I had been struggling for a couple of weeks with what I wanted to do for tomorrow's 5th anniversary of Hurricane Katrina. Then, it was just handed to me, without notice, like so many moments in the great city of New Orleans.
The following was written by a good friend.
I must admit that the barrage of media coverage regarding the 5th anniversary of Katrina has given me serious PTSD. I have been struggling with how to commemorate the day,(attend the interfaith service, lay in bed with the covers over my head until Aug.30th??).
As is so with many of life's questions, the answers can often be found in the words of a song, (especially if playing on WWOZ). Was tuned in this A.M. when a song was played called "Come On Home To The Dancing Ground." Made shortly after Katrina, it was a plea for all citizens to return to the city they love.
"Ain't nobody here on their knees with their heads bowed down, we all up and dancing on the dancing ground."
After the song was played, they were interviewing the Indian Chief who wrote and performed the tune. He invited everyone to the "Katrina Crawl" on Sunday August 29th in a way that only a true New Orleanian could.
"I want to invite everyone to the Katrina Crawl on Sunday. We gonna have the Indians, the Treme Brass band and maybe even the Big Easy Roller Derby Ladies. Nah, it's gonna be an open parade so that means anybody can come. It don't matter who you are, what color you are, what sex you are, even Obama can come if he wants to. Bring yourself, a human companion, canine companion, feline companion, even your bovine companion. So we gonna be starting down on Rampart by the little church, right there where Gendusa's used to be, and parade up to the HI-HO lounge, that's not too far from Elysian Fields on St. Claude and if you get to St Roch you gone too far. When asked what time it was starting he said, "somewhere between 4:00-6:00pm, but come early because the earlier you come, the more fun you gonna have."
So while others may choose to ring bells, hang black wreaths or just bide time until the day is over, I think you will find me at the Katrina crawl, because that is the essence of New Orleans and why I chose to stay. As the chief said, "You can't drown soul baby."
Thanks to all who chose to stay, chooses to visit or gets this great complex, maddeningly, wonderful place called New Orleans.
Here's my contribution. Let's not forget the great people of New Orleans.
THE WEEKEND MIX, PART 3
Sneakin' Sally Through The Alley- Lee Dorsey
Exit To Mystery Street- Paul Sanchez
Handa Wanda- Stanton Moore
Keep It To Yourself- Sansone, Krown, & Fohl
Before I Grow Too Old- Tommy McClain
John The Revelator- Dirty Dozen Brass Band
Dizzy Miss Lizzy- Snooks Eaglin
Liberty Bell- Willie Tee
Croker Courtbullion- Dr.. John
Indian Red- The Golden Eagles
Louisiana 1927- Marcia Ball
My Gang Is Leaving Now- Guardians Of The Flame
ZIP FILE
8 comments:
hmmm. can't reach the server for the zip... will try again later. damn, i was gonna take it to a barbecue this evening.
what am I doing wrong with these zip files? I download, but can't access, am told it's not a valid file. Love the blog otherwise...thank you
I honestly don't know what the problem is. misospecial, as you can see, had a problem, but had it rectified. On my end, it all downloaded and unzipped in less than 2 minutes.
I'm sorry for the frustration, but I don;t know how to help.
oh well. thanks for the prompt reply. (I tried winzip and 7zip, which have never failed before , but....)
To hell with the downloads, your writing alone makes this a must-read every day. (Just read your tale about Leslie. Shit! that was heartbreaking!)
Well thanks so much for that! But, I would like the downloads to work for you.
I'm guessing you have a PC? How about Stuff It expander? Or RAR expander?
I did it! I won't embarrass myself by telling you how, coz it was very convoluted and time consuming (and probably "wrong") but it worked. So thank you (it was the Dave Alvin show).
And please, if Leslie gets in touch, let us know, I feel involved now.
Thanks for sharing Sal! The tunes and the quotes-- only in NOLA is there a two hour range for starting time . . . (happy to report I am "zipping the modern way")
"It does all of it."
Post a Comment