Media Contact:
Rebecca Sell
Marketing Manager
(504)522-5730
rebecca@fqfi.org
(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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Special Events, Programs, and Festival Extras
• French Quarter Festival Second-Line Kickoff Parade will take place Thursday, April 6 at 10 a.m. The parade departs from the 100 block of Bourbon Street 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 8 and 9). This series is free and open to the public. The complete schedule can be found online at www.fqfi.org.
• Dance Lessons, Battle of the Bands, Dancing at Dusk, Pirates Alley Juried Art Show, and two children's areas, including Chevron Children's Headquarters STEAM ZONE are beloved special events that all return for the 2017 French Quarter Festival.
Sponsors help to keep this a true community event -
Chevron returns as Title Sponsor of French Quarter Festival and Satchmo SummerFest
French Quarter Festivals, Inc. is proud of its 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 thrilled to return as presenting sponsor of the 34th annual French Quarter Festival," said Leah Brown Public Affairs Manager, Chevron Gulf of Mexico. "Chevron values local arts and culture. Our partnership with French Quarter Festivals, Inc. is one way we fuel the social and economic vitality of New Orleans and Louisiana."
Abita Brewing Company, Brown-Forman, New Orleans Tourism Marketing Corporation, NOLA.com/Times-Picayune, OffBeat Magazine, Omni Royal Orleans Hotel, Tropical Isle, Rouses, and WWL-TV also return as Major Sponsors of French Quarter Festival.
GE Digital has signed a three year agreement to return as a major sponsor supporting a riverfront stage as well as the Festival's official apps. The FREE French Quarter Festival iPhone and Android App lets fans receive up to the minute announcements, downloadable music schedules, complete menus, special events, merchandise updates, and unique offers to enhance their festival experience. The updated app will be released late March.
Other sponsors include:
Amtrak, Antoine's Restaurant,The Berger Company,Bubba Gump Shrimp Co.,Creole Cuisine Restaurant Concepts,Crescent Crown Distributing,Cumulus New Orleans, Data News Weekly, DownBeat Magazine, French Market Corporation, Hermann-Grima House, The Historic New Orleans Collection, House of Blues,Inthenola.com, I.T.S. Fire Alarm Security, LLC, KKAY, KREWE du optic, Laurel Outdoors, Le Petit Theatre du Vieux Carre,Live Free Magazine,Louisiana Cookin', Louisiana Lottery, Musician's Performance Fund,New Orleans Jazz National Historic Park, New Orleans Metropolitan Convention and Visitors Bureau, New Orleans Original Daiquiris,Palm Court Jazz Cafe, Pat O' Brien's, Pepsi, Popeyes Louisiana Kitchen,Preservation Hall,Renaissance Publishing, Rentech Solutions,Republic National Distributing, Rolland Safe and Lock,Royal Sonesta,Steinway and Sons, Taste of the South,The Vinyl District,Uptown Messenger, WBOK,Westin New Orleans Canal Place, Where Magazine, Where Y'at Magazine, Windsor Court Hotel, Whitney Bank,WWL-AM, WWOZ, WWNO 89.9 FM, WRNO 99.5, WYLD, and Zapp's Potato Chips.
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About French Quarter Festival
French Quarter Festival presented by Chevron is produced by French Quarter Festivals, Inc., (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 this unique city, contribute to the economic well-being of the community, and instill increased pride in the people of New Orleans. For more information about French Quarter Festivals, Inc. or any of these events, call (504) 522-5730 or visit www.fqfi.org.