NOSACONN and ADE team up to benefit Arts in Education Program with benefit concert at HOB
NEW ORLEANS – On Thursday, May 14, 2015 the New Orleans South Africa Connection (NOSACONN), the Alliance for Diversity & Excellence (ADE) and more than 70 musicians will present “A Celebration of New Orleans Music” to provide continual funding for NOSACONN’s music education program. The musical celebration will take place on at the House of Blues New Orleans, 225 Decatur St, New Orleans, LA 70130. Tickets for the event are $25 for General Admission and $150 for VIP and may be purchased through the House of Blues Box Office. Doors open at 7:00 pm and the show runs from 8:00 pm – 12 Midnight
Musical lineup includes performances by Russell Batiste & Friends featuring Jason Neville and Wild Tchoupitoulas Indians, Keith Washington, Hot 8, James Andrews Family, Stephanie Jordan, Rockin’ Dospie, Mike “Soulman” Baptiste, David Batiste & Gladiators, Jamal Batiste, Ryan Batiste and Raw Revolution, Ka$h Ackbar, KCAP Singers from Durban, South Africa, KGates and NOSAONN Arts Music PM Students, Shamar Allen, Free Spirit African Drummers and Stilt Walkers, Chosen Ones Brass Band, Joe “Cool” Davis, Reverend Lois, Dejean & Family, 5th Ward Weebie, Vesti Jackson, Honey Vibes, Archie “The Voice”, Lionel Talbert the Legend, Hector Gallardo’s Cuban Jazz Trio and more.
“It is imperative that we celebrate New Orleans’ cultural brand of music today and preserve it for future generations”, says Damon J. Batiste, Founder and President of NOSACONN. “Through our Arts in Education Initiative: Cultural Enrichment Program which started in 2008, we engage student learning through Cultural arts to enhance literacy and numeracy skill for urban students while bringing families and communities together and celebrating our musical heritage”, he adds.
“NOSACONN’s Arts in Education initiative delivers an outstanding enrichment program that provides at risk boys and girls with the needed skills to enjoy the arts”, says Lee Green, Vice President of ADE.
“The arts promote skills for success in academics and life, and we’re seeing that in New Orleans with improved test scores and high school graduation rates, thanks in part to Damon Batiste’s 21st Century Community Learning Centers’ after-school program Arts and Music in the Afternoon, better known as AM/PM,” said State Education Superintendent John White.
NOSACONN’s vision of “linking worlds together that are worlds apart” has been a central to their mission which has allowed them to be vital partners in helping to rebuild New Orleans after Hurricane Katrina. They have focused on three central themes of the recovery; Education, Workforce Development through the Music Technology, and Cultural Exchange.
Specifically In the area of education through their AM/PM (Arts and Music in the Afternoon) after-school program they have partnered with charter school management organizations to offer supplemental education services to more than 3,000 students. As their colleague schools focused on the WHAT to learn, NOSACONN focused on the HOW to learn by giving students opportunities to explore and discover knowledge and skills in science, technology, engineering, arts, and math (STEAM) through projects, performances, and hands on experiences.
This experience has included a global perspective, with student having traveled to places such as Paris, France, and Johannesburg, South Africa for performances and cultural exchange program. Future efforts are to include the Dominican Republic, Panama, and Brazil.
Key supporters of the Celebration Concert includes; Louisiana Department of Education, New Orleans Arts in Education Initiative, Port of South Louisiana, Liquid Capital Corporation, Kidney Foundation of New Orleans, Sylvain Solutions – The New Orleans Agenda, Peaches Records, Let’s Live Radio & Break Thru Media, Valentino New Orleans Hotels, New Orleans Convention Company, Inc., and House of Blues.
Those who wish to provide ongoing support for NOSACONN’s Arts in Education Initiative can do so through our GoFundMe account at: http://www.gofundme.com/nosaconn
About NOSACONN NOSACONN Founded by Damon J. Batiste in 1998, the New Orleans South Africa Connection, Inc. (NOSACONN), a nonprofit501 (c) 3 organization, is comprised of business, civic, community and entertainment industry leaders both in New Orleans and in the Republic of South Africa. Its mission is to link worlds together that are worlds apart by building enduring intercultural connections through the arts, entertainment, education and economic development. NOSACONN has produced special events in the City of New Orleans and the Republic of South Africa. These activities have allowed the organization to serve as pioneers in presenting art, culture and tourism as the forefront of economic development.