FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Frenchmen Street's Beloved Bob Marley Mural Returns During Essence Festival Weekend
Cafe Negril Celebrates Official Unveiling of Historic Landmark on July 3
NEW ORLEANS, LA — July 3, 2026 — A beloved piece of Frenchmen Street history is returning to New Orleans.
Cafe Negril will officially unveil its newly recreated Bob Marley mural on Friday, July 3, 2026, during a special celebration featuring live music, a balloon drop, donor recognition, and an opportunity to meet the artist behind both the original mural and its recreation.
Originally painted in 1990 by New Orleans artist Dwayne Conrad, the Bob Marley mural became one of the most recognizable landmarks on Frenchmen Street. For decades, visitors from around the world stopped to photograph the mural and experience the spirit of music, culture, and community it represented.
Years later, the mural was covered due to building and fire code requirements, leaving many longtime patrons wondering if they would ever see Bob return.
"This mural has always been about more than Bob Marley," said artist Dwayne Conrad. "Over the years it became part of Frenchmen Street and part of people's memories. Thousands of visitors took photos in front of it, musicians performed beneath it, and locals came to see it as a landmark. When it disappeared, people never stopped asking about it. Bringing it back has been an opportunity to reconnect with a piece of New Orleans culture and preserve it for future generations."
The unveiling will take place during Essence Festival Weekend, one of New Orleans' busiest and most culturally significant weekends of the year.
Guests attending the celebration will have the opportunity to meet artist Dwayne Conrad, learn about the mural's history, view the completed artwork, and enjoy live music from New Orleans reggae favorites Higher Heights Reggae Band.
The Legacy Continues
While initial fundraising helped offset a portion of the project's costs, significant expenses remain. The newly launched Bring Back Bob Legacy Fund will continue raising money to help cover the costs of recreating, installing, preserving, and maintaining the mural so it can remain a part of Frenchmen Street for years to come.
Supporters can contribute at:
https://givebutter.com/bring-back-bob
Community members may continue to participate in the project through donations, and supporters contributing $250 or more will receive a personalized 2" x 4" commemorative plaque permanently displayed on the mural's adjacent Supporters Wall, creating a lasting tribute to those who helped bring Bob back to Frenchmen Street.
Event Details
Bring Back Bob – Official Mural Unveiling
Friday, July 3, 2026
Doors Open: 6:00 PM with live music by Maurice Cade and the E.S.S Band
Meet the Artist: 9:30 PM – 10:30 PM
Official Mural Unveiling: 10:30 PM
Balloon Drop Celebration: Immediately Following
Live Music: Higher Heights Reggae Band
Location:
Cafe Negril
606 Frenchmen Street
New Orleans, LA 70116
For more information, donations, and event details, visit:
Media Contact
Emily Rowlands
General Manager
Cafe Negril
(504) 229-4236
www.CafeNegrilNOLA.com