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Annual Improv Gala Highlights Best of New Orleans Culture, Food & Music
The 7th Annual Improvisations Gala, presented by The Herb Alpert Foundation, will take place from 7-11 pm, Saturday, December 7, encompassing the entire 400 block of Esplanade where the New Orleans Jazz Museum is located.
Heralded as “the best party of the year”, the spectacular evening will feature an incredible array of performers, exquisite local cuisine, craft cocktails, immersive exhibits, and light installations that will bring the 2024 theme, Aquatic Gardens, to life. Grammy-nominated Afro-Cuban funk artist, Cimafunk, sponsored by James Douglas Hislop, will headline the magical musical affair.
Performances throughout the historic complex will include New Orleans icons Jon Cleary & The Absolute Monster Gentlemen, Little Freddie King, Wanda Rouzan & A Taste of New Orleans, Detroit Brooks & the NOLA Jazz Museum Band. Musical luminaries Erica Falls, the Amina Scott Quintet, Vincent Hsu & Soy La Ley Afro-Cuban Jazz Band from Taiwan, New Breed Brass Band, the Kristin Diable Band, The Treme Lafitte Brass Band, the Britney Chauntae Band and others. Attendees will also be treated to the sights and sounds of Kit Harris & the N’Awlins D’Awlins Baby Dolls, Big Queen Mary K. Stevenson & the Original Wild Tchoupitoulas, NOLA Chorus Girls, Hibriduz Jazz Band from Honduras, and the NOCCA Jazz Ensemble.
Jazz Museum Executive Director Greg Lambousy is excited about this year’s fundraiser. “The Lt. Governor has proclaimed 2024 as the ‘year of music’. What better way to end the year than an extraordinary celebration of our music and culture here at the New Orleans Jazz Museum!”
Tickets to the Improvisations Gala are priced at $150 for access to all performances, exhibits, food and beverage. Patron tickets are available for $300 and include an exclusive Backstage Experience with a private Main Stage viewing area, elevated food and drink, lounge seating and additional perks. By popular demand, Treasure Chest Key sales for a coveted piece of jewelry from Adler’s will again be featured, and the Improv On-Line Auction will be launched in early October. To purchase tickets, become a sponsor, and/or learn more as plans develop, visit https://nolajazzmuseum.org/gala.
All funds raised by the Improvisations Gala directly support the Jazz Museum’s educational programs and initiatives. Ticket sales and sponsorship ensures the continuation of valuable programs that bring the magic of jazz to life for the community and beyond.
The 2024 New Orleans Jazz Museum Improvisations Gala Committee is chaired by Edgar “Dino” Gankendorff, Valerie Landry and James Moore. Honorary co- chairs include Herb Alpert, Jon Batiste, Bryan Batt, Randy Fertel, John Goodman, Wynton Marsalis, Arthel Neville, Lt. Governor Billy Nungesser, and Dan Pritzker.
The event is made possible by support from the following sponsors: The Herb Alpert Foundation, James Douglas Hislop, The Lupin Foundation, Positive Vibrations, Presson Productions, Omega Production Resources, New Orleans Hilton Riverside, Messina’s Catering & Events, Element, Anne Atkinson, Fertel Foundation, Louisiana Music & Heritage Experience, The Nathan & Priscilla Gordon Foundation, Folgers, Adkerson Family Foundation, AOS, Casey Lipscomb, Eduardo Rodriguez, MD & Pam Davis Friedler, First Horizon, Gulf Coast Bank, Ministry of Culture, Republic of China (Taiwan), New Orleans & Company, Taiwan Academy, New Orleans Storyville Museum, William H. Donner Foundation, Catherine Whitney, Felix’s Restaurant & Sports Bar, Gia Maione Prima Foundation, Jeremy & Patricia Gelbwaks, Dr. Lee & Susann H. Terrell, Stone Insurance, New Orleans Ernest N. Morial Convention Center, Provosty & Gankendorff, LLC, PSBM, Valerie M. Grubb, Bryan Subaru, Doerr Furniture, Fidelity, Glenda Ribelin, Lauren Mitchell, Meaghan Hardcastle, New Orleans Chamber, PJ’s Coffee, Ryan Gootee General Contractors, and numerous in-kind sponsors and partners.###Media Contacts:
Sandra S. DartusCheryl Lemoine
Improvisations Gala Team Improvisations Gala Team
307-699-2026504- 782-2410
Sdartus51@gmail.comclemoine@vivanola.com
