This Wednesday night is the 5th annual “Home for the Holidays” benefitting the Daniel Price Memorial Fund at the House of Blues. After the tragic loss of Daniel Price, a talented painter and former New Orleans Center for the Creative Arts (NOCCA) student, in 2003, his family created the foundation and the annual concert event to benefit students that share his dream.

By Daniel Price

An aspiring artist, Price was a New Orleans boy, and much of his work deals with local culture: musicians performing, Mardi Gras Indians and spyboys, even this city’s obsession with dogs. His life was cut short after protecting his wife from a mugger in San Francisco in 2003. Through “Home for the Holidays,” his family continues his memory and his passion.

Though Katrina forced a hiatus in 2005, the event came back in 2006 and the event emphasizes Daniel’s love of local New Orleans music. Every year, the Daniel Price Memorial Fund raises about $30,000, with the majority of the funds raised with the concert. A portion of them will make up a scholarship for a college-bound NOCCA graduate looking to pursue a Fine Arts degree. Most of the rest is given out as scholarships for current NOCCA students.

This year, the patron party, which starts at 6 p.m., will feature Nova Nola with Sasha Masakowski, John Boutte and special guest Theresa Andersson. Patrons will be able to participate in a silent auction, and there will be a buffet dinner and open bar.

The rest of the night, which begins at 7:30, will be a revolving door of local  bands:  Rebirth Brass Band; Kermit Ruffins and the Barbeque Swingers with special guests Amanda Shaw and Shamarr Allen; the Eric Lindell Trio with Stanton Moore and Thomas Johnson; Jonathan Batiste Band with special guest Herlin Riley; and Trombone Shorty and Orleans Avenue with guests James Andrews and Rockin Dopsie, Jr.

The patron party will be 6-7:30; tickets cost $125.  Tickets for the following event, which will be 7:30-midnight, are $30.