One of the things I love about the people of New Orleans is that they can find something to celebrate almost every weekend. Of course there are the big festivals like Jazz Fest, French Quarter Fest, Voodoo Fest, Decadence, etc. but I love some of the smaller ones, too. A couple of days after we arrived I was glancing through one of their local publications and discovered that the 10th Annual Crescent City Blues and Barbecue Festival would be taking place during our second weekend. AND…Irma Thomas and Allen Toussaint would be appearing as a special guests with The Funky Meters. Irma got rained out at French Quarter Fest this past April when we were there and I was terribly disappointed. Now I was going to get another chance.
We arrived in time to watch the last half of the show on the stage where The Funky Meters would be playing. As soon as it was over and the crowd moved to the other stage, we made our way to the front and grabbed places front and almost center right up against the barricade. We had to stand all through the time the other band was playing on the other stage but trust me, it was worth it.
To see legends like Art Neville, Irma Thomas and Allan Toussaint on a stage only about 10 feet away was something I will never forget.
Here is a video I found on YouTube with little glimpses of the festival. At the 3 minute mark Irma takes the stage and Toussaint at about minute 4.
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