What is Jazz Fest?
The New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival, a/k/a Jazz Fest, is a two-weekend cultural feast in which thousands of musicians, cooks and craftspeople welcome 500,000 visitors annually. It showcases diverse offerings of music on multiple stages, indigenous Louisiana cuisine in two large food areas, and crafters from the region and around the world who demonstrate and sell their work.

When and where is it held?
Fri., April 25 – Sun., April 27 and Thu., May 1 – Sun., May 4, 2008. Jazz Fest takes place at the Fair Grounds Race Course, located at 1751 Gentilly Boulevard, 10 minutes from the French Quarter. Hours are 11 a.m. to 7 p.m, daily.

Is jazz the only music featured at the Jazz Festival?
The Festival celebrates the indigenous music and culture of New Orleans and Louisiana, so the music encompasses every style associated with the city and the state: blues, R&B, gospel, Cajun, zydeco, Afro-Caribbean, folk, Latin, rock, rap, country, bluegrass and everything in between. And of course there is lots of jazz, both contemporary and traditional. In addition, every year a number of popular national headliners perform at the Festival.

When is the performance schedule released?
The complete list of musicians performing at the Jazz & Heritage Festival is announced in February. A more complete schedule in grid form, known as "the cubes," is available closer to the Festival, usually around the first week of April. You can view the list of scheduled performers at the official website – www.nojazzfest.com.

When do tickets go on sale?
Tickets are on-sale now.

How can I purchase tickets?
Daily tickets can be purchased online at www.nojazzfest.com. Big Chief VIP tickets are also available through the website. Tickets can also be purchased at all Ticketmaster Outlets and Ticketmaster.com or by calling (800) 488-5252 or (504) 522-5555.

In New Orleans, tickets can be purchased in person at the Jazz Fest ticket office located at New Orleans Arena, 1501 Girod St. A $2 per ticket service charge will apply to cash purchases. Box Office hours for the N.O. Arena are 9:00 am - 4:30 pm. They accept cash or credit cards.

How much do tickets cost?
1st Weekend (April 25, 26, 27)
Advance adult ticket: $40 through April 24 (each ticket valid for one day only)
Gate price: $50
Child's ticket: $5 (advance or gate, ages 2 - 11)

2nd Weekend (Thursday, May 1)
Advance adult ticket: $30 through April 30 (valid for Thursday, May 1 only)
Gate price: $40
Child's ticket: $5 (advance or gate, ages 2 - 11)

2nd Weekend (May 2, 3, 4)
Advance adult ticket: $40 through April 30 (each ticket valid for one day only)
Gate Price: $50
Child's ticket: $5 (advance or gate, ages 2 - 11)

Ticket prices are subject to change.

How do I get to the Fair Grounds?
The Fair Grounds Race Course is located in Bayou St. John -- a residential part of the city; parking in the surrounding neighborhoods is not recommended. There is limited parking available at the Fair Grounds, but the lots tend to fill up quickly.

Gray Line Tours/Hotard Destination Services will operate continuous round-trip transportation – the Jazz Fest Express - from the Sheraton Hotel, the Gray Line Lighthouse at the Steamboat Natchez Wharf (Toulouse St. at the River – next to Jax Brewery), and Marconi Meadows (City Park) daily from 10:30 a.m. – 7:30 p.m.

A special entrance will be used only by Jazz Fest Express vehicles to avoid traffic and bring Festival-goers inside the gates of the Festival. Add $15 ($12 City Park) to the price of a Festival admission ticket for this round-trip transportation service. Admission and Jazz Fest Express tickets are available for sale on the days of the Festival from these locations or in advance through TicketMaster. For more information, call 504-569-1401 or 1-800-535-7786.

All area taxi services will provide cab service to and from the festival, as well.

Is the Festival accessible to people with disabilities?
For information about Festival attendance by people with disabilities. please either call (504) 558-7849, e-mail access@nojazzfest.com, or fax (504) 558-6132.

Any tips on preparation for a day at Jazz Fest - what to wear, things like that?
The springtime weather in New Orleans can range from pleasantly warm to uncomfortably hot, so you'll want to dress in cool, unrestrictive clothing. Lightweight cotton or linen are best. There are a few shady trees scattered here and there throughout the Fair Grounds, but the infield is, for the most part, wide open to the sun. Therefore, most people consider sunglasses to be essential, not to mention sunscreen or sunblock. A hat with a wide brim or visor is also a good idea. Wear comfortable shoes, as you may be doing a lot of walking. You'll want to keep hydrated, too: there are beverages available throughout the Heritage Fair, and cold drinking water can be found in the Grandstand, which is also a good source of shade and air conditioning, not to mention many of the Festival's hidden treasures. Also, several stages on the infield and in Heritage Square are under tents that offer relief from the sun.

Are there ATMs available if I run low on cash?
Yes, there are ATMs onsite.

What kinds of foods are available at Jazz Fest?
The food areas offer a wide range of items, from the familiar to the exotic: truly something for everyone, including vegetarian items. You won't go hungry. Perennial favorites include Crawfish Monica, BBQ oyster poor boy, soft-shell crab po-boy and the white chocolate bread pudding.

I'm a journalist interested in covering the Festival. How can I apply for press credentials?
If you have an assignment from a publication to cover the Jazz & Heritage Festival, please send the following as early as possible:
1. Letter of assignment from your editor;
2. A copy of the publication
3. The days you're planning to cover the Festival and your contact information.

Send the above to:
Matthew Goldman
Press & Advertising Director
New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival
336 Camp Street, Suite 250
New Orleans, LA 70130