The Organ Grinders will partner with the New Orleans Musicians’ Clinic and Assistance Foundation (NOAMF) to host a blood drive at the Rock ‘N’ Bowl in New Orleans on Sunday, August 7.

The groups’ 3rd annual Summer Blood Drive will help restock the shelves of The Blood Center, the region’s primary supplier of blood, blood components and plasma derivatives.

“We’re urging people to give now to help hospital patients who depend on blood and platelets being readily available during summer spikes in murder rates, high birth rates and the height of hurricane season,” says Erica Dudas, Managing Director of NOMAF.

The event, which is slated for 11am to 4pm, will be filled with plenty of fun too. Those that donate will be rewarded with live music from The Guardians of the Flame, SOUL Brass Band, DJ Fayard Lindsey, Jeremy Thomas Trio and Bo Dollis Jr. and the Wild Magnolias. They will also receive a Hawaiian lei, event t-shirt, food and a beverage for their contribution.

In addition, over 14 local dance troupes, Mardi Gras Indian tribes and walking krewes will perform, including the Big Easy Rollergirls, Disco Amigos, Pussyfooters, Trixie Minx and the Naughty Nurses, Roux La La, Camel Toe Lady Steppers and The Organ Grinders, among many others. The day will also have a Hawaiian theme in keeping with the event’s tagline: Everybody Gets Lei’d.

The Organ Grinders and NOMAF’s first blood drive took place in 2014 after a Bourbon Street shooting killed one person and injured nine others. That drive gathered 134 pints of blood, while the next year’s drive gathered 170 pints.

“After we saw how many people came out, we made it an annual event where people could participate in an anti-violence movement in a positive, fun and medically-relevant way,” said Christina Duggar, Nola Organ Grinders founding president.

Advanced registration and Hawaiian costumes are encouraged.