1980 New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival Poster by Phillip Collier (Numbered)

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1980 New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival Poster by Phillip Collier (Numbered):
$125.00

1980\"New OrleansJazzFestival\"
Rare PosterVery Good Condition!Sixth in the series by Phillip Collier. The crescent moon symbol lights a soft rain of musical notes as the techniques used in the series evolve further.The chorus of musicians, clouds and flora are given depth by chalk gradations at their edges.The signed edition was increased to accommodate demand but still sold out prior to the end of the Festival.
The New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival

What began in 1969 as a small gathering in Congo Square to celebrate the music of New Orleans now ranks as one of the best attended, most respected, and most musically comprehensive festivals in the world. Although people call it Jazz Fest (or just “Fest”) the full name isNew Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival Presented by Shell.The “Heritage” part is broadly interpreted, and the “Jazz” part hardly represents the scope of the musical fare. Each of the 12 stages showcases a musical genre or three.

Jazz Fest encompasses everything the city has to offer, in terms of music, food, and culture. That, and it’s a hell of a party. In 2006, after Shell Oil sponsored Jazz Fest’s uncertain return after Katrina, Bruce Springsteen’s triumphant, emotionally stunning set sealed its eternal resurrection. Such musical and emotional epiphanies abound at Fest. While headliners like Arcade Fire, Pearl Jam, Stevie Wonder, Van Morrison, Dave Matthews, My Morning Jacket, Maroon 5, The Roots, and Christina Aguillera can draw huge crowds, serious Festers savor the lesser-known acts. They range from the avant-garde to old-time Delta bluesmen, from African artists making rare U.S. appearances to bohemian street folkies, and from the top zydeco players to gospel mass choirs. And, of course, jazz in its many forms.

Filling the infield of the Fair Grounds horse-racing track up near City Park, the festival covers two long weekends, the last in April and the first in May (for 2015, that’s Apr 24–26 and April 30–May 3). It’s set up about as well as a large event can be. When the crowds get thick, though—especially the popular second Saturday—it can be tough to move around, more so if the grounds are muddy from rain. Lines at the most popular of the several dozen food booths can be frighteningly long, but it’s all quite civil and most move quickly (and they’re invariably worth the wait).

Attending Jazz Fest means making some tough decisions. Hotels, restaurants, and flights fill up months (if not a year) in advance, but the schedule is not announced until a couple of months before the event. So reserving travel requires a leap of faith in the talent bookings. But truth be told, just about every day at Jazz Fest is a good day regardless of who is playing (avoid the dilemma by going for both weekends). The Thursday before the second weekend traditionally has more locals, on stage and in the audience, and smaller crowds. It’s a great time to hit the most popular food booths and check out the crafts areas.

Jazz Fest Pointers

“It’s a marathon, not a sprint” as the saying goes. With music in every direction, you can plot out your day or just wander from stage to stage, catching a few songs by various acts—some of the best Jazz Fest experiences come from stumbling across an undiscovered musical gem. Or you can set up camp at one stage—from the big ones with famous headliners to the gospel tent, where musical miracles are pretty much a given. It’s akin to sit-down dining versus a buffet: Both have advantages.

At your hotel or as you’re walking to Fest, grab a freeOffbeatmagazine (they’re dispensed or handed out everywhere). You’ll need the schedule “grids” and performer descriptions. Also download the Jazz Fest and Offbeat apps. For $5, the official Fest program also has the schedule, plus food coupons (available on-site).

On a typical Jazz Fest day, you’ll arrive sometime after the gates open at 11am and stay until you are pooped or they close at 7pm. The whole thing usually runs as efficiently as a Swiss train. After you leave, get some dinner, and hit the clubs. Every club in the city has top-notch bookings (of note arePiano Nightat the House of Blues, Tipitina’s’Instruments a Comin’benefit, and the jam-heavy shows produced by Superfly

The excellent nonmusical aspects of Jazz Fest are plentiful. Local craftspeople and juried artisans fill a sizable area with artwork and products for show, for demonstration, or for purchase. Most vendors will pack and ship goods to your home (and there’s a U.S. Post Office on site, too).

And as always in New Orleans, there is food. There are local standbys—not burgers and dogs but red beans and rice, jambalaya, étouffée, and gumbo. More interesting choices includecochon de lait(a mouthwatering roast-pig sandwich), a fried soft-shell crab po’ boy, quail and pheasant gumbo, and all manner of oyster and crawfish. And that’s not even discussing the various ethnic or vegetarian dishes available, or the desserts . . . oooh, the desserts. The terrific kids’ area has PB&J, mac and cheese, and other easy-pleasing faves. Try at least one new thing daily, and also share, so you can sample more variety and decide which booths to revisit.Tip #1:There’s copious cold beer, but the lines can get long. Smaller stages = shorter lines, and it’s often worth it to trek there.Tip #2:Many hours of sun + many beers = premature crash. Pace thyself, grasshopper.

Experienced Fest-goers also know to duck into the air-conditioned Grandstand for art and folklore exhibits, cooking demonstrations, andreal bathrooms.The upstairs Heritage Stage features interviews and short performances by some of the top acts in a much more intimate setting. It’s highly recommended.

Wear and bring as little as possible; you’ll want to be comfy and unencumbered. Do bring sun protection, something that tells time, a poncho if rain is forecast (they sell them there, but at twice what you’ll pay at a souvenir store), and moola (cash only for food; credit okay for crafts). Wear comfy, supportive, well-broken-in shoes.

Note:No beverages (apart from 1 liter of water) are allowed. There are seats in the tented stages. Outside, people stand or sit on the ground, a blanket, or a folding chair. When left vacant, these become annoying space hogs. Kind Fest-goers invite others to use their space when they leave temporarily, but don’t be shy about asking.

Stages and tents[edit]Leroy Jones QuintetGlen David AndrewswithTroy Andrews

There are 12 music stages and tents of various sizes, as well as two food stages, set up at the Festival. The following are the stages for 2015, and they are listed roughly in the order of StagePrimary main stage2Gentilly StageSecondary main stage3Congo Square StageAfro-centric and world music4Jazz TentContemporary jazz5Blues TentBlues6Gospel TentGospel groups and singers7Fais Do-Do StageMainly cajun and zydeco8Economy Hall TentTraditional New Orleans jazz9Jazz & Heritage StageNew Orleans brass bands, Mardi Gras Indians10Lagniappe StageA potpourri of sound and style11Allison Miner Music HeritageInformation, interviews & panel discussions12Kids TentChildren\'s music and performances13Food Heritage StageLocal chefs demonstrate14Cajun CabinDemonstrations of Cajun cooking
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