Storyville:
Sounds of the Rising Sun

Improvisations Gala

Presented by the Herb Alpert Foundation

Saturday

DECEMBER 6TH

New Orleans Jazz Museum

BUY YOUR TICKETS NOW!

A sultry evening of great music, culinary creations, and cocktails

DECEMBER 6th 7 PM-11 PM

Storyville: Sounds of the Rising Sun

Step into Storyville at the New Orleans Jazz Museum’s 8th Annual Improvisations Gala presented by the Herb Alpert Foundation. One unforgettable night of nonstop revelry with music across five stages, burlesque, Baby Dolls, gaming tables, dazzling activations, food, cocktails, and an auction. This isn’t just another gala, it’s Storyville resurrected, and
you won’t want to miss it.

This year’s Improvisations Gala celebrates the legendary Storyville, New Orleans’ most infamous neighborhood, where music, nightlife, and culture collided at the turn of the 20th century. Though best known as the city’s red-light district, Storyville was also pivotal to the New Orleans sound, where musicians like Jelly Roll Morton, Buddy Bolden, and King Oliver shaped and improvised to carry the music to new audiences.

For one night only, the Jazz Museum transforms into a living Storyville. Guests will experience multiple stages of live performances, burlesque, gaming, and interactive activities that blend the history of New Orleans with today’s vibrant music scene.

VIP & General Admission

VIP BACKSTAGE EXPERIENCE

$300

PER PERSON

Elevate your evening with the
VIP Backstage Experience!

  • Savor exclusive food and beverage offerings

  • Mix and mingle with event sponsors and performing musicians

  • Lounge in a lush VIP area outfitted by ELEMENT with dedicated bars and food stations

GENERAL ADMISSION

$150

PER PERSON

Your General Admission ticket includes:

  • Five Stages of Entertainment including the sounds of New Orleans, Jazz International, and more

  • Performances and Interactive Experiences

  • Food & drinks all night

General Admission: Full-price tickets $150 available Oct 1 until sold out.

tickets are on sale now!

ENTERTAINMENT LINE UP FEATURES:

Every corner of the museum will come alive with music, performance, and spectacle.

Bobby Rush

Presented by Land of Dreams

 Detroit Brooks

James Andrews & the Crescent City Allstars

 Kermit Ruffins

  Tuba Skinny Band 

Dee Dee

Bridgewater

 Audrey LeCrone

Rechell Cook,
Dane Ruffins,
Naydja CoJoe &
Sharon Martin

Treme Lafitte Brass Band

Who Does the Gala Benefit?

The Improvisations Gala raises essential funds to support the New Orleans Jazz Museum’s educational programming, which includes our exhibitions and performances. By purchasing a ticket, you help preserve our city’s cultural legacy and sustain the future of New Orleans music.

Experience the magic of New Orleans at the Improvisations Gala, presented by the Herb Alpert Foundation. This year, we’re turning up the excitement with a star-studded lineup of New Orleans talent, exquisite local cuisine, craft cocktails, immersive exhibits and light installations. It’s no wonder the Improvisations Gala is called the “best party of the year!”

tickets are on sale now!

Online Auction & Treasure Chest

The 2025 Improvisations Gala Online Auction is presented by New Orleans Auction. This fundraising component of the Gala is hosted on 32Auctions and operates independently from New Orleans Auction’s business activities. New Orleans Auction is a valued community partner of the New Orleans Jazz Museum.

  • Online Auction opens November 1 and closes December 9 at noon.

  • Preview select auction items at the Storyville Exhibit Opening at the New Orleans Jazz Museum on November 13.

Register now and get started
Donate Auction Items

Xtreme Motors Sports Super Car Driving Experience at Nola Motorsports: A bucket list thrill where you can drive a world-class exotic car.

Embark on an 8-day Viking River Cruise, exploring Europe's cultural treasures with included meals, tours, and shore excursions.

Clesi's Seafood A Crawfish Boil Experience for up to 8 people.  A unique hands-on experience:  Learn the history of crawfish, how to clean and prepare the crawfish and then enjoy a meal with your friends and family  - all in a one of a kind, charming setting.

Don't miss out on the Online Auction!
One-of-a-kind items, unforgettable experiences, unique collectibles, and adventures

Auction opens November 1st and closes at noon on December 9th.

Register now and get started

Feeling Lucky?

Try your chance to unlock the Treasure Chest and win a stunning 18K white gold and diamond heart pendant on an 18” white gold chain, generously donated by Adler’s Jewelry of New Orleans (Value: $2,800).

Purchase a Key for $50 — buy as many as you’d like! Each key gives you another chance to open the Treasure Chest and take home this exquisite prize.

Bonus Drawing!
Purchase your key by November 15th and you’ll be automatically entered into a special drawing to win (2) VIP Backstage Experience Tickets to next year’s Improvisations Gala! (Value:  $600).

Don’t miss your chance to sparkle — secure your key today!

Pick your key now >

2025 SPONSOR & PARTNERS

A special thanks to Herb Alpert Foundation for their continued support as the Presenting Sponsor of the Improvisations Gala. 

PRESENTING SPONSOR



ENTERTAINMENT & PRODUCTION SPONSORS



STAGE SPONSORS



VIP EXPERIENCE SPONSOR:



ONLINE AUCTION SPONSOR



PROGRAM SPONSOR



SUSTAINING SPONSORS:



BUDDY BOLDEN SPONSORS:



SWEET EMMA SPONSORS:



ELLIS MARSALIS SPONSORS:



IN-KIND SPONSORS:



MEDIA SPONSORS:



MUSEUM PARTNERS:



SPONSORSHIP OPPORTUNITIES

2024 IMPROVISATIONS GALA COMMITTEE

HONORARY CHAIRS

Herb Alpert | Jon Batiste | John Goodman | Lt. Governor | Arthel Neville | Wynton Marsalis | Randy Fertel | Joe Donner | Tony Sylvester | Francis Ford Coppola

IMPROVISATIONS GALA

CO-CHAIRS

Valerie Landry, James Moore, and Claus Sadlier

Committee Members

Tiffany Adler | Glen Armantrout | Maurye Aycock | Sally Asher | Kerri Becker | Eric Belin | Chip Blondeau | Peter Boylan | Dickie Brennan | Detroit Brooks | Katherine Cecil | Camille Collins Black |Charlotte Conerly | Bo & Dana Cooper | Joey DiFatta | Therese Duke | Kathleen Edmundson | Anise Fiello | Dino Gankendorff | Jeremy Gelbwaks | Gina Giacona | Cathryn Giff | Priscilla Gordon | KC Guidry | Ashley Hilsman | James Douglas Hislop | Donna Horowitz | Amy Kirk | Valerie Landry | Cheryl Lemoine | Wendy Lodrig Bart

ADVISORY COMMITTEE

Anne Atkinson | Cindy Badinger | Bruce "Sunpie" Barnes | Henry L. Bart | Margarita Bergen | Joe Bikulege | Pam Davis Friedler | Valerie M. Grubb | Laurie Guimont Guillaume | Dr. Thomas LaVeist | Rex & Marty Leatherbury | Casey Lipscomb | Diane Lyons | Gail McKenna | David Mutter | Jerry Reyes | Dr. Eduardo E. Rodriguez | Kristian Sonnier | Vincent Sylvain | Suzie Terrell | AP Tureaud, Jr. | Julia Walker

IMPROVISATIONS GALA ORGANIZERS

Greg Lambousy | Carlisle & Voelker | Sandra S. Dartus, CFEE

WHY IT MATTERS

The Improvisations Gala raises essential funds to support the New Orleans Jazz Museum’s educational programming, which includes our exhibitions and performances. By purchasing a ticket, you help preserve our city’s cultural legacy and sustain the future of New Orleans music.

In 2024 alone,

the New Orleans Jazz Museum boasted

8,122

Students Impacted 
by our Educational Initiatives

161,890

Museum Visitors

191

Weekly Concerts 
(Despite our Performance Center being closed for renovations)

15

Festivals

9

9 International Missions amplifying New Orleans music and culture