DIMANCHE

by Emma Boyce

This week in New Orleans brings a variety of benefits from black-tie to dog tails.  Start off your week at the bowling alley for House of Ruth, dance to ReBirth for a Mid-City school, put your paws up for the Delgado Veterinary Technology program, and sip champagne to the sounds of the classical piano.  Check out below for a full list of benefits.  

Rock the House Fundraiser and Auction (Rock n Bowl, Wednesday, 6 pm) 

Grab your bowling shoes and your party hat because the House of Ruth is holding their 2nd annual bowling fundraiser and auction.  Along with complementary food and wine, attendees will jam out to the sweet sounds of Kermit Ruffins and Stephanie and Marion Jordan.  At 8 pm auctioneer Camille Whitworth will head the live auction.  

The House of Ruth has been working since 1987 to provide homeless families with transitional housing and helping families find work and stable homes.  Throughout the years, the program has been extremely successful.  More than 85 percent of clients find work after completing the program.      

Hoppin’ John’s Lowcountry Cookin’ (Calcasieu, Wednesday, 7 pm)   

Hurricane Isaac has come and gone, but for some parishes, like St. Bernard they are still feeling the devastating effects of the storm.  Join Chef Stephen Stryjewski of Cochon, Butcher and Cochon Lafayette for dinner at Calcasieu and a book singing for John Martin Taylor’s new edition of Hoppin’ John’s Lowcountry Cookin’ to benefit the St. Bernard Project, an initiative to help rebuild St. Bernard parish.

Tickets are $100 per person and includes a three course meal, a signed copy of the cookbook and Hoppin’ John’s stone ground grits.  The menu features a variety of Cajun inspired dishes, such as blood pudding and caramelized onions, shrimp pilau, fried quail with sausage, oyster cream and grits, Huguenot torte and much more.  

For reservations call: 504-588-2188   

Morris Jeff Community School Gala (Fair Grounds, Thursday, 6 pm) 

Help this Mid-City school expand their library, build a full-capacity playground, implement the International Baccalaureate Primary Years Program, and develop their Early Childhood program by participating in their gala event.  

The night includes performances by New Orleans favorites ReBirth Brass Band and Michaela Harrison, as well as food prepared by some of the best restaurants in New Orleans, such as Mandinas, Mondo, The Ruby Slipper, Orleans Coffee Exchange and many others.  

There will also be a silent auction.  Along with great art and entertainment auction pieces, one lucky bidder will spend a restful week at the Tranquility Bay Resort in Belize.  

Tickets are $50 per person.  

Sheik Richardson Benefit (Irish House, Thursday, 6 pm) 
Join Dr. Michael White, Charlie Miller, Mark Brooks, Paky Saavedra, Ben Smith, Ed Freiburg, Patrice Fisher and many more to support local New Orleans musician, Sheik Richardson.  While in Switzerland Richardson suffered a heart attack and now faces extensive medical bills.  

After Hurricane Katrina, Richardson founded the Arabi Wrecking Krewe, which helped musicians gut and repair their flooded houses.  Now musicians return the favor to help him in his time of need with a night of music and fun.      
 

Animal Expo (Delgado, Saturday, 11 am)  

Grab Rosco and head on over to Delgado for a full day of four-legged fun to support Delgado’s Veterinary Technology Program.  Free and open to the public, some events include baths, “pawticures,” a kid’s corner, and a meet and greet with veterinarians.  Pick up a new furry friend at the adoption area or teach an old dog new tricks with a professional dog trainer.  Along with shopping for you and your dog, there will be no lack of food or music.   

O What a Night (Ogden Museum, Saturday, 6 pm) 

Support the southern arts at the Ogden Museum’s annual gala, featuring a live auction and silent auction.  Some of the artists featured in the auctions include, Robert Malone, Shelby Lee Adams, William Dunlap, John Alexander, Anderson Bailey, Jack Kotz and numerous others.  The auction will also include art experiences, where bidders can win a trip to Charleston and experience all the art, food and culture this southern city has to offer.   

Dinner will be provided by award-winning Chefs Donald Link of Herbsaint, Cochon and Butcher, and Chris Hastings of Hot & Hot Fish Club.  The event also honors the work of Lin Emery, an artist that focuses primarily on kinetic sculptor.  

Hugs and Kisses Chocolate Ball (Marriott, Saturday, 6 pm)  

The Ronald McDonald House, a haven for seriously ill children and their families to stay while receiving treatment out of town, holds its 4 th annual Hugs and Kisses Chocolate Ball fundraiser.  The event includes everything from music, dancing, and food to chocolate.     

Jam out to the Yat Pac or bid in the live auction, offering exotic trips, jewelry, sports memorabilia and an adorable 12-week-old Labradoodle!  The event kicks off with a six o’clock chocolate happy hour.  

NAMI Walk (Audubon Park, Saturday, 11:30 pm)  

Throw on your tennis shoes for the NAMI Walk, the largest mental awareness event in America.  Walks for the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) are held throughout the United States, but this Saturday walkers will gather in lovely Audubon Park to promote mental illness awareness and ensure that those affected do not fall through the cracks.  

Walkers will be serenaded with the smooth sounds of the New Birth Brass Band and Dancing Man 504.  Food, drinks and activities for both children and adults turn a good cause into a day of fun.  

Early Child & Family Learning Foundation Gala (NBC Bank, Saturday, 7 pm) 

New Orleans thrives in music, food and hospitality, but when it comes to the public school system we fall short.  Luckily, the Early Child & Family Learning Foundation is trying to remedy the problem, by focusing on first getting young students healthy and then getting them on track academically.  Help support their cause by attending the gala on Saturday at the NBC Bank (210 Baronne).   

Here For Life (Marriott Hotel, Saturday, 7:30 pm) 

Support Touro Hospital on its 160 th anniversary this Saturday.  The event includes music by the Preservation Hall-Stars featuring Leroy Jones, a delicious meal, an open bar and a silent auction.

The auction offers gift cards to magazine street favorites like the Blue Jeans Bar, Azby’s, dinner at Ralph’s On the Park, nights at the Windsor Court and other great options.          

Danny Driver (Ritz-Carlton, Sunday, 5 pm) 

End your weekend with the Musical Arts Society of New Orleans’ annual black-tie fundraiser, featuring renowned British pianist, Danny Driver.  Describes as “bold” and “precise” by The Guardian, he is bound to put on a good show.  

Attendees can throw back the bubbly at a champagne reception and then enjoy dinner provided by the Ritz.  All proceeds will go to MASNO, so they can continue bringing New Orleans classical concerts.