Buffett, Dylan, Dave Matthews to play New Orleans Jazz Fest this year!

[tin sista]

New Orleans Jazz Fest line up released today! Two great weekends of music, food, and culture await! At the fairgrounds you can roam from stage/tent to stage and hear the various bands each day. Great food on site and of course in the French Quarter!
Laissez les bon temps rouler!

[SilverToy]

Hey Tin!

Sounds like the lineup will be great! Dates??

Could be one of the shots in the arm that the region needs.... Let's hope.

Thanks for the heads up!

Axel

[Jim Jarzabek]

I looooooooooooove good music!

Any leads on safe sites to stay for the festival within 50 miles or so?

Thanks for the post!

[bill benton]

This one ought to be great. Might have to miss this one. Work beckons.

Le Se Bonn tron roulette.

I never could type in Cajun.

[tin sista]

Blush, mea culpa, its my first thread, ...Yeah and there's campground info on the web page, also on this site and here.

[Westfalia]

Wow, they want $40/night to camp six blocks away!

[tin sista]

Subdudes too!!

Westfalia--it does seem high--location huh? We've always camped at Abita Springs, its still down cause they can't get the repairs done on time (my folks keep calling them weekly cause they want to camp there for Jazz Fest).

[Jim Jarzabek]

Given what the area has been thru I am suprised there are accomodations available for travel trailers at all....

We will try to attend!

[Westfalia]

Yeah, a little steep but possibly justified. From what I have heard from my family that lives there, the city park/fairgrounds area is improving more than the surrounding area, presumably in preparation for JazzFest. Still, the neighborhoods out there are devastated after sitting under several feet of flood water for almost a month, and I sure there are still piles of trash everywhere.

Staying in the North Shore (like Abita Springs and Covington) may be OK, but be warned. A LOT of New Orleans residents that had their houses destroyed have moved to the North Shore and surrounding areas, doubling (or more) the population and adding significant traffic congestion. Add in the fact that everyone commutes IN to New Orleans (even on the weekends), you may be sitting in traffic for a long time.

Also, the recommend hotel to stay at (according the JazzFest website) is the Sheridan on Canal St. From what I hear, the Sheridan is currently has FEMA housing contracts for many, including many of the lower income individuals from the surrounding 'projects'. There has been an increase in police calls to that hotel, and they have been having a large problem with drugs and other behavioral problems. Other area hotels are having the same problems, like the St. Louis Hotel off of Bourbon. The Royal Sonesta does NOT have a FEMA housing contract, so they don't have all of these problems.

So after knowing that, $40 may not be too bad if you get to stay in the relative safety and comfort of your trailer. I wish we could come, but it's just not in the cards. That lineup sounds fantastic!

[tin sista]

Thanks again Westfalia, good info there. It is so important to be mindful that things won't be the way they were last Jazz Fest/New Orleans trip. Being so far away its hard to realize how much I take for granted (services, etc.) things that are just getting restored in NOLA. I read an article today where a city official said its no longer the night of the storm, but the morning, new beginning...

[rebel beck]

Okay so who's going? This sounds great.


Becky

[rebel beck]

After thinking about it. It might not be a good idea. Just wonder how safe.

Becky

[Jim Jarzabek]

New Orleans could be dangerous and has been dangerous in the past around Mardi Gras....

But I have to believe with all the press, the Federal government under the spotlight, the "chocolate" factor......

The city would be expected to be on their best behavior. A call to the Chamber of Commerce or the area police precinct should answer safety questions.

And its' always safer to travel in a group!

[tin sista]

More detailed info is now out too as to who plays when.

Bruce Springsteen, Herbie Hancock, Etta James, and Warren Haynes.

[Westfalia]

I still wish that I could make it, but it's just not going to happen this year.

However, if you are camping near the Fairgrounds, please consider stopping by PJ's Coffee (friend don't let friends drink Starbucks) and Sun Ray Grill, both located at the American Can apartments - 3700 Orleans Ave. They are only a few blocks from the Fairgrounds. Both are owned by my inlaws and survived the storm with little or no water damage. They are two of the few businesses in that area that were spared and are back and operating.

[tin sista]

Thanks Westfalia great tip, I'll tell the folks. Wish I were going, most of my family will be there though so I'll live vicariously...

Here's an MSN link to the webcast in case you can't go either and want to see what its like...minus the food, drink, and oh well I'll be watching...

[Westfalia]

Cool, I'll watch too. I'm currently stuck in the hospital for a leg surgery, so I'll have lots of time on the couch at home to get 'jazzed' up!

[tin sista]

Originally Posted by Westfalia

Cool, I'll watch too. I'm currently stuck in the hospital for a leg surgery, so I'll have lots of time on the couch at home to get 'jazzed' up!

Hey hope everything goes well. Take care and good luck!