NOLA

My New Orleans trip was SO MUCH FUN!!! The hotel we stayed in during the few days we were there was right off of Bourbon street, so we were in the heart of a lot of the craziness. The city is a creative hub for artists, musicians, and other street performers. It's got a perpetual groove goin' on and I really enjoyed it. The first day, we watched a jazz band play on the street called The Smoking Time Jazz Band. The music was so fun to listen to and they had a swing dancing couple. So I bought myself a CD of their music, asked where we could go see them play, and the guitar player invited me to their show that night at a jazz club called The Spotted Cat. So that night I heard more great music and watched the dancers go while I danced a bit myself :D The next day, we walked through many art galleries, saw more street performers, and ate some delicious food! The seafood there is fantastic and delicious and addicting and I really want to go back to NOLA. I also tried Absinthe for the first time which I thought was quite delicious, having a strong licorice flavor. That night, we went to listen to music at a small place called Fritzle's. The music was old swing, lighting was low, a very intimate setting. I met a man from Finland, named Ville, and we talked for some time while enjoying the music. It was definitely a nice night that ended around 2 AM. On the third day, we rose again and it was friday! Made it a point to get beignets at Cafe Du Monde as well as a voodoo doll. But when I walked into the voodoo shop, my finger started bleeding...felt like something from the Twilight Zone. Needless to say, I did not stay inside very long at all. That night was the big concert night for me...DOWN!! Down is, if not the best, one of the best bands I've ever seen live. The venue was very intimate and I got right up to the stage. Both Pepper Keenan and Phil Ansemlo actually fist bumped me! That's how close I was! Everything sounded flawless, heavy, and loud. The band was very animated, talking to the crowd between nearly every song. The crowd itself was a monster though. As soon as Down came on stage after the openers, I became a sardine...couldn't even reach to get my camera from my pocket at all during the show. It was a collective head banging fest, which was absolutely incredible. I left the show drenched in sweat, completely exhausted, hair all awry, shirt stretched out, sore throat, and a ringing in my ears. Now that's the sign of a great concert. Then we left early saturday morning, and I had a full day of band practice, brewing, and the renaissance festival. Was a great spring break :)