ABOUT OUR GRAND EVENT

Magical, Mystical Family Gras,

January 25-27, 2008

Metairie Stage

January 26-27, 2008

Gretna Stage

FAMILY GRAS 2008

Despite some early bad weather, Family Gras 2008 was a huge success!  The rain did not stop the musical acts from their amazing performances, the food vendors from serving delicious food or the crowds from loving every minute of this celebration of family, food, music and fun. 

To top off Family Gras 2008, the last day was filled with sunshine and beautiful weather and with heavy media attention and word of mouth, we welcomed the biggest crowd in Family Gras history.  

As another first, the Jefferson Convention and Visitors Bureau unveiled the first ever, official, Family Gras T-shirt.  If you would like to purchase what is sure to be first in a line of memorable Family Gras merchandise then please visit www.pelicanusa.com to get your piece of Family Gras history.

The Jefferson Convention and Visitors Bureau would like to extend their sincerest thanks the following sponsors and contributors who made this festival possible:

   Louisiana Department of

Culture, Recreation & Tourism

                                 SDT, LLC                                

Omni Bank

West Jefferson Medical Center

New Orleans Hornets Basketball

Jefferson Parish Sheriff's Office

The Jefferson Convention & Visitors Bureau

    JEDCO     

Miller Brewing Company       Atmos Energy             Entergy

Louis Armstrong New Orleans International Airport

Jefferson Chamber of Commerce             Treasure Chest Casino   

East Jefferson General Hospital                 Hotard Coaches, Inc. 

Special thanks to:

Jefferson Parish employees

The Journal

Milling Benson Woodward, L.L.P.

Citadel Broadcasting Company

New Orleans Marriott Metairie at Lakeway

Sleep Inn & Suites

Ramada Limited Causeway

Sheraton Metairie - New Orleans

The Louisiana Coca Cola Bottling Company

Krispy Kreme

Cafe Latte

Andrea's Retaurant and Catering

Tony Mandia's Restaurant

Semolina

Zea Rotisserie Grill

Serrano's Salsa Company

See you next year!!!

Costuming

    The 2008 Lineup: Metairie Stage & Gretna Stage

  Locations & Times: Metairie Stage & Gretna Stage

           Family Gras: Hotel Packages & Special Offers

Artists Bios

BE A PART OF THE FESTIVITIES

Each night of Family Gras is unique with it's own theme and flavor.  These theme nights all include participation from you!  So, come in your best costume, experience each night and pick your favorite.

January 25 - Fright Nite Friday

The only other night of the year, besides Halloween, you can be a ghoul, princess, superhero, or whatever else you can imagine.  Come out and wear your favorite costume and have a frighteningly good time at Family Gras!

January 26 - Sports sAturDAY

Show your support for your favorite sports team and be a true sports fan with jerseys, shirts, hats and team colors.  So, suit up, get ready and have some fun with team spirit and Family Gras! GO!GO!GO!

January 27 - Carnival Sunday

Come pass a good time by wearing the colors of Mardi Gras; purple, green and gold.  Be your own king or queen of carnival with creative designs and outfits and don't forget....Throw me something mister!!

METAIRIE STAGE LINEUP:

January 25 - Fright Nite Friday

January 26 - Sports sAturDAY

January 27 - Carnival Sunday   

GRETNA STAGE LINEUP:

January 26 -Sports sAturDAY

January 27 - Carnival Sunday

Scroll down for artist information

FAMILY GRAS LOCATION & TIMES

Metairie Stage:

THE LOCATION:

Once again Family Gras will take place on the neutral ground of Veterans Memorial Boulevard across from Lakeside Shopping center.

THE TIMES:

January 25, 2008

         Fright Nite Friday: 5:30pm - 7:45pm

January 26, 2008

  Sports Saturday : 11:00am - 7:15pm

January 27, 2008

          Carnival Sunday : 11:00am - 6:15pm

Gretna Stage:

THE LOCATION:

The Gretna Stage will be located near the corner of the Westbank Expressway and Franklin Avenue on the Riverside of the Westabnk Expressway.  This area is between the intersection of Franklin Avenue and Stumpf Boulevard. 

THE TIMES:

January 26, 2008

Sports Saturday : 11:00am - 3:00pm

January 27, 2008

     Carnival Sunday : 11:00am - 3:00pm

FAMILY GRAS HOTEL PACKAGES

New Orleans Marriott Metairie at Lakeway

Valid through January 24 - 27, 2008

Based on availability

Stay at Metairie's Newest and Most Luxurious Hotel!

(And only 1/2 mile from the major parades!)

Family Gras Fun Package

Includes:

*  Deluxe king or double room

*  Full American buffet breakfast

*  Complimentary in-room movie (viewed on your 32” flat screen

    HDTV!)

*  Complimentary use of our indoor pool

*  Scheduled shuttle to parade route

*  Carnival beads and throws in your own bead bag**

*Additional person $10.00; maximum four persons per room

** One Bead Bag and One Camera per room

Package cost: $ 139.00 for single or double occupancy

For Your Family Gras Fun Package, call 1-800-288-9290 or go to www.marriott.com/msymm

Sleep Inn & Suites

Valid through January 25 - 27, 2008

Family Gras Package

Includes:

* Deluxe Room with microwave/refrigerator

* 27" TV with cable, HBO & Pay Per View access

* Deluxe complimentary continental breakfast

* On site fitness facilities

* Wireless high-speed internet access

* Lobby business center

Package cost $199.00 for two nights.  A total savings of $79.00!

Package rate is for 4 guest.  Additional guests is $10.00

For reservations call (504) 887-5337, ask for Kimberlee Stone or Jennifer Pumilia

Ramada Limited Metairie

Valid through January 27, 2008

Family Gras Package

Includes:

* Special Rate of $109.00 for Single/Double Occupancy in Exterior            

   Corridor - 2 Double or Queen beds or $125.00 for Single/Double

   occupancy in Interior Corridor - 2 Queens

* Complimentary Deluxe Breakfast

* Free Parking

* Complimentary Wireless Internet

* Shuttle Service (as available)

For reservations call (800) 535-7891 or go to www.ramadametairie.com

Hampton Inn Metairie

Valid through January 27, 2008

Family Gras Package

Includes:

* Special Rate of $139.00 per night

* 1 free in-room movie

* 1 free bag of popcorn

For reservations call (504) 831-7676 or go to www.hamptoninn.com

Hilton New Orleans Airport

Valid January 25 - February 5, 2008

Mardi Gras Package

Includes:

* Newly renovated guest room

* Complimentary Breakfast Buffet

* Complimentary Fitness Center

* New Orleans welcome amenity

Package starts at $134.00 for single; add additional guests at $20.00 each.

When making reservations ask for package "P9".  For reservations call (504) 469-5000 or 1-800-Hiltons.  You can also visit www.neworleansairport.hilton.com or www.hilton.com

Quality Hotel and Conference Center

Valid January 25 & 26, 2008 and February 1 & 2, 2008

Family Gras Carnival Package

Includes:

* Full hot American breakfast buffet

* Shuttle schedule for parade routes, and parade goodie bag (reusable 

   bead bag, Mardi Gras beads, cups, jester hat, bottle of water and

   entertainment/parade maps) One bag per room.

Package cost $229.00 for Friday & Saturday night (single/double occupancy).  Room rate subject to taxes.  $10.00 extra person charge.

For reservations call (504) 833-8211 or go to www.choicehotels.com

Best Western Landmark Hotel

Valid through January 24 - 27, 2008

Based on availability

Krewe of Family Gras :

Includes:

* Deluxe King accommodations

* A breakfast buffet located one block from the main stage of Family Gras

   and the parade route.

* Complimentary parking

* Special $89.00 rate per night including breakfast for 2 - (2) night

   minimum required.

For reservations call (800) 277-7575 ext. 1126 (code: Krewe of Family Gras)

FAMILY GRAS SPECIAL OFFERS

BLACK CAT PRODUCTIONS, LLC PRESENTS:  

A MARDI GRAS EXTRAVAGANZA  

January 27, 2008  7:00 p.m. - 11:00 p.m.  

The Four Columns

3711 Westbank Expressway Harvey, LA 70058  

Contact Clark J. Knighten at 504-481-9014 for more information.    Tickets $40 each  

Family Gras special - Buy one ticket at regular price and receive the second ticket 1/2 price.  

Click here and here for more details

ARTISTS BIOS

The Bangles

Rock historians view the Bangles as one of the greatest all-female bands ever, lauding the L.A.-based quartet for its inventive incorporation of '60s folk rock, sunny SoCal harmonies and Beatles/Byrds/Beach Boys/Big Star godhead into a sound all its own - beguiling, frequently bittersweet, but always life-affirming; a canny merger of art and commerce. Theirs was a rags-to-riches story, from the band's beginnings in L.A.'s Paisley Underground scene through their reign as the smart-pop princesses of the 1980s - a problematic decade that was far richer for the Bangles' presence in its unfolding.

Blake Shelton

Just out of high school, Warner Bros. recording artist Blake Shelton left Oklahoma to move to Nashville. Back home at only 16 years old, Shelton had received statewide attention when he won the Denbo Diamond Award, the top award for young Oklahoma entertainers.

Shelton turned his songwriting into a successful recording in 2001 with his debut single, "Austin."; The song eventually spent five weeks at number one.

For a guy who doesn't care much about the idea of “stardom,” Blake Shelton has made quite a name for himself during the past couple of years. Awards from Billboard, Country Weekly and Music Row magazines, a No. 1 smash single, a chart-topping video and a Gold record.

Herman's Hermits starring Peter Noone

The Mid-60's music scene was dominated by British Acts; three of which became household names - The Beatles - The Rolling Stones and Herman's Hermits, who are one of the most successful groups throughout the world.  From their beginning in Manchester, England, on April 1st 1964, the band has chalked up over 23 hit singles, 10 hit albums, 3 major movies and countless television shows and concert tours all over the world - up to date they have total record sales of over 75 million.

Taylor Swift

Taylor Swift has been singing all her life, motivated by her grandmother, who was a professional opera singer. She began performing locally around her town and county at the age of ten, and at age 11 sang the national anthem before a Philadelphia 76ers game. By the time she was 12, she had picked up the guitar and began practicing four hours each day, until her fingers started to bleed. Now with a certified double platinum album, Taylor Swift, a CMA Horizon award and a 2007 Grammy nomination for Best New Artist, Taylor Swift, at 17, has accomplished what has taken others decades to achieve.

Kansas

Few artists sustain a 30+ year career in the music business. Kansas is a welcome exception. This American rock institution blazed out of the heartland -- its namesake's capital of Topeka to be exact -- and created a distinctive, one-of-a-kind style by weaving progressive rock and hard rock with often philosophical and spiritual lyrics.  In -76 Leftoverture was released with the mighty hit song "Carry On Wayward Son", and with the follow up Point Of Know Return they brought another mega hit, "Dust in The Wind".

Elliot Yamin

In 2006, Yamin quit his job at a pharmacy to audition for American Idol in Boston, MA. Singing Leon Russell's "A Song for You" -- made famous by Yamin's personal idol, soul singer Donny Hathaway -- Yamin made it through the first round of auditions and moved on to the second and all-important Hollywood round. A likable performer with a knack for romantic soul ballads and a laid-back stage presence, Yamin was a fan favorite from the start and ultimately made it to the final-three round along with eventual runner-up Katharine McPhee and eventual winner Taylor Hicks. In December of 2006, Yamin announced he had signed a publishing deal with Sony, and he released a cover of Donny Hathaway's "This Christmas" on iTunes. In 2007, Yamin released his self-titled solo album.

Bill Ray Cyrus

In 1990, Cyrus received a recording contract from Mercury Records, under which he released his all-time hit, “Achy Breaky Heart.” His first album holds the record for most time spent at #1 on the Billboard Top 200 album chart. It was at the top for 17 straight weeks.

Although best known for his single “Achy Breaky Heart,” Billy Ray is not simply a one-hit wonder. He has three #1 singles, six singles that reached the top ten, and currently stars in a successful television series on Disney’s Hannah Montana, where he acts alongside his daughter, Miley.

Recently, Cyrus' newest album, Wanna be your Joe,received gold status, proving Billy Ray Cyrus' staying power and his rise back to the tops of the Billboard Charts.

The Imagination Movers

The Movers – Rich, Scott, Dave and Smitty -- began in New Orleans in 2003 and now are fast-rising stars on the national kids music scene thanks to their combination of radio-friendly songs, kid-friendly themes and dynamic live shows. In concert, the Movers teach high-energy dances, play games with the audience and make music on their one-of-a-kind trash can drum set. Kids and parents help perform new kids classics like “Shakable You,” “The Medicine Song,” “What’s in the Fridge?” and “I Want My Mommy (Time for Bed).”

Cowboy Mouth

For more than 15 years, the members of Cowboy Mouth have embraced, embodied, preached and shouted at the top of their lungs the joys of their hometown, sharing a slice of Mardi Gras heaven with fans around the world on 11 recordings and at their legendary live shows, which to date have been witnessed by more than 8 million and captured best by Cake magazine when it noted: "...on a bad night they’ll tear the roof off the joint and on a good night they’ll save your soul."

The Dixie Cups

Irma Thomas

The unrivaled Soul Queen of New Orleans -- a title officially bestowed by local officials, no less -- Irma Thomas ranks among Crescent City R&B's greatest and most enduring musical ambassadors, never enjoying the coast-to-coast commercial success of contemporaries like Aretha Franklin and Etta James but nevertheless breathing the same rarified air in the minds of many soul music aficionados.

Frankie Ford

Frankie Ford sang his way to rock n' roll immortality in 1959 with the mega hit "SEA CRUISE". That song has become one of the greatest rock n' roll classics of all time. The tag line, "OOH-WEE, OOH-WEE, BABY" is one of the most recognizable lines in all of popular music.

He is known all over the world as the "New Orleans Dynamo" and spends about 200 days a year on the road. The legendary rock n' roll pianist and performer continues to entertain the masses all over the world in concerts, night clubs, casinos and festivals.

Amanda Shaw

Amanda Shaw is making a name for herself and Louisiana music across the globe. Amanda has brought her crossover Cajun/Zydeco/New Orleans sound to national and international audiences via appearances on the Rosie O'Donnell Show, Zoom, and Louisiana Jukebox. In addition she appeared in the Bravo Channel's highly acclaimed documentary Dancing to New Orleans, and AMC's Destination Louisiana. Lastly, she was featured in Univision's Sabado Gigante, which is the worldwide number one Spanish language show. These appearances have given Amanda the career boost and media attention she needed to mold her into the star that she is.

Bobby Cure & The Summertime Blues

Bobby Cure & the Summertime Blues have been entertaining audiences of all ages for over 30 years. "La Creme de la Creme" of dance bands, Bobby Cure & the Summertime Blues consists of New Orleans finest musicians. Their professionalism, dependability, experience, and versatility has earned them the title of "New Orleans' Premier Dance Band". The ages of the seven band members range from 22 to 52 years old. This means the band has the experience of age and the enthusiasm and excitement of youth.

The Abita Blues Band

The Abita Blues Band can be found playing there special brand of blues on the Northshore on almost every weekend.  The venues that they have visited include a live broadcast on WWOZ and RADIO HOLSTEBRO in Denmark, Tab Benoit’s Music Cafe, Ruby’s Roadhouse, Tap Room, Rosie’s Tavern in Abita Springs, Ya Ya Blues bar, Mules Pub, The Green Room, as well as various private parties and weddings.  They also play at the Columbia Street Art Walk, in the spring and fall, for some art galleries.

Kayla Woodson and LA Lightning

At age 12, Kayla is performing with her band "Louisiana Lightning" and loving every minute of it.  They have performed at many prestigious events including the New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival, Ponchatoula Strawberry Festival, Washington Parish Fair, Destrehan Plantation Festival, & the Mandeville Seafood Festival.  She is a member of the USA Opry Network performing at the Lakeside Opry and traveling to Texas performing on Texas Opry shows as well.  She recorded her second cd show casing her ability to sing in country, pop, gospel and even a tune in spanish.