Irma Thomas – Oyster Fest Day 2

“Soul Queen of New Orleans,” Irma Thomas, took the stage to end the 2nd annual Oyster Fest. Though it was cooler than Day 1, I sincerely hope that the organizers find their way to Armstrong Park or some other grassy field before next year. Even with cloudy skies and the sun setting, heat radiated from the blacktop. But, the large crowd (and DancingMan504) could have cared less – Irma was going to sing us off the surface of the sun and into the heavens and we couldn’t wait.

Chaz Fest

Nestled in the valley between the 2 weekends of Jazz Fest, Chaz Fest is a one day concert in the Bywater (a neighborhood near the French Quarter). Eponymous washboard player, “Washboard” Chaz Leary, Chaz is more than just a symbol of the independent free spirit of Chaz Fest, he plays a few songs with every band. The event started 6 years ago when Alex McMurray, guitarist for 007 (a super group with members of G. Love and Special Sauce, the New Orleans Klezmer Allstars and the Iguanas) and the trio, Tin Men, decided to take matters into his own hands after being rejected by Jazz Fest.