lobstercrackers social aid & pleasure club by Larry Blumenfeld
The piece features a cast of characters who, by now are old friends, or at least seem to be, including Larry himself. Here's the conclusion:
[ Over the course of the weekend, many of these Down Easters gained more than a passing knowledge of what a second-line is, what this music means, and why right now it both matters and is embattled more than ever. Through a Saturday night benefit, the festival raised some funds for Sweet Home New Orleans. More importantly, it raised awareness and created connections. Several islanders told me of their efforts to aid New Orleans since 2005, including one local who gathered up supplies from anyone who'd contribute, packed up a truck and drove down just weeks after the flood. More than a few people asked me about organizations to contribute to in New Orleans. The Hot 8 members, who were hosted by island residents for their stay, had made a deep impact. Harry Cook -- who, by the way, can disassemble a lobster as artfully as he can take apart a parade beat -- called his hosts mom and dad as he left. He may have been kidding, but the familial closeness of the second-line seemed to register.
"You really do this for four hours," one woman asked Bennie Pete as she wiped the sweat from her brow. He smiled and nodded. "I gotta get down there," she said.
(Photos and video to come - promise.) ]
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5 comments:
Vaquero was interviewed for 45 minutes this a.m. for a radio program in New Orleans by the New Orleans Magazine editor.
He said the program would run 3 different times on its day of broadcast.
I'd love to encounter something like this about New Orleans history on my car radio as I was running errands on a hot sticky NO summer day.
Love, C.
The term used in the "Arts Journal" post "the right to return," lights up an anology to Palestinians. It's not 100% fit as an anology, but it does make its point.
You read the big news about Graeme.
This AM Jazz88 FM in Minneapolis, played NS singing "Ghost Riders". Every Saturday AM the station plays bluegrass and country.
On Saturday evening, they play Celtic, and an hour each of Frank Sinatra and Bing Crosby. Later Dee Dee Bridgewater has a show.
WONDERFUL, Foxessa. I can't wait to share this with my aunt. Her husband was adopted when he was a baby, and in the last ten years or so, they have tracked down his birth parents in Maine and developed great relationships with the entire family during many trips there. They have great stories to tell about the people and culture in Maine. My aunt says that New Orleanians would really like the people of Maine. Sounds like they have some affection for us as well. I can't wait to forward this to her.
By Larry's personal accounts too, this was a very special week for everyone concerned.
Love, C.
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