Gates of Prayer’s GatesFest is “All Shuk Up” as it moves to After Dark on Oct. 20

The fourth GatesFest music festival is “All Shuk Up” as it changes its format to a late afternoon and evening experience at Metairie’s Gates of Prayer.

GatesFest After Dark will be on Oct. 20 from 4 to 9 p.m., with Flow Tribe as the headliner. Additional acts that have already been introduced include Brasshearts Brass Band and Funk Monkey.

The festival will also be moving indoors, to avoid fickle weather and provide a more secure environment. The previous events had been held in the congregation’s parking lot. This year’s event will be in the sanctuary, social hall and community room spaces.

The first GatesFest was held as a way to have a music festival at a time of social distancing due to Covid, with the audience in pods throughout the parking lot.

Central to this year’s theme will be an Israeli shuk, a marketplace of local artists and food vendors, including Bodega NOLA, Bayou Bagels, Dvash and Bad Dog Babka, along with deli from the Brotherhood and Israeli-inspired drinks from the Sisterhood.

A cocktail courtyard will be set up in the Bart community room with spirits, beer, and wine donated by The Goldring Family Foundation.

As part of the festival, there will be a kumsitz, an Israeli-style singalong led by Cantorial Soloist Jordan Lawrence and friends under a tent structure. They will lead communal song and dance sessions between bands.

Tickets are free, but required for admission. Every person attending will be asked to produce their own ticket, along with photo identification, except for youth without ID. There is a GatesFest Fund as an option when reserving tickets, with proceeds going toward next year’s festival.

GatesFest sponsors include the Goldring Family Foundation, New Orleans Theatre Association, the Plotkin Family, Wells Fargo, Metairie Bank, the Middleburg Family, NOLA Detox, Henry S. Jacobs Camp, Jewish Community Day School and Humana.