It’s a music-stacked festival week in New Orleans with non-stop live music and cultural events to satisfy your craving for New Orleans music and culture! Check out this week’s OffBeat Weekly Picks (4/25 – 5/01):

Photo by Noé Cugny

The New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Festival kicks off this week at the Fair Grounds Race Course, offering an electrifying lineup of music, food and culture. With performances by local legends and international stars, delicious cuisine, arts, crafts and culture and so much more, Jazz Fest promises another unforgettable experience for music lovers and festival-goers alike. Be sure to check out our handy OffBeat Guide To Jazz Fest for everything you need including a searchable database containing every scheduled performance and a description of each performer. You can view the full lineup and access the guide here.

Photo: Noé Cugny

On Thursday, April 25, catch the next installment of the Rhythm & Roses Concert Series featuring The George Porter Trio at the Historic BK House & Gardens from 6 to 9 p.m. Set in the picturesque Parterre Garden on Ursulines at Chartres Street, this musical series promises an evening of stellar entertainment in a beautiful setting. Tickets are available for $30 for nonmembers and $25 for BK members. Learn more or purchase tickets on the Historic BK House & Gardens website.

Get ready for a night of legendary music as The Nevilles present “Bayou by Bus” with special guest Stephen Marley at the Civic Theatre on Thursday, April 25, 2024, starting at 9 p.m. This unique event promises an unforgettable journey through the soulful sounds of New Orleans, led by the iconic Neville family and joined by reggae star Stephen Marley. You can learn more or purchase your tickets here.

Don’t miss out on the late-night groove as The Rumble featuring Chief Joseph Boudreaux Jr. takes over the Maple Leaf Bar on April 26, 2024, starting at 1 a.m. Grammy-nominated for “Live at the Maple Leaf,” this is a show you won’t want to miss. Advance tickets are $20, with door tickets available for $25. This event is for ages 21 and up. Please note there’s a $2 online ticketing fee, and online sales end one hour before the show. Tickets will be available at the door one hour before the performance. You can learn more and purchase your tickets here.

Get ready for an explosive night of Afro-Cuban funk and rhythm as the Civic Theatre hosts the second annual CimaFest NOLA on Friday, April 26. Headlined by the sensational Cimafunk and the legendary Chucho Valdes with La Dame Blanche, this year’s show promises to be a celebration of Cuban music, culture and heritage. Cimafunk, fresh from his second Grammy nomination, will bring his stellar band La Tribu to showcase the future of Cuban music, while Chucho Valdes, a true maestro and pioneer of Cuban music, will share his expertise and passion on stage. Joining them is the Cuban hip-hop/reggae/dancehall powerhouse La Dame Blanche, ensuring a night filled with explosive performances and infectious rhythms. Don’t miss this unforgettable evening of music that bridges the past, present and future of Afro-Cuban sounds. Tickets are available here.

Grammy award-winning Lost Bayou Ramblers take the stage at Chickie Wah Wah on Friday, April 26, at 11 p.m. Founded in 1999 by brothers Andre and Louis Michot, Lost Bayou Ramblers are known for their energetic Cajun-inspired performances, boasting two Grammy awards and a string of acclaimed albums. Join them for what promises to be an energetic show as part of the Fest-o-Matic series. You can learn more and purchase tickets here.

The Headhunters celebrate their 50th Anniversary Bembé at the Music Box Village on Saturday, April 27, starting at 8 p.m. Co-led by percussionist Bill Summers and drummer Mike Clark, The Headhunters are best known for their work on Herbie Hancock‘s classic recordings “Head Hunters” and “Thrust,” the band has continually reinvented itself over the past decades, keeping things fresh thanks to the deep musicality of its members. Joined by special guests Stanton Moore, Yusa, Wil Blades and Clarence Johnson, this epic event promises a fusion of jazz, funk and rock that has inspired musicians across genres for decades. Learn more or purchase tickets here.

The Dew Drop Inn Hotel & Lounge, newly restored to its former grandeur, kicks off their  inaugural Groove City series, with the legendary Sun Ra Arkestra on Sunday, April 28 at 9 p.m. Founded by the late Sun Ra, a trailblazer of synthesizer and free jazz in the 1960s, the Arkestra continues its 70-year journey, spreading positivity through music. The Dew Drop Inn, once the epitome of elegance in the South, hosted iconic Black musicians from 1939 to the 1960s, including Aretha Franklin and Ray Charles. Now restored, it promises to be a vibrant destination, seamlessly blending historic charm with modern flair. Learn more or purchase tickets here.

Also on Sunday, April 28, Jason Marsalis, youngest son of Ellis Marsalis, will be joined by special guests for a touching tribute to Ellis Marsalis at Snug Harbor. Known for his prowess as both a drummer and a vibraphonist, Jason brings his exceptional talent to the stage in honor of his father, a jazz legend. With his 21st Century Trad Band, Jason’s performance promises to captivate audiences, showcasing the maturity and command he has over his music. Tickets are $35 and available for purchase here.

Don’t miss Shorty Fest, the FREE Outdoor Block Party featuring performances by Troy “Trombone Shorty” Andrews & Orleans Avenue, the Sun Ra Arkestra, Galactic featuring Anjelika “Jelly” Joseph and students from the Trombone Shorty Academy on April 29. The event starts at 5pm, with musical performances by New Breed Brass Band, Big Chief Juan Pardo & The Golden Commanches, Battle of the Marching Bands and more. Visit their Silent Auction tent on the neutral ground and enjoy family friendly activities. You can learn more here.

Daze Between Fest kicks off April 30th and features funk group Lettuce, Gov’t Mule, The Dirty Dozen Brass Band, Galactic featuring Jelly Joseph, Karl Denson’s Tiny Universe, Daniel Donato’s Cosmic Country and more. Faubourg Brewery, known for its craft beer taproom, will host the festival, offering attendees a unique experience with local art vendors and food trucks. A portion of the proceeds will benefit New Orleans-based nonprofits via the Rex Foundation. View the full lineup and learn more here.

The festivals just keep on rollin’ with the NOLA Crawfish Fest kicking off on April 29 for three days at The Broadside. This festival offers a quintessential backyard boil vibe with live performances by music legends like Eric Krasno (of Lettuce), Ivan Neville, Anders Osborne, Kevin Scott, Jennifer Hartswick, the Iko Allstars, Tab Benoit, Lost Bayou Ramblers, RumpleSTEELskin, Jon Cleary, George Porter Jr.  and more. In addition to the mouthwatering crawfish, the festival features a Crawfish Eatin’ Competition, a Crawfish Cook-Off judged by local celebrities and a variety of unique Louisiana Arts and Crafts vendors. You can learn more about it here.

A Wednesday at the Square. Photo by Kim Welsh

Don’t miss another installment of the free Wednesday at The Square music series this coming week in Lafayette Square on May 1, with Ivan Neville & Friends + LeTrainiump, 5 to 8 p.m. As a cherished fixture of New Orleans’ cultural scene, Wednesday at The Square brings together locals and visitors alike every week from March 6 – May 8. The events support the Young Leadership Council‘s initiatives to improve the community’s quality of life and cultivate leadership among young professionals. You can view the complete lineup for the 2024 Wednesday at The Square music series here.