This is the second in a series of “finished” video pieces.
The first was about the birth of a new parade, the St. Claude Easter Parade sponsored by the Goodchildren Carnival Club.
http://foodmusicjustice.com/2008/04/29/easter-parade-new-orleans/
This one features Carol Kolinchak, an attorney who has successfully fought official New Orleans on behalf of Indian tribes and Second Line parades. It was filmed at this year’s Super Sunday.
Enjoy!
It’s happened twice, once at the beginning of my trip and again as my time in New Orleans draws to a close.
A small child - in both cases a black boy - randomly wandered up to me and gave me a big hug (at kneecap level), in each case to the embarrassment of their respective mothers.
The first time, I thought it was cute, but the second time, it made me think…
There’s a reason New Orleans has been a continuous source of music and musicians for the rest of the world for well over 100 years.
Here are some clips of children being invited to perform with professionals at the French Quarter Fest.
I finally found a good resource on the state of children in Louisiana and New Orleans.
The group is called Agenda for Children and I found them by WALKING past their office on St. Charles. Thank goodness for the power of random ambling.
This statement from their web site cuts right to the chase:
“Released annually by the Baltimore-based Annie E. Casey Foundation, the 18th annual KIDS COUNT Data Book ranked Louisiana 49th among states based on 10 key indicators of child well-being.
Since 2000, Louisiana experienced setbacks on 7 of those 10 indicators–infant mortality, low-birthweight babies, child death rate, teen death rate, children living in families where no parent has full-time, year-round employment, children in poverty, and children in single-parent homes.
Louisiana did experience dramatic improvements in 3 indicators that reflect teenagers’ wellbeing. The teen birth rate, teen dropout rate, and the number of teens not attending either school or work all declined substantially since 2000.”
For more information, download the Louisiana press release”
If you like heat and great music, consider a visit to New Orleans this weekend for the annual Satchmo JazzFest.
“Satchmo” of course was the great Louis Armstrong, a native son of New Orleans whose genius helped make jazz “modern.” Even decades after his death, it’s hard to listen to his big sound and shimmering lines without getting chills.
The festival goes from August 2 to August 5th and features great music and programming for kids.
If I were in New Orleans, I’d be checking out my favorites the Soul Rebels and the Panorama Jazz Band on the 4th and Rebirth, Treme, Algier’s, Trombone Shorty and Kermit Ruffins on the 5th. Talk about an embarrassment of riches.
Lots of participatory music workshops for kids on both days plus a puppet show on Sunday.
Good stuff at the Old Historic US Mint at 400 Esplanade Avenue on the border between the French Quarter and the Faubourg Marigny.
Check it out.
Would you believe there are children in New Orleans who want to learn music who can’t get instruments?
How can this be!?!
Here is a very detailed article on the state of the music education infrastructure in New Orleans written by Antonio J. Garcia, originally published in abbreviated form in the print version of the Jazz Education Journal.
Maybe I’m too simple minded, but if every church and school in America sent just one instrument to New Orleans, wouldn’t that solve the problem overnight? What’s the hang up?
Click here to read Jazz Education in New Orleans, Post-Katrina.
One of the most shocking things about New Orleans today - and the problem preceded the levee failures - is the condition of the public schools. More security guards than teachers, no drinking water, no books.
The film Left Behind documents this tragedy. Here’s a clip:
House of Excellence Ninth Ward Common Ground
This is a wonderful project. It offers free faxing, copying, help with legal forms, tech training and Internet access to the Ninth Ward community seven days a week from 8 AM to 10 PM.
Check on the wish list of the Common Ground Tech Crew. (First link below.) Your trash might be their treasure.
It’s a popular video on YouTube and it should be. Made by then ten year old Kalypso Homan of New Orleans. I haven’t seen many adults do better. It’s as intelligent as it is charming.
What kind of madman would say New Orleans in not worth saving?
More from Kalypso. This is a video she made on the one year anniversary of the levee failures… (more…)
Join us and every time we have a new article or video about New Orleans, we'll let you know.
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