266. Andy Gellis, part 2

266. Part 2 of our interview with Andy Gellis about his book, BigABigD's Jewish-Cajun Fusion. As a Jew living in South Louisiana, Andy is interested in both Jewish food and the local Cajun cooking. While there are big differences in the two food cultures, there are some interesting similarities. Andy's book also reflects his interest in blending these two traditions to form a new cuisine. We also talk to Andy about eating kosher, about New York Jewish delis, and Jewish food in the Old World.

1. This week in Louisiana history. June 23, 1813. Records show W.C.C. Claiborne used pelican and motto as state seal for first time.
2. This week in New Orleans history. The evening of June 23, St John's Eve (also known as Midsummer because it falls on or near the summer solstice), is the eve of celebration before the Feast Day of St John the Baptist. The Christian holy day is fixed at June 24 but in some countries, festivities are celebrated the night before. In New Orleans, St. John's Eve has traditionally been celebrated by voodoo practitioners. A June 23, 1884 edition of the New Orleans Times-Democrat reported “Eve of St. John” activities; “The queen in attendance” as well as a “scene on the lake coast from Spanish Fort to Milneburg was one which cannot easily be forgotten.”
   
3. This week in Louisiana.
   Louisiana Cajun Zydeco Festival
   Jun 23–24, 2018
   Saturday, June 23, and Sunday, June 24, 2018 - 11:30 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. both days
   Louis Armstrong Park
   701 N. Rampart Street
   New Orleans, Louisiana 70116
   Admission: Free
   
4. Postcards from Louisiana. A street band plays on Frenchmen and Chartres Streets. Frenchmen has become the nighttime alternative to Bourbon St. with more locals attending and fewer strip joints. 

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265. Andy Gellis, part 1

265. Part 1 of our interview with Andy Gellis about his book, BigABigD's Jewish-Cajun Fusion. As a Jew living in South Louisiana, Andy is interested in both Jewish food and the local Cajun cooking. While there are big differences in the two food cultures, there are some interesting similarities. Andy's book also reflects his interest in blending these two traditions to form a new cuisine. We also talk to Andy about eating kosher, about New York Jewish delis, and Jewish food in the Old World.

1. This week in Louisiana history. June 16, 1964. Two barges ram Lake Ponchartrain Causeway tearing the structure and killing six.
2. This week in New Orleans history. Z.Z.Top and Wishbone Ash played at A Warehouse on June 16, 1972.
   
3. This week in Louisiana.
   Beauregard Watermelon Festival
   June 29-30, 2018
   The Beauregard Watermelon Festival has several events: watermelon carving, a t-shirt contest, a singing contest, a seed spitting contest, biggest watermelon contest, and more.
   (337) 463-5534
   
4. Postcards from Louisiana. Tuba Skinny plays at the d.b.a. music bar.

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264. Mark Broyard, part 2.

264. Part 2 of our interview with Mark Broyard. Mark is descended from a long line of artisans and craftsmen who have plied their trade in New Orleans and Los Angeles. His mother's father was a furniture maker in the Vieux Carree.  His own father was a third generation bricklayer as well as a building contractor.  Mark cites these influences as being the strongest on his work. Mark and Roger Guenveur Smith have a two-man show, Inside the Creole Mafia, a not-too-dark comedy presenting a contemporary take on a mixed-blood heritage that emerged in the collision of slavery and freedom. In the 18th and 19th centuries they were the "Gens de Couleur Libres," the Free People of Color but today they are commonly known as "Creoles" or "Creoles of Color." With a blend of humor and savvy mockery, performers Mark Broyard and Roger Guenveur Smith rock the stage in big daddy white suits, silk shirts and ties, pouring Tabasco sauce libations while they "trow" Mardi Gras beads.

1. This week in Louisiana history. June 9, 1867. Benjamin F. Flanders appointed Military Governor of La. by Gen. Sheridan.
2. This week in New Orleans history. The Haspell Doll Collection, installed June 9, 1941, attracted numerous persons to the New Orleans Public Library. This group of 500 dolls from practically every nation is perhaps the finest in the South. Its value to students of geography and costume has been outstanding.
   
3. This week in Louisiana.
   Louisiana Catfish Festival
   June 22-24, 2018
   The festival is held on the grounds of St. Gertrude the Great Catholic Church in Des Allemands.
   17324 La. 631
   Des Allemands, La. 70030
   From New Orleans, take I-10 W to I-310. Head south on I-310 for about 12 miles. Exit to the right on Hwy. 90 W to Houma. Continue on Hwy. 90 W through Paradis to Des Allemands. Upon reaching Des Allemands,  St. Gertrude the Great Catholic Church will be on the right side of LA 631 in the Des Allemands Business District.
   Des Allemands, LA
   
4. Postcards from Louisiana. The Stay Outsiders play on Royal Street.

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Roger Smith (top) and Mark Broyard

The Stay Outsiders

263. Mark Broyard, part 1.

263. Part 1 of our interview with Mark Broyard. Mark is descended from a long line of artisans and craftsmen who have plied their trade in New Orleans and Los Angeles. His mother's father was a furniture maker in the Vieux Carree.  His own father was a third generation bricklayer as well as a building contractor.  Mark cites these influences as being the strongest on his work. Mark and Roger Guenveur Smith have a two-man show, Inside the Creole Mafia, a not-too-dark comedy presenting a contemporary take on a mixed-blood heritage that emerged in the collision of slavery and freedom. In the 18th and 19th centuries they were the "Gens de Couleur Libres," the Free People of Color but today they are commonly known as "Creoles" or "Creoles of Color." With a blend of humor and savvy mockery, performers Mark Broyard and Roger Guenveur Smith rock the stage in big daddy white suits, silk shirts and ties, pouring Tabasco sauce libations while they "trow" Mardi Gras beads.

1. This week in Louisiana history. June 3, 1902. Legislature makes June 3, Confederate Day, a legal holiday.
2. This week in New Orleans history. On June 2, 1944, the Liberty ship Walker D. Hines was launched by Delta Shipbuilding Company.
   
3. This week in Louisiana.
   Louisiana Peach Fest
   "Peachy Paradise"
   June 22-23, 2018
   The Louisiana Peach Festival is a family-oriented event produced by the Ruston-Lincoln Chamber of Commerce, and held each year the fourth weekend of June. The 2018 dates are June 22-23.
   Children 8 and Under get in Free!
   Friday, Free for all, Noon - 5 p.m.
   Friday, $10, 5 p.m. - 10 p.m.
   Saturday, $10, 8 a.m. - 10 p.m.
   Weekend Pass, $15
   Ruston-Lincoln Chamber of Commerce:
   (318) 255-2031
   (800) 392-9032
   Email: peach@rustonlincoln.org
   
4. Postcards from Louisiana. A street band plays on Toulouse & Bourbon Streets.

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Roger Smith (top) and Mark Broyard

262. Lamar White visits for our 5th Anniversary

262. This week, we mark our 5th anniversary as a podcast and the 6th anniversary of our overall project. Friend of the podcast Lamar White joins us to read and discuss a couple of his articles on the history of LABI. These articles can be found at The Bayou Brief; part 1 is "Louisiana’s Fourth Branch of Government, 1976-1991"; part 2 is "Louisiana’s Fourth Branch of Government, A Banana Republic Open for Business"; During the past 20 years, a small group of anti-government ideologues has transformed state politics by preaching fiscal responsibility. Quietly, they’ve also collected billions in tax breaks, incentives, and government contracts. LABI is one of the primary reasons for the gridlock in Baton Rouge, keeping the state from solving its problems.

1. This week in Louisiana history. May 26, 1865 Civil War finally ends in La. as Army of Trans-Miss. surrenders in New Orleans.
2. This week in New Orleans history. A most appropriate photograph to share on Memorial Day, this one from the New Orleans Public Library captures soldiers from the various camps in Louisiana and Mississippi who came to New Orleans for brief periods of weekend leaves and are shown around the city by guides supplied by the WPA recreation division. Here the WPA guide is in Jackson Square with a group of military tourists on May 26, 1941.
   
3. This week in Louisiana.
   The Louisiana Corn Festival is held every year the second full weekend in June. The festival and slogan “Aw Shucks” originated in 1986 and still is the only corn festival in the state of Louisiana. The name Louisiana Corn Festival was given to honor the impact that agriculture has on our economy and a Corn Farmer is honored each year. This festival has something for all ages. There is music every night with live bands Friday and Saturday night with a street dance, games, contests, corn cooking contest, children's parade, pirogue races, corn shucking contest and corn eating contest! This year we will host our 2nd Annual Car, Truck, and Bike Show on Saturday, June 9th. So follow the rows of corn down to Bunkie, where you are sure to have a corn shucking good time!!
      Bunkie will celebrate the 32nd Annual Corn Festival on June 7, 8, & 9, 2018. Carnival Bracelets to ride all night on Thursday & Friday are $20, Saturday ALL DAY bracelets are $25 and individual ride tickets are available for purchase. Gate Entrance is $3 for 21 and up and $1 for 20 and below. Thursday’s Family night has no gate entrance fee. Our city wide parade will roll Saturday at 10am. Join our community this year and help us celebrate 32 years!
   
4. Postcards from Louisiana. The Tip Jar Junkie plays on Royal St.

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Lamar White

Tip Jar Junkie

Soldiers on Leave in New Orleans

261. Karen Celestan

261. We talk to Karen Celestan about her book, Freedom's Dance, which covers social aid and pleasure clubs, along with second line parades. In this book, the powerful images of noted photographer Eric Waters are paired with a collection of essays by cultural leaders to offer the first complete look at the Social, Aid and Pleasure Club (SAPC) parade culture in New Orleans. Ranging from ideological approaches to the contributions of musicians, development of specific rituals by various clubs, and parade accessories such as elaborately decorated fans and sashes, Freedom’s Dance provides an unparalleled photographic and textual overview of the SAPC Second Line, tracking its origins in African traditions and subsequent development in black New Orleans culture.

1. This week in Louisiana history. May 19, 1862. Union Gen. Benjamin "Beast" Butler Order no. 28 published.
2. This week in New Orleans history. Jazz musician George Murphy "Pops" Foster (May 19, 1892 – October 29, 1969) played string bass, tuba and trumpet. Born on a plantation near McCall in Ascension Parish, his family moved to New Orleans when he was about ten years of age. His older brother, Willard Foster, began playing banjo and guitar; George started out on a cello then switched to string bass.  Foster was playing professionally by 1907 and worked with Jack Carey, Kid Ory, Armand Piron, King Oliver and other prominent hot bands of the era. In 1921 he moved to St. Louis.
   
3. This week in Louisiana.
   Little Walter Music Festival
   May 24-25, 2018
   Red River Levee stage
   800.551.9546
   Honor Little Walter's legacy. The Little Walter Music Festival is a festival held at the Alexandria Amphitheater in Alexandria, La. honoring Rock & Roll Hall of Famer, Blues sideman and bandleader "Little Walter." For a complete list of entertainment visit the Little Walter Music Festival Facebook page. The event is free.
   
4. Postcards from Louisiana. The Superband, made up of New Orleans muscians, plays to raise money for Hector Gallardo. He leads the group Hector Gallardo & his Cuban Jazz Trio. He brought his unique percussion sound from Cuba when he immigrated decades ago, and he has made a profound impact on the New Orleans music scene. 

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260. Joseph Makkos, part 2.

260. Part 2 of our interview with Joseph Makkos. For years, Joseph salvaged letterpresses and boxes of rare type from local print shops. He was trawling through Craigslist one day in 2013 when he came upon an ad for a “historic newspaper collection.” Hours later, he had become the proud owner of a Times-Picayune archive from 1885 up to 1930, a collection carefully preserved in some 30,000 airtight tubes. Inspired by other print conservation efforts, Makkos launched New Orleans DNA to not only preserve his newspapers but also nurture an appreciation for their true pricelessness.

1. This week in Louisiana history. May 12, 1898. New constitution includes the "Grandfather Clause" to permit illiterate whites to vote; a poll tax and literacy test included to disqualify black voters.
2. This week in New Orleans history. World's Fair Opens. Saturday, May 12, 1984. Crowds flocked to see Seymour D. Fair, the Wonder Wall, the gondolas, the bare-breasted mermaids, synchronized swimmers, and much more (not to mention the food) on opening day, May 12, 1984. Themed "The World of Rivers—Fresh Waters as a Source of Life", the fair took place 100 years after the 1884 World Cotton Centennial (aka World's Fair) which occupied grounds we now know of as Audubon Park.
   
3. This week in Louisiana.
   26th Starks Mayhaw Festival
   May 17-19, 2018
      Our festival celebrates the best tasting jelly around. Be sure to stop by and buy some Mayhaw jelly. Our vendors also create numerous other berry jellies. Arts & Crafts, Live Entertainment, auction, Great Food, Jelly Contest, Live Auction, Car Show, Kids Games, Carnival Rides.
      Our festival is held each year on 13 acre site at the intersection of Hwy 109 & Hwy 12 in Starks, LA.
   105 Hwy 109 North
   Starks, LA 70661
4. Postcards from Louisiana. The Taser Family Band plays on Royal St. They are available at 615.480.6037.

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Taser Family Band.