Jazzfest advice sought

March 26, 2006 7:24 AM

Jazzfest in New Orleans: tips for a first time visitor? It's been asked before (pre-Katrina) and I've bookmarked all the New Orleans threads, but I'm asking again just in case.

I've only been to New Orleans once: right after Katrina, when everything was horrific. Now I'm going back to party. I'm going with a Jazzfest veteran, but I bet you guys know stuff he doesn't. What are your favorite non-touristy joints? Coolest little stores? Off the beaten track sights? How do you choose what acts to see, when everything sounds amazing? We'll have a car, but I don't really want to use it much.
Also, we'll be staying in a place with a kitchen, and while it seems nutty to cook for yourself on a visit there, I'd love pointers on good food markets/stores in case I get the urge. Thanks in advance.

posted by CunningLinguist to travel & transportation (9 comments total)

Unlike every other large music festival, the food at Jazzfest is absolutely incredible. Plan to spend a fair bit on food; it will be worth it. My roommate and I are already getting excited about Jazzfest crawfish bread. Bring sunscreen and wear awful shoes. It's loads of fun. As for how to choose: usually you don't. Just wander around and go toward what sounds good. The tents are somewhat themed, so if you don't know who the hell someone is but they're playing at the jazz tent, well...

Otherwise, where are you going to be staying? Looking for anything in particular? What are your interests? What's your price range? We used to have something for everyone, and we're beginning to bounce back. Frenchman Street in the Marigny part of town is where the good music will be after Jazzfest closes for the evening.
posted by honeydew at 2:35 PM on March 26, 2006

Also be sure to check out the gospel tent. It's always great.
posted by brundlefly at 5:34 PM on March 26, 2006

i was there earlier this month volunteering. i highly recommend going to a place called 'coop's' in the french quarter. excellent food, cool atmosphere, not touristy.

also, if youre book fan, check out octavia, i think it was in audobon park.
posted by kneelconqueso at 9:11 PM on March 26, 2006

Coop's Place! Yes! Seconded! My favorite place in the world. If you're lucky, they'll be serving crawfish beignets.

You got blackened redfish, you got Abita Turbodog on tap and you got free WiFi... What else do you need?
posted by brundlefly at 3:15 AM on March 27, 2006

i was all about their gumbo (a photo of my bowl here), and their jambalaya. the server was really awesome. the person at our table (a table of 10) who lived in new orleans informed him that we were all volunteering, and when i asked for the check, he said 'buy me a drink?' and i said sure. he brought the check, and the only drink he charged us for was that one that i bought for him. so awesome. we must have gotten 10-15 drinks free.

also, turbodog is good, but abita restoration ale is better, because they give a dollar for every six pack sold to the Louisiana Disaster Recovery Foundation
posted by kneelconqueso at 8:35 AM on March 27, 2006

- I've learned the hard way that the funk isn't always deeper at the next stage... I spent too many festivals running around from one thing to the next and never really settled into a show. If you like something, stay--don't always worry about what you're missing, or you'll spend too much time between music. Remember: how great Jazzfest was is measured in the amount of fantastic music you *missed*.

- Haven't found a good solution for transportation. Last year, cabs back were a 90 min wait. Bikes would be good; walk if you can.

- Crawfish ettouffee


I'll be there this year, too. If anybody else is going, we can have a mefi meetup at Congo Square.
posted by muckster at 11:42 AM on March 28, 2006

If you want to get into the spirit of things, listen to WWOZ.
posted by muckster at 11:51 AM on March 28, 2006

Muckster - let's try for a meetup! And though I missed your recommendation for wwoz, (damn scolling front page) another friend told me the same thing and I've been listening all day at work - it's fantastic! Makes me want to be there Right. Now.
posted by CunningLinguist at 6:05 AM on April 14, 2006

Okay, I had to give a best answer to Coop's, which we actually found by asking a bartender where to get good grub late, having forgotten this thread. But damn. We went back a second time a few nights later. Best meal ever. It's my new favorite restaurant in the world.

Jazzfest was completely fabulous. I can't wait to go back next year.

For posterity, my advice is similar to honeydew's: lots of sunscreen, a hat, comfy shoes - don't worry about how you look: no one else does. Eat as much as possible at the fest. If beer's not your thing, sneak something else in. The cab line is insane: we parked easily and for free on the nearby side streets every day. The bar across the street from the main entrance is worth a post-fest visit. Heard a great bluesy rock band, chatted with other festers, watched some killer dancing.
The hardest part is conserving some energy to go out to the amazing jam sessions that take place afterwards all over town. I ended up going to the fest for only the latter portion of the days so I could still party all night.
Oh, and if you're there on the first day, and the line for posters is too damn long - suck it up and wait. They sold out completely this year on the first day and I got gypped because I figured I'd go back. Now the only way to get one appears to be to spend 5 or 6 times what they were selling for on ebay.
posted by CunningLinguist at 7:31 PM on May 1, 2006