On Saturday, December
5, at 7 p.m., expect the third annual iteration of the Improvisations Gala at the
New Orleans Jazz Museum. Running until 11 p.m., this gala will take place
both in-person and virtually so that any interested parties can get involved
and still maintain their level of comfort. In-person visitors will be socially
distanced and masked in a courtyard as they watch an excellent lineup of
various musicians perform. This event has always been in the service of local
musicians and promoting musical education in the area, but that goal is doubly important
with this year's event.
As the pandemic has greatly wounded both musicians and
museums alike, the New Orleans Jazz Museum has made it a point to employ
musicians gratis to do virtual performances to help spread their names as well
as attempt to rejuvenate the spirit of live music. Finally, though, with New
Orleans well into Phase Three of pandemic protocols and reopenings, live
performances are no longer a mere pipe dream and are completely possible, given
proper precautions.
Multiple
famed performers, from Big Freedia to the Dirty Dozen Brass Band, will be
present, playing improv-style and live at this event. Tickets are in short
supply, since the event is limited by social-distancing guidelines, so don't
wait to get
your tickets (click HERE), whether you plan to
purchase a party table or individual admission. Virtual viewing is also
available on the New Orleans Jazz
Museum's Facebook page. All of the proceeds
from this event's sales will be fed directly back into supporting local
musicians, musical education and its instructors, and the upkeep of the museum
itself, so any contribution you may make is a noble one.
New Orleans Jazz Museum: 400 Esplanade Ave., (504)
568-6993, nolajazzmuseum.org/events/gala2020