NOLA Jazz Fest 2010 - Day 3

We kicked off our last day with a trolley ride. Eli remembers the trolleys from previous years, but I think this is the first one Maddux will remember. We rode the train about half way out St. Charles and then turned around. The kids liked it, but it is rather stressful holding them in the VERY open windows. Not only are they in danger of falling out, but lamp posts, trees, and other trolleys pass by extremely close as the train is in motion. Regardless, we all had a good time and were able to make it to Fest before they opened again.javascript:void(0)

I was in charge of the 'schedule' today, so we did a lot of moving around and we stayed mostly on the opposite side of where we'd been. The music tended to be more traditional in NOLA style too. We started at the Kids' Stage with the Red Hot Brass Band: a band made up of kids no older than high school. They brought their newest member on towards the end (part of a program called 'pass it on'). He was four years old and he played the snare drum. Eli loved this band, joining in their Second Line after their performance. From there we went to the Jazz and Heritage Stage. That stage is all about big 'street' brass bands, feathered costumes, and Second Lining. Two or three of the older 'kid' musicians jumped in to join the Storeyville Stompers Brass Band, providing an awesome show. Maddie was getting tired (and hot, due to the sun) at this point, but she did let me dance with her for "You Are My Sunshine". We also heard "When The Saints Go Marching In" for the eighth time...it never gets old. Mad Dog even chimed in wiht her own "WHO DAT?!?!"

We then went to the Gospel tent and the Blues tent. The kids were both exhausted by now, and Eli fell asleep in the BOB. Maddie had no choice but to nap on me, which I loved. Then, when Eli woke up, I transferred her to the BOB and she slept for another thirty minutes. That girl was tired!! We ended our day at the Blues tent with an awesome performance by Jonny Lang. Eli loved the music and learned that the band was 'playing filthy' for the last number. (It was pretty insane!)

Another Mango Freeze was shared, lots of red beans and rice was consumed, Ya Ka Mein, craw fish beignets, and bottles and bottles of water were put to rest. And yet we were still hungry for dinner. I picked up a few re-heatable pasta dishes from the local farmers market to eat in the hotel room. The kids ate in their underwear - awesome pictures.

2010 04 NOLA Jazz Fest from Nicole Eliason on Vimeo.