Jazz Fest and
the Spice of New Orleans
Why travel to such a culturally diverse venue such
as New Orleans, Louisiana, with the intent of only tasting the main menu? Would
the experience be more rewarding if we tasted the spice along with the flavor
of the main menu? The New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Festival is the main
course, however, the people of this beautiful city are the spice that provide
its’ flavor.
As we observe the movement of Jazz Fest fans during
arrival and departure, a distinct manner of deportment is obvious. As Fest fans
travel from Esplanade Ave toward the Sauvage gate entrance and down Gentilly
Blvd to the front gate, their movements appear to be scripted. The appearance
of scripted movement is likely the result of determined fans, focused upon
getting to a destination while ignoring the spice available to enrich their
experience.
I appeared the same way to a resident on Fortin
Street during Jazz Fest, 2000. I was engaged during my travel toward the
Sauvage gate entrance in a manner that has effected my relationship with Jazz
Fest and the spice, forever.
Prior to this festival, I’d adapted to parking on St
Bernard Ave, nearly a mile away from the Fair Grounds. This was the first day
of the festival 2000 and the sun was blistering hot. I was still 200 meters
from the entrance and my desire for a thirst quenching beverage and an
opportunity to take a break were of a higher priority. At that very moment, I
heard, “Ice cold water $1, Ice cold beer $2.”
I bought two cans of beer and sat on the steps as I drank both cans,
faster that I should have.
Ice Cold Water
$1, Ice Cold Beer $2
As I handed the lady sitting on the porch the money
for the beer, I noticed the most gracious lady with the warmest smile I’d ever
met in all my years of attendance. She was the family matriarch, Ms Mary. She
was concerned with the appearance of aggravation and disgust upon my face. She
also stated, “Baby this is Jazz Fest, nobody comes here looking that way.”
I’ll admit, Jazz Fest isn’t the proper venue for sad
feeling. I was particularly disturbed with the fact of my having walked nearly
a mile to get to the gate. I’d been parking that distance from the festival for
5 years prior and I was becoming disappointed with having to do so. As I
explained my angst, Ms Mary politely stated, “Baby you can park here anytime
you want to and I’d be happy for you to do that, if only that would put a smile
on your face.” I’ve been parking on
Fortin St with Ms Mary and her family since Jazz Fest 2000.
As I continue to attend Jazz Fest over the years,
parking is the ignitor that sparked a social scene for many visitors of the
fest. Following the final act of each day, visitors from far and near gather on
Ms Marys’ porch and in her yard for fun and revelry. In addition to parking,
there’s much food and drink for all that are patrons of her parking venue.
Parking At Ms
Marys’ House
I’ve always considered Jazz Fest my premier event in
NOLA. As a result, I’m in attendance everyday. It’s also during the Jazz Fest
season that I celebrate my birthday. During the second weekend of Jazz Fest,
2000, I was surprised with a birthday celebration by Ms Mary and her family. I
will always remember the warmth and generosity of this beautiful family.
During the years following the 2000 Jazz Fest season
many of my friends and family have journeyed to NOLA to celebrate the fest.
They’ve all met Ms Mary and her family and look forward to seeing her and her
family, each year. It’s this type of graciousness and expression of love that
give Jazz Fest the spice it deserves to perpetuate itself for all time.
Leaving Ms
Marys’ Going To The Fest
Ms Mary and her family are unique, as they truly
represent the spirit of what this city would love to promote to the world.
There are many families such as Ms Marys’ that line the perimeter of the
fairgrounds. They provide a basic service for folks that travel from local,
national and international destinations in support of Jazz Fest. Those services
include something as simple as parking and providing a refreshing drink for
exhausted patrons of Jazz Fest. Although it’s a simple gesture, the interaction
among Jazz Fest patrons and the people of this city are what can potentially
negate the evil that’s becoming fodder for the news agencies
Ms Marys’
Family
Wouldn’t it be more interesting to read of the great
relationships that are formed with visitors to Jazz Fest and the spice of this
city? Wouldn’t it be more interesting to
know those relationships endure, because, people take the opportunity to engage
each other in terms of kindness and love? It only takes a moment to visit and
simply say hello, at times, to those families that may never have the
opportunity to experience the Accura Stage, Gentilly Stage, Congo Square,
Zydeco Stage, Jazz Tent, Blues Tent, Gospel Tent or other venues inside the New
Orleans Jazz and Heritage Festival.
Ms Mary
Relaxing With Friends At Days End
The spice of New Orleans is its people. They’re all
along the routes we travel enroute to the festival. They’re waving signs asking
us to park in their yards. They’re offering ice cold water and beer as we move
toward the fairgrounds. Many also have cookouts at the end of the festival and
I know they love to share. It’s a greater option we have to engage the spice
and talk to them on all occasions. Please don’t walk as though they’re simply
additions to the infrastructure. NOLA folks are among the friendliest of the
planet. They love to share their knowledge of this city with folks that aren’t
indigenous to it. There’s more to this city than the commercial venues that
have become its signature.
Jazz Fest is a combination of the activity at the
fairgrounds and its people. If you truly enjoy the spice of life come to NOLA
and engage its people.
