July 24, 2023
AWARD WINNING NEW ORLEANS CHEF, NINA COMPTON, ANNOUNCES PUBLIC LAUNCH OF
SHASHA LOUNGE ALONGSIDE UNITED WAY & OTHER CELEBRITY CHEFS
Compton has partnered with United Way and culinary icons Stephanie Izard, Marc Forgione, Michelle Bernstein, Rodney Scott and Tiffani Faison who will program the space seasonally and assist in charitable efforts.
A number of discounted memberships to the cocktail club will be made available
with a portion of all proceeds allocated to natural disaster relief in the region.
NEW ORLEANS, July 24, 2023 - James Beard Award Winning chef and owner of Compère Lapin and Bywater American Bistro in New Orleans, Nina Compton, is thrilled to announce today the public launch of ShaSha Lounge: Social Aid and Pleasure Club, a membership cocktail lounge coming to the Crescent City. In collaboration with new charity partner, United Way Southeast Louisiana (UWSELA), and esteemed celebrity chefs, Stephanie Izard, Marc Forgione, Michelle Bernstein, Rodney Scott, and Tiffani Faison, the membership cocktail lounge with a cause released a limited number of exclusive discounted memberships that are available for purchase via credit card or cryptocurrency at www.shakenandstirred.io.
Members of ShaSha will experience unique benefits including elevated access to the lounge, discounted rentals and buyouts, voting rights on programming within the venue, and preferred entry to special events nationwide including ShaSha’s public launch party which will mark the momentous occasion on Thursday, July 27th, 2023. A portion of all membership and lounge sales will be reserved to help support future disaster relief in the region.
“ShaSha was conceptualized as a way to evoke the spirit of New Orleans hospitality while simultaneously creating a mechanism in which we could continuously and quickly give back to our cherished community who are too often impacted by natural disasters,” Compton said. “We are so fortunate to officially partner with United Way Southeast Louisiana and their compassionate team as we release our first public memberships and start building a fund that is fueled by our community’s love of cocktails and cuisine,” she continued.
United Way Southeast Louisiana will work in conjunction with Compton and partners Sweet Management Group and Dolphin Entertainment (NASDAQ: DLPN) to mobilize raised funds in the wake of forthcoming regional disasters.
“This passion project unites United Way and ShaSha’s love for New Orleans hospitality and dedication to giving back to our communities, ” said Michael Williamson, President and CEO of United Way Southeast Louisiana. “We are committed to responding to disaster at the speed of need, so as our partnership raises critical funds through ShaSha’s innovative cocktail lounge and membership platform, we will be well positioned to provide immediate relief where it’s needed most,” he continued.
In addition to UWSELA, Compton has enlisted the support of Iron Chef Marc Forgione, James Beard Award winners Michelle Bernstein, Stephanie Izard and Rodney Scott, as well as Chopped Judge Tiffani Faison. Each chef will collaborate quarterly on new cocktails, participate in live and virtual events for members, develop exclusive content for the community and individually program the club for one week each year.
On Thursday, July 27th, 2023 from 12pm CST-3pm CST, Compton and the ShaSha team will host a launch party at her restaurant, Compère Lapin, with preferred access to prepaid members and limited availability for others who RSVP to info@shashalounge.com.
Sweet Management Group will provide operational, marketing and sales support to ShaSha while Dolphin Entertainment and lifestyle and epicurean influence and media relations agency, The Door | idea house, will consult on partnerships, strategic planning and public relations.
ABOUT UNITED WAY SOUTHEAST LOUISIANA
For nearly 100 years, United Way of Southeast Louisiana (UWSELA) has been a leader and trusted partner in improving lives and making a lasting difference. We fight to eradicate poverty by preparing people for quality jobs, growing incomes, and affording better health and education opportunities throughout Jefferson, Orleans, Plaquemines, St. Bernard, St. Tammany, Tangipahoa, and Washington parishes. We have a bold vision of equitable communities where all individuals are healthy, educated, and financially stable – and we have a plan. United Way of Southeast Louisiana’s Blueprint for Prosperity guides all strategic investments in programs, initiatives, collaborations, volunteerism, and advocacy aimed at tackling poverty. For more information, please visit UnitedWaySELA.org.
ABOUT DOLPHIN ENTERTAINMENT
Dolphin Entertainment is a leading independent entertainment marketing and production company. Through our subsidiaries 42West, The Door, Shore Fire Media and BHI (a division of 42West), we provide expert strategic marketing and publicity services to many of the top brands, both individual and corporate, in the film, television, music, gaming and hospitality industries. All three PR firms were ranked among the most recent Observer's "Power 50" PR Firms in the United States, an unprecedented achievement. Viewpoint Creative and Be Social complement their efforts with full-service creative branding and production capabilities as well as social media and influencer marketing services. Dolphin's legacy content production business, founded by Emmy-nominated CEO Bill O'Dowd, has produced multiple feature films and award-winning digital series. In early 2022, Dolphin launched WCIP (pronounced We Come In Peace), its new marketing, consulting and communications agency focused solely on developing and marketing blockchain, metaverse and Web3 projects and initiatives, for both current and future clients, as well as wholly-owned project investments. To learn more, visit: https://www.dolphinentertainment.com.
ABOUT SWEET MANAGEMENT GROUP
Established in 2008, Sweet Management Group (formally The Connect Group) is a culinary marketing and talent representation agency focused on leveraging food, beverage & lifestyle initiatives to engage with food-connected consumers. SMG client roster includes award winning chefs including Marc Forgione, Ludo Lefebvre, Nina Compton, Michelle Bernstein, Tiffani Faison, Rodney Scott and others. www.sweetmanagement.com
For more information and purchase of a ShaSha membership(s), please visit: www.shakenandstirred.io
For media inquiries:
Peter McManus
The Door | idea house
peter@thedooronline.com
For partnership inquiries:
Lonny Sweet
Sweet Management Group
lsweet@sweetmanagement.com