2017 French Quarter Festival presented by Chevron: What’s New
| The 34th Annual French Quarter Festival presented by Chevron is April 6-9 , 2017
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| (January 24, 2017) New Orleans, LA – French Quarter Festivals, Inc. proudly announces details about the 34th Annual French Quarter Festival presented by Chevron. The largest showcase of Louisiana music in the world will take place April 6-9, 2017. Festival-goers can expect over 60 of New Orleans’ finest restaurants at ‘The World’s Largest Jazz Brunch,’ music from over 1,700 world-class, local musicians, and over a dozen special events. French Quarter Festival presented by Chevron has been called the “one thing to do in Louisiana” by the Huffington Post and voted “Best Festival in New Orleans” by New Orleans Magazine readers.
What started as a neighborhood festival and ‘locals’ event’ has grown into the largest event in Louisiana behind Mardi Gras, with an average economic impact of approximately $190 million. Aaron Neville to make his festival debut on Thursday, April 6 French Quarter Festival organizers welcome over 20 new acts to the 2017 Festival. On Locals’ Lagniappe Day, Thursday, April 6, Aaron Neville will make his debut on the riverfront Abita Beer Stage. The performance is presented by musician sponsor, AOS Interior Environments. Aaron Neville is synonymous with New Orleans, celebrated throughout the world as part of the legendary Neville Brothers and as a Grammy-winning solo artist. He has had numerous Platinum albums and Top 10 hits. His most recent album, Apache, was released in July 2016. French Quarter Festivals, Inc. is thrilled to welcome him to the Abita Beer Stage. Other debuts include: Cedric Watson and Bijou Creole, Cole Williams Band, Cupid, Messy Cookers Jazz Band, Mo’Fess, Love Evolution, Perdido Jazz Band, T’Monde, Valerie Sassyfrass, and more. Jack Daniel’s Stage Grows with Four Days of Music in New Location Year after year, French Quarter Festival is voted ‘local 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. 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 2017 with the expansion of the Jack Daniel’s Stage, which moves from Bourbon Street to JAX Brewery. The stage will have entertainment all four days of festival. Artists include: Otra, Meschiya Lake and the Little Big Horns, King James & The Special Men, Soul Rebels, and Corey Henry’s Treme Funktet. French Quarter Festival 2017 will also bring a stage to KIPP McDonogh 15 School for the Creative Arts located at 721 St Philip Street. The stage’s lineup will be released in March. The GE Digital Big River Stage returns with every genre from Bounce to Rockabilly. Artists include Alex McMurray, Brass-A-Holics, Partners N Crime & The Big Easy Band featuring DJ Jubilee, and Rory Danger & the Danger Dangers. The stage, which will have music all four days of festival, has over 20 bands performing. 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, The Original Pinettes Brass Band, Red Wolf Brass Band, Storyville Stompers Brass Band, and many more. Musician Sponsorship Program The 2017 French Quarter Festival will feature over 1,700 local artists. Festival-organizers 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 $1 million in contributions. In 2016, over 100 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 – a true community event. In 2017, AOS Interior Environments sponsors Aaron Neville, and Pan-American Life Insurance Group is underwriting all Latin and world music for a second year. Making a debut is Aloft New Orleans Downtown, sponsoring Sweet Crude and Alexis and the Samurai. The Festival is still accepting 2017 sponsorships. Contact Becca Schick, Musician Sponsorship Manager, at 504-227-3126 or rschick@fqfi.org for more information. Opening Night Gala returns to Antoine’s Thursday April 6, the French Quarter Festival Opening Night Gala will return to Antoine’s Restaurant. Established in 1840 Antoine’s is the country’s oldest family-run restaurant. 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 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. Gala guests will enjoy music by Players Ella and Louis Tribute Band, tastings by Antoine’s and other festival favorites, an open bar courtesy of Abita Brewing Company and Republic Beverages, and mingling with the Merry Antoinettes. Tony Green and Gypsy Jazz will perform at the Patron Party, which takes place from 7-8:00 pm, immediately before the Gala which takes place from 8-10:30 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 $155 ($175 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 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 2017 include Galatoire’s, Muriel’s, Praline Connection, Dickie Brennan’s Steakhouse, Restaurant R’evolution, Broussard’s, Love at First Bite, Royal House, 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. A full list of restaurants, including new vendors for 2017, will be released in March. Special Events, Programs, and Festival Extras
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