gaudanse Extends “Key to Your HeART” House Raffle Deadline to May 23, 2026
Company:
gaudanse
gaudanse (Gaudanse, Inc.), a 501(c)(3) nonprofit interdisciplinary dance production organization, has announced an extension of its ambitious “Key to Your HeART” House Raffle campaign. While the original entry deadline was February 12, 2026, ticket sales have not yet reached the minimum threshold required to award the grand prize home.
In accordance with the Official Raffle Rules, at least 9,500 raffle tickets must be sold in order for the house prize to be awarded. To allow additional time to meet this requirement, ticket sales will now remain open through May 23, 2026 at 11:59 PM CST, with the drawing to be held on May 25, 2026 at 3:00 PM CST.
The raffle’s grand prize is a three-bedroom, two-bathroom single-family home located at 2748 Orleans Avenue in the Bayou St. John neighborhood of New Orleans, offering approximately 1,372 square feet of living space. Tickets are $50, and every ticket sold directly supports gaudanse’s mission to expand access to dance, the performing arts, and sustainable creative livelihoods.
“We are deeply grateful to everyone who has supported us thus far by purchasing a ticket,” said Imani Gaudin, Founding Artistic Director of gaudanse. “Your commitment brings us closer to our vision. We are extending our raffle because our goal is to give away this house and build a sustainable future for the arts. To award the grand prize in accordance with our Official Raffle Rules, 9,500 tickets must be sold. The funds raised will allow us to continue offering free workshops, create meaningful opportunities for artists, and pay them fair, livable wages.”
Important Raffle Updates
Extended Deadline - Ticket sales for the House Raffle will close on May 23, 2026 at 11:59 PM CST. The winner will be drawn on May 25, 2026 at 3:00PM CST.
Minimum Sales Requirement - The house prize will only be awarded if at least 9,500 raffle tickets are sold by the extended deadline, as outlined in the Official Raffle Rules.
If Minimum Is Not Met - If fewer than 9,500 tickets are sold by May 23, 2026, the raffle will proceed in accordance with the cash prize provision set forth in the Official Raffle Rules.
Napa Valley Trip Drawing - The Napa Valley trip drawing will take place on the originally scheduled drawing date of Saturday February 14, 2026 and is not contingent upon the house raffle ticket minimum being met.
The Napa Valley bonus prize includes a three-night stay at the Meritage Resort and Spa, wine tasting for two at Jessup Cellars in Yountville, a gourmet lunch aboard the Napa Valley Wine Train, and a hot air balloon ride for two over Napa Valley.
The Grand Prize drawing will be held at the location of the home and streamed live on Facebook and Instagram. Additional prize details, raffle rules, home images, and a video tour are available at www.gaudanse.org . Void where prohibited by law. Winner need not be present. Must be at least 18 years old and a U.S. citizen to enter. All current valid ticket holders, including previous winners, will be eligible for the grand prize drawing on May 25, 2026.
A Fundraiser with Lasting Impact
Proceeds from the raffle support:
Access and education for dance and the performing arts
Community movement workshops centered on physical and mental wellness
Presenting and venue partnerships
Creation and curation of new artistic work
Emerging artist mentorship and professional support
Affordable artist residency housing
Sustainable wages that keep artist communities alive
Since its founding in 2020, gaudanse has raised over $168,600 through grants, donors, commissions, and residency support. Organizational impact includes:
7 production premieres (3 interdisciplinary)
International debut in Paris and 5 U.S. tours
World premiere of nanibu and 4 NYC premieres
9 residencies supporting 15 paid artists
400+ audience members reached through free and sliding-scale access
About gaudanse
Founded in 2020 by Imani Gaudin, gaudanse is a nonprofit interdisciplinary dance production organization rooted between New Orleans, LA, and New York, NY. Gaudanse creates immersive, whimsical worlds that blend dance, performance art, music, film, culinary arts, and visual arts.
Through accessible programming, mentorship, workshops, and performances, gaudanse empowers early-career artists (particularly those from marginalized and underserved communities) through sustainable, wellness-centered creative practices.
Gaudanse acknowledges and honors that it lives and functions on the land of the Munsee Lenape, Canarsie, Wappinger, Houma, and Choctaw peoples.
For more information, please visit www.gaudanse.org and @gau.danse (Instagram).
All press and media inquiries, please contact tiffany@freretnapoleon.com.
