Fall Festivals

As September turns to October, the New Orleans weather cools down and the local festivals heat up. Here's what's going on in October that you won't want to miss.

Art for Art's Sake turns 30 this year. On October 4, the Citywide festival to benefit the Contemporary Arts Center celebrates the opening of the fall arts season with over 40 galleries and businesses participating. The 300 - 600 blocks of Julia Street will be closed for a block party from 6 - 9 p.m.

The Congo Square Rhythms Festival will be held October 4-5 in Louis Armstrong Park.

You can take part in the festival - make a YouTube video of yourself doing the Happy Dance from Cupid's latest single and submit it online - (see this YouTube Clip for inspiration). The winner will dance onstage with Cupid during the festival. The best in New Orleans, African and Caribbean food will fuel the dancers, musicians and audience alike as they enjoy Africa Brass, Voices of the Big Easy, Kermit Ruffins and the BBQ Swingers, Big Sam's Funky Nation and many more. The kids will have plenty to do including drum and mask-making workshops.

The New Orleans Film Festival returns October 9 -16. Both festival passes and tickets for individual screenings are now on sale.

The Film Festival Patron party is scheduled for October 2nd and includes catering by John Besh Restaurant Group, admission to opening night of the festival including the opening night film and party plus an all access pass to the festival.

This year's festival includes a special day dedicated to Louisiana film and filmmakers on October 12th and a special program of music in film on October 15 & 16. Walk the red carpet and see a movie premier - it's our own version of Sundance.

Crescent City Blues & BBQ Festival comes to Lafayette Square Park on October 18 & 19. Enjoy good food while listening to Blues greats including 93 year old David "Honeyboy" Edwards and festival first-timer John Mooney.

Prospect.1 New Orleans - the largest international exhibition of contemporary art ever presented in the United States debuts November 1 and runs through January 18. Free to the public, the exhibit features 80 artists from around the world including Native Louisiana artists John Barnes Jr. and Willie Birch. Artists are working in a variety of media including Performance Art, textiles, multimedia, sculpture, painting, wood, and drawing.

Swamp Fest returns to the Audubon Institute on November 1 & 2. Swamp Fest is free with your admission to the Zoo. (Zoo members get in for free.)

Gain insight into the Cajun way of life with music, food, crafts and cultural demonstrations. Enjoy music from Jeremy and the Zydeco Hot Boyz, Pine Leaf Boyz and Roddie Romero and the Hub City All Stars. Cajun delicacies for sampling include Gumbo, Po-Boys, Alligator and more. Genuine Louisiana Arts & Crafts will be available for sale throughout the zoo.

For a full schedule of the weekend's events, including all three music stages, visit The Audubon Nature Institute Swamp Fest site.