NEW ORLEANS, LA: Voodoo Musical Experience emerges this year as a 3-day musical journey featuring 3 stages, more then 80 artists and a massive 90 hours of music.

With Voodoo’s inaugural evening coinciding with “All Hallow’s Eve,” this former one day event will entice thousands visiting from all over the country to join the many musical ghosts and goblins in New Orleans City Park Friday, October 31 through Sunday, November 2.

“Last year’s event deemed us as a Halloweentradition, this year’s event will solidify us as a 3-day world class music experience not to miss,” comments Steve Rehage, President Rehage Entertainment, Inc. “Our weekend line-up showcases some of the best talent in today’s industry and allows us to pepper the weekend with some of music’s rising stars.”

"New Orleans is known as a leading festival and cultural tourism destination because we cater to the senses with our great music, food and just plain fun,” added C. Ray Nagin, Mayor of New Orleans. "We are thrilled that premier events like Jazz Fest in the spring, the Essence Festival in the summer and the newly expanded Voodoo in the fall help to enhance the internationally recognized New Orleans brand and attract new visitors to our city year after year."

Launched in 1999, Voodoo has captivated more than 250 thousand attendees and cast its spell on music worshipers across the country in just five short years. Veteran performers such as Eminem, Tool, Snoop Dogg, Stone Temple Pilots, Missy Elliot, Black Crowes, No Doubt, 311, Garbage, Ben Harper, John Mayer, Counting Crows and Macy Gray have all been spell bound by Voodoo and its magical breadth. These are just a few of the artists that have become part of the historic backbone defining ever-popular event. The 2003 Voodoo talent line-up demonstrates the festivals commitment to musical diversity and variety. To view the 2003 lineup, go to the Official Voodoo website: www.voodoomusicfest.com

Three (3) day passes for Voodoo (which will only be available in advance and not during the festival weekend) will go on sale Friday, August 22, for $80 and can be purchased online at www.voodoomusicfest.com, or by phone at 1-800-594-8499. One day passes will be available during the festival.

VOODOO TODAY IN THE DEEP SOUTH

Doc Lawrence

The remarkable ceremonies known as voodoo are deeply ingrained in Southern culture in more ways than commonly believed. Real Voodoo dolls can be purchased at Barrister's Gallery in New Orleans, a city where Voodoo is almost mainstream. It's not unusual to view a Voodoo event in progress in The Big Easy.

The fun, though, is in the rural South. Demopolis, Alabama folk artist Jessie Lavon paints scenes of Voodoo practitioners who perform their rituals today much like the pure African form.

Scottdale, Georgia was home to Tobie Grant, a delightful "Magic Woman", as she was called by her admirers, including local police who hired her for crime investigation.

 

And a recent Associated Press story in the Atlanta JournalConstitution reports that the mother of an accused murderer was seen "breaking eggs, spreading voodoo powder and chicken feathers" in a courthouse restroom in Sandersville, Georgia, perhaps in an effort to effect the outcome of her son's trial. Voodoo lives!

Yes, the Voodoo subject is fascinating and you'll marvel at the revelations and original photographs in Doc's original feature.

While browsing Doc's News, don't miss the page on Barrister's Gallery in New Orleans with its fine collection of folk art, as well as African and voodoo artefacts.

 

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