Looking for something to do next weekend? If you’re looking for a truly unique experience that you can only find in NOLA, you’re in luck. After a 9 year hiatus, the Red Bull Street Kings competition and showcase has returned to New Orleans. The event will feature four local brass bands– Kings of Brass, Big 6 Brass Band, Sporty’s, and Young Pinstripe Brass Band– all of whom will be competing to win a grand prize. The event had only been held twice previously, once in 2010 and again in 2013. Street Kings will take place at Music Box Village (4557 N Rampart St, New Orleans, LA 70117), a unique venue for equally unique performances.
The competition will take place in two rounds, during which each brass band will be challenged to collaborate with four local hip hop artists– Treety, Alfred Banks, Stone Cold Jzzle, and $leazyEZ.
But with such a dynamic group of contestants, who could possibly judge them fairly? Red Bull has brought in the best of the best to make sure the best band is crowned the winner. Alana Harris, Chris Herrero, and Mia X, will all act as judges. According to Red Bull, they will judge the bands based on their “energy, stage presence, innovation, and originality”. The grand prize is currently a mystery, but Red Bull assures that it will be “life changing” for the band who receives it.
Brass bands have long been a New Orleans staple, pulling people into the streets to dance and connect with the community. Many people are familiar with Second-Lines, a tradition that began as a neighborhood celebration for Black communities in the city as well as a way for people to memorialize those who had passed, but many students in New Orleans don’t interact with this amazing aspect of NOLA as much as they should. Today, a Second Line is often present at weddings as a symbolic way to celebrate a couples’ new life together, but Second-Lines can be present at any important event! If you’re a student at Tulane or Loyola, you will witness or be involved in a Second Line at some point during your time here– or at least you should be– and the Red Bull Street Kings competition is another great way to connect with local brass bands.
The event will take place on Saturday the 24th of September. Doors open at 2PM and the competition will begin at 3PM. There is a $5 admission fee, but the money will be donated to three local organizations: Dinerral Shavers Foundation, Louis Armstrong Jazz Camp, and Roots of Music. You can grab tickets here.
Featured Image Via TIXR.com
About Mercedes Ohlen
Mercedes was The Crescent’s Editor-in-Chief from 2022-2023. She graduated from Tulane with a Bachelor of Arts in Anthropology and a Bachelor of Arts in Communications. She enjoys going to the movies, fashion, and writing about the great city of New Orleans. She will be pursuing a career lifestyle journalism, publishing, or a job within comedy upon her graduation from Tulane. No topic is too obscure, and no story too niche. Roll Wave!
Mercedes was The Crescent’s Editor-in-Chief from 2022-2023. She graduated from Tulane with a Bachelor of Arts in Anthropology and a Bachelor of Arts in Communications. She enjoys going to the movies, fashion, and writing about the great city of New Orleans. She will be pursuing a career lifestyle journalism, publishing, or a job within comedy upon her graduation from Tulane. No topic is too obscure, and no story too niche. Roll Wave!
