For all of us who love New Orleans, and have mourned its recent tragic encounter with Hurricane Katrina, the signs that the city is slowly taking steps toward recovery are heartening. Scenes from this year’s Mardi Gras celebration, although clearly filled with mixed emotions for the resident celebrants, confirmed that the Crescent City’s penchant for parties still exists.

The next big celebration on the New Orleans calendar is also making a comeback, and this year, when the New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Festival takes to its twelve stages at the New Orleans Fair Grounds, it will do so with none other than Bruce Springsteen and the Seeger Sessions Band. Springsteen, who is making his debut appearance at this year’s festival, is set to release his latest album, a tribute to American music legend, Pete Seeger, in April. Quint Davis, producer/director of the New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Festival is thrilled that Springsteen will be joining the festival. “That one of America’s most vital artists and most powerful live entertainers and his new band are coming to share this very special Jazz Fest with us, and be a part of revitalizing New Orleans,” he noted recently, “should be heartening for all New Orleanians. When Bruce and the Seeger Sessions band take the stage at the Festival it will be a moment to remember.”

Springsteen will be in good company. The Festival’s six day schedule (April 28, 29, 30 and May 5, 6, 7) includes performances by an entire list of great musicians, including Etta James, Herbie Hancock, Dave Bartholomew, Warren Haynes, Bonerama, Red Stick Ramblers, Spencer Bohren, Darius Brooks & SDM Choir, John Rankin, Ingrid Lucia, New Orleans Jazz Vipers, Wess “Warm Daddy” Anderson, Topsy Chapman, New Leviathan Oriental Foxtrot Orchestra, Walter Payton & Snapbeans, Bonerama, Bobby Lounge, Bill Summers with members of Los Hombres Calientes, Mighty Chariots of Fire, Danza featuring Evan Christopher & Tom McDermott, Kirk Joseph’s Backyard Groove, Pinettes Brass Band, Olympia Brass Band, Carrollton Hunters Mardi Gras Indians and more.

Don’t forget the Food!
New Orleanians, and those who love the city, probably love good food and drinks just as much as they love a party with good music, and for Festival attendees, there are over 100 varieties of classic New Orleans staples, Creole and Cajun favorites, and a variety of international cuisine options available from vendors located throughout the fair grounds. Fill up on gumbo, ettouffee, po-boys, muffelettas, crawfish, and, of course, the very popular oyster shooters! And guess what. That’s only the beginning. Diet before you go, because when you get back home, you’ll have gained a good ten pounds. You just can’t help yourself!

Shoppers’ Delight.
For folks who just have to shop wherever they go, there are all sorts of unique shopping opportunities at the New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Festival. More than 300 regionally and nationally acclaimed artists are on hand to share their art and show their wares. They appear in four distinct areas within the Fair Grounds, including:

Congo Square. Congo Square features music and art from Africa and the African Diaspora. While the Congo Square stage features performances by African, African-American, African-Caribbean and Latino musicians, the Congo Square African Marketplace is abuzz with folks searching for original paintings, sculpture, clothing, jewelry, musical instruments, and an array of handcrafted artworks.

Contemporary Crafts. This area includes a stunning variety of handcrafted clothing, beautiful leather goods and handblown glass, along with a brilliant array of paintings, photographs, sculptures and unique jewelry.

The Native American Village. The Native American Village offers festival-goers a glimpse of the rich heritage and history of Louisiana’s indigenous peoples. Listen to traditional flute music, relax under the shade canopy of a palmetto-thatched chickee. Enjoy traditional drumming and singing, or watch demonstrations of basketweaving and woodcarving. Once you’ve rested up and relaxed, visit the market and pick out a few of these folks treasures to take home with you!

The Louisiana Marketplace. The Louisiana Marketplace offers visitors a variety of arts and crafts created by traditional and contemporary Louisiana artists.

Get Me To the Party On Time! Tickets to the New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Festival are on sale online at www.nojazzfest.com and www.ticketmaster.com. They are also available at all Ticketmaster outlets or by calling 1 (800) 488-5252 (outside Louisiana) or 1 (504) 522-5555. Tickets can be purchased in person at the Jazz Fest ticket office located at New Orleans Arena, 1501 Girod Street. Tickets to Jazz Fest are on sale by specific weekend, with each ticket valid for a single day’s attendance. Prices are $30 in advance, $40 at the gate. Children’s tickets (under age 12) are only $5 in advance or at the gate. Jazz Fest’s popular Big Chief VIP Experience also returns this year with full weekend passes and VIP amenities available for only $500 per weekend (or $600 with parking). Additional ticket, schedule and/or other information is available at www.nojazzfest.com.