French Quarter Festivals, Inc. – The Facts!
For more information: web: www.fqfi.org phone: 504-522-5730

• In 2011 – French Quarter Festival celebrates its 28th Anniversary; Christmas New Orleans Style celebrates its 26nd anniversary; and Satchmo SummerFest celebrates its 11th anniversary.
• French Quarter Festival was first produced in 1984 as a way to bring residents back to the Quarter; following the World’s Fair and extensive sidewalk repairs in the French Quarter.
• More than 1,500 community volunteers help to make the festival a success
• French Quarter Festivals, Inc. is a private, non-profit 501(c)3 organization.
• French Quarter Festivals, Inc. receives no funding from the City of New Orleans.
• French Quarter Festival is the largest, free music festival in the South.
• Chief sources of funding are: sponsorships, beverage and merchandise sales, vendor fees and the TGIF (Thank Goodness It’s Festival!) kickoff party in April.
• 18 stages throughout the French Quarter celebrate local music and represent every genre from traditional and contemporary jazz to R & B, New Orleans funk, brass bands, folk, gospel, latin, zydeco, classical and international.
• New Orleans great restaurants, create the “World’s Largest Jazz Brunch” in Jackson Square, the Old U.S. Mint and Woldenberg Riverfront Park during festival weekend; Satchmo SummerFest hosts ‘Red Bean Alley’ with Satchmoinspired dishes and great local cuisine. Only local restaurants are invited to participate in these festivals.
• French Quarter Festival has been consistently voted ‘favorite festival’ by locals.

Attendance Overview

• French Quarter Festival 2010 attendance – over 512,000 people
• Satchmo SummerFest 2010 attendance – over 26,000 people
• French Quarter Festival attendees are 50% residents and 50% visitors
• Satchmo SummerFest attendees are 42% residents and 68% visitors
• Visitors from as many as 37 states have attended FQF. Top 5 states – Louisiana, Mississippi, California, Florida, Texas
• Visitors from as many as 12 countries have attended FQF: top Countries – US, Canada, Japan, Germany

Economic Impact

• According to an analysis of the French Quarter Festival Visitors Survey conducted by The University of New Orleans (UNO) Hospitality Research Center, French Quarter Festival 2010 generated a total economic impact of more than $316 million, including $158.6 million in direct spending and $157.4 million in secondary spending. Additionally, the event generated over $25.3 million in state and local tax revenue.
• FQF employs more than 800 local musicians during Festival weekend
• FQF hosts over 70 local restaurants which make up ‘the World’s Largest Jazz Brunch’ at the Festival.
• FQF employs only local companies during the Festival (sanitation, stages, sound, security, etc.). All money spent to produce the festival stays within the local economy.

Capital One Bank: Celebrating What Makes New Orleans Special
Capital One Bank proud to return as presenting sponsor of the French Quarter Festival

Capital One Bank is the presenting sponsor of the 2011 French Quarter Festival, marking the second consecutive year the bank has served in this important role. Capital One bankers take an active role in the New Orleans community, working to build strong, lasting relationships with consumers, small business owners and commercial clients and to
understand their financial needs.

We offer a full range of products and services to meet those needs — all available from our
branches conveniently located throughout New Orleans and Louisiana.

“In addition to celebrating those things which make the French Quarter so special — world-class music, architecture and food – the French Quarter Festival Presented by Capital One Bank continues to positively impact the New Orleans economy,” said Capital One Bank Greater New Orleans Market President Steve Hemperley. “As a local bank that serves businesses and residents throughout the French Quarter, Capital One Bank is pleased to support an event that benefits this historic neighborhood, our city and the state of Louisiana.”

Click here to view the list of artists from the 2011 BMI Singer Songwriter Stage

Connie Jones and the French Quarter Festival All Stars featuring Pete Fountain

Connie Jones is a master trumpeter and cornet player as well as a member of French Quarter Festival’s entertainment committee. He first picked up a bugle while in military school, and he began playing trumpet at the age of ten. When he was just 18, Connie got his professional start playing traditional New Orleans jazz on Bourbon Street. Last year, Connie debuted a duet album, Creole Nocturne, with pianist Tom McDermott highlighting his improvisational talents. Connie Jones and his French Quarter Festival All Stars open up the French Quarter Festival for the 10th year in a row on Friday, April 8, 2011 at 11:00 am on the Jackson Square Stage. Alongside other well known artists, Connie is joined by Pete Fountain, his long-time friend and musical colleague along with clarinetist Tim Laughlin. The French Quarter Festival All Stars are backed by the rhythm section of Otis Bazzon, John Royen, Ed Wise, and Bryan Barberot.

Tim Laughlin is a native of New Orleans who started playing the clarinet at the age of nine. He discovered New Orleans-style jazz shortly after and immersed himself in recordings from many of the greats. After high school, he began performing with his own band around town as well as working as a sideman and quickly made a name for himself. He’s played with dozens of bands including The Dukes of Dixieland, Al Hirt, Connie Jones and Pete Fountain. He is also known for writing his own compositions, including his most requested song, “The Isle of Orleans.” Currently he has a dozen solo recordings. His latest recording featuring Connie Jones is set to be released at this year’s 2011 French Quarter Festival.

Pete Fountain was born in New Orleans and started playing clarinet, heavily influenced first by Benny Goodman and then Irving Fazola. Early on he played with the bands of Monk Hazel – The Dukes of Dixieland and Al Hirt. With his long time friend, trumpeter George Girard, Fountain founded The Basin Street Six in 1950. In 1957, Fountain was hired to join the Lawrence Welk orchestra and became well known for his many solos on The Lawrence Welk Show. Fountain returned to New Orleans, and opened his own French Quarter Jazz club in the 1960s and 1970s. In 1977, he acquired ‘Pete Fountain’s Jazz Club’ at the Riverside Hilton, New Orleans. The New Orleans Jazz Club presented ‘Pete Fountain Day’ on October 19, 1959, with celebrations honoring the pride of their city concluding with a packed concert. His band, ‘Pete Fountain’s Quintett’ was made up of his studio recording musicians, Don Bagley, Godfrey Hirch, Merle Koch and Jack Sperling. Fountain brought these same players together in 1963 when they played the Hollywood Bowl. Pete would continue the trek to Hollywood, appearing on The Tonight Show with Johnny Carson 59 times. In 2003 Fountain closed his club at the Hilton with a performance before a full house. He then began performing two nights a week at Casino Magic in Bay St. Louis, where he had a home (later destroyed by Hurricane Katrina). In 2006 he helped reopen the casino (now Hollywood Casino) and regularly performed there. Fountain is a founder, and the most prominent member of the ‘Half Fast Walking Club’ one of the best known walking Krewes that parade in New Orleans on Mardi Gras Day. Fountain’s clarinet work is noted for his “Fat” sound. He has recorded over 100 LPs and CDs under his own name. Loyola University New Orleans awarded Fountain an honorary Doctorate of Music degree in 2006. On March 18, 2007, Pete Fountain was inducted into the Louisiana Music Hall of Fame. Longtime friend Connie Jones and his French Quarter Festival All Stars featuring Pete Fountain, open French Quarter Festival each year on the Jackson Square stage.

28^th 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

Largest Jazz Brunch’

7:00 – 10 p.m. – TGIF ‘Thank Goodness it’s Festival!’ kickoff party

Friday, April 8

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 activities continued 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 Festival 2010 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.