The Best of the Fest For an entire weekend the French Quarter is magically transformed into a vast outdoor mall offering the best in local musical entertainment, culinary delights and colorful, imaginative works of art that capture the joie de vivre (joy of life) that makes New Orleans the unique place it is. While enjoying the sounds of New Orleans music and the tastes of New Orleans’ celebrated cuisine, you can also enjoy the sights at your own pace. Our centuries-old French and Spanish architecture, with iron lace balconies looking out over Royal, Bourbon and other famous streets, is renowned the world over. You can take it all in on foot, which is the best way to really absorb it, and if you want to take the memories home with you, our talented artists have their works for sale on Jackson Square or in the galleries of Royal Street.

At any given time during the festival you’re likely to hear salsa, gospel, R&B, blues, Cajun, funk, rap/hip hop, classical, rock, cabaret, bossa nova, country/western and, of course, jazz. All genres of jazz. From brass marching bands to traditional (Dixieland) to modern styles. After all, jazz is what New Orleans is best known for and, if that’s what you’ve come to hear, you will not be disappointed.

Although this year’s musical lineup hasn’t been announced as of publication date, there’s a good chance that all or most of the top-featured acts of past years will likely be returning. Crowd pleasers at recent festivals have included zydeco superstar Rockin’ Dopsie, Jr.; trumpeter extraordinaire Kermit Ruffins; young Cajun fiddle sensation Amanda Shaw; renowned bluesmen Coco Robicheaux and Little Freddie King; the “professor of the licorice stick,” clarinetist Dr. Michael White; young Latin singing sensation Fredy Omar; pianist without parallel Ronnie Kole, who has performed for presidents and popes; and many others, including the world’s top brass bands. Every performer at the French Quarter Fest is a local Louisiana musician.

Alligators, Oysters and Crawfish (and more . . .) If you’re coming in from out of town for the first (or even the fifth) time, you probably never tried eating alligator. Try it; you will like it. Or oysters – raw on the half-shell or fried. Or crawfish, which you might call crayfish back where you come from. They’re all good, and they are as authentic south Louisiana cuisine as you can get.

These delicacies and more will be featured at the food booths at French Quarter Fest ’09. Also being offered are Cajun meat pies, blackened catfish, corn and crawfish bisque (soup), pork chops on sugarcane sticks and, of course, the standard New Orleans favorites -- jambalaya, gumbo, red beans and rice and muffalettas. For those who simply prefer an old-fashioned hot dog, New Orleans famed Lucky Dog vendors will be out in force in their frankfurter-shaped pushcarts. Hamburger and fried chicken lovers will find what they’re looking for, as well. Food booths will be conveniently clustered in Jackson Square and Woldenberg Riverfront Park.

French Quarter Festival, Inc. has not officially announced the 2009 schedule yet, but some of the headliners on the incredible 18 stages include:

Music will take place at the following schedule: