UPDATE: Due to concerns over the spike in coronavirus infections, Pat Jolly’s birthday party has been canceled for 2022.

The self-proclaimed “Funtrepreneur” Pat Jolly is hosting a silly hat-themed party for her 76th birthday on Monday, January 3, and all are invited.

Best known as a photographer, the New Orleans native daughter was awarded OffBeat’s Heartbeat Award at the 2014 Best of the Beat Awards for myriad reasons. She’s an avid supporter of jazz and local arts, and her weekly e-mail blasts include mention of some of the city’s most hyperlocal, interesting events. As Geraldine Wyckoff wrote of her, “In the eyes of many in the New Orleans music world, Pat Jolly, who bought her first camera in the mid-’60s, will always wear a crown. It sparkles with her enthusiastic love of the music, people and pictures.”

“Jolly produced Jazz Awareness Month to promote the music at free events around the city and she kept folks informed about goings-on with her legendary pre-internet Jolly Jazz Calendar,” wrote Wyckoff.  That calendar has re-manifested in the form of the aforementioned e-mail blast, which isn’t limited to music and includes upcoming art events, unique conventions, workshops and more.

The celebration will take place beginning at 7 p.m. at Cafe Istanbul, 2372 St. Claude Ave, within the New Orleans Healing Center. Ssilly hats are strongly encouraged.