From NOLA.com / By Quinn Hillyer: What began as the Funky Tucks is now ever closer to launching the greatest museum of music in the nation — a cultural, educational and economic boost for all of Louisiana.

The Louisiana Music and Heritage Experience on March 4 signed an official letter of intent with the Ernest N. Morial Convention Center to build and operate a 120,000-square-foot facility replete with interactive music exhibits, live music venues, training in the music industry, and educational offerings to share with classrooms statewide. Oh, and good food, too, because Louisiana music and food go together like coffee and chicory.

From NOLA.com | February 16, 2026: The Louisiana Music & Heritage Experience, a long-planned museum intended to tell the story of the state’s musical genres, has finalized a deal with global food and beverage company Sodexo LIVE! to help fund and operate the attraction, originally envisioned as a "cultural anchor" for the River District.

From WWLTV | November 24, 2025: A state-of-the-art, technology-driven institution honoring the music culture born in New Orleans, is slated to open in the city in a few years, with an economic impact of $6 billion over the next 30, but the location is still up in the air. 

From NOLA.com | July 25, 2025: A new music museum in the River District, which backers have pitched as New Orleans' answer to Cleveland's Rock & Roll Hall of Fame, will start construction next summer after the project was allocated millions of dollars of state funds in the latest legislative session that ended last month, the developer said Wednesday.

The vibrant soul of Louisiana emanates the state’s essence of freedom, unbridled self-expression, and creativity. Its unique energy opens the doors to indulgence, from classic dishes like gumbo, jambalaya, and beignets to a vibrant musical scene, where the melodies of jazz, blues, and funk fill the French Quarter’s streets and every inch of every bayou, honoring Louisiana’s rich music history and diverse influences. 

To borrow a catchphrase from the Essence Festival of Culture, the NOLA Funk Fest is a party with a purpose.

From Friday through Sunday, the second annual NOLA Funk Fest takes over the grounds of the Old U.S. Mint and the New Orleans Jazz Museum at 400 Esplanade Ave.

Pound for pound, its roster of mostly New Orleans music is as solid as any festival in town. The two-dozen-plus acts include Tank & the Bangas, Big Freedia, Marcia Ball, Jon Cleary, Bobby Rush, Dumpstaphunk and Geo Leo featuring the Meters' George Porter Jr. and Leo Nocentelli.

From International Business Times: Irma Thomas, named the Soul Queen of New Orleans, once said that people always lean on music – "We do it when we're happy and want to celebrate, when we feel down and want to commiserate, or when we want to find a way to the depths of the human soul." She also said that the relationship between artists and fans must be reciprocal, with creators counting on the loyalty and respect of their listeners. To achieve that synergy, society needs to learn the historical relevance of music.

The NOLA Funk Fest announced its 2024 lineup including Meters celebration GeoLeo, Tank and the Bangas, Big Freedia and more. Presented by the Louisiana Music & Heritage Experience, the three-day event is set to take place at the New Orleans Jazz Museum October 18 – 20.