THNOC celebrates 50th anniversary with black-tie gala on May 4

Sarah Chambless Federer, Gambel Communications
(504) 324-4242 | sarahc@gambelpr.com

533 Royal Street | 400-410 Chartres Street
New Orleans, Louisiana 70130
(504) 523-4662 | wrc@hnoc.org | www.hnoc.org

*** MEDIA ALERT *** CALENDAR LISTING ***
THNOC celebrates 50th anniversary with black-tie gala on May 4

WHO: The Historic New Orleans Collection

WHAT: Soirée d'Or, a black-tie gala celebrating 50 years of The Historic New Orleans Collection

WHEN: Wednesday, May 4, 2016
Patron party: 6:30 p.m. • Gala: 7:15 p.m.

WHERE: The Orpheum Theater, 129 Roosevelt Way, New Orleans, Louisiana

HOW: Tickets may be purchased through The Historic New Orleans Collection at www.hnoc.org or (504) 523-4662. Admission to the gala and/or patron party is as follows:

• Chartres Street Ticket: $175 per person (includes admission for one to the gala)
• Toulouse Street Ticket: $275 per person (includes admission for one to the gala and the patron party)
• Royal Street Ticket: $3,000 per table or $400 per person (The purchase of a Royal Street reserved table includes admission for eight to the gala, the patron party, and a behind-the-scenes champagne tour of The Historic New Orleans Collection's properties with Executive Director Priscilla Lawrence on Tuesday, May 3. An individual Royal Street ticket includes these same benefits for one.)

WHY: Join The Historic New Orleans Collection as it toasts its 50th anniversary at Soirée d'Or, a black-tie gala on Wednesday, May 4. The museum, research center and publisher is hosting anniversary events throughout 2016, and the gala presents a unique opportunity to celebrate in style with live, local music and with food from an iconic New Orleans restaurateur, all at the beautifully renovated Orpheum Theater. Guests will enjoy performances by the Preservation Hall All-Stars, JMO - The Jimmy Maxwell Orchestra and Joe Lastie Jr. and the Lastie Family Gospel as well as menu selections from Ralph Brennan Catering.

Lewis Kemper Williams and Leila Hardie Moore Williams, two longtime private collectors, founded THNOC in 1966 to make their extensive collection of materials available to the public for continued research and scholarship. As the institution's staff and holdings grew, these materials became the foundation for its changing exhibitions and original publications. Today, THNOC is a renowned repository of art and artifacts related to the history and culture of not only New Orleans, but also Louisiana and the Gulf South. The nonprofit institution has two facilities in the French Quarter: the Williams Research Center and Laura Simon Nelson Galleries for Louisiana Art at 400-410 Chartres St., and a complex of buildings-including a former residence of the Williamses-at its flagship location, 533 Royal St. A third property, at 520 Royal St., is currently under renovation and is scheduled to open to the public in time for New Orleans's tricentennial in 2018.

Tickets for the gala are now available for purchase. Prices start at $175 for the gala and $275-$3,000 for the patron party. For more information or to order tickets, visit www.hnoc.org or call (504) 523-4662. Soirée d'Or is made possible by THNOC and its anniversary gala committee, with additional support from BBC Destination Management, Preservation Hall Foundation and Ralph Brennan Catering and Events.

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About The Historic New Orleans Collection
Founded in 1966, The Historic New Orleans Collection is a museum, research center and publisher dedicated to the study and preservation of the history and culture of New Orleans and the Gulf South. For more information about THNOC, visit www.hnoc.org or call (504) 523-4662.