Miss Mojo, J & The Causeways + Roadside Glorious, Sam Price and The True Believers, Baby Grand, Kathryn Rose Wood and more will perform at Tipitina’s on Thursday, February 7.
The Best Wishes Benefit to support Ovarian Cancer Research Alliance and Elizabeth Braun’s Battle is being organized by singer-songwriter and keyboardist Mikayla Braun (whom you may know from The Crooked Vines), whose mother was recently diagnosed with ovarian cancer. After feeling ill for weeks, Elizabeth Braun had tests done. It wasn’t until a CAT scan came back showing tumors in her lower abdomen region that she found she had Stage III ovarian cancer.
As an only child, Mikayla felt an immediate need to support her mother in any way possible. “At first, my mom didn’t want there to be a benefit in her name, or to draw attention to herself. But since her surgery in October, we realized how expensive being sick is.”
Braun is partnering with the Ovarian Cancer Research Alliance (OCRA), which she calls “THE voice for the ovarian cancer community.” OCRA works with legislators to ensure that federal ovarian-cancer research and education funding, patient safety, and access to high-quality care are protected on Capitol Hill. There is no screening process for early diagnosis of ovarian cancer, which makes it one of the deadliest forms of the disease for women.
“They are truly an amazing organization and do give me so much hope for the future,” says Braun. At the show, Braun will be giving away an informational package of resources for those who, like her, are a support system and caregiver for someone dealing with a serious illness.
In addition to a heaping serving of live music, the event will feature door prizes, a silent auction and food by Reginelli’s Pizzeria. Elizabeth Braun is a glass artist, who (along with other glass artists) will be giving away fused-glass magnets to the first 20 people who enter the doors at Tip’s. Others will be on sale, and all proceeds will go directly to her.
Many local businesses will be involved with the silent auction and all proceeds raised from it will benefit OCRA.
Upon learning of her mother’s diagnosis, Mikayla wrote a song called “Every Day” and teamed up with her quartet and a special guest for a video. Below, check out Jeff Jani on drums, Sam Albright on bass, Chris Alford on guitar and Brad Walker on sax in the video produced by 8am Focus.
For more information on OCRA, click here. To donate directly to Elizabeth Braun, click here. Doors for the 8:30 p.m. show open at 7:30 p.m. The event is 18+ and tickets are $15.
Despite the scary circumstances, Mikayla is looking forward to the benefit. “Cancer sucks, but this city and the people in it are amazing. So let’s have a party about it, as we do.”
