JAZZ FEST!

I was brainstorming ideas for this blog entry, and I thought that Jazz Fest would be a great one. It is obviously an important event for the city of New Orleans, but also an event that many of us are looking forward to. Little did I know, the history of Jazz Fest started in Congo Square! It reminded me that Voodoo is truly connected to New Orleans culture and heritage in innumerable ways.

First off, Jazz Fest is formally called the New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Festival. The first festival was in April of 1970. As I mentioned before, it was held in Congo Square. It was a rather spontaneous and last minute event. Although it started small, those who started it always dreamed big. They hoped that it would become a staple event that would provide a meeting place for heritage and jazz. As we know today, that dream has come true. They wanted to ensure that the event was special and unique enough to pay respect to New Orleans as the birth place of jazz.

The event originally was planned for just one weekend. However, in 1976 it expanded to two weekends like it currently stands. Although Jazz Fest no longer showcases only jazz, it still encompasses the heritage of jazz by celebrating its history and the city of New Orleans' role in jazz's journey. Today artists of all different genres of music such as hip-hop, rock and roll, rap, and many more are featured. The festival attracts big names in the music industry, but continues to feature many Louisiana artists.

This year there are many big name artists playing at the festival. Here are some you may be familiar with: The Dead Weather, Simon and Garfunkel, Lionel Richie, The Black Crowes, My Morning Jacket, Drake, Allman Brothers Band, Elvis Costello and the Sugarcanes, Widespread Panic, Blues Traveler, Aretha Franklin, Gipsy Kings, Band of Horses, Pearl Jam, Old Crow Medicine Show, Van Morrison, B.B. King, and MANY MORE!

Tickets are $45 in advance and $60 at the gate. I know that many of us are living on an extremely humble college budget (I certainly am!), but if you can find the funds somewhere you should go! It should be lots of fun, good music, and you would be attending a festival that is part of New Orleans history!