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Angela Hill
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FestiGals adds Angela Hill as 2016 Grand Diva

NEW ORLEANS — FestiGals announced that Angela Hill, TV and radio broadcaster, will serve as the 2016 Grand Diva for the New Orleans festival that celebrates, empowers and connects women. In her role as FestiGals Grand Diva, Hill will be crowned on July 28 and will lead the parade of partygoers on July 30, during the sixth annual Stiletto Stroll through the streets of the Warehouse District.
FestiGals, July 28-30 at the JW Marriot, also includes the “Queen of Creole Cuisine” Leah Chase. The recent James Beard award winner will host a private dinner at Dooky Chase Restaurant on July 28 for FestiGals Diva Package holders. The 93-year-old culinary connoisseur will also be featured in a session titled “Outside the Kitchen” discussing her plethora of life experiences beyond the Dooky Chase kitchen.
This year, FestiGals will host the inaugural New Orleans Women’s Conference which will take place July 29. Highlights of the Women’s Conference include a keynote address by Carla Harris, vice chairman at Morgan Stanley; a panel titled “Ladies Who Make Music” featuring Germaine Bazzle, Stephanie Jordan and Helen Gillet; a session about “Ladies Who Make Parades” including Virginia Saussy with the Krewe of Muses, Julie Lea with the Krewe of Nyx and Camille Baldassar of the Pussyfooters; and Sallie Ann Glassman will explain the Haitian Vodou religion and its connection to New Orleans while later leading an actual Haitian Vodou ceremony.
Participants will also have the chance to attend a variety of professional and personal development sessions focusing on social media to promote business, networking, leadership, health and more. New this year will be FestiTalks, eight fast-pace sessions of short, focused talks in the style of disrupt HR or TedTalks.
On July 30, FestiGals will host its charitable “Bodacious Bras for a Cause” Brunch and Auction where the top fundraising bras from the Bodacious Bras Challenge are sold to the highest bidders. Five original bra-inspired works of art will also be available in the live auction. The Cancer Association of Greater New Orleans and Breastoration will receive all proceeds from the auction which is preceded by the Thriver Fashion Show where models “thriving in their cancer recovery” sport summer attire on the catwalk.
The expanded downtown Stiletto Stroll offers women the opportunity to participate in an authentic New Orleans walking parade. This year’s Stiletto Stroll is aiming to become the world’s largest all women’s second line complete with the all-female Universe Brass Band, entertainers and dance groups. The crowd will saunter from a pre-party at Harrah’s through the streets of the Warehouse District to Mardi Gras World where revelers will hear Rockin’ Dopsie at the After-Glow Party. FestiGals is donating all proceeds of the event to the New Orleans Family Justice Center which helps families and individuals suffering from domestic violence. The parade has a GLO theme, “shining light on domestic violence.”
FestiGals’ single event tickets and Diva Packages are available. Further details and event pricing are online at www.FestiGals.org.

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