For the fourth year in a row, TVD is proud to be a media sponsor of the biggest free festival in the south which has gotten even bigger this year with new stages including the Omni Royal Orleans stage at the 500 block of Royal Street. Here are our picks for the first day. The full schedule is here.
As usual, the day kicks off bright and early with a parade beginning in the 100 block of Bourbon Street at 10 AM. The Orleans Brass Band will lead revelers and dignitaries to Jackson Square where PresHall Brass will get the live music started at 11:15 AM.
The venerable institution has been branching out into many different directions, including some, which have brought out the “moldy figs,” but pleased more daring listeners. PresHall Brass should offend no one, as they are a brass band representing the great New Orleans traditions.
Though only five stages (of twenty-three) are active on Thursday, the day has plenty of great choices. Big Chief Smiley Ricks has a deep resume including a long stretch pre-Katrina as Dr. John’s percussionist. He is back in the city and leading a new group, The One Nation Band, at 2 PM on the Big River stage.
Each year lately, the French Quarter Fest has managed to recruit a major act to perform on Thursday for the mostly local crowd. This year it’s Allen Toussaint. He plays on the Abita Beer Stage at 3:45 PM.
You have three great choices for the last act of the day. James Andrews appears in Jackson Square and George Porter, Jr. and the Runnin’ Pardners will be on the Big River Stage.
But for something a little more adventurous, consider checking out the first day of Irvin Mayfield and the New Orleans Jazz Orchestra’s residency.
They will be playing the music of the Beatles, Stevie Wonder, and the Grateful Dead. I have heard these wonderful arrangements before and it’s a special experience to hear classic pop songs played by a big band stocked with the cream of local talent. The video is of them performing Led Zeppelin’s “Dazed and Confused,” so you’ll get the idea.
On Friday, the NOJO will take up tunes by Nirvana, Queen, and Led Zeppelin, on Saturday they will play children’s songs, and on Sunday they will pick gems from the New Orleans songbook. Check the schedule for specific times.
Tomorrow—picks for Friday, and Friday I will have our weekend picks.
