28th Anniversary Celebration – 4 days of music, food, special events and fun
Save the dates for the largest FREE music festival in the South!
April 7 – 10, 2011
NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA (January 14, 2011) – Today French Quarter Festivals, Inc. announces the addition of Thursday to the 2011 French Quarter Festival presented by Capital One Bank. 2011 dates are set for Thursday, April 7 through Sunday, April 10.
According to Marci Schramm, Executive Director of French Quarter Festivals, Inc., “We are extremely honored that our festival has been embraced by so many people over the past few years following Hurricane Katrina. Each year, we continue to make operational changes that are designed to greatly improve the quality of the festival experience for everyone. To that end, we are proud to announce the addition of an extra day to the schedule; a little something we like to call “Local Lagniappe”, that we hope will be enjoyed by locals and tourists alike.”
The 2011 Schedule is as follows:
Thursday, April 7
Noon – 5 p.m. – Jackson Square site open featuring the Jackson Square music stage and ‘The World’s Largest Jazz Brunch’
3:00 – 7:00 p.m. – Riverfront site (Woldenberg Riverfront Park) open featuring three music stages and ‘The World’s
10 a.m. – Opening Parade (Bourbon Street to Jackson Square)
11 a.m. – Festival opens (Jackson Square, Riverfront, Old U.S. Mint, French Market, Bourbon Street, Preservation Hall)
Saturday/Sunday
11 a.m. – Full festival and Street stages open on the weekend, as usual
The largest free music festival in the South is proud to showcase the finest music, food and culture that are uniquely New Orleans.
This year’s festival will feature over 275 hours of free music across 18 stages throughout the historic French Quarter. With over 800 local musicians, every genre is represented. From traditional and contemporary jazz, to rhythm and blues, New Orleans funk, Zydeco, to brass bands, folk, opera and gospel, there is truly something for everyone.
Festival-goers are also invited to participate in other free activities throughout the three-day weekend and are encouraged to explore all that French Quarter Festival has to offer. Special events within the festival include the opening parade, the World Championship Crawfish Eating Contest, Battle of the Bands, Dancing at Dusk, the International Music Colloquium, family-fun activities at Children’s Headquarters, the World’s Largest Jazz Brunch, and more. In addition, the kickoff party and fundraiser ‘TGIF’ (Thank Goodness it’s Festival!) takes place the evening of Thursday, April 7 from 7 to 10 p.m.
Attendees can also expect to see more great food and drinks, as there will be over 75 food and beverage booths located in Jackson Square, Woldenberg Riverfront Park and the Louisiana State Museum’s Old U.S. Mint. Participants in ‘The World’s Largest Jazz Brunch” will showcase local cuisine from the area’s finest restaurants, some of which have been loyal vendors since the festival’s inception in 1984.
Out-of-town festival goers are encouraged to book their travel accommodations now; as many area hotels have reported that they are nearing capacity. As always, there is no finer time to visit New Orleans as the spring, especially during the weekend of French Quarter Festival – the largest free music festival in the South. April marks the start of the festival season in New Orleans and normally a month of beautiful weather.
The 2011 French Quarter Festival is produced by French Quarter Festivals, Inc., (FQFI) the 501(c)3 nonprofit organization, which also produces Satchmo SummerFest and Christmas New Orleans Style. For more information on French Quarter Festival, call 504-522-5730 or visit online at www.fqfi.org.
NEW ORLEANS – April 9, 10 and 11, 2010,marked the 27th anniversary and a record year for French Quarter Festival presented by Capital One Bank. This year’s attendance figures indicate that approximately 512,000* festival-goers enjoyed the music, food, special events and of course, the historic French Quarter. Visitors and locals alike enjoyed a unique weekend that only New Orleans can deliver. Executive Director Marci Schramm commented, “We are so fortunate to have enjoyed a gorgeous weekend in New Orleans and that so many people came out to enjoy the festival – the food, the music, and the spirit of everyone was just fantastic. We are thrilled with the support of Capital One Bank this year in such a meaningful way, along with all our festival sponsors – local brands that make New Orleans unique”. “As presenting sponsor of the French Quarter Festival, Capital One Bank is proud to support an event that showcases and celebrates so much of what makes our city unique and special,” said Steve Hemperley, Greater New Orleans Market President for Capital One Bank. “This is one of many events we support that enhance the communities we serve in Louisiana. All of us at Capital One thank the festival’s organizers, performers and vendors, the residents and businesses of the French Quarter, and the hundreds of thousands of fans who combined to make this year’s French Quarter Festival the best yet.”
This award-winning festival, which began in 1984, has grown to become the largest free music festival in the South. Eighteen stages throughout the French Quarter presented the best in New Orleans music, representing every genre from traditional and contemporary jazz to R & B and New Orleans funk, brass bands, folk, gospel, classical, opera, Cajun Zydeco, Latin World, International, as well as a musical stage for children. Over 105 food and beverage booths located in Jackson Square, Woldenberg Riverfront Park and the Louisiana State Museum’s Old U.S. Mint made up the “World’s Largest Jazz Brunch,” a signature event, featuring authentic local cuisine from renowned area restaurants, many of whom have been with the Festival its entire 27 years. Record sales were recorded by both food and beverage vendors.
FQFI officials worked with Capital One Bank and Hotard to bring back shuttle service to the festival (not offered since 2003). Capital One Bank sponsored the ‘Second Line Shuttle’, which was routed from the Convention Center to Canal Street and was free to ride all weekend. To accommodate the many people attending the festival on both Saturday and Sunday, the New Orleans Police Department closed down North Peters and Decatur Street – creating a pedestrian mall from Canal Street all the way to the French Market. The weekend was a safe and enjoyable experience for locals and visitors alike.
French Quarter Festival relies on strong community support to present the ‘kickoff to festival season in New Orleans’ – with over 1,100 volunteers, over 220 musical acts, sponsors including the New Orleans Musicians Union AFM Local 174-496, corporations from all over the state who sponsor musical acts at festival, New Orleans Police and Fire Departments, EMS, permitting assistance from the City of New Orleans and partnerships with Parks and Parkways, Audubon Institute and the Louisiana State Museum, among others.
Festival-goers attended special events throughout the three-day weekend, including over 1,100 guests at the Thursday night kickoff party: ‘TGIF’ – Thank Goodness it’s Festival! – on the Steamboat Natchez. French Quarter Festival opened Friday with an official second-line parade, music starting at 11 a.m., the International Music Colloquium, free Swing Dance lessons at two stages, children’s music and activities at the Audubon Aquarium riverfront plaza, and a Pirate’s Alley Juried Art Show. Saturday activitiescontinued with the Rouses World Championship Crawfish Eating Contest, and Battle of the Bands. Sunday’s ‘Dancing at Dusk’ grew in popularity as dancers filled the 400 block of Royal Street and beyond.
French Quarter Festival2010 was sponsored by Sponsors for French Quarter Festival include: Capital One Bank, Louisiana Office of Tourism, Harrah’s Foundation, Abita Brewing Company, Southern Comfort, Coca-Cola, WWL-TV, French Market Corporation, Cox Business Louisiana, Musician’s Performance Fund, Rouses Market, Fetzer, National Endowment for the Arts, Louisiana State Museum, Community Coffee, Arts Council of New Orleans, nola.com, Louisiana Lottery, BMI, Heyward Foundation, Continental Airlines, New Orleans Red Dress Run sponsored by the New Orleans Hash House Harriers, New Orleans Metropolitan Convention and Visitors Bureau, New Orleans Tourism Marketing Corporation, Pat O’s on the River, Hard Rock Café, Court of Two Sisters, Tulane Medical Center, Tulane Hospital for Kids at Tulane Medical Center, applitite, New Orleans Jazz National Historic Park, TRS – The Registration System, Got Milk?, BMI Foundation, WWOZ 90.7 FM, OffBeat Magazine, Where Y’at Magazine, Legends Park, Preservation Hall, The Historic New Orleans Collection, Le Petit Theatre, Irvin Mayfield’s Jazz Playhouse, University of New Orleans Hospitality Research Center, NewOrleans.com, Louisiana Cookin’, Louisiana’s Health & Fitness Magazine, Vocero USA, Taste of the South Magazine, WWNO 89.9FM, WWL AM870, 102.5 WFMF, 96.1 KRVE, AM1150 WJBO, and 101.5 WYNK. For more information on all FQFI festivals and events, call 504-522-5730 or visit www.fqfi.org.
French Quarter Festival was produced by French Quarter Festivals, Inc., (FQFI) the 501 (c) (3) nonprofit organization, which also produces Satchmo SummerFest in August and Christmas New Orleans Style in December. For more information about any of these events, call (504) 522-5730 or visit www.fqfi.org.
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*Attendance numbers are calculated based on actual counts (that are adjusted down by percentage to account for repeat entrances and exits). Fess Security counts at entry and exit points of major stages. This number does not include attendance at the festival’s Royal, Bourbon, Chartres and French Market stages, Battle of the Bands, Dancing at Dusk, Courtyard Tours, Cathedral Concert, Opera at the Cabildo, and other special events. The organization is pleased to report record sales of food, beverages and merchandise.
Showcasing New Orleans Culture and Heritage Since 1984!
French Quarter Festival measures its success in many ways…
Attendance:
2010 – 512,000 people attended French Quarter Festival
2009 – 441,000 people attended French Quarter Festival
The Algiers-Gretna Ferry:
2010 – over 45,000 people road the ferry to French Quarter Festival
2009 – over 22,000 people road the ferry to French Quarter Festival
- According to a ferry spokesperson, 37% more people road the ferry to the 2010 French Quarter Festival compared to the 2010 Mardi Gras
- The Algiers-Grenta Ferry is considering the addition of a third ferry for the 2011 French Quarter Festival.
Tourism:
The New Orleans Metropolitan Convention and Visitors Bureau (NOMCVB) surveyed hotels and found that Friday night occupancy was 99 percent, Saturday night occupancy was 100 percent.
In addition to French Quarter Festival, the city hosted convention guests for the Southern Republican Leadership Conference, American Planning Association and American Association of Petroleum Geologists.
Abita:
2010 – 944 kegs consumed
2009 – 748 kegs consumed
Following the 2010 French Quarter Festival, there are no more kegs of Abita Jockamo India Pale Ale for distribution in the State of Louisiana (at the brewery and Crescent Crown Distributing).
Southern Comfort:
Following French Quarter Festival, there are no cases of Southern Comfort Sweet Tea cocktail left in the State of Louisiana for distribution (at Republic Beverage Company)
Rouses Crawfish Boil:
30,000 pounds of crawfish were boiled and consumed in 2010. During 2009, the first year of this offering, 15,000-20,000 pounds of crawfish were boiled and consumed over three days during the ‘Rouses Crawfish Boil’ at the Old U.S. Mint.
NEW ORLEANS – In a city known for its delicious and diverse cuisine, even festivals are known for serving world-class food. During the 27th Annual French Quarter Festival presented by Capital One Bank (Friday, April 9 – Sunday, April 11) festival-goers will enjoy at the festival’s signature event, the “World’s Largest Jazz Brunch.”
In 2009, French Quarter Festival set a festival record with 90 food and beverage booths. The 2010 event will shatter that record by offering over 105 food and beverage booths from some of the city’s culinary elite. Over 105 food and beverage booths (list of concessionaires attached) located in Jackson Square, Woldenberg Riverfront Park and the Louisiana State Museum’s Old U.S. Mint that make up the “World’s Largest Jazz Brunch,” feature authentic local cuisines from the area’s finest restaurants including such festival favorites as Jambalaya, Crawfish Bread, Gumbo, Red Beans and Rice, Muffaletta, Crawfish Bisque, Hot Sausage Po-boys, Cajun Meat Pies, and more. Foodies will also enjoy Crawfish and Goat Cheese Crepes, Fish Tacos, White Chocolate Banana Bread Pudding, and Praline Crème Brulee. In addition to all of the wonderful food items, the festival offers an array of deliciously cool beverages including Abita Beer, frozen Southern Comfort cocktails, Fetzer wines, Coca-Cola products, Hurricanes, Margaritas, a wide assortment daiquiris, and Community Coffee. Most menu items range in price from $3 – $7 to keep the festival not only fun, but affordable.
In order to maintain the authenticity and quality of the cuisine, the Jazz Brunch Committee follows a specific a criteria for participating in the “World’s Largest Jazz Brunch”. In order to qualify, vendors must be dine-in restaurants from New Orleans region. French Quarter Festival is able to feature an array of the New Orleans’ culinary finest, including Anotine’s, Begue’s, Desire Oyster Bar, Ristorante Carmelo, Trey Yuen Cuisine, and Tujague’s who participated in the first-ever French Quarter Festival in 1984. Patrons can also enjoy an assortment from new participants such as Royal House, Little Tokyo, Lakeview Harbor, House of Blues, Pearl’s Catering, and Quintin’s Ice Cream.
Visit fqfi.org to see the complete food and beverage menu. The “World’s Largest Jazz Brunch” is served daily from 11:00am – 7:00 pm Friday through Sunday in Jackson Square and at the Louisiana State Museum’s Old U.S. Mint, and 11:00am- 9:00pm in Woldenberg Riverfront Park on Friday and Saturday and Sunday from 11:00am – 7:00pm Sunday.
Sponsors for French Quarter Festival include: Capital One Bank, Louisiana Office of Tourism, Harrah’s Foundation, Abita Brewing Company, Southern Comfort, Coca-Cola, WWL-TV, New Orleans Metropolitan Convention and Visitors Bureau, New Orleans Tourism Marketing Corporation, French Market Corporation, Cox Business Louisiana, Musician’s Performance Fund, Rouses Market, Fetzer, National Endowment for the Arts, Louisiana State Museum, Community Coffee, Community Arts Grant made possible by the City of New Orleans as administered by the Arts Council of New Orleans, Crystal Hot Sauce, nola.com, Louisiana Lottery, BMI, Chevron, Heyward Foundation, Continental Airlines, Pat O’s on the River, Hard Rock Café, Court of Two Sisters, Tulane Medical Center, Tulane Hospital for Children at Tulane Medical Center, applitite, New Orleans Jazz National Historic Park, Milk the Moment, BMI Foundation, Rolland Lock and Safe, Whole Foods, TRS – The Registration System, WWOZ 90.7 FM, OffBeat Magazine, Where Y’at Magazine, New Orleans Fine Hotels, Inn on Bourbon, Windsor Court Hotel, Café Beignet, New Orleans Red Dress Run sponsored by the New Orleans Hash House Harriers, Fleur de Lindy, dancingman504.com, dancequarter.com, Nola Baby & Family Magazine, Musical Legends Park, Preservation Hall, The Historic New Orleans Collection, Le Petit Theatre, Irvin Mayfield’s Jazz Playhouse, University of New Orleans Hospitality Research Center, NewOrleans.com, Louisiana Cookin’, Louisiana’s Health & Fitness Magazine, Vocero USA, The New Orleans Levee, Taste of the South Magazine, WWNO 89.9FM, WWL AM870, 102.5 WFMF, 96.1 KRVE, AM1150 WJBO, 101.5 WYNK, 107.5 KCIL, 106.3 KXOR, 96.7 KMYO, and 1490AM KJIN. For more information on all FQFI festivals and events, call 504-522-5730 or visit the festival’s website at www.fqfi.org.
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World’s Largest Jazz Brunch – Food & Beverage Concessions as of February 23, 2010:
Alibi
Alpine
American Culinary Institute
Amy’s Vietnamese
Antoine’s
Audubon Nature Institute Catering Department
Ba Mien Vietnamese Cuisine
Barreca’s
Begue’s at The Royal Sonesta
Bennachin
Bombay Club
Boucherie
Bubba Gump Shrimp Co.
Buttermilk Drop Bakery
Bywater Bar-B-Que
Corky’s BBQ
Creole Delicacies
Crepes a la Cart
Crescent City Pie and Sausage
Daiquiri Delight Shop
Desire Oyster Bar @ Royal Sonesta
EAT New Orleans
Flour Power Confectionery
Gumbo Shop
GW Fins
Hard Rock Café
House of Blues
Jacques-Imo’s
Jimmy Buffet’s Margaritaville
Lakeview Harbor
Little Tokyo
Love At First Bite
Mr B’s Bistro
Muriel’s Jackson Square
New Orleans Original Daiquiris
NOLA / Emeril’s DelMonico
Pat O’Brien’s Bar
Pearl’s Catering
Plum Street Snowballs
Praline Connection
Quintin’s Ice Cream
Ralph and Kacoo’s
Ristorante Carmelo
Rouse’s
Royal House
Saltwater Grill
Serranos Salsa Company
Superior Grill
Ted’s Frostop/Mrs Wheat’s Pies
The Court of Two Sisters
The Joint
The Original New Orleans Po Boys
Trey Yuen Cuisine of China
Tropical Isle
Tujague’s
Vaucresson Sausage Co.
Join before December 31, 2009 and be entered to win a festival lovers dream package
NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA (November 4, 2009) – French Quarter Festivals, Inc (FQFI) is proud to announce the inception of its new membership program, the ‘Fest Family’. Fest Family memberships were developed to provide festival-goers with a true ‘insiders’ experience and to ensure a strong future for French Quarter Festivals, Inc. Fest Family memberships provide essential funding for these free community festivals and events, which employ musicians and artists, impact young generations of performers, preserve our unique culture and heritage, attract visitors, and add to the quality of life in the community.
All ‘Fest Family’ members enrolled by January 1, 2010 will be entered to win, a weekend at the Royal Sonesta in the Presidential Suite for French Quarter Fest 2010 or two round trip tickets on Continental Airlines!
Contributions at each and every level will directly benefit the organization and provide greatly needed assistance, allowing the organization to maintain these high quality events and continue the celebration of New Orleans’ unique culture and heritage. Membership levels were designed to appeal to individual partners as well as to larger corporate sponsors. Levels are categorized with a uniquely ‘French Quarter feel’, with names such as “Chartres Member”, Bourbon Street, Woldenberg Park, and Jackson Square levels, and include uniquely FQFI benefits such as tickets to the French Quarter Festival Kick-off party, passes to the invitation-only Satchmo SummerFest opening reception, festival posters and merchandise, and access to VIP hospitality areas during French Quarter Festival. Ranging from $35 to $1,000, memberships are structured to fit all budgets.
Members ARE the festival, and an integral part of the FQFI family. The French Quarter Festival family has been together for 26 years and continues to grow. The ‘Fest Family’ will ensure that FQFI can produce FREE events for years to come along with the support from our sponsors, as well as beverage and merchandise sales. Since is inception in 1984, French Quarter Festival, has grown from the ‘locals festival’ to the “Largest FREE Music Festival in the South”. Throughout the years, other FREE events have been added to the cultural calendar produced by French Quarter Festivals, Inc., (FQFI) including Satchmo SummerFest and Christmas New Orleans Style. All of this has been made possible by the dedication of supporters.
French Quarter Festivals, Inc. takes great pride in the community and supports local industry by hiring only local contractors (stage/sound/booths, etc.) – all money, earned and spent, stays within the state of Louisiana. FQFI events directly impact the New Orleans economy and local retailers, restaurants, and hotels rely on festival weekends. Additional support is needed to help build for the future and continue producing the best festivals, family activities, and live LOCAL music.
For more information, or to become a member call Heather Twichell, Development Manager at 504.522.5730 or heather@fqfi.org.
What’s New for 2009 at French Quarter Festival
NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA (March 10, 2009) – After reaching a milestone in 2008 with a celebration of the 25th anniversary and reaching attendance of 435,000 people (half locals and half tourists), French Quarter Festival is poised for growth! This year there are plenty of new and exciting things scheduled for the 26th annual French Quarter Festival.
Exciting new programming for 2009 includes: the ‘Louis-Louis Pavilion Stage’ on the riverfront, paying tribute to Louis Armstrong and Louis Prima with special performances and a tent where festivalgoers can learn more about New Orleans’ famous native sons. Sunday morning Gospel music returns to the Riverfront, as the stages open with local gospel choirs. Saturday evening, Music @ Madewood will produce the one-act opera ‘Cabildo’ in the courtyard of the Cabildo with free admission.
To better accommodate the growing audience and improve the festival’s flow, some stages and areas have been reconfigured. In an exciting new partnership with Audubon Institute, the first major change is the expansion and relocation of the ever-popular Children’s Headquarters, which will move to the Audubon Aquarium Plaza on the riverfront, anchored by Kids’ Stage at the ferry landing. This year, Children’s Headquarters will focus on educating families about ‘healthy kids’ programs in a fun and interactive way, including: Whole Foods healthy kids’ cooking demonstrations with audience participation; the ‘Got Milk?’ national tour with milk mustache photos and activities; Tulane Hospital for Children will host hula hoop and jump rope competitions as well as crafts and face painting; drumming circles; and much more. Other partners at Children’s Headquarters include: New Orleans Jazz National Historic Park, Radio Disney, Crimestoppers, King Lam’s Tai Chi and Tamashii Karate Center, Kamal’s Fi Ya Ya Mardi Gras Indians, Academy of the Sacred Heart, and Audubon Institute’s new dinosaur exhibit preview, complete with a giant robotic dinosaur on the plaza.
Louisiana State Museum’s Old U.S. Mint will also see new additions for 2009. A new stage that will have a Frenchmen Street feel, called ‘Esplanade in the Shade’ will feature an exciting and eclectic mix of artists including Big Chief Bo Dollis, Jr. and the Wild Magnolias, Big Blue Marble, Ingrid Lucia, Astral Project, Tony Green and Gypsy Jazz, Posse with Kevin O’Day, and more. This year the World Championship Oyster Eating (and shucking) Contest moves to the Old U.S. Mint on Saturday afternoon, making it the new home for this official International Federation of Competitive Eating (IFOCE) event.
As the festival’s attendance has grown to over 435,000, other stages will move to new, more spacious locations, including: the International Stage and one of the traditional jazz stages, which will be hosted by the French Market. The new and expanded home for the Classical Music Stage will be The Historic New Orleans Collection at the Williams Research Center, with live broadcast by WWNO 89.9 FM.
The 2009 French Quarter Festival is produced by French Quarter Festivals, Inc., (FQFI) the 501(c)3 nonprofit organization, which also produces Satchmo SummerFest and Christmas New Orleans Style. For more information on French Quarter Festival, call 504-522-5730 or visit online at www.fqfi.org.
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January 29, 2009 – New Orleans, LA –French Quarter Festival was honored with its second award in the new year after being named ‘Best Festival’ at last night’s offBeat Magazine’s ‘Best of the Beat’ Business Awards Ceremony. As it was chosen by offBeat readers, French Quarter Festival was named ‘Best Festival’ for 2008. New Orleans Magazine announced in their January 2009 issue that readers also voted French Quarter Festival the 2008 ‘Best Festival’, as well as ‘Best Event Open to the Public’ – even beating out Mardi Gras in that category.
With under 80 days to go, preparations are underway for 2009, which will celebrate 26 years of showcasing the finest music, food and culture this uniquely New Orleans event has to offer. The award-winning festival is a favorite of locals and tourists alike and is the largest free music festival in the South. It was named a Top 10 Event by New Orleans CityBusiness Newspaper and is a Top 20 Destination according to AAA and the Southeast Tourism Society. French Quarter Festival attracted approximately 435,000 fans and generated an economic impact of more than $149 million.
Over 18 stages in prime locations throughout the French Quarter present over 250 hours of the best music New Orleans has to offer with 450 musicians representing every genre from traditional and contemporary jazz to rhythm & blues and New Orleans funk, to brass bands, folk, gospel, Latin, classical and international music. More than 70 food and beverage booths located in Jackson Square, Woldenberg Riverfront Park and the Louisiana State Museum’s Old U.S. Mint will feature authentic local cuisine from the area’s finest restaurants.
French Quarter Festival is produced by French Quarter Festivals, Inc., (FQFI) the 501 (c) (3) nonprofit organization which also produces Satchmo SummerFest in August and Christmas New Orleans Style in December.
For more information on FQF26, call 504-522-5730 or visit online at www.fqfi.org.
