of
Fame and New Orleans Musicians Assistance Fund to distribute over
12,000 books.

Tickets are $15.00 by advance phone (504)432-4642 or E-mail reservation to
QueenReesie@aol.com and $20.00 at the door.
"Supported by grants from the New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Foundation
and the Louisiana Cultural Economy Foundation.?

Guardians of the Flame Cultural Arts Society
P. O. Box 3762
New Orleans, LA 70177
Cherice Harrison-Nelson, 504-214-6630