Last night was the Louisiana Cultural Economy Foundation's LA Fête Cultural 2010, a night of food and music to raise money for oil spill relief. It commemorated the fifth anniversary of the LCEF. I was there for the concert portion of the evening, which kicked off with a set by the Stooges Brass Band, joined by Big Chief Little Charles Taylor. The line of horn players, with Taylor's towering yellow costume to their right, made for quite a visual. Near the entrance was a projected slideshow of testimonials from artists and cultural workers who have benefited from LCEF grants - among them Darrin Butler, the artist who created the official poster for the event. Butler had a booth set up to showcase his unique art, which he creates by staining colors into wood - no canvases or brushes involved! Butler's website is http://www.colorsinwood.com/. Mario Cantone of Sex and the city fame emceed the event and even came on stage to sing a rousing "(Get Your Kicks On) Route 66" with Big Sam's Funky Nation. The oil spill, which has always been out of sight for many of us, seems to be moving more and more out of mind since the well was capped. But the damage is no less real than it was earlier in the summer and here's hoping that the LCEF and organizations like it will keep up the good work.