New Orleans French Quarter Festival slated April 7-10

NEW ORLEANS — Music, food and culture will take center stage at the French Quarter Festival April 7-10, the French Quarter Festivals announced in a news release.
Festival-goers can expect New Orleans’ finest restaurants at “The World’s Largest Jazz Brunch,” music from more than 1,700 local musicians and a unique cultural experience.
French Quarter Festival was named 2015 “Best Large Festival” in New Orleans by OffBeat Magazine and the “one thing to do in Louisiana” by the Huffington Post.
French Quarter Festival organizers welcome more than two dozen new acts for the 2016 festival. On Locals’ Lagniappe Day, April 7, Cowboy Mouth will make its debut on the riverfront Abita Beer Stage. The Louisiana natives have played more than 2,500 concerts and launched their signature song, “Jenny Says,” into the upper half of the Billboard rock charts.
Blues musician Sonny Landreth also makes an April 7 debut on the riverfront Tropical Isle Hand Grenade Stage. Slide-guitarist Landreth has been called “the King of Slydeco” and plays with a strong zydeco influence.
Buckwheat Zydeco can claim the three largest selling Zydeco albums of all time. The musician tours the world nonstop, and has gigged with everyone from U2 to Eric Clapton to the Boston Pops. He makes his debut on the riverfront Abita Beer Stage April 10. Also debuting April 10 is soul singer Jean Knight, whose sassy, funk classic “Mr. Big Stuff” was one of the largest-selling singles ever released by the legendary Stax label.
Other debuts include Amy Nicole & Zydeco Soul, Andre Bohren, Andy J Forest Trio, Bad Penny Pleasuremakers, Caesar Brothers Funk Box, Cha Wa, Chance Bushman & The Ibervillianaires, Charlie Halloran and the Quality 6, Charlie Wooten Project, Dex Daley & Jam-X, Goat in the Road (Comedy Troupe), Little Maker, MainLine, Mason Ruffner, Sarah Quintana & the Miss River Band, T’Canaille, Thais Clark & her JAZZsters, The Batture Boys, featuring Tommy Malone and Ray Ganucheau, The Salt Wives, and Wes Raymond &The SOUL Factory.
On April 7, the French Quarter Festival Opening Night Gala benefiting the Roots of Music will return to Antoine’s Restaurant. Honorary co-chairs and special guests include: Gov. John Bel Edwards and Lt. Gov. Billy Nungesser.
Guests will have tastings by Antoine’s and an open bar. The Patron Party takes place from 7 to 8 p.m. and Gala from 8 to 10:30 p.m.
Tickets are on sale online at www.fqfi.org or by calling 504-227-3124. Patron tickets are $250 and Gala tickets are $125 ($150 beginning April 1).
In addition to single tickets, a limited number of VIP packages are available; packages include private gala seating with dedicated waiter and wristbands for front-of-stage access at festival.