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Jazzfest in New Orleans

post #1 of 30
2/19/09 at 3:41am
Thread Starter 
I'm thinking about going this year. Has anyone been to Jazzfest? Is it as inconvienient as Mardi Gras? Prices for hotels and airfare jacked up? Is a weekend trip sufficient?
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post #2 of 30
2/19/09 at 8:24pm
Go go go go go go go. I don't know about the NOLA Jazzfest, but I've been to many jazzfests, and as a general rule, they kick ass.
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post #3 of 30
2/19/09 at 10:32pm
jazzfest is great! it runs on the last weekend of april and the first of may.

friday through sunday the first week, thursday through sunday the second

the music is excellent, and the food is even better. check the schedule to see when bands are playing that you would like to go see, then decide on when to go.

http://www.nojazzfest.com/index.php?...est.com/music/

looks like the second week has more big name bands, but the first weekend has Dave Matthews, which is always great.
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post #4 of 30
2/19/09 at 11:21pm
I've been wanting to go for a few years now. I strongly suggest you go!
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post #5 of 30
2/20/09 at 3:03am
Are you going for Jazz or Rock? There is a BIG difference. During the first weekend (primarily jazz) it is a little less crowded and has a slightly older crowd. During the second weekend when the headliners are primarily rock bands, it's a little rowdier.. but it's nowhere near as busy as Mardi-gras. Right on bourbon street it is pretty bad, but if you get to St Charles or Bayona it's calm and clear. The thing to do, if you're planning on going, is check out the side shows. The fest is great, but there are bar and concert hall shows all night long almost every night. Some of them are great opportunities to see amazing bands at smaller venues.
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post #6 of 30
2/20/09 at 3:04am
Also, make time for dinner at Bayona... you won't regret it.
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post #7 of 30
2/20/09 at 3:08am
Thread Starter 
Quote:
Originally Posted by ChicagoRon View Post
Are you going for Jazz or Rock? There is a BIG difference. During the first weekend (primarily jazz) it is a little less crowded and has a slightly older crowd. During the second weekend when the headliners are primarily rock bands, it's a little rowdier.. but it's nowhere near as busy as Mardi-gras. Right on bourbon street it is pretty bad, but if you get to St Charles or Bayona it's calm and clear.

The thing to do, if you're planning on going, is check out the side shows. The fest is great, but there are bar and concert hall shows all night long almost every night. Some of them are great opportunities to see amazing bands at smaller venues.

Not sure. Not into DMB, I like Jazz. Just want to chill out really, hear some old style Jazz.

It may not be possible this year, i was trying to do a high school reunion with some of my friends I haven't seen in a few years...but a few can't make it. I might try to price it out and see if I wanna go.
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post #8 of 30
2/20/09 at 1:19pm
and it's all the unknowns that make it great.... The "Gospel Tent" is ALWAYS great music... and the food... mmmm... Crawfish Monica... the bomb...

Happy hour at the Columns Hotel in the Garden District...
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post #9 of 30
2/20/09 at 1:52pm
Yeah.. great thing about the gospel tent is all the big stars that walk in there to listen. You can usually find Warren Haynes in there if he's in town.
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post #10 of 30
2/20/09 at 1:54pm
i'm from NO. it's not as bad as mardi gras.
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post #11 of 30
2/20/09 at 2:21pm
I have been a couple of times in the 98-99 time frame. It is fun, but I heard precious little jazz, it was more rock bands, gospel, and that God awful zydeco. The food was good and there are plenty of beer tents. A couple of things I remember:

- you will need to start standing in line for beer while you still have one, it takes a while.

- bring wetnaps or tp (especially if you are with a woman) because the portajohns will run out. and again the wait will test your bladder.

- you cannot bring beer/drinks into the area.

- meeting by the flagpole sounds like a good idea. So good in fact that everyone does it and there will be a crush of humanity there.

- try and get to one of the evening concerts.

- if you want a good spot for a well known band that will be playing sometime that day, you will need to get there early and stake out your place. Unfortunately that means not being able to wander around. They get very territorial. Also if you do this bring a pole with a unique windsock of some sort so others in the group can find you again when it gets packed.

All in all it is a fun time without the crazyness of mardigras. I would recommend getting there early when the crowds are thinner so you can try the foods at different kiosks.
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post #12 of 30
2/20/09 at 2:23pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by ChicagoRon View Post
Yeah.. great thing about the gospel tent is all the big stars that walk in there to listen. You can usually find Warren Haynes in there if he's in town.
My hero
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post #13 of 30
2/20/09 at 2:26pm
I'm seeing Warren solo in a tiny venue tonight.. so excited
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post #14 of 30
2/20/09 at 2:40pm
I've been to 3 jazzfests when I lived in NOLA (2005, 2006, 2007). I'd say either weekend is fun. If you just want to chill out, there are enough side stages that aren't packed like the main 2 or 3 stages (where the big names perform).

As for the food and beer - the beer lines aren't that bad but the food lines grow pretty quickly but also move pretty quick too. Some awesome food and I'm pretty sure I'd be happy with just going to jazzfest and not hearing any music, just eating a ton of food that you normally can't get at other times of the year (like crawfish bread).
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post #15 of 30
2/20/09 at 2:56pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by ChicagoRon View Post
I'm seeing Warren solo in a tiny venue tonight.. so excited
Wow you are lucky.
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