New Orleans (March 14, 2012) - French Quarter Festivals, Inc. releases the 2012 music lineup for the 29th annual French Quarter Festival - April 12- April 15, 2012 and introduces two new stages to the growing festival - the Rick's 315 Stage on Bourbon Street (traditiRonal Jazz) and a Cabaret Stage at the Hotel Monteleone's new Carousel Bar. French Quarter Festival was founded in 1984 as a way to bring locals back to the French Quarter after major street and sidewalk construction before the World's Fair. What was meant to be a one-time event has grown into a free, four-day festival with over 22 stages of music throughout the French Quarter, over 800 local musicians, over 250 hours of free music, and over 500,000 festival goers.

This year French Quarter Festival introduces many new acts to the lineup including the Royal Southern Brotherhood with Cyril Neville, Don Vappie and the Creole Jazz Serenaders, Deacon John, New Orleans Bingo! Show, George Porter, Jr. and his Runnin' Pardners, Papa Grows Funk, Gina Brown & Anutha Level, the Iguanas, and Bill Summers & Jazalsa, to name a few.

 

TGIF "Thank Goodness it's Festival" Kickoff Party Fundraiser

at the House of Blues

NEW ORLEANS, LA (March 14, 2012) - French Quarter Festivals, Inc. (FQFI), producers of the "largest FREE music festival in the South," will usher in this year's festival season with the official kickoff party and annual fundraiser, TGIF "Thank Goodness it's Festival!" Kickoff Party, Wednesday, April 11th at 6 p.m. at the House of Blues.

TGIF tickets are on now sale for $55 through March 31st and $65 beginning April 1st. Proceeds from ticket sales help keep French Quarter Festival FREE and open to the public. Admission includes dinner, drinks, and entertainment. FQFI will also raffle off an exciting array of gifts including New Orleans-themed treasures and adventures. Guests will enjoy live entertainment in the Music Hall from blues musician, John Cleary and the Philthy Phew and The Voodoo Garden will host singer, Robin Barnes