The New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival and Foundation, Inc.’s Post

Tomorrow is 'Fat Tuesday,' the epicenter of the celebration of Mardi Gras. Those two words evoke a lot of imagery for a lot of different folks, but any of you who know me probably aren't surprised that, to me, it is all about the music. That quintessential sound of brass bands plying their trade with the unmistakable blend of New Orleans jazz and Dixieland conjuring the images of a second-line parade strutting through the Quarter... there's really nothing like it in the world (though we do have our own thing here in Philly which has a shared history with Mardi Gras, but that's a story for another day). So... what parallel can we draw from that to what we do in the technology space? Well, to me, it has a lot to do with the idea of a 'Second Line' parade. What is a Second Line? It is when a band, the grand marshal, and whoever they are honoring (whether a family for a Jazz funeral, a couple for a Wedding celebration, etc) form the 'first line' or the beginning part of the parade, and the 'second line' is full of all of the spectators actively joining with the band and parading behind them, dancing, strutting, and celebrating along with the music being played. So, what can I take away from this that's relevant for my day-to-day? In our industry, it is easy to get so caught-up in what we are doing, what is important to us, what new piece of technology is compelling and why 𝘸𝘦 think so, etc, etc, etc, that we forget that the only reason this stuff is important to begin with is to 𝐛𝐫𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐩𝐞𝐨𝐩𝐥𝐞 𝐚𝐥𝐨𝐧𝐠 𝐰𝐢𝐭𝐡 𝐮𝐬 𝐨𝐧 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐣𝐨𝐮𝐫𝐧𝐞𝐲 - to make them a part of the process and help them to connect with the story we're telling, the solution we're selling, the thing for which we're trying to advocate. We want to try to make everyone 𝒑𝒂𝒓𝒕𝒊𝒄𝒊𝒑𝒂𝒏𝒕𝒔, not spectators. As tech professionals, especially those of us in the 'Sales space,' we can't get 'caught with our head down in our music' and forget that, without an engaged audience, there is no performance at all. So, this Mardi Gras, I'm going to really try to remember to not only try to find the celebration in every day, but more importantly, never forget that, without the second line, there IS no parade. Let the good times roll!

No matter the weather us Brits enjoy a festival. Whether that be a food festival, music festival or Christmas festival, there will always be food sellers and catering businesses present. Exclusive Refrigerated Trailers have a range of dry storage, refrigerated and freezer trailers that are designed specifically to support small businesses that sell their goods at festivals. If you’re looking to hire refrigerated trailers for food festivals, we can help. Our mobile refrigerated trailers are perfect to safely store and transport all types of food and perishable products. So they’re ideal for caterers attending food festivals or events. Exclusive Refrigerated Trailers range of cold storage trailers give our clients the flexibility to scale up (or down) their refrigerated / storage needs. We offer flexible hire so whether you are looking for short term refrigeration hire due to increased business, or have had an emergency and you need refrigeration cover, we can help. They are all incredibly easy to use and only require a standard 240V electrical supply or a generator (at least 4Kva) to power them. Every trailer has an internal light, is fully lockable and we provide up to 12 metres of power cable for your convenience. And we can provide shelving options if needed. #RefrigeratedTrailerHire #EmergencyFreezerBreakdownCover #ColdStorage #DryStorage #MobileRefrigerationUnits #FoodFestivals

We live in a world in which everything from music concerts to restaurants are over-produced. We just came back from Las Vegas seeing Adele. The show begins with a back-up piano growing to a back-up group growing to a back-up mini-orchestra. Lights, fancy staging, a sound system with much too much bass, stuff (including small hearts) falling from the ceiling, etc. In this restaurant review, the reviewer asks the question of whether these places--that are on the World's 50 best list--serve food that people would actually want to eat. Sometimes, in food, music, movies, etc., less is more. Japanese culture recognizes this in many ways. Meanwhile, the trip to Vegas brought back memories of seeing Chuck Berry and Little Richard in venues where you could see and hear them and not be distracted with sound and light shows and stuff falling from the ceiling. #Adele #concerts #LasVegas #music #restaurants #bestlists #Japan

"Let's revolutionize the hospitality industry! Every hotel has a recreation room for staff, but what about our guests? While we provide amenities like gyms, swimming pools, and libraries, we often fail to encourage guests to use them. Let's change that! Imagine offering indoor games and activities that bring staff and guests together. We can create a sense of community and make our guests feel at home. For corporate guests, we can provide relaxing activities to help them unwind. Cooking classes with our F&B production staff can be a great way to engage guests and create a memorable experience. But that's not all! Let's also add some musical activities to the mix. We can provide musical instruments for guests to use, and even offer points for participating in musical activities. These points can be redeemed on their next visit, unlocking discounts in our F&B outlets or room upgrades. - Jam sessions with our in-house musicians - Karaoke nights with a twist (guests can sing with our staff band) - Music workshops (guests can learn to play an instrument with our staff instructors) And why not have a play zone in every hotel? Families can leave their children there while they enjoy some me-time, and we can bring back the joy of childhood for our younger guests. Let's make our hotels the best place to work and the best place to stay! By prioritizing guest experience and staff engagement, we can create a win-win situation for everyone. Share your thoughts and let's innovate together!"

Yep, we went to The #DoobieBrothers concert! Awesome!   This concert brought me so much #joy! * The staff inside Choctaw Casinos & Resorts the concert venue were gracious and hospitable (food service not so much. I’ll save that for another post) * It was awesome singing out loud and dancing. I didn’t realize how many hits The Doobie Brothers had… and that I knew!!!! * I loved watching the crowd get lost in the joy of the music The moments and memories are priceless, and it was worth it! WHY THIS MATTERS: A quick reflection first - In March 2020, I asked consumers why certain activities (that had been taken away) brought them joy. This is one quote that has always stuck with me.   “Music is organic - people naturally respond to, resonating in us like our own hearts beating. When it is shared with others it becomes a connector of the human experience. It helps my soul” Fast forward to today: Consumers are making choices about where and how to spend their money. Our data shows that consumers continue to go out less, but splurge more when they do. Whether you are in QSR to fine dining to a movie theater or concert venue, what will you do to create fabulous first impressions and memorable lasting impressions? #bringmorejoy #momentsandmemories #concerts #guestexperience

Let's be frank for a minute... the ACL food lineup is equally as important as the artist lineup. In between the sets, are you choosing Veracruz All Natural, East Side King, Tiny Pies, or one of the 50 other incredible options? With a lineup this good, we're struggling to see how anyone only chooses just a few. 🥧🌮🍴 #austincitylimits #aclmusicfestival #acl2024 #austinrealestate #austinlocal #findyourden #austinfoodie #atxeats #austinfood #austinrestaurants

Fascinating to see the evolution of the late night/cocktail bar. The example here by Swillhouse perfectly encapsulates what we are seeing. We know from research that consumers demand more from the experiences they have in the On Premise. What is the The Caterpillar Club doing right: 🎙 Regular live music and DJs - Give consumers a reason to go out! 🥙 Curated food menu served until 3:30am - Tap into the strength of the food occasion! 🍸 Classic cocktails and Zombies on tap - Nostalgia and keeping it simple with cocktails! What does the data say? - Proportion of consumers visiting bars/late night bars for casual meals has increased from 31% in Autumn 2022 to 39% in Spring 2023 - Consumers prefer classic cocktails (30%) and classic cocktails with a twist (28%) over signature cocktails (15%) and modern cocktails (14%) Consumer behaviour in the On Premise is constantly evolving, if you'd like to keep your finger on the pulse and ensure you are realising opportunities to better grow your On Premise business or support your customers, please get in touch. #onpremise #cocktails #bars #pubs #spirits James Phillips

𝟓 𝐆𝐫𝐞𝐚𝐭 𝐑𝐞𝐚𝐬𝐨𝐧𝐬 𝐭𝐨 𝐏𝐥𝐚𝐲 𝐉𝐚𝐳𝐳 🎷 From restaurants and bistros to waiting rooms and shops. Jazz is a popular choice of background music across many retail and hospitality sectors. Check out the video for five great reasons you should consider it 🎵 #BackgroundMusicforBusinesses #RoyaltyFreeMusic #JazzMusic

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Experience the Perfect Fusion of Gourmet Delights and Live Entertainment At FestivalPass, we believe that the best experiences are those that bring people together through their passions. Imagine a place where food and wine aren’t just sustenance—they’re an art form, crafted to perfection by chefs who start their day in the early hours to bring you the freshest, most delicious creations. Picture a bakery on-site, producing handmade pastries using family recipes that have been passed down for generations. Or a pasta shop that unveils a special dish—the pasta rose—just once or twice a year, making it a must-try for every festival-goer. Now, add to that a backdrop of live music from your favorite artists, filling the air with melodies that move your soul. This isn’t just a festival; it’s a celebration of life’s most indulgent pleasures. Whether you’re a foodie, a wine connoisseur, or a music lover, FestivalPass is your gateway to unforgettable experiences. Join us, and let’s make memories that last a lifetime. #FestivalPass #LiveEvents #FoodAndWine #MusicLovers #FestivalExperience