More photos of Fest

Here's Germaine Bazzle (she's a New Orleans school teacher) singing in the jazz tent.


Folks wandering by the Heritage Tent on the grounds.

You can take photos of anyone and everyone so bring cameras...

SOME PHOTOS FROM PAST FESTS

That is our friend Jack, with his arm around Bruce Daigrapont's Daddy. They are both 88. That is back stage at Fais Do Do, where you'll almost always find Jack. Bruce is playing first weekend so unlikely you'll see his daddy.

Below is a Mardi Gras Indian. They spend all year making these costumes. Many were lost during Katrina, and many of the indians didn't make it back.

Navigating Jazz Fest

Before there were cell phones, we were able to go to Fest as a group and have no trouble leaving our different directions to find our favorite food or music and then all coming back to center, checking in, and then going off again. Here's how we do it - even in the midst of 90,000 people.

[Dancing at Fais Do Do Tent.]

1. Morning music check in: we talk amongst ourselves about what is a must see (everyone circles) and then what are individual's must sees. We eat in between our must sees -- and if there's time and money, we also shop the various areas. More on that later.For example, for Friday May 2nd -- this is a really hard day because at the end there are two "10" acts, including Stevie Wonder, who has never played Fest. That should be an amazing tribute and love fest itself. But also, Terrence Blanchard's "God's Will" is the most beautiful , amazing music you have ever heard. He is a renown trumpet player from New Orleans who went to NY and then has come back in recent years. He played some of his requiem last year but it wasn't finished. I now have the CD and it is amazing, sweet, poignant and full of tragedy and hope. But, then, you will all have your own opinion of what you dearly love. Recognize that you will also hear things you never knew anything about, and sometimes it will happen by accident. You'll go to get food, hear something, it'll intrigue you, you will follow it and love whatever it is.

2. Learning the Fair Grounds

The New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival is held at the race track, and the stages are placed around the track. Note that it is "heritage" festival as well and expect to learn a lot about Louisiana, New Orleans and other interesting things.

First, you have to learn about each "tent" -- in the old days, they were literally small tents and very intimate (you'll see some historic photos around jazz fest and be able to learn how it started and why - - ask George Wein).

The Acura Stage: This is where all of the out of town headliners play, although you'll get some locals who have made it nationally. Such as on Friday, "Papa Grows Funk" is a local band we can see at the Mapleleaf Bar (in our neighborhood) likely once a week, it is a well known band.

Place to meet: facing the stage, right hand side, usually on the track, but if its not so crowded up on the grass.

Gentilly Stage -- this has had lots of names, we call it "stage one" as that was its original jazz fest name or whatever it was called the year before. It has headlines but in a nicer setting, and lots of local types.

Place to meet: facing the stage, right hand side, on the track, usually dancing.

Congo Square: Now called "My Louisiana" this is where R&B, african, dance, rap and hip hop about but anything can be here. Winton Marsalis (from New Orleans) has played on this stage. On Friday, Trombone Shorty is playing and he is not to be missed. Playing since he was a youngster, he is now maybe 20 or 21...I have three of his CDs. Zigaboo Modeliste who is playing earlier was part of the original subdudes.

Place to meet: facing the stage on the left hand side, either back by the speaker cage on the grass or dancing on the track.

WWOZ Jazz Tent: This is your straightahead jazz (Lisa will be avoiding this stage except if Germaine Bazzle is singing) and is broadcast live so you can listen in before you come on WWOZ's website (its one of the links on the blog). We frequently have our beignets here in the morning (or the couchon du lait or ?) when it's empty and quiet.

Place to meet: Somewhere near the righthand side, but we could be anywhere if we are sitting.

Blues Tent: This is a big venue with turf in the back and all kinds of blues and great music. Jumpin Johnny Sansone is pretty wonderful in the middle of the day.

Place to meet: if we're just hanging out, likely on the left hand side but not an easy tent to meet up.

Economy Hall: This has a dance floor and is more traditional, dixieland jazz witha second line. You should get some food in the middle of the day and just stop by to watch the fun. The Jazz vipers on Friday would be good to catch. It's shady.

Place to meet: in the back on the grass, you might see Jess (or any of us) taking a nap.

Fais Do Do (FAY-DOUGH-DOUGH) stage: this is the traditional Louisiana music like cajun, zedeco and creole....when in doubt, come here and dance. It'll always be good. Look for Jack backstage (that's Jimmy's daddy). He's 88 outside but only 20 inside, so watch out.

Place to meet: Near the goal pole to the left facing the stage or off the track, chatting with Jack. Or, dancing near the front.

Jazz & Heritage Stage: this got started with a native american area one year and then stayed...here you will see your Mardi Gras Indians (long past, you'll learn it) so don't miss them, and your marching brass bands, all great. When in doubt, hang out in the grass and dance here. This is more like the old, traditional tents from the past.

Place to meet: anywhere here, easy to see.

Gospel Tent: By far the best tent at jazz fest. When in doubt, we always end up here, and even if not in doubt, we end up here. Jim will be the anchor of the group, always in the back of the gospel tent (you can't smoke inside) and we freqently check in. If you have any questions about Fest or want to know more history, hang out with Jim at the back of the gospel tent and he'll fill you in. Paula Chance, our friend from Atlanta, will also be here at this tent and she knows all the words. I can see Victoria parked in here, and not just because it is in the shade and one of the coolest places(temperature and other wise) at Fest. It's by the shopping and by some food and the best beer tents (God is not stupid). This is all black or mixed race gospel with live music.

Place to meet: Anywhere but always in back of the tent all day long.

Allison Miner Music Heritage/Lagniappe Stage: These used to be two different stages before Katrina, but they don't let us into the main grandstand anymore so you'll get a mix here. "Lagniappe" in cajun means a little bit extra (the thirteenth donut). It'll be a mix of stuff including interviews so keep your eye on this. Oh, and there is an oyster bar here for those of you who love Gulf Oysters. You'll see Jack and I here in the morning when it isn't crowded.

Place to meet: in line at the oyster bar.

Kids tent (for fun, stick your head in, think grandchildren) and cooking tents, exhibits in the grandstand, etc. All worth exploring.

Bathrooms: There are portapotties everywhere -- carry a little purell spray and spare toilet paper but they usually aren't bad at the smaller tents. Flush toilets in the grandstand -- early they aren't crowded and later there are good and bad times to go.

ATMS: are everywhere at Fest.

Food: Everywhere -- two different set ups -- Food One and Food Two...make a list of good stuff to eat. It's on the website (link to the left). We'll have fun finding things for Celia to eat. I have a friend who is kosher who does all right (gator is NOT kosher). You don't need directions for this, just an appetite.

Shopping: Contemporary crafts, congo square crafts, heritage crafts and art is sold everywhere. Bring an empty credit card. Most vendors will hold your items until the end of the day so you don't have to carry them.

Getting there: there are shuttles from downtown and the French Quarter but get there as early as you can...it's lovely first thing (which is 11). You can stand in line drinking bloody Mary's from Liuza's at the track.

Ok, that's enough for now. Y'all just come on down now and we'll go to Jazz Fest. Have us some fun.

Time to Post

Look, up in the air, it's a bird, a plane, it's Colleen, Zip lining via 25 cables over 11 waterfalls in a third world country! Not as adventurous as my old roomie crossing the ocean with no land in sight but still...aren't you proud of me and somewhat shocked?We returned 2 weeks ago from a once in a lifetime trip to Costa Rica. If you connect with one of my daughters on My Space, you will see all the photos. Aside from relaxing and seeing something new it was great just to have the whole family together. Courtney and Kristin flew from NYC and we left LA a few hours behind them to rendez-vous, 20 minutes apart in San Jose. I was thrilled that it worked out so well.
Just a few days before our departure we had a visit from Cecilia, Jeff and Jackie. They were returning from a glorious trip to Cabo so they stopped in LA and we bonded. Jackie is so grown up and so outgoing. She seems to be loving boarding school and nice to see her beaming. Celia and I got to shop with her for ballet, tap and jazz shoes at LA's hottest dance store! The Garritys, sometimes known as "the things that wouldn't leave", got a taste of the mess we have been living with for many months now. Our indoor water heater leaked and destroyed hardwood floor, carpeting and tile flooring so we have been working for almost 3 months to get it all back together!
John retired from Skechers a few months ago and is now consulting for the hot new company, Pinkberry. Luckily he is very flexible so that he could fly to Dallas last night to help Courtney drive her car back to LA. Happily she has been able to transfer with JPMorgan to their Century City office. Just when I thought my nest was emptying! She plans to save her rent money for Bschool so I can't argue with that strategy. That's all my news. Already making plans for all of my east coast trips in the fall so I hope that Mimi and I can meet in the big apple on occasion.
Thanks Al for all the details; we will be well prepared. Lisa, I am so sad to hear about your Dad. Seems the time has come for all of us to deal with the bad stuff that happens as we age. I took you at your word that any info was better than no info! Now I must call you to say that I will put those tickets in the mail pronto! Love to you all. Colleen

More on Jazz Fest Dress

Here are a few more images on the same theme. Skirts, sun dresses, different hats (That's our friend Paula from Atlanta on the far right -- she will be with us at Fest as will Robbie. Marie will not be this year.)

Note that we don't wear a lot of jewlery...it just gets hot and sweaty.

JAZZ FEST TRIP HINTS #2/3

What to wear and what to bring:

Here's one example of typical jazz fest attire. Note that we all have hats.

Hats. Lolly's is a typical wide brim (note she is carrying water, more about that later), Marie with the orange visor and her oyster jazz fest shirt, Robbie usually wears a festive dress and has one of our friend Tracy's hats on (more on those later) and I in my typical baseball hat. A hat is key. If you don't have a good hat, be prepared to purchase one your first day out. There are plenty of cheaper hats at Congo Square or delux ones like Tracy's.

Bandanas. Good to have a regular square bandana (they also sell souvenir ones at Fest) to hand to the vendor when you buy your sodo or beer to soak in the ice water. Will feel great around your neck. Also good for wiping goo from your ettoufee off your hands, etc. I usually keep one handy if it's really hot.

Bags/Purses. First rule of Jazz Fest: whatever you have it must attach to you. You need to wear it. Note Marie's fanny pack and I have my jazz fest shirt tied to my little bag. Robbie has her brass pass and other things around her neck.

Dress. you want to be able to layer off...it will be hot. We wear shorts, skirts and usually a skimpy top with a shirt to layer over it because of sun burn.

Sunglasses. DO bring good sunglasses. It's bright out there and the hat won't be enough. You might want them to attach as well (although it's pretty dorky).

Shoes. Here's the most important part. Regular flip flops are ok if there is no rain. If there is rain (which there is sometimes) they will stick in the mud, tear off your feet and flip mud spots on the back of your legs. You will see most of the regulars wear Tivos, but they can be pretty ugly. Some folks wear their regular lace up sport shoes....I can't stand wearing much at all so I have an array of open shoes. DO wear something you can stand around in for many hours, so they should be comfortable. Your feet will sweat as well.

Poncho. A pocket rain poncho is a great thing to have just in case it rains. The really cheap one piece ones are great.

Chairs/cushions, etc. Our crowd does not bring portable chairs or the like. We don't even carry around towels or ground blankets. We have places we meet and sit at various times and I will fill you in on all that.

What to carry: You will want a wallet with about $40 cash for drinks/food/goodies and maybe a credit card if you get struck by something you just have to have (there is a TON of shopping there). There are 64 food booths as well. You will want lip stuff (I should be able to bring some for everyone), purell of some sort (there are regular toilets as well as a zillion portapoties but you want to be prepared), kleenex -- TP substitute, a water bottle (you can bring in your own water, which I encourage -- we freeze ours the night before so it stays cold a while), your key, your cell phone if you are inclined (you won't really need it and you won't be able to hear anyway), your Jazz Fest schedule (see below), sunscreen. This should fit in your pockets or a purse/bag that you can attach to your body so that your hands are free.

Jazz Fest Schedule: You can print one off the web at http://www.nojazzfest.com/; they will hand them out (tiny ones too small for me to read) at the gate as we go in, and the Times Picayune (local paper) will have them every day and on Friday for the entire weekend. I almost always buy a paper because it is the most up to date adn the easiest to read. I bring a piece of plastic to put it in because of the sweat and beer or I just fold it carefully in my back pocket.

More images to follow.

Absence of Blog Content

Alright, this is truly boring. Two whole months have gone by and no one is writing anything on the blog. I suspect there are a variety of excuses; people have already used up a couple ("Nothing interesting happens to me" or a variation on that theme "I have nothing interesting to say"). Also, we are all busy. That said, I miss you guys, and every once in a while it would be nice to hear someone's cybervoice. It really doesn't matter WHAT you write. Just knowing there is a thread of connection would be great. Mr. Rochester once said to Jane that he imagined there was an invisible cord of communion connecting their hearts, and that if she went far away, the bond would snap and he would "take to bleeding inwardly."

In the good news category in Bloomington, Nicky Palmer was accepted by Parsons School of Design in NYC - his first choice school. Yahooie!!!

In the not so great department, I learned a couple of weeks ago that my dad has lung cancer. He is almost 84, so he and mom are trying to decide whether length or quality of life are more important. The rest of us feel it is their decision.

In other general news, Terry and I are well. Daniel has decided to do Teach for America and teach high school physics for a couple of years after he graduates from Skidmore next year. Ned is applying early decision to the School of Engineering at Cornell next year. And I will be in Seattle later this week, while Eulalie is across the wide ocean somewhere. Sigh....

Love, Lisa