Press Release - The Mid-City Bayou Boogaloo returns to the banks of historic Bayou St. John this spring, May 19-21, 2017. The free, three-day festival marks its 12th year with unforgettable music, delicious food, inspiring art and the spirit that the city itself brings to the party.
This year’s music lineup includes close to 40 bands, mixing top names in New Orleans talent with beloved performers making their Boogaloo debut. Some highlights include 1990s rock icon Cracker, Jon Cleary & The Absolute Monster Gentlemen, Chris Thomas King, Marco Benevento and Cupid, creator of the “Cupid Shuffle.”
Founded in 2006 to mark the revival of the Mid-City neighborhood, the festival has grown into a celebration of the best of New Orleans held in the heart of New Orleans.
“The Bayou Boogaloo starts with world-class music, incredible food and the work of talented artists and artisans, and together it’s an experience that feels bigger than any of these parts,” said Jared Zeller, founder and producer of the Mid-City Bayou Boogaloo. “It’s a sense of community and of sharing the good times and cultural riches of our city that makes the festival so special.”
More than 35,000 people attended the family-friendly festival last year. This year’s event will feature music on four stages, an arts market featuring 65 regional artists, a Family Village with games and activities for all ages, and food from 30 local restaurants and caterers.
The Mid-City Bayou Boogaloo is produced by the MotherShip Foundation and presented by Positive Vibrations Foundation. As always, this free festival relies on sponsors and community support.
Supporters who join the MotherShip Foundation with a tax-deductible donation of $250 or more receive three days of access to the Canopy Club, the foundation’s VIP lounge next to the main stage at Bayou Boogaloo. Cooling units, stage-front viewing, a private bar, daily crawfish boils, New Orleans food, comfy, shaded seating and other perks are available to Canopy Club pass holders.
In addition to the performers above, the Mid-City Bayou Boogaloo music schedule includes: Tank & The Bangas (winners of the 2017 NPR “Tiny Desk Contest”), Brownout, The Deslondes, New Breed Brass Band, Water Seed, Where Y'acht, Lightnin' Malcolm, Luke Winslow King, Sean Ardoin, Charlie Wooton Project, Alfred Banks, Stoop Kids, Doombalaya, Pink Magnolias, James Martin Band, Kettle Black, Chapter Soul, John the Martyr, Maggie Belle Band, Kumasi, The Holy Warriors featuring Bruce “Sunpie” Barnes, Helen Gillet, Bill Summers, James Singleton, Cole Williams, Matt Hampsey, Calvin Johnson, Rick Trolsen; Caesar Brothers' Funkbox featuring Big Chief Juan Pardo, Nick Balaban & the N’awlstars and Video Age.
Bayou Boogaloo food vendors represent many different flavors of the Mid-City neighborhood and beyond, from Boucherie, Bratz Y’all to Gonzo’s Smokehouse, Canal Street Bistro, Mona’s and Mid-City Pizza.
The festival grounds are also a showcase for many community organizations and businesses to share their messages and promote their services. One even ventures on the waters of Bayou St. John itself. The “Root Beer Float Float” is a floating dock serving up ice cream treats directly from the water, with proceeds from “float” sales benefitting Friends of the Lafitte Greenway and its work to support and maintain the Lafitte Greenway bicycle and pedestrian path.
“As always, our goal is to showcase the unique setting, art, culture and recreation of the Bayou St. John area while bringing economic opportunities to our local businesses and community partners,” Zeller said.
The Mid-City Bayou Boogaloo is presented by Positive Vibrations Foundation a 501c3 non-profit organization whose mission is to create and encourage community through the development and preservation of arts, music, culture, and heritage.
The Mid-City Bayou Boogaloo is produced by MotherShip Foundation, a New Orleans 501c3 non-profit organization dedicated to encouraging social change by improving the quality of life for Louisiana residents through the promotion of arts, culture, and recreation. Proceeds from the festival facilitate efforts such as MotherShip Foundation's Restore the Bayou Canopy campaign. This ongoing effort to replace trees lost to hurricanes has already resulted in the planting of eight live oak trees along Bayou St. John and twelve trees in the Broadmoor neighborhood.
In 2017, festival proceeds will be used for MotherShip’s anti-litter campaign in Mid-City. The festival also supports community partners, including Friends of Lafitte Greenway, Upturn Arts, Morris Jeff Community School, and Faubourg St. John Neighborhood Association.
You can get more information at thebayouboogaloo.com.
