By Laura Ferreiro
In an effort to raise funds for the completion of 150 environmentally friendly homes in New Orleans, heavy hitters including Kanye West, Seal, Snoop Dogg and Rihanna are set to perform at “A Night to Make It Right” in support of the non-profit of the same name. The two-part event, which will be held March 10 at the Hyatt Regency in New Orleans, supports the Make It Right Foundation, which was founded by Brad Pitt in 2007 following Hurricane Katrina’s devastation of New Orleans in an effort to build safe, green, affordable homes in the region.
Ellen DeGeneres will host the event, which will also feature performances by Sheryl Crow, Dr. John and New Orleans’ own Preservation Hall Jazz Band. What’s more, the Voodoo Experience, which puts on the annual Nola music festival, is giving away tickets to the star-studded after party featuring West and Snoop Dogg and hosted by comedian Aziz Ansari. They’re even giving away tickets here.
A green home built on "stilts" in New Orleans' Lower Ninth Ward
Since its inception, Make It Right has worked with cutting-edge designers to build unique homes on “stilts” that are high enough off the ground to avoid floodwaters should another hurricane occur. It is helping to revitalize New Orleans and the Lower Ninth Ward in particular, which was one of the hardest-hit areas when Hurricane Katrina slammed the Gulf Coast in 2005. It has been slow to recover and still has only one-third of its pre-Katrina population.
“After Hurricane Katrina, many people said the Lower Ninth Ward could not be rebuilt, but the spirit of the Lower Ninth and its residents is vibrant and resilient,” Pitt said in a statement. “Today, the neighborhood is growing and alive with new homes, playgrounds, gardens and block parties.”
Visit Make It Right to learn more and find out how to get involved.