NOLA Funk Fest will occur from Friday, October 20, to Sunday, October 22, at the New Orleans Jazz Museum, offering attendees a chance to delve into Louisiana’s rich musical history. This three-day festival is the inaugural event for The Louisiana Music & Heritage Experience, the new museum dedicated to preserving the state’s unique musical legacy.

A central attraction is the exhibit titled “I Found My Thrill: The Music and Artistry of Fats Domino and Dave Bartholomew,” displayed at the New Orleans Jazz Museum for six months before going on a statewide tour. Festival-goers can also participate in two symposiums, combining oral histories with musical performances to explore the evolution of Blues and Jazz into R&B, Rock and Roll, and Funk.

NOLA Funk Fest will feature dozens of local funk acts, including artists such as The Dirty Dozen Brass Band, Erica Falls, George Porter Jr., Ivan Neville, Leo Nocentelli, Irma Thomas and more. With a notable lineup, the festival aims to secure a prominent spot on New Orleans’ annual festival calendar.

The festival also emphasizes education, with students from the New Orleans Center for Creative Arts (NOCCA) and Loyola University taking the stage at the “Passing the Torch Stage” during the three festival days. 

According to Chris Beary, Board Chair of the museum, “The Passing the Torch stage and our partnerships with NOCCA and Loyola truly fulfill our mission to educate by giving talented students both an audience and an opportunity to shine.”

For those eager to witness the next generation of musicians, these student performances are free of charge, located along Barracks Street, just outside the paid festival areas.

NOLA Funk Fest offers an opportunity to celebrate Louisiana’s musical heritage and nurture the talents of tomorrow, making it an event to be noticed. To purchase tickets, click here.