Charity does not have to be boring — and a stellar lineup of local musicians hopes to prove it at a tsunami relief concert Tuesday night.
The Concert of Caring begins at 7 p.m. at the House of Blues New Orleans.
The United Way for the Greater New Orleans Area, the Asian American Pacific Society and the House of Blues New Orleans will sponsor the concert, said Jim Sugarman, general manager of the House of Blues.
The United Way is considered the most legitimate tsunami relief charity, and the APAS is an important organization, Sugarman said.
“It made perfect sense to team up,” he said.
All concert proceeds will go to the United Way Tsunami Relief Fund, Sugarman said.
John Cleary, who will perform Tuesday night, said House of Blues approached local musicians about participating in the show.
The show includes Cleary, Irma Thomas, Charmaine Neville, Cowboy Mouth and Better than Ezra, said Jose Torres, representative of the House of Blues Foundation Room, a foundation promoting the artistic education of local kids.
Each band or performer has about a half-hour on stage, Torres said.
Many musicians do charity events, he said.
“It’s an opportunity to do some good and to raise some money to send off,” Cleary said.
Sugarman said the event should sell out quickly.
General admission tickets are $30, Sugarman said.
“It’s a great cause at a great price, which is pretty compelling,” he said.
If patrons want special treatment at the event, $125 will get them into the show’s second-story VIP section, Torres said.
The extra money also gets patrons into a pre-concert event at The Parish at the House of Blues, with live music by the Zion Harmonizers, free food and an open bar, Sugarman said.
House of Blues Foundation Room members also have VIP Access, Torres said.
The House of Blues hosts several similar charity events annually, Sugarman said. Most of the events support music in general, but others have supported the American Heart Association and the American Cancer Society, he said.