2012 Satchmo SummerFest featuring Traditional Jazz and Brass Bands, Great Local Food, and a host of Special Events

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 2012 Satchmo SummerFest featuring Traditional Jazz and Brass Bands, Great Local Food, and a host of Special Events

NEW ORLEANS, LA (July 24, 2012) - The premiere American Jazz Festival dedicated to the life, legacy, and music of New Orleans' native son, Louis "Satchmo" Armstrong, will take place August 3 - 5 at the Louisiana State Museum's Old U.S. Mint. This weekend-long celebration will feature traditional jazz, contemporary jazz, and brass bands comprised of New Orleans' most talented musicians.

Live, Local Music, Free Dance Lessons, and Indoor Family Activities
Satchmo SummerFest 2012 music lineup includes Kermit Ruffins and the Barbecue Swingers, Preservation Hall-Stars, Yoshio Toyama and the Dixie Saints, Leroy Jones and New Orleans' Finest, Treme Funktet featuring Corey Henry and Travis Hill, Don Vappie & The Creole Jazz Serenaders, Wendell Brunious, The Original Pinnettes Brass Band, The New Orleans Moonshiners, and many more.

Between musical sets, dancers of all levels can take lessons from New Orleans' well-known dance teachers at the Cornet Chop Suey Stage Saturday and Sunday of the festival. Swing and Charleston dance lessons are open and free to the public and are taught and sponsored by NOLA Jitterbugs.

Throughout the day, children and parents can relax indoors on the second floor of the Louisiana State Museum's Old U.S. Mint with an array of educational, entertaining children's activities, "Satchmo on Film" for kids, and exhibits. The "Satchmo for Kids'" area features a variety of activities for kids to enjoy including a Satchmo collage project, a second-line umbrella creation station, coconut decorating with the Zulu Social Aid and Pleasure Club's "Junior Zulus," and the Jazz National Historic Park's Junior Rangers program.

While inside, visitors can also enjoy the Louisiana State Museum's exhibit, "Preservation Hall at 50." The exhibit is a commemoration of the 50th anniversary of Preservation Hall through artifacts, photographs, posters, handbills, flyers, newspaper articles, phonograph records, film and audio clips, interviews, and oral histories. In addition, items from the museum's jazz collection are on display, including Louis Armstrong's first cornet. The exhibit and children's area are free and open to the public during the festival weekend.

Satchmo SummerFest hosts diverse and exciting offerings from great New Orleans restaurants and welcomes new additions to the festival menu options. This year, the festival introduces Lakeside Harbor and Mona's Café to Red Bean Alley, and welcomes back Plum Street SnoBalls and Cool Fruit Sensations and their refreshing fresh squeezed juices and teas with the option to add Absolut Vodka or Avion Tequila to any drink. The festival also debuts Avion Frozen Margaritas, Lipton Green Tea, and Gatorade at the beverage booths.

Special Events

In addition to a weekend full of great music, food, seminars, movies, and children's activities, Satchmo SummerFest features an array of special events including the annual Jazz Mass at the historic St. Augustine Church in Treme, a traditional second line parade, and the annual 'Trumpet Tribute' which closes the festival Sunday night with a Satchmo birthday party.

A complete list of the music schedule, special events, and festival menus are attached below or visit the Satchmo SummerFest website at www.satchmosummerfest.com for more information.