Commons Club to Host Jazz Fest Burlesque Brunches
Commons Club, the bustling restaurant on the ground floor of Virgin Hotels New Orleans, will host two sensational Jazz Fest brunches. On Sunday, April 28th, from 10AM - 2PM for $40 per person, guests can get their drag and burlesque fix with a two-course prix fixe Jazz Icons Burlesque and Drag Brunch with Trixie Minx. Relish in new Spring brunch dishes from Executive Chef Chris Borges. Showtimes are at 10:30AM and 2PM.

On Saturday, May 4th, the restaurant will host The Burlesque Brunch Strikes Back - a Star Wars-themed burlesque brunch from 10AM - 2PM. Visitors can enjoy a two-course prix fixe brunch for $40 per person.

For both brunches, unlimited mimosas are available for an additional $35 per person, or opt to “Build Your Own Mimosa” with a bottle of sparkling wine and an array of juices ($65). Reservations can be made on OpenTable or by calling (504) 603-8000. Commons Club is located at 550 Baronne Street. https://virginhotels.com/new-orleans/eat-drink/commons-club/
 
Beggars Banquet Offers Free Jazz Fest Shots
Named after the Rolling Stones’ famous album, it’s only fitting that this Lower Garden District dining gem commemorates the Stones’ appearance at Jazz Fest 2024. From Thursday, April 25 - Sunday, May 5th, festival-goers who bring proof of attendance (ticket, wristband, Brass Pass, or VIP lanyard) can belly up to the bar for a complimentary shot! Aptly named Beggars Can’t Be Choosers, the boozy concoction crafted by Head Bartender Josa Lazas, will remain a surprise but will feature top-tier spirits, house-made ingredients, and perfectly balanced flavor. Also on offer and available for purchase, is the Under My Thumb specialty fest-inspired cocktail - a twist on a Brandy Milk Punch featuring brandy, candied pecan orgeat, and heavy cream.

Stick around for dinner, brunch, or light bites and enjoy dishes such as Fried Green Tomatoes with burrata, balsamic reduction, and arugula; Mushroom Toast – an array of mushrooms, cipollini onion, caper pesto, crispy garlic, and shaved radish atop of toasted focaccia with cured egg yolk; Pan Seared Scallops with crab hash, potatoes, bacon, onions and Old Bay aioli; and Fresh Gulf Fish. Beggars Banquet is located at 1330 Prytania Street. The restaurant serves dinner Monday – Sunday and weekend brunch. Closed Tuesdays. www.beggarsbanquetneworleans.com

Tujague’s Hosts Bonne Femme & Bubbles
The birthplace of brunch and the Grasshopper cocktail, Tujague’s is gearing up for Jazz Fest with a very special Bonne Femme & Bubbles Brunch on Sunday, April 21st from 10AM - 2:15PM and during dinner services from 5PM - 8:30PM. Executive Chef Gus Martin will highlight a special menu priced at $52 per person (excluding tax and gratuity). Indulge in an all you can eat and drink with Chicken Bonne Femme, sides, plus unlimited Bouvet Sparkling & Bouvet Excellence Brut Rosé. Tujague’s is located at 429 Decatur Street in the French Quarter. Reservations can be made on OpenTable or by calling (504) 525-8676. https://tujaguesrestaurant.com/

Virgin Hotels New Orleans
Virgin Hotels New Orleans is teaming up with lifestyle music brand, Soul In The Horn and cheeky odor-eliminating spray, ~Pourri (from the makers of the Original Before-You-Go toilet spray, Poo-Pourri) to bring The Funk Factory - a series of high-energy after-parties during the city’s iconic Jazz & Heritage Festival. The after-parties will showcase a mix of top-tier local talent and renowned global DJs, such as Natasha Diggs & DProsper, making it the ultimate music experience for festival-goers. From May 1st - 5th, the schedule follows:
 
Wednesday, May 1 | 8pm - 12am
Featuring Natasha Diggs, Maurice “Mobetta” Brown Band and L3Ni
 
Thursday, May 2  | 8pm - 12am
Featuring Natasha Diggs, Tondrae Kemp & Friends w/ Marcus Machado, Chris Rob + Joe Blaxxx and Soul Sister
 
Friday, May 2  | 8pm - 12am
Featuring Natasha Diggs with a tribute to Casey Benjamin
 
Saturday, May 4 | 8pm - 12am
Featuring Trumpet Mafia Performance and DProsper
 
Sunday, May 5 | 2pm - 7pm
Featuring SANA, L3NI, Horn Players, and Black Dynamite

During Jazz Fest, the Dew Drop Inn will debut their first annual Groove City series, which will welcome some of the biggest names in Black American Music including an intimate one-night-only experience featuring the Grammy nominated collective, the Sun Ra Arkestra, taking place on Sunday, April 28th at 9pm, as well as one of New Orleans’ most exciting new projects evolving this style of music in the 21st century – Steve Lands’ Rearranging the Planets on Sunday, May 5th at 9pm. MORE INFO AND TICKETS HERE

Ace NOLA is bringing back its eighth annual Six of Saturns festival and has just announced the line-up—a dreamy mix of local artists and visiting talent that span genres from jazz to funk and R&B. The nine-day celebration of music and culture takes place from April 25-May 5 (coinciding with Jazz Fest) at Ace’s on-site music venue, Three Keys.

Additionally, 6OS will continue its beloved tradition of welcoming surprise artists following their performance on the official Jazz Fest stage. RSVPs and ticket sales are open HERE
​
Week One:
Wednesday, April 24 - Have a Great Jazz Fest with Joshua Starkman - Alto - 5:00pm 
Friday, April 26 - Stones Throw Suite with Kiefer - Three Keys - 9:00pm 
Saturday, April 27 - Performance To Be Announced - Three Keys - Time TBD
Sunday, April 28 - Nicholas Payton - Three Keys - 8:00pm 

Week Two:
Wednesday, May 1 - SONO Presents Cleo Reed - Three Keys - 9:00pm 
Thursday, May 2 - Jon Cleary with Pedro Segundo - Three Keys - 8:00pm 
Friday, May 3 - Joy Clark with Lilli Luis - Three Keys - 9:00pm 
Saturday, May 4 - Lady Wray with Jelly Joseph - Three Keys - 8:30pm 
Sunday, May 5 - Flagboy Giz with Brass-A-Holics - Three Keys - 8:00pm

Get ready to experience the magic of festival season with Festin’ After Dark in the enchanting garden at Four Seasons Hotel New Orleans. On Sunday, April 14th, at 9 p.m., the hotel will once again host an exclusive French Quarter Fest After Dark concert featuring B.Lew and the Grits for an intimate evening of soulful tunes that pay homage to the rich musical heritage of New Orleans while infusing it with contemporary flair.
 
Fronted by the dynamic Branden Lewis, renowned for leading the iconic Preservation Hall Jazz Band and his weekly gigs in Chandelier Bar, B.Lew and the Grits delivers an electrifying fusion of rhythm and blues roots with a contemporary twist that pulses through today’s music scene. A descendant of a Grammy-winning New Orleans musician, Lewis carries on his family's rich musical tradition while innovating the culture and sound that birthed him.
 
"We're thrilled to once again partner with French Quarter Fest for our very own Festin’ After Dark concert" said Mali Carow, General Manager of Four Seasons Hotel New Orleans. "This year's concert promises to be an unforgettable night of music, culinary delights, and the unique ambiance of our hotel's garden."
 
Attendees can expect a relaxed garden party atmosphere, with long wooden benches flanking green hedges, twinkling lights and ample room for dancing. The hotel's renowned culinary team will serve up elevated festival fare alongside craft cocktails, beer and wine.
The Festin’ After Dark concert with B.Lew and the Grits at Four Seasons Hotel New Orleans will take place on Sunday, April 14th, at 9 p.m. onwards. Limited tickets are available for purchase online at $65 each, which includes admission to the concert. Food and beverages will be available for purchase separately, ensuring a delectable culinary experience for all attendees.
 
For those looking to make the most of their evening, the hotel is offering a special advance purchase rate for 25 percent off, allowing guests to relax and unwind in luxurious accommodations after the concert. Don't miss out on this unforgettable night of music and celebration at Four Seasons Hotel New Orleans. For more information and to purchase tickets, visit fourseasons.com/neworleans/ 

On Friday, December 1st, 2023, Jefferson Performing Arts Society will present the iconic Blind Boys of Alabama gospel group, bringing their Christmas concert to the New Orleans area for the first time. Enjoy familiar holiday classics and hand-clapping gospel favorites for the whole family.  The Blind Boys have been touring for 75 years and are considered a pillar of American music. According to The New York Times they "epitomize what is known as jubilee singing, a livelier breed of gospel music."   

Click here for event information, concert videos and more:  Blind Boys of Alabama Christmas Concert | Jefferson Performing Arts Center (jeffersonpac.com)

Joycelyn Owens goes by the professional name 'Joy' - not just a simplification, but a pure distillation of the effect her voice has on an audience. She's backed up funk legend Dr. John and toured as the featured backup vocalist with Walter 'Wolfman' Washington. Stages she's graced include the New Orleans House of Blues and the Maple Leaf Bar. In 2016, she released her debut EP, 'Just Like That', and having tested the waters, is in the process of launching her solo career in earnest. She's a proud native of New Orleans. 

Her new single, 'Don't Wanna Lose Your Love', is a sultry slice of New Orleans soul. You can listen to it here:
​

​Tell us about your new record, what's it all about? 
My new single is titled 'Don't Wanna Lose Your Love' and as the name implies, it's about not wanting to lose someone you love. Don't Wanna Lose Your Love goes into a very open, very vulnerable place of letting someone know what they mean to you and how much you care about them. 

So you're New Orleans born and bred? 
I'm a born, bred and cornbread fed, New Orleanian! I love my city so much, the culture, the atmosphere, and especially the music. I'm a very creative person and I really thrive in a lively atmosphere, that's what keeps me connected to NOLA. It's in the air, it's in the water, in the streets. I'm quite well traveled, and the whole vibe is so unlike anywhere I've ever been. 

Tell us a little bit about your experience of the music scene here. Which local musicians or artists have been your inspirations or mentors? 
I've had a lot of amazing experiences in the music scene in NOLA. One of my most cherished experiences is when I performed at the B.B. King tribute at Jazz Fest. As for inspiration, Irma Thomas inspired me as she has five children just like I do and she has been able to soar and really thrive in music. I've also had the good fortune of being taken under the wings of Dr. John and Walter 'Wolfman' Washington. They were the best mentors I could have asked for and I miss them dearly.

Which local venues do you most like to perform at? And where do you like to go and see live music?
I love performing at Tipitina's, The House of Blues Gospel Brunch, and I really enjoyed my musical residency at B.B. Kings Blues club. I like going to the Orpheum and the Joy theater to see live music as well as the New Orleans Jazz Museum. 

Where do you like to hang out/see friends/eat/drink in NOLA? 
I like eating at Commander's Palace, Galatoire's and Brennan's. I also like walking with friends in Audubon park.

Where can we see you next or find out more about you? 
You can find me on all social media platforms @Iamjoyorleans, and see all my upcoming tour dates, events and releases on my website Joyorleans.com 
​

Different day, sane wit

There are two bears inside of you and they’re both really into Alexis and the Sanity. The artists (Alexis Marceaux and Sam Craft) formerly known as Alexis and the Samurai have rebranded, and their debut single doubles as a trippy clarion call to self improvement as well as, perhaps, a melodically confident artist’s statement. The undulating synths and warm vocals set against a backdrop of ethereal moans brought The Eurythmics and Kate Bush to this Terminally Gen-X mind. Marceaux has a tangibly Lennoxian control to her voice, able to emote evocatively whether its via whispers or wails, the full spectrum intriguing enough to command your attention. Meanwhile, the annoyingly talented multi-instrumentalist Sam Craft noodles with a nice array of future-retro electronica, nostalgic and cutting edge at the same time. Can we say Craftwerk? I think we can. The hymnal-like chorus is uplifting musically and spiritually: “Stand up on your hind legs/If you want to evolve/There’s an animal in us all”. It’s hard to argue with, and even harder to not be beguiled by this lovely, affirming slice of inventive pop. (PO) Alexis and the Sanity website