30 Under 30: Wednesday at the Square

Wednesday at the Square: a mini-festival for music fans

Feeling a little lingering nostalgia for Jazz Fest? French Quarter Fest? And Essence Fest …. you’re thinking it’s still so far away?

You can keep the music alive for three more weeks at the final trio of concerts at Wednesday at the Square. The 12-week concert series is hosted by the Young Leadership Council (YLC) at Lafayette Square, right across the street from Gallier Hall on St. Charles Avenue. Each Wednesday, the mini-festival highlights one well-known musical act as well as local artists and food vendors.

And the best part about it? The event is FREE.

Actually, that might be the second-best thing about it, because tonight Trombone Shorty takes the stage. And when else will you get to hear one of New Orleans’ most celebrated musicians play gratuit? The series concludes with Walter Wolfman Washington on May 30 and Jeremy Davenport on June 6. And they aren’t shabby, either.

As with other local festivals, the event location is perfect for the occasion. Lafayette Square, in the heart of the CBD, provides ample green space for lounging in your own chair or blanket, or mingling with other concert-goers, or sampling the culinary delights from the food booths that line the square.

The event goes from 5 to 8 p.m., and crowd members feature an interesting mix, from die-hard music enthusiasts sporting eclectic festival apparel (i.e. custom-made hats) to professionals wearing business suits who have wandered over after work. There also are lots of Millenials: Word has it (I wouldn’t know, really) that Wednesday at the Square is the city’s hottest pick-up spot.

In addition to the great music, Wednesday at the Square includes an Artisan Village, located near the Camp Street entrance, where local artists sell their work. And of course, a proper New Orleans festival wouldn’t be complete without a variety of food and drink offerings, from beer, wine and mixed drinks to cuisine from area restaurants. To purchase these items, festival attendees must first buy tickets (one ticket equals $1); most items cost between four and seven tickets.

Because the concert series is free, the YLC asks that attendees refrain from bringing their own food and drink to the event. Additional information about Wednesday at the Square is available here. A complete list of the 2012 vendors can be found here.

I went a couple of weeks ago and enjoyed an Abita Light draft beer (4 tickets) and the truffle mac ‘n cheese from Capdeville (5 tickets) – 9 bucks for libation and gourmet dining, with top local musical talent as lagniappe.

Where else can you find that?