PhiladelphiaMayor Michael Nutter and his wife, Lisa, have been named King and Queen of theMardi Gras-style parade that will kick off this month’s 7^th AnnualWest Oak Lane Jazz & Arts Festival, which celebrates New Orleans with anall-jazz roster of musicians and singers.

Thecity’s First Couple will lead the parade at noonFriday, June18^th along the 7200-7400 blocks of Ogontz Avenue, joined by State Rep. DwightEvans, who will serve as Grand Marshal and present Mayor Nutter with a key tothe West OakLane neighborhood.

Theparade will also feature the Kimmel Center Youth Ensemble, the Royal Brass Band,local dance troupes and event partners such as the city’s recycling andanti-litter campaigns. OARC, the Ogontz Avenue Revitalization Corp., sponsorsthe festival as part of its economic development philosophy and commitment toarts and cultural events in the community.

Thisyear’s festival, which runs from June 18^th to June 20^th,will host more than two dozen acts, including The Dirty Dozen Brass Band,Preservation Hall Jazz Band, bassist/vocalist Esperanza Spalding, David Sanbornwith Joey De Francesco, Al Jarreau and the George Duke Trio. For moreinformation about the festival, visit oaklanefestivile

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   Joyce Mitchell

   June 17, 2010 at 1:26 pm

   Congratulations on being the first Mayor and First Lady of Philly to kick-off the West Oak Lane Jazz Festival.This community has come a long way under the representation of Dwight Evans and the other representatives of this district.Having recently moved to this area, I am pleased to see some of the revitalization projects happening in West Oak Lane and Mt. Airy.I applaud you and your administration for the efforts you and others have made to bring our neighborhoods back to life.Continued success in this and all endeavors to help make Philadelphia a more beautiful and entertaining place to behold.

   Joyce Mitchell