heading in from houston for this one, havent seen the city since katrina

annadaggs said:

KatSkrizzle said:New Orleans Org invasion? Who's down? Any locals have some spots in mind? ah, my house?

Sweet! Locals! New Orleans can get obnoxious with tourists...and I'm a tourist. But after the third night of sifting through sloppy pissy drunks, I'm at capacity. The locals always say that the best food is outside of the city...but just how far and how deep in the realness?

So few replies?

Hopefully someone living in the Big Easy will chime in here with some information about hotels, dining, etc.

babynoz said:

So few replies?

Hopefully someone living in the Big Easy will chime in here with some information about hotels, dining, etc.

I know, right? You ready to invade, babynoz?

I'd love to see a Prince show next year, but I wouldn't love to go to N'awlins in July! I'd melt! Hopefully there will be more U.S. shows, especially in the Bay Area... P knows he has lots of fans up there who will always turn out to see him.

[Edited 12/5/13 20:18pm]

Anybody have a clue who the other acts will be?? Any idea if Prince is just playing one night or more than one? It would be so awesome for him to play 3 nights, but I figure the costs for the 3 day weekend pass would have been much more expensive.

KatSkrizzle said:

babynoz said:

So few replies?

Hopefully someone living in the Big Easy will chime in here with some information about hotels, dining, etc.

I know, right? You ready to invade, babynoz?

I'd love to! I need more information to decide if I can swing it though.

metallicjigolo said:

Here in Nola!! Will get some info together soon. Until then message any questions.

It would be much appreciated,

MontRoyal said:

I lived in New Orleans 1992-2005. I was fortunate to see Prince in 2004, once in Boloxi, Ms and and the Superdome during Essence. Typically, during the festival there are multiple acts- some on the concourse stages and the main stadium\floor stage. That night in 2004, since it was the 20th anniversary of Purple Rain, Prince called up The Time to join him. Essence supposedly paid him a seven figure fee to perform. Mysteriously, ahead of The Time, some no name band showed up, let by some clown on roller blades, moving about the stage. The guy was rocking in Ike Turner like wig,dark sunglasses and wearing what looked to be a Martial Arts/Kung Fun jump suit. Anyhow, it was Prince. He played about 45 mins in disguise. The set was heavily amplified, I remember him rolling through an 8 min version of Santana's"Soul Sacrifice" ..... I would say 60% of the 52,000 there had no idea it was Prince. He did not sing, but would occasionally speak in Al Sharpton like voice. The entire band (NPG)was in disguise from what I remember. Larry Graham and Sheila E joined on stage. The Time played for about an hour. Prince returned to play approximately a 2.5 set I thought it was a great night, due to Prince covering most of his catalogue. He even had Chaka Khan join home for an acoustic version of "Sweet Thing" before launching in "Feel For You" with Chaka and band.

*

Yep, both the New Orleans and Biloxi shows were great. And to add to the fun, Earth, Wind, and Fire was in Biloxi the night (Friday night iirc) before Prince's show, making for two great weekends in Biloxi and New Orleans.

1725topp said:

MontRoyal said:

I lived in New Orleans 1992-2005. I was fortunate to see Prince in 2004, once in Boloxi, Ms and and the Superdome during Essence. Typically, during the festival there are multiple acts- some on the concourse stages and the main stadium\floor stage. That night in 2004, since it was the 20th anniversary of Purple Rain, Prince called up The Time to join him. Essence supposedly paid him a seven figure fee to perform. Mysteriously, ahead of The Time, some no name band showed up, let by some clown on roller blades, moving about the stage. The guy was rocking in Ike Turner like wig,dark sunglasses and wearing what looked to be a Martial Arts/Kung Fun jump suit. Anyhow, it was Prince. He played about 45 mins in disguise. The set was heavily amplified, I remember him rolling through an 8 min version of Santana's"Soul Sacrifice" ..... I would say 60% of the 52,000 there had no idea it was Prince. He did not sing, but would occasionally speak in Al Sharpton like voice. The entire band (NPG)was in disguise from what I remember. Larry Graham and Sheila E joined on stage. The Time played for about an hour. Prince returned to play approximately a 2.5 set I thought it was a great night, due to Prince covering most of his catalogue. He even had Chaka Khan join home for an acoustic version of "Sweet Thing" before launching in "Feel For You" with Chaka and band.

*

Yep, both the New Orleans and Biloxi shows were great. And to add to the fun, Earth, Wind, and Fire was in Biloxi the night (Friday night iirc) before Prince's show, making for two great weekends in Biloxi and New Orleans.

Now, that must have been a memorable week!

This is great news! I am so happy for Prince.

babynoz said:

So few replies?

Hopefully someone living in the Big Easy will chime in here with some information about hotels, dining, etc.

I recommend JW Marriott. Staying near or right off of Canal Street is best. Shopping - Sak's is great but stores close really early in NO. Bourbon Street is fun but you have to be with at least one buddy. And, always remember the Light when walking in town. (Parking a rental car is something like $38 a night in every hotel around there. Cabbing it from the airport isn't cheap either.) Good God! - there are tons of purple people in NO that love Prince! Finally, their dream will come true. PARTY!!!!!

raddahone said:

babynoz said:

So few replies?

Hopefully someone living in the Big Easy will chime in here with some information about hotels, dining, etc.

I recommend JW Marriott. Staying near or right off of Canal Street is best. Shopping - Sak's is great but stores close really early in NO. Bourbon Street is fun but you have to be with at least one buddy. And, always remember the Light when walking in town. (Parking a rental car is something like $38 a night in every hotel around there. Cabbing it from the airport isn't cheap either.) Good God! - there are tons of purple people in NO that love Prince! Finally, their dream will come true. PARTY!!!!!

Thanks for the info,

Has the French Quarter and the Garden District changed much? I haven't been there since before Katrina... I won't even ask about some of the other neighborhoods that no longer exist...

KCOOLMUZIQ said:

Wife wants to come, and I kinda want to also. We have some friends we've been wanting to visit in N.O. but i'm kinda a Prince setlist snob and the Fest seems like too "mainstream" of a crowd for me. This will be first show for my wife but I don't want to hit another iteration of the "hits". Perhaps he'll do some aftershows where the setlists will be more to my liking. I think we'll plan to come, but i'm going to set the bar low and expect to enjoy some of the "super lounge" acts, they usually have a nice lineup.

purplethunder3121 said:

1725topp said:

*

Yep, both the New Orleans and Biloxi shows were great. And to add to the fun, Earth, Wind, and Fire was in Biloxi the night (Friday night iirc) before Prince's show, making for two great weekends in Biloxi and New Orleans.

Now, that must have been a memorable week!

*

Yes, one great weekend with my wife, and another great weekend with my father.

KatSkrizzle said:

annadaggs said:

KatSkrizzle said:New Orleans Org invasion? Who's down? Any locals have some spots in mind? ah, my house?

Sweet! Locals! New Orleans can get obnoxious with tourists...and I'm a tourist. But after the third night of sifting through sloppy pissy drunks, I'm at capacity. The locals always say that the best food is outside of the city...but just how far and how deep in the realness?

The locals, which I used to be one, mean outside The French Quarter. Rule #1: Stay off Bourbon Street. It's a waste of time. Go to the Bywater, The Marigney, CBD, Warehouse Disrtict, Mid City & Uptown for great food & music. Do not drive unless you are leaving NOLA, take street cars, busses and cabs around town. July is very hot in NOLA so try to stay somewhere with a pool. It'll be worth it to see Prince! I'm definitely going down for this but first Mohegan Sun on the 27th.

[Edited 12/11/13 1:39am]

Finally! Took him long enough. Checking tix and hotels right now.

jjazznola said:

KatSkrizzle said:

Sweet! Locals! New Orleans can get obnoxious with tourists...and I'm a tourist. But after the third night of sifting through sloppy pissy drunks, I'm at capacity. The locals always say that the best food is outside of the city...but just how far and how deep in the realness?

The locals, which I used to be one, mean outside The French Quarter. Rule #1: Stay off Bourbon Street. It's a waste of time. Go to the Bywater, The Marigney, CBD, Warehouse Disrtict, Mid City & Uptown for great food & music. Do not drive unless you are leaving NOLA, take street cars, busses and cabs around town. July is very hot in NOLA so try to stay somewhere with a pool. It'll be worth it to see Prince! I'm definitely going down for this but first Mohegan Sun on the 27th.

[Edited 12/11/13 1:39am]

Thanks for the information. Are these suggested areas near the festival? Also have you heard about or have any knowledge of ticket prices? Appreciate you

---

[Edited 12/11/13 17:18pm]

kok said:

jjazznola said:

The locals, which I used to be one, mean outside The French Quarter. Rule #1: Stay off Bourbon Street. It's a waste of time. Go to the Bywater, The Marigney, CBD, Warehouse Disrtict, Mid City & Uptown for great food & music. Do not drive unless you are leaving NOLA, take street cars, busses and cabs around town. July is very hot in NOLA so try to stay somewhere with a pool. It'll be worth it to see Prince! I'm definitely going down for this but first Mohegan Sun on the 27th.

[Edited 12/11/13 1:39am]

Thanks for the information. Are these suggested areas near the festival? Also have you heard about or have any knowledge of ticket prices? Appreciate you

http://www.essence.com/fe...ckets-2014

I don't even know if i can wait that long. I sooooooooooo excited.

hurry, hurry hurry hurry hurry!!!!!!!!! I just need a front row tickets, man that would be a dream

[Edited 12/19/13 22:57pm]

annadaggs said:

I don't even know if i can wait that long. I sooooooooooo excited.

hurry, hurry hurry hurry hurry!!!!!!!!!

KatSkrizzle said:

kok said:

Thanks for the information. Are these suggested areas near the festival? Also have you heard about or have any knowledge of ticket prices? Appreciate you

http://www.essence.com/fe...ckets-2014

The festival is at The Superdome which is not very far from the French Quarter, a 15-20 minute walk depending on where you are staying. New Orleans is not a big city. No place is usually more than a short cab or streetcar ride away. And it's NOLA so you can always have a drink in your hand! By all means check out The Quarter but try to see other parts of the city. You'll be glad you did. Ask the locals where to eat. Stay away from the tourist traps. Take The St Charles Streetcar to Uptown & The Warehouse District, check out Magazine St (take a bus) & defintely Frenchmen Street (lots of music - right outside The FQ). Check out some local music especially Kermit Ruffins or Rebirth Brass Band at The Maple Leaf on Tues nights if they are in town. Also if The Meters, The Nevilles, Big Sam, Trombone Shorty, Galactic, Soul Rebels, Dirty Dozen Brass Band, Wild Magnolias, Dr John or John Mooney are playing, definitely go check 'em out. Unfortunatly lots of the top NOLA musical acts get out of town and tour during the Summer but they may be in town for Essence (esp w/P in town!).

[Edited 12/19/13 20:02pm]

[Edited 12/19/13 20:12pm]

[Edited 12/19/13 23:28pm]