Brad Pitt has been flaunting his celebrity, in a good way, here in New Orleans following the devastation of Hurricane Katrina. Using his fame, and also his funds to help rebuild the Lower 9th, Brad has successfully developed a housing project here called the Make it Right Foundation. This organization has built over 75 homes here since 2007, and recently hosted a gala to help raise funds for future developments.  

This gala featured A-list celebrity guests, hosts and performers to help raise the desired $4 million dollars needed to take the project to the next level. Guests included Ellen DeGeneres, Rihanna, Kevin Spacey, Spike Lee, and of course Angelina Jolie. Jolie and Pitt also own a home here in the French Quarter which they frequently visit.

In addition to addressing the homelessness here in the Lower 9th, Pitt’s charity also strives to prevent this type of catastrophe from happening again. The times reports, “Multi-angled steel roofs, windows of ultra-strong glass and tough siding materials are designed to withstand hurricane-force winds. Solar panels, rainwater collection systems and maximum air-circulation designs created homes with low utility bills.”. Brad’s “visionary” skills have earned him generous recognition as a New Orleans philanthropist, in addition to being a central figure in the Hollywood South.

For more on this incredible event, please visit the Times Online.

The Rebirth Brass Band has been rocking the streets of New Orleans, with classics like “Feel Like Funkin’ It Up” and “Do Whatcha Wanna” since the late 1980’s. So for the 2012 Grammy Awards, it is about time that the group earned some recognition. At the recent Awards Ceremony, The Rebirth Brass Band’s new album, “The Rebirth of New Orleans” was named the Best Regional Roots Album on Sunday, February 12th.

The band was founded by New Orleans’ musicians Kermit Ruffins, Phil Frazier, and Keith Frazier. Ruffins has since gone on to found his own band “The BBQ Swingers” which performed at the Joy Theatre for New Year’s Eve. Frazier was beside himself with the win. He commented that, “it’s like New Orleans winning the Super Bowl all over again”. The band has a performance book in L.A. this week, but will be home in time for the usually Tuesday night show at the Maple Leaf. You can hear their music in HBO's hit series, TREME, as well as here in the Crescent City!

For more on this story, visit NOLA.com.

_ Famous writer, actor and director Woody Allen has another, perhaps less-known feather to his cap: jazz musician. His musical styling’s in Wood Allen and his New Orleans Jazz Band have been heard all over California this last week, and ended with a live performance at UCLA. The group, consisting of seven members, performed at Royce Hall on Thursday evening for a lengthy performance. The band played consistently for almost two hours, and that isn’t including the “two generous encores”. Audiences offer differing opinions as to how this film legends translates into music star. One reviewer from the Hollywood Reporter writes, “Allen is easily the weakest musician on stage, playing a difficult, unforgiving instrument. His tone is often aspirated and screechy, lacking the clarinet’s melted chocolate smoothness.” He softens his claim however saying that Allen had the good judgment to “surrounded himself with some fine players”. But no one criticizes Allen’s musicianship more than the film star himself. When asked about his clarinet skills the actor responded, “People come and see me because they've seen my movies. I am surrounded by good musicians and I do my best, but it's strictly enthusiasm.”

Well, in Allen’s defense, finding a solid ensemble is really half of the battle. The improvised, conversational character of New Orleans Jazz music requires a dynamic group of band mates. A group like you find in Woody Allen and his New Orleans Jazz Band. The actor explains in interviews that his love of jazz fueled him to form the group, but that it is his appreciation- not talent that drove him to become a musician. Regardless of the motivation, or skill level, this celebrity gossiper is just happy that he’s treating the west coast to some of that NOLA sound!

And we think that he sounds pretty good! Listen here!

_ The JOY Theatre of New Orleans will re-open on December 29th! This iconic feature of Canal Street has been closed since 2005, after suffering severe damages from Hurricane Katrina. There have been a lot of naysayers over the past 6 years who said that the theatre was beyond repair, but when McDonnel Group took over as contractor, everything changed. Suddenly the building that was flooded beyond recognition, that had slabs of ceiling on the ground, began to reclaim its original shape. The JOY first opened in 1947, and the renovations have upheld the historical integrity of the building. Art deco pieces accent the main lobby, and a vintage ticket turnstile allows entry. Those involved with this, seemingly impossible, undertaking are themselves surprised by the progress made on this particular project. The Talent Coordinator, Bill Johnston remarked, "It's incredible how much has been done since mid-September and how  much more needs to be done before the end of the month — and it's going to be… It's just staggering.” Tickets are already on-sale for the line-up following the Grand Opening on the 29th. Musicians from around the country have been trying to rent the space just to be a part of this historic event.

Since the storm, Canal Street has become a symbol for New Orleans’ progress. Revitalizing old structures- like the JOY, remind residents of the greatness that can be recaptured here in New Orleans. Louisianans have rallied behind this Grand Opening, and tickets are selling fast for upcoming performances. The Gambit recently wrote a more detailed account of this story, including the history of the JOY Theatre. The article is available on their website. On this site is also information about upcoming performances and tickets sales. This story is absolutely worth your attention, especially around this time of year. Having some JOY back in New Orleans is certainly something to celebrate!

 HAPPY HOLIDAYS!!! From all of us at Southern Celebrity Gossip!

Martina McBride is often called the “Celine Dion” of Country Music. This month she treated New Orleans with a live performance showcasing songs from her latest album, Eleven. McBride reached international recognition in the 1990’s with the songs “The Time Has Come” and “The Way That I Am”. She has won several CMA awards, and is even tied with Reba McEntire for the most wins as “Female Vocalist of the Year”.

So what was this Dixie Diva doing in New Orleans? Her performance was part of a celebration for the Voyager of the Seas Cruise Ship. The Voyager is part of the prestigious Royal Caribbean Line, and is making its home port the Crescent City! McBride’s invitation-only performance was for the VIPs involved with this project and the show was a smash hit! McBride spent some time here in New Orleans, before traveling to Nashville to spend Thanksgiving with family.

New Orleans was happy to have the country superstar as a guest, and is even happier to have the Voyager of the Seas as a new resident!

Rap artist, Jermaine Dupri is making a stop in New Orleans tonight as part of his Global 14 Tour. Over the past week and a half, Dupri has been visiting a different city each night as part of the tour’s gimmick. It is his plan to visit 14 cities in 14 days.

Dupri fell out of the limelight following his break-up with music icon, Janet Jackson shortly after her brother’s death. However it was his connections to other famous divas that brought him there in the first place! In 1998 he helped to produce Destiny’s Child’s first album, and then went on to collaborate with Mariah Carey on both her Christmas album, as well as “The Emancipation of Mimi” (2005). But it isn’t just female artists that he is helping promote- Jermaine Dupri has also produced many of Usher’s albums and is credited with much of the artist’s success.

He is definitely better known as a producer, than an actually performer- but his recent tour has received some good press. The Global 14 is being sponsored by Crown Royal, and artist Jermaine Dupri has been live-tweeting throughout most of his travels. We’re looking forward to what he has to say about New Orleans!

For more information, visit the tour’s site.

All little sisters may feel like they live in the shadow of their older Sis- but that certainly isn’t stopping Jamie Lynn Spears! Jamie is the younger sibling of pop icon, Britney Spears. Despite her sister’s superstardom, Jamie Lynn is on her own path to popularity. Provided, that path has been a little rocky.

Both Spears girls were raised in McComb, Mississippi before moving to Kentwood Louisiana later in their childhood. Jamie Lynn’s career began as small cameo as a result of her sister’s success in the movie “Crossroads” which soon landed her the title role in "Zoey 101". The Disney Show ran from 2005-2008 at which time Jamie Lynn announced her pregnancy.

Following the birth of her child, the young Spears moved to Liberty, Mississippi- and the public had thought that they had seen the last of her. But her recent live music performance has everyone thinking that they could be wrong.

Jamie Lynn Spears performed a set of all original songs at a packed theatre in Nashville last night- with some familiar faces in the audience! Her closest friends and family members made the trip in from surrounding cities to see the young starlet take the stage. Unfortunately, Britney could not be there due to preparations for her own tour. But, their mother was there for what she called a very “emotional” evening. Although this was her very first live performance of this kind, the show went down without a hitch, and she closed with thunderous applause.

While she might not yet have the international renown that her sister has, the younger Spears has certainly got the public talking- and everything they are saying so far is good!