News from Michael Arnone's Crawfish Fest

For more information contact: Naoma Welk - 973-762-6243 Naoma@welkink.com

Tipitina’s Foundation Benefit at Crawfish Fest

Tip's Foundation supports school band programs, mentoring programs and much more

AUGUSTA, NJ (05/08/2008; 0600)(readMedia)-- For the third consecutive year, Michael Arnone is supporting the Tipitina’s Foundation by adding a VIP benefit party at his 19th Annual Crawfish Fest. The Crawfish Fest will be held from May 30 through June 1 at the Sussex county Fairgrounds in Augusta, New Jersey.

The mission of the Tipitina’s Foundation is to support Louisiana’s irreplaceable music community and preserve the state’s unique musical cultures. The organization raises funds for four musical programs:

• Instruments A Comin’ (musical instruments for school band programs),

• Tipitina’s Music Office Co-op (development and job training for local musicians, filmmakers and other digital medial professionals),

• Tipitina’s Internship Program (a mentoring program that teaches all aspects of the music industry to music students) and

• Sunday Music Workshops (opportunities for students to play and learn from world-class musicians).

The foundation also supports New Orleans musicians who suffered personal and professional losses when storms hit the city in 2005.

Festival-goers who purchase a Tipitina’s Foundation Benefit ticket receive admission to the Crawfish Fest and entry to the Tipitina’s Foundation VIP party on Sunday June 1, with free food from 1:00 p.m. until 3:00 p.m. in their own private pavilion. Sunday’s festival entertainment will include Allen Toussaint, Railroad Earth, Bonerama, The Lee Boys, The Nappy Brown Orchestra, Keith Frank & The Soileau Zydeco Band, Rosie Ledet & the Zydeco Playboys, Little Freddie King, Louisiana Red, Leroy Thomas and The Zydeco Roadrunners and Swingset Mamas on four stages.

The VIP party features a cash bar and signature Crawfish Fest dishes served buffet style, including boiled crawfish, Jambalaya, Shrimp Creole, alligator sausage and desserts. Sodas and water are free. Tickets are $125 each. Twenty percent of each Tipitina’s VIP ticket will go to the to the Tipitina’s Foundation.

The name of the foundation originates from the Tipitinas' music venue, a revered New Orleans cultural icon that continues to be a driving force in the development and promotion of Louisiana music around the world.

Tipitinas (a.k.a. Tips) first opened its doors in 1977 at 501 Napoleon Avenue at the corner of Tchoupitoulas Street. It began as a juice bar, restaurant and bar that served alcohol. Over the years, Tipitinas has evolved into an iconic location where music enthusiasts gather to hear premier performers of funk, R&B, Rock, Cajun and Zydeco music. Numerous artists have recorded live albums at Tipitinas, including Galactic, Professor Longhair, Dr. John, Anders Osborne, The Neville Brothers, Tuts Washington and The Radiators. The Tipitinas’ Foundation is a 501© 3 non-profit organization.

For more information about Michael Arnone’s 19th Annual Crawfish Fest, visit www.crawfishfest.com. To learn more about the Tipitina’s Foundation, visit www.tipitinasfoundation.org.

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