My "Problem" with Going to French Quarter Fest

[Michelino]

Here's my "problem"....

Last year after Jazz Fest, I noticed a timeshare week for sale at the Quarter House. The price was very right and the week starts during French Quarter Fest about every other year. I have always wanted to get to FQF because the same person who turned us (my wife and I) on to Jazz Fest years ago also recommended French Quarter Fest. So we bought the week, with the thinking that we would alternate years at NOJHF with FQF. Plus when good people who live in Louisiana recommend food or music or festivals...you just go...(I'm sure this you know this already).

Besides, we now have a nine day-every-day real world class Jazz Fest right in Rochacha in June (http://www.rochesterjazz.com/)that gets more incredible every year (and which seems to catch some the BNA jazz and blues acts on the menu in NOLA along with many other hot Jazz acts that never make it to the fairgrounds)...and so if I miss Jazz fest once in awhile I'm cool, plus there is always Crawfish Fest to consider to get my Louisiana fix...and then Toronto (http://www.torontojazz.com/Pages/Toronto_Downtown_Jazz_Festival_pgM152.asp), Montreal (Pink Martini and the Bad Plus with Mike Stern...back to back!) (http://www.montrealjazzfest.com/preFIJM2007/accueil_en.aspx), Ottawa (http://www.ottawajazzfestival.com/events/) are all within 2 1/2 - 5 1/2 hours with Newport, Detroit and The City only another hour after that.

And now that FQF line-up is out, why it looks like incredible! Many of my favorites, as well as quite a few others I've felt that I need to see, are going to be on free stages all over the quarter. They've even invited in Classical Music, of which I am also a big fan. (C'mon..Opera sung from a balcony on Chartres Street, this you must see!.) And then there is an Art Show in Pirates Alley and self-guided Courtyard tours. And More...Plus the food (Oyster & Artichoke Florentine , Slow Roasted Duck Po Boy, Puff Pastry Oyster Patty, Crawfish Egg Roll, and (oh my heart!) Blackened Soft Shell Crab Po-Boy, Two types of Boudin, Bananas Foster Cake, Chocolate Chicory Mousse Cake) looks like another "Only in New Orleans" treat.

Lotsa Fun. And more fun after that.

I should be happy. I'm sure I'll have a great time.

So what is my problem?

FOMS.

Supersize FOMS

FOMAEF: Fear of Missing an Entire Festival.

Now this whole fantastic plan is making me ill...regardless of how great FQF is going to be...I keep looking at the dailies and the grids and the posts here and waiting for the cubes....AND I'M THINKING WHAT HAVE I DONE?

How can I miss Fais Do Do and the Savoy-Doucet Cajun Band, Irma's tribute to Mahalia, Evan Christopher and Tom McDermott, Poncho Chavis & Boozoo’s Dog Hill Stompers, The Jazz Tent Vibe, The Gospel Tent, the Second Liners in Economy Hall (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=89dWc3e-Suc), Benny Grunch & The Bunch, Lost Bayou Ramblers, the Voices of Distinction, etc. etc. ..and ending the fest with Harry Connick Jr. And the food booths, you know them all, even, yes, even, the d*** crawfish m**** booth. And the meet-ups. And the whole glorious DAZE between. And David's bread at the Patry.

Plus...and this is the big one...the JF debut of Elder Baab & the Madison Bumble Bees of Winnsboro ..which wil attract, you can be sure, a standing room only crowd...

How can I miss any of this...How can I miss it ALL?!@!@#$@

So am I sick? Greedy? How can I really enjoy FQF (or my life in general) when I'm already whining about having to miss Jazz Fest ?.

Tell me that I'll be OK. Tell me I can miss this one fest. That I've missed whole jazz fests before (even two in a row back in 97-98!) and been OK.

Or maybe..this it just finally time to admit that I have to add palm reading to my other job skills. So I can move south...hang out in Jackson Square and never , ever miss another day of Fest again.

[mightyradgumbo]

Sorry, dude can't help you :p

I will try and talk you down off the ledge....

It will be ok...FQF is a great fest with a lot of great acts.....

Jazzfest will not be that good this year /ssshhhhh, I think it's working, he's buying it/

I do not think you are greedy. Just like a lot of us, you are a festhead as well as a threadhead. Fests hold an attraction that make you want to enjoy them as much as possible so ya know how to palm read yet? :D

[bywterbro]

well now that your off the ledge, here have a swig of this...
feeling better Michelino?
heres some more good news to help you out...
if you look close tom mcdermott and evan christopher are playing
at national jazz park during fqf....
theres a good second line that opens fqf...
and theres a stage at the mint dedicated to cajun zydeco music...
one of the best places to see music in new orleans imho.....armstrong fest
is held there in august...except last year due to rebuilding post k...
and at fqf if you want to get to talk to any musicians you have a good
shot at it...especially at the smaller stages...
take another swig of this.....start packing....another good thing
about fqf its almost here....

[Rossvegas]

Dude, I envy you...seriously.

Not only did you pick up a timeshare at a REALLY nice resort (I'm staying there from the 4th of May to the 9th), you're going to be strolling through the streets of one of the greatest cities on earth! You'll be able to stop and get a REAL cocktail for a fair price, you'll pee in terlets with running water and you can wander into a restaurant where people will BRING you your Monica et. al....Seize the day!

[sophisticated sissy]

Ah, poor baby!
What else can I say?
I know you'll have a great time @ FQF. It doesn't suck.
Life is good.

[marignygreg]

I wish I had your dilemma. I have to wait till summer to return to the Motherland.

[BigDag]

Mich, think of all the financially challenged or overly obligated people who would love to attend either Fest just for a day or two, and can't because they lack the ways and means. I'd love to make every minute of both festivals, and I don't even need to fly or even stay the night, but I still can't make it happen. Way I see it, you're a damn lucky dawg to have such great accommodations for FQF plus the ability to enjoy a whole week in New Orleans!

[rosetree]

I don't think you have a problem...you can talk yourself out of anything. Yes, you have MAJOR FOMS, but that is caused by us ;) Don't worry about missing things, think about what you are gaining...all that and a blackened softshell to boot! Stop over-thinking, and get yur ass down to NOLA!!!! I'll meet ya at the softshell booth ;) :D ,and the duck po boy, and the boudin, and the...........

[Zydekitten]

Take deep, cleansing breaths, Michelino and go to your "happy place" . . . also, there's a lot of decaffeinated brands on the market that are just as tasty as the real thing . . . ;)

[jazzjones]

Take deep, cleansing breaths, Michelino and go to your "happy place" . . . also, there's a lot of decaffeinated brands on the market that are just as tasty as the real thing . . . ;)

I skipped JF one year in favor of FQF, and I thoroughly enjoyed it. Of course, a couple weeks later, I was itching to get back to NOLA for JF, and I couldn't do two vacations in a row.

Still ... no regrets! You'll have a great time, and you'll have the advantage of hearing a lot of the same types of NOLA acts as you can see at JF, minus the crowding (and for free, no less).

[stlbarb]

quit your job and do both. ;-)

[dank_bass]

OK let me try to say this nicely ... SHUT UP!! many people would kill to go to either. Stop fearing missing anything, and enjoy whats in front of you at the time!

[stlbarb]

OK let me try to say this nicely ... SHUT UP!! many people would kill to go to either. Stop fearing missing anything, and enjoy whats in front of you at the time!

yup, choosing between lobster & steak while some people have ramen noodles.

[Michelino]

OK let me try to say this nicely ... SHUT UP!! many people would kill to go to either. Stop fearing missing anything, and enjoy whats in front of you at the time!

Maybe I do have to learn to use those damn emoticons.

C'mon.. you realize that my post was meant to be read tongue in cheek and was really about the embarassment of cultural riches available to NOLA lovers in particular and festers everywhere. But also that the whole of Jazz Fest is so extra special even when compared to other fun things to do. (That's why in the middle of all the whining I provided links to a few other jazz fests.)

[jolie]

I can't think of a better place to stay than The Quarter House it's beautiful and so close-you can go back & forth to your condo all day, The FQF lineup looks like the best yet, the weather's usually slightly cooler as most of it is on the river...and free. Enjoy..

[Michelino]

also, there's a lot of decaffeinated brands on the market that are just as tasty as the real thing . . . ;)

Coffee is like life. Either it's real or it isn't worth it.

Except when its unreal that is...(which I do quite frequently, but never when it comes to a steaming cup of jo).

[stlbarb]

Maybe I do have to learn to use those damn emoticons.

C'mon.. you realize that my post was meant to be read tongue in cheek and was really about the embarassment of cultural riches available to NOLA lovers in particular and festers everywhere. But also that the whole of Jazz Fest is so extra special even when compared to other fun things to do. (That's why in the middle of all the whining I provided links to a few other jazz fests.)

I knew you were yanking us, but with a little, 'hey look what i get to do soon'.
making your friends jealous is half the fun.

just because its cooler and you'll get some shade off buildings, remember to use sunscreen!

[bywterbro]

mich i know you and your wife are bigtime jazz lovers...
check out Lil Rascals Brass band...IMHO they are one of the top
brass bands, and they dont play around much.....saw them at
armstrong fest last year...
and if you havent seen her Patrice Fisher and Arpa is a very interesting
world music band....

[Zydekitten]

Coffee is like life. Either it's real or it isn't worth it.

Except when its unreal that is...(which I do quite frequently, but never when it comes to a steaming cup of jo).
You're SO puritan and hidebound, Mich!!! . . . ONLY spider sammiches . . . ONLY "real" java . . . open your culinary mind and say "Ahhhhhhh" - get that caffeine monkey off your back, it's stressin' you out . . . ;) :D


(You know I loves you, baby - even if we do see some things differently - I tease, because I love . . . )

http://i117.photobucket.com/albums/o67/Zydekitten/kitty2.gif

[glinda]

Ahhh, FQF has many nice advantages....

Hearing the steamboat whistles playing along to the brass band
Getting right up front and second-lining right in front of the stage
Being able to eat at a FQ restaurant and then go right back to the music
Greater percentage of locals, kids, & dogs
The breeze off the river
Being able to retreat to your condo if it starts to r**n

you will totally love it!

[ozzie]

We want to do FQF and Satchmo Fest... haven't figured out how yet. Damn job!

[stlbarb]

We want to do FQF and Satchmo Fest... haven't figured out how yet. Damn job!

don't you have some form of super lottery?
when i win 100 million, i'm gonna have Barbfest. you're invited.

[Theotherone]

We’ve been alternating FQF and Jazzfest a few years now. Love both. Each has a different feel and we always have a great time at whichever one we go to. The key is to not fixate on what you think you are missing at the other fest. You can’t do it all although I’d like to try. Once you get past Jazzfest you can look forward to Satchmo fest, Swampfest and our new find last year - Mirliton fest. (or is it Merliton?)

[stlbarb]

We’ve been alternating FQF and Jazzfest a few years now. Love both. Each has a different feel and we always have a great time at whichever one we go to. The key is to not fixate on what you think you are missing at the other fest. You can’t do it all although I’d like to try. Once you get past Jazzfest you can look forward to Satchmo fest, Swampfest and our new find last year - Mirliton fest. (or is it Merliton?)

wasn't there one year, recently, that FQF fell the weekend before JF?
it was due to the way Easter fell, or something.

all of the things i've lost, i miss my mind the most.

[Theotherone]

wasn't there one year, recently, that FQF fell the weekend before JF?
it was due to the way Easter fell, or something.

all of the things i've lost, i miss my mind the most.

I know it happened last year b/c I really wish we had stayed on for the first weekend of Jazzfest. I kind of remember it happened once before since we’ve been going to FQF so it most come up ever so often. I’m not really sure how they figure out when to have FQF. I suppose it depends on Easter. And we all know that Easter is the first Sunday after the first full moon after the spring equinox.

[stlbarb]

I know it happened last year b/c I really wish we had stayed on for the first weekend of Jazzfest. I kind of remember it happened once before since we’ve been going to FQF so it most come up ever so often. I’m not really sure how they figure out when to have FQF. I suppose it depends on Easter. And we all know that Easter is the first Sunday after the first full moon after the spring equinox.

actually i did know that. but its not a pagan holiday!:rolleyes:

[Theotherone]

actually i did know that. but its not a pagan holiday!:rolleyes:

Us pagans have FQF and Jazzfest!

[stlbarb]

Us pagans have FQF and Jazzfest!

but i like ham & candy.

[Michelino]

actually i did know that. but its not a pagan holiday!:rolleyes:

So where did the egg laying rabbit come from?

BTW thanks for the sunscreen tip...hadn't thought of it as sunshine is only a distant rumor for many a month here.

[Michelino]

You're SO puritan and hidebound, Mich!!! . . . ONLY spider sammiches . . . ONLY "real" java . . . open your culinary mind and say "Ahhhhhhh"

Sigh...You must be thinking of some other Michelino. My love of diversity starts with the food and music and follows ever possible curve throughout the rest of my life. Heavily processed, marketed (and precooked) rotini not withstanding.

Which is, of course, just my way of teasing you cause, well, I'm also something of a smartass when among friends.

[Zydekitten]

Sigh...You must be thinking of some other Michelino. My love of diversity starts with the food and music and follows ever possible curve throughout the rest of my life. Heavily processed, marketed (and precooked) rotini not withstanding.

Which is, of course, just my way of teasing you cause, well, I'm also something of a smartass when among friends.
Well, as I say - better a smartass than a dumb one . . . but don't get me started on the prickly, scary, poke in the sides of your cheek spider texture nightmares :p :D

[Michelino]

mich i know you and your wife are bigtime jazz lovers...
check out Lil Rascals Brass band...IMHO they are one of the top
brass bands, and they dont play around much.....saw them at
armstrong fest last year...
and if you havent seen her Patrice Fisher and Arpa is a very interesting
world music band....

Funny you should mention Lil Rascals I saw them and liked them at last year's fest. In fact, I currently have a wide shot of the Brass Band stage with them on it as the wallpaper on this machine. Also got some other nice shots like this one:

http://i72.photobucket.com/albums/i193/Michelino/NOJHF/LittleRascals1.jpg

When I saw them, they had Glenn David Andrews (who seems to show up nearly everywhere in good voice) on vocals and trombone. Do you know if he is usually with the band?

At your suggestion, we looked up Patrice Fisher and Arpa...Thanks...we both now want to see her and her ensemble although it looks like we'll get there too late on Friday. We've not seen that many Jazz Harpists around, especially Latin Jazz...although we have a few albums from Deborah Henson-Conant (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Deborah_Henson-Conant) after seeing her perform a few years ago.

[jolie]

We want to do FQF and Satchmo Fest... haven't figured out how yet. Damn job!

So whats the alternative have a job here??...it's not easier...still suffer FOMs...

[bywterbro]

glenn andrews was with them at satchmofest...hes a hard working dude...
plays with alot of bands...
that pic you posted...the trumpet player is from dirty dozen brass band...
yea patrice fisher is playing early on friday....so i guess you wont be
making the prefest party on thursday nite at margaretaville with Deacon John?
did you notice that tom mcdermott and evan christopher and playing one of the evening durring fqf...and evan christoper is leading a band at jazz historic park one afternoon?

[Michelino]

Thanks bywterbro...I finally found Tom and Evan (with Les Amis Du Jazz) in the small print under special events. This is going to be fun!