THE 10TH ANNUAL NEW ORLEANS RAGTIME FESTIVAL! APRIL 9 Thru 12 2026!
The Festival Story
Tonya Excho and The New Orleans Ragtime Festival
Tonya Excho is the founder, owner, and producer of The New Orleans Ragtime Festival, a vibrant celebration of ragtime music, dance, and early 20th-century culture that has become a beloved annual event in the heart of New Orleans. With a passion for music advocacy and cultural preservation, Tonya has dedicated herself to promoting this unique genre, which she describes as the lively precursor to jazz—often heard in saloons, old-timey cartoons, and films like The Sting, which first sparked her interest in the 1980s.
The festival was conceived in 2015 and held its inaugural event in 2016 at the Old U.S. Mint, featuring performances by renowned artists such as pianist Tom McDermott, Ingrid Lucia, OperaCreole under Givonna Joseph, and Lars Edegran's New Orleans Ragtime Orchestra. Tonya co-organized the first two festivals (2016 and 2017) alongside Patrick Mackey, a talented banjoist and bandleader. In 2018, the pair parted ways amicably, with Patrick pursuing his own ventures, including Ragtime Day NOLA and the nonprofit Silver Swan Ragtime Innovations Inc. Meanwhile, Tonya took sole ownership and continued to grow The New Orleans Ragtime Festival, steering it through eight successful years under her leadership. Now marking its 10th anniversary in 2026, the festival has expanded to multiple venues across the city, blending live performances, educational workshops, vintage dance, and community events to honor ragtime's rich legacy.
Though not a musician herself, Tonya's love for culture and music has driven her deep dive into ragtime's world. What began as a fascination with the upbeat "saloon music" from movies and cartoons evolved into a broader appreciation for the era's aesthetics—from period clothing to home decor and social customs. "Ragtime isn't just music; it's a window into the cultural innovations that birthed jazz and shaped American history," she says. Over the years, Tonya has learned extensively about the genre's pioneers, like Scott Joplin, and its connections to New Orleans' musical heritage.
Under Tonya's direction, the festival has garnered acclaim in publications like OffBeat Magazine, NOLA.com, and Jazz&Jazz, highlighting its role in reviving interest in ragtime through top-tier performers such as The New Orleans Ragtime Orchestra, The New Leviathan Oriental Foxtrot Orchestra, and Seva Venet's Storyville String Band. As a music advocate, Tonya also brings her expertise from roles in fine art, event strategy, and media production to ensure the festival remains accessible, educational, and engaging—often free to the public.
Join us in celebrating ragtime's timeless rhythm and New Orleans' enduring spirit at the next festival! For more details, visit our events page or follow us on social media.
Vintage Dance & Costume
One of Tonya Excho's favorite elements of the ragtime era—and an exciting new addition she's planning for The New Orleans Ragtime Festival—is the joyful world of vintage dance and authentic period costumes. Her appreciation for the genre's rhythms has expanded into enthusiasm for the complete aesthetic: elegant Edwardian fashions, early vehicles, and ornate interiors.
Ragtime sparked a liberating dance craze that moved away from rigid Victorian styles. Tonya plans to introduce dedicated vintage dance classes at future festivals, teaching energetic animal dances including the Turkey Trot, Grizzly Bear, and Bunny Hug, along with refined steps like the One-Step, Castle Walk (popularized by Vernon and Irene Castle), Hesitation Waltz, and emerging Fox-Trot.
Attendees will be encouraged to embrace era-appropriate attire: women in high-waisted gowns, puffy sleeves, lace, movable skirts, and picture hats; men in tailored suits, vests, boaters, and collars—mirroring the period's transition to expressive, music-driven styles.
Designed for all levels, these upcoming classes will require no experience—just excitement. They promise an engaging way to experience ragtime's enduring vibrancy.
Audience
The New Orleans Ragtime Festival warmly welcomes attendees of all ages, fostering a joyful, multi-generational experience where children discover the infectious rhythms for the first time, families share the music together, and longtime enthusiasts pass down their appreciation to younger generations.
With many events free or low-cost and family-friendly programming—including lively performances and interactive elements—the festival remains accessible and inviting to everyone, regardless of age.
Over the years, the festival has experienced steady, organic growth in attendance, attracting an increasingly diverse audience drawn to ragtime's unique charm in the heart of New Orleans.
Recognizing ragtime as a cherished niche genre, Tonya Excho approaches the future with a deliberate, slow-and-steady vision—gradually introducing enhancements such as more educational workshops, vintage dance opportunities, and community-focused events to deepen engagement and preserve the festival's intimate, authentic spirit for years to come.
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