NOLA Music Month continues with live music events and festivals throughout the city for every music lover. Explore our OffBeat Weekly Picks (October 10-16) to discover the best local happenings!
On Thursday, October 10, Sweet Lorraine’s Jazz Club will host a special Blues Showcase featuring three of New Orleans’ own bluesmen—Les Getrex, Ed Wills, and Mem Shannon. Sponsored by the New Orleans Blues Society and funded by the New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Foundation, this event promises a great night of soulful, homegrown blues. Les Getrex’s soulful voice, Ed Wills’ self-taught guitar mastery, and Mem Shannon’s funky, bluesy vibes will make this a must-see for any blues lover. Tickets are $15, and the show runs from 8 p.m. to 11 p.m. Learn more here.
Gentilly Fest returns October 11 to 13 with a weekend packed with entertainment and community spirit. Held at the McBurnett Knox Playground in Pontchartrain Park, the event features free admission and kicks off on Friday evening with the “Jazz Under The Stars” concert series. The lineup includes DJ Juane Jordan, Girls Play Trumpets Too, Troy Sawyer & The Elementz, and All Strings Attached. The festival highlights local talent and culture, with support from the New Orleans Cultural Tourism Fund. You can learn more about the festival and view the complete lineup here.
The 17th annual Crescent City Blues & BBQ Festival will return to Lafayette Square Park October 11–13, offering a weekend of electrifying blues music and mouthwatering barbecue. This free event, presented by the New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Foundation, will showcase a stellar lineup of blues legends like Lil Ed & the Blues Imperials, Irma Thomas, and Kenny Neal, alongside local favorites like Sierra Green & the Giants. Attendees can indulge in the finest regional barbecue, explore a vibrant arts market and enjoy tributes to blues greats like James Cotton. Learn more here.
Festivals Acadiens et Crèoles celebrates its 50th Anniversary this year in Girard Park in Lafayette, from October 11 through 13. The festival is known worldwide for its dedication to the music, culture and history of Southwest Louisiana, and this year has many special events honoring the festival’s history. Music begins at 5:30 p.m. on Friday and starts at 10:30 a.m. on October 12 and 13 on multiple stages. Check out Dan Willging’s story on this special year in this month’s OffBeat.
The Deutsches Haus Oktoberfest returns from October 11-12, 18-19, and 25-26, bringing this annual fall tradition and German celebration to New Orleans. With local and international bands performing traditional and modern German music, the festival also features dancing, a Schnauzer parade and authentic German food and drinks. The event runs from 4 to 11 p.m. on Fridays and 1 to 11 p.m. on Saturdays. You can view the full lineup and learn more here.
Cyril Neville. Photo: OffBeat/Kim Welsh
New Orleans music icon Cyril Neville will celebrate his birthday with two nights of live music at Chickie Wah Wah on Friday, October 11, and Saturday, October 12. The event will feature performances by The Wild Tchoupitoulas and a stellar lineup of local talent, including Ivan Neville, Omari Neville and The Fuel, Jason Neville, Damion Neville, Johnny Vidacovich, Shamarr Allen, Erica Falls, James Andrews, Big Sam and more. Packed with funk and soul, this celebration will showcase Cyril Neville’s legendary musical prowess and deep roots in New Orleans culture. Fans of local music won’t want to miss this special event. You can learn more or purchase tickets here.
Jimmy Robinson. Photo: Cy Leong
On October 15, Snug Harbor Jazz Bistro will host the 2024 Across The Pond Guitar Festival. Organized by Jimmy Robinson, the event showcases guitar virtuosos from across the globe. This year’s festival features performances from Gavino Loche of Sardinia, Italy, Adrian Raso from Canada, and New Orleans Guitar Masters John Rankin, Cranston Clements and Robinson himself. Layla Musselwhite will also join the lineup. The evening will feature a mix of solo and group performances, as well as the premiere of new music from a trio recording by Robinson, Loche and Raso. You can learn more or purchase tickets here.
Weekly Picks (October 10 – 16)
