JJ Grey and Mofro allow open taping and are some super nice guys. There will likely be at least 1 or a few tapers at the show. My .05...pick up a decent deck that you can patch into and a handful of patching cables. If you'll be wanting to record in mostly open situations, you'll likely find people helpful and willing to let you patch. You'll get a chance to hear a variety of recording setups, see how to setup, and build a valuable base of information to help you decide down the road if you wanna plunge in further and what gear really floats your boat. I started this way and found it to be the best route for me.
Whatever you decide, enjoy taping!