114. Katie Bickham interview, part 2

114.  Part 2 of our interview with Katie Bickham.  Katie Bickham is an award-winning poet and teacher from Shreveport, Louisiana.  She is proud to announce her forthcoming first book of poetry, The Belle Mar, winner of the Lena-Miles Wever Todd Poetry Prize. Katie grew up believing she wanted to write novels, but somewhere along the way, brevity took hold, and she decided it was poetry or bust.  Katie earned her BA in English Literature and MA in Liberal Arts from LSU Shreveport.  Then, knowing that one cannot write about a place until one leaves it, she enrolled in the Stonecoast MFA program at the University of Southern Maine, where she met the people who would pull the truly good work out of her.

1. This week in Louisiana history. July 26, 1810. Rebellion of West Florida Parishes.
2. This week in New Orleans history. Born in New Orleans on July 25, 1899, musician Johnny Wiggs (Born John Wigginton Hyman) started his music career on the violin, then the cornet.  In the late 1920s he took a job as a teacher, adopted the stage name "Johnny Wiggs"), and moonlighted in New Orleans jazz clubs at night. He made his first recordings as "John Hyman's Bayou Stompers" in the late 1920s.  In the 1940s he quit teaching (after having trained a young Pete Fountain), led several bands, made some recordings, and became an an important figure in the revival and preservation of the local music by founding the New Orleans Jazz Club.  Hyman remained active until the 1970s.  He passed away on in New Orleans on October 10, 1977.
   
3. This week in Louisiana.
   Satchmo SummerFest
   July 31st, 2015 - August 2nd, 2015
   Old U.S. Mint & Historic French Quarter
   400 Esplanade Ave., New Orleans, LA 70116
   504-522-5730
   Website
   Old U.S. Mint & Historic French Quarter
   Each year, this weekend-long festival celebrates his life, legacy and music. The festivities include a seminar series, jazz exhibits, a jazz mass and second-line parade, fantastic food and a host of star-studded performers.

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