International Arts Fest: NOLA ‘23 October 5th - 8th, 2023 New Orleans, Louisiana

 

The International Arts Foundation is proud to present the INTERNATIONAL ARTS FEST: NOLA ’23.

 

A celebration of global music, culture, and people. INTERNATIONAL ARTS FEST: NOLA is a global symphony of music that will be curated to celebrate the beauty of art envisioned through the lens of instruments, paintbrushes, voices, imagery, and poetry.

 

The multi-day event platform is designed to spotlight the incredible New Orleans musicians among a carefully curated list of global stars. The festival will serve as a conduit for New Orleans and select cities with formal “Sister City” agreements. The goal is to present and celebrate authentic international culture while creating a forum to set a business and economic agenda.

 

Thursday, October 5th

 

The festival will kick off with a launch event hosted by the Mayor’s Office for International Relations. The event will host delegates from 10+ sister city nations, including Haiti, Switzerland, Austria, Ghana, Japan, Jamaica, South Africa and Taiwan.

 

Friday, October 6th

 

The Mayor’s Office of International Relations will sponsor a day long discussion panel among the 60 delegates at Gallier Hall from 10 am -5 pm. Later that evening the Civic Theater will be electric with Jazz greats like Rick Braun, Irvin Mayfield Jr., and South African sensation, Ernie Smith. The concert will begin at 8pm. Saturday, October 7th The festival mainstage at Mandeville Wharf, Crescent Park will feature a Global Dance Party with The Chosen Few DJs led by Grammy winning House Music DJ Terry Hunter, DJ Wayne Williams, and DJ Alan King. The line-up also includes Canadian, Grammy-nominated R&B 2 singer Glenn Lewis. The event will be anchored by headliners and Reggae legends, Steel Pulse. The gates will open at 2pm.

 

Sunday, October 8th

 

Sunday will be headlined by Grammy Award-winning songwriter, producer, and artist Stephen Marley. The day will also feature Jazz Great George Porter Jr. and his PHUNKY FRIENDS: Ian Neville, Ivan Neville, Tony Hall, and Russell Batiste. Jazz Master, Donald Harrison Jr. will also bless the stage. Gates open at 1pm.

 

Key Elements of the Festival will include:

 

• JAZZ TRIBUTE Concert: Irving Mayfield Jr, Rick Braun and Ernie Smith.

• Outdoor concert at Mandeville Wharf, Crescent Park: Various Artists

• Sister City Delegation featuring 10+ nations hosted by the Mayor’s Office of International Relations

• Pan African business panel • International Food, Wine and Drink Stations: a variety of global cuisines and beverages with a special focus on New Orleans restaurants and chefs

• Social Media Broadcast Booth: This station will embrace technology while allowing fans to interact with music and entertainment products. Social Media broadcast sessions will be afforded to both performers and festival participants.

 

Art and music provide meaning and understanding about the world around us. When we create art, we elevate our mood, improve our ability to problem solve and open our minds to new ideas. “The International Arts Festival curators are committed to developing and unifying fans and artists’ creative ideology thereby allowing a stronger connection between creatives and consumers.”