The NOLA Funk Fest 2023 is gearing up for a three-day event from October 20-22 at the New Orleans Jazz Museum. The festival is set to showcase 18 of the city’s best local funk acts performing across two stages, headlined by Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award Recipient Leo Nocentelli with “Experiencing The Meters,” and including Grammy icons Irma Thomas, George Porter Jr., and The Dirty Dozen Brass Band.

One of the festival’s highlights is the exhibit titled “I Found My Thrill: The Music and Artistry of Fats Domino and Dave Bartholomew,” which will be housed at the New Orleans Jazz Museum for six months before embarking on a statewide tour. The exhibit will showcase the life and music of these two musicians and their contributions to Louisiana’s music scene.

In addition to the exhibit, two symposiums will be held during the festival, featuring oral histories told by musical performances. The symposiums aim to educate attendees on Louisiana’s music’s history and cultural significance, highlighting the evolution of Blues and Jazz into R&B, Rock and Roll, and Funk.

“The Nola Funk Fest is a celebration of Louisiana’s unique cultural identity, and the contributions of its musicians to the evolution of music,” said one of the organizers. “We’re excited to showcase the music, history, and culture of Louisiana and hope to raise awareness of our project to preserve and promote Louisiana’s rich musical history.”

Tickets for the festival are available now, and more information can be found on the festival’s official website.