Friends of New Orleans Host Benefit Events at National Party Conventions

Organization Pushes for Gulf Coast Recovery

Politics and Louisiana Culture mix for a good cause
WASHINGTON--(Business Wire)--
As the third anniversary of hurricanes Katrina and Rita nears,
Friends of New Orleans will host benefit events at the Democratic and
Republican national party conventions. Friends of New Orleans (FONO)
is a private, nonprofit, nonpartisan organization established in the
aftermath of the storms to advocate for coastal restoration as well as
for New Orleans and the surrounding region. Its convention events will
showcase the best of Louisiana food and music, while calling attention
to the ongoing rebuilding effort and the immediate need to prevent
further loss of Louisiana's coastal wetlands.

"FONO will continue to bring much-needed awareness of the ongoing
efforts to rebuild this unique region, and more importantly, to honor
the extraordinary work of the local organizations who are restoring
their homes and communities in new and innovative ways. The nation
could learn a lot from them about 'what works' after a disaster. Their
efforts must be supported for the long term," commented FONO Director,
Emily Byram.

The "NEW ORLEANS ALL STAR JAM-BALAYA" events will take place in
Denver at 8 p.m. on Sunday, Aug. 24, at the Fillmore and at 8 p.m. in
Minneapolis on Monday, Sept. 1, at First Avenue. The National
Restaurant Association joined as an early sponsor to ensure the unique
cuisine of the area is well-represented.

Lending their musical experience and heritage to the events, the
Voice of the Wetlands All-Stars will perform with 2008 WC Handy Blues
Player of the Year and wetlands activist Tab Benoit. All-Stars include
George Porter, Jr., Cyril Neville, Waylon Thibodeaux, Johnny Sansone,
Anders Osborne and Johnny Vidacovich. They will be joined by Irma
Thomas, "The Soul Queen of New Orleans"; Marva Wright, "The Blues
Queen of New Orleans"; and piano legend Marcia Ball. The all-star horn
section will feature saxophonist Donald Harrison, Jr., sousaphone
player and Dirty Dozen founder Kirk Joseph, Troy "Trombone Shorty"
Andrews, Funky Nation front man Big Sam and trumpeter James Andrews.
The opening of each evening will feature New Orleans brass band the
Soul Rebels, the Wild Tchoupitoulas Mardi Gras Indians and New Orleans
natives Lauren Barrett and Mary McBride.

Members of the original Meters will join together for a special
reunion on August 24 in Denver, where funk drummer extraordinaire
Zigaboo Modeliste, bass legend George Porter, Jr., and guitar master
Leo Nocentelli will be joined by Allen Toussaint, three-time Grammy
winner Terence Blanchard, pianist Henry Butler, Walter "Wolfman"
Washington, Academy Award and multiple-Grammy winner Randy Newman and
surprise guests.

A special sneak preview of the Broadway-bound new musical,
"BROTHER RAY-- the life, the loves and the music of Ray Charles" will
feature Tony-nominated performer Brandon Victor Dixon in the title
role along with selected members of the NAACP Theatre Awards-winning
ensemble.

Hosts for the Denver event are Louisiana Lt. Gov. Mitch Landrieu,
actors Harry Shearer and Wendell Pierce and Democrat strategists James
Carville and Donna Brazile. In Minneapolis, the hosts include former
Health and Human Services Secretary Tommy Thompson and Republican
strategist Mary Matalin. FONO Board Chairman Gloria Dittus, Walter
Isaacson, Former Congressman Billy Tauzin and actor and FONO Board
Member John Larroquette will host both events.

Sponsorships are still available. For sponsorship information
contact FONO at (202) 715-1532.

The events will also serve as the culmination of FONO's "Heroes of
the Storm" campaign, an effort to honor organizations that have made
significant contributions to the recovery and rebuilding effort in the
Gulf region. Several organizations have already been recognized for
their efforts, and more will be announced before the events. The
Heroes announced to date include The Tipitina's Foundation, Women of
the Storm, St. Bernard Project, Holy Cross Neighborhood Association,
New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Foundation, Citizens for One Greater New
Orleans, Beacon of Hope, Cafe Reconcile, Broadmoor Improvement
Association, Idea Village, and New Schools New Orleans.

Both events will be broadcast in New Orleans on WWOZ 90.7 FM and
streaming live at wwoz.org. In Denver, the August 24 event will be
aired on Jazz 89, KUVO 89.3 FM.

Friends of New Orleans is a private, nonprofit, nonpartisan,
membership organization for people in the U.S. and abroad who care
about the region. Our mission is to advocate for New Orleans and its
surrounding parishes, inform people of those key issues that are
shaping the national debate and decision making of the rebuilding
effort, link individuals who want to help with the communities in the
devastated areas and motivate people to take part in the rebuilding
effort. (www.friendsofneworleans.org)

for Friends of New Orleans
Cori Chill, 805-480-0139
cori@prpgroup.net
or
Patti Mitsui, 818-766-0443
patti@prpgroup.net
or
Bobbi Cowan, 818-980-2372
bobbicown@sbcglobal.net

Copyright Business Wire 2008