Producers of the 50th anniversary Jazz Fest have decided to mark the milestone event with something special: the addition of another day of the signature festival celebrating New Orleans music and culture. Thursday, April 25 will now be the opening day of the 2019 New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival presented by Shell. Both of the event’s weekends will run Thursday through Sunday, April 25 – 28 and May 2 – 5.
The Festival also announced that the new day will be “Locals Thursday,” which allows anyone with a valid Louisiana ID to purchase up to two discount tickets at the gate on that day. “Locals Thursday” discount tickets will again be only $50.
While music fans have known the Jazz Festival line-up, they have not been able to precisely plan their festival, due to the day-by-day, hour-by-hour schedules not yet being released. However, March 26, the “cubes” were announced, and now fans can see the schedule in an easy-to-read, color coded grid.
The first weekend’s line-up sees stars such as Ciara, Earth, Wind, and Fire, Katy Perry, Al Green, and Logic; while the second weekend’s line-up gives fans a chance to see The Rolling Stones, Ziggy Marley, Gladys Knight, Diana Ross, and Dave Matthews Band.
However, two significant changes have been made to the schedule since the line-up was announced. Bob Seger and the Silver Bullet Band cancelled their May 4 performance due to a scheduling conflict, and Jerry Lee Lewis was replaced by Johnny “Secret Agent Man” Rivers after suffering a stroke.
In celebration of the 50 years of Jazz Fest, today the Festival begins a weekly look back at the people, places and things that have helped make the event part of the culture it presents. Fans can look forward to seeing footage from the first Jazz Fest, images of Festival favorites through the years and much more. Look for Jazz Fest Memories and #JazzFest50 social media posts on most social media platforms.
Shell is the Presenting Sponsor of the Festival. Major Jazz Fest Sponsors are Acura, Miller Lite, and the Fair Grounds Race Course & Slots (A Churchill Downs Company). IBERIABANK, Peoples Health, New Orleans Tourism Marketing Corporation, Sheraton New Orleans Hotel, Coca-Cola and WWOZ are all also Official Jazz Fest Sponsors.
The New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival and Foundation, Inc. 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 raised funds, for year-round activities in the areas of education, economic development and cultural enrichment.
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