In its first edition, New Orleans Fest comes to São Sebastião with a free program. Heavily inspired by the musical tradition of New Orleans, recognized as the birthplace of jazz, the festival is filled with jazz, blues, soul, and R&B.
In fact, there is a connection between the cities: just like New Orleans, São Sebastião is a port city. Therefore, both have a great flow of people, rhythms, and cultures.
Promoted by the Department of Tourism, with production and artistic curation by Lucas Shows, the goal is to make the event a regular fixture in June on the local calendar. To enhance public spaces and bring the city to life during the off-season.
What can you expect from New Orleans Fest?
The festival’s identity is rooted in the idea of being an outdoor music and culture circuit that goes far beyond the stages. Therefore, the idea of dividing the festival into two stages helps spread its attractions throughout the city.
Thus, in addition to culturallyengaging various locations in São Sebastião, it also energizes the region as a whole, benefiting local commerce and service sectors.
First stage: South Coast circuit
The festival’s opening phase takes place from June 4 to 7 on the beaches of Boiçucanga, Maresias, Cambury, and Barra do Sahy. It brings musical parades and concerts to different locations along the coast, offering the perfect combination of open-air stages, music, and the sea.
The main idea is to attract the public already at the beach to enjoy the attractions and not just have a single fixed activation point .
Second stage: gathering in the Historic Center
The second stage takes place next weekend, starting on June 12 and running through June 14. This time, the event will be held in the Historic Center of São Sebastião. The event takes place at the Amphitheater of the Tourist Complex, located on Rua da Praia.
The setup includes a stage, a food court with food trucks, and services for the public. This is when the festival gets closest to tourists and residents of the city’s historic district.
Both phases are part of the same continuous programming circuit. In fact, among the more than 30 acts are Brazilian artists such as Zeca Baleiro, Banda Black Rio, Blues Etílicos, and Paula Lima. And, in addition, it features international acts such as J.J. Thames, Clarence Bekker, and Titi Tsira.
Overall, the lineup also features acts such as Benziê, Extention Quartet, and special guests including local musicians and Luedji Luna with Pre7.