Skip to main content
DUINola Festivals

The 2017 New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival is Almost Here!

Jazz Fest in New Orleans | Criminal Defense Lawyer in New Orleans

Criminal Defense in New Orleans & New Orleans Jazz Fest

One of the largest and most popular music festivals in New Orleans every year is the historical Jazz & Heritage Festival which is held the last weekend in April and the first weekend in May in historic Mid-City. This year “Jazz Fest” will be held April 28-30 and May 4-7th at the Fair Grounds Race Course on Gentilly Boulevard. Hundreds of musical acts, performances and artists will ascend onto the Fairgrounds for the thousands upon thousands of attendees. Not only is Jazz Fest a wonderful time of year for locals to hear some great music, eat some great food and enjoy some great weather, but New Orleans attracts thousands of visitors this time of year as well.

Who is Performing at Jazz Fest This Year?

One of the main draws of Jazz Fest are the musical acts. Although it is called a Jazz Festival, the music ranges from anything that has stemmed from Jazz, which is pretty much every genre of music. In addition to jazz, you can expect to hear blues, rock, soul, R&B, Gospel, folk, Latin, rap, bluegrass, country, Cajun & Zydeco, Afro-Caribbean and everything in between.

The main headlining acts throughout the two weekends include: Stevie Wonder, Tom Petty & The Heartbreakers, Maroon 5, Dave Matthews and Tim Reynolds, Kings of Leon, Snoop Dogg, Usher & the Roots, Lorde, Harry Connick Jr., Meghan Trainor, Widespread Panic, Darius Rucker, Pitbull, Alabama Shakes, Trombone Shorty & Orleans Ave. and the list goes on.

Although many of these musical acts are internationally known, there are also some local acts that you can expect to enjoy as well. Some of the most famous local musicians include, besides Trombone Shorty: Aaron Neville, Irma Thomas, Dr. John and the Gris-Gris Krewe, Big Freedia, The Revivalists, Ivan Neville’s Dumpstaphunk, Galactic, Rebirth Brass Band, Big Sam’s Funky Nation, Kermit Ruffins & the Barbeque Swingers, Anders Osborne, Tab Benoit, Ellis Marsalis, Walter “Wolfman” Washington & the Roadmasters, John Boutte, Deacon John and many more!

In addition to these musical acts, you’ll find some variety in the music that includes Mardi Gras Indian tribes such as Big Chief Bo Dollis, Jr. & the Wild Magnolias, a salute to Louis Armstrong featuring Hugh Masekela and Dr. Michael White, the SFJAZZ Collective Plays the Music of Miles Davis, Dayme Arocena of Cuba, Conga Los Hoyos of Cuba, and many more acts straight from Cuba.

The Food of Jazz Fest | Criminal Defense in New Orleans

You can’t plan to attend Jazz Fest without expecting to indulge in some of the best foods that New Orleans has to offer. How do you even choose what to eat at Jazz Fest? Some people come back every year with the intention of eating their favorite foods. You are going to want to come with an appetite! What are they? Well, you do not want to miss out on any of these famous foods: crawfish bread from Marksville, LA; Hot Sausage Po-Boy; Pecan Catfish Meuniere; Alligator Pie & Fried Green Tomatoes; Muffuletta; Boiled Crawfish; Crawfish Etouffee; BBQ Brisket Sandwich; Red Beans & Rice with Sausage; Cajun Duck Po-Boy; Boudin Balls; Cochon de Lait Po-Boy; Alligator Sauce Piquante; Shrimp & Grits; Crawfish Beignets; Ya Ka Mein; Meat Pies; Jambalaya; Cracklins & Fried Sweet Potato Chips; Creole’s Stuffed Bread; Crawfish Monica; Jamaican Chicken; Sweet Potato Turnover; Freshly Shucked Oysters; Smoked Sausage Macque Choux; Strawberry Lemonade; Mango Freeze; Sno-Balls; Rosemint Herbal Iced Tea; Frozen Café au Lait; and Pies: Apple, Bean Custard, Cherry, Coconut, Pecan or Sweet Potato.

I told you to bring an appetite. Also, you’ll have your selection of beer tents, cocktails and wine/champagne.

Don’t Miss the Art at Jazz Fest | New Orleans Criminal Defense Lawyer

If you’re lucky enough to come to Jazz Fest, you have to set aside some time to browse the artist’s pavilion and tents. There are at least three areas you need to check out: the Congo Square African Marketplace, Contemporary Crafts area, and the Louisiana Marketplace.

Congo Square African Marketplace is filled with music, art and energy. It is alive with culture and spirit and you’ll be able to find local, national and international artisans exhibiting ancient crafting techniques as well as modern adaptations. Make sure to visit the Sankore Pavilion with African drum carvings by master drummer Mark Vaugh, Red Flame Hunters Mardi Gras Indians, Zambian’s Youth Artists and an exhibit celebration 36 years of Koindu at Congo Square.

The Contemporary Crats area is near the Blues, Jazz & Gospel Tents in Heritage Square. You’ll find nationally recognized artisans showcasing their handcrafted clothing, leather goods, musical instruments, paintings, photographs, sculptures and unique jewelry. There will be demonstrations of metal work and printmaking as well as pottery turning. There is truly something for everyone here.

The Louisiana Marketplace is really the prime place for the state’s best traditional and contemporary artists to display their art and photographs, Creole and Acadian furniture, handmade jewelry and other creations that celebrate Louisiana.

If You Get Arrested at Jazz Fest… New Orleans Criminal Defense Lawyers

New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival is one of the best two weeks in New Orleans. In addition to the music, there are always amazing shows at night after the Festival, incredible food vendors, and an abundance of drinks.  This sometimes leads to too much fun, and some misjudgments. If you happen to have too much fun, and find yourself arrested in New Orleans at Jazz Fest, you should consider calling an experienced New Orleans criminal defense lawyer to help you navigate the legal system here in the Big Easy. Not only will the criminal defense lawyers at Crescent City Law make sure that your rights have not been violated, but we will also help you from the minute you call us until the case is completely closed. We understand that difficult life can turn when you make a mistake and commit a misdemeanor crime such as violation of open container, disturbing the peace, public urination, minor in possession, simple theft or trespassing. We want you to be able to move on with your life and family, with very little interruption of jail time, financial debt or loss of driver’s license. Either fill out a contact form here, or call the criminal defense attorneys at Crescent City Law for a FREE consultation at (504) 264-9492.

Skip to content