From October through March, the Freret Market brings art and food vendors and live music to a corner just off Napoleon Avenue. In late March, it balloons into a street festival with more than 200 vendors, three music stages and more. The Freret Street Festival even introduced its first poster this year, by artist Patrick Henry. The event is from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday, March 30.
The neighborhood festival fills Freret Street from Napoleon Avenue to Valmont Street. There are music stages at each end, plus a third one in the middle on Valence Street. There are more than 45 participating businesses on the street and 216 art and food booths. Food vendors are clustered near larger intersections, where there also are tables and chairs.
The music line-up is a diverse array of local sounds, from the rock, country and Americana of the Honey Island Swamp Band to the Black Masking Indian-infused rap of the 79rs Gang, and the accordion pop of Valerie Sassyfras to the Marigny Street Brass Band.
Johnny Sketch and the Dirty Notes holds down the 5 p.m. closing slot on the Valence Street stage. For more than 20 years, the group of classically trained musicians has orchestrated a mix of New Orleans jazz funk incorporating other genres and adding their own flair with a horn section and electric cello. Multi-instrumentalist Andre Bohren has struck out with several side projects recently, including the country outfit Desert Nudes. This is one of Johnny Sketch’s few local performances before hitting French Quarter Fest and Jazz Fest stages in April.
Chris Stafford is the only remaining member of Feufollet’s original all pre-teen line-up. The band also has evolved from its original mission of preserving traditional Cajun music to writing their own songs and reaching into country, indie rock and other string-based folk music. The group also likes to do Cajunized renditions of rock and pop hits. Feufollet performs on the Soniat Street stage at 2:40 p.m.
Belgium is not a hotbed for the blues, so it’s not surprising Brussels native Ghalia Volt is now based in New Orleans. The guitarist’s most recent album, last year’s “Shout Sister Shout,” reached No. 3 on Billboard’s blues chart. She performs at 3:45 p.m. on the Soniat Street stage.
The Music Box season includes performances by local and visiting musicians.
Songwriter and guitarist Joy Clark performs at 3:40 p.m. on the Napoleon Street stage. The Americana singer recently delivered a tribute to Tracy Chapman at the International Folk Music Awards, singing her hit, “Give Me One Reason.”
There’s also an Americana Songwriter Showcase featuring Kristin Diable and some emerging performers from Loyola University New Orleans, Jade Robbins and Tuller. The showcase is 2:25-3:40 p.m. on the Valence Street stage.
There also is an African dance and drumming performance by N’Fungola Sibo. NOLA Capoeira presents a demonstration of the Brazilian martial art and dance form.
There will be pet adoptions during the event, run by Zeus’ Rescues, as well as a dog rest stop at the fest. Other organizations that will have a presence at the event include Big Easy Roller Derby and a local firehouse.
Since 2018, the Freret Market and festival have been run by the Rotary Club New Orleans Riverbend. Proceeds support the festival and market, as well as Rotary projects, such as support for the foster care home Raintree House and a recent tree giveaway in the St. Roch neighborhood.
For more information, visit freretstreetfestival.org.
Juvie Tuesdays is closing in on 20 years.
Keep up with the latest events at calendar.gambitweekly.com.
