Love Riot Fest takes SuperBowl Action to the 9th Ward

Story and Photos by Gabrielle Cromwell Data News Weekly Contributor A day before he performed the National Anthem at Super Bowl LIX, Grammy-Award Winning Recording Artist Jon Batiste returned to the community for The Love Riot Festival welcoming visitors to the Desire-Area 9th Ward as part of city-wide events for the Super Bowl. The festival held at George Washington Carver High School’s grounds on Feb. 8, 2025, brought out community partners, local food vendors, and community leaders united to show that New Orleans’ greatness extends beyond Bourbon Street. “I just wanted people to know that they have heroes in the 9th Ward,” said Oscar Brown, the Director of Thrive New Orleans and one of the organizers of the event and 9th Ward native. “And we can put on a fest that people will be able to enjoy. Both for the local community and also for outsiders,” Brown said. The festival, put on by non-profit He Gets Us, featured other special appearances and performances. Jon Batiste teamed up with Ledisi, another New Orleans native, who performed The Star-Spangled Banner at the festival and Lift Every Voice and Sing at the Super Bowl on Sunday. Other performances included George Washington Carver High...