Broadway Shabbat tonight, GatesFest on Sunday
By ALAN SMASON
Congregation Gates of Prayer will be holding its annual GatesFest this weekend, kicking off with service worship tonight and the first Broadway Shabbat. The service that begins at 8:00 p.m. is the brainchild of cantorial soloist Jordan Lawrence.
Recording artist Marc Broussard. (Photo courtesy Gates of Prayer)
Music continues over the remainder of the weekend as GatesFest sponsors and VIPs will take part in a special concert on Saturday night, April 1, on the GatesFest grounds, the parking lot for the Metairie synagogue.
Headliners for this year’s GatesFest open to the public are “Bayou soul” recording artist Marc Broussard, whose Southern roots are heavily influenced by funk, blues, rhythm and blues, rock and pop music, and local alternative rockers Cowboy Mouth.
Two stages – the Humana Stage and the NOLA Tribe Stage – will host bands in tandem allowing one group to perform while another gets set up. They will be located at the rear of the parking lot facing forward. The JCDS and Family Flex Fest Area will also feature a small stage for the younger set.
GatesFest attendees will be treated to a cross-section of different music genres including rhythm and blues, funk, Cajun and traditional jazz commonly associated with New Orleans. Other groups set to perform are Australian r&b singer Cap Carter, Funk Monkey featuring singer and guitarist Arsene Delay, the Preservation Hall All-Stars, The Lost Bayou Ramblers, Panorama Jazz Band, the Wild Tchoupitoulas Mardi Gras Indians and the Black Magic Drumline.
Broadway Shabbat kicks off this weekend’s GatesFest.
The Family Fest stage will feature acts designed to appeal to kids including musical acts, science demonstrations and costumed super hero appearances.
GatesFest, which is a fundraiser for the synagogue, will culminate with the Quack Attack Duck Derby, a rubber duck race in which a race course will permit one winner. Duck entries are being sold by the synagogue at $100 per duck or two for $150. The winner will split 50% of the proceeds while the remainder will go to benefit the Gates Pre-School.
General admission tickets are $25 plus a service fee and can be purchased here.
Here’s a list of the performances for Sunday (Main stage perfomers are listed in BOLD):
Cap Carter: 12:30 – 115
Funk Monkey: 1:20 – 210
Preservation Hall All-Stars: 2:25 – 3:10
Panorama Brass Band: 3:10 – 3:25
Lost Bayou Ramblers: 3:30 – 4:30
Black Magic Drumline: 4:30 – 450
Cowboy Mouth: 4:50 – 5:50
Wild Tchoupitoulas Mardi Gras Indians: 5:50 – 6:20
Marc Broussard: 6:20 – 7:30
Except for a few sponsors, on-site parking will not be provided for GatesFest attendees, who will be encouraged to park their cars legally and safely on the adjoining streets.
The Family Fest schedule is as follows:
Mad Science: 12:30 – 1:15
Wonder Woman and Dat Mouse: 1:30 – 2:00
Panorama Jazz Band: 2:30 – 3:00
Black Magic Drumline: 3:30 – 4:o0
Jojo the Magician: 4:15 – 4:45
