Wine, food, and music—I challenge anyone to come up with a better combination than that. Even that unlikely party animal, Martin Luther, is quoted as having said, ““Who loves not wine, women and song, remains a fool his whole life long.”
Brother Martin is a controversial figure, and I heartily disagree with him on many points, especially his anti-Semitism (despicable). However, when it comes to the wine and song premise, I think he was on to something. I’ve touched on that quote before.
I’m trying to think what the peak music/food/wine experience might resemble—flamenco, tapas, and Garnacha in Barcelona? Dom Perignon and handmade chocolates at the Vienna opera? I’ve not had the privilege of those experiences (I hope I will someday), and so for now, I’ll lay claim to the New Orleans Jazz Festival. And, as of yesterday, my cup runneth over! The festival organizers have announced the headliner for Weekend One, and it is none other than Simon and Garfunkel!
Ben and I had already made plans to go to N’awlins for the first weekend of Jazz Fest before the announcement was made. I’ve been four times, but the last time was in 2003 before I met my husband. There’s been a lot of water under the bridge since then, both literally and figuratively, and we have yet to go together. He’s heard me rave about how amazing it is, and finally he just said, “Why don’t we go?” I was all over that idea like sunburn on a redheaded Scotsman!
My friend Marianne always goes the second weekend, but it tends to be just a little more crowded, and for me personally, 100,000 or so sweaty bodies are plenty of company. Therefore, I have always gone the first weekend. It’s also easier to get reservations at one of the top restaurants—and there are beaucoups. Many of the most famous celebrity chefs, including Emeril Lagasse and Paul Prudhomme, first made a name for themselves in New Orleans.
Two weeks ago, I looked up the schedule for Weekend One, and I was surprised that the slot for the headliner said, “TBD.” Hmmm, usually they have announced the headliner by early January. What if it was going to be some really lame act, like R.E.O Speedwagon? Unlikely, but possible. Although I had questions, the seats on Southwest were already filling up, and if I didn’t make reservations soon, we’d miss out. So, I went ahead with reservations, including a phone call to my favorite NO host, Randy Griest of Anabelle’s House B&B.
I checked back yesterday to see if the headliner was posted yet—sure enough, right there in big bold letters, it said, “Simon and Garfunkel.” Wahoo! That information might not send you straight through the stratosphere, but Simon, Garfunkel, and I go waaaaay back. I’m talking about the 60’s, when I was just a pre-schooler trying to sing along with “At the Zoo.” I own a 4-CD discography of Simon and Garfunkel, and I have most of Paul Simon’s solo albums. I last saw him during the Graceland tour when Ladysmith Black Mambazo joined him onstage for “Diamonds on the Soles of her Shoes.” It was amazing!
I’m now poised for a weekend that could approach the peak wine/food/music experience. Randy says the Crescent City has come back to a great extent, and the joie d’vrie that I so love about it is still alive and kicking. The restaurants are busy, and the Quarter is wild as ever.
I get wound up thinking about all the awesome music, everything from Dixieland to Zydeco. Even the festival food is like none other—it’s not your plain old turkey legs and funnel cakes. There’s jambalya, crawfish poboys, mufalettas, and gelato. Smothered chicken, etoufee, and pralines. And it’s all washed down with cold lemonade, Hurricanes, or Blackened Voodoo beer. You just have to be sure to drink lots of water, too, because it is darned HOT outside, and you sweat buckets.
I’m so fortunate to look forward to such a fun trip, and I’m extraordinarily lucky to have such a wonderful life. Every day, the evening news reminds me that even on my worst day, I have it better than three-fourths of the world.
I guess I could feel slightly guilty (and I do), despite all the work I’ve done over the last year for causes ranging from human rights to animal welfare. On the other hand, if ever a city needed tourism dollars to continue the rebuilding process, it’s New Orleans. So I guess I can think of our wonderful Jazz Fest 2010 trip as part entertainment, part contribution to the revitalization of a truly great American icon.
Such rationalization is a stretch, I know. I guess I’ll call on Mark Twain to back me up: “Whoever is happy will make others happy, too.”
