I ♥ NOLA

Some little girls dream of the day that they get married... I was the little girl that dreamed of going to New Orleans.

I don't know what it is, but I have been obsessed with this city since I was about 10 years old. So, when my trip to New Orleans was finally being realized, you could be certain that I was going to fit some live music into my trip as well.

I've always been a lover of jazz, so I was excited to go to a city that is known for it's intimate venues and countless musicians. On any given night, there were just tons of shows going on all over the city - so many options to choose from.

While planning my visit, I saw that there was going to be a benefit show at the House of Blues that was put on by HBO's Treme show to benefit the Make It Right foundation, which builds houses for people who were displaced by Hurricane Katrina. I love benefit shows because they often showcase lots of different artists, so this was right up my alley. The show included the following artists: Lloyd Price, John Boutte, Jon Cleary, Irma Thomas, Coco Robicheaux, Kermit Ruffins, Paul Sanchez, Doreen Ketchens, James Andrews, Rebirth Brass Band, and the Guardians of the Flame Mardi Gras Indians. I swear we were the only people in the venue who weren't locals, which was a bit awkward, but we had a blast. I honestly couldn't believe that this show only cost $25 to get into. We saw a ton of people perform, all of them were amazing, and it went to a good cause.

We also hit up Preservation Hall that is a historic venue located in the French Quarter. The jazz band that plays there has changed over the years and the band also tours throughout the year as well. We caught a show one evening in the tiny venue that holds no more than about 30 people. Out of all the places we saw live jazz, this was our favorite. There was something about its history and it's rawness - nothing fancy, just a room and some great musicians. This is a must-visit place if you are ever heading to NOLA.

Photos from both shows: