New Orleans Meets Newburyport: Two Port Cities, One Musical Night

New Orleans Meets Newburyport: Two Port Cities, One Musical Night

Sunday, August 10, 2025 | Firehouse Center for the Arts | 6:30–9:00 PM

Newburyport, MA – July 16, 2025 – The Museum of Old Newbury is thrilled to announce New Orleans Meets Newburyport: Two Port Cities, One Musical Night, a one-of-a-kind celebration of music, history, and culture taking place on Sunday, August 10, 2025, at the Firehouse Center for the Arts. Doors open at 6:30 PM, with performances from 7:00 to 9:00 PM.

This festive summer evening celebrates the historic and cultural connection between two iconic port cities—Newburyport and New Orleans—through scorching live music, Big Easy–inspired refreshments, and tropical vibes, all while supporting the Museum’s mission of preserving and sharing local history.

7:00 PM – Meg Groff & Busy Signal

Newburyport’s own jazz vocalist and alumna of the New Orleans Jazz Foundation Vocal Program takes the stage with local favorites Busy Signal, delivering a cocktail of classic jazz and vintage pop.

8:00 PM – Charlie & the Tropicales

With roots in New Orleans’ Frenchmen Street scene, this energetic ensemble brings Caribbean-inflected jazz, calypso, and pure Crescent City soul guaranteed to get audiences moving.

Guests will enjoy live jazz and tropical grooves, with Big Easy–style snacks and specialty drinks, and a chance to support musicians and the Museum of Old Newbury.


“This event celebrated the connections between two important coastal cities,” said Bethany Groff Dorau, Executive Director of the Museum of Old Newbury. “Many people are not aware of how deep this connection goes – there are streets in New Orleans named for Newburyport families, and recent portraits of Newburyport captains have been found to have been painted in that port. Of course, the music is really the focus of the evening, and it will be wonderful!”

“I am so excited to be sharing a stage with such a great New Orleans band, and of course Newburyport boasts an incredible collection of talented jazz musicians as well, including our band, Busy Signal,” said Meg Groff.

Charlie Halloran of Charlie & the Tropicales adds, “I can’t wait to get the Tropicales up to Newburyport! It’s the first time we’ve ever been north of Cape Cod. August in New Orleans is unbearably hot, so it’s a great time to come to Massachusetts. We met folks from the museum and Ipswich Ale Brewery last fall in New Orleans, and they have been working hard to get the band up to the North Shore. We’ve been learning about all the connections between New Orleans’ Carrolton neighborhood, plus the long shared rum trade history of both ports – we are so glad to have made this connection!”

This unique event will sell out, so advance tickets are strongly encouraged.

TICKETS & INFORMATION:

Tickets are available now at NewburyHistory.org

Museum of Old Newbury Member Admission: $20

Non-member Admission: $30

Proceeds benefit the Museum of Old Newbury, a nonprofit institution dedicated to preserving and sharing the stories of Newburyport, Newbury, West Newbury, Byfield, and Plum Island since 1877.

About the Museum of Old Newbury

Founded in 1877, the Museum of Old Newbury is a cultural cornerstone of the region, offering exhibitions, lectures, tours, and other events that explore four centuries of local history.

For more details or press inquiries, contact Bethany@newburyhistory.org or call (978) 462-2681.