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Weekly Beat – August 6, 2009
By OffBeat staff
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ON MY MIND…In the wake of a successful 2009 Satchmo Summerfest, it’s been discovered that our Mayor has authorized new construction in Armstrong Park, including the commission of several statues of historic figures in New Orleans musical culture: Big Chief Tootie Montana, Buddy Bolden, Mahalia Jackson, and more. The problem is, there was really no public input on who received the artistic commissions, and local park supporters are outraged that the $1.2-million for the statues that was obtained from the quasi-public Wisner Foundation wasn’t approved in a public meeting. The New Orleans Jazz Orchestra (NOJO), headed by by young turks Irvin Mayfield and Ronald Markham, is apparently administering the construction. Read the recent story here. It’s such a pity that such a beautiful and historically important urban park has been tragically underutilized. Armstrong Park has been used for many years as a political football, not just by the park “advocates” but by the city administration. For many years, I have been a strongly vocal proponent of developing Armstrong Park as a place to be educated on our local music and culture, and as an urban park where we all can enjoy its scenic beauty, and as a place where we can enjoy small music festivals in pastoral setting. The National Jazz Historical Park is finally renovating historic buildings in the park to create a small jazz information and performance center; Mahalia Jackson Theater has been renovated and is reopened. The park’s fountains have been cleaned up. The park looks better than it has in a long time, but it’s been a long time coming. Armstrong Park contains Congo Square, which is arguably the fountainhead of all American music. It’s really a sacred place, culturally, and needs to be treated as such. Visitors to the city need to know more about it, and it deserves to be treated as a virtual shrine for American music. I can’t say that I necessarily agree with the method for redevelopment of the park–the public’s input is important–but I also know that too many cooks spoil the broth, and typically that’s what’s happened when anyone has tried to bring the park into the mainstream. That’s sort of typical for New Orleans: everyone wants input, everyone wants their “piece of the pie,” and nothing gets done. While I can’t say I agree wholeheartedly with the method, it seems at last that someone is stepping forward to recreate a park in Armstrong’s name that is worthy of its namesake.
Read OffBeat Editor- and Ranter-in-Chief and Jan Ramsey’s monthly commentary “Mojo Mouth”. If you haven’t done so already, please renew your OffBeat subscription. We’d really be grateful. As always, we appreciate your reading OffBeat, and the Weekly Beat, our e-publication, and welcome your comments on what can make it better. Please support our advertisers and let them know you saw it in OffBeat. We love you for supporting Louisiana music and culture! Jan Ramsey, Publisher/Editor-in-Chief |
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AIR YOUR DIRTY LINEN
In a fitting French Quarter response to last weekend’s White Linen Night, this Saturday the artists and merchants of Royal Street will be hosting the 8th annual Dirty Linen Night, a celebration that stretches from the 200 block of Royal to the 1000 block, ending at Ursulines Street. From 6 to 9 p.m., more than 60 galleries and shops will participate in this free event, with refreshments served along the way. This is a great opportunity to meet artists and see locally created art, in one of the city’s most prolific and distinctive arts districts. Additionally the W Hotel in the French Quarter will host a Dirty Linen Night after- party (suggested $5 entrance donations benefit the Tipitina’s Foundation) from 8 to 10 p.m, featuring music, hors d’oeuvres, drinks, and original artwork by emerging New Orleans artist Chris Kaiser. Kaiser’s series, “Hotter than July: Notes for a Greener New Orleans,” is a collection of large-scale paintings on wood from discarded crates dedicated to the greening of New Orleans and the preservation of its culture.
In other art news, Saturday the Trestle Fest Art Mart will take place in Harahan at 5005 Bloomfield St. hosted by Dixie Art Supplies and featuring music from the Norwegian Seamen’s Church and Treme Brass Band. Trestle Fest goes from 12-5 p.m. |
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NOT RICH, BUT FAMOUS
The 11th Annual Mardi Gras Indian Hall of Fame Induction and Awards Ceremony takes place Sunday at the Ashe Cultural Arts Center (1712 Oretha Castle Haley Blvd). The honorees will be announced Thursday at 9:30 a.m. in the City Council Chambers. Sunday’s event begins at 2:45 with a memorial ceremony and dove release, the induction and awards ceremony taking place from 3-4 p.m. In addition to inducting new Hall of Fame members, awards will be presented to Mardi Gras Indians and members of the community who have supported the Mardi Gras tradition including filmmaker Jonathan Demme. Representatives of various Mardi Gras Indian gangs have been invited to participate and perform at the event, which is open to the public.The inductees. |
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NEWS YOU CAN USE
CRESCENT CITY FILMMAKER GETS RECOGNITION
New Orleans filmmaker Jim Gabour will be the featured director at the International Broadcasters Conference in Amsterdam September 10-14. As part of the proceedings, the Professor of Video Technology at Loyola will discuss the making of his recent documentary on the 25th anniversary tour of Spinal Tap, unwigged and unplugged. TRAVELING TOM TRANSCRIBES HIS TREKS New Orleans pianist Tom McDermott has been known to pull double-duty as a writer and critic. You can follow his trip through the American West here. VOODOO GOES ARTISTIC The Life is Art Foundation will curate a series of large scale, interative art installations throughout the park grounds this year at Voodoo Music Experience. A group of local and international artists will create site-specific pieces withing the landcape of City Park for an interactive, multi-sensory experience. Voodoo will partner with the New Orleans Film Festival and the Mid City Neighborhood organizations to present interactive art experiences on the front lawn of the New Orleans Museum of Art. All will be free and open to the public. Pieces will include and outdoor cinema, a gigantic piÒata (to be broken open Halloween night) and an opportunity to explore City Park lagoon by “musical boat.” WE ARE THE LEVEES The Human Levee Music Project is trying to raise money for New Orleans by bringing together songwriters and New Orleans musicians to record a benefit album. Songwriters who wish to have their songs considered can submit them by September 6. How to do that, along with other details, can be found at the organization’s Web site. Incidentally, we couldn’t find a clear statement of who the beneficiaries would be, only statements who they could be. Do with that information what you will. |
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OFFBEAT: THE WORLD’S BESTMUSIC MAGAZINE! …and we have a special offer when you renew your subscription!
OffBeat‘s August “Satchmo Summerfest” issue is available at a location near you in the New Orleans metro area. The issue features a compact guide to Satchmo Summerfest, features on trumpeter Jeremy Davenport (who’s playing at SatchFest) , the Loose Marbles‘ attempt to get back to trad jazz’s traditions; indie rocking in the kitchen in our monthly cooking feature The Gravy; passing on the music tradition in the Masakowski family in Nova Nola, and much more. plus more exclusive on-line content that features Tim Laughlin, Otis Taylor, Joe Henryand more. If you missed getting one of our special edition Jazz Fest Bibles, here’s your chance to order a nice clean copy of either (or both) of our special edition “Bible.” To order one or both of our special edition souvenir issues, click h ere. If you are reading this email but you do not subscribe to the print edition to OffBeat we encourage you to purchase a subscription. When you buy an annual subscription you receive 12 issues including the Jazz Fest Bible issue and a free unique compilation CD of Louisiana music. IF YOU’RE ALREADY A PRINT SUBSCRIBER, HERE’S A SPECIAL OFFER:Renew your subscription for two years and we’ll send a non-subscriber friend a FREE 6- month subscription to OffBeat. To take advantage of this offer, please email JosephIrrera@offbeat.com to renew your subscription and give us the name and address of your friend so we can make them an “OffBeater.” If you like the Weekly Beat, please consider this small investment in our ability to provide information on New Orleans and Louisiana music and culture, and to pu rchase an OffBeat subscription. Your subscription supports OffBeat and the Weekly Beat. DOMESTIC RENEWAL DOMESTIC 1 year $35; 2 year $50; 3 year $75. LIFETIME SUBSCRIPTIONS: SINGLE ISSUES: Domestic and Canadian (except Jazz Fest issue) $6; Jazz Fest issue $10; Rest of the Word (except Jazz Fest issue) $10; Jazz Fest issue $12. Thank you so much for supporting New Orleans and Louisiana culture by reading OffBeat and the Weekly Beat. |
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GRACE AND MORE
Jeff Buckley didn’t hang around long and he didn’t record much, but 1994′s Grace made such an impression that the Buckley cult remains strong, and there’s still a market for whatever he cut – demos, live tracks, leftovers, etc. Saturday night, the Howlin’ Wolf will screen a new Buckley documentary, Grace Around the World, feature a performance by For Karma, and present Buckley’s mother and musical executor, Mary Guibert, in a Q&A session. Our own Carrie Chappell spoke to Guibert, who said, “He is so often described in tragic person terms. But he had the opportunity to see musicians in life. He watched others rise and fall in their aspirations. He didn’t invest in the machine.” The documentary includes footage shot by the late Stevenson Palfi when Buckley performed at the Howlin’ Wolf’s previous location down the block.From Palfi’s Piano Players Rarely Play Together. |
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COMING TO YOUR TOWN: LOUISIANA MUSIC ON TOUR
Lots of Louisiana music on tour this summer!
BEAUSOLEIL AVEC MICHAEL DOUCET TAB BENOIT BETTER THAN EZRA BIG SAM’S FUNKY NATION BONERAMA CHUBBY CARRIER & THE BAYOU SWAMP BAND CREOLE JAZZ SERENADERS WITH DON VAPPIE DASH RIP ROCK THE DIRTY DOZEN BRASS BAND DR. JOHN DWAYNE DOPSIE & THE ZYDECO HELLRAISERS THE IGUANAS JOE KROWN, MIKE BARRAS & BRINT ANDERSON JOE KROWN, WALTER “WOLFMAN” WASHINGTON & RUSSELL BATISTE SONNY LANDRETH TOM MCDERMOTT ALEX MCMURRAY MUTEMATH THE NEVILLE BROTHERS IVAN NEVILLE’S DUMPSTAPHUNK ANDERS OSBORNE PAPA GROWS FUNK PINE LEAF BOYS QUINTRON AND MISS PUSSYCAT THE RADIATORS JIMMY ROBINSON SOUL REBELS THE SUBDUDES ALLEN TOUSSAINT TROMBONE SHORTY & ORLEANS AVENUE |
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OFFBEAT‘S PICKS OF THE WEEK
Thursday night, the Ogden’s “Ogden After Hours” presents Earl Stanley on a Ponderosa Stomp Night. Danish pianist and long-time New Orleans resident Lars Edegran also plays an early show, his as part of the “Thursdays at Twilight” concert series at the Pavilion of the Two Sisters in City Park. Zydeco Night at the Rock ‘n’ Bowl presents Jeffery Broussard and the Creole Cowboys, and the Howlin’ Wolf features George Porter, Jr. and his Runnin’ Pardners. The ghost of Wu-Tang Clan comes to the House of Blues with Method Man and Redman with Ghostface Killah, and Rico Watts plays Sweet Home New Orleans’ R&B Night at the Banks Street Bar.
Friday night, saxophone player Jimmy Carpenter‘s at the Old Point Bar, and Beatles’ tribute band American English is at Harrah’s Theater. New Orleans Preservation Hall Jazz Masters featuring Leroy Jones are at the Preservation Hall, and Chris Thomas King plays two shows at Snug Harbor. The Blue Nile presents MyNameIsJohnMichael, the Rock ‘n’ Bowl has Dash Rip Rock, and the Dragon’s Den presents a CD-release party for Nomadic Sun with Bionica, DJ Paul B, Prom Date and Uniquity featuring Slangston Hughes (our new favorite name!). For those in the mood for a road trip, Lil’ Band o’ Gold will show their documentary, The Promised Land, at the Manship Theatre in Baton Rouge at 7 p.m. Saturday night, trombonist Rick Trolsen is at Fritzel’s, Sunpie and the Louisiana Sunspots are at Dos Jefes, and metal antiheroes Eyehategod play One Eyed Jacks. Sunday afternoon, Banu Gibson and the G.I. Joes play the Sunday Swing show at 2 p.m. at the National World War II Museum. That night, John Mooney plays a solo acoustic show at Chickie Wah Wah, the New Orleans Moonshiners are at Bacchanal, Michael Franti and Spearhead are at the House of blues, and Donna’s presents a Jazz Jam featuring the Victor Atkins Trio. On Monday, bluesman Ready Teddy will be at the Apple Barrel and Glen David Andrews plays d.b.a. Tuesday, jazz vocalist Cindy Scott plays Snug Harbor, and the House of Blues has a free show with T-Pain. Tickets for the show are available online at Sams ungSummerKrush.com or by listening to Q93.3. Wednesday, the Wednesdays on the Point concert series concludes at the Old Point Bar with a 5:30 p.m. show by R&B singer Betty Harris (pictured). Her previous shows at the Old Point brought the spirit of the classic soul revue to life. Also that night, the Howlin’ Wolf presents a punk night with New Orleans Fear, Agent Orange, DI, Total Chaos, Test Subjects, Sci Fi Zeros, Fat Stupid Ugly People and the Pallbearers. Go here for listings by day, week, genre, location and club. |
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NEW AND UPCOMING LOUISIANA RELEASES
The Loose Marbles: The Recession Session (Independent)
August 1, 2009 August 7, 2009 August 18, 2009 August 22, 2009 August 25, 2009 Released in July 2009 Released in June 2009 |
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POP LIFE
C. Ray, Project 30-90, Jackson Square artists and more.Read “Pop Life.” |
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PRINT STILL MATTERS
Please help us to reduce our inventory of back issues
…We need the space! OffBeat will send you six (yep, 6!) different issues for $10, that’s just about $1.60 per issue including shipping. If you’re from outside the US, we have to charge more postage (sorry!) but the cost is only $20. Our selection can include really old collectors’ item issues from 1988, all the way through September 2005 with our very the highly collectible “Katrina” September 2005 issue (nothing in it actually happened). This issue was supposed to be distributed on August 29, 2005–the day Hurricane Katrina hit! |
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BRAND NEW FEST AT A BRAND NEW SITE
Each passing day brings us closer to Project 30- 90, Louisiana’s first carbon-free, eco-friendly music festival. On September 5, Ghostland Observatory, Grace Potter and the Nocturnals, Benjy Davis Project (pictured), the Von Bondies and more will be part of one of the first events to take place at the recently announced festival venue next to the Ernest N. Morial Convention Center. Dubbed “Festival Park at the Convention Center,” the new venue is in front of the relocated Mardi Gras World.More on 30-90. |
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LIVE AGAIN
The Republic – a live music venue with a lot of dance club nights, or a dance club with occasional live music? This fall, it’s looking to shift the balance toward live music. The S. Peters Street club recently announced the first wave of upcoming shows with local indie bands on Throwback Friday nights and touring shows She Wants Revenge with Kill Hannah, …And You Will Know Us by the Trail of Dead with Secret Machines, Datarock (pictured), the Toadies, and a Halloween night Voodoo-related show with Joe Goddard and Alexis Taylor of Hot Chip doing a DJ set.
The schedule. |
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A WEEK O’MUSIC LISTINGS …plus more special events.
MUSIC GENRE CODES THURSDAY AUGUST 6 FRIDAY AUGUST 7 SATURDAY AUGUST 8 SUNDAY AUGUST 9 MONDAY AUGUST 10 TUESDAY AUGUST 11 WEDNESDAY AUGUST 12 CONCERTS AUGUST 6 AUGUST 7 AUGUST 7 AUGUST 7 & 9 FESTIVALS AUGUST 7-9 SPECIAL EVENTS AUGUST 1-29 AUGUST 6-9 AUGUST 6-27 AUGUST 8 |
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AND NOW A WORD FROM OUR SPONSORS |
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GETCHA NEWS HERE!
What would New Orleans be without the ability to laugh at the absurdities of living here?
The Creole Tomato is the post-Katrina brainchild of some ex-pats and Jesuit boys who relocated to New York City, where they found the room they needed to be able to make fun of some of NOLA’s more bizarre practices. The Creole Tomato makes fun of everyone and everything, and you’ve got to love the mayor’s MySpace page. |
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david oleary
are you goys the same band that onc had lars reckenridge as a drummer. he was going to sponsor me in racing until my aunt norma oleary stuck her nose where it did not belong!!!!!! say hi to his wife lynn if you see her!!!! thanks!
Mar 17, 2010 @ 6:14 am
las vegas bridal hair
GEEZ!I did a really long response to your post but my internet cut out and I lost it all! Oh well, just wanted to tell you that it was a great article! Awesome!
Aug 16, 2010 @ 2:04 pm