Rockin' Dopsie, Jr. & The Zydeco Twisters and Charmain Nevell to Perform in Armstrong Park

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Media Contact:
Karen Lozinski
klozinsk@alum.calarts.edu
917-865-1447

Rockin' Dopsie, Jr. & The Zydeco Twisters and Charmain Neville
to Perform in Armstrong Park
Show Kicks Off the Fall Jazz in the Park Concert Series

New Orleans, September 7, 2012 -- The People United for Armstrong Park (PUfAP) and the Institute of Community Development (ICD) is pleased to announce the presentation of two stellar music artists on one bill in Armstrong Park as the Jazz in the Park free concert series officially opens for the fall season. Rockin' Dopsie, Jr. & The Zydeco Twisters and Charmaine Neville bring their high-energy shows and distinctive sounds to the stage on September 20, 2012. Ms. Neville will perform at 5PM, and Rockin' Dopsie at 6:15PM.

The event opens with a Marketplace that provides an opportunity to purchase fresh food, produce and craft market that is available to the public from 3-7PM. The marketplace is a collaborative venture of PUfAP, the Institute of Community Development, and the USDA.

Rockin' Dopsie, Jr. & The Zydeco Twisters are the embodiment of familial love and continuity, as the band is a living homage to the inventiveness and musical originality of the late Rockin' Dopsie, Sr. Cajun and Acadian authenticity meet international acclaim under Rockin' Dopsie, Jr.'s leadership of the band, which includes two of his brothers, Tiger and Anthony Dopsie. Zydeco's royal family has performed for audiences worldwide, as well as for those who come from all over the globe to attend New Orleans' renowned music festivals. They have performed live with Tina Turner, Bonnie Raitt, BB King, The Neville Brothers, Dr. John, and Jimmy Buffet.

Charmaine Neville represents a strong, well-revered New Orleans musical legacy, yet still puts her own signature on all her live and recorded endeavors. She helms her band along with pianist Amasa Miller. Detroit Brooks, Gerald French, and Jesse Boyd round off the line-up. The band has toured internationally, and Ms. Neville has shared the stage with The Rolling Stones, Dr. John, Bobby McFerrin, Steven Stills, Harry Connick, Jr., and Linda Ronstadt. Notwithstanding, the band loves to play locally, with appearances at the New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Festival, as well as clubs around the city, including a regular gig at Snug Harbor.

This performance is the first of seven free concerts which constitute the fall Jazz in the Park concert series. The concerts are free, and take place on Thursdays, from 5PM to 8PM, and run from September 20, 2012 to November 1, 2012. Funding for this series has been generously provided by the NOLA Brewing Company. The fall roster is as follows:

9/20 Charmaine Neville at 5PM; Rockin' Dopsie, Jr. & The Zydeco Twisters at 6:15PM

9/27 Stooges Brass Band at 5PM; Russell Batiste and Friends featuring Jason Neville with The Wild Tchoupitoulas at 6:30PM

10/4 Stephanie Jordan at 5PM; Soul Rebels Brass Band at 6:30PM

10/11 Treme Brass Band at 5PM; Renard Poche Band at 6:30PM

10/25 Corey Henry at 5PM; John Boutte at 6:30PM

11/1 Leroy Jones at 5PM; Los Hombres Calientes featuring Bill Summers and Irvin Mayfield at 6:15 PM

The fall concert series culminates in a benefit concert intended to keep the music free and coming in the spring. This benefit show will take place at 8PM on November 8, 2012, in Armstrong Park, with a line up of ecletic local talent including Irma Thomas, George Porter, Jr., Bill Summers, and MyNameIsJohnMichael.

PUfAP presented seven free concerts in the spring, also under the mantle of Jazz in the Park. The series featured performers such as Kermit Ruffins, James Andrews, Glen David Andrews, David and Russell Batiste, Allen Toussaint, Leo Nocentelli and The Meters Experience, and Bo Dollis and The Wild Magnolias. These events created a safe, family-friendly cultural experience for residents and tourists, nurtured community involvement and have helped re-establish Armstrong Park, Rampart Street, and the Treme as a destination for arts and entertainment.

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About PUfAP: The People United for Armstrong Park is a volunteer-based 501c3 nonprofit organization that led the community effort to re-open Armstrong Park. Our primary work focuses on coordinating and collaborating with individuals and institutions to catalyze Armstrong Park into a premier hub for the city's cultural economy. We aim to connect individuals in the community to their culture and history by establishing the park as a nurturing, living environment for the arts, and provide opportunities to ensure their success and accomplishments in their chosen craft. Please visit www.pufap.org for more information.