Where do I begin? Really, how is it possible to sum up the experience I had this year in words? The usual Jurick phrases somehow don't carry weight anymore. Epic, Uber-Epic, Gargantuan, Incredible, Amazing, Herculean...they all fall short. The best I can come up with is DREAM. I had a dream last Tuesday night and woke up on Monday afternoon to quite possibly the most miraculous dream one could possibly imagine. I dreamed it all - from dancing, smiling children on the grassy fairgrounds jamming to Widespread Panic to the greatest Radiators SNAFU show in history to friends and family diner in a private room at the 140 year-old Antoine's restaurant to hearing the joyful sounds of Stevie Wonder with my kids on my shoulders to singing in the rain to Michael Franti and later dripping wet sweat dancing to Michael Franti at Tipitina's to the Meters with Mike Gordan dueling bass with George Porter, Jr. to 5am funk on Frenchmen Street with my hero Eric Krasno to the Pide Piper Kingsley leading all our kids onto the stage to see the Radiators close out the Festival in front of thousands.
More than anything, friends and family were the fabric of this year's festival. There are so many people I shared this incredible dream with and I love every one of them for dancing by my side. Though it was my gorgeous wife, Gal and exalted friend, Kingsley Stoken who sprinkled magic pixie dust above my head last Tuesday night to send me into that long, bountiful and miraculous dream.
Somehow, through the wonder of technology, I was able extract those memories and collect images and video to share with you. I hope you like my dream...
photo:
Dino Perruci
photo: Gal Jurick
photo: Jacques Lobato
Video: courtesy of Jason King
MJ & The Foidy All-Stars with the Radiators:
Gal Introduces the Radiators:
Video: courtesy of Jill Vandercar
Backstage Birthday Toast with the Rads and Family/Friends
Video: by Michael Jurick
Kids dancing onstage for Radiators Jazzfest finale at Fairgrounds
Full Slideshow:
