Michael Arnone's 18th Annual Crawfish Fest

STANHOPE, NJ (04/26/2007)(readMedia)-- If you missed Mardi Gras this year or couldn't make it to the New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Festival, you still have an opportunity to enjoy the sounds and tastes of Louisiana at Michael Arnone's Crawfish Fest June 2 and 3 at the Sussex County Fairgrounds, Augusta, NJ. This year, Michael has his biggest line-up ever and some of the best known names in Louisiana and New Orleans music coming to the 18th Annual Crawfish Fest

The legendary Mac "Dr. John" Rebennack is one of the headliners from New Orleans. Like virtually every other New Orleans musician, Mac is playing with fierce purpose these days with his band, the Lower 911, named after the flooded lower ninth ward where many of his musical friends used to live. "We've been on the road or in the studio pretty steady since Katrina," said Dr. John. In a way it's good because we've cut fresh in the studio." Mac has released several records since the flood, particularly the moving suite he recorded in the immediate aftermath of the tragedy, Sippiana Hericane.

Crawfish Fest also welcomes back the great vocalist and pianist Henry Butler, co-front-man of the New Orleans Social Club with The Meters' bassist George Porter Jr. Butler thinks all of his peers are excelling in the wake of the flood. "We're ambassadors for New Orleans music," said Butler. "I think the New Orleans Social Club is the most representative New Orleans group playing nationally right now."

Fred LeBlanc brought Cowboy Mouth back home to play some of the first post-Katrina live gigs. Crawfesters are guaranteed authentic New Orleans nuttiness from the irrepressible LeBlanc, who makes sure audiences have a great time. "Using our music as a catalyst for people to feel better -- even for a moment -- is a great thing to be part of," said LeBlanc. "It's about saving the culture and saving this creative musical celebratory way of life. If we don't do it, it won't get done. Period."

Featured this year are over 20 bands playing Zydeco, Cajun, New Orleans R&B, Brass, Funk, Southern Rock and Delta Blues. Featuring Multi Grammy Winner Dr. John, The New Orleans Social Club-(An All-Star New Orleans band that came together in Austin, after Katrina. The New Orleans Social Club includes George Porter Jr. and Leo Nocentelli of the Meters, Ivan Neville of the Neville Brothers, Henry Butler, and Raymond Weber of The Harry Connick Jr. Band) Cowboy Mouth, Sonny Landreth, Bonerama, Hubert Sumlin and the Billy Hector Band, Jon Cleary and The Absolute Monster Gentleman, Duke Robillard, Geno Delafose, Papa Mali, The Pine Leaf Boys, Corey Ledet, Li'l Anne and Hot Cayenne, Funk-N-Gumbo, Super Chief Trio, Keith Munslow and Swingset Mamas.

New Orleans music goes best with New Orleans food. You can enjoy four tons of spicy Louisiana crawfish cooked in the custom boiling pots with potatoes and corn, Enjoy raw oysters, jambalaya, "secret ingredient" southern fried chicken tenders, crawfish bread, Shrimp Creole, BBQ'd ribs, crawfish pie, Crawfish Mara, crawfish beignets, Po-Boys stuffed with fried shrimp, crawfish, catfish or oysters, try the Boudin Balls and the unforgettable farm raised alligator sausage which is grilled in front of your eyes.

For dessert, enjoy New Orleans style beignets, pies and piping hot Louisiana coffee.

Also available are vegetarian red beans and rice and a grilled portabella mushroom on a wheat bun. Burgers, chicken tenders, ice cream and smoothies are also available and you can quench your thirst with a Bud Light, wine and soda.

Musicians will perform on four stages: the Main Stage with lawn seating (bring your lawn chair or blanket), the 12,000 sq. ft. Dance Hall, The Delta Music Experience Pavilion Stage (with its covered dance floor and bleacher seating), and the Kids' Stage which offers live music and free face painting.

Camping facilities have been expanded to include three different on-site campgrounds. Camp Madisonville is for the Big RV's, Camp New Orleans is for the party animals in tents and Camp Baton Rouge is quiet and more family orientated. Campgrounds are open for camper arrivals only on Friday, June 1 from 10 a.m. until 9 p.m. and on Saturday from 8 a.m. until 11 a.m. Reserve your preferred campground, at www.crawfishfest.com. Advance weekend camping tickets are $95 per person. Check out the Friday night music just for the campers, food, festivities, the three-day camping ticket and advance tickets when you visit the event website. Single Day Advance Tickets ($25), Advance Group Tickets ($20, minimum of 10 per day) and the 2-day Advance Combo tickets ($45) Tickets bought at the gate are $30.00 each. Children under 14 are free with parent.

The Sussex County Fairgrounds are located off Interstate Route 80 at Exit 34B, just one hour west of Manhattan and thirty minutes from the Pennsylvania Pocono's. For more information about tickets, entertainment, food, crafts and lodging, visit www.crawfishfest.com. Please, no Pets, coolers, recording devices, food, or beverages allowed. Our friends in NYC can take the Crawfish Fest Express from Port Authority.

2007 Sponsors include Bud Light, News 12 New Jersey, Delta Music Experience, Trend Motors, Scotti's Records, WSUS-FM, WNNJ, Crystal Hot Sauce, Oldies 1360, Max 106.3, and ITC Promotions.

Note to Editors -- Artists interviews are available by e-mailing Michael Arnone at michael@crawfishfest.com. Find Hi Res Artist Images at http://www.crawfishfest.com/Press%20Releases.htm

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