Fete Française

Ecole bilingue de la Nouvelle-Orleans

Ecole Bilingue de la Nouvelle-Orléans from 10:30 a.m. until 7:00 p.m.

 March 20, 2010, on its campus at 821 General Pershing in Uptown New Orleans (between Magazine and Constance Streets and one block off of Napoleon Avenue)

The spring festival season in New Orleans kicks off with Fête Française, a French festival sponsored by The New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Foundation, the Alliance Française, and the French Consulate of New Orleans.  The one-day celebration of the French heritage and food of New Orleans has emerged as the inaugural spring festival for music lovers and gastronomes throughout the region.  This year’s Fête is themed Joie de Vivre and presents internationally renowned musicians, Eric John Kaiser and Tété.

Two stages dedicated to music will provide all-day entertainment.  The children of Ecole Bilingue’s French Choir will kick off the day at 10:30 am on the outdoor stage, followed up by Zulu Connection, The Fuzzy Shopping Carts, Wazozo and the enigmatic Cajun music sensation, Feufollet.  

Eric John Kaiser and Tété will headline the festival.  Tété is a platinum-selling star who plays contemporary French soul and has been called the “French Ben Harper.”  Heralded as a brilliant guitarist and extraordinary poet, Tété was signed in 2001 to Sony/Epic, releasing four albums to date.  Eric John Kaiser is an international pop and folk rock musician currently promoting his second album, French Troubadour, and is touring with Tété.

The indoor stage will feature Smiley the French Clown, Crescent City Gymnastics, Hazel and The Delta Ramblers, and finally, the Grimaldi Guignol puppets from Springfield, Massachusetts, who will premiere a special show written just for the Fête Française.  The audience will be delighted as ten life size puppets engage the crowd with songs, jokes and wonderful story telling.

Eric John KaiserFood and drink from award-winning restaurants will be plentiful:  Herbsaint and Cochon -- James Beard Foundation Award-winning chef Donald Link’s restaurants, St. James Cheese Company, Amanda’s Palettas, and Patti Constantin Catering, La Petite Grocery, La Cote Brasserie, Tacaux Loceaux, Theo’s Pizza along with the local once-a-year sensation, Deux Papas, whose Moules-frites are a must-have!

Fête’s Marketplace and auction will include art from New Orleans’ artist Simon and clothing from Liamolly.  Beaucoup family-friendly activities and games for even the youngest children give all ages a reason to celebrate all things French.

All proceeds from Fête Française will benefit Ecole Bilingue de la Nouvelle-Orléans, New Orleans’ finest French school for children ages 2 through 5th grade.