March 10, 2011
28th Annual French Quarter Festival
Every spring for four days the city of New Orleans celebrates the vibrant music and food that make the Big Easy one-of-a-kind with the French Quarter Festival. This year’s festival, the 28th installment, will run from Thursday, April 7 through Sunday, April 10 and will feature a variety of musicians and chefs as they bring the streets of the Vieux Carre alive.
Starting off this year’s French Quarter Festival is the newly added TGIF “Thank Goodness it’s Festival” Kickoff Party which is to be held Wednesday, April 6 from 7 p.m. to 10 p.m. at the House of Blues. Tickets for the event are $55 with the proceeds going to support the free four-day main event. Local blues legend Little Freddie King along with Rockin’ Dopsie, Jr. from the royal family of Zydeco will be providing the music as the NOLA Jitterbugs swing dancing throughout the venue. Patrons at the kickoff party will also enjoy an endless supply of local Abita beer, house drinks and plenty of Cajun food.
Due to the success of the festival this year’s event will comprise of four full days for the first 
time. Eighteen outdoor stages at various locations in the French Quarter will be showcasing multiple genres of music including gospel, jazz, funk, classical, Cajun, Zydeco, brass bands and much more. With the exception of a few European bands who specialize in jazz, all of the nearly 800 musicians that comprise the 120 bands performing are located in New Orleans or the surrounding Bayou region, making the musical experience truly unique and one-of-a-kind.
The community festival also features the “World’s Largest Jazz Brunch” which is located in the heart of the Quarter 
at Jackson Square. Operated by nearly 60 local chefs and restaurants, the food court alone is worth attending the festival as the smell of Creole favorites like jambalaya, gumbo and etouffee permeate the air. Families attending the event can head west of Jackson Square to the Audubon Aquarium Riverfront Plaza where the Children’s Headquarters will be stationed. Interactive activities such as face painting, hands-on cooking demonstrations and karate lessons will keep the little ones content while parents learn about “healthy kids” programs.
For a unique and authentic New Orleans experience be sure to check out the 28th Annual French Quarter Festival. A complete listing of music schedules, menus and events can be found at www.fqfi.org. For lodging be sure to check out Festiva Hospitality Group’s Frenchmen Orleans, a short walk to the festival and all of the stages.
