French Quarter Fest got underway in New Orleans today under sunny skies

At the Chevron Cajun/Zydeco showcase Beausoleil avec Michael Doucet was performing for an enthusiastic dancing crowd
At the Chevron Cajun/Zydeco showcase Beausoleil avec Michael Doucet was performing for an enthusiastic crowd with some people breaking out dancing to the very rhythmic music…

French Quarter Fest kicked off today in New Orleans and the weather was cooperating – a couple of days back we had hail and lots of rain with not very warm temperatures – today – none of that, just sunny skies and warm winds. FQF is a smaller festival and it is free with no ‘cover charges’ apart from for example Jazz Fest which comes a little later in April. Admittedly the FQF does not have the same magnitude of well known performers as Jazz Fest does, and this to me is part of the appeal – it is also less crowded and crazy, it’s more of a whole family celebration of good music and good food . Below are some photos from the first day.

Let me see here what is next, hmmm... there seems to be something wrong with my program - it's all sideways to me...
Let me see here what is next, hmmm… there seems to be something wrong with my program – it’s all sideways to me…
I'm hungry anyway - let's see if this thing is at least tasty to eat....
I’m hungry anyway – let’s see if this useless thing at least is tasty enough to eat….
Women like wearing stylish hats in New Orleans.
Women like wearing stylish hats in New Orleans.
Michael Doucet of Beausoleil       playing his little accordion
Michael Doucet of Beausoleil playing his little accordion and singing.
New Orleans has a cuisine that is different from the rest of the US, this girl is about to  demonstrate that...
New Orleans has a cuisine that is different from the rest of the US, this girl is about to demonstrate that…
She eats swords....
She eats swords….