Jazz Festing

Jazz Fest Thursday. I hate to say it, but I woke up this morning and thought, “Do I really need to go spend a hundred bucks to get sunburned?” But my better senses prevailed and said,”Go buy sunblock.” Off to Walgreens for sunblock and bottled water. Causeway. Go park at Marconi Meadows. Shuttle and parking, $14; Fest ticket $40, available at the shuttle site. I’ve done that the past few Jazz Fests that I’ve gone to. Not the $40 ticket part. That was new. Last time it was $25. Arrive, meet up with Nola, CS and Sun. Head to Bonerama.

So the band’s trying to induce what their name suggests with the addition of some burlesque dancers?

After Bonerama, we met up with Yat Pundit at the, what else, beer dispensary. It was nice to meet Yat Pundit, and I’m sorry we didn’t run into Stacey and Lisa. A Mardi Gras Indian parade passed nearby.

That’s the Big Chief.

CS had scored some passes to the Miller VIP area. We headed there in search of shade and free beer. They had a nice setup, with small tents set up outside with couches and chairs. There was one with two people inside, I guess we figured it was OK to sit in there. It wasn’t. The lady started spouting off that they were waiting for someone, when they showed, could we leave? Yeah, sure. Then she started with it’s not really free to sit there, we have friends coming. So we left rather than be further harassed.

Inside were more tables and couches, and HDTVs playing a live feed of Porter-Batiste-Stoltz, and more beer, including an old favorite, Pilsner Urquell on tap.

They did have a trailer that had an observation deck on the roof. It was good for a cool breeze and nice vantage for photos.

Went to booths, saw some art, ate some Brocato’s lemon ice and caught some of Bettye LaVette’s act at the Blues Tent.

As I was leaving Marconi Meadows I decided to take a drive around City Park. Found my old fishin’ hole on Diagonal Drive.

Where I harassed this bird.

Look good enough to eat? I did.