Experience NOLA's Bal Masque

Experience NOLA’s Bal Masque

On January 9, 2016, Garden & Gun joined friends, the Link Stryjewski Foundation, at the Orpheum Theater in New Orleans, Louisiana, for a colorful weekend capturing the spirit of a classic Bal Masque. The inaugural fundraiser featured music headliner Jimmy Buffett & the Coral Reefer Band, special guests Jon Cleary and The Preservation Hall Horns, as well as performances by Mardi Gras Indian Funk Band CHA WA, The Roots of Music.

The Link Stryjewski Foundation was created to address the persistent cycle of violence and poverty, as well as the lack of quality education and job training opportunities available to young people in New Orleans. The foundation supports two local educational programs dedicated to improving the quality of life in Louisiana: Kingsley House and the Youth Empowerment Project.

Special thanks to:
Link Stryjewski Foundation

February 5, 2016

View as Slideshow

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Partygoers dance the night away to music headliner Jimmy Buffett & the Coral Reefer Band at the Orpheum Theater in New Orleans.

Photo: Link Restaurant Group

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Left to right (from back): Link Stryjewski Foundation participating chefs include Suzanne Goin, Maggie Scales, Andrea Reusing, Mike Lata, Frank Stitt, Nancy Oakes, Paul Kahan, Donald Link, Richard Reddington, and Stephen Stryjewski.

Photo: Link Restaurant Group

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Left to right: Keith Meacham, Link Stryjewski Foundation board member Julia Reed, Marie LaFrance, and Link Stryjewski Foundation board member Humberto Suazo attend the special Mario Batali dinner at Calcasieu the night before Bal Masque.

Photo: Link Restaurant Group

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A spirited reveler enjoying the atmosphere at the Orpheum Theater.

Photo: Link Restaurant Group

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Left to right: Link Stryjewski Foundation board member Bill Hammack, Youth Empowerment Project Co-Founder/Executive Director Melissa Sawyer, and Kingsley House CEO Keith Liederman.

Photo: Link Restaurant Group

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Chefs Donald Link and Stephen Stryjewski welcome the Roots of Music, a music education program and marching band empowering 100 students ages 9—14 in the New Orleans area.

Photo: Link Restaurant Group

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A guest raises a glass to the Link Stryjewski Foundation and a successful inaugural Bal Masque.

Photo: Link Restaurant Group

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Link Stryjewski Foundation volunteers The Merry Antoinettes—a Mardi Gras krewe celebrating the glamour and revelry of Marie Antoinette with a mission to support the New Orleans culinary and arts community.

Photo: Link Restaurant Group

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Guests watch videos about the two organizations supported by the Foundation—the Youth Empowerment Project and Kingsley House.

Photo: Link Restaurant Group

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One of many guests wearing festive attire for the mask-required evening.

Photo: Link Restaurant Group

Experience NOLA’s Bal Masque

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