dancing in the streets

Last Sunday was Day 3 (the last day) of the 2010 French Quarter Festival. It claims to be the largest free music festival in the Southeast, and I found it to be well worth it--how couldn't it be? There were about 15 bandstands: 3 along the river, one big stop at Jackson Square, a couple by the Old U.S. Mint building near the French Market, and a few along Bourbon St. and Royal St. in the heart of the French Quarter.

Crowds in Jackson Square--listening to music and browsing stands for food

Although the New Orleans Jazz Fest might have more highly acclaimed musicians on average, I found the FQF to be more enjoyable. The Jazz Fest is held in a race track arena and the sun beats down on the dry soil and the only break from the heat is in tents that are set up with fans and mist. But the FQF was in the streets of New Orleans, closely connecting the music with the culture that started it all. Walking from one bandstand to another, we passed galleries and cafes and people sat on their balconies enjoying the scenes and sounds.

My favorite stop was on Royal St. where we heard the last few songs of the Washboard Chaz Blues Trio. They recreated an old-timey blues sound with the harmonica, washboard, and guitar (made of some type of metal giving it a twangy sound).

Tapping toes and dancing to Washboard Chaz Blues Trio