Thursday, January 31, 2019

298. Kalamu ya Salaam, part 1

298. Part 1 of our interview with Kalamu ya Salaam (born March 24, 1947) is an American poet, author, filmmaker, and teacher from the 9th Ward of New Orleans. A well-known activist and social critic, Salaam has spoken out on a number of racial and human rights issues. For years he did radio shows on WWOZ. Salaam is the co-founder of the NOMMO Literary Society, a weekly workshop for Black writers.
  1. This week in Louisiana history. February 5, 1883. First train service from New Orleans to California
  2. This week in New Orleans history. Earth, Wind, & Fire's Al McKay is born February 2, 1948. Guitarist, songwriter, producer, former member of Earth, Wind & Fire, and the recipient of five Grammy Awards, Al McKay was born in New Orleans on February 2, 1948.
  3. This week in Louisiana.
    February 8th, 2019
    6:30 pm - 12:00 am
    Sam’s Town Casino and Hotel
    315 Clyde Fant Pkwy,
    Shreveport, LA 71101
    318-382-2150
    Website
    Krewe des Ambassadeurs Grand Bal will be held at Sam's Town Casino and Hotel in Shreveport on Friday, February 8 at 6:30 p.m. Adult admission is $80. The event is black tie, with a cash bar and a band to entertain after the presentation.
  4. Postcards from Louisiana. Bruce & Kerr listen to a jazz trumpet in Jackson Square.
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Thursday, January 24, 2019

297. Jason Berry

297. We interview Jason Berry, author of City of a Million Dreams: A History of New Orleans at Year 300. Berry orchestrates a parade of vibrant personalities, from the founder Bienville, a warrior emblazoned with snake tattoos; to Governor William C. C. Claiborne, General Andrew Jackson, and Pere Antoine, an influential priest and secret agent of the Inquisition; Sister Gertrude Morgan, a street evangelist and visionary artist of the 1960s; and Michael White, the famous clarinetist who remade his life after losing everything in Hurricane Katrina. The textured profiles of this extraordinary cast furnish a dramatic narrative of the beloved city, famous the world over for mysterious rituals as people dance when they bury their dead.
  1. This week in Louisiana history. January 26, 1958. Ellen DeGeneres , comedian, who starred in the popular talk show The Ellen DeGeneres Show from Metairie, LA.
  2. This week in New Orleans history. Huey "Piano" Smith (born January 26, 1934, New Orleans, is an American rhythm and blues pianist whose sound was influential in the development of rock and roll. His piano playing incorporated the boogie styles of Pete Johnson, Meade Lux Lewis, Albert Ammons; the jazz style of Jelly Roll Morton and the piano playing of Fats Domino. Allmusic journalist, Steve Huey, also noted "At the peak of his game, Smith epitomized New Orleans R&B at its most infectious and rollicking, as showcased on his classic signature tune, "Don't You Just Know It."
  3. This week in Louisiana.
    Opelousas Gumbo Cook-Off
    January 26, 2019
    603 E Landry St., Opelousas
    Website
    The annual Opelousas Gumbo Cook-Off held the last Saturday in January heats up with live music, a kids’ activity area, both silent and live auctions, food, drinks, dancing, and lots of gumbo. While this is a free event, the entry fee to participate in the cook-off is $50. Prizes are awarded for first place champion, second place, and third place. In addition, a specially designed Gumbo Cook-Off Champ Paddle will be passed from the reigning champ to a new contender. Winners of the cook-off will be announced at 4 p.m.
  4. Postcards from Louisiana. Bruce & Kerr interview some volunteers at the Fried Chicken Festival in New Orleans.
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Friday, January 18, 2019

296. James Lewis on Aaron Burr

296. James Lewis talks about his book, The Burr Conspiracy: Uncovering the Story of an Early American Crisis. In 1805 and 1806, Aaron Burr, former vice president of the newly formed American republic, traveled through the Trans-Appalachian West gathering support for a mysterious enterprise, for which he was arrested and tried for treason in 1807. This book explores the political and cultural forces that shaped how Americans made sense of the uncertain rumors and reports about Burr’s intentions and movements, and examines what the resulting crisis reveals about their anxieties concerning the new nation’s fragile union and uncertain republic.
  1. This week in Louisiana history. January 21, 1736. Jean Louis, a sailor, died leaving 10,000 livres to found N.O. charity hospital.
  2. This week in New Orleans history. Father Antonio de Sedella, better known as Pere Antoine, a Capuchin friar, passed away on January 19, 1829 amid the love and tears of the whole city. The beloved priest came to the province of Louisiana in 1779. He is supposed to have performed nearly one half of the marriage and funeral ceremonies for the inhabitants of the city, until his death, at the ripe old age of 90. He lies buried at the foot of the altar of the St. Louis Cathedral, of which he was the Cure (or pastor) for the parish, for nearly fifty years. The St. Louis Cathedral, an ancient and interesting edifice of New Orleans facing Jackson Square or “Place d’Arms” as it was known in those days, stands today on the very site where the first house of worship was erected by Bienville and his pioneers in 1718. It is filled with historic lore and has witnessed the principal events which occurred since the founding of the city up to the present time.
  3. This week in Louisiana. 
    Krewe of Harambee Parade
    January 21st, 2019
    Downtown Shreveport
    Spring ST,
    Shreveport, LA 71101
    318-617-7886
    Website
    This family-friendly parade rolls through downtown Shreveport each year celebrating the legacy of Martin Luther King, Jr. It features marching bands, stilt-walkers, dozens of floats and more.
  4. Postcards from Louisiana. Bruce & Lisa Walker talk to the granddaughter of Leah Chase at Dooky Chase. Yeah, the chicken was delicious.
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Friday, January 11, 2019

295. Patrick Horn

295. This week, we interview Patrick Horn. He is the author of Pad Pennywell, which covers the Kimbrell-West Clan in central Louisiana. During post Civil War era reconstruction, former slave Pad Pennywell had hopes of starting a new life with his wife, daughter and adopted family in Texas. Little did Pad know that his life was about to be torn apart, when his family is brutalized by a band of thieves and murderers along the Harrisonburg Rd, a stretch of trail that connects the Natchez trace with the El Camino Real. Taken captive by John West, a psychopathic murderer who’s charm and hypocrisy are only matched by his lust for blood and money 
  1. This week in Louisiana history. January 13, 1818. Noah Ludlow opens St. Philip Street Theatre.
  2. This week in New Orleans history. Daniel "Danny" Moses Barker was born on January 13, 1909, in New Orleans. Born into a musical family, his interest in jazz came early. His grandfather, Isidore Barbarin, had been a member of the great Onward Brass Band. Clarinetist Barney Bigard, who played with Duke Ellington, gave Danny lessons in clarinet. His uncle, the great jazz drummer Paul Barbarin, also taught him how to play the drums. Nonetheless, when it came to playing music, Danny settled on the banjo and guitar as his favorite instruments.
  3. This week in Louisiana.
    January 17th, 2019
    6:30 pm - 8:30 pm
    Alexandria Museum of Art
    933 Second St (Main St),
    Alexandria, LA 71301
    318-443-3458
    Website
    AMoA AfterHours
    Every Third Thursday of the month, Alexandria Museum of Art opens the doors to the community for its AfterHours programing. Each quarter, there will be a concert, a free community art project, and a "Renegade Tour" (Free Art Tour designed for Adults). The rotation varies per quarter, so visit www.themuseum.org for more information.
  4. Postcards from Louisiana. Bruce, Jeff, & Jon Magee listen to the Crooked Vines in New Orleans.
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Friday, January 4, 2019

294. Dolph Williams, part 2

294. Part 2 of our interview with Dolph Williams, founder of the Frosty Factory in Ruston, LA. founder of the Frosty Factory in Ruston, LA. After his mother invented the frozen daiquiri, Dolph used his engineering skills to build the machines to make them. When Dolph Williams asked his suppliers to develop larger-capacity machines, manufacturers scoffed and suggested that they saw no need. Necessity reawakened Williams’ Louisiana Tech engineering education in construction technology. His earlier lessons in calculating and designing bridges proved useful as he created his own version of a frozen daiquiri machine. Beginning with sketches on the back of a brown paper grocery bag, Williams soon had crafted a machine that could produce 12 gallons of alcohol slush per hour. These Ruston experiments contributed crucial innovations to the realm of frozen alcoholic beverages. Now the frozen daiquiri is a staple of Louisiana culture, and has spread far beyond the state.
  1. This week in Louisiana history. January 5, 1987. Pistol Pete Maravich inducted into Basketball Hall of Fame.
  2. This week in New Orleans history. Laten John Adams (January 5, 1932 – September 14, 1998), known as Johnny Adams, was an American blues, jazz and gospel singer, known as "The Tan Canary" for the multi-octave range of his singing voice, his swooping vocal mannerisms and falsetto. His biggest hits were his versions of "Release Me" and "Reconsider Me" in the late 1960s.
  3. This week in Louisiana.
    January 11th, 2019
    Downtown Cameron
    512 Marshall Street,
    Cameron, LA 70631
    337-540-9449
    Website
    "ONE OF THE OLDEST AND COLDEST FESTIVALS IN LOUISIANA" What sportsman could resist a weekend of competition - Cameron style? Trap shooting, retriever dog trials, duck and goose calling, nutria and muskrat skinning, and oyster shucking contests, crowning of the new Fur & Wildlife Festival King & Queen(who receives a gorgeous fur coat as part of her prize package). Fun, Food, and most importantly....FUR!!!!
  4. Postcards from Louisiana. Bruce listens to the New Birth Brass Band in Jackson Square, New Orleans.
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