Interview Stage...

[Carolina Beadhead]

Interview stage has been expanded and moved back into the Grandstand this year, according to WWOZ this morning.

[Moon]

That's always a great place to chill and get a little learning in the process. Harry Shearer's interview with Henry Butler in '05 was priceless.

[NeenAtlanta]

Interview stage has been expanded and moved back into the Grandstand this year, according to WWOZ this morning.

Hooray - that means at least part of the upstairs should be open to us peons. So glad to hear it!!!

[NOLA]

Also means just music at Lagniappe Stage (I hope...).

[Michelino]

If that's true, that we peons are welcome back in the grandstands, that is cool.

[Staxsun]

Huzzah! Huzzah!

[saturn]

Interview stage has been expanded and moved back into the Grandstand this year, according to WWOZ this morning.

Excellent news! :D

[saturn]

Also means just music at Lagniappe Stage (I hope...).

I love the Lagniappe Stage. I seem to get over there every day and always hear some great music.

[Michelino]

I love the Lagniappe Stage. I seem to get over there every day and always hear some great music.

It was like seven years or more that I was getting some oysters at the bar and the New Orleans Klezmer Allstars were playing at the Lagniappe stage followed by Eddie Bo...a beautiful day. I've tried to get back to that moment ever since.

[freebo]

As hard as it can be to tear oneself away from the fantastic music, arts, foods, crafts, dinks, and ALL the wonderful things that make up Jazz Fest...

I've always enjoyed the times I made to sit in on interviews.

Yes the Grandstand is Air Conditioned, dry when it r@!n$, and, has real bathrooms...

But the real reward is the people. The wonderful musicians (and others, like Cosimo) who enrich our lives, and the insightful, CARING folks who conduct the interviews.

They're wonderful.

I've never regretted a moment spent in the Grandstands. Yes I've struggled to make it there (FOMS) but I've never said: "Gee, I wish I hadn't done that..."

And without going all maudlin on yall, can I get an AMEN in thanking the woman who (helped) start it all: Allison Miner.

You are gone, but your heritage lives on, Allison. Thank you for everything.

http://i67.photobucket.com/albums/h314/amychristineutter/mom.jpg

[Michelino]

Time to bring back her words...http://www.nojazzfest.com/chat/showthread.php?t=121

[Belle]

Time to bring back her words...http://www.nojazzfest.com/chat/showthread.php?t=121

Wonderful to read again.

[funkkjunkie]

Thank you, Allison, for this wonderful gift called the jazzfest!

[Fred (Texas JF Fanatic)]

Interview stage has been expanded and moved back into the Grandstand this year, according to WWOZ this morning.

This is great news!

[Blitzzzzz]

If that's true, that we peons are welcome back in the grandstands, that is cool.

Yeah you right! And that means we peons will be cool once again in the grandstands where we are welcome!:cool:

[Orleansnj]

Hooray - that means at least part of the upstairs should be open to us peons. So glad to hear it!!!

that's EXACTLY what I was thinkin' !!!!!!!!!!

[glinda]

aaaaaaahhhhhhhh.....
Cool temps and cool talk when ya need it.
Great news!

[NeenAtlanta]

If that's true, that we peons are welcome back in the grandstands, that is cool.

LOL - GMTA Mich.
peons.

[luvdancin]

YEA!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! That little bit of air-conditioned heaven has saved me at many a Fest from overheating and spending an hour with the Red Cross guys. Always a bummer!!

[aardy90210]

huzzah! this is great news...i was quite peeved a few years ago when they took away the grandstands for the fatcat corporate folks...i have also found it necessary to retreat to the AC for a few minutes from time to time, and have enjoyed many an interview while doing just that...

i also like the view of the track from up there...

[mightyradgumbo]

I fifteenth the emotion of the interview stage in the stands...more music at Lagniappe and some cool interviews in the cool stands

[sophisticated sissy]

+ It'll free up a lot of room at the stages and shorten lines at the "blue rooms!":p

[belyin]

Time to bring back her words...http://www.nojazzfest.com/chat/showthread.php?t=121

I definitely felt this spirit at my first Jazz Fest, back in 1983. One highlight was in Allison's interview tent--an acappella showdown between Johnny Adams and Bobby McFerrin.

I don't feel this spirit anymore. I've attended every Jazz Fest since 1983--most years everyday--but I don't expect to go at all this year, and I don't expect I'll miss it.

[freebo]

Wow.

belyin, you just said so much.

Dang.

I ain't gone try to refute your statements, but I'll wish that you DO find that spirit once again.

I believe that we must be what we want to see in this world: I'll never be Allison Miner, but since she's gone I can try to summon her spirit.

Conjure it as best I can.

Quite frankly, now that I think on it, TH Rekkids is all about that spirit.

You do the best you can with what ya got. There is still magic in the world, and especially at Jazz Fest. Yeah WE have to pull the rabbit out of the hat, now that Allison's not around to do it... But that doesn't make it less magical.

That's the story of life, ain't it: When you're young, you watch the parade. When you get older, you're in it.

It's more work, for sure, but it's the natural order of things.

Sigh. I feel like I'm doing what I said I wouldn't do... I guess I'll close with a lyric. It's a little dark, but pretty appropos:

"The future's here, we are it. We are on our own."

[Carolina Beadhead]

Damn, Freebo. That was goood.

[AdamC]

That's awesome news!

We haven't been back to JF since Katrina, because it's gotten so much more expensive and so separated by how much money you can afford to spend... but at least the Grandstand will be open to us commoners again. We're coming back this year, with our 1 and 4 year old kids.

[Fred (Texas JF Fanatic)]

1st Sunday 11:30 Pete Seeger/George Wein interview

[funkkjunkie]

Amen, brutha freebo. And Adam, welcome back!
I've only seen a couple interviews in past years but this year i have a few highlighted:
Sharde Thomas of Rising Star on 1st Saturday.
EWF guys 1st Sunday.
Lionel Ferbos and tribute to Snooks Thurs
Fiyiyi mandingo warriors and John Scofield 2nd friday
Ninth ward hunters mardi gras indians 2nd saturday

[KeyWest Bruce]

Johnny Winter interview on first Saturday, That sounds pretty interesting. I am a big fan...seen him in the early '70s. Never really heard him talk. A bona fide legend in MY book!!

[VWGal]

1st Sunday 11:30 Pete Seeger/George Wein interview

Another don't miss. Oh lordy, what am I gonna do? FOMS galore.

[VWGal]

Johnny Winter interview on first Saturday, That sounds pretty interesting. I am a big fan...seen him in the early '70s. Never really heard him talk. A bona fide legend in MY book!!

ARGGGGGGGGGGGGGHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH! Another must-do!

[Headless Hornman]

1st Sunday 11:30 Pete Seeger/George Wein interview

Thanks, missed that! Coming in to town Saturday night and will miss Pete's set; will have to get to the FG early Sunday and see the interview.

[Fred (Texas JF Fanatic)]

Johnny Winter interview on first Saturday, That sounds pretty interesting. I am a big fan...seen him in the early '70s. Never really heard him talk. A bona fide legend in MY book!!

ARGGGGGGGGGGGGGHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH! Another must-do!

Yall save me a seat for this one. See ya 1st Sat @3:40!

[Fred (Texas JF Fanatic)]

Is it me or is the interview stage better this year?

1st weekend:
Jonny Vidacovich
Wynton Marsalis
Johnny Winter
Pete Seeger/George Wein
Earth, Wind & Fire
Sharon Jones

2nd weekend:
Tribute to Snooks
Emmylou Harris
Sugarland
John Scofield
Allen Toussaint
Dr John
Los Lobos

plus several more....

[Orleansnj]

it's always been good - so 'better' is a relative term.... but yeah - it's better and more diverse....great mix of artists there !