New Orleans Jazz and Heritage FestivalIf fantastic food, amazing music, and a good dose of Cajun culture sound like the key ingredients to take you to your happy place, then the New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Festival is definitely for you. For two weekends every spring, the Fair Grounds Race Course is invaded by 400,000 people in search of great rock, blues, R&B, gospel, Cajun, zydeco, rap, country, bluegrass, and yes, jazz. And every year diehard rock lovers find their way into the gospel tent and fall in love with a new sound while bluegrass aficionados are tapping their toes to some soulful R&B. The sounds coming from each tent and stage are as unique as they are contagious.

My experience at last year's Jazz Fest in Louisiana is permanently etched in my mind. I remember it as if it were last week (and I don’t seem to remember much of anything these days). My stomach was slightly overstuffed with a delectable combination of fried softshell crab po-boy and Crawfish Monica. Dangerously dark clouds quickly rushed to the northwest emitting crashes of thunder that were drowned out by the sounds of drums, guitars, and a crowd thrilled to be witnessing a bit of rock history. I was swept up in a delirium of joy. Sure, I had tromped through giant fields of disgusting grey mud, lost a flip flop to the sticky suction, and had been attacked by fire ants in the process, but I was getting ready to see Simon and Garfunkel finally perform together again. I had spent the past 24 hours listening to the Black Crowes in the pouring rain, dancing in puddles while Lionel Richie belted out All Night Long, watching the hair raise on my forearms as gospel singers praised a higher power, and wondering how I had spent my entire life up until that weekend without any knowledge of the brilliance that is Dr. John.

Crawfish MonicaThe food is as equally captivating as the music. There is typical festival food and then there is Jazz Festival food. It is placed on a pedestal 10 stories above any other fair fare. Kiss your diet goodbye and develop a consumption strategy because there is a whole lot of eating to be done. The Cochon de Lait Po-Boy, a flavorful shredded pork sandwich with a special sauce that I can only dream of replicating, is my personal favorite. The fried softshell crab and gator po-boys are excellent as well. Café Du Monde makes its presence known with the forever popular combination of beignets and café au lait. But the star of food stand row is Crawfish Monica. The line is sometimes long but always worth the wait. Monica definitely knows how to combine pasta, crawfish, and Cajun spices to create a dish unlike any other.

New Orleans Jazz FestivalCelebrating culture is an important aspect of Jazz Fest. The Louisiana Folklife Village promotes the unique culture of the bayou by showcasing crafters as they share their skills with the public, demonstrate classic Cajun cooking, and even cook up a traditional Isleño cure for the flu. Three hundred different artisans sell their photographs, jewelry, sculptures, and clothing in booths placed throughout the festival grounds. Where else can you buy a stretched leather drum, pine needle basket, and concert t-shirt all in the same day?

Before hopping on a plane to Louisiana, prepare for unpredictable weather. Musicians play whether the sun is shining or the rain is pouring down. The grassy field where the festival takes place quickly turns into a muddy mess during a cloud burst, so be sure to pack your poncho and rain boots whilst you pray for clear skies. The Louisiana sun and humidity can be harsh on those who are still pasty white from a long cold winter so plan to pack some sunscreen and drink plenty of water. Be sure to look for me in the crowd when you get to Jazz Fest. I’ll be the one with the biggest smile.

Photos: Wally Gobetz, Creative Commons 2.0 


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