Save the dates for the largest FREE music festival in the South!
April 7 – 10, 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.
Travel Links:
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.
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