Barbès, at 1300 Park Avenue in Hoboken, hosted California Music Night on Wednesday, February 5, 2025. It was a night of live music, food and community support for people and animals affected by the Los Angeles wildfires.
How it started
The event grew out of a conversation between Barbès' own Lisa Balouma and Hoboken locals Layla Balouma of Kari Whitman Interiors and Pamela Strell of Thomas Newman Studio. 100% of the $20 entry fee and 10% of food and drink proceeds went to Pasadena Humane and Ace of Hearts Dog Rescue.
The cause
Kari Whitman founded Ace of Hearts Dog Rescue after losing her rescue dog, Ace, to cancer. Since 2001 it has saved more than 12,000 dogs from high-kill shelters. Even after losing everything in the Palisades Fire, including Ace's ashes, her commitment to the dogs never wavered.
The result
The night raised nearly $5,000, with a live auction stocked by Hoboken businesses. "Barbès has always been a home for community and music, and last night was the perfect reflection of that spirit," organizers said. Photos by @fotosbyfriss.
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