Grand Marshall VIP

[schmegle]

I would like any thoughts on these passes. Past experience and general worth. I have never been to Jazzfest and want to have the best time I can.. So please share your experiences with this. I like to take a lot of pictures and saw that this may not be welcome... Any thoughts on that as well. Thanks.

[completejohn]

Can you keep a secret? Cuz this has been the best festival ticket I've ever bought. Easy in and out to the front of the 3 main stages, opportunities to meet new friends (and share beer runs) from all over between sets, an excellent view. It makes running from stage to stage a breeze so you can see half a set here, half a set there. Only drawbacks - the price of course (yep that's really expensive!) and no special access to other popular stages (blues, jazz).

But I really love it. Just don't tell anyone else!

[ohio]

Can you keep a secret? Cuz this has been the best festival ticket I've ever bought. Easy in and out to the front of the 3 main stages, opportunities to meet new friends (and share beer runs) from all over between sets, an excellent view. It makes running from stage to stage a breeze so you can see half a set here, half a set there. Only drawbacks - the price of course (yep that's really expensive!) and no special access to other popular stages (blues, jazz).

But I really love it. Just don't tell anyone else!
one other drawback: you can't spend much time with your Threadhead buddies. Mrs. Ohio & I had them last year and we loved them! But we were always without our TH buds, which was a big change from usual, kinda lonely that way. Neil was awesome from that vantage point though!

[festivalgirl]

one other drawback: you can't spend much time with your Threadhead buddies. Mrs. Ohio & I had them last year and we loved them! But we were always without our TH buds, which was a big change from usual, kinda lonely that way. Neil was awesome from that vantage point though!

You slummed it a couple of times to hang with us. ;)

[sophisticated sissy]

I would like any thoughts on these passes. Past experience and general worth. I have never been to Jazzfest and want to have the best time I can.. So please share your experiences with this. I like to take a lot of pictures and saw that this may not be welcome... Any thoughts on that as well. Thanks.

As for photography, it's okay to do so w/ the GM VIP, but using a camera with removable lenses is prohibited. It's okay to have one in a bag while in the section, though.

As noted by others, it is kind of x-pensive compared to a normal GA ticket for the Jazz Fest.
If you're not accustomed to being on your feet for extended periods, it may not be the thing for you. I'm sure a lot of people like to save some of their energy for the night shows after the fairgrounds close for the day.

[sophisticated sissy]

But we were always without our TH buds ...

And what am I, chopped liver? :p ;) :D

[windowman]

And what am I, chopped liver? :p ;)

I guess I must be the onions.:eek:
Move over, sistah!

GM is great fun if you like getting up front and having the flexibility to move about the grounds. There are seats built into the inside wall of the barricade that you can rest on. It is pricey. I bought one to see Neil last year and I won one in '08 in the TH raffle :D This year the budget gets me to the fest, but behind the barricade. There is a trade off regarding friends and family in that you may not be spending as much time with, so you have to decide if it's worth it. In comparison to many major concert tickets, the cost is really not out of line per day, but the total may be a bit much.

[mfrankkk]

This will be my third year with GM. It really does help you get to the main stages and catch more than one act at a time. This is hard to do when you are at fest alone. You do meet some neat people in the GM areas that return yearly kind of like threadheads. True that it does not help with the blues, jazz, gospel and other tents. Photography in these areas is dependent on the wishes of the artist playing. It is allowed a lot of the time. I love the up close and personal experience. You can also sit between acts without someone saying something to you as long as you are back up when the music starts!

Hope this helps!

[ohio]

knock it off you guys, you know what I mean! :p

[Fred (Texas JF Fanatic)]

$50 vs $200 per day.

[canadianjohn]

General admission or brass passes are the way to go, because you will not be going just this one year! you can see all kinds of music by drifting from stage to stage. Just figure out what your "must sees" are & then go from there.

[ice nine]

This is my second JF. First one I merely bought individual tickets at the gate. All the pictures I took are of the back of a sea of people's heads. I think that I can make out in one of them Jimmy Buffet's yellow t-shirt. This years I did buy the GM package.

I have never been to TH sanctioned event so I propose that we start a caste system so me, Ohio and his wife, and whomever wants to join us up infront can do so.;)

[stlbarb]

This is my second JF. First one I merely bought individual tickets at the gate. All the pictures I took are of the back of a sea of people's heads. I think that I can make out in one of them Jimmy Buffet's yellow t-shirt. This years I did buy the GM package.

I have never been to TH sanctioned event so I propose that we start a caste system so me, Ohio and his wife, and whomever wants to join us up infront can do so.;)

i havent taken many photo's at the last 15 jazzfests. we all kept looking older & fatter every year. there are plenty of photo's available of the musicians/bands. so rather than spend my energy worrying about a good shot, i enjoy the sea of people i'm dancing with.
hint: turn around a take a picture of the faces behind you.

[completejohn]

The camera always adds 15 pounds, and 5 years, to the subject so we're not as fat and old as our pictures tell us.

That's MY story, and I'm sticking to...

Oh wait...a doughnut...

[stlbarb]

The camera always adds 15 pounds, and 5 years, to the subject so we're not as fat and old as our pictures tell us.

That's MY story, and I'm sticking to...

Oh wait...a doughnut...

"How many cameras were on you?"

[completejohn]

Just 2. One was a Hi Definition camera, the other was the Hubble telescope.

[stlbarb]

Just 2. One was a Hi Definition camera, the other was the Hubble telescope.

could you see uranus?

[Staxsun]

Perhaps we can get the internet geniuses involved. Imagine 'Google Mirth'.

[ayako445]

Hi,

It's going be my first Jazz Fest, and I've started thinking about buying the VIP tickets. I saw a lot of pictures and videos of the previous festivals, and am wondering if the front areas of main stages are ALL blocked exclusively for VIP people... I mean, unless you have the VIP ticket, is it like you'll never have a chance to see your favorite musicians up close, no matter how early you arrive the stage? How far from stages you can be, if you only have GA tickets?

I know there will be much more fun at the festival besides just being close to bigger stages, but there are a couple musicians for whom I decided to go there from Japan, and I really want to see them as close as possible. I never thought I would buy such expensive tickets, but I may have to consider. Any advice will be appreciated. Thank you!

[rowEn]

If, for the most part, everyone you would like to see is on The Acura Stage, The Gentilly Stage, and The Congo Square Stage, well then you should probably find a way to get the GMVIP pass, as those stages all allow SRO access up front.

[Fred (Texas JF Fanatic)]

[QUOTE=ayako445;321604]Hi,
How far from stages you can be, if you only have GA tickets?

At the main stage (Acura) you can get as close as 40 to 50 feet from the stage. The photo pit is about 15 feet & the Grand Marshall area is maybe 30 feet. The Gentilly Stage is about the same. I hope this answered your question.

[Belle]

If, for the most part, everyone you would like to see is on The Acura Stage, The Gentilly Stage, and The Congo Square Stage, well then you should probably find a way to get the GMVIP pass, as those stages all allow SRO access up front.

I love you..just saying! Thanks so much. ;) Didnt know where to put my thanks so here it is....hope you see it!

[rowEn]

Belle, you are more than welcome. I knew if anyone would appreciate the opportunity, you guys would. Glad I could make that day a little better for you!!

[alexajew]

Hello - I am going to the fest for the first time and am considering the GM pass, does this pass allow you to be on the rail in front of the stage? Are GA holders behind the GM holders circle?

Thanks.
Alex