Who ever said that the festival was a benefit? It never has been nor will it ever be. The event does however provide a lot to the economy of the region.

Yes, New Orleans will BENEFIT from the festival being held but this event is not a fundraiser. Many, if not all, of the musicians have previously participated in some sort of charity for the community. This years festival is also giving many New Orleans based musicians an opportunity to make a living. The festival organizers increased the number of locals into the lineup this year.

The "grant" that you mentioned and was mentioned earlier was basically a loan from Shell Oil that enabled the festival organizers to continue the event this year. The damage that occured seriously effected their site and operations as well and Shell Oil gave the money in exchange to have their name included in the festival.

You made a lot of assumptions about the character of the performers and organizers that is not based on any facts that I am aware of. You are certainly entitled to an opinion, even though we have gone off on a tangent from what this thread was initially about.

Everyone is entitled to make a living and earn what the market bears. Everyone should feel a sense of moral responsibility to others as well. Charity and career can only be judged when one impedes on the other.