New Orleans interactive map with directions

I was messing around with the new custom Google maps and created an interactive map of New Orleans bars and beyond.

http://tinyurl.com/2688x4

I placed the markers as close as possible to actual locations, make sure venues are open or at the same location before heading out.

It always amuses me when automated directions take me 30 miles out of the way for a 10 minute drive :)

listen to the New Orleans Jazz Fest LIVE online webcast. May 5 and 6 2007

Last year was the first year in 17 years that I missed a Jazz Fest. Since we couldn't be there in person, we did the next best thing. Set up festival chairs in front of the computer, second line and dance around, cook up a bunch of Louisiana favorites, and have the Orleans Parish prisoners clean up when it's over. Yeah I'm just kidding about the prisoners, it would cost a fortune to charter a plane and get them up here and who would be left to clean up the Fair Grounds Race Track?

I'm looking forward to catching Jazz Fest's webcast this weekend, May 5th and 6th, via AT&T blue room.

The AT&T blue room brings live festival webcasts from Coachella, Bonnaroo, Lollapalooza, Austin City Limits and others. http://blueroom.att.com/events/jazzfest.php

May 5th Lineup*
01:00 PM Theresa Anderson
01:20 PM Rockin Dopsie
01:30 PM Marcia Bell
02:00 PM Buckwheat Zydecob
02:15 PM Henry Butler
03:05 PM Subdudes
03:20 PM Zachary Richard
03:30 PM Galactic
04:15 PM Jon Cleary
04:45 PM New Orleans Social Club
05:30 PM John Mayer
06:15 PM Norah Jones
06:25 PM Rod Stewart

May 6th Lineup*
01:00 PM Franklin Ave BC/Darrell McFadden
01:10 PM Irma Thomas
01:45 PM Allen Toussaint
02:55 PM Luther Kent
03:00 PM Johnny Rivers
03:03 PM TBD
03:35 PM Brad Paisley
05:00 PM Mahalia Jackson Tribute
05:05 PM Bonnie Rait
05:45 PM Joss Stone
07:00 PM Harry Connick Jr.

*All times are Central Standard Time


*New bands added daily. Please check back as festival gets closer.
*Schedule is subject to change. All times are Central Standard Time.

Over the years Jazz Fest has received many honors, including being named the Festival of the Year four times by Pollstar magazine. The 2004 event marks the 35th anniversary of Jazz Fest, which the Wall Street Journal says “showcases a wider, deeper lineup of essential American musical styles than any festival in the nation…” and which Life magazine has called “the country’s very best music festival.’’

Inspired by the spirit of Mahalia Jackson and the Eureka Brass Band back in 1970, the New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival continues to celebrate the culture of Louisiana with the combined fervor of a gospel hymn and the joy of a jazz parade.

Add your own Jazz Fest memories on the pet de kat board and the official jazz fest board.

Jazz Fest coming

It's FESTIVAL SEASON! French Quarter Fest and Jazz Fest coming right up!

Check out this cool artwork and share the Jazz Fest Love:

www.cafepress.com/jazzfestlove

Vote for favorite bands in NEW ORLEANS / Louisiana

VOTE!
This is pretty cool, we get to decide who ranks as the top NOLA musician or band. Just click and move a band up (or down, but moving a band down isn't too fun, remember they gotta eat too). Since Squidoo introduced this new "Plexo" technology people are having fun clicking around, moving links up and down and having fun. Is your favorite band #1. www.squidoo.com/nolamusic

view here | digg story

Mardi Gras 2007 is coming, it won't be long!

It's a tradition to kickoff Carnival in New Orleans with a streetcar ride by the Phunny Phorty Phellows. Last Saturday night the PPP started the Carnival Season in fine style. Their route started and ended at City Park, took Carrollton Avenue down to Canal Street and over to The River, returning to City Park the same route. Joining the PPP this year were The Storyville Stompers Brass Band.

Most of the parades return to their regular routes and the crowds are expected to return as well. Where are the parades? Check the New Orleans Police Department official 2007 parade schedule.

Be sure you're stylin' at the Parades! Get yourself one of these cool M.G. Bead Bags!

A few highlights (and your personal favorites may vary) include Krewe du Vieux. With Chris Rose as King and Chief Warden, the theme for this year will be "Habitat for Insanity" when Krewe du Vieux rolls on February 3rd.

The Krewe of Misfits, Orphans and Mystics (aka M.O.M.s) throws the hottest party during Mardi Gras. So on February 17th get yourself to the party, even if you have to beg, borrow or just buy your way in... yeah, you can fork over a few bucks to a M.O.M.s member and get yourself one of the coveted tickets). Remember that COSTUMES are absolutely mandatory, and no, not just a crappy costume either.

And the biggest highlight is the portable toilet my neighbor keeps locked up in his front yard for the week leading up to Endymion. A port-o-let and a King Cake or two, that's Mardi Gras!

Mardi Gras season ends on "Fat Tuesday", which falls on February 20th.

Let The Good Times Roll

New orleans REVEILLON MENUS 2006

A réveillon is a long dinner, and possibly party, held on the evenings preceding Christmas Day and New Year's Day. The name of this dinner is based on the word réveil (meaning "waking"), because participation involves staying awake until midnight and beyond.

Reveillon in New Orleans is celebrated nightly during the Christmas season in restaurants throughout the city. Menus combine ageless Creole cuisine with more contemporary New Orleans dishes, but the spirit of the past remains. In fact, three of our Reveillon restaurants -- Commander's Palace, Galatoire's, and Tujague's -- are more than 100 years old! So revel in nostalgia. Join us for the Reveillon -- the authentic taste of Christmas New Orleans Style.

French Quarter Festivals website lists the 2006 Reveillon menus in NOLA.

Check out Tom Fitmorris's FoodFest website where he keeps an updated list of reopened restaurants.