Voice of the Wetlands All-Stars!

On Monday, I wrote a preview for Oregon Music News about the Voice of the Wetlands All-Stars show tonight at the Aladdin. I've republished it below.  There's probably still a few tickets left, and if you love the music of New Orleans and Louisiana, you really need to be here. I hope you'd consider coming out ...you know that's where you'll find me .... 8 pm, $25


Voice of the Wetlands All-Stars:  Reminding Oregon that the issues in the Gulf belong to all of us

Many folks would contend that the most valuable commodity produced in Louisiana is not oil or gas, but music. That reason will be amply on display Wednesday night at the Aladdin Theater when Tab Benoit, Cyril Neville, Anders Osborne, Johnny Sansone, Waylon Thibadeaux, Johnny Vidacovich, Corey Duplechin, and Big Chief Monk Boudreaux - The Voice of the Wetlands All-Stars - take the stage. Their soulful gumbo of Blues, Cajun, Zydeco, and New Orleans funk is one of the tastiest examples of what makes the music of Louisiana loved in Portland and around the world.

But the VOW All-Stars are touring with a serious message. It's one they've been delivering since forming in the aftermath of  hurricanes Katrina and Rita.  The coastal wetlands of the Gulf of  Mexico are disappearing at an unprecedented rate.  Before our eyes.  The Gulf used to be 19 miles south of Tab Benoit's childhood home. His parents can now see it from their back porch.  The destruction wrought by hurricanes and oil spills are simply the latest blows of a disaster in the making for the past 50 years, as channels were cut through the bayous for pipelines and ships to move oil, gas, and the equipment for energy extraction.  And, the Mississippi River was prevented from depositing its silt throughout its broad delta – interrupting the natural rebuilding of coastal wetlands and barrier islands. Economic development based on energy extraction and turning a blind eye to environmental destruction became business as usual.  But this isn’t simply a Gulf Coast problem … it’s one that ultimately affects all of us.  VOW’s mission is to spread the word through educational outreach and fundraising for organizations dedicated to both wetlands restoration and helping people in the bayou communities whose way of life will disappear along with the wetlands.

This was also why in the wake of the BP oil disaster last year, both Gulfsongs Oregon and PDX 2 Gulf Coast  were born. Gulfsongs focused on short-term relief for families in coastal Louisiana most hurt by the spill.  By the end of the year over $8000 was raised through 12 club shows with over 30 Northwest acts contributing performances.  In 2011, Gulfsongs will raise money for wetlands restoration, and continue to assist those vital community groups that are helping people in south Louisiana.

PDX 2 Gulf Coast sent a diverse team of Oregon scientists, teachers, environmental activists, and media representatives to the Gulf to observe and report back on what they learned about how the oil disaster was affecting both people and environment. This year they will release a curriculum, a documentary, and a book aimed at helping everyone understand the issues and what can be done.

These two organizations will team up on April 20th, the anniversary of the BP rig explosion, at the Alberta Rose Theatre for a benefit concert and documentary premiere. But this week they are encouraging folks to come out and join them for the Voice of the Wetlands All-Stars’ performance, and support VOW’s efforts. It’s an opportunity to learn from, and connect with, our Louisiana neighbors … and have one heck of a party in the process.