Just two weekends ago, the great Allen Toussaint made a surprise appearance at Fortier Fest, an annual neighborhood event in the Bayou St. John area. Sitting in with the usual headliner Walter Wolfman Washington, Toussaint did his bit to continue the rejuvenation and beautification of Alcee Fortier Park.

So it makes perfect sense that Toussaint himself would now be saluted in loftier digs. And if you already get tempted to spring for big-ticket shows during Jazz Fest, add this one to your list: “A Tribute to Toussaint” at Harrah’s New Orleans Theatre on April 30.

The cause is New Orleans Artists Against Hunger and Homelessness (which Toussaint co-founded in 1985), the occasion is Toussaint’s 75^th birthday, and the lineup is as impressive as it gets: Elvis Costello (in his only Fest-week appearance), Dr. John, Irma Thomas, Joe Stampley, Art and Cyril Neville, Jon Cleary, Deacon John and Joe Henry. Toussaint of course worked with all of these artists at one time or another—producing the two Nevilles when they were Meters, producing Dr. John’s “Right Place, Wrong Time” and collaborating a few times in recent years with Costello. Further special guests are not out of the question, and Toussaint himself will likely share the stage with all these heavy friends.

By the way: When Toussaint formed NOAAHH in 1985, he wrote and produced a benefit single, “Give Today For Tomorrow,” that was essentially a local Live Aid, featuring 50 different artists from Frankie Ford to Pete Fountain to Aaron Neville to Clarence “Frogman” Henry. We were hoping to post the song here but like many vintage Toussaint records, it’s now so rare it’s not even on Youtube. Maybe we’ll get lucky and hear it next week.

Toussaint is also scheduled to receive an honorary doctorate from Tulane University on May 18. He’ll be there alongside Dr. Johna nd the Dalai Lama– Talk about a supergroup.

[“A Tribute to Toussaint” at Harrah’s New Orleans Theatre, at 8:30pm Tuesday, April 30. Tickets $250 and $300, available here].