241. Heather Nathans.

241. Heather Nathans tells us about Jewish dramas in the 19th century, especially as they relate to New Orleans drama. Her primary areas of scholarly interest include American theatre and drama, African American theatre, Jewish American theatre, musical theatre, 17th and 18th century French theatre, theatre historiography, English Restoration drama, and directing.

1. This week in Louisiana history. December 30, 1791. Gov. Carondelet takes control of Louisiana.
2. This week in New Orleans history. Storyland Dedication. December 30, 1956. Storyland in City Park was filled with Nursery Rhyme figures created by a young man who would become the most noted Mardi Gras float builder in the city; it was funded by an older man who owned and operated the most popular amusement park in the south.
   
3. This week in Louisiana.
   New Year's Eve in New Orleans
   In New Orleans, we celebrate New Year's Eve a little bit different from most places. Sure, we have funny hats and noisemakers (if you want them), but we add a little pizzazz to the occasion by ringing in the New Year our own way.  For the biggest party in the city, head down to Jackson Square – the Quarter is packed with festive partygoers eager to count down the time until the New Year arrives. And because New Orleans does everything a little differently, don’t expect your run of the mill New Years ball drop; instead “Baby New Year” drops from its perch on the top of Jax Brewery followed by a magnificent fireworks show over the Mississippi. Follow the crowds to Bourbon Street and party til’ the early morning, or break away from the group and find your own special spot to celebrate in.
   
4. Postcards from Louisiana. Bruce meets Eve the Rib busking on Royal St.

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240. Jack Bedell, part 2

240. Part 2 of our interview with poet laureate Jack Bedell. Jack has written nine books of poetry, and teaches creative writing to Southeastern students. He is a native of the Houma-Thibodaux area and joined the Southeastern faculty in 1992. In addition to teaching, he is editor of “Louisiana Literature,” a literary journal published by Southeastern, and serves as director of Louisiana Literature Press.

1. This week in Louisiana history. December 23, 1794. St. Louis Cathedral dedicated.
2. This week in New Orleans history. Wirthbru Beer was "created for New Orleans and the South" "Weigelstyle" (on the label) apparently refers to the Weigelwerk equipment used in the brewery which was, in fact, cutting edge in its day, allowing for quality control to produce a consistently good product. 
   
3. This week in Louisiana.
   Annual Greening of the Museum
   December 1st, 2017 - December 25th, 2017
   9:00 am - 4:00 pm
   Louisiana State Exhibit Museum
   3015 Greenwood Rd.,
   Shreveport, LA 71109
   318-632-2020
   Louisiana State Exhibit Museum
   Each year Louisiana State Exibit Museum invites third grade students from Caddo Parish schools to the museum for a day of holiday celebration. Students enjoy the traditional tree decorating contest in which classes from each school will decorate a tree in the years' theme with ornaments they have constructed in art class. After decorating their tree, students will enjoy a performance. The morning ends with the announcement of the holiday tree contest winners. The museum holiday tree and the students'trees will remain on display throughout the holiday season.
4. Postcards from Louisiana. Poet David Middleton reads "A Christmas Play."

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239. Jack Bedell, part 1

239. Part 1 of our interview with Jack Bedell, Louisiana's new Poet Laureate. Jack has written nine books of poetry, and teaches creative writing to Southeastern students. He is a native of the Houma-Thibodaux area and joined the Southeastern faculty in 1992. In addition to teaching, he is editor of “Louisiana Literature,” a literary journal published by Southeastern, and serves as director of Louisiana Literature Press.

1. This week in Louisiana history. December 16, 1935. Huey P. Long Bridge at New Orleans dedicated.
2. This week in New Orleans history. Beloved writer, cook, broadcaster, and lover of  New Orleans,  Frank   Joseph Davis passed away on December 9, 2013. He served New Orleans television station WWL-TV and its radio affiliate WWL-AM, from 1974 until his health-related retirement in 2011. Davis authored several cookbooks and other reference guides to the cuisine of New Orleans and to South Louisiana seafood. His culinary legacy included "bronzing," a toned-down version of blackening. He invented the "Strictly N'Awlins" series of seasonings. Davis's culinary papers were donated to the Southern Food and Beverage (SoFab) Culinary Library and Institute subsequent to his death.
   
3. This week in Louisiana.
   Joe Krown Trio plus Seither's Seafood Crawfish Boil
   Sunday, December 3
   10:00 PM
   Venue information:
   Maple Leaf Bar
   8316 Oak St.
   New Orleans, LA 70118
   504.866.9359
4. Postcards from Louisiana. Bruce listens to the Big Dixie Swingers on Frenchman Street in New Orleans.

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238. Omar el Akkad, part 2

238. Part 2 of our interview with Omar el Akkad. American War is the first novel by Canadian-Egyptian journalist Omar El Akkad. It is set in a near-future United States of America ravaged by climate change in which a second Civil War has broken out over the use of fossil fuels. The story is told by Benjamin Chestnut about his aunt Sarat, and is told through narrative chapters interspersed with fictional primary documents collected by the narrator.

1. This week in Louisiana history. December 9, 1872. PBS Pinchback became first (& so far only) black governor of Louisiana.
2. This week in New Orleans history. Frank Davis Dies. December 9, 2013.
   
3. This week in Louisiana.
   Holiday Tour of Homes - Natchitoches Historic Foundation
   January 18th, 2017
   Throughout Natchitoches
   780 Front Street, Ste. 100,
   Natchitoches, LA 71457
   800-259-1714 | 800-259-1714
   Website | Email
   Throughout Natchitoches
   Beautiful homes, seasonal decorations, refreshments and music. Candlelight and day tours in the City of Lights.
4. Postcards from Louisiana. Bruce listens to twins singing a duet on Decatur Street in front of St. Louis Cathedral.

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237. Omar el Akkad, part 1

237. Part 1 of our interview with Omar el Akkad. American War is the first novel by Canadian-Egyptian journalist Omar El Akkad. It is set in a near-future United States of America ravaged by climate change in which a second Civil War has broken out over the use of fossil fuels. The story is told by Benjamin Chestnut about his aunt Sarat, and is told through narrative chapters interspersed with fictional primary documents collected by the narrator.

1. This week in Louisiana history. November 2, 1981. Britney Spears born in Kentwood, Louisiana.
2. This week in New Orleans history. December 2, 1981,  the Rolling Stones checked into Royal Orleans hotel. Mick Jagger's paramour, Jerry Hall, was by his side. He was 38 years old.  After they dined at Broussard's, along with the band's financial adviser Prince Rupert Loewenstein, they strolled the French Quarter. A local writer who interviewed Jagger was quite taken by his diamond-studded right incisor.
   
3. This week in Louisiana.
   Christmas on Caddo Fireworks Festival
   December 2nd, 2017
   Earl G. Williamson Park
   11425 LA Hwy. 1,
   Oil City, LA 71061
   318-631-0182
   Website
   Earl G. Williamson Park
   Fireworks festival on Caddo Lake with local entertainment, concessions, clowns, family fun and Santa, who gives a gift to every child. Booths open at 3:30 p.m. Fireworks at 6:30 p.m. Admission is free.
4. Postcards from Louisiana. Bruce listens to the Big Dixie Swingers on Frenchman Street in New Orleans.

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236. Matt Karp. "This Vast Southern Empire."

236. This week, we interview Matt Karp about his book, This Vast Southern Empire. For pro slavery leaders like John C. Calhoun and Jefferson Davis, the nineteenth-century world was torn between two hostile forces: a rising movement against bondage, and an Atlantic plantation system that was larger and more productive than ever before. In this great struggle, southern statesmen saw the United States as slavery’s most powerful champion. Overcoming traditional qualms about a strong central government, slaveholding leaders harnessed the power of the state to defend slavery abroad.

1. This week in Louisiana history. November 26, 1729. Natchez Indians killed 300 Frenchmen at Ft. Rosalie.
2. This week in New Orleans history. November 25, 1985 - Saints head coach O.A. (Bum) Phillips resigned as his son, defensive coordinator Wade Phillips, was named interim head coach, the 9th head coach in Saints' history
   
3. This week in Louisiana.
   Sounds of the Season with the Acadiana Symphony Orchestra
   November 26th, 2017
   3:00 pm - 4:30 pm
   St Peters Church
   108 St Peter St.,
   New Iberia, LA 70560
   337-364-1603
   Website
   St Peters Church
   Free Christmas concert by the Acadiana Symphony Orchestra presented by Iberia Cultural Resources Association, featuring familiar Christmas songs as well as classical sections.
4. Postcards from Louisiana. Sarah Rose Marie, singer at Loosen the Bible Belt in Shreveport, November 6, 2017.

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235. Johnette Downing, part 2

235. Part 2 of our interview with Johnette Downing. Johnette is a New Orleans multi-award winning musician, singer and author presenting Louisiana Roots concerts and author visits for children, as well as keynotes and workshops for educators globally. Dedicated to celebrating childhood, nurturing cultural exchanges and fostering literacy through her music and books, Johnette has performed in the Middle East, Asia, Africa, Europe, Central America, North America and the Caribbean. Johnette’s presentations speak to a child’s interests in an engaging, interactive, thought-provoking, educational, entertaining and culturally respectful way; earning her a reputation for being the “Musical Ambassador to Children” and the “Pied Piper of Louisiana Music Traditions.”

1. This week in Louisiana history. November 20, 1829. U.S. Army established western boundary defense post on Lake Charles.
2. This week in New Orleans history. Isaac W. Patton became the 39th mayor of New Orleans on November 18, 1878.
   
3. This week in Louisiana.
   Minden’s Old World Christmas Lights Spectacular
   November 18th, 2017 - January 5th, 2018
   5:00 pm - 12:00 pm
   Holiday Trail of Lights
   520 Broadway,
   Minden, LA 71055
   318-377-4240 | 800-264-6336
   Website | Email
   Holiday Trail of Lights
   The City of Minden kicks off this regional holiday event in historic downtown Minden on November 19 with fireworks at dusk. The switch will be flipped to illuminate thousands of Christmas lights throughout the city beginning the Old World Christmas Lights Spectacular. Over 100 life-size nutcrackers will be on display. Shop and restaurants open nightly. Historic homes decorated for tours.
4. Postcard from Louisiana. Bruce shops at a table in Jackson Square run by a woman named Kitty and a cat named Gannicus.

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Kitty and Gannicus

234. Johnette Downing, part 1

234. Part 1 of our interview with Johnette Downing. Johnette is a New Orleans multi-award winning musician, singer and author presenting Louisiana Roots concerts and author visits for children, as well as keynotes and workshops for educators globally. Dedicated to celebrating childhood, nurturing cultural exchanges and fostering literacy through her music and books, Johnette has performed in the Middle East, Asia, Africa, Europe, Central America, North America and the Caribbean. Johnette’s presentations speak to a child’s interests in an engaging, interactive, thought-provoking, educational, entertaining and culturally respectful way; earning her a reputation for being the “Musical Ambassador to Children” and the “Pied Piper of Louisiana Music Traditions.”

“Today is Monday.
Today is Monday.
Monday red beans
All you lucky children
Come and eat it up!”

1. This week in Louisiana history. November 12, 1977. Ernest Nathan Morial was elected the first black mayor of New Orleans, Louisiana.
2. This week in New Orleans history. Actor Nicholas Cage's property, the LaLaurie house ("Most Haunted House in America") named for former owner Delphine LaLaurie who mistreated her slaves, was foreclosed and sold at auction on November 12, 2009.
   
3. This week in Louisiana.
   Southern Soul Food Showdown
   November 11th, 2017
   Mon Ami
   7304 Hwy 90 E,
   Jeanerette, LA 70544
   337-365-8185
   Website
   Finger licking Southern Soul Food cook-off. Family-oriented food festival, fais-do-do, arts and crafts, refreshments and more. Held annually on the second Saturday in November.

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233. Jeroen Dewulf, part 2

233. Part 2 of our interview of Jeroen Dewulf. Jeroen has a new book about New Orleans, From the Kingdom of Kongo to Congo Square: Kongo Dances and the Origins of the Mardi Gras Indians. Jeroen presents a provocatively new interpretation of one of New Orleans’s most enigmatic traditions—the Mardi Gras Indians. By interpreting the tradition in an Atlantic context, Dewulf traces the “black Indians” back to the ancient Kingdom of Kongo and its war dance known as sangamento. Enslaved Kongolese brought the rhythm, dancing moves, and feathered headwear of sangamentos to the Americas in performances that came to be known as “Kongo dances.” By comparing Kongo dances on the African island of São Tomé with those in Latin America, the Caribbean, and Louisiana, Dewulf demonstrates that the dances in New Orleans’s Congo Square were part of a much broader Kongolese performance tradition. He links that to Afro-Catholic mutual-aid societies that honored their elected community leaders or “kings” with Kongo dances. While the public rituals of these brotherhoods originally thrived in the context of Catholic procession culture around Epiphany and Corpus Christi, they transitioned to carnival as a result of growing orthodoxy within the Church.

1. This week in Louisiana history. November 4, 1811. The Territory of Orleans met for the Constitution Convention preceeding statehood.
2. This week in New Orleans history. Buddy Bolden Dies. November 4, 1931. Regarded by contemporaries as a key figure in the development of the New Orleans style of rag-time music which evolved into jazz, cornetist Charles Joseph "Buddy" Bolden's sound was never recorded but his horn was said to have been heard across the Mississippi River clear from Algiers.  Known for erratic behavior and as a heavy drinker, he was committed to Jackson State Asylum in 1907 after an altercation with his mother-in-law in their home.  He passed away on November 4, 1931.
   
3. This week in Louisiana.
   State Fair of Louisiana
   October 26th, 2017 - November 12th, 2017
   10:00 am - 10:00 pm
   State Fair of Louisiana
   3701 Hudson Ave.
   Shreveport, LA 71109
   318-635-1361
   Website | Email
   State Fair of Louisiana
   This is the official State Fair of Louisiana. It offers the largest livestock shows and carnival in the state. It boasts a large midway of rides, free daily circus shows, live entertainment and some of the most unique fair food in the nation. Carnival hours weekdays are 12 noon until close and weekends 10 a.m. until close.
4. Postcard from Louisiana.  Brian Hudson sings on the street in the French Quarter.

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232 Jeroen Dewulf, part 1

232. Part 1 of our interview of Jeroen Dewulf. Jeroen has a new book about New Orleans, From the Kingdom of Kongo to Congo Square: Kongo Dances and the Origins of the Mardi Gras Indians. Jeroen presents a provocatively new interpretation of one of New Orleans’s most enigmatic traditions—the Mardi Gras Indians. By interpreting the tradition in an Atlantic context, Dewulf traces the “black Indians” back to the ancient Kingdom of Kongo and its war dance known as sangamento. Enslaved Kongolese brought the rhythm, dancing moves, and feathered headwear of sangamentos to the Americas in performances that came to be known as “Kongo dances.” By comparing Kongo dances on the African island of São Tomé with those in Latin America, the Caribbean, and Louisiana, Dewulf demonstrates that the dances in New Orleans’s Congo Square were part of a much broader Kongolese performance tradition. He links that to Afro-Catholic mutual-aid societies that honored their elected community leaders or “kings” with Kongo dances. While the public rituals of these brotherhoods originally thrived in the context of Catholic procession culture around Epiphany and Corpus Christi, they transitioned to carnival as a result of growing orthodoxy within the Church.

1. This week in Louisiana history. October 28, 1768. Joseph Villere led a band of French colonists to overthrow Spanish Gov. Ulloa.
2. This week in New Orleans history. John William Corrington (October 28, 1932 – November 24, 1988) was an American film and television writer, novelist, poet and lawyer. He received a B.A. degree from Centenary College, in 1956 and his M.A. from Rice University in 1960, the year he took on his first teaching position in the English Department at Louisiana State University. While on leave from LSU, Corrington obtained his D.Phil. in 1965, from the University of Sussex and then moved to Loyola University New Orleans in 1966, as an Associate Professor of English, where he also served as chair of the English Department. Corrington graduated from Tulane University Law School in 1975. With his wife, Joyce Hooper Corrington, Corrington wrote numerous screenplays.
   
3. This week in Louisiana.
   Bayou Civic Club, Inc.
   French Food Festival
   October 27th, 2017 - October 29th, 2017
   Larose Regional Park
   307 East 5th St,
   Larose, LA 70373
   985-693-7355
   Website
   Google Directions
   Larose Regional Park
   Features more than 30 Food Booths with Traditional Cajun Classic Dishes.
4. Postcards from Louisiana. Bruce talks to artist Jeanee Marie Hammett behind St. Louis Cathedral and buys some art. She'll be happy to sell you some, too! Write her at jeanee@gmail.com.

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231. Lamar White

231. Lamar White joins us to discuss the fall elections in Louisiana. He also gives us an update on his new project, The Bayou Brief. For more than eleven years, Lamar White, Jr. published CenLamar, one of Louisiana’s most acclaimed and well-known progressive blogs, attracting more than two million readers and repeatedly receiving recognition from national and international news organizations. The Bayou Brief expands the original scope of CenLamar to cover the entire state. For news that's both factual and progressive, follow The Bayou Brief.

1. This week in Louisiana history. October 22, 1971. 'Coozan' Dudley "Hadacol" LeBlanc died in Abbeville.
2. This week in New Orleans history. A letter from His Majesty, regarding the transfer of the Ursuline Nuns to Havana, was read at a meeting of the Cabildo on October 21, 1777, and it was agreed to comply with the agreement of August 22, 1777.
   
3. This week in Louisiana.
   Dixie Maze Farms Fall Festival and Corn Maze
   September 23rd, 2017 - October 31st, 2017
   10:00 am - 12:00 am
   DixieMaze Farms
   9596 Sentell Rd.,
   Shreveport, LA 71107
   318-703-2870
   Website
   DixieMaze Farms
   Annual Fall Festival with pumpkin patch, corn maze, hay rides, pony rides, paintball games, arts and crafts and many other attractions.

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230. Andrei Codrescu

230. We interview poet Andrei Codrescu. He was born in Sibiu, Transylvania, Romania, and emigrated to the United States in 1966. He is the author of numerous books: poems, novels, and essays. He founded Exquisite Corpse: a Journal of Books and Ideas. He was a regular commentator on NPR’s All Things Considered. He taught literature and poetry at Johns Hopkins University, the University of Baltimore, and Louisiana State University.

1. This week in Louisiana history. October 15, 1802. Spanish king Charles IV ordered retrocession of Louisiana from Spain to France.
2. This week in New Orleans history. Beth Taylor (born October 14, 1954 in New Orleans, became Mississippi's first female television sportscaster when hired by WDAM-TV (an NBC affiliate) in Laurel-Hattiesburg, Mississippi.  Author of the book Bless Them Father, for They Have Sinned, which was published in the summer of 2012. As a child, Taylor experienced something so traumatic that her brain forced her to forget the events for more than 40 years. That event was clergy sexual abuse at the hands of member of the Catholic clergy. Taylor is also a  public relations practitioner and journalist.
   
3. This week in Louisiana.
   Voodoo Fest 2017 will send high-octane music acts, interactive art installations and costumed revelers to City Park from Oct. 27 through Oct. 29.
       Here's your guide to all the nitty-gritty details, from how to score tickets to what to bring to the fest. The upcoming edition should continue to reflect updates made to the event in 2016 after Voodoo Fest was brought under the umbrella of major festival organizer C3 Presents. Among those changes were layout updates to prevent sound bleed and bathroom upgrades festival-wide.
   
4. Postcard from Louisiana. Carmen of Popup Jazz Band sings "House of the Rising Sun" on Royal St. in New Orleans.

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