A

Alcohol
Alcohol is incredibly cheap, which is no excuse to drink. Please do not imbibe too much if you go to a gig, this can be a hazard. I recommend you leave the drinking to late at night when we meet at Fahy’s Irish Pub after our gigs and then you can just walk over the road to our hotel.

Amazon

You can buy goods (including books and an iPad) and have them delivered to the Maison Dupuy. But make sure you have time. They have an express delivery option. Check at the desk to let them know you are expecting a delivery.

B

Buses

We usually catch the Esplanade bus back from the festival. I will show you where the stop is on the first day. There is a cab rank there too so if you meet up with others you can catch a cab.

C

Cabs

There is a fixed price from the airport and to the festival (US$4) per person. If you are going any distance out of the Quarter you will need to catch a cab. It is always better with a group.
Most venues have cabs pulling up regularly but you can always ask the bar staff to call you a cab.

CDs

The Louisiana Music Factory, at 210 Decatur (near The House of Blues) is the place to buy your CDs. Don’t forget to ask for tax free and show them your passport or a photocopy.

Chairs

Always handy at Jazz Fest. You can buy one for about US$12.99 at Walgreens in the Quarter and leave it or donate it when you go.

Clothing

New Orleans can be quite hot and humid so you need to wear light clothing. Denim jeans are not good during the day as they sweat and you will pay the price.

Credit Cards

Please let you bank know you are travelling to the USA and will be using your credit card there, otherwise it might be blocked.

D

Driving

You do not need an international driver’s licence but you will need a credit card to rent a car.

E

F

Food

There are copious amounts of food. Some of it outside New Orleans is not too bad; however, the food in the Crescent City is generally pretty good. Vegetarians might not agree. Food such as Po’ Boys, Jambalaya and Red Beans & Rice are cheap working class fare that is hearty.

You can get late night snacks at the Verti Mart on Royal, just over Bourbon.

You should have at least one breakfast at the Clover Grill (‘We love to fry and it shows’) which was featured in the film Benjamin Button.

G

Guided Tour?

Once we reach New Orleans we will all have time to relax. We will not be on a rigid guided tour and I encourage you to do some research (brochures are available everywhere) and seek out your own interests.

H

Hotels

Memphis

Holiday Inn Select Downtown Memphis, 160 Union Avenue (Tel: 901-525-5491)

Clarksdale – The Shack Up Inn

Old Commissary Circle, Clarksdale (Tel. 662 634 8239)

New Orleans – The Maison Dupuy

1001 Toulouse Street, New Orleans LA 70112-3425 (Tel: 504 -586-8000)

I

Incidentals

You are responsible for paying for any room service charges, phone calls etc from your room.

Internet

There is a small business centre in the Holiday Inn in Memphis and at the Maison Dupuy where you can check your emails. The Shack Up Inn has wireless.

If you have a laptop with WiFi you might be able to pick up a network free in New Orleans depending on what room you are in.

J – Jazz Fest

The Festival

It runs from 11.00am until 7.00pm There are more than 10 stages.

Festival equipment:

A chair (see above)

A poncho (rain jackets can be sweaty).

A pair of shoes you can throw away later (or crocs).

A bottle of water. Even better if you have a fridge and can freeze it overnight. There are refill taps at the festival.

A copy of Offbeat Magazine (free).

Festival Food

A fantastic array. One compulsory dish for this tour is Crawfish Monica.

The Grandstand

A good place to cool down, get some oysters, watch cooking demonstrations, watch interviews with artists. Use it.

Merchandising

You can buy posters, t-shirts, books and CDs and all sorts of other things.

You can mail the posters back from the US Postal Service office on site for about US$20 per cylinder.

Buy CDs at the Lousiana Music Factory on Decatur rather than at the festival if you can.

Posters

See above.

Toilets

Avoid the portaloos when it is hot or late in the day. If you have to use one – never look down.

Better to use the ones in the grandstand.

Transport

We will meet on the first Friday at around 11.00am and catch cabs out to the festival ($4 per person). We will then catch the bus back ($1.25) and show you the taxi rank. On following days you might like to take a cab.

K

Keep a copy of all your credit card numbers and other card numbers. Bring a photocopy of your passport.

Do not keep any PIN numbers in your wallet or purse.

L

Laptops

Most, if not all, laptops or netbooks will run on US power. But you will need an adaptor.

Laundry

You can get your laundry done at the French Quarter Laundrette, Corner of Bourbon and Ursulines Street, for about US$7 + tax. It is a 10 minute walk from the hotel and you can go to the Croissant D’Or for breakfast after you drop your laundry off.

Luggage

Please do not bring large suitcases – these can make it hard in the vans during the first part of the trip.

You should have a medium sized suitcase and a carry bag.

M

Mobile Phones. See phones below.

N

O

P

Paw Paw Ointment

The miracle cream. Bring at least one small tube as you can use it on rashes or blisters.

Phone Cards

You can buy cheap phone cards that will give you a lot of talk time back to Australia by dialling a 1-800 number. If you call from your room this will only cost you a local call.

Phones

If you use Global Roaming on your Australian mobile expect to pay a hefty bill when you get home.

Better to use a phone card.

Better still to buy a US cell phone, which you can do in Memphis.

T-Mobile will sell you a phone for about $30 and you get a US no. and buy top up cards at Wal-Mart or Walgreens. This is a good way of keeping in touch with others and if you lose it, it has not cost much.

Of course, you then use a phone card for international calls.

Postage

You can send posters and other items from the US Post Office at the festival. See above.

There is also a large post office in Loyola Avenue just outside the Quarter. There was one in Iberville St, but I am not sure if this is still in operation.

Power Adaptor

You will need one of these to charge your laptops, camera or mobile phone unless your equipment came with the US connections.

Q

Questions. Do not be afraid to ask any of the experienced group members.

R

Radio

The local station is WWOZ (90.7FM) and it will bring you every sort of Louisiana music. It also has a daily gig guide and broadcasts from the festival.

Rain

It will most probably rain at some stage. Ponchos are handy to have at the festival. See above.

Restaurants

There are so many to choose from.

If you want a world class experience then you can go to K-Paul’s Louisana Kitchen (416 Chartres) but you will need to book (504-596-2530). I believe they have a deli style lunch Thursday-Saturday.

Ralph & Kacoo’s is at 519 Toulouse Street, not far from the hotel, and is a good tourist experience. The hush puppies are excellent. Service can be a little slow at times.

Mother’s on Poydras makes you line-up but the Po’ Boys are worth it.

The Acme Oyster House (724 Iberville) is always good but can be crowded during Jazz Fest. Make sure you get some freshly shucked oysters.

The Country Flame (620 Iberville) is a Mexican budget favourite cantina. Steaks for about US$12. Free corn chips and salsa. Cheap beers.

S

Safety

New Orleans is like most other urban areas. Do not wander outside the French Quarter or Faubourg Marigny by yourself late at night.

Never carry your wallet in your back pocket – always your front pocket.

Shoes

Sandals are good if you can wear them without getting sore feet.

Some people swear by Crocs because you can wash them out at the end of the day.

Shopping

New Orleans is a Tax Free port. If you provide your passport or a photocopy when you purchase at approved places you can redeem the sales tax when you leave.

So all your music purchases at the Louisiana Music Factory are tax free! How good is that?

Apple have an international warranty so you can buy an iPad!

There are many camera/electronic outlets on Canal Street but be aware that sometimes  the stock is obsolete and may not come with an international warranty. But you can find some bargains – and be prepared to bargain. Also be prepared for the sales staff  to follow you out of the store and down the street.

A bit of research does not go astray so that you know exactly the model you want and how much it might cost on Amazon as a comparison.

Do not fall for the bait and switch trick! That is when you go in to buy one thing and end up paying more for the next model up or something that is exactly the same model but a different colour. (Yes, I have done that!).

Shortchanging

Because some US notes are the same colour (that is gradually changing) you can sometimes  ‘accidentally’ be given the wrong change. Make sure you always check your change

Socks

Walking socks are good if you are wearing any type of shoe. Cotton socks could chafe.

T

Tipping

Yes, you have to tip – unless the service is really bad. The usual rule is 15-20%.

If you go in groups of 5 or more many restaurants will automatically add an 18% surcharge. If this happens don’t tip twice!

U

V

Venues

There are a number of venues in and around the French Quarter: The House of Blues, The Parish, Tipitina’s Downtown and One-Eyed Jacks. Snug Harbour and Café Brasil and dba are just over Esplanade in Faubourg Marigny.

W

Weather. It is likely to be warm. Bring light clothes.

WWOZ is the local radio station.

X Y Z

Contact phone in the USA: 901 216 1461

The Itinerary

Saturday April 17

Those who have arrived on Friday will travel down to Clarksdale for the Juke Joint Festival.

Everyone else will arrive in Memphis today. We will be at the hotel to meet you. You will need to catch cabs to the hotel which is the Holiday Inn Select Downtown Memphis, 160 Union Avenue (Tel: 901-525-5491). I will try to be at the airport to meet you.

Drinks and dinner on Beale Street.

Sunday April 18

11.00am Al Green’s Church – The Full Gospel Tabernacle Church – if Al is there.

Graceland / Stax (we might have to re-arrange depending on church service)

Evening: Minglewood Hall – Amos Lee

Monday April 19

National Civil Rights Museum / Sun Studio

Options: Memphis Rock ‘N’ Soul Museum (Beale Street), Centre For Southern Folklore (Main Street), Gibson Guitar Factory (opposite Rock ‘N’ Soul).

Evening: Gig at B Kings on Beale Street

Tuesday April 20

Leave Memphis and drive to Oxford, Mississippi

Lunch in Oxford

2.00pm Check in at The Shack Up Inn

Robert Birdsong’s tour of Clarksdale.

The Rock ‘n’ Roll Heritage Museum

Dinner in town; chill out at the Shack Up Inn

Wednesday April 21

King Biscuit Hour, Helena, Arkansas

The BB King Museum, Indianola

Robert Johnson’s Grave

The Robert Johnson, Museum, Greenwood, Mississippi

Turnrow Books, Greenwood, Mississippi

Ground Zero, Clarksdale: Bill ‘Howl – N – Madd’ Perry Blues Band (8.00pm)

Thursday April 22

An early rise and a drive to Greenwood.

Today we catch the City Of New Orleans from Greenwood at 9.00am. This means you all have to get up early and we have to leave by 7.30am at the latest.

We arrive in New Orleans and get cabs to the Maison Dupuy where we check in and meet our fellow travellers.

Dinner tonight is at Muriel’s with Nancy Covey’s Cajun Country tour group.

After dinner we head up to Chickie Wah Wah on Canal Street to see Lil’ Band O’ Gold launch Jazz  Fest for us.

Friday April 23

1^st day of Jazz Fest

We will meet n the lobby and travel out together

Clubs at night.

Saturday April 24

Jazz Fest

2^nd day of Jazz Fest

Clubs at night

Sunday April 25

Jazz Fest

3^rd day of Jazz Fest

Clubs at night

Monday April 26

Those who have booked on the Cajun Country tour will head off with Nancy Covey.
The rest of us will have the option of a free day, a plantation tour or river cruise.

Tuesday April 27

Cajun Country Tour – Day 2

Some of us will drive up to join the Cajun Country tourists for the Crawfish Boil but will drive back to New Orleans afterwards.

Wednesday April 28

Cajun Country Tour concludes and members return to New Orleans in the late afternoon.

Free day for others.

Thursday April 29

Jazz  Fest

Friday April 30

Jazz  Fest

Saturday May 1

Jazz  Fest

Sunday May 2

Final day of Jazz Fest.

Option: Mass at St Augustine’s on Ursulines Street.

Farewell dinner.

Monday May 3

Some of you will stay an extra day in New Orleans. Some of us are heading for Austin, Texas via lunch in Lafayette at Antlers, and others are on their way to New York or home.

Check out the latest episode on the Red Stick Ramblers’ Black Pot Festival

Go to the show archive and check out the programs for 2009.

The New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival will take place from Friday April 23 to Sunday May 2.

Repeat offenders will notice that the prices have fallen! Not only that we are going to add some extras. It’s all good news. There are a number of options available to you this year.

1. FULL MEMPHIS – CLARKSDALE-  NEW ORLEANS TOUR – A$3250

Saturday April 17 – Sunday May 2 (inclusive).

2. FULL TOUR PLUS THE CAJUN COUNTRY TOUR – A$3950.00

Saturday April 17 – Sunday May 2 (inclusive). Includes two night and three days in Cajun Country – Eunice – with a zydeco BBQ at Geno Delafose’s ranch and the famous crawfish boil at Marc Savoy’s property.

3. NEW ORLEANS JAZZ FEST – $2250

11 nights in New Orleans (twin share) plus welcome dinner, Jazz Fest tickets, plantation tour or river cruise and lunch, plus farewell dinner.

4. NEW ORLEANS WEEKEND – FIRST OR SECOND WEEKEND OF JAZZ FEST

1. Thursday April 22 – Sunday April 25 (4 nights, 3 day Jazz Fest tickets and welcome dinner). A$800.00 approx.

2. Wednesday April 28 – Sunday May 2 (5 nights, 4 day Jazz Fest tickets and farewell dinner). A$1000.00 approx.

The tentative itinerary is below. We are now taking deposits for the tour. So please, if you are interested and have not already registered let me know asap.

DEADLINES:

Deposit: 50% no later than Friday January 15.

Remaining 50% no later than Friday February 12.

Cancellations by no later than March 1 will be charged a small administration fee to cover bank charges etc. Cancellations after March 1 will be charged a 10% fee – and I’ll be really upset with you.

Please note:

- All prices are current until February 12. (An additional fee may be charge in circumstances of exceptional currency fluctuation). Prices may increase after February 12.

- All prices are based on twin-share accommodation. Please ask re. single supplement.

- There will be an additional charge of  US$100 per person for those who want to go to the Crawfish Boil as a day trip. Return will be by midnight.

We can only take a limited number to Memphis but you always join us in New Orleans, spend 11 nights in the Crescent City and enjoy Jazz Fest, the gigs and the food in the company of like-minded music lovers.

You must have travel insurance and no pre-existing conditions which would enable the insurance company to invalidate your insurance.

Please let us know if you want us to book your airfares and we will get you the cheapest price we can.

- While we have put the starting date as Saturday April 17, I am prepared to start it a day earlier if enough people are able to leave on Friday April 16. Please let me know if this suits, otherwise Saturday it is.

- The Ponderosa Stomp will NOT be taking place during the Jazz Fest days between this year (it has been moved to later in the year). So some of you might want to take Nancy Covey’s Cajun Country Tour, while others might like to just take in the Crawfish Boil in Eunice.