Dear Crosstowners, Labor day where I was raised in the Bronx was just another day for a parade, and for some a reminder of a labor movement that has since diminished. Here the day carries an ominous undertow of past and possible future destructive storms. Early September is, after all, the peak of hurricane season. And August 27th, my birthday, has become embedded in memories of the Virgo party that I did not attend, and our road trip to Jackson where we sought refuge, with Eric the Border Collie, and Beaux the Australian Shepherd in tow. On the more optimistic side, this is also the time of year when second line parades, staged by our prevailing Social Aid and Pleasure Clubs, return to our streets, especially just a few blocks from my Esplanade Avenue home, on Claiborne Avenue. Great time for me to finally delve into the masterwork by photographer Judy Cooper who didn't just snap a few shots of parading members, but spent years following their practices and lives. "Dancing in the Streets", published by the Historic New Orleans Collection, is a deep dive into why our multi-layered cultural legacy has thrived through at least three centuries and gives us the beat that keeps us moving forward. Judy joins us this Friday at noon on Crosstown Conversations, on WBOK 1230 AM. But as I was just reminded of the drowning of the Lower 9th Ward by Katrina 17 years ago, I picked up the phone to check in with some of the people I came to know who live and work there, and are still helping to refill housing lots, nurture the rebuilding of infrastructure, and encourage refugees to return if they want to and can. Calvin Alexander, current President of the Holy Cross Neighborhood Association has an up close and personal take on the slow but continuing return of two and a quarter square miles of our city that once housed enumerable extended families who built their own homes. Too many of those homes were wiped out by the surge of water from the Industrial Canal when, during Hurricane Katrina, levees gave way to the pressure of waters no longer slowed by wetlands that have been disappearing due to the rising ocean and sinking land: a formula for the disaster that killed over 2000 people. Calvin joins us to kick off a series of conversations we will be having over the coming weeks with those who still care about a place framed by the Mississippi River, wetlands, a canal, and the army barracks that mark the transition to St. Bernard Parish. This week's show continues the yin/yang thread that has been running through the last several weeks of our show. We are confronted with a double whammy of national dystopia and the local struggle to keep our heads above water and our frayed urban fabric from tearing apart. There is no end in sight. But this unique, culturally rich, and lush place deserves all the love we can give it. It does not deserve the increasingly virulent conflicts between our leaders who we desperately need to work together cooperatively to keep this treasured city alive. |
|
Jeanne Nathan Host and Executive Producer |
|
Friday's Guests - In Depth - Artworks - Classified - Coming Attractions - Crosstown Scenes - What is Jeanne Reading? |
|
From the Mayor's Press Office: NEW ORLEANS (August 30, 2022) – "The recall effort to undermine and discredit the first Black woman Mayor of New Orleans is quickly being exposed as a Republican-backed maneuver by people with an agenda," said a campaign spokesperson for Mayor LaToya Cantrell. "It fits into a long history of taking away our vote and our voice. That's why we have reason to believe a conservative DC firm has signed on to lead the effort. That's why many GOP organizations in the city are encouraging people to sign the petition. That's why Fox News is leading the propaganda charge." "Mayor Cantrell makes mistakes like every God-fearing person. But we can't forget that she led us courageously through the pandemic and Hurricane Ida. We can't forget her historic investments in streets, drainage, parks, and early childhood education. She also raised our city's bond rating, making it easier to fund vital services, including public safety. When it comes to travel, she has been on the road to recover lost revenue by marketing New Orleans to the world. That's fundamental to the work of any big city mayor." "Crime is deeply personal to the mayor. She has an altar in her office where she prays over funeral programs of gun violence victims. She has embedded herself at NOPD roll calls to get a strong grasp of department needs. And she is fighting to end the federal consent decree which hurts recruitment, prevents them from chasing criminals, and buries them in burdensome and unnecessary paperwork." "Ultimately it will take all of us - the entire New Orleans criminal justice system, state and federal officials, local business owners, everyday residents, all working together - to end the epidemic of crime we are facing. Every major U.S. city is struggling with this issue following the pandemic. Courts were closed, social services ended, and people were financially stressed." "Mayor Cantrell hears your concerns and will continue to work tirelessly to address them. Let's not let this Republican campaign undo our vote and distract our leaders from the real work that needs to get done." "The people of our city elected Mayor Cantrell twice - by large margins. And when she succeeds, New Orleans succeeds. Let's help her continue to do that." xxx |
|
Judy Cooper New Orleans Photographer and Author of Dancing in the Streets Judy Cooper is a photographer/writer living and working in New Orleans. She earned graduate degrees in English and French and taught at the college level before becoming a professional photographer. From 1998 to 2015, she was the staff photographer at the New Orleans Museum of Art, all the while pursuing her own personal work. Known for her whimsical portraits of colorful New Orleanians, Cooper has shown her work in numerous local, regional and national exhibitions. She became interested in photographing the social aid and pleasure clubs in the late 1990s. At first her interest was purely visual, but as she got to know more of the participants and learned about the old and complex parading tradition, she conceived of a book that would celebrate its history, pageantry, and community. Continuing to photograph the parades every week, she reached out to other photographers and writers to contribute to the project. Dancing in the Streets is the result. |
|
Calvin Alexander President of the Holy Cross Neighborhood Association and New Orleans Real Estate Owner Calvin Alexander arrived in New Orleans exactly 50 years ago on Sept. 2, 1972. He is a husband, father, grandfather, and great-grandfather. After living uptown near Napoleon Ave., he moved to the Ninth Ward, In 1978, the family purchased a home in the Holy Cross section of the Lower 9th ward. In 1975 he became a licensed real estate agent. After retiring in 2010, he and his wife continued to invest in historic properties. Because of his love for older, historic New Orleans homes. In 2016 he accepted a position as Commissioner on the city's Historic Districts Landmark Commission. His love of preservation kept him on that Commission for the past six years. He represented the Holy Cross historic district. He currently serves as President of the Holy Cross Neighborhood Association. |
|
For more information, click on the images. |
|
Do you have data governance chops and want to have a public impact at scale? Apply for this position as a Special Advisor for Data Governance at America's data agency, @CommerceGov. Apply by 9/7. As Special Advisor, you'll facilitate data management practices that help your country address some of its most serious challenges, including climate change, economic prosperity, equity, and infrastructure. Your work will have a direct consequence on millions of Americans. Commerce Gov is looking for someone who can build trust with stakeholders across the org chart, with proven data governance expertise, a collaborative, service-driven mentality, and who gets stuff done. This job will not be easy, and you will face frustrations big and small on a regular basis. There are few frivolities in government service, and there are far easier ways to make more money. And yes, you'll be working in- person in the DOC HQ in downtown DC. What you will have is a career- and life-shaping opportunity to apply your unique expertise to make your country a better place for current and future generations. You'll be serving your country in the best way you know how. If you're from a community or background that doesn't usually get into government data positions like this, they especially urge you to take the plunge and apply for this job. |
|
New Orleans, Boston musicians learn and network together to build their music business skills |
|
The Ella Project, the New Orleans Jazz Museum, and the Arts & Business Council of Greater Boston announce a new partnership to develop the music business skills and opportunities for musicians in New Orleans and Boston. Supported by a grant from the National Endowment for the Arts, The Ella Project is expanding its multi-week Crescendo program to audiences in both cities via Zoom, bringing in presenters from both communities and building in networking opportunities and idea sharing amongst both city's musicians. Crescendo is an eight-week music business intensive designed by The Ella Project and hosted by the New Orleans Jazz Museum. The first session kicks off Tuesday September 27th at 5:30 p.m. on the third floor of the Museum at 400 Esplanade Ave. The program is designed for the independent working musician and focusing on topics including intellectual property, publishing and royalties, touring, releasing records, publicity, accounting, and legacy building. There is no charge for musicians to attend, and it is not required to attend all eight sessions, but registration is required via The Ella Project's website, EllaNola.org. While New Orleans artists will join in person at the Jazz Museum, sessions will be also streamed to a live-audience of musicians in Boston. The October 11 session will be presented live from Boston and streamed back to participants in the audience in New Orleans. The program is led by musician and music business professional Lou Hill, and attorney Bri Whetstone. They will be joined by local guest speakers, as well as Jim Grace, Executive Director of the Arts & Business Council of Greater Boston, and Luke Blackadar, the Council's Deputy Director. Along with covering the topics, each session will begin and end with New Orleans and Boston musicians doing a quick pitch of themselves and their music to the audience in the other city and will use social media channels to share resources and information on clubs and festivals amongst the two communities.“The business side of a music practice can be complex and ever changing,” says Jim Grace, Executive Director of the Arts & Business Council of Greater Boston. “We appreciate The Ella Project's work and leadership in this area and for sharing this wonderful program with our local community. We're very excited to work with them and get to know the musicians of New Orleans!”. A full schedule, registration information, and bios of lead presenters Lou Hill and Bri Whetstone. xxx |
|
Coming Attractions For more information, click on the images. |
|
The 7th Annual, Tremé Fall Festival |
|
Patron Party Thursday, October 13, 2022 Partnering with the New Orleans Jazz Museum to kick off the festivities! This year we are honoring the James & Troy Andrews family with music, food and beverage! Outdoor Festival Saturday, October 22, 2022 Featuring food, crafts, and music performances by The New Orleans Groove Masters , Erica Falls, Sunpie & The Louisiana Sunspots, and more |
|
The Annual Westbank Heritage Festival is returning to the Alario Center September 4 & 5, bigger and better than ever before. A celebration of the city's vibrant Westbank, this year's festival will feature local arts, food and crafts vendors, and a stellar musical entertainment lineup consisting of zydeco, jazz, blues, R&B, country, rap and gospel music acts. The event will also include some new and exciting experiences, so bring the whole family and join us in celebrating New Orleans' “Best Bank” at the free outdoor festival this fall. |
|
Chris Rock at The Saenger Two Nights of Laughs with the Funnyman Saenger Theatre 1111 Canal Street SEP 30, 2022 TO OCT 1, 2022 Chris Rock has resumed his life will take the stage at the legendary Saenger Theater the last night in September and the first in October on his Ego Death World Tour. The comedian wants your full attention and the use of phones will not be allowed in the performance space. 8 pm. Tickets start at $49. |
|
NEW ORLEANS, LA – Shaggadelic and Raw Revolution, Russell Batiste and Friends, Wynton, Vegas Cola, Mykia Jovan, and Sporty's Brass Band are just some of the musical acts set to perform at the Loving Our Community As Louisiana (LOCALS') Festival, Saturday, September 10th at Louis Armstrong Park, 901 Rampart Street in New Orleans, from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Admission is free to the general public. |
|
Lunch at Antoine's Perfect way to say Thank You to Friends who support our City's Creatives |
|
While Tannen visited with guests at his "Jackson Square" exhibit, Jeanne Nathan shared birthday cake and champagne with guests in the beautiful Historic New Orleans Collection courtyard |
|
Robert Tannen and guests closing out his Jackson Square exhibit at the Historic New Orleans Collection |
|
After the exhibit Tannen and Jeanne celebrate her birthday at Galatoire's with visitors from Montgomery AL to Texas |
|
Photos by Jeanne Nathan, Jemima Brady, and Heather Schwartz |
|
Get weekly updates about culture, politics, entertainment, environment, events and highlights of local shops and creatives on Crosstown Conversations by Jeanne Nathan on the air Fridays at noon on wbok1230 AM. |
|
|
