The largest four day showcase of Louisiana music is held in New Orleans each April. And we were fortunate enough to experience this French Quarter Festival. Twenty-three street stages set up throughout the Quarter, exhibit rotating music ensembles, along with street entertainers and bar music. All of this is free (except for the food and alcohol). Our senses were overwhelmed by the loud music, the sights of characters in various costumes , and the smells of food and alcohol ( and occasionally some that were not quite so pleasant). The streets were alive with crowds of people, many of whom were already inebriated before noon. This was entertainment on a grand scale. We heard all styles of music everywhere; jazz, bluegrass, country, R & B, and even some Rock-n-Roll. One of the unique pieces of entertainment were folks tap dancing with tops of soda cans attached to their shoes. Surprising to us were the shear number of tarot card readers (at least twenty) lined up around Jackson Square. Inhibitions were long gone, as evidenced by the free flowing dancing in the middle of the street and the loud shouting ( often obscenity laden) from one corner to the next. The crowds were so thick that, at times, it was hard for us to move in any given direction, especially in areas where spectators had set up lawn chairs to watch the entertainment. We hung on to each other tightly, for fear of getting separated and lost. And this was in the middle of the day! We could only imagine what it would be like after dark, when things got really rolling (and folks had that much more alcohol in them). We chose to be out of there before that happened. Some of New Oeleans' favorite entertainers are still in evidence. Many local artists put their works on display. And beads could be found everywhere... ...as was trash. They followed us from Atlanta! The Lynn Daley band performing at Waldenberg Park. The Garden District band performing on one of the street stages. Even individual performers set up wherever they could find a spot. If you were not watching, you were probably dancing... There certainly was plenty to see. I probably should not have had that last drink! (And I hope my insurance is paid up!).
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |
Carl and Lorraine Aveni are two retirees planning on traveling through Europe for at least one year.
Archives
September 2020
Categories |