Pat Jolly. Photo by Elsa Hahne.

New Orleans Artists Team Up to Save Pat Jolly’s House

An all-star assortment of New Orleans musicians will team up for a fundraiser in support of New Orleans artist and culture bearer Pat Jolly.

Irma Thomas, James Andrews, Deacon John, Kermit Ruffins. Al “Carnival Time” Johnson, John Rankin, Steve Masakowski, Patrice Fisher and Sherman Bernard’s Ole Man Rivers Band will perform at the benefit show, which is scheduled to take place at the Irish House on St. Charles Ave. at 7pm on Wednesday, December 7 (tonight).

As noted in a Facebook page for the event, the concert’s goal is to raise enough money for Jolly to keep her house.

When Pat’s mother died 3 years ago, she inherited the house where they had lived together for 30 years. The City promptly raised her property tax to $8,000 per year. Pat is 70 years old and lives on Social Security and her meager self-employment income as a photographer. Although she has finally succeeded in lowering her property tax, through by two appeals, she must pay her back taxes or she could lose her home.

Admission to the show will require a $15 donation, and there will also be a silent auction of Jolly’s photographs and artwork. All contributions are tax deductible.

In 2014, Jolly was honored with the Best of the Beat’s Heartbeat Award, which recognizes someone who has made an essential contribution to the Louisiana music community.

“This year’s Heartbeat Award recipient is simply avid about the music and culture of her hometown of New Orleans,” geraldine Wyckoff wrote in 2014. “While she is best known as a photographer, she’s also renowned as a jazz fan and supporter. A woman who has worn many hats—including silly ones that she and her friends don for her famous birthday parties—Jolly has also worked as a booking agent and art teacher in area schools and recreation programs.”

The effort to save Jolly’s house has launched a Go Fund Me campaign as well, and those that are unable to attend tonight’s show can donate there.