Improvisations Gala Announcement

New Orleans Jazz Museum Announces Inaugural Improvisations Gala on December 8, 2018

The New Orleans Jazz Museum will host an extemporized evening of art, light, and music to help underwrite its expansion.

NEW ORLEANS (October 4, 2018) — The New Orleans Jazz Museum is hosting its inaugural Improvisations Gala on site at 400 Esplanade Avenue, New Orleans, on Saturday, December 8, 2018, from 7:00 pm to 10:00 pm.

Improvisations kicks off at 7:00 pm in the Jazz Museum’s intimate performance venue with an exclusive Patron Party, featuring cuisine by Ruth’s Chris, cocktails by Sazerac Company, and a private musical performance by Jon Batiste, followed by the Trombone Shorty Academy and the New Orleans Center for Creative Arts. Patrons will also have the opportunity to have a black and white portrait taken by renowned music photographer Curtis Knapp.

“We are so excited to debut our inaugural Improvisations Gala and spotlight the creative communities of New Orleans, combined with the educational, artistic and inspirational aspects of improvisation.” said New Orleans Jazz Museum Director Greg Lambousy. “What better way to do that than showcasing New Orleans artists. We invite everyone to come and experience a night of incredible food, music, dance, and visual art. Proceeds from Improvisations will support our ongoing expansion efforts.”

The Improvisations Gala main party takes place from 8:00 pm to 10:00 pm throughout the galleries and grounds of the Jazz Museum. The Gala will feature libations from Sazerac Company, gourmet local cuisine, a thrilling silent auction with an exclusive artwork and live painting demonstration by Emilie Rhys, and entertainment by Evan Christopher and other acclaimed local musicians, all set within the LUNA Fête Celebration of Light and Music.

Through a partnership with Arts Council New Orleans, LUNA Fête will come to the French Quarter for the first time and illuminate the grounds and gardens of the Jazz Museum for Improvisations, transforming its historic architecture into a playground of light, art, and music. This Tricentennial celebration features illuminated installations, digital sculptures, video-mapping projections, art animated by technology and musical performances.

“It's long past time New Orleans had a world-class Jazz Museum.” Gala Chairman Randy Fertel, of the Ruth U. Fertel Foundation, added. “Now it does, with a rich and deep archive, a historic building, and a true professional, Greg Lambousy, at the helm. The history of jazz in the city of its birth is in good hands.”

All proceeds from Improvisations will help the Jazz Museum to globally promote jazz as one of the most innovative, historically pivotal musical art forms through highly-interactive exhibits, as well as support ongoing musical and educational programming. Learn more about the expansion.

Early bird tickets to the Improvisations Gala are now on sale for a discounted rate through November 15. Gala tickets start at $60.00. Sponsorships begin at $250 and include Patron Party admittance. The public is invited to Improvisations. For tickets and sponsorships, please visit www.gala.nolajazzmuseum.org. Email any and all Gala inquiries to gala@nolajazzmuseum.org.

About The New Orleans Jazz Museum

The New Orleans Jazz Museum celebrates jazz in the city where it was born. Through dynamic interactive exhibits, multigenerational educational programming, research facilities and engaging musical performances, the music New Orleans made famous is explored in all its forms. Through partnerships with local, national and international educational institutions, the New Orleans Jazz Museum promotes the global understanding of jazz as one of the most innovative, historically pivotal musical art forms in world history. For more information on upcoming performances, visit www.nolajazzmuseum.org. Follow us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram @NOLAJazzMuseum.