As the floodwaters across Louisiana begin to recede, countless people across the New Orleans area–a place that is no stranger devastating floods–are doubtless asking themselves, “What can we do to help?”
There are plenty of ways to donate or volunteer, many of them through established charities like Second Harvest Food Bank, United Way, NOLA Pay It Forward Fund, Convoy of Hope, Salvation Army, American Red Cross and many more. Other ways to help include dropping off items at various locations in the metro area and volunteering your time via VolunteerLouisiana.gov.
This being New Orleans, there are also a few ways to have a good time while pitching in for a good cause. We’ve compiled a list of benefits that are taking place at shows around town. Some of these musicians, comedians and performers will be collecting supplies at their shows, while others will be taking donations and some will be donating a portion, or all, of their proceeds to the relief effort.
Flood the Love feat. Curren$y, PJ Morton, Ambre Perkin, Brass-a-holics and more
Republic at 7pm
(All proceeds from the concert to benefit individuals who have been impacted by the floods)
Colin Lake, The Breton Sound, Midriff, Hurricane Max
Gasa Gasa from 6pm to midnight
(Collecting school supplies, proceeds going to Associated Professional Educators of Louisiana’s flood relief efforts)
Saturday, August 27
Soul Project, Dominick Frill & The Frenchmen Allstars, Jamey St. Pierre & The Honeycreepers, Ecirb Muller’s Twisted Dixie and many more.
Spotted Cat and Cafe Negril from noon to close
Cash donations at door for American Red Cross and United Way
Rock for Relief feat. Meriwether, Royal Teeth, Motel Radio, The Hitchhiker, Von Mozes
The Varsity (Baton Rouge) at 6pm
(All ticket proceeds will be donated to MusiCares and the Baton Rouge Food Bank)
Friday, September 2
Meschiya Lake, Mae Dea, and Albanie Faletta (solo sets from each)
Mudlark Theatre from 9pm to midnight
Saturday, September 10
From NOLA with Love feat. Papa Mali, Johnny Vidacovich, Derrick Freeman and Soul Brass Band, Honey Island Swamp Band, Cole Williams Band, Khris Royal and Friends, Billy Iuso and Restless Natives, Dave Jordan and NIA, James Andrews and Crescent City Allstars, King James and the Special Men, Aseshon, Jimmy Stephens and Allstar Blues Band, Boukou Groove
Howlin’ Wolf at 7pm
(Some of the proceeds going directly to “adopted” flood victims, with the rest going to Second Harvest Food Bank)
Sunday, September 18
Louisiana United: A Flood Relief Benefit feat. Sledgehammer, Supercharger, Christian Serpas & Ghost Town, Four Unplugged, 90 Degrees West, Band Camp, and The Castaways
Northshore Harbor Center (Slidell) at 8pm
(Collecting monetary donations and non-perishable foods. There will be adoptable dogs from the affected areas who are now being housed by St. Tammany Humane Society)
If you know of any benefit concerts for flood relief taking place in the New Orleans area, please email sam(at)offbeat.com so it can be added to this list.