Wash's in Pleasantville will hold Gulf disaster benefit concert simultaneously with the famed Tipitina's in New Orleans on Wednesday, April 20.
Dr. John is holding a benefit concert in New Orleans on the one-year anniversary of the deaths of 11 men in relation to the BP Gulf Coast oil disaster. Wash's in Pleasantville will hold its own concert simultaneously.
IMPORTANT UPDATE: Dr. John's Truth Serum — a commentary about the oil-spill disaster from legendary New Orleans musician Dr. John — appears at the end of this story.
PLEASANTVILLE — It has nearly been 360 days since the horrific Gulf Coast oil disaster killed 11 men, while BP's Deepwater Horizon oil rig spill caused unprecedented wildlife and environmental damage, left thousands of lives changed forever and fractured further the lives of many in the Gulf of Mexico region still trying to pick up the pieces from their lives after Hurricane Katrina's wrath.
In honor of those lives lost and those changed forever, the legendary New Orleans musician Dr. John (Mac Rebennack) will be holding a special benefit concert for oil disaster victims at the famed Tipitina's venue in New Orleans on Wednesday, April 20, called "The Solution to Pollution: You & Me, Mac Rebennack."
Also that night, which is the actual date the 11 men were killed in relation to the oil disaster, the Atlantic City region will hold its own benefit concert at Wash's in Pleasantville.
The Pleasantville relief concert will run from 5:30-10:30pm at Wash's on New Road (Route 9), and will include live music by Eddie Morgan's Rek'd 4 Jazz band — with special guests such as local saxophonist Hasaan Abdullah, as well as others who come out to jam. There will also be door prizes, a raffle and food. A $10 admission fee gets you in at Wash's, but people are encouraged to make further donations to the cause. Food will also be served.
"We are blessed that this concert will run simultaneously with the Dr. John benefit concert in New Orleans," says Atlantic City resident, author, jazz lover, goodwill ambassador and a close friend with Dr. John, Sandy Warren.
Warren's latest book, on her life with the late drummer and band leader Art Blakey, includes a forward by Dr. John.
"We can't let the world forget that this enormous tragedy is still affecting the lives of so many people," adds Warren, who is assisting with getting the word out about the Wednesday night concert.
Local jazz artists are encouraged to come out and jam with the rest of the musicians.
A SPECIAL MESSAGE FROM DR. JOHN:
DAY 360 OF THE GULF OIL TRAGEDY:
DR. JOHN’S TRUTH SERUM
Let’s git two things straight up front. Number one: Don’t be callin’ this upcomin’ day the one year anniversary of a spill. An anniversary’s a happy time you celebrate with somebody you love. Number two: This wasn’t no little spill. A spill is some thin’ you do on the carpet and wipe it up clean. This is a catastrophe that can’t ever be wiped clean - a preventable catastrophic tragedy.
Here’s just some o’ the facts that oughta piss you off in the head whoever you are wherever you are. Pass ‘em on to everybody including your lawmakers.
* The blowout preventer manufactured by Cameron International and maintained by Transocean Ltd. that should have stopped the BP oil calamity failed due to faulty design and a bent piece of pipe. Eleven workers died and way over 200 million gallons of oil went into the Gulf.
* There still are people and businesses who’ve suffered irreparable damages and haven’t received a damn dime in compensation from the BP oil fund. Any of the $20 billion not dispersed goes back to BP.
* Don’t let Halliburton off the hook either. They made their share of vile decisions that increased risks of a blowout but saved the fuckin’ time and money.
* With no government and industry reforms, this colossal crime fueled by greed could happen again.
That’s the truth from me, Dr. John. Speak it as if the life of this ol’ earth depended on it ‘cause it does.
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It took a call from a dear friend from Atlantic City to be the first to let Dr. John know about the good news, which was just announced this morning.
"Dr John's forward is worth the price of the book alone," says Warren. "When he tells you how he met Art, that is worth the price of the book. It's too funny to be fiction; it's got to be real life."
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1. COLLEEN BEY said... on Apr 18, 2011 at 10:28AM
“THIS IS SUCH A TEASER IF YOU DON'T READ THE WHOLE ARTICLE. I AM A NEW ORLEANS LOVER & REALLY THOUGHT THE DOC WAS COMING TO WASH'S. DON'T GET ME WRONG THIS IS A GREAT CAUSE, BUT ATLANTIC CITY REALLY NEEDS TO START HAVING THESE GREAT MUSICIANS FROM NEW ORLEANS TO COME UP HERE & JAM FOR US LOCALS WHO CAN'T GET DOWN TO NEW ORLEANS!”
2. HawLin32 said... on Apr 18, 2011 at 10:42AM
“um, that's why you are meant to read the article and not just look at the pictures there Colleen!”
3. COLLEEN BEY said... on Apr 18, 2011 at 10:57AM
“LOL, YEAH I KNOW, I JUST GOT A LITTLE TO EXCITED I GUESS. I SAW DR. JOHN 2 YEARS AGO AT THE HOB WITH NEVILLE BROTHERS. IT WAS A GREAT SHOW.”
4. turiya said... on Apr 18, 2011 at 11:33AM
“thanks, jeff, for additional info. spoke to sandy the other day and couldn't believe my mom forgot to tell me about this. then, sandy and i were getting caught up on so much that she didn't finish giving me the details either! oh, wash's is on NEW ROAD, but most people in the area know the location:-)”
5. Henrietta said... on Apr 19, 2011 at 02:57PM
“Great Idea - we all must support our wonderful local jazz entertainers and it also give us the opportunity to donate to the Gulf Coast Relief Fund - I will come late but will be there.”