Fourth Annual Louis Armstrong's Wonderful World Festival Set for Saturday, July 8

(New York, NY: May 31, 2017) Kupferberg Center for the Arts at Queens College announced today that the fourth annual Louis Armstrong's Wonderful World Festival will take place on Saturday, July 8th at the historic Flushing Meadows Corona Park, the same borough where Louis Armstrong lived for more than twenty years and within walking distance of the Louis Armstrong House Museum.

Curated by Jon Batiste with a featured headline performance by Jon Batiste and Stay Human, this year's line-up boasts an eclectic mix of influential musicians including: Vince Giordano and The Nighthawks, members of The Dap-Kings and Batiste's band, Stay Human. The day-long event will conclude with Batiste's signature 'love riot' street parade. The festival will channel the rich jazz influences of Armstrong through a variety of musical genres, staying true to his mantra that "You gotta listen to all types of music."

Read more via Billboard: http://www.billboard.com/articles/columns/music-festivals/7809788/wonderful-world-festival-jon-batiste-louis-armstrong 

“Louis Armstrong was a God-gifted cultural amalgamation of all the best that America has to offer: He was an artist and humanitarian of the highest order,” says Jon Batiste. “Armed with visionary, interpretational genius, and an irrepressible charisma, he broke down artistic, racial, social, and cultural barriers. Using his nonpareil trumpet ability, he reinvented American music. This festival is a celebration of what his legacy means to me... I couldn't be more excited to light up Queens, his home away from home.”

This free festival is all ages and will take place from 1PM to 8PM. Registration is available at the festival website. VIP ticketing options are also available: http://armstrongswonderfulworld.com

In addition to music, attendees can enjoy the various Backyard Bash activities and an outdoor haven of music, arts, and food. In the past, the family-friendly gathering has included The Big Apple Circus, live DJ's, arts & crafts, face painting, and Cumbia for Kids. The New York Times raves you can "toot your horn to celebrate a legend."

"We could not think of a more appropriate site to host our annual Armstrong Festival than Flushing Meadows Corona Park, and we know Louis would have invited the entire neighborhood to an event like this," said Jeff Rosenstock, Ex. Director of the Kupferberg Center for the Arts. "The Park is the not only the site of the 1939 and 1964 World's Fairs, but also a gathering place for multiple cultural and ethnic communities who represent Louis's vision of "What a Wonderful World."

Louis Armstrong has deep ties to Queens - he lived at 34-56 107th Street in Corona from 1943 until his death in 1971. The house is a National Historic Landmark and is now the site of the Louis Armstrong House Museum, which is available for viewing during the festival. The Louis Armstrong House Museum will curate a special exhibit at the festival which will include rarely-seen photos of Louis, plus a special presentation by the foremost expert on all-things Louis Armstrong, Ricky Riccardi, Archivist for the Louis Armstrong House Museum and author of What a Wonderful World: The Magic of Louis Armstrong's Later Years.

Grammy winner Dr. John headlined 2016's festival alongside Kermit Ruffins and Soulive, attracting thousands of New Yorkers to pay tribute to the jazz icon. The festival received praise from NYT, Brooklyn Vegan, NY1 and more. Watch a recap here: http://www.ny1.com/nyc/all-boroughs/sound-advice/2016/07/25/satchmo-s-legacy-on-display-at-louis-armstrong-s-wonderful-world-festival.html

Louis Armstrong's Wonderful World Festival is produced by the Kupferberg Center for the Arts at Queens College. Partners include Queens College/CUNY, the NYC Department of Parks and Recreation, and the Louis Armstrong House Museum. Major funding is provided by the Kupferberg Family. Additional funding is provided, in part, by public funds from the New York City Department of Cultural Affairs. Goldenvoice is a sponsor with generous support from the Panorama Music Festival which is providing booking, marketing, and financial support.

Stay tuned for more announcements on the music lineup, food, and art exhibits.

LAWW on the Web:

http://armstrongswonderfulworld.com/ 

https://www.facebook.com/ArmstrongFestival 

https://twitter.com/ArmstrongFest