Continuing its quest to put money in the hands of creative people, the Krewe of Red Beans is kicking off Fest Fest, a crowdfunding initiative which will pay musicians who have lost work from the cancellation of numerous music festivals in Louisiana by launching a series of porch concerts.
In a statement released on Monday, the krewe announced plans to recreate the good-paying festival gigs that musicians have lost. With the cancellation of Jazz Fest, French Quarter Fest, and Festival Acadiens et Créoles, the krewe estimates musicians have lost 750 gigs and more than two million dollars.
“Our local musicians have lost much needed income and we want to help replace these lost wages by raffling off performances to donors to Fest Fest”, said Devin De Wulf, founder of the Krewe of Red Beans.
“The Krewe of Red Beans has a proven record of creative, responsive, and community-centered initiatives that support local creatives and businesses in these difficult times, and we are excited to continue this needed with Fest Fest,” added Sara Lowenberg, board chair of the Krewe of Red Beans. “As we crowd-fund, we will recreate the gigs. Instead of performers playing at a festival, we will hire them to play a surprise proch-concert or yard concert in Orleans Parish.”
Donors can go to FestFest.org to make a donation which allows the donor to enter a raffle for an opportunity to have musicians who were scheduled to play at one of New Orleans’ and Lafayette’s October festivals perform at their porch or backyard for a show with an audience that complies with COVID safety standards set forth by the City of New Orleans and the New Orleans Department of Health.
Musicians and bands listed for potential porch concerts include 79ers Gang, Big Freedia, Leo Nocentelli, The Soul Rebels, Beausoleil avec Michael Doucet, Meschiya Lake, Big Chief Bo Dollis Jr. and the Wild Magnolias, Kermit Ruffins, Palmetto Bug Stompers, and John “Papa” Gros among many others.
As with previous Krewe of Red Beans initiatives, 100 percent of funds raised will go directly to beneficiaries with zero administrative fees taken.
