The George and Joyce Wein Jazz & Heritage Center (1225 N. Rampart St.) hosts two dynamic programs this week spotlighting both performance and cultural scholarship.

On Saturday, March 7, doors open at 7 p.m. for an 8 p.m. birthday-week concert with multi-instrumentalist Hannah Krieger-Benson. Known for her work across roots-rock, Americana, brass band pop/funk, burlesque and piano-bar projects, Krieger-Benson steps into the spotlight with a set of original songs backed by a full rhythm section, horns and vocals. Special guests include Dusky Waters, Gina Leslie and members of the Asylum Chorus. Tickets are $10 and seating is limited. Tickets are available here.

Then on Wednesday, March 11, the Center presents Brass Bands, Second Lines, & Jazz and Heritage, a free lecture beginning at 6:30 p.m. (doors at 6 p.m.). New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Fellowship Grant recipient and WWOZ co-founder Jerry Brock traces the evolution of the brass band revival of the 1970s and examines the intertwined histories of Jazz Fest, the Jazz & Heritage Foundation and WWOZ in shaping the modern tradition. Admission is free and seating is limited.  RSVP for free here.

Mark your calendars: On Saturday, March 28, and Sunday, March 29, 2026, from 10:30 a.m. to 7:30 p.m., the New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Foundation will present the 2026 Congo Square Rhythms Festival at Louis Armstrong Park (701 N. Rampart St.). The Congo Square Stage will feature a daily drum circle along with performances by Cha Wa, Zigaboo Modeliste, Kyle Roussel and his Church of New Orleans project, Jamal Batiste, and several African dance and drumming ensembles. The Tremé Stage will include sets by New Breed Brass Band, Big Sam’s Funky Nation, Tonya Boyd-Cannon, Charmaine Neville and her band, Preservation Brass, and additional performers. For a full line up, click here.