Born Jan. 14, 1938, Allen Toussaint was one of New Orleans’ greatest musical figures. The musician, songwriter and producer passed away in late 2015, and the New Orleans City Council subsequently designated Jan. 14 “Allen Toussaint Day” as a token of his incredible importance to our city.

Toussaint was also a philanthropist. In 1985, he and Aaron Neville assembled a group of New Orleans musicians to play a benefit concert for the city’s homeless residents. That show gave birth to New Orleans Artists Against Hunger and Homelessness (NOAAHH), an organization of artists committed to helping. To date, NOAAHH has distributed over $3 million in grants to more than 50 regional charities and nonprofit agencies that provide food and shelter to those in need.

NOAAHH will celebrate the third annual Allen Toussaint Day (Jan. 14, 2018) at Rock ‘N’ Bowl (3016 South Carrollton Ave), where living blues legends Marcia Ball and Deacon John Moore will perform in support of the organization’s charitable efforts. The event will also include plenty of bowling and a silent auction.

More importantly, all proceeds will go towards fighting hunger and homelessness, both pervasive problems in New Orleans. The Food and Research Action Center reported that one in six Americans struggled with hunger in 2015. The food hardship rate in New Orleans (22.3%) is the seventh worst in the country.

This event offers an opportunity to address these issues and have some fun in the process. Tickets are available online now. General admission is $30, and Patron Party tickets, which include a pre-concert reception with food, an open bar and a preview of the auction, are $80. Buy your tickets, save the date and come out to honor Allen Toussaint’s legacy and support the cause he championed.