Just days before Dumpstaphunk celebrates their 10th Anniversary on the Gentilly Stage at the New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival, Gambit Weekly's 25th Annual Big Easy Awards will honor the local funk ensemble Monday, April 22 with the "Ambassador of Entertainment" special recognition award for championing New Orleans music, culture and charity to new audiences nationwide. The event, held at Harrah's New Orleans Hotel and Casino, will also honor The Meters with the "Lifetime Achievement Award" and Anders Osborne as "Entertainer of the Year."

"Ambassador of Entertainment is an award that honors artists that are spreading the spirit of New Orleans outside of our local community, a liaison to the rest of the world that brings a national spotlight to the culture that we have here," Gambit Marketing Director Marie Lovejoy explained. "We felt that from their extensive touring schedule to far-reaching press in publications like Rolling Stone and charity concert supporting Superstorm Sandy relief efforts, Dumpstaphunk really brought New Orleans to new heights. They had a knockout year and represented our city in such a positive way to a new spectrum of audiences nationwide, that we're eager to recognize their success at this years awards."

"It's probably the most soulful place in the world, New Orleans" said Dumpstaphunk keyboardist Ivan Neville. "The people that live here and the culture our community creates is something that everyone should experience in their life. We are proud to call New Orleans home and share its positivity through our music every day."

In addition to the event's special recognition awards, the 2013 Big Easy Awards will also honor local artists in more than 20 music categories, for which Dumpstaphunk has been nominated as "Best Funk Band" alongside Galactic and Khris Royal's Dark Matter. The winners will be announced at the April 22 ceremony, which will also feature live performances from several nominated artists. For ticket information and reservations to attend the Big Easy Awards, call (504) 483-3129.

Dumpstaphunk’s Jazz Fest 2013 Performances