NOLAxNOLA

It’s no secret that music is in the heart and soul of the Crescent City. It’s in the air, on virtually every single street corner. So when, for the second year, COVID-19 forced the cancellation of the beloved New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Festival, many hearts broke a little. After an already financially difficult year for musicians, the loss of yet another major gig was devastating. Then comes NOLAxNOLA.

Set to take place between October 7 and 17—the dates on which Jazz Fest was scheduled—NOLAxNOLA will present a series of concerts at venues throughout the city. A partnership between participating venues and New Orleans & Company, the series is designed to support local musicians and music venues, while also keeping New Orleans’ musicmaking spirit alive in the wake of the pandemic’s challenges, uplifting the arts and bringing them back to the forefront of life, and bringing them back safely.

[Read about another effort by New Orleans music-lovers to support bands and musicians who lost their gigs due to COVID-related cancellations this fall: FestFest.]

Attending a NOLAxNOLA event will require proof of a COVID vaccine or a negative PCR test taken within three days of the start of the event. Using measures like these, organizers’ goal is to ensure the safety of performers and attendees alike, while also keeping the flame of live performance burning strong through another difficult year.

Concerts include Algiers with Ganser at Gasa Gasa, Anders Osborne at Tipitina’s, Dylan Miles Experience at Voodoo Two Lounge, Higher Heights at Café Negril, moe. at the Civic Theatre, and many more. For tickets and a full artist lineup, visit neworleans.com/nolaxnola.