ok, here’s some breaking music news (i know this blog is not known for its breaking music news, but i can’t find this press release info anywhere online so i’m posting it here so i have a url to refer to): toshi reagon, jill sobule, thao nguyen and a whole bunch of other folks are playing a benefit this friday night for sweet home new orleans.

i get the idea this might have been put together pretty quickly, since i haven’t seen any other info about it anywhere, but toshi just sent fae the press release, so it’s happening. we already ordered our tickets online at one eyed jack’s website. (they are $10 each + service fees.)

here’s the full press release with all the deets. hope to see all you locals there!

“MUSICIANS BRINGING MUSICIANS HOME VI”:

ECLECTIC CONCERT SERIES RETURNS TO NEW ORLEANS

Thao Nguyen (Thao with the Get Down Stay Down), Ryan Dobrowski + Israel Nebeker (Blind Pilot), Rebecca Gates, Toshi Reagon, Matana Roberts, Jill Sobule, Jon Theodore (One Day As A Lion) and New Orleans’ very own Bonerama to Perform at One Eyed Jacks on March 26th

Musicians from around the country celebrate New Orleans’ rich musical heritage & the community working to sustain it.

NEW ORLEANS, LA—Ryan Dobrowski + Israel Nebeker (Blind Pilot), Rebecca Gates, Thao Nguyen (Thao with the Get Down Stay Down), Toshi Reagon, Matana Roberts, Jill Sobule, Jon Theodore (One Day As A Lion) and New Orleans’ very own, Bonerama and more will celebrate New Orleans, her community and its musical ambassadors for “Musicians Bringing Musicians Home VI,” at One Eyed Jacks (615 Toulouse Street) on Friday, March 26 at 10pm.

Admission is $10; tickets for the event are now on sale on-line at www.oneeyedjacks.net and in-person at One Eyed Jacks box office. Proceeds from the show benefit Sweet Home New Orleans (SHNO) a nonprofit that helps musicians, Mardi Gras Indians, and Social Aid & Pleasure Club members get on their feet, earn money from their art, and pass on America’s most unique cultural traditions (www.sweethomeneworleans.org).

Musicians Bringing Musicians Home presents talented artists on their own and in unique combinations, whether its J. Tillman and Nicole Atkins backing Will Oldham or R.E.M.’s Mike Mills and Bonerama joining Corin Tucker on a Depeche Mode cover. The camaraderie established during both the retreat and concert continues well after participants have left the city, as evidenced by recent collaborations like OK Go and Bonerama’s You’re Not Alone benefit EP for New Orleans musicians and Steve Berlin and Alec Ounsworth’s collaboration on Ounsworth’s recent Mo’Beauty EP.  The show is the celebratory finale of the sixth three-day activist retreat hosted by Air Traffic Control (www.atctower.net) and Future of Music Coalition (www.futureofmusic.org).

“If you care, educate yourself,” says Wayne Kramer, legendary guitarist for MC5 and Artist Activist Retreat alumni. “Go to New Orleans and meet the folks down there. Talk with them, eat with them, work alongside them and then play music with them and for them. Anyone that calls themselves a musician owes a debt to New Orleans, and these retreats are a superb opportunity make a payment. You’ll be richer for it.”

Since the Gulf Storms of 2005 the retreats have brought over forty musicians from around the country to New Orleans to tour affected neighborhoods, visit with the city’s notable musicians and community leaders and participate in strategy sessions about integrating activism and philanthropy into their musical lives and careers.

Past retreat and concert participants include Steve Earle, Tom Morello, Mike Mills (R.E.M.), Boots Riley (The Coup) Nicole Atkins, Damian Kulash (OK Go), Erin McKeown, Nick Harmer (Death Cab for Cutie), Wayne Kramer (MC5), Martín Perna (Antibalas, Ocote Soul Sounds), Jim James and Patrick Hallahan (My Morning Jacket), Jon Langford (Mekons, Waco Brothers), Vijay Iyer, and many, many more.

The efforts of many groups and individuals — including Sweet Home New Orleans, Future of Music Coalition and Air Traffic Control — have had a major impact on Big Easy musicians like Mardis Gras legend Al “Carnival Time” Johnson. Funds raised by retreat participants helped Al buy a new Habitat for Humanity home after having lost his property and belongings in Hurricane Katrina. “Musicians Bringing Musicians Home VI” and the retreats are part an ongoing commitment to helping musicians like Al get back to their communities where they’ll help sustaining New Orleans music and culture for generations to come.  

About Sweet Home New Orleans
Sweet Home New Orleans (www.sweethomeneworleans.org) is a nonprofit agency that offers social services and financial assistance to the city’s musicians, Mardi Gras Indians, and Social Aid and Pleasure Club members.

About Future of Music Coalition Future of Music Coalition is a national non-profit education, research and advocacy organization that seeks a bright future for creators and listeners. FMC works towards this goal through continuous interaction with its primary constituency — musicians — and in collaboration with other creator/public interest groups.

About Air Traffic Control
Air Traffic Control (www.atctower.net) exists to help musicians play an effective, unique and vital role in the promotion of social justice. Founded by musicians and managers, ATC has become an air traffic control for artists, developing capacity, efficiency, and coordination to produce stronger and more creative social change collaborations.

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toshi on tour!

3/20 NJPAC, Newark NJ

4/1 Music Hall Portsmuoth , NH

4/22 Charles H Wright Museum, Detroit, MI.

www.toshireagon.com

www.righteousbabe.com