South - NO Jazz Fest Info wanted please!

I will be arriving in NO late afternoon on Sunday May 3 for a trade show. I know it is the last day of the Jazz Festival. A few questions-

Is it worth it to buy a ticket if I will not be there until around 3-4 PM?
How far is it from the Riverwalk Convention Center area?
What is the best way to get there and back?
Anything I shouldn't miss on the grounds?

Any tips and suggestions greatly welcomed!
I like to take advantage of anything that comes my way on these boring trips!

The Fest ends around 7:00ish, so only you can answer if it is worth it. Tickets are $40 in advance or $50 at the gate. The best & fastest way for you to get there is by cab and should take 15-20 minutes.

If you can get to the Fairgrounds by 4, I think it's worth it. There are always some big name national and local acts that close out the Fest, so you'll likely be able to see the Neville Brothers, Neil Young, Allen Toussaint, Los Lobos and/or Buddy Guy. Expect it to be crowded. Get a schedule and a map of the fairgrounds in advance, plan out what you want to see, and familiarize yourself with the layout. Because of your limited time there, plan to spend all of your time seeing the music. At 7pm, when the music ends, you can wander around the food booths and see who has stuff left. At that point, they may literally be giving it away!

Thanks! I was wondering if one of the bigger "names" would be the last act.
Would love to see Neil Young again.
I wish I could have arranged my schedule to come in Friday night or Saturday. I guess that's why they call it work!:rolleyes:

Thanks! I was wondering if one of the bigger "names" would be the last act.
Would love to see Neil Young again.
I wish I could have arranged my schedule to come in Friday night or Saturday. I guess that's why they call it work!:rolleyes:Well, either I didn't notice that the "cubes" (the schedules that show exactly when each performer is playing) were available, or they have become available since I last posted, but you now can go to www.nojazzfest.com and see who is playing when. Neil Young is playing from 2:55pm to 4:55pm.

Thanks! I didn't see it either when I looked earlier.
Maybe I can catch him and Buddy Guy and some of the parade. That would be almost too much to hope for!
I appreciate all the info and restaurant tips from other post. I will be in NO twice in 5 weeks after not being there since before Katrina.

Keep in mind that to get back, there's going be tons of people catching cabs. They typically take a car full of mix 'n match to a location and charge everyone a fixed price.

Here's the shuttle info:
http://www.graylineneworleans.com/jazzfest.html

Keep in mind that to get back, there's going be tons of people catching cabs. They typically take a car full of mix 'n match to a location and charge everyone a fixed price.That's a good point. After the Fest, follow the signs to the taxi stand. Once there, there will be a dispatcher-type person who will group passengers into fours going to the same general area.

Thanks! Good to know. Ride share seems the sensible way to get everyone out. I'll have comfy shoes and expect a wait!

And, unfortunately, 2 of our great local musicians who were supposed to perform at the Fest died recently - Snooks Eaglin & Eddie Bo. Also, don't want to forget about Miss Antoinette.

Yeah, I know a little about Jazzfest: ;) http://jazzfest.swagland.com

Any way you can get onto an earlier flight? Three hours at Fest is good, but six hours is better.

Neil and Buddy are great, but you should try to catch some "only-at-Jazzfest" music too. My recommendation, which fits nicely between those two big name acts, is "Blodie's Jazz Jam" in the Jazz Tent. That'll be a seriously funky all-star set with many of the top horn players in the city up on stage. Blodie is Gregory Davis, leader of the Dirty Dozen Brass Band, BTW.

And don't forget the food. Come hungry, for sure.

Check out jazzfestgrids.com (http://jazzfestgrids.com) for post-fest music listings for Sunday night, and also Monday & Tuesday.

And, unfortunately, 2 of our great local musicians who were supposed to perform at the Fest died recently - Snooks Eaglin & Eddie Bo. Also, don't want to forget about Miss Antoinette.What I wouldn't give to see Snooks at the Rock 'n' Bowl (which is moving to a new location, by the way!) one more time. The other day his "Profidia" came up on my ipod, and I could envision his magical fingers doing their thing in his guitar with a smiling George Porter laying down the bass behind him.

Neil and Buddy are great, but you should try to catch some "only-at-Jazzfest" music too.What swag said. Last year, when thousands of Festgoers were pushing and shoving and crowding to try to see Stevie Wonder, I wandered over to the Blues Tent and saw Marva Wright (backed up by John Gros and June Yamagichi, among others) put on one of the best shows of the week.

.... the Rock 'n' Bowl (which is moving to a new location, by the way!)

The plan is for it to open the week before JF, however, the original will be kept open for some(?) time after the new one opens. If you haven't already seen it, read the story on nola.com from March 17 written by Keith Spera. (you can do a search for Blancher)

Thanks again! You are right! I shouldn't miss the locals. I totally forgot about the bowling alley!

I could catch Buddy Guy in Chicago.

For the serious Jazz Festers out there. See if you recognize yourself:

http://www.nola.com/rose/index.ssf/2009/03/the_jazz_fest_cubes.html

Needed a place to brag about this but didn't want to start a new thread:

On my flight now to New Orleans (flew BOS-ORD and connected to an ORD-MSY flight). Sitting right next to Mavis Staples!!! She's performing tomorrow with Irma Thomas in a Mahalia Jackson tribute at the Gospel Tent that's sure to be one of the not-to-be-missed shows at the Fest. (Although Mavis did not participate, Irma did this show last year and the Gospel Tent was packed beyond belief. So get there early if you want a seat.)

Brag away. I am definitely going on Sunday- no matter what time.
Will also do the new Rock and Ball.
Thank you for all your great info!
Thanks why I love Flyertalk!