To commemorate the upcoming anniversary of Hurricane Katrina on Aug. 29, New Orleans Mayor C. Ray Nagin and trumpeter Wynton Marsalis (pictured), a United Nations Messenger of Peace, have joined forces to create the First Katrina Anniversary Event. The anniversary will consist of three days of events and a concert featuring Stevie Wonder, Yolanda Adams, Earth, Wind and Fire and others.
Organized by Marsalis, the event is meant to create “One New Orleans,” and as Nagin explained in a press release, “build a stronger and more beautiful New Orleans for today and tomorrow.” Individuals can choose how they want to support the cause, either by buying tickets to the planned events or by donating separately.
The events planned for the anniversary center on the musical and culinary culture of New Orleans, through programs by Marsalis and Food Network personality Emeril Legasse. For $5,000, the highest donation or “Diamond Fleur de lis” level, one will receive a Celebrate Jazz Trio Passport and can attend the Culinary Challenge on Aug. 27, the Emeril Legasse Cooking with Music program on Aug. 28 and the taping of the concert “New Orleans: Rebuilding the Soul of America…One Year Later.”
Other packages are also available for $2,500 (the “Platinum Fleur de lis” level), $250 (“Harrah’s Purple Circle” level), $100 (“Gold Circle” level), $75 (“Hero” level) or $50 (“Helper” level). Tickets $100 and under are available through Ticketmaster.
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