They’re Having a Ball for One and All

Every year in San Francisco, the symphony kicks off its season with an enormous, very fancy event called the Black and White Ball. Streets are blocked off. Discrete parties are held under white tents, pitched in the shadow of the Symphony Hall. Champagne flows, men wear tuxedos, women parade their gowns of black or white.

Sound like fun?

Well, you can either drive north for about eight hours or take a trip Friday to the Queen Mary, where the Long Beach Symphony will have its third annual Black and White.

Granted, it ain’t San Francisco.

This party focuses more on eclectic than elegant fun. You won’t hear the melodies of, say, Mozart--not unless someone’s whistling on the Promenade. The de rigueur tuxedo may be left at home. Here, the attire ranges from fancy to funky to costume drama, so long as it’s black and white.

What you will hear, in five very different parties aboard the same ship, is 1960s “beach tunes,” big band, country and Western, jazz and Motown. And each musical style will have its own food and decor.

The 1960s cover band Papa Doo Run Run will “rock” the Britannia Salon on the main deck. Scattered about the room will be food areas with mini-hamburgers, cotton candy, sodas--all the food associated with a summer day.

In the Grand Salon below decks, the H.O.U.S.E band--that’s Hollywood’s Own Unique Soul Experience--will offer Motown favorites while the scents of barbecue, buffalo wings and cherry Cokes waft through the crowd.

The country and Western room not only will offer The Sierrah Band, Texas chili, Spanish rice, tacos and a three-bean salad; the Windsor Salon will also have dance instructors Ed and Sally (no last names, please) who will teach all comers the two-step.

The menu is considerably fancier in the big band and jazz rooms. Those who want to dance to Red and the Redhots covering old Glenn Miller tunes can feast on filet mignon, baked brie and other gourmet treats. Along with jazz saxophonist Sonya Jason in the Royal Salon on the promenade deck, party-goers may gorge on desserts of all shapes and sizes.

The price is pretty high: $110 per person ($50 of it is a tax-deductible donation to the Symphony) and $75 ($15 tax-deductible) for those younger than 30. But for this price, the food, music, wine and beer will flow throughout the night.

Presented by radio station Jazz FM 103.1 and the Queen Mary Seaport, the party is from 8:30 p.m. to 1:30 a.m. Fireworks are at 9 p.m. Only those older than 21 admitted. Information: 436-3203.