The 32nd Annual French Quarter Festival is April 9-12

NEW ORLEANS — French Quarter Festivals announces final details regarding the 32nd Annual French Quarter Festival set April 9-12.
Organizers will welcome eight new restaurants to ‘The World’s Largest Jazz Brunch’; employ more than 1,700 musicians; launch two new stages; and offer an expanded Children’s Headquarters and Film Fest, according to the Festivals news release.
The two new stages expand its footprint and musical lineup. The new Spanish Plaza stage will take the music across Canal Street with three days of programming. Artists include Andre Bouvier and the Royal Bohemians, Zion Trinity Band, Debauche, Egg Yolk Jubilee, Donna Angelle and the Zydeco Posse, The Upstarts, Sons of Soul, King James & The Special Men, Erica Falls, Hot 8 Brass Band, Johnny J. and the Hitmen,; Judy Spellman & Company, Magnetic Ear, Russell Batiste and the Wild Tchoupitoulas, and Big Sam’s Funky Nation.
The new Omni Royal Orleans stage located at 500 Royal St. will bring more traditional jazz to the street with performances on Saturday and Sunday. Artists include Helen Gillet’s Wazozo Zorchestra, The Original Pin Stripe Jazz Band, Harmonouche,; Miss Sophie Lee, Gerald French and Friends, and John Royen’s New Orleans Rhythm.
Popeyes Brass Band Jam with OffBeat Magazine will return to the Louisiana State Museum’s Old U.S. Mint. Three full days of music bring performances from Audacity Brass Band, New Orleans Nightcrawlers, Leroy Jones’ Original Hurricane Brass Band, The Original Pinettes Brass Band, Onward Brass Band, Storyville Stompers Brass Band, Red Wolf Brass Band, Treme Brass Band, and many more.
The Chevron Cajun Zydeco Showcase launched in 2013 at the Bienville Triangle (North Peters near St. Louis Street) and has since become one of the Festival’s most popular stages. This year, Grammy-winning “King of Cajun” Jo-El Sonnier, Travis Matte and the Kingpins — a band that packs Louisiana dance halls with their infectious blend of zydeco, hip hop and rock, and Chris Ardoin make their festival debuts on the stage. Other artists include Jimmy Thibodeaux, Waylon Thibodeaux Band, Bruce Daigrepont Cajun Band, Roddy Romero and the Hub City All Stars, Lost Bayou Ramblers, and Amanda Shaw.
More than 300 acts will perform at French Quarter Festival, providing more than 400 hours of free music.
The Speakeasy Quartet and NOLA Jitterbugs will turn Jackson Square into a swing-dance party during their high-energy “watch and learn” performance on April 9 on the Capital One Bank Jackson Square Stage. Other debuts include Doug Kershaw (playing with Steve Riley), The Honorable South, Guitar Slim Jr, The Write Brothers, Los Otras, New Orleans Swamp Donkeys, and many more.
In addition to Festival debuts, French Quarter Festival supports budding artists — and is where some of the region’s most famous musicians such as Trombone Shorty, Hunter Hayes, Imagination Movers and Kermit Ruffins first played to large audiences.
Continuing the spirit of promoting new talent, the 2015 Festival welcomes several young artists and celebrates the musical dynasties that are so unique to New Orleans: The Doghill Stompers, grandsons of Boozoo Chavis, one of the founding fathers of Zydeco; Jenard Andrews’ (son of trumpeter James Andrews and the cousin of Troy “Trombone Shorty” Andrews) New Breed Brass Band performs on the Popeyes Brass Band Jam with OffBeat Magazine at the Louisiana State Museum’s Old U.S. Mint; and Neshia Ruffins, daughter of Kermit Ruffins, makes her festival debut with Neshia Ruffins & the Young Franchise Band, also at the Old U.S Mint.
In celebration of the opening of the Jazz Market on Oretha Castle Haley Boulevard, New Orleans Jazz Orchestra will take residency at the 2015 French Quarter Festival with unique performances and special guests each day.
Festival organizers are committed to growing the Musician Sponsorship Program — every dollar donated to the fund goes directly to the artists. In 2014, more than 250 individuals, foundations and businesses signed up to support local musicians by ‘adopting an artist.’
Festival organizers also announced the return of the Chevron Children’s Headquarters. Relocated to the Natchez Wharf at the foot of Toulouse Street, the space will feature the Chevron STEAM Zone (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Math), as well as a Children’s Performance Tent with a dozen acts sponsored by Tulane Pediatrics and the New Orleans Jazz National Historic Park.
“We take a comprehensive approach to investments in education by including the arts in our programs and partnerships and getting students excited about STEAM,” said Chevron Gulf of Mexico Vice President Mike Illanne. “We understand that increasing student interest in science, technology, engineering, art and math leads to better test scores and greater professional success. It is for these reasons that Chevron and our partner organizations are bringing the Chevron STEAM Zone to French Quarter Festival 2015.”
A second children’s area in the heart of the French Quarter is hosted by the Hermann-Grima House. The children’s activities take place in the property’s courtyard — with an original horse stable and functional 1830s outdoor kitchen in the neighborhood. Participants will be treated to music, entertainment, crafts and educational projects for children of all ages.
Some of the special events, programs and festival extras include:
—French Quarter Festival Second-Line Kickoff Parade April 9 at 10 a.m. The parade departs from the 100 block of Bourbon St and makes its way to Jackson Square.
—Dance Lessons, Battle of the Bands, Dancing at Dusk, Rouses World Championship Crawfish Eating Contest, Pirates Alley Juried Art Show, Port of New Orleans Boat Parade, St. Louis Cathedral Spring Concert, and Opera at Dusk are special events.