Find Performance spaces for rent in New Orleans, LA

About New Orleans

New Orleans is a city full of vibrant energy, unique culture, and rich history. With its location at the mouth of the Mississippi River, it is a trading hub that has housed different cultures throughout its 300+ years of existence. Known for its musical heritage, New Orleans is particularly famous for genres like jazz, blues, Cajun, and gospel music.

Musicians from all over travel to stage live perfomances in the legendary city all year round! It's no wonder that tourists also flock to New Orleans to enjoy the variety of showcases. From cozy jazz clubs to grand ballrooms, there's every kind of performance to thrill diverse audiences in the city.

Even better are the city’s outdoor locations, ranging from balconies overlooking historic courtyards to riverside venues, which provide the perfect location for concerts and festivals. The city's parks and plazas also provide breathtaking views while doubling as ideal outdoor performance spaces.

Performance Options in New Orleans

• Event Producers
  An event manager or producer helps to create a well-structured performance from start to finish. This includes everything from developing the concept and working with other vendors and creatives to promoting the event before it begins.
  
  
• Lighting Designers
  Lighting designers help create ambiance for a performance by illuminating certain areas of the room, adding colored light effects, and creating a mood with spotlights. Investing in good lighting enhances the audience's experience and perception of the venue.
  
  
• Sound Engineers
  A sound engineer is responsible for controlling the sound level, balancing between instruments and voices, as well as maintaining technical quality through to the end of the event. With sound engineers working on-site, it allows performers to focus on their art instead of worrying about potential technical issues.
  
  
• Photography & Videography
  High-quality images and videos document the memorable moments of a performance. Professional photographers and videographers are equipped to take quality shots on-site and produce content that can be shared with audiences after the event and used for future promotional purposes.

Performance Vendors in New Orleans

• AFX PRO
  AFX Pro is a leading live special effects company, having served clients all over the world for over 35 years. As a multi-faceted provider of services, they offer an impressive range of products that includes lighting decor, confetti & streamers, fog and snow machine rentals, handheld & electric confetti cannons, lasers, and more.
  
  
• Chelcie Marie Photography
  Chelcie Marie Photography is a professional portrait, wedding, and styled art photography company based in New Orleans. With over a decade of experience shooting live music from the pit to photographing big bands like Panic! at the Disco, Maroon 5, and Fall Out Boy, Chelcie has established herself as a master photographer in the area. Alongside her passion for music photography, she also loves capturing nature and creating expressive portraits that bring out the unique beauty in her subjects.
  
  
• RZI Stage Lighting
  RZI Stage Lighting is an impressive, full-service lighting and stage rigging rental company based in the greater New Orleans area. They offer a comprehensive selection of rentals and sales for any production, from automated lighting to conventional lighting, drapes, video lighting, special effects, and expendables. Their team of qualified repair technicians ensures that all equipment is properly maintained and show-ready upon delivery.

Pros and Cons of Performance Spaces in New Orleans

New Orleans is a vibrant city with a rich history of music and culture. It has a diverse mix of venues, making it an ideal place to host a performance. However, there are both advantages and disadvantages to consider when planning a performance event in New Orleans.

Advantages

• New Orleans is centrally located within the U.S., making it easier for performers to travel and promote their shows. Additionally, flights and other transportation options to the city are typically affordable.
  
  
• There is no shortage of performance spaces in New Orleans, ranging from large theaters to small jazz clubs, giving organizers more options available when choosing the right venue for their event.
  
  
• The city's music scene has been heavily influenced by its multi-cultural heritage creating some unique sounds and styles that have become iconic around the world. It is therefore a great place to showcase musical performances from all genres and backgrounds.

Disadvantages

• Due to its low-lying location on the Gulf Coast, weather disruptions due to hurricanes or flooding can occur throughout the year leading to the cancelation of performances or other logistical issues.
  
  
• There is high competition among artists looking for venues due to the popularity of performing arts events in New Orleans. As a result, securing bookings can sometimes be difficult or expensive depending on demand at any given time.
  
  
• Depending on location, it can be challenging to secure permits for outdoor events which may involve extra paperwork and additional costs if approved.

Tips on How to Organize Performances in New Orleans

A successful performance in New Orleans requires careful consideration of the physical space and additional steps to ensure that everything goes smoothly. Here are essential tips to help you create the best performance experience possible in your chosen venue:

• Ensure your venue is properly equipped for a show. This means double-checking that the space has suitable lighting, sound equipment, and any other necessary pieces of equipment. Confirm that any emergency exits are clearly marked and accessible during the performance.
  
  
• Take into account the size of your audience when selecting a venue. Make sure there is enough room for everyone to be comfortable, while at the same time not having too much extra space where people will be sitting far away from the action onstage.
  
  
• Invest in quality acoustics for full sound coverage throughout the entire room you’re using for your performance. Quality acoustic paneling can help enhance sound quality by evenly distributing it throughout the room.
  
  
• Add stage lighting that brightens up every corner of the venue so all members of the audience get an unobstructed view of what’s going on onstage no matter how large or small a production it may be.
  
  
• Finally, ensure there are sufficient restrooms and concession areas available so that all attendees have access to them without having to leave their seats during performances or intermissions.

Famous Locations in New Orleans

• Train Garden
  Located in City Park, amidst the beauty of the Botanical Garden, is the Historic New Orleans Train Garden. This miniature wonderland features almost a quarter-mile of a track, carrying tiny historical streetcars and freight trains that wind through a small-scale version of Crescent City that resembles its century-old counterpart. The landscape was crafted by artist Paul Busse using natural, organic, and biodegradable materials, making it a true masterpiece. Visitors can marvel at the whimsical structures and well-known locations in New Orleans as they watch the trains travel through this miniature world.
  
  
• St. Louis Cathedral
  The St Louis Cathedral in New Orleans is a remarkable example of French architecture dating back to the 18th century. Dedicated to the French king, Louis IX, this triple-spired cathedral overlooks the city's famous Jackson Square and represents a unique piece of Gallic heritage seamlessly integrated into an American city. The current cathedral was dedicated by architect Don Gilberto Guillemard on Christmas Eve in 1794, following two earlier churches destroyed by a hurricane and a fire. The St Louis Cathedral has been a gathering place for a diverse congregation, including followers of the famous voodoo queen, Marie Laveau, in the mid-19th century.
  
  
• Fort Pike
  Fort Pike was once a formidable defense structure, built to safeguard the city of New Orleans from sea invasion. Constructed in the early 19th century as part of the country's "Third System" of seacoast defenses, Fort Pike was named after the explorer and soldier Zebulon Montgomery Pike. Sadly, the fort was abandoned in 1890 without ever having the opportunity to demonstrate its might in battle. Despite withstanding the test of time, Fort Pike suffered severe damages in Hurricane Katrina and became off limits to the public after incurring further damage during Tropical Storm Isaac in 2012.