The lineup for the inaugural Louis Armstrong’s Wonderful World Festival was released today. Taking place in what was “Louis’ Backyard” at Flushing Meadows Corona Park in Queens, NY, the Wonderful World Festival is set for Saturday, June 20th and will feature sets from Rebirth Brass Band, Ozomatli, Antibalas, the Shannon Powell Traditional All-Star Band, and a headlining set from Ms. Lauryn Hill. The festival site is right next to Citi Field (home of the Mets), and the Arthur Ashe Stadium, which hosts the US Open.

The festival will take place from 12pm to 8pm, and is a free event. Though the event is free, a ticket will be needed to enter the festival grounds, which you can sign up for HERE. Given that this is a non-profit event, run by the Kupferberg Center for the Arts, several VIP Donor Packages will also be available, which will give access to the Beer Halls, VIP Viewing Areas, VIP Lounge, premium restroom facilities, festival t-shirts and/or gift bag, etc. 

Jeffrey Rosenstock, Executive Director of Kupferberg Center for the Arts says, “Louis Armstrong is in many ways the quintessential cultural ambassador for Queens. He’s become an American icon whose immense cultural legacy has influenced musicians of every genre. We’re excited to bring Ms. Lauryn Hill to headline Louis Armstrong’s Wonderful World and celebrate Louis’ vision of listening to ‘all kinds of music’ at the first major music festival to plant its flag in the city’s most diverse borough.” 

Queens is known for being the most diverse and multi-cultural of the boroughs, as well as the home of Armstrong – who lived at 34-55 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. 2015 has been a banner year for Queens, as it was named the #1 Place to Visit in 2015 by Lonely Planet, as well as NYC’s hottest borough by Time Out New York. Lonely Planet said, “Queens is New York’s largest borough, and it’s also becoming its hippest… with microbreweries springing up, new boutique hotels, a reinvented seaside, a world-class art scene, and a truly global food culture, 2015 is the year to try Queens.”

In addition to the main stage area, there will be a “Backyard Bash” area, which will feature food, arts, family entertainment, and additional music from DJ Cochon de Lait, DJ Sultán Balkanero, and DJ Rekha, who will all be curating their own Armstrong, New Orleans and multi-cultural-inspired setlists in the Queens Museum area of the festival, recreating the famous garden parties that Louis was known for throwing.

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

Sign up for your free tickets via the Louis Armstong Wonderful World website.