New Orleans 1st Logo

“DARK STREETS” BRIGHTENS THE FUTURE OF BLUES INITIATIVE AND N.O. FILM SOCIETY

Section: Community

“DARK STREETS” BRIGHTENS THE FUTURE OF BLUES INITIATIVE AND N.O. FILM SOCIETY

A New Orleans Film Festival Closing Night Celebration

WHAT: A concert and live music presentation featuring Dr. John & The Lower 911, Chris Thomas King and performers and songwriters of the feature film DARK STREETS - the Closing Night film of the New Orleans Film Festival on October 16th - : Toledo, Bijou Phillips, James Compton, Tim Brown and Tony DeMeur. The Blues Initiative, a non-profit organization that provides assistance to local musicians, will receive a generous amount of all profits from this benefit concert, as well as substantial profits from the upcoming DARK STREETS theatrical release.

The New Orleans Film Society will also be a beneficiary of the DARK STREETS concert.

“New Orleans musicians have given so much of themselves to the people of the world, and have asked for nothing in return. It is my honor to be a part of this project that will give hope and life back to those that have lost so much,” states Dr. John, homegrown musical legend who performs a song on the DARK STREETS soundtrack.

Featured in the concert: Dr. John & The Lower 911; Toledo “the coolest cat in Hollywood”; lead actress and singer Bijou Phillips (daughter of John Phillips of the Mamas and the Papas). Executive music producer and composer extraordinaire George Acogny (BLOOD DIAMOND) will attend the benefit concert to take place at the House of Blues on the closing night of the annual New Orleans Film Festival.

DARK STREETS is a unique, music-driven feast for the eyes and ears and will be released in theatres by Samuel Goldwyn Films this fall. The ‘30’s-era blues musical features the first-ever score from BB King, as well as original songs written by James Compton, Tim Brown and Tony Demeur, performed by Solomon Burke, Aaron Neville, Etta James, Natalie Cole, Dr. John, Richie Sambora, Marc Broussard and Chaka Khan. This film is dedicated to the blues musicians of New Orleans affected by Hurricane Katrina, and more recent storms.

WHEN: Thursday, October 16th, 2008

Doors open at 9:30pm immediately following the Closing Night screening of DARK STREETS

Concert begins at 10:30pm

WHERE: House of Blues - 225 Decatur Street, New Orleans, Louisiana

WHO: The Blues Initiative is a non-profit organization with the singular focus of providing relief to blues musicians displaced by Hurricanes Katrina, Rita and Gustav. The Blues Initiative is embraced by the Louisiana Cultural Economy Foundation, whose main goal is to forge public/private partnerships that provide critical relief and recovery funds for artists and cultural organizations.

New Orleans Film Society (NOFS) was founded in 1989 to engage, educate and inspire through the art of film. It has grown into a major showcase of local, regional, national and international films. In addition to the annual Film Festival each fall, NOFS hosts special events throughout the year.

HOW: Media Interviews available with actors and musicians:

Dr. John (performs an original song from DARK STREETS “No Nevermind” written by Tim Brown)
Bijou Phillips (performs 2 original songs from DARK STREETS “When Twilight Calls” written by

James Compton and “Let’s Be Nice Some More” written by Bijou Phillips and Harper Simon)
George Acogny (Executive Music Producer & Composer)
Chris Thomas King (Grammy Award winning New Orleans musician)
James Compton, Tim Brown and Tony DeMeur (songwriters & composers for DARK STREETS)

Toledo (performs 2 original songs from DARK STREETS “I Used To Be Lucky” written by James Compton and “Talking To The Devil” written by Tim Brown and Marybeth Derry)

Tickets available for $30 at hob.com, ticketmaster.com and neworleansfilmfest.com.

More Articles