The International Arts Festival: NOLA will offer a diverse blend of music, art and culture, that focuses on promoting international connections from October 5 to 8. This multi-day event will showcase local New Orleans musicians alongside international talent. 

The festival will commence with a launch event on Thursday, October 5, hosted by the Mayor’s Office for International Relations, bringing together delegates from over 10 sister city nations, including Haiti, Switzerland, Austria, Ghana, Japan, Jamaica, South Africa and Taiwan.

The following day, October 6, the festival will host panel discussions at Gallier Hall, featuring 60 international delegates from the sister city nations. The goal is to promote cross-cultural understanding and cooperation. Later that evening, the Civic Theater will host jazz performances by artists like Rick Braun, Irvin Mayfield Jr. and Ernie Smith.

On Saturday, the festival’s main stage at Mandeville Wharf in Crescent Park will feature a Global Dance Party led by The Chosen Few DJs, with headlining acts such as Grammy-winning house music DJ Terry Hunter and R&B singer Glenn Lewis. Reggae group Steel Pulse will also perform.

Sunday’s lineup includes Grammy Award-winning artist Stephen Marley, George Porter Jr. and jazz master Donald Harrison Jr. The festival will also offer a Jazz Tribute Concert, a Sister City Delegation, a Pan-African business panel, international food, wine, and drink stations showcasing various cuisines and a social media broadcast booth for fan interaction and artist engagement.

For more information on the event or to purchase tickets, visit the festival’s official website.