Tracing the Sound of the South
Home to jazz, blues, and brass, Louisiana is where live music spills from every corner, blending rhythm, flavor, and culture into an experience that feels as real as it sounds.
Mardi Gras is French for "Fat Tuesday." Because the 40 days of Lent are considered a period of sacrifice, Fat Tuesday is seen by many as an appropriate time for indulgence and festivity – a last chance at revelry. In Louisiana, they're good at that. Mardi Gras is celebrated with parades big and small, with riders on floats throwing beads, toys and trinkets, and not only in New Orleans. And you can’t celebrate Mardi Gras without a slice or two of king cake, adorned with the official colors of Mardi Gras - purple (representing justice), green (faith) and gold (power). Venture into Cajun country and you'll get to experience an entirely different 'Courir de Mardi Gras', with festivities primarily based around food and family fun.
New Orleans is the birthplace of jazz, and many regard Preservation Hall as the best spot in Louisiana (if not the world) to hear jazz music. It’s a no-frills venue in New Orleans’ French Quarter that has changed little over the decades, featuring the most authentic jazz you’ll find anywhere. Listen to the sounds of traditional New Orleans jazz played within the halls of the 1750s French Quarter building, where both veteran and up-and-coming musicians play to continue the effort to preserve and maintain the sounds of New Orleans.
No trip to Louisiana is complete without visiting one of the remaining dancehalls throughout Cajun Country. Rising to popularity during the US Civil War, Cajun Dancehalls provided a space for much needed recreation, and today, guests can enjoy great food, plenty of drinks, live music and a good old fashioned boogie in a fun and family-friendly setting. Some of the state's most notable Cajun dancehalls are the Blue Moon Saloon in Lafayette, The Jolly Inn in Houma and Buck & Johnny's in Breaux Bridge.
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Hosting more than 400 festivals throughout the year, it's no wonder Louisiana is widely considered one of the funnest and most vibrant places to visit in the world. Whilst you're more than likely familiar with Louisiana's annual Mardi Gras, it's the diversity of its other cultural festivals that really help visitors immerse themselves in true Louisiana culture. Some of the best festivals to check out when visiting the state include Festival International de Louisiane, a music and arts festival in Lafayette, the Louisiana Pirate Festival in Lake Charles, the Sicilian Heritage Festival held in Independence, or for the foodies, the Tamale Fiesta in Zwolle.
After filling up on delicious New Orleans cuisine, a great way to end the night is on Bourbon Street – extending thirteen blocks through the French Quarter, roaring with music and lined with neon lights and lively watering holes. Check out Lafitte’s Blacksmith Shop Bar, presumed to be the oldest structure used as a bar in the country, built between 1722 and 1732. It’s believed that this was famed pirate Jean Lafitte’s base for his smuggling operation between 1772 and 1791. Other great spots include the historic Old Absinthe House or The Swamp – complete with a bamboo courtyard and prime views of Bourbon Street from their balcony.
Situated in New Orleans' French Quarter, and dating back to the early 1700's, Royal Street is one of the oldest streets in the city. Today, the street is lined with shops, galleries and boutique hotels, with buskers and street performers entertaining the visiting crowds.
New Orleans’ flair for quirkiness is on full display at this combination music venue and bowling alley. While New Orleans is predominantly known for its jazz, this venue is known for highlighting the lively sounds of Zydeco – complete with accordions and washboards. Early zydeco was a blend of Louisiana French accordion music and Afro-Caribbean beats and sat at the crossroads of Creole, Cajun, gospel and the blues, yet has since evolved to include influences from several other genres. At Rock’n’Bowl, you can dance to the beats, knock over some pins and refuel with a bite to eat.
For decades, Snug Harbor Jazz Bistro has provided riveting live jazz paired with local cuisine. Located in a renovated 1800’s storefront located on Frenchmen Street, just outside the French Quarter, Snug Harbor has hosted some of the town's top jazz entertainers - from Ellis Marsalis, Charmaine Neville and many more. The venue features a dining room, a bar, and a music room. The two-floor music room’s limited cabaret-style seating guarantees an intimate musical experience. Frenchmen Street is widely known by locals as best the place for live music since the 1980s, and Snug Harbor is a hot spot.
The Music Box Village is a whimsical playground of interactive “musical houses” made by local artists, inspired by the unique musical and architectural culture of New Orleans. This one-of-a-kind, artsy attraction hosts artist residencies, performances, panels, and welcomes visitors of all ages and skill levels to let their imaginations run wild. Music Box Village is the flagship project of New Orleans Airlift, an artist-driven non-profit organization whose mission is to collaborate to inspire wonder, connect communities, and foster opportunities through arts education and the creation of experimental public artworks.