Press Release Author = Karen Beninato - New Orleans Musicians Relief Fund (504) 352-8878
Industry = Non Profit
Press Release Summary = Liverpool musician walks to New Orleans to raise awareness for the New Orleans Musicians Relief Fund, Inc. The Gala party Oct. 12 will include the Voodo Vixens, brass band second line, Rodrigue art auction and Mr. Bill merchandise to benefit New Orleans musicians.
Press Release Body = For Immediate Release Contact: karen@nomrf.org Office: (504) 352-8878
Joe Topping is a Liverpool musician who is walking from Chicago to New Orleans to raise awareness for the New Orleans Musicians Relief Fund, Inc. He\'s already at Oak Alley in Louisiana, so keep an eye out for his giant green guitar case. Joe has crisscrossed the country spreading the word that New Orleans’ music and culture is an international treasure that must be supported for future generations. He is a resident of the United Kingdom and was moved by the plight of New Orleans musicians after hurricane Katrina. You can read more about Joe at www.joetopping.co.uk
Joe will arrive Oct 12 and NOmrf welcomes all to come help celebrate! There will be a short second line procession along the river meeting behind Jax Brewery at 5pm. The welcome reception party will be held at the Wyndham Canal Place at 6pm. The New Wave Brass Band will play instruments donated by NOmrf in the spring when they played Barry Cowsill\'s memorial. Joe is wanting to spread the word about the good work being done by NOMRF and has undertaken an amazing task to do so!
You can donate to NOmrf on behalf of Joe Topping\'s walk at www.NOMRF.org. The 501c(3) certified charity, has sent hundreds of grants to displaced New Orleans musicians wherever they are right now. Native New Orleans musician Jeff Beninato and his wife Karen founded the Fund 2 days after the levees breached. They have made donations go further by paying no office rent and keeping two salaries very low. They also have no government or corporate ties and only one mission - helping New Orleans musicians get by.
A silent auction will be held during the free reception with 100% of the proceeds going to New Orleans Musician’s Relief Fund. “TheVoodoo Vixens” will host the auction tables and take bids on the items available.
The featured artist for the auction is Dennis Procopio, who has completed apiece titled “Fear of Zippers” specifically for this event. Dennis was moved by the efforts of The Voodoo Vixens to raise funds for NOMRF at one of their events and went to work right away on the piece in his Poydras Street studio. You can see more of his work at www.PlywoodLeviathans.com.
Joannie Hughes-Lewis, co-chair of the welcome reception remarks “He is a brilliant artist with an amazing vision. His works are both primitive in nature and highly intellectual at the same time - I am very honored to present this piece at the auction.” Also to be offered is an Original Silkscreen by George Rodrigue of Blue Dog fame “You can’t drown the blues” a signed and numbered edition of 500. Chris Dwyer has also presented a beautiful original painting for auction. Mr. Bill creator Walter Williams is donating merchandise as well.
Co-chairing the event is 10 year old Jacob Lewis, a brand new musician and 5th grade student who has contributed to the project with the auction and second-line procession planning as well as tracking the route of Joe Topping along the way. (Jacob is collecting $11 donations on NOMRF.org from friends for his 11th birthday in lieu of gifts.)
Individuals and families are encouraged to join the second-line procession and attend the reception. If you would like to donate an item to the auction or would like more information, please email Jeff Beninato at Jeff@NOMRF.org or http://myspace.com/nomrf.
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Web Site = http://nomrf.org
Contact Details = New Orleans Musicians Relief Fund, Inc. 102 W. Washington St., Apt. 2 Bloomington, IL 61701
2012
