Le Petit Theatre du Vieux Carre will host the Film Festival portion of French Quarter Festival this year with another stellar lineup of films that are free and open to the public. The Theatre is located at 616 St. Peter. Full schedule with film synopses:

Friday, April 7

11a DEW DROP – directors Palmer Morse and Rachel Weinberg * 
The Dew Drop Inn, established in 1945, was once the most popular and significant heritage spot for African American traditions of R&B, blues, and jazz in New Orleans. Nearly five decades later, its owner, Kenneth Jackson, struggles to renovate and open its doors again for a new generation.

12p I AM THE BLUES – director Daniel Cross 
A musical journey through the swamps of the Louisiana bayous, the juke joints of the Mississippi delta, and the moonshine-soaked BBQ’s in the North Mississippi hill country. The filmmaker visits the last original blue devils still living in the deep south, working without management and touring the Chitlin’ Circuit.

2:45p COALS TO NEWCASTLE: THE NEW MASTERSOUNDS FROM LEED TO NEW ORLEANS – directors Marca Hagenstand and Aaron Dunsay*
England’s finest funk jazz band journeys from Leeds to the birthplace of funk for three performances. Unsure about bringing sand to the beach (or “Coals to Newcastle” as they say in Britain), The New Mastersounds try bringing their brand of funk to New Orleans.

Saturday, April 8

11a BROTHER DAVID – director Ronnie Clifton*
This lovingly made and intimate film is about famed Louisiana songwriter guru David Egan, who died in March of 2016 after a long battle with cancer. It documents “Brother David” and his friends creating music magic at the famed Dockside Studios in Maurice, Louisiana during a 2011 recording session.

12:45p BY THE RIVER OF BABYLON: AN ELEGY FOR SOUTH LOUISIANA– director Don Howard*
By the River of Babylon reveals a deep and devastating collision between our intentions and the natural environment of the swamps, and raises some disturbing questions about the ‘need’ for power and control. Using the astounding variety of South Louisiana’s musical traditions, it creates a poignant documentary elegy to one of our richest remaining natural and cultural treasures.

3p SUSHI AND SAUCE PIQUANTE: THE LIFE AND MUSIC OF GERRY MCGEE – director Pat Mire*
This documentary film tells the story of guitar legend Gerry McGee, an American Master borne of an American Master, famed Cajun fiddler Dennis McGee. Gerry is a member of the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame as lead guitarist for The Ventures and has played with Delaney and Bonnie, John Mayall, Rita Coolidge, Barbra Streisand, Kris Kristofferson, Roseanne Cash, Elvis and so many other influential musicians to earn his place in the history of rock and roll.

Sunday, April 9

11a THE ABITA MYSTERY HOUSE – director Jessy Cale Williams*
A unique look into the small town roadside attraction and the people who work there.

12p SONGS OF SOULS – director Ronnie Clifton*
Inspired by the folklore of Lead Belly singing his way out of two prisons, Songs of Souls asks four Louisiana songwriters (Michael Juan Nunez, Eric Adcock, Roddie Romero and David Egan) what they would perform to get out of the gates of hell, or into the gates of heaven. Filmed entirely in Louisiana – including inside Angola Prison – the film also explores why the state is the incarceration capital of the world.

2p BY AND BY: NEW ORLEANS GOSPEL AT THE CROSSROADS – directors Joe Compton and Matthew T. Bowden- followed by an a cappella performance by the Electrifying Crown Seekers
By and By tells the story of a fading tradition, a torn community, and a family bound to keep them both alive. At the center of the film is a powerful New Orleans gospel quartet, the Electrifying Crown Seekers, a down-home, country-tinged group that anchored a vibrant, under-the-radar gospel music community in the heart of the birthplace of jazz.

*Q&A following directly after the screening

More info available at Le Petit Theatre's website.