FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

MEDIA CONTACT: Brandi C. Kelley VOODOOFEST Producer 504.522.2111 www.voodoofest.com

17th ANNUAL FREE VOODOOFEST

HALLOWEEN, OCTOBER 31st!

New Orleans, LA — VOODOOFEST is our FREE annual festival, held EVERY Halloween, which celebrates the Voodoo religion's many important contributions to New Orleans' Culture & Heritage. VOODOOFEST’s primary goals are to honor the Ancestors, educate the public about this widely misunderstood religion & preserve and celebrate the unique Spiritual traditions of New Orleans. Admission to VOODOOFEST is FREE. Your donations help us to keep it free and are GREATLY appreciated! Don't forget to pick up your collectable VOODOOFEST 2015 Poster. This year's poster, by acclaimed local artist, Amzie Adams, promises to be a memorable addition to the collection. Every sale helps to support VOODOOFEST. Activities All Day: FREE Music, Lectures & Food, Book Signings, Practitioner-Made Potion Oils & Gris Gris Bags, Over 100 Varieties of Locally Handmade Voodoo Dolls & Crafts, Spiritual Work & Consultations, New Orleans, African & Haitian Art. When: Halloween - Saturday, October 31, 2015 1 PM – 7 PM (Closing Ancestral Reverence Ritual at 7 PM)

Where: Voodoo Authentica of New Orleans Cultural Center & Collection – 612 rue Dumaine in the French Quarter Who: Internationally Revered Haitian Vodou Priestesses, Mama Lola & Mambo Maggie Acclaimed Author, Performer & Tradition Bearer, Chief Priestess Luisah Teish Award Winning Local Musicians, Sunpie Barnes & Luther Gray of Bamboula 2000 New Orleans’ own Voodoo Priest, Doctor Glover Published Author & Marie Laveaux Researcher, Dr. Ina Fandrich Louisiana Voodoo Queen, Kalindah Laveaux New Orleans Voodoo Priest & Published Author, Belfazaar Ashantison Voodoo Authentica Ritual Troupe

## VOODOOFEST 2015 EVENTS SCHEDULE: 1 PM: OPENING CEREMONY with Haitian Vodou Priestesses, Mama Lola & Mambo Maggie, Chief Priestess Luisah Teish and New Orleans' own Voodoo Priest, Doctor Glover. 1:30 PM: New Orleans Voodoo Priest, Doctor Glover, will speak about and demonstrate the practical use of dolls, potions, gris gris bags, powders & candles as tools of ritual magick. 2:30 PM: Acclaimed author, academic & Vodou Practitioner, Dr. Ina Fandrich, speaks about the life & times of our Great Ancestor, Mam'zelle Marie Laveaux - from Her colorful history, to Mam'zelle's modern day place as an active "New Orleans Lwa." Dr. Fandrich will sign copies of her published text, "The Mysterious Voodoo Queen, Marie Laveaux." 3:30 PM: New Orleans Voodoo Priest, Belfazaar Ashantison, published author of, "Beneath the Sheltering Oak," speaks about his close relationship to the Ancestors & how They assist him in his work as a Spiritual Consultant & Root Worker. 4 PM: Voodoo Queen Kalindah Laveaux discusses the history, practice, and family traditions of Voodoo in Louisiana, and the specific cultural and environmental influences that make Louisiana/ New Orleans Voodoo a unique expression of one of the world's oldest spiritual traditions. 4:30 PM: Chief Priestess Luisah Teish, acclaimed author of, "Jambalaya," "Carnival of the Spirit," "Jump Up" and other cherished works, presents: A Festival of the Bones: Proverbs, songs, and stories in celebration of the Ancestors. Teish will share a buffet of stories about bone rattlers & illustrious Ancestors such as Agbakankan, Moremi, and Obakoso. Participants will learn songs for Eshu, the Trickster, Oya, the Boss Lady of the Cemetery & other Elders of the Night. 5:30 PM: Internationally renowned local musician & historian, Sunpie, discusses the African roots of our locally beloved music and dance, while performing some of his most popular songs. 6:15 PM: Bring your drums (and your clapping hands) for African Drumming 101! Award winning percussionist, Luther Gray, of Bamboula 2000, discusses the African roots of our locally beloved rhythms. Everyone is asked to participate & learn a few basic beats.

7 PM: CLOSING ANCESTRAL HEALING RITUAL with Haitian Vodou Priestesses, Mama Lola & Mambo Maggie, Chief Priestess Luisah Teish, New Orleans own Voodoo Priest, Doctor Glover, Internationally acclaimed musicians, Sunpie & Luther Gray, the Voodoo Authentica Ritual Troupe and YOU!