FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

French Quarter Festivals, Inc. (FQFI) proudly presents the free Christmas New Orleans Style 2016 Concert Series. The concerts take place at two of America's most historic churches: St. Louis Cathedral, located on Jackson Square, and St. Augustine Church, celebrating its 175th anniversary in historic Treme. Throughout the month of December, revel in the sounds of the season with jazz performances, gospel choirs, classical ensembles, and more. The Christmas New Orleans Style concerts are free and open to the public.

Joe Lastie's Family Gospel performs tonight, December 1, at 6pm inside St. Louis Cathedral. Joe Lastie's earliest musical memories are of watching his grandfathers playing in his church; after his grandmother bought him his first set of Pearl drums at age six or seven, he played with them. Those formative years playing and hearing gospel centered it at the root of who he became as a musician. In 2008, when he made his first solo album it was a warm tribute to those early joys of family and praise music. In addition to gospel, Joe Lastie has traveled the world with the Preservation Hall Jazz Band and also found time for projects including a stint with the Treme Brass Band and his own band, New Orleans Homegrown. Tonight marks his St. Louis Cathedral concert debut.

St. Louis Cathedral Concerts
The St. Louis Cathedral concerts, produced by French Quarter Festivals, Inc. as part of Christmas New Orleans Style, generally run for an hour, from 6:00 to 7:00 p.m (excluding 12/18). The concerts are open to the public.
• December 1, 2016 Joe Lastie's Family Gospel (Gospel)
• December 4, 2016 Charmaine Neville (Jazz/R & B)
• December 5, 2016 Rachel Van Voorhees (Harp/Classical)
• December 6, 2016 Sunpie and the Louisiana Sunspots (Zydeco)
• December 8, 2016 Greater St. Stephen Mass Choir (Gospel)
• December 11, 2016 Tim Laughlin (Jazz)
• December 12, 2016 Alexis & the Samurai w/ Guests (Pop/Folk)
• December 13, 2016 Irma Thomas Sings Gospel (Gospel)
• December 14, 2016 Tony Green and Gypsy Jazz (Gypsy Jazz)
• December 15, 2016 Christmas Organ Spectacular w/ Emmanuel Arakélian (Classical)
• December 18, 2016 (5:30) St. Louis Cathedral Annual Concert

St. Augustine Church Concerts- Back by Popular Demand!
St. Augustine is the oldest African-American Catholic church in the United States. The church is located at 1210 Gov. Nicholls Street in the historic Treme neighborhood. Free secure parking is available in the church's parking lot - enter from Henriette Delille Street.

The St. Augustine Church holiday concerts, produced by French Quarter Festivals, Inc. as part of Christmas New Orleans Style, run for an hour, from 4:00 to 5:00 p.m. The concerts are free and open to the pubic.
• December 3, 2016 James Andrews(Jazz)
• December 10, 2016 Shades of Praise (Gospel)
• December 17, 2016 Original Tuxedo Jazz Band

Christmas New Orleans Style is a collaboration between FQFI and the New Orleans Tourism Marketing Corporation (NOTMC). Throughout December, FQFI works closely with retailers, restaurants, hotels, arts, and community organizations to produce and promote quality holiday events. The celebration includes Reveillon feasts at over 50 of the city's finest restaurants, 80 special holiday events, and Papa Noël hotel deals for all budgets. For more information about Christmas New Orleans Style or French Quarter Festivals, Inc. visit followyourjoy.com or fqfi.org.

Give the Gift of Gala!

The 34th annual French Quarter Festival presented by Chevron will take place April 6-9, 2016. We are thrilled to announce that our opening night reception and gala will return to Antoine's Restaurant, and that early-bird tickets are now available! Gala tickets make fantastic holiday gifts - click here to take advantage of special pricing by ordering yours today!