9th Annual Soul Fest at Audubon Zoo "Celebrate African American Heritage Audubon Style!"

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Media contact:
Sarah Burnette
(504) 212-5335
sburnette@auduboninstitute.org 

                           9th Annual Soul Fest at Audubon Zoo
              "Celebrate African American Heritage Audubon Style!"

(NEW ORLEANS, LA)- Join Audubon Zoo for a soulful celebration in honor of African American culture and accomplishments. The 9th Annual Soul Fest will be held under Audubon Zoo's magical oaks on Saturday, March 3, and Sunday, March 4. This unique festival, one of the largest of its kind in New Orleans, features soulful cuisine, live music, one-of-a-kind crafts and FREE health information.

It wouldn't be a festival without music! Soul Fest promises a diverse musical line up both days at the Zoo's Capital One Stage including Irvin Mayfield and The Playhouse Review closing out the Fest Sunday afternoon (schedule below).

Visitors can check in with wellness representatives, including Crescent City WIC, Healthy Start New Orleans and The McFarland Institute. Zoo guests can also register as a bone marrow donor with the National Marrow Donor Program.

Artisans showcase and sell original arts and crafts, such as jewelry, leather goods and more. Restaurants and caterers tempt taste buds with delectable Creole cuisine and authentic soul food like fried fish and potato salad, chicken and waffles, stuffed bell peppers and seafood gumbo, and the ever- popular Ooey Gooey Cake.

"Soul Fest is quickly becoming one of New Orleans' biggest celebrations of African American history," said Audubon Nature Institute Community Relations Director Eileen Lumar-Johnson. "We're especially pleased to honor a distinguished list of Black History makers as African American Firsts, including Natalie Robottom, D. Mjeeda Snead, Dr. Charles Teamer, South Coast Paper, the Original Illinois Club and the Buffalo Soldiers 9th Calvary." The African American First Tribute takes place on Saturday, March 3, beginning at noon. Corey Hebert, M.D. will serve as the Emcee for the tribute.

New this year, there will be a tribute to the late icon Don Cornelius with a Soul Train Line at 3:30 p.m. on Sunday afternoon.

Soul Fest is presented by WellCare. Entertainment and African American First Sponsor is Walmart. Soul Fest Contributing sponsors are The Bardell Company, Coaxum Enterprises Inc., Amerigroup Louisiana and The Home Depot.

 Soul Fest 2012 Music
Saturday March 3
11am - NOCCA Jazz Septet
12pm - African American First Tribute
12:45 - Tara Alexander
1:45 - Hy-Life
2:45 - Erica Falls with tributes to Whitney Houston and Etta James
3:45 - Hot 8 Brass Band

Sunday, March 4
11am - NOCCA Jazz Septet
11:45 - Karen Hence and Friends (Gospel)
12:45 - Crescent CIty Connections
1:45 - Michael "Soulman" Baptiste
2:45 - Gina Brown
3:30 - Soul Train Line (Honoring Don Cornelius)
3:45 - Irvin Mayfield and The Playhouse Review featuring James Andrews and Glenn David

For more information on Soul Fest at Audubon Zoo, call 504-581-4629 or visit AudubonInstitute.org.