Loyola University’s School of Music and Theatre Professions is set to collaborate with the 24th annual Freret Street Festival, promising a day filled with art, music, and culinary delights on March 30 from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m.
This year, Loyola is not only a sponsor of the festival but is also actively participating in various capacities. Students, professors, and alumni from the School of Music and Theatre Professions will showcase their talents both on stage and behind the scenes.
The festival will span the length of Freret Street from Napoleon to Valmont avenues, offering attendees an eclectic mix of performances, delectable food, and artisanal crafts. Loyola’s presence at the festival will be highlighted by performances from a lineup of talented artists including Kota Dosa, Crave, Cupid, Justjocin, Geske, Jade Robbins, Gabe Parsons, Tuller, Kristin Diable, and Julser. The headlining act for the day will be the immensely popular Johnny Sketch & The Dirty Notes, with some of Loyola’s musicians joining them for a memorable finale.
Behind the scenes, Loyola’s “Festival Production” course, led by instructor Mike Twillman, has been instrumental in organizing the music lineup for the festival. Students in the course have also been actively involved in managing backstage and production duties. Loyola’s student-run sound production team, NOLA Sound & Visuals, will be ensuring top-notch sound quality for the stages, enhancing the overall experience for festival-goers.
Kate Duncan, director of the School of Music and Theatre Professions/Conrad N. Hilton Chair in Music Industry, and Jonathan McHugh, Hilton-Baldridge Eminent Scholar/Chair in Music Industry Studies, expressed their excitement about the partnership. Duncan stated, “Freret Fest presents a terrific opportunity for our students and has helped expand their professional learning and performance experiences.”
Apart from the captivating musical performances across three live stages, the festival will feature over 200 vendors offering an array of food, collectibles, jewelry, and art. Freret Fest typically draws around 20,000 attendees from 75 local and regional zip codes along the Gulf of Mexico, making it a significant cultural event in the region.
The Freret Street Festival, which began as a neighborhood celebration in 1998, is now produced by Market Festivals, Inc., the same organization behind the monthly Freret Market. Since 2019, the festival has been under the stewardship of the Rotary Club of New Orleans Riverbend, a community-based volunteer service organization.
The collaboration between Loyola University and the Freret Street Festival promises to deliver an unforgettable experience blending music, art, and community spirit, showcasing the vibrant cultural tapestry of New Orleans.
