"Bal Masque" was “a celebration of New Orleans’ Creole Carnival roots, capturing the spirit of a classic ‘Bal Masque’ with music, dance and food.”
The Patron Preview dinner was hosted by chef Mario Batali at Calcasieu. The four-course dinner included selections from chef Anthony Sasso of Casa Mono, chef Mario Batali of Babbo, chef de cuisine Matt Abdoo of del Posto and pastry chef Rebecca d’Angelis of Babbo.
The main event – black-tie and masks required – took place at The Orpheum Theater. The party menu included scrumptious food prepared by notable chefs, including Nancy Oakes, Mike Lata, Suzanne Goin, Frank Stitt, Richard Reddington, Andrea Ruesing and Paul Kahan.
Jimmy Buffett and the Coral Reefer Band provided musical entertainment. The event also included performances by special guests Jon Cleary and The Preservation Hall Horns, The Roots of Music and Cha Wa, a Mardi Gras Indian funk band.
The key auction item was a painting by John Alexander, whose artwork has exhibited extensively in the United States and around the world.
Approximately 400 attended the event, which benefited the Link Stryjewski Foundation, which was created to address the cycle of violence, poverty and lack of quality education and job training available to young people in New Orleans. Proceeds also support Kingsley House, whose mission is to educate children, strengthen families and build community.
EVENT AT A GLANCE
What: “Bal Masque,” benefiting Link Stryjewski Foundation and Kingsley House
When: Saturday, January 9
Where: The Orpheum Theater
