To chair or not to chair...

[liz722]

completely torn about whether to bring a chair or not...do i want to carry the camelback, the backpack and the chair?

thoughts on whether it's really worth it?

once again - thanks in advance - Liz

[papafrog]

well i think it depends on your rough plans for the day...
if your going to spend alot of time in the tents where there
are chairs, benches, etc.....then you might want to leave it home...

[Blitzzzzz]

completely torn about whether to bring a chair or not...do i want to carry the camelback, the backpack and the chair?

thoughts on whether it's really worth it?

once again - thanks in advance - Liz

I find it depends on your stamina and how you like to play. You might want to go without on Thursday and see if you miss it. When it gets busier on the weekends, it gets harder to find a seat in the tents, but I hear the grandstand is open, so if just sitting and resting is needed, there's always that option.:cool:

[swampwoman]

completely torn about whether to bring a chair or not...

oh please don't - the fairgrounds could definitely stand to have much less chairs

[LaTiDa]

If it's your second peice of luggage I'd check to see if you'll be charged for it. USAIRWAYS does... is it worth $50?

[jazzjones]

do you really want to stand all day?

[Slaphappy]

Debating this as well. Judging by the pics, there was a fair amount (ok, freakin' lakes) of standing r**n w*t*r. Doesn't seem likely that things will dry out for this weekend. That being said, sitting doesn't seem to be an option without a chair (aside from tents, of course). Question is, do I really need to sit? I'm not old, I've got full use of my legs, carrying a chair sux....I think I've already answered my own question - thanks for listening!!! (packing this time tomorrow night - finally!) Hope the tween days are awesome - can't wait to join in the fun!

[Amyloves...]

I don't bring a chair but always just bring those cheap tablecloths that have plastic on one side. That doesn't work when it's like it was THIS weekend, but fine if it's damp.

[Jordan]

I never bring a chair and never regret it.

[Cleophus]

If you're having second thoughts about bringing the chair, I'd advise not bringing it -- you may resent carrying it around all day. (If it's an option for you, you can always sit on the ground, eh?)

[fessphan]

I never bring a chair and never regret it.

Same Here. It's just another thing to carry/think about. If you need to sit to rest, enjoy the gospel tent for a few songs. That has always worked for me. In fact a few times I couldn't leave, It was so good.

[Mexi]

I decided at last fest that this year I would leave the chair at home. I sat in it such a short time, for me, it's not worth dealing with.

[swag]

The 2nd level of the Grandstand is not open. Only the ground floor. Only seats there are outside in the Lagniappe stage area.

[jazzykeb]

yup, definitely a very personal choice, but I would expect based on the forecast, that the ground will do a pretty good job drying out. That said, Amylove's idea of the table cloth is a good one. I bring a towel and one of those Crazycreek mini-chairs that sit on the ground and just give you a little lower back support. Great for inbetween sets etc. Between Tracy and I we will share it. It rolls up and fits right in my back pack.

[Amyloves...]

There's a neat pic in this morning's paper of a worker sucking the water off the field so they're trying! If you DO decide to bring a chair, make it a cheap $5 one or something I'd think.

[pokerchick66]

There's a neat pic in this morning's paper of a worker sucking the water off the field so they're trying! If you DO decide to bring a chair, make it a cheap $5 one or something I'd think.

So r**nboots are definitely in order then, Amy?

[Amyloves...]

Not a bad idea just in case. I'd def bring old tennies too. Gorgeous day yesterday and another beauty today so hopefully it will be great out there.

[Moon]

If you bring a chair, just don't set it up on the dance floor at Fais Do-Do or in front of any stages. You'll be crucified.

I like to move around a lot. I also like to be comfortable. So if I'm walking by Congo Square and Steel Pulse catches my ear, I'll find an out of the way spot and whip out my camping chair.

[liz722]

thank you all for the input...still undecided, guess it will all depend on the weather and how dry the ground is...i'm still young (in my own mind :)) so can "tough" it out on the ground enjoying the great music and LA sunshine

36 hours and counting...

[jazzykeb]

exactly Liz! hard to nap in a chair under that sun too! Enjoy! If these are the toughest decisions we have to make, we have it pretty good! :D

[back2NOLA]

We just did our first Fest and I am SO GLAD we travelled super-light at the Fest -- just a camera bag for Himself and a small messenger for me -- and our ponchos, of course! There are plenty of places to sit for a rest -- Blues Tent, Gospel Tent, Fairgrounds Grandstand -- you don't miss any of the music AND don't have to schlep a bunch of gear around. We're late 40's (did I just say that - man!) and fit, but still -- would've been exhausting to carry around all that stuff. We could just zip in and out of the crowds quickly.

[Blitzzzzz]

The 2nd level of the Grandstand is not open. Only the ground floor. Only seats there are outside in the Lagniappe stage area.

Now that's unfortunate. I guess it was too much to hope that the Fest had come to it's senses on something!:cool:

[jazzjones]

A couple more thoughts about chairs. After all these years, I've decided that a lightweight, easy-to-carry chair is the best way for me to go - no need for anything heavy or elaborate.

Whether you're in your 20s or in your 60s (I'm in between), I can almost guarantee you that at some point during the eight or more hours of fest time, you're going to want to relax by sitting down for a minute or two. And you won't always be adjacent to a good place to sit on the ground.

Down side of relying on just a plastic sheet is that when seated on the ground in front of a big stage, chairs and butts -- not the stage -- will be in your line of sight. Also, as mentioned, if the ground is soggy, as it frequently is, you're going to get wet.

With a small chair, you can easily stow it under your seat if you're in a tent. And, a big bonus, on many occasions having a chair with you will allow to view a tent show when all the regular seats are occupied (and no worrying about feuding with seat-savers, etc.)

[Fred (Texas JF Fanatic)]

Chair...... Everyday

[nolalou]

Like Jordan, I never bring a chair, and I've never regretted it. My biggest pet peeve is people who set up their own chairs around the entrances to the tents! The tents have chairs, if they are all full, stand at the back! My other pet peeve is over zealous security that won't let people dance in the tents!

[Cleophus]

Like Jordan, I never bring a chair, and I've never regretted it. My biggest pet peeve is people who set up their own chairs around the entrances to the tents! The tents have chairs, if they are all full, stand at the back! My other pet peeve is over zealous security that won't let people dance in the tents!

Word. The abundance of chairs on the grassy area in the back of the Blues Tent, for instance, seems to completely contradict the rationale for having that grassy area (ie, a place for folks to dance). And as you mention, make it harder for folks to even get into the tent.

[rosetree]

The headless hornman left his chairs with me last night to bring to someone in need the second weekend.
I will be at Ms. Lena's on Friday morning. The first one to ask for them, gets them!;) :D

Thanx hh!

[SkyeDragon]

To echo Rosie
I left one of my fest chairs at Ms.Lena's in her storage box. It is available for the first taker. Use it and enjoy, it has many years of Jazz Fest history behind it. It is a gray Eddie Bauer aluminium with a storage bag.

[tvengineer]

I always bring my chair. We set up behind the back row of hard chairs in the Economy Hall tent and use that as a 'home base' all day. If we wonder off for a show at another stage and come back.. sometimes we will find people sitting in them.. most times not.. never had any problem with that. The chairs have seen many a jazz fest, but they were not expensive chairs to start out with so if they disappear one year it's no biggie..

I had not heard a complaint about people setting up chairs in the tents before this thread.

The only problem we had was last Sunday .. when the r**n came we found out that our spot was in the middle of the large drainage ditch that runs just in front of the tent.. found ourselves sitting in calf deep water..

Louis

[Amyloves...]

Word. The abundance of chairs on the grassy area in the back of the Blues Tent, for instance, seems to completely contradict the rationale for having that grassy area (ie, a place for folks to dance). And as you mention, make it harder for folks to even get into the tent.

What Cleo said. I can understand it when the tent is packed but I hate having no play space in the Blues tent!

[swag]

Word. The abundance of chairs on the grassy area in the back of the Blues Tent, for instance, seems to completely contradict the rationale for having that grassy area (ie, a place for folks to dance). And as you mention, make it harder for folks to even get into the tent.

The grassy area in the back of the Blues Tent is gone. Rows of folding chairs almost all the way to the back.

[Cleophus]

The grassy area in the back of the Blues Tent is gone. Rows of folding chairs almost all the way to the back.

Hmmm.... That might actually make it *easier* to get into the tent, like in past years!