Students seeking cold beers, finger-licking crawfish pistolettes and soft blankets on dusty horse tracks to sit and sway to live music should head to New Orleans for the Jazz & Heritage Festival this weekend at the Fair Grounds Race Course.
From Friday through Sunday and May 5-8, the renowned festival features 12 music stages hosting artists of all musical styles, food vendors showcasing the creme de la creme of Louisiana cuisine and exhibits highlighting the cultural contributions of the state, including the link created between New Orleans and Haitian culture in the aftermath of last year’s earthquake. Single-day tickets can be purchased at the gate for $60.
The festival plans to showcase 69 musicians Friday, with Irish folk-bluegrass group Mumford & Sons playing at the Gentilly Stage at 3:25 p.m. followed by the brotherly love of South Carolina bluegrass duet The Avett Brothers at 5:30 p.m.
If bluegrass doesn’t pique interest, festival-goers can mosey to the Congo Square Stage to hear legendary Haiti native Wyclef Jean perform at 5:30 p.m.
Saturday’s headliners include Bon Jovi on the Acura Stage at 4:50 p.m., and folk favorite Amos Lee soulfully serenading at 3:35 p.m. on the Gentilly Stage followed by Grammy-nominated Jason Mraz remedying audiences at 5:30 p.m. And of course, no music festival would be complete with out an “American Idol” appearance by Fantasia on the Congo Square Stage at 5:25 p.m.
Sunday wraps up the first weekend with glory-days John Mellencamp on the Acura Stage at 5 p.m., soul powerhouse John Legend & the Roots on the Congo Square Stage at 5:30 p.m. and Portland prodigy The Decemberists on the Sheraton New Orleans Fais Do-Do Stage at 5:25 p.m.
Philip Fontenot, biology senior, said he plans to drive to New Orleans for the festival after class Friday. Fontenot said he is looking forward to seeing Mumford & Sons and The Avett Brothers.
“I’ll be traveling all summer, so this will be the only music festival I’ll be able to attend,” Fontenot said. “This will be my first time at Jazz Fest, so I’m glad I’ll get to experience it before I graduate.”
Students traveling to the festival for the first time should be aware of bag searches before entering the gates.
Twelve-pack coolers, folding chairs and blankets not exceeding 6 feet by 8 feet are allowed, but wagons, carts, pets, glass, personal tents, metal poles, shade canopies, beach or pole-style umbrellas and athletic games are not allowed, according to the festival’s website.
Students concerned about where to stay can reserve a room at the festival’s official host hotel, Sheraton New Orleans Hotel in the French Quarter, according to the festival’s website.
The hotel is along the Jazz Fest Express route, a bus transporting people to the festival without the hassle of parking. The Jazz Fest Express stops at the Sheraton, City Park and the Gray Line Lighthouse at the Steamboat Natchez Dock next to Jax Brewery from 10:30 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. for $17. Passengers enjoy a special entrance into the festival and can avoid lines. A one-way ticket from the festival to downtown will be available for $10, the festival’s website says.
Celia Dirosa, textile and apparel merchandising sophomore, said when she attends Jazz Fest, she has a friend drop her off at the Fair Grounds Race Course. The New Orleans native said parking spaces are hard to find and parking lots can be expensive.
Dirosa advised first-time festival attendees to wear light clothes and lots of sunscreen because of the hot Louisiana weather and lack of shade.
For more information about the festival and music lineup, visit nojazzfest.com.
 
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Contact Jeanne Lyons at [email protected]