FoodMusicJustice.com

One of the big challenges New Orleans needs to get a handle on - and fast - is violent crime.

It’s not that the culture of New Orleans is more violent than any other city in America. The problem is that it’s criminal justice system is broken - badly. On the one hand, you have citizens with minor offenses often being treated quite badly by police. On the other hand, you have a core of violent career criminals who receive revolving door treatment.

A local group, Citizens for 1 Greater New Orleans are tackling the problem. Here’s a letter they sent yesterday to their members: (more…)

What would you rather have your friends do when you die? Mope around or celebrate your life?

New Orleans has an answer to that question.

Even in the most tragic circumstances imaginable…celebrate.

God Bless New Orleans!

Three more videos from the jazz funeral parade for Helen Hill:

Lawsuit against the Army Corps of Engineers

Here’s partial text of the ad soliciting claimants that the law firm of Bruno & Bruno, L.L.P. ran in yesterday’s Times-Picayune. It’s entitled Claim for Damage, Injury, or Death.

“The hurricane protection levees and hurrican walls which were supposed to protect the New Orleans metropolitcan area failed and were breached during the day of August 29, 2005. The breaches and failure of the hurricane protection levees and walls were are result of Corps of Engineers’ negligence in granting a permit to the Sewage and Water Board to dredge the 17th Street Canal and in the design and construction of these levees and walls and the Mississippi River Gulf Outlet. In addition, the Corps knew or reasonably should have known that the hurricane protection levees and walls were inadequate to protect the area from flooding from a fast moving category three hurricane and despite that knowledge, the Corps failed to disclose the inadequacies, to the material detriment of the claimant.”

If you or anyone you know suffered a loss in New Orleans as a result of the levee failures, go here for more information about making a claim:

• Leveelaw
• KatrinaJustice

Or call 1-800-529-4636

The opening…

Vegan cupcakes…

“If I can’t dance, I don’t want to be part of your revolution.” Emma Goldman. One of Helen’s favorite quotes and guiding principles.

Closing…

At Mardi Gras in New Orleans, you can watch a parade - or be in one.

Here’s some video from Frenchman Street, a cool spot far from the tourist zone, with lots of great live music clubs (the Spotted Cat, DBA, Snug Harbor etc.)

The first video is from Lundi Gras night. I have no idea who these folks are, but I love them! They were out Mardi Gras night too providing the tunes for a non-stop dance party.

Next: I found this on YouTube. It was shot on Mardi Gras Day itself. Glad to see it. I was over on Canal watching the Zulu Parade. (Can’t be in two places at once, but I know where I’ll be next year!)

Early morning on Mardis Gras Day before the parades members of the Congo Nation Indian Tribe met at St. Augstine’s Church in the Treme to prepare for their day.

Other than Mardi Gras, Marxh 19 is the best time of the year to catch sight of the elusive Tribes of New Orleans. This last video, posted by MojoTooth.com, highlights the official harrassment Indians and Second Line parades face.

Click here for more about St. Joseph’s Night and the Mardi Gras Indian Tradition

My favorite music street in New Orleans, Frenchman Street, turns into a multi day and night party spot during Mardi Gras season. It’s the alternative to Bourbon Street.

I shot these two short videos on Mardi Gras Day 2007:

Mardi Gras morning in New Orleans…families were already camped out, cooking and ready for the day’s parades. I shot this video at 7:30 in the morning:

The Zulu Parade is one of many huge parades that takes place during Carnival season.

Here’s a very small slice of what it was like.

Keep in mind there are several major parades during Carnival season and countless smaller one. The Zulu Parade alone had twenty-seven floats.

I think it’s safe to say that New Orleans Mardi Gras is the biggest public celebration in all of North America.

Zulu Parade 2007 Video #1:

Zulu Parade 2007 Video #2:

I had breaksfast on Mardi Gras Day at the Hotel Monteleone. I happened to be standing in the lobby when the walking club led by Pete Fountain, the musician and self-proclaimed “Prince of Mardi Gras” streamed in.

It’s an upscale group.

In addition to the Mardi Gras Krewes, there are also Mardi Gras walking clubs:

The Jefferson City Buzzards, The Garden District Club, The Corner Carnival Club, Lyons Carnival Club, The Society of Saint Ann, The Krewe of Barkus, Mondo Kayo, KOE, and Krewe of Switzerland.

Click here for the official web site of the Krewe of Saint Anne

Click here for more info about New Orleans Walking Clubs.

Lundi Gras 2007 - New Orleans.

YouTube’s been erratic or I’d have more for you, but here’s a little parade that came out of nowhere as I was heading down Royal from Canal.

Coming soon (I hope): The big floats on Canal Street at night and another mini parade that passed along Frenchman Street. There are lots of mini-parades.

Here’s the clip from Royal Street:

Finally…two clips from the Orpheus Parade. This one parade had thirty floats. This  year’s theme was “Tales of Transformation.”

The end of this parade. The Man on the Moon float: