The free family music event is sponsored by the Mandeville Trailhead Foundation and the Backbeat Foundation
April 11 Kirk Joseph's Backyard Groove / Paul Sanchez and the Rolling Road Show
April 18 Pine Leaf Boys Trio / Nathan & the Zydeco cha chas
April 25 Maggie Brown / Johnny Sketch & the Dirty Notes
May 2 AsheSon Cuban Band / The Iguanas
May 9 30 x 90 Blues Band / The Stringbeans
May 16 Amanda Shaw / Paula and the Pontiacs
May 23 Christian Serpas and Ghost Town / Paul Sanchez & the Rolling Road Show
May 30 Robert Fortune Band / Big Sam's Funky Nation
Scroll down to bottom for more Info on Artists!
In addition to live music, the event will offer food and drinks, and fun activities for children.
Please remember not to bring in outside food or drinks. Concession sales keep it free!
Event entrance located at: Lafitte Street/Tammany Trace box office
Looking for Sponsors, Vendors & Artists!
Sponsors
The series is seeking sponsorships at various levels. If you are interested in becoming a sponsor of the event, contact Denise Gutnisky at the Mandeville Trailhead, 985-624-3147, or e-mail MandevilleTrailhead@charter.net for a sponsor package.
Call for Restaurants / Food Vendors & Artists!
If you are interested in becoming part of the event, contact Denise Gutnisky at the Mandeville Trailhead, 985-624-3147, or e-mail MandevilleTrailhead@charter.net for information. There are a limited number of booths and spaces available. When they sell out, we will not make additional space. Please hurry so that you don’t miss this opportunity to be a part of this fun family series!
Event Details
Free Music Fridays is a free family music event for 8-weeks starting April 11th. Food and drink sales benefit the Mandeville Trailhead Foundation & the Backbeat Foundation! Local restaurants and artisans are encouraged to participate. Affordable, fun and relevant weekend experiences strengthen families and communities. The elements of FMF are purposefully formulated to generate a positive outing for Northshore residents.
The Venue- Mandeville Trailhead Amphitheater
The newly upgraded, scenic and safe local setting offers all of the amenities desired for a quality experience for the entire family. There are now full service concession stands, clean indoor bathrooms, and safe children’s play areas. The terraced grassy area offers unobstructed sight lines of the built-in performance stage for all attendees.
What should I bring?
Lawn chairs, blankets, cameras, and children are all welcome!
Sorry- no outside food or drink allowed. Concessions sales keep it free!
ATM on site
Trailhead Office Lost and Found: 985-624-3147
Volunteer Information:
If you are interested in volunteering at Free Music Fridays, call the Mandeville Trailhead at 985-624-3147 or e-mail us at MandevilleTrailhead@charter.net
ARTIST INFORMATION:
April 11 Five Finger Discount / Four Unplugged
Five Finger Discount is the Northshore's full blown, all out, rock and roll circus! Consistently selling out clubs all over the south, they live by their motto, "crank it up and feel the energy." For a good time, Five Finger delivers the rock and roll goods again and again. www.5-fingerdiscount.com
Four Unplugged remains the most in-demand special event band in the area with a versatile show featuring the diverse talents of 8 seasoned performers. You'll hear a great mix of classic favorites and gems you don't often hear covered. And while they challenge themselves musically by constantly updating their repertoire, there's one constant you can always expect - an entertaining and fun event. www.fourunplugged.com
April 18 Pine Leaf Boys Trio / Nathan & the Zydeco cha chas
The Pine Leaf Boys belong to a new wave of young Cajun acts that spice up the music of their ancestors and were rewarded with a 2008 Grammy nomination for their second album. Although at times hilariously irreverent when it comes time to play, there's no mistaking: this is the real deal. The music is authentic Cajun and Creole, through and through. www.pineleafboys.com
Nathan and the Zydeco Cha Chas are originals that offer a personal Zydeco testimony of a man committed to his music for more than 20 years. Nathan Williams plays zydeco, the fast and furious accordion-driven dance music of the Creole people of South Louisiana. With its trademark rub board percussion, electric guitars and R&B influences, zydeco is distinct from the fiddle-driven music of neighboring Cajuns. More than anything, Nathan wants to make people happy, reach your heart and soul and make you move and groove. In 2007 Nathan & The Zydeco Cha Cha's was named Offbeat's " Best Zydeco Band" and " Best Zydeco Album"!
April 25 Maggie Brown / Johnny Sketch & the Dirty Notes
Maggie Brown is a little bit country and a little bit rock & roll. If you like Sheryl Crow, Bonnie Raitt, Patty Griffin, Tom Petty, Delbert McClinton and the like, then Maggie Brown's performance is a must!! It's roots rock, a little bluesy, a little swampy, a little folky, a little funky,and a lot of something for everyone
Johnny Sketch & the Dirty Notes are known for their dirty rock with gritty grooves and heavy horns. Their unique FUNK/ROCK style blends guitar, violin and harmonica with a hard driving rhythm section reminiscent of the Radiators' swamp funk added to the punchy horns of Tower Of Power. www.johnnysketch.com
May 2 AsheSon Cuban Band / The Iguanas
In the spring of 2006, fate and a strong dose of desire brought a group of predominantly Cuban musicians to join forces and create AsheSon (Ashe is Cuban for good karma; Son is a Cuban rhythm). Each member of AsheSon brings a different professional music experience ranging from the worlds of classical music, traditional latin, jazz, and Cuban “nueva trova”. It is because of their differences that the common denominator, Cuban and Latin American traditional music, is so full of energy, creativity, and nuances that make the listener want to hear more. www.myspace.com/ashesonmusic
The Iguanas, New Orleans party-rock veterans, blend roots, rock, Tex-Mex, Latin and swamp-pop for their signature sound! They continue to be one of the more sought-after bands at events year after year! www.iguanas.com
May 9 30 x 90 Blues Band / The Stringbeans
30 x 90 all-girl blues band was formed post-katrina when the members returned to rebuild their city and celebrate their survival, not to mention singing their blues.
The Stringbeans play old style New Orleans R & B, Swamp Pop, and Rockabilly.Their post storm mission is to revive the great Rock N Roll that leapt from New Orleans in the 1950’s and 60’s, the likes of Fats Domino, Ernie K-Doe, Earl King, as well as unsung local heros, Joe Clay and Smiley Lewis. Also thrown in are tunes from the early catelog of The Beatles, Ray Charles, and Louie Prima. Featuring a full horn section, The Stringbeans blare like an Irish Channel jukebox soaked in Jax beer.It all adds up to an instant dance party.
May 16 Amanda Shaw / Paula and the Pontiacs
Amanda Shaw brings dazzling new energy to roots-based Louisiana music. Working with material that ranges from traditional fiddle tunes to new originals that embrace both country and rock influences, Amanda and her band, The Cute Guys, create a sound and an attitude that are both authentic and bold. Only 16 years of age, New Orleans fiddler/songwriter/singer Amanda Shaw makes an impressive debut with Pretty Runs Out, her new album on Rounder Records that runs a fairly wide gamut of musical styles but never sounds like it comes from anyplace other than her home town. www.amandashaw.com
Paula & the Pontiacs is multi-talented frontwoman Paula Rangell and a roadhouse-worthy band of New Orleans vets who perform choice covers and original songs. Rooted in New Orleans R&B and Chicago blues, Rangell can full-out burn on the sax when inspiration strikes.
May 23 Christian Serpas with Ghost Town / Paul Sanchez & the Rolling Road Show
Christian Serpas & Ghost Town play rocked out, revved up country music. They call it American honky tonk, but however you describe them - Americana, alt.country, roots music - one thing is certain, Ghost Town has never met a crowd they didn’t rock. www.GhostTown.org
Paul Sanchez & the Rolling Road Show, lead by former Cowboy Mouth member Paul Sanchez is a swinging New Orleans good time just like an all-star jam at a friend’s backyard barbeque. After 16 years with the popular rock band Cowboy Mouth, Paul Sanchez has stepped out on his own. He is a cat with eight lives used up and he's damn glad to be here. Paul is a troubadour and story teller from New Orleans, his own as well as ours. www.PaulSanchez.com
May 30 Robert Fortune Band / Big Sam's Funky Nation
Rock music, in its purest form, is what the Robert Fortune Band is all about. They boil it all down to basics -- guitar, bass and drums – and generate something fresh and compelling that immediately connects with an audience. Robert’s drive, passion and intensity belies his age. Protégé of rock and roll Hall of Famer BILLY F GIBBONS of ZZ TOP, Robert, at 17, has developed into a player, writer and vocalist and group leader with skills and instincts that many twice, or even three times, his age could only envy. Geffen Records’ Suretone imprint has signed the Robert Fortune Band to a long-term contract, the initial result of which is a four song (all originals) preview EP released last fall. The www.myspace.com/robertfortuneband
Big Sam's Funky Nation is presided over by Big Sam Williams, formerly the trombonist for the Dirty Dozen Brass Band, who blows the funk out of his trombone and refuses to let the audience sit still. The members of the Funky Nation, a group of well trained and experienced musicians with impressive credentials of their own meet the challenge of their band leader. The energy level is high voltage when BSFN takes the stage. www.bigsamsfunkynation.com
"Will Call" for Online Tickets
- Located at 675 Lafitte Street which is the Depot (West) End of Trailhead Facility
- Must bring Internet receipt, photo ID, credit card used to purchase (minors may bring note from parent regarding different last names)
The Mandeville Trailhead would like to thank their generous sponsors! Without their support, the event would not be possible. Please support and patronize them for us!
- Louisiana Coca Cola Bottling Company
- Jim Carey Distributing - Miller Brewing Company
- Strategic Internet Services, LLC
- Starbucks Coffee
- Lemoine Enterprises
Directions to the Mandeville Trailhead from Slidell or Hammond:
- Take 1-12 east or west to the LA 59 exit, Exit Number 65.
- Go approx 2.9 miles south on LA 59, where it becomes LA 59/Gerard Street.
- Continue South on Gerard Street less than 1/2 mile (fire station on left).
- Turn right after crossing old RR tracks (now Tammany Trace) into Trailhead parking lot.
Directions to the Mandeville Trailhead from Metairie:
- Take Causeway Bridge North to Mandeville.
- Stay in right lane when coming off of bridge, and veer to right.
- Approx. 300 yards you will come to a traffic light (Monroe Street)
- Take a right on to Monroe Street.
- Go east on Monroe Street, and continue to first traffic light (Girod Street).
- Turn Left on to Girod Street.
- Proceed two blocks north-Trailhead parking on left by fountains. If you cross old RR tracks, you’ve just missed parking lot entrance.
