Once the heat begins to die down, it seems you can’t go a week without something going on around the French Quarter. As we slowly enter autumn, a litany of exciting events begin popping up within this historic backdrop; and the first major event to kick off the season promises to be quite the extravaganza. The International Arts Festival will begin its four day run on the 25th of this month in Tremé, just on the edge of the Quarter. 

As the name would imply, this is a festival of the arts – a celebration of all schools and styles of art, though music is a large focus of the overall festivities. The list of performers is stacked, featuring multi-grammy award nominated saxophonist Gerald Albright, Grammy award-winning British reggae act Steel Pulse, New Orleanian group Corey Henry and the Treme Funktet, as well as many other talented artists.

The event is run by the International Arts Foundation, a group aiming to promote New Orlean’s culture and stimulate the local economy. The IAF is devoted to multiculturalism and the sharing of culture throughout the world. One of the great ways that this organization has been able to strengthen these ties is via the “Sister Cities” agreement, an accord between the two highest elected officials of two different cities to form a cultural link, economic ties, and an overall mutual understanding. This agreement has connected New Orleans with Durban, South Africa, and most recently Cape Coast, Ghana. Ghana in particular has a special connection to our city; West Africa has played and continues to play a huge part in the culture, art, and food of New Orleans. 

The International Arts Festival is truly for everyone. It’s for art lovers, music lovers, those who wish to participate in a uniquely multicultural experience, and of course, those who like to party. Whatever camp you fall into, this festival is sure to please; it sits at the nexus of food, fun, music, and art–all wrapped up in the inspiring ethos of the International Arts Foundation.