10 a.m. (!), Capital Bookfest, Largo, Maryland.
Borders Largo, 931-A Capital Centre Blvd., Largo. Free. (301) 499-2173
Capital Bookfest is presently in three cities. I was at their bookfest in handsome downtown Harrisburg -- the city is an architectural marvel -- two weeks ago, and had a lovely time. I'll be at their third fair this fall as well (Charleston, SC, November 6).
There's a pick for this Largo reading (!) by Steve Kiviat in this week's Washington City Paper:
http://www.washingtoncitypaper.com/articles/39832/ned-sublette-at-borders-largo-october-2/
I'll be giving a talk at the University of New Orleans this coming Monday afternoon (October 4). It's open to the public . . . they made a nice poster.
Monday, October 4, 2010 • 4:30 p.m.
The University of New Orleans—Engineering 101
(corner of Founders Road/Leon C. Simon Blvd.)
And I'll be speaking at the University of Southern Mississippi (Hattiesburg) on Tuesday (5) at 6:30 p.m. in Bennett Auditorium . . . Haven't seen the poster yet . . .
Other dates, these musical:
October 15 in Baltimore, at Joe Squared (on a program with Madison Bell and the Forgetters) http://www.joesquared.com/?page_id=2
October 21 in NYC, a solo evening-with-ned at the David Rubenstein Atrium, and it's free. www.lincolncenter.org/.../Target_Free_Sept_Dec_2010_Release_FINAL_8_26_10.pdf
Thursday, September 30, 2010
Tuesday, September 28, 2010
Of Sun, None, Today, But Saturday Was Bright
Too bad I can no long post out of my flickr account without making it public to all and sundry. Photobucket leaches out brightness and contrast. O well, you get the idea.
David Simon Got a MacArthur / *Treme* Soundtrack CD Out
DAVID SIMON, who has produced and written “The Wire” and “Treme” for HBO, is among the 23 new MacArthur Grant winners.
The "Treme" soundtrack song list for season 1:
1. “Treme Song” (main title version) -- John Boutté
2. “Feel Like Funkin' it Up” (live street mix) -- Rebirth Brass Band
3. “I Hope You're Comin' Back to New Orleans” -- The New Orleans Jazz Vipers
4. “Skokiaan” -- Kermit Ruffins & The Barbecue Swingers
5. “Ooh Poo Pah Doo” – Trombone Shorty & James Andrews
6. “Drinka Little Poison (4 U Die)” -- Soul Rebels Brass Band & John Mooney
7. “We Made it Through That Water” -- Free Agents Brass Band
8. “Shame, Shame, Shame” – Steve Zahn and Friends
9. “My Indian Red” – Dr. John
10. “At the Foot of Canal Street” – John Boutte, Paul Sanchez, Glen David Andrews & New Birth Brass Band
11. “Buona Sera” – Louis Prima
12. “New Orleans Blues” – Tom McDermott & Lucia Micarelli
13. “I Don’t Stand a Ghost of a Chance” Michiel Huisman, Lucia Micarelli & Wendell Pierce
14. “Indian Red” (Wild Man memorial) – Mardi Gras Indians
15. “Indian Red” – Donald Harrison
16. “Time is on My Side” – Irma Thomas & Allen Toussaint
17. “This City” – Steve Earle
18. “Just a Closer Walk with Thee” – Treme Brass Band19. “My Darlin’ New Orleans” – Li’l Queenie & the Percolators
The "Treme" soundtrack song list for season 1:
1. “Treme Song” (main title version) -- John Boutté
2. “Feel Like Funkin' it Up” (live street mix) -- Rebirth Brass Band
3. “I Hope You're Comin' Back to New Orleans” -- The New Orleans Jazz Vipers
4. “Skokiaan” -- Kermit Ruffins & The Barbecue Swingers
5. “Ooh Poo Pah Doo” – Trombone Shorty & James Andrews
6. “Drinka Little Poison (4 U Die)” -- Soul Rebels Brass Band & John Mooney
7. “We Made it Through That Water” -- Free Agents Brass Band
8. “Shame, Shame, Shame” – Steve Zahn and Friends
9. “My Indian Red” – Dr. John
10. “At the Foot of Canal Street” – John Boutte, Paul Sanchez, Glen David Andrews & New Birth Brass Band
11. “Buona Sera” – Louis Prima
12. “New Orleans Blues” – Tom McDermott & Lucia Micarelli
13. “I Don’t Stand a Ghost of a Chance” Michiel Huisman, Lucia Micarelli & Wendell Pierce
14. “Indian Red” (Wild Man memorial) – Mardi Gras Indians
15. “Indian Red” – Donald Harrison
16. “Time is on My Side” – Irma Thomas & Allen Toussaint
17. “This City” – Steve Earle
18. “Just a Closer Walk with Thee” – Treme Brass Band19. “My Darlin’ New Orleans” – Li’l Queenie & the Percolators
Monday, September 27, 2010
Last Night Wonderful, Beyond Description
I had looked at the pdf of the Toad Hall residence earlier. But that pdf cannot convey what a brilliant creation it is, out of the remnants of so many racked and ruined houses of the period, spied and saved over many decades by Mr. TH (who came from da Bronx right after WWII to the Eastern Shore. He made a great deal of money, or at least acquired a great deal of property in the region.)
I've avoided architecture as part of history, though I know better. For instance, where did the Italian castle architects and contractors go when artillery made their old forms obsolete? The Atlantic African coast, where they constructed the slave entrepôt castles. Those edifices weren't called castles for no reason. It's because that too is a lifetime's study and I only have this one lifetime at this time.
But the thoughts that kept coming in that low slung, two-story, winged, candle-lit house on Still Point Creek built out of wood, surrounded by vast rolling fields and creeks draining into the Chesapeake and stands of wood (horse country!) -- these 18th century Big Houses built out of English architectual traditions but were not built to also be military fortresses -- what this meant in terms of the New World and the people who were living here in the periods out of which this home is constructed -- it was exciting. Something entered for da Project tonight that couldn't have happened for us without being in a house like this.
Not to mention the company, which was splendid. The numbers of people here who are brilliant creators, artists, musicians, historians is boggling.
Or the food, which was splendid. It's all local, most of it grown at Toad Hall. Mrs. TH is a blacksmith, as well Arts Council Director and singer in a gospel choir that's going to Memphis at Christmas to sing with Al Green's choir in his tabernacle there -- and so many other things. They have looms and wheels. There are nine fireplaces in TH -- they all work. As Mr. TH puts it, if the hammer comes down, we're ready and able to survive. But they aren't survivalists and don't want to be. They are highly creative people who love art and music and history. You could even call them, particularly Mrs. TH, old hippies, and they're proud to be so.
It's driving me crazy that the history of this place, this county, this region, in the 20th century is as fascinating and deep as the history that came before. Because of the mission I can't drown in it like am in the earlier periods.
Could I settle here? Well, despite everything, this is the most segregated place I've ever lived.
In the meantime the furnace maintenance man is here. The furnace has been turned on. Ay-up. It works. Whew, it's hot. Last night it poured. Like New York, we desperately need rain down here too.
Crisis: His Nness's computer is either fataling failing or already failed. We'd hoped it would last for another month.
I've avoided architecture as part of history, though I know better. For instance, where did the Italian castle architects and contractors go when artillery made their old forms obsolete? The Atlantic African coast, where they constructed the slave entrepôt castles. Those edifices weren't called castles for no reason. It's because that too is a lifetime's study and I only have this one lifetime at this time.
But the thoughts that kept coming in that low slung, two-story, winged, candle-lit house on Still Point Creek built out of wood, surrounded by vast rolling fields and creeks draining into the Chesapeake and stands of wood (horse country!) -- these 18th century Big Houses built out of English architectual traditions but were not built to also be military fortresses -- what this meant in terms of the New World and the people who were living here in the periods out of which this home is constructed -- it was exciting. Something entered for da Project tonight that couldn't have happened for us without being in a house like this.
Not to mention the company, which was splendid. The numbers of people here who are brilliant creators, artists, musicians, historians is boggling.
Or the food, which was splendid. It's all local, most of it grown at Toad Hall. Mrs. TH is a blacksmith, as well Arts Council Director and singer in a gospel choir that's going to Memphis at Christmas to sing with Al Green's choir in his tabernacle there -- and so many other things. They have looms and wheels. There are nine fireplaces in TH -- they all work. As Mr. TH puts it, if the hammer comes down, we're ready and able to survive. But they aren't survivalists and don't want to be. They are highly creative people who love art and music and history. You could even call them, particularly Mrs. TH, old hippies, and they're proud to be so.
It's driving me crazy that the history of this place, this county, this region, in the 20th century is as fascinating and deep as the history that came before. Because of the mission I can't drown in it like am in the earlier periods.
Could I settle here? Well, despite everything, this is the most segregated place I've ever lived.
In the meantime the furnace maintenance man is here. The furnace has been turned on. Ay-up. It works. Whew, it's hot. Last night it poured. Like New York, we desperately need rain down here too.
Crisis: His Nness's computer is either fataling failing or already failed. We'd hoped it would last for another month.
Sunday, September 26, 2010
Being Maryland, Not Virginia, Guess What You Can Do Here, With Impunity
Tell the truth about Thomas Jefferson and criticize him. Particularly here at Washington C. This is Washington's territory; he and Jefferson were deeply estranged when Washington died.
The estrangement didn't come out of anything petty, but over popular pushback to Jay's treaty, the first case of partisan obstructionism in the United States, directed largely by the politically ambitious Jefferson (Martha Washington thought Jefferson's election as president in 1800 the greatest misfortune ever to befall the country). Washington was adamently opposed to partisonship in government, deeming political parties the broad paved path to the destruction of national unity. Jefferson created party politics here and Washington could not forgive him for that.
Besides, in Maryland you can say all the negatives about Virginia you want. They love it, for in Maryland Virginia is perceived as Jefferson country.
Trivia: we're going to dinner at Toad Hall tonight. (The link's a pdf.)
The property cobbled out of three plantations is now being run by the sister (director of the Kent County Council for the Arts) of this guy.
No sun today. Definitely not hot. Perhaps rain for the next three days? I'm looking forward to my 7 - 8 days in NYC coming right on up -- just in time for the seasonal wardrobe changeover.
The estrangement didn't come out of anything petty, but over popular pushback to Jay's treaty, the first case of partisan obstructionism in the United States, directed largely by the politically ambitious Jefferson (Martha Washington thought Jefferson's election as president in 1800 the greatest misfortune ever to befall the country). Washington was adamently opposed to partisonship in government, deeming political parties the broad paved path to the destruction of national unity. Jefferson created party politics here and Washington could not forgive him for that.
Besides, in Maryland you can say all the negatives about Virginia you want. They love it, for in Maryland Virginia is perceived as Jefferson country.
Trivia: we're going to dinner at Toad Hall tonight. (The link's a pdf.)
The property cobbled out of three plantations is now being run by the sister (director of the Kent County Council for the Arts) of this guy.
No sun today. Definitely not hot. Perhaps rain for the next three days? I'm looking forward to my 7 - 8 days in NYC coming right on up -- just in time for the seasonal wardrobe changeover.
Saturday, September 25, 2010
Isaac Franklin: Slave Trader and Planter of the Old South (With Plantation Records)
Isaac Franklin wasn't just a major player in the Trade up here in Maryland and Virginia, he was a game changer in the Trade, an early trade speculator.
Then he sold out and moved to Louisiana. Where he bought six (6) plantations. He lived very well and prosperously. In fact, one of those plantations is where the ceremonies and dinner for the Louisiana Endowment for the Humanities were held in which V received the award for best history of Louisiana last year.
When he died there was a great deal of attention paid. But none of that attention in the long obits of the newspapers mentioned that he had been a speculator (which, believe it or not is a different category of slave trade than slave trader).
He died very wealthy, but he died young. Very young for someone of his kind. One might hope that was some sort of retribution -- his plantations in Louisiana were, of course, sugar plantations, and those bought to work sugar had short lives -- for the speculation slave trade that allowed Isaac to buy 6 sugar plantations in Louisiana. His company scoured the Eastern Shore of Maryland empty of likely stock (mostly male, mostly between 14 - 25, trained farm workers) to be sold in New Orleans for these sugar plantations. He and his partner shipped them via their own slave ships.
I have Isaac's biography here (1938). It is not in print. If one were to try and purchase it used, the lowest price is $500. Thank goodness for interlibrary loan. However, because this volume is priced at $500, I can have it only for two weeks.
Then he sold out and moved to Louisiana. Where he bought six (6) plantations. He lived very well and prosperously. In fact, one of those plantations is where the ceremonies and dinner for the Louisiana Endowment for the Humanities were held in which V received the award for best history of Louisiana last year.
When he died there was a great deal of attention paid. But none of that attention in the long obits of the newspapers mentioned that he had been a speculator (which, believe it or not is a different category of slave trade than slave trader).
He died very wealthy, but he died young. Very young for someone of his kind. One might hope that was some sort of retribution -- his plantations in Louisiana were, of course, sugar plantations, and those bought to work sugar had short lives -- for the speculation slave trade that allowed Isaac to buy 6 sugar plantations in Louisiana. His company scoured the Eastern Shore of Maryland empty of likely stock (mostly male, mostly between 14 - 25, trained farm workers) to be sold in New Orleans for these sugar plantations. He and his partner shipped them via their own slave ships.
I have Isaac's biography here (1938). It is not in print. If one were to try and purchase it used, the lowest price is $500. Thank goodness for interlibrary loan. However, because this volume is priced at $500, I can have it only for two weeks.
New Novel -- *Some Sing, Some Cry*
Some Sing, Some Cry is a long, multi-generational novel by two sisters, Ntozake Shange, author of For Colored Girls Who Have Considered Suicide/When the Rainbow Is Enuf, and playwright, Ifa Bayeza.
Two pulls from the NY Times Sunday Book Review:
"A rich mix of storytelling and African-American history, it follows seven generations of black women who, largely through music, are able to survive the violence of their national and personal histories even as they find themselves too battle-scarred to mother their children with real joy."
and
"And yet, despite such soap-operatic indulgences, this story of lifesaving music and heartbroken maternity is engaging from start to finish. The Mayfield women are hilarious and sexy, gorgeous and strong. They all work the same refrain: “Never go backward. Always be movin’, movin’ forward. Life is in front of me, not behind.” After every near defeat, these women pick themselves up, sometimes literally off the ground, and take the next impossible step. And while they all take that step differently — choosing to run or to work, to curse or, yes, to sing — not one of them spends much time crying."
Few novels published this year have sounded in the least appealing to my tastes. This one, however, seems right my little historical fiction preference alley. We're going back to NYC next weekend and I'm going to be there at least a week while his Nness gallivants around to New Orleans and assorted places, so I can pick it up then.
Two pulls from the NY Times Sunday Book Review:
"A rich mix of storytelling and African-American history, it follows seven generations of black women who, largely through music, are able to survive the violence of their national and personal histories even as they find themselves too battle-scarred to mother their children with real joy."
and
"And yet, despite such soap-operatic indulgences, this story of lifesaving music and heartbroken maternity is engaging from start to finish. The Mayfield women are hilarious and sexy, gorgeous and strong. They all work the same refrain: “Never go backward. Always be movin’, movin’ forward. Life is in front of me, not behind.” After every near defeat, these women pick themselves up, sometimes literally off the ground, and take the next impossible step. And while they all take that step differently — choosing to run or to work, to curse or, yes, to sing — not one of them spends much time crying."
Few novels published this year have sounded in the least appealing to my tastes. This one, however, seems right my little historical fiction preference alley. We're going back to NYC next weekend and I'm going to be there at least a week while his Nness gallivants around to New Orleans and assorted places, so I can pick it up then.
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