Spring and summer are a hot time for music festivals, and the Southeast is home to some legendary ones.
These festivals feature everything from Afro-Cuban rhythms and mountain bluegrass hollers to improvisational jazz and washboard zydeco tunes. Some are geared toward certain musical genres, while others offer a more diverse range of musical options.
Although there are sounds and sights worth traveling for, some advance planning is necessary to make the most of your festival experience.
New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Festival
Referred to as “Jazz Fest” by most, this festival features blues, gospel, rock, R&B and zydeco.
When: April 23-25 and April 29-May 2
Where: Fair Grounds Race Course, 1751 Gentilly Blvd.
Lineup: Pearl Jam, Simon and Garfunkel, Aretha Franklin, Van Morrison and Lionel Richie are among this year's headliners.
Tickets: Advance tickets are $45 per day available through Ticketmaster (plus $8.15 fees); $60 at the gate. Child's tickets are $5 at the gate only (ages 2-10). 504-410-4100, www.nojazzfest.com
VIP: Different levels of VIP packages, which include perks such as special parking and up-close viewing areas, are available from Ticketmaster. Price range: $350-$1,100 per weekend.
Stay: Royal Street Courtyard. B & B in a historic house within walking distance to the French Quarter and a few minutes' drive to the Jazz Fest site. Rates $65-$249. 2438 Royal St., 888-846-4004, www.royalstcourtyard.com
Eat onsite: Two large food vendor areas will offer an array of Louisiana-style and international cuisine, as well as a special area geared towards kids' taste buds.
Eat offsite: Liuzza's. New Orleans landmark restaurant about a mile from the festival grounds, serving authentic Cajun, Southern and Italian dishes. Entrees $6.50-$19.50. 3636 Bienville Ave. 504-482-9120, www.liuzzas.com
Good to know: Plenty of other live music options are available in New Orleans . Visit the "Jazz Fest After Dark" page at www.satchmo.com/nolavl/jazzfestafterdark-2010.html for info and listings.
Bonnaroo
Started in 2002 with a lineup of mostly jam bands that catered to the hippie set, Bonnaroo quickly outgrew its single-genre vibe to become one of the biggest outdoor music festivals in the world.
When: June 10-13
Where: Manchester, Tenn. Coming from Atlanta, there will be electronic variable message signs posted along I-24 directing traffic to the venue, as well as local police.
Lineup: Dave Matthews Band, Stevie Wonder, Jay-Z and Kings of Leon headline the 2010 event.
Tickets: Starting at $234.50 (plus $23.10 in fees). 800-594-8499, www.bonnaroo.com
VIP: Packages for two available for $1,349.50, including perks such as special entrances, viewing areas, preferred parking, camping and VIP lounges.
Stay onsite: Bring a tent and a sleeping bag because camping is included with your ticket price.
Stay offsite: Last minute lodging in the area is virtually impossible to come by as rooms are booked months in advance. Check for package deals with participating hotels at the festival Web site, www.bonnaroo.com/festival/travel.aspx
Eat onsite: The central area of the festival, known as Centeroo, has many options for meat eaters and vegetarians.
Eat offsite: Gasthaus Bistro & Pub. Affordable and authentic Bavarian cuisine in Manchester. Entrees under $10. 1401 Hillsboro Blvd. 931-723-1500, www.gasthaus. baronphork.com
Good to know: You don't have to worry about trekking between your car and campsite at Bonnaroo — just pitch your tent right next to your vehicle in the parking area.
Old Fiddler’s Convention
Since 1935, the Old Fiddler’s Convention has been held in the southwestern Virginia town of Galax located about 7 miles off the Blue Ridge Parkway. Folk and bluegrass musicians come from around the globe for the song and dance competitions, but part of the allure is what goes on in the festival’s camping area. Musicians hang out, tune their instruments and engage in full-blown impromptu circle jams to equal the entertainment happening on stage, giving the event the feel of a family reunion.
When: Aug. 9-14
Where: Felts Park, 601 S. Main St., Galax, Va. 276-236-8541, www.oldfiddlersconvention.com
Lineup: Different competitions are held daily, including categories in banjo, fiddle, youth fiddle, bluegrass band, old time band, dulcimer, dobro, folk songs, flatfoot dance and more.
Tickets: Tickets are available in person at the gate only, no advance sales. $6 Monday-Thursday, $10 on Friday, $12 on Saturday, $40 for a "season pass." Children under 12 are free with a paid adult.
Stay onsite: First-come, first-served campsites are available for $70 per site for tents and trailers.
Stay offsite: The Doctor's Inn. B & B within walking distance of Felts Park. All rooms $129. 406 W. Stuart Drive, Galax. 276-238-9998. www.thedoctorsinnvirginia.com
Eat onsite: There's a food and drink concession area. No alcohol is sold, and public consumption of alcohol is not allowed on the festival grounds.
Eat offsite: The Galax Smokehouse. Memphis-style barbecue in downtown Galax. Full-course platters $8-$16. 101 N. Main St., Galax, 276-236-1000, www. thegalaxsmokehouse.com
Good to know: The Blue Ridge Virginia nights can get chilly, so bring a light jacket.
BamaJam Music and Arts Festival
Taking place on farmland outside the small town of Enterprise, Ala., BamaJam has become a country music mega event, with shades of bluegrass, alt-country, classic and indie Southern rock thrown in for good measure.
When: June 3-5
Where: At the intersection of Ala. 167 and County Road 156 north of Enterprise.
Lineup: Kenny Chesney, Hank Williams Jr., Zac Brown Band, Miranda Lambert and Travis Tritt are among the featured acts.
Tickets: Advance three-day tickets are $130-$160, and walkups at the gate are $179. Children under 6 free. 877-422-6252, www.bamajam musicfestival.com
VIP: Premium seating in the "Peanut Gallery" is available for $365 for a weekend pass.
Stay onsite: Campsites are available for tents ($85) and RVs ($165). There are no water or electric hookups.
Stay offsite: Enterprise Inn & Suites. Large motel with smoking and non-smoking rooms just off Boll Weevil Circle. Rates $48.18-$54. 630 Glover Ave. 334-347-6262, www.enterprise-inn.com
Eat onsite: The central area, known as Bama Village, contains an extensive food court.
Eat offsite: Colby's Place. Large all-you-can-eat country-style buffet serving Southern specialties in nearby Ozark. Lunch $7.95, dinner and Sunday buffet $9.95. Closed on Sat. 129 East Ave., Ozark. 334-774-4404, www.colbysplace.com
Good to know: If tent or RV camping, you can have water fill and pump services or your own Port-A-John at your campsite for an extra fee.
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