New Orleans Funk Fest had twice the turnout as last year, according to Jonathan McHugh, music professor and coordinator. The French Quarter festival featured a performance by Loyola President Xavier Cole.

Cole performed with students from Loyola and New Orleans Center for Creative Arts on the Passing the Torch stage, sponsored by the College of Music and Media.

“It’s really an honor, and it’s humbling, even to be asked to be a part of this,” Cole said.

The festival provided students with professional experience with marketing, ticket sales, promotions, and performing. Featured Loyola student bands included Soul Project, The Kissing Disease, Good Enough for Good Times, Uncle Jessica, Big Freedia, and Azure Skyz.

Funk Fest celebrates the legacies of music innovators and provides multidimensional exhibits and music programming to tell the story of Louisiana’s many music forms. The festival included two historical symposiums and performances focused on the progression of R&B, blues, funk, and rock ‘n’ roll.

“Chris Berry created the festival as a vehicle for the Louisiana Music History Museum. It’s more of a promotional vehicle for a fundraising operation,” McHugh said. “At the end of the day, that’s what Funk Fest is.”