First (and hopefully annual) Orleans Street Jazz Fest

Bonnie and I went to the first annual Orleans Street Jazz Fest Saturday here in Beaumont. All of the performances were terrific and the sound was exceptional for every single band. There was a brief shower which interrupted the first performance but, after that, the afternoon and evening went on without a hitch. Attendance was great with a wonderful mix of all kinds of people.

(Here's a link to Mark Hancock's Beaumont Enterprise photos.)

It was a small stage but there was nothing small about the sound.

All of the shops along Orleans Street (including this antique store) were open. We did a little shopping during the rain intermission.

There weren't too many vendors. Hopefully, this will increase each year. There were only a handful of food vendors but the food they served was delicious. Orleans Street restaurant Taste of Orleans was open as well as having a booth on the street. Their food was delicious as always.

Another view of Orleans Street.

Here's Bonnie sitting in the spot we chose for the shade before the rain. After the rain passed and the afternoon got cooler, we moved closer to the stage.

As the rain moved in, the backdrop on the stage blew down.

Here comes the rain.

Local band, the Jazz Innovators.

Rain delay.

Getting the stage ready to restart the show.

A young fan.

Local band, Jimmy Simmons Band.

Crowd starting to pickup after the rain.

Dean James. This guy was outstanding. After he played, a young guitarist name Rhett Butler, played a few songs. He was amazingly unique and unbelievably talented.

Linny Nance & Network. These guys put on a great show and people finally got up to dance. They even got a little Soul Train thing going on. It was wonderful!

DON'T MISS NEXT YEAR!!