Is first or second weekend best?

[Pivo Mike]

2008 will be my first Jazz and Heritage Fest, and I'm getting ready to make reservations now. But when does the music schedule come out?
Is the first weekend generally better, or the second? Does it matter at all which weekend you go?
I like Clifton Chenier-style zydeco, cajun, New Orleans-style r & b, country blues, and gospel, and am guessing that both weekends will have plenty of music I will like. But I'm worried that if I reserve for the first weekend now, in the spring I'll find out that Fats Domino, Toots and the Maytals and the best, most traditional a capella gospel group in existence are scheduled for the second weekend.

[NYMAMA]

2008 will be my first Jazz and Heritage Fest, and I'm getting ready to make reservations now. But when does the music schedule come out?
Is the first weekend generally better, or the second? Does it matter at all which weekend you go?
I like Clifton Chenier-style zydeco, cajun, New Orleans-style r & b, country blues, and gospel, and am guessing that both weekends will have plenty of music I will like. But I'm worried that if I reserve for the first weekend now, in the spring I'll find out that Fats Domino, Toots and the Maytals and the best, most traditional a capella gospel group in existence are scheduled for the second weekend.

Hi Pivo and welcome

The musicans that will play on each weekend are announced around mid to late Feb. I've gone 1st weekend and 2nd weekend and found both jam packed with terrific music!

[BigDag]

If you make reservations now, make sure that they will be able to be changed if you decide to switch weekends.

For all kinds of good advise concerning travel & hotel & Jazzfest in general, check out www.swagland.com.

[bywterbro]

2008 will be my first Jazz and Heritage Fest, and I'm getting ready to make reservations now. But when does the music schedule come out?
Is the first weekend generally better, or the second? Does it matter at all which weekend you go?
I like Clifton Chenier-style zydeco, cajun, New Orleans-style r & b, country blues, and gospel, and am guessing that both weekends will have plenty of music I will like. But I'm worried that if I reserve for the first weekend now, in the spring I'll find out that Fats Domino, Toots and the Maytals and the best, most traditional a capella gospel group in existence are scheduled for the second weekend.

if you can get the time, why not consider both weekends, then you dont have to choose which weekend.....and the week in between is filled with tons
of music in the clubs, and festivals around town....this way you can get
a little feel for nawlins.....lots of people on here come for the ten days...

[Staxsun]

To get an idea, go to www.swagland.com and check out the Swag Rescue Cubes. Look at the last few years to get an idea to see how the acts balance out.

[ohio]

2008 will be my first Jazz and Heritage Fest, and I'm getting ready to make reservations now. But when does the music schedule come out?
Is the first weekend generally better, or the second? Does it matter at all which weekend you go?
I like Clifton Chenier-style zydeco, cajun, New Orleans-style r & b, country blues, and gospel, and am guessing that both weekends will have plenty of music I will like. But I'm worried that if I reserve for the first weekend now, in the spring I'll find out that Fats Domino, Toots and the Maytals and the best, most traditional a capella gospel group in existence are scheduled for the second weekend.That is always the dilemna. With a still reduced flight schedule to Nola, you pretty much have to book your trip months before the schedule is released, unless you want to drive....
You'll find that many of us have fixed the problem by booking both weekends and the "daze between". There are so many things to do between weekends: in-store performances at Louisiana Music Factory, literally hundreds of club shows, and all the cool tourist activities that the area has to offer.
I will say that for whatever reason, hotel rooms are generally higher for first weekend compared to second weekend.

[festbabe]

Indeed, Pivo, it's a dilima.
We've found that no matter what weekend we choose (as we can only go one, cannot swing a 10-day trip) - there's always someone we "miss" from the opposite weekend. However, we've always, always had a grand time whenver we go.
Throw a dart, spin a bottle, or choose the date that simply works best for you and get there! You'll have a blast either way.

[Moon]

It really doesn't make any difference any more. Time was, 1st weekend was local heavy with a few big names coming in 2nd weekend. That all ended in the 90's and now both weekends are a flip of the coin. There will be people you wanted to see playing the opposite weekend you chose but that can't be helped. Since you have to make your travel plans before the schedule comes out, I wouldn't worry about it.

[Pivo Mike]

Thanks for the advice, New Orleans veterans. Looks like there is no "best" weekend, because they're both good.
My apologies for not reading the Frequently Asked Questions, as they answer my question about when the music lineup is announced: February.
Doubt I'll stay for both weekends in my rookie visit, but it's a possibility for the future, as I was a regular at many festivals in Europe while I working in Germany for 30 years. I loved the Baseler Fasnacht in Switzerland, where Basel residents stage a strange and enchanting fife and drum costume parade on a Monday morning at 4 or 5 a.m., then march, fife and drum 24 hours a day for the next three days, with breaks for beer, wine, coffee, Schnaps, Mehlsuppe (flour soup), cheese and onion tarts, and maybe a little sleep. The Basel event is a cousin of New Orleans Mardi Gras, but a distant cousin.
Jazz and Heritage Fest seems to have some of the same spirit as the Montreux Jazz Festival.
Questions: Is Fats Domino still performing?
Is Huey "Piano" Smith still alive, and is he performing?
-- Mike, in Washington state

[bywterbro]

ey mike,
fats just performed a month or so ago at tipitinas....but other than that
he has not performed in years...he was supposed to close out jazzfest
2 years ago, but he cancelled at the last minute...
as far as i can find Huey Piano Smith is still alive, but i havent seen
any sign of him performing anywhere recently...heres a little bit about him..

Huey "Piano" Smith (born 26 January 1934 in New Orleans) is an American rhythm and blues pianist whose sound was influential in rock 'n' roll.

Huey's influence on New Orleans music in the mid 1950s was profound, and it was often said Huey Piano Smith’s band was like a finishing school for Nola singers and musicians.[

Smith wrote his first song on the piano "Roberson Street Boogie" (named after the street where he lived), when he was only eight years old, and performed the tune with a friend. They billed themselves as Slick and Dark. When Huey was fifteen he began working in clubs and recording records with his flamboyant partner, Eddie Jones who rose to fame as Guitar Slim. When he was eighteen, in 1952, he signed a recording contract with Savoy Records, which released his first known single "You Made Me Cry".

In 1955, Smith turned 21, and became the piano player with Little Richard’s first band for Specialty Records. The same year he also played piano on several studio sessions for other artists such as Lloyd Price. Two of the sessions resulted in hits for Earl King ("Those Lonely Lonely Nights"), and Smiley Lewis ("I Hear You Knocking").

[funkkjunkie]

Welcome, Mike, if you love fests and can swing it, at least stay a couple days after first weekend or come early for second weekend. I promise you will not regret it. But you will regret it if you have to leave after a couple days. My first year I arrived first Friday night and came home on Monday. I was totally bummed on my drive home and have increased my stay every year since, now doing the whole enchilada. Check out www.jazzfestgrids.com for a look at the night shows in 07. \
And on here, any question is one worth an answer.

[Michelino]

Hey Mike,

As everyone suggests, both weekends are special and each three day span would rank individually as one of the world's greatest music festivals. You'll have no regrets hanging at the Fais Do Do stage, Heritage Stage, Economy Hall Tent or Gospel tent on either weekend. If you do go for first weekend, plan to stay over at least for the Monday of the "Daze" between when Piano Night (one of my favorites) and Instruments a comin, two very special events (each are early evening to fairly late) traditionally take place. In terms of unforgettable performances and special events, the nightly concert/club scene has become a rival of the actual festival at the fairgrounds, so do get a little taste of it if you can. And yes, start making plans for your second trip as well, cause nobody goes just one time.

[peteup]

This was my first jazzfest and coming from downunder, of course I went to both weekends! There's no way I could say one was better than the other, but both were different. But I reckon the words of wisdom here are the daze between. Monday involves a cruel choice...and then there's the Ponderosa Stomp mid-week and Frenchmen is just kicking every night, really jumping from half a dozen clubs within 100 yards of each other. I'll come back again for sure...my soul compels me!!

[Zbonnie]

If you like zydeco, you must plan to be in NOLA for at least one Thursday night, which is the world-reknowned weekly Zydeco night at the world-reknowned Mid-City Lanes/Rock n Bowl (yes, a combined bar, bowling alley and music club). Ditto on any other couple of mid-week days you can spare -- for the free in-store music performances daily at the Louisiana Music Factory music store, as well as a major party outside in the street, and mindblowing music in the clubs. Honestly, Monday is no different than Friday or Saturday in the clubs at night during the fest!!

[Pivo Mike]

Appreciate knowing that Fats performed at legendary Tipitina's.
I knew Huey "Piano" Smith was on the scene early, but didn't know much of the info you provided.
Good to know about the zydeco music Thursdays at the bowling alley-bar. Think I saw that place on TV a few nights ago. The club and bar scene during the week sounds good.
Years ago I saw Fats perform in Mannheim, Germany, and I have always loved his songs. When I visited Jamaica it was partly because of reggae music, but one of the best memories I took away was sitting on a the rooftop of a cheap hotel with other tourists, drinking rum and paying a traveling local musician to play "It's Raining, It's Raining," which I think is a Fats song.
My sister has booked a time-share for Jazz and Heritage Fest for seven days, so it looks like we'll be there for most of the first weekend and maybe one day of the second weekend.
Though I spent a few days in New Orleans while on leave from the Army in 1970, I had not discovered zydeco music then, so just did the typical tourist stuff.
Thanks for your tips, folks. See you in New Orleans, maybe at Tipitina's or the bowling alley/bar. I'll be the 6-foot-3 guy with a Puyallup, Washington accent listening to zydeco or a capella gospel music.

[VWGal]

Pivo, a shame if you couldn't stay for both weekends...I could not choose between first or second, it would be like choosing one of your children over another! I only did one weekend the first year and swore I would never do that again. And as you have read, there is SO much to do between weekends, it's as much fun as the fest itself.

Hope we get to meet you!

[Corona]

Appreciate knowing that Fats performed at legendary Tipitina's.
I knew Huey "Piano" Smith was on the scene early, but didn't know much of the info you provided.
Good to know about the zydeco music Thursdays at the bowling alley-bar. Think I saw that place on TV a few nights ago. The club and bar scene during the week sounds good.
Years ago I saw Fats perform in Mannheim, Germany, and I have always loved his songs. When I visited Jamaica it was partly because of reggae music, but one of the best memories I took away was sitting on a the rooftop of a cheap hotel with other tourists, drinking rum and paying a traveling local musician to play "It's Raining, It's Raining," which I think is a Fats song.
My sister has booked a time-share for Jazz and Heritage Fest for seven days, so it looks like we'll be there for most of the first weekend and maybe one day of the second weekend.
Though I spent a few days in New Orleans while on leave from the Army in 1970, I had not discovered zydeco music then, so just did the typical tourist stuff.
Thanks for your tips, folks. See you in New Orleans, maybe at Tipitina's or the bowling alley/bar. I'll be the 6-foot-3 guy with a Puyallup, Washington accent listening to zydeco or a capella gospel music.
Perfect Mike....7 days is awesome! If you stick around here, by fest time, you'll be ready to rock and loaded down with info. Before my first fest, I really stuck around reading this board.....I was so grateful after and my experience was incredible. I'm excited for you!!! :)

[stlbarb]

havent even finished planning your first jazz fest, and you already have FOMS (fear of missing something). welcome to the club.
it used to be (or appeared to some) that 1st weekend was less crowded, and 2nd weekend had 4 days (thursday 1991-2005). so that helped some people decided. sometimes vacation schedule will decide it. or cheaper hotel rooms (sometimes the 1st, sometimes the 2nd). but just pick one - maybe based on best/cheapest flights.
once you get to fest, you can use all your decision making skills to determine who you are going to see when there are so many acts playing at the same time. to quote somebody: 'its not who you got to see, its who you had to miss to see who you got to see', or something like that.

you're gonna have the time of your life.
wear comfy shoes and bring lots of money (or as much as you can afford).

[Belle]

Thanks for the advice, New Orleans veterans. Looks like there is no "best" weekend, because they're both good.
My apologies for not reading the Frequently Asked Questions, as they answer my question about when the music lineup is announced: February.
Doubt I'll stay for both weekends in my rookie visit, but it's a possibility for the future, as I was a regular at many festivals in Europe while I working in Germany for 30 years. I loved the Baseler Fasnacht in Switzerland, where Basel residents stage a strange and enchanting fife and drum costume parade on a Monday morning at 4 or 5 a.m., then march, fife and drum 24 hours a day for the next three days, with breaks for beer, wine, coffee, Schnaps, Mehlsuppe (flour soup), cheese and onion tarts, and maybe a little sleep. The Basel event is a cousin of New Orleans Mardi Gras, but a distant cousin.
Jazz and Heritage Fest seems to have some of the same spirit as the Montreux Jazz Festival.
Questions: Is Fats Domino still performing?
Is Huey "Piano" Smith still alive, and is he performing?
-- Mike, in Washington state

Welcome Mike-
Better watch out around here...you will get hooked by the inviting folks around these parts. Last year was my first fest (1st weekend only)..this year it is 1st again plus two more days. Have to do the Monday and Tuesday events. Next year? Might be more. You get so damned hooked.

Even though I was so sad to leave knowing so much was going on after I left, I had a ball and saw so much music in those three days it was amazing and I missed so much too.

Keep posting. This is a great "bored" with so much information, helpful hints and wonderful souls.

[Frosty]

My advice is this, don't even worry about what you are missing when what you aren't missing is so great. Any day you'll get your fair share of cajun, zydeco, R&B, jazz, blues, and more. Plus, you can make up for a lot of artists you might have to pass on by catching their night shows or their set at Louisiana Music Factory.

[ohio]

havent even finished planning your first jazz fest, and you already have FOMS (fear of missing something). welcome to the club.
it used to be (or appeared to some) that 1st weekend was less crowded, and 2nd weekend had 4 days (thursday 1991-2005). so that helped some people decided. sometimes vacation schedule will decide it. or cheaper hotel rooms (sometimes the 1st, sometimes the 2nd). but just pick one - maybe based on best/cheapest flights.
once you get to fest, you can use all your decision making skills to determine who you are going to see when there are so many acts playing at the same time. to quote somebody: 'its not who you got to see, its who you had to miss to see who you got to see', or something like that.

you're gonna have the time of your life.
wear comfy shoes and bring lots of money (or as much as you can afford).
In the last few years, 1st weekend generally has higher hotel rates than 2nd...

[rosetree]

Welcome Mike-
Better watch out around here...you will get hooked by the inviting folks around these parts. Last year was my first fest (1st weekend only)..this year it is 1st again plus two more days. Have to do the Monday and Tuesday events. Next year? Might be more. You get so damned hooked.

Even though I was so sad to leave knowing so much was going on after I left, I had a ball and saw so much music in those three days it was amazing and I missed so much too.

Keep posting. This is a great "bored" with so much information, helpful hints and wonderful souls.

So Belle...does this mean no Rosetreefest for you???:( We have it the Wednesday 'tween weekends....

[Belle]

So Belle...does this mean no Rosetreefest for you???:( We have it the Wednesday 'tween weekends....

Not this year sweetie but I did get two more days than last! Now to plan that bowl creation during Fest 08 (missing VooDoo:mad: ). Just really thrilled my hubby got it and vows to never miss another Fest. He even understands just how much it will mean to me to go to the Patry.

[mdfest]

pick a weekend, and dont look at the other weekends lineup- that approach works for me

[rosetree]

Not this year sweetie but I did get two more days than last! Now to plan that bowl creation during Fest 08 (missing VooDoo:mad: ). Just really thrilled my hubby got it and vows to never miss another Fest. He even understands just how much it will mean to me to go to the Patry.

Awwww...
But I'm glad that Hubby "gets it!"
We'll do the bowl at some point while you are down. We'll see what weekend I get. If it is true to form, I'll probably get the 1st weekend this year.
BTW, how did the game go???

[stlbarb]

pick a weekend, and dont look at the other weekends lineup- that approach works for me

the BF only does one weekend (6 days actually), but he cant help but read the other weekend schedule. then he's all pouty about what he is 'missing'. but he's afraid trying to do all 11 days will kill him. (i do 1st thursday - 2nd monday). i'm afraid it will just make me want to kill him. maybe 2008 will be the year he goes all the way.

either weekend is good. both are gooder.

[Chas_P]

When talking with Tab about JF this past weekend, he says that all of the local groups want to get into the first weekend as that's what "they" consider the real weekend to be playing.

[McGregor]

The best weekend is always the weekend I'm there, true dat!

[papafrog]

gives you time to get a real feel for the city....
do some volunteer work...
eat a ton of crawfish...
and be warmed up in time for fest...
renting a furnished place for a month is about the same as a hotel room for jazzfest..

[Belle]

The best weekend is always the weekend I'm there, true dat!

Good one!

[Corona]

the BF only does one weekend (6 days actually), but he cant help but read the other weekend schedule. then he's all pouty about what he is 'missing'. but he's afraid trying to do all 11 days will kill him. (i do 1st thursday - 2nd monday). i'm afraid it will just make me want to kill him. maybe 2008 will be the year he goes all the way.

either weekend is good. both are gooder.
bwahahaha! love that post Barb :)

[pokerchick66]

When talking with Tab about JF this past weekend, he says that all of the local groups want to get into the first weekend as that's what "they" consider the real weekend to be playing.

Why is that?

[sophisticated sissy]

Because the grass at the fairgrounds is in better shape?

[Chas_P]

Why is that?


He didn't give any other explanation other than that is the weekend that they all want to perform for. Thinking back to last year, it seems to hold true:

Tab
Sonny
IRMA
NOSC
Cleary
Trombone
Charmaine
Dr. John
subdudes
etc. etc.

We had mentioned that we were dissapointed with Van and Tab made the comment "Well after you've seen all the best N.O. bands."

So I take it that it must hold true.

[PaulC]

He didn't give any other explanation other than that is the weekend that they all want to perform for. Thinking back to last year, it seems to hold true:

Tab
Sonny
IRMA
NOSC
Cleary
Trombone
Charmaine
Dr. John
subdudes
etc. etc.

We had mentioned that we were dissapointed with Van and Tab made the comment "Well after you've seen all the best N.O. bands."

So I take it that it must hold true.

hmmmmm,... prior to last year Tab almost always played the 2nd weekend... can fondly recall him playing a few times on the 2nd thursday when that glorious day still existed....

just did a quick trip to swag land.. as i thought Tab was 2nd weekend 2000-2006 with three Thursdays in those seven years.... prior to last year his last appearance on the 1st weekend was 1999,.. and that was the 2nd spot of the day on Friday....

personally,.. tab is a must see if you get the chance....

[PaulC]

if you're going to pick one weekend,.. i would think the 1st is a better choice....

the main reason: say something happens that you couldn't possibly have planned on,.. and you have to cancel,.. then you always have a 2nd chance at popping in last minute for the next weekend... if you plan on the 2nd and the ugly side of real life rears it's head,.. you got yourself no fall back possibilities...

and as mentioned by Mich,.. if you go 1st weekend,.. please stay until at least Tues. and do Piano Night on Mon... forced to miss that last year for the 1st time in many a year,.. and i still have the emotional scars to prove it.....

[Chas_P]

hmmmmm,... prior to last year Tab almost always played the 2nd weekend... can fondly recall him playing a few times on the 2nd thursday when that glorious day still existed....

just did a quick trip to swag land.. as i thought Tab was 2nd weekend 2000-2006 with three Thursdays in those seven years.... prior to last year his last appearance on the 1st weekend was 1999,.. and that was the 2nd spot of the day on Friday....

personally,.. tab is a must see if you get the chance....

Maybe that's why he stressed te first weekend now. :D

Anyway, I agree on seeing Tab. We saw hime three times this year, JF, a cow pasture in NH and a small 100 person club in NH. The settings could not have been more diverse, but the enjoyment never changed.

Don't know about JF, but I counted 7 broken strings. He has got to learn to calm down and relax!!!!

[Amy Winette]

Ack, we were going to do first weekend and stay through mid-week, but now all of our one weekend friends are booked for second weekend. We may have to do the whole thing again, but is that crazy with a 3 month old?? I guess we are crazy . . . .

[rosetree]

Ack, we were going to do first weekend and stay through mid-week, but now all of our one weekend friends are booked for second weekend. We may have to do the whole thing again, but is that crazy with a 3 month old?? I guess we are crazy . . . .

Crazy is as crazy does.......
You know you want to do the whole enchilada!....but I haven't had a three-month-old for 15 years:p Follow your heart...

[Amy Winette]

Yeah, I've never had one, so I just don't know! Maybe we'll book some tix with some flexibility and see what we're thinking after baby is here . . .

[rosetree]

Yeah, I've never had one, so I just don't know! Maybe we'll book some tix with some flexibility and see what we're thinking after baby is here . . .

Sounds like a plan! :D

[ohio]

Ack, we were going to do first weekend and stay through mid-week, but now all of our one weekend friends are booked for second weekend. We may have to do the whole thing again, but is that crazy with a 3 month old?? I guess we are crazy . . . .Am, you're Ack-ing a lot lately...

http://www.morten.b.helland.com/personal/graphics/bill.jpg

[McGregor]

I was once told if you can only go one weekend go the second because you'll hate yourself for having to leave while the party is still going on.

Solid advice! :p

[Amy Winette]

Am, you're Ack-ing a lot lately...

http://www.morten.b.helland.com/personal/graphics/bill.jpg

With 4 cats in the house there's so much hair I'm afraid we all hack hairballs Ohio! ;)

[djgriff]

Yeah, I've never had one, so I just don't know! Maybe we'll book some tix with some flexibility and see what we're thinking after baby is here . . .

I've had two, and not so long ago. (They are 4 and 2 now) All I can say is all kids are different and you have to gauge by them. One of my boys would have been fine at the Fest as an infant, the other would have been a nightmare. You'll be able to judge alot better when the baby comes. Good luck!

[Amy Winette]

Thanks DJ! We're definitely planning on brass passes and a car so we can come and go as needed . . . I think we'll have a better idea in a few months :)

[Belle]

Ack, we were going to do first weekend and stay through mid-week, but now all of our one weekend friends are booked for second weekend. We may have to do the whole thing again, but is that crazy with a 3 month old?? I guess we are crazy . . . .

They are so portable. We traveled and camped lots while the kids were at various ages. I like the nursing, sleepy kind for traveling best.

[Corona]

The good thing with this Amy is you're staying at Jenn's...in a home instead of a hotel. That's going to help a lot....if you have to stay back with baby sometimes or leave early, you won't be cooped up in a hotel room....I think that's going to make a huge difference for you guys....

[bobatude]

mike i dont know if you got your ansewer yet but this will be my 11th yr at jazz fest only missing 2006 since 1997, i have always gone the first week do to my biz starts to pick up in the spring and the first week end already gets late for me, i have never been disapponited yet. there are fond memorys for every year. so pick a week come on down and get a feal for whats going on.we always come for a week, which includes the wed. before the first week end and thru to the next tuesday. and the only regreat is that sometimes you wish you just had one more day. jazz fest for me is a total cumulation of all things start to finish from the moment i fly out of detroit till the moment i fly out of nola enjoy