Carolina Beadhead
01-14-2011, 11:04 AM
Welcome to the 2011 Jazz Fest Virgin Info Thread
Every year we see questions asked that the official FAQ's don't seem to cover so I've attempted to consolidate some of the answers and advice in this thread for the first-timers to Jazz Fest and to this board.
__________________________________________________ _______________
Where to Find Info
Here are some links to help you get started:
Be sure to read the official Jazz Fest FAQ's on the home page under Info. It will give you the official info, such as how to buy tickets*, how to work/volunteer at Jazz Fest, etc. Take special note of What can I bring to Fest? Here's where you find the information on what's allowed/not allowed into the fairgrounds.
*Note: You will need one ticket per day for entry on to the grounds. Tickets are sold as 1st weekend tickets or 2nd weekend tickets. For example, if you plan on attending all 4 days of 2nd weekend, you will need to purchase 4 - 2nd weekend tickets. Refer back to the ticket information on this site as this could change once ticket info is released for 2011.
http://www.jazzfestgrids.com/ (http://www.jazzfestgrids.com/) - Here you will find the listing of performances at clubs and special promotions (Wednesday at the Square, In-stores, etc.) that are scheduled around town during the Fest and Days Between. These are affectionately known as The Grids.
Note: Website is currently under renovation. Bookmark it for a later time.
http://www.swagland.com/ (http://www.swagland.com/) - This is the link to Swagland and Swag's Jazz Fest FAQ's, better know around here as "The Jazz Fest Virign's Bible". It will answer most, if not all, of the general questions you might have... and some you haven't thought of yet.
And while you're there, check out his Collected Memoirs (http://www.swagland.com/jazzfest/writings.html)and Swag's Jazz Fest Diaries (http://www.swagland.com/jazzfest/diaries.html) links to get a feel for the event.
__________________________________________________ _______________________
Terms you should know on this board:
Cubes - The final, official schedule of performers with stage location and times released late March/early April. Our increasingly frequent "When are the cubes coming out?" chant begins in earnest sometime around... January. They also aggravate the reoccurring symptoms of FOMS (Fear of Missing Something).
Grids - The unofficial compilation of non-Jazz Fest daytime/nighttime/club performance schedules, which for a number of years were compiled by the "nearly famous" Miss Neen. This year - like the past couple of years - Orleannj (aka Michele) will be spearheading the website and the gathering of information.
Threadhead - The nickname adopted by the regular posters. As fest gets closer and you find that you can't get anything done because you can't leave the board... YOU are a THREADHEAD. Visit Threadheads.org (http://www.threadheads.org) for our history and other Threadhead activities and charity endeavors.
FOMS - The Fear Of Missing Something - The release of the cubes bring on our annual bout of post-cube depression when we realize that we can't be in 2... or 4... places at once. It afflicts every festgoer at some time or the other. If the cubes don't trigger it, the grids will.
Board Meeting - In the weeks leading up to Jazz Fest, we set a time for the posters from this board to gather on the grounds each day. In previous years the location has behind Ms. Lena and the Zulu Diamond Cutters' beer tent across from the Jazz & Heritage stage. Historically, the first scheduled meeting of the weekend will be the one with the largest attendance of Threadheads. Everyone's invited and, no, we don't all know each other. :)
Lagniappes - (LAN-yaps - a little something extra) - It is tradition among some festers to bring small items, such as buttons, keychains, bandanas, or novelties to give away as souvenirs to the people they meet on the grounds. It is not a Threadhead/Jazz Fest attendee requirement - entirely your choice.
Totems/Flags - Totems/Flags are a tradition a Jazz Fest. They are used as a landmark to identify a group's gathering place. Be aware that metal poles are not allowed nor is pounding/staking anything into the ground. Most people have devised ways of lashing their flagpoles to chairs, etc. or other creative means of stabilization.
Threadhead Patry: This year will mark the 7th Annual Threadhead Patry and is tentatively scheduled for the Tuesday between. Past Patries included great food, drink and performances by The Radiators, Continental Drifters, Mardi Gras Indian Orchestra, Kermit Ruffins, Papa Grows Funk, Rebirth and Paul Sanchez' Rolling Roadshow. To top it all off, with the help of our fine posters/participants, monies raised above and beyond the cost of the event will be donated to a charity in New Orleans to be determined at a later date.
__________________________________________________ ________________
Misc. Information
What Needs to Be in Your Jazz Fest Bag?
The bare necessities: Hat, sunglasses, sunscreen, comfortable walking shoes, money.
You also may want to bring a a chair/stool/blanket, umbrella (NOT beach/pole type), small soft-sided cooler, backpack, camera (not video) and lagniappes to give away as souvenirs.
Here's a post from 2003 to help you think about what else you might want/need:
Posted 2/17/03 by festnut:
My "essentials" bag carries a variety of items:
Wet Ones - There are very few places to wash the grime off your hands from dirty money, the ground, the potty, greasy food, etc.
Ziplock bags, various sizes - These pack in your bag without taking any room. Good for left over food, such as chocolate covered strawberries, to put in your ice bag for later. Keeps your camera dry, holds miscellaneous "little" items, etc.
Soft-sided ice chest - Buy a bag or two of ice beforehand and transfer the ice to large zip locks. Once inside, buy as many of your drinks at one time as will fit to keep you from wasting time standing in line! As the ice melts you have drinking water to refill the $2 bottle you bought earlier. Also keeps the chunk ice from the beer stands separate from the good ice.
Garbage bags - Another item that takes practically no space. If it rained during the night or there was a fog or heavy dew, the ground will be damp (also saturated with yesterday's leftovers, spilled drinks, etc). If you're not carrying a chair or blanket, this works as good ground cover (so does a cheap shower curtain liner). An extra one in your bag works as a ra*n poncho in a pinch or as a place to stuff your backpack and camera if it does do that dreaded "ra*n" thing.
Sunscreen and SFP lip balm - Everytime you wipe your brow or neck, lay on the ground, sit in a chair, drink or eat, you are wiping it off. REAPPLY constantly!
Ladies: Toilet Tissue - A little in a small zip lock goes a long way late in the day!
Film - Yes, they sell it there. No, I don't want to pay their price. Bring extra... and extra batteries for your camera, too.
[Added: R@in poncho, etc. for that possible weather event that shall not be name.]
There are first aid tents on the fairground. But if you're prone to rashes from redbugs, hay, fertilizer, etc., bring some anti-itch stuff. Don't forget your allergy meds, you'll be in grass and dust all day. Think of it as going camping--almost.
I'm sure I'll think of more and I know others will. Bon Fete!
__________________________________________________ ______________
Babies at Fest Advice
Posted 3/20/03 by bostonian:
My 3-year-old daughter will be attending her 4th Fest this year (when she was 7-months, 19-months, 2-years, and now 3-years old). My wife and I have found bringing a baby to be very doable if you plan it right. Things to consider are:
(1) Bring a small shade tent. Check the Fest rules for what is permitted, but we've been allowed to bring one each year. Make sure that it provides good shade, but also allows air to circulate freely. Otherwise it can get stifling hot.
(2) Consider paying the [money] to park inside the Fest gates. That way, you can pack as much extra supplies as you want in the car, and have access to them during the Fest.
(3) Always, always, always have plenty of water easily accessible, and make sure that you child is drinking plenty of it.
(4) Sign in at the kids area, which supplies identification tags and contact info for the kids to wear.
(5) If the child is walking, consider a wrist band that connects you to your child. It is far less demoralizing then a leash for your kid, but achieves the same result.
(6) Even if your child is a little too old for the stroller, bring it anyway. It's a good way to haul around all the stuff you'll want to have with you.
(7) Don't plan on moving around as much as you did before you had kids. My wife and I set up a "home base" with a blanket and our shade tent (near the rear so to be courteous to others). We often will take turns leaving to explore other areas, but mostly either stay close to home or wander over to the kids area (which my daughter loves).
Even though there are a lot of things to think about in planning to bring a child to Fest, I believe strongly, based on my own experience, that if you plan well, you absolutely can have a great time at Fest with a child of any age.
__________________________________________________ ______________
I will add to this post as info becomes available or I am alerted to other resources. Feel free to post any additional questions to the board. There are a LOT of fest vets that frequent here and are very willing to pass on their knowledge and love of Fest!
(Vets: This was updated from an older thread. If you see anything that need changing, let me know.)
Every year we see questions asked that the official FAQ's don't seem to cover so I've attempted to consolidate some of the answers and advice in this thread for the first-timers to Jazz Fest and to this board.
__________________________________________________ _______________
Where to Find Info
Here are some links to help you get started:
Be sure to read the official Jazz Fest FAQ's on the home page under Info. It will give you the official info, such as how to buy tickets*, how to work/volunteer at Jazz Fest, etc. Take special note of What can I bring to Fest? Here's where you find the information on what's allowed/not allowed into the fairgrounds.
*Note: You will need one ticket per day for entry on to the grounds. Tickets are sold as 1st weekend tickets or 2nd weekend tickets. For example, if you plan on attending all 4 days of 2nd weekend, you will need to purchase 4 - 2nd weekend tickets. Refer back to the ticket information on this site as this could change once ticket info is released for 2011.
http://www.jazzfestgrids.com/ (http://www.jazzfestgrids.com/) - Here you will find the listing of performances at clubs and special promotions (Wednesday at the Square, In-stores, etc.) that are scheduled around town during the Fest and Days Between. These are affectionately known as The Grids.
Note: Website is currently under renovation. Bookmark it for a later time.
http://www.swagland.com/ (http://www.swagland.com/) - This is the link to Swagland and Swag's Jazz Fest FAQ's, better know around here as "The Jazz Fest Virign's Bible". It will answer most, if not all, of the general questions you might have... and some you haven't thought of yet.
And while you're there, check out his Collected Memoirs (http://www.swagland.com/jazzfest/writings.html)and Swag's Jazz Fest Diaries (http://www.swagland.com/jazzfest/diaries.html) links to get a feel for the event.
__________________________________________________ _______________________
Terms you should know on this board:
Cubes - The final, official schedule of performers with stage location and times released late March/early April. Our increasingly frequent "When are the cubes coming out?" chant begins in earnest sometime around... January. They also aggravate the reoccurring symptoms of FOMS (Fear of Missing Something).
Grids - The unofficial compilation of non-Jazz Fest daytime/nighttime/club performance schedules, which for a number of years were compiled by the "nearly famous" Miss Neen. This year - like the past couple of years - Orleannj (aka Michele) will be spearheading the website and the gathering of information.
Threadhead - The nickname adopted by the regular posters. As fest gets closer and you find that you can't get anything done because you can't leave the board... YOU are a THREADHEAD. Visit Threadheads.org (http://www.threadheads.org) for our history and other Threadhead activities and charity endeavors.
FOMS - The Fear Of Missing Something - The release of the cubes bring on our annual bout of post-cube depression when we realize that we can't be in 2... or 4... places at once. It afflicts every festgoer at some time or the other. If the cubes don't trigger it, the grids will.
Board Meeting - In the weeks leading up to Jazz Fest, we set a time for the posters from this board to gather on the grounds each day. In previous years the location has behind Ms. Lena and the Zulu Diamond Cutters' beer tent across from the Jazz & Heritage stage. Historically, the first scheduled meeting of the weekend will be the one with the largest attendance of Threadheads. Everyone's invited and, no, we don't all know each other. :)
Lagniappes - (LAN-yaps - a little something extra) - It is tradition among some festers to bring small items, such as buttons, keychains, bandanas, or novelties to give away as souvenirs to the people they meet on the grounds. It is not a Threadhead/Jazz Fest attendee requirement - entirely your choice.
Totems/Flags - Totems/Flags are a tradition a Jazz Fest. They are used as a landmark to identify a group's gathering place. Be aware that metal poles are not allowed nor is pounding/staking anything into the ground. Most people have devised ways of lashing their flagpoles to chairs, etc. or other creative means of stabilization.
Threadhead Patry: This year will mark the 7th Annual Threadhead Patry and is tentatively scheduled for the Tuesday between. Past Patries included great food, drink and performances by The Radiators, Continental Drifters, Mardi Gras Indian Orchestra, Kermit Ruffins, Papa Grows Funk, Rebirth and Paul Sanchez' Rolling Roadshow. To top it all off, with the help of our fine posters/participants, monies raised above and beyond the cost of the event will be donated to a charity in New Orleans to be determined at a later date.
__________________________________________________ ________________
Misc. Information
What Needs to Be in Your Jazz Fest Bag?
The bare necessities: Hat, sunglasses, sunscreen, comfortable walking shoes, money.
You also may want to bring a a chair/stool/blanket, umbrella (NOT beach/pole type), small soft-sided cooler, backpack, camera (not video) and lagniappes to give away as souvenirs.
Here's a post from 2003 to help you think about what else you might want/need:
Posted 2/17/03 by festnut:
My "essentials" bag carries a variety of items:
Wet Ones - There are very few places to wash the grime off your hands from dirty money, the ground, the potty, greasy food, etc.
Ziplock bags, various sizes - These pack in your bag without taking any room. Good for left over food, such as chocolate covered strawberries, to put in your ice bag for later. Keeps your camera dry, holds miscellaneous "little" items, etc.
Soft-sided ice chest - Buy a bag or two of ice beforehand and transfer the ice to large zip locks. Once inside, buy as many of your drinks at one time as will fit to keep you from wasting time standing in line! As the ice melts you have drinking water to refill the $2 bottle you bought earlier. Also keeps the chunk ice from the beer stands separate from the good ice.
Garbage bags - Another item that takes practically no space. If it rained during the night or there was a fog or heavy dew, the ground will be damp (also saturated with yesterday's leftovers, spilled drinks, etc). If you're not carrying a chair or blanket, this works as good ground cover (so does a cheap shower curtain liner). An extra one in your bag works as a ra*n poncho in a pinch or as a place to stuff your backpack and camera if it does do that dreaded "ra*n" thing.
Sunscreen and SFP lip balm - Everytime you wipe your brow or neck, lay on the ground, sit in a chair, drink or eat, you are wiping it off. REAPPLY constantly!
Ladies: Toilet Tissue - A little in a small zip lock goes a long way late in the day!
Film - Yes, they sell it there. No, I don't want to pay their price. Bring extra... and extra batteries for your camera, too.
[Added: R@in poncho, etc. for that possible weather event that shall not be name.]
There are first aid tents on the fairground. But if you're prone to rashes from redbugs, hay, fertilizer, etc., bring some anti-itch stuff. Don't forget your allergy meds, you'll be in grass and dust all day. Think of it as going camping--almost.
I'm sure I'll think of more and I know others will. Bon Fete!
__________________________________________________ ______________
Babies at Fest Advice
Posted 3/20/03 by bostonian:
My 3-year-old daughter will be attending her 4th Fest this year (when she was 7-months, 19-months, 2-years, and now 3-years old). My wife and I have found bringing a baby to be very doable if you plan it right. Things to consider are:
(1) Bring a small shade tent. Check the Fest rules for what is permitted, but we've been allowed to bring one each year. Make sure that it provides good shade, but also allows air to circulate freely. Otherwise it can get stifling hot.
(2) Consider paying the [money] to park inside the Fest gates. That way, you can pack as much extra supplies as you want in the car, and have access to them during the Fest.
(3) Always, always, always have plenty of water easily accessible, and make sure that you child is drinking plenty of it.
(4) Sign in at the kids area, which supplies identification tags and contact info for the kids to wear.
(5) If the child is walking, consider a wrist band that connects you to your child. It is far less demoralizing then a leash for your kid, but achieves the same result.
(6) Even if your child is a little too old for the stroller, bring it anyway. It's a good way to haul around all the stuff you'll want to have with you.
(7) Don't plan on moving around as much as you did before you had kids. My wife and I set up a "home base" with a blanket and our shade tent (near the rear so to be courteous to others). We often will take turns leaving to explore other areas, but mostly either stay close to home or wander over to the kids area (which my daughter loves).
Even though there are a lot of things to think about in planning to bring a child to Fest, I believe strongly, based on my own experience, that if you plan well, you absolutely can have a great time at Fest with a child of any age.
__________________________________________________ ______________
I will add to this post as info becomes available or I am alerted to other resources. Feel free to post any additional questions to the board. There are a LOT of fest vets that frequent here and are very willing to pass on their knowledge and love of Fest!
(Vets: This was updated from an older thread. If you see anything that need changing, let me know.)