On Wednesday, October 8, at 7 p.m., Music Swings Votes will take place: a public forum with the leading candidates for mayor of New Orleans to discuss the future of the city’s music economy. For decades, OffBeat Magazine has promoted the importance of local music and the music industry to the economic health of New Orleans overall by sponsoring public mayoral forums to provide candidates the opportunity to present their plans for supporting and improving our music scene. We applaud this effort.

The event will take place at the George and Joyce Wein Jazz & Heritage Center (1225 N. Rampart Street), with the New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Foundation serving as host. The foundation’s new CEO, Blake-Anthony Johnson, will deliver opening remarks.

Representatives from each presenting partner will facilitate the conversation.

As in the past, the forum aims to spark a dialogue on protecting, nurturing and growing the city’s music economy—a vital cultural and economic asset.

Music Swings Votes is sponsored by the Recording Academy, the Music & Culture Coalition of New Orleans (MaCCNO) and Louisiana Music Partners, and will be livestreamed with the assistance of students from Loyola University’s College of Music & Media. The livestream will be viewable here.

Admission is free but seating is limited. RSVPs are required and are non-transferable.  Reserve a spot here: Music Swings Votes RSVP