NO PICKLES DOT NET
How many breathes have you wasted?
The useless tirade against all things trivial
Police, Police, everywhere, and the criminals still go free
Congrats to blogger Mr. Clio for making the Times-Picayune with his tongue-in-cheek assessment of arming our toddlers in New Orleans. And this leads me to think more about crime in everday life in the city.
Crime is prevalent in New Orleans. Well, that is never a top news story anymore. It has always been that way, at least over the last 25 years. Every now and then we get a spurt of shootings in a few-hour period which prompts the reporters to take note. But for the most part, crime in New Orleans is an ever-present ordeal citizens have learned to cope with.
Why is there so much crime in New Orleans? There shouldn't be, for one very big reason. There are just so many federal, state, and local departments who are entrusted to protect and serve the citizens of New Orleans. Think of how many there are. I am asking readers here to submit any entries I may miss. But check this out: In New Orleans alone there are over 15 entities which are ARMED and charged with protecting some part or all of the community.
New Orleans Police Department
Orleans Parish Sheriff's Department (Criminal)
Orleans Parish Sheriff's Department (Civil)
Louisiana State Police
Orleans Parish Levee Board Police
Crescent City Connection Police
Harbor Police
City Park Police
Tulane University Medical Center Police
Louisiana State University Medical Center Police
Tulane University Police
FBI
ATF
Louisiana National Guard (especially post-Katrina)
U.S. Army (post-Katrina)
There are more, I am sure. All of these "jurisdictions" charged with "protecting and serving" some or all of us. Most, especially the local entities, are useless wastes of taxpayer money. The NOPD is only good for crowd control during Mardi Gras. The criminal Sheriff's office couldn't find its way along any street beyond Tulane Avenue, where the courthouse is. The State Police are a bunch of scared white boys from Walker and Denham Springs, and Nachitoches who can't bring themselves to patrol unless there are 4 of them together.
If all of these departments together can't keep the crime rate down, what recourse do we have to fight? Maybe Mr. Clio is right; arm the children. Seems everyone else is armed and dangerous. Dangerous to everyone else except the criminals.
rizzo
One complaint
I brought my buddy Simon to the Fest this weekend. Being from London, he had never been to the Fest before. He was enthralled by the food, the crowd, the music, the whole event. He was a trooper, making it through three straight days, even one in the pouring rain.
He searched and searched for a complaint, and the only one he could come up with:
No beer holders on the ATM's.
Get it together, Capital One.
I think we can classify that as a successful Jazz Fest.
rizzo
He searched and searched for a complaint, and the only one he could come up with:
No beer holders on the ATM's.
Get it together, Capital One.
I think we can classify that as a successful Jazz Fest.
rizzo
Jazz Fest Winds Down
Another one down.....
Saints Away Game?
Just planting a seed of an idea in my friends' heads, any one who may be interested......
Saints at Kansas City- November 16th, noon on Sunday......
Good seats available for under $200/ticket....
Flights under $200......
Would get to see Glen Dorsey and some other LSU boys, as well as the Saints.
Just a thought.
Saints at Kansas City- November 16th, noon on Sunday......
Good seats available for under $200/ticket....
Flights under $200......
Would get to see Glen Dorsey and some other LSU boys, as well as the Saints.
Just a thought.
Kermit Gets a Nod
http://bordeauxstreet.blogspot.com/2008/04/jazzfest-at-last.html
Scroll down a bit to see Kermit in his glory.
Scroll down a bit to see Kermit in his glory.
1st Weekend
Well, the rain played havoc with our schedule and ability to be as mobile as we wanted, but all in all still a good festival weekend. Something about Friday, though, was odd. I think the new pricing structure has changed the standard demographic for the Fest, and Friday it was apparent. Very few younger locals out. Seemed the median age for most goers was 42+. Maybe the threatening weather kept some of the usual Friday crowd away, seemed not as many local workforce individuals decided to get away from work early and enjoy a few of the acts. Or maybe the price now is too prohibitive for that type of decision. It does hurt to shell out $50 for a couple of hours, catch only 2 sets, and maybe get some time to spend MORE money on beer and food. Who knows?
I think this Thursday, affectionately always known as "locals day", may be the most telling. If attendance is very low for this date, we may see the locals day done away with altogether. It will be interesting to see the changes in the structure of scheduling and pricing inside and outside the Festival over the next 2 years.
For me, Big Sam's Funky Nation was the best show at the Congo stage- that's for the entire weekend. And the crawfish enchiladas did the trick on the food front.
There is so much more there though, and this weekend I get to play host to a buddy coming in from Frisco. He's a native of London, so this will be his first experience at Jazz Fest. It's always fun to break in a new soul to the Festival.
ok everyone have a good week, prepare for the weekend. rizzo
I think this Thursday, affectionately always known as "locals day", may be the most telling. If attendance is very low for this date, we may see the locals day done away with altogether. It will be interesting to see the changes in the structure of scheduling and pricing inside and outside the Festival over the next 2 years.
For me, Big Sam's Funky Nation was the best show at the Congo stage- that's for the entire weekend. And the crawfish enchiladas did the trick on the food front.
There is so much more there though, and this weekend I get to play host to a buddy coming in from Frisco. He's a native of London, so this will be his first experience at Jazz Fest. It's always fun to break in a new soul to the Festival.
ok everyone have a good week, prepare for the weekend. rizzo
1st Weekend
Well, the rain played havoc with our schedule and ability to be as mobile as we wanted, but all in all still a good festival weekend. Something about Friday, though, was odd. I think the new pricing structure has changed the standard demographic for the Fest, and Friday it was apparent. Very few younger locals out. Seemed the median age for most goers was 42+. Maybe the threatening weather kept some of the usual Friday crowd away, seemed not as many local workforce individuals decided to get away from work early and enjoy a few of the acts. Or maybe the price now is too prohibitive for that type of decision. It does hurt to shell out $50 for a couple of hours, catch only 2 sets, and maybe get some time to spend MORE money on beer and food. Who knows?
I think this Thursday, affectionately always known as "locals day", may be the most telling. If attendance is very low for this date, we may see the locals day done away with altogether. It will be interesting to see the changes in the structure of scheduling and pricing inside and outside the Festival over the next 2 years.
For me, Big Sam's Funky Nation was the best show at the Congo stage- that's for the entire weekend. And the crawfish enchiladas did the trick on the food front.
There is so much more there though, and this weekend I get to play host to a buddy coming in from Frisco. He's a native of London, so this will be his first experience at Jazz Fest. It's always fun to break in a new soul to the Festival.
ok everyone have a good week, prepare for the weekend. rizzo
I think this Thursday, affectionately always known as "locals day", may be the most telling. If attendance is very low for this date, we may see the locals day done away with altogether. It will be interesting to see the changes in the structure of scheduling and pricing inside and outside the Festival over the next 2 years.
For me, Big Sam's Funky Nation was the best show at the Congo stage- that's for the entire weekend. And the crawfish enchiladas did the trick on the food front.
There is so much more there though, and this weekend I get to play host to a buddy coming in from Frisco. He's a native of London, so this will be his first experience at Jazz Fest. It's always fun to break in a new soul to the Festival.
ok everyone have a good week, prepare for the weekend. rizzo
The Fest Is Here
I've had that countdown clock on this site since there were 111 days to go, and now that I see the precious 1 by itself, I am grateful. The Fest is here. My pilgrimmage. My backyard. A playground where many a good time passes between and among all. From the music to the art to the food and the people-watching, there couldn't be a better Festival to attend in this country.
This year the Fest is marred by a couple of controversial (albeit small) incidents. Number 1 is the ticket price increase. Another $5, now $50/day at the gate. Many of the locals are grumbling. But the Fest did put up an incredible lineup this year, featuring more top acts than any other I can remember in the last 10 years. And when you think about other festivals in the country, ones in Frisco or Chicago and their associated costs, we truly are still lucky. I think the Fest would be worth up to $60/day in this market, and that is where I suspect the promoters are aiming.
The underlying cost within the festival is food and beverage. And these are the prices that need to be controlled. This is where the Fests' greedy promoters can find a spare dollar or two off each item sold, and pass the cost off to the vendor, who is stuck with the unlucky venture of raising prices of their fare for the general public within the Festival. It's an underhanded strategy, but brilliant, because once you are in the gates, you are basically trapped, and food and beverage come from few sources not controlled by the Fest organizers.
One solution for Fest-goers, especially local, is to invest in the WWOZ fund raiser Brass Pass or even better, the OverPass. These passes allow you to enter on any day, and to come and go as you please. The OverPass even lets you allow others to utilize the pass in the event you cannot. Any local who can't find 6 other people to invest in this to go to the Fest just needs to get out and make some friends. Oh, and the pass is a charitable donation, so it is a write-off come tax time. It is worth it.
The other issue is the return of the Neville family, and the fact that they reclaim their throne as the closing act of the Fest on the last Sunday. Some are angry at comments made by members of the family, many of whom were disenchanted at the lack of progress for communities in general and the music community in particular in rebuilding after Katrina. Aaron cited health concerns, and as someone battling major health issues, I can understand his plight. But the family has returned, and are giving back to the community, and deserve the recognition and their place back at the Fest. If New Orleanians feel comfortable ostracizing members of their own dear families due to hard times, who in the nation not from Louisiana could be expected to sympathize with the NOLA dwellers who did return?
We all put up with aspects of our culture that may not be something we care for. I am not a fan of the NBA at all. The sport itself is watered down, the talent pool over-emphasized, the pay not equal to the quality of the entertainment or level of competition. At least, not until the playoffs. When you compare basketball on the pro level to hockey, soccer, or football, the level of physical dedication and toil leave basketball in the dust.
But, in the pro world, there are aspects that greatly benefit Louisiana. THere is an entertainment tax that is levied on certain pro athletes and actors and actresses as well as other professions in the entertainment field which garner huge wages for the state of Louisiana. For instance, when the Phoenix Suns come to New Orleans on game day to play the Hornets, certain players (based on residency issues and other exempt-status issues) will be levied an entertainment tax based on their salary for the game played in NOLA. So if Shaquille O'Neal suits up, and doesn't even play a minute of a game, his exhorbitant salary is garnished a percentage of the entertainment tax, which is basically a state income tax for his labor in the state. O'Neal makes a great deal of money, and his percentage of the tax is an incredible sum. In one game, O'Neal could conceivably pay more state income tax to Louisiana than any 7 random fans picked out of the stadium will pay in their COLLECTIVE lifetime. So I may not be a fan of the sport, but I am a great fan of the income it derives for our needed coffers in Louisiana. This happens across the country in many states.
As a nationally regulated sport, the NBA monetary contributions to the city in one given season are significant, and are a great deal more honest and upright than casino revenue, which flows through too many private and public hands before reaching the state coffers.
Money is a complicated issue down in NOLA, especially since a new breed of ilk have surfaced from the dim and oily waters of post-Katrina drainage. Carpetbaggers utilizing the Internet have found many means of depriving multiple families of rightful reimbursement. The initial, unmanaged aspects of suppsed quick fixes as saving graces only served to hurt more famlies down the road.
Well, i lighter news, I've been watching that coundownl clock on my blog with anticipation early in the year, then trepidation lately. Becase since January, I could beging to feel my chemo treatment was not working as well as it had been before Christmas. We had gone to Arizona, and other consults, to find treatment options we could employ when the Fulfox started failing again, as it was most likely to do. My CEA levels continued to rise, despite full treament, and after a CAT scan we discovered the coughing and shortness of breath I had experienced over the last few weeks was direclty caused by a sudden increase in the size and number of tumors that had infiltrated my lungs. At best guess, according to the CAT scan, my lungs are infiltrated with tumors up to 90% of the entire surface area available. I'm operating on 10% lung capacity. Cathching my breath after climbing a flight of stairs, or going outside and checking the mail, was becoming and ardorous chore.
In fact, my physician and nurses were preparing me to understand that home oxygen therapy would be necessary soon, if the new drug we had moved to didn't begin working soon.
All in all, not good news. I can tolerate not feeling well, as long as I had other resources of strength I could draw upon to continue my exploits. But at the end of last week, and the beginning of this week, the likelihood that I would not even be able to drive to NOLA, much less walk into the fest, was diminishing.
I made a concerted effort to rest as much as possible the few days before the Fest. I received and read the OffBeat magazine, as well as the Gambit, two collections of modern, up-to-date information of all the goings on in the city and especially the music scene.
So in order to enjoy the Fest to the fullest, I have to make sacrifices. First, I can't go every day. I just don't have the energy to do it. Second, I must completely swear off drinking alcohol. Any alcohol intake one day, and I pay for it twice over the next day. My body just can't fight two major battle fronts any longer.
So all in all the experience needs to cool down for me, the ranting and raving and breezing through all the stages and experiencing all the music which pleases the ear and opens a new avenue of excitement and enjoyment, well, I'll need to rely moreso on my great friends who find the gems buried in the crazy excitement of all the festivities.
One thing I know I'll be able to enjoy greatly: The food. Reading the OffBeat magazine article concerning the food booths and where the caterers are from, it was surpising to note that most of the more eclectic dishes, the really good ones, come from areas outside New Orleans, whereas the standard fare is mostly from New Orleans. This is a true testiment to the Heritage portion of this festival. Anyone with a modicum of Louisiana history knowledge knows the Cajun culture barely graced New Orleans, and when it did it was initially by force, through indentured servitude that constituded near slavery, the only difference was the obscure promise of land ownership at a "later date." Those Cajuns who had endured the hardships in the Dominican republic learned quickly to get away from any aristocrasy and its inherent lies and to find more suitable cultures in which to share and grow as a community.
Ok, more later. ENjoy the Fest, all of it if you can. I hope the weather smiles on us all and the music carries far and loud throughout the entire Fairgrounds.
ok-rizzo
This year the Fest is marred by a couple of controversial (albeit small) incidents. Number 1 is the ticket price increase. Another $5, now $50/day at the gate. Many of the locals are grumbling. But the Fest did put up an incredible lineup this year, featuring more top acts than any other I can remember in the last 10 years. And when you think about other festivals in the country, ones in Frisco or Chicago and their associated costs, we truly are still lucky. I think the Fest would be worth up to $60/day in this market, and that is where I suspect the promoters are aiming.
The underlying cost within the festival is food and beverage. And these are the prices that need to be controlled. This is where the Fests' greedy promoters can find a spare dollar or two off each item sold, and pass the cost off to the vendor, who is stuck with the unlucky venture of raising prices of their fare for the general public within the Festival. It's an underhanded strategy, but brilliant, because once you are in the gates, you are basically trapped, and food and beverage come from few sources not controlled by the Fest organizers.
One solution for Fest-goers, especially local, is to invest in the WWOZ fund raiser Brass Pass or even better, the OverPass. These passes allow you to enter on any day, and to come and go as you please. The OverPass even lets you allow others to utilize the pass in the event you cannot. Any local who can't find 6 other people to invest in this to go to the Fest just needs to get out and make some friends. Oh, and the pass is a charitable donation, so it is a write-off come tax time. It is worth it.
The other issue is the return of the Neville family, and the fact that they reclaim their throne as the closing act of the Fest on the last Sunday. Some are angry at comments made by members of the family, many of whom were disenchanted at the lack of progress for communities in general and the music community in particular in rebuilding after Katrina. Aaron cited health concerns, and as someone battling major health issues, I can understand his plight. But the family has returned, and are giving back to the community, and deserve the recognition and their place back at the Fest. If New Orleanians feel comfortable ostracizing members of their own dear families due to hard times, who in the nation not from Louisiana could be expected to sympathize with the NOLA dwellers who did return?
We all put up with aspects of our culture that may not be something we care for. I am not a fan of the NBA at all. The sport itself is watered down, the talent pool over-emphasized, the pay not equal to the quality of the entertainment or level of competition. At least, not until the playoffs. When you compare basketball on the pro level to hockey, soccer, or football, the level of physical dedication and toil leave basketball in the dust.
But, in the pro world, there are aspects that greatly benefit Louisiana. THere is an entertainment tax that is levied on certain pro athletes and actors and actresses as well as other professions in the entertainment field which garner huge wages for the state of Louisiana. For instance, when the Phoenix Suns come to New Orleans on game day to play the Hornets, certain players (based on residency issues and other exempt-status issues) will be levied an entertainment tax based on their salary for the game played in NOLA. So if Shaquille O'Neal suits up, and doesn't even play a minute of a game, his exhorbitant salary is garnished a percentage of the entertainment tax, which is basically a state income tax for his labor in the state. O'Neal makes a great deal of money, and his percentage of the tax is an incredible sum. In one game, O'Neal could conceivably pay more state income tax to Louisiana than any 7 random fans picked out of the stadium will pay in their COLLECTIVE lifetime. So I may not be a fan of the sport, but I am a great fan of the income it derives for our needed coffers in Louisiana. This happens across the country in many states.
As a nationally regulated sport, the NBA monetary contributions to the city in one given season are significant, and are a great deal more honest and upright than casino revenue, which flows through too many private and public hands before reaching the state coffers.
Money is a complicated issue down in NOLA, especially since a new breed of ilk have surfaced from the dim and oily waters of post-Katrina drainage. Carpetbaggers utilizing the Internet have found many means of depriving multiple families of rightful reimbursement. The initial, unmanaged aspects of suppsed quick fixes as saving graces only served to hurt more famlies down the road.
Well, i lighter news, I've been watching that coundownl clock on my blog with anticipation early in the year, then trepidation lately. Becase since January, I could beging to feel my chemo treatment was not working as well as it had been before Christmas. We had gone to Arizona, and other consults, to find treatment options we could employ when the Fulfox started failing again, as it was most likely to do. My CEA levels continued to rise, despite full treament, and after a CAT scan we discovered the coughing and shortness of breath I had experienced over the last few weeks was direclty caused by a sudden increase in the size and number of tumors that had infiltrated my lungs. At best guess, according to the CAT scan, my lungs are infiltrated with tumors up to 90% of the entire surface area available. I'm operating on 10% lung capacity. Cathching my breath after climbing a flight of stairs, or going outside and checking the mail, was becoming and ardorous chore.
In fact, my physician and nurses were preparing me to understand that home oxygen therapy would be necessary soon, if the new drug we had moved to didn't begin working soon.
All in all, not good news. I can tolerate not feeling well, as long as I had other resources of strength I could draw upon to continue my exploits. But at the end of last week, and the beginning of this week, the likelihood that I would not even be able to drive to NOLA, much less walk into the fest, was diminishing.
I made a concerted effort to rest as much as possible the few days before the Fest. I received and read the OffBeat magazine, as well as the Gambit, two collections of modern, up-to-date information of all the goings on in the city and especially the music scene.
So in order to enjoy the Fest to the fullest, I have to make sacrifices. First, I can't go every day. I just don't have the energy to do it. Second, I must completely swear off drinking alcohol. Any alcohol intake one day, and I pay for it twice over the next day. My body just can't fight two major battle fronts any longer.
So all in all the experience needs to cool down for me, the ranting and raving and breezing through all the stages and experiencing all the music which pleases the ear and opens a new avenue of excitement and enjoyment, well, I'll need to rely moreso on my great friends who find the gems buried in the crazy excitement of all the festivities.
One thing I know I'll be able to enjoy greatly: The food. Reading the OffBeat magazine article concerning the food booths and where the caterers are from, it was surpising to note that most of the more eclectic dishes, the really good ones, come from areas outside New Orleans, whereas the standard fare is mostly from New Orleans. This is a true testiment to the Heritage portion of this festival. Anyone with a modicum of Louisiana history knowledge knows the Cajun culture barely graced New Orleans, and when it did it was initially by force, through indentured servitude that constituded near slavery, the only difference was the obscure promise of land ownership at a "later date." Those Cajuns who had endured the hardships in the Dominican republic learned quickly to get away from any aristocrasy and its inherent lies and to find more suitable cultures in which to share and grow as a community.
Ok, more later. ENjoy the Fest, all of it if you can. I hope the weather smiles on us all and the music carries far and loud throughout the entire Fairgrounds.
ok-rizzo
The cycle continues
For a span of about 2 months one winter, while working for EMS, my partner Brett and I encountered a strange phenomenon. Every time we received a call for someone in distress, who ended up dying before we got there or in the unit or upon arrival at the hospital, the VERY next call would be the birth of a healthy newborn.
I don't pretend to be able to put into words the compassion necessary for those mourning Mr. Morris.
But this weekend while Mr. Morris' passing was discovered, friend and fellow blogger Stephen, and his wife Kate, had their baby, a healthy boy.
One never replaces the other, but sometimes the renewed view of the cycle of life can give us some solace and refuge in our mourning. I hope it does for the Morris family and friends.
rizzo
I don't pretend to be able to put into words the compassion necessary for those mourning Mr. Morris.
But this weekend while Mr. Morris' passing was discovered, friend and fellow blogger Stephen, and his wife Kate, had their baby, a healthy boy.
One never replaces the other, but sometimes the renewed view of the cycle of life can give us some solace and refuge in our mourning. I hope it does for the Morris family and friends.
rizzo
Tuning up for the Fest
This weekend French Quarter Festival, the largest free attendance festival in New Olreans, will take place from Friday to Sunday all throughout the Quarter, from the U.S. Mint on Esplanade to the park near the Aquarium, and nearly everyone in between.
It's a great festival, especially if the weather cooperates, and the music from the locals is tuning up for the big show in two weeks: Jazz Fest. But don't be fooled, there is a lot of great music to digest throughout the weekend this weekend. Check out http://www.fqfi.org/frenchquarterfest/ for complete information.
This year I have the honor of playing tour guide and musical translator for my mom, who is very capable of cutting her own rug on the dancefloor, especially if the music is Cajun. I may need to get her to Woldenburg Park for the André & Mary Tocé presents Coco Robicheaux show on Friday if we get there early. However, the U.S. Mint location boasts the Zatarain's Cajun/Zydeco Stage, with lots of her music readily available. But if she's tipsy I may have to be bad and bring her to listen to the Soul Rebels, which will be an experience quite unlike any she's had. We shall see.
By the way, and Jazz Fest goers who are attending FQF this weekend, keep the U.S. Mint location in mind. WWOZ will dispense Brass Pass and Overpass passes to WWOZ members who have already purchased such. If the Mint location has died down a bit crowd-wise, it may benefit you to pick up your pass and avoid that first 2 day Will-Call line. Get in the gates 20 minutes earlier to start the day right.
Top Picks from Me:
Friday: Bonerama 7:30
Joe Krown 3:45
Waylon Thibodeaux and the Bourbon Street Cajuns
Saturday: Charmaine Neville in Jackson Square at 1
New Orleans Nightcrawlers at 2:45
Big Sam's Funky Nation at 6:45
Sunday: Paul Sanchez and The Rolling Road Show featuring John Boutte 2:15
Kermit Ruffins & The BBQ Swingers 5:30
Pat O'Briens presents The Bucktown All Stars 12:15
Just a few of my pics. Find the stages yourself at the site! Good for planning the whole day. http://www.fqfi.org/frenchquarterfest/fqfi_schedule.php
Get your walking shoes or sandals broke in for the big weekends to come. This is the best time in the year to live in NOLA. Crawfish, shrimp, crabs are all at their best. From Mardi Gras we ran through St. Patrick's Day, then on to French Quarter Fest, then two weeks of Jazz Fest, and May concludes with the Greek Festival. Just an all-around great time to be in the city.
ok- rizzo
It's a great festival, especially if the weather cooperates, and the music from the locals is tuning up for the big show in two weeks: Jazz Fest. But don't be fooled, there is a lot of great music to digest throughout the weekend this weekend. Check out http://www.fqfi.org/frenchquarterfest/ for complete information.
This year I have the honor of playing tour guide and musical translator for my mom, who is very capable of cutting her own rug on the dancefloor, especially if the music is Cajun. I may need to get her to Woldenburg Park for the André & Mary Tocé presents Coco Robicheaux show on Friday if we get there early. However, the U.S. Mint location boasts the Zatarain's Cajun/Zydeco Stage, with lots of her music readily available. But if she's tipsy I may have to be bad and bring her to listen to the Soul Rebels, which will be an experience quite unlike any she's had. We shall see.
By the way, and Jazz Fest goers who are attending FQF this weekend, keep the U.S. Mint location in mind. WWOZ will dispense Brass Pass and Overpass passes to WWOZ members who have already purchased such. If the Mint location has died down a bit crowd-wise, it may benefit you to pick up your pass and avoid that first 2 day Will-Call line. Get in the gates 20 minutes earlier to start the day right.
Top Picks from Me:
Friday: Bonerama 7:30
Joe Krown 3:45
Waylon Thibodeaux and the Bourbon Street Cajuns
Saturday: Charmaine Neville in Jackson Square at 1
New Orleans Nightcrawlers at 2:45
Big Sam's Funky Nation at 6:45
Sunday: Paul Sanchez and The Rolling Road Show featuring John Boutte 2:15
Kermit Ruffins & The BBQ Swingers 5:30
Pat O'Briens presents The Bucktown All Stars 12:15
Just a few of my pics. Find the stages yourself at the site! Good for planning the whole day. http://www.fqfi.org/frenchquarterfest/fqfi_schedule.php
Get your walking shoes or sandals broke in for the big weekends to come. This is the best time in the year to live in NOLA. Crawfish, shrimp, crabs are all at their best. From Mardi Gras we ran through St. Patrick's Day, then on to French Quarter Fest, then two weeks of Jazz Fest, and May concludes with the Greek Festival. Just an all-around great time to be in the city.
ok- rizzo