Foundation News

Musicians' Co-Op Now Open in Baton Rouge

A new resource center for Baton Rouge's creative community opened this week, offering technology access, training, tech support, production assistance and other services. Tipitina's Music Office Co-Op, located at 2600 Government Street in the Mid-City neighborhood, is part of a statewide network of Music Co-Ops operated by the non-profit Tipitina's Foundation.

An economic development and job skills training program, Tipitina's Music Office Co-Op was first established in 2003 in New Orleans and also operates in Shreveport and Alexandria. The project is funded in part by the State of Louisiana, through the Department of Culture, Recreation, and Tourism. The Baton Rouge Co-Op is co-sponsored by the Penfield Foundation and the Baton Rouge Area Foundation.

A 2007 economic impact study shows Co-Op members reporting substantial year-to-year increases in their music or media income, which are directly attributed to participation in the Co-Op. Reported income gains range from 30% pre-Katrina to around 9% post-Katrina.

"Tipitina's Music Office Co-Op has a simple, persuasive offer," says Todd Souvignier, Co-Op coordinator for Tipitina's Foundation. "If you could give yourself a raise, and do so by having better tools, some help with the tools, a pleasant and fully-equipped place to work, plus interaction with others who are engaged in the same pursuits, would you give it a shot? More than twelve hundred Louisiana cultural workers have already said 'yes' to that proposition, and make use of the Co-Op."

Co-Op members have access to Windows PCs with Microsoft Office and Adobe Creative Suite, Macintosh computers with Pro Tools, Final Cut Pro, Garageband and Reason, high-speed Internet, plus phones, fax, scanners, printers, and other office equipment. In addition the Co-Op provides an array of educational and training resources, access to pro bono legal services, and referrals to a host of other services, programs and opportunities.

Although geared for adults, Tipitina's Music Office Co-Op welcomes professional and aspiring musicians and artists of all ages. Active members pay a $10 membership fee each month that they use the Co-Op. The Baton Rouge Co-Op is managed by Lori Finta, a local documentary film maker and video editor. Hours are 11AM to 7PM Monday through Friday, or by appointment.

Tipitina's Music Office Co-Op/Baton Rouge
2600 Government Street, Baton Rouge LA 70806
phone 225-389-0133, fax 225-389-0129
email lori@tipitinas.com
website: http://musicofficecoop.com

> > Music royalty comes together to pay tribute to Fats Domino on new cd: Goin' Home: A Tribute To Fats Domino

Gambit Weekly cover story on 30 years of Tipitina's

Gambit interviews musicians, music fans, and people behind the scenes to recount the history of the club, and the development of the Tipitina's Foundation. Click here to read the story.

HARRAH'S New Orleans: Fulton Street Live!

This music of New Orleans plays its way through history, giving birth to jazz and rhythm and blues while shaping and changing both the city and its people forever. Harrah's New Orleans, a longtime supporter of local and national talent, has teamed together with 14 of the city's most beloved musicians to bring you "Fulton Street...Live", a CD benefiting Tipitina's Foundation.

All 14 musicians recorded tracks live in a controlled environment inside 528, a music club on Fulton Street, graciously donating their time and talent to support New Orleans' musicians. The release of the CD harmonizes with the expansion of Fulton Street, complementing it's modern role as a unique locale showcasing live entertainment, casual and fine dining, and more.

For more information visit the Fulton Street Live website.

Fats Domino in New York for first time in 20 years: Keys to the City, Benefit Concert, Network TV performance, In-Store CD Signing

KEYS TO THE CITY
Fats Domino began visit by receiving keys to the city from Mayor Bloomberg

ALL-STAR BENEFIT CONCERT

The Tipitina's Foundation presented Goin' Home: An Evening Honoring Fats Domino and the Music of New Orleans in New York City: A benefit concert to preserve the musical heritage of New Orleans.

Rock and Roll pioneer and New Orleans music legend Antoine "Fats" Domino made his first trip to New York City in over 20 years to celebrate the release of Goin' Home: A Tribute To Fats Domino (Vanguard Records) compilation CD. An all-star cast of musicians will assembled on Thursday, November 8th at the Pink Elephant for a concert honoring his life and benefiting the Tipitina's Foundation, a New Orleans based non-profit that Mr. Domino works closely with to preserve the musical cultures of New Orleans.

Artists performing included: Ivan Neville, Toots Hibbert (Toots and the Maytals), Leo Nocentelli (The Meters), Eric Krasno (Soulive), Robert Randolph, Olu Dara, Adam Deitch, Nick Daniels, Joey DeGraw, Donald Harrison, Jef "Tain" Watts, Wyclef Gorden, special guest Lloyd "Lawdy Miss Clawdy" Price and special surprise guests.

NETWORK TV PERFORMANCE
On the morning of November 9, Fats Domino performed on The Today Show. (Click here to watch the video. He was promoting the new tribute CD Goin Home: A Tribute to Fats Domino and discussing the work of the Tipitina's Foundation.

USA Today article on Fats Domino, the Tipitina's Foundation and the new album "Goin Home: A Tribute to Fats Domino"

Read USA Today's September 23, 2007 story covering the cooperation between Fats Domino and the Tipitina's Foundation to restore Fat's neighborhood through the new star-studded album "Goin Home: A Tribute to Fats Domino". Click here to read the full story.

New Orleans Times Picayune covers new album "Goin Home: A Tribute to Fats Domino"

Keith Spera's September 20, 2007 review of "Goin Home: A Tribute to Fats Domino", a star-studded album featuring Elton John, Paul McCartney and many more, to benefit the Tipitina's Foundation and its recovery programs. Click here to read the full story.

New York Times coverage of new Fats Domino tribute CD, "Goin' Home: A Tribute to Fats Domino"

Read the New York Times' September 22, 2007 story covering the new all-star tribute album to Fats Domino, and the Tipitina's Foundation's efforts to restore the musical cultures of New Orleans.Click here to read the article.

CBS Sunday Morning feature story on Tipitina's Foundation.

On Sunday, September 2, 2007, CBS Sunday Morning aired a story on the Tipitina's Foundation's efforts and programs. Click here to read the story and watch the video from CBS News.

Entertainment Weekly article on the Tipitina's Foundation, and a two year review of events after hurricane Katrina.

Read Entertainment Weekly's August 10, 2007 story reviewing the events following hurricane Katrina as told by musicians and performers, and the role played by the Tipitina's Foundation and Fats Domino. Click here to read the article.

New York Times article on Tipitina's Foundation programs and progress after the storm.

Read the New York Times' August 5, 2007 story covering the Tipitina's Foundation's efforts to preserve and restore New Orleans' music culture in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina. Click here to read the article.

New Music Office Co-Op Economic Impact Study released

The third Music Office Co-Op Economic Impact Study shows Louisiana musicians and media workers struggling to maintain income levels. While it's difficult to grow revenues in a downsizing economy, Music Office Co-Op members overwhelmingly attribute what gains they did achieve to their participation in the Co-Op.

>> Read the full 2007 Music Office Co-Op Economic Impact Study (3.5 MB PDF)
>> View the 2007 Music Office Co-Op Survey Dataset (90 KB Excel Spreadsheet)