268. Langston A. Williams, Part 1

268. Part 1 of our interview with filmmaker Langston A. Williams. Langston didn’t start off with a plan to make a social commentary as his master’s thesis film at the University of New Orleans. But the summer after Williams finished writing the screenplay for a horror short, a 37-year-old named Alton Sterling was shot by police officers in Baton Rouge. Williams discovered then that he had an entirely different screenplay in him – one about race, police brutality and the media. “The story almost wrote itself,” said Williams (M.F.A.,’17). Now, Williams’ 25-minute short film, “Stay Woke,” is racking up honors on the film festival circuit and, most impressively, was invited to be screened at the Cannes Film Festival’s Short Film Corner on May 17, a first for a student film made through UNO’s Department of Film & Theatre program.

1. This week in Louisiana history. July 7, 1912. Grabow 'Lumber War' shootout takes place near DeRidder, 3 killed, 37 wounded.
2. This week in New Orleans history. Beginning in the mid-1930s, and for several years after, the Recreation Project of the WPA sponsored the "Summer Showers" program in conjunction with the New Orleans Fire Department. Several days a week throughout the summer, firemen closed off a street, opened the hydrants and attached special nozzles to their hoses so the children of New Orleans could frolic and beat the heat. Opening day of the Summer Showers program was traditionally celebrated with a certain amount of pomp and circumstance. City and WPA leaders gathered at Engine House 26, 231 S. Broad, for the ceremonial turning on of the showers. Opening day festivities too place on Broad Street, July 7, 1939.
   
3. This week in Louisiana.
   Cajun Music and Food Festival
   July 20, 2018 to July 21, 2018
   Friday 4pm-11pm & Saturday 9am-11pm
   Admission: $8.00 - Children under 12 Free
   (337) 794-2541
   Burton Coliseum
   7001 Gulf Hwy
   Lake Charles, LA 70605
   Celebrating 31 years of preserving and promoting Cajun music and heritage with continuous live Cajun music, traditional Cajun foods, arts and crafts, Cajun waltz and two-step dance contests, and children's activities all at Burton Coliseum starting at 4:00 to 11:00 PM, Friday, July 20th and again Saturday, July 21 9:00 AM to 11:00 PM. In addition, we have a Cajun French mass and donut social on Sunday morning at 8:00 AM at the CFMA Building and Museum located at 3481 E, Prien Lake Road, Lake Charles.
   
4. Postcards from Louisiana. Frog & Henry plays on Frenchmen St.

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267. Walter Stern

267. This week we interview Walter Stern. From the Code Noir to today, New Orleans has had a complicated racial history. Surveying the two centuries that preceded Jim Crow’s demise, Race and Education in New Orleans traces the course of the city’s education system from the colonial period to the start of school desegregation in 1960. This timely historical analysis reveals that public schools in New Orleans both suffered from and maintained the racial stratification that characterized urban areas for much of the twentieth century.

1. This week in Louisiana history. June 30, 1870. Robert E. Lee and the Natchez began their famous riverboat race.
2. This week in New Orleans history. One of the lengthiest and most violent transit railway strikes the nation ever experienced began in New Orleans on July 1, 1929. Although an agreement was reached in August, the union members did not agree to go back to work until October.
   
3. This week in Louisiana.
   2018 Essence Festival
   July 5-8, 2018
   The Essence Festival, known as "the party with a purpose", is an annual music festival which started in 1995 as a one-time event to celebrate the 25th anniversary of Essence, a magazine aimed primarily towards African-American women. It is the largest event celebrating African-American culture and music in the United States.
   This years acts include Janet Jackson - Mary J. Blige - Erykah Badu - Jill Scott - Snoop Dogg - The Roots - MC Lyte - Kelly Price - Miguel - Blackstreet - Fantasia - Xscape.
   
4. Postcards from Louisiana. Tuba Skinny plays another tune at the d.b.a. music bar.

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Walter Stern

The Natchez vs the Robert E. Lee

Tuba Skinny

266a. Ryan Trundle

266a. We interview candidate Ryan Trundle about his campaign for the 4th Congressional District from Louisiana. This is Ryan's message: "I have been fighting for people and the environment my whole life as an activist, community organizer and volunteer. Most of the time against greedy politicians and the unethical corporations that control them. I am sick and tired of seeing my friends and family being taken advantage of while our elected officials do nothing or worse. It's time for the people to have a voice in Congress, it’s time to fix the broken system, which is why I chose to run. The first step to fixing the corrupt political system is to remove big money special interests which is why I won't be accepting money or support from super PACs or corporations. The next step is to create a government that works for all of us, not just the wealthy, with fair common sense policies. I need your help to do this, please volunteer, donate and most importantly vote. It’s not a democracy without you."

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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