NEW ORLEANS – Music, food, and culture will take center stage at French Quarter Festival presented by Chevron from Thursday, April 7, through Sunday, April 10, 2016.
French Quarter Festivals, Inc. (FQFI) announced details of the 33rd annual event – the largest showcase of Louisiana music and culture in the world – at a Jackson Square press conference on Wednesday, February 17.
FQFI reps said festival-goers can expect New Orleans' finest restaurants at 'The World's Largest Jazz Brunch'; music from more than 1,700 world-class, local musicians; and a unique cultural experience that cannot be replicated anywhere.
French Quarter Festival presented by Chevron was named 2015 "Best Large Festival" in New Orleans by OffBeat Magazine and the "one thing to do in Louisiana" by the Huffington Post.
What started as a neighborhood festival and 'locals' event' has grown into one of the largest events in Louisiana behind Mardi Gras, with an average economic impact of approximately $200 million.
• More Than Two Dozen New Artists Making Their Debut
Cowboy Mouth, Buckwheat Zydeco, And Sonny Landreth Among Debuts
French Quarter Festival organizers will welcome more than two dozen new acts for the 2016 Festival. On Locals' Lagniappe Day, Thursday, April 7, Cowboy Mouth will make their debut on the riverfront Abita Beer Stage. The Louisiana natives have played more than 2,500 concerts and launched their signature song, "Jenny Says," into the upper half of the Billboard rock charts. Cowboy Mouth has sold more than 500,000 albums domestically, playing shows with artists like Bo Diddley and performing in front of more than 9 million fans. “Go!,” the band's newest album, is the most collaborative album of the group's career. "I'm just a little older, but I ain't dead yet!" Fred LeBlanc sings during the very first song, kicking off a record that's steeped in the ageless energy of the band's live shows.
Blues musician Sonny Landreth also makes an April 7 debut on the riverfront Tropical Isle Hand Grenade Stage. Slide-guitarist Landreth has been called "the King of Slydeco" and plays with a strong zydeco influence. A frequent performer at Eric Clapton's Crossroads Guitar Festival with over a dozen albums, Clapton has called him 'one of the most advanced guitarists in the world'.
Buckwheat Zydeco can claim the three largest selling Zydeco albums of all time. The musician tours the world nonstop, and has gigged with everyone from U2 to Eric Clapton to the Boston Pops. He makes his debut on the riverfront Abita Beer Stage Sunday, April 10. Also debuting April 10 is soul singer Jean Knight, whose sassy, funk classic "Mr. Big Stuff" was one of the largest-selling singles ever released by the legendary Stax label.
Other debuts include Amy Nicole & Zydeco Soul, Andre Bohren, Andy J Forest Trio, Bad Penny Pleasuremakers, Caesar Brothers Funk Box, Cha Wa, Chance Bushman & The Ibervillianaires, Charlie Halloran and the Quality 6, Charlie Wooten Project, Dex Daley & Jam-X, Goat in the Road (Comedy Troupe), Little Maker, MainLine, Mason Ruffner, Sarah Quintana & the Miss River Band, T'Canaille, Thais Clark & her JAZZsters, The Batture Boys, featuring Tommy Malone and Ray Ganucheau, The Salt Wives, and Wes Raymond &The SOUL Factory.
• Musician Sponsorship Program
Sponsors Contribute More Than $1M Since Program's 2012 Inception
The 2016 French Quarter Festival will feature more than 1,700 local artists. Festival-organizers said they remain committed to growing the Musician Sponsorship Program; every dollar donated goes directly to the artists. Since its inception in 2012, the initiative has raised over $1 million in contributions. In 2015, more than 150 individuals, foundations, and businesses signed up to support local musicians by 'adopting an artist.' Sponsors come from all over the United States – from California to Maryland to Michigan to Washington State –to help keep French Quarter Festival free. In 2016, new musician sponsor Pan-American Life Insurance Group is underwriting all Latin and world music at the festival, and hit television show “NCIS: New Orleans” is sponsoring Buckwheat Zydeco's festival debut. Aos returns to sponsor Irma Thomas, McLoughlin Family Foundation is underwriting the Dixie Cups and Acadian Ambulance Service is sponsoring Cowboy Mouth's debut.
The Festival is still accepting 2016 sponsorships.
• Tribute To Allen Toussaint At Official Festival After-Party
Hosted By The House Of Blues – Friday, April 8
Allen Toussaint, one of the most influential figures in New Orleans R&B, unexpectedly passed away in November 2015. Earlier that year, French Quarter Festival was honored to feature the celebrated songwriter, record producer, and musician throughout the 2015 French Quarter Festival – with a performance on the riverfront Abita Stage, participation in the Festival's Let Them Talk symposium to talk about his life and career and his attendance at the Festival's Film Fest, where a new film about Toussaint was screened. Toussaint was also the 2015 'Face of the Festival', with his photograph gracing the French Quarter Festival publicity and advertising campaigns. On Friday, April 8, 2016, an official after-party hosted by House of Blues will honor Allen Toussaint. This special event will be a fundraiser, with proceeds benefiting Toussaint's foundation – New Orleans Artists Against Hunger and Homelessness. More information will be released in March.
• The Very Best Live, Local Music Across 23 Stages
Year after year, French Quarter Festival is voted 'locals' favorite' while also attracting a tremendous out-of-town audience. A huge part of the appeal is that attendees get a true and authentic New Orleans experience – a broad range of Louisiana artists and a diverse variety of musical styles and genres, FQFI reps said. Since 1984, French Quarter Festival has been committed to featuring New Orleans' finest artists every day of the festival, on stages all over the French Quarter.
The tradition continues in 2016 with the return of 23 stages, including two stages that launched last year: the Spanish Plaza Stage sponsored by The Outlet Collection at Riverwalk and the Omni Royal Orleans Stage located at 500 Royal Street. On the Spanish Plaza Stage, performers range from avant-garde Rockabilly from Rory Danger & the Danger Dangers to soul from Gina Brown & Anutha Level. At the Omni Royal Orleans Stage, performances from Meschiya Lake and the Little Big Horns, jazz-trumpeter Wendell Brunious, guitarist Carl LeBlanc, and more are scheduled.
The GE Digital Big River Stage returns with four days of music. Every genre from hip hop to country is represented with performances from Big Chief Bo Dollis, Jr. & the Wild Magnolias, Panorama Jazz Band, John "Papa" Gros, Robin Barnes, Charmaine Neville, Gal Holiday and the Honky Tonk Revue, Guitar Slim, Jr., and T-Ray The Violinist and D2R (Dreams2Reality). Grammy-winning percussionist Bill Summers also plays the Big River Stage with jazzed up versions of Afro-Cuban and Latin roots music with his band, Jazalsa.
The always-popular Popeyes Brass Band Jam will bring three full days of brass bands to the Louisiana State Museum's Old U.S. Mint. Performers include Leroy Jones' Original Hurricane Brass Band, Treme Brass Band, Hot 8 Brass Band, New Orleans Nightcrawlers, The Original Pinettes Brass Band, and many more.
The Chevron Cajun Zydeco Showcase, launched in 2013 at the Bienville Triangle (North Peters near St. Louis Street), quickly established itself as one of the Festival's most popular stages. 2016 artists include Sunpie and the Louisiana Sunspots, Lost Bayou Ramblers, Grammy-winner Chubby Carrier and the Bayou Swamp Band, Amanda Shaw, and Dwayne Dopsie and the Zydeco Hellraisers. The Chevron Evening Concert Series also returns with Leroy Thomas & the Zydeco Roadrunners, Feufollet, and Rockin' Dopsie and the Zydeco Twisters.
• New Festival Shuttle In 2016
French Quarter Festival 'Easy Rider'
In Partnership With Gray Line And New Orleans Convention Center
During Festival weekend, festival-goers have an option that lets them avoid the challenges of traffic, parking and street closures. In 2016, the official festival shuttle will be operated by Gray Line of New Orleans. Air-conditioned, comfortable passenger buses will transport fans to the festival Friday, April 8, through Sunday, April 10. Parking will be hosted by the Ernest N. Morial Convention Center. Buses will transport fest-goers from the Convention Center to the Sheraton Hotel (500 Canal St.) Shuttle hours are 10:00 a.m. – 10:30 p.m. on April 8-9 and from 10:00 a.m. – 8:00 p.m. on April 10. Riders will pay $30 per car to park in Convention Center lots and ride the shuttle for free.
Opening Night Gala Returns To Antoine's
Thursday April 7, the French Quarter Festival Opening Night Gala benefiting the Roots of Music will return to Antoine's Restaurant.
Honorary Co-Chairs and special guests include: Governor John Bel Edwards, Lt. Governor Billy Nungesser and Mike Illanne, Vice President of Chevron North America, Gulf of Mexico Business Unit.
Established in 1840, Antoine's, the country's oldest family-run restaurant, celebrated its 175th anniversary in 2015. During the Gala, guests will enjoy the original Main Dining Room, the Mardi Gras-themed Rex, Proteus, and 12th Night Revelers rooms, the Mystery Room, 1840 Room, the Last Room (or Tabasco Room) and the Wine Cellar, which holds approximately 25,000 bottles when fully stocked. French Quarter Festival is the only time of the year when Antoine's allows a non-profit community organization to 'take over' – celebrating the opening of French Quarter Festival at this grand Gala event.
Guests will enjoy tastings by Antoine's and an open bar courtesy of Abita Brewing Company and Brown-Forman/ Republic Beverages. The Patron Party takes place from 7:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m. and the Gala from 8:00 p.m. – 10:30 pm.
Tickets are now on sale and can be purchased online at www.fqfi.org or by calling 504-227-3124. Patron tickets are $250 and Gala tickets are $125 ($150 beginning April 1). In addition to single tickets, a limited number of VIP packages are available; packages include private gala seating with dedicated waiter and wristbands for front-of-stage access at festival.
• A Showcase Of New Orleans' Finest Cuisine
FQFI reps said in a city famous for its wealth of delicious and unique traditional food, French Quarter Festival gives attendees a taste of the best of the best at the 'The World's Largest Jazz Brunch'. More than 60 vendors feature classic New Orleans dishes as well as cuisine from the finest restaurants in the region. A number of restaurants have been with the festival since its beginning in 1984, and have been great partners for 30 years: Antoine's, Pat O'Brien's, Trey Yuen, Tujague's, Vaucresson Sausage, Desire Oyster Bar, and Court of Two Sisters. Other festival favorites returning for 2016 include Galatoire's, Muriel's, Praline Connection, Dickie Brennan's, Restaurant R'evolution, Bennachin, Love at First Bite, GW Fins, House of Blues, Jacques-Imo's, K-Paul's, Mrs. Wheat's, Lasyone's Meat Pies, Ruth's Chris Steak House, Three Muses, and more.
Also returning is the NOLA.com Eat Drink Café, a picnic area located on the riverfront's Kohlmeyer Lawn.
A full list of restaurants, including new vendors for 2016, will be released in March.
• Special Events, Programs, And Festival Extras
– French Quarter Festival Second-Line Kickoff Parade will take place Thursday, April 7, at 10:00 a.m. The parade departs from the 100 block of Bourbon St and makes its way to Jackson Square.
– Let Them Talk: Conversations about Louisiana Music will return to French Quarter Festival with presentations and performances at the Louisiana State Museum's Old U.S. Mint, 3rd Floor Auditorium on Saturday and Sunday at Festival (April 9 and 10). This series is free and open to the public. The complete schedule can be found online at www.fqfi.org. In collaboration with the Louisiana Endowment for the Humanities, a program book dedicated to the French Quarter Festival Let Them Talk Symposium and the French Quarter Fest Film Fest will be available, free-of-charge to festival goers.
– Film Fest at French Quarter Festival presented by Timecode: NOLA will return to Le Petit Theatre and provide three days of programming. Complete schedule to be announced in March.
– Dance Lessons, Battle of the Bands, Dancing at Dusk, Pirates Alley Juried Art Show, St. Louis Cathedral Spring Concert, Opera at Dusk, and two children's areas, including Chevron Children's Headquarters STEAM ZONE are beloved special events that all return for the 2016 French Quarter Festival.
• Sponsors Help To Keep This A True Community Event –
Chevron Returns As Title Sponsor Of French Quarter Festival And Satchmo SummerFest
FQFI reps said they are proud of the Festival’s history of providing high-quality community events at no cost and being accessible to all. In order to keep the Festival free and open to the public, the organization relies heavily on the contributions of sponsors and partners, beverage and merchandise sales, and vendor fees. Festival organizers welcome the return of Chevron as Title Sponsor of both French Quarter Festival and Satchmo SummerFest. "Chevron is pleased to be the presenting sponsor of the 33rd annual French Quarter Festival," said Leah Brown Public Affairs Manager, Chevron Gulf of Mexico. "Chevron invests in local arts and culture to inspire people and fuel the social and economic vitality of New Orleans and Louisiana. We're looking forward to once again celebrating our area's special music, cuisine and community."
Abita, Brown-Forman, Omni Royal Orleans Hotel, Tropical Isle, Rouses, and The Outlet Collection at Riverwalk also return as Major Sponsors of French Quarter Festival.
GE Digital also returns as a major sponsor supporting a riverfront stage as well as the Festival's official apps and Social Media Lounge. The FREE French Quarter Festival iPhone App is back, along with the Android App, courtesy of GE Digital. Fans can receive up to the minute announcements, downloadable music schedules, complete menus, special events, merchandise updates, shuttle information and unique offers to enhance their festival experience. The application will be available for download in March.
In partnership with New Orleans Tourism Marketing Corporation, the Solomon Group, and GE Digital a new Social Media Lounge will be launched at Jax Brewery. The area will be a resource for festival updates and information, with media personalities, café tables, and internet access. Attendees can use hashtags #fqfest and #fqfest2016.
FQFI also welcomes new sponsors Chevrolet, Creole Cuisine Restaurant Concepts, Moxy New Orleans, Snickers Crispers, State Farm, and Whitney Bank.
Returning sponsors include: Amtrak, BMI, Bubba Gump Shrimp Co., Crescent Crown Distributing, Cumulus New Orleans, DownBeat Magazine, French Market Corporation, Harrah's New Orleans, Hermann Grima House, The Historic New Orleans Collection, House of Blues, Inthenola.com, I.T.S. Fire Alarm Security, LLC, Le Petit Theatre du Vieux Carre, Louisiana Cookin', Louisiana Cultural Vistas, LA Lottery, Musician's Performance Fund, New Orleans Jazz National Historic Park, New Orleans Original Daiquiris, NOLA.com/Times-Picayune, NOLA Defender, NOLA Jitterbugs, OffBeat Magazine, Palm Court Jazz Cafe, Pat O' Brien's, Pelican Ice, Pepsi, Popeyes, Renaissance Publishing, Rentech Solutions, Republic National Distributing, Rolland Safe and Lock, Steinway and Sons, Taste of the South, Tulane Health System, The Vinyl District, Westin New Orleans Canal Place, Where Magazine, Where Y'at Magazine, Windsor Court Hotel, KKAY, WWL-TV, WWL-AM, WWOZ, WWNO 89.9 FM, WRNO 99.5, and WYLD.
French Quarter Festival presented by Chevron is produced by FQFI, the 501(c)3 nonprofit organization which also produces Satchmo SummerFest presented by Chevron 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 New Orleans, contribute to the economic well-being of the community, and instill increased pride in the people of New Orleans.
