NOLA River Fest, like so many other events is going virtual in 2020. The festival that celebrates the mighty Mississippi river will start on September 21 and come to an end on September 27. NOLA River Fest focuses on the environmental, cultural, and economic impact of the Mississippi River and the land it built through live music, cooking demonstrations, presentations, panels, and walking tours that explore this year’s theme “Working on the River.” The festival is free and open to the public. It will be hosted on Facebook. You can also watch NOLA River Fest here: https://www.nolariverfest.org/river-fest
NOLA River Fest Schedule
Tuesday, September 22 – Playing a style of music that encompasses and melds Mardi Gras Indian chants, New Orleans funk, modern jazz, and traditional brass band sounds, Kinfolk Brass Band is at the forefront of the New Orleans Brass Band renaissance.
Wednesday, September 23 – Jazz Foundation of America All Star Jazz Ensemble- The New Orleans Jazz Museum and Jazz Foundation of America present an all-star jazz ensemble virtual performance for NOLA River Fest featuring Thais Clark on vocals, Tom Fisher on sax, Steven Burtchaell on keyboards, Richard Moten on upright bass, Karl Budo on drums, Don Vappie on guitar, and Seva Venet on banjo.
Thursday, September 24 – Jazz Foundation Presents Mayumi Shara & Tack Tom Revolution- Composer and drummer Mayumi Shara is a uniquely cross cultural whirlwind of talent and energy, making her well-established pioneer female jazz drummer in Japan. She also creates original methods of solo performance, playing the Japanese traditional drum in New Orleans, also in southern area.
Treme Brass Band – Treme Brass Band has played traditional New Orleans brass band music for decades and is loved all around the world.
Friday, September 25 – Louisiana Philharmonic Orchestra – The Louisiana Philharmonic Orchestra (LPO) is dedicated to maintaining live orchestral music and a full-scale symphonic orchestra as an integral part of the cultural and educational life of the New Orleans area, the entire state of Louisiana, and the Gulf South region.
Saturday, September 26 – Rebel Babel Ensemble – Rebel Babel Ensemble conducted by award-winning conductor and producer L.U.C. is an international orchestra of big bands that plays for peace and dialog meeting cultures and musical genres all over the world
Greyhawk Perkins – New Orleans-born Grayhawk Perkins, who is of Native American Choctaw and Houma Nation descent, is a well-known cultural figure in Louisiana. As a musician, he has been involved with the New Orleans music industry for decades, having shared the stage with many notable acts such as Dr. John and Coco Robicheaux. He performs regularly at the New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival and the Voodoo Experience Music Festival, and has worked as a Jazz Fest Coordinator for over 25 years.
Sunday, September 27 – Bon Bon Vivant is an indie/gypsy band from New Orleans that electrifies audiences across the country with their signature blend of gypsy-jazz/ Americana, dark ballads and up-tempo indie dance rock. BBVs original music pays homage to the bawdy New Orleans sound while infusing an indie flavor that leaves a lasting mark on listeners.
For more events including the speaker lineup visit: https://www.nolariverfest.org/
About NOLA River Fest
In addition to providing a variety of local cuisine and music performances in years past, the Jazz Museum hosts several educational panels, walking tours, and children’s activities focused on the seafood industry, coastal restoration, and sustainability. To gather virtually in 2020, these lectures and performances will be celebrated for an entire week. The accessibility of the panels exposes these visitors to first-hand accounts from leaders in business sustainability, water management, urban reforestation, fishing, and water transportation. These educational opportunities emphasize the responsibility that individuals share in preserving their culture and community. Because the festival draws visitation from both locals and tourists, the ideas learned in these discussions have a direct impact on both the local community and beyond.