Save The Spirit of New Orleans Benefit Raises Thousands for Hurricane Victims
The Save The Spirit of New Orleans benefit held on November 20, 2005 at The Plantation Club at the Dunes in Naples, Florida resulted in nearly $50,000 raised to benefit both New Orleans musicians affected by Hurricane Katrina and The Immokalee Foundation.
Upon arrival, guests were greeted with strings of brightly colored beads and the classic sounds of a Mardi Gras celebration filled the air. A menu of favorite New Orleans dishes accompanied cold Abita beer and Hurricanes. A surprise, unannounced set of original compositions by New Orleans singer/songwriter/pianist Leslie Smith, a single mother left homeless by Katrina, started off the event. The master of ceremonies, Micheal “Willie” Shallies, introduced the evenings special guests which included twenty-three Ritz Carlton Naples employees displaced by Katrina and Hank Needham, an 80-year-old New Orleans pianist who has played the Windsor Court Hotel, the New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival and on the steamboats which float the Mississippi River.
Following introductions, Chubby Carrier and the Bayou Swamp Band took the stage, once again proving "There Ain't No Party Like A Chubby Party!" Highlights of the bands performance included a tribute to zydeco legend Boozoo Chavis with "Dog Hill", rub board player Earl Salley taking to the dance floor with hot sauce shots for those willing, while Chubby Carrier wailed "Who Stole My Hot Sauce", and a special appearance by Sahid, a rapper from Chicago who performed a freestyle tribute to New Orleans relief which ended with the crowd joining in on the rap by belting out "New Orleans will be back!"
Between sets there was a live auction hosted by Midwest star of stage and screen, Jeff Cornett. Bidding was fierce for many of the items which included a signed zydeco board, a trip to Cabo San Lucas and guitars signed by various musicians. The highlight of the silent auction was a bidding war for a guitar signed by many of the musicians who performed at the Vegoose Festival in Las Vegas, which sold for $5500.00.
The excitement of the bidding war for the Vegoose guitar spilled over to the second set of music. Earl Salley, performance artist Shamat, and local artist/event decorator Chuck Goings led an umbrella and bead filled second line parade as Chubby and band sang the traditional New Orleans tune "Iko-Iko"
A limited edition original print coordinated by Blue Trimarchi’s Artworks Fine Art Publishing of Pasadena, CA and created by California illustrator/artist Paul Rogers was purchased by many partygoers. The print features the lyrics to New Orleans musician Kermit Ruffin’s song “What Is New Orleans”. The print, signed by the artist and Ruffins and was created specifically to commemorate the Save The Spirit Of New Orleans series of events.
The evening’s music ended with many of the guests on stage dancing with Chubby, Shamat and the band. After the show Chubby Carrier said "These Naples people really know how to party. I picked up my accordion to warm up, turned around, and 8 people were already dancing! The dance floor was packed all night long. I can't wait to get back here”.
Contact Megan or Nicole
239-593-9680
Sponsored by: Signature Communities, Inc.
& Soave Enterprises
Beneficiaries: Tipitinas Foundation
Artist Relief Fund, and others
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