New Orleans residents, tourists and artists came together to raise funds at the Howlin’ Wolf Saturday, Sept 10. for those affected by floods in Louisiana this year.
Loyola University had a contribution to make as well. Martha Alguera, administrative assistant to the president of the university, organized the event. Loyola students, such as Nhicole Henry, history junior, aided Alguera with tasks over the course of the night.
“It’s for a good cause,” Henry said, “everyone’s having fun but in the end we’re coming together to help support people who have gone through a bad time.”
As a music event producer, Alguera knew artists in the area affected by the floods. Saxophonist Khris Royal’s family and musician John “Papa” Gros’s father and sister, according to Alguera, “lost everything.”
“The bands were basically chosen after I sent out a mass email to band leaders and a Facebook post,” Alguera said.
Headliners Leo Nocentelli, Johnny Vidacovich and Honey Island Swamp Band were joined by more than a dozen artists who played at the event. The bands had a variety of styles including rock, funk, Afro-Caribbean, and Latin-salsa.
WHIV 102.3 FM, a radio channel that provides a platform to New Orleans musicians and public causes, was a promotional sponsor for the event, running public service announcements leading up to it as well as having DJs participate.
“Our involvement was promoting the event as much as possible,” MarkAlain Dery, founder of WHIV 102.3 FM, said, “Given NOLA’s history with Katrina, it is easy to consider reaching deep into our collective pockets to help out our brothers and sisters in Baton Rouge and beyond, those affected by the flood.”
The event featured food trucks, such as Fete Au Fete, a food truck serving authentic Louisianan dishes, as well as over a dozen bands contributing to the cause.
While food trucks are donating a share of their profits to the charity effort, proceeds of the event will be going to Second Harvest Food Bank and families impacted by floods.
“I know when devastation happens, New Orleans musicians can be counted on to pitch in,” Alguera said.
