FoodMusicJustice.com

Earl Barth, a sixth generation master of the plastering art, has passed away.

Mr. Barth is representative of one of the little know aspects of New Orleans art and creativity.

Known for its music and food, New Orleans was and remains one of the bastions of high level craftsmanship in the building trades. New Orleans craftsmen were in demand around the country and their work can be seen in places as far flung as Chicago and Washington DC.

In 2008, scholars and music lovers gathered at the Sound Cafe in New Orleans for to hear some of these men talk about their dual lives and craftsmen and musicians - and to hear them play.

Here’s some video from the event:

http://www.foodmusicjustice.com/page/219.html

The plan for reviving the relationship between Manchester and New Orleans is simple.

Bring New Orleans artists, musicians, scholars etc. to Manchester and welcome Manchester folks to visit New Orleans.

Last spring, we got the ball rolling by hosting Manchester poet Grevel Lindop.

Last month, we brought a New Orleans poet Chuck Perkins to Manchester.

He’s the video of his first visit (the first one was so successful there are bound to be many more):

New Orleans poet Chuck Perkins visits Manchester

New Orleans and Manchester have a history together that goes way back - but everyone forgets because no one on the US side of the ocean asks the question:

“Where did the cotton from New Orleans go?”

To Manchester, where textile mill workers - including children as young as five - faced conditions every bit as brutal as Delta slavery.

In spite of their own situation, Manchester workers stood in solidarity with enslaved Africans in America and called for Abolition.

Today, victimized by government corruption, incompetence and neglect on an epic scale, the people of New Orleans have been beaten, but are not bowed.

If ever there were a time for Mancunians who love the beat to turn their eyes back to New Orleans, now’s the time.

Every beat in popular music - jazz, R & B, rock and roll, funk - originated on a drum kit in New Orleans.

Chicago and Detroit? Musical nephews of the Big Uncle Big Easy. Look it up…and share the video.

Manchester loves New Orleans

Thanks to videographers Hubie Vigreaux, Ken McCarthy, and YouTubers. Edit by Matthew Lipscomb and Ken McCarthy.

Special thanks to A Guy Called Gerald.

Info about the upcoming Food Music Justice program in Manchester, UK is here:

http://www.ChuckPerkinsVoices.com

Matt Faust’s short animation “Home” just one first prize in the New Orleans film festival in the experimental animation category.

We’ve posted about this film before. Here’s the link again in case you haven’t seen it:

http://www.levees.tv/home

Congratulations Matt!

“NoLa Rising is a post-Katrina art campaign encouraging people in all faubourgs of Greater New Orleans to publicly display works of art, regardless of how simple or untutored it may seem to be, for the purpose of rebuilding and restoring the human spirit in our city.

NOLA is a unique and beautiful city that has historically embraced the spirit of personal freedom that supports the growth of the artist, musician and writer … the goal of the NoLa Rising Project is to showcase that spirit.”

The $50,000 fine against ReX, turned into a few hundred bucks, but he has to desist from decorating the city with art.

Here’s the word:

Remaining NoLA Rising Street Signs

Since I have been forced to agree to court order about me personally not putting up signs within the City of New Orleans, the remaining balance of NoLA Rising signs, whether made by me or at N.R. paint parties is being brought to XO Studios for dispersement to those who will enjoy them.

XO STUDIOS
2833 Dauphine (in the Marigny at the corner of Press Street)

NOLA IS RISING Y’ALL AND WE ARE ALL A PART OF IT!

A lot of things jumped out at me at the alternative arts show in New Orleans earlier this year, but one thing that really grabbed me was a booth by the Goodchildren Carnival Club.

“We’re starting a new parade (really?) and it’s going to go along St. Claude on Easter (wow!)” The name Goodchildren comes from an old New Orleans street name.

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New Orleans photographer Frank Relle…

I just picked up a postcard of his work at Mojo’s (see previous post) my favorite hangout in the city.

Relle specializes in what he calls “nightscapes” which turns out to be exquisite architecture photography, portraits of the city’s peerless wooden houses taken at night.

Beauty…mystery…a palpable, but invisible presence in the air. These photographs nail New Orleans.

Good stuff and worth a visit:

http://www.frankrelle.com

The artist in this video has been charged by the City of N.O. with 1,100 counts of littering and now faces $50,000 in fines.

An exhibit and art show is set up to help raise funds at the Avenue Pub at 1732 St. Charles Avenue. The show is up until March 29th and is open Monday through Thursday ten to six.

If you’re out of town and want to help, here’s an idea:

NoLA Rising Legal Defense Fund

Just got back from a community screening of “Faubourg Treme: The untold story of New Orleans.”

I expected it to be good. It was great.

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This weekend, Armstrong Park is the site of two day-long festivals, Inter-Fest on Saturday and Congo Square Rhythms Festival on Sunday. (more…)