Caribbean, Cajun and New Orleans music transforms lives of New Orleans youth
New Orleans, Louisiana – The Link Stryjewski Foundation is happy to announce the musical lineup for its 5th annual Bal Masqué fundraiser, set for the weekend of January 17 and 18, 2020 at The Sugar Mill in New Orleans. The celebration of Caribbean, Cajun and New Orleans carnival will feature Tribu Baharú, Nathan & the Zydeco Cha Chas, Roots of Music, and DJ El Camino.
“Each year, we invite our friends, chefs and musicians to take up our cause with us, and each year they never disappoint,” said Chef Donald Link, Co-Founder of the Link Stryjewski Foundation with Chef Stephen Stryjewski. “It’s with a very humble heart that I share in the excitement of what we are able to do for the children of our community because of the amazing support from New Orleans and beyond.” Tribu Baharú are Colombia’s Afro-Champeta Champions. Champeta is a genre of folk music and dance with roots on the Caribbean coast that has become Colombia’s biggest dance craze. Tribu Baharú conveys the joy of being Caribbean through dance, using music as a vehicle. Nathan & the Zydeco Cha Chas is the hottest zydeco/blues band in the world. Growing up in a Creole-speaking home, Nathan has shared his unique, award-winning take on this regional South Louisiana music in all corners of the globe since 1985. DJ El Camino, The Original Hybrid, has a style of music that blends trends and history. As the Greater New Orleans, Inc. CEO by-day, Michael Hecht shares his love of music moonlighting as a DJ. Roots of Music, returning for the 5th year, empowers New Orleans youth through music education, academic support, and mentorship, while preserving and promoting the unique musical heritage of our city. In addition to Bal Masqué musical entertainment, International School of Louisiana’s BeauCoup Circus Arts students and New Orleans burlesque icon Trixie Minx and her troupe will add to the carnival fun. Bal Masqué attendees will have an opportunity to add extra sparkle to their black tie or costume attire at the Elektra Cosmetics Glitter Buffet.
“We’re thrilled to bring some of the world’s most unique musicians to Bal Masqué,” said Stryjewski. “This year, as we celebrate our Caribbean, Cajun and New Orleans roots, the music and food will reflect how closely each one is to the other.” The Link Stryjewski Foundation was created to address the persistent cycles of violence and poverty, as well as quality education and job training opportunities available to young people in New Orleans. The Link Stryjewski Foundation provides support to organizations that directly work to end these cycles which hold New Orleans youth back from realizing their full potential.
In addition to Bal Masqué, the Link Stryjewski Foundation presents its Chefs’ Dinner with celebrity chefs Nancy Oakes (Boulevard and Prospect, San Francisco) and Chef Nancy Silverton (Osteria Mozza, Mozza2Go, Pizzeria Mozza and chi SPACCA, Los Angeles) the evening before the main event. The limited seating dinner will be hosted at Calcasieu on Friday, January 17, with a four-course menu prepared by Chefs Oakes and Silverton.
To purchase tickets and learn more about Bal Masqué and the Link Stryjewski Foundation, please visit balmasquenola.com. To learn more about Tribu Baharú, visit tribubaharu.com. For more information about Nathan & the Zydeco Cha Chas, visit zydecochachas.com, and for The Roots of Music go to therootsofmusic.org.
Images: https://www.dropbox.com/sh/t35px14d17d31ai/AAAdhgBkJJ3zfNhGPqq5Bmoda?dl=0
Chefs Donald Link and Stephen Stryjewski created the Link Stryjewski Foundation, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, to address the persistent cycles of violence and poverty, as well as quality education and job training opportunities available to young people in New Orleans. The Link Stryjewski Foundation provides support to organizations that directly work to end these cycles. The mission of the Link Stryjewski Foundation is to nourish and educate the youth of New Orleans, empowering them to realize their potential and become active, positive members of our community. For more information about the Link Stryjewski Foundation, visit www.linkstryjewski.org.