HOW TO APPRECIATE NEW ORLEANS RICH CULTURE AND DIVERSE HISTORY AT THE TREME CREOLE GUMBO AND CONGO SQUARE RHYTHMS FESTIVAL
New Orleans is a city full of soul, history, and hospitality; the Tremé is the beating heart of it all. On any given day in the Tremé, visitors will hear the beating of drum lines and the soothing hum of jazz music throughout the neighborhood. The Tremé Creole Gumbo and Congo Square Rhythms Festival is perfect for locals and visitors who wish to commemorate the African, Haitian, and Cuban cultures contributing to such a flavorful and diverse city.
The Tremé
The oldest African-American neighborhood in the United States, the Tremé, is north of the French Quarter of New Orleans. Throughout the 18th and early-19th centuries, free people of color and enslaved African Americans cultivated a vibrant community filled with jazz and Creole cuisine. Today, their legacy lives on through annual celebrations of dance, food, and culture in the Tremé.
Congo Square
Within the Tremè lies Congo Square at the center of the historic Louis Armstrong Park. Throughout the 19th century, the square served as a spiritual, musical, and cultural epicenter for 18 nationalities, including African, Haitian, and Cuban. Congo Square honors those who paved the way for the music and culture of New Orleans today.
Tremé Creole Gumbo and Congo Square Rhythms Festival
Each year New Orleans locals and tourists gather in Louis Armstrong Park to honor the history of Congo Square and feast on Creole gumbo. Put on by the New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Foundation, the Tremé Creole Gumbo and Congo Square Rhythms Festival celebrates African food, art, live music, and dance.
Gumbo
Serving as a metaphor for the eclectic people of New Orleans, gumbo is an infamous dish everyone must try. From Creole filé gumbo to seafood gumbo, the Tremé Creole Gumbo and Congo Square Rhythms Festival has something for everyone. In addition to endless gumbo recipes, attendees can observe cooking demonstrations by local chefs. Several other traditional New Orleans dishes, including po’boys, shrimp ‘n’ grits, and etouffee, will be available.
Art
New Orleans takes pride in showcasing local handmade artwork, and the Tremé Creole Gumbo and Congo Square Rhythms Festival is no exception. Over two dozen vendors will set up for the art market within the festival. Offerings include fine art, photography, jewelry, clothing, and home decor.
Entertainment
A New Orleans festival isn’t official without live music. The festival will set up two stages to showcase live music and dance performances. Attendees can enjoy jazz, funk, brass bands, gospel, and blues derived from the African diaspora.
Some of the local artists performing include Dirty Dozen Brass Band, Rebirth Brass Band, James Andrews and the Crescent City Allstars, Big Chief Juan Pardo, 79rs Gang, and more. In addition, there will be a Mardi Gras Indian battle of the tribes and a Brass Menagerie second-line parade.
Getting There
The Tremé Creole Gumbo and Congo Square Rhythms Festival will occur in Congo Square at Louis Armstrong Park in New Orleans on March 26 and 27, 2023. Admission is free for all who attend, but donations are encouraged.
Stay at Maison Dupuy
One of the best ways to experience the Tremé Creole Gumbo and Congo Square Rhythms Festival is by staying at a hotel in the middle of it all. Maison Dupuy is ideally situated in the heart of the French Quarter. Make a reservation at Maison Dupuy today.