L A Z E R O W . COM

Saturday Fest Fun

OK. We made it to the fest by 3 p.m. Overcast skies. Light drizzle. We set up shop by the main stage and left our big blue blanket and Myles' stroller to go wander. I knew it would get ridiculously packed for Dave Matthews, so I wanted to save a spot for the Myles man and me. (BTW, the beauty of Jazzfest is that you can leave your stuff in the middle of the Fest and not worry about people stealing it. That's just the kind of people who attend the Fest.)

We hit several stages, starting with Congo Square for a little reggae. Caugh the end of a show at the kids stage, grabbed some popcorn and lemonade for Myles and some chicken fricasse, spinach and fried plaintains for me and camped out by the main stage to wait for Dave Matthews. Fun time. Really nice people around us (most of the pics here were taken by others).

Dave Matthews, as usual, was pretty disappointing.  It took me 8 Fests to realize that the big acts on the main stage are usually disappointing. May as well stay at home and listen to their CDs if that's why you come to Jazzfest. The bands you've never heard of playing at 4 p.m. at Congo Square and the Fais Do Do stage blow you away. Mental note for future Fests.

All in all, a wonderful day -- at the aquarium and the Fest. Quality time with Myles (he calls it Dadda, Myles Magic Time). He really liked the food, the music and just hanging out with me and some really nice people at the Fest. I enjoyed myself as well. Don't miss the pics here.

fun with hats

Chicken fricasse ... $8
Fried plaintain ... $3
30 minutes playing with hat waiting for DMB ... Priceless.

We're back in

First stop ... Toots and the maytals.

Weather or not to go?

It's 1:50 p.m. and it looks like the rain is slowly making its way out of the area. See the map to the left. Myles is singing happy birthday to himself in the bedroom -- "Happy Birthday to Myles. Happy Birthday to Myles. Happy Birthday to Myles. Happy Birthday to Myles." He hasn't slept a wink. I think it's almost time to get this show on the road. DMB doesn't come on until 5 p.m. but there's plenty to see (and eat) beforehand.

Home Sweet Hotel

Back at the hotel room (nice room BTW -- 1 bedroom suite w/ a huge living room area (see pic). Good morning. Too much food. Myles is in a food coma. We're going to take a nap and then hit the fest. I don't think the rain will stop. Myles says he wants to go in the rain. So we're going to slosh it up. I saw Phish in the rain here a few years back. Great show. DMB in the mud should be an adventure.

you say what?

Introducing New Orleans' $8 hot dog. He sure is hungry. I'm starting to see a pattern.

Cruise

Our trip to New Orleans took an unexpected turn. We're off to the carribean.

Beignets

Sharks aren't myles' thing. Movie scared the doodie out of him. We walked out early. I forgot my hat (actually a visor w/ the Phish logo on it, which is rather ironic given we were at an aquarium). When all else fails in New Orleans, hit Cafe du Monde for beignets. No hablo french. But as far as I can tell that's just a fancy word for donut without a hole. Great coffee.

Sharks

It's raining frogs outside. We're waiting to see the Sharks IMAX movie at New Orleans' Aquarium of the Americas. The weather report shows a clear afternoon. Same weather report said it wouldn't rain hard this a.m. Myles is in a bacon coma. That should help his constipation.

Bacon

He's on his 8th piece of bacon. Someone help me.