The French Quarter Festival (FQF) is the little festival that could. It’s always seemed to have taken a back seat to the big mama of our local festivals, the Jazz Fest. But it’s grown so huge over the past 10 years that it’s becoming a force of its own.

This year, the festival has 22 stages located in the French Quarter, with 276 musical performances, over a four full festival days. The stages are located from the Old Mint (which is hosting the FQF’s version of their Musical Heritage Stage—”Let Them Talk”—in the stellar new performance hall on the building’s third floor), to the Aquarium, location of the OffBeat/Harrah’s Cajun Zydeco Stage; from Woldenberg Park on the riverfront, to Bourbon Street. The Bourbon Street Alliance and Rick’s Cabaret are sponsoring a traditional jazz stage in the 500 block of Bourbon.

French Quarter Fest has grown to include 164 menu options in its “World’s Biggest Jazz Brunch” food offerings, two separate kids’ areas, two outdoor dance floors (with dance lessons!).

OffBeat will once again be distributed at the Capital One shuttle busses, which run from the CBD into the Quarter. We will also be at our booth in Washington Artillery Park on Decatur Street across from Jackson Square with magazines and prizes for visiting our booth.

I’m particularly happy that the festival solicited and implemented sponsors to pay non-union musicians this year for the first time after 29 years of operation. So non-union musicians won’t have to acquire their own sponsors; they’ll be paid in cash. FQF is also making an effort to help bands and musicians get their gear to the stages more easily, and they are providing parking for musicians. Money in the tip jars located throughout the festival go to the musicians, so tip generously and sign up to sponsor a band next year.

We’ve just also re-launched our iPhone app, which will be available for Android before Jazz Fest. We’re proud of its simplicity and ease of use. Check it out.

If you read my blog, there’s been a backlash against the censoring of music on Frenchmen Street from locals and people outside New Orleans who visit the city with music in mind. A recent proposal was introduced into the city council that imposes strict requirements on speaker placement anywhere in the French Quarter (Frenchmen Street venues are not included in this ordinance as they are required by law to keep their doors closed during evening hours. Bourbon Street venues are not, at least at this time). By the time you read this, there probably will have been a forum, open to the public to air grievances and problems from clubs, music lovers and noise haters.

Have a great French Quarter Fest!