PREVIEW: Michael Arnone’s Crawfish Fest welcomes funky Meters, Samantha Fish, Jon Cleary
The 27th-annual Michael Arnone’s Crawfish Fest heads back to Augusta, New Jersey, for a weekend full of New-Orleans-inspired food and music. Concertgoers can expect pounds of crawfish, bowls of jambalaya and plenty of sweet and savory tunes for perfect accompaniment.
This year’s festival is headlined by the funky Meters, which features original Meters members George Porter Jr. and Art Neville. Their set on the main stage will take place Sunday, June 5 from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. Expect some funky sounds from the best in the business.
Other main-stage delights include Cowboy Mouth (June 5 from 2:30 p.m. to 4:30 p.m.), New Jersey’s own From Good Homes (June 4 from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m.) and Brass-a-Holics (June 4 from 2:30 p.m. to 4:30 p.m.).
For newbies to the Crawfish Fest, the main stage gathers the largest crowd. Bring some chairs, and grab a good seat up close. However, don’t be dismayed if you’re stuck behind a torrent of people. The sound is typically good, and the vibe is all NOLA all the time. There is no covering, so also prepare for rain.
The pavilion stage has an equally enticing lineup this year. Among the acts are Cha Wa (June 4 from 1 p.m. to 2:30 p.m.), Grammy Award winner Jon Cleary and the Absolute Monster Gentlemen (June 4 from 5:15 p.m. to 7 p.m.), Samantha Fish (June 5 from 3 p.m. to 4:45 p.m.) and Marcia Ball (June 5 from 5:15 p.m. to 7 p.m.). Note: The pavilion stage is covered and a good respite from warm temperatures and rainy skies.
Concertgoers can’t see every musical act, so checking out the stage schedule beforehand is a good idea. If the crowds are too much at the main stage or pavilion stage, check out the dance hall. The David Greely Trio, The Revelers, and Nathan and the Zydeco Cha-Chas will play at various times both Saturday and Sunday. There’s also a smaller workshop stage for more intimate performances with Porter Jr., Cleary and others.
If you purchase a three-day camping ticket, you’ll be eligible to see Friday night concerts and Saturday late-night concerts as well. Among the musical acts are Flow Tribe, Bonerama and Big Sam’s Funky Nation.
The food includes plenty of southern cuisine, including several NOLA favorites. Expect to enjoy boiled crawfish ($10), chicken and pork sausage jambalaya ($8), po-boys ($10), crawfish bread ($8) and fried pork skins ($5), among other treats. Beignets are also available.
Perhaps the cheapest way to travel to NOLA this weekend is to book a trip to Augusta for Michael Arnone’s Crawfish Fest.
By John Soltes / Publisher / John@HollywoodSoapbox.com
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Updated: 6/16
