Student's food, music event benefits literacy program
Joshua Weinberg, a Tulane University sophomore, may be from Philadelphia, but he's lived in New Orleans long enough to realize that great food and music are the keys to a successful fundraiser.
The “Taste New Orleans, Savor Literacy” event on the Tulane uptown campus, with culinary delights from nearly 30 restaurants and music by the Soul Rebels, will benefit Start the Adventure in Reading (STAIR).
The event will feature culinary delights from nearly 30 restaurants and music by the Soul Rebels, with proceeds benefiting STAIR Start the Adventure in Reading a nonprofit children's literacy organization that tutors at-risk second graders in reading and language arts.
“This is a city of food and music,” Weinberg says. “So I thought, why not take these two simple concepts and combine them with a cause that I feel really strongly about? I hope this event becomes a staple for years to come.”
Last year, the benefit raised $4,000 for STAIR. This year, he has a campus partner, student volunteers and STAIR assistance working to make the event bigger and better.
Restaurants donating food include Sun Ray Grill, Acme Oyster House, Chef Greg Sonnier, Pinkberry, Pupuseria Divino Corazon, Chipotle, Nacho Mama's, Nirvana, Naked Pizza, New Orleans Roast Coffee, Byblos, Ruth's Chris Steak House, Copeland's Cheesecake Bistro, Blue Oak, Chiba, Fresco Cafe, Wow Café and Wingery, Arby's, Crescent Pie and Sausage, Phillips Bar, Mona's, The Kupcake Factory, Bayou Hot Wings and Casablanca. Sodexo's Heavy G grill will be preparing American street food (tacos, burgers and wings).
Tickets, available at the door or online, are $15 to $20 and include unlimited food. The $20 tickets include five raffle tickets for prizes including restaurant and massage gift cards and a year-round pass for two to the Prytania Theatre.
