New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival 050622
“There is no other place on earth even remotely like New Orleans. Don’t even try to compare it to anywhere else.” - Anthony Bourdain. (Day 59!)
JazzFest is a happy (and very messy) place that I know and love. Now as it’s happening for the first time since 2019, I’m feeling happy it’s on, and for those who are there. Friends (and strangers) have been reaching out to me for advice, and I’ll share my wisdom with you in case you’re in the thick of it or about to hop a flight today to be deep into second weekend. Be prepared and then be prepared for it all to change. Wear comfy shoes (cover your toes), wear a hat, and carry cash. Spend most of your time at the smaller stages, eat the food, and drink plenty of fluids, whatever your choice may be. Get in line early, stay late, be friendly, and enjoy! I’m still festing in place in Massachusetts dancing and drinking in my kitchen to WWOZ like I’m at The Fais Do Do Stage. Are you there?
I heard from a couple of fellow festival-goers that Covid is a definite concern even thought it is outdoors. I know a couple in their 60s who are vaxxed, boostered, and wear masks, and they got it bad from the first weekend. Was it from the planes? The hotel? The fest itself? They won’t ever know. I had my latest CT scan on Tuesday and will hopefully have a chat with my doctor in the next couple of days to see if I’ll be able to fest this summer…
On a lighter note, here’s a memory from JazzFest worth sharing again. On one insane Saturday night in 2016, the rains are so torrential that the festival gets shut down after lightning strikes and the power goes out across the fairgrounds. Drenched through my tutu, tank top, and flimsy trash-bag poncho, braving the winds and walking around ankle-deep in my mud-soaked flip-flops, I still want more music. That’s what the musicians of New Orleans do to people, and I love them for it.
The evening’s last performer, Stevie Wonder, comes onto the large Acura Stage a short while after the lights and sound go out across the fairgrounds. There is no electricity so he sings a verse, a cappella, of “Purple Rain” (as Prince had recently passed away) through a megaphone. What a sight!
The drenched crowd of nearly 50,000 goes wild. Before Stevie gets led off the stage, he shouts out something to the effect of, “God bless you New Orleans! I love you! I’ll be back next year!” This is an emotional, life-changing moment for me, here at the festival. How do these locals deal, so often, with such destructive weather? But the people around me don’t seem to care. Everyone wants more music, and their spirit is almost unbreakable. I take Stevie’s words to heart and vow to return to JazzFest next year… and I do.
“There are a lot of places I like, but I like New Orleans better.” - Bob Dylan
From sex and family drama to work woes and hangovers, what's on your mind today? Welcome to a space to reflect light on three things, and please share if you're comfortable doing so. Happy Friday, all.
My happiest place on earth. New Orleans. Living there you soak up the grit these natives have. Invincible. Jazz Fest 19 is still ringing in my ears. Not there this year due to vulnerability, but always tuned into WWOZ. Happy Jazz Fest!
I haven't been to JazzFest since 2017, but is one of my favorite events. I love walking through the gates in the morning, grabbing a sweet potato pone and cafe au lait, and wandering from stage to stage all day long. Reading your newsletter takes me back. Thank you for sharing your experiences this year. So good to know that JazzFest is still happening!