Congo Square Rhythms Festival

March 26-27, 2022

 

It was in Congo Square that enslaved African people gathered on Sunday afternoons to practice their ancestral traditions. Their legacy lives on in our Congo Square Rhythms Festival, a free event that celebrates the music, food, and dance of our forebears, creating an event that is fun for the whole family.


When 

The Congo Square Rhythms and the Tremé Creole Gumbo Festivals returns March 26-27, 2022

Where 

Louis Armstrong Park in Congo Square – 701 N. Rampart Street, New Orleans, La 70116

About

We’ve combined two of our favorite festivals into one! The Tremé Creole Gumbo and Congo Square Rhythms festivals sit on the outskirts of the French Quarter in Tremé, celebrating the neighborhood as a key proving ground in the birthplace of jazz! This year, we’re kicking the weekend off with John Boutte and family in concert at the George and Joyce Wein Jazz & Heritage Center on Friday, March 25th. Special guests include Tanya Boutte & Arséne DeLay. Tickets are $10, available here.

Music

live Music schedule 

A Full Day of Music 10:45 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. 

Friday, march 25th

8:00pm to 9:30pm (Doors at 7pm) Festival Kickoff Concert with John Boutte and Family with special guests: Tanya Boutte & Arséne DeLay at the George and Joyce Wein Jazz & Heritage Center (1225 N. Rampart Street)

SOLD OUT – will be live-streamed for free on Friday, March 25 at 8pm CT on jazzandheritage.org/live

Saturday, march 26

10:45am to 11:45pm Drum Circle 

11:45pm to 12:30pm Margie & Sula Present the Wanderfuls 

12:45pm to 1:45pm Casmé 

2:00pm to 3:15pm The Caesar Brothers featuring Big Chief Juan Pardo

3:30pm to 4:45pm Erica Falls 

5:00pm to 6:15pm Big Chief Monk Boudreaux & the Golden Eagles 

6:30pm to 7:30pm Cyril Neville featuring Omari Neville & the Fuel 

Sunday, March 27th

10:45am to 11:45pm Drum Circle 

12:00pm to 1:00pm African Dance 

Tekrema 

N’Kafu

Culu 

Kumbuka Dance Collective 

Nkiruka Drum & Dance Ensemble

N’Fungola Sibo 

2:30pm to 3:30pm Bamboula 2000 

3:45pm to 4:30pm Mardi Gras Indian Battle 

4:45pm to 6:15pm Cha Wa 

No recording. Please, no audio or video recording of any performances at the festival. Click HERE to see the Tremé Creole Gumbo Festival Lineup

Arts Market 

As always, we will feature a large Arts Market with dozens of local artists showcasing handmade fine art and home furnishings.  This year, we’re also including participants of our of our Catapult Fund business accelerator program.

Food Vendors 

We’ll have a host of great food vendors – offering a mix of classic New Orleans dishes and food from the Caribbean.

Free Admission – Donations Accepted 

Admission to the Tremé Creole Gumbo / Congo Square Rhythms Festival is free. But we will have donation boxes set up at most of the park entrances. If you want to help us keep our events free, please support us with the donation of your choice. Thank you. 

No Outside Food or Beverages 

Like all of our events, the Tremé Creole Gumbo / Congo Square Rhythms Festival is completely free and open to the public – part of the community investment made by the New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Foundation. PLEASE: Except for those with small children or dietary restrictions, please do not bring outside food or beverages to the event – no coolers are permitted. 

No Pets 

We realize that Armstrong Park is usually open to pets. But for the safety and comfort of our large audience, we ask that you respect your neighbors and leave your companion animals at home (except for service animals, of course). Thank you. 

No Recording 

Please: No audio or video recording of our performers. 

Brought to You By  

The Tremé Creole Gumbo / Congo Square Rhythms Festival is produced and presented by the New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Foundation.  

Our sponsors

This program is supported in part by a Community Arts Grant made possible by the City of New Orleans.

The New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Foundation is the nonprofit organization that owns the New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival presented by Shell. The Foundation uses the proceeds from Jazz Fest, and other funds, for year-round programs in the areas of education, economic development and cultural events. For more about the Foundation and what we do, visit us online at www.jazzandheritage.org.