If you’re looking for “real soul,” look no further than the 2009 New Orleans Heart and Soul Gala. Carol Soloman, CEO of Peoples Health, the gala’s presenting sponsor, will get your heart pounding with this year’s new format. In a departure from previous years, the gala will feature an evening-long Tipitina’s Live Music Review. Mary and Roland Von Kurnatowski of Tipitina’s will be sure to keep your toes tapping with a live New Orleans Music Review, including Marva Wright, Big Sam’s Funky Nation, the gospel group One Accord and many more headliners, sponsored by the Tipitina’s Foundation. The Omni Royal Orleans hotel is the place to be on Thursday, May 28. Chair Roger Ogden promises live and silent auctions, dinner, drinks and a celebration of the life and times of Merv Trail.
This year’s Heart and Soul Gala will include a separate “Cholesterol Ball” patron party on Saturday, May 16 where VIPs will groove to the sounds of Dr. Funk and the Dirty Dozen Brass Band, among others, at Tipitina’s.
Heart disease and stroke continue to be the No. 1 and No. 3 killers of New Orleanians respectively. Each dollar raised towards the gala’s $300,000 goal will go to funding life-saving research and education for cardiovascular disease in the New Orleans area.
Call the American Heart Association at 830-2300 for more information and to purchase your tickets today!
Photograph by Greg Miles
Photographed at the Omni Royal Orleans
Special thanks to Wendee Bloom and Jessica Gremillion.