This weekend, gamblers and drinkers can be philanthropic.
On Saturday, Jim Monaghan and Troy Koehlar host their fourth-annual Charity Poker Crawl to benefit Roots of Music, the non-profit after-school music education program for New Orleans youth. Like a pub crawl, the mobile poker game will have players (must be 21+ years old) traveling to five different stops in the city to collect cards for their poker hand, while mingling and enjoying a few rounds of drinks in between.
Students in the Roots of Music band. Photo by Elsa Hahne.
“It’s an all-day hang out,” says organizer Trey Monaghan, “to check out some great bars, meet new people, meet the [Roots of Music] kids, and talk with instructors, tutors and parents to give you some idea of why the program is so important and what the idea is behind it.”
The Charity Poker Crawl has supported Roots of Music for the past three years, with the event’s earnings successfully doubling each year. This year’s proceeds will go specifically towards funding the Roots of Music marching band, “The Marching Crusaders”, to travel to Pasadena, California where they’ve been invited to perform at the next Rose Bowl.
“I was lucky enough to see Roots of Music practicing three years ago,” says Trey Monaghan, “and anyone that has seen the kids play knows what I am saying when I say I was moved. After that, I’ve wanted to and tried to show as many people as possible the amazement that is the Roots of Music. It is something that helps New Orleans shine in a very unique, New Orleans way.”
The game ends at 13 Monaghan on Frenchmen Street, where the winning hand will be announced. Of course, there’s a prize for the worst hand too. “You don’t have to think of it as this super hardcore Texas World Series poker tournament,” says Trey. “If you suck really bad, you can still get just as great of a prize. It’s not a poker room at Harrah’s. It’s drinks, a contest, and a great way to help 150 of our young citizens have the trip of a lifetime.” The reward is yet to be determined, but past prizes include Saints tickets, hotel stays, and a weekend cruise. The event will conclude with a charity auction with items ranging from vacation packages to private cookouts.
The crawl begins at 9:45 a.m. at the Cabildo in Jackson Square, where the young Roots of Music crew will give an opening performance during registration. “To me this is the best part of the whole day,” says Trey, “because you get to see the kids doing what it is that makes them so special.”
Registration is $30 per hand and players can purchase multiple hands. Throughout the month of June, Molly’s at the Market, 13 Monaghan, and the Erin Rose Bar will also be donating proceeds from all Sailor Jerry’s rum drinks purchased. For more information or to register in advance visit nolacharitycrawl.com.
