Top picture is me and Adam, bottom picture is Keith Urban on stageAdam and I were able to head back to NOLA this weekend for Jazzfest. We left Lulu with some friends- Thanks Kaycee and Brent and jumped on a plane for a weekend of food, music and friends. We were lucky, because we were able to stay with some friends that have a great little apartment in Uptown.
If you have never experienced Jazzfest, you have to understand it is basically broken up into two groups (at least for me it is)- Music and Food.
MUSIC- We were able to enjoy a great collection of jazz, brass bands, and even a little country. It is so interesting to walk through the fairgrounds and hear Marcia Ball, Big Chief Monk Boudreaux and the Golden Eagles Indians, playing in one corner, walking 100 or so yards and hearing old time Jazz, and 100 yards away- Keith Urban. The second day- the amazing Germaine Bazzle (beautiful Jazz singer), the always fabulous Dirty Dozen Brass Band, La India "the Princess of Salsa" and Jimmy Buffett. Bizarre- no? The music is such an amazing collection that it is hard to describe. It sounds chaotic and crazy, but it isn't. It is the best representation of the city of NOLA. Music is EVERYTHING here. You can walk anywhere and hear music coming for the buildings and people performing on the street. Jazzfest just sticks them all into one place. I'll admit I was a little shocked to hear Keith Urban was playing. But- it was packed. And I mean maybe football sized stadium, wall to wall, can't get to the bathrooms, everyone dancing and singing, PACKED. Watching this crazy commotion made me soooo HOMESICK. Like nothing I have ever experienced. NOLA is the most small town place I have ever been. The thing is- it isn't really all that small, but everyone knows one another. In the two days we were there- my friend Larry knew about everyone. We couldn't go more than 10 minutes without him running into someone he knew. It actually became somewhat of a joke by the end. Now- he did grow up there and went to med school at LSU, but still.. I go to Utah and don't see that many people in one sitting. I was a little proud though, because as we were walking into Metro Three ( a little store w/ great NOLA t-shirts) I saw my friends mama. I was so proud. All of this really made me feel soo homesick. Maybe it had to do with what we have seen this city and these people experience, I don't know. I don't know why, but standing there in that field I realized how much I missed NOLA and how much this will always be a part of who I am and what I love.
It could also be because of all the..
FOOD- The best part about Jazzfest.. the food. We had several servings of all our favorites: crawfish monica, crawfish bread, mango freezes, gumbo, and some boudain balls (the best find of the weekend). With the help of friends we also discovered the spicy meat pies (sooo yummy) and cochon de lait (cabbage in a po boy?). Did I tell you that I dream about this food? The best part- about 20 minutes after eating, we would go and get something else. Yes- I ate every single one of those items in one day. Can you believe it? I was so stuffed. But it didn't stop there. After Jazzfest we went back to the apartment and kind of just chilled for a little bit. At about 9pm we decided to head to one of my favorite NOLA restaurants- Le Crepe Nanou. I love this place. They serve the most amazing mussels.. oh and their cheese plate- to die for. You got it.. after all that food I went and ate a 2 course meal. I thought I was going to die. The best part.. the next day.. we did it all over again!
We had such a wonderful time and loved every moment. The other great part about going home to Lousiana is visiting with our friends. I've known Liv for... 8 years? But, I don't know her husband as well (they just got married 2 weeks ago). Although there was some bonding when they evacuated to Dallas after the hurricane. Anyhow, it was nice to spend some time with the them. He seriously is one of the nicest guys I know and I could not have found a more perfect match for Liv. We love y'all.
Seriously- if y'all should go to Jazzfest. It is one of the most amazing and exciting things I have ever been to. It gives you such a great representation of the city. Yea- there are lots of crazy drunk people and you have to use a port-o-potty, but for $30.00 you can hear 8 hours of music from some truly great entertainers. .. what could be better?
17 comments:
Hey did they have cool posters this year? We love our jazz fest poster and by the way where are your photos?? We would love to see them if you have any to post. Didn't you guys just go to NOLA for French Quarter Fest?
cool posters- Michalopoulos was the artist w/fats domino. They were gone in a flash.
I can't add photos from my work comoputer, so I'll do it when I get home.
We were in town for French Quarter Fest, but that was more of a coincidence. We had a wedding that weekend, but the bride built in time for everyone to go to the quarter.
I think we are going to try and make Jazzfest a regular tradition. We had a great time and loved it.
I am so glad you got to go back and enjoy what the city is about. I think it is amazing that admist all the sorrow and pain, the city comes together and is who it is.
I would love me some crawfish, and one of those great sandwiches. Ohh, maybe next year for our ten year I can convince Shad to go down to Jazzfest. You made me hungry.
Your blog made me so homesick (and jealous). Jazzfest was one of our alltime favorite things in New Orleans. I don't think we missed one year while we were there!
Your descriptions were great, and right on! Absolutely the best food. I don't know about you but New Orleans has made me a complete restaurant and food snob. Lets meet there next year okay? Anyone else?
oh- I am all over that. I'm sure we can get Tasha too.
I am totally there! You don't have to twist my arm!
Do we invite the men?
Tasha
yes- then we can make them get food and we can sit and enjoy the music.
can you believe we never went!!
what a shame.
throw a party and i will be there.
Kristi-you are kidding right? so sad. you will have to come.
Man, I wish I would have grabbed one. We have a Michaelopolos print in our house and are looking for more to go with it. Can't wait to see the pictures.
oh Keith Urban.
MY FAVORITE!!!
I enjoy Keith Urban, but what was he doing at a Jazz Festival?
I thought the same thing. I'm not really sure how they decide which artists to book. I was shocked- I could not believe it was so packed, but in some ways I think it is becoming more of a music festival... not so much Jazz. They still have several large jazz tents, but usually the Acura stage books the really big bands- like Bob Dylan, Paul Simon, Ani Difranco, Bruce Springsteen, etc. Those are a few big names that played this year.
Jill- what are you doing posting at 1:18 am?
The best part of the picture is the nice skeleton flag. I forgot about all the flags that people have. Oh...the memories!
Keep your thanks. This was a quid pro quo. We are planning on bringing Jonah over one day when he gets the runs.
I'm a sucker for late night blogging. There are no interruptions so I tend to go on and on, until I finally tell myself to "step away from the computer."
That sounds SO fun! I went to New Orleans once about 5 years ago and loved it. That food is making me salivate. I've never had a mango freeze, but it sounds divine.
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