A special request

I don't generally make a special request like this to folks who read Jim's Music Notes, but I want to personally invite you to a show this coming Saturday at the Alberta Rose Theatre.

As many of you know, I have been one of the producers of the Gulfsongs Oregon series of shows (11 total) that have been held since the middle of July (and I realize some of you may be tired of hearing about it - I promise after this week I'll be much quieter for a while). This series was put together, with co-producer Stacy DeHart, as our response to the ongoing disaster of the Deepwater Horizon oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico - and we wanted to do something that would focus on helping people who were affected.

So far Gulfsongs has raised over $5200 through these shows for two organizations - the Second Harvest Food Bank of Greater New Orleans & Acadiana and Gulf Aid Acadiana. The money is helping both to provide local assistance to people in coastal Louisiana who have been economically hurt. The contributions that go to Gulf Aid Acadiana help fund Bayou Grace Community Services, a community organization that is providing assistance in the Five Bayous area of Lower Terrebonne Parish.  These are small communities along the coast that were hard hit by the spill, putting a lot of folks out of work. The economic effects have been rippling through communities that are still recovering from the effects hurricanes Katrina and Rita five years ago and the continued erosion of coastal wetlands. Even with the final capping and killing of the well, there is a lot of recovery to be done in the region - both economic and environmental.  There is ongoing need in those affected communities that doesn't stop when the cameras and reporters leave.  The oil spill is just the latest challenge to a vitally important area of this country that is disappearing before our eyes. Bringing attention to the people, culture, and environment is something we committed to doing with this project.

Gulfsongs Oregon shows have been held at Mississippi Studios, the White Eagle Saloon, the Laurelthirst, Duff's Garage, Biddy McGraw's, and the Trails End Saloon.  Over 40 local artists or bands joined the effort to raise money through their performances. The final show in this initial series will be on Saturday, September 25th, at the Alberta Rose Theatre. It will will be a Celebration of Louisiana Music and includes Reggie Houston, Devin Phillips, Steve Kerin & Atomic Gumbo, the Too Loose Cajun/Zydeco Band, Turtle VanDemarr, Mac Potts, Paris Slim, and a number of other special musical guests. Tom D'Antoni of Oregon Music News and KMHD-FM will be the MC for the evening. Pianist, and Louisiana native, Steve Kerin is serving as music director for the show and has put together a program that will explore the various musical styles we associate with Louisiana and New Orleans. There will also be a silent auction of donated items from local artists, photographers, restaurants and service providers.

I am making a special request to all of you to come out to the show ... I guarantee this is going to be a ton of fun. And tell your friends too!

The Alberta Rose Theatre is at NE Alberta and 30th. The show starts at 8:30 PM and tickets are $10 in advance or $12 at the door.

I hope you can make it and I look forward to seeing you there!

Thanks .... - Jim