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For a relatively small city, New Orleans has a remarkably vibrant and varied performing-arts community. While there are many traditional performance venues around town, one of the most exciting movements in recent years is the fringe theater action along Saint Claude Avenue, in the Bywater neighborhood. The annual Fringe Theater Festival brings pop-up performances, but there are also some permanent venues as well.
Held around Independence Day, this three-day festival brings in more than a half-million visitors and draws top names in R&B, pop, and hip-hop to the Caesars Superdome. The event also includes presentations by prominent African American figures, author talks, wellness seminars, parties, food and wine events, family activities, and so much more.
With stages set up throughout the Quarter and on the river at Woldenberg Park, the focus here is on free local entertainment—and, of course, food. A lot of locals consider this April festival the best in the city.
This weekend-long tribute to the late, great Louis Armstrong---nicknamed Satchmo---honors the man each August with jazz performances staged throughout the Quarter, seminars and discussions with Armstrong scholars, a Satchmo SummerFest Second-Line Parade through the Tremé and French Quarter, and plenty of local food to taste.
