On Friday, October 16, the 14th Annual “Pasta & Puccini Fundraising Gala” was held at then Intercontinental New Orleans. This event benefitted the Jefferson Performing Arts Society’s children’s arts outreach programs, which will in turn benefit more than 10,000 youths in five parishes.
The JPAS programs include Cultural Cross roads for at risk youth, Stage Without a Theater, Arts Adventure Series, Kids Theater and Children’s Chorus. The funds will also assist more than 160 theater-related events throughout the year.
The gala included a full orchestra with nine local and four Italian performers. There was also a live and silent auction which included works of art by Michalopoulos, dinner for eight at Ralph’s on the Park, a pink pearl ring with diamonds by Friends & Co. and many more fabulous items. Uncle Wayne Daigrepont and Porta Puppet Players were at the gala providing caricatures for all guests, while Christian Dior and Bulgari donated complimentary perfume samples for all guests to enjoy. JPAS volunteers spent many weeks preparing “JPAS Biscotti” gift bags for patrons, which included biscotti recipes, acknowledging all patrons with the caption, “JPAS & You… a recipe for Success!”
A plethora of restaurants provided catering for the gala including: Acme Oyster House, Barreca’s, Blue Frog Chocolates, Chad’s Bistro, Fox and Hound Restaurant, LaMasion Creole, Reginellie’s Pizzeria and Zea Rotisserie & Grill, to name a few.
