Released on = October 4, 2006, 7:33 pm

Press Release Author = Karen Beninato - New Orleans Musicians Relief Fund (504)
352-8878

Industry = Non Profit

Press Release Summary = Liverpool musician walks to New Orleans to raise awareness
for the New Orleans Musicians Relief Fund, Inc. The Gala party Oct. 12 will include
the Voodo Vixens, brass band second line, Rodrigue art auction and Mr. Bill
merchandise to benefit New Orleans musicians.

Press Release Body = For Immediate Release
Contact: karen@nomrf.org
Office: (504) 352-8878

Joe Topping is a Liverpool musician who is walking from Chicago to New Orleans to
raise awareness for the New Orleans Musicians Relief Fund, Inc. He\'s already at Oak
Alley in Louisiana, so keep an eye out for his giant green guitar case. Joe has
crisscrossed the country spreading the word that New Orleans' music and culture is
an international treasure that must be supported for future generations. He is a
resident of the United Kingdom and was moved by the plight of New Orleans musicians
after hurricane Katrina. You can read more about Joe at www.joetopping.co.uk

Joe will arrive Oct 12 and NOmrf welcomes all to come help celebrate! There will be
a short second line procession along the river meeting behind Jax Brewery at 5pm.
The welcome reception party will be held at the Wyndham Canal Place at 6pm. The New
Wave Brass Band will play instruments donated by NOmrf in the spring when they
played Barry Cowsill\'s memorial. Joe is wanting to spread the word about the good
work being done by NOMRF and has undertaken an amazing task to do so!

You can donate to NOmrf on behalf of Joe Topping\'s walk at www.NOMRF.org. The
501c(3) certified charity, has sent hundreds of grants to displaced New Orleans
musicians wherever they are right now. Native New Orleans musician Jeff Beninato and
his wife Karen founded the Fund 2 days after the levees breached. They have made
donations go further by paying no office rent and keeping two salaries very low.
They also have no government or corporate ties and only one mission - helping New
Orleans musicians get by.

A silent auction will be held during the free reception with 100% of the proceeds
going to New Orleans Musician's Relief Fund. "TheVoodoo Vixens" will host the
auction tables and take bids on the items available.

The featured artist for the auction is Dennis Procopio, who has completed apiece
titled "Fear of Zippers" specifically for this event. Dennis was moved by the
efforts of The Voodoo Vixens to raise funds for NOMRF at one of their events and
went to work right away on the piece in his Poydras Street studio. You can see more
of his work at www.PlywoodLeviathans.com.

Joannie Hughes-Lewis, co-chair of the welcome reception remarks "He is a brilliant
artist with an amazing vision. His works are both primitive in nature and highly
intellectual at the same time - I am very honored to present this piece at the
auction." Also to be offered is an Original Silkscreen by George Rodrigue of Blue
Dog fame "You can't drown the blues" a signed and numbered edition of 500. Chris
Dwyer has also presented a beautiful original painting for auction. Mr. Bill
creator Walter Williams is donating merchandise as well.

Co-chairing the event is 10 year old Jacob Lewis, a brand new musician and 5th grade
student who has contributed to the project with the auction and second-line
procession planning as well as tracking the route of Joe Topping along the way.
(Jacob is collecting $11 donations on NOMRF.org from friends for his 11th birthday
in lieu of gifts.)

Individuals and families are encouraged to join the second-line procession and
attend the reception. If you would like to donate an item to the auction or would
like more information, please email Jeff Beninato at Jeff@NOMRF.org or
http://myspace.com/nomrf.

# # # #

Web Site = http://nomrf.org

Contact Details = New Orleans Musicians Relief Fund, Inc.
102 W. Washington St., Apt. 2
Bloomington, IL 61701

Karen Beninato (504) 352-8878