Can you believe that the “Whitney Zoo-To-Do” is 38 years old and still one of the most spectacular fundraisers in the city, and that the “Zoo-To-Do for Kids” is 27? This year we’re so grateful to WZTD Chair Catherine Freeman, Whitney Bank President Joe Exnicios and “Zoo-To-Do for Kids” Chair Jill Pipes for gracing our cover! The “Whitney Zoo-To-Do” is May 1, and Catherine promises a night of fabulous food from over 70 top restaurants and 50 specialty and full service bars, dancing to the high-energy sounds of Downtown Fever. You will have the opportunity to bid on luxury items at the silent and online auctions and take a chance on a raffle to win a 2015 Lexus NX200t. All proceeds this year will go to a new exhibit for the beloved orangutans, so get your tickets early by emailing or calling 861-6160 or visit AudubonInstitute.org/ZTD.
The Friday before, on April 24, Jill wants you to bring your children to the “Zoo-To-Do for Kids” for a night of adventure with fun-filled entertainment, food and fun!
Mardi Gras is over and was the best ever, so we’re presenting our Courts of Carnival bigger and better this year! We keep improving, and this year we’re featuring more pages for the two balls on Mardi Gras day and night: Rex and Comus.
Finally, spring is here, and our spring fashion feature will show you some of this season’s hottest trends, while What’s Hot has the perfect accessories to go with them, all from local boutiques.
Once you’ve got your new look, head to the French Quarter and find some fun! Why don’t you play tourist for a weekend and treat yourself to a meal at Antoine’s while it celebrates its 175th anniversary and then meet artist Robert Deyber at April 11 at Martin Lawrence Gallery? Definitely start out at Cafe Du Monde and Jackson Square – buy some art and go from there.
Happy spring, Bev
Pull out your favorite cocktail dress and your most comfortable heels, because between supporting “Harvest at Home” and our cover event, the “Whitney Zoo-To-Do” on May 1, there are tons of nonprofit events coming your way this month.
And if last year’s spring dress is looking a little out of date or your favorite heels just broke, our spring fashion feature and What’s Hot column will have you at the height of the new trends before you can blink.
Though Mardi Gras feels like it happened a long time ago and you’re thinking about which days of Jazz Fest to attend, relive the glamour and glitz of the Courts of Carnival one more time in our exclusive section, which this year is bigger and better than ever.
Next month we’ll be bringing you our Registry of Charitable Events for May-August! If you want your event to be included, visit www.myneworleans.com/CharitableEvent, and fill out the form there. If you have any questions or want assistance, call me at 830-7227 or email me at morgan@myneworleans.com and I’ll be happy to help. We want to make this our most comprehensive Registry yet, but to do so we need your help. The sooner you submit your event, the better – so do it today!
Morgan
Karla Sikaffy duPlantier of the Literacy Alliance of Greater New Orleans, Kathleen McCall of NOLA Til Ya Die®, and Megan Holt of One Book One New Orleans, a project of the YLC, are addressing one of the biggest challenges to adult learners: Transportation. Many of the 3,000 adult students receiving literacy education rely on bicycles as their means of transportation, yet the learning centers lack secure bike racks, which has led to thefts. On April 18 at noon, they’ll hold an event titled “Learn Til Ya Die™.” NOLA Til Ya Die, which will host the event at 3536 Toulouse St., will donate a portion of sales toward putting bike racks outside adult learning centers! In addition to merchandise sales, “Learn Til Ya Die” will feature food, beverages, a musical performance by Monica McIntyre and original work from adult learners throughout Orleans Parish. For more information, contact Megan Holt (meganholt715@gmail.com).
EVENTS
APRIL
All month long (featuring a dinner on the 22nd) “Harvest at Home,” benefiting Second Harvest Food Bank, 734-1322
1 “Council of American Master Mariners Annual Gala,” 702-8897
9 “French Quarter Festival Opening Night Gala at Antoine’s,” benefiting French Quarter Festivals, Inc. and The Roots of Music, 522-5730
9 “Downton Day at the Races,” benefiting WYES, 486-5511
9 “School House Rock,” benefiting City Year New Orleans, 561-1290, CityYear.org
11 “2015 Ezra Open,” benefiting the Better Than Ezra Foundation, 722-8600
12 “Jazz Brunch,” benefiting Catholic Charities “Access Program,” 885-1312
13 “Aces Against Aneurysms,” benefiting Brain Support NOLA, (985) 626-3706, extension 146
15 “Men and Women of Fashion’s 43rd annual Prix d’Elegance Awards Luncheon,” benefiting NOBA’s Scholarship and Education Programs for Talented Youth and the Ballet Resource and Volunteer Organization (BRAVO), 522-0996
17 Sixth annual “Dancing for the Arts Gala,” benefiting Young Audiences of Louisiana, 523-3525
17 “Sentimental Journeys 2015,” benefiting Longue Vue House and Gardens, 293-4726
18 “Cochon Cotillion XIX,” benefiting Bridge House/Grace House, 821-7288
18 “Learn Til Ya Die,” benefiting the Literary Alliance of Greater New Orleans and One Book One New Orleans, a project of the Young Leadership Council, (205) 310-8537, MeganHolt715@gmail.com
18 “Opus Ball,” benefiting the Louisiana Philharmonic Orchestra, 523-6530, extension 201
19 “Take Steps New Orleans,” benefiting the Crohn’s and Colitis Foundation of America, Louisiana/Mississippi, 408-2119
19 “Parkway Promenade – ‘A Night in Rio,’” benefiting Jefferson Beautification, Inc., 887-8992
22 “Studio on the Half Shell,” benefiting A Studio in the Woods, 392-4460
24 “Zoo-To-Do For Kids,” benefiting Audubon Nature Institute, 212-5315
MAY
1 “Whitney Zoo-To-Do,” benefiting Audubon Nature Institute, 861-6160, AudubonInstitute.org/ZTD