French Quarter Festival returns Thursday, April 11 and runs through Sunday, April 14. Over the course of the four days, attendees will be treated to free performances from hundreds of acts who will appear on stages located throughout the historic Vieux Carre. Billed as “the largest showcase of Louisiana music in the world,” French Quarter Fest today (March 21) announced final details of this year’s event.

Some of the new announcements include the full daily stage schedules, referred to as “cubes.” Those are now available on French Quarter Fest’s official website. Thanks to the expanded Chevron Evening Concert Series, this year’s FQF features even more headliners, including (but certainly not limited to) Jon Cleary, George Porter, Jr. & the Runnin’ Pardners, Flow Tribe and Rockin’ Dopsie.

At the newly renovated Moonwalk, the Pan-American Life Insurance Group Stage will host Helen Gillet & Wazozo and Jason Marsalis 21st Century Trad Band. The Jazz Museum at the Mint’s Jones Walker Let Them Talk Stage will feature discussions from musicians about their lives in music, including Quiana Lynell, Rory Danger, Luke Allen, John Boutte & Ben Schenck, Jonathan Frelich & Carl LeBlanc, Alfred Banks, Maggie Koerner, Dayna Kurtz, Robin Barnes and James Andrews.

Of particular note in this year’s schedule are the record number of debut appearances. Forty-eight acts, including Galactic (on the Abita Beer Stage), Sweet Olive String Band (on the Hancock Whitney Stage), Doro Wat (on the Dorignac’s Food Center Stage) and Keith Burnstein’s Kettle Black (on the Caire Hotel & Restaurant Supply Stage) will perform at French Quarter Fest for the first time.

The 500 block of Bourbon Street will feature two days of traditional jazz, on the Dow Chemical Stage. At another French Quarter landmark, Jackson Square, fans will be treated to performances from Ellis Marsalis, John Boutté, Leroy Jones, Shannon Powell, Robin Barnes, James Andrews and more, on the Hilton Stage.

The riverfront Abita Beer Stage will be the site of performances from Rebirth Brass Band, The Iguanas, and Walter “Wolfman” Washington and the Roadmasters. Nearby, the GE Stage will host  Chubby Carrier and the Bayou Swamp Band, Corey Henry & the Treme Funktet, and Paul Sanchez and the Rolling Road Show. Brass-A-Holics, Lena Prima, and Rory Danger & the Danger Dangers and more will appear on the Jack Daniel’s Stage.

Many more acts will appear on more stages than are mentioned here; the full 2019 music schedule is here.

At the Natchez Wharf at the foot of Toulouse Street, the Chevron Children’s STEM Zone will offer family-friendly activities with a focus on STEM education. “We welcome kids from the Crescent City and around the world to the Chevron Children’s STEM Zone at French Quarter Festival. This fun, interactive environment is designed to foster a passion for learning by showing how science, technology, engineering and math are the foundation for their future success,” said Chevron Gulf of Mexico Public Affairs Manager Leah Brown. “This year we will showcase a
‘STEM World’s Fair’ to provide a hands-on STEM experience that spans seven continents with activities created by over ten of our community partners. We’re proud to once again bring the Chevron Children’s STEM Zone to French Quarter Festival and invite everyone to stop by.”

In addition to the cubes, FQFI has also announced details of its recycling program. “This year we’re shaking things up with a new stage, more headliners, and recycling,” said Emily Madero, President and CEO of French Quarter Festivals, INC. “Our Chevron Evening Concert Series brings more headliners to the streets of the Quarter and a new stage on the Moonwalk will expand riverfront entertainment. Our new recycling program helps us achieve our mission to instill increased pride in the community, and attendees can support the effort by purchasing a limited-edition reusable festival beer cup!”

 

On March 22, fans will be able to download the official French Quarter Fest app, which will include stage schedules, a map and tons more.

Click here to become part of FQF’s “Fest Family,” a VIP Experience that supports the festival’s future.