Friday, March 11, 2016

147. Renee Sentilles, part 2

147. Renée Sentilles’ interview about Adah Isaac Menken.  Renee has written a major biography about Menken, Performing Menken: Adah Isaacs Menken and the Birth of American Celebrity. The actress grew up in New Orleans and became the United States' first celebrity, as well known for her lifestyle as for her acting. This week we interview her about Loreta Janeta Velazquez, who wrote the memoir The Woman in Battle after the Civil War describing her adventures during the Civil War.  She both dressed as a man to serve as a soldier, and as a woman to carry out her spying assignments.
  1. This week in Louisiana history. March 12, 1817. Miss. Steamboat Navigation Co. seized Capt. H. Shreve's boat, the Washington.
  2. This week in New Orleans history. Andrew Jackson Young, born March 12, 1932 in New Orleans, is an American politician, diplomat, activist and pastor from Georgia. He has served as a Congressman from Georgia's 5th congressional district, the United States Ambassador to the United Nations, and Mayor of Atlanta.
  3. This week in Louisiana.
    Iowa Rabbit Festival
    March 18th, 2016 - March 19th, 2016
    Burton Complex
    7001 Gulf Hwy, Lake Charles, LA 70607
    337-436-9566
    Website
    Burton Complex
    Celebrating the economic and culinary impact rabbits have in Southwest Louisiana, the annual Iowa Rabbit Festival is a one-of-a-kind event, from the rabbit gumbo to crowning the new Miss Bunny, who will go on to represent the festival at other state-wide festivals and competitions. The family-friendly event has some of the best music in the area from the Iowa High School Marching band to local Cajun favorites. This festival has it all, from great food to live music and cook-offs! All proceeds from the festival go to support the community of Iowa and various other youth organizations, schools and not for profit groups.

Friday, March 4, 2016

146. Renee Sentilles, part 1. Lamar White, part 2

146. Renée Sentilles’ interview about Adah Isaac Menken.  Renee has written a major biography about Menken, Performing Menken: Adah Isaacs Menken and the Birth of American Celebrity. The actress grew up in New Orleans and became the United States' first celebrity, as well known for her lifestyle as for her acting.  Also, we complete out chat with Lamar White about the budget crisis in Louisiana.
  1. This week in Louisiana history. March 5, 1766. Antonio de Ulloa becomes the first Spanish governor of Louisiana; arrives in New Orleans but does not take possession.
  2. This week in New Orleans history. March 5, 1999.  Reverend Avery Caesar Alexander died (June 29, 1910 - March 5, 1999).  Reverend Avery C. Alexander was an important leader in the struggle for civil rights for black Louisianians. A member of the NAACP, Rev. Alexander traveled statewide participating in voter registration drives in the years before the Voting Rights Act of 1965 was passed. In New Orleans, he helped to organize several boycotts against white businesses to hire blacks for jobs above the "broom and mop" level. He also led a successful boycott against New Orleans Public Service, Inc. to hire the first black bus drivers. Rev. Alexander participated in marches with the late Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., including the march from Selma to Montgomery, Alabama and the first and second marches on Washington. He also was involved in sit-ins to integrate lunch counters all over New Orleans.
  3. Iberia Performing Arts League Presents, “Jesus Christ, Superstar”
    March 3rd, 2016 - March 20th, 2016
    Essanee Theatre
    126 Iberia St., New Iberia, LA 70560
    337-364-6114
    Website
Listen in iTunes.
Listen in Stitcher.
Like us on Facebook.

Adah Isaacs Menksn
Renee Sentilles
Lamar White

Friday, February 26, 2016

145. Jericho Brown Interview. Lamar White, Louisiana budget update

145. Today we interview Jericho Brown. He grew up in Shreveport, Louisiana, and worked as a speechwriter for the mayor of New Orleans before earning his PhD in literature and creative writing from the University of Houston.  Brown is the author of two books of poetry. His most recent collection, The New Testament (Copper Canyon Press, 2014), was described by Yusef Komunyakaa as a chronicle of “life and death, personal rituals and blasphemies, race and nation, the good and the bad” that illuminates “scenarios of self-interrogation and near redemption.” His first collection of poetry, Please (New Issues, 2008), won the 2009 American Book Award.
     Also this week, we have part 1 of an interview with Lamar White about the special session of the Louisiana legislature addressing the budget crisis.
  1. This week in Louisiana history. February 27, 1827, New Orleans kicks off its first Mardi Gras.
  2. This week in New Orleans history. Ralph A. Shultz (May 20, 1898 - February 27, 1994) lived to the age of 95. R. Shultz's Fresh Hardware and residence at 1720 Lake Avenue in Bucktown -- Local legend says that Ralph added “Fresh” to his general store and bar sign during prohibition to let patrons know he had a fresh keg of home-brewed beer on tap. He also sold trawl, crab, and crawfish nets, bait, tackle, boats, motors...just about anything needed to capture the bounty of the lake. During the 1950s he was an outspoken representative against the banning of commercial fishing in Lake Pontchartrain and for government intervention in improving its ecosystems. His home and store are gone.
  3. This week in Louisiana.
    Black Heritage Festival
    March 4th, 2016 - March 6th, 2016
    Lake Charles Civic Center
    900 Lakeshore Drive, Lake Charles, LA 70601
    337-436-9588
    Website
    Lake Charles Civic Center
    The annual Black Heritage Festival will be held March 4-6 and feature live entertainment, mouthwatering food, and great family fun. The festival brings together the cultures of Africa and Southwest Louisiana and highlights the best in the community.  Celebrating diversity, culture and education, the festival is filled with legendary Zydeco, Jazz, R&B and Gospel performers.
Listen in iTunes.
Listen in Stitcher.
Like us on Facebook.



Friday, February 19, 2016

144. Vernon Palmer, Part 2.

144.  One of the things that makes Louisiana unique among the other states is our legal system, and our guest this week, Vernon Palmer, is an expert on that system. In part 1, we discuss the Code Noir; in part 2, the Code Napoléon.  For more information, check out his book Through the Codes Darkly: Slave Law and Civil Law in Louisiana.Vernon is the Thomas Pickles Professor of Law at Tulane University Law School and the co-director of its Eason Weinmann Center of Comparative Law. Palmer received in 2012 the degree of Docteur Honoris Causa by Paris-Dauphine University and received both the Palmes Académiques and, in 2006, the Legion of Honor from the French government. Palmer was born in New Orleans, Louisiana, and attended New Orleans Academy, Newman High School and graduated from Jesuit High School in 1958.  He is a graduate of Tulane University (B.A. 1962, LL.B. 1965 with Law Review Honors) and Yale Law School (LL.M. 1966), where he received a Sterling Fellowship. Palmer graduated from Pembroke College, Oxford University in 1985, where he received his Doctorate of Philosophy. 
  1. This week in Louisiana history. February 20, 1811. President Madison signed bill providing for Louisiana's statehood.
  2. This week in New Orleans history. February 20, 1811. President Madison signed the bill providing for Louisiana's statehood.
  3. This week in Louisiana.
    New Iberia Azalea Trail
    March 1st, 2016 - April 30th, 2016
    Iberia Parish
    Main St, New Iberia, LA 70560
    337-365-1540 | 888-942-3742 | 337-367-3791
    Website
    Iberia Parish
    Delicate Azaleas bloom early each Spring flooding the landscape with a sea of red, pink, white, purple and salmon.  Our easy self guided driving tour offers a glimpse of all the beautiful flowers along the trail from the miniature varieties to the massive.
Listen in iTunes.
Listen in Stitcher.
Like us on Facebook.


Friday, February 12, 2016

143. Vernon Palmer, Part 1

143. One of the things that makes Louisiana unique among the other states is our legal system, and our guest this week, Vernon Palmer, is an expert on that system. In part 1, we discuss the Code Noir; in part 2, the Code Napoléon.  For more information, check out his book Through the Codes Darkly: Slave Law and Civil Law in Louisiana.Vernon is the Thomas Pickles Professor of Law at Tulane University Law School and the co-director of its Eason Weinmann Center of Comparative Law. Palmer received in 2012 the degree of Docteur Honoris Causa by Paris-Dauphine University and received both the Palmes Académiques and, in 2006, the Legion of Honor from the French government. Palmer was born in New Orleans, Louisiana, and attended New Orleans Academy, Newman High School and graduated from Jesuit High School in 1958.  He is a graduate of Tulane University (B.A. 1962, LL.B. 1965 with Law Review Honors) and Yale Law School (LL.M. 1966), where he received a Sterling Fellowship. Palmer graduated from Pembroke College, Oxford University in 1985, where he received his Doctorate of Philosophy.
  1. This week in Louisiana history. February 13, 1899. Lowest temperature ever recorded in Louisiana, Minden, -16° F.
  2. This week in New Orleans history. February 13, 1872.  First Rex Parade. Lewis J. Salomon reigned as Rex during the organization's first parade on February 13, 1872.  The theme was "Triumphal Entry." The official anthem of Rex, "If Ever I Cease to Love," was a hit song of the early 1870's era from a musical comedy named "Bluebeard."
  3. This week in Louisiana.
    Diary of Anne Frank
    February 18th, 2016 - February 21st, 2016
    Ruston Community Theater
    212 N. Vienna St., Ruston, LA 71270
    318-255-1450
    Website
Listen in iTunes.
Listen in Stitcher.
Like us on Facebook.


Friday, February 5, 2016

142. Robert King of the Angola Three

142.  Robert King of the Angola Three was in solitary confinement for almost 30 years.  We talk to Robert about his early life, his imprisonment and activism in Angola, and his life since his release. We start today's episode with a quote from a young Samuel Clemens about his first Mardi Gras.
  1. This week in Louisiana history. February 5, 1817. Jean Lafitte died in battle off coast of Honduras.
  2. This week in New Orleans history. Born in New Orleans on February 6, 1944, Wilson Turbinton (known as Tee and Willie Tee) arranged, co-wrote and led the band on the Wild Magnolias' self-titled 1974 debut album. The popularity of that recording, and the subsequent They Call Us Wild introduced the Mardi Gras Indians' street-beat funk to the world.
  3. This week in Louisiana.
    Alexandria Mardi Gras
    February 7th, 2016
    Downtown
    707 Main Street, Alexandria, LA 71301
    318-442-9546 | 800-551-9546
    Website
    Experience Mardi Gras family style! The weekend begins with a Friday afternoon Classic Cars and College Cheerleaders  parade followed by the Taste of Mardi Gras. Saturday is the Children's Parade, and Sunday is the Main Parade. Routes and more information is available at www.alexmardigras.com.
Listen in iTunes.
Listen in Stitcher.
Like us on Facebook.


Friday, January 29, 2016

141. Kristen Becker, Part 2.

141. Kristen Becker interview, part 2.  For 15 years, Kristen has loved bringing her raucous point-of-view comedy to audiences all over the continent.  Toronto’s Xtra!  lauded her “brash and personal humor.” As the winner of the Queen City Comedy Competition, she took the largely male-dominated genre by storm. A comedian who happens to also be an out lesbian, Becker consistently wins the hearts of all audiences, straight and gay alike, with her unapologetic humor. Her childhood, divided between the Rust Belt and the Deep South, has left her uniquely able to connect with all manner of people.  She has been part of comedy routines like Dykes of Hazard and Loosen the Bible Belt, in which she teams up with Jay Bakker, son of Jim and Tammy Faye Bakker.  Quinn Warner joins us today as a guest hostWarning--today's episode has explicit language and content.
  1. This week in Louisiana history. January 30, 1704. Bienville told that "Pelican" was on its way with 27 young girls, the Casket Girls.
  2. This week in New Orleans history. January 30, 1980. Professor Longhair died. He was born Henry Roeland "Roy" Byrd on December 19, 1918, in Bogalusa, Louisiana. He made a living as a street hustler until he started to play piano seriously in his thirties. He taught himself how to play on a piano with missing keys, so his style became distinct. When he began his career in New Orleans in 1948, Mike Tessitore bestowed Longhair with his stage name (due to Byrd's shaggy coiffure). Longhair first recorded in 1949, creating four songs (including the first version of his signature song, "Mardi Gras in New Orleans" His  pet numbers were "Tipitina" and "Go to the Mardi Gras."
  3. This week in Louisiana.
    Cajun Ground Hog Day
    February 2nd, 2016
    Bouligny Plaza
    102 W Main St, New Iberia, LA 70560
    337-365-6773 | 337-367-9640
    Website
    Bouligny Plaza
    Annual event where New Iberia's own version of the traditional groundhog, Pierre C. Shaddeaux, a native nutria, emerges to predict weather the weather for the next six weeks…etiher a long or short spring depending on if Pierre sees his shaddeaux or not.
Listen in iTunes.
Listen in Stitcher.
Like us on Facebook.