Junior League Brings New Orleans Street Party To St. Phillip’s Plaza

Big Sam’s Funky Nation performs at the New Orleans Wine & Food Experience Grand Tasting (Flickr: New Orleans)

On April 25, St. Phillip’s Plaza will transform into “a vibrant and classy New Orleans-style street party where the magic of the French Quarter comes to life.”

Aptly titled NOLA Nights, the Junior League of Tucson’s fundraiser slash street party celebration will feature local food and drink vendors, musical acts, and all things New Orleans.

Guests are encouraged to take the theme to heart and come dressed in their NOLA best, whether that is cocktail attire, feathers and pearls or tea hats and funky streetwear.

“For the last 56 years a rummage sale has been our main fundraiser,” said JL Legacy committee co-chair Erika Bartz. “As the needs of our community change, it is time for our league to evolve as well.”

With your ticket, you’ll receive two drink coupons for beer and wine. In true French Quarter fashion, that is only the beginning, with samplings of signature cocktails and tastings of Southern cuisine available all night. The samplings will be provided by seventeen local eateries, restaurants and vendors, including:

• Amalour Revival Lounge
• Annette Hartman Catering
• AZ Red’s BBQ
• Beyond Bread
• Blanco’s Tacos + Tequila
• Brush Fire BBQ
• Goodness
• Grand Canyon Winery Tasting & Tap House
• Gringo Grill & Cantina
• Mama’s Hawaiian Bar-B-Cue
• Poppy Kitchen
• Reforma Cocina y Cantina
• Sidecar
• Sullivan’s Steakhouse
• Union Public House
• Wildflower
• Yellowbrick Coffee
• Yogi’s Indian Café & Market

Tucson Foodie has a unique connection to this year’s fundraiser. Our own Adam Lehrman will not only be judging the blind taste test, but you can also thank him for coming up with the theme and bringing Tucson a night in New Orleans’ French Quarter.

New Orleans-style street performances by Cirque Roots; live music by Bad Cactus Brass Band; a Kendra Scott Jewelry Mystery Box Contest featuring $7,500 in jewelry; live and silent auctions featuring more than 40 items and baskets from local businesses and restaurants including a $1,000 remodel by The Container Store, an autographed UA Wildcat Basketball and vacation packages.

The festivities begin at 6 p.m.; tickets are $35 per person in advance or $45 at the door. Guests must be 21 or older to attend. Ticket proceeds will go towards the event’s $20,000 fundraising goal, which will benefit the Junior League’s nonprofit programs.

The Junior League is a national non-profit organization of women focused on improving communities through voluntarism and developing the potential of women. Programs benefit current social welfare causes, including childhood nutrition and obesity, human trafficking, foster care, juvenile justice, teen self-esteem, cybercrimes, literacy and the environment, among others.

“Our goals are to raise awareness about the Junior League, increase community involvement and help sustain the long lasting legacy of the Junior League of Tucson, ” continued Bartz. “We plan on changing the theme annually, and this year’s event theme is NOLA Nights.”

For information, visit juniorleagueoftucson.org or call (520) 299-5753.