The Tennessee Williams Festival To Host Gala Celebrating the Arts

The Tennessee Williams and New Orleans Literary Festival will host a Gala on November 20 at 7 pm. It will be a night of revelry under the stained glass prisms of the sumptuous 19th-century former church at the Hotel Peter and Paul.

“Tennessee Williams loved a party, he loved the arts, and he loved New Orleans,” says Gregory Gajus, Festival President. “Our Gala is a celebration of all the things he loved. But, most importantly, we are bestowing the namesake Tennessee Williams Awards on artists and activists  who have made significant impacts on our cultural life, here in New Orleans and beyond.”

This year’s Gala theme celebrates the 75th anniversary of Tennessee Williams' play, THE ROSE TATTOO, which premiered in Chicago in December 1950. It went on to Broadway and swept the 1951 Tonys, winning Best Play, Best Actor (Eli Wallach), Best Actress (Maureen Stapleton), and Best Scenic Design.

Attire: Step out of your day-to-day life and pull out the crown jewels of your closet! Whether that’s sparkles, feathers, ruffles, bowties, or sequins, classic cocktail black or something bursting with color, we want to see your take on elegant New Orleans whimsy. And of course, roses are welcome! For more inspiration, check out TWFest’s 2025 Gala Pinterest Board.

Now in its 40th year, The Tennessee Williams & New Orleans Literary Festival is grateful to the writers, performing artists, and community arts advocates who have inspired the literary arts community, worked diligently to promote the arts, and supported the Festival’s mission. With that in mind, they have established the Tennessee Williams Distinguished Arts Awards to recognize and honor those who have had a significant impact on the literary arts. This year’s honorees receiving their awards at the gala are:

   Excellence in Literary Arts: Mona Lisa Saloy 

   Excellence in Performing Arts: John Patrick Shanley

   Excellence in Arts Advocacy: The John Burton Harter Foundation and Poppy Tooker

The evening begins for VIPs at 6:30 pm with cocktails, appetizers, and table seating. At 7 pm, doors open for General Admission ticket holders to enjoy the bar, hors d'oeuvres, and music.

Music by DJ Sailor Hank and the Delta Revues
A tableau featuring Tsarina Hellfire, Stanley Roy, and the Mudlark Puppeteers
A silent auction
Libations and Sicilian-inspired cuisine by local chefs, including Dickie Brennan’s Tableau
Tarot readings
Tiny rose tattoos by Hell or High Water Tattoo
Tickets to the gala and sponsorship information are available here.

New Orleans Awards - Live Stats

Best Musical - Top 3

1. ANNIE (Ascension Community Theatre)

20.6% of votes

2. THE HUNCHBACK OF NOTRE DAME (Sullivan theatre)

18.8% of votes

3. THE WIZARD OF OZ (Slidell Little Theatre)

11% of votes

Vote Now!