Fest4Kidz - the great Jazz Fest ticket giveaway for young NOLA musicians!

I just returned from an evening with the Silence is Violence music clinic teachers, children and parents. Tonight was the night that the Threadheads, the greatest and most giving of New Orleans Jazz Fest fans, distributed t-shirts, spending money, and Jazz Fest tickets to all clinic participants. It really was a wonderful and moving experience. More exciting is the fact that a large group of the kids will be performing on the Gentilly Stage this Saturday at Jazz Fest! Wow. I got to hear a preview of what they will play and they sounded fantastic. I really couldn't listen without tears in my eyes. It's so powerful to see how far these children have come with effort, caring instructors, involved families, and this growing program. Visit silenceisviolence.org for more information about the program and how to support their efforts. If you're someone out there that is already involved, please know that you're making a big difference in the lives of these children and the community. Thank you.