NEW ORLEANS – Young Leadership Council (YLC) has announced the lineup for its annual YLC Wednesday at the Square concert series. The series begins Wednesday, March 14 at 5 p.m. featuring a headlining performance by the Grammy Award-winning Lost Bayou Ramblers with Mia Borders as co-headliner. Reporter Meghan Kluth from "News With A Twist" will return to emcee the series for a second year.
"We are delighted to produce another amazing year of YLC Wednesday at the Square concerts for our community and visitors to enjoy,” said Stephanie Powell, executive director of Young Leadership Council, in a press release announcing the lineup. “The series would not be possible without the work of hundreds of volunteers, who handle everything from securing crowd-pleasing talent to the logistics and marketing of the event. It is always so inspiring to see these young professional leaders in action.”
YLC’s 12-concert series features well-known and critically-acclaimed musical acts from the New Orleans area and broader region. Headliners will include Marc Broussard, Sweet Crude, Sam Williams of Big Sam’s Funky Nation, Shamarr Allen with co-headliner Robin Barnes, and many more. The concerts will take place every Wednesday from 5 to 8 p.m., March 14 through May 30 in downtown New Orleans at Lafayette Square (between Camp Street and St. Charles Avenue, directly across from Gallier Hall).
In 2017, YLC announced a partnership with AOS Interior Environments, a New Orleans-based commercial interiors supplier, as the 2018 Title Sponsor for the YLC Wednesday at the Square concert series. AOS is the largest provider of commercial furnishings, prefab interior construction, and storage solutions in Louisiana and Mississippi, and has served the region for more than 42 years.
"YLC Wednesday at the Square is one of our most beloved festivals and we simply cannot imagine spring in New Orleans without it! This is why we feel it is our responsibility to this community to support the good times, great music, and outstanding contributions that YLC makes to our community,” said Shelby Russ, AOS president and CEO, in a press release about the announcement. “We hope to see huge crowds for what promises another wonderful season."
Additional support for YLC Wednesday at the Square comes from Presenting and Series Sponsors Abita Brewing Company, Republic National Distributing Company, Sazerac Company, Pernod Ricard, and Longbranch Healthcare.
2018 YLC Wednesday at the Square Lineup
March 14: The Lost Bayou Ramblers with co-headliner Mia Borders
March 21: Walter “Wolfman" Washington with opener Johnny Sketch and the Dirty Notes
March 28: Marc Broussard with opener Helen Gillet
April 4: Sweet Crude with opener Travers Geoffray
April 11: Flow Tribe with To Be Announced
April 18: Wayne Toups with opener Darcy Malone
April 25: Big Sam's Funky Nation with opener The Deslondes
May 2: Amanda Shaw with opener Trumpet Mafia
May 9: Bonerama with opener N'awlins Johnnys
May 16: Headliner To Be Announced with opener Motel Radio
May 23: Maggie Koerner with opener Naughty Professor
May 30: Shamarr Allen with co-headliner Robin Barnes and the Fiyabirds
*Headliner performs from 6:30 – 8 p.m. Opening act from 5 – 6 p.m. Co-headliners receive equal time with the first act, performing from 5 – 6:15 p.m. and the second act from 6:45 – 8 p.m.
** Wednesday, June 6 and Wednesday, June 13 are reserved as rain dates.
The YLC Wednesday at the Square concert series is free and open to the public. Proceeds from food and drink sales benefit YLC’s community service projects, designed not only to improve the quality of life in the greater New Orleans area but also to foster leadership skills in young professionals. Additionally, YLC gives back to downtown through an annual donation to Lafayette Square Conservancy to cover re-sodding and park beautification.
The 2018 YLC Wednesday at the Square Committee is led by co-chairs and YLC Board Members Garlan White and Lena Zaitseva. Committee volunteers include Vicki Bristol, Thomas Cafferty, Nicole Harvey, Olivia Mertensmeyer, Gerard Schmitz, Matthew Treuting, and Jeff Willis.
Single-concert and full season VIP passes for the series are now available for purchase at ylcnola.org/ylc-wednesday-at-the-square. Single and multiple-concert sponsorships for the 2018 series, as well as video board advertising, are still available. For more information on sponsorship and advertising opportunities, including private hospitality tents, contact Stephanie Powell at stephanie@ylcnola.org.
For more information about YLC and YLC Wednesday at the Square, or to volunteer at one of the concerts, please visit ylcnola.org/ylc-wednesday-at-the-square. Engage with YLC Wednesday at the Square on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter at @ylcwats.
