NEW ORLEANS – The Rebirth Brass Band, Corey Henry & the Treme Funktet, Erica Falls, DJ Soul Sister and The Low End Theory Player's tribute to A Tribe Called Quest are all part of the lineup of the 10th annual Congo Square Rhythms Festival, March 18 – 19, in Armstrong Park, a free festival presented by the New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Foundation.
Funk and soul take center stage at the Congo Square Rhythms Festival, which celebrates the African diaspora and the melting pot of traditions that gives New Orleans culture its unique flavor.
Also performing are James Andrews and the Crescent City Allstars with special guests John Boutte and Sharon Martin, and Shannon Powell leading a tribute to Alfred "Uganda" Roberts. There will be a battle of Mardi Gras Indians, African dance troupes and the sixth annual Class Got Brass contest, a contest for Louisiana middle school and high school brass bands with more than $40,000 worth of instruments at stake, including a top prize of $10,000.
The full musical schedule includes:
Saturday, March 18
11:00 a.m. – 11:45 a.m. – African Drum Circle
11:45 a.m. – 12:30 p.m. – Cole Williams
12:30 p.m. – 12:45 p.m. – Bombazo Dance Co.
12:45 p.m. – 1:45 p.m. – Zion Trinity
1:45 p.m. – 2:00 p.m. – N'Fungola Sibo Dance Theater
2:00 p.m. – 3:15 p.m. – James Andrews and the Crescent City Allstars with special guests John Boutte and Sharon Martin
3:15 p.m. – 4:15 p.m. – Mardi Gras Indian Battle
4:15 p.m. – 4:45 p.m. – Chakra Dance Theater
4:45 p.m. – 5:45 p.m. – Erica Falls
5:45 p.m.- 6:15 p.m. – DJ Soul Sister
6:15 p.m. – 7:30 p.m. – The Low End Theory Players present a tribute to A Tribe Called Quest
Sunday, March 19
11:00 a.m. – 11:45 a.m. – African Drum Circle
11:45 p.m. – 12:30 p.m. – Bamboula 2000
12:30 p.m. – 12:45 p.m. – Culu & N'Kafu African Dance Ensembles
12:45 p.m. – 1:45 p.m. – Shannon Powell and Special Guest Allstars tribute to Alfred "Uganda" Roberts
1:45 p.m. – 2:00 p.m. – Kumbuka African Dance Co.
2:00 p.m. – 3:00 p.m. – To Be Continued Brass Band
3:00 p.m. – 4:45 p.m. – Class Got Brass (School Brass Band Competition)
4:45 p.m. – 6:15 p.m. – Corey Henry & the Treme Funktet
6:15 p.m. – 7:30 p.m. – Rebirth Brass Band
The Congo Square Rhythms Festival will host five New Orleans soul food vendors including several recent graduates of the New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Foundation’s Catapult Fund business accelerator program. They’ll be offering a mix of classic New Orleans dishes and food from the Caribbean. The Praline Connection, Café Dauphine, Jazz City Café, Cocoa & Cream Catering and Palmer’s Jamaican Cuisine will all be there, as will several dessert providers, with pralines from Tee Eva and bread pudding from The Puddin’ Shop.
The Arts Market will feature hand-made artworks and crafts by local artisans, with more than two dozen vendors, offering fine art, photography, jewelry, clothing and housewares.
There will be a designated Kids Area with activities, games and entertainment, a bike valet and parking will be available in the Mahalia Jackson Theatre parking lot via Basin Street throughout the festival. The cost is $15 per vehicle on Saturday, but parking is free on Sunday.
No outside food, beverages or pets will be allowed.
The event is free and open to the public.
Donations to the New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Foundation, however, will be accepted.
The Congo Square Rhythms Festival is produced and presented by the New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Foundation, the nonprofit that owns the New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival presented by Shell. The Foundation uses the proceeds from Jazz Fest, and other raised funds, for year-round programs in education, economic development and cultural enrichment.
