The 12th annual “Key to the Cure Kickoff Gala” on Wednesday, October 17, signaled the start to a four-day shopping extravaganza at Saks Fifth Avenue New Orleans, all in the name of charity. Two percent of all in-store sales from October 17 through October 21 were donated to the cancer research programs of the Louisiana Cancer Research Consortium, yielding over $175,000 for the cause this year.
The grand-scale opening event boasted three full floors of entertainers and edibles, and all departments were open for shoppers to start showing their support.
A Fabulous Under Forty section was open exclusively to younger patrons and featured the funky fusions of the Honey Island Swamp Band. In between dance jams, revelers sampled fare and libations from Magasin, R’evolution, Cure and more.
Other floors paired Jay-Ray and Gee and A’Capella New Orleans and Sasha Masakowski & the Rik Fletcher Latin Sextet with appetizers, Shamarr Allen and the Underdawgs with entrées and The Tom Fisher Trio with dessert. Adventurous partygoers ambled over to the Intimate Apparel section for a tarot card reading from Judith Faye.
Saks Fifth Avenue’s Key to the Cure is a nationwide event as part of the Saks Gives Back initiative. The gala is the largest fundraiser for the New Orleans store, having donated over $1,500,000 directly to the LCRC since 2000.
Event at a Glance
What: 12th annual “Saks Fifth Avenue Key to the Cure Kickoff Gala”
When: Wednesday, October 17
Where: Saks Fifth Avenue New Orleans
