Sneak Peak of Universal Pictures' Cirque Du Freak: The Vampire's Assistant to Benefit the Tipitina Foundation LOS ANGELES, Oct. 6 /PRNewswire/ -- Universal Pictures and Michael Cerveris will host a very special sneak peak of Cirque Du Freak: The Vampire's Assistant to select New Orleans audiences at the Prytania Theater on October 19 at 9 PM, it was announced today. After the sneak peak of the new fantasy-adventure starring John C. Reilly, Willem Dafoe and Salma Hayek, a special celebration will be held at Tipitina's Uptown, open to guests of the screening and the general public. Proceeds will go to the Tipitina's Foundation to support Louisiana and New Orleans' irreplaceable music community and preserve the state's unique musical cultures. (Logo: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20060316/LATH064LOGO) "New Orleanians are experts at celebrating, even for no good reason," said Cerveris. "But with a good reason, they really raise the bar. So we're planning a special party with our local friends to both celebrate the film's release and help support the Tipitina's Foundation." Doors open at 9 PM at Tipitina's Uptown. The evening will be emceed by Chris Lane of the Fleur de Tease burlesque show and will include circus performers, a costume parade, giveaways and performances by New Orleans' own Happy Talk Band and Caddywhompus--two local bands with large growing fan bases in the downtown indie-rock scene. "Zack Smith, photographer and drummer from the Rotary Downs and Lost Bayou Ramblers, was a huge help getting the entertainment together. These bands are a great bill, perfect for our vampire freak-show movie," said Cerveris. According to Cerveris, "Circus freaks and vampires in full regalia are especially encouraged to turn up. . . fangs optional." Cerveris will make a special appearance with his own band flying in from New York for the occasion. Cirque Du Freak: The Vampire's Assistant, directed by Paul Weitz, was filmed last year on location in New Orleans and is based on Darren Shan's best selling book series. The film will be released on October 23 and features a stellar cast starring John C. Reilly, Ken Watanabe, Josh Hutcherson, Chris Massoglia, Ray Stevenson, Patrick Fugit, with Willem Dafoe and Salma Hayek. Cerveris, a Tony Award-winning actor and musician currently starring on Fox's Fringe series, portrays Mr. Tiny, the film's manipulative and rotund villain. A second screening was added, with invitations for free tickets being extended to arts and media studies students at NOCCA, Lusher and other New Orleans schools. Also added is a limited number of $50 benefactor tickets for sale to the public; these include reserved seats at the screening and access to the VIP reception and concert at Tipitina's, with all proceeds benefiting the Tipitina's Foundation. For the after party only, tickets to see the bands are available at the door for $10, with profits also benefiting Tipitina's Foundation. For more information on the screening please contact Eric Ramstead at the Prytania Theatre, , http://www.theprytania.com/. To reserve a benefactor tickets (which includes reserved seats to the screening, plus access to the VIP reception and concert), please contact 212-388-7408. About Tipitina's Foundation The mission of the Tipitina's Foundation is to support Louisiana and New Orleans' irreplaceable music community and preserve the state's unique musical cultures. The history of the Tipitina's Foundation originates from the Tipitina's music venue, a revered New Orleans cultural icon that continues to be instrumental in the development and promotion of Louisiana music around the world. The Foundation works to support childhood music education, the professional development of adult musicians, and the increased profile and viability of Louisiana music as a cultural, educational, and economic resource. The Tipitina's Foundation, a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization established in 1997, has worked diligently to uplift the music community of Louisiana. The Tipitina's Foundation focuses its efforts on four programs: Instruments A Comin' purchases musical instruments for school band programs. Tipitina's Music Office Co-Op is a network of tech access centers providing business development and job skills training for local musicians, filmmakers and other digital media professionals. Tipitina's Internship Program is a mentoring program teaching all aspects of the music inDustry to motivated music students. Sunday Music Workshops offer students the opportunity to play with and learn from world-class musicians. http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20060316/LATH064LOGO http://photoarchive.ap.org/ DATASOURCE: Universal Pictures CONTACT: Annick Muller of Universal Pictures, +1-212-334-0333 Web Site: http://www.theprytania.com/

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