They say do what you love and the money will follow. New Orleans native and bounce star 5th Ward Weebie has done just that. Though primarily known for music, he’s turned his love for cooking into the Seafood Trap Festival. It takes place Sunday, May 26 at The Art Garage on St. Claude Ave from noon- 8 p.m. Great local food, music, life size games and blessed be, it’s free. “What better combo than good music and good food? Why not be a part of that?” said Weebie.

What started as “playing around” hosting backyard parties turned into one hell of an opportunity. Weebie’s friend and cooking partner, B Streezy, are The Seafood Trap. Another friend (and business partner), Wild Wayne, got the crew a gig at the BET Awards. The reaction from that (including being invited back next year) and approval from the most important critics, mom and grandma, transformed his hobby into a business. The Seafood Trap started catering events and hosted several pop-ups during football season. Finding success after success, their customers went from your mom and them to people from all over Louisiana and Texas. Weebie continued, “We wanted to open another avenue. We also wanna show people that if you wanna do something else, you can do it.”

The inaugural fest will be hosted by DJ Raj Smoove and Wild Wayne. Live performances from Shamarr Allen & Da Under Dawgs, G-Funk Band, and Stooges Brass Band, to name a few, will be included. HotBoy Ronald and 5th Ward Weebie will be pulling double duty, performing AND cooking. Dishes range from the ultimate specialty plate of snow crab, jumbo shrimp, corn, and sausage, to turkey necks and neck bones, seafood tacos and quesadillas, to the melt in your mouth catfish dumaine from none other than Weebie’s mom.

Let me find out you didn’t download your free tickets. Get them now at www.seafoodtrapfest.com.