NEW ORLEANS – Founded in 1984, nonprofit French Quarter Festivals, Inc. has reached a milestone in its Musician Sponsorship program.
Since its inception in 2012, the initiative has raised over $1 million in contributions. Every dollar raised has gone directly to the 1,700 musicians who perform annually at the spring festival, which is a signature event for the City of New Orleans.
French Quarter Festival is the largest free music festival in the United States and the largest showcase of Louisiana music in the world. The Festival has an average economic impact of over $200 million (second only to Mardi Gras). Musician Sponsorships are one of the many non-traditional methods used to keep it a free, community event.
Donors are a diverse group of businesses and individuals, from big businesses like Chevron, beloved brands like Zapp's, neighborhood friends like Bevolo Gas & Lights, out-of-state fans, and individuals. In 2014, a total of over 150 donors signed up to support local musicians by 'adopting an artist'.
FQFI reps provided the following sampling of musician sponsors:
• aos – This office furniture company is a significant financial sponsor that also donated all new office furniture to French Quarter Festivals, Inc. The aos staff has a team outing each year to have lunch and enjoy their sponsored artist at Festival.
• Chevron – Title sponsor of French Quarter Festival and Satchmo SummerFest. Also a major musician sponsor. One of their sponsored bands is the fantastic Babineaux Sisters (who are also children of a Chevron employee).
• Grupo Feijao – This group of Marigny residents/ friends who get together regularly on Monday nights for red beans decided to pool their money to sponsor their neighborhood festival.
• Patrick Gros, CPA, APAC – Major musician sponsor. Loves the Festival and enjoys every minute. Every year, even though French Quarter Festival ALWAYS falls right on the tax deadline, this sponsor makes sure all returns are finalized in time to enjoy the event. Patrick Gros is also a CPA who represents many of the major restaurants in New Orleans.
• JAX and the Berger Company – Financial sponsor, donates significant use of property for Festival site and production, and Darryl's band (Hot Rot Lincoln) regularly performs at Festival.
• Libby and Mary Frances – Each year these uptown grandparents sponsor a band in honor of their grandchildren. Each year they all attend together and love to dance in front of the French Market stage.
• Mardi Gras World – Very major musician sponsor. Have helped underwrite major acts like Allen Toussaint.
• Tropical Isle – Very major musician sponsor. Have helped underwrite major acts like Dr. John.
• Meyer The Hatter – Oldest family owned hat shop in the U.S. that wants to support the community festival and give back. Have a krewe called 'Krewe of Meyer The Hatter' and the attend festival together every year.
• Zapp's Potato Chips – Before his untimely passing, French Quarter Festival was founder Ron Zappe's favorite event of the year. Zapp's has been a music sponsor for decades, long before the Musician Sponsorship program was founded. Very active with festival.
French Quarter Festival is produced by French Quarter Festivals, Inc., (FQFI) the 501(c)3 nonprofit organization, which also produces Satchmo SummerFest in August and Christmas New Orleans Style in December. FQFI's mission is to promote the Vieux Carré and the City of New Orleans through high quality special events and activities that showcase the culture and heritage of this unique city, contribute to the economic well being of the community, and instill increased pride in the people of New Orleans.
