Last Friday I was able to fly into New Orleans for the day.
My Dear Friend and mentor, Glenda Satterfield, The co-owner of Whiteside Associates, the very successful Lakewood Real Estate company I help launch in the 1980′s, was celebrating her 70th Birthday @ Jazz Fest In New Orleans. I’ve had many clients and friends rave about this festival for years. It is spring market, and I do not think I can sneak away. Then my brain kicked in, and YES, I can. I decided to go. Just for the day!!!
I highly recommend this Magical Adventure!!!
I took a 7:30am Southwest Airlines flight to New Orleans and was home and in my bed by 11:00pm.
I decided to use this time as a trip down memory lane. I lived in New Orleans as a little boy in the mid 1960′s and decided to try and find our old house. My parents are deceased and May 3rd would have been my father’s birthday. My little brother found the name of the addition we lived in called Bissonet in Metairie. My Uber driver Royce, a retired police officer, happen to live in the same neighborhood. WILD.
We were driving around, and I asked Royce to take me to the Levi down from our home to see Lake Pontchartrain where my father loved to go. I then received a text from my sister Lynn, who was born there. She sent me a picture of her birth certificate that had our home address on it, 4017 James Drive. Bingo…We found the house.
Next, I went down to Bourbon Street to walk around and check out a few sites. Stopped in to Hotel MONTELEONE for a coffee and some beignets, then off to meet my friend at the New Orleans Fair Grounds Race Course where Jazz Fest is held. Brilliant music, amazing food and great people watching.
With 12 stages of soul-stirring music—jazz, gospel, Cajun, zydeco, blues, R&B, rock, funk, African, Latin, Caribbean, folk, and much more—the New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival is a singular celebration. The event has showcased most of the great artists of New Orleans and Louisiana of the last half century:
I was excited to catch a few songs by the great musician STING before I took off for a delicious dinner at the famous Commander’s Palace. My Mom became quite the cook after our stint in New Orleans. Her BRENNAN’S New Orleans Cookbook became her bible.
(There’s a wonderful documentary on Netflix titled “Ella Brennan Commanding The Table“)
A delicious Meal of Garlic Bread, Salad, Quale and Strawberry Shortcake. I walked around, exploring, and experienced the beautiful antique, grand homes in the garden district. My Uber arrived, taking me to my 9:40 flight back to Dallas/Love Field. Home and In my Bed by 11:00!!!
Wow…I did IT.
Over the years Jazz Fest has received many honors, including being named the Festival of the Year four times by Pollstar magazine. The Wall Street Journal says Jazz Fest “showcases a wider, deeper lineup of essential American musical styles than any festival in the nation…” and Life magazine has called Jazz Fest “the country’s very best music festival.”
When: May 3-6
Where: 1751 Gentilly Blvd. New Orleans, LA 70119
Website : Jazz Fest
Price : $58+
