The Terrebonne Foundation for Academic Excellence in Public Education is getting ready for the 2006 5K Run for Excellence and Cajun Food Festival on Saturday, May 13, in downtown Houma. New this year will be a Fun Run for kid’s of all ages.  Following the Fun Run, the 5K Run will begin promptly at 6:00 p.m., walkers and wheel chair participants are encouraged to participate.  Enjoy a great Cajun Food Fest with delicious food prepared by area restaurants and local chefs.  The Kid's Corner (for the younger crowd 12 and under) will feature face painting, balloon artist, storytelling, Shell Pipeline, Lumcon and the Barataria Estuary (BTNEP) will have coastal exhibits and activities, and much more will be available.

The Bucktown All Stars will entertain all evening for the entire family to enjoy. Registration forms can be downloaded from the website: www.5krunforexcellence.org, pre-register and get ready for an evening of FUN!

Proceeds from the event will benefit the Terrebonne Foundation for Academic Excellence in Public Education (TFAE).  This non-profit local education foundation awards teacher and school impact grants to teachers in Terrebonne Parish public schools.

THE BUCKTOWN ALL-STARS is a nine-piece Rhythm & Blues band based in Metairie, Louisiana.  Featuring a powerful four-piece horn section, the group specializes in the melodic orchestration of 1960’s Atlantic Soul made popular by such artists as Otis Redding, Wilson Pickett, and Sam & Dave; the brassy punch of 1970’s classic acts like Chicago and Stevie Wonder; and the slick grooves of 1970’s funk characterized by Earth Wind & Fire and the Average White Band.  The All-Stars also acknowledge their hometown roots and the influence of New Orleans R&B artists such as The Meters, The Neville Brothers, and Dr. John.  Add to this mix the group’s youthful energy and the result is an exciting live performance which attracts music lovers of all types and ages.

The band was formed in May 1992 by a group of local college and high school students, and is currently composed of nine professional men with an average age in their early thirties.  The band’s stability is showcased by the fact that only one of the nine members has changed since 1994.  These factors help to maintain the group’s enthusiasm towards playing live music, and more than one observer has noted that the All-Stars are fun because they have fun.

The band has greatly expanded its base by playing local clubs, fairs and festivals, wedding receptions, dances, university and corporate parties, conventions, and of course, Carnival functions.  The BUCKTOWN ALL-STARS hope to continue bringing the great R&B legacy to new generations of New Orleanians in their own crowd-pleasing fashion for years to come.