Big Easy Blowout

Normally, when a bunch of Crescent City all-stars such as Russell Batiste from the Funky Meters and Papa Mali and Big Chief Monk Boudreaux of the Wild Magnolias get together with the likes of Page McConnell from Phish and Reed Mathis from Jacob Fred Jazz Odyssey, you can expect one hell of a Mardi Gras celebration. But these guys haven't joined forces solely to get their party on; they're focused on helping fellow Louisiana musicians who are still struggling after Hurricane Katrina to get back on their feet. All proceeds from this pair of shows benefit the New Orleans Musicians Clinic, which works to provide musicians with health care, and the Tipitina's Foundation, whose mission is to restore and preserve the state's musical culture.