New Orleans is getting a full-on R&B coronation this week. Chaka Khan, Patti LaBelle, Gladys Knight and Stephanie Mills are teaming up for "The Queens: 4 Legends, 1 Stage" at the Smoothie King Center on Thursday, May 7, 2026. The all-star show, set for 8 p.m., was rescheduled from its original Feb. 19, 2026 date. Fans can still grab primary tickets through the venue and major ticketing sites, with resale options hanging around for last-minute planners.
When and where
According to the Smoothie King Center, the concert, billed as "The Queens! 4 Legends, 1 Stage," is locked in for May 7 with an 8 p.m. start time. Ticketmaster shows the same time and lays out the seating tiers still available for the date.
Tickets and reschedule notes
Multiple ticketing sites flag the New Orleans stop as a reschedule from winter, so double-check your dates if you bought early. The AXS listing clearly notes "Rescheduled from 2/19/26," and resale platforms show a broad spread of prices as the show approaches. Both SeatGeek and AXS carry tickets tied to the new date, so it pays to compare fees, delivery methods and seat locations before you commit.
Who’s on the bill
The lineup stacks four powerhouse vocalists with deep roots in R&B, funk and soul. Britannica chronicles Chaka Khan’s decades of hits and broad influence on modern R&B. Patti LaBelle’s long-running catalogue and live-show reputation are outlined in a Pennsylvania Center biography, while Gladys Knight and Stephanie Mills round out the bill with their own classic songs and big-voiced moments. Put together, it is set up as a night of greatest hits and solo spotlights rather than a low-key nostalgia cruise.
What to know before you go
Smoothie King Center is urging fans to plan ahead so the entry lines do not turn into their own opening act. The arena’s event information includes a list of prohibited items, including outside food, large cameras and recording devices, and notes that advance parking is available for purchase. The Smoothie King Center details pre-paid parking options, arrival tips and accessibility information, which can help you avoid any surprises at the door.
Local coverage
Local media have been giving the show an extra push. WWL-TV’s Great Day Louisiana aired a segment on the Queens tour on May 4, spotlighting the New Orleans date, and community station WWOZ has the concert posted on its events calendar. That local attention is helping the show land squarely in front of longtime R&B fans across the metro area.
Final tips
Primary tickets and box-office purchases remain the safest bet for clean, verified entry, and national promoters have the date locked into their schedules. Live Nation and Ticketmaster both list the New Orleans stop, while resale prices can move quickly as the week goes on. With four legends on one bill, expect heavier-than-usual traffic around the arena and longer lines at security, so building in some extra time before showtime is your best move for a smooth night.
