Drums and music will take over Louis Armstrong Park and the historic Carver Theater as the Congo Square Preservation Society launches two days of celebrations and a community membership drive on Saturday, August 9 and Sunday, August 10.

Photo by Kim Welsh

On August 9, the Carver Theater will host festivities that include music performances, as well as the society’s membership drive.

“Our goal is to enlist people who are passionate about preserving the history and are committed to charting the future of Congo Square” Luther Gray, President and co-founder of the society, said in a press release.

On August 10, the Congo Square Preservation Society’s celebrations will fill Congo Square, in Louis Armstrong Park. With Bamboula 2000, Zion Trinity, and Ben Hunter, the park will come alive to the sounds of gospel, reggae, world beat, New Orleans R&B and jazz from 3:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m.

Troupes such as the N’Kafu Traditional African Dance Company and the Congo Square Drum & Dance Circle will get everyone on their feet, dancing! The event will also kick-off the Mardi Gras Indian Hall of Fame Week.

Since its formation in 1989, the Congo Square Preservation Society has been the major community-based organization engaged in the preservation of the historic Congo Square. The society has been active in sponsoring cleanup campaigns, garden planting, organizing Sunday free drumming workshops, as well as setting up field trips, tours, parenting classes and literacy training.

Tickets for the Saturday event are $25 and include an individual membership to the Congo Square Preservation Society. Family and Organization tickets are also available, respectively $50 and $100.

Tickets and memberships are available by calling the Congo Square Preservation Society at (504) 495-0463. The Sunday event is free.