Festing in Place Returns October 24-27

Festing in Place, our annual celebration of the live music of New Orleans and the world beyond, happens October 24-27. Once again, we're partnering with the Archive of the New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Foundation to share the greatest music from Heaven & Earth, including both recent and historical recordings! Our "Cubes" are ready to whet your appetite, so break out your festival gear, and get ready to celebrate the best of New Orleans music!

» Festing in Place Cubes

Thank You for a Great Membership Drive

Our sincere thanks to everyone who helped make our Fall "Housewarming" Membership Drive, the first-ever from Jax Brewery, such a success. The first round of thank-yous goes to WWOZ members, both new and renewing. Shout-outs as well to our listeners, who comprise the world's most excellent audience, and a standing ovation for our Membership team, who makes it all happen twice a year. Cheers to all the guardians of the groove!

» It's never too late to become a member

Irma Thomas Christens Our New Performance Studio

The choice of Irma Thomas to christen our new Gia Maione Prima Performance Studio was an easy one: the Soul Queen of New Orleans is a current WWOZ Board Member and a longtime supporter of WWOZ. She's performed live on--and for the benefit of--WWOZ dozens of times over the years. This performance aligned with the final hours of our Fall "Housewarming" WWOZ Membership Drive. See it at the link below.

» Video: Irma Christens the New Studio

Cyril Neville: Painter and Musician

Two thank-yous to Cyril Neville! One for creating a beautiful original piece of artwork (pictured above) for our new studio! It contains the names of dozens of show hosts and other people important to WWOZ's 44-year history. And another thank you for gracing our new performance studio with a 40-minute set backed by Omari Neville & the Fuel. See it at the link below.

» Cyril at WWOZ Video

Photos & Video: Blues & BBQ Fest

We hope you enjoyed last weekend's Crescent City Blues & BBQ Festival, three days of awesome music (and food!) in Lafayette Square presented by the New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival Foundation. The lineup included Irma Thomas, Sunpie Barnes, Leyla McCalla, the James Rivers Movement, Little Freddie King, Chris Thomas King, Lil Ed & the Blues Imperials and many more. Our video team and volunteer photographers were there; check out their work at the links below.

» Video: WWOZ Facebook or WWOZ YouTube

» Photos: WWOZ Flickr

Treme Creole Gumbo Festival, 2024

This year's Treme Creole Gumbo Festival happens November 9-10. It's a free weekend celebration showcasing the music, food, and dance for which New Orleans is world famous: live funk, R&B, and brass bands, plus lots of gumbo, all in beautiful Louis Armstrong Park! There'll be performances by the Soul Rebels, Brass-A-Holics, the Charmaine Neville Band, Tonya Boyd-Cannon & more. Renowned for its diverse gumbo offerings, the festival presents a feast for the senses, with local chefs dishing out their unique interpretations of this beloved culinary staple. Admission is free, thanks to the New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Foundation. If you can't make it, WWOZ's video team will be streaming the event on Facebook and YouTube.

» Treme Creole Gumbo Festival, November 9-10

Meet the Woman Who Makes the Clouds Sing

If you've spent any time in the French Quarter, you're familiar with the sounds of the Steamboat Natchez's calliope, but you probably don't know who's behind it. Meet Miss Calliope, Debbie Fagnano, arguably New Orleans' most listened-to musician. Her songs fill the air along the Mississippi River three times a day, including the air right outside WWOZ's new studio on the fifth floor of the Jax Brewery building. Learn more about her story and how the calliope works in the video below.

» Meet Miss Calliope

Recipe: Fried Green Tomato Sliders

Put a southern twist on sliders! This unique dish features pecan romesco, fennel chow-chow, yellow cornmeal, and more, with a crispy green tomato patty instead of meat. They're perfect for Festing in Place, and make a great addition to any game-day feast. The recipe comes to us from Executive Chef Chris Borges of the Commons Club at Virgin Hotels New Orleans.

» Recipe: Fried Green Tomato Sliders