Crescent City Blues & BBQ Festival

Powered by the New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Foundation, the Crescent City Blues & BBQ Festival celebrates Southern soul with legendary local and international blues and R&B talent, plus the greatest assemblage of home-style barbecue to be found within the city limits. Come for performances by Lil Ed & the Blues Imperials, Irma Thomas & the Professionals, Leyla McCalla, Kenny Neal, Marcia Ball, Sue Foley, Nikki Hill, James Cotton Tribute with Mark Hummel & Steve Freund, Chris Thomas King, Eric Lindell, Little Freddie King, and more. What's even more ridiculous than getting all these folks in one place is that it's free to watch. At Lafayette Square Park. 5:30 pm–8:30 pm Friday; 11 am–8:30 pm Saturday and Sunday. crescentcitybluesfest.com.