Monterey Jazz Festival

Wow, lots of info here. This will be my first time to MJF and didn't understand how arena and grounds tickets work. Also, the fact that there's no re-entry after paying all that money? We wanted to be able to come and go as we liked. Didn't know we would be stuck there all day. Was going to get Sat & Sun arena tickets for two ($500+) but am now reconsidering my options. Is it really worth the price?

Still an excellent festival. True, as some state--not all of it is jazz--but I think that' a good thing. Two of my favorite 2012 acts were Trombone Shorty & Robert Randolph & the Family Band. Most of the people who attend are MUSIC lovers, and music was everywhere! It's still frustrating to see the long lines to get into the indoor venues, and to have snacks confiscated at the gate (I'd like to know exactly what state & county laws prohibit people from bringing food in). And then you have the increasingly pain-in-the-ass steel chairs & bleachers. And hot daytime temperatures followed by cold nights (Sunday night was bitter!)

But on "the sunny side of the street," the food sold there is not bad, generally. And they've added some hand washing stations outside the porta-johns. There actually seemed to be some breathing room this year (though that may have been more of a reflection of us not roaming from venue to venue as much as in previous years). The employees, volunteers, and everyone associated with the festival (except the assmunch who sits behind us every year & can't stop talking for 30 seconds--you know who you are, Section 10, Row M, Seat 20) are awesome. Sound quality is almost always good (though Tony Bennett could have used a bit something to help him out, IMHO). Music overall was good to great--I loved this year's lineup.

Keep up the good work, MJF!

Gets better every year!