Tipitina’s to host musical benefit for Steve Gleason Family Trust

Bountygate got you down? Worried about Drew Brees’ contract situation? Well, put all that aside Friday night and come out to Tipitina’s (501 Napoleon Ave.) to recapture some of that old Saints magic and to hear some great music – all for a terrific cause.

John Boutte, Benny D & Spyboy, and the Honey Island Swamp Band will headline the Concert Benefiting the Gleason Family Trust, with special guests Shamarr Allen and the Louisiana Philharmonic Horns.

Doors open at 8 p.m., with music starting at 9. Tickets are $20 and are available at the Tipitina’s Box Office or online at www.tipitnas.com. All proceeds go towards the Gleason Family Trust, which was set up by Gleason’s family and friends to help offset the cost of living with ALS (amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, also known as Lou Gehrig’s Disease), which is considered to be a terminal neuro-muscular disease.

Gleason, of course, was part of arguably THE play in Saints history, blocking an Atlanta Falcons punt that was recovered for a touchdown in the Saints’ first game in the Superdome after Hurricane Katrina.

Since his diagnosis last year, Gleason has been very active in his Gleason Initiative Foundation, a non-profit 501c3 that aims to help provide individuals with muscular diseases or injuries with leading edge technology, equipment and services, and also to raise public awareness toward ALS by providing and documenting extraordinary life adventures for individuals with muscular diseases or injuries.

To contribute, checks to the Gleason Initiative Foundation can be sent to P.O. Box 24493, New Orleans, LA 70184.

If you can’t make it to Tip’s Friday night but would still like to contribute to the Gleason Family Trust, send your checks to P.O. Box 24253, New Orleans, LA 70184.