Prelude To The New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Festival  2018

Cost Comparisons

During our formative years, those appointed over us taught a lesson in decision making….. based upon value and cost comparison. We simplified the process by stating, “You get what you’ve paid for.” The same applies to making wise choices for your entertainment costs.

When deciding what those costs should be, it’s wise to have a comparison among common items of equal value. Although, many times the decision may include variables that influence your decision to reconsider the principles of your choice. You’ll notice significant variability, as you consider cost comparison for the New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Festival among other venues of commonality.

You may witness some negative responses when asking prospective fans of the New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Festival “Are you going to Jazz Fest this year?” Some may say, “It costs too much and the cost continues to go up.” Careful consideration of this information will reveal,  their statement may not have foundation. The choice to no longer attend may not be based upon a thorough understanding of the variability relating to that choice.

The following information will provide you with a better understanding of the true value for the New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Festival. We’ll discover the comparative cost of this event in terms of major artists performing at other venues, during recent performances. You’ll also know the true cost of admission to the New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Festival, as posted by authorized vendors for this year’s event.

You may encounter individuals on the street offering tickets for entry to Jazz Fest. For your protection, please refrain from purchasing tickets in this manner. There’s a high probability that tickets purchased from street vendors will not be honored for admission through the gates of Jazz Fest.

The following is a list of authorized vendors for entry to the New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Festival. The levels of access vary, depending upon the choice you may prefer. Remember, only the following agencies will provide access through the gates:

www.ticketmaster.com

http://www.nojazzfest.com/tickets

http://www.wwoz.org/support/join-wwoz/brass-pass-details

Levels of Access and Costs: New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Festival

First Weekend Single Day Tickets; 27, 28, and 29, April 2018

Single Day Walk-Up Ticket Purchase Venue

·         Advance Adult Tickets: $65.

·         Adult Gate Tickets: $80 (each ticket valid for any single day during this weekend)

·         Childs Ticket: $5 (Available as gate purchase, only. Adult must accompany children, ages 2-10. Children below age two, no admission cost.)

·         Single day tickets do not provide reentry privileges. Each entry to the festival under the terms of this ticket requires purchase of another ticket.

Single Day Walk-Up Ticket Purchase Venue

Second Weekend Single Day Tickets; 3, 4, 5, and 6 May 2018

·         Advance Adult Tickets: $65.

·         Adult Gate Tickets: $80 (each ticket valid for any single day during this weekend)

·         Childs Ticket: $5 (Available as gate purchase, only. Adult must accompany children, ages 2-10. Children below age two, no admission costs. )

·         Single day tickets do not provide reentry privileges. Each entry to the festival under the terms of this ticket requires purchase of another ticket.
d
     Locals Thursday Discount Day, 3 May 2018
     Gate price, $50.
     Purchases can be made at the gate on Thursday, 3 May only.
    Open to Louisiana residents with valid ID.
    Only two admissions per resident under these terms.

The Big Chief VIP Experience

·         The most luxurious way to experience Jazz Fest, only a limited number of tickets sold.

·         Daily admission to the festival, unlimited entry/reentry privileges per weekend pass.

·         Access to VIP Viewing Stands:  Big Chief patrons have access to raised and covered private viewing areas with beverage concessions and restrooms at two of the festivals main stages, the Acura and Gentilly Stages. Big Chief patrons also have semi-private viewing access to a viewing area at Congo Square, Blues Tent and Jazz Tent.

·         Access to an air-conditioned VIP Hospitality Lounge: Big Chief patrons may revitalize in a private area with a full service cash bar, complimentary light refreshments and restrooms.

·         VIP Shuttle Tickets: This is a new feature of this experience, during 2015. Patrons of the Big Chief VIP Experience may purchase shuttle tickets to and from the festival. This service delivers patrons inside the festival grounds. The VIP shuttle will pick patrons up and return them to a convenient downtown location each day of the festival.

·         VIP Shuttle Ticket Cost, 1^st Weekend: $125.
      VIP On-Site Parking, 1^st Weekend:   $225.
·         VIP Shuttle Ticket Cost, 2^nd Weekend: $165.
      VIP On-Site Parking 2^nd Weekend: $300.
       VIP Big Chief VIP Experience Costs: 1^st Weekend, 27, 28, 29 April 2018, $1200.

·         VIP Big Chief VIP Experience Costs: 2^nd Weekend, 3, 4, 5, 6, May 2018, $ 1400.

The Grand Marshall VIP Pass

·         The Grand Marshall VIP Pass provides an up front, golden circle environment viewing area at the three of the main viewing festival stages: Acurra, Gentilly and Congo Square Stages. These passes are available in limited number.

·         This pass is designed for individuals that prefer to move about these popular stages in regularity while providing up close and personal viewing of world class performers, on stage.

·         The Grand Marshall VIP Pass also provides for a hospitality tent that enables festival fans to revitalize and lounge in a private area. This tent has refreshments, restrooms, and beverage stands available for convenience.

·         1^st Weekend: 27, 28 and 29 April 2018, $1050. Shuttle Pass $125. On-Site Parking, $225

·         2^nd Weekend: 3, 4, 5, 6, May 2018, $1225. Shuttle Pass $165. On-Site Parking, $300.

·         The Grand Marshall VIP Pass provides for entry and reentry to Jazz Fest, each day of a valid pass ownership.

The Krewe of Jazz Fest VIP Pass

·         The Krewe of Jazz Fest allows fans the opportunity to relax and enjoy all the acts featured at the Accura Stage, the main performance venue. The Krewe of Jazz Fest area features covered high- end folding seats, private restrooms, and a beverage concession area.

·         These passes are limited and they provide for entry and reentry to Jazz Fest each day of a valid pass possession.

·         1^st Weekend: 27, 28, and 29 April 2018, $600. Shuttle Pass $125.
      1^st Weekend: Daily On-Site parking, $225.

·         2^nd Weekend: 3, 4, 5, and 6 May 2018, $700. Shuttle Pass $165.

           2^nd Weekend: Daily On-Site parking, $300.

WWOZ Brass Pass

WWOZ Brass Pass

·         Entry to Jazz Fest each day of the festival: 7 days of festival attendance with unlimited reentry privileges, every day of the festival.

This lovely lady (with the yellow vest) and her crew will greet everyone with a hug and a smile, as you enter the Brass Pass gates. That alone, is worth the price of admission.

Fresh fruit, daily, in the WWOZ Hospitality Tent

The comfort and cordial atmosphere of the WWOZ Hospitality Tent

·         WWOZ Hospitality Tent:

           (1) Unlimited amounts of iced coffee and fresh fruit,

           (2) The cooling and revitalizing shade of the WWOZ Hospitality Tent, augmented by the                          refreshing effect of the misting fans,

           (3) Socialize with musicians and radio hosts of WWOZ 90.7 FM, along with other Guardians                    of The Groove from around the globe,

          (4) WiFi and unlimited computer access,

          (5) Restroom facilities

·                           Cost: 7 days of Jazz Fest, both weekends, $600

Admission Costs For The Major Performers During Jazz Fest 2015 At Other Performing Venues During The Same Season

In order to gain a proper perspective toward the true value of Jazz Fest, it’s important to know the cost associated with entry to these events with performers at other venues. An important point to remember is, the performance costs listed below are one artist for one performance. Jazz Fest offers many artists over seven days for one cost. It’s an excellent exercise in comparison of apples to apples.

For this analysis, we've selected the top 13 performing acts that performed during the 2015 festival. It's simple to understand the variability from that year to this year, through simple regression analysis. We've also selected the dates that range in season with the 2015 Jazz Fest.

1.          Elton John, Price Range $105 - $220 Caesars Palace Oct 13,  2015
2.          Lady Gaga and Tony Bennett, Price Range $195.95 - $1086 Austin City Limits Live At Moody Theater Apr 23, 2015
3.          The Who, Price Range $41 - $73, American Airlines Arena, Miami Fl April 17,2015
4.          Jimmy Buffet, Price Range $34 - $87, Amway Center,  Orlando Fl , April 16, 2015
5.          No Doubt, Price Range $195 - $213, 2 day pass, MGM Resorts Village, Los Vegas, Nv, 05/08/15
6.          Keith Urban, Price Range  $197 - $206, 3 day pass,  Hunter Mountain Resort, Hunter, NY 06/12/15
7.          PitBull, Price Range $119 - $154, Winstar World Casino, Thackerville, Ok 04/24,15
8.          John Legend, Price Range $194 - $224, 2 day pass, MGM Resorts Village, Los Vegas, NV     05/15/15
9.      Ed Sheeren, Price Range $58-$63, Frank Erwin Center, Austin, Tx, 05/06/15
10.          Lenny Kravitz, Price Range  $100-$111, Webster Hall, New York, NY, 05/05,15
11.          T I, Price Range $25-$95, White River Amphitheater, Auburn Wa, 06/20/2015
12.          Chicago, Price Range $59-$72, Rivinia, Highland Park, Illinois, 08/22/15
13.          Trombone Shorty, Price Range, $54-$84, Saenger Theater, NOLA, 04/25/2015

The authorities for these dates and prices are as follows: www.vividseats.com and www.ticketmaster.com

As you proceed to make your informed decision, consider, the admission costs for the performances at other venues include: one performance by a single artist, on that date. The only exception to the one artist performance is the Lady Gaga and Tony Bennett Show. Bennett and Lady Gaga are touring as a duplicate act this season and they are performing as a dual act during Jazz Fest 2015, also.

Jazz Fest also offers performances by hundreds of other musical artists; local, national, and international performers. This link will direct you toward the schedule of performances for each day of the festival http://lineup.nojazzfest.com/events/2018 A  review of these schedules reveal the true value of the festival as a musical venue, based upon the number of artists available, in addition to the 14 performers detailed in this document.

Little Freddie King performing inside the Blues Tent

The New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Festival is more than a musical entertainment venue. In addition to a variety of musical acts by hundreds of performers on 5 outdoor stages and 4 musical tents, Jazz Fest is also a heritage festival. http://www.nojazzfest.com/culture/

A large variety of international and local crafts are available, as well. http://www.nojazzfest.com/crafts/

Food vendors at Jazz Fest

The food vendors are famous for a number of appetizing offerings that attract visitors the world-over, specifically, for this annual offering. http://www.nojazzfest.com/food/

Hopefully, you’ll review this information and proceed to make your decision to join the thousands of festival fans that attend Jazz Fest every year. The fans devoted to Jazz Fest understand its value as a one-of-a-kind cultural experience with rewards that last a lifetime.

I look forward to meeting each of you at the fest and you will find me at various times moving about the grounds or relaxing in the comfort of the WWOZ Hospitality Tent, each day of the festival.

Bloody Marys For Breakfast at Liuzza's Bar, Outside the festival grounds.

This is how we do Jazz Fest, It's a family affair. We welcome everyone to enjoy this magical season along with our family.