(New Orleans, LA) New Orleans’ Cultural Ambassador Irvin Mayfield, and Luther Gray, the head of the Congo Square Foundation will join with members of the cultural political action committee Project 2010 to distribute funds raised for local artists in need of urgent healthcare. The presentation will take place at a holiday celebration at the Ashe Cultural Arts Center, 1724 Oretha Castle Haley Boulevard on Thursday, December 17^th, from 6 to 8 PM.  

Ailing local musicians, Marva Wright, Lady BJ, Big Chief Bo Dollis, J.D. Hill, and Humberto “Pupi” Menez will receive money raised at Irvin Mayfield and Project 2010’s “Cultural Renaissance” rally held at the House of Blues on Thanksgiving Eve.

The event will also celebrate the collective efforts of artists and workers in the cultural industry over the past year as they have focused on the challenges faced by the city in 2010 and beyond. The groups Bamboula 2000, Irvin Mayfield, and Ron Markham will perform.

In issuing an invitation to artists, musicians and cultural workers, Irvin Mayfield thanked the performers who participated in the House of Blues event (Amanda Shaw, Bamboula 2000, the Pinettes Brass Band, the Wild Magnolias, Shamarr Allen, the Hot 8 Brass Band, George Porter, Jr., Art Neville, June Gardner, Trombone Shorty) and important leaders of the cultural and tourism industries who also participated in the gala. (Jay Wiegel, Contemporary Arts Center; Actor and Simpson’s creator Harry Shearer; Dan Packer, New Orleans Aviation Board Chair; and noted political guru, James Carville).

“New Orleans culture lives in the hearts and minds of its people,” Mayfield exclaimed. The holiday celebration at Ashe offers the opportunity for Project 2010 to demonstration, in a very tangible way, our commitment to the arts community by giving back to those musicians who have contributed to our musical heritage.  I would urge all local artists and hospitality industry workers to be a part of the renaissance by joining us at Ashe for this holiday celebration.”