WHAT:  TGIF (Thank Goodness It’s Festival!) Kickoff Party
Annual Fundraiser for French Quarter Festival

WHERE: new location! House of Blues
225 Decatur Street

WHEN: Wednesday, April 6, 2011
7:00 p.m. – 10:00 p.m.

TICKETS: $55 through April 1st ($65 after April 1)

FOR MORE INFO: Call 504-522-5730 or purchase tickets online at www.fqfi.org

NEW ORLEANS – French Quarter Festivals, Inc. (FQFI), producers of the largest FREE music festival in the South, French Quarter Festival, will usher in this year’s festival season with the official kickoff party at its annual fundraiser, TGIF (Thank Goodness it’s Festival!), Wednesday, April 6th at 7:00 p.m. at the House of Blues – an exciting new festival partner.

TGIF Tickets are $55 through April 1st and $65 beginning April 2th. Proceeds from ticket sales go toward keeping French Quarter Festival FREE and open to the public. Admission includes Abita beer, Southern Comfort cocktails, Coca-Cola products and a very special gospel brunch menu. Entertainment for the evening will include music by Little Freddie King and Rockin’ Dopsie, Jr. and the Zydeco Twisters. FQFI will raffle off an exciting array of gifts including New Orleansthemed treasures and adventures. The event is open to the public and dress is jazzy casual. In 2010, over 1,100 guests attended the kickoff party.

The 28th Annual French Quarter Festival takes place on April 7, 8, 9, and 10. A complete listing of music schedules, menus and events can be found at www.fqfi.org. French Quarter Festivals, Inc. (FQFI) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, which also produces Satchmo SummerFest in August and Christmas New Orleans Style in December. FQFI promotes the Vieux Carré and the City of New Orleans through high quality special events and activities that showcase the culture and heritage of this unique city, contribute to the economic well being of the community, and instill increased pride in the people of New Orleans.

Little Freddie King has been playing the blues in New Orleans for over 50 years. Little Freddie King (born Fread E. Martin) was born in 1940 in McComb, Mississippi. His style was so often compared to his mentor, blues legend Freddie King, that he earned the nickname “Little Freddie King”. The son of a blues-man, the young King taught himself to play guitar. He moved to New Orleans at the age of 14 where developed his own style of “gut-bucket” blues in juke joints. During the 1950’s he played with the likes of Polka Dot Slim, Guitar Grady, Guitar Ray, Snooks Eaglin, Billy Tate, Rev.Charles Jacobs, Harmonica Williams, Boogie Bill Webb and Eddie Lang. He recorded the 1969 electric blues album, Harmonica Williams and Little Freddie King, in New Orleans. He toured Europe with Bo Diddley, Texas Alexander and John Lee Hooker in 1976. King’s most recent album, Gotta Walk With Da King was released in 2010 to high praise. King was inducted to the Louisiana Music Hall of Fame in October, 2010.

Rockin’ Dopsie, Jr. and The Zydeco Twisters are considered Zydeco’s royal family. The legendary Rockin’ Dopsie, Sr., (Alton Rubin), was known around the world as the “crown prince of Zydeco”. He died in 1993, performing the classic Creole accordion until his death. His sons vowed to keep the memory of their father alive by continuing the music tradition they grew up watching their father perform. Wash-board player, David Rubin, a.k.a. Rockin’ Dopsie, Jr. fronts the band that includes brothers Tiger, (Alton Rubin, Jr.), on drums and Anthony on button
accordion. Rockin’ Dopsie, Jr. is well known for his explosive dance moves and charismatic stage presence. The band has performed for President Bill Clinton, shared the stage with Tina Turner, Bonnie Raitt, BB King, The Neville Brothers, Dr. John, and Jimmy Buffet. Dopsie and his brothers performed with Britney Spears and Mystikal on MTV’s two-hour Mardi Gras special in 2000 as well as recording with Paul Simon, Cindy Lauper and Bob Dylan. Rockin’ Dopsie and The Zydeco Twisters have brought their unique style of Zydeco rhythms across the country and all over the world.