Save the Date! WWOZ Groove Gala, September 5

Plan to join us in the French Quarter on the night of Thursday, September 5, when Tableau Restaurant and Le Petit Theatre host the second annual WWOZ Groove Gala. Get ready to put on your Jazz Fest attire and party all evening with a music lineup that includes Irma Thomas, Lena Prima, Amanda Shaw, Al "Lil Fats" Jackson, Doreen Ketchens, the Storyville Stompers, Gerald French, and John "Papa" Gros. Groove Gala 2019 tickets go on sale Monday, July 1 at 10am.

» Photos from last year's Groove Gala

Gia Maione Prima Foundation Renews School Groove Sponsorship

Here's some news we're very happy to share: the Gia Maione Prima Foundation has announced a multi-year renewal of its School Groove sponsorship. Each month, WWOZ's School Groove program gives talented young music students the opportunity to play live on the air as we host live in-studio performances by middle and high school students from the Greater New Orleans area.

» Thanks to the Gia Maione Prima Foundation!

Cajun-Zydeco Fest, Jun 22-23

The 13th annual Louisiana Cajun-Zydeco Festival happens in Armstrong Park on June 22-23. It's New Orleans' only festival featuring exclusively Cajun and zydeco music, and the lineup is stellar, including the Lost Bayou Ramblers, Chubby Carrier & the Bayou Swamp Band, Dwayne Dopsie & the Zydeco Hellraisers, Bruce Daigrepont, and lots more. Admission is free.

» Cajun-Zydeco Fest lineup & hype video

Creole Tomato Fest, June 8-9

This year's Creole Tomato Festival happens June 8-9 from 10a-6p in & around the French Market District. There'll be cooking demonstrations, food booths, a Bloody Mary market, and, of course, live music on two stages (in Dutch Alley and outside the New Orleans Jazz Museum). Performers include Delfeayo Marsalis, Sunpie & the Louisiana Sunspots, Johnny Sketch & The Dirty Notes & more. It's free.

»Creole Tomato Fest details & music schedule

Volunteer Spotlight: Lainey Love

Lainey Love, one of our front desk volunteers, says "To be a part of WWOZ is very special to me. I wish I had joined up with WWOZ years ago!" Lainey was born and raised in New Orleans and infuses everything she does with great warmth and humor. With thirty-one years in the hospitality industry through her job at Ruth's Chris Steak House, Lainey knows exactly how to make callers, members, visitors and other WWOZ volunteers feel right at home. Lainey is married to soul and R&B singer C.P. Love. Thanks for all the hard work & good vibes, Lainey!

» Volunteer at WWOZ

Show Host Spotlight: Dan Meyer

Dan Meyer is one of our longest-tenured show hosts: he started volunteering at the station soon after we went on the air in December 1980. WWOZ co-founder Walter Brock invited Dan to bring his music to share with Big Mama Betty Rankin. Soon, Dan was taping shows and even programmed a Latin Show, drawing on his years of traveling through and living in South America. We thank Dan for his dedication to WWOZ and for the time and care he puts into his Traditional Jazz Show, which airs Mondays from 9-11 am.

» Our program schedule

WWOZ on YouTube

Courtesy of our video team, there are some pretty sweet musical morsels on the WWOZ YouTube channel these days, like whole sets from the New Orleans Jazz Orchestra ("The Music of John Coltrane") and Spencer Bohren (filmed at the Jazz & Heritage Center), as well as an 8-video play list from the 2019 Danny Barker Banjo and Guitar Festival.

» NOJO plays Coltrane

» Spencer Bohren

» 2019 Danny Barker Fest videos

Recipe: Gazpacho and other cold tomato soups

Native to the Iberian peninsula and not usually associated with Louisiana's culinary heritage, gazpacho nevertheless turns up in local cookbooks, like Pirates Pantry (Quick Gazpacho Soup) and River Road Recipes (Cold Tomato Soup I & II). Not so surprising, given our Spanish colonial heritage.... and how well gazpacho hits the spot on a sweltering summer day. It's super delicious, very healthy, and a great way to use tomatoes when they're in season.

» Recipe: Gazpacho and other cold tomato soups