An unprecedented coalition of New Orleans’ iconic nightclubs and music venues, in partnership with New Orleans & Company, have proactively combined to create NOLAxNOLA, a branded series of live music events throughout the city during the dates of the now-canceled New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Festival from October 7 to 17. The goal of NOLAxNOLA is to keep New Orleans’ music venues, musicians and culture bearers strong and supported during this difficult time, while following all safety guidelines.

NOLAxNOLA strives to illustrate that the city can create a national model of promoting and supporting live music in a safe way that calls for proof of a COVID vaccine or a negative PCR test taken within 72 hours for entrance into the venue. Locals and visitors are asked to join musicians and employees in getting vaccinated and reviving the live music scene in New Orleans.

The COVID-19 pandemic, combined with Hurricane Ida, continues to have a devastating impact on New Orleans’ critical cultural economy despite months of optimism and a resurgence of leisure travelers earlier this year. Spring 2021 festivals rescheduled for the fall, including the French Quarter Festival and the New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival have been cancelled due to the pandemic, as well as BUKU: Planet B, Beignet Fest, the National Fried Chicken Festival and Voodoo Music + Arts Experience.

NOLAxNOLA, designed to safely and immediately support clubs, musicians and culture bearers in a time of financial peril, could become an annual tradition, created in 2021, but lasting and growing for many years beyond.

Orleans Parish maintains the highest vaccination rate of any Louisiana parish with nearly 80 percent of eligible adults receiving at least their first vaccine.

A press release issued by NOLAxNOLA states, “We want locals to have safe venues to attend shows and we will promote to travelers that they keep their travel plans, while following all vaccination and safety guidelines, because the shows must go on.”

For a list of participating venues and to purchase tickets visit here.