LINES OF THE DAY

". . . But the past does not exist independently from the present. Indeed, the past is only past because there is a present, just as I can point to something over there only because I am here. But nothing is inherently over there or here. In that sense, the past has no content. The past -- or more accurately, pastness -- is a position. Thus, in no way can we identify the past as past." p. 15

". . . But we may want to keep in mind that deeds and words are not as distinguishable as often we presume. History does not belong only to its narrators, professional or amateur. While some of us debate what history is or was, others take it into their own hands." p. 153

Silencing the Past: Power and the Production of History (1995) by Michel-Rolph Trouillot

Saturday, June 25, 2011

A Week To Remember!

We didn’t know that the Gay Marriage Bill had passed.

Instead we were dancing and getting blessed by the Big Chief and others. DH shouted el V out from the stage as the brilliant author of blahblahblah, the greatest underground supporter and facilitator of New Orleans music, culture and history, a great songwriter and musician as well as historion, who has been recorded by Willie Nelson, and should be more foregrounded, blahblahblah.
DH had done the same at the free BAM- MetroTek outdoors show on Thursday, and Thursday night Tito Puento did the same (DH played with Tito in the early 90’s, and one of his young nephews is playing with Tito now). This made el V blush and feel very humble.

After the set we had the great privilege of hanging out with Donald and discussing New Orleans music and African music diapora routes.  Whenever el V and Donald come together they pick up their conversation where it left off the last time.

I used the word 'blessed,' and I mean what the word means. I fancy this is how some people must feel after confession, absolution and Mass – far more clean and whole than they’ve felt in a while. The Indians with Donald gave us everything they had on that small stage of the Jazz Standard. The healing and cleansing power of music -- it's that cowbell/campana, baby, the power of iron, mediating between this and the worlds of the spirits.  I was way overdue.

When we were coming back downtown in the car we’re giving back to K next week, it being Gay Pride Weekend, it didn’t seem unusual to see many gay and lesbian folks reveling all over the streets – it happens every year. But this seemed more wild than usual. But then we met up with some other people to have drinks and talk, and didn’t see the news until very late, when the lightbulbs sparked.

Quite a week, yeah?  Plus mad amounts of Karl Marx, and, the national mythology of regeneration through violence.  I prefer regeneration from a different power of iron, via music and dancing.  We are expecting to be invited to many weddings within the next 18 months or so!  "Cowboys Are Frequently, Secretly," is gonna roll Big Time!

Now we're doing the Saturday night pasta with wine for me and cerveza for el V -- this is going to be one of the spectacular Saturday night pastas -- mushroom ravioli with garlic, shallots, zucchini, olives and pesto. We're listening to jazz from another age, the Great Depression, before WWII, when the Big Bands could still travel to Europe -- odd factoid: in the Great Depression the Jazz 'industry' recovered before the rest of the U.S. economy, partly because they were so popular in equally depressed Europe, and the rivalry for the entertainment dollar was so intense, jazz players and bands got a lot of work -- including on the radio.

This afternoon el V had a las Vidas perfectas meeting -- this Perfect Lives production en español will premiere sometime in December, here, somewhere, I believe.  Old friends working together again, as they did way back in the day in the first runs of Perfect Lives.

Gads, we are so happy tonight.

Funny how getting your savings for summer finally released into your bank account has such an affect on one's outlook, plus, you know, firm conditions for work for the rest of the year .... ....

2 comments:

T. said...

Just stopping by to say "hi". Would've liked to have shared that pasta with you. One of these days....

xoT.

Foxessa said...

You would be most welcome to share our pasta, babee!

Yes, one of these days, by golly.

Love, C.