It’s February 1! We’re a month into 2006 – a reminder to some of us (me) that time does indeed go by and life along with it. Planning ahead may not be the most easy or appropriate thing for a number of New Orleanians, with many still in one-day-at-a-time mode. But, there’s one thing this spring that you can count on. Two things, really – two weekends of Jazzfest.
Why? Because Shell E&P just announced its sponsorship of the New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Festival.
Jazzfest is slated for April 28 to 30 and May 5 to 7 at the Fair Grounds … if not for Shell Exploration & Production Co. signing on as Jazzfest’s first presenting corporate sponsor, the festival might have lost an entire weekend — or might have been canceled.
Yup, that’s right, community support at its best. No need for applause, just show up. [Start planning now and, if you’re flying in, use the airline discount codes in the link.]
The full lineup will be announced before Mardi Gras. This will be a great Jazzfest, not only because it is a shining beacon of our city’s rebound, but for the “heritage” being put back in Jazz and Heritage Festival. This year, the emphasis is on local musicians as opposed to the big-label artists who have garnered major audience attention in the past years.
Amid rumors of The Rolling Stones and U2 “bending over backwards” to be a part of the festival this year, only one act has signed on for sure and that is our very own Fats Domino, who lost everything he owned after the floodwaters tore through the Lower Ninth Ward. I’m counting on each and every one of you to be there, and pack yourself in like sardines if you have to, while cheering on this great musician.
In conclusion, tell your friends:
– Not one, but two weekends of Jazzfest April 28 – 30 and May 5 – 7 at the New Orleans Fair Grounds
– Full lineup of musicans to be announced in February before Mardi Gras
– Quit whining about $2.50/gallon at the pump because you will pay that much and more for a gallon of milk, coffee or alcohol, should really be paying $4/gallon for gasoline and have two weekends of Jazzfest.
Have Better than Ezra really not signed up yet? I thought they were mainstays at this. Then again, what do I know? Yay for getting sponsorship!
I buy Lots of gas, so I should get a volume discount from the bloody Dutch! Then again the phrase “we’ll go Dutch” comes to mind…..
wankers
Drunk last night and drunk the night before,
Gonna get drunk tonight like I never been drunk before,
For when I’m drunk I’m as happy as can be;
Cause I am a member of the Souse family,
Now the Souse family is the best family,
That ever came over from old Germany!
There’s the Highland Dutch and the Lowland Dutch,
The Rotterdam Dutch and the Goddamn Dutch!
Sing glorious, glorious,
One keg of beer for the four of us.
And glory be to God that there are no more of us,
For one of us could drink it all alone.
There’s a billboard on Poydras that says Shell is coming home. Glad to hear it. Great that they are investing in this important civic, cultural event.
For this reason, and for the savings you outlined in your post, I’m going to put Shell V-Power premium gasoline in my Cheerios from now on.