Loyola University’s Esplanade in the Shade stage spotlighted Loyola music students at the French Quarter Festival. 

The festival consists of 20 stages from the Spanish Plaza to the New Orleans Jazz Museum. 

The Esplanade stage allowed Loyola students to showcase their talent professionally in front of live audiences. As Hilton Baldridge Chair, Loyola Professor Jonathan McHugh used Hilton funding to collaborate with the French Quarter Festival, offering exposure to performers and students pursuing careers in the music industry.

McHugh has been working behind the scenes at the Esplanade in the Shade stage for the past two years and hopes to continue opening doors for as many interns and paid performers as possible. 

“I wish I would’ve had opportunities like this as a student,” noted McHugh. 

Popular and Commercial Music sophomore Vienna Notarianni was the first performer on April 13. Although they performed at the French Quarter Festival in 2024 with their ensemble, this was the first time they performed as themself. Notarianni gave a very interactive performance consisting of originals: ‘TYSM’, ‘Where We Disagree’, and a song that recently came out, ‘Why Are You So Ashamed?’

“This is a big deal for me,” Notarianni said.  

While they have done some gigs around New Orleans, they hadn’t performed on a festival stage like this. Notarianni’s set brought more than 100 people to the stage, including Loyola students, community members, and even a group of swing dancers.      

Popular commercial music sophomore Lizette Camarena was another student who took on the Esplanade in the Shade stage as a solo artist after performing with her ensemble in 2024. Camarena noted that Loyola’s program does not necessarily help up-and-coming artists get bookings, but does place these performers on stages they otherwise wouldn’t be on anywhere else. 

“As music students we are placed at venues like Tip’s and Freret Fest which is cool because those are harder to get to and they make it a lot easier. Stream Cavities on all streaming platforms, and BRUSH YOUR TEETH,” exclaimed Camarena.