I wanna start a controversy!

[dank_bass]

Have chairs ever been a point of contention on this board?? ;)

Seriouslly though. Its the best fest in the world ... the standing room only has made it that much better. Ive learned to coexist with chairs, I even like to sit in them occasionally, but WHY, WHY, WHY, do people need to form a ring of chairs, with a 100 sq feet of tarp space (or more) in the middle, that largely goes unused. I think what gets me most about these groups, is that they are in acircle, ie; half the people are facing away from the stage, and none of them even seem to care that music is being played. When my group sets up our blanket, we all face the stage, four abreast on a blanket that is like 4x8, and its plenty

[sophisticated sissy]

All I can say in answer to all your questions is that it's a festival.
Diff'rent strokes, diff'rent folks.
And so on,
And so on,
And scooby dooby dooby do be...

We Got to Live Together!:)

[Fred (Texas JF Fanatic)]

All I can say in answer to all your questions is that it's a festival.
Diff'rent strokes, diff'rent folks.
And so on,
And so on,
And scooby dooby dooby do be...

We Got to Live Together!:)

Thank You SS!!!!
I agree with you 100%

"WE Got to Live Together"

[mariena]

My only problem with it is when they look at you unkindly when you step on their space. That actually happened to us on the last sunday. But it was during Santana and there was literally no space to move around. Other than that I am OK with it.
Mariena

[PaulC]

i find that bears bearin' golden refreshin' gifts break down all barriers.........

that,.. and a smile...........................


don't care for the circle encampments,.. they represent an anti all for one, one for all fest vibe for sure.........

but,.. to each their own...... but that's just it isn't it,.. they don't own that land they claim....

[frangooch]

OK, I'm bored and I'll bite:

Obviously, 100 ft of unused tarp is egregious, but there's a lot to be said for setting up chairs and leaving yourself a little room. It's uh, comfortable; you can, uh, see and hear the music;you can, uh, enjoy your friends; there is room for beer, food, and to dance; it's a reward for standing in line and getting there early.

Far more confounding to me are festers who feel the need to fill every bit of space, sucking every ounce of oxygen from the air, notwithstanding any hygeine considerations they may or may not have made earlier in the day, in an effort to get closer to the stage. A gigunda moshpit is not my idea of the best way to enjoy music--any music.

Then again, I'm a grumpy old bastard, as I may have mentioned before ;-)

[drdennis]

it's a reward for standing in line and getting there early.

i agree -although there's a certain amount of mutual respect that's called for. we won't create a 100 s.f. fortress ...as long as those passing through don't track mud and other nastiness through the middle of our otherwise clean tarp. my tolerance often goes up for those who offer to share food and beer.

[PaulC]

my tolerance often goes up for those who offer to share food and beer.

becomes more bearable??.......

[pokerchick66]

becomes more bearable??.......

Stop taunting me, Paul.

[drdennis]

becomes more bearable??.......

food & booze will usually
1) make me tolerate others better, and
2) allow others to put up with me.

[jerseygirl67]

food & booze will usually
1) make me tolerate others better, and
2) allow others to put up with me.

I agree wholeheartedly!

[drdennis]

I agree wholeheartedly!

that booze will allow you to put up with me?

[Mexi]

Some people in my Acura camp set up thier chairs in a semi-circle with a reasonable amount of space between. They also stay there the ENTIRE day, so they want room to move about. The people that usually complain are the ones rushing over 5 mins before the next set expecting to get a primo spot.

[bluedog]

Some people in my Acura camp set up thier chairs in a semi-circle with a reasonable amount of space between. They also stay there the ENTIRE day, so they want room to move about. The people that usually complain are the ones rushing over 5 mins before the next set expecting to get a primo spot.
can we camp with you next year?
:D

[chicagomike]

Some people in my Acura camp set up thier chairs in a semi-circle with a reasonable amount of space between. They also stay there the ENTIRE day, so they want room to move about. The people that usually complain are the ones rushing over 5 mins before the next set expecting to get a primo spot.


BINGO

[Mexi]

can we camp with you next year?
:D

Have your people call my people & we'll see what we can do...hehehe:cool:

[jerseygirl67]

that booze will allow you to put up with me?

NO NO NO....it'll allow people to put up with me! I've not even met you! How could I say that???? Now, RossVegas, welll...... :p

[swag]

Oh, the chair thing. Here we go again. Well, it's the off season now, we might as well.

So, you know what really grinds my gears (sorry, watching Family Guy as I type this)?

This picture was taken in the Blues Tent during Ruthie Foster. At the top of the pic, you can see people are standing elbow to elbow, cramming into every last bit of available space in the tent. Not pictured were the hundreds forced to stand outside the tent, because they couldn't get in.

http://shim1.shutterfly.com/procgserv/47b8db22b3127cce9854825d08da00000017100AauHLRy2csm KA

Now, in the middle of the pic is a sea of chairs. Those 25 chairs are using enough space for probably 100 folks to stand, given the density of the standing crowd at the time. But that's okay, no one really begrudges the space taken by a single chair, even if 4 folks couldd stand in the same area.

But look again. 7 of the 12 chairs in the back 3 rows are empty. Now, we all gotta get up and pee sometime, but this was in the middle of one of the best sets of the Fest. And those chairs were all vacant for the entire set. And when Ruthie finished, John Mooney came on next. And by the end of his set, those chairs were still empty.

Maybe the owners wanted to guarantee a spot for Kenny Wayne, or whoever closed that day. Maybe they just wanted a "home base" to meet at the end of Fest. I dunno. But this picture to me is just a selfish waste of space.

As far as the good old days... There's a book that came out a couple of years ago on fest - click here to view the cover.
http://www.amazon.com/gp/reader/0976615401/ref=sib_dp_pt#reader-link

Note the "97" flag, I'm pretty sure that was the year. Now, check the crowd. It goes all the way to the back of the lawn. But look how few chairs there are - the chair-in-a-bag was only just being invented, and they weren't common until a couple of years later. The chairs you do see are the old granny-style folding chairs, with the criss-cross nylon/plastic seat & back. Much less convenient to carry, so only a few festers used them. Most either stood or broughts blankets. Walk into that crowd late, and you can still easily find standing room.

[jerseygirl67]

Oh, the chair thing. Here we go again. Well, it's the off season now, we might as well.

So, you know what really grinds my gears (sorry, watching Family Guy as I type this)?

This picture was taken in the Blues Tent during Ruthie Foster. At the top of the pic, you can see people are standing elbow to elbow, cramming into every last bit of available space in the tent. Not pictured were the hundreds forced to stand outside the tent, because they couldn't get in.

http://shim1.shutterfly.com/procgserv/47b8db22b3127cce9854825d08da00000017100AauHLRy2csm KA

Now, in the middle of the pic is a sea of chairs. Those 25 chairs are using enough space for probably 100 folks to stand, given the density of the standing crowd at the time. But that's okay, no one really begrudges the space taken by a single chair, even if 4 folks couldd stand in the same area.

But look again. 7 of the 12 chairs in the back 3 rows are empty. Now, we all gotta get up and pee sometime, but this was in the middle of one of the best sets of the Fest. And those chairs were all vacant for the entire set. And when Ruthie finished, John Mooney came on next. And by the end of his set, those chairs were still empty.

Maybe the owners wanted to guarantee a spot for Kenny Wayne, or whoever closed that day. Maybe they just wanted a "home base" to meet at the end of Fest. I dunno. But this picture to me is just a selfish waste of space.

As far as the good old days... There's a book that came out a couple of years ago on fest - click here to view the cover.
http://www.amazon.com/gp/reader/0976615401/ref=sib_dp_pt#reader-link

Note the "97" flag, I'm pretty sure that was the year. Now, check the crowd. It goes all the way to the back of the lawn. But look how few chairs there are - the chair-in-a-bag was only just being invented, and they weren't common until a couple of years later. The chairs you do see are the old granny-style folding chairs, with the criss-cross nylon/plastic seat & back. Much less convenient to carry, so only a few festers used them. Most either stood or broughts blankets. Walk into that crowd late, and you can still easily find standing room.

I usually stand...but I did use my rain poncho on the first Friday...me and BBaby sat and listened...was totally fine.

[Belle]

I don't like chair hogs period. Swags picture says it all. Now i know there are many here that don't get bent if someone uses it while they are away but again the folks that post here are the kindest folks I know.

At many stages I found more room up front in SRO except for the BNA. Night shows is was way less crowded up front than in the back or near the bar.

Then of course I don't take a chair and like it that way. JMTC

[marignygreg]

As usual Swag, you nailed it.

[dumbtourist]

Swag...I don't know how we missed those chairs, wanted to stay for Ruthie who was rockin' but couldn't get a seat and security keep pushing us out of aisles...I never saw those empty chairs or I would have plopped down!

[funkkjunkie]

Maybe I need to start carrying chair signs into fest and tagging chairs. I said I wouldn't cart them back in but this might be a worthy experiment in human nature.
http://i166.photobucket.com/albums/u120/funkkjunkie2/100_2091.jpg

[pokerchick66]

Maybe I need to start carrying chair signs into fest and tagging chairs. I said I wouldn't cart them back in but this might be a worthy experiment in human nature.
http://i166.photobucket.com/albums/u120/funkkjunkie2/100_2091.jpg

THAT is a FANTASTIC idea, kk. :)

[ibjamn]

Note the "97" flag, I'm pretty sure that was the year. Now, check the crowd. It goes all the way to the back of the lawn. But look how few chairs there are - the chair-in-a-bag was only just being invented, and they weren't common until a couple of years later. The chairs you do see are the old granny-style folding chairs, with the criss-cross nylon/plastic seat & back. Much less convenient to carry, so only a few festers used them. Most either stood or broughts blankets. Walk into that crowd late, and you can still easily find standing room.

I could still walk in 1997.

[Michelino]

Have missed last year, the chair-less zones in the front of major stages were new to me and a welcome site. And I always carry a small chair of sort. And even have been to known to cop a squat for several acts in a row.

We spent less time at the BNA stages than ever before, especially being every day at the festival. And less time ever in the Blues tent specifically because the groove-less guards came down on me for dancing with Papafrog during Mamadou Diabate. I mean like the performer (while generating one of the most infectious beats in world history) asked everyone to get to their feet but the tent Nazis ruled the day and countermanded that request immediately. They even threatened Papa with removal unless he went shakeless in the front row. Jeez, if a second line ever breaks out in the blues tent, I wonder if the bouncers will start clubbing people. Meanwhile, every other stage makes it peace with stand and clap vs sit and watch divide...somehow it all works out in Economy Hall, Gospel and Jazz without vibe-killing, dance hating goons patrolling like gendarmes on the watch for fun to snuff out.

But still, although only a few this time, those chairs right up front at Fais Do Do...right in front of the most dance happy stage of them all...not only look weird...I mean, what kind of fool comes to fest and chains his chair to the fence so he or she can claim the front five of the dance floor for his or her ass-ets, well if any of those people live on my street...they better think of movin.

But everything else was perferct...I even made peace with the r**n.

[mightyradgumbo]

I am kind of puzzled why they allow people to set chairs up in the tents anyway. I believe if you get there and get a seat that is yours until you vacate it, for whatever reason! It is General Admission, not a ticketed seat. So the allowance of chairs kills the idea of general admission in the tents. If they made people stand when they didn't get a seat I think that would alleviate some of the camping in the tents.

As far as chairs at Acura/Gentilly, because lets face it those are the two issues in the whole encampment argument, I believe your camp should be big enough to allow room for movement and believe that you can reasonable set up camp in a circle to converse between sets and reverse chairs during the sets such as we did, IMHO, at Acura on Sunday. Enough room to set up coolers, chairs and a blanket under the whole shebang. Also try to allow a small path just behind and in front to allow for foot traffic-not that this is going to really ever be the case but if everyone practiced the rule, just sayin'. While I tend to talk with my neighbors in the buffering camps, I don't know them well enough to be, as we used ta say in the Marines, asses and elbows together-if ya want that go up to the SRO section.

/gumbo stepping down of his soapchair...um soapbox/

[Carolina Beadhead]

I could still walk in 1997.

YYR, Jenn and my back won't allow long periods of standing (or sitting on the ground, for that matter) now either. A chair is a necessity for me to enjoy fest nowadays.

BUT, we DO set up camp towards the back in consideration of those that want to stand.

And I don't carry my chair into the tents unless I intend to be there all day. If there's not a seat I may choose to limit my time there. As it should be, IMO.

[saturn]

YYR, Jenn and my back won't allow long periods of standing (or sitting on the ground, for that matter) now either. A chair is a necessity for me to enjoy fest nowadays.

BUT, we DO set up camp towards the back in consideration of those that want to stand.

And I don't carry my chair into the tents unless I intend to be there all day. If there's not a seat I may choose to limit my time there. As it should be, IMO.

I agree. I probably could not do fest if I could not use a chair, but we use small ones, camp to the back or side and we never set up chairs in the tent.

There is such a thing as responsible chair usage! ;)

[Michelino]

I agree. I probably could not do fest if I could not use a chair, but we use small ones, camp to the back or side and we never set up chairs in the tent.

There is such a thing as responsible chair usage! ;)

I agree. Ok, seeing how this is gripe thread, what to do about the motor mouths...the ones who seems to run into the tent at the last moment just as the band starts and squeeze into either side of me and start shouting back and forth mainly gossip about mutual friends or tall drinking tales, or, often with a trace of irony, screaming about how good the performer was the last time they shouted at each other during an entire set.

I know, just move, a strategy that seemed to work more often than I remember this year. So maybe the terrible talkers weren't as bad this year as I thought.

[festbabe]

Here's my chair observations (good and bad):

Standing at the back of Economy Hall tent, couple guys offered Mike & I the chairs of their wives to use. Wish this generosity was shared throughout fest. Very nice for them to offer (and we accepted) - left some small lagniappes in the chairs' cupholders for them to find later.

Witnessed: during a popular set, many a chair was being saved. Two women just plopped down in a couple of them, and the guy next them started in on them "wait, wait, you can't, these are saved, but... but... but..." and the one chick smiled sweetly and said "oh, we're just here for a minute, we'll get up as soon as they get back". Turns out, whoever they were saved for never came back, and the two women stayed (and enjoyed) the whole set. I liked their attitude and how they handled that.

During Preservation Hall set, there way NO WAY we'd find a seat inside. Made it even mo' better - we second lined almost the entire time.

I see empty fest chairs saved and empty camp chairs empty throughout an entire set - that's annoying when the tent is packed and SRO outside.

I recognize that for some sitting is a necessity and that mobility and standing is difficult, I can accept and work with that.

Another pet peeve with the circle camps: when they're talking and gabbing and interrupting my listening of the performer - 'specially during a soft set (Randy Newman). Hellloooooo???? There's someone on stage singing their heart out!

So, bring your chairs if you prefer, but practice good chair manners (which I believe most Threadheads do, it's the others).

Ok, thanks for listening. This post turned out longer than I planned.

[pokerchick66]

Ok, thanks for listening. This post turned out longer than I planned.

Good rant, festbabe. ;)

[PaulC]

Here's my chair observations (good and bad):

Ok, thanks for listening. This post turned out longer than I planned.

that wasn't a long post at all babe,.. and a good post at that... you want long,.. check out some by that paulc dude some day.....

for the older/not so mobile bottom lines,.. chairs have their place... but if those peeps are out and about,.. let's say empty at the time,.. and ya' need a break,.. jus' smile,. be nice,.. and sit till the owner/renter comes along...

it's the huge camps that circle up and deny all entry to that entire space that are a hoot... personally,.. if i pass by one of those and i'm not rushin' to get someplace else,.. i always smile,.. and enter their zone.... it really is interestin' to see the different reactions.... i always locate the happiest lookin' person and say hey............ if no one is happy,.. i am........................

that was one great post swag.............

you too mr. mich............

and youse people who are upset with people who come ova' to a stage for one set and expect to find space,.. what are ya' kiddin'???... are people supposed to pick a stage and stay all day... oh,.. that's right,.. chairs are allowed to stay all day,.. while their owners roam around at will..... next............

[Phatpapa]

Maybe I need to start carrying chair signs into fest and tagging chairs. I said I wouldn't cart them back in but this might be a worthy experiment in human nature.
http://i166.photobucket.com/albums/u120/funkkjunkie2/100_2091.jpg

That mind of yours is always workin' aint it kk??;) Socialology at it's finest

[tabasco]

My biggest pet peeve at the fest aren't the chair people its the people that stand in the walkways! They need to hire more security to clear and keep people moving. Especially the walkway by the video screen at Acura.

I will never forget my worst experince EVER at Jazzfest... 2 years ago... (Jimmy Buffett).....My wife and I were walking from congo to the blues tent. We knew buffett was about to go on and hoped to hear a little, while we walked by...BUT you couldn't walk by! traffic was stopped! We stood there for about 10 minutes when everyone started cutting to the left through the chair people and blankets.... My wife followed someone making ground but I didn't! I was stopped by a very big, drunk, asshole. This guy stood his ground and didn't let any one pass. It got ugly! There was a minor push and shove match and some very heated arguments. He wasn't the only one either. I never saw so much frustration and anger at the fest.

It was a total vibe kill for me!:( I waited patiently biting my tounge for a friggin half hour!! Thank god my wife waited for me on the other side! Or we may have found each other at our hotel room! (we always carry 2 phones now!)

I love the no chair zones! And this year I actually saw security politely asking people to fold up their chairs that were sitting in the no chair zone. I just wish they could keep people from standing in the Acura-Gentilly walkways!
It doesn't seem to be a problem in the tents though.

[duende]

I'm at odds with myself on this issue - I still see myself as that youngster standing at the stage edge getting pushed and pulled by the crowd movement... but at 50 years "young", it's clear to me that the real limitation on experiencing future fests with the 24/7 laissez-faire attitude you would've seen in me 7 years ago is... my feet (followed by my back). As much as I want to flit from stage to stage gathering musical pollen like some frantic bee, at some not-to-distant future I'm gonna have to sit down for longer and longer intervals during the Fairground days. I managed to get a few rest moments during some blues tent, jazz tent & lagniappe stage sit-downs in the provided chairs - and then stood for hours during the night shows we attended. I find myself spying those little trapeze stool thing-y's with a tripod base... just lemme rest the dogs for a half-hour!

Now let me tell you about the assigned "floor" seats at the Monterey Blues Fest, which are the same seats they put out for the Jazz Festival. Four of us bought tix for four adjacent, wired-together, seats that 3 guys could barely fit in. We just spread out at first, but when we got crowded by other legit seat-holders, I got up and wandered - eventually making my way up into the stands. At some point I was getting shoo'd from the stands by an usher, when I looked up and saw a man waving me up to the private box that he was sittin' in alone... and that's how I wound up sitting with, and chatting with, Buddy Ace. Uh, that hasn't exactly happened at Jazzfest yet, but when the private boxes come, and they will :), I'll keep my eyes open for that wave!

[Gards]

Oh, the chair thing. Here we go again. Well, it's the off season now, we might as well.

So, you know what really grinds my gears (sorry, watching Family Guy as I type this)?

This picture was taken in the Blues Tent during Ruthie Foster. At the top of the pic, you can see people are standing elbow to elbow, cramming into every last bit of available space in the tent. Not pictured were the hundreds forced to stand outside the tent, because they couldn't get in.

http://shim1.shutterfly.com/procgserv/47b8db22b3127cce9854825d08da00000017100AauHLRy2csm KA

Now, in the middle of the pic is a sea of chairs. Those 25 chairs are using enough space for probably 100 folks to stand, given the density of the standing crowd at the time. But that's okay, no one really begrudges the space taken by a single chair, even if 4 folks couldd stand in the same area.

But look again. 7 of the 12 chairs in the back 3 rows are empty. Now, we all gotta get up and pee sometime, but this was in the middle of one of the best sets of the Fest. And those chairs were all vacant for the entire set. And when Ruthie finished, John Mooney came on next. And by the end of his set, those chairs were still empty.

Maybe the owners wanted to guarantee a spot for Kenny Wayne, or whoever closed that day. Maybe they just wanted a "home base" to meet at the end of Fest. I dunno. But this picture to me is just a selfish waste of space.

As far as the good old days... There's a book that came out a couple of years ago on fest - click here to view the cover.
http://www.amazon.com/gp/reader/0976615401/ref=sib_dp_pt#reader-link

Note the "97" flag, I'm pretty sure that was the year. Now, check the crowd. It goes all the way to the back of the lawn. But look how few chairs there are - the chair-in-a-bag was only just being invented, and they weren't common until a couple of years later. The chairs you do see are the old granny-style folding chairs, with the criss-cross nylon/plastic seat & back. Much less convenient to carry, so only a few festers used them. Most either stood or broughts blankets. Walk into that crowd late, and you can still easily find standing room.

I completely agree.I am a person who from choice will never sit down and as long as my body allows never will.I spent lots of time at the Blues tent and saw many similar deals as swag,I resisted the temptation to say something so as not to sound like a moaning visitor from Aus.I was often forced to stand in the sun on the Jazztent side , luckily this doesnt affect me but if you couldnt handle the heat you were in trouble,the other side that had shade had too much noise bleed from the gospel tent.
I dont know what the answer is,maybe everyone should get a temp tatoo like the WWOZ one, except it should say whatever Happened To Peace Love And Understanding.
Cheers
Gards

[swag]

I dont know what the answer is,maybe everyone should get a temp tatoo like the WWOZ one, except it should say whatever Happened To Peace Love And Understanding.
Cheers
Gards

Well, signs like funkkjunkie's would go a long way to helping, if there were more of them in use. Imagine if they were mandatory...

[Delta]

I've been trying to decide what to silk screen on my new chair to personalize it.....that sign looks like it has potential. Any copyright on it I should know about?

[Carolina Beadhead]

I've been trying to decide what to silk screen on my new chair to personalize it.....that sign looks like it has potential. Any copyright on it I should know about?

Funkkjunkie (Vickie) would be the person to ask.

Great idea, by the way!!

[Delta]

OK, Funkkjunkie, any copyright issues? Perhaps a high res photo available, to burn a screen or stencil from?

[Delta]

And thanks, Carolina!

[larrybalmer]

I'm a 51 yr old dancer,stander, and stage mover so I have a bias against the chairs. PaulC and Swag have it nailed. The blues tent is just a terrible set-up at this point. They should put seats all the way to the back or 3/4 of the way and leave the rest for standing room only. The random stacking of chairs inside a tent just leaves for hard feelings.

I'd like a little SRO at the Congo stage. Trying to get across the walkways into a sea of chairs is wacky

Of course the correct answer is to put the blues outside on the grass where it belongs but......... $15 tix and $2 beers would be nice too

Peace,Love, and JazzFest

[linza22]

i find that bears bearin' golden refreshin' gifts break down all barriers.........

that,.. and a smile...........................


don't care for the circle encampments,.. they represent an anti all for one, one for all fest vibe for sure.........

but,.. to each their own...... but that's just it isn't it,.. they don't own that land they claim....

i don't apologize for stepping in the 'circle' space, and i don't give dirty looks when someone steps on my foot getting by. it's a festival, and we all can go where we please...but those damn umbrella's! the last sunday we went walking around only to find 2 people had moved our chairs (we were at the very back next to the ditches) and the plopped down with their damn umbrella's and refused to switch places with us so we could see....my sister promptly stood in front of them and danced. they were very selfish.

[innertube]

"Maybe the owners wanted to guarantee a spot for Kenny Wayne, or whoever closed that day. Maybe they just wanted a "home base" to meet at the end of Fest. I dunno. But this picture to me is just a selfish waste of space."

this is why there should be NO personal chairs allowed in the tents...just fill up the area with chairs supplied by the festival...if they are empty people can use them...no big deal...

the SRO area at the big stages has cured most problems at least for me...i know to get there when one act is over...and slid in for the act i want to see, this is great for a small group of people...now for really big national acts that may be another story....we had no problem with Plant & Krauss

[pokerchick66]

this is why there should be NO personal chairs allowed in the tents...just fill up the area with chairs supplied by the festival...if they are empty people can use them...no big deal...




This seems to me to be the BEST idea. I hope this gets to the higher ups and they can put this to use for next year, especially with it being the big 40th anniversary of Jazzfest.

And why can't we dance in the blues tent? It just seems so unnatural and well, unfestlike.

[Frosty]

And why can't we dance in the blues tent? It just seems so unnatural and well, unfestlike.

It might lead to sex.

[Fred (Texas JF Fanatic)]

This seems to me to be the BEST idea. I hope this gets to the higher ups and they can put this to use for next year, especially with it being the big 40th anniversary of Jazzfest.

And why can't we dance in the blues tent? It just seems so unnatural and well, unfestlike.

Maybe you could standup in front of your chair & dance.

[saturn]

This seems to me to be the BEST idea. I hope this gets to the higher ups and they can put this to use for next year, especially with it being the big 40th anniversary of Jazzfest.

And why can't we dance in the blues tent? It just seems so unnatural and well, unfestlike.

There was a dance area front left in the Blues Tent, but most people just seemed to be standing there.

[Fred (Texas JF Fanatic)]

Let's start a real controversy. I'm subject to second hand "smoke" all 7 days of fest. Also, I'm subject to a drug test on any given day at work. So, lets post 50 dogs at each gate & run them across the Fair Grounds during the day.Our Krewe members do not even ask me anymore..............

Calm down, calm down, I'm just kidding.
Let me quote Ms Sophisticated Sissy again.
"WE Got to Live Together"

[Michelino]

Maybe you could standup in front of your chair & dance.

Der blues tent Polizei won't allow that.

[Fred (Texas JF Fanatic)]

Der blues tent Polizei won't allow that.

Guess I'm glad I cannot dance..... (Baptist)
or drink....... shhhhhhhhhhhhh That was not me
really..........

[PaulC]

I'm a 51 yr old dancer,stander, and stage mover so I have a bias against the chairs. The blues tent is just a terrible set-up at this point. They should put seats all the way to the back or 3/4 of the way and leave the rest for standing room only. The random stacking of chairs inside a tent just leaves for hard feelings.

I'd like a little SRO at the Congo stage. Trying to get across the walkways into a sea of chairs is wacky

Of course the correct answer is to put the blues outside on the grass where it belongs but......... $15 tix and $2 beers would be nice too

Peace,Love, and JazzFest

larry,.. we got that 51 thing in common,.. as well as the dancin',.. movin',.. and (every now and then jus' plain) standin'.... and hey,.. you may be on to something with that bluegrass thing... :rolleyes:

seriously,.. chairs don't cause problems,.. but some people and their use of said chairs sadly do.....

the blues tent was an idea that should have ended afta' one year.... very unfest-like in there for the most part... i do have me a surefire way to get pretty much anywhere i want in there though,.. and it's real easy for the most part...

and ya' gotta love the brass band/injun stage that took the place of the old blues stage....

and oh,.. the price of those beers you mentioned,.. which was not too very long ago... that $2 price point was such a good thing that it was almost possible to convince yourself that the miller products were indeed beer....

do you recall the camp who flew the huge bed sheet the 1st year the prices went up from that point???... the scrawled out message that "$3 beer sucks" kinda made their point clear enough....

i guess the fest has a small wart or two,.. but it's still by far the best party on this planet...... it's captured my heart and soul for good........ wish i found it much earlier but haven't missed it since we first discovered it's wonders in 1995.... can't wait to dance between that sea of chairs next year............

[Fred (Texas JF Fanatic)]

nope...not me
That's my story & I'm sticking to it.

[Frosty]

I like the SRO areas. it was how I got up front for the Nevilles. But, it was next to impossible to get to the SRO area due to the large circles of chairs pressed tight agaisnt one another. Fortunately, there were enough empty, that I could just move them out of the way eventually. I tried to avoid walking through circles but when your back to back with chairs, it's not entirely possible. If you don't want people cutting through, leave a bit of space between you and the circle your next too. For Santana, I ended up getting stopped cold by the chairs about 20 feet from SRO. I decided to just stand and watch from there and enjoy the show. I stood in front of those facing with their back to the stage so it seemed a good spot. A few minutes later, a woman started spraying me with a water bottle as she was doing to others nearby. It was a nice cool down and she said "welcome to our group". I thanked her enjoyed the rest of Santana from that spot. I think the best way to navigate all of it is with a smile and lots of polite words. Also, never just butt in front of people and then stop to watch. For the Neville's I worked my way up as people were reshuffling. But, if people are packed in, you shouldn't push your way through to then stand in front of them. It's no different than getting in line. I've seen too many people say "excuse me" and when you move to let them through, they take the spot where you were just standing.

Finally, empty chairs are great to offer others and I won't hesitate to take one until the person comes back. With really nice words expressing my appreciation of course. More than anything, it is a great way to meet people.

[UncleFester]

My only complaint about chairs is when they are on someones back and it runs into me- I got hit several times this year by people walking through congested areas carrying their chairs slung over the shoulder.
I say that and then I have to add that I expect that at festivals. I expect to go there and have people run into me, to be inconvenienced at times, to be uncomfortable at times, to feel like I'm being ripped off at times and to not be able to see the band as close or in direct sightline as i want. I am willing to sacrifice all of that in order to have a blast because the alternative of sitting at home watching it on the computer does not even closely represent what its like to be there.

[PaulC]

Der blues tent Polizei won't allow that.

sad,.. but true.........

did happen to witness the enraptured joy of fest overcome the laid back (strictly enforced) tendency of the blues tent this year...

it was durin' the tab set... we were front row,.. jus' left of center.... three different times we dared to get up and sneak in a few steps before we were set upon by those "polizei".... the third time was the charm,.. and it came jus' as mommy tab took the stage... that set the whole place into a frenzy and blues tent peeps actually and finally got their collective rumps into gear.... neva' saw that tent rock like it did for the last part of that tab set...

[Mexi]

and youse people who are upset with people who come ova' to a stage for one set and expect to find space,.. what are ya' kiddin'???... are people supposed to pick a stage and stay all day... oh,.. that's right,.. chairs are allowed to stay all day,.. while their owners roam around at will..... next............

There is always space available once a set finishes..it's an ebb & flow of festers. There is ample opportunity to get a good spot between sets if your floating from stage to stage. If you go to ANY show and arrive 5 mins prior or 5 mins in, you will not likely be getting the best viewing spot. .I park my chair at Acura all day. I don't occupy it the ENTIRE time, but I always tell my friends or friends- friends where it is and invite them to use it. ..and there IS always someone sitting in it when I come back, which is great.

[Fred (Texas JF Fanatic)]

Blues Tent, love it or hate it. I can understand how everyone feels but during "weather days" everyone loves the tents. At first I hated the Blues Tent but over the last couple of years I've started spending more time in there.

11:00AM 100% of the seats are available.
11:30AM 95% plus are still available
5:30PM I should have planned ahead.

[dank_bass]

food & booze will usually
1) make me tolerate others better, and
2) allow others to put up with me.

It is quite possible that wiser words have never been spoken ...

[dank_bass]

Some people in my Acura camp set up thier chairs in a semi-circle with a reasonable amount of space between. They also stay there the ENTIRE day, so they want room to move about. The people that usually complain are the ones rushing over 5 mins before the next set expecting to get a primo spot.


Nothing wrong with that at all Mexi ... Im actually only bitching about this one group that cheesed me off, and when I said 100 square feet that was probably an underestimate, this area was about 15x20 feet, totally unused, everyone sittin in chairs, not giving a shit about the music.

I move around a bit, and understand completely that people have been waiting all day and have their spot, I dont rudely push past anyone, Respect other folks blankets, dont put my muddy feet on anything of anyone else, I co-exist ... Its just that using that much space for your feet to breath is insane, it was like three full size tarps overlapped

[Mexi]

Nothing wrong with that at all Mexi ... Im actually only bitching about this one group that cheesed me off, and when I said 100 square feet that was probably an underestimate, this area was about 15x20 feet, totally unused, everyone sittin in chairs, not giving a shit about the music.



Isn't there a size limit on tarps? I guess if there right up next to each other it's ok. Maybe they should pull some of the Blues tent police over to regulate the camps at Acura.

[PaulC]

Nothing wrong with that at all Mexi ... Im actually only bitching about this one group that cheesed me off, and when I said 100 square feet that was probably an underestimate, this area was about 15x20 feet, totally unused, everyone sittin in chairs, not giving a shit about the music.

I move around a bit, and understand completely that people have been waiting all day and have their spot, I dont rudely push past anyone, Respect other folks blankets, dont put my muddy feet on anything of anyone else, I co-exist ... Its just that using that much space for your feet to breath is insane, it was like three full size tarps overlapped

i say we march on that camp next year...... were they flyin' anything???....

i too have sadly witnessed more than few huge land grabbers ova' the years... it's always a shocker when i come upon one of those county sized encircled camps... i truly have no understandin' whatsoeva' at how people are able to convince themselves that such a thing is o.k..... it's not like they don't stray from within their cozy confines to walk amongst the rest of us when they go off to enjoy anotha' stage or eat/drink/or pee....

once we sack those places,.. can i keep any pretty wimens we find there???...........

[jazzykeb]

i guess the fest has a small wart or two,.. but it's still by far the best party on this planet...... it's captured my heart and soul for good........ wish i found it much earlier but haven't missed it since we first discovered it's wonders in 1995.... can't wait to dance between that sea of chairs next year............

Well said Paul.......

[Mexi]

once we sack those places,.. can i keep any pretty wimens we find there???...........

Aye! You keep yer wench...

[dank_bass]

Isn't there a size limit on tarps? I guess if there right up next to each other it's ok. Maybe they should pull some of the Blues tent police over to regulate the camps at Acura.

Let me clarify Farther ... this wasnt like 5-6 peoplein a circle with a little space in between, it was monstrous, like close to 30 people. It would be intersting to see a close up aerial view of fest to see how real estate is chewed up by that shit.

All in all, im for less policing ... I just wish folks were a little bit better self policing, because thats the sprit of fest ... co-existing

[Delta]

Just out of curiosity, what age group had the huge encampment?

[Mexi]

Let me clarify Farther ... this wasnt like 5-6 peoplein a circle with a little space in between, it was monstrous, like close to 30 people. It would be intersting to see a close up aerial view of fest to see how real estate is chewed up by that shit.

All in all, im for less policing ... I just wish folks were a little bit better self policing, because thats the sprit of fest ... co-existing

I agree..I wasn't being sarcastic ( for once) in that post ;)

[dank_bass]

i say we march on that camp next year...... were they flyin' anything???....

i too have sadly witnessed more than few huge land grabbers ova' the years... it's always a shocker when i come upon one of those county sized encircled camps... i truly have no understandin' whatsoeva' at how people are able to convince themselves that such a thing is o.k..... it's not like they don't stray from within their cozy confines to walk amongst the rest of us when they go off to enjoy anotha' stage or eat/drink/or pee....

once we sack those places,.. can i keep any pretty wimens we find there???...........

Im in Paul, we can all wear funny hats, and hang different legumes from our ears. we'll be like Robin Hoods, stealin land from landgrabbers, and givin it back to the people

I almost met you this year Paul ... I think near congo during TOP, but I could be way off on that. You were wandering through the crowd slowly, and from the other direction a peanut vendor was heading your way ... I watched the whole thing go down ... when you two passed you exchanged a knowing glance and a smile ... it cracked me the F*$# up

[dank_bass]

Just out of curiosity, what age group had the huge encampment?

normally when I see that, people look to be post-college to 30-ish. Im sure theyre most likely the result of the Tulane and Loyola kids, still young, with large groups of friends, but they looked all frat-boyish lookin, and talked incessantly

[Zydekitten]

i say we march on that camp next year...... were they flyin' anything???....

i too have sadly witnessed more than few huge land grabbers ova' the years... it's always a shocker when i come upon one of those county sized encircled camps... i truly have no understandin' whatsoeva' at how people are able to convince themselves that such a thing is o.k..... it's not like they don't stray from within their cozy confines to walk amongst the rest of us when they go off to enjoy anotha' stage or eat/drink/or pee....

once we sack those places,.. can i keep any pretty wimens we find there???...........
I say we challenge 'em to a game of Risk and if they lose (heh heh) - we take over their "country" and free it for all!! ;)

[PaulC]

Im in Paul, we can all wear funny hats, and hang different legumes from our ears. we'll be like Robin Hoods, stealin land from landgrabbers, and givin it back to the people

I almost met you this year Paul ... I think near congo during TOP, but I could be way off on that. You were wandering through the crowd slowly, and from the other direction a peanut vendor was heading your way ... I watched the whole thing go down ... when you two passed you exchanged a knowing glance and a smile ... it cracked me the F*$# up

my peeps................... :cool:

[dank_bass]

my peeps................... :cool:

your shortest post ever ... congrats!

[Delta]

Maybe they figured the price of their tickets was high enough to accord them carte blanche? Or maybe they just lack the long and storied history of festing (in any venue) that is necessary to not come off as a complete a**clown in that setting.

[Mexi]

I say we challenge 'em to a game of Risk and if they lose (heh heh) - we take over their "country" and free it for all!! ;)

Aye! Darn good idea

[festbabe]

..
..I expect to go there and have people run into me, to be inconvenienced at times, to be uncomfortable at times, to feel like I'm being ripped off at times and to not be able to see the band as close or in direct sightline as i want. I am willing to sacrifice all of that in order to have a blast because the alternative of sitting at home watching it on the computer does not even closely represent what its like to be there.

YYR, good words.

[PaulC]

normally when I see that, people look to be post-college to 30-ish. Im sure theyre most likely the result of the Tulane and Loyola kids, still young, with large groups of friends, but they looked all frat-boyish lookin, and talked incessantly

that's it,.. they're talkers too...... then it's definitely a go... next year we sack those loud talkin', land grubbin', frat boys... and they usually have purty decent lookin' wimens......... i say we take all their beer too....

actually,.. from the first year i started festin',.. there has always been a huge encampment of mostly locals,.. squared,.. not circled,.. jus' to the front right (facin' the stage) of the acura sound setup... i know some fest friends from kentucky who always set up their shop jus' a lil behind and to the right of that camp... those squared up peeps have a system where they have a guard on the take somewhere that allows them to move huge amounts of beer from outside into their camp where they ice it down in huge barrels... they make beer runs with three/four huge empty gym bags,.. the size you would use for hockey equipment...

i made it a goal to get in there the 1st year i saw it,.. and quite a few years afta'wards... had more than a few real cold beers in there,.. almost real beer too.... haven't been in that camp since katrina,.. but it's still there....

make no mistake about it,.. squared up like they do,.. they are land grabbers,.. but seein' they are flush up against the sound booth,.. they aren't as offensive as someone in the middle of an area.... hey,.. the sound booth is exactly in the middle... oh well,.. i say we sack them too............

[PaulC]

your shortest post ever ... congrats!

thanks.......... ;)

[innertube]

at some amphitheaters they rent their on lawn chairs....

so what if the festival said no more outside chairs....and then rented chairs, one size..they would all be the same height...etc...

would this make it better or worse???

would this make the festival more money or cost more???

20,000 chairs per day x $5 = $100,000...now of course you will have costs with picking the chairs up everyday...and what not....just another crazy idea, but not out of the question...

[Bluesthinker]

I wondered when the chair questions would pop up again.

The chairs won't go away. I have no issue filling the tents with cahirs and saying no more to be put down.

At the bigger stages, there is this "free to be me" attitude that I like except when you are a few hundred yards in the back on a crowded day, and you want to "crash your way" to the front. Sometimes we need to accept our lots in life. If the BNA starts and you are way in the back.....maybe trying to push and shove and tip toe your way to the front might upset a few people and might not be a good idea. We all have a right to be at a stage, we all paid for a ticket, but nobody was promised to be in the front.

I've learned in 18 years that "personal space" means little at Jazzfest. I get thru it Most of the time, but had a few times where the lack of any respect to the persons these people were trying to go by made me want to ring a few necks. In other parts of the country....people pulling some of this off would get shot.

We all cannot jam into the BLues of Jazz tent as a featured performer starts and expect to be upfront either.

To the dancing fans.....go for it, but be sure you don't use up even more space that keeps others from seeing/hearing/or getting into the tent. The Blues tent had a dancing area, much like the Economy Tent. I did not see it used alot.

Jazzfest until I die!!

[Moon]

There's no pleasing some folks. You've got SRO sections now. If you want to pay for it, you can even get closer. I would have thought that would be the end of this debate. I get more pissed about the people who insist on yakking at top volume while you're trying hear the music. When that happens, I just move. If the circle clubs bother you that much, I suggest you do the same.

Clem and the boys have been setting up left of the sound booth at Acura for as long as I've been going to JazzFest. They good folks.

[dank_bass]

Please note that my original post has nothing against chairs, just ridiculous wasting of space

[Frosty]

Please note that my original post has nothing against chairs, just ridiculous wasting of space

It got so bad, Declan MacManus wrote the song "Chairs, Chairs and More Chairs" about it on his album with Allen Toussaint.

[freebo]

As I stood in the edge of the Gospel tent, watching and listening to the Rachel/Marva/Irma tribute to Mahalia Jackson, I was jostled by many people working their way into or out of the tent. Yes, I was standing on the edge of a walkway - and I knew to expect it.

It dawned on me then that New Orleans, especially during Jazz Fest, is a very intimate town.

By that I mean: Often as not in NOLA, whatever you're doing, you're doing it with a lot of others. And you're close to them. Really close. Maybe even touching each other in some way.

Sometimes you gotta turn sideways to let someone pass, or to pass by yourself. But that intimacy is accepted, even expected. (Usually.) No problems: You're here, I'm here. Let's all get close so we can share the great eating/watching/listening/dancing experience that's going on at the time.

I mean, it happens so much that you either embrace it, or you stay away. The price of staying away is very steep: Like UncleFester said: "...the alternative of sitting at home watching it on the computer does not even closely represent what its like to be there."

Being in New Orleans (especially at Jazz Fest time, and especially at any 'popular' event/eatery/club, etc.) requires a level of intimacy that you rarely indulge when away from that very special place...

Just an observation. No real conclusion - except maybe that's why it's surprising when folks are not accepting of that closeness. That intimacy.

Isn't that the norm in NOLA? At least during Jazz Fest, it is.

[sophisticated sissy]

Try to see it my way,
Do i have to keep on talking till i can't go on?
While you see it your way,
Run the risk of knowing that our love may soon be gone.
We can work it out,
We can work it out.

Think of what you're saying.
You can get it wrong and still you think that it's alright.
Think of what i'm saying,
We can work it out and get it straight, or say good night.
We can work it out,
We can work it out.

Life is very short, and there's no time
For fussing and fighting, my friend.
I have always thought that it's a crime,
So i will ask you once again.

Try to see it my way,
Only time will tell if i am right or i am wrong.
While you see it your way
There's a chance that we may fall apart before too long.
We can work it out,
We can work it out.

Life is very short, and there's no time
For fussing and fighting, my friend.
I have always thought that it's a crime,
So i will ask you once again.

Try to see it my way,
Only time will tell if i am right or i am wrong.
While you see it your way
There's a chance that we may fall apart before too long.
We can work it out,
We can work it out. ~ John Lennon

[PaulC]

Being in New Orleans (especially at Jazz Fest time, and especially at any 'popular' event/eatery/club, etc.) requires a level of intimacy that you rarely indulge when away from that very special place...

Just an observation. No real conclusion - except maybe that's why it's surprising when folks are not accepting of that closeness. That intimacy.

Isn't that the norm in NOLA? At least during Jazz Fest, it is.

freebo for prez...

i shortened your excellent post some but from begginin' to end it was a joy to read.....

you sir have earned yourself an extra special man hug.. delivery promised jus' 48 hrs from now....

gear up heads,.. the heatwave is comin'..............

[frangooch]

The golden rule should cover all of this. Obviously some people need/want chairs. Plus, ain't nobody gonna tell me how to fest the "right way". To each his/her own. Plus, I flat out disagree with some strongly supported opinions, e.g., "100 people could have stood where those 7 empty chairs were". Yeah, 100 people in that little space--not my idea of a good time. And those who do enjoy it should understand that a lot of people really, really don't like body-to-body crowds. Fresh air can be a good thing.

In the end, if you show basic consideration either as a stander or a sitter, everything will be cool. But it works both ways.

[PaulC]

There's no pleasing some folks. You've got SRO sections now. If you want to pay for it, you can even get closer. I would have thought that would be the end of this debate. I get more pissed about the people who insist on yakking at top volume while you're trying hear the music. When that happens, I just move. If the circle clubs bother you that much, I suggest you do the same.

Clem and the boys have been setting up left of the sound booth at Acura for as long as I've been going to JazzFest. They good folks.

sorry had to bite,... i'm pleased jus' to be able to talk about things that remind me of havin' fun... and every lil' bit of fest offers up some sort of fun....

"just move" is always a choice,.. but for some people jus' tryin' to "move" through an area can become a real effort when they can't really move real well when a circle club or a solid wall of chairs is blockin' all forward movement,.. and sadly there are those amongst the wall builders who have less than a fest vibe expression waitin' on ya'....

personally,.. that kinda stuff jus' makes my smile get kinda wider... first the smile comes from surprise,.. then i get the joyful urge to overcome,.. we shall overcome.... no chair wall has eva' stopped me,.. neva' once... i jus' amp up the smile,.. and simply move an empty chair aside to get where i would like to go....

and that long time camp alongside the sound area has plenty of real good people,.. and some not so..... jus' like the rest of the world....

[Captain Twister]

I say we challenge 'em to a game of Risk and if they lose (heh heh) - we take over their "country" and free it for all!! ;)

A Risk board might not fare too well after a few days of Fest.

A Twister set, however, can be washed off in the hotel tub and dries out overnight! Not to mention, it makes for very entertaining challenge matches...

I encouraged people who needed to walk over the Twister board to partake, with good success. When it got to be more like a stampede (front left of Congo Square) I just folded the board up, then put it back out between sets.

[PaulC]

The golden rule should cover all of this. Obviously some people need/want chairs. Plus, ain't nobody gonna tell me how to fest the "right way". To each his/her own. Plus, I flat out disagree with some strongly supported opinions, e.g., "100 people could have stood where those 7 empty chairs were". Yeah, 100 people in that little space--not my idea of a good time. And those who do enjoy it should understand that a lot of people really, really don't like body-to-body crowds. Fresh air can be a good thing.

In the end, if you show basic consideration either as a stander or a sitter, everything will be cool. But it works both ways.

it really is that simple...

now bring down those walls..........

[Phatpapa]

A Risk board might not fare too well after a few days of Fest.

A Twister set, however, can be washed off in the hotel tub and dries out overnight! Not to mention, it makes for very entertaining challenge matches...

I encouraged people who needed to walk over the Twister board to partake, with good success. When it got to be more like a stampede (front left of Congo Square) I just folded the board up, then put it back out between sets.


Naked Twister wouldn't be so bad except for all those folks;)

[Captain Twister]

Naked Twister wouldn't be so bad except for all those folks;)

I save that for the "night shows"...
:D

[Bluesthinker]

Most of this comes down to a point of patience.

I have a very small stool I sit on...hardly fits my wide backside. I see people sit down in their chairs and are there way before the BNA thousands of others just showed up for. They get banged bumped spilled on and looked at funny by 100 or so people trying to find a place or moving to the front to dance. Patience does wear thin after the first 100 people or so. I know everyone has a right to be at the fest stage of choice, but when it is JAMMED between you and the stage...grab the first spot to stand or sit and enjoy the show. Crawling, meandering over so many people reduces patience. You need to think about others as you make your way to the front. First 100 or so....you handle it...but after awhile when little to no respect is shown by the people on foot....it gets tough.

Also, I'm not leaving and spoiling what I want to see, just because the next 100 want to move to the front from 150 yards back.

[NeenAtlanta]

Never thought I would be, but I'm a chair person now by necessity.

I try to always set up with an aisle right behind me and whoever I'm camped out with. When folks continuously need to walk in front of me, I just move up and give them some room behind, and it works fine. And I ALWAYS put Vic's signs on my chair.

And anyone who does need to come through, always gets a big smile from me anyway. We all have to get to those portalets at some point.

But to me, outside chairs should not be allowed in tents. Fest folks should put in as many chairs as then can, still leaving room and the back and side for folks standing room only - and enforce the no-chair rule. I agree with Dank that seeing a sea of personal chairs filling in all of the empty space in the tents makes me sad.

The only gripe I had this year was with sun umbrellas. Seemed like a lot more folks had HUGE umbrellas that could easily block the view of a hundred or so folks behind them. Couldn't even see the big screens because of the umbrellas. And half the time, no one was even sitting under them.

I'd love to see folks take those umbrellas down once the music starts, and put them up again on the breaks. Or try to set up more along the edges and be kind to all of the folks behind them who want to see the screens/stage too.

[Cleophus]

But to me, outside chairs should not be allowed in tents. Fest folks should put in as many chairs as then can, still leaving room and the back and side for folks standing room only - and enforce the no-chair rule. I agree with Dank that seeing a sea of personal chairs filling in all of the empty space in the tents makes me sad.

I wholeheartedly concur!!!

[Delta]

Problem solved!
http://i280.photobucket.com/albums/kk194/DeltaMoon/ChairFront.jpg
http://i280.photobucket.com/albums/kk194/DeltaMoon/ChairBack.jpg

[Fred (Texas JF Fanatic)]

It would be great to have chair problems this weekend out at the Fair Grounds.

[Phatpapa]

It would be great to have chair problems this weekend out at the Fair Grounds.


Aint that the truth

[bluesbaby]

Problem solved!
http://i280.photobucket.com/albums/kk194/DeltaMoon/ChairFront.jpg
http://i280.photobucket.com/albums/kk194/DeltaMoon/ChairBack.jpg

Hey, there Delta! Great pix. Welcome! And fear not - these guys are great and wont mind a bit if you want to start a new thread, just cause you're new. I was new once....I barely remember what that was like, cause it seemed like it only lasted um, like 5 nano-seconds! Ha, ha!

[Zydekitten]

A Risk board might not fare too well after a few days of Fest.

A Twister set, however, can be washed off in the hotel tub and dries out overnight! Not to mention, it makes for very entertaining challenge matches...

I encouraged people who needed to walk over the Twister board to partake, with good success. When it got to be more like a stampede (front left of Congo Square) I just folded the board up, then put it back out between sets.
LOVE IT!!! :D

I usually just joke and tell folks there's a toll for crossing through . . . at least that gets me a smile, which I enjoy. :)