Since the levees gave way to the forces of Katrina
three weeks ago, the only visible remnants of many New Orleans
neighborhoods are rooftops resembling lily pads.
As a last refuge for hurricane victims, these rooftops
doubtless saved thousands of lives in the Crescent City. With the help of
some groups in Springfield, they may save even more.
Downtown Springfield Inc., the Pasfield House, the
Illinois Capital Chapter of the American Red Cross, and the Illinois
National Bank are sponsoring a fundraiser on Sunday, Sept. 18, to benefit
Hurricane Katrina survivors. “Do You Know What It Means to Miss New
Orleans?” celebrates the wounded Louisiana city with the two main
ingredients of New Orleans culture: food and music.
Framed commemorative prints of Peter Briant’s
“French Quarter Rooftops” will be sold for $100, a sponsorship
brunch for those donating $1,000 will be held Sunday afternoon, and the
evening will feature an outdoor Dixieland concert and a “Just
Desserts” party after the concert. Tickets to the concert and party
are $100 each; $250 gets you the concert, dessert, and a framed print.
The Bowling Alley Big Band, the Dixie Daredevils, and
New Orleans’ own Roger Kimball, Bruce Hart, and Frank Parker perform
at the outdoor jazz concert.
Dixie and Abita brews will be available for
guests’ imbibing pleasure. Chef Bill Wade of the New Orleans
Marriott, along with downtown-Springfield chefs Michael Higgins, Augie
Mrozowski, and David Radwine, will demonstrate what it means to miss New
Orleans’ cuisine.
The “Just Desserts” party will highlight
a couple of NOLA favorites — cherries jubilee and bananas Foster
— and state Rep. Raymond Poe and Ward 1 Ald. Frank Edwards will serve
up andouille (spicy Cajun sausage) and beignets (French-style doughnuts).
According to Pasfield House proprietor Tony Leone,
local businesses and individuals are covering all expenses so that 100
percent of the proceeds may go directly to the American Red Cross Hurricane
Katrina relief fund.
“Do You Know What It Means to Miss New
Orleans?” will be held at the Pasfield House, 525 S. Pasfield St.
Tickets may be purchased at all Illinois National Bank locations. For more
information, call the Pasfield House at 217-525-3663 or Downtown
Springfield Inc. at 217-544-1723.
This article appears in Sep 15-21, 2005.
