Local Thursdays
First off, no, I do not understand the finer points of funding and producing Jazz Fest. But I do know that $50 tickets price out a fair amount of locals and takes an iconic season away from many of us who grew up on that change in the air. And the extra work/cash on hand.
Part of the justification for the doubling of ticket prices in the past 5 years seems to be the addition of big, headlining, head-turning acts–Bruce Springsteen, Widespread Panic (I had no idea who they were until Friday), etc. (I rarely see them)–acts that are great but have little to do with jazz or heritage. And that seem to justify pricing out locals. Solution–Local Thursday. I don’t care which Thursday, 1st, 2nd, just a damn Thursday. All local acts, all tents and stages, one Thursday, reduced prices. Don’t even open the Acura stage that day. Open the grandstand so you can get your grandmama out of the sun for a little while. Focus on the tents, crafts, food and smaller stages and paying musicians. I don’t need Elvis Costello. And I can go on a $50 day to see Al Green if I really want to.
I’m happy musicians are getting paid more, happy with the increase in quality of the French Quarter, Freret and Satchmo Fests and the work of the Foundation year-round but does all that have to come at the price of Jazz Fest to locals?
G Bitch (site still down)
NOLA
all pics by dsbnola
May 3rd, 2008 at 11:43 am
The $50 admission is prohibitive to almost all residents of N.O.
I’m relieved to hear that neither you nor Mister know who Widespread Panic is, either.
May 3rd, 2008 at 1:23 pm
I wrote a letter to the Foundation the first Jazz Fest after Katrina suggesting that they do a sliding scale of ticket prices with a discount for people with Louisiana IDs. Never heard back. I suppose it was ignored or lost in the mail. If we get enough people together to campaign for a locals only day or reduced prices for those with LA IDs, it might work.
We don’t need Billy Joel, Sheryl Crow, etc. People like Tim McGraw, Elvis Costello, etc. I can understand a little more because they have strong local ties and their music reflects the heritage of Louisiana. But acts like Billy Joel do not cut it. Perhaps that’s what the night concert series should be for - those big name acts with no references to LA culture. They can charge $150 a ticket for the people that want to see that type of thing.
May 3rd, 2008 at 1:27 pm
‘Local Thursday’ is an idea that’s wqorked well at the NO Museum of art. Disounted (or free, in the Museum’s case) entry with a local ID. Transferring this concept to Jazz Fest is simply brilliant.
Many don’t realize that we, the people who live here, are the fan base that has brought many of these local acts to the point where they can play the Festival. Given the chance to support them further, without a monetary penalty, many would certainly do just that.
As it is, taking a day off work, spending fifty bucks to get in the Fair Grounds, and allowing only food and water purchased within, is simply prohibitive to most who live on a local sized budget.
Let our people go-go.
Lord David
May 4th, 2008 at 5:30 pm
unfortunately i’ve been out of town. so i was unable to attend the fest this year. — (i would be front and center to listen to Widespread Panic)
i’m really bothered by the price of the fest. damn. spending fifty dollers is just a bit much.
next year i’ll be at Chaz Fest for sure. . . kinda how Jazz Fest used to be in the early days …remember people?? :)
great post.
Geaux Hornets!
May 4th, 2008 at 8:08 pm
French Quarter fest has gotten to be pretty damn fun too.
May 7th, 2008 at 10:53 am
[...] graciously cross-posted at Humid City when the Spot was spotty [...]
May 26th, 2008 at 2:08 pm
[...] posted on the 3rd about making Thursdays at Jazz Fest for locals with local acts and local ticket prices, since the increase in prices seems to be [...]