<P> The New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival, often known as Jazz Fest, is an annual celebration of the music and culture of New Orleans and Louisiana . The term Jazz Fest also refers to the days surrounding the festival and the many shows at unaffiliated New Orleans nightclubs scheduled during the festival weekends . </P> <P> According to the official Jazz Fest website, "the Festival celebrates the indigenous music and culture of New Orleans and Louisiana, so the music encompasses every style associated with the city and the state: blues, R&B, gospel music, Cajun music, zydeco, Afro - Caribbean, folk music, Latin, rock, rap music, country music, bluegrass, and everything in between . And of course there is lots of jazz, both contemporary and traditional ." </P> <P> Jazz Fest is currently held during the day, between the hours of 11 a.m. and 7 p.m., at the Fair Grounds Race Course, a horse racing track located in historic Mid-City . It is held on the last weekend of April (Friday--Sunday) and the first weekend of May (Thursday--Sunday) each year . </P> <P> Even more musical events than usual take place around the city during Jazz Fest weekends and throughout the week in between . The festival is a major tourist destination, with economic importance for New Orleans rivaled only by Mardi Gras; the event brings to the city $300 million annually . </P>

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