the big easy this weekend

[Happy Hippo]

seriously, it's sick at night all the way through next Monday - I used to try to go to a bunch of the night shows but at my advanced age it's too hard to try to go out at night and then make it out to the Fair Grounds by day - some venues (take a look at the Maple Leaf, for example) have early shows, then middle of the night shows, then sunrise shows starting at 3am

When I used to go, I never got a hotel, because I would be out all night at shows. I remember points when I literally couldn't stand up anymore, so I would just sit on the curb for an hour or so and people watch (that is fun too). One time after probably 36ish hours of straight music, my friends and I got really tired, so we went to my car and zonked out for a couple hours, just parked on some random street in New Orleans. When we woke up, some people were sitting on their porch, and they invited us into their home so we could use their restroom and freshen up. The offered us some water and juice. Will never forget their hospitality, and I think that truly reflects the spirit of the city.

Also, some of my more memorable music moments were from random bars/clubs that we would drop in to listen to local musicians, or even the locals playing out in the streets or parks. Really a musical mecca.

Special place, special event.