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PEOPLE & ARTS Thursday 3 May 2018
Aerosmith, Richie, Beck anchor 2nd weekend of Jazz Fest

By REBECCA SANTANA, arts and crafts by various
Associated Press artists. Festival producer
NEW ORLEANS (AP) — The Quint Davis says artists send
second weekend of the in images of their work to
New Orleans Jazz & Heri- get selected, and the of-
tage Festival kicks off Thurs- ferings generally rotate
day. The festival, now in its each weekend: "There's a
49th year, features an ar- broad range ... from an Af-
ray of artists from New Or- rican trader to a Louisiana
leans and Louisiana as well alligator belt maker to a
as out-of-town performers glass blower."
such as Beck and Aeros- Usually, visitors have to
mith. Here's a look at some come to the city on Fat
of what to expect during Tuesday or another spe-
the festival's second week- cial occasion to see the
end which starts Thursday Mardi Gras Indians or on
and wraps up Sunday: a Sunday to see the city's
HEADLINERS social and pleasure clubs
Thursday is often known as rolling through the streets.
locals' day since many of But both those groups take
the tourists who come in part in regular parades or
from out of town haven't concerts through the festi-
arrived yet. Locals that val grounds as part of Jazz
day who produce a valid Fest. Aerosmith will be performing at the New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival, as it is getting set to kick
Louisiana photo ID can buy REMEMBERING MR. OKRA off its second weekend of music, food and art.
tickets at the festival for For years, the man known Associated Press
$50, compared to the reg- affectionately as "Mr. Okra"
ular $80 price at the gate. would drive slowly through
Among the headliners the city's streets in his color-
Thursday, festivalgoers will fully-painted truck, offering
have to decide between Li- his wares of fruits and veg-
onel Richie, Lyle Lovett and etables for sale on a loud-
the Blind Boys of Alabama. speaker. Residents would
On Friday, the headliners go out to buy pineapples,
include Beck, whose 2016 tomatoes, bananas and
show was rained out, Sh- okra from the man who
eryl Crow and LL Cool J. became a New Orleans
Saturday's big headliner is institution. Arthur Robinson
Aerosmith while Cage the died in February but his
Elephant closes down the daughter Sergio has taken
Gentilly Stage and Anita over his truck. And like her
Baker closes the Congo father, she — and the truck
Square Stage. Jack White, — are also making an ap-
the Steve Miller Band and pearance at Jazz Fest this
New Orleans' native Trom- weekend. Anyone look-
bone Shorty all perform on ing to buy some fresh fruit
the festival's last day. and learn about a unique
MORE THAN MUSIC part of the city's history can
The music may be the swing by her truck which
headliner at the festival but will be parked by the Jazz
the art and food should not & Heritage Stage.
be missed. The food high- TAP, TAP, TAP
lights the rich Creole and Renowned tap dancer Sav-
Cajun culinary traditions ion Glover closes down the
found in southern Louisiana Jazz Tent on Sunday. Festi-
and the local seafood. val producer Quint Davis
There's generally a long line said Glover will perform on
for the fried soft-shell crab a custom-made floor with
po-boys, and if you're eat- special microphones built
ing a cochon de lait po- in to capture the sound of
boy, make sure to have his tapping. "He's an instru-
napkins handy. If you're ment in the band, like the
looking for a dessert there's drums or something," Davis
sweet potato pie, sno-balls, said. "His artistry and level
white chocolate bread of dancing is something
pudding and the bright or- we can't forget. Tap is an
ange mango freeze. African-American art form
Three venues — the Con- that's always been a part
go Square African Mar- of jazz. If you've never seen
ketplace, Contemporary him perform, this is one to
Crafts and the Louisiana watch. The level at what
Marketplace — showcase he does is like no other." q