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Jimmy Buffett's Margaritaville - a state of mind is now a state of being. From tropical latitudes to high stake attitudes, from the Caribbean to the Carolinas, Margaritaville has embraced the mythical world defined by the insightful lyrics of singer/songwriter Jimmy Buffett for over two decades. Climates and characters from prose and poem create an entertaining atmosphere in a variety of exciting locations, all designed to illustrate and illuminate the search for the legendary lost shaker of salt. And while we’ve captured the substance in our physical locations, the Margaritaville style remains, “anywhere you want it to be.”

And on the Labor Day weekend 2005, "it" was at Wrigley Field in Chicago. The historic ballpark dominates a residential neighborhood of brownstones, sports bars, and the ubiquitous Starbucks. All three were packed with Parrot Heads in a pre-concert frenzy. Famed Cubs announcer Harry Caray is immortalized in stone, but still sports a lei. On stage in deep center field, Jimmy and the band go through a sound check while flags bearing retired numbers from the Cubs colorful past ripple in the pre-fall breeze; Ernie Banks and Ron Santo on the left field foul pole, Billy Williams and Ryne Sandburg on the right. These flags were joined by a Skull & Crossbones counterpart for this weekends event. This is the first time in it's 91 year history that the fabled field has allowed anything other than a ball game to be played here.

This show began with Mr. Cub, Ernie Banks welcoming Parrot Heads and a video clip of Jimmy performing the National Anthem on this same field in 1983, "This is for Steve Goodman." Jimmy then appeared on stage in a New Orleans T'shirt, gave a shout out to friends and family on the Gulf Coast ravaged by Hurricane Katrina. An emotional performance followed by a fitting tribute to City of New Orleans made for a memorable evening. JImmy noted that is all his years of performing, this stands out as one his finest moments.

The New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival was envisioned as a cultural event that would have popular appeal in out of The Crescent City. It called for a large daytime fair with multiple performers from varied musical backgrounds, food booths of Louisiana cuisine, and arts and crafts booths, along with an evening concert series. Less than 400 people attended the first Jazz Fest in April of 1970, and they were entertained by Mahalia Jackson, Duke Ellington, Pete Fountain, Al Hirt, The Preservation Hall Band, and many others.

Jimmy has appeared at Jazz Fest many times over the years, joining Zachary Richard, Lenny Kravitz, the Neville Brothers, Lyle Lovett and countless others in scheduled and impromptu appearances. In an A&E In Concert Series, Jimmy noted that, “I came here in 1966 the first time and have continued to play music here ever since. But a lot of people don't know that I spent about four years working around here on Bourbon Street - everything from a barker to a musician. Most of the people I knew went to Memphis, or Atlanta, or New York, got straight jobs. But I never had any doubt in my mind that I wanted to run away to New Orleans and do something weird.”

But would there be a Jazz Fest in 2006? A festival after one of the worst weather catastrophes on U.S. soil? A celebration amidst all the ruin? Quint is Quint Davis, president of Festival Productions Inc.–New Orleans and the producer and director of the New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival. Jimmy told Keith Spera, Music Writer for the Times Picayune, “Quint said whether it works or not, we need to step up here. Everybody is looking for something that's the first step back." When he told me that, I understood what he was talking about, and that's when I said, "I'm coming."

Read complete interview here.

Margaritaville Down Island
The beautiful Turks and Caicos Islands are situated 575 miles (or 75 minutes) southeast of Miami. The islands cover 193 square miles of the Atlantic Ocean, surrounded by a ribbon of white sandy beaches bordering crystal clear water. Grand Turk is the capital of Turks and Caicos, the financial center of the islands, and is one of the main historical points of Turks and Caicos. The most popular activity is exploring one of the longest coral reefs in the world, and there are many dive operators and schools for novice snorkelers or experienced divers.

Carnival Cruise Lines has leased 37 acres on the southern end of the island to build a pier, a terminal, transportation center and shops. The original plan to build in the center of the island was scrapped due to environmental concerns and the desire to invade as little as possible. Jimmy Buffett's Margaritaville is by far the biggest structure at the cruise center, and at 17,000 square feet, is the largest stand-alone Margaritaville Cafe in the Caribbean. In addition to the retail shop and restaurant, a 3-foot deep, 500,000 gallon swimming pool winds it way throughout offering a swim up bar, slide, and infinity edge view.

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