Louisiana tourism targets Canada’s jazz fests

• By CYNTHIA V. CAMPBELL
• Travel editor
• Published: Jun 29, 2008 - UPDATED: 12:05 a.m.

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The ties between Louisiana and Canada continue to grow, and residents of both countries often plan trips to each other’s realms.
To encourage Canadian travelers, the Department of Culture, Recreation and Tourism, which is under the direction of Lt. Gov. Mitch Landrieu, is making a significant presence at two major events — the Montreal Jazz Festival and the Beaches International Jazz Festival in Toronto.

Landrieu said music brings together people from all walks of life. Because Louisiana is the birthplace of jazz, he said his office sees participating in the jazz festivals as an opportunity to showcase Louisiana’s cultural heritage to millions of potential visitors.

At the Montreal Jazz Fest, which runs through July 6, Louisiana will co-host a Mardi Gras themed July Fourth party with the U.S. Consul General for the media and travel agents and tour operators. The state also is sponsoring a Louisiana information booth, a Cajun and Creole food kiosk and a Louisiana parade from 5-6:30 p.m. daily on the festival grounds.

This year, the Montreal Jazz Fest is dedicated to the late Oscar Peterson. Among the many outstanding musicians appearing at the festival will be Louisiana musicians Sonny Landreth, the Dirty Dozen Brass Band and Tricia Boutté, who now lives in Norway and performs with the group Ytre Suloens.

In Toronto, members of Louisiana’s Office of Tourism marketing staff will operate a tourist information booth and host a backstage hospitality tent during major segments of the Beaches festival. Activities kick off with a media conference July 3. Other events will include concerts in Woodbine Park, July 18-20; StreetFest concerts and events July 24-26, concerts in Kew Gardens, July 26-27, and a fun run July 27. Among the headlining performers at Kew Gardens will be Grammy-nominated Louisiana blues artist and wetlands activist Tab Benoit.

For information on the Canadian festivals visit http://www.montrealjazzfest.com and http://www,beachesjazz.com. For planning a trip to Montreal, contact http://www.tourisme-montreal.org. For Toronto, visit http://www.torontotourism.com.

To share Louisiana tourism information with Canadian relatives or friends, have them visit http://www.louisianatravel.com or (800) 99-GUMBO.

Essence Festival
New Orleans is getting ready to welcome visitors for the 2008 Essence Festival Friday-Sunday, July 4-6. Held in the Louisiana Superdome, the premiere festival for African-American contemporary culture features some of the top performers of soul, rhythm and blues, pop and hip hop. Among the headliners will be Kanye West, Rihanna, LL Cool J, Chris Rock, the New Orleans Jazz Orchestra with Irvin Mayfield, the Preservation Hall Jazz Band’s Gospel Revival and ReBirth Brass Band.

Among the dignitaries opening special events will be Lt. Gov. Mitch Landrieu, Mayor C. Ray Nagin, Tyler Perry, Roland Martin and the Rev. Al Sharpton.

The festival, sponsored by Essence Magazine and Coca-Cola, features free empowerment seminars in the Ernest N. Morial Convention Center.  Guest speakers will include Bill Cosby and Dr. Alvin Poussaint, Soledad O’Brien, Perry and other cast members from House of Payne, pastors Paul and Debra Morton and Dr. Juanita Bynum.

Essence Marketplace in the Morial Center will feature everything from jewelry and clothing to sculpture and quilts. Nearly 80 artisans will participate. There also will be food, book fairs, author signings, celebrity meet and greets and the Essence Boutique. The center will be open 9:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. each day.

Ticket prices for performances in the Superdome are $56, $67, $72 and $83 and $110 for floor seats. To order, visit http://www.ticketmaster.com or call (800) 488-5252. The festival schedule and a list of available New Orleans hotels can be found on the Web site: http://www.essence.com.

Stars & Stripes Summer
The National World War II Museum in New Orleans will present its Stars and Stripes Summer program July 1-Aug. 31. Louisiana residents with a valid state I.D. will receive $4 off regular admission for adults and $2 off admission for people 65 and older and children. Museum members, active military in uniform and children younger than 5 receive free admission.