JPAS 14th Annual Pasta & Puccini Gala Held 10/16

Jefferson Performing Arts Society's (JPAS) 14th Annual Pasta & Puccini Gala will be held Friday October 16, 2009 at InterContinental New Orleans, 444 St. Charles Avenue in New Orleans. Doors will open at 7PM. Gala patrons will enjoy an evening of world class entertainment, delicious food donated by a wide array of local restaurants and caterers and exciting auctions to the music of the great Giacomo Puccini. Proceeds from this annual fundraiser will benefit JPAS children's programs that reach over 10,000 youth throughout five parishes in Southern Louisiana. These programs include the JPAS Children's Choir and the New JPAS Jam & Jive Show Choir, programs and special performances for school groups and arts outreach programs that integrate the arts into the curriculum and cater to at-risk youth. Proceeds will also benefit JPAS' theatrical endeavors throughout the 32nd Season that enrich and serve over 20,000 arts patrons annually. ONLY A FEW SEATS REMAIN for this elegant affair! To donate, for tickets or for more information, contact Pasta & Puccini coordinator Valerie Hart at 504.885.2000 ext. 212, email valerie@jpas.org or visit www.jpas.org.

The Jefferson Performing Arts Society is deeply honored to have the generous support of The Robert and Jeri Nims Foundation once again for their Pasta & Puccini Fund-Raising Gala. This is the second year Mrs. Jeri Nims, President of The Robert and Jeri Nims Foundation, has sponsored the Pasta & Puccini Gala with JPAS. Through the generosity of the Robert and Jeri Nims Foundation and the InterContinental New Orleans, gala patrons will surely experience an elegant night to remember.

"Mrs. Jeri Nims is truly a champion for the performing arts in our community and especially for the Jefferson Performing Arts Society," said JPAS Executive/Artistic Director Dennis G. Assaf. "JPAS is honored to have her continued support, leadership and friendship. It is gracious individuals like Mrs. Nims that enable the arts to thrive and grow."

Mrs. Jeri L. Nims is widely considered the leading benefactress of the arts in the state. Mrs. Nims, with her husband Robert "Bob" Nims, built a financial success story with the Lucky Coin Machine Company. She has selflessly worked to promote and preserve the arts in Louisiana. In addition to her work with JPAS, Mrs. Nims' patronage of the arts extends throughout the state to the Robert E. Nims Center for Entertainment, Amusement and Technology and the Jeri Nims School of the Arts at the University of New Orleans; to Nims Black Box Theater at the New Orleans Center for the Creative Arts Riverfront; to a new fine arts center at the Academy of the Sacred Heart; to funding the Louisiana ArtWorks. In 2002, Mrs. Nims was recognized by the national "Chronicle of Philanthropy" as one of the 60 largest contributors in the United States.

"JPAS has been in my thoughts for a number of years," Mrs. Nims remarked. "Dennis Assaf and JPAS are so deserving of support. I am amazed at the talent of the young students trained by this organization. JPAS allows each child's uniqueness and talent to thrive... Just as Bob created a legacy of giving, JPAS is creating a legacy of excellence in the performing arts!"

The Jefferson Performing Arts Society is excited to have this event at InterContinental New Orleans for the first time. InterContinental New Orleans is one of the few hotels in the New Orleans Metro Area that is able to comfortably host a sit-down dinner for 500 with room for large stage for live performances by a full symphony orchestra. This lavish event will extend throughout all the ballrooms on the third floor of this world-class hotel.

The evening features: the musical masterpieces of Giacomo Puccini by the JPAS Symphony Orchestra conducted by Maestro Dennis G. Assaf and entertainment from JPAS' upcoming 32nd Season productions performed by Ariel Assaf, Brian Bell, Alexis Bruza, Margaret McNeal, April Nelson, Rachel Reese, Olivia Ruby and Sarah Stemble; international guest artists Ensemble La Varazione & All'Opera from Venice Italy with Soprano Nancy Ross, Mezzo-Soprano Deniz Bairaktar-Sharp, Tenor Filippo Pino Castigliono, flautists Elena Ceconni and Valentina Puddu and Paola Devoti on the harp; Master Sargeant Antonio Salvatore Giuliano, Tenor and member of the famed United States Army Chorus in Washington D.C.; performances by the JPAS Children's Chorus, JPAS Jam & Jive Show Choir. Gala patrons will enjoy cocktails and a grand buffet provided by over twenty-five local restaurants and caterers including Andrea's Restaurant, Barecca's, Chop's Bistro, Chad's Bistro, Republic National Distributing Company, Coca-Cola, Pascal's Manale, La Madeliene, Ernst Cafe, Boomtown Casino, House of Blues, Gordon Biersch, Drago's and many others.

Live and silent auctions will take place throughout the night headed by celebrity auctioneers Mr. and Mrs. Henry Shane. This year, anyone can pre-bid on select auction items online at www.TIZM.com. Exciting packages and items up for bid include dinner for six at Ralph's on the Park hosted by food critic and radio celebrity, Tom Fitzmorris and a stay at the luxurious InterContinental New Orleans and dinner for six at the Marriott Lakeway hosted by Sheriff Newell Normand with deluxe accommodations and breakfast for two. Local celebrity artists Michalopoulos and Adrian Deckbar have donated fabulous works of art for auction once again this year. Guests can also bid on a exquisite platinum diamond and pearl ring donated by Friends and Company, and a 2-night stay at the Intercontinental San Juan complete with air fair to Puerto Rico. Sports fans will want to bid on the Schaquil O'Neil shoe, the Saints jersey signed by Drew Brees, four first-class tickets to a Hornets game, tickets to the Zurick Classic and rounds of Golf at TPC and Tmberlane Country Club.

Other items up for bid have been generously donated by Boudreaux's Jewelers, Adler's,Causeway Coin Shop, Paul Hollis Coins, The Royal Sonesta, The Wyndham, Maison Dupuy, Windsor Court, The Roosevelt, the Omni Royal Orleans, Inn on Bourbon, InterContinental Hotels across the U. S. and many others.

The 14th Annual Pasta & Puccini is graciously presented by The Robert and Jeri Nims Foundation and the InterContinental New Orleans. Master of Ceremonies: Dennis G. Assaf. Celebrity auctioneers: Mr. and Mrs. Henry Shane; Gala Chairs: Robin Houston and Wayne Nocitio, Jr.; Auction Chair: Carrel Epling; Art Chair: Nancy Keylon; Decorations: Jackie Elliot; Publicity Chair: Ginger Crawford. Pasta & Puccini Coordinator: Valerie Hart. The 2009 Past & Puccini Committee: Nicole Avarez, Barbara Ballard, Melinda Bourgeiois, Dr & Mrs. Marcus Black, Ilana Cohen, Daniel Bruza, Hannah Cunningham, Dale Daly, Barbara Darcy, James Douglas, Gloria Esthus, Nancy Gros, Grace Hagan, Sharon Hannahan, Glenn Hayes, Julie Ibieta, Michele Kraft, Mr. and Mrs. Aris Kyriakides, Dawn Laborie, Freddie Landry, Maria Lomonaco, Sharan Marchand, Senator Danny Martiny, Brenda Melancon, Jane Miller, Rita Nelson, Gloria Parish, Faith Peperone,Senator Julie Quinn, Melody Ritter, Michael Roppolo, Debbie Rouen, Joy Shane, Jack Sloan, Wendy Solomon, Gayle Viles, Karen Villavaso, Councilman John Young.

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