Frenchy’s Funk Fest Creations: A Weekend of Artistry at the First Annual Funk Fest in New Orleans
New Orleans, the city of jazz, has always been a hotbed for artistic expression, where music, culture, and visual art converge in celebration of creativity. This past weekend, New Orleans witnessed a unique fusion of these elements at the first annual Funk Fest, three-days of live music and live art. At the heart of this creative experience was Frenchy, the celebrated live painter, whose brush strokes captured the soul and rhythm of the city.
Held in the heart of the French Quarter on the grounds of the Jazz Museum, the Funk Fest proved to be a vibrant carnival of funk music and art. Frenchy, well-known for his ability to translate the energy of live performances onto canvas, was the festival’s featured live painter. Over the course of the weekend, he created 10 live paintings that brought the music to life.
Frenchy’s presence at the festival was impossible to miss. The Frenchy brand was front and center with an art gallery/booth strategically located close to the main stage on the festival grounds. Festival attendees were able to see the creation of art in real-time by Frenchy.
The festival kicked off on Friday, October 20th, with Frenchy producing two paintings. The first of these depicted the Soul Queen of New Orleans, Irma Thomas, an iconic figure in the city’s music history. Later that evening, Frenchy captured the magic of Leo Nocentelli’s performance with a vibrant interpretation of the Meters’ experience.
Saturday, October 21st, Frenchy was working hard producing a total of 5 live paintings throughout the day . He captured David Batiste & the Gladiators, Tribal Gold, the Krazno Moore Project, Ivan Neville, and the famous Dirty Dozen Brass Band.
The final day of the festival, October 22nd, Frenchy created three more paintings. One was a touching portrait of Russel Batiste, paying tribute to his influence in the NOLA music scene. The other was of the Jason Neville Funky Soul Band. To close out the festival on a high note, Frenchy captured the grandfather of funk himself, George Porter Jr., alongside his Running Pardners. These final paintings were the perfect ending to a weekend filled with music, art, and the spirit of NOLA.
In total, Frenchy produced 10 paintings over the course of the three days. His ability to translate the energy and rhythm of live music into vibrant visual art is a testament to his talent and the unique cultural heritage of New Orleans.
The first annual Funk Fest in New Orleans not only showcased incredible musicians and celebrated the city’s rich musical history but also highlighted the importance of visual art as a complement to the experience. Frenchy’s live paintings brought a new dimension to the festival, allowing attendees to immerse themselves in the music through the vibrant strokes and colors on canvas.