New Orleans Jazz Fest 2005

Many Local's and Music Lovers from around the world consider Jazz Fest the premier event in New Orleans; even over Mardi Gras. The crowds are not as bad, but it is still a carnival like atmosphere. Jazz Fest is one of the largest music festivals in the US, and features about 20 stages. Top rock names ranging from Phish, Dave Mathews, and others mix with local favorites like Dash Rip Rock and Cowboy Mouth. There are two weekends, Hotel Rooms can be tough to get. Many of the big names play shows in other venues around the city. Depending on who's playing, it moves smoothly from a jammy vibe, to a jazzy groove, to a high-energy rock and roll atmosphere, to a funky good time, all in the matter of a little stroll from one stage to the next.

All my buddies have failed to show the past few years. Hopefully this year will be different as the line-up is filled with headliners include BB King, Dave Mathews, Black Crows, Widespread Panic and more. As always the local band will fill the fairgrounds with 7 days of music festival delight. I think there could be a big crowd as the early spring break season has already been strong. The very early (and cold) Mardi Gras season kept many of the Big Easy patrons at home so far. Time to get the fun train rollen in NOLA.

Jazz Fest in New Orleans is probably my favorite even in the Big Easy, especially for those that like good music and are a little to old to throw down frat party style at "The Gras". Jazz Fest is held the last weekend in April and the first weekend of May annually. Two extended weekends of day long shows starts at the race track in Mid-City on Thursday and runs through Sunday for each weekend. Many of the performers have shows in the other venues around the city as well. The Festival is held in the racetrack infields and has row after row of small and medium size stages. There are typically 2 huge stages back to back at one end of the track where the famous people play. The music encompasses a wide range of styles including Blues, R&B, Gospel, Folk, Latin, Rock, Rap, Country, Bluegrass Cajun, Zydeco, Afro-Caribbean, and everything in between. Yes it has Jazz too, but truth be told it's more of a rock and roll concert than anything else. And of course there are "Dead Heads" as far as the eye can see.

More Information -

April 22-May 1, 2005
www.nojazzfest.com

Directions to New Orleans Fair Grounds

Parking is tight and you will have to park no less that 3 blocks away without a parking pass. More likely you will be parking about half a mile. Almost everyone parks on the street in the surrounding area.

Quick Directions:

Westbound from I-610
Exit Paris Ave, left to Gentilly Blvd, then right on Gentilly Blvd.

Eastbound from I-610
Exit St. Bernard Ave, right on Gentilly Blvd

From the French Quarter
Drive on Esplanade away from the river, right on Broad Ave, left on Gentilly

Cabs

Cabs very reasonable for an event this size. event. Not only is it the responsible thing to do, its the most convenient mode of transportation for this event the poor side of the limo.

The band list and schedules are typically released sometime in February. Visit the official Jazz Fest website for more information.  

http://www.nojazzfest.com