349. Nathan Rabalais, part 2

349. Part 2 of our interview with Nathan Rabalais about his documentary, Finding Louisiana. Louisiana French, folk tales. Nathan earned his Ph.D. in French Studies from Tulane University and a Doctorat en Langues et littératures from Université de Poitiers. His research focuses primarily on literatures, cultures, and oral tradition of Francophone North America (primarily Louisiana, Acadia, and Quebec). Professor Rabalais's courses include The Craft of Writing, Heroes, French and Creole Louisiana, and Pop Culture of Francophone North America. His most recent publications and feature-length documentary Finding Cajun (2019) focus on the intersection of language and identity in Louisiana and Acadian communities of Canada. His original poetry has been featured in several literary journals and in his book Le Hantage: un ouvrage de souvenance (2018). He is currently completing a monograph, Folklore Figures of French and Creole Louisiana, forthcoming with LSU Press.

1. This week in Louisiana history. January 26, 1861. Louisiana's Secession Convention overwhelmingly votes to secede from the Union and become the Republic of Louisiana.
2. This week in New Orleans history. Today we celebrate the first edition of The Picayune on Wednesday, January 25, 1837.  It contained 4 pages, few graphics, and was distributed by two carriers who sold 800 of the 1000 copies that had been printed from the office at No. 38 Gravier Street. The following day, January 26, 1837, 2,000 copies were printed and sold. It was the first New Orleans newspaper to sell for less than a dime.  A picayune (a Spanish coin) equalled about 6 1/4 cents.
   
3. This week in Louisiana.
   King Cake Festival
   When: January 26; 10 a.m. – 4 p.m.
   Where: Champions Square
   What: Taste the many King Cakes from the city’s best bakeries, enjoy live music, and support pediatric programs and the Ochsner Hospital for Children at this annual festival presented by Ochsner.
    Presented by Ochsner Medical Center, King Cake Festival is an annual celebration of one of New Orleans sweetest treats: King Cake! Bakeries from across the Crescent City and beyond will serve their special twists on this New Orleans classic for fest-goers to try every January in Champion Square. Taste dozens of king cakes from bakeries, groceries and restaurants across the New Orleans area!
   King Cake Competitions
   You can watch the friendly competition among bakeries as they compete for a number of coveted King Cake titles. Categories such as Best Presentation, Most Unique, Best Traditional, People’s Choice and more are up for grabs.
   Fest Activities
   Benefitting Ochsner Hospital for Children, King Cake Festival usually has a number of family-friendly and heart-healthy activities. Come energized and ready to exercise with games for all ages. Live music performances also take place within Champion Square.
   Admission
   This event is free and open to the public. To taste the king cakes, tickets must be purchased. Usually, it is $20 for 10 tickets and 1 ticket per sample. Since the event is a fundraiser for Ochsner Hospital for Children, donations are highly recommended and greatly appreciated.
   
4. Postcards from Louisiana. Milly Raccoon sings on Royal St.

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348. Nathan Rabalais, part 1

348. Part 1 of our interview with Nathan Rabalais. Finding Cajun. Louisiana French, folk tales. Nathan earned his Ph.D. in French Studies from Tulane University and a Doctorat en Langues et littératures from Université de Poitiers. His research focuses primarily on literatures, cultures, and oral tradition of Francophone North America (primarily Louisiana, Acadia, and Quebec). Professor Rabalais's courses include The Craft of Writing, Heroes, French and Creole Louisiana, and Pop Culture of Francophone North America. His most recent publications and feature-length documentary Finding Cajun (2019) focus on the intersection of language and identity in Louisiana and Acadian communities of Canada. His original poetry has been featured in several literary journals and in his book Le Hantage: un ouvrage de souvenance (2018). He is currently completing a monograph, Folklore Figures of French and Creole Louisiana, forthcoming with LSU Press.

1. This week in Louisiana history. January 18, 1838. Caddo Parish created from Natchitoches District, named for Caddo Indians.
2. This week in New Orleans history. The New Orleans Public Library first opened its doors to the public on January 18, 1897.  The system began in 1896 as the Fisk Free and Public Library in a building on Lafayette Square. Abijah Fisk was a merchant who, over fifty years earlier, had left his house—at the corner of Iberville and Bourbon Streets—to the city for use as a library. Subsequent donations had resulted in libraries and collections not completely free and open to the citizenry. An 1896 city ordinance proposed by Mayor John Fitzpatrick combined the Fisk collection with a newer municipal library. It eventually became known as the New Orleans Public Library.
   
3. This week in Louisiana. 
   Centenary College
   Shreveport, LA
   January 20, 2020.
   5:00 am - 3:00 pm. Room 108.
   Dream Week 2020 —MLK service day.
   MLK Service Day is a large scale event open to Centenary students, faculty, staff, alumni, and other local community members to participate in a "day on instead of a day off" in honor of Dr. King's birthday.
   
4. Postcards from Louisiana. Bourbon Bandstand Bar.

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347. Dan Mabry, part 2

347. Part 2 of our interview with Dan Mabry.  About a year ago, Dan started his own podcast in our hometown of Ruston, the Dan Mabry Project. The Idea behind The Dan Mabry Project is "honest conversation, with interesting people". There are no rules here, everyone is welcome, and everyone has a story to tell. I put out a new episode every week!

1. This week in Louisiana history.  January 11, 2016. John Bel Edwards becomes 56th Governor of Louisiana.
2. This week in New Orleans history.  On January 11, 1803, Monroe & Livingston sailed for Paris to buy New Orleans; they buy Louisiana and more.
   
3. This week in Louisiana.
   The Louisiana Fur and Wildlife Festival
   The annual Fur Festival Parade was always a high point of the festival, always held at 2:00 P.M. on Saturday, starting from the west end and traveling through town to the east, on Highway La. 27-82. Each civic organization would spend days and many hours planning and making the beautiful floats and competing for the honor of winning in the various categories.
   6:00 pm, Thursday, January 9, 2020 Beauty pageants and crowning of King Fur.
   9:00 am - 10:00 pm Friday.
   7:00 am - 10:00 pm Saturday.
   This festival costs $5.00 per person, or $15.00 for a weekend pass. Children 12 & younger are free. Enjoy the Beauty contests, Trap shooting, Dog trials, antique vehicles, muskrat and nutria skinning, oyster shucking competition, Kids oyster race, Gumbo cookoff, duck and goose calling competition, and a Parade.
   
4. Postcards from Louisiana. Alicia "Blue Eyes" Renee sings on Royal St.

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346. Dan Mabry, part 1

346. Part 1 of our interview with Dan Mabry. About a year ago, Dan started his own podcast in our hometown of Ruston, the Dan Mabry Project. The Idea behind The Dan Mabry Project is "honest conversation, with interesting people". There are no rules here, everyone is welcome, and everyone has a story to tell. I put out a new episode every week!

1. This week in Louisiana history.  January 4, 1830 Louisiana State government moved to Donaldsonville from New Orleans. Donaldsonville was designated as the Louisiana capital (1829–1831),[11] as the result of conflict between the increasing number of Anglo-Americans, who deemed New Orleans "too noisy" and wanted to move the capital closer to their centers of population farther north in the state, and French Creoles, who wanted to keep the capital in a historically-French area (Wikipedia).
2. This week in New Orleans history. January 4, 2006. Hubig's Pie factory reopens post-Katrina.
   
3. This week in Louisiana.
   Twelfth Night
   When: January 6; times of parades vary
   Where: French Quarter, Uptown
   What: The first day of the carnival season, known as Twelfth Night or the Epiphany, will kick off yet again with three parades.
   
• Phunny Phorty Phellows will ride the streetcar from Uptown to Canal Street and back starting at 7 p.m.
  
• The beloved walking Krewe of Joan of Arc parade will roll in at 7 p.m. from Jax Brewery in the French Quarter, and
  
• the Société Des Champs Elysée parade, will take place starting at 7:30 p.m. on N. Rampart Street and Esplanade, going to the CBD. Like last year, it will be following the N. Rampart/St. Claude streetcar route.
  
4. Postcards from Louisiana. Stevie 'typewritergypsy' writes me the poem “Midnight Jazz on Royal Street with ET.”

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345. Jeff Barrois on Huey Long, part 2

345. Bruce's discussion about Huey Long with Jeff Barrois, part 2. Jeff is a fellow podcaster, hosting "Good Morning Comrade," in New Orleans. He is also active in the DSA (Democratic Socialists of Americe), a union activist, and a school teacher in Jefferson Parish. Today he interviews Bruce about Huey Long, his career and politics, and we consider ways that we can tap into the Long legacy today. This interview was originally broadcast on Good Morning Comrade.

1. This week in Louisiana history. December 28, 1862. (Old) State Capitol burned by Union Soldiers.
2. This week in New Orleans history. Roy E. Glapion, Jr. was born on December 3, 1935 in New Orleans, La. He was educated in Catholic schools in New Orleans and obtained his Bachelor of Science degree from Xavier University in 1958. He served for 24 years in the Orleans Parish Public School System as a teacher and coach, the majority of his time spent at Carter G. Woodson and Joseph S. Clark schools. Glapion joined the Zulu Social Aid and Pleasure Club in 1972 and soon became the club's finance chairman. At the beginning of 1998, he was diagnosed with colon cancer. While fighting the disease, he was elected King Zulu 2000, but lost his battle with cancer before he could reign. He died on December 28, 1999 and the Zulu organization honored him by allowing his reign to be posthumous, the King's float rolling empty in his memory on Mardi Gras 2000.
   
3. This week in Louisiana.
   December 31, 2019
   New Year's Eve In New Orleans
   Jackson Square
   New Orleans
   New Year's Eve is that happy occasion between Christmas and Twelfth Night. It’s a time to welcome in the new year with family and friends. There’s food, and – always – a band.
   For the biggest party in the city, head to Jackson Square – the Quarter is packed with festive party goers eager to count down the time until the New Year arrives.
   If outdoor celebrations and big crowds are not for you, make a reservation at one of the city’s many fine  restaurants and celebrate the evening over delectable meals and of course, lots of bubbly. Many restaurants offer special deals or packages for the evening, so make sure you check ahead to ensure the perfect night for you, your loved ones and friends.
   
4. Postcards from Louisiana. Angelica & Wolf, Jax Brewery duet.
   

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344. Huey Long Discussion with Jeff Barrois, Part 1

344. Bruce's discussion about Huey Long with Jeff Barrois, part 1. Jeff is a fellow podcaster, hosting "Good Morning Comrade," in New Orleans. He is also active in the DSA (Democratic Socialists of Americe), a union activist, and a school teacher in Jefferson Parish. Today he interviews Bruce about Huey Long, his career and politics, and we consider ways that we can tap into the Long legacy today. This interview was originally broadcast on Good Morning Comrade.

1. This week in Louisiana history. December 21, 1921. Gov. P.B.S. Pinchback dies in Washington DC. Was La.'s only black governor, 84.
2. This week in New Orleans history. December 21, 1937. Fever Therapy at the Marine Hospital. In 1927, Viennese psychiatrist Dr. Julius von Wagner-Jauregg won a Nobel Prize for his work with "fever therapy" which involved the injection of malaria-tainted blood to induce a fever which was thought to kill harmful pathogens. Ten years prior, he "cured" a patient with late-stage syphilis via this practice, which came to be considered a cure for psychotic and infectious diseases. 
   
3. This week in Louisiana.
   December 2-28, 2019
   Shadows Merry Making Season
   10:00 am - 4:00 pm
   Shadows-on-the-Teche
   317 E Main St.,
   New Iberia, LA 70560
   337-369-6446 | Fax
   Website | Email
   The plantation home will be decorated in the 19th century holiday style and the "merry making" tours will focus on family celebrations in the nineteenth century.
4. Christmas Card from Louisiana. David Middleton reads his poem "The Shepherd: A Play."

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343. Deb Jannerson, part 2

343. Part 2 of our interview with Deb Jannerson. Deb is an award-winning author of bildungsroman lit, queer romance, and poetry. Her debut YA book, The Women of Dauphine, is now available from NineStar Press. Her acclaimed poetry collections, Thanks for Nothing (Finishing Line Press, 2018) and Rabbit Rabbit (Finishing Line Press, 2016), are available wherever books are sold. More than one hundred of her pieces have appeared in anthologies and magazines, including viral articles for Bitch. She lives in New Orleans with her wife and pets.

1. This week in Louisiana history. December 14, 1814. First clash with British in War of 1812 on Lake Borgne.
2. This week in New Orleans history. December 14, 1935. Holy bat signal, Batman! The Sky Projector Comes to Town. We're Glad it Wasn't the Death Ray. On December 14, 1935 at 5:30 p.m., a $60,000 Sky Projector ("the only apparatus of its kind in the world" according to local publications) shot images of Santa Claus at the North Pole as well as Christmas text greetings (called "Sky Grams") onto the clouds from the front of the D.H. Holmes building on Canal Street.
   
3. This week in Louisiana.
   Christmas in the Park in Bogalusa
   December 1-25, 2019
   6:00 pm - 9:00 pm
   Cassidy Park
   625 Willis Ave,
   Bogalusa, LA 70427
   985-732-6200
   Celebrate the Magic of Christmas as you stroll through Bogalusa's forested city park and view a manger scene that includes over 45,000 of the over one million colored lights and life size figures. Santa Claus visits the park every night and wants your child to remember their visit with a special photograph of them together. The park's half-mile circular road is closed to traffic so you and your family can enjoy the beauty of over one million colored lights and the music as you stroll at your own pace past the cajun village and the lake filled with jumping fish, an alligator, turtles, and a swan. Christmas in the Park brings families together with the magical celebration of lights.
   Dates of Operation: Nov 28-Dec 1; Dec 6-8; Dec 13-25
   Drive thru: 6-7 pm
   Walk thru: 7-9 pm
   Trolley for those who need it. Drive thru in case of rain.
   $4.00 Adults. $1.00 Sturdents. $8.00 per car.
   
4. Postcards from Louisiana. Funky 544.

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