French Quarter Festival Serves Up a Uniquely Flavorful Taste of New Orleans
New Orleans, La. — In a city known for its delicious and diverse cuisine, even its festivals are known for serving world-class food. During the 26th Annual French Quarter Festival (Friday, April 17 – Sunday, April 19) festival-goers will get to taste for themselves at the festival’s signature event, the “World’s Largest Jazz Brunch.”
Over 90 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 drinks, Fetzer wines, Coca-Cola products, Hurricanes, Margaritas, a wide assortment daiquiris, and CC’s iced coffee. Menu items range in price from $3 – $7 to keep the festival not only fun, but also affordable.
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.
This award-winning festival, a favorite of locals and tourists alike, is the largest free music festival in the South. It was recently named a “Best Festival” by offBeat and New Orleans’ Magazine readers, as well as “Best Local Event” within New Orleans’ Magazine. French Quarter Festival attracts approximately 435,000 fans and generates an economic impact of more than $149 million for the city of New Orleans.
Sponsors for French Quarter Festival include: The Harrah’s Foundation, Abita Brewing Company, Southern Comfort, Fetzer, Coca-Cola, WWL-TV, NOMCVB (New Orleans Metropolitan Convention & Visitors Bureau), New Orleans Tourism Marketing Corporation, JazzAscona, Musician’s Performance Fund, Rouses Market, Capital One, Crimestoppers, Whole Foods Market, Got Milk?, The Historic New Orleans Collection, offBeat Magazine, nola.com, French Market Corporation, Cox Business, Preservation Hall, Community Coffee, Royal Sonesta Hotel, Tulane Medical Center, Vespa, Steamboat Natchez, Court of Two Sisters, Pat O’Brien’s, Vocero USA Magazine, Where Y’at, neworleansrestaurants.com, Acme Oyster House, WWOZ 90.7 FM, Renaissance Publishing, Capital One Bank, Baldwin-Gibson, Continental Airlines, Louisiana Lottery, Whitney Bank, Legends Park, Onsite Guardian, WWL AM870, Radio Disney AM 1450, 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 the festival’s Web
site at www.fqfi.org.
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About French Quarter Festivals, Inc.
Fench Quarter Festival is produced by French Quarter Festivals, Inc. (www.fqfi.org), the 501 (c) (3) nonprofit organization, which also produces Satchmo SummerFest in August and Christmas New Orleans Style in December. French Quarter Festivals, Inc. promotes 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.
World’s Largest Jazz Brunch – Food & Beverage Concessions as of March 10, 2009:
The Alibi
The Alpine Restaurant
Antoine’s
American Culinary Federation
Audubon Catering
Bach Dang Café
Barreca’s Restaurant
Begue’s Restaurant
Bravo! Cucina Italiana
Ben & Jerry’s Ice Cream
Bennachin
Bombay Club
Bubba Gump Shrimp Company
Bywater Bar-B-Que
Byblos
Cookin’ Cajun Café
Corky’s BBQ
Crepes a la Carte
Daiquiri Delight Shop
Desire Oyster Bar
EAT New Orleans
Flour Power Confectionery
Frank’s Restaurant
Gelato Pazzo Caffe
Gumbo Shop
GW Fins
Häagen Dazs
Hard Rock Café
Jimmy Buffett’s Margaritaville
Henry’s Bakery
Huevos
Jack Dempsey’s Restaurant
Jacques-I-mo’s
Jimmy Buffett’s Margaritaville
The Joint
Juan’s Flying Burrito
Love at First Bite
Muriel’s Jackson Square
NOLA Restaurant & Emeril’s Delmonico
New Orleans Original Daiquiris
Pat O’Brien’s Bar
The Praline Connection
Ralph & Kacoo’s
Red Fish Grill
Ristorante Carmelo
Rotolo’s
Saiyen Fresh Express
Saltwater Grill & Oyster Bar
Sammy’s Deli
Serranos Salsa Company
Superior Grill
Ted’s Frostop
The Original New Orleans’ Po-Boys
The Red Maple
Trey Yuen Cuisine of China
Tropical Isle
Tujaque’s
Vaucresson Sausage Company
***Participating restaurants are subject to change.
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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Mark your calendars for festival fun! April 17 – 19, 2009
NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA – With under 2 months to go, preparations are now underway for French Quarter Festival 2009. As the largest free music festival in the South, French Quarter Festivals, Inc. is proud to showcase the finest music, food and culture that is uniquely New Orleans.
This year’s festival will feature over 250 hours of free music across 18 stages throughout the historic French Quarter. With over 700 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 Oyster Eating Contest, Battle of the Bands, Dancing at Dusk, historic courtyard tours, the International Music Colloquium, family-fun activities at Children’s Headquarters, the World’s Largest Jazz Brunch, and free admission all weekend long at Preservation Hall – the newest stage of French Quarter Festival. In addition, the kickoff party and fundraiser ‘TGIF’ (Thank Goodness it’s Festival!) party takes place the evening of Thursday, April 16th. Tickets are only $50 and the event is open to the public.
Attendees can also expect to see more great food and drinks, as there will be over 70 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 be showcasing local cuisine from the area’s finest restaurants, some of which have been loyal vendors since the festival’s inception 25 years ago.
Out-of-town festival goers are encouraged to book their travel accommodations now, as many area hotels have reported that they are enjoying strong reservations. 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 a month of beautiful weather.
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.
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.
January 6, 2009 – New Orleans, LA - New Orleans Magazine announced their readers picks of ‘New Orleans Best’ in the January issue of their magazine.
As it was chosen by the people and reported by the magazine:
Best Festival:
1. French Quarter Festival. It’s free – and the music is all local
2. Jazz & Heritage Festival
3. Voodoo Fest
Best local event open to the public:
1. French Quarter Fest. A great warm up for Jazz Fest, as though that required warming up
2. Mardi Gras
With just 100 days to go, preparations are underway for French Quarter Festival 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 recently 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 attracts approximately 435,000 fans and generates an economic impact of more than $149 million.
According to Marci Schramm, Executive Director of French Quarter Festivals, Inc., “We were thrilled by the incredible attendance last year and look forward to celebrating our 26th festival in the beautiful setting of our French Quarter. We rely on New Orleans businesses, musicians, the city and tourism industry, as well as our philanthropic community to help us engage the entire city. Citizens truly come together to create this special festival each year.”
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.
