Storyville:
Sounds of the Rising Sun
Improvisations Gala
Presented by the Herb Alpert Foudation
Saturday
DECEMBER 6TH
New Orleans Jazz Museum
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.
Early Bird General Admission Tickets Available Now through September 30th Only!
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
Early Bird General Admission: $125 (Exclusively before Tuesday, Sept 30th only! Limit of 4 tickets per order)
General Admission: Full-price tickets $150 available Oct 1 until sold out.
ENTERTAINMENT LINE UP FEATURES:
Every corner of the museum will come alive with music, performance, and spectacle.
Dee Dee
Bridgewater
Detroit Brooks
James Andrews & the Crescent City Allstars
Kermit Ruffins
Tuba Skinny 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!”
Online Auction & Treasure Chest
Bid on extraordinary auction items, from once-in-a-lifetime experiences to luxury packages. The beloved Treasure Chest returns alongside big-ticket items revealed in late October.
Online Auction opens online Nov 1 and closes December 8th, two days after the Gala
Preview select auction items at the Storyville Exhibit Opening at the New Orleans Jazz Museum on November 13.
Feeling Lucky?
Buy as many keys as you like!
Treasure Chest Key Challenge! These beautiful pave diamond earrings are stunning. One lucky attendee that purchased a key will discover their key unlocks the chest, holding a beautiful and unique piece of jewelry from Adler’s Jewelry of New Orleans.
2025 SPONSOR & PARTNERS
A special thanks to Herb Alpert Foundation for their continued support as the Presenting Sponsor of the Improvisations Gala.
PRESENTING SPONSOR
STAGE SPONSOR
VIP EXPERIENCE SPONSOR:
ELLIS MARSALIS SPONSOR:
IN-KID SPONSOR:
MUSEUM PARTNERS
2024 IMPROVISATIONS GALA COMMITTEE
HONORARY CHAIRS
Herb Alpert | Jon Batiste | Bryan Batt | Randy Fertel | John GoodmanSyston Marsalis | Arthel Neville | Lt. Governor Billy Nungesser | Dan Pritzker
IMPROVISATIONS GALA
CO-CHAIRS
Dino Gankendorff | Valerie Landry | James Moore
Committee Members
Tiffany Adler | Glen Armantrout | Maurye Aycock | Cindy Badinger | Kathy Batise | Kerri Becker | Eric Belin Chip Blondeau | Peter Boylan | Dickie Brennan | Detroit Brooks | Katherine Cecil | Charlotte Conerly | Dutch Connick | Bo & Dana Cooper | Joey DiFatta | Yolanda Doucette | Therese Duke | Kathleen Edmundson | Anise Fiello | Gina Giacona | Jeremy Gelbwaks | Cathryn Giff | Valerie M. Grubb | Ashley Hilsman | James Douglas Hislop | Donna Horowitz | Dr. Thomas LaVeist | Rex & Marty Leatherbury | Cheryl Lemoine| Casey Lipscomb | Wendy Lodrig Bart | Stacey Messina | Stephanie Oswald | Arthurine PaytonDavid Piscola | Lisa Ramsay | Jerry Reyes | Glenda Ribelin | Marvin Saborio | Claus SadlierRaynard Sanders | Jim Schoen | Jacqueline Simon | Leisa Stanton | Catherine Whitney
ADVISORY COMMITTEE
Arthel Neville | Bruce "Sunpie" Barnes | Henry L. Bart | Bryan Batt | Margarita BergenJoe Bikulege | Pam Davis Friedler | Priscialla and Nate Gordon | Laurie Guimont GuillaumeDiane Lyons | Gail McKenna | David Mutter | Dr. Eduardo E. Rodriguez | Kristian SonnierVincent 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