New Orleans Jazz Fest 2008 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 10 stages excellent arts and crafts and culinary offerings that are as much of an attraction as the music. Top rock names including Sheryl Crow,Billy Joel,Al Green,Widespread Panic,Stevie Wonder, Jimmy Buffet mix with local favorites like Dash Rip Rock, Cowboy Mouth, and Trombone Shorty. Jazz Fest spans two weekends and Hotel Rooms can be tough to get. Many of the big names play shows in other venues all 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. Jazz Fest in New Orleans is probably my favorite event in the Big Easy, especially for those that like good music and are a little too "refined" to throw down 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 Friday 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 3 main stages where the big acts play, 2 back to back at one end of the track and the third on the opposite end of the fairgrounds . 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. True to form, it certainly has great Jazz offerings, too with Pharoah Sanders turning it out in 2008, but truth be told, it's a kaleidoscopic musical party and feast for the senses that spans the musical tableau. As always the good vibes party atmosphere 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 and mardi gras were a sucess. Recovery is in full swing in our battered town. Uptown and the Quarter amost look OK. The FQ is cleaner that I have ever seen it. Mid-City is starting to come back to life. Lakeview and the East will take decades to rebuild. Like all evernts in our town now, Jazz Fest will bring badly needed tourism dollars and good spirtis to those that call it home. More Information April 25 -May 4, 2008 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 streets in the surrounding neighborhoods. 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 Ave. toward City Park, right on Broad Ave, left on Gentilly Blvd. Cabs Cabs are very reasonable for an event this size. Not only is it the responsible thing to do if you're out in the sun carrying on and drinking Abita brews all day, but its the most convenient mode of transportation for this event. The band list and schedules are typically released sometime in February. Visit the official Jazz Fest website for more information.   Another Great Website www.wwoz.org - Local Public Radio Station. You can listen live on the Internet. One of the Big Easy's Finest Jewels.

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