Michael Arnone's 23rd Annual Crawfish Fest

Dr John, Rock And Roll Hall of Famer, Five-time Grammy Winner to Headline

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Dr John

AUGUSTA, NJ (05/01/2012)(readMedia)-- Michael Arnone invites you to join him when he hosts his 23rd Annual Crawfish Fest on Friday, June 1 (campers only), Saturday, June 2 and Sunday, June 3 at the Sussex County Fairgrounds in Augusta, NJ.

Every year, Arnone "transports" attendees to The Crescent City with New Orleans R&B, Funk, Zydeco, Brass Bands, Delta Blues, Cajun and a little Gospel. Guests to the Crawfish Fest know this event as the single most authentic New Orleans and Louisiana-style music, food and camping festival outside of Louisiana.

Saturday and Sunday visitors are treated to music and workshops on 4 stages: The Main Stage, The Jager Pavilion Stage, the News 12 NJ Dance Hall and The Kids Stage. All stage areas (except the Main Stage) are protected by cover.

Dr. John and his band, The Lower 911 will headline Saturday, June 2nd. Dr. John is one of the biggest acts to ever come out of New Orleans. Last year's induction into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame was a testament to what he has meant to our country's musical heritage. For more than five decades, Dr. John has produced 25 albums and received five Grammy® Awards. Dr. John's recent release "Locked Down", with the Black Keys guitarist and producer Dan Auerbach, is now climbing the charts.

Saturday Artists include Grammy Winner Zydeco artist Terrance Simien and the Zydeco Experience and one of the Crawfish Fest's perennial favorites, Bonerama. The Malone Brothers feature Dave Malone of the Radiators and Tommy Malone of The subdudes. The New Orleans Suspects, led by Reggie Scanlan of The Radiators, are a new but "super-tight" band of experienced players. Dance Hall favorites include Curley Taylor and Zydeco Trouble and The Dog Hill Stompers. Also performing is a New Orleans' favorite, Johnny Sketch & The Dirty Notes and The Glen David Andrews Band.

Sunday's headliner, GALACTIC, will be performing tracks from their new album, Carnivale Electricos. Marcia Ball, a five time Grammy® Award nominee (including her most recent album Roadside Attractions) performs 2 sets. From Good Homes has reunited for a much anticipated performance at this year's festival. Taking the stage again is Amanda Shaw and the Cute Guys. At 21, Amanda has been performing and touring for 13 years. Her signature Cajun fiddle music crosses over to include a taste of New Orleans. The Stanton Moore Trio will bring in the funk.

New this year are free musical workshops on the Kids Stage. GALACTIC's co-founder and drummer, Stanton Moore hosts a drumming workshop. Other Workshops include Grammy Nominated Cajun Band Feufollet, a Trombone Workshop hosted by Mark Mullins, Craig Klein and Greg Hicks of Bonerama, and Curley Taylor.

Three-day Camping Ticket Holders only can check-in on Friday, June 1, starting at 10am EST. Camper only performances on Friday, June 1st includes Ivan Neville's Dumpstaphunk (led by Aaron Neville's son, Ivan) when they bring on their hard hitting, hard grooving funk, The Malone Brothers Acoustic (from the Radiators and The subdudes), The Alexis P. Suter Band, nominated for best Soul Blues Female Artist at the 2012 Blues Music Awards; The Dog Hill Stompers, with 5 grandsons of legendary Boozoo Chavis; and Feufollet, Cajun musicians who have evolved to include elements of rock, country and indie pop. Grayson Capps & The Lost Cause Minstrels performs their blend of Louisiana shuffles, blues and classic Americana over the vivid storytelling of growing up in Alabama. On Saturday evening, campers only will enjoy The Dirty Dozen Brass Band (aka the fathers of the modern day brass band). Walter "Wolfman" Washington and the Roadmasters, an R&B staple in New Orleans since the late 1950's and Honey Island Swamp Band, known for blending Americana with a New Orleans gumbo of country, folk, funk and R&B.

The Crawfish Fest features a variety of Louisiana Dishes including boiled crawfish with corn and potatoes, chicken & sausage jambalaya, grilled alligator sausage, Shrimp Creole, red beans & rice Po-Boys (catfish, crawfish, oyster, shrimp and hot sausage), crawfish pie, crawfish bread, Crawfish Ettoufee and grilled oysters. Festival enthusiasts, who prefer a more traditional menu may choose from grilled Portabella mushroom sandwiches, vegetarian Red Beans, burgers, hot dogs, ice cream, fruit cups, sno-balls, beignets and other desserts. Each Dish is $10.00 or less.

Want to know more about the Crawfish Fest? There's now an app for that! Direct links for our Apps are Android App Market Place and iTunes App Store. With our Apps, you can keep up to date on stage performances, a festival map and the menu. Find us on Facebook.

Visit our online store to purchase Saturday or Sunday single day tickets, Saturday/Sunday two-day combo tickets, group tickets, 4-day/3-night camping and The King Crawfish Krewe VIP tickets. Tickets will also be available at the gate. Free parking is available.

The Sussex County Fairgrounds, 37 Plains Road, Augusta, NJ is located off Interstate Route 80 at Exit 34B, just one hour west of Manhattan and thirty minutes from the Pennsylvania Pocono Mountains. For more information about tickets, entertainment, food, crafts and lodging, visit www.crawfishfest.com. Please, no recording devices, pets, food or ice chests.

The Residence Inn Marriot in Mt Olive, NJ (973)691-1720 is offering fest-goers a special rate. Ask them for the Crawfish Fest rate. Sponsors include Bud Light®, News 12 New Jersey, Jägermeister, WFDU-FM, WNTI-FM, 84RV.com, DonQ® Rum, Black Beard Spiced Rum, Residence Inn® by Marriott, Crystal® Hot Sauce and Suburban Camping.

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