Catch a break from the sun at The Louisiana State Museum at the Old U.S. Mint during French Quarter Fest. They'll be hosting a free lecture series on Louisiana music on Saturday and Sunday on the third floor. The Old U.S. Mint is located at 400 Esplanade Ave. and has two stages outside, as well. Check out the lecture and discussion schedule below: 

Saturday, April 8th

11:30a – A CENTENNIAL CELEBRATION OF ELLA – 2017 marks the 100th anniversary of the birth of the great Ella Fitzgerald, whose duets on record with Louis Armstrong in the 1950s remain for many critics and listeners some of the finest music ever recorded. The New Orleans-based Players Ella and Louie Tribute Band is dedicated to presenting the best of Ella and Louie’s repertoire – both on record with 2016’s acclaimed Timeless and in live performances. Veteran Crescent City music producer and artist manager Michael Paz talks with interviewer Fred Kasten about the band’s performing and recording plans and heightened visibility nationally.

12:30p – THE LATIN SOUL AND CRESCENT CITY FUNK OF LOS PO-BOY-CITOS – Founded just over a decade ago, Los Po-Boy-Citos features a captivating, blend of Latin boogaloo and New Orleans R&B. Los Po-Boy-Citos guitarist and Tulane University associate professor of music,Matt Sakakeeny, discusses the multi-award-winning band with interviewer Fred Kasten.

1:30p – ALOHA GOLDEN MEADOW – That’s the title of the new music video from the Lost Bayou Ramblers – and also the name of a limited edition beer – a perfect Louisiana match! Founded in 1999 by brothers Andre and Louis Michot, the _Grammy_nominated band continues to bring fresh perspectives, energy and spontaneity to the Cajun tunes the brothers first learned performing with the band formed by their father and uncles in the 1980s, Les Freres Michot. They discuss their musical roots and the evolution of their music with award-winning author and journalist Michael Tisserand.

2:30p – THE CONTINUING REIGN OF THE SOUL QUEEN OF NEW ORLEANS – The great Irma Thomas is – and always will be – “The Soul Queen of New Orleans” – with a string of hits, many written by Allen Toussaint – dating back to the 1950s; dozens of awards including a Grammy; and highly anticipated performances each year at French Quarter Festival. Irma Thomas discusses her remarkable life and soul-stirring music with Grammy producer Scott Billington.

3:30p – THERE IS A DOCTOR IN THE HOUSE – His name is Dr. Michael White– the “house” in question is any top venue for authentic New Orleans jazz – and he is one of the planet’s prime purveyors of that essential music with his Original Liberty Jazz Band – their performances always leave listeners feeling better than they did before the band played. From his earliest days as a fledgling clarinetist in Doc Paulin’s brass band – to his current position as leader of one of the premier New Orleans jazz bands – Michael White has maintained a deep dedication to the music and musicians who make it – and talks about his life in the music with interviewer Fred Kasten.

4:30p – RIVER’S ON FIRE – That’s the title of the widely-praised CD from ace pianist, organist, songwriter and bandleader John “Papa” Gros – his first release since the long-running group “Papa Grows Funk” disbanded back in 2013. A New Orleans native with more than a quarter century of experience performing a wide variety of New Orleans music, John Gros will talk about his wide-ranging life in music with interviewer Fred Kasten.

Sunday, April 9th

11:30a – ANDRE AND THE DIRTY NOTES – Andre Bohren is a multi-talented New Orleans musician with eclectic tastes: he’s accompanied his father, singer/songwriter Spencer Bohren; played funk and rock in the drum chair with Johnny Sketch and the Dirty Notes; and is featured regularly around the Crescent City as a classical pianist. He’ll talk about his wide-ranging musical interests and experiences with interviewer Fred Kasten.

12:30p – FEVER DREAMS – That’s the title of Mia Borders' widely praised 2016 R&B release. The New Orleans native songwriter, singer and bandleader is spreading her take on the Crescent City’s musical mix at top venues and festivals around the world, including Essence, Brazil’s Bourbon Street Music Festival, and the Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts. She’ll talk about growing up in New Orleans and her life in music with interviewer Fred Kasten.

1:30p – ON THE HOWL WITH THE WOLFMAN – The ecstatic sensibilities that energize the deep blues of great New Orleans vocalist and guitarist Walter “Wolfman” Washington make for powerful, captivating music. Whether backing legends Irma Thomas and Johnny Adams – or leading his own top-notch Roadmasters band, as he has now for decades – Walter Washington has proven himself to be a Crescent City original from a family with a rich musical history. He shares stories about growing up in New Orleans and his fifty plus years on the music scene here with interviewer Fred Kasten.

2:30p – TRIBUTE TO PETE FOUNTAIN – Clarinet-great Pete Fountain – who passed away August 6, 2016 at age 86 – was, and always will be, a Crescent City classic. The joie de vivre Fountain brought to life and music endeared him to countless locals, visitors and fans around the world. He’s remembered by a panel, including musical colleague of many decades and close friend, cornetist Connie Jones; son-in-law and longtime manager Benny Harrell; outstanding clarinetist Tim Laughlin, who played with Fountain for many years; and author and journalist Keith Spera, who published several extended interviews with Fountain. The panel will be moderated by New Orleans Jazz Museum at the Mint curator David Kunian.

3:30p – THE RANKIN FILE – As in, John Rankin, that is. The exceptional guitarist is also a fine composer, vocalist and dedicated educator with over 30 years on the music faculty at Loyola University and substantial tenures with other area universities. Rankin has turned his long-running Tuesday night gig at the Columns Hotel into a showcase for a rotating roster of great New Orleans players. He also performs solo frequently – covers the waterfront musically – and works with Cranston Clements and Jimmy Robinson in the New Orleans Guitar Masters. He talks about his life in music with interviewer Fred Kasten.

4:30p – NEW ORLEANS SONGBIRD – That’s what one writer labeled New Orleans native and rising star vocalist Robin Barnes, whose sultry blend of soul, jazz and funk is winning lots of fans at her weekly gigs at the Windsor Court Hotel and Hotel Monteleone. Her 2016 release Songbird Sessions salutes many of her inspirations, including Irma Thomas and Allen Toussaint – and hit the billboard charts. Robin Barnes talks about growing up in the Ninth Ward, singing in church and her burgeoning music career with interviewer Fred Kasten.