Essence Festival! June 30 - July 5, 2022

The Essence Festival, known as "the party with a purpose", is an annual music festival which started in 1995 as a one-time event to celebrate Essence, a magazine aimed primarily towards African-American women. It is the largest event celebrating African-American culture and music in the United States. Locally referred to as the Essence Fest, it has been held in New Orleans, since 1994 except for 2006, when it was held in Houston, Texas due to Hurricane Katrina. It features artists simultaneously performing on a main stage as well as four standing-room only superlounge stages.

WWOZ Piano Night From Our Homes to Yours on Monday, April 26th!

We won't be able to get together for Piano Night 2021, but we'll still revel in New Orleans piano thanks to an incredible lineup of pianists! On Monday, April 26 at 7pm NOLA time, 5pm L.A. time, WWOZ Piano Night From Our Homes to Yours will be streamed via WWOZ's Facebook page, on our YouTube channel, and on WWOZ.org.

Piano Night will still be a benefit for WWOZ, but as in 2020, no tickets will be required. While it's bittersweet to miss gathering together for our 35th annual Piano Night, by going virtual we we'll reach thousands of guests who never would have been able to all fit in the same room. In 2020, over 150,000 New Orleans piano fans from all over the world streamed the WWOZ Piano Night from Our Homes to Yours performances!

Enjoy the Music at "Virtual Shorty Fest" on 9/26!

Trombone Shorty & Orleans Avenue, Galactic, The Soul Rebels, Tank and the Bangas, Anders Osborne, and many more will be performing at “Shorty Fest”, on Saturday, September 26th, at 8pm NOLA time and 6pm L.A. time. This year’s event will look a little different, as the party will be ONLINE, streaming for free on several social media platforms. Enjoy amazing music from the Trombone Shorty Foundation’s annual flagship event, and consider donating to the Foundation by visiting www.paypal.me/shortyfoundation OR by texting “give” to (504) 509-5010. Click on the image for more information about the Foundation’s efforts to pass on New Orleans’ cultural heritage to the city’s youth.

WWOZ presents Festing in Place - The Next Fest Thing! 2nd Weekend, September 11-13!

Festing in Place - The Next Fest Thing - the second weekend continues from Friday, September 11th to Sunday, September 13th, from 11AM - 7PM NOLA time & 9AM - 5PM L.A. time!  

Check out WWOZ’s special cubes highlighting the schedule which features some of the great performances in the history of New Orleans music, including performances from the New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival, French Quarter Fest, Satchmo Fest, Crescent City Blues and BBQ Fest, WWOZ Studios and New Orleans Clubs plus rare performances from other historical collections! Dr. John * Fats Domino * The Neville Brothers * Pete Fountain * Irma Thomas * Allen Toussaint * Louis Prima * James Booker * Aaron Neville * Trombone Shorty * Kermit Ruffins * John Boutte * Professor Longhair * Marcia Ball * Jimmy Buffett * The Radiators * Treme Brass Band * Ernie K-Doe * Lost Bayou Ramblers * Al Hirt * Henry Butler * Tank and the Bangas * Jon Batiste * Mavis Staples * Rebirth Brass Band and many other Jazz, Blues, Cajun and Zydeco artists.

The broadcast will also include interview segments highlighting the music, food, and heritage of New Orleans and Louisiana to give the feeling of a wide-reaching cultural festival. 

Do yourself a favor and Fest in Place with WWOZ! It’s the Next Fest Thing to being there!

WWOZ presents Festing in Place - The Next Fest Thing! 7 Days - September 4-7 & 11-13!

Festing in Place - The Next Fest Thing is 7 full days of New Orleans music and culture, from Friday, September 4th-Monday September 7th, and Friday, September 11th-Sunday, September 13th, from 11AM - 7PM NOLA time & 9AM - 5PM L.A. time!  

WWOZ’s special cubes highlights the schedule featuring some of the great performances in the history of New Orleans music, including performances from the New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival, French Quarter Fest, Satchmo Fest, Crescent City Blues and BBQ Fest, WWOZ Studios and New Orleans Clubs plus rare performances from other historical collections! Dr. John * Fats Domino * The Neville Brothers * Pete Fountain * Irma Thomas * Allen Toussaint * Louis Prima * James Booker * Aaron Neville * Trombone Shorty * Kermit Ruffins * John Boutte * Professor Longhair * Marcia Ball * Jimmy Buffett * The Radiators * Treme Brass Band * Ernie K-Doe * Lost Bayou Ramblers * Al Hirt * Henry Butler * Tank and the Bangas * Jon Batiste * Mavis Staples * Rebirth Brass Band and many other Jazz, Blues, Cajun and Zydeco artists.

The 7-day broadcast also includes interview segments highlighting the music, food, and heritage of New Orleans and Louisiana to give the feeling of a wide-reaching cultural festival. 

Do yourself a favor and Fest in Place with WWOZ! It’s the Next Fest Thing to being there!

WWOZ's Virtual Groove Gala on Thursday, September 3!

On Thursday, September 3rd, WWOZ will host the annual GROOVE GALA, and you are cordially invited! This is not your average gala! Wear your favorite festival attire as we unite and gather virtually so everyone around the world can safely celebrate WWOZ’s incredible 40 years of broadcasting and Guarding the Groove.

The amazing talent lineup includes Irma Thomas, Tank and the Bangas, John Boutte, Samantha Fish, Kermit Ruffins, Amanda Shaw with Rockin’ Dopsie Jr. and Tuba Skinny! 

In past years, their sold-out gala was held in the heart of the French Quarter at the historic Le Petit Theatre and Tableau Restaurant, with room for only 350 Guardians of the Groove. This year WWOZ is presented with a unique opportunity to open the doors to a worldwide virtual audience so there’s room for everyone to groove together! Join the fun on Thursday, September 3rd beginning at 7pm central where the Groove Gala will be streaming via WWOZ’s Facebook page, their YouTube, wwoz.org and broadcasting on 90.7FM.