352. Bruce A. Craft, part 1

352. Part 1 of our interview with Bruce A. Craft (English, Foreign Languages, and Cultural Studies). “Redbone Rhetoric—Then and Now: An Exploration of the Literary and Historical Narrative of the Louisiana Redbones.” Bruce explores the history and culture of this tri-racial group living in western Louisiana.

1. This week in Louisiana history. February 15 1956 Fed. Judge S. Wright orders desegregation of N.O. schools with "all deliberate speed."
2. This week in New Orleans history. Patent #2,341,866 was awarded to Andrew J. Higgins on February 15, 1944. Higgin's boats, built by New Orleanians and used during World War II, and particularly in the D-Day Invasion of Normandy, prompted Dwight D. Eisenhower to say, "Andrew Higgins...is the man who won the war for us...If Higgins had not designed and built those LCVPs, we never could have landed over an open beach. The whole strategy of the war would have been different." Hitler called Higgins "the "New Noah". 
   
3. Cajun Country Courir de Mardi Gras
   February 21-25, 2020
   
   Various Locations in Eunice, LA

   Downtown Eunice, 300 S. Second St.,

   Eunice, LA 70535
   337-457-7389
   Website
        This unique five day celebration is not your typical idea of Mardi Gras with beads and doubloons. In fact you won't find these trinkets in sight, but instead, men and women on horseback donned in hand crafted wire masks, tall hats called capuchons, and very distinctive costumes. This one of a kind celebration begins the Friday before Mardi Gras Day, but the main event is the Courir de Mardi Gras procession or "chicken run" which involves chasing a live chicken to collect for a community gumbo, and silliness by revelers all day. Don't wait till Fat Tuesday to join in the fun. Throughout the weeked, experience the town's rural traditions with jam sessions, street dances, cooking demos, Mardi Gras exhibits and a special Liberty Theater show. Les Jeunes and L'il Mardi Gras runs for children are on Sunday as well as an old time boucherie (hog butchering).
       The Eunice Courir de Mardi Gras dates back from when the town was first established in the late 19th century. The Courir was abandoned for a few years during World War II, but in 1946 a small band of riders revived the tradition. Today, the Eunice Courir de Mardi Gras has more than 2,000 participants on the run, and it continues to increase each year. 
4. Postcards from Louisiana. Craig plays on St. Peter St.

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351. Michael N. Henderson, part 2

351. Part 2 of our interview with genealogist Michael N. Henderson. In Got Proof! My Genealogical Journey Through the Use of Documentation, Lieutenant Commander Michael Nolden Henderson, USN retired, captures the attention of genealogists, historians, and others interested in the complex social structure that developed during the French and Spanish colonial periods in Louisiana. He explores the forbidden relationships from which evolved the unique Creole culture. Revealing original documents from as far back as the 1770s, Henderson uses his own experiences as a family history researcher, as well as the insight of noted scholars, to reveal the methods, standards, and techniques used to prove his ancestry.

      Lieutenant Commander Michael Nolden Henderson, United States Navy retired, is a family history researcher who began his genealogy journey almost thirty years ago. He is a native of Algiers, Louisiana, and a graduate of Xavier University. In 2010, he became the first African American in the state of Georgia inducted into the National Society Sons of the American Revolution (SAR). He later became president of the Button Gwinnett Chapter, Georgia Society SAR, and continues his research of colonial Louisiana. 

1. This week in Louisiana history. February 8, 1898. Grandfather Clause enacted for voting purposes.
2. This week in New Orleans history. Ground was broken for for the Notre Dame Seminary on Carrollton Avenue on February 8, 1922.
   
3. This week in Louisiana.
   Tet Fest: Vietnamese New Year
   14011 Dwyer Blvd
   New Orleans, LA 70129
   Mary Queen of Vietnam Church
   02/07/2020 - 02/09/2020
   Location Mary Queen of Vietnam Church
   Time Varies
   Price Free
   Tet Fest occurs at Queen Mary of Vietnam Church during the Vietnamese New Year. New Orleans is home to a large Vietnamese population that celebrates the New Year with this beautiful festival featuring delicious, authentic Vietnamese cuisine, traditional dances, live music, and fun for the whole family.
   
4. Postcards from Louisiana. Wael Violin plays in Jackson Square.

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350. Michael N. Henderson, part 1

350.  Part 1 of our interview with genealogist Michael N. Henderson. In Got Proof! My Genealogical Journey Through the Use of Documentation, Lieutenant Commander Michael Nolden Henderson, USN retired, captures the attention of genealogists, historians, and others interested in the complex social structure that developed during the French and Spanish colonial periods in Louisiana. He explores the forbidden relationships from which evolved the unique Creole culture. Revealing original documents from as far back as the 1770s, Henderson uses his own experiences as a family history researcher, as well as the insight of noted scholars, to reveal the methods, standards, and techniques used to prove his ancestry.

      Lieutenant Commander Michael Nolden Henderson, United States Navy retired, is a family history researcher who began his genealogy journey almost thirty years ago. He is a native of Algiers, Louisiana, and a graduate of Xavier University. In 2010, he became the first African American in the state of Georgia inducted into the National Society Sons of the American Revolution (SAR). He later became president of the Button Gwinnett Chapter, Georgia Society SAR, and continues his research of colonial Louisiana.

1. This week in Louisiana history. February 1, 1929. Ida B. LeBoeuf became first woman hanged for murder in LA.
2. This week in New Orleans history. Actor and comedian Garrett Morris was born in New Orleans on February 1, 1937.
   
3. This week in Louisiana.
   Intergalactic Krewe of Chewbacchus
   Date 02/01/2020
   Time 7:00 PM
   Price Free
   The Intergalactic Krewe of Chewbacchus is a Mardi Gras parade organization for the most revelrous Star Wars Freaks, Trekkies, Whovians, Mega-Geeks, Gamers, Cosplayers, Circuit Benders, Cryptozooligists, UFO Conspiracy Theorists, Mad Scientists, and all the rest of Super Nerdom. Krewe members include science fiction lovers who will parody everything from Star Wars to Monty Python.
   
4. Postcards from Louisiana. Adrienne plays the mandolin and harmonica by the LA Supreme Court.

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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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